Iran is making threats once again, challenging the U.S. and Israel. We have a war going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, and during this important time, some are calling for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

At least 6 retired generals have called for his resignation because they feel Rumsfeld made critical mistakes in the War in Iraq, and exerted flawed leadership. But, there ARE some generals coming Rumsfeld's defense... former generals Franks, DeLong, and Myers. They seem to be among the generals who are thinking clearly. Retired Air Force Gen. Richard Myers said, "I think what we see happening with retired general officers is bad for the military, bad for civil-military relations and bad for the country."

Maj.Gen. John Batiste, (commander: Army 1st Infantry Division, Iraq, 2004-2005), complains of needing a fresh start in the Pentagon. "We need a leader who understands teamwork, a leader who knows how to build teams, a leader that does it without intimidation," he said.

Gen. Myers again backed up Rumsfeld saying, "You'd have to believe that everybody in the chain of command is intimidated, and I don't believe that," he said.

All the criticism against Rumsfeld prompted a Pentagon memo which outlined Rumsfeld's collaboration with military officials. He does not take an isolationist and dominating position as some have accused him of.

It's safe to say that complaints over Donald Rumsfeld's job performance have not been made purely out of concern for the troops, morale, or the country. Because if that were the case, generals who are calling for Rumsfeld to step down wouldn't have brought it up. There are clearly political undertones at work. It is foolish during a time of war to call for the Secretary of Defense to step down.

NBC News called it "political wars," and that's what it is. A political ploy to get Sec. Rumsfeld to step down, that's one more slap in the face of the President. President Bush is responsible for putting in place the Sec. of Defense, and has touted Rumsfeld's positive leadership "during this historic and challenging time for our nation." Rummy has said that he will not leave. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), has called for a vote on Rumsfeld's job performance when Congress resumes after Easter break. I really think that Congress enough on its plate as it is, especially regarding illegal immigration. I do not think that it is wise to waste their time to vote whether or not Sec. Rumsfeld is competent enough to do his job.

While the media has its attention on attacking Bush's administration, Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has rearing his ugly head again, threatening his enemies, possibly with a nuclear attack.

Ahmadinejad has threatened time and again, the West and Israel. As the U.S., the EU, and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) work to try to engage in talks with Iran to discourage the country from moving forward with its nuclear program, information has surfaced of Iran's involvement in an underground uranium enrichment plant. This secret plant should be in operation in Oct. 2006. Iran comes across as a backward nation who is struggling for access to nuclear power, but in fact, it is more capable of acquiring nuclear material than ever. Russia is involved with helping Iran, as well as Belarus and Ukraine. This is one reason why Russia is against the U.S. using military action against Iran's nuclear sites.

If Iranian President Ahmadinejad didn't have anything to hide, why would he bother threatening Israel and western nations... mainly the U.S.? He has strengthened bonds with terror organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Where the U.S. and world organizations have refused to aid the new Hamas government, Iran has stepped in and sent $50 million.

Iran is lining itself up with militant groups who still have an agenda to target the "infidels" wiping them out, or forcing them to submit to Islam. That still remains the goal, and it's imperative that we continue to watch these developments, as Iran could be developing a nuclear bomb.

Adding to their troubles, Israel has mentioned that Iran and Syria have been involved with the recent suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

"Like it or not, the Zionist regime is heading toward annihilation. The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm," Ahmadinejad warns. "Believe that Palestine will be freed soon."

That is an indication of something disastrous to come if something isn't done, and Iran is ignored.

Do we hear much of this in the media? No, because as usual, they are too busy reporting on supposed faults of the Bush administration. And as usual, the Senate is not focused on the real issues. Immigration and the war on terror should not be topics to be put on hold. It requires IMMEDIATE attention, take a look at these issues from a BROAD spectrum.

When are we going to learn that we have got to stop playing these partisan political games with our future?

Now, to talk about the war in Iraq. I'm not going to bash President Bush on his handling of the war, he is getting enough of that already, with low poll numbers and all. But since the option to engage Iran militarily looks like a possibility, we should think about taking care of one issue at a time. Step lightly on the Iran issue while we are in Iraq.

President Bush should engage the American public more, letting us know of his plans. Not in full detail, but just to keep Americans focused and in agreement with his agenda to help Iraq become self-sufficient.

I would hope, that if Iraqis want to be self-sufficient, and they want to see less of an American presence, they MUST play their part to help U.S. soldiers get rid of the radical terrorist thugs running amuck, creating mayhem in Iraqi streets. Instead of being dissatisfied at times over the job the U.S. is doing, protesting in the streets. Why not express displeasure over the evil people who are bombing innocents?

I do think that the U.S. needs to put its foot down. We are definitely trying to help as best we can, but I do not think that our time in Iraq should be prolonged much longer. The cycle of trying to establish a democracy while fighting suicide bombers and terrorists will continue...on and on, and on...unless the U.S. establishes a plan to deal with it, and a plan to help our servicemen be completely successful, and on their way out of Iraq.

Our military must have the FULL backing of American citizens. That means the media and those politicians who are badmouthing the Iraq war, and showing only negative footage of the war, need to cease and think of what it will do to our troops overseas. They are doing the hardest job, and for them to hear that the war is a quagmire and that Bush is a bad leader, it totally destroys morale.

I believe we as Americans, are slitting their own throats when the full truth isn't reported in the media, and when we bicker amongst each other. We then miss the real threat to this country. We must stay united, we have an enemy who wants us dead, no matter how nice or accommodating we try to be.

Some of us may disagree on the war in Iraq for example, but no one should have to step down because of perceived misjudgments in the handling of the war. Instead, stand behind our leaders, but if need be, express your feelings on their performance and give suggestions on what they could do better.

To attack our leadership will only divide us further and embolden our enemies. We shouldn't give them the pleasure of seeing the U.S. in political turmoil.

So...stay safe, smart, and alert!


Related Reading:


Iran Completes Secret Uranium Plant:
http://www.newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s=pf&page=http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/4/20/175353.shtml?s=et

Russia Warns Against Threatening Iran:
http://newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s=pf&page=http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/4/22/184243.shtml?s=lh

Tel Aviv Terror Bombing Shatters Passover Holiday:
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=/ForeignBureaus/archive/200604/INT20060417b.html

Israel's Olmert: Syria, Iran Involved in Bombing:
http://newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s=pf&page=http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/4/21/90729.shtml?s=lh


More disturbing, related news:
*This should be an offense suitable for IMMEDIATE deportation!
Islamist protest in N.Y.--'Mushroom cloud on way':
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49865



*Felicia (Fee) Benamon is a political columnist who writes for various conservative sites including RenewAmerica.us, Daley-Times Post, RealityCheck.org, Capitolhillcoffeehouse.com, TheConservativeVoice.com, Mensnewsdaily.com, and many more. Felicia is currently branching out, and hopes to do more freelance writing, and eventually carry a column in her local newspaper. She hails from a military background, and has been politically active since the 2000 elections. Felicia is also an occasional guest speaker on KYAL2K, conservative talk radio (www.k-talk.com), Salt Lake City, UT.

You may email Felicia: Feereports@aol.com