RAGGED THOTS: Another Side of the "General" Insurgency

Monday, April 17, 2006

Another Side of the "General" Insurgency

A seasoned DC observer makes an interesting point:

Usually the national media loves to harp on the incestuous revolving door between retired, high-ranking military brass and the military industrial complex. However, now when several retired military brass with complex ties openly criticize Defense Secretary Rumsfeld about "strategic" (read Pentagon budgetary expenditures) decisions, there is not even a peep from the press about any possible conflicts of interest. Why is that? Why do cries for Rumsfeld's head get loudest around miltary approprations time? Rumsfeld is certainly due the criticism, but where is the rest of the story?

In the same vein, didn't anyone in the media find it ironic when the Pentagon announced it didn't have enough money this year to implement the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations -- intended to achieve Rumsfeld's goal of make the miltary smaller and more flexible -- and Congress did nothing?

Most bi-partisan thing they've achieved this election year.