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"You Can Retire"


Air Force General Richard Myers figures prominently in Bob Woodward's new book, State of Denial. It's also clear that he is one of Woodward's chief sources for the tome. State of Denial, if it is anything, is a very long, very well sourced indictment of Rumsfeld's tenure at DoD. Although Rumsfeld doesn't come across as a martinet in the book, he does come across as a cruel, passive-aggressive bully. As Woodward depicts in this passage relating to General Myers:

"Had to do two hours up there," Myers said in near despair, "and listen to all that bullshit all over again. And I've got to go back up there. I'm sorry guys, but I have to go back up there again in five minutes till, and we just don't have that long here.

More after the jump.

And another time:

Rumsfeld was intimately involved in filling the key positions on the Joint Staff. If Rumsfeld wanted someone and Myers said he couldn't live with the choice, Rumsfeld generally would drop the candidate and find someone else he wanted. But he insisted on a veto over the choice assignments. At one point, Myers wanted someone on the Joint Staff, and Rumsfeld has his own candidate. It frustrated Myers to death as they went to their separate corners and there was a little standoff. The dispute lay dormant for about three weeks. Out of the clear blue while riding the escalator up in the Pentagon one day, Rumsfeld brought it up. "If you could just give me this one, I'd appreciate it," Rumsfeld said. Myers realized he was saying "I'm not going to budge, and I'm the boss." Of course, Rumsfeld always got his way.

Woodward continues with the narrative into a key point of State of Denial about the DoD under Rumsfeld:

Myers later explained, We serve the civilian masters and the chain of command. Unless it's illegal or immoral or unethical, you do it. If you can't stand it, then you've got other options. You can retire."

First question, at what point do all the minor little actions that Rumsfeld has forced on the military add up, in their totality, to actions that are immoral and unethical? Seriously, at what point to educated men and women realize that the sum of their orders has led them down an unethical path?

And for God's sake, why haven't we seen more resignations from the generals? This will befuddle me until my dying day.


Sean Paul Kelley October 11, 2006 - 5:01pm
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Resign?

Resign, and be blackballed in the military industrial complex pantheon of high paying jobs. Resign in protest to be excluded from the general’s good ole boy club. I can’t see how being in the chain of command when the torture orders from Rulers went out that in any way this was legal. Even with the Presidential Finding authorizing torture. The Presidential Findings are for limited use. Any military person who was involved in the orders to institute and institutionalize torture should have resigned in protest. In addition to the torture, what about the wholesale theft through contractors that these officers are supposed to be overseeing, a little afraid that Halliburton won’t hire you or your company when you become CEO of a subcontracting company to Halliburton.

It’s about the money. I do not think that there are many flag rank officers who have any morals and ethics left. By the time someone makes flag rank the willingness to do the bidding of the master is well established. If there are any flag rank officers who do show some backbone, please let the world know.

"Takes a bucket of blood for a barrel of oil"

Steven Bruton

Peter C October 11, 2006 - 5:43pm
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John Boyd Comment

The biographer on John Boyd included a comment Boyd was supposed to have made regarding those officers who made flag rank and those who didn't along the following lines - "You have a choice - you can either be somebody or you can accomplish something." Those who opted for promotion to flag rank had compromised themselves somewhere along the line by supporting an individual, a program or a policy which they knew did not further the defense of the United States. Those who opted to do something generally had chosen the honorable course of action and had to accept earlier retirement. It's a hell of a way to manage a military but very simpatico with our culture.

VizierVic October 11, 2006 - 5:59pm
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Why didn't I think of that? Oy! (Smacks self on forehead)eom

We have lost international support not because foreigners hate our values but because they believe we are repudiating them and behaving contrary to them.

Sean Paul Kelley October 11, 2006 - 7:24pm
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Oh, Rummy comes off really bad

More than a bully. I just read that part last night and it must have been awful for him. nightmare.
Rummy is the boss from hell.
Another interesting book coming out on Monday that trashes and reveals alot of the Bush administration.
By David Kou. He was #2 in the Faith based initatives office. It rips off the cover of religious piety by the administration. How they made fun of the BASE., ect. They will not like this coming out 3 weeks out. Wow!

vwcat October 11, 2006 - 9:00pm
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Olberman Reviews David Kou's New Book

Crooks and Liars has the Oberman review of Kou's new book Tempting Fate

"Takes a bucket of blood for a barrel of oil"

Steven Bruton

Peter C October 12, 2006 - 7:44am
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retirement isn't so bad...

Even if a general retired in protest, like General Batiste recently, that doesn't mean you'll get black balled from choice positions in military industries.

You might not be able to work at Halliburton, but I'm sure Boeing wouldn't pass you up.

Remember, these industries only care about making a buck. A general who retired in protest (but still has friends in the Pentagon) has a TON more credibility than Rummy's lapdog.

And people pay big bucks for the appearance of credibility...

Worst case scenario, he founds his own non-profit to "support the troops" in some way, and pulls down $200k per year as the president.

--
http://bexhuff.com
Of COURSE you can trust the US Government! Just ask the Indians.

bex October 11, 2006 - 11:50pm
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