An eclectic's view of life: RumSFelD: My Rules for Life (First in a series) Serving in The White House (Part 1 of 6)

What the Heck is this? Read THIS post.

--> Note that all quotes titled"rumsfeld sez" comes from a document he created in 2001, entitled, "My Rules for Life" (see bottom of post for original source)<--

Unless Noted Explicitly (with a "*** markbnj sez *** ") all content is from (c) Donald Rumsfeld (see (c) at bottom of this post. Note that THIS post in its entirety, including Rumsfeld's quotes ARE (CC).
Note that I will also set off end of my comments with "$$$ Rumsfeld Says $$$"
Note that the First entry Titled "serving in the white house, is several pages, and thus broken up into different messages for clarity and brevity.

$$$ Rumsfeld Says $$$

Many of these rules, reflections and quotations came from my role as Chairman of the “transition team” for President Gerald R. Ford and my service as White House Chief of Staff. Others came from experiences as a U.S. Naval Aviator, a Member of Congress, Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Secretary of Defense, Presidential Middle East Envoy, business executive, Chairman of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Threat Commission, and other experiences.
These reflections and quotations have been gathered over the past 40 years. Credit is given whereknown. As the quotation has it, “If it’s not true, it’s still well founded.” (Unknown)

SERVING IN THE WHITE HOUSE
(for the White House Chiefs of Staff, and senior staff)
*** markbnj sez *** suggest words "AND Members of the President's Cabinet" be implied. That would make this sentenance say,
For the White House Chiefs of Staff, senior staff, and Members of the President's Cabinet

$$$ Rumsfeld Says $$$

1. Don’t accept the post or stay unless you have an understanding with the President that you’re free to tell him what you think “with the bark off” and you have the courage to do it.

*** markbnj sez *** (emphasis on "stay" added). I don't think that the Secretary of Defense has Successfully Done this in his current assignment. Please comment and discuss YOUR views.
I get to start (it's MY blog...) I think that the President needs to know you need to Leave your post now, because no matter what the policies, or good you may have done (that may be open to argument),you are beginning to affect the country as THE ISSUE Affecting the Presidency.

$$$ Rumsfeld Says $$$

2. Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you see around some corners. Try to make original mistakes, rather than needlessly repeating theirs.

*** markbnj sez *** I don't think that the Secretary of Defense has Successfully Done this in his current assignment. There ARE resources that the Sec'y could use, (such as Retired Generals), but has chosen to actually marginalize these generals, rather then listen to their input. Please comment and discuss YOUR views. $$$ Rumsfeld Says $$$