Bush gives pathetic response to call for sacking of Rumsfeld
In the midst of daily rounds of new documentation concerning US atrocities against its detainees, I was glad to see a few Democrats finally show some backbone yesterday by issuing the call for the sacking of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Rumsfeld’s removal would be a symbolic and operationally powerful change that might communicate to the world that there was at least a shred of credibility in the word of the president.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin both issued statements. Harkin said, “For the good of our country, the safety of our troops, and our image around the globe Secretary Rumsfeld should resign. If he does not resign forthwith, the president should fire him”.
Amen.
Bush responds with absurd platitudes
“Secretary Rumsfeld is a really good Secretary of Defense”, “Secretary Rumsfeld has served our nation well”, “Secretary Rumsfeld has been the secretary during two wars, and he is an important part of my Cabinet”, “He will stay in my Cabinet.”
The spinning, merry-go-round Whitehouse tale says Bush gave Rumsfeld a private wrist slapping because the secretary failed to inform the president about the torture allegations in a timely manner. That’s a joke. “I shouldave known about the pictures”, the president said.
“Now we’re gonna investigate it”.
I’m sorry, Mr. President, we are way, way, way beyond investigating.
He recognizes and is “sorry for the humiliation suffered by the Iraqi prisoners and the humiliation suffered by their families”. And he has said repeatedly that he thinks If that’s real, he should back the words up with these immediate deeds:
* Rumsfeld immediately should be sacked
* Abu Ghraib should be emptied and razed to demonstrate America is not really the new Saddam–the Saddam era should really be buried now.
* All US offensive operations in Iraq and worldwide should be halted unilaterally and the Iraqi resistance should be called upon publicly to respond in kind. This will save both American and Iraqi lives.
* All US detainee holding facilities worldwide should be emptied of everyone not convicted or charged (with evidence) of a crime. Those to be held over should be allowed a fair tribunal (as required by international law) and kept in facilities scrupulously in accord with the Geneva Convention and other applicable US and international law and regulations.
* A rapid timetable (6 months from today, at most) for total withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and concomitant installation of a non-self-interested international security force should be established.
But Bush is not man enough, not knowledgeable enough about government, and is not aware enough of what the words on the cue cards mean to lead the country through the political turmoil that could become very public along with these moves. But if he wants a true picture of a “Compassionate America” projected to the world, it is time for him to take action, not just emit vacuous platitudes.