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December 20, 2004
Already facing heightened scrutiny for his disastrous management of post-war Iraq, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld must now explain to military families why he has been unable to personally sign condolence letters for deceased U.S. troops. Reports emerged over the weekend that Rumsfeld has been using an “auto-pen” to sign letters due to his busy schedule, including regular games of squash. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) called revelations about the letters "very reflective of how out of touch this crowd is," and said that personally signing the letters was "the least we could expect of the secretary of defense."
- Rumsfeld’s callous behavior is an insult to U.S. troops. Army Spc. Ivan Medina, whose brother Irving was killed in Iraq called Rumsfeld's conduct "an insult, not only as someone who lost a loved one but also as someone who served in Iraq." With outrage at Rumsfeld’s conduct reaching the breaking point, the Defense Secretary has now said he will find time to personally sign future condolence letters, perhaps pushing off the squash games for an hour or two.
- This latest slight is part and parcel of the Bush administration’s complete lack of concern for the well-being of our soldiers. The signature scandal comes just days after Rumsfeld told a soldier concerned about the lack of armor for vehicles in combat zones that "you go to war with the Army you have ...not the Army you might want to wish to have at a later time." Rumsfeld then attempted to diminish the importance of the question, saying "if you think about it, you can have all the armor in the world on a tank and a tank can still be blown up.”
- Despite his disastrous management of the war in Iraq and his gross disregard for the troops he leads, the White House wants Americans to trust Rumsfeld. Even with leading GOP senators such as John McCain and Chuck Hagel challenging Rumsfeld’s moral authority and leadership of the Pentagon, the White House has offered its unqualified support for the Defense Secretary. White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card said Rumsfeld is doing "a spectacular job, and the president has great confidence in him." This statement speaks volumes about the White House’s entire approach to Iraq.
Daily Talking Points is a product of the American Progress Action Fund. |
Daily Talking Points is a product of the American Progress Action Fund. |
