Politics

[MD Driver]

Yeah, a good summary. One thing about military senior leadership that’s worth noting is that they are products of government and bureaucracy. They may think of themselves as conservative, or might at least try to portray an image of being above the political fray, more concerned with the noble cause of national defense. But they’ve groomed within a system that’s very, very big government oriented. That’s all they’ve ever known. Process is everything. Trump is disliked by both sides in Washington, and so was Reagan because they questioned process and stepped on toes. And it absolutely threatens huge government spending in this direction or that.

Milley is a poster child of that northeastern education, graduate education, and Army senior officer schools’ professional military education curriculum. In my Academy class many years ago, you could tell right away who were destined to immerse themselves into the above, compared to those who’d serve their active duty service commitments and then either separate completely, or finish up as an O-5 or O-6 in a Reseve component. This group leaving active duty generally did very well in the private sector, and almost 100% of our STEM academic majors fell into this group. But many of the others… history, poli sci, philosophy majors…. found a home in the same world as Milley and were weirdly compliant, unquestioning, myopic, and risk averse. In our example at least, they were NOT the best and brightest people, not by a long shot.

So, you get what you pay for in developing senior officers. With the rightward, iconoclastic, and questioning shift (Trump) in conservative politics, it surprises my zero that some of these very senior officers push back at those things that threatens all they’ve ever known.

 

[Brent in Az]

A possible third assassination attempt was thwarted by police who stopped a man armed with guns and fake passes outside of Trump's Coachella rally

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Yeah, a good summary. One thing about military senior leadership that’s worth noting is that they are products of government and bureaucracy. They may think of themselves as conservative, or might at least try to portray an image of being above the political fray, more concerned with the noble cause of national defense. But they’ve groomed within a system that’s very, very big government oriented. That’s all they’ve ever known. Process is everything. Trump is disliked by both sides in Washington, and so was Reagan because they questioned process and stepped on toes. And it absolutely threatens huge government spending in this direction or that.

Milley is a poster child of that northeastern education, graduate education, and Army senior officer schools’ professional military education curriculum. In my Academy class many years ago, you could tell right away who were destined to immerse themselves into the above, compared to those who’d serve their active duty service commitments and then either separate completely, or finish up as an O-5 or O-6 in a Reseve component. This group leaving active duty generally did very well in the private sector, and almost 100% of our STEM academic majors fell into this group. But many of the others… history, poli sci, philosophy majors…. found a home in the same world as Milley and were weirdly compliant, unquestioning, myopic, and risk averse. In our example at least, they were NOT the best and brightest people, not by a long shot.

So, you get what you pay for in developing senior officers. With the rightward, iconoclastic, and questioning shift (Trump) in conservative politics, it surprises my zero that some of these very senior officers push back at those things that threatens all they’ve ever known.

@MD Driver You painteth with a broad brush.

 

[sgt_zim]

Yep. She's a meat puppet, just like creepy uncle joe is.

 

[Red Leg]

Yeah, a good summary. One thing about military senior leadership that’s worth noting is that they are products of government and bureaucracy. They may think of themselves as conservative, or might at least try to portray an image of being above the political fray, more concerned with the noble cause of national defense. But they’ve groomed within a system that’s very, very big government oriented. That’s all they’ve ever known. Process is everything. Trump is disliked by both sides in Washington, and so was Reagan because they questioned process and stepped on toes. And it absolutely threatens huge government spending in this direction or that.

Milley is a poster child of that northeastern education, graduate education, and Army senior officer schools’ professional military education curriculum. In my Academy class many years ago, you could tell right away who were destined to immerse themselves into the above, compared to those who’d serve their active duty service commitments and then either separate completely, or finish up as an O-5 or O-6 in a Reseve component. This group leaving active duty generally did very well in the private sector, and almost 100% of our STEM academic majors fell into this group. But many of the others… history, poli sci, philosophy majors…. found a home in the same world as Milley and were weirdly compliant, unquestioning, myopic, and risk averse. In our example at least, they were NOT the best and brightest people, not by a long shot.

So, you get what you pay for in developing senior officers. With the rightward, iconoclastic, and questioning shift (Trump) in conservative politics, it surprises my zero that some of these very senior officers push back at those things that threatens all they’ve ever known.

I'll simply say my experiences with leadership in both in the military and government were quite different than what you portray. I knew some senior officers who had no business wearing stars. But the vast majority were exceptional at their trade and cared deeply for their country and the men and women who wore the uniform and swore the oath. There was no question why they wore the rank.

The observations in your second paragraph, again in my personal experience, are simply not so. Though it follows a pattern one often hears among officers who decide not to make a career of active service. It essentially follows the line that they left because they were too smart, independent, competent, you pick the adjective, to make a career of the military. Conversely, anyone who does is "weirdly compliant, unquestioning, myopic, and risk averse." You have familiarity with a totally different cast of senior military officers than I have known.

You also seem to have a strange aversion to senior leaders having a broad liberal arts education. I find that humorous, though I admit I am one. Again, and purely from my perspective, what would be better for a "generalist" than to have studied Gibbon, truly understand economics, have a clear appreciation for the historical and current application of power - military and political, and perhaps speak a language or two other than Murican as a very valuable foundation for senior command - particularly if he or she has a proven track record of success in their branch. If I may offer a untempered general observation of my own, some specialist professions represent some of the least educated people I have ever known.

When in the private sector, I hired any number of majors and lieutenant colonels who had left active service earlier or later. The primary positive attributes they exhibited were self-discipline, usually though not always some leadership success, and enough runway to make the corporation's investment in them worth the effort. They certainly were not any smarter or more capable than the men and women who were selected to command battalions, brigades. squadrons and wings instead of them.

 

[MD Driver]

@MD Driver You painteth with a broad brush.

Yeah, maybe. But I never found them to particularly impressive people. Mileages, I’m sure.

 

[MD Driver]

I'll simply say my experiences with leadership in both in the military and government were quite different than what you portray. I knew some senior officers who had no business wearing stars. But the vast majority were exceptional at their trade and cared deeply for their country and the men and women who wore the uniform and swore the oath. There was no question why they wore the rank.

The observations in your second paragraph, again in my personal experience, are simply not so. Though it follows a pattern one often hears among officers who decide not to make a career of active service. It essentially follows the line that they left because they were too smart, independent, competent, you pick the adjective, to make a career of the military. Conversely, anyone who does is "weirdly compliant, unquestioning, myopic, and risk averse." You have familiarity with a totally different cast of senior military officers than I have known.

You also seem to have a strange aversion to senior leaders having a broad liberal arts education. I find that humorous, though I admit I am one. Again, and purely from my perspective, what would be better for a "generalist" than to have studied Gibbon, truly understand economics, have a clear appreciation for the historical and current application of power - military and political, and perhaps speak a language or two other than Murican as a very valuable foundation for senior command - particularly if he or she has a proven track record of success in their branch. If I may offer a untempered general observation of my own, some specialist professions represent some of the least truly educated people I have ever known.

When in the private sector, I hired any number of majors and lieutenant colonels who had left active service earlier or later. The primary positive attributes they exhibited were self-discipline, usually though not always some leadership success, and enough runway to make the corporation's investment in them worth the effort. They certainly were not any smarter or more capable than the men and women who were selected to command battalions, brigades. squadrons and wings instead of them.

I’m sorry, as friends we’ll just have to completely disagree. And it’s to my original point that where you stand is where you sit, and in this case…how you got there. Maybe it was just in my DoD branch, but they were brazenly political animals.

Cheers.

 

[Red Leg]

As I have said for several days, no doubt to Nate Silver's chagrin, I think this election is doing the typical late inning turn for one of the candidates. Even NBC, is starting to prepare that groundwork.

 

[LivingTheDream]

As I have said for several days, no doubt to Nate Silver's chagrin, I think this election is doing the typical late inning turn for one of the candidates. Even NBC, is starting to prepare that groundwork.

My concern is it seems like he might be peaking too soon.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Day of the 2016 election, NYT poll said Hillary had an 85% chance of winning versus 15% Trump.
Polls are just fabricated bullshit propaganda for one side or the other. Take them and three bucks or so down to Starbucks for a cup o' joe.

 

[ActionBob]

Day of the 2016 election, NYT poll said Hillary had an 85% chance of winning versus 15% Trump.
Polls are just fabricated bullshit propaganda for one side or the other. Take them and three bucks or so down to Starbucks for a cup o' joe.

You are obviously NOT ordering the same coffee as @Just Gina

 

[Tanks]

Middle-income households with negative views of their personal finances surges to new high

A majority of U.S. households with incomes between $30,000 and $130,000 rate their personal financial situations negatively, a new survey from Primerica shows.

www.foxbusiness.com

Interestingly Trump, despite what his people says, feels immigration is a more important issue than economy in order for people to vote for him.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/11/politics/trump-immigration-economy/index.html

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Middle-income households with negative views of their personal finances surges to new high

A majority of U.S. households with incomes between $30,000 and $130,000 rate their personal financial situations negatively, a new survey from Primerica shows.

www.foxbusiness.com

Interestingly Trump, despite what his people says, feels immigration is a more important issue than economy in order for people to vote for him.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/11/politics/trump-immigration-economy/index.html

I think that reasoning comes from the fact that people’s wives and daughters are being raped and murdered by these people. People’s family members have been struck and killed by drunk drivers that have turned out to be illegals, many of whom are repeat offenders. Tens of thousands of these illegals are convicted murderers and/or rapists and that’s just the ones we know about. Families can’t go to the park without worrying their toddler may pick up a pill that could practically kill them instantly. Finances are important but personal safety for one’s loved ones trumps all else.

 

[PARA45]

A possible third assassination attempt was thwarted by police who stopped a man armed with guns and fake passes outside of Trump's Coachella rally

And the "Would-be-assassin" has since been released on a $5,000 bail. Really????

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

And the "Would-be-assassin" has since been released on a $5,000 bail. Really????

 

[Tanks]

Trump reveals which election issue is a 'bigger deal' than inflation and the economy

Former President Trump joined Fox News' Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday Morning Futures" for an exclusive and expansive interview, where he identified the border as a top 2024 issue.

www.foxnews.com

Finances are important but personal safety for one’s loved ones trumps all else.

He agrees with you. That being said, other than fear mongering I’d submit more people are affected by the economy if you look at the polls.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Trump reveals which election issue is a 'bigger deal' than inflation and the economy

Former President Trump joined Fox News' Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday Morning Futures" for an exclusive and expansive interview, where he identified the border as a top 2024 issue.

www.foxnews.com

He agrees with you. That being said, other than fear mongering I’d submit more people are affected by the economy if you look at the polls.

You’re not wrong.

 

[Red Leg]

And the "Would-be-assassin" has since been released on a $5,000 bail. Really????

First reports are rarely exactly correct. The National Pulse is a conservative publication.

Armed Coachella Rally-Goer Vem Miller is Pro-Trump, Independent Reporter, NOT Would-Be Assassin.

A man arrested near a rally for Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump on Saturday has denied allegations of planning an

thenationalpulse.com

 

[Tanks]

And the "Would-be-assassin" has since been released on a $5,000 bail. Really????

Armed ‘Sovereign Citizen’ Arrested Outside Trump Rally: I’m Innocent — The Daily Beast

Vem Miller, 49, contradicted a local sheriff who said he was there to kill the former president, calling the charges “bulls---” while claiming he is a staunch supporter of Trump.

apple.news

Just an idiot. One thing funny in the article that it mentioned him having a “high caliber” magazine in the gun instead of “high capacity “

Also from the article:

…
Miller is also a registered Republican, and previously ran for a state assembly seat in Clark County in 2022. He lost in the Republican primary for the seat, according to Nevada’s secretary of state.


He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he was concerned that America had been “taken over by tyranny” and that “election security” was a top priority.

 

[deewayne2003]

I have no idea how much of this is true or false, though Fox News debunked the C-17 story (31:50) this evening. I think it is pretty clear that the current administration mirrored the Bush administration when confronted with such an unexpected catastrophe - in this case hundreds of miles from the coast. I seem to remember Bush also monopolizing airspace as he stared earnestly at New Orleans out the window of Air Force One.

The real take away from this is the importance of state and local leadership, preparation, and execution. I would suggest Florida offers a case study in how to be prepared and exploit federal support, and North Carolina and Louisiana (Katrina) the opposite.

The C-17 story has been retracted; I only wish our MSM had this integrity.