Rumsfeld is out!

[an_cat]

Finally.

 

 

President taps ex-CIA chief Gates to replace embattled defense secretary

 

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stepped down as defense secretary on Wednesday, one day after midterm elections in which opposition to the war in Iraq contributed to heavy Republican losses.

 

President Bush nominated Robert Gates, a former CIA director, to replace Rumsfeld at the Pentagon.

 

Asked whether his announcement signaled a new direction in the war that has claimed the lives of more than 2,800 U.S. troops, Bush said, “Well, there’s certainly going to be new leadership at the Pentagon.”

 

Bush lavished praise on Rumsfeld, who has spent six stormy years at his post. The president disclosed he met with Gates last Sunday, two days before the elections in which Democrats swept control of the House and possibly the Senate.

 

Military officials and politicians dissatisfied with the course of the war had called for Rumsfeld’s resignation in the months leading up to the election. Last week, as Bush campaigned to save the Republican majority, he declared that Rumsfeld would remain at the Pentagon through the end of his term.

 

Source: Cheney stuck by Rumsfeld

But a source told NBC News’ military analyst Bill Arkin that prior to the election, Vice President Dick Cheney argued with other politicians over whether Rumsfeld should stay. White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and others said Rumsfeld should be removed, the source said. Both sides agreed the decision would be made after the election, when Bush would make the final call based on how Republicans did.

 

According to the source, Bush agreed Rumsfeld should be removed after seeing election results favoring Democrats. Cheney then lost another argument, protesting Gates’ nomination as Rumsfeld’s replacement.

 

Rumsfeld, 74, was in his second tour of duty as defense chief. He first held the job a generation ago, when he was appointed by President Ford.

 

Whatever confidence Bush retained in Rumsfeld, the Cabinet officer’s support in Congress had eroded significantly. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the House speaker-in-waiting, said at her first postelection news conference that Bush should replace the top civilian leadership at the Pentagon.

 

And Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who had intervened in the past to shore up support for Rumsfeld, issued a statement saying, “Washington must now work together in a bipartisan way — Republicans and Democrats — to outline the path to success in Iraq.”

 

The Pentagon offered no date for Rumsfeld’s departure.

 

Appointee a close Bush family friend

Gates, 63, has served as the president of Texas A&M University since August 2002, and as the university’s interim dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service from 1999 to 2001.

 

The school is home to the presidential library of Bush’s father. Gates is a close friend of the Bush family, and particularly the first President Bush.

 

He served as deputy national security adviser from 1989 to 1991 and then as CIA director during the first Iraq war, from 1991 until 1993.

 

Gates joined the CIA in 1966 and is the only agency employee to rise from an entry level job to the seventh-floor director’s office. He served in the intelligence community for more than a quarter century, under six presidents.

 

Bush has considered Gates for jobs before, including in 2005 when he was searching for a candidate to be the nation’s first national intelligence director.

 

His nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.

 

Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., who is expected to chair the House Armed Services Committee next year, said Rumsfeld’s resignation “presents an important opportunity for our country to begin a new policy direction in Iraq and in the war on terrorism.”

 

He encouraged the Bush administration to take advantage of the fresh start.

 

 

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15622266/

[rayman]

Look...I'm not liberal or anything. But he really had no business being there the last year or two as it is. I'm glad to see him out.

[an_cat]

Same.

 

 

 

Now maybe the Pentagon will learn the difference between a "q" and an "n". Idiots. We'll see.

[GazeboflossUK]

Indeed. Although if I'm going to say that Bush and his Administration are criminals then I can't truely believe that anything is different now or will be different in the future......I think this "resignation" is just an attempt to extend people's tolerance to such a terrible government.

"

All this as along with the possibility that the mid-terms may have been thrown in order to quash and suspicion of vote fraud in anticipation of a major 2008 coup. Liberal blog sites are already naively telling whistleblowers and "conspiracy theorists" to keep quiet now that the left arm of the establishment, the Democrats, have 're-emerged'"

 

But at least I will see less of Rumsfeld's lying little face, the crettin.

[an_cat]

I totally agree, I truly don't think it will be ANY different. They've done nothing to impress me, in both terms, it shouldn't start now. It ISN'T going to start now.

 

 

 

But yes, it's less looking at that rat bastards face. Fuck him.

[Matter-Eater Lad]

This will change nothing. It is a political but pointless move that will have little effect

[Matter-Eater Lad]

Indeed. Although if I'm going to say that Bush and his Administration are criminals then I can't truely believe that anything is different now or will be different in the future......I think this "resignation" is just an attempt to extend people's tolerance to such a terrible government.

"

All this as along with the possibility that the mid-terms may have been thrown in order to quash and suspicion of vote fraud in anticipation of a major 2008 coup. Liberal blog sites are already naively telling whistleblowers and "conspiracy theorists" to keep quiet now that the left arm of the establishment, the Democrats, have 're-emerged'"

 

But at least I will see less of Rumsfeld's lying little face, the crettin.

 

You do understand everyone no matter what side is a lying douche bag, right? even any political leaders you may like or political wanna be's, they are all lying scum. democrat, republican, libertarian, communist.....its not a view its because of them being a politician.

[an_cat]

What surprises me is that this happened NOW, whereas it could have truly helped the Republican side (from my view, I don't know totally) gain perhaps just those few extra seats to maintain the senate if he resigned, maybe, 2 weeks ago. or SOMETHING. Don't know. But it definately was just a "what the hell?" thing I found out after coming home from school. Like I'm still recuperating after all the things I voted for yesterday in my state got shot down, and now this. lmfao wtf at this country sometimes.

 

 

 

EDIT:

 

 

but then again, yeah, it's probably a face saving move by the administration. whatever. they still suck. lmfao. *not up for mature conversational language tonight, obviously*

[berrywoman]

:dance:

 

 

 

about damn time too.... he should have stepped down ages ago like he originally wanted to, but Dubbya didn't let him..... lol

[Matter-Eater Lad]

I dont see why you guys care unless its just pure hatred, because nothing will change because of this, thus why give a damn?

[Space Cadet]

I dont see why you guys care unless its just pure hatred' date=' because nothing will change because of this, thus why give a damn?[/quote']

 

Hope, dude... it's means that there's hope- that the government finally got the message that people weren't happy, that someone might actually have some new ideas... sure, I'm expecting abject failure again, but still...

 

:dance:

[mc_squared]

:dance:

 

 

 

about damn time too.... he should have stepped down ages ago like he originally wanted to, but Dubbya didn't let him..... lol

 

I had a feeling this topic might lure you back!!:P

[Matter-Eater Lad]

Hope, dude... it's means that there's hope- that the government finally got the message that people weren't happy, that someone might actually have some new ideas... sure, I'm expecting abject failure again, but still...

 

:dance:

 

Hope? he wasnt the guy calling the shots really, so thus no hope. The policies wont change much. So no hope just a different face.:\

[Space Cadet]

Hope? he wasnt the guy calling the shots really' date=' so thus no hope. The policies wont change much. So no hope just a different face.:\[/quote']

 

Of course not. But he was the one with a certain amount of authority to set the tone or shake things up. In the interests of appeasing those who sent Rumsfeld's head rolling, the new guy might try to take advantage of that... in fact should if he cares about the next election. If he tells those who call the shots to come up with something new, even a couple of pathetic attempts to do that might make a difference.

 

There is always hope if you want there to be. :P to say that there isn't defies the very nature of hope.

[Maldini]

I dont see why you guys care unless its just pure hatred' date=' because nothing will change because of this, thus why give a damn?[/quote']

 

 

No, I think there will be some changes and it's depend on the people of America and I see they sent a message to every politican that if he/she act a stupid policy then he/she will be kick off

[Matter-Eater Lad]

No' date=' I think there will be some changes and it's depend on the people of America and I see they sent a message to every politican that if he/she act a stupid policy then he/she will be kick off[/quote']

 

The changes if they come will come Bush and his people not the new dude, Rummy was just a political figurehead

[brandon313]

well when you think about it, the timing of his resignation makes perfect sense. Now that the dems hold congress they are gonna question his ass and investigate the hell out of the white house. The republicans were worried that with the new congress wanting blood from the administration, Rumsfeld would get angry and lose his temper while being questioned and what not (its happened before) and now that they have someone else there, when someone asks a question, all he can and will say is "i dono, i dono, i dono"

[an_cat]

I dont see why you guys care unless its just pure hatred' date=' because nothing will change because of this, thus why give a damn?[/quote']

 

 

 

Because it's news, it's a change. And I do care what's happening in our government, and was fairly sure others do as well when I posted the article. Whether it brings change or not, it still means that Rumsfeld is gone and that's a big enough story to warrant discussion and a thread.

 

 

 

Honestly, you don't have to be so goddamn hostile about everything. Christ. Chill out, man. We're just having a bit of conversation.

[mc_squared]

Because it's news, it's a change. And I do care what's happening in our government, and was fairly sure others do as well when I posted the article. Whether it brings change or not, it still means that Rumsfeld is gone and that's a big enough story to warrant discussion and a thread.

 

 

 

Honestly, you don't have to be so goddamn hostile about everything. Christ. Chill out, man. We're just having a bit of conversation.

 

I agree. The same happened with the article I posted about "Pastor Ted" the other day.:rolleyes:

[an_cat]

News is news. It means different things to different people. Just because one person doesn't give a damn doesn't mean we all have to be talked to in such a condescending "psh!" way. :rolleyes:

 

 

Whatever.

 

 

 

I'm still happy Rummy's out. I can't explain it. It just feels nice having him out of my face. It got to the point where seeing his face made me ill. Bastard.

[Matter-Eater Lad]

Because it's news, it's a change. And I do care what's happening in our government, and was fairly sure others do as well when I posted the article. Whether it brings change or not, it still means that Rumsfeld is gone and that's a big enough story to warrant discussion and a thread.

 

 

 

Honestly, you don't have to be so goddamn hostile about everything. Christ. Chill out, man. We're just having a bit of conversation.

 

 

Its a change in a political figurehead, not a change in policy, thus no need to be happy. Now whe Bushy boy decides its time to change the stratigh THEN we can be happy;)

[Matter-Eater Lad]

I agree. The same happened with the article I posted about "Pastor Ted" the other day.:rolleyes:

 

When you're dumb enough to BELIEVE rumors, you deserve to be called on it. If you were 15 which you may be, i'd let it slide, it would be ok, but you're probably a grown up and still acting like a kid believing RUMORS. You got what you deserved

[an_cat]

Its a change in a political figurehead' date=' not a change in policy, thus no need to be happy. Now whe Bushy boy decides its time to change the stratigh THEN we can be happy;)[/quote']

 

 

Ah, alright, I understand what you meant now. Sorry, I thought it was more of a "why do you even care about this?" thing than a "why SHOULD we care" ;) And yeah, in a way, I don't know why we should.

 

 

Frankly, I'm more interested in the democrats retaking the Senate and House and how THAT will change our government. But the fact that Rumsfeld is FINALLY gone was just a "wow, finally" thing lmfao.

 

 

/done rambling on.

[GazeboflossUK]

The thing is I really doubt anything that matters will actually change due to the Dems gaining Senate and House control.

 

Democrats have already said that they aren't even going to go for any impeachment and leading members have distanced themselves from investigating even the disgusting Iraq WMD lies.

 

For the past few months you could bearly watch any news channel without hearing the Democrats mentioning the grave mistakes made in relation to the Iraq war, now they don't seem bothered about attempting to rid your country of the shame?

Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean are saying the impeachment is "off the table" and that "we're not gonna do that".

 

How on earth can the masses of people expect them to look into 9/11 and it's ramifications? How in the slightest was Tuesday night a defeat of the Bush Administration & the Neo-Cons? From what I have read it seems like a big huge get out of jail card has been used somewhere....and it's probably not the last one either.

 

It's truely a sad reminder and realisation that it's all a huge scam, the most expensive theatre production the world has ever seen.

[an_cat]

I know. What hte Dems are going to do is focus on building up approval for the election in '08 instead of looking into holding those responsible, acountable.