I understand that Trump is the Commander-in-Chief. If he wants to override the verdict of a court-martial and protect a single sailor, that's his right.
But this is what I have a problem with: I have a problem with both the sailor and his lawyer going on Fox & Friends and whining directly to the President. That, to my mind, makes a mockery of the military disciplinary process. Gallagher made it a bit worse by hiring a lawyer who has Trump's ear. So Trump was predisposed to listen to what Gallagher's shill had to say, instead of what evidence was put forth and what judgment was made in a legal proceeding.
What Trump is doing is spreading his brand of corruption into the military: Do what the autocrat wants, even if it's a war crime, and he will protect you. Could Trump put together a personal hit squad and set them on his enemies? Why not? The Republicans have been claiming that Trump is immune from the justice system and Trump can ensure that his assassins are protected from prosecution.
That is admittedly far-fetched. But given that Trump admires Putin above all other living people[1] and that is pretty much what Putin has been doing, don't be surprised if it begins to happen. A president who has repeatedly called the free press "the enemy of the people"[2] and who has repeatedly called for people to be beaten up will have no qualms about ordering that people be killed.
________________________________________
[1] Because Hitler is dead.
[2] See FN.1. I have no doubt that Trump is familiar with the history of The Munich Post.
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Tuesday, November 26, 2019
9 comments:
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Forgetting any other part of the Gallagher mess, it should not be forgotten that the prosecutors screwed it up royally, when they tapped into the emails of the defense team of the defendant. They also made some other screw ups,that were made, and the only thing that Gallagher was convicted of was taking pictures with a dead enemy soldier.
ReplyDeleteThat Eddie Gallagher had to be taken away from his unit is obvious. Not only did his team lose faith in him, but they also lost respect for him as well. With the types of missions that the SEALS undertake, they are often involving a political point as well as a military component, and if there is a screw up, it leaves the United States in a very bad light. If the people can't trust their leader, or each other for that matter, it can be a huge problem, and attract the kind of attention that many of the operations try to avoid.
And while Trump got involved with Gallagher, there were more problems with those over him, that are still being punished, for good reason.
I have to agree. While my own bona Fides are nowhere near these individuals (1980's peacetime service as a redleg, (that's artilleryman) The very idea of deliberately targeting non combatants was considered an unlawful order. Now, it's looked at as career enhancement. Before I get flamed by combat vet s (thank you for your service at the pointy end of the spear) I understand things happen in the fog of war and mistakes happen. And the field artillery has certainly had its share of targeting issues in conflicts dating back to since there have been conflicts.
ReplyDeleteWhat this trend does is serve up red meat for the base. A TON of it. It makes laws of land warfare obsolete and we can only hope other rogue operators don't decide to have a contest of one upmanship since we know how el jefe will react. And who knows, maybe a don jr, Eddie Gallagher ticket in 2024? Hmmm there's food for thought. While I've personally given up on there being any higher power up there, Ican only imagine he's either laughing hysterically or weeping at where we are and where we're headed. My father in law, a speechifying prophecy'isn Old Testament pastor is over the moon "the lord sent donald trump as a gift. To get us into the end times and bring about the end of time" praise jebus
Sorry for this long winded post it's been bubbling up for sometime. I really enjoy the blog and comment occasionally on the Sunday morning flights of fancy. Keep up the good work. How about a sea fury video? Not the heretical R2800 powered one but a real Bristol Centaurus (5 bladed prop) happy holidays
Well that’s the problem that arises when you undermine the chain of command with incompetent affirmative action women, vibrants and assorted flunkies and swamp critters, Comrade. In better times, when the military was run by better people this would never have happened. Were I in Trump’s shoes, along with this I would have issued in internal memo to the guilty parties along the lines of “unfuck yourselves now... or I will do it for you...”.
ReplyDeleteAs always, for intelligent commentary on matters military... Popp remains a great bet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nLtvA1IgcA
OK, who kicked Glen’s rock?
ReplyDeleteThe one thing is, that the brass did at least recognize that there was a discipline problem and tell the head of the SEAL teams to get their shit together. I have never served, and so I thank those here who have, in time of peace or time of war, it makes no difference. Your service is honorable and appreciated. However, the fact that I did not serve doesn't mean that I don't know that when there is a problem with discipline at the lower levels, the blame falls higher up.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a certain kind of person to be in charge of people, whether in a company or a team, or a military. Especially in the military, it seems, due to the more serious nature of the job and the outcome of poor actions by those with feet on the ground. And not only did Gallagher seem to a bad job of leading his team, but those over him also were very negligent at their duty to ensure professionalism with the teams.
A thorough house cleaning of the top brass that leads the SEAL teams and the other special operations groups is in order. Also, the changes made to the military and the liberalization, if you will, towards lowering some standards to allow women to be able to achieve success at the same roles that have been traditionally male, is not a bad thing. The changing nature of our military, and war itself, is not like it was in the two world wars. Instead of tremendous and vast armies on each side of a line attacking each other, is not necessarily going to be the way that wars are fought in the future. There will be many jobs that require more finesse, and not only females, but also males who are not all brawn, but possess more of the brains that is needed for today's military. And while we will always need a soldier with a gun to go forward and attempt to engage the enemy, we need to make room for a more technological and intellectual breed of soldier, as well.
Well I did serve, and it was artillery so yes, sit happens and sometimes we blew up civilians real good. Sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteBut pardoning war criminals and then parading them through your tiki torch Nuremberg reelection rallies is a morale and discipline destroyer in the military.
Why follow orders? Fuck up and kill the wrong people? No problem, your political faction will get you pardoned and then paid with a fat book contract-see Chris Kyle, and every other snake eater assassin with a story to sell.
Looks like Iraq followed us home.
And I thought the army was degraded in 1969 when judges told young criminals 'army or jail'.
This from donny bonespurs who dodged the draft. On stage along with his fellow criminals-oh, pardon me, former criminals.
Maybe someone can explain what having women in the military has to do with the Gallagher matter. Because I'm not seeing the connection, unless it has something to do with yet another low-wattage wingnut ranting about How Things Were Better Before Women Got So Uppity.
ReplyDeleteHis brother wrote an op-ed in Navy Times, ya'all might want to read it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting read in Navy times. Maybe the NCIS needs its own review. I still look at it as a where there's smoke there's fire though. Same thing with Goldsteyn and Lorrance. But if we take an "until you've walked a mile in their shoes" stance, then anyone who hasn't been an operator can STFU. I wouldn't worry though, what with the pending book deals and the life coach opportunities that a lot of SEAL's gravitate to, the chief will do just fine. And having the greatest president in murican history in your corner the sky's the limit. Happy thanksgiving to all
ReplyDeleteI'm off to see if I can trigger some libruls at the family feast. Maybe I can win a copy of don jr's book.