I made certain my college age son kept his passport current for one reason.
Donald Rumsfeld.
His resignation today-one day after America sent George one heck of a blatant message-iced the top of my Democratic cake.
As a parent, the former Secretary of Defense scared the crap out of me.
Even his very initials caused my parent hands to google "Canadian real estate" more than once.
D.R.
Add an "A-F-T"...
(Why? Because we need more soldiers)...
D-R-A-F-T
And boom... Kent State flickers across the memory banks of my mind. I'm there again, a thirteen-year-old in front of a black and white RCA, but this time, I relive the past with the empathy of those parents whose children lost their lives in Vietnam.
Irrational? Maybe. But doubtful that I am the first parent of a college age son-or daughter-who have had this very thought flashpoint through their thoughts.
Could the draft be reinstated? Would we-as a country-be forced to endure the enforced nightmare all over again?
With Rumsfeld-ever so omnipotent-I dared not think what I dared not think.
The threat seems less likely this evening.
The Vote Heard 'Round the World appears effective one mere day after we, the people, decided to get our collective act together and fight back as one.
United.
Ever the conspiracy freak, I can't help if anyone else has noticed the huge elephant standing in the center of the room.
Why now? Why did Rumsfeld resign today? Why not two weeks ago when he might have done his boss some good?
What prompted the dismissal of D.R.?
Did the call by The Military Times finally push George over the edge?
Rumsfeld said once upon a time that he would step down when no longer effective as Secretary of Defense.
He did attempt resignation, on more than one ocassion.
"I submitted my resignation to President Bush twice... I felt that he ought to make the decision as to whether or not I stayed on," Rumsfeld told CNN's Larry King "And he made that decision and said he did want me to stay on."
Nah. I just can't believe the Prez is that much of a realist.
That by dismissing Rumsfeld weeks ago, he might have scored votes at the midterm.
He's got something up his sleeve.
This time, however, Bush has the Dem hellhounds watching his every move, ready to descend, fast and furious.
But tonight, I'll accept the resignation at face value.
I'll rest a little easier knowing "the bad man" is gone and my son is safely ensconced in his collegiate endeavors.
But before my lids fall closed, I'll think of my adult contemporaries, who long for the safe return of their children from Iraq.
Perhaps, with the booting of Rumsfeld, parents can dare to dream and push away the thoughts they dare not think.
Let's bring our troops home.
http://news.independent.co.uk/...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...