Rumsfeld's memo: A grim outlook: "Despite upbeat statements by the Bush administration, the memo to Rumsfeld's top staff reveals significant doubts about progress in the struggle against terrorists. Rumsfeld says that 'it is not possible' to transform the Pentagon quickly enough to effectively fight the anti-terror war and that a 'new institution' might be necessary to do that. (Related item: Rumsfeld's memo)
The memo, which diverges sharply from Rumsfeld's mostly positive public comments... [says]
'Are we winning or losing the Global War on Terror?' Rumsfeld asks in the Oct. 16 memo, which goes on to cite 'mixed results' against al-Qaeda, 'reasonable progress' tracking down top Iraqis and 'somewhat slower progress' in apprehending Taliban leaders. 'Is our current situation such that 'the harder we work, the behinder we get'? ' he wrote."

Rumsfeld is the man who came back from Iraq and Afghanistan this summer saying that anyone who questioned this administration's actions there was giving comfort to the enemy. He was implying that US dissenters are traitors. Strong stuff. So these candid comments from our fearless, callous war-hungry Secretary of "Defence" are quite revealing.

They show that the administration is spinning us with talk of progress in Iraq and the war on terror. And they confirm the points that fair minded dissenter's have long been making: this administration's policies are not effective. They are not making us safer. They are not addressing the roots of terror. And they are actually stimulating terror where there was none to threaten us before. Iraq is a case in point.

Why else would he say, 'the harder we work, the behinder we get'? ' Because their efforts are wrong headed and counter productive. They need to change, immediately.
- posted by geoff @ #