 I just got back from a vacation at the Chautauqua Institution (some pictures to follow) in western NY. Very nice. When I got back, I read in the Globe an article that provided a rough overview of how Rumsfeld's bias towards the Navy (he is ex Navy himself) is rippling throughout the Pentagon.
Rumsfeld's critics say the skirmishing is taking a toll on the Army, with casualties that include the loss of a prized weapons system last year, the resignation of Army Secretary Thomas White last spring, and, in recent weeks, the retirement of four top generals, with more expected in the coming months.
This article was a little more believable to me given that I met Adm Giambastiani while at Chautauqua (he spent a long weekend there too). He is Rumsfeld's point man at the Pentagon for Iraq and he is leading the charge on the military's transformation initiatives (which directly impact weapons procurement). I fully agree with enabling innovative and intelligent people(Giambastiani was all of these things). Rumsfeld should be applauded for that, however, these individuals don't reside exclusively in the Navy. It has been my experience that if you alienate entire branches of the military, you are in for political trouble. Generals, despite what you think, do have political power. Both overt and behind the scenes.
8:02:35 PM 
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