General Ranked on Rumsfeld Campaign - LA Times

[Starfury]

Interesting article on Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on how he has had to balance toning down Rumsfeld's agenda and keeping his job. Sounds like things would have been even worse without his moderating influence in the Pentagon.

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WASHINGTON — Gen. Richard B. Myers is preparing to leave public service with the distinction of being the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ever to preside over two wars. But inside the Pentagon, debate about his tenure focuses as much on a third front — guarding the uniformed military services against a hard-driving civilian leadership.

<snip>

After four years as the nation's top uniformed officer, Myers is wrapping up a tenure in which many Pentagon insiders say the soft-spoken Kansan has successfully performed a precarious balancing act: curbing the perceived excesses of Rumsfeld and his staff — subtly and behind the scenes — while fighting dual wars.

<snip>

Myers differed with administration policymakers over treatment of military prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, arguing for adherence to Geneva Convention standards. He repelled a proposal by Rumsfeld to close the military service chiefs' legal and congressional offices. And, according to several Pentagon officials, he pressed the U.S. Central Command for more detailed planning for the aftermath of the Iraq invasion.

<snip>

Uncomfortable with some of the interrogation tactics at the prisons at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, Myers refused to join discussions with Rumsfeld and others without military lawyers, a group that had questioned many administration policies, the senior Defense officials said. After Myers' own legal advisor was left out of the routine meetings, the lanky general told the secretary he would not attend a meeting without the advisor, one of the officials said. Again without awaiting a response, the official said, Myers stormed out.

More at http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-myers9may09,0,5538769.story

[Dancing_Dave]

1. This Kansan says this is total BS

General Meyers betrayed our country on 9/11 and supported the Rumsfeld agenda until it was clearly doomed. He got out while the gettin' was easy. He lied under oath. He should not be missed anymore than any other rat who leaves a sinking ship.

[burrowowl]

2. AMEN, BRO!

Oh! would that Bu$hCo and all his ilk (Colin Bowel included, to include his Mai Lai treachery) be tried at the ICC!

[blogbear]

4. Thank-you and it's nice to hear from someone who can remember..

There are many around who would have us believe that our memories are failing, fuzzy, and inaccurate..

[necso]

3. Read what General Zinni says. /nt

[thebigidea]

5. yeah right - he was a Rummy stooge to the core

... and came off as not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer.

[LynnTheDem]

6. Screw Myers.

4 years later, why are US troops dying in Afghanistan, Myers?

Into the 3rd year later, why do US troops not have enough armor, Myers?

Who spoke for the need for higher troop levels going in, and proper in & out plans, Myers? It wasn't you, Myers.

Who kept publicly agreeing with bush on everything, Myers? Who agreed Abu Ghraib was just "a few bad apples" Myers?

Screw Myers.

[teryang]

7. He brought great discredit upon himself and the Armed Forces

I don't think the reputation of the US forces can take another Myers.

It's disgraceful what the neo cons and their fascist lawyers have done to the Armed Forces. Myers went along gladly. Gitmo and Abu Ghraid are his legacy. He brought lawyers? He didn't listen to a word they said.

[atreides1]

8. The Reputation

The reputation of the US military won't get any better with Myers gone, Pace is even more of an ass kisser then Myers was.

That's why Pace was chosen to succeed Myers, he's so much of a yes man that he reminds me of bobble head doll. And Pace's loyalty is to Bush and Rumsfeld, not the country.

[Solly Mack]

9. I'm so dizzy.... my head is spinning....

like a whirlpool it never ends,
and it's you Meyer with all your spin,
you're making me dizzy.

[bpilgrim]

10. perceived excesses -> it's ALL in our HEADS, eh?

http://images.globalfreepress.com

peace

[0007]

11. Just like Colin Powell, Myers is squawking after the game is over.

General Myers is a joke and is certainly not a man that stands up for his convictions and beliefs.

General Richard B. Myers trustworthiness is zero.