Former U.S. Secretary Of Defense Donald Rumsfeld Dies At 88

 

Daily Mail: Former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld dies aged 88: Architect of the Iraq war who served under Bush and Ford passes away 'surrounded by family in New Mexico' 

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has died at the age of 88. Rumsfeld served as Defense Secretary under Gerald Ford and George Bush and was central to the plans involving the invasion into Iraq and Afghanistan. 

He died in Taos, New Mexico, according to his family. 

The Princeton-educated Rumsfeld drew global attention for his televised briefings during the Iraq War, as when he spoke about weapons of mass destruction in 2002. 

'As we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns,' he pontificated.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: He was in the public eye for six decades and served under four presidents. To say that he had a storied and controversial career is an understatement. 

More News On Former U.S. Secretary Of Defense Donald Rumsfeld Dying At The Age Of 88  

Family: Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld dies at 88 -- AP

Donald Rumsfeld, former defense secretary at helm of 2 wars, dead at 88 -- FOX News  

Donald Rumsfeld, former secretary of defense, dies at 88 -- CNN  

Former U.S. defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld dead at 88 -- Reuters  

Donald Rumsfeld dies at 88. The former Defense secretary oversaw Iraq, Afghanistan wars -- USA Today  

Former Secretary Of Defense Donald Rumsfeld Has Died -- NPR

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld: ‘Unrealistic’ For President Bush To Pursue Democracy In Iraq

Bloomberg: Donald Rumsfeld: George W. Bush Was Wrong About Iraq

The former U.S. defense secretary says that the former president was mistaken to insist on trying to “fashion a democracy in Iraq.”

When it comes to the U.S.-led war in Iraq, hindsight continues to turn up its share of surprises.

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, one of the staunchest defenders of the Iraq war, said in an interview with the Times of London that his boss, former President George W. Bush, was wrong to try to create democracy onto Iraq.

“The idea that we could fashion a democracy in Iraq seemed to me unrealistic. I was concerned about it when I first heard those words,” Rumsfeld said, adding, “I’m not one who thinks that our particular template of democracy is appropriate for other countries at every moment of their histories.”

WNU Editor: I do remember Rumsfeld voicing concerns before the Iraq invasion (which made sense to me at the time since he was primarily focused on the Afghan war and occupation) .... but I also remember him dressing down General Shinseki when the General made it publicly known that believed that a few hundred thousand soldiers would be necessary to tie down Iraq. I also remember Rumsfeld making predictions that the Iraq invasion would succeed and the war would be over in 5 - 6 months .... which of course it did not happen. As to his remarks that "bringing democracy to Iraq was unrealistic" .... in hindsight many of us are guilty of thinking that we can bring Western political concepts to a Third World country. I personally went through that with Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. I personally believed that European concepts of liberalism and democracy would work .... but I was wrong. I will never forget what a very senior person in the foreign ministry told me in the early 1990s on why this could not happen .... his explanation ..... and I am quoting what I remember .... "the American political system took 200 years old. The Russian political system is now only 10 years old. It takes time and a specific culture to develop a political system like the West`s .... and you cannot impose it but it has to come naturally from within."

Sighhh ... so true .... and doubly so in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. 

More News On Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Remarks That It Was ‘Unrealistic’ For President Bush To Pursue Democracy In Iraq

Donald Rumsfeld admits that expecting a democracy in Iraq was 'unrealistic' -- Business Insider
Rumsfeld breaks with Bush on Iraq -- MSNBC
Rumsfeld: Democracy in Iraq was 'unrealistic' -- CNN
Rumsfeld: 'Unrealistic' for Bush to try to build democracy in Iraq -- The Hill
Rumsfeld admits Bush was wrong pushing democracy on Iraq -- RT
Rumsfeld: ‘Unrealistic’ for Bush to pursue democracy in Iraq -- FOX News

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld: President Obama Hasn't Yet Justified Syria Attack

Rumsfeld Calls Obama's Syria Strategy 'Mindless' -- USA Today

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he's confounded by how the Obama administration has gone about explaining why a strike is in the USA's national interest.

"There really hasn't been any indication from the administration as to what our national interest is with respect to this particular situation," Rumsfeld, secretary of defense when the U.S. attacked Iran in 2003, said Wednesday evening on the Fox Business Network.

The most important issues in the region, Rumsfeld said, are "Iran's nuclear program and the relationship between Iran and Syria — the [Bashar] Assad regime — with respect to funding terrorists that go around killing innocent men, women and children, including Americans."

Read more ....

More News On Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Commenting On A U.S. Strike On Syria

Obama Hasn't Made Case For Striking Syria, Rumsfeld Says -- NPR
Donald Rumsfeld Doesn't Think a Syria Strike is Justified -- The Atlantic
Rumsfeld says Obama’s Syria strategy is ‘mindless’ -- Washington Post
Rumsfeld, architect of Iraq war, says Obama hasn't yet justified Syria attack -- CNN
Rumsfeld: Obama's 'lead from behind' approach has come back to haunt him, he needs to clearly define US mission in Syria -- FOX News
Donald Rumsfeld, Iraq War Architect, Is Skeptical of Intervening in Syria -- Mother Jones

My Comment: Even I do not know what is the White House plans when it comes to Syria .... and I follow and study the news everyday. Aside from throwing a few missiles and bombs that cost a million dollars and up for two or three days .... and then walking away .... that about sums it up.

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Predicts That Drones And Guantanamo Will Continue To Be Used

Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld delivers his speech to the crowd during a "Symposium on Values and Consequences" as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of The Washington Times at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington on Oct. 2, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr., The Washington Times)

Rumsfeld: ‘There Is Clearly Going To Be A Use For Drones’ -- Washington Times

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Thursday he expects that the use of drone planes will continue to play a significant role in the global “War on Terror,” and that the prison at Guantanamo Bay should remain open.

“I think we have to begin with the fact that a drone is nothing more than an airplane,” he said Thursday on Fox News. “It just doesn’t happen to have a human being flying it. So you ought to be able to do with a drone what you do with a manned aircraft. The difference is simply that one thing — there isn’t a person in it.”

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My Comment: Some sound advice that will be totally ignored by the White House .... because this is their reality.

Donald Rumsfeld’s Leadership ABCs

On Afghanistan, Benghazi And Critics: Donald Rumsfeld’s Leadership ABCs -- Washington Post

Donald Rumsfeld is a collector. His new book, “Rumsfeld’s Rules,” is a compendium of the leadership mantras he began stockpiling in a shoebox when growing up in Chicago, added to his files when serving in the Nixon administration, then printed out for Gerald Ford when acting as the president’s chief of staff. They include quotes from Carl von Clausewitz on war, from Rep. Mo Udall on meetings and from Rumsfeld himself on lessons from his own career.

He continued to add to these rules throughout his tenure, perhaps most notably and controversially as secretary of defense during the George W. Bush administration, before compiling them at age 80 into the book released Tuesday. In this interview, edited for length and clarity, Rumsfeld spoke with On Leadership editor Lillian Cunningham about managing budget cuts and bureaucracy at the Defense Department, offering lessons on Benghazi, and facing his critics.

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My Comment: Those who admire Donald Rumsfeld will enjoy reading this post. Those who do not will ignore it.

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld: American Weakness Is Dangerous

Rumsfeld Speaks -- Washington Free Beacon

Former Defense Secretary: American weakness is dangerous.

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in a rare public speech, warned that American military and financial weakness is creating a more dangerous and unstable world.

Rumsfeld also said the U.S. government, both Congress and the executive branch, is dysfunctional and ill-suited for the information age. He called for creating a blue-ribbon commission to modernize the administrative functions of government agencies and institutions in both branches.

The former defense secretary during the George W. Bush administration said he was asked recently what keeps him awake at night.

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My Comment: I can see his critics turning green right now .... which is unfortunate because he does have a long history of experience and knowledge that should not be discarded so quickly. A case in point .... his recent remarks on how the world is seeing the U.S. mirrors the same remarks that I have been receiving from colleagues and friends that I know around the world. They see a weakened America that is slowly drifting towards isolationism .... and all of them are telling/asking me the same thing .... is America turning inward while abandoning it's international presence. I have always told them that America will always have a big footprint around the world .... but it is true that in the past year or two .... I am now beginning to have doubts .... and like Rumsfeld .... I am concerned on where this is all leading.

Former Sec. Of Defense Rumsfeld: It Is Not The Business For A U.S. President To Micromanage A CIA 'Kill List'

Photo: Donald Rumsfeld. John Shinkle/Politico

WNU Editor: Just heard former US Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld on the Laura Ingraham radio show being very critical of President Obama's supervision of the CIA 'kill list' .... that this is NOT the job of a U.S. President. He also added that the last time a President had such a 'hands on' involvement on military/covert operations was President Lyndon Johnson during the Vietnam war.

Over the years I have been both a supporter and critic of Donald Rumsfeld .... but on this issue he is right.

I suspect that this story will be updated later on Laura Ingraham's site, and other media outlets will follow up.

Previous Post: The White House 'Kill List' -- A News Roundup

Former US Defense Secretary Rumsfeld: It Wasn't A Tough Decision To Kill Bin Laden

WNU Editor: Former defense secretary on the anniversary of bin Laden's killing, its politicization and the state of Afghanistan.

Another Torture Lawsuit Against Former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld

Former U.S. secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Appeals Court Allows US Citizens' Torture Suit Against Rumsfeld -- Christian Science Monitor

The judges ruled 2-to-1 that two US citizens can bring a civil suit against former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for their alleged torture while they were held in a US military prison in Iraq in 2006.

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld may be held personally responsible in a civil lawsuit for the alleged torture of two American citizens held without charge in a US military prison in Iraq in 2006, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.

The panel voted 2-to-1 to allow a lawsuit filed by the two former detainees, Donald Vance and Nathan Ertel, to move forward toward a trial before a federal judge in Chicago.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. Court Permitting 'Torture Lawsuit' Against Former Defense Secretary Defense Rumsfeld

Two American men CAN sue Donald Rumsfeld after 'being tortured by U.S. army in Iraq when they worked for security firm' -- Daily Mail
Donald Rumsfeld Faces Another Torture Lawsuit -- Wall Street Journal
'Tortured' US citizens allowed to sue Donald Rumsfeld -- BBC
US Court Upholds Torture Lawsuit Against Rumsfeld -- Voice of America
Two Men’s Lawsuit on Treatment by Troops to Go Forward, Appeals Court Says -- Bloomberg
Donald Rumsfeld can be held liable for alleged torture, court rules -- Herald Sun
Court won't dismiss Rumsfeld from suit -- UPI

My Comment: Andrew C. McCarthy's comments in NRO sums up perfectly why this ruling is dangerous, and why everyone in the defense establishment is against it. My prediction .... this court case will go nowhere.

Donald Rumsfeld's Doctrine Is Coming Back In Vogue

Rumsfeld’s Revenge -- Robert Haddick, Foreign Policy

Robert Gates was certainly more popular, but his predecessor was far more influential.

Rumsfeld wins the doctrine war

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates's retirement last week was accompanied by warm praise for his leadership style, his political acumen, and his judgment on critical policy issues. Gates left office widely regarded as one of the most effective defense secretaries since the office was created in 1947. This repute is in sharp contrast to that of his predecessor, Donald Rumsfeld, who left the Pentagon in 2006 under a cloud of scorn from Capitol Hill, the media, and inside the department he ran. Indeed, Gates was brought in specifically to reverse many of Rumsfeld's policies, which many believed were causing the United States to lose the war in Iraq. Gates restored collegial harmony and got the Pentagon through a dark period.

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My Comment: I can see the Rumsfeld critics chocking on their coffee after reading this post .... read it all.

The Consequence Of Deep Defense Cuts -- A Commentary

Photo: Donald Rumsfeld

The Peril of Deep Defense Cuts -- Donald Rumsfeld, Wall Street Journal

Our country has taken an axe to the national security budget after every war of the 20th century. And every time we later regretted it.

Today Leon Panetta will take the oath to become our nation's 23rd secretary of defense. After he walks through the Pentagon's river entrance and up the oak-paneled stairwell to his office, the weight of managing a three million-person department during wartime will sink in. And Mr. Panetta's tenure begins just as President Obama and bipartisan majorities in Congress are insisting on deep cuts to defense spending. It will be tempting to accede to the White House's proposal to carve out $400 billion, if not more, from the national security budget by 2023. It would also be a grievous mistake.

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My Comment: I have to give credit to the old war horse .... he is still thinking and writing and trying to have an impact on defense/security issues.

Interview With Former US Secretary Of DefenseDonald Rumsfeld

Interview With Donald Rumsfeld: 'Do I Have Any Regrets? Of Course I Do' -- Spiegel Online

In a SPIEGEL interview, former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, 78, discusses the unclear goals for the international deployment in Libya, "terribly damaging" crimes committed by the US Army "kill team" in Afghanistan, inevitable comparisons to Abu Ghraib and the mistakes he made in the Bush administration.

Read more ....

My Comment: Still blunt and feisty at 78.

Why We Should Know The Knowns, Knowing The Unknowns, And Being Aware That There Are Unknowns Unknowns

Rumsfeld: Know the Unknowns -- L. Gordon Crovitz, Wall Street Journal

'As we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns: the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tends to be the difficult one."

For this answer to a reporter's question in 2002 about links between Saddam Hussein and terrorists seeking weapons of mass destruction, then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was given a Gobbledygook Award by the Plain English Institute, and immortalized in a Joan Jett song and a collection called "The Poetry of Donald Rumsfeld."

Read more ....

My Comment: This is presently a "free article" to read from the Wall Street Journal. If you get the chance to read it .... consider yourself lucky. L. Gordon Crovitz gives a fair assessment on Donald Rumsfeld tour in the Pentagon, and while I have disagreed in the past on many of Rumsfeld's decisions .... I have always admired his ability to focus on issues that are outside the box, and trying others to think the same way. Crowitz also recognizes this, and kudos to him to pointing this out. Read it all.

Donald Rumsfeld: 'Kill Team' Afghan Photos Are 'Much Worse' Than Iraq's Abu Ghraib

Donald Rumsfeld Labels 'Kill Team' Afghan Photos As 'Much Worse' Than Iraq's Abu Ghraib -- Daily Mail

The former defence secretary for President George W. Bush has described the Afghanistan ‘Kill Team’ photos as ‘much worse’ than those from Abu Ghraib.

Donald Rumsfeld said the images were more depraved than those taken of U.S. soldiers putting detainees in humiliating positions at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.

The Pentagon apologised on Monday after shocking new details emerged of how U.S. soldiers formed a 'death squad' to randomly murder and mutilate Afghan civilians.

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My Comment: I commented on this a few days ago, but former defense secretary Rumsfeld is right, the 'Kill Team's' Afghan photos depicting murdered Afghans is much worse than Abu Ghraib. But while these photos are much worse .... there is no equivalent media coverage on this administration as the case was with Abu Ghraib and the Bush administration .... not even close. Kudos to the Daily Mail (and a few U.S. outlets) to recognize this contradictory news coverage.

President Bush Was Warned About Invading Iraq From Donald Rumsfeld Himself

Photo: Donald Rumsfeld

Donald Rumsfeld's Secret Memo Warned George W. Bush About Iraq -- The Australian/The Times

A SECRET memo from Donald Rumsfeld, written when he was US Defence Secretary, warned of a "parade of horribles" that could happen if the United States invaded Iraq.

Dated October, 2002, five months before the US-led campaign was launched, the memo listed 29 reasons why military confrontation with Saddam Hussein could go badly for America.

It even contemplated the possibility that no weapons of mass destruction would be found.

Mr Rumsfeld sent the memo to President George W. Bush at 7.45am on October 15, 2002. The memo has been declassified and now appears on Mr Rumsfeld's personal website, after the publication last month of his memoirs Known and Unknown.

Read more ....

My Comment: Former Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld has a long history of providing a critical viewpoint towards possible political/military scenarios .... especially looking at worse case scenarios. Therefore the release of this memo does not surprise me .... unfortunately .... his boss did not accept his analysis on Iraq when he gave it to him in 2002.

Therefore .... it is also no surprise that in today's conflicts .... he is skeptical about U.S. intervention in Libya .... a point of view that I also share 100%.

More News On Former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's Memoirs

Donald Rumsfeld To Diane Sawyer: 'Would've Been Better Off If I Had' Resigned Post-Abu Ghraib -- ABC news

Says Harsh Interrogation Helped 'In Saving Lives'

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld declares that his biggest regret in office was not convincing President Bush to accept his resignation after the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, and said the country and the Pentagon probably "would've been better off" if he had left office in 2004.

In an exclusive interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, Rumsfeld also said the enhanced interrogation techniques he approved for use on the so-called "20th hijacker" -- including forced stress positions and removal of "comfort items" -- produced invaluable intelligence.

Read more ....

More News On Former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's Memoirs

Inside the White House: The Rumsfeld View -- Wall Street Journal
Rumsfeld feels vindicated by Obama's Gitmo policy -- USA Today
Rumsfeld Acknowledges "Misstatement" on Iraqi WMD -- Global Security Newswire
Donald Rumsfeld reveals pre-war Iraq strike plan -- The Telegraph
Rumsfeld admits 'possible' Iraq troop mistakes -- AFP
'It's Possible' Troop Decisions Were a Mistake in Iraq -- ABC News
'Would've Been Better Off If I Had' Resigned Post-Abu Ghraib -- ABC news
Rumsfeld Defends Iraq War Handling, Guantanamo in Fox News Interview -- FOX News
Rumsfeld Criticizes Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, George H.W. Bush -- CBS News
Guantanamo one of world's 'finest' prison: Rumsfeld -- AFP
Rumsfeld warns on effort to prosecute Bush abroad -- Reuters
Saddam targeted Bush, Rumsfeld daughters -- AFP
Did Saddam Hussein target Donald Rumsfeld's kids? Five surprises from memoir. -- Christian Science Monitor
Rumsfeld: I Should've Left the Pentagon in 2004 -- CBS News
War and Remembrance -- Wall Street Journal
Book review: 'Known and Unknown' by Donald Rumsfeld -- L.A. Times
Gwen Ifill reviews Donald Rumsfeld's memoir, "Known and Unknown -- Gwen Ifill, Washington Post
Foreign Policy: Rumsfeld's Book Is Years Too Late -- Bradley Graham, NPR
Rumsfeld's 'Slice of History' -- Kimberly A. Strassel, Wall Street Journal
BOOK REVIEW: What he did and why -- Gary Anderson, Washington Times

Former U.S. Secretary Of Defense Rumsfeld Tells All In His Soon To Be Released Memoirs

Rumsfeld Remains Largely Unapologetic In Memoir -- Washington Post

Former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld, that master of the tart zinger, now concedes he went too far with some. The man who more than any other in the Bush administration personified bravado and self-assuredness has come to regret saying "Stuff happens" about the early looting in postwar Iraq. He admits his quip about "old Europe" - meaning Germany and France - not supporting the use of force in Iraq was hardly deft diplomacy.

As for declaring, as he did in the first days after the invasion of Iraq, "We know where they are," referring to suspected stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction - well, Rumsfeld would like to take that one back, too.

Read more ....

More News On Former Secretary Of Defense Rumsfeld And His Soon To Be Released Memoirs

Rumsfeld, Still Defiant -- MSNBC
Rumsfeld’s Defense of Known Decisions -- New York Times
Invasion ordered weeks after 9/11, says Rumsfeld -- Irish Times
In memoir, Rumsfeld says biggest mistake was not resigning as Pentagon chief after Abu Ghraib -- Canadian Press
Rumsfeld Memoir Draws Criticism From ACLU Over Abu Ghraib Depiction -- FOX News
Rumsfeld breaks his silence: Bush defence chief confesses he was wrong about WMDs in Iraq in new autobiography -- The Daily Mail
Rumsfeld: Bush Let Too Many Voices Have Say On Iraq Policy -- NPR
US ex-defence head Rumsfeld defends Iraq war handling -- BBC
Donald Rumsfeld's Memoir: No Regrets on Iraq War -- ABC News
Donald Rumsfeld regrets harsh Iraq war comments -- The Telegraph
Rumsfeld defends handling of Iraq war in new book -- Reuters
In Book, Rumsfeld Recalls Bush’s Early Iraq Focus -- New York Times
The odd twinge of regret, but no sign of mea culpa -- Independent
Rumsfeld, Still Defiant -- Howard Kurtz, The Daily Beast
Rumsfeld's Regrets (There Aren't Many) -- Michael Crowley, Time Magazine

Former Secretary Of Defense Donald Rumsfeld Unloads In His Memoir

From The Drudge Report:

Long-awaited, from-the-hip memoir offers raw, unvarnished look at eight decades of history

"If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much."

So declares former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in his news book 'KNOWN AND UNKNOWN'.

In the book, which streets next week, Rumsfeld details his half-century career in and around the ring -- and West Wing.

It is based not only on Rumsfeld's memory but also on hundreds of previously unreleased documents from throughout his career.

Now only the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal:

Read more ....

Update: Rumsfeld remains largely unapologetic in memoir -- Washington Post

My Comment: From what the Drudge Report and the Washington Post is revealing ... he does unload. This is going to be fun. For more info, you can go to Donald Rumsfeld's own website .... the link is here.

Donald Rumsfeld Talks About His Upcoming Memoir

Donald Rumsfeld Talks About His Upcoming Memoir -- L.A. Times

Donald Rumsfeld's memoir "Known and Unknown" is coming to bookstores Feb. 8. The former secretary of defense, now 78, sat down with the Associated Press to talk about the book, which used White House memos, letters, personal interviews and Rumsfeld's own prodigious output of paperwork as resources; it clocks in at more than 800 pages.

"I started thinking about this amazing archive I had," he says during a recent interview. "The fact that I had it, persuaded me that I ought to take advantage of it."...

As defense secretary under Bush, Rumsfeld issued thousands of memos, "snowflakes," they were called. He reads from some issued in 2003 and in 2005: "Are we winning or losing the war on terror?" "Is the U.S. government changing fast enough?" "Do we need more troops? And if so, where and for what purpose?"

Read more ....

Update: Donald Rumsfeld Reflects on Writing of Memoir -- ABC News

My Comment: I suspect that he is enjoying retirement. On a side note, his memoir .... “Known and Unknown” .... will be released February 8.

Donald Rumsfeld To Give His First Television Interview Since 2006

Diane Sawyer to Interview Donald Rumsfeld in His First Television Interview Since 2006 -- ABC News

In His First Television Interview Since Leaving Public Office, the Former Defense Secretary Talks About His New Book, 'Known and Unknown'

In an ABC News exclusive, Diane Sawyer talks to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in his first television interview since leaving public service in November 2006.

Donald Rumsfeld has been a pivotal figure in recent American history. As Secretary of Defense on 9/11, Rumsfeld played a critical role in the war on terror, including the combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is going to be interesting .... and something that I am looking forward to.