I felt so nauseated by the title of this book that I had to write just a few comments. Perhaps using vocabulary like 'existential' in relation to Rumsfeld's utterances will make them sound more profound to some people. Rumsfeld is a lot of things but a poet is something he is not. A poet is someone who can create art; and through that beauty which is called art he/she can communicate truth. Poetry is something that is alive. Poetry is a music of words - you can feel it, you can hear its sound, you can see its colours, you can touch it and it can touch you.
In all ages there have been people blessed with the gift of poetry and others blessed with the gift of appreciation. Even though Rumsfeld falls into neither category, I would much rather see him undeservedly hailed as the supreme laureate (regurgitating trite doggerel and rewording quotations from speakers' sourcebooks) than see him in his present role. As a poetaster he would only distort a form of art. Yet as Secretary of State he constitutes a danger to the whole world. How many thousands of innocent people have been killed because of this man? How many young heroic soldiers are still being sent to their deaths each day for a salary that is just a mocking trifle (perhaps not even 1% of Rumsfeld's disgustingly high income).
How many young widows and girlfriends have had all their dreams destroyed? Everything meaningful in their lives has now been taken.The fresh smell of each springtime blossom and colours of the changing seasons will lack something special for these brave ladies. Now for them the beauty of nature and of music cannot be lived fully; such things can only give comfort and enhance that feeling of emptiness. How many more children will have to suffer without their daddy? Now they feel so alone. When they are afraid they will not feel the warmth of a strong arm to hold them and reassure them. When they fall there will be no firm hand to lift them again and make them feel secure; nor will they hear a loving voice giving them the encouragement to walk on. There will be noone to give a father's advice as they grow - and there will be no one to share the child's happiness when he/she succeeds. There will always be something special missing from every aspect of their lives. Their little worlds have been destroyed thanks to Rumsfeld.
This man has caused so much misery and suffering. Together with his conniving colleagues he advised his president to wage an immoral and unjust war against a country that was not to blame for an evil terrorist attack committed by others. It is true that Saddam Hussein was not a democratic leader and most of the Iraqi people wanted to get rid of him for years. However, their aspirations were thwarted since for many years he was protected as the good boy of America (remember the Iran-Iraq war?). Now there is an actual danger of terrorism in/ from Iraq which hitherto had not existed.
This book page in Amazon is no doubt visited by propective customers who are admirers of the Secretary. I therefore expect to see a few negative 'votes' for this review. As for the claim to poetry, I do not recall that Rumsfeld answered very articulately when (after enjoying the utmost security to visit Iraq) he was asked why the American soldiers were not provided with better and safer vehicles. At the moment they are still exposed in half-open vehicles when they go on patrols and are therefore easy targets. Rumsfeld covers up the odd case of scandal and torture (which I do not believe is representative of most young heroes in the army). However, he has not gone to the same length to protect the majority of HEROES who are exposed to danger every day, being deceived that they are doing so for their country. Why doesn't Rumsfeld consider the lives and families of these young men (and young ladies too)? Why doesn't he send them home NOW!!!!!!!
I have just a few final questions for anyone who really admires this man. Do you think that HE would risk his own life as readily and easily as he risks so many young lives daily? Since you admire him so much, would YOU be prepared to go to Iraq YOURSELF and be killed for this man just like all the young heroes who are dying every day? And have you thought that while you are reading his book and having a pleasant smirk in the safety and comfort of your own home other people are being killed? These questions were just rhetorical.

You may well need them.

This is utterly hilarious. Seely's recognition of the Zen-like Beyond BushSpeak non-logic of Rumy (not to be confused with the actual poet Rumi!) is masterfully explored in this stunning volume.

Any American politician who states openly on TV that it didn't really matter if the UK did not come on board for the invasion of Iraq - as the Brits were preparing to commit their land, sea and air forces to a joint invasion force - has to be examined closely - for any neural activity, for example.

Hate him or hate him, Rumy has his Own Way of confusing the unwitting with his non-linear Joycean paradigms. Bush Snr. set the standard with his neologism-ridden BushSpeak, but clearly Rumy has turned out to be the Master of the Absurd.

The scary part about this 'existential poetry' is that much of it was lifted as is, and there are many literal quotes, however mind-tricking the meandering, Lewis Carroll on downers logic appears to become.

C. Colt's review is a work of art in itself and the best analysis of this Major Force in modern poetry I have yet read. But then, I have yet to read Rumy's psychiatric evaluations.

Man, know thyself - Aristotle
Uh? - Donald Rumsfeld.

Rumsfeld is brilliant.
Those who read too much into his digs, thinking him silly, are foolish.
Rummy is a master of the English Language and I LOVE it when he mentally bashes the liberal press with his genius, especially when they are unaware of the mental thrashing received.
Signed,
Charter member of Hillary's Far-RWC!