Rumsfeld Steps Down - Salem-News.Com

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is resigning after six stormy years at the Pentagon.

President George W. Bush said former CIA head Robert Gates, who's president of Texas A&M, will replace Rumsfeld.

Rumsfeld is the most prominent public advocate of Bush’s global war on terror and is the architect of an unpopular war in Iraq.

His resignation comes in the aftermath of Republican losses in midterm elections that cost them control of the House, and possibly the Senate, as well. Surveys of voters at polling places said opposition to the war was a significant contributor to the Democratic victory.

Bush said he and Rumsfeld agreed that "the timing is right for new leadership" at the Pentagon.

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.

Five years before Saddam Hussein’s now infamous 1988 gassing of the Kurds, a key meeting took place in Baghdad that would play a significant role in forging close ties between Saddam Hussein and Washington. It happened at a time when Saddam was first alleged to have used chemical weapons. The meeting in late December 1983 paved the way for an official restoration of relations between Iraq and the US, which had been severed since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. With the Iran-Iraq war escalating, President Ronald Reagan dispatched his Middle East envoy, Donald Rumsfeld, a former secretary of defense, to Baghdad with a hand-written letter to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and a message that Washington was willing at any moment to resume diplomatic relations. Rumsfeld’s December 19-20, 1983 visit to Baghdad made him the highest-ranking US official to visit Iraq in 6 years. He met Saddam and the two discussed “topics of mutual interest,” according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Bush described Rumsfeld as a "superb leader" in a time of change, but said his defense chief recognizes the value of "fresh perspective." He said Rumsfeld is a "trusted adviser and friend," and that he's "deeply grateful" for his service to the country.

Gates, since the summer of 2002, has been president of A&M. He's a close friend of the Bush family.

Gates served as CIA director for President George H.W. Bush from 1991 until 1993. Gates joined the CIA in 1966 and served in the intelligence community for more than a quarter century.

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Kurt Huckee November 13, 2006 5:58 pm (Pacific time)

Perfection Joey K!

Joey K. November 12, 2006 1:28 pm (Pacific time)

It may be instructive to learn what US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the "Prince of Darkness" Richard Perle were doing last weekend. From May 15 to 18 they were guests at the Trianon Palace Hotel, close to the spectacular Versailles palace near Paris, for the annual meeting of the Bilderberg club. Depending on the ideological prism applied, the Bilderberg club may be considered an ultra-VIP international lobby of the power elite of Europe and America, capable of steering international policy from behind closed doors; a harmless "discussion group" of politicians, academics and business tycoons; or a capitalist secret society operating entirely through self interest and plotting world domination.
(http://members.iimetro.com.au/~hubbca/secret_societies.htm)
Joey

Kurt Huckee November 12, 2006 9:39 am (Pacific time)

Read about his life and you will decide to have the bum executed.

Henry Ruark November 9, 2006 9:15 am (Pacific time)

To all: Don't overlook that close relationship now established for Bush-mafia with Rove as link to Norquist cabal including Abramson...and thus to Congressional corruption in depth and detail. Never forget, either, classic remark by Nixon; "I am not a crook."

Beamer November 9, 2006 8:41 am (Pacific time)

Because the Plutocracy that runs this country owns the military and the media....they rule the day. There's no going back to Kansas anymore Todo... -Beamer

Dandy Andy November 8, 2006 9:37 pm (Pacific time)

Ok,I found this historical roster of the membership of Skull and Bones (http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/bones.htm)..Bush is there and there are two Gates, but I don't see Robert. Perhaps he's with another cult, I'm sure. Any fools guess.

Not Good Enough November 8, 2006 8:41 pm (Pacific time)

Rumsfeld was just following orders? How come they didn't let the Germans off on that defense? America is the strongest nation in the world because it is the most corrupt and does a remarkable job at PR and BS! You do not get to the top being a boy scout. By the way, start getting used to China being number one and Americans will have to clean their toilets and start serving take out American without soy and duck sauce. Every dog has its day.

Gumba Johnny November 8, 2006 8:21 pm (Pacific time)

Yeah Nice joey and ah hey! He don't even have too pay for all his war crimes...only in America. Aint that the shit! Hitler should have been an american he could have lived out his life too enjoy his wealth too scott free. Ha, ha, ha...only in America.

Blackhill November 8, 2006 8:08 pm (Pacific time)

Raven--So you're tellling us that there aren't any such things as war crimes? Besides Rumsfeld thought he was the government.

Joey Illuminati November 8, 2006 7:11 pm (Pacific time)

O.K., Nice!....Question: Which secret society is Robert Gates affiliated with? Skull and Bones? Is he a bonesman like Bush too? is he a member of Freemasonry? Surely he is just another political puppet. the mob would'nt allow it any other way. Back too sleep. O.K., ZZZZZZZZ.....

Raven November 8, 2006 7:07 pm (Pacific time)

The people like Rumsfeld should not get the death penalty. They are doing the job that the government told them to do. The government is responsible for the death.

Not Good Enough November 8, 2006 3:33 pm (Pacific time)

What about a war crimes trial? Shouldn't people like Rumsfeld get the death penalty? How many deaths is he responsible for?

Amanda November 8, 2006 2:12 pm (Pacific time)

What a great day for America!!! I was wondering how many times the military would have to ask for his resignation before he finally felt some pressure. If you can't do the job well, move on! And Gates is temporary, he'll be replaced as soon as the new Democratic president takes the helm. Can't be soon enough. Party on USA!

C'itall November 8, 2006 2:10 pm (Pacific time)

And so goes the house of cards. Good riddance, good ole boy!

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