Through the Misty Dawn - Editorial

A Day to Remember

Today is a day we pay tribute to Veterans of wars past and present. Many well deserved words will be spoken throughout our country today. To those words I would like to add the following:

Our men and women in the Armed Services face an incredibly difficult task. The enemy is elusive and hidden amidst ghettos and in the mountains. He does not send a brigade to fight. Possibly we have never fought such an enemy, certainly in our lifetimes. Our task since 9/11 has been extremely difficult.

To our President and his staff we should send our words of appreciation for their perseverance. Probably we do not understand the magnitude of difficulty the present Administration has faced. The wages are not sufficient to the great responsibility. The recent election surely did not show a semblance of gratitude for the patriotic dedication devoted by our absolutely selfless public officials in Washington. These are difficult times.

Donald Rumsfeld has stepped down as Secretary of Defense. The extreme agony and frustration of this war tells me his tireless efforts have earned for him a well deserved rest. We know the critics of his performance were merely opportunists trying to win an election. Why do we know this? Simply because not one of his critics in the opposition party offered one constructive idea or suggestion signifying what they would do to improve the results of this terrible conflict. They sold the electorate a "pig in a poke". And a majority bought the "poke".

Donald Rumsfeld has been a faithful and loyal public servant on the Washington scene for many years. During this administration he has worked tirelessly and unselfishly resulting in a contrasting minimum number of casualties compared to previous conflicts. Two previously subjugated countries now fly the flag of Freedom. The Free World is now working together to disarm and disable the wretches of terrorism around the world.  For these reasons I wish I could shake the hand of Donald Rumsfeld and say, "Well done".

If we have had a shortcoming in the fight against terrorism, surely it has been in the realm of intelligence gathering. Secretary Rumsfeld's departure ushers in a new opportunity for the United States. Mr. Gates is former head of the CIA. A very good selection by the President. 

A good man works hard in his job. I have no doubt that Donald Rumsfeld worked extremely hard at his job as Secretary of Defense. I regret that the election may have contributed to his departure because I know he was a good man. Therefore, I say "Well Done Donald Rumsfeld. You made great progress and can be proud of many victories and accomplishments. The war goes on but your tenure provided many great victories, not to be forgotten."

As for the new majority in both House and Senate I have this to say. The people await your alledged and supposed new strategies. If you had anything worth while it should have been offered to the President many, many months ago. We will be watching cautiously. In the absence of your promises kept or presence of promises unkept you may be assured that two years from now the great electorate will be reminded of the  "Empty Poke".

Richard Englefield 

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this