Rumsfeld Denies Shift in Iraq View

[cthrumatrix]

Rumsfeld Denies Shift in Iraq View
Word Choice in Leaked Memo Defended
By Bradley Graham
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 24, 2003; Page A02


Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld yesterday rejected claims that a memo he wrote questioning the effectiveness of the Pentagon's anti-terrorism efforts represented a new, more sober assessment on his part.

Ready with dictionary definitions and appearing confident as ever, the Pentagon leader stuck by every part of the leaked memo, repeating predictions that securing Afghanistan and Iraq would involve a "long, hard slog" and that reshaping the U.S. military into a winning counterterrorism force may fall short.

"Big institutions don't change fast. That we know," he said.

He also declared that he had no intention of halting his longtime practice of peppering associates with provocative memos. "It's a good thing for people to chew them over," he said.

But coming at a time when the administration is attempting to put a more positive spin on the situation in Iraq and the war on terrorism, the doubts and musings in Rumsfeld's memo -- written last week and first reported Wednesday -- have proved particularly awkward for the defense secretary and the White House. Democratic lawmakers and other critics of the administration's course continued yesterday to seize on the memo as evidence of doublespeak.

snip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9021-2003Oct23.html

[teryang]

1. More propaganda from Herr Rumnitz

http://www.reuters.com

Rumsfeld Heralds Shift to 'War of Ideas' on Terror
Fri October 24, 2003 06:10 AM ET
By Mark Trevelyan, Security Correspondent
<PARIS (Reuters) - Questioning whether the United States is winning the war on terror, Donald Rumsfeld has set the stage for a policy shift that will put more emphasis on the struggle for hearts and minds.

In a leaked memo and in public comments this week, the U.S. defense secretary stressed the importance of defeating terrorism not just through military victories but in a "war of ideas.">

<"The perception is that the memo was leaked by Rummy and intended to demonstrate he's on the ball, he's not an idiot and he realizes they need to continue to update their planning.">

<French terrorism expert Xavier Raufer said Washington's strategy to date "is not working, it's stupid.">

War of ideas on terror?? It is as if there is no cause and effect relationship between American policy and terrorism. The article points out that American policy is resented for its support of right wing authoritarian rule in Egypt and Saudi, but fails to mention American unwavering financial and military support of Israel.

Look for the development of a secret police dictorship in Iraq controlled by the CIA to relieve the American military commitment.

[cliss]

2. I know....we're all waiting

for the cracks to appear in the facade of Ole Rum. We'd like to see him show us once and for all, that he's really delusional or borderline. Well, he has. The REAL Donald doesn't come out all that often, but it's there.....hidden....in a broad, guiltless smile. The eyes glitter at the thought of complete control over other peoples' lives. ...to send them to their deaths. Why? Because they need to be exterminated. The machinery of war must keep rolling.

"We have GRAND plans for our country, and don't you see? It's for YOU, that we're doing this. The world will be a safer place when we're in control of all of it. When we get to that point....when we subjugate 7 more unruly nations.....except the goal keeps moving further away, as we draw closer.....

...funny....