The Rumsfeld memo

wendybeth · 12-04-2006, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the link, GD- I had to laugh at this, though:

"¶Stop rewarding bad behavior, as was done in Fallujah when they pushed in reconstruction funds, and start rewarding good behavior. Put our reconstruction efforts in those parts of Iraq that are behaving, and invest and create havens of opportunity to reward them for their good behavior. As the old saying goes, “If you want more of something, reward it; if you want less of something, penalize it.” No more reconstruction assistance in areas where there is violence."

Next, it's time-outs and the naughty chair!

(I agree with withholding funds in dodgy areas, but am wondering why they are getting them now....)

Alex · 12-04-2006, 03:28 PM

Oh, perhaps because of the obvious backlash response if the U.S. stopped building hospitals and schools in an area because an insurgent blew up a car there? Also, at it implies they were probably trying to bribe areas into behaving well (you get $5 if you bring your grades up from a C to an A, but the kid who always gets A's gets nothing).

Having read the memo it sounds to me like Rumsfeld was trying to get out in front of Mr. James Baker and his report later this week.

wendybeth · 12-04-2006, 04:58 PM

Rummy's note is filled with allusions to the bribery scenario; indeed, it seems his primary solution. It's shocking how little vision he seems to have, although he does make reference to cultural sensitivity or awareness. Kind of shutting the ol' barn door, etc, but better late than never. I'm not going to pretend to have any answers myself, but his memo is just dismayingly elementary and hardly offers up any real and viable ideas.

Alex · 12-04-2006, 05:08 PM

Yeah, that's why it implies to me he was just trying to say what would be coming in the Baker report before it became official. So far, all the leaked stuff from that seems to be similarly high level empty platitudes.

Both that and this memo ultimately have the detail of "Our plan to make things better is to cause better things to be."

Of course, quite a few things in that list are things that seem amazingly obvious if they aren't already being (embedding Iraqis in American units, etc.).

12-04-2006, 02:32 PM	#1
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Thanks for the link, GD- I had to laugh at this, though: "¶Stop rewarding bad behavior, as was done in Fallujah when they pushed in reconstruction funds, and start rewarding good behavior. Put our reconstruction efforts in those parts of Iraq that are behaving, and invest and create havens of opportunity to reward them for their good behavior. As the old saying goes, “If you want more of something, reward it; if you want less of something, penalize it.” No more reconstruction assistance in areas where there is violence." Next, it's time-outs and the naughty chair! (I agree with withholding funds in dodgy areas, but am wondering why they are getting them now....) __________________
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12-04-2006, 03:28 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Oh, perhaps because of the obvious backlash response if the U.S. stopped building hospitals and schools in an area because an insurgent blew up a car there? Also, at it implies they were probably trying to bribe areas into behaving well (you get $5 if you bring your grades up from a C to an A, but the kid who always gets A's gets nothing). Having read the memo it sounds to me like Rumsfeld was trying to get out in front of Mr. James Baker and his report later this week.
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12-04-2006, 04:58 PM	#3
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Rummy's note is filled with allusions to the bribery scenario; indeed, it seems his primary solution. It's shocking how little vision he seems to have, although he does make reference to cultural sensitivity or awareness. Kind of shutting the ol' barn door, etc, but better late than never. I'm not going to pretend to have any answers myself, but his memo is just dismayingly elementary and hardly offers up any real and viable ideas. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

12-04-2006, 05:08 PM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Yeah, that's why it implies to me he was just trying to say what would be coming in the Baker report before it became official. So far, all the leaked stuff from that seems to be similarly high level empty platitudes. Both that and this memo ultimately have the detail of "Our plan to make things better is to cause better things to be." Of course, quite a few things in that list are things that seem amazingly obvious if they aren't already being (embedding Iraqis in American units, etc.).
	Submit to Quotes