[Dean's World] Dean: Rumsfeld on the War

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Posted by Dean:
Rumsfeld on the War
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1157150705.shtml


   Donald Rumsfeld has a [1]terrific piece in the LA Times. Some have
   unfortunately accused him of saying things he didn't, but he's having
   none of it:

     We also should be aware that the struggle is too important â the
     consequences too severe â to allow a "blame America first"
     mentality to overwhelm the truth that our nation, though imperfect,
     is a force for good in the world.

     Consider that a database search of the nation's leading newspapers
     turns up 10 times as many mentions of one of the soldiers punished
     for misconduct at Abu Ghraib than of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith,
     the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in the global war on
     terror.

     Then there is the case of Amnesty International, a long-respected
     human-rights organization, which called the detention facility at
     Guantanamo Bay the "gulag of our times" â a reference to the vast
     system of Soviet prisons and labor camps where innocent citizens
     were starved, tortured and murdered. The facility at Guantanamo
     Bay, by contrast, includes a volleyball court, basketball court,
     soccer field and library (the book most requested is "Harry
     Potter"). The food, served in accordance with Islamic diets, costs
     more per detainee than the average U.S. military ration.

     With examples like these prevalent in the world media, I do worry
     about the lack of perspective in our national dialogue â a
     perspective on history and the new challenges and threats that free
     people face today. Those who know the truth need to speak out
     against the myths and distortions being told about our troops and
     our country. My remarks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars and
     American Legion conventions have generated much discussion. I
     encourage everyone to read what I actually said at
     [2]defenselink.mil/speeches.

   Instapundit notes some [3]letters that Rumsfeld sent to prominent
   members of Congress.

   Donald Rumsfeld is probably the best Secretary of Defense of my
   lifetime. I am constantly amazed at what he's accomplished, and how
   well he keeps his head while doing it, and being subjected to some of
   the most unfair criticism I've ever seen thrown at a public official.

   I sleep better every night knowing this guy's still in charge. I
   really do.

References

   1. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rumsfeld1sep01,0,1419169.story?coll=la-opinion-center
   2. file://localhost/var/www/powerblogs/deanesmay/posts/defenselink.mil/speeches
   3. http://instapundit.com/archives/032306.php