11.04.2006

Army Times and tunes.

(MSNBC) - Just days after President Bush publicly affirmed Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's job security through the end of his term, a family of publications catering to the military will publish an editorial calling for the defense secretary's removal....

"This is not about the midterm elections," continued the editorial, which will appear in the Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times, and Marine Corps Times on Monday. "Regardless of which party wins Nov. 7, the time has come, Mr. President, to face the hard bruising truth: Donald Rumsfeld must go."...

The military publications' editorial also painted a grim view of the situation in Iraq, saying, "despite the best efforts of American trainers, the problem of molding a viciously sectarian population into anything resembling a force for national unity has become a losing proposition. For two years, American sergeants, captains and majors training the Iraqis have told their bosses that Iraqi troops have no sense of national identity, are only in it for the money, don't show up for duty and cannot sustain themselves. … And all along, Rumsfeld has assured us that things are well in hand."

On another note, I ventured to the local high school auditorium last night to hear a concert by the US Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus. And while I'd quibble a bit with their program (I would have preferred more emphasis on military music) it was an excellent performance by an outstanding organization, well worth the trip if you have a chance to hear them yourself.

The band's web site has information about their current tour of northeastern states, information about the band's composition and history, and a nifty page of free (well, not counting a few taxes here and there) downloadable music, including a seriously nice collection of jazz.

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