As reported in an American Forces Press Service article today, outgoing Defense Secretary Rumsfeld made a surprise visit to Iraq on Saturday.  He told the 1200 Soldiers and Marines assembled at Al Asad Air Base in Anbar Province that "the true strength of the US military is not in Washington, not in the Pentagon, not in the weapons.  It's in the hearts of the men and women who serve.  It's your patriotism, your professionalism, and indeed your determination." Referring as he has in previous speeches to the vital issues of national will and perseverance, Rumsfeld talked about a young man he met at Bethesda Naval Hospital recovering from wounds received in Iraq who told him; "If the American people will only give us the time, we can do it. We're getting the job done."  Rumsfeld then added: "The consequences of failure are unacceptable."  Indeed they are.  Closing out his remarks, the Medal of Freedom recipient who has made...(Read Full Post)