I would vote for a dead pedophile before I would vote for any democrat on any ticket this election cycle. Oh, and I was a general officer as well.I have nothing against those who are planning on voting for Trump this year. However, I will not be doing so again. In my opinion, he has not earned my vote. He has exploded the national debt, abdicated global power to Russia and China, abandoned our allies, and presided over probably the most dysfunctional and corrupt administrations I have ever seen. Too many generals have decried his actions for me not to take notice. He has little regard for the separation of powers and is hellbent on expanding government power. He brags about sexually assaulting women. He constantly plays the victim card and acts like everyone is against him. These are not the characteristics of a leader and they are not the characteristics of a person I want to represent America. Since when did intellectual debate, mutual respect, and proper manners become signs of weakness? We can do so much better than Trump. It is on all of us to stop pointing fingers and to elevate our level of discourse to that of gentlemen if we want to save our nation.
Would you care to explain why you believe that Trump deserves a second term and what you think of the comments made by those in the armed forces who have publicly spoken out against him? https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/11/trump-generals/601348/I would vote for a dead dead pedophile before I would vote for any democrat on any ticket this fall. Oh, and I was a general officer as well.
I also disagree profoundly with David Patraeus's unsolicited opinion in the Atlantic as well that the Army should rename Southern bases that are named for Southern Generals. Though I am not surprised. He has demonstrated a uniquely sensitive sense of the prevailing political wind his whole career. Had he not decided to have an affair with his biographer and break the law, I am sure you would have had the opportunity to vote for him in a primary.Would you care to explain why you believe that Trump deserves a second term and what you think of the comments made by those in the armed forces who have publicly spoken out against him?
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/11/trump-generals/601348/
Yes, the article is dated and focuses primarily on Syria, but I urge you to consider the recent denunciations of Trump by Generals Powell and Mattis.I also disagree profoundly with David Patraeus's unsolicited opinion in the Atlantic as well that the Army should rename Southern bases that are named for Southern Generals. Though I am not surprised. He has demonstrated a uniquely sensitive sense of the prevailing political wind his whole career. Had he not decided to have an affair with his biographer and break the law, I am sure you would have had the opportunity to vote for him in a primary.
Those installations were created on land in the South because the South was still dirt poor having not yet fully recovered from the Civil War, and thus exercising imminent domain cost the federal government far less there than say the Midwest. Naming them for Bragg, Polk, Hood, etc. was both a sop to the locals, but also a very real act of reconciliation. In the ensuing nearly 100 years, those installations and soldiers (a plurality of combat arms officers and soldiers still come from the original states of the Confederacy) trained and stationed their have written their own histories across a hundred battlefields. The battle streamers on the Army and regimental flags for the Civil War are blue and gray to represent the Army's shared history with all Americans who fought in that war.
I would also urge you to actually read the article you posted. I personally know and served with most of the Army GO's quoted. Several are friends. They are typically quoted as disagreeing with a specific action taken by the administration. I have disagreed with many. However, there is a huge gulf between disagreeing with, for instance, pulling out of Syria (which seems pretty smart in hindsight), and embracing a political movement led by a cognitive challenged puppet intent upon the destruction of our cultural and political heritage.
So what is the alternative then? Place Biden (sorry, threw up in my mouth a little) into office? Then the DNC points out what we already know, his mental state, and declares him unable to be president. Then puts who THEY HAVE CHOOSEN AS VP into the presidential seat, and then guess who becomes VP, Pelosi!!!! Ya, thanks but no thanks, I'd rather not be "owned by China or Russia " pretty content where we're at.I have nothing against those who are planning on voting for Trump this year. However, I will not be doing so again. In my opinion, he has not earned my vote. He has exploded the national debt, abdicated global power to Russia and China, abandoned our allies, and presided over probably the most dysfunctional and corrupt administrations I have ever seen. Too many generals have decried his actions for me not to take notice. He has little regard for the separation of powers and is hellbent on expanding government power. He brags about sexually assaulting women. He constantly plays the victim card and acts like everyone is against him. These are not the characteristics of a leader and they are not the characteristics of a person I want to represent America. Since when did intellectual debate, mutual respect, and proper manners become signs of weakness? We can do so much better than Trump. It is on all of us to stop pointing fingers and to elevate our level of discourse to that of gentlemen if we want to save our nation.
I understand where you are coming from, but I HIGHLY doubt that Biden is some conspiracy to make Kamala Harris president and Pelosi VP. Biden will serve one term, largely returning the country to normalcy and not introducing any big or controversial legislation so as not to hurt the chances of the dem candidate who will run in 2024.So what is the alternative then? Place Biden (sorry, threw up in my mouth a little) into office? Then the DNC points out what we already know, his mental state, and declares him unable to be president. Then puts who THEY HAVE CHOOSEN AS VP into the presidential seat, and then guess who becomes VP, Pelosi!!!! Ya, thanks but no thanks, I'd rather not be "owned by China or Russia " pretty content where we're at.
NO president will ever be perfect for everyone, plain and simple. If they were, I guess it would be time to make your peace with God. My favorite pres of all times was Reagan, but even the pedestal I put him on is filled with flaws. Reagan (when governor of the CA) shut down the right to open carry in CA. Why you ask, because the black Panthers scared the shit out of a bunch of politicians by showing up at the Capitol armed to the teeth. Simply exercising their rights. Reagan succumbed to political pressure. Still I accept his faults, and appreciate his accomplishments.
Some may consider giving president Trump the same consideration. We're asking him to fix in 4 years what it took politicians over 200 years to F**k up.
Nice to have a peaceful disagreement for once. I understand what you are saying, I really do. The alternative however (and you can label it as a conspiracy theory or whatever you want to label it as) Joe Bidens mentally is where Reagan's mental state was at the end of office. Huge difference is that dems and Republicans actually tried to save face for him, ) when Alzheimers set in, and it was obvious). Which I am very proud of all politicians at that time. That being said, I don't know how you view civility, but I say its earned. Just like respect,. You have been respectful to me, and I will be respectful to you. President Trump has been ,nothing short of attacked, since Hillary canceled here victory fireworks display. Media hasn't given this guy a chance, not saying he helps with some of his comments, but most of his comments are spot on when it comes to the media. So again civility/respect is earned in my book. If you would have been a Dick to me it would have been return 2fold, but you weren't, so thank you for that.I understand where you are coming from, but I HIGHLY doubt that Biden is some conspiracy to make Kamala Harris president and Pelosi VP. Biden will serve one term, largely returning the country to normalcy and not introducing any big or controversial legislation so as not to hurt the chances of the dem candidate who will run in 2024.
With regard to Trump, I tend to agree with him on policy more often than not, and certainly more often than with Biden. However, he has failed in my eyes to enact much concrete policy, has abandoned the principles of small government and responsible budgets, and has consistently demonstrated a disdain for civility. Why do you expect anyhting to change if you give him a second term. Yes, you might have to grit your teeth for four years, but then we can hopefully nominate a candidate who has respect for the office.
With respect to Powell, I first dealt with him in the mid 1980’s when he was with the National Security Council. By the time I was LTC in the early nineties I considered him one of my mentors.Yes, the article is dated and focuses primarily on Syria, but I urge you to consider the recent denunciations of Trump by Generals Powell and Mattis.
Nice to have a peaceful disagreement for once. I understand what you are saying, I really do. The alternative however (and you can label it as a conspiracy theory or whatever you want to label it as) Joe Bidens mentally is where Reagan's mental state was at the end of office. Huge difference is that dems and Republicans actually tried to save face for him, ) when Alzheimers set in, and it was obvious). Which I am very proud of all politicians at that time. That being said, I don't know how you view civility, but I say its earned. Just like respect,. You have been respectful to me, and I will be respectful to you. President Trump has been ,nothing short of attacked, since Hillary canceled here victory fireworks display. Media hasn't given this guy a chance, not saying he helps with some of his comments, but most of his comments are spot on when it comes to the media. So again civility/respect is earned in my book. If you would have been a Dick to me it would have been return 2fold, but you weren't, so thank you for that.
Interesting. I am the first to admit that I do not have the mettle to serve in the Armed forces and I have a great deal of respect for those who do. I really appreciate having those on this forum such as yourself who do have such insights into these individuals.With respect to Powell, I first dealt with him in the mid 1980’s when he was with the National Security Council. By the time I was LTC in the early nineties I considered him one of my mentors.
You may remember Bush appointed him SEC State. Post 911 Powell and Rumsfeld entered into a political battle over who would manage post-war Iraq. Regrettably for our country, Bush chose Rumsfeld (whose incompetence will be the subject of many future histories) and Powell withdrew from Republican politics. His current position is as personal as I believe it is wrong headed.
I do not care for Mattis in the least. He is a political animal in the same, if less articulate mold, as David Patreaus. I could care less what he thinks on almost any subject other than training Marines.
I always liked the Bushes and I think they were treated quite unfairly by the media, as well as by Trump. Still, I personally believe that the person who inhabits the highest office in the world has to be better than fighting in the gutter.@Saul, Bush 2 tried civility, and was eaten alive and in typical D fashion, made out to be an idiot. (Sound familiar). I prefer Trump shoving it back up their asses. Is the debt blown, of course. That will take a couple of lifetimes to get under control.
Trump is hated by both sides because he is causing change (and is too rich to be bought off, like all the rest have been), and change is not profitable for those currently in power.
https://www.thebalance.com/us-debt-by-president-by-dollar-and-percent-3306296I am not sure what the national debt stands at right now since no one seems to dwell on it as in the past. What I remember is that it was 8 trillion when Bush left office and 22 trillion when Obama left office. How much has Trump increase that?