Perplexing Comments on Military Senior Leaders by President Trump

[Steven Yeadon]

President Trump accused senior enlistees and officers of sending men and women to die and be maimed in war to fatten the pockets of defense subcontractors.

Trump: Pentagon leaders want war to keep contractors 'happy'

I am stunned by the statements. I respect our men and women in uniform, especially those who have earned top ranks with decades of service to our country. I know our senior military leaders are worthy of respect and that subcontractors, of whom I have many old friends, are people trying to help those in uniform.

As someone who works with senior officers and subcontractors in my career, this statement by the President seems vile and should result in an apology by the President. I hope other military minded people agree.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

“Unwarranted influence…by the military industrial complex” has been a known and looming problem ever since Eisenhower warned about it with his presidential exit.

Military-Industrial Complex Speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961

 

[Reynolds]

President Trump accused senior enlistees and officers of sending men and women to die and be maimed in war to fatten the pockets of defense subcontractors.

Trump: Pentagon leaders want war to keep contractors 'happy'

I am stunned by the statements. I respect our men and women in uniform, especially those who have earned top ranks with decades of service to our country. I know our senior military leaders are worthy of respect and that subcontractors, of whom I have many old friends, are people trying to help those in uniform.

As someone who works with senior officers and subcontractors in my career, this statement by the President seems vile and should result in an apology by the President. I hope other military minded people agree.

Its true. Surprised he said it but absolutely true.

 

[Calminian]

President Trump accused senior enlistees and officers of sending men and women to die and be maimed in war to fatten the pockets of defense subcontractors.

Trump: Pentagon leaders want war to keep contractors 'happy'

I am stunned by the statements. I respect our men and women in uniform, especially those who have earned top ranks with decades of service to our country. I know our senior military leaders are worthy of respect and that subcontractors, of whom I have many old friends, are people trying to help those in uniform.

As someone who works with senior officers and subcontractors in my career, this statement by the President seems vile and should result in an apology by the President. I hope other military minded people agree.

Military leaders are not above reproach. Some were great, some not so much. I don't see what the big deal is.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

The President used slander if it is not true. That is a terrible sin. My question is, where is the proof our military senior leaders are nefarious? I approach this as someone who works with the military and subcontractors. No one gets to defame people I work with and respect without proof.

 

[Calminian]

The President used slander if it is not true. That is a terrible sin. My question is, where is the proof our military senior leaders are nefarious? I approach this as someone who works with the military and subcontractors. No one gets to defame people I work with and respect without proof.

Humans in general, call humans, can be nefarious. Leaders and government leaders can be nefarious. Presidents can be nefarious.

You seem to be singling out one class as above reproach. Just their position alone, requires special treatment. I don't think this is true.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

The President used slander if it is not true. That is a terrible sin. My question is, where is the proof our military senior leaders are nefarious? I approach this as someone who works with the military and subcontractors. No one gets to defame people I work with and respect without proof.

That may not even be the whole story. Graft, bribery, and professional lobbyists are not mutually exclusive. Trump was not including everyone in his criticism. Are you really claiming to personally know the activities and motivations of everyone in the military and its subcontractors?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Humans in general, call humans, can be nefarious. Leaders and government leaders can be nefarious. Presidents can be nefarious.

You seem to be singling out one class as above reproach. Just their position alone, requires special treatment. I don't think this is true.

Ok, I'll walk back my reflexes learned when I was training to be in the military (I never got to serve due to disability).

I get that they are not above reproach. Still common decency and scripture says you don't slander without proof.

Again, I hold the President and all politicians to the standard of scripture when assessing their actions. We do that in our opposition to abortion and homosexual acts.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

That may not even be the whole story. Graft, bribery, and professional lobbyists are not mutually exclusive. Trump was not including everyone in his criticism. Are you really claiming to personally know the activities and motivations of everyone in the military and its subcontractors?

Ok, I'll walk back my reflexes learned when I was training to be in the military (I never got to serve due to disability).

I get that they are not above reproach. Still common decency and scripture says you don't slander without proof.

Again, I hold the President and all politicians to the standard of scripture when assessing their actions. We do that in our opposition to abortion and homosexual acts.

 

[Calminian]

...Still common decency and scripture says you don't slander without proof.....

Well, technically, you don't slander, period. Slander, by definition, is a lie.

I doubt the Prez is actually lying about what he believes. Are you accusing him of this?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Well, technically, you don't slander, period. Slander, by definition, is a lie.

I doubt the Prez is actually lying about what he believes. Are you accusing him of this?

I dont claim to know the President's mind. That said, the President needs to show evidence when making bold claims about the mind and heart of someone else. This accusation by the President seems to violate the law of Christ, which is a sin. Sin being rephrehensible and terrible.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Ok, I'll walk back my reflexes learned when I was training to be in the military (I never got to serve due to disability).

I get that they are not above reproach. Still common decency and scripture says you don't slander without proof.

Again, I hold the President and all politicians to the standard of scripture when assessing their actions. We do that in our opposition to abortion and homosexual acts.

OK, but I’m still curious as to how well you know the top brass in the Pentagon, and just how you qualify to be in the loop on all of that.

BTW, if they weren’t before, they are essentially the equivalent of politicians at that level. And did you ever watch "We Were Soldiers..."?

 

[Calminian]

I dont claim to know the President's mind. That said, the President needs to show evidence when making bold claims about the mind and heart of someone else. This accusation by the President seems to violate the law of Christ, which is a sin. Sin being rephrehensible and terrible.

Yeah, well, the President is far from perfect. I am too. I can't say I always behave perfectly in the manner you've laid out.

But if you're going to be that strict, then I think you also have violated your own rule, by accusing the President. He is, after all, the Commander in Chief. Do you have evidence regarding what's in his heart?

Not that I would agree with this charge. I think you're just brining up something you think he did wrong. Nothing particularly with that. Nothing wrong with Trump blasting someone he disagrees with, military background or not.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

OK, but I’m still curious as to how well you know the top brass in the Pentagon, and just how you qualify to be in the loop on all of that.

BTW, if they weren’t before, they are essentially the equivalent of politicians at that level.

I don't know the top brass. I sometimes get a letter from a one star or two star commending me on my contributions as a scholar. I have met Generals at my college, I even got to dine with one. I donty suspect the worst sbout them. I trust the system that put them in charge. Remember Generals are all vetted and put in authority by the President.

Nevertheless, my main problem is that the President needs to show evidence when making bold claims about the mind and heart of someone else. This accusation by the President seems to violate the law of Christ, which is a sin. Sin being rephrehensible and terrible.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Yeah, well, the President is far from perfect. I am too. I can't say I always behave perfectly in the manner you've laid out.

But if you're going to be that strict, then I think you also have violated your own rule, by accusing the President. He is, after all, the Commander in Chief. Do you have evidence regarding what's in his heart?

Not that I would agree with this charge. I think you're just brining up something you think he did wrong. Nothing particularly with that. Nothing wrong with Trump blasting someone he disagrees with, military background or not.

I disagree with you, but I think we are at the, "agree to disagree" point of the conversation.

I am interested in starting a new thread asking about responses to sin. I'm of the mind sin is that terrible thing you strive mightily not to do and feel destroyed when you do it.

 

[Calminian]

....Nevertheless, my main problem is that the President needs to show evidence when making bold claims about the mind and heart of someone else. ....

Ideally, yes, this is true. Practically, especially in the rapid-fire media environment, it's going to be hard for any politician to perfectly meet this standard.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Ideally, yes, this is true. Practically, especially in the rapid-fire media environment, it's going to be hard for any politician to perfectly meet this standard.

I can understand that. You make sense.

Now this just goes back to what I have made apparent and stand apart from most on the Baptist Board about. I always expect a person to be of such character they feel at home at my church. This expectation turns me off to both parties, which is only natural in this majority-unbeliever nation.

 

[Reynolds]

The President used slander if it is not true. That is a terrible sin. My question is, where is the proof our military senior leaders are nefarious? I approach this as someone who works with the military and subcontractors. No one gets to defame people I work with and respect without proof.

Keep up with the spending bills and the warhawks. Watch Lindsay Graham.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

I don't know the top brass. I sometimes get a letter from a one star or two star commending me on my contributions as a scholar. I have met Generals at my college, I even got to dine with one. I donty suspect the worst sbout them. I trust the system that put them in charge. Remember Generals are all vetted and put in authority by the President.

Nevertheless, my main problem is that the President needs to show evidence when making bold claims about the mind and heart of someone else. This accusation by the President seems to violate the law of Christ, which is a sin. Sin being rephrehensible and terrible.

I added this late, so you probably didn't see it:

And did you ever watch "We Were Soldiers..."?

 

[Calminian]

I can understand that. You make sense.

Now this just goes back to what I have made apparent and stand apart from most on the Baptist Board about. I always expect a person to be of such character they feel at home at my church. This expectation turns me off to both parties, which is only natural in this majority-unbeliever nation.

It may be one of those things where you have to be in politics to understand. That doesn't mean the essence of your concern isn't true. I just know Trump has been blasted by some top brass that didn't agree with this decisions. Some of them spouted off and tried to hurt him politically.

This goes to the whole question of how politicians in general should act. Do they counterpunch, or do they turn the other cheek? Do they overlook insults, or address them? I would opt for the former in both questions, except when the consequence go beyond insults. Turn the other cheek doesn't apply to punches. I think, in politics, some of these insults can do great harm and need to be addressed.