AZ Republic: Rumsfeld Must Go

From an editorial by O. Ricardo Pimentel in the Arizona Republic:

Do I sense 'plausible deniability'?

Did it just happen or did it happen on purpose?

This is an eternal question in the military, if my experience as a lowly petty officer in the Navy is any judge.

It is, coincidentally, the question the rest of us face on whether the brutality and torture at Abu Ghraib prison and elsewhere in Iraq and Afghanistan were as aberrant as billed.

Asked another way: Was it truly aberrance or are the deep regrets now being expressed just a fallback position involving our old friend, plausible deniability?

In the Navy (1973-77), life could be very regimented. Even off base, you knew your behavior had consequences. On the job, forget about it. Breathing had consequences.

It's why I find it very difficult to believe that, though I met jerks in the military capable of doing very stupid stuff, there wasn't some purpose behind the disturbing scenes we've seen recently.

Donald Rumsfeld must indeed go.

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to people on both sides? I guess my question is - will Repubs read this and slowly nod in agreement...or will they rant about the liberal media again?

I'm under the impression the The Republic is a conservative paper.

Anyone know for sure?

...and I live in Arizona, so I know. When the Arizona Republic starts publishing calls for Rummy to be fired, next thing you know dogs and cats are sleeping together!

There is a real groundswell around this, fed by disgust at what has been seen in the pictures released.

I hope that disgust rubs off on Dubya to the extent that it should.

both of those not so gentle men should be impeached.(for crimes against humanity)