Generals Against Rumsfeld

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Published: Apr 19, 2006

Generals Against Rumsfeld

April 20, 2006

There is a reason behind the criticism of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld by six ex-generals. Not only do they fear change, as Rumsfeld told reporters on Tuesday. Look for at least one of them to be a consultant for the next democratic presidential nominee. This is why we have civilian leadership and why the post of defense secretary has traditionally been a political.

At a news conference Tuesday, Rumsfeld said calls by six retired generals for his resignation are rooted in opposition to his push for streamlining and restructuring the army.

Fox news pointed out that Rumsfeld was strong opposed by the military in the mid-70’s when he was Defense Secretary under Gerald Ford. Then, he pushed for modernizing military tanks against strong opposition. The M-1 tank is now the mainstay of the military and praised by all who use it.

“Change is difficult,” Rumsfeld told reporters. “it also happens to be urgently necessary.” If Rumsfeld is right, as he was in the mid-70’s, will his critics apologize? Probably not. They didn’t thirty years ago.


Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.

 

 

Generals Against Rumsfeld