Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (2869)	6/29/2003 6:43:51 PM
From: Bridge Player	Respond to of 793846

<<<<But he is right about what the Repubs are up to. Keep Congress from enacting more social welfare programs.>>>> Bullshit. What do you call the addition of drug benefits under Medicare?

To: LindyBill who wrote (2869)	6/29/2003 8:34:41 PM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793846

LB, An excellent description of a point you made last week. uw June 13, 2003 By David Mattson Late last week Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld selected retired Gen. Peter Schoomaker to replace Gen. Eric Shinseki as the Army Chief of Staff, which would mark the first time a commander of Special Forces has been named to a position of authority over the conventional military. Schoomaker's nomination is especially surprising considering that the four-star general has been retired for three years. Returning retired officers to active duty in high-level positions is not exactly a military tradition. Only a handful of previous generals have been restored to active duty after retirement, including Gens. Douglas MacArthur and George C. Marshall. "Schoomaker comes highly recommended as an innovative thinker," says Marcus Corbin, a military analyst at the Center for Defense Information. "No matter how impressive his reputation, Schoomaker's appointment makes a statement to the Army that the active-duty generals have not been keeping up with the changes Rumsfeld is looking for during a war on terror." Says Maj. Andy Messing of the National Defense Council Foundation (NDCF), "This is Rumsfeld's way of letting the military know he wants to implement changes in their philosophy. ... This is a manifestation of that new policy. I've already had two calls earlier today [June 11] telling me that the Pentagon is in a tizzy over this. It leaves the other branches of the military wondering what changes Rumsfeld has in mind for them." By naming a Special Forces general as chief of staff, Rumsfeld hopes to build up speed and efficiency, two major distinctions of the Special Forces units. The nomination comes at a important time since both President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld agree that Special Forces must play an important role in the war on terror. "Rumsfeld recognizes the changing reality of the battlefield," says NDCF President Milton Copulos. "He is seeking to introduce a new strategic doctrine that acknowledges new threat requirements." Although Schoomaker could make history as the first chief of staff to rise out of the Special Forces, he already has had a prestigious military career. As a member of Delta Force he participated in the 1980 effort to rescue American hostages from Iran. Since the 1970s, Schoomaker has served in Special Operations holding several command positions before becoming head of U.S. Special Operations Command in 1997, a post he held for three years before retiring. Previously he worked closely with Gen. Tommy Franks, who earlier this year declined Rumsfeld's offer for the chief of staff position.