On Sunday, Eric Massa and Jeff Latas announced a petition drive by the Fighting Dems calling for Rumsfeld to go. You can read Eric's in-depth analysis of what the Generals calling for Rumsfeld's resignation said and what has been said in response to them
here. Since then an 8th General, Retired Marine General Paul Van Riper has added his voice to the growing chorus
calling for Rumsfeld to go.
Tonight the Fighting Dem Vets blogger team is repeating the call to action. We ask everyone to join with these Fighting Dems and sign the petition. In addition to putting up the petition for you to read and sign, we are also sharing with you some of the comments from Fighting Dems about Secretary Rumsfeld as they officially signed the petition. And stay tuned for more exciting news as this petition drive grows and develops.
THE PETITION
Sign the Petition here:
Fighting-Dems.com
This petition calls for the resignation of DefSec Donald Rumsfeld by the Fighting Dem Vets, also called the Band of Brothers and by their official title of Veterans for a Secure America.
A detailed description of the flawed leadership of DefSec Donald Rumsfeld was posted in a Kos diary by Eric Massa and Jeff Latas at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 23rd at http://eric-massa.dailykos.com/.
PETITION CALLING FOR SECDEF DONALD RUMSFELD TO RESIGN
Background
Veterans running for congressional seats across the nation are joining seven recently retired generals in demanding the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld. The "Fighting Dem Vets" are launching this petition for Americans to lend their voices to this patriotic demand from over 70 veteran junior officers, NCOs and enlisted personnel are standing beside their ranking officers by having signed this petition.
Let it be known that this is not a matter of a few generals; it is the common perception of veterans who know the failings of leadership in this administration to be an unprecedented disaster for our nation. It is absolutely appropriate and welcomed for these Generals to speak out. They have insightful knowledge, opinions and experience to share vital to our democracy. Flawed policy, blind obedience and, even at this late date, denial that a change of course is necessary, are the signatures of the Rumsfeld-driven war in Iraq -- a war that had no connection to fighting terrorism, and that diverted efforts from fighting terrorism where it was known to exist. Instead of finishing the job in Afghanistan, Rumsfeld lobbied and coerced for war with Iraq in full support of the administration, from top to bottom. It was the wrong strategic decision for the nation and the world and Rumsfeld is accountable for the debacle his ideologically-driven agenda created.
Additionally, Secretary Rumsfeld personally authorized unlawful torture inflaming the Arab world and has been caught in a deceitful lie about armor for our troops and their vehicles.
This record being tolerated and endorsed by America's Commander in Chief is appalling and unacceptable. We veterans who are running for Congress to put America back on course stand with these honorable Generals. It is their, and our, most recent patriotic act! We have signed this petition to alert all Americans and call on you to join us today!
HONORABLE MENTION SIGNATORY:
HACKETT, Paul.
Veterans Running for Congress who are Signatories:
MASSA, ERIC (NY-29).
DUCK, Andrew (MD-06).
SHEELER, Carl,(RI-Senate)
ROBERTS, Joe (FL-01)
WEBBER, Craig (NC-03),
KOVACH, Tom (PA-18)
LAESCH, John (IL-14)
SULZER, Joe (OH-18),
BOWMAN, Bob (FL-15)
MITCHELL, Bill (FL-09)
WINTER, Bill (CO-06)
COURAGE, John (TX-21)
HARRIS, David, (TX-06)
WOLFE, John L (OH-13)
SEXTON, Rich (NJ-03)
WEBBER, George D.(MO-02)
CAMPBELL, Daryl (MI-07)
STRACK, Fred (MI 07)
BOWMAN, Bob (FL-15)
FALZETT, Bill Ph.D. (CA-02)
LATAS, Jeff (AZ-08)
HORNE, Andrew (KY-03)
HARRIS, David T. (TX-06)
CURRY, John M. (WI-06)
STEPP, Kenneth (KY-05)
BROWN, Charles D (CA-04)
BALDWIN, Mishonda (MD)
WEED, Al (VA-05)
CASADY, Derek
DURSTON, Bill (CA-03)
OTTER, Karen Marie (CA-52)
HOWLAND, Ken (NY-25)
JOHNSON, Bob (NY-23)
Additional Comments:
Kenneth Stepp, Candidate, Democrat, U.S. House of Representatives, Kentucky Fifth District hereby signs the Petition requesting Rumsfeld to resign. Kenneth Stepp.
Fellow Veterans,
I support the call for Donald Rumsfeld to resign as SecDef.
Leaders must be held accountable for their mistakes and failed policies.
I fully support calling for Rumsfeld to be held accountable for failed policy, failed equipment, and failed leadership. Charlie
Charles D. Brown, Lt.Col, USAF
Brown4Congress.org
California 4CD
Andrew Horne
Mr. Rumsfeld needs to answer for many things, but foremost in my mind is his absolute lack of concern or support for American troops in Iraq and this Administration's shocking treatment of Veterans. Credible reports indicate that 80% of the Marines killed in Iraq as a result of upper body injuries could have been saved if they had the proper body armor. I am told that Marines often wear the same body armor I wore in the early 80's, and some have body armor from before that.
Mr. Rumsfeld's rush to war without adequately preparing our brave men and women and without giving them enough equipment or enough troops on the ground makes him personally liable, in my view, for the needless deaths of many Americans in Iraq. He must be held accountable.
Bill Winter