Troops Get a Chance to Question Rumsfeld

[trof]

By Fred Barbash
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 13, 2004; 5:35 PM


Moments after Donald H. Rumsfeld said how much more "fun" it was to be questioned by the troops in Baghdad than the critics in Washington, the troops in the Iraqi capital hit the defense secretary with a barrage of serious, probing and sometimes personal inquiries, some of which, he confessed, he just could not answer.

One soldier asked when they would receive improved vests and better armor for the Humvees. It's those roadside bombs, he said. "We lost some soldiers due to them."

Another asked whether it was true that the military would not pay their full air fare back home.

Yet another wanted to know why his military medical coverage wouldn't handle physical therapy for his handicapped child.

When, if ever, would the United Nations send some troops and where would they come from?

Most of his responses were referrals, to Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , who was standing beside him, or to Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, who was behind him.

Sometimes they could not answer either, and referred the questions onward, as they did with the soldier concerned about his handicapped child, who was told to see the officer in charge of health insurance.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24117-2004May13.html

[BiggJawn]

1. "Uh.....Dick? Get up here and answer this..."

How many times did Rumsferatu say that?

"I don't know...Dick?"
"Uh, I don't know, either..."

I couldn't take but about 20 minutes of that. Fuckers couldn't even answer a soldier's question about when they were gonna get more armoured Hum-Vees....

[wellstone_democrat]

5. Disgusting

How delusional are these guys? What on earth did he think they would ask? How well he is "surviving"? Give him a chance to say how *he* feels? I didn't see it but the account is embarrassing to read.

Can't say when armoured vehicles will come ? Seriously, didn't some pinheaded Pentagon dweeb anticipate that would be the *first* question?

"See his health insurance officer?"---believe me,they knew the answer to that one, its an answer they didn't dare give a father of a handicapped child, particularly a father in a war zone, because I've heard the answer myself in my day: "uh, basically, no, its not covered..."

I'm sure that everyone in theater is thrilled that Rumsfeld thought his visit was "fun"-----fucking prima donna. Souless goon.

[peekaloo]

2. Geez, don't these guys know a damage control photo-op

when they're used for one?

Wasn't it Rummy who wanted to "go light" in Iraq?

They should have asked for his resignation!

[maddezmom]

3. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x552633

[SEpatriot]

4. Major league idiot

What can this guy answer?

"....by his own admission, clueless, as he was on the question of arming Defense Department civilians.

Duh

"We have 20th-century industrial-age planning tools in terms of force management," said Rumsfeld. "They're making major efforts to improve them and they're getting better, but they're far from perfect."

WTF? How about answering the question?

While you're at it - here's one that's still puzzling me - Mr. Secretary, can you please explain this photo?

[MrBenchley]

6. Disgusting in every way....

The arrogant deskbound piece of shit actually bragged to people who are being shot at, "I'm a survivor."



Courtesy of Sadly, No.

http://www.sadlyno.com/

[0007]

7. Rumsfeld is delusional

[soleft]

8. This was posted yesterday. Please kick this one up and discuss here

Thanks

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=552633