Rumsfeld and the Auto-Pen
Full disclosure: Don Rumsfeld in the early 1950s was the college roommate and, in the 1970s, boss, of former Secretary of the Army Martin Hoffmann, who, in turn was my college girlfriend's dad (and all around great guy). Rumsfeld also was a member of my eating club at Princton, Cap and Gown, which just goes to show you that an Ivy League education can lead you to wealth, fame and accomplishment (Rumsfeld) or not (me), depending, I suspect, on things other than where you went to school -- work habits, guts, ambition, focus, etc. I also admire the way he has performed as Secretary of Defense, and think he has gotten just about everything right. Lest we forget -- stunning, quick triumphs in Afghanistan and Iraq that no one predicted. Great stuff.
I also think Rumsfeld has gotten a bad rap for his recent comments to a planted question by a trooper in Iraq about "up-armoring" Humvees. Rumsfeld was, in fact, very gentle in his remarks to the effect that the DOD and the Army were looking at the problem, and doing their best to solve it as fast as they can, but that we have to do our jobs with what we have rather than wait -- a la George McClellan -- for the perfect army at the perfect moment that never comes. I might have been tempted to use the term "candyass," and call the troops' attention to the fact that 60 years ago today the 101st Airborne had things just a wee bit tougher at Bastogne. But that's me, and that's another reason why he's SecDef, and I'm BlogDoofus.
Having said that, the current kerfuffle about the revelation that Rumsfeld uses an Autopen to sign letters of condolence to the families of American soldiers and Marines killed in action is, unfortunately, one in which I have to side with the critics. Yes, he's busy. Yes, other high level officials have done the same thing. Yes, the critics are mostly animated by a "get Rummy" urge that is purely political.
But.... there are things you don't do. There are things that are sacred. I can't quite express it, but I know Mr. Rumsfeld understands this. There are some tasks that have to done correctly, because to do them incorrectly is not to do them at all. And this is not a question of political correctness or even moral correctness, but spiritual correctness. You don't sign a letter of condolences to a grieving wife or mother who has laid the most costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom (cribbing Lincoln's famous letter) with a machine! It just isn't done.
There are still only (only!) slightly more than a thousand deaths in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq we're into our 21st month of the conflict. That means we're at 50 letters a month, or about 10-15 a week. A couple a day. If you can't write 'em, at least sign 'em. Scratch a personal note at the bottom. It's the least you can do for those who have given so much.
Rummy should have known better and, in fact, does know better.
I also think Rumsfeld has gotten a bad rap for his recent comments to a planted question by a trooper in Iraq about "up-armoring" Humvees. Rumsfeld was, in fact, very gentle in his remarks to the effect that the DOD and the Army were looking at the problem, and doing their best to solve it as fast as they can, but that we have to do our jobs with what we have rather than wait -- a la George McClellan -- for the perfect army at the perfect moment that never comes. I might have been tempted to use the term "candyass," and call the troops' attention to the fact that 60 years ago today the 101st Airborne had things just a wee bit tougher at Bastogne. But that's me, and that's another reason why he's SecDef, and I'm BlogDoofus.
Having said that, the current kerfuffle about the revelation that Rumsfeld uses an Autopen to sign letters of condolence to the families of American soldiers and Marines killed in action is, unfortunately, one in which I have to side with the critics. Yes, he's busy. Yes, other high level officials have done the same thing. Yes, the critics are mostly animated by a "get Rummy" urge that is purely political.
But.... there are things you don't do. There are things that are sacred. I can't quite express it, but I know Mr. Rumsfeld understands this. There are some tasks that have to done correctly, because to do them incorrectly is not to do them at all. And this is not a question of political correctness or even moral correctness, but spiritual correctness. You don't sign a letter of condolences to a grieving wife or mother who has laid the most costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom (cribbing Lincoln's famous letter) with a machine! It just isn't done.
There are still only (only!) slightly more than a thousand deaths in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq we're into our 21st month of the conflict. That means we're at 50 letters a month, or about 10-15 a week. A couple a day. If you can't write 'em, at least sign 'em. Scratch a personal note at the bottom. It's the least you can do for those who have given so much.
Rummy should have known better and, in fact, does know better.
posted by PDB at 1:57 PM
2 Comments:
Thank you so much for writing in a clear manner with conviction. Thanks for the great post. Keep it up.
I have to disagree with you on this one. No letter (however signed) will ease the pain of losing a loved one. Possibly a letter signed by someone who knew the deceased might be appreciated. But a form letter means nothing.
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