A Gathering of Eagles

LarryW · 12-07-2016, 08:42

Gen Mattis as SECDEF, Gen Kelly as DHS, Gen Flynn Nat'l Security Adviser...if Gen Patraeus gets the nod for SECSTATE what will we be seeing? Good idea or bad idea? Top heavy? Too many cooks in the kitchen? Plenty of talent but maybe too many stars?

Quote:

Trump poised to tap John Kelly for DHS, adding another general to team

Adding yet another general to his administration, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to tap retired Marine Gen. John Kelly as his choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Kelly told Fox News Trump already has asked him to serve in the DHS position.

“I have been asked and would consider it an honor,” he said.

Kelly would be the third general Trump has picked for his administration, after announcing James Mattis – who along with Kelly is a four-star general -- as his pick for Defense secretary. Trump also announced in November that retired Gen. Michael Flynn would be his national security adviser.

(more)

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016...l-to-team.html

tonyz · 12-07-2016, 09:14

We are at war.

These men know what and who we face and don't deny the existence and plans of the enemy. To my knowledge, none of the selections thus far illustrate expansionist ideals - they want to protect America - pure and simple. A safer, more robust America is also a big step to a safer world.

Solid picks (everyone has a least some warts) given our circumstances (the past 8 years+).

.00000002

Divemaster · 12-07-2016, 09:41

Petraeus running Foggy Bottom? No thanks.

**Joker** · 12-07-2016, 09:47

Petraeus. No thanks, for anything.

Badger52 · 12-07-2016, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divemaster

Petraeus running Foggy Bottom? No thanks.

Ditto. And that would be an ugly confirmation hearing.

JJ_BPK · 12-07-2016, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger52

Ditto. And that would be an ugly confirmation hearing.

Agreed,, Besides each candidate's personal baggage,, the wing-nut(S) at both ends will be crying Military Coup...

Astronomy · 12-07-2016, 16:18

Interesting trifecta of USMC GOs at the very top: Director DHS, SecDef, and CJCS. That ought to be a very different synergy going forward. If Trump picks Jarheads for CIA Director & SecState, they'll be adding new verses to the Marines' Hymn.

Hell, Trump should appoint R. Lee Ermey as White House Press Secretary. Then PCS USMC Bulldog mascot Chesty XIV to a new duty station at the White House. Let him pee on the White House Press Corps' chairs and maybe hump Pelosi's leg when she comes to call. They could even let the dog do the same. That'd be a real tingle up someone's leg...

I'm serious about The Gunny.

Petraeus? No thanks.

http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/01/ma...ly-euthanized/

sfshooter · 12-07-2016, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brush Okie

Peter is is a c onvicted felon last I heard. Isn't that a no go on the security clearance

As for Ermie for press secretary I second tha motion.

If I recall right about what I seen about Hitlary: with an Espionage Act conviction (the classified info passing), you cannot run for or hold public office. I'd have to look it up again, but I think that is part of the statement of the written law.

JJ_BPK · 12-07-2016, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

Agreed,, Besides each candidate's personal baggage,, the wing-nut(S) at both ends will be crying Military Coup...

The rumble has started..

Quote:

Donald Trump’s Choice of Generals for Top Posts Raises Concerns

Critics see threat to civilian oversight of government; backers cite nominees’ broad experience

By Gordon Lubold,
Damian Paletta and
Ben Kesling
Updated Dec. 7, 2016 8:16 p.m. ET
260 COMMENTS

WASHINGTON—President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday turned to a third retired military officer to help him run the country when he takes office in January, a move that represents an unusual level of military influence in the executive branch.

Mr. Trump gave the nod to retired Marine Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security, according to people familiar with the decision, a nomination that comes after he already has asked retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to be his defense secretary and retired Army Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn to be his national security adviser.

In addition, Mr. Trump is considering retired senior officers for at least two other top jobs: retired Army Gen. David Petraeus or retired Adm. James Stavridis to lead the State Department, and Adm. Michael Rogers to become director of national intelligence.

In so doing, Mr. Trump is plumbing the global expertise and experience that comes with a life in the U.S. military, but he has also aroused concerns that his reliance on retired officers to lead security agencies ignores an important constitutional tenet of civilian oversight of the government.

“I can’t honestly recall an administration with as many flag officers” in top roles, said Thomas Alan Schwartz, a history professor at Vanderbilt University. “I think this is probably somewhat unprecedented.”

The effects of the multiple military appointments are hard to predict........

http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-t...rns-1481157356

LarryW · 12-08-2016, 00:21

Just an observation: Given where we are after 8 yrs of a progressive foreign policy (trying to be gentle), and the economic shenanigans of the past umpteen years, a cabinet of flag officers might be what we need. Trump is a development promoter and manager, and the flag officers being nominated have a lot of managerial experience (no comment re: whether it was good or not). If they were successful in their careers much of that experience was in managing logistics and systems acquisition. Trump only has a two year window before the regrouping Dems will launch the mother of all campaigns to recover congressional majorities. Trump's strategic plan appears to be for him to take care of the economic mess while the flags handle the foreign policy and national security. The pressure will be on the flags to deliver. If Trump's strategic plan fails expect to see the flags getting fired wholesale, a blizzard of tweets, and the Dems to win the 2020 elections in a flood. It's looking like an all or nothing gamble for the next two years. I wonder if there are any flags with a judiciary background that could end up on the SCOTUS. JMHO.

abc_123 · 12-08-2016, 01:55

This is simply a President appointing people with US gov't executive experience that are results oriented... as should be his privilege.

As jacked up as the DoD is, it has to be the most ethical and results oriented part of the USG by a long shot. This is a pretty scary thought but I have to believe that it's true.

It is also an indicator, I think that Trump will act in accordance with what he's said about a strong military (If he hates the military why appoint former GO/FOs to cabinet positions.??) And I think that this indicator will not be lost on other countries around the world.

Anything Trump does will be criticized...

Oh, and I think Petraeus would be a mistake, for any position.

**Box** · 12-08-2016, 03:39

Here is a little something for the left half of the political spectrum to shove straight up their ass...

James Mattis, John Kelly, Michael Flynn, and David Petraeus have an interesting bond that is also shared by just about every person on this board.
They share that same bond with most all of the tenured professors at places like UC Berkeley, Sarah Lawrence, Bard, and Oberlin...

They are American citizens.

Let that sink in for one-mother-fucking-second...............

Mattis, Kelly, and Flynn are all American citizens. For anyone that thinks a prior service American citizen has no right to participate in the administration of governance and justice in this fine nation, well...
...fuck you
...fuck you very much

Even David Petraeus who clearly has no fan-club members of this board would serve this nation better than some of the empty suits from academia that we are supposed to believe should somehow have primacy when being considered for a place in government.

Think about this...
...who was the president that WARNED Americans about letting the military-industrial complex take root?

It was a retired general.

And when you retire from the military you become a civilian.
...I know the word "civilian" stings when it is applied to a former military man - but you are no longer an active duty soldier. You are a civilian.
So when Mr Trump, Mr Mattis, Mr Flynn, Mr Kelly, and all the rest take the helm on inauguration day, the military will STILL be under the control of civilian leadership.

Only this time, it will be controlled by people that actually have experience providing security. It wont be by appointees that are applying theoretical leadership the same way that Sheldon Cooper applies theoretical physics.

That's the beauty of the system...
the dope smoking hippy tofu eater gets a vote
the retired general gets a vote
the auto worker gets a vote
dead democrats get a vote

The system works fine when the liars known as democrats get to tell their lying lies about the things the like to lie about...
...they wail and screech when they don't get their way.

Once more for the cheap seats....

Mattis, Kelly, and Flynn are all civilians today.
...the will be civilians tomorrow

They are just civilians with an honorary title earned through decades of service to the nation.

Just my two cents... I could be wrong

Badger52 · 12-08-2016, 04:55

"If you want to see what kind of President I'll be, just watch the people I surround myself with." - sitting POTUS at this writing.

Trump's Appointments.

One of these things is not like the other.

And, yeah, in the Top-3 smile list is a State Attorney General that has actually SUED the EPA to head that same agency. Crowbar & cutoff wheel please; keep the manifold pressure up...

doctom54 · 12-08-2016, 05:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badger52

And, yeah, in the Top-3 smile list is a State Attorney General that has actually SUED the EPA to head that same agency. Crowbar & cutoff wheel please; keep the manifold pressure up...

I saw that today and just started laughing. I bet those career bureaucrats are apoplectic

bblhead672 · 12-08-2016, 05:38

No absolutely no to General Betrayus.

Convicted of mishandling classified material just like HRC should be; in bed with anti-gun group; likely to sign off on UN Small Arms Treaty.

No thanks to pick of Betrayus for anything other than poop scooper for whatever dogs President Trump brings to the White House. (And no I'm not talking about Pelosi).