Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

EDITORIAL: It's time, Rummy
Staff Editorial
The Crimson White (U. Alabama)
04/17/2006

(U-WIRE) TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should resign.

That sentiment, expressed last week by six former generals, has led to a mini-storm of controversy around Rumsfeld. President Bush spoke up on Friday to defend one of his most unpopular Cabinet officials.

"Earlier today I spoke with Don Rumsfeld about ongoing military operations in the Global War on Terror. I reiterated my strong support for his leadership during this historic and challenging time for our nation," Bush said in a written statement.

The generals have criticized Rumsfeld in many areas, ranging from poor planning for the Iraq war to his responsibility for the Abu Ghraib scandal to his abrasive management style.

So six former generals are complaining. Big deal, right? It has to be sour grapes from a few nobodies, right?

Well, these guys aren't nobodies. Three of the generals commanded troops under Rumsfeld in Iraq. Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack was in charge of the legendary 82nd Airborne Division. Gen. Anthony Zinni was the former chief of U.S. Central Command. Maj. Gen. John Batiste was a senior adviser to former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, chief architect of the Iraq war plan and an infamous hawk in the department. Whatever their message, these generals and their criticism cannot be easily dismissed.

What has Rumsfeld done while in office? Since he took over the Defense Department, the United States has prosecuted a pretty good war in Afghanistan. Our nation's forces crushed the Taliban and brought down the country's repressive regime. That much we give Rumsfeld credit for.

Things in Iraq have gone far less swimmingly. From the beginning Rumsfeld underestimated the number of troops that would be needed to secure the country, and he was largely apathetic to the looting and subsequent lawlessness the country has yet to recover from. Rumsfeld also failed to adequately equip the troops he did send, offering the famous missive, "As you know, you go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time," in a 2004 question and answer session.

We love and support the troops that fight in the name of the United States, but that support doesn't extend to the faulty, incompetent leadership at the top. Rumsfeld has over-extended his welcome and his tenure at the Defense Department. It's time for him to go.

Bush's statement on Friday was an eloquently worded, "You're doin' a heck of a job, Rummy."

And we've heard that before, haven't we?

[ Back to Student Voices ]