It appears the Democrats have taken both houses of Congress. This makes me happy not because of any particular party loyalty but rather it provides a little hope that maybe some of our country’s problems can be made just a little better. I know, I know. I’m like Charlie Brown thinking he’s going to kick the football “this time.” But I’m an Astros fan. I’m used to disappointment.
It makes me extremely happy to see Rumsfeld go. I don’t recall Rummy doing anything particularly good or bad when he was Defense Secretary the first time, which was during part of my Navy enlistment in the mid-to-late 1970s. But Rumsfeld’s tenure this time could be equated to the Hindenburg crashing into the Titanic. Oh the humanity!
Rumsfeld does not bear the blame for getting us into the Iraq mess. But he can be blamed for his reckless and arrogant leadership which has put our troops into an untenable position. I just hope that both the Iraq Study Group as well as Rumsfeld’s presumed successor, Robert Gates, can find an exit strategy from this ill-advised war that will neither leave our nation completely dispirited nor weakened.
What is with all this hope and optimism from the original founder of the Pessimists club (Our motto: We would have a meeting but we are afraid no one would attend)? I don’t know. I guess I just like to torture myself. I’ve got to get me one of those waterboards … (Warning, danger Will Robinson: Facetious reference)
The changing of the guard at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill leave our nation with a host of new opportunities. But those leaders who can make things work will be like a dog chasing a car and catching it. Okay Fido, you’ve got the car, now what are you going to do with it?