Jay Nordlinger shares another example of Donald Rumsfeld leaving diplomacy to the diplomats, in today's Impromptus:
At the recent conference in Munich, Rumsfeld was asked why the United States doesn't make a fuss about Israeli nuclear weapons. We're supposed to be against nukes, right? Why don't we go after Israel?Posted by dan at February 18, 2004 12:10 AMReplied the secretary of defense: "You know the answer by yourself, and the whole world knows the answer. Israel is a small country with a small population. It is a democracy, but exists among neighbors who want to see her in the sea. Israel has made it clear that she does not want to be in the sea, and as a result, over several decades, has organized in such a manner as not to be thrown into the sea."
Savor it now, ladies and gents, for we will probably never — ever — see the likes of this fellow, in an office this key, again.