Didn't He Get the Memo?

Of course, as Donald Rumsfeld stepped down yesterday, many news organizations reminded their audiences that he also was the author of the basic Beltway guide for newbies, "Rumsfeld's Rules," which includes this piece of ironic advice: "Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance."

It was interesting to see that Rumsfeld's Rules were once posted on a number of .gov sites, but have since been apparently pulled down. I particularly like this very cold take-down notice from the Department of Defense, where the rules were once so much a part of the department's cultural lore that the Pentagon joyfully announced "Rumsfeld's Rules Now Available on the Web." They aren't on the NASA site anymore, although you can see them cached here.