Perplexing Comments on Military Senior Leaders by President Trump

[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 have to firmly disagree that the president is obligated to share details of discussions with top brass when they want to wage wars he considers unnecessary. It’s the sort of information that more likely should not be shared.

And I also firmly disagree that he cannot mention in general why some in the upper echelons might not like him, might even resent him.

But I do appreciate your pointing out that these men are indeed political appointees--essentially politicians at that level.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

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

I do keep up with the spending bills. I hate going to war for foolish reasons, i.e. Iraq War to AFAIK bring them democracy. I do not support a nation constantly at "low intensity" war. I do not support adventures. I do not support humanitarian wars and intervention unless it is heinous, such as Bosnia after Sarajevo or the Rwandan genocide. That said, our men and women in uniform often get jacked. A bad acquisition system to develop new technology, not enough money to buy new technologies in procurement, and pay that should be higher. I do like that the President has tried to clean up all three of these, but the next spending bill needs to be larger. We are now a ready force in need of tech to make it an unfair fight with our potential enemies like China and Russia. President Trump started us down a good road, but there needs to be two decades of follow through.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

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.

IIRC only one really stormed out, General Mattis. He was probably expecting something very different than he got. Secretary of Defense Esper shows the President wants a technocrat that can manage the DoD and plot out a new future in military combat, but not someone in on big policy decisions. Mattis seemed to think his role as Secretary of Defense included a policy dimension heavily. The President disagreed, and Mattis left in a storm.

I do agree though, I have never been in the trenches of politics except as am assistant case manager for a Senator. I don't get the real life, for lack of a better term, Game of Thrones. Often my biggest problem with the President isn't policy, though we have a few big disagreements on them such as Immigration. It often just feels like the President doe himself a disservice by speaking off the cuff because what can come out of him when he does so sounds so petty. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for a good discussion Calminian.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I have to firmly disagree that the president is obligated to share details of discussions with top brass when they want to wage wars he considers unnecessary. It’s the sort of information that more likely should not be shared.

And I also firmly disagree that he cannot mention in general why some in the upper echelons might not like him, might even resent him.

But I do appreciate your pointing out that these men are indeed political appointees--essentially politicians at that level.

I want to let you know that I will respond fully later. I just probably won't do so until later tonight. My mind is drained enough after responding to Reynolds and Calminian.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I have to firmly disagree that the president is obligated to share details of discussions with top brass when they want to wage wars he considers unnecessary. It’s the sort of information that more likely should not be shared.

And I also firmly disagree that he cannot mention in general why some in the upper echelons might not like him, might even resent him.

But I do appreciate your pointing out that these men are indeed political appointees--essentially politicians at that level.

I want to ask, what about "We Were Soldiers?" I like that movie a lot and would like to know how it connects to our conversation. Also as political appointees, if they are crooked like the President says, then why not ask for their resignations? If the Secretary of State or Defense was so crooked, they don't deserve the job. Again, I'll talk more later.

 

[Revmitchell]

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.

He isnt wrong

 

[Steven Yeadon]

He isnt wrong

My questions are, "How do you know that?" What evidence do you have?

 

[Revmitchell]

My questions are, "How do you know that?" What evidence do you have?

First i was in the service. This accusation by Trump is not new. Its as old as prostitution. It was a big discussion in the 80s. Its not just people in the pentagon its also politicians. In the past it was mostly Republicans. Its been going on since ww2.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

First i was in the service. This accusation by Trump is not new. Its as old as prostitution. It was a big discussion in the 80s. Its not just people in the pentagon its also politicians. In the past it was mostly Republicans. Its been going on since ww2.

Ok, I'll trust you. I still think President Trump should provide more evidence for his personally chosen Generals to be crooked. Also as political appointees, if they are crooked like the President says, then why not ask for their resignations? If the Secretary of State or Defense was so crooked, they don't deserve the job. It just seems like the President should do more if he truly believes his comments to be true. Otherwise, it looks like he is being petty for lesser reasons.

 

[Revmitchell]

Ok, I'll trust you. I still think President Trump should provide more evidence for his personally chosen Generals to be crooked. Also as political appointees, if they are crooked like the President says, then why not ask for their resignations? If the Secretary of State or Defense was so crooked, they don't deserve the job. It just seems like the President should do more if he truly believes his comments to be true. Otherwise, it looks like he is being petty for lesser reasons.

Before World War II, if you go back and look at the history books, the US was never in a hurry to get in a foreign conflict. then after World War II it seems like we were willing to jump into anything anywhere. Once the war machine was fired up they didnt want to let it go. It made them too much money. It created an entire industry we didnt have prior to ww2. if for no other reason than just to buy influence in the world. I personally don't want to use our military soldiers lives to buy influence in some other country. trump's right and he needs to stick to his gun.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Before World War II, if you go back and look at the history books, the US was never in a hurry to get in a foreign conflict. then after World War II it seems like we were willing to jump into anything anywhere. Once the war machine was fired up they didnt want to let it go. It made them too much money. It created an entire industry we didnt have prior to ww2. if for no other reason than just to buy influence in the world. I personally don't want to use our military soldiers lives to buy influence in some other country. trump's right and he needs to stick to his gun.

I agree on policy, I hate going to war for foolish reasons, i.e. Iraq War to AFAIK bring them democracy. I do not support a nation constantly at "low intensity" war. I do not support adventures. I do not support humanitarian wars and intervention unless it is heinous, such as Bosnia after Sarajevo or the Rwandan genocide. We did promise to prevent another Holocaust. Enforcing UN mandates by force really needs to be vetted by the people and soldiers and not just the foreign policy elites.

 

[Use of Time]

He isnt wrong

He isn’t wrong but the amount of money this admin is throwing at defense subcontractors doesn’t exactly separate him from being a huge part of it.

 

[Revmitchell]

I agree on policy, I hate going to war for foolish reasons, i.e. Iraq War to AFAIK bring them democracy. I do not support a nation constantly at "low intensity" war. I do not support adventures. I do not support humanitarian wars and intervention unless it is heinous, such as Bosnia after Sarajevo or the Rwandan genocide. We did promise to prevent another Holocaust. Enforcing UN mandates by force really needs to be vetted by the people and soldiers and not just the foreign policy elites.

We need to bring all our troops home

 

[Squire Robertsson]

A factor exacerbating the situation is the number of senior officers and enlisted who came up under the Clinton and Obama administrations.

 

[Reynolds]

Before World War II, if you go back and look at the history books, the US was never in a hurry to get in a foreign conflict. then after World War II it seems like we were willing to jump into anything anywhere. Once the war machine was fired up they didnt want to let it go. It made them too much money. It created an entire industry we didnt have prior to ww2. if for no other reason than just to buy influence in the world. I personally don't want to use our military soldiers lives to buy influence in some other country. trump's right and he needs to stick to his gun.

After wwii we were The Empire. That is what empires must do to remain on top.

 

[Reynolds]

We need to bring all our troops home

I wish it were that simple.

 

[church mouse guy]

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.

Do you have a link of the Trump quotation about sending people to die?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Do you have a link of the Trump quotation about sending people to die?

Fighting wars is sending people to die. It naturally follows that war produces fatalities and casualties. It is the nature of war.

 

[church mouse guy]

Fighting wars is sending people to die. It naturally follows that war produces fatalities and casualties. It is the nature of war.

So Trump made a comment somewhat like Ike's military-industrial complex, and there have been fraudulent contractors and vendors, and others have extended it?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Fighting wars is sending people to die. It naturally follows that war produces fatalities and casualties. It is the nature of war.

Have you slept? You need to sleep