Thursday, August 23, 2018

Former Chairman of the Joint Chief: 'Keep Your Politics Private, My Fellow Generals and Admirals'

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey testifies before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C., on June 4, 2013. DoD / U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp

Defense One: Keep Your Politics Private, My Fellow Generals and Admirals

We must not compromise our military’s special role in democracy, nor hinder those who come after us.

The relationship between elected leaders and the military is established in the Constitution and built on trust.

As a matter of law, we follow the orders of the duly elected commander-in-chief unless those orders are illegal or immoral. This is our non-negotiable commitment to our fellow citizens. They elect. We support.

From my personal experience across several administrations, the commander-in-chief will value our military advice only if they believe that it is given without political bias or personal agenda.

Generals and admirals are generals and admirals for life. What they say carries the weight of their professional judgment and the credibility of their professional reputation.

Read more ....

WNU Editor:
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey is 100% correct. Elections have consequences, and those in the services must respect the will of the people on who they elected President. I would also include former intel and FBI leaders. Unfortunately .... many former military/intel/and FBI officers have a different point of view, and because of their actions .... even before President Trump was inaugurated as President .... have destroyed this trust.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I fully agree with him.
There's a difference between real traitors and calling someone a traitor for 2 years without evidence. If and only if Trump is found guilty, should the military speak out. If and only if Trump orders something barbaric, or inhumane, the military should speak out. It hasn't happened and there is no evidence. Until then you must work with Trump even if you disagree with him or his policies or how he says things. I'm still a bit shaken (not a snowflake here, read on) by my recent conversation with a late twenties/30 something Democrat. We both had facts and good arguments on our side. The difference was this: within minutes he told me what I'm allowed to say and what not according to his views (and we agreed on 90% of things, but that wasn't enough for him it felt). I'm not American, mind you, so it was twice as offensive to be lectured in what I'm allowed to say. And while I was democratic leaning my entire life, I do not remember a republican ever talking to me that way. I knew and know people in the military on both sides and there's very good, f*ck that, -great- human beings in both parties and throughout America. But these new Democrats are really scary. But so is Maxine Waters and her rhetoric. Intimidating people? All under the coat of AntiTrumpism. That's why I salute this guy, speaking out against this lynch mob and bullying mentality on the left is crucial. America, it feels is at a juncture point. Either the outrage mob led by Waters, Cortez will take over, or freedom for all will prevail. If you cannot accept someone who sees not only negative things about Trump, and cannot accept one fact anymore nor the absence of evidence, then you're the one living in a bubble. The joke Democrats so often made about republicans. You're the ones.

fred said...

sorry, but hardly a convincing argument, based on a chat with one person and then extrapolated to cover all of US politics...I am old enough to recall Nurenburg trials...I am not guilty because I followed orders

Anonymous said...

Lapides,
Your answers.

Anonymous said...

Interesting memory you have there. Able to remember 50+ years ago yet cannot remember what you said yesterday (as per your own words on this blog).

Hans Persson said...

Haha lapides goes for the moral highground with the "order" comment. Jeez....

Anonymous said...

Yeah. .he's the guy who's been calling trump a traitor and putin puppet for 2 years and for 2 years I ask for evidence before calling someone that and applauding lynch and intimidation mobs ripping the country apart. But oh no. Not Mr.Lapides.. he is judge jury and executioner...unless of course it's 4 years in still no evidence. .then he'll switch sides and say he never said these things...one day this, the other that...whatever is convenient to this outrage actor

Anonymous said...

Anon,
Perhaps Mr. Lapides will reply to my gentle inquiries and clear all this up, or perhaps his august personality is too busy.

Anonymous said...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment

fred said...

Can you cite when I called Trump a traitor? of course not. You are a liar
I am amused as the snark from those who have little to say but spend their time with insults, nagging, childish remarks. there is much going on that need attention other than what you say in grade school comments. for example this

A Saudi-led coalition airstrike reportedly just killed more than 20 children — again

Anonymous said...

Lol Fred,
Got that special memory of yours going again. The internet never forgets, that's your specialty. Lying is also your bailiwick, what is strange in that as much as you do it you never get any better.

Unknown said...
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