The Firing of Richard Spencer, Secretary of the Navy

RE: Sec Nav
Looking for input from our members who are current/former military. What do YOU think? Your opinion is far more valuable than a layperson. We’ve never seen such a firestorm of public comments.

From Sec. of Defense Esper’s point of view:
Hmmmm, so it looks like Sec of Defense, Esper, fired Sec Nav for lying to him and for attempting to cut a deal behind his back. Telling the WH one thing and telling Esper something else.
Valid reason to toss Sec Nav.
Sec Nav Spencer’s fight is not with the President – his problem is not being forthright with his boss, Esper.

From the President’s Point of View:
President unhappy with Sec Nav over Gallagher and the corruption in the JAG corps.
He’s really mad about the 900 million dollar screw up on the new USS Gerald Ford over the electric catapult system replacing the steam system which was prevalent on other carriers. The new system has bugs in it and has been a disaster. Not sure that’s necessarily Sec Nav’s decision or “fault” cuz it takes a while to design/build a carrier. Nonetheless, the USS Gerald Ford is 2.4 BILLION over budget.

On the charge of “Taking a photo with dead ISIS member”
Is it a HUGE problem with the charge of “photo being taken with a dead ISIS fighter”. Does it rise to the level of a war crime?
WW2 photos, Vietnam photos, Balkan photos, were all BRUTAL.
Did the policy start during Obama Admin or during Bush Admin?

Was the policy of “winning hearts and minds” a failure?
How do we win a war…. by being nice?
Why do we ask our soldiers to go and kill our enemies, but don’t hurt their feelings?
OR – is it more important to have a voter base, at home and far removed, who never see the reality of warfare?
Bigger question, by putting what is effectively a “news block” on dead ISIS photos, did we prolong the war? By trying to be nice?
Or is this about superiors behind a desk, attempting to micromanage from afar, second guessing the soldiers in the field?

All opinions welcome.

Latest interview with Eddie Gallagher.

More info on the problems of the USS Gerald Ford:

The dyspeptic performance comes as Secretary Spencer, who bet his job on the USS Fordfaces accountability over his wager with the President on the USS Ford’s broken advanced weapons elevators. Last year, Secretary Spencer proudly highlighted his bet with President Donald J. Trump, saying “I asked him to stick his hand out; he stuck his hand out. I said, ‘Let’s do this like Corporate America.’ I shook his hand and said, ‘The elevators will be ready to go when she pulls out or you can fire me.’ ” But that bet is now lost. After an extended 15-month refit, the USS Ford pulled out of Norfolk, Virginia, for sea trials on Friday, October 25, 2019. Only four elevators were fully operational. A few others were “moving” but have yet to meet exacting Navy standards.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2019/10/28/troubled-navy-secretary-attacks-congress-as-his-most-expensive-ship-goes-to-sea/#58f9d30b6869

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GA/FL

Biographies:
Eddie Gallagher – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Gallagher_(Navy_SEAL)
Fellow SEALS turned on Eddie, accused him of targeting civilians. Gallagher was also accused of trying to run down an officer. However his trial he was acquitted of all charges. What was going on among the SEALs in the aftermath of the slaughter of SEAL Team 6?
Richard Spencer – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_V._Spencer
Under Øbama, served on Navy boards – when over 60 Admirals were discovered to be in a corrupt scam with Malaysian birthing/supply guy. Then there were all those collisions where the Navy was at fault due to bad training and discipline.
Ken Braithwaite – Spencer’s replacement – US Naval Academy – Public Administration Masters Degree – some business experience, Ambassador to Norway (interesting…connected to intelligence?) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Braithwaite

GA/FL

Background on the Navy scandals.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/fat-leonard-scandal-expands-to-ensnare-more-than-60-admirals/2017/11/05/f6a12678-be5d-11e7-97d9-bdab5a0ab381_story.html
https://warisboring.com/how-a-malaysian-playboy-controlled-the-most-powerful-naval-force-on-the-planet/
https://warisboring.com/a-malaysian-playboy-corrupted-the-u-s-navy/
Even the Naval Academy had a scandal or two:
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-02-24/naval-academy-rocked-drug-scandal-drug-ring-bought-cocaine-bitcoin

churchmouse

Spencer’s wording in his letter:

churchmouse

Gallagher’s supporters during trial now targeted:
https://twitter.com/TheShepherdess2/status/1198770436626165760

GA/FL

Someone on the other threads mentioned this. I want to find a source for this besides the Daily Mail.

GA/FL

There have been some SEALs using drugs.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/navy-seal-drug-use-staggering-investigation-finds/
Gallagher was accused of illegal possession of a steroid Sustanon-250 .

GA/FL

HERE IT IS:
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/11/20/navys-top-seal-can-revoke-tridents-heres-why-hes-sending-gallagher-board-instead.html
(bold mine)
“Cmdr. Tamara Lawrence, a spokeswoman for Naval Special Warfare Command, declined to comment on Gallagher’s case. But she said the command has taken away 154 operators’ trident or special warfare combatant-craft pins since 2011.
Reasons can range from drug or alcohol use to training or performance issues. Personnel policies also state the pins can be revoked due to a loss of confidence in warfighting, leadership or managerial ability for officers, or sound judgment, reliability or personal conduct for enlisted SEALs.”

kalbokalbs

Interesting, the article states ^^^, yet, the Navy had a board set up for Gallagher, an enlisted Chief. Article says boards are for officers, COs manage enlisted. The latter is huge.
Something does not fit AND logic. Or I missed something.
everything I see, Gallagher was singled out by pissed off management. Not leadership as leadership was absent in Gallagher’s case. IMO.

kalbokalbs

The Navy has revoked 154 Trident pins since 2011.
^^^ On its own, eye popping. Maybe. We have no idea why, Tridents were revoked.
Many or most could have nothing to do with actual war fighting. Dunno.
GUESSING.
– Could have to do with maintaining SEAL qualification – physical, weapons, EVERYTHING and ANYTHING SEALS are required to maintain qualifications while on Active duty.
– Could be civil law matters that brought discredit to Navy, SEALs…
Dunno. Details would be interesting to read.

kalbokalbs

100% agree.

Rodney Short

All on ozeros watch,no doubt

GA/FL

READ the Forbes Article linked above – https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2019/10/28/troubled-navy-secretary-attacks-congress-as-his-most-expensive-ship-goes-to-sea/#7b34aaf96869
IMO – SPENCER seemed to be hemming/hawing/hedging – intentionally sabotaging ship building/remodeling and thus Naval readiness – and NEEDED FIRING A LONG TIME AGO!!

🦋🦋bflyjesusgrl🦋🦋

Lt. Col. Michael Waltz on F&F talking about USS Ford delays and cost overruns(elevator, catapult, propulsion problems) in Major programs, new Nuclear Subs delayed and construction not even started, as well as issues with Navy air fleet. China kicking our tail in these areas. Senator Imhoffe clashed with/ Spencer, good riddance.

kalbokalbs

Steam catapults are reliable. Readiness.

Coldeadhands

Would love to see projected maintenance cost comparison between steam vs. electrical systems…strongly suspect one more example of intentionally weakening military.

jamcooker

He also remarked that the time advantage should not be a factor because the (IFIRC) new delivery system was faster than the ammunition, but anyway the end result was that there was negligible improvement in the end.

patfrederick

patfrederick

i posted this on the open thread as well…that middle tweet is important–imo–it stresses that there is that concern about being over budget–not managing well–not delivering on promises–that is IMPORTANT to POTUS.

Gail Combs

In industry it would certainly get you fired.
Going over your departmental budget is a REAL No-No.
Having a completed project, where corporate heads were opposed but allowed you to go forward anyway, then FAIL is a ‘death sentence’ for your career at that company.
Combine the two and don’t expect to ever get another job in upper management.

tom f

I volunteered for and was a witness to war.
I witnessed the loss of life, limbs, and in a few cases, minds.
Exposure to prolonged levels of stress, anger, deprivation, and fighting takes a toll.
Training although helpful, doesn’t come close.
The treatment endured by Navy Seal Gallagher was politically motivated and a smear against the Military.
Here’s a story written some years ago……..
Hearts and Minds
Much has been written and said recently concerning our Afghan allies and winning the war by first winning the ‘hearts & minds’ of the people. It has become the centerpiece of our strategy. We (our men on the ground) must first show that we care.
We care so much that we have placed our youth in the crosshairs of the enemy. The insurgents get the first shot, and if that’s not bad enough, they then get to hide their weapons and blend in with women and children. Some very noble folks who are not in harms way must have made this decision.
History, from the beginning of the written word, tells us that War is a savage endeavor. If the war in the Pacific was fought today our Marines would probably be viewed as those savages and not the hero’s they became while fighting for their very survival. They defeated an enemy that was considered invincible.
As a witness to war I can attest that being a target and witnessing the effects of rifle, mortar, artillery, rocket propelled grenade, or cannons does something to an individual’s view of the enemy (and those who offer support). The emotions involved have a wide range: fear, anger, and hatred, quickly come to mind. Some men, those who have survived long enough, reach a point of numbness that is difficult to explain. Revenge is a trigger pull away some days and it takes strength and leadership to prevent atrocities from being the rule and not the exception.
I recall a company size patrol in 1968 when as radioman for the platoon commander I witnessed the eventual capture of an enemy soldier who had been following our movements. He initially sprung up and ran when spotted, but he was shot and wounded and crawled into a hole. It didn’t take long to find him and when the Lieutenant and I came upon the half dozen troops surrounding the gook the conversation went like this—
‘Let’s kill the mother fucker’, ‘shoot him’, waste the son of a bitch’. Weapons were closer then a meter from his head and the tension was extreme. I can still see his terror filled face.
Lt. Knight immediately took control and said, ‘we will not kill this man, he’s worth more alive than dead’. ‘Call a corpsman and set up a medivac’. The Lt was right on more than one count. We patched him up and choppered him out. Word came back that he provided intelligence that would give us an edge (and save lives) in the coming week. Lt Knight also prevented his men from the future nightmares that the murder would have caused.
Suppose we had shot the prisoner on the spot. With the exception of the Lieut. we would have understood and accepted because of the revenge and hatred that we harbored. It would have felt good. Yes, it’s madness alright—savagery even.
On another occasion in February ’68, I was part of a squad of Marines that were providing security for a mine sweep that ran daily between Cam Lo and Charlie 2.
There were dead enemy just off the road who had been killed by an ambush the previous night. There was also unexploded ordinance (grenades and mortars) at the ambush site.
The mine sweep crew attached the duds and added a bit of C-4 to the corpses and then yelled, ‘fire in the hole’ and boom, it was raining body parts.
From my position about 100 yards away I could see villagers in the distance standing on a knoll watching this madness unfold. It was over in a flash and the sweep moved forward as if it was just part of the job.
The destination of the dead NVA was that nearby village. There they would receive additional orders and a bit of R&R for the evening. Hearts & Minds anyone?
Imagine what the mental state of mind must have been for this to just casually happen.
We’re talking about 19-20 year old youths who only a year or so ago were graduating from high school and probably never saw anything more tragic than a car accident.
Certainly gives one pause for thought………………….
I respected Lieutenant Knight for his leadership and strength, but, even though I did not agree with the road sweep’s actions——— I understood.

patfrederick

wow! thanks tom for your service…I cannot imagine the horrors you saw or endured.

Aubergine

Thank you for your service, sir, from the bottom of my heart. God Bless.

kalbokalbs

Thank you for everything Tom. Your service. What you endured. And sharing above thoughts, perspective.

realsauce

Thank you…

patfrederick

also…if the picture of Gallagher was indeed cropped—why is there no discipline against the others in the picture? that gives credence to him being singled out.

ladypenquin

War is ugly. It’s savage. It’s unimaginable. It’s gruesome. It’s a nightmare one thinks will never end.
My husband has met and interacted with the now former Sec Nav Spencer. He liked him, but then that’s just when you know someone superficially – and hubby would be the first to acknowledge that fact.
That said, hubby and I both feel and agree that Gallagher (and others) were being mistreated by the PC infestation saturating the military for decades. The President himself noted how we create “killing machines” and then expect them to act in some kind of prescribed PC manner. That’s not realistic. It’s also not honest.
Obama deliberately set out to destroy the military. This had to be done in order to make sure America was downgraded on all fronts of the global stage. His restrictive Rules of Engagement caused more deaths. I say this was deliberate as well. Statistics? More military personnel were killed during Obama’s watch, than since the Afghanistan was began. 75% more.
https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/ali-meyer/under-obama-75-casualties-13-year-afghan-war-55-more-2014
“Of those 2,232 deaths, 1,663 – 74.5 percent – occurred since President Obama took office on Jan. 20, 2009. The deadliest years for U.S. personnel were 2010, when 495 were killed; 2011, when there were 404 casualties; and 2009 when the death toll was 306.
Those three years combined accounted for more than half, or 54 percent, of the total U.S. casualties in the war.
In 2014, 42 fatalities (76.4 percent) were combat related, attributed to small arms fire, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), or rocket-propelled grenades. The other 13 deaths were due to accidents, illnesses, or heart attacks.”
America has the finest military fighting men and women in the world. We should be able to go in an carry out an military operation, and WIN with minimum loss of life. But we don’t. Politicians run the wars these days – leading to incredible losses. Started in Vietnam, with Communist Walter Cronkite shilling for the North Vietnamese.
Anyway, I’m pretty sure World War ll had its share of photos of the allies standing next to the dead Nazis…
As concerns Spencer. Yes, absolutely he should be gone. Waiting to see Rear Admiral Colin Green gone as well. POTUS made it very clear from his pardoning, and straight talk that he wanted to see the persecution of these Gallagher, and the other two men he pardoned, end. The military brass didn’t get the message. Just like the Court Martial folks didn’t get the message after the other charges were dropped against Gallagher with only posing with a corpse left. Should have been administrative then, not the dog and pony show.
Obama purged the ranks of the upper echelons of as many pro-Americans patriots – remember he was trying to get rid of Flynn for several years, and Admiral Rogers too. The upper ranks are almost all political animals, not the true grit and in the trenches type people who actually go and fight and die for this country.
Based on what we’ve seen, the military didn’t escape from the same cancer which Obama made sure spread throughout the highest levels of government.

wheatietoo

Great comment, LadyP!
Well said.
I want to see Rr Adm Green stripped of rank and mustered out, too.

ladypenquin

Notice how the they switched form the court-martial “loss” – and then POTUS’ pardon to the idea of a Review Board? Since they failed get Gallagher one way, they figured they had another. Of course, it appears that they didn’t think POTUS would be paying attention – or intervene again.
That’s how malignant the upper echelons are- this isn’t being obtuse, or wanting to follow “regular order” for good discipline, this is simply a power play – POTUS will win this one too…

Cuppa Covfefe

“He values the opinion of the community and the board process.”
Sounds exactly like Hegelian Dialektik (Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis). Managed dialog within a group, leading to a predetermined conclusion. Works well for “gutless wonders” or those who cannot defend their ideas out in the open.
[Carly Fiorina polluted HP with that nonsense, when HP was already bogged down with too much process and not enough doing (started on John Young’s watch). Bill and Dave were men of action; the folks following were more of the “pain avoidance” sort]…

plateaufortrump

Daughn
I know I am late in the discussion, but I have not seen this clip referenced concerning the pardon of LT. Clint Lowrance.
Especially the segment about when Generals receive a star they become political and no longer have allegiance to the military and a warning to the President to watch his back and clean house. Very well spoken.

ladypenquin

Thanks, Wheatie.

🦋🦋bflyjesusgrl🦋🦋

Before Vietnam, we waited and didn’t go to war until it was absolutely necessary and then went in with a vengeance to win it. The horror of collateral damage to civilians was one of the motivators to get it over with ASAP.
I finally watched the Leavenworth 5hr documentary last week. Did not know Lorance was gay. Wonder if his guys did and that affected their opinion of him?.. maybe, maybe not.
A few things I came away with..
1 – We train these soldiers to be war fighters and then send them over there to be social workers. The guys that spoke against Clint were immediately put off with their new leader and his “war lingo” in 1st 72 hrs. He came in with a new ROE to suspect and kill all on motorcycles as enemies, given by his Commander. Two of his top platoon guys rejected and told others not to follow order. Insubordination…not how “we” do things. They were of the mindset that protecting Afghanis was the top priority. They immediately accused him of murder rather than making a battlefield decision. They were brainwashed with the hearts and minds policy, IMO. Politics of prosecution ensued after that. Murder?, Lorance never pulled a trigger. His case was also over emphasized because of timing, another soldier had actually committed a war crime by slaughtering 16 citizens and top brass were already on the hot seat.
2 – Why TF are we in Afghanistan?? What is the goal??
The Afghans are afraid of the Taliban, so they are intimidated, may have no choice into allowing them to hide and operate amongst civilians. This intentionally causes issues for our soldiers. The Afghanis are fickle, they side with whomever offers protection. The villagers had supposedly been friendly with and working with Lorance’s platoon, providing them intel on Taliban, but after the 2 guys on the motorcycle were killed, they turned on the Americans and invited the Taliban into their village. They denied/didn’t care the elder was a bombmaker for our enemy.
NO ONE CAN WIN A WAR LIKE THIS!!! No wonder we’ve been there 19years!!! Again, Why are we there??? Ego?? Years of Political and Military FAILURE is beyond blatantly obvious to the entire world. It’s time to stop the bleeding, protect our most valuable treasure, redirect our money home, cut our losses and get the Hell out. I stand with President Trump!!!

A Fortiori

My take on Spencer is simple: Hussein’s did not promote the right people to positions of leadership in our military, these people need to be replaced and the replacement process is going to be messy.
As to Gallagher’s persecution, I think the propaganda that has polluted our perspective on social, religious, sexual, economic and political issues also has polluted our thinking on warfare. In his book “On War”, Clausewitz flatly states that “[t]there is…nothing more important in life than to find out the right point of view from which things should be looked at and judged, and then to keep to that point…
it is not allowable to have a two-point or three-fold point of view, from which things may be looked at, now with the eye of a soldier, then with that of an administrator, and the again with that of a politician, etc…”
Gallagher is a casualty of our slovenly thinking about war.

A Fortiori

I stand corrected. Spencer was a Wall Street guy during Hussein’s Presidency.

itswoot

“Obama deliberately set out to destroy the military.”
I think the Obama Administrations policy towards the military can best be summed up this way:
Warriors OUT
Wussies IN

kalbokalbs

hussein’s goal, destroy America militarily, manufacturing, trade, wealth, socialism… hildabeast was designated clean up tool.

OW21

Great comment, LP. Thank you for that insight and info! That’s what I come here for….

ladypenquin

Oh, and the simple answer about the firing of Spencer. POTUS is the Commander-in-Chief. He was guilty of the very behavior – insubordination – that they don’t tolerate from the rank and file. Regular Order and Discipline? The C-i-C had to fire someone who was so blatantly insubordinate.

ladypenquin

That’s a puzzle that hasn’t been put together yet, at least form our perspective. Not sure if Vindman remains in place until the rest of the Ukraine Hoax plays out.

phoenixrising37

Also part of the Hoax shampeachment… judgment on Vindman coming soon…
Bottom line… POTUS is CinC…
Gallagher disobeyed and disrespected ……………..
Totally support Lady P’s comments

kalbokalbs

Rather quickly after the impeachment hoax unravels, Vindman WILL be taken to task.
NOT a betting person, but, that I’d bet on.

wheatietoo

Our guys were given conflicting instruction…mixed signals.
They were trained to fight and kill the enemy.
But wait…they had to do it in a politically correct manner and inform the enemy that they were coming!
The Rules of Engagement were insane.
So it’s no wonder that some of them turned to drugs.
HusseinO intentionally did whatever he could to destroy morale.
Trannies in the military…are you kidding me?
I give all of our servicemen, and women, kudos for surviving it.

GA/FL

Our Navy ships have had problems with expensive ‘green’ fuel too.

Aubergine

Ex military wife here. I know a little from that experience.
Number one, chain of command is EVERYTHING in the military. It is inviolate.
Number two, while you are allowed not to follow an illegal order, you better be DAMN SURE.
Now for what I believe as a student of history and human psychology. War is a violent, brutal exercise. We train men to fight, but what we are REALLY doing is sending them into a situation which threatens their existence. When that happens, humans revert to “lizard brain.”
Human beings are hard-wired for survival. We are also wired for what comes AFTER surviving near-death.
Ever notice how many people hook up at funerals, or have the experience of wanting sex after a brush with death? It’s life-affirming behavior. “I’m still here.”
Having “conquered” an enemy, it is human to gloat about it, truly. To be exhilarated that you made it. This leads to some un-PC behavior that is normal. The concept of “atrocities” in war is a modern concept. In the past, native cultures around the world CELEBRATED what we now call atrocities.
I get that “civilization” of mankind demands that we behave in certain ways. But when you literally send people to die unless they can defeat the enemy and survive, you engage the “lizard brain.” I don’t believe it is ethical or logical to hold anyone accountable for what they are, quite literally, not in control of. War is nasty, nasty business.
But that’s just my two cents.

patfrederick

I agree with your post, but wonder about “atrocities”.
it is difficult to equate (in my mind at least) standing next to a dead enemy combatant with the images of Ambassador Stevens being raped, drug around, and tortured. I cannot agree that the latter should be excused as just nasty war business.
It’s not my judgement, I have never been in war and for the most part can see your point about survival. The enemy will be brutal and unapologetically so. is there a line? should there be?

Aubergine

I guess my main thought is that we CAN’T draw a line. Nature won’t allow it.
And there is no “excusing” enemies. The other part of war is, complete and total annihilation of anyone who wages war against you. So those who tortured Stevens MUST be annihilated.

pgroup

Correction: Stevens was not raped nor tortured nor dragged around the streets.
He had a position of influence among the “rebels”. He was trusted.
Stevens was rushed to the hospital by the commanders of the “rebels”. He had to be kept alive in order to swap him for the blind sheik, which was the whole purpose of the plot to attack the compound. Somebody set fire to the compound to force the people out. The firestarters did not know there was a panic room built into the compound which was where the bodyguards took Stevens.
When the smoke became too much, they tried to escape to the roof but Stevens took a wrong turn and got grabbed by the rebels. They realized he was in trouble so they immediately informed their commander who promptly rushed Stevens to the hospital. A dead hostage ends any possibility of a prisoner swap.
The ER doc in Benghazi called the last number on Stevens cell phone which happened to be someone (I don’t remember who) in Paris. He told the person who answered that they had Stevens but he died on the table. Special operators raided the ER and took Stevens’ body away.
The fake kidnapping of Stevens was planned and approved in the WH. That’s why there was no rescue effort; Stevens was SUPPOSED to be snatched. It went awry when they used diesel fuel to ‘help’ the fire.
Nobody (the plot planners) expected the spec ops contractors to disobey orders to stand down. They ‘wildcarded’ the whole thing. If Stevens had not gone to the safe room, he’d probably have lived. The smoke is what killed him.
And the blind sheik died in prison so the enemy (muslim bro-hood) didn’t get what they wanted.
The deep state has scrubbed all the info on this from the internet, as far as I can tell. But that’s where I read about this during the incident. When I realized they were going to lie about it, I went back to find it but it was gone.

patfrederick

never heard any version of events close to this

kalbokalbs

Links available? Have never read or heard anything remotely close to this.

OW21

Pretty sure Stevens was already dead in the pictures I have seen. I don’t think he made it to any hospital.

Katie

Hubby is a retired Marine and he’s thrilled at the outcome.
I go by my little voice on most things in life. Something tells me this is the beginning of a massive swamp draining in the military.
Oorah!!

Deplorable Patriot

That would be nice. I only know what I hear from my brother the retired Marine. The reason he and his state sanctioned friend with benefits did retire is that promotions stopped in the BO years.

Katie

Hubby’s discharge papers are signed by Bubba. You have no idea how much that bothers him. He wants to get in front of President Trump to have his bold scrawl cover up the creep’s signature. We can dream…

prognosticatasaurusrex

Good post Daughn. The answer is SIMPLE. It was Barack Hussein Obama on all counts. He fired a record and atrocious number of seasoned higher level officers from general to captain. He replaced those seasoned hardened vets with like minded leftists who would NOT have been promoted otherwise, in other words, he put incompetent desk jockeys who NEVER saw or understood battle and tacti’s in place of hardened vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Then to make things WORSE, he instituted ridiculous Rules of Engagement that made our battles be fought NOT by warriors and commanders IN the field, but by LAWYERS who knew NOTHING of combat, but only cared about OPTICS.
He was trying to make OUR soldiers subservient to UN and international ROE and law. Then as ICING Obama basically defunded the Military by the sequester. Our troops were made to SALVAGE used parts from boneyards just to keep planes, tanks, and ships running. Obama then decommissioned numerous older ships and planes, WITHOUT replacement. He was happy to spread our remaining forces so thin, without funding, competent command, spare parts, AMMO, AND stringent ineffective and DISASTEROUS ROE’s.
Obama traded Hardened Taliban GENERALS for deserting TRAITORS like Bo Bergdahl. ALL while other prisoners like Otto Warmbier and pastor Andrew Brunson were left to rot and in Warmbier’s case DIE. Obama left our Ambassador, Chris Stevens, his aide, and brave soldiers to DIE in Benghazi. A simple FLY BY or drone strike, WOULD have saved them, and he sat with his thumb up his ass. ALL to protect his arms deal AND his narrative that Al Queda was on the run. Obama FREED traitor Bradley Manning, paid for him to have a sex change with OUR tax dollars, all while imprisoning people like Christian Saucier and Chief Gallagher over BULLSHIT.
Obama allowed the JV team, ISIS, to run wild in the middle east, ethnically cleansing Christians, destroying THOUSANDS of years of history, and allowing a won war in Iraq turn into a quagmire that required more lives, blood, and treasure to quell. Obama allowed red lines in Syria and Crimea to be crossed, civilians to be victims of an ethnic cleansing, and genocide. Ukraine was then over run with CORRUPTION, which allowed the Obama cronies to rake in billions.
Obama made a disaster of Libya, which would lead to Benghazi, by starting a bombing campaign on Khaddaffi, which lead to his death AND civil war that allowed the formation of ISIS. Obama allowed the formation of Boko Harem that lead to the rape and murder of thousands of girls and women in West Africa.
Obama backed a failed coup in Turkey that only hardened Erdogan’s ideology. Obama fomented a migrant crisis in Europe that is rapidly destroying European culture, simply by allowing ISIS time to breathe and expand. Obama backed the DISASTEROUS Arab Spring that nearly destroyed Egypt, and lead to allies like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel to become isolated and endangered.
He allowed radicals to take over Yemen, and threaten the worlds oil supply and ally Saudia Arabia, and others like UAE and Kuwait. Obama gave TERRORISTS in Iran BILLIONS in foreign currency, UNTRACEABLE, as a bribe to free US hostages, and then to sign a swiss cheese Nuclear “treaty” that WOULD have allowed Iran the money, means, and OPPORTUNITY to build a nuclear weapon.
Obama allowed illegals from central America, Mexico, and God knows where else to FLLOD and OVERWHELM our southern border, costing us sovereignty AND billions in aide given to illegal invaders, under the GUISE of “refugees”. He allowed unvetted people from known terrorist hotbed countries to come into the US UNVETTED and then resettled throughout the country, whether or not the community WANTED them.
Obama made a MESS of the world with his “foreign” policy. He weakened OUR military and standing and INFLUENECE throughout the world. He apologized for America’s greatness, and made damn sure to weaken us and our ability to project force.
He meddled with things he should have left alone, he allowed lawyers to make decisions that should have been reserved SOLEY to commanders. He replaced seasoned commanders with wimpy bureaucrats, he funded our ENEMIES while refusing to fund OUR military. He secured far away borders while ignoring our own. He traded TRAITORS and enemy combatants for TRAITORS, while allowing American CIVILLIANS to rot and die. He released convicted TRAITORS while imprisoning HEROS. He allied himself with TERRORISTS and abandoned our allies. He allowed foreign genocides, wars, ethnic cleansing, and the rise of terrorism throughout the world by his fecklessness and incompetence.
Obama was OBVIOUSLY one of two things, either he was an incompetent boob that should never have been permitted to be CIC let alone President OR and even WORSE, he did all the damage on PURPOSE, which makes him a usurper and TRAITOR. I believe the latter, no one could have been THAT stupid, it too EFFORT and planning to screw up the WORLD that bad. It would not have been that bad had he merely did NOTHING but golf and hold parties. The ONLY thing worse than his foreign policy was his DOMESTIC policy, but that is for another thread.
Obama is your answer Daughn, may he meet the business end of that piece of hemp son, and may he be reviled and live in INFAMY for all time. He cost this country TRILLIONS in funds, and an incalculable amount in lives and suffering. The Founding Fathers WOULD have him shot. He nearly destroyed this country AND the WORLD. Thank God for Donald Trump who HAS stemmed the tide and is starting to reverse it.

jamcooker

O wasn’t the only one who instituted ROE. GWB, and LBJ did for sure. My hubbie railed about those 2, especially LBJ.

prognosticatasaurusrex

All 3 disasters. There are only TWO rules of engagement. 1 Protect civilians whenever POSSIBLE 2. Kill the enemy and achieve victory. Anything else is horse manure.

jamcooker

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ladypenquin

I think the seeds were being sown for several decades, and they almost got there during Bush ll years in office – perhaps 9/11 derailed their time table, but not their game plan.
Obama was well on his way to being placed during Bush’s 1st term. Remember his 2004 Keynote Speaker status at the DNC.

ladypenquin

Rex, that’s best summary, true indictment about Barack Obama that I’ve ever seen put into words.
In bits and pieces, we’ve all known most of this, and intuitively knew these things to be true. God Willing, POTUS and his team not only know what you’ve outlined here, but they have the means and method – the evidence tracing it back to Obama.
He didn’t act alone, and he isn’t stupid, though I’d say he uses drugs – prescribed or otherwise, but he knew what he was doing, and his handlers guided the entire Plan.
The motive? To take down the United States of America, and enslave the world to globalist/fascist/communist Rule. It’s difficult to conceive, let alone accept such strong rhetoric, but I believe we have to accept that this is true.

prognosticatasaurusrex

Thank you LadyP. I never had the privilege to serve in the Military, but my father was a WW2 vet who saw ALL the heavy action in the European theatre. It is fortunate that he died before he ever had to see Obama’s destruction.
The thing about my list, it was off the top of my head, I am sure there is MORE. Feeel free to use it or repost it as you see fit, people need to know.

ladypenquin

I believe this should be a stand alone post at Q-Tree.

prognosticatasaurusrex

Thank you, I am flattered.

ozzytrumpster

So absolutely spot on prog. This obomination has done irreparable harm world wide

prognosticatasaurusrex

Yep, he was an ABOMINATION, a plague on the world. If he is not the anti Christ, satan would be hard pressed to find a worse set up man

ozzytrumpster

Satan’s feeling threatened.

OW21

Dear Prog – that is one of the best summations of the disaster of O’bummer’s years I have ever read. Thank you! I so appreciate your taking your time and effort to post this. I am going to copy it and save it for the rest of my family to read. I hope he rots in hell, frankly.

prognosticatasaurusrex

Thank you OW. Feel free to spread it far and wide, it is the TRUTH, so the left will hate it. But the Truth doesn’t need defending, only the light of day to set it free. As for Obama, oh he will definitely go to a hot place when God is through with him.
I want him to pay the ultimate price for his crimes, but I could be convinced to let him live in prison forever in infamy and reviled throughout history. The ONLY reason I would be against that is some leftist might win the WH again while he is still alive, and free him. Then he would be a symbol for the left, I want him to be a symbol alright of revile and FAILURE.

OW21

It will be interesting to see how history treats him. In his case, they would have to totally rewrite it to put any sort of positive spin on that doofus. Important to tell our kids and grandkids what he was really all about. Thanks again….brilliant!

kalbokalbs

Below posted on daily. Fits better here.
.
Not well read about much of this. AND, a bit of a ramble… Internet searches will validate below…
USS Ford (CVN 78) MASSIVE cost over runs. Ford is a new class of carrier. Nimitz was the previous class that lead to Reagan, Lincoln, Eisenhour, Vinson… Ford, unlike any other carrier. Only two of eleven weapons elevators certified. Catapult system beset with problems. Arresting gear… Radar… Propulsion system issues…
– In one visit to a Navy ship…don’t recall the details, President Trump specifically called out the catapult system. New one of a kind – electro magnetic… Huge cost over runs. Unreliable. LITTLE tactical gain for a carrier. New system could launch aircraft at a quicker rate. Reality is, aircraft can only be physically positioned for launch at whatever rate – to be catapulted. War fighting system wise, minimal gain. Tactical gain, dubious, I believe. Steam system worked great for decades.
– $13 Billion thus far. In 2017 USS Ford designated “special” carrier…whatever the hell that is!!!
– USS Ford NOT scheduled for deployment until 2024. 2024! WTF?
– Follow on Ford class carriers currently being built…John F Kennedy, Enterprise.
^^^ Spencer was deep into all of this crap. He didn’t initiate the problems, SECNAV from 2017 until yesterday.
UFB, the problems.
.
.
An area I have not heard much outside of Navy circles…
LCS – Littoral Combat Ship. Bad joke by the Navy. IMO, Worthless for a Blue Water Navy…should be primary focus of US Navy. Single mission ships. Mission Packages – Modular war fighting systems. Pick and load ONE, ONLY ONE at a time. – Anti-submarine warfare (ASW), mine countermeasures (MCM), surface warfare (SUW), and special warfare missions. Bad guys only need to know which Mission Package is loaded on a LCS, then attack from another direction! ASW Mission Package Loaded, attack from the surface or air. NOT a tactician, but this smacks of maroon level stoopid. Mission Packages LARGE, multiple C-5/17 required to move Mission Packages to port when Mission Packages need to be swapped. Cannot operate effectively in heavy seas. Hence, Littoral designation. WTF? Short sea legs – distance on a tank of gas. Frequent refueling required. Logistics refueling ships at a premium – limited availability – dedicated almost exclusively to blue water operations. Refueling inport requires a permissive environment.
– Me thinks, someone who hates America, approved the LCS concept. OR, FAMILY and FRIENDS made a lot of $$$.
On the positive side. The Navy has incredibly awesome weapon systems (carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, crew, aircraft, launchers, weapons, ordnance) that we read and hear about frequently. Execute their missions exceedingly well.
Me thinks, USS Ford and LCS are examples of failure at all levels of “Navy Leadership” design, procurement and in the case of LCS, devoid of strategic planning. Sad reality. 100%, IMO.
The persecution of Gallagher an example of selective prosecution…persecution One guy out a handful in a picture, prosecuted. Really? Politics…NOT justice.
Navy told to leave Gallagher alone, pushed back. Very publicly. Childish. Quite in President Trump’s face, rude, insubordinate. Unforgivable behavior by Spencer, Green…
IMO, Spencer was needing to be fired and literally asked for it through his actions, poor decisions and violating orders.

phoenixrising37

from zeroHedge https://www.zerohedge.com/political/navy-secretary-fired-over-seal-controversy
List Of Military Elite Purged
And Fired Under Obama
Compiled By General Paul Vallely
3-17-14
Here is the list of our military elite who have been purged or fired under Obama:
Commanding Generals fired:
· General John R. Allen-U.S. Marines Commander International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] (Nov 2012)
· Major General Ralph Baker (2 Star)-U.S. Army Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn in Africa (April 2013)
· Major General Michael Carey (2 Star)-U.S. Air Force Commander of the 20th US Air Force in charge of 9,600 people and 450 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (Oct 2013)
· Colonel James Christmas-U.S. Marines Commander 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit & Commander Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Unit (July 2013)
· Major General Peter Fuller-U.S. Army Commander in Afghanistan (May 2011)
· Major General Charles M.M. Gurganus-U.S. Marine Corps Regional Commander of SW and I Marine Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan (Oct 2013)
· General Carter F. Ham-U.S. Army African Command (Oct 2013)
· Lieutenant General David H. Huntoon (3 Star), Jr.-U.S. Army 58th Superintendent of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY (2013)
· Command Sergeant Major Don B Jordan-U.S. Army 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (suspended Oct 2013)
· General James Mattis-U.S. Marines Chief of CentCom (May 2013)
· Colonel Daren Margolin-U.S. Marine in charge of Quantico’s Security Battalion (Oct 2013)
· General Stanley McChrystal-U.S. Army Commander Afghanistan (June 2010)
· General David D. McKiernan-U.S. Army Commander Afghanistan (2009)
· General David Petraeus-Director of CIA from September 2011 to November 2012 & U.S. Army Commander International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] and Commander U.S. Forces Afghanistan [USFOR-A] (Nov 2012)
· Brigadier General Bryan Roberts-U.S. Army Commander 2nd Brigade (May 2013)
· Major General Gregg A. Sturdevant-U.S. Marine Corps Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for the U.S. Pacific Command & Commander of Aviation Wing at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan (Sept 2013)
· Colonel Eric Tilley-U.S. Army Commander of Garrison Japan (Nov 2013)
· Brigadier General Bryan Wampler-U.S. Army Commanding General of 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command [TSC] (suspended Oct 2013)
Commanding Admirals fired:
· Rear Admiral Charles Gaouette-U.S. Navy Commander John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Three (Oct 2012)
· Vice Admiral Tim Giardina(3 Star, demoted to 2 Star)-U.S. Navy Deputy Commander of the US Strategic Command, Commander of the Submarine Group Trident, Submarine Group 9 and Submarine Group 10 (Oct 2013)
Naval Officers fired: (All in 2011)
· Captain David Geisler-U.S. Navy Commander Task Force 53 in Bahrain (Oct 2011)
· Commander Laredo Bell-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs, NY (Aug 2011)
· Lieutenant Commander Kurt Boenisch-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock Ponce (Apr 2011)
· Commander Nathan Borchers-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer Stout (Mar 2011)
· Commander Robert Brown-U.S. Navy Commander Beachmaster Unit 2 Fort Story, VA (Aug 2011)
· Commander Andrew Crowe-Executive Officer Navy Region Center Singapore (Apr 2011)
· Captain Robert Gamberg-Executive Officer carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (Jun 2011)
· Captain Rex Guinn-U.S. Navy Commander Navy Legal Service office Japan (Feb 2011)
· Commander Kevin Harms- U.S. Navy Commander Strike Fighter Squadron 137 aboard the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (Mar 2011)
· Lieutenant Commander Martin Holguin-U.S. Navy Commander mine countermeasures Fearless (Oct 2011)
· Captain Owen Honors-U.S. Navy Commander aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (Jan 2011)
· Captain Donald Hornbeck-U.S. Navy Commander Destroyer Squadron 1 San Diego
(Apr 2011)
· Rear Admiral Ron Horton-U.S. Navy Commander Logistics Group, Western Pacific
(Mar 2011)
· Commander Etta Jones-U.S. Navy Commander amphibious transport dock Ponce (Apr 2011)
· Commander Ralph Jones-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock Green Bay (Jul 2011)
· Commander Jonathan Jackson-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 134, deployed aboard carrier Carl Vinson (Dec 2011)
· Captain Eric Merrill-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Emory S. Land (Jul 2011)
· Captain William Mosk-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Station Rota, U.S. Navy Commander Naval Activities Spain (Apr 2011)
· Commander Timothy Murphy-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA (Apr 2011)
· Commander Joseph Nosse-U.S. Navy Commander ballistic-missile submarine Kentucky (Oct 2011)
· Commander Mark Olson-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer The Sullivans FL (Sep 2011)
· Commander John Pethel-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock New York (Dec 2011)
· Commander Karl Pugh-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 141 Whidbey Island, WA (Jul 2011)
· Commander Jason Strength-U.S. Navy Commander of Navy Recruiting District Nashville, TN (Jul 2011)
· Captain Greg Thomas-U.S. Navy Commander Norfolk Naval Shipyard (May 2011)
· Commander Mike Varney-U.S. Navy Commander attack submarine Connecticut (Jun 2011)
· Commander Jay Wylie-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer Momsen (Apr 2011)
Naval Officers fired: (All in 2012):
· Commander Alan C. Aber-Executive Officer Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71 (July 2012)
· Commander Derick Armstrong- U.S. Navy Commander missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (May 2012)
· Commander Martin Arriola- U.S. Navy Commander destroyer USS Porter (Aug 2012)
· Captain Antonio Cardoso- U.S. Navy Commander Training Support Center San Diego (Sep 2012)
· Captain James CoBell- U.S. Navy Commander Oceana Naval Air Station’s Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic (Sep 2012)
· Captain Joseph E. Darlak- U.S. Navy Commander frigate USS Vandegrift (Nov 2012)
· Captain Daniel Dusek-U.S. Navy Commander USS Bonhomme
· Commander David Faught-Executive Officer destroyer Chung-Hoon (Sep 2012)
· Commander Franklin Fernandez- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 (Aug 2012)
· Commander Ray Hartman- U.S. Navy Commander Amphibious dock-landing ship Fort McHenry (Nov 2012)
· Commander Shelly Hakspiel-Executive Officer Navy Drug Screening Lab San Diego (May 2012)
· Commander Jon Haydel- U.S. Navy Commander USS San Diego (Mar 2012)
· Commander Diego Hernandez- U.S. Navy Commander ballistic-missile submarine USS Wyoming (Feb 2012)
· Commander Lee Hoey- U.S. Navy Commander Drug Screening Laboratory, San Diego (May 2012)
· Commander Ivan Jimenez-Executive Officer frigate Vandegrift (Nov 2012)
· Commander Dennis Klein- U.S. Navy Commander submarine USS Columbia (May 2012)
· Captain Chuck Litchfield- U.S. Navy Commander assault ship USS Essex (Jun 2012)
· Captain Marcia Kim Lyons- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Health Clinic New England (Apr 2012)
· Captain Robert Marin- U.S. Navy Commander cruiser USS Cowpens (Feb 2012)
· Captain Sean McDonell- U.S. Navy Commander Seabee reserve unit Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 FL (Nov 2012)
· Commander Corrine Parker- U.S. Navy Commander Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 1 (Apr 2012)
· Captain Liza Raimondo- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, MD (Jun 2012)
· Captain Jeffrey Riedel- Program manager, Littoral Combat Ship program (Jan 2012)
· Commander Sara Santoski- U.S. Navy Commander Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (Sep 2012)
· Commander Kyle G. Strudthoff-Executive Officer Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (Sep 2012)
· Commander Sheryl Tannahill- U.S. Navy Commander Navy Operational Support Center [NOSC] Nashville, TN (Sep 2012)
· Commander Michael Ward- U.S. Navy Commander submarine USS Pittsburgh (Aug 2012)
· Captain Michael Wiegand- U.S. Navy Commander Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (Nov 2012)
· Captain Ted Williams- U.S. Navy Commander amphibious command ship Mount Whitney (Nov 2012)
· Commander Jeffrey Wissel- U.S. Navy Commander of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1 (Feb 2012)
Naval Officers fired: (All in 2013):
· Lieutenant Commander Lauren Allen-Executive Officer submarine Jacksonville (Feb 2013)
· Reserve Captain Jay Bowman-U.S. Navy Commander Navy Operational Support Center [NOSC] Fort Dix, NJ (Mar 2013)
· Captain William Cogar-U.S. Navy Commander hospital ship Mercy’s medical treatment facility (Sept 2013)
· Commander Steve Fuller-Executive Officer frigate Kauffman (Mar 2013)
· Captain Shawn Hendricks-Program Manager for naval enterprise IT networks (June 2013)
· Captain David Hunter-U.S. Navy Commander of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 12 & Coastal Riverine Group 2 (Feb 2013)
· Captain Eric Johnson-U.S. Navy Chief of Military Entrance Processing Command at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, IL (2013)
· Captain Devon Jones-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Air Facility El Centro, CA (July 2013)
· Captain Kevin Knoop-U.S. Navy Commander hospital ship Comfort’s medical treatment facility (Aug 2013)
· Lieutenant Commander Jack O’Neill-U.S. Navy Commander Operational Support Center Rock Island, IL (Mar 2013)
· Commander Allen Maestas-Executive Officer Beachmaster Unit 1 (May 2013)
· Commander Luis Molina-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Pasadena (Jan 2013)
· Commander James Pickens-Executive Officer frigate Gary (Feb 2013)
· Lieutenant Commander Mark Rice-U.S. Navy Commander Mine Countermeasures ship Guardian (Apr 2013)
· Commander Michael Runkle-U.S. Navy Commander of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (May 2013)
· Commander Jason Stapleton-Executive Office Patrol Squadron 4 in Hawaii (Mar 2013)
· Commander Nathan Sukols-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Jacksonville (Feb 2013)
· Lieutenant Daniel Tyler-Executive Officer Mine Countermeasures ship Guardian (Apr 2013)
· Commander Edward White-U.S. Navy Commander Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (Aug 2013)
· Captain Jeffrey Winter-U.S. Navy Commander of Carrier Air Wing 17 (Sept 2013)
· Commander Thomas Winter-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Montpelier (Jan 2013)
· Commander Corey Wofford- U.S. Navy Commander frigate Kauffman (Feb 2013)
Since Barack Obama has been in the White House, high ranking military officers have been removed from their positions at a rate that is absolutely unprecedented.Things have gotten so bad that a number of retired generals are publicly speaking out about the ‘purg’ of the U.S. military that they believe is taking place. As you will see below, dozens of highly decorated military leaders have been dismissed from their positions over the past few years. So why is this happening? What is going on right now is absolutely crazy especially during a time of peace. Is there a deliberate attempt to reshape the military and remove those who don’t adhere to the proper ‘viewpoints’ ? Does someone out there feel a need to get officers that won’t cooperate out of the way?
Throughout world history, whatever comes next after a military purge is never good.
If this continues, what is the U.S. military going to look like in a few years?
Perhaps you are reading this and you think that ‘purge’ is too strong a word for what is taking place. Well, justconsider the following quotes from some very highly decorated retired officers:
-Retired Army Major General Paul Vallely:The White House protects their own.That’s why they stalled on the investigation into fast and furious, Benghazi and Obamacare.He’s intentionally weakening and gutting our military, Pentagon and reducing us as a superpower, and anyone in the ranks who disagrees or speaks out is being purged.
————————————————————————
There’s pages more from this comment, and the list is as of 2014 … did the Commie Leftists make ONE COMMENT about even ONE of these people?
Obviously Gallagher is a SHINY BALL meant to distract………………..

ozzytrumpster

Can they be invited back?

Katie

How many times has President Trump talked about our “severely depleted” military when he took over.
Think of the talent that was lost. It’s my hope that some of these military leaders are assisting behind the scenes with Q’s “Plan”.

phoenixrising37

That would be wonderful Katie….

jamcooker

We had a draft system that was abused by the Viet Nam war. Abused how? Instead of calling up reserves, they upped the draft. in my opinion this is a damning paper about Johnson and his policies about the draft.
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a531975.pdf
My hubbie’s term of enlistment was over before the Vietnam war was officially engaged. He was approached by Air America to fly for them, but decided that he could end up being the richest man in the cemetery and chose instead to become a reservist. He hoped that the reserves would be called up, as they SHOULD have been, but that didn’t happen.
So, there were a lot of good patriotic people that were killed in that “war”, and there was a 2 pronged effect there. Hatred of the draft, and killing a lot of good men that should have never happened, a gutting so to speak of future leaders.
IMO, this is another aspect that has drastically affected our military.

Gail Combs

The Draft was an Excellent way to wipe out Alpha-males. My Ex was well connected to the DNC and his draft papers were ‘lost’ until one week AFTER the last troops were sent to ‘Nam. I wonder how many more well connected sons had their papers lost or were sent to ‘safe’ positions?

Wolf Moon | Threat to Demonocracy

SWAMP MILITARY IS STILL SWAMP. CLEAN IT OUT.

Sue Mcdonald

I thought I would drop this here,excellent put together on the deep state. It was quite enlightening .
http://stateofthenation2012.com/?p=67314

Sue Mcdonald

Your welcome Daughn,I figure the more info we have the better .And we can better understand where all of this has started.

Sue Mcdonald

Thats what i love about our Qtree! We share and become aware!

Wolf Moon | Threat to Demonocracy

Very important to GO BACK TO IKE.
Thanks to Rodney for asking me about my obscure reference to IKE on Flep’s thread. I feel that we need to REMIND OURSELVES about what Ike warned us about – the Military-Industrial Complex and the Science-Bureaucracy Complex.

TEXT version:
https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/eisenhower001.asp
In my opinion, TRUMP is the only President who has been able to do what Reagan could not – to patriotically and smartly support our REAL MILITARY and REAL SCIENCE (professional, front-line, working soldiers and scientists) while reining in the ever-threatening corruption caused by GOVERNMENT ITSELF.
Ike warned about both THOUSAND DOLLAR HAMMERS and THE CLIMATE HOAX.
Trump is uniquely qualified to carry out Ike’s mission call!

Cuppa Covfefe

Great video. Ike was painted to be a boring, lackluster leader, but he was nothing of the sort (the DEMONicRATS were lying even back then). In a way it’s sad that his wonderful speech about the Military-Industrial Complex overshadows the Science-Bureaucraxy Complex portion.
That latter part we’d probably refer to today as “Scientism” (familiar to readers of Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy ff), where science is idolized and bearers of the “sacred and secret tenets of science” are held above all others in overwhelming “respect” and deference. A good example of this would be the CAGW craze, where “the science is settled”. NOT. The primary characteristic of science is that it’s NEVER settled.
Looking back at the steam versus electric technology on carriers: I wonder if there is some side-effect or ancillary benefit that the soy-boys designing the new stuff overlooked, or simply didn’t understand, that the folks from the “good old days” did? A great example of that here is LED traffic lights in places where it snows a lot (or even just moderately). The old incandescants generated enough heat to melt the snow off; the LEDs get clogged up, often within hours. The solution to this is to install heading elements, which take up more power than the incandescants did… so the greens fail yet again…
Romans 1:22:

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Wolf Moon | Threat to Demonocracy

Great thoughts!!!

jamcooker

Well, was just looking at his wiki page. Just started reading, and this showed up. “During his time on the Defense Business Board, he proposed shutting down domestic military commissaries in favor of negotiated military discounts at public retailers.” Boom, light bulbs. I heard ALL about this issue from a close relative. Relative listed all the negatives – and there were a lot.
Bottom line he’s a bean counter that can’t really count and can’t look any further than the end of his nose or personal wallet.

Gail Combs

Sorry, but who is the ‘he’ you refer to Ike?

jamcooker

Robert V. Spencer. I guess I should have made a reference, but since he’s the main topic, I figured I didn’t need to. Since there’s been a lot of others linked, I now realize it would have been helpful to do so.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_V._Spencer
The comment is under Career heading and is the last sentence in the short paragraph..

Gail Combs

“…Bottom line he’s a bean counter that can’t really count and can’t look any further than the end of his nose or personal wallet.”
We call that HAAaaaavard Business schooled since, having lived in Boston Ma, we watch company after company get ruined by these Asshats.

kalbokalbs

Another view. Retired Navy 22 years. Stationed San Diego, Alameda, Orlando, Indian Head, Japan twice, Philippines twice and Singapore. Below, my experience and opinion.
Commissaries (super markets) overseas and remote locations make sense. Absolutely necessary.
Within CONUS – 48 states in major markets, nope. Waste they are. Over priced they are. Shop at Walmart, COSTCO, wherever. Commissaries are NOT a bargain when commercial stores are readily available.

jamcooker

If I recall, his arguments had more to do with maintaining good supplies for military personnel without having to rely on civilian suppliers. I’ll be seeing him next month sometime, so will inquire.

kalbokalbs

Hmmm. Looking forward to thoughts you may learn next month.
Everything I have seen, commissaries are stocked with same food items found at Walmart or any supermarket.
There are a few items like MREs in commissaries. NOT hot sellers and very expensive. BUT, if the military needed them the MREs, they would NOT be in the commissaries.
Am looking forward to information you gain. Thanks.

kalbokalbs

Throughout my Navy career, I embraced the commissary. Admittedly, most of those years are overseas. Commissaries a real lifeline for military.
After retiring and looking at both prices and breadth of selection in commercial stores, the latter is the answer for consumers, including military.
Possibly “new” since your Dad was in the Corps, the commissaries now have a “surcharge” (I call it a tax), on EVERY item purchased, including their primary line, food.
The surcharge is six or seven percent. Goes to pay for displays, freezers…
Don’t really intend to beat up on commissaries as commissaries have a vital role overseas and remote locations. Still need, just not where big cities and bases are co located. Me thinks.

ozzytrumpster

Our fav member of the military
President Donald Trump honors Conan the hero dog that helped corner al-Baghdadi as the ‘ultimate fighter’ at White House Rose Garden ceremony – but pooch takes immediate shine to Mike Pence
Trump appeared with Conan the hero dog
The timing of the surprise appearance was kept under wraps
First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were there, along with the dog’s handler
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7724073/Donald-Trump-honors-Conan-hero-dog-helped-corner-al-Baghdadi-Rose-Garden-ceremony.html

ozzytrumpster

Hmm. I can see the dog thinking I’m here for a reward? No body’s talking to me ! There’s no food! Oh wait …this nice older dude patting me. He my fav.

Barb Meier

Conan could smell that VP Pence has pets too and that’s why he took a quick shine to our kind Christian VP.

ozzytrumpster

Plus Potus had his back to her and lotus was well away.
Just possibly Conan is not a house dog

jamcooker

I’ve been around trained guard dogs. I think It’s more a case of VP Pence reminded Conan of someone she knows or knew. Trained guard dogs don’t trust easily and she was wanting reassurance from Pence, more so than from the handler. BTW, the handler was very obviously military, wearing civvies.

Gudthots

The handler was most likely not her usual handler because they don’t want any of the team to risk public exposure. And obviously Conan was getting reassurance from Pence.

scott467

“He’s really mad about the 900 million dollar screw up on the new USS Gerald Ford over the electric catapult system replacing the steam system which was prevalent on other carriers. The new system has bugs in it and has been a disaster.”
_______________
Once again, a simple high school or college course titled “Don’t FIX S%$# that Ain’t Broke!” would have saved a billion dollars.
Just imagine how much legitimate education a billion dollars could buy, if only there was someone legitimate to teach it.

Gail Combs

Scott did you read Spencer’s bio?
He was ONLY a Marine Aviator from 1976 to 1981 (five years) and only made it to captain.
Then he went to Wall Street for 15 years, holding positions at Goldman Sachs, Bear Stearns, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, A. G. Becker, Paine Webber and Merrill Lynch. Then he was an Obama Suck-up on a board of advisors for Oh!Bummer’s entire term.
My Ex had an Army Aviator promoted to Captain when he was a 2nd Lt. He and the Sergeants would not let him out of the building he was such a disaster. He had NO experience in command only in flying. (It was all done politely of course by asking him questions and he was smart enough to realize he was a drowning man thrown a life jacket.)
This guy is the same. NO REAL experience commanding troops in combat BUT he doesn’t have the good sense that Army Captain had.
Rank is 2nd Lt == in 2 yrs ==> 1st Lt ==> Captain
>>>>>>>>>>>>
I have ZERO idea of how the heck this light weight rose to Sec. of the Navy. To me he is COMPLETELY Unqualified. Heck he has not even commanded a ship as a Navy captain would have!!!

jamcooker

My thoughts exactly.

jamcooker

I just wonder if he wasn’t there to out more moles since he was so obviously not suited for the position.
He must have come “highly” recommended……../S

Wolf Moon | Threat to Demonocracy

SNIFF, SNIFF – SAY, I SMELL OBAMA – SNIFF, SNIFF

jamcooker

Lol! It’s his minions that are trying oh so hard to hide! It’s like Trump is plugging some of their exits and filling their hidey holes with exhaust fumes!

scott467

“On the charge of “Taking a photo with dead ISIS member”
Is it a HUGE problem with the charge of “photo being taken with a dead ISIS fighter”.
______________
People who rape for their religion, cut the heads off of prisoners and burn people alive in cages forfeit any right to be called human.
Or treated like a human.
.
“Does it rise to the level of a war crime?”
______________
Posing for a picture with an animal?
Hardly.
I just don’t know why anybody would want to.
Put the body in a barrel of acid and move on.

Gudthots

So grateful you created this post Daughn.
Especially glad for the video link.
Could not find using online search tools.

cthulhu

I’ve got to tell you guys, the spin that they’re trying to put on this on NPR is absolutely unreal.
1. Trump should leave the military to doing military stuff (ummmm…..Constitution? CiC?)
2. This is a crisis! (Well, yes…..I’d say so. It’s a crisis of out-of-control military brass thinking they run the US.)
3. It is very unusual for a POTUS to involve himself with individual members — he should limit himself to DADT and other such matters.
4. The military was handling this just fine. It should be left to play out. (Not when the process is the punishment.)
It’s very reminiscent of Scott Adams’ “one screen, two movies” — but one’s a drama and the other’s a farce.

Wolf Moon | Threat to Demonocracy

Democrat Fake News for Democrats. No concerns here. Trump is doing GREAT.

scott467

“I’ve got to tell you guys, the spin that they’re trying to put on this on NPR is absolutely unreal.”
_______________
No more ‘unreal’ that their core audience.
They all live in the same fantasy world of tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
If they ever do wake up, I hope it hurts.
It would serve them right for the harm their narcissistic, self-indulgent idiocy has done to our country.

scott467

correction: “No more ‘unreal’ THAN their core audience.”

ozzytrumpster

I think Potus has flushed out a rats nest of deep state and by bitch slapping them so hard he’s sending a message to both deep state and the true patriots.

Cuppa Covfefe

I think he’s also exposed the fact that some of the military justice system (at least the Navy’s, who run Gitmo) have problems, perhaps major problems. And by flushing those out, and correcting them before the tribunals start, the system will be honest and ethical; clean, in other words.
Goodness knows how much crap Øblowhole “installed” in the military… we’ve been mostly concerned with gubmint bureaucracy, but the military apparently has a raft of the same issues… And it probably started before Obungy, but he made it far, FAR worse…

ozzytrumpster

Don’t forget Whitby island. Some serious animus did that

para59r

Late to the party. The Navy couldn’t prove their case against Gallagher. Officer ego’s got bent. Going after the Trident is vindictive. The board would of been composed of just officers, not peers. Officers for the most part are motivated by politics the father you go up the chain. Taking a photo with dead ISIS seriously? Sounds like a good kodak moment. No different than any other memory, one that he’ll often be praised for even if the photo’s were not taken. The only offense here has been dealt with by the CINC. Good order and discipline is maintained thanks to POTUS. Green needs to go as well.

Gudthots

The injustice is that there were over 10 more guys in the photo but he was singled out.

cthulhu

NPR is trying to say that he was the highest ranking individual in the shot, so he had a special responsibility to keep it from happening.
Like, loss of rank, qualifications, time in the brig, legal fees, charged with murder, and years of persecution “responsibility”.
Just like everyone pulled over for 56 in a 55 zone deserves a bullet to the back of their skull, because anything less would demean the authority of the traffic cop.
These schmuck JAGs — who, BTW, planted malware on the defense to leak info — tried to find him guilty of murder. When he was acquitted, they’re still trying to penalize him for murder even though he was only found guilty of being in a picture. NPR and TPTB can get stuffed. Our Lion making things right.

cthulhu

A nice article from someone who seems to “get it”: https://pjmedia.com/trending/breaking-as-of-november-25th-2019-donald-trump-is-president/
Money quote:
“Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer had proposed to President Trump that he would ensure that CPO Edward Gallagher could retire with his SEAL Trident if Trump would allow the board to meet, even though it would almost certainly rule Gallagher should lose it.
Now, just in passing, this implies that Spencer really does think Trump is an idiot: should the board meet, recommend removing Gallagher from the SEALs, and then be countermanded by Trump, it would guarantee that there would be another week of political backbiting, and Spencer thought Trump would fall for it.
Maybe even more to the point, however, is that Spencer did it over the head of the Secretary of Defense.
Apparently, Trump’s response was “I said no,” after which the SecDef told Spencer that he’d lost confidence and that clearing his desk was the appropriate next step.”

para59r

Late again, back from a walk but did want to leave one more thing.
Imagine if you will a staff meeting of military officials, high ranking officers in Russia, China, Iran or even some tin horned dictatorship in South America or Africa wondering if they can take advantage of one situation or the other perhaps a bit worried about the American’s might do or such and some intel officer starts to brief the room about Eddie Gallagher the Navy Seal and his supposed war atrocities. The reaction in the room would likely be a few eye rolls, time checks to the wrist or the wall, a yawn or two, but then the intel officer adds the next. The President’s reaction has caused dissension in the highest levels of the chain of command at which you can be assured some backs would straighten, focus would clear and little cogs in the heads of the staff would begin to turn.
To any these admirals and their lackeys who don’t understand that POTUS is loosening the chain on the dogs of war and whom can’t find a way to add that to the box of tricks there allowed in giving defense to this nation, I’d say they’ve lost touch with their warrior ethos and resemble more robotrons and dullards caught up in their own minutia as opposed to being beady eyed warriors ever vigilant and ready to pounce on threats to our way of existence and thus good riddance to them.

ladypenquin

Since Vindman’s still being in the NSC/White House was discussed upthread. Cates makes an interesting point regarding Sidney Powell getting important exculpatory evidence before Horowitz releases his report. The reason being – Flynn’s final adjudication in court is upcoming, so there was a time issue. The thread is very good.

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1199208105835474945.html