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SouthernDZ
07-13-2015, 08:23
Over the last year or so I watched the Pentagon spokesman Admiral Kirby provide many briefings to reporters. This was a man who had all the moral authority of Baghdad Bob. I couldn't understand why he was saying things that any military man could see as contrary to common sense if not utter BS. Recently I have observed "Mister" Kirby in a Brooks Brothers suit as the new State Department spokesman - and it all became clear. So many of the leaders that I put much faith in have opted for personal career over duty, honor and country. I hope this man rots in that special hell reserved for such individuals.

I think we find ourselves at a crossroads. I recently finished reading "7 Tipping Points That Saved the World." by Chris & Ted Stewart. This is a book I highly recommend as it discusses how small events and how individuals can change the course of history. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on the Battle of Britain and how one particular individual in the RAF Fighter Command may have made the difference between UK victory and German occupation. The problem is our current crop of individuals in the administration.

Last week I saw the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff nominee, GEN Joseph Dunford, USMC and I have renewed hope. But there is a coming tipping point. As far as I'm concerned, ADM Mullins and GEN Dempsey can join Mister Kirby, but I have some conditional hope for this new guy. Last week he was asked what he thought were the greatest threats to our national security and he listed Russia as #1, a view that aligned with Romney's 2012 presidential campaign statement. Here's the tipping point for me: In the next few days he'll say he misspoke and realign himself with Obama's politics (masqueraded as policy) vs. he'll double down and state that while he understands some who may not share his view, as the possible CJCS, this is where he sees the now and future threat. Lord deliver us a leader with that kind of moral authority.

Javadrinker
07-13-2015, 10:00
:lifter

Trapper John
07-13-2015, 10:04
GEN Dunsford's comment piqued my attention not only because I believe that he is correct, but also because it is counter to this Admin's narrative.

My prediction: he will be backing off that comment or he stands a snowball's chance in hell of making it as CJCS if he doesn't.

Either way, I think you are correct in that we are at a tipping point.

craigepo
07-13-2015, 12:46
There is a reason why military leadership has faltered---it is because our nation has faltered.

We live in a democratically-elected republic. Washington D.C. did not become dysfunctional on its own. It became dysfunctional because the electorate began voting for dysfunctional leaders.

Do you really think those dysfunctional leaders that we (as a nation) sent to D.C. are going to sign off on ass-kicking officers making general? How far would Sherman, Grant, Pershing, Patton, Chesty Puller, etc get promoted today? How long would they last in this climate if they did get promoted?

Sorry for the pessimism.

SouthernDZ
07-13-2015, 13:27
There is a reason why military leadership has faltered---it is because our nation has faltered.

We live in a democratically-elected republic. Washington D.C. did not become dysfunctional on its own. It became dysfunctional because the electorate began voting for dysfunctional leaders.

Do you really think those dysfunctional leaders that we (as a nation) sent to D.C. are going to sign off on ass-kicking officers making general? How far would Sherman, Grant, Pershing, Patton, Chesty Puller, etc get promoted today? How long would they last in this climate if they did get promoted?

Sorry for the pessimism.

I don't disagree with you. I sat next to the Ft Leavenworth/CAC Commander, LTG Petraeus, during my wife's change of command and had many long talks with him over the next two years. I respected him above any other leader I had personally close contact with (except GEN Downing, God rest his soul). I have since lost all respect for him. Not because he was getting some slap and tickle on the side, but because he appears to have been bought and paid to keep his mouth shut about the last 7 years. Where have all the good men gone? :confused:

Golf1echo
07-13-2015, 16:13
We have very few civil servants left, now we have monetized politicians.

So we see things like this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2014/04/08/senate-confirms-neil-kornze-as-blm-director/

Not a seasoned veteran of BLM but "osculum infame".

Toned down graphics:

Pete
07-13-2015, 16:22
Reid - BLM? Reid - BLM?

Didn't Reid and the BLM...????

And now a Reid Crony is in charge of the BLM?

Who doesn't see a little payback coming?

Paslode
07-13-2015, 16:29
We have very few civil servants left, now have monetized politicians.

So we see things like this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2014/04/08/senate-confirms-neil-kornze-as-blm-director/

Not a seasoned veteran of BLM but "osculum infame".

Toned down graphics:


The Bundy Ranch could now go down Branch Davidian style.

the squid
07-13-2015, 18:22
This is a topic that I find very interesting, and I'm curious as to all of your thoughts on this.

The CJCS tends to publically be a reflection of the President he works for, in keeping with our time honored principle of civilian control of the military.

If the Chairman's views on strategy and policy don't line up with his boss's, he has three choices: resign in protest, be the yes man, or publically support his boss but privately work to effect change in line with his own views.

When forming an opinion of any flag officer, on what basis do you decide that he is going the second or the third route?

Box
07-13-2015, 21:05
The moral tipping point would be a hard thing to identify since the nation no longer has a definition for the word "moral"


Morality...
...BAH HUMBUG

Old Dog New Trick
07-16-2015, 13:54
One thing I don't get, but hasn't Washington always been kind of dysfunctional? I mean it's not like political corruption is a new thing. So why were those officers able to make general in the past as opposed to today?

Winning had once been a cornerstone of the American psychological agenda.

I believe I would say, that changed under the Johnson administration to prolonged financial gain for those that support the MIC without supporting the war fighters.

The old "dysfunctional Washington" was once good for the nation, but the new (since 1965) "dysfunctional Washington" has been circling the toilet ever since.

Stobey
07-16-2015, 17:24
Golf1echo, I couldn't agree more. And as they say: "A picture is worth a thousand words."