How many General does it take to call for Secretary Rumsfeld to do the honorable thing and resign? Seven very senior retired Generals so far (Anthony Zinni, John Riggs, Paul Eaton, Gregory Newbold, John Batiste, Charles Swannack and Wesley Clarke) have called for his resignation in no uncertain terms. They included the former head of CentCom,retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, and the chief of operations at the Pentagon,retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold. They included generals that fought in Iraq:Retired Army Major Gen. John Riggs, Retired Gen. Charles Swannack and retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste.
These new powerful voices are added to that of General Wesley Clarke who in 2004 said on Meet the Press that it would be patriot for Rumsfeld to resign to take accountability for Iraq.
Of course the effect is to challenge much of what Bush has told the nation as to how he has met and listened to the Generals and that he would provide anything they needed including more troops if they requested them.
The Generals have also clearly dismissed the strategy and tactics used in the war. This was the keystone of Rumsfeld's remaking of the US military. There is not much in the military campaign plan that has survived their furious attack.
If the rationale for the war was totally flawed and how they fought the war was incompetent, what is left to stand behind as a nation sees daily violence and destruction.
Their statements were clear and focused in calling for his resignation while stating the root causes of many of problems in Iraq.
Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs*: "We just grossly underestimated the numbers of soldiers we would need," and tied in to Rumsfeld creating a work "atmosphere of arrogance".He added "They only need the military advice when it satisfies their agenda. I think that's a mistake, and that's why I think he should resign," He called that Rumsfeld "should step aside and let someone step in who can be more realistic,"
Army Major Gen. Paul Eaton described Rumsfeld as "incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically."and "Rumsfeld has put the Pentagon at the mercy of his ego, his Cold Warrior's view of the world and his unrealistic confidence in technology to replace manpower."
Lieutenant-General Greg Newbold, former operations director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says quiessence by the military to Rumsfeld led to "a fundamentally flawed plan was executed for an invented war, while pursuing the real enemy, al-Q'aida, became a secondary effort." and "The cost of flawed leadership continues to be paid in blood. We need fresh ideas and fresh faces, and that means as a first step, replacing Rumsfeld and many others unwilling to fundamentally change their approach."
Retired Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni,former commander of US forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, said "throwing away 10 years worth of planning, plans that had taken into account what we would face in an occupation of Iraq."and "I think he should (resign). This is not personal, believe me. We grew up in a culture where accountability, learning to accept responsibility, admitting your mistakes and learning from them was critical to us,"
Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste who commanded the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq in 2004-2005:
"Finally, I believe we need a fresh part in the Pentagon. We need a leader who understands team work, a leader who knows how to build teams, a leader that does it without intimidation. A leader that conforms and practices the letter and the law of the Goldwater-Nichols Act.
Conversely, I think we need senior military leaders who understand the principles of war and apply them ruthlessly, and when the time comes, they need to call it like it is."
Retired Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, who led the Army's 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq "I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him," and "Specifically, I feel he has micromanaged the generals who are leading our forces,"
*Riggs spent 39 years in uniform, rose from private to lieutenant general and won a Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in Vietnam.
Riggs was forced to retire in 2004 minus one star after he gave an interview in which he said the Army had been stretched thin in Afghanistan and Iraq and needed thousands more troops. He said Thursday that it was time for someone to lead the Pentagon who could work with the top military brass in a more practical manner.
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