Here's the deal folks. I've read the memo. It is not a harsh critique of a failing effort, as it has been described by left leaning pundits. Neither is it an indication of faltering confidence, failing leadership, or loss of vision.
Instead it is the logical summation of points and possibilities used to frame a forthcoming discussion on how to improve our efforts in the war on terrorism.
As an ex-Navy Nuke, I had drilled into me the concept that no ongoing effort lacked room for improvement. No matter how good our performance was on our annual operations and safeguards reviews, our only feedback from the examining team was a list of areas that needed improvement.
This constant inspection and self reflection is a hallmark of performance excellence, and I'm pleased to see it in use at the highest levels of our military. It means that our fighting forces will continue to adapt to new global situations, and increase their efficacy and efficiency.
AS for the details of the memo, the questions Rumsfeld posed to his subordinates, they are all formulated to spur creative thought for new approaches to face the military problems of a new world. In short, this is the opening document for a brainstorming session. It wouldn't make sense to start a brainstorming session with a premise that basically says "Everything's fine!"
Rummy gave his men a list of areas for improvement, and challenged them to come up with ways to make those improvements. That's simply good leadership.
But it makes a better story to scream how Rummy thinks we're losing, how all the positive news out of Iraq was just propaganda, so that's what we hear.
At some point, it would be nice if reporters decided to, you know, report the facts, rather than spin the story to fit some ideologically driven angle.
Posted by Rich at October 24, 2003 12:23 PM | TrackBack