Kudos to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for doing what so few of his administration colleagues have been willing to do: tell the truth about Saddam Hussein’s non-existent ties to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
At a Pentagon news conference yesterday afternoon, Rumsfeld was asked if he believed Hussein was involved.
“I’ve not seen any indication that would lead me to believe that I could say that,” Rumsfeld said. (I think that’s bureaucratic talk for “no.”)
While noting that Hussein was a very bad man who did some very bad things, Rumsfeld concluded, “[O]n that specific one, no, not to my knowledge.”
Finally. After the ongoing shell game being played by most of the administration, Rumsfeld acknowledged that even he doesn’t believe Hussein helped execute the 9/11 attacks.
Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz has hinted at a connection, so has Dick Cheney, and so has Bush. They’re all wrong and have been cynically manipulating our fears and anger.
That’s why I’m so proud of Rummy for having the courage to say that he has no knowledge of any connection. Good for him.
Then again, isn’t this the perfect example of the soft bigotry of low expectations? I mean, is this how far the administration has fallen? A cabinet secretary telling the truth about an obvious fact is now cause for celebration?
Apparently, yes.