Another general joins ranks opposing Rumsfeld (Swannack -serv. in Irag)

[rodeodance]

I think is is new new gen? The headline is not too specific.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/13/iraq.rumsfeld/index.html?section=cnn_topstories&eref=yahoo

Another general joins ranks opposing Rumsfeld
Defense secretary 'carries too much baggage,' Swannack says

Thursday, April 13, 2006; Posted: 6:24 p.m. EDT (22:24 GMT)


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The commander who led the elite 82nd Airborne Division during its mission in Iraq has joined the chorus of retired generals calling on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to leave the Pentagon.

"I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him," retired Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, told CNN's Barbara Starr on Thursday.

Swannack is the second general who served in Iraq under Rumsfeld to call for him to resign.

Retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste -- who led the 1st Infantry Division in northern Iraq in 2004-2005 -- called for Rumseld's resignation during an interview Wednesday on CNN.

He also suggested other changes among the top brass at the Pentagon.

"I think we need senior military leaders who understand the principles of war and apply them ruthlessly, and when the time comes, they need to call it like it is," he told CNN.

[0007]

1. How many is this now?

[datadiva]

4. I believe thats 6

Woo Hoo! They're coming out of the woodwork! :woohoo:

[judaspriestess]

2. this story is just going to be a blip on the radar screen n/t

[rodeodance]

6. probably, It is Easter weekend

[rodeodance]

8. Swannack also was critical before he retired (may, 2004)

Swannack, who served more than 30 years in the Army, said part of the problem at the Pentagon is Rumsfeld's system of promoting senior leaders.

"If you understand what Secretary Rumsfeld has done in his time in the Pentagon, he personally is the one who selects the three-star generals to go forward to the president for the Senate to confirm."

Swannack also criticized the way the war was being run before he retired.

In May 2004, while still on active duty, Swannack told the Washington Post that he thought the United States was losing strategically in Iraq.

[rodeodance]

3. I just heard Lou Dobbs say 6 -more below.

Former U.S. Central Command chief Anthony Zinni, former Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, and retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold also have called for Rumsfeld to step down.

Swannack is critical of Rumfeld's management style.

"Specifically, I feel he has micromanaged the generals who are leading our forces there," Swannack said in the telephone interview.

"And I believe he has culpability associated with the Abu Ghraib prison scandal and, so, rather than admitting these mistakes, he continually justifies them to the press ... and that really disallows him from moving our strategy forward."

Swannack, who served more than 30 years in the Army, said part of the problem at the Pentagon is Rumsfeld's system of promoting senior leaders.

"If you understand what Secretary Rumsfeld has done in his time in the Pentagon, he personally is the one who selects the three-star generals to go forward to the president for the Senate to confirm."

[against all enemies]

5. Why do these Generals hate America?

[wallwriter]

10. You beat me to it...

[Spinzonner]

7. How many dead innocent Iraqis in a 'ruthlessly' ?

[rodeodance]

9. Lou Dobbs has a segment right now on this (after commercial)

[rodeodance]

11. saying US military has Never succeeded against a modern insurgency.

[rodeodance]

12. a ret. Gen. Grange was on Dobbs show.

[Maccagirl]

13. Ed Schultz said that righties have been mum

on the criticism from the generals. Absolutely! It's their worst nightmare-how can they label these men "unAmerican" "unpatriotic" "anti-troops". These are not soft targets like the Dixie Chicks, Clooney, Michael Moore, etc. (and those folks have been proven right time and again) . Bring it on, Bill O'Reilly-dare to ask one of these generals to come on the Factor with your 2 million viewers. I double-dog dare ya!

[HuffleClaw]

14. good new EXCEPT....

EVERY one who comes out against him, will only make chimpy more likely to KEEP rumsfeld. NOBODY tells chimpy what to do. NOBODY.

[Jane Austin]

15. In general (OOPS!) you're right, but I think the Pentagon is unique

in that there is civilian leadership, but the military executes that leadership's policies.

I've got to think that these Generals speaking out will give cover and courage to other officers, and there could be enough of a revolt that even Rumsfeld would realize he'd lost the confidence of the officer corps.

I don't see how he could stay under those circumstances.

I read somewhere recently, a long piece in which it was asserted that Bush couldn't fire Rumsfeld, though, because he has no one he trusts to replace him.

[peacetalksforall]

16. So, when does the WH attack on these men begin and in what form? n/t

[stillcool]

17. is this about Iran?..

has the military drawn a line in the sand?...

[rodeodance]

18. Keith O. will have segment on this soon.

[Judi Lynn]

19. Isn't this excellent? Here's another article on Retired Gen. Swannack.

Another Retired General Joins Battalion of Rumsfeld Critics
Charles H. Swannack Jr., who commanded the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq, says the Defense chief should resign. The White House disagrees.
By Peter Spiegel, Times Staff Writer
April 14, 2006


WASHINGTON — The White House voiced support for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Thursday even as the ranks of retired senior generals calling for his resignation grew.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Charles H. Swannack Jr., who commanded the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq shortly after the toppling of Saddam Hussein, became the fifth general involved in Iraq policy to call for Rumsfeld to resign, citing his handling of the war.

Swannack, like the other generals, criticized Rumsfeld's management style.

The Defense secretary "has micromanaged the generals" commanding troops in Iraq, Swannack said.

He added that Rumsfeld had "culpability" for the detainee abuse scandal at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, and that he had failed to acknowledge his mistakes.
(snip/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-general14apr14,1,2204381.story?coll=la-headlines-nation