Time for The Donald to Go

From the San Francisco Chronicle (via Truthout):

"An editorial scheduled to appear on Monday in Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times, calls for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. "

"The papers are sold to American servicemen and women. They are published by the Military Times Media Group, which is a subsidiary of Gannett Co., Inc."

I've read both the Navy Times and the Marine Corps Times many times over the years.  Along with the Army Times and Air Force Times, they are staples in every PX and BX on every American military base worldwide.  In recent years, they've developed an admirable independent streak – less "falling in" and more real news and biting commentary.  An excerpt from the editorial:

"It is one thing for the majority of Americans to think Rumsfeld has failed. But when the nation's current military leaders start to break publicly with their defense secretary, then it is clear that he is losing control of the institution he ostensibly leads."

"These officers have been loyal public promoters of a war policy many privately feared would fail. They have kept their counsel private, adhering to more than two centuries of American tradition of subordination of the military to civilian authority."

"And although that tradition, and the officers' deep sense of honor, prevent them from saying this publicly, more and more of them believe it."

"Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt."

Exactly.  While the neo-cons and GOP apologists continue to kiss Rummy's ring and blow smoke up the public's collective ass, the troops are paying the price for his arrogance and incompetence.

Dude has to go.  Ditto for his gutless apologists.