GW took a time-out from another vacation to defend Rummy. The following letters to the editor in the NY Times pretty much say what needs to be said:

Now that no fewer than five retired generals have weighed in on Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's incompetence ("More Retired Generals Call for Rumsfeld's Resignation," front page, April 14), the failings of our administration can no longer be ignored.

Although the White House spokesman, Scott McClellan, has said that "the president believes Secretary Rumsfeld is doing a very fine job," the opinions of these high-ranking military men must be taken seriously.

The time is overdue for President Bush to remove Mr. Rumsfeld from his position. But for that to occur would require the president to display a willingness to swallow his pride and to admit to having made a mistake — not likely for Mr. Bush.

When will our president surrender his arrogance and face reality? -- Lawrence J. Hahn
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When recalling the run-up to the war in Iraq, we should remember the attitude of supreme confidence displayed by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. Remember "shock and awe"?

When Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, then Army chief of staff, dared to tell Mr. Rumsfeld that the United States would need a lot more troops in Iraq than was planned, he was ignored and soon after retired.

It is too bad that all those generals who are now speaking out did not have the spine at the outset. -- Robert M. Prowler
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What's with all this johnny-come-lately criticism of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and the war by retired generals? Where were these guys when it could have made a difference — for example, to my friend's son, who was killed on his second tour of duty last year?

As much as I have opposed this war from the start, I am disgusted by the recent outburst of criticism by these military men and the press reports that make it sound as if this is a brave thing to do.

It would have been brave to speak up when they were actually in a position to do something. It's more than a little too late now. -- Lois Kallunki
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It is interesting that the formal criticism of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has come only from retired generals, who have their retirement rank and pension established. Surely they didn't come to that conclusion only after having retired. Do none of the generals on active duty have the courage to speak up? -- Andrew Linn