Donald Rumsfeld is a man who is very picky with words. This administration prefers actions over words, but words are important. It is therefore a day to celebrate when Rummy comes out and says it like it is. Of course he was speaking to an audience that could understand — the American Legion national convention with thousands of vets who actually remember World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

AP reports that Rumsfeld

... quoted Winston Churchill as observing that trying to accommodate Hitler was "a bit like feeding a crocodile, hoping it would eat you last."

"I recount this history because once again we face similar challenges in efforts to confront the rising threat of a new type of fascism," he said.

"Can we truly afford to believe that somehow, some way, vicious extremists can be appeased?" he asked.

"Can we truly afford to return to the destructive view that America — not the enemy — is the real source of the world's troubles?"

Tell it like it is, brother. The SecDef is not supposed to be the main US spokesman, but President Bush could do worse than putting Rumsfeld on the PR point, in his copious spare time.

James Lewis    8 29 06