Without Merit

I've been using Rojo to keep track of the AEM blogs (at least the ones that have RSS feeds). Unfortunately, one of the consequences of this is that I tend to see more news headlines these days than I'd prefer. Which led me to Rumsfeld: Don't call Them 'Insurgents'

"This is a group of people who don't merit the word `insurgency,' I think," Rumsfeld said Tuesday at a Pentagon news conference. He said the thought had come to him suddenly over the Thanksgiving weekend.

*sigh* At it again, playing word games to try and change perception. Smoke and mirrors. Thankfully, the article provides us with a definition:

Webster's New World College Dictionary defines the term "insurgent" as "rising up against established authority."

And it all becomes clear. And sadly, I have to admit the man is right. It's not an insurgency. It's not an insurgency... because clearly the provisional government isn't really an established authority. You win some, you lose some.

But the article finishes with this gem:

At another point in their news conference, Rumsfeld and Pace had an unusual exchange in which Rumsfeld corrected his senior military adviser, only to have Pace gently insist that it was the defense secretary who was wrong.

A reporter asked Pace what U.S. commanders in Iraq are supposed to do if they find Iraqi forces abusing prisoners. Pace replied that if inhumane treatment is observed it is a service member's duty to stop it.

"I don't think you mean they have an obligation to physically stop it Â? it's to report it," Rumsfeld said, turning to Pace.

Replied the general: "If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it."

It's a good sign when even the underlings are getting uppity.