LAT senses general's rebellion

Today, the LAT speculates about the motives of Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, who reportedly said he needed more troops in Diyala province to quell the violence there. LAT reporters suggest it's because Rumsfeld is gone or because generals have been told by Defense Secretary Gates to "speak their minds" or because generals have guilty consciences about botching the war and misleading the public. Obviously, the reporters are only guessing about Mixon's motivation, so why is that considered news?