Ex-Military: Your Political Comments "Not Useful"

[mugsy]

GEN Dempsey is completely correct about serving military but I believe that he is off-base in critiquing retired or separated military. Whether he personally feels it is useful or not isn't relevent - their words don't have to be useful to him. They are free citizens of a free nation and well within their rights to say what they wish within the normal constraints of the law. Lest anyone say that my motivation is purely partisan remember there are already numerous "veteran's against whatever war" groups that are politically active they too have every right to speak out as they see fit.

I find the remarks by folks that if the motivation is "political" then it isn't valid - what do you mean by that? Politics is how we work out disagreements and struggles within a society without bullets and clubs. I think you should be pleased that not upset.

Glocktogo - despite agreeing with you on most of what you said, you did GEN Dempsey a great dis-service by calling him a political hack. He most certainly is not a political hack - he is trying to remain apolitical which is completely appropriate for his position. It may be that his opinion on what is appropriate for retired and/or separated military personnel to do in politics isn't very valuable but he is certainly NOT a political hack - he is a patriot and a decent soldier trying to walk a tightrope as the senior military officer in a military that is completely subordinate to whatever civilian administration happens to be in power. He has very little wiggle room.

 

[Glocktogo]

Glocktogo - despite agreeing with you on most of what you said, you did GEN Dempsey a great dis-service by calling him a political hack. He most certainly is not a political hack - he is trying to remain apolitical which is completely appropriate for his position. It may be that his opinion on what is appropriate for retired and/or separated military personnel to do in politics isn't very valuable but he is certainly NOT a political hack - he is a patriot and a decent soldier trying to walk a tightrope as the senior military officer in a military that is completely subordinate to whatever civilian administration happens to be in power. He has very little wiggle room.

I'll stipulate to your characterization of the general. Perhaps he's not a hack. However, I believe he could've chosen his words much more carefully. If my boss' position is wholly unsupportable, I'll remain silent before saying one word that might be misconstrued as support. His mission is to carry out the orders he's given. It falls to those of us not on orders to question his political masters. He should know that.

 

[HMCS(FMF)Ret.]

I unlike many understand what the General is saying. In the military you are required to support your chain of command and President. I think everyone has the right to their opinion, but don't use your previous military affiliation to further your own political agenda. It's a piss poor way to represent those that are serving.

 

[RickN]

I unlike many understand what the General is saying. In the military you are required to support your chain of command and President. I think everyone has the right to their opinion, but don't use your previous military affiliation to further your own political agenda. It's a piss poor way to represent those that are serving.

The problem is that these men think Obama is using the leaks to further his own political carrier. I think they have a right to speak out about that since they are worried he will get active duty personal killed.

 

[WTJ]

Read his bio.

 

[Glocktogo]

I unlike many understand what the General is saying. In the military you are required to support your chain of command and President. I think everyone has the right to their opinion, but don't use your previous military affiliation to further your own political agenda. It's a piss poor way to represent those that are serving.

The problem arises when people use their position in unethical ways. Every politician does it, but some cross a line. I think that's what the OPSEC Team is trying to point out. Our government has been misusing our military for a LONG time. Leaking classified information is a way of life for them. Would anyone listen to Joe the Plumber trying to get that message across? No. Will they listen to seasoned intel and spec-ops personnel? It's certainly more likely.

I'll certainly say this. Of all the presidents we've had, I think Obama is easily the least fit to be Commander in Chief. He's pretty much the one POTUS that will make a conservative say they miss Slick Willie. We just thought we had it bad with Clinton.

I think the one thing we can all agree on is this. We would've never heard of these guys if this administration hadn't openly bragged about how we got Osama, and done it within hours of getting him. Further, our abandonment of the Pakistani doctor who helped us is abhorrent. It was an operational and intelligence failure of the highest order to do these things. One that shouldn't be dismissed as politics as usual.

 

[Glocktogo]

The problem arises when people use their position in unethical ways. Every politician does it, but some cross a line. I think that's what the OPSEC Team is trying to point out. Our government has been misusing our military for a LONG time. Leaking classified information is a way of life for them. Would anyone listen to Joe the Plumber trying to get that message across? No. Will they listen to seasoned intel and spec-ops personnel? It's certainly more likely.

I'll certainly say this. Of all the presidents we've had, I think Obama is easily the least fit to be Commander in Chief. He's pretty much the one POTUS that will make a conservative say they miss Slick Willie. We just thought we had it bad with Clinton.

I think the one thing we can all agree on is this. We would've never heard of these guys if this administration hadn't openly bragged about how we got Osama, and done it within hours of getting him. Further, our abandonment of the Pakistani doctor who helped us is abhorrent. It was an operational and intelligence failure of the highest order to do these things. One that shouldn't be dismissed as politics as usual.

The problem is that these men think Obama is using the leaks to further his own political carrier. I think they have a right to speak out about that since they are worried he will get active duty personal killed.

You and I might not see eye to eye on some things, but we're in total agreement here. As a matter of fact, I think they have a duty to those still serving, to call shenanigans on this administration for what they've done.