Victor Davis Hanson expresses his opinion on the proposed sacking of SecDef Rumsfeld:

In an army replete with Bradleys and Abramses, no one could have known before Iraq that Hummers would need to become armored vehicles as well. Nevertheless all of them will be in a fleet of many thousands in less than 18 months. Would that World War II Sherman tanks after three years in the field had enough armor to stop a single Panzerfaust: At war's end German teenagers with cheap proto-RPGs were still incinerating Americans in their "Ronson Lighters."

Although I believe it is important not to live in the past, it often lends a perspective which is helpful to the here and now.

I strongly agree with Hanson's conclusions in this matter. If you read the news coverage regarding the ''offensive" remarks, it sounds as if the reported quote was Rummys' entire response. Once the transcript is consulted, the remarks within the context of his complete answer become something quite different: sage advice about the reality of warfare...and of life.

Oh, and for the record, I came on vacation with the suitcase I had.. .not the suitcase I wanted.