Army Times Editorial: Time for Rumsfeld to Go

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Sat Nov 04, 2006 at 11:06:34 AM EST
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More pressure for Rumsfeld to resign, this time from an unexpected source -- the Military Times newspapers.

An editorial scheduled to appear on Monday in Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times, calls for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The papers are sold to American servicemen and women. They are published by the Military Times Media Group, which is a subsidiary of Gannett Co., Inc.

You can read the editorial here.

Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt.

This is not about the midterm elections. Regardless of which party wins Nov. 7, the time has come, Mr. President, to face the hard bruising truth:

Donald Rumsfeld must go.

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Army Times Editorial: Time for Rumsfeld to Go | 8 comments (8 topical)

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Stay tuned for last minute smears - both sides (none / 0) (#1)
by Bigfoot on Sat Nov 04, 2006 at 11:59:10 AM EST

This is always the interesting part - which side will come up with the best smear at the last minute - when the other side will not have time to counter? I cannot help but think the Dems have shot themselves in at least one foot this time. Kerry's outrageous comments have infuriated millions of VOTING military families. The court going against the majority view by ruling for gay marriage will bring out the GOP vote. On the other hand, the GOP have botched Iraq, and we've got a couple of sex scandals on that side (for a change). It will be interesting. I say the GOP keeps control of the Senate, loses the House.

i'm stunned............. (none / 0) (#3)
by cpinva on Sat Nov 04, 2006 at 12:46:52 PM EST

that the people actually bleeding on the ground, might have less enthusiasm for rumsfeld, than a guy who never came closer to combat than fighting for a drink at a party.

bigfoot, anyone who actually saw the tape of kerry's comment, knew exactly what he meant. only really stupid, or intentionally obtuse people, would think otherwise. what pissed me off about kerry was him apologizing, for nothing. if anyone should have told people to "back off", it should have been him.

as to bohner's comments, the generals did try to do something, and those who did were thrown to the wolves, by bush and rumsfeld, who wanted war on the cheap. well, that's exactly what we got. unfortunately, it's that "peace" thing that's causing all those problems.

so, when's bohner going to apologize? better yet, anyone that arrogant, and stupid, should simply do the human gene pool a favor, find a high bridge, and remove his from it.

Read Between The Lines (none / 0) (#4)
by john horse on Sat Nov 04, 2006 at 04:32:35 PM EST

I think you need to read between the lines of these editorials. I don't think that the timing of these editorials just before the midterm elections is a coincidence.

Our servicemen can't speak out openly against Bush's fiasco in Iraq. However, these Military Times newspapers can and have. The best way that we can support our troops is by voting against the party that has lead us on this march of folly.

Another take (none / 0) (#5)
by aw on Sat Nov 04, 2006 at 10:25:38 PM EST

Billmon has an interesting post on this. He used to work for the company that owns the military Times newspapers.

Gannett (none / 0) (#6)
by jimakaPPJ on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 07:24:08 PM EST

These newspapers are owned by Gannett, they are not expressive of the military command structure.

DUH! (none / 0) (#7)
by Dark Avenger on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 07:38:36 PM EST

Active-duty military leaders (none / 0) (#8)
by Edger on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 07:55:07 PM EST

The editorial says:

a new chorus of criticism is beginning to resonate. Active-duty military leaders are starting to voice misgivings about the war's planning, execution and dimming prospects for success.

I've been looking around trying to find out who they are (names) and also who authored the editorial.

Anyone have any ideas?

(names) (none / 0) (#9)
by Edger on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 08:14:37 PM EST

"We say that Rumsfeld must be replaced," Alex Neill, the managing editor of the Army Times, said Friday night in a telephone interview. "Given the state of affairs with Iraq and the military right now, we think it's a good time for new leadership there."

Neill was Army Times Staff Writer on April 29, 2005 when he did this:

Army Times staff writer Alex Neill, left, interviews Army Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Connell, with B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, in north-central Iraq on April 22. -- M. Scott Mahaskey/ Military Times staff

Now he's Managing Editor.... He's spent time on the ground with troops in Iraq. He probably knows what he's talking about.