Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dies at 88

a reply to: anna123445

did bush cry

a reply to: anna123445

millionaires cant take it with them

a reply to: anna123445

was he a christian ?

Good effin riddance to worthless war mongering garbage, may you rot in hell you piece of...

a reply to: pravdaseeker

Memo

Subject: Donald Rumsfeld's last snowflakes
Location: Undisclosed military and political history libraries

My condolences go to Rumsfeld's family and friends. However, there is no escaping that his legacy is the Iraq War. Along with his cronies, he perpetrated the shock and awe doctrine in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Iraq time saw, his military unsound light footprint approach nearly broke the back of the U.S. Army. Insufficient troop numbers for long wars and the inability to recognise conflicts aren't wrapped up in excellent packages left terrible legacies.

The failure to respond to the rising IED threat to troops resulted in countless unnecessary causalities. Weighing hindsight against the landmine to IED threat evolution is tricky. But sufficient evidence from Vietnam to wars in Southern Africa pointed to the enduring character of future battlefield threats. Curiously, the original and unruly Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles lacked off-road capabilities. Yet why the MRAP's Australian counterpart, the Bushmaster, isn't licensed build in the U.S. is unexplained. Time saved and not splitting away four-wheel-drive models are the Bushmasters design advantages.

In terms of character, Rumsfeld understood how to manipulate the Washington D.C power levers. But, in the halls of Congress and the Pentagon, he didn't learn the art of strategy or the historical limitations on efforts to reshape existing global orders.

He shared Robert McNamara's unchecked arrogance. McNamara's blind and false insistence concerning gradual escalation changing the nature of warfare helped shape the Vietnam War. Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney drove the cult of regime change, equating to Iraq transforming into a democracy overnight. But unlike McNamara, he never recanted for his colossal blunders. Perhaps that summary defines his character before one examines the perceived threat from Iraq WMDs. The same applies to the shameful Abu Ghraib scandal.

Objectively, Rumsfeld is the lowest-ranked Sec of Defence. Yet, for all his flaws, McNamara introduced Pentagon budgetary measures, and the impact of joint programs (the F-111 and F-35) is debated. Nevertheless, and in contrast, Rumsfeld's historical fingerprints are an unmitigated disaster.

WHERE'S MY 2 TRILLION DOLLARS!!!

a reply to: pravdaseeker

I think we've found it. The one thing that everyone on ATS agrees is a good thing!

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum

From memory, I'm sure someone can correct me, but even at the time within political circles they were known, along with Wolfowitz, as the 'psychos' or something like that.

I think the term you're looking for is "NEOCONS" maybe?

Similar to "Four Horseman of the Apocalypse" I think

youtu.be...


a reply to: MarrsAttax

Condolences to his family..thats the best I can do.

No, the psychos is right,even within the inner neocon circles these guys were held at arms length. Rumsfeld offered his resignation on a regular basis not because he was going to leave , he knew bush was outdoors looking in, but for the public perception that he could claim hands off . The rest had the benefit of being behind the scenes … Rumsfeld was too arrogant to care and ran his disgusting policies and opinions in public knowing there was no one to counter his position.
Again, … glad he’s dead.
One of many. Watch em fall.

a reply to: TXRabbit

Oh and one other thing… I’ll guarantee there are a lot of 1st responders with serious/long term respiratory illnesses with a big smile on their face this week knowing that they outlived at least one of them… gudluk to them all!!

originally posted by: vonclod
Condolences to his family..thats the best I can do.

There is nothing wrong with displaying respectful restraint.

The only time I thought that Rumsfeld displayed his human side was his genuine affinity for President Ford. He wrote a book concerning Ford's presidency. That Rumsfeld wasn't solely a political machine doesn't detract from his bitter legacy. But the observer is offered another dimension to the man.

Eat dirt and worms. Should have done it face down, no coffin, unmarked, and far from blessed ground. Effin murderer. Pppttooooo 🗣️💦