back when Rumsfeld was a media darling

Who remembers that this is on a plaque on his desk? "Aggressive fighting for the right is the noblest sport the world affords." The author of this January 2003 article noticed it, but wasn't fazed enough to dampen down the gushing hero-worship.
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Excerpt from Don of a new era By Ann Scott Tyson, Special correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

Today, with the United States again poised on the brink of war, Rumsfeld's leadership style and core beliefs are shaping the use of American force at a pivotal point in modern history. In coming weeks, he will counsel President Bush on the use of preemptive military action to overthrow the Iraqi regime - with repercussions that could either transform or destabilize the Middle East.

Those decisions will flow from a complex man known to be both dedicated and, at times, domineering.

Friends, classmates, employers, and colleagues say Rumsfeld possesses an unusual mix of traits. He is solidly conservative but not strident, principled but pragmatic, old-fashioned yet forward-looking. Sober about the world's dangers, he is optimistic about tackling them.

His blunt convictions have won him praise, yet critics call him an abrasive, arrogant warmonger. Rumsfeld often voices exasperation that his views are distorted or misunderstood. Regardless, the hard-charging Midwesterner is a force to contend with in American politics.

"He has a lot of influence," says former President Ford, who first appointed Rumsfeld Defense secretary in 1975.
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So, anyone know whose ass Ann Scott Tyson is kissing now?

By optimistic, did they mean 'eager to torture, abuse, humiliate, degrade and ruin'?

After reading many articles about the torture which occurred in the Abu Ghraib prison, I'm convinced that this was the work of the devil. To take a local Imam and parade him around the prison in nothing but women's underpanties, for 2 GI's to have showcase sex in front of a prisoner just to insult him, is just stuff right out of hell.

There were no answers to be gotten from these mostly innocent people, who by mere chance happened to be thrown in there. This was revenge. Because the American incursion was failing, Rumsfeld needed to blow off some steam. And he picked these people.

I don't believe he was looking for information at this point. He just wanted to hurt some people. The upcoming article in the New Yorker describes Rumsfeld as 'apoplectic', and there was a lot of kicking glass and broken doors. Great guy.

Rummy is one evil dude...like all the Bushies.