Paul Revere by Cyrus Dallin, North End, Boston

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Friday, October 18, 2019

Admiral McRaven isn't "Deep State" as Trump Cultists call anyone who recognizes what a corrupt and dangerous president Trump is.



From the New York Times:
If President Trump doesn’t demonstrate the leadership that America needs, then it is time for a new person in the Oval Office.

Last week I attended two memorable events that reminded me why we care so very much about this nation and also why our future may be in peril.
The first was a change of command ceremony for a storied Army unit in which one general officer passed authority to another. The second event was an annual gala for the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) Society that recognizes past and present members of the intelligence and Special Operations community for their heroism and sacrifice to the nation. What struck me was the stark contrast between the words and deeds heralded at those events — and the words and deeds emanating from the White House.
On the parade field at Fort Bragg, N.C., where tens of thousands of soldiers have marched either preparing to go to war or returning from it, the two generals, highly decorated, impeccably dressed, cleareyed and strong of character, were humbled by the moment.
They understood the awesome responsibility that the nation had placed on their shoulders. They understood that they had an obligation to serve their soldiers and their soldiers’ families. They believed in the American values for which they had been fighting for the past three decades. They had faith that these values were worth sacrificing everything for — including, if necessary, their lives.

Having served with both officers for the past 20 years, I know that they personified all that is good and decent and honorable about the American military with genuineness of their humility, their uncompromising integrity, their willingness to sacrifice all for a worthy cause, and the pride they had in their soldiers.
Later that week, at the O.S.S. Society dinner, there were films and testimonials to the valor of the men and women who had fought in Europe and the Pacific during World War II. We also celebrated the 75th anniversary of D-Day, recognizing those brave Americans and allies who sacrificed so much to fight Nazism and fascism. We were reminded that the Greatest Generation went to war because it believed that we were the good guys — that wherever there was oppression, tyranny or despotism, America would be there. We would be there because freedom mattered. We would be there because the world needed us and if not us, then who?
Also that evening we recognized the incredible sacrifice of a new generation of Americans: an Army Special Forces warrant officer who had been wounded three times, the most recent injury costing him his left leg above the knee. He was still in uniform and still serving. There was an intelligence officer, who embodied the remarkable traits of those men and women who had served in the O.S.S. And a retired Marine general, whose 40 years of service demonstrated all that was honorable about the Corps and public service.
But the most poignant recognition that evening was for a young female sailor who had been killed in Syria serving alongside our allies in the fight against ISIS. Her husband, a former Army Green Beret, accepted the award on her behalf. Like so many that came before her, she had answered the nation’s call and willingly put her life in harm’s way.
For everyone who ever served in uniform, or in the intelligence community, for those diplomats who voice the nation’s principles, for the first responders, for the tellers of truth and the millions of American citizens who were raised believing in American values — you would have seen your reflection in the faces of those we honored last week.

But, beneath the outward sense of hope and duty that I witnessed at these two events, there was an underlying current of frustration, humiliation, anger and fear that echoed across the sidelines. The America that they believed in was under attack, not from without, but from within.
These men and women, of all political persuasions, have seen the assaults on our institutions: on the intelligence and law enforcement community, the State Department and the press. They have seen our leaders stand beside despots and strongmen, preferring their government narrative to our own. They have seen us abandon our allies and have heard the shouts of betrayal from the battlefield. As I stood on the parade field at Fort Bragg, one retired four-star general, grabbed my arm, shook me and shouted, “I don’t like the Democrats, but Trump is destroying the Republic!”
Those words echoed with me throughout the week. It is easy to destroy an organization if you have no appreciation for what makes that organization great. We are not the most powerful nation in the world because of our aircraft carriers, our economy, or our seat at the United Nations Security Council. We are the most powerful nation in the world because we try to be the good guys. We are the most powerful nation in the world because our ideals of universal freedom and equality have been backed up by our belief that we were champions of justice, the protectors of the less fortunate.
But, if we don’t care about our values, if we don’t care about duty and honor, if we don’t help the weak and stand up against oppression and injustice — what will happen to the Kurds, the Iraqis, the Afghans, the Syrians, the Rohingyas, the South Sudanese and the millions of people under the boot of tyranny or left abandoned by their failing states?
If our promises are meaningless, how will our allies ever trust us? If we can’t have faith in our nation’s principles, why would the men and women of this nation join the military? And if they don’t join, who will protect us? If we are not the champions of the good and the right, then who will follow us? And if no one follows us — where will the world end up?
President Trump seems to believe that these qualities are unimportant or show weakness. He is wrong. These are the virtues that have sustained this nation for the past 243 years. If we hope to continue to lead the world and inspire a new generation of young men and women to our cause, then we must embrace these values now more than ever.

And if this president doesn’t understand their importance, if this president doesn’t demonstrate the leadership that America needs, both domestically and abroad, then it is time for a new person in the Oval Office — Republican, Democrat or independent — the sooner, the better. The fate of our Republic depends upon it.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

About 3-4 years too late....It was a wise woman who said: "When someone SHOWS you who they are, believe them." There is a large segment of America, Admiral, that thinks that Mr. Trump is doing just fine, and they will vote for him again.
It's really hard to point the finger at hate-generating, intolerant religions abroad, when we have almost The Exact Same Thing right here in America.

They're still fighting the Civil War, still hating, still spreading their hate. At this point in time, they are the Republican Party. They are responsible for Trump, and they have given him license and agency. They, and the people they have elected, are traitors of the worst sort. The Admiral speaks of the glories of the past, even as we hold the crap-bucket of the present.

A clear and present danger, as a President does the bidding of America's enemies, and a large number of Americans cheer him on. Where to go from here? Where to go from here?....

Shaw Kenawe said...

Anonymous, that wise person was Maya Angelou, I believe.

Trump's cultists actually believe he's doing a good job, that he's a good man, and that the people who do not support him are just p.o.'d because "our candidate" lost. In a nutshell, that's who the current GOP is. They also believe Hillary and President Obama are behind all the stupid and incompetent actions that Donald Trump takes, all the nasty name-calling, whining, blaming others -- it's all Hillary and President Obama's doing. This is their belief. Trump isn't a minority president because of who he is and what he does, it's all the fault of the "Deep State" and the Democrats, headed by Hillary and President Obama.

I read them often. These are their core beliefs. They've traded their religion and "family values" for a deeply flawed human being who knows nothing about government or what it means to be human, but he pisses off the "libtards," so they're happy.

skudrunner said...

It is easy to be against something or some one but provide a solution which would be in the form of a reasonable candidate. My hope is the GOP will push someone else to run and there are a lot of good people who are in the wings. Anyone but the current democrat candidates who are fighting to see who can give away the most to buy votes, except perhaps Gabbert who seems to have a decent brain.
There is rumor the Big -H- may run which would be a hoot but dangerous to her opponents. You cross trump you end up in jail and ridiculed, you cross clinton's you end up dead or slandered by the queen and her court.

Les Carpenter said...

The good news is Kasich is supportive of impeachment and I believe Romney is as well. And McConnell published and opinion article essentially trashing Trump's decision in Syria (Turkish invasion).

All great news!

Anonymous said...

Skudrunner: Pray tell who are these "good people" waiting in the wings of the republican party? Almost all of them remain silent in the face of obvious misconduct by Trump. Or even worse, no matter what Trump does, they defend him. Remaining silent in the face of such egregious misconduct makes you an enabler or tacit supporter and this would include Nikki Haley, someone you constantly endorse. This disqualifies her as a viable candidate and those of her ilk. As for the Clintons: well, yes, they dance to a different tune. You seem to insinuate the throughly discredited non-sense that the Clintons kill off their political rivals. Embracing the on-line sewage of conspiracy theories does little to advance nuanced political discussion. Slander? Oh please! That is all Trump does 24/7. And the spate of anti Obama rhetoric I heard for 8 years (and continues!) hardly qualifies as anything but rubbish. In sum I would refer you to the lyrics of an old blues classic: "Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself."

skudrunner said...

Anon, another splendid post from someone who hides behind a mask. Regarding the clinton's and the people who died under their time. McDougal, Foster, Mohane, Raiser, Smith, Eberwein and two AR state troupers who were set to testify but both had one car accidents. Now I am not saying any of these were proven correct but by today's standards rumors are facts and these were rumors therefore they are facts.

I have constantly praised obama as being a swell guy and the best special interest president we have had in decades. There are a number of good, sane people on both sides just none running for president. Maybe the DNC should go back to their tried and true method of selecting a candidate eight years in advance just to shut them up, it worked so well in the last election.

Anonymous said...

Do you honestly think anyone but his immediate family care what John Kasich has to say. Romney's just bitter he didn't get the Sec.State job he so badly wanted

Shaw Kenawe said...

Anonymous @2:00

That's the way Trumpers attack any Republican with a conscience who see Trump for the dangerous fool that he is. It isn't jealousy that motivates people to oppose a dangerous fool like Trump, it's love of country and human decency. Human decency is sorely lacking in Trumpers and Trump himself.

I know plenty of Republicans who see Trump for what he is. It's too bad people like Anon don't. It's obvious he/she and other cultists will never awake from their delusions.

Anonymous said...

IMPEACH THE BASTARD!

Les Carpenter said...

Yeah, AND remove him.

Then put him on trial for treason. And if found guilty let him die in prison.

Rodney Hoover said...

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
There will no history books that can be changed. Because we have the knowledge of what we remember. What we learned and more importantly, how we were taught our history. History is so diluted now from these delusional people. That getting them to learn true, factual history is all but impossible. If this country fails it will be because of the Democrats GREED for power.
I have a 6 year old at home. As he progresses through school I will be paying VERY close attention to not only what he is learning. But why he is learning it in that manner. The moment I see that it is not being factual. He will be pulled out and home schooled. We also have a 15 year old at home that is home schooled. I refuse to send a child to a public school that is just part of the progressive system. He does his school work in line. And he excels in his school work. This entire indoctrination instead of education subject is very important to me. As you all can tell. It should be important to ALL of us. We send OUR FUTURE to these public indoctrination facilities everyday.

Les Carpenter said...

Indoctrination by government sponsored use of propaganda (false narative) is an abomination. Accurate, factual, and truthful information is critical to the survival of our democratic republic.

I'm suprized you fail to recognize that your president and the GOP in congress are wasting like the propagandists you claim to have no use for.

Puzzling...

Maria said...


Democrats can TRY to pull another FAKE SCANDAL against President Trump by snooping around his tax returns, his former Girl friends, or his way of speaking. At this point, AMERICA DOESN’T CARE or BELIEVE ANY SCHEME THAT THE DEMOCRATS, PROGRESSIVES, OR THE ANTISEMITIC SOCIALIST'S COME UP WITH.

Shaw Kenawe said...

To Maria, there is no FAKE scandal. It is a real scandal that will get Trump impeached. You need to leave your delusions behind and look at reality. Donald Trump is a traitor to America. And he will be impeached.

At this point, Trump's job approval number is 38%. That means a whopping 62% of Americans do not approve of his lying, cheating, and criminal behavior.

Shaw Kenawe said...

Rodney and Maria appear to be nothing more than ignorant trolls. No normal IDs attached to their names.

Maria Grubic said...

EVERYONE who disagrees with you seems to be delusional in your mind.
And in your DELUSION mind Trump is a “Traitor “ to America!
I think that your the one who needs to reprogram, as you seem to have things backwards.

Shaw Kenawe said...

"Maria Grubic", HoneyPie, learn to use the English language correctly, then come back and try to express yourself.

You get an F for not knowing the difference between "your" and "you're," and for not knowing that a noun, "DELUSION," cannot modify another noun. A DELUSION is a noun.

The rest of your comment is dull and not the least bit witty.