Rumsfeld Resigns

[eg420ne]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, architect of an unpopular war in Iraq, intends to resign after six stormy years at the Pentagon, Republican officials said Wednesday.

Officials said Robert Gates, former head of the CIA, would replace Rumsfeld.

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/rumsfeld.ap/index.html

[JunkYard]

Rumsfeld is a bonehead...


:smokin:

[eg420ne]

Robert Gates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gates


Robert Michael Gates

United States Secretary of Defense Nominee
Political partyRepublican

Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943) is an American intelligence official. He served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council. Under President George H.W. Bush Gates served as Director of Central Intelligence. After leaving the CIA, Gates wrote his memoirs and became president of Texas A&M University, serving on several corporate boards.
President George W. Bush announced on November 8, 2006, the day after the 2006 midterm elections, that he would nominate Gates to succeed the resigning Donald Rumsfeld as U.S. Secretary of Defense. The Senate must confirm this nomination for Gates to become Secretary.

Contents
1 Biography
1.1 Childhood and education
1.2 Intelligence career
1.3 Career after leaving the CIA
1.4 Director of National Intelligence Offer
1.5 Secretary of Defense
2 Awards and decorations
3 Quotes
4 References
5 Sources
6 Further reading

Biography

Childhood and education
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Gates attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Wichita East High School in 1961. Gates received his bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary in 1965, his master's degree in history from Indiana University in 1966, and his Ph.D. in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University in 1974.

Intelligence career
While at Indiana University, Gates was recruited to join the Central Intelligence Agency. But before joining the CIA full-time as an intelligence analyst, he spent two years in the Air Force; one job was giving intelligence briefings to ICBM missile crews at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. (The CIA offered no escape from the draft during the Vietnam War.)[1]
Gates left the CIA in 1974 to serve on the National Security Council staff but returned to the CIA in late 1979. He was named the Director of the DCI/DDCI Executive Staff in 1981, Deputy Director for Intelligence in 1982, and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from April 18, 1986, to March 20, 1989. In early 1987 he was nominated to become the Director of Central Intelligence in early 1987, but withdrew after it became clear that the Senate would reject the nomination because of controversy about his role in the Iran-Contra affair.
Gates was Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from March until August of 1989, and was Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser from August 1989 until November 1991. He was nominated (for the second time) for the position of Director of Central Intelligence by President Bush on May 14, 1991, confirmed by the Senate on November 5, and sworn in on November 6, becoming the only career officer in the CIA's history (as of 2005) to rise from entry-level employee to Director. Deputy Directors during his tenure were Richard J. Kerr (from November 6, 1991, until March 2, 1992) and Adm. William O. Studeman (from April 9, 1992, through the remainder of Dr. Gatesâ?? tenure).
During his 26-year career as an intelligence professional, he spent almost nine years on the National Security Council, serving four Presidents of both major political parties.
In 1996, his memoirs were published under the title From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War.
Gates has been highly decorated for his service: he was the recipient of the National Security Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal, was twice awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and three times received the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

Career after leaving the CIA
Gates became the 22nd President of Texas A&M University on August 1, 2002 following a tenure as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999 to 2001. He has served as a member of the board of trustees of Fidelity Investments, and on the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company, Inc. He also served as President of the National Eagle Scout Association during the mid-2000s.

Director of National Intelligence Offer
In February 2005, Gates wrote in a message posted on his school's website that "There seems to be a growing number of rumors in the media and around campus that I am leaving Texas A&M to become the new director of national intelligence ('Intelligence Czar') in Washington, D.C." The message said that "To put the rumors to rest, I was indeed asked to take the position, wrestled with perhaps the most difficult -- and close -- decision of my life, and last week declined the position."
Gates committed to remain as President of Texas A&M University through the summer of 2007; President George W. Bush offered the position of United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to John Negroponte, who accepted.[1]
Gates said in a 2005 discussion with the university's Academy for Future International Leaders that he had tentatively decided to accept the DNI position out of a sense of duty and had written an email that would be sent to students during the press conference to announce his decision, explaining that he was leaving to serve the U.S. once again. Gates, however, took the weekend to consider what his final decision should be, and ultimately decided that he was unwilling to return to Washington, D.C. in any capacity simply because he "had nothing to look forward to in D.C. and plenty to look forward to at A&M."

Secretary of Defense
On November 8, 2006 George W. Bush nominated Robert Gates to serve as Secretary of Defense in the wake of Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. Robert Gates will now face confirmation first in Senate Armed Services Committee, and if approved, by a general vote in the Senate

Awards and decorations

Gates' awards & decorations include:
Government Awards
National Security Medal
Presidential Citizens Medal
National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (twice)
Distinguished Intelligence Medal (thrice)
Other Awards
Eagle Scout
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

Quotes

"Speaking to you all again is a bit like being Larry King's newest wife-- I know what I'm supposed to do here, I'm just not sure how to make it interesting."
"Were we to become a top ten university and lose that spirit, those traditions, our culture, we would be nothing more than another giant education factory. A big brain with no heart. Hell, we might as well be in Austin."

References

^ CNN.com (2005). Bush names Negroponte intelligence chief. Retrieved May 14, 2006.

Sources

Author Unknown. "Biography, Dr. Robert M. Gates, President, Texas A&M University," Texas A&M University. (2003)
Center for the Study of Intelligence. "Robert Michael Gates," Directors & Deputy Directors of Central Intelligence. (2004)
Material on Gates, from The Literature of Intelligence: A Bibliography of Materials, with Essays, Reviews, and Comments, by J. Ransom Clark
Brett Nauman. "Gates passes on intelligence czar post," The Bryan-College Station Eagle. (February 1, 2005)

Further reading

Robert Gates, US Intelligence and the End of the Cold War, 1999, CIA
Robert Gates, Frontline The Gulf War: An Oral History: Interview with Robert Gates, Deputy National Security Advisor, 2001, PBS.org
Writings and Speeches

[eg420ne]

A New Perspective on Iran?

Gates
Whatever else he may bring to his new job at the Pentagon, Robert Gates apparently holds a view on the highly sensitive subject of relations with Iran that hasnâ??t been embraced by all his new colleagues in the Bush administration.

At a White House news conference, President Bush made the stunning announcement that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is departing, to be replaced by Gates. That announcement will immediately focus attention on the views held by Gates, a longtime Washington national security hand who was a leading adviser to President Bushâ??s father during the first war with Iraq.

On at least one Persian Gulf issue, Gates has been associated with a different approach than the one now being pursued. In the summer of 2004, Gates and former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski co-chaired a task force sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations that argued for opening a dialogue with Iran. The task forceâ??s report contended that the lack of American engagement with Iran had harmed American interests, and advocated direct talks with the Iranians. â??Just as the United States has a constructive relationship with China (and earlier did so with the Soviet Union) while strongly opposing certain aspects of its internal and international policies, Washington should approach Iran with a readiness to explore areas of common interests while continuing to contest objectionable policy,â?� said the report, entitled â??Iran: Time for a New Approach.â?�
http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=95453

[eg420ne]

Watch The Simpsons Iraq War Satire: "Operation Enduring Occupation"..."We Had To Invade, They Were Working On Weapons Of Mass Disintegration
http://prisonplanet.com/articles/november2006/061106Disintegration.htm

[BobBong]

Well.. ya can't really say you didn't see it coming.

[Hamlet]

Finally...now let's let his own Generals throw him to the Iraqis.

[Bong30]

He is a dipshit..... No balls, No vision....... get him out and a real american in there.




Hey EG..... why dont you here of republicans claiming election fraud by way of Diebold?????????????? HUH

you wont hear any either....this is way, learn it


As a conseritive, we look at our selves and take stock, and come back even stronger. WE DONT PLAY THE BLAME GAME LIKE SOME PUSSIES.


oHh there must have been election fraud for the dems to win <<<<<< you dont here that from conseritives. Just Libs.

Libiralism is a mental disorder....proven......



so if i look at you avatar...even a democrat chimp can steal the election? Hummmmmm get with it!!!!!!

[KiEfBoyjBm]

Bob Gates is a good man, I think that he is probably a fine choice for this job. He is the President of Texas A&M University (where I am an undergrad in the business school) With a few exceptions (his unwavering mandate to make A&M more diverse at all costs) it seems like he is a pretty level headed person who is HIGHLY respected, at least around these parts.

As for Rummy, I don't know the guy. Bush speaks pretty highly of him but he does seem a bit smug on TV from time to time. I don't believe that the generals who opposed him had the most legitimate arguments for his resignation. The fact that he is an asshole (if he is one) should not have had much bearing on his ability to lead the pentagon and advise the president. But, if the fact that an asshole was running the pentagon has hindered the war effort I think our problem has been solved.

Two Reasons Bob Gates should do fine:
1) Gates definitely will not micro-manage the entire military. (one of Rummy's biggest criticisms)

2) Gates is not much of an Asshole

Viva Gates!

[eg420ne]

well Bong as you should know I dont care for them democraps ..every1 i voted for was an independent....But there were widespread problems with touch voting(both sides) thats why i dont like it and there easy hackable, Diebold is our worst enemy........Get With It!!!!!:thumbsup:

[KiEfBoyjBm]

You went out of your way to say you don't like how the president of your school is trying to diversify the student body?....uhhh....

"Liberalism is a mental disorder...proven."

Show me the study.

"We don't play the blame game...pussies"

It's the media's fault that we're so fucked in Iraq, it's Liberals' fault that terrorism exists today, and it's Muslims' fault that their own people blow themselves up for freedom from America....I thought you didn't play the blame game?

Let me clarify:

Texas A&M was founded as an all male military college in 1876; the first public university in Texas. Women were not officially allowed to attend until 1963. (strangely long after black students were allowed) Having said that I will concede that we have a murky history with regard to diversity. But that does not condone the recruiting tactics employed by the University today. Robert Gates has continued an initiative that began before he came here to A&M. Vision 2020 is its PR name, it is basically a mission statement which decrees the need for a cookie cutter student body and faculty. They even went as far to make goals for the percentage of minority students and faculty that they would like to see by the year 2020. I have no problem with minorities going here, I have no problem with them applying here. I have a problem with us turning away really enthusiastic students because they are not diverse enough. I have a problem with paying full tuition, with no aid whatsoever while Black and Mexican students are aggressively recruited with a seemingly endless source of scholarships. It seems to undermine all of the principles that I came here to learn: Supply and Demand, All people created equal, etc. I would like the application process to be a free market, isn't that how are economy would ideally be. I guess this whole time I haven't been a conservative, I've been an idealist, but aren't we all.

And to address your other comment even though it wasn't addressed to me: America does blame people, but don't forget we are at war, failure is not an option. No matter who is responsible for our conflict in the middle east we must now solve it. If we are not successful in returning victorious the consequences will be dire. And not even Karl Rove can spin that inconvenient truth.

[Psycho4Bud]

Well, here's one for Rummy.........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD180tHeiOs&mode=related&search=

Have a good one!:thumbsup:

[jamstigator]

We're not at war. Congress hasn't declared war, and if you speak of Iraq, Bush declared victory years ago. Wars require that you have a realistic goal and, when you achieve it, you declare victory and go home. If we ARE in a war, where is the declaration from Congress, who are we declaring war against, and what are the attainable goals we need to achieve for it to end? Eradicating every last person who desires to harm the U.S. from the face of the planet is not an achievable goal, by the way.

Words are powerful things. Just because politicians use the word 'war' frivolously (war on terrorism, war on drugs) does not mean that we are actually at war. They use that word purposefully sometimes too, in an effort to make you believe that it is true. Wars are fought against human enemies you can point to, or at least name, not ideologies, and not chemicals.

[KiEfBoyjBm]

"...Wars require that you have a realistic goal and, when you achieve it, you declare victory and go home. If we ARE in a war, where is the declaration from Congress, who are we declaring war against, and what are the attainable goals we need to achieve for it to end? Eradicating every last person who desires to harm the U.S. from the face of the planet is not an achievable goal, by the way..."

1) What year did we leave Germany?
2) What year did we leave Japan?
3) Furthermore when did we leave Europe after rebuilding it?
4) How long did it take the Fed. Gov. to readmit and reconstruct the south after the Lincoln destroyed it?

Answers: 1) We haven't 2) We haven't 3) Were still giving them money and we are still there 4) Georgia the last state to be readmitted, was not until July 15, 1870; over 8 years after the final official battle?

Conclusion: In every American war we have followed through on our responsibility to stabalize any countries we have devastated, including our own. Some times it took 10 years, some we are still working on. Additionally, did you all forget about H.J.Res.114 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c107:5:./temp/~c107VDnPQe::), the resolution that was passed by both repubs and democrats to authorize the U.S. military to invade Iraq? Even John Kerry voted for it before he voted against it.

We are at War. Debating that point would be ridiculous, the only thing that must now be decided are our tactical strategies, which our Commander and Chief and his staff are responsible for. Let them do their jobs. This is the first war of the 21st century, conventional warfare may not work. Our enemy is everywhere and so must we.

[stinkyattic]

Dear Rumsfeld,
Goodbye and good riddance.
Don't let the mess you made hit you on the way out.
Sincerely,
Me