Crazy thing: I’ve been in the US Navy for over 23 years (joined at 17, now am an Officer) and every time I got promoted we reaffirmed our oath to the Constitution. We never took an oath to a person. The abject cowardice displayed by so many people is gobsmacking. Fear of their constituents is not reason enough to not do the right thing. …
Crazy thing: I’ve been in the US Navy for over 23 years (joined at 17, now am an Officer) and every time I got promoted we reaffirmed our oath to the Constitution. We never took an oath to a person. The abject cowardice displayed by so many people is gobsmacking. Fear of their constituents is not reason enough to not do the right thing. I’ve been in situations plenty of times where the stakes were personally high but I still did my duty instead of taking the easy, cowardly way out. That way usually only leads to more problems down the line anyway. I cannot understand these pusillanimous “men.”
And yet, inexplicably to me, Trump has a lot of support in the armed forces. Assuming Trump does NOT win, these bizarre years of mass mental illness will be studied extensively in the future. If Trump DOES win, there will be no historical analysis allowed, except that approved on high, such as how much happier women are without the burden of personal rights.
I wouldn’t even go that far. Contrary to what might be thought in the civilian world (not that y’all would need to know this) education and understanding of domestic and foreign events and their context in history, why the US is the way it is, the ideals as put forth by the Founders, and where the military falls in terms of levers of the US government for (particularly) foreign policy is drummed into our heads from day one. What that means is: choices have consequences, understanding the bigger picture and being able to look past our noses and have situational awareness is critical. Thus, most active and veterans are aware of what’s going on. We also vote mostly by mail, which could be part of why MAGA hates it so much. Also, we don’t like being referred to as suckers or losers.
It causes me great anguish to know that a good portion of hubby’s USNA classmates are attached in word, deed and money to MAGA, tffg, Heritage foundation and are committed to the notion that the enemy is the democrats. Many of them used to be dear friends. I will never understand.
In my opinion, we cannot discount the fact that Fox “News” plays 24/7 in most military facilities, to explain the military tilt to the right. Why didn’t we rebroadcast Tokyo Rose during WW2? Basically the same thing. The U.S. seems to have a death wish at present.
I think part of the problem is narcissism. If these "pusillanimous men" were honest with themselves, they'd recognize that Trump has brought nothing but destruction to the Republican Party and to our nation. The problem is if they made that conclusion, then they'd have to admit they were wrong about a bunch of things. For certain type of men, admitting error can be a narcissistic injury.
Is it really about admitting they were wrong, or having to admit that they went along to keep and gain power, and when it kept going further and further and far more dangerous, they would have to admit they put power over country? And some of them, I'm sure, are still doing that...
That's a fair observation. What I believe is most of these guys hate Trump but also fear their voters. If we're to believe Mitt Romney's observations about the Senate -- it's like high school and all senators care about is holding onto their office -- then your observation is probably correct. See Mike Lee, Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott, Tim Scott, etc.
For some I’m sure. But I’m still trying to understand how obsequious behavior toward Trump endears them to their base. Aren’t these supposed to be strong men? I would think that sort of behavior emasculates them in the eyes of their base, which I’d think would be off-putting. Then again I cannot understand a lot of the MAGA movement, so perhaps the fault is on me for lack of understanding.
It’s like I say to plenty of my peers, superiors, and subordinates: if we didn’t have integrity, we’d have nothing.
I can’t understand it either. I never would have suspected so many, especially former military, to abandon their oath to the Constitution. To me it would be unthinkable, unimaginable.
I've wondered for years how a guy who can't bear being seen as weak can at the same time spend so much time complaining about being a victim. The whole "I've been treated unfairly" thing reeks of weakness to me. Maybe I'm just insufficiently narcissistic to get it.
Crazy thing: I’ve been in the US Navy for over 23 years (joined at 17, now am an Officer) and every time I got promoted we reaffirmed our oath to the Constitution. We never took an oath to a person. The abject cowardice displayed by so many people is gobsmacking. Fear of their constituents is not reason enough to not do the right thing. I’ve been in situations plenty of times where the stakes were personally high but I still did my duty instead of taking the easy, cowardly way out. That way usually only leads to more problems down the line anyway. I cannot understand these pusillanimous “men.”
Thank you for your service and for having your head on straight.
And yet, inexplicably to me, Trump has a lot of support in the armed forces. Assuming Trump does NOT win, these bizarre years of mass mental illness will be studied extensively in the future. If Trump DOES win, there will be no historical analysis allowed, except that approved on high, such as how much happier women are without the burden of personal rights.
Not as much as you would think…
Not as much as I would like.
Yeah, I've heard Trump has the veteran vote, but not the active military vote.
I wouldn’t even go that far. Contrary to what might be thought in the civilian world (not that y’all would need to know this) education and understanding of domestic and foreign events and their context in history, why the US is the way it is, the ideals as put forth by the Founders, and where the military falls in terms of levers of the US government for (particularly) foreign policy is drummed into our heads from day one. What that means is: choices have consequences, understanding the bigger picture and being able to look past our noses and have situational awareness is critical. Thus, most active and veterans are aware of what’s going on. We also vote mostly by mail, which could be part of why MAGA hates it so much. Also, we don’t like being referred to as suckers or losers.
It causes me great anguish to know that a good portion of hubby’s USNA classmates are attached in word, deed and money to MAGA, tffg, Heritage foundation and are committed to the notion that the enemy is the democrats. Many of them used to be dear friends. I will never understand.
I’m sure. We’re not a monolith, after all.
In my opinion, we cannot discount the fact that Fox “News” plays 24/7 in most military facilities, to explain the military tilt to the right. Why didn’t we rebroadcast Tokyo Rose during WW2? Basically the same thing. The U.S. seems to have a death wish at present.
True, but so are all news channels (except the completely looney ones like OAN or newsmax)
My son took that same oath when he joined the Navy during Desert Storm, and he considers that oath binding for life, for all circumstances.
I believe a majority of us veterans do. Unfortunately those who don't are the most vocal.
Does Mr. Draft Dodger really have the gall to say ANYTHING about anything?
I will never ever understand that. My oath was forever.
Thank you for your service, Brent.
I think part of the problem is narcissism. If these "pusillanimous men" were honest with themselves, they'd recognize that Trump has brought nothing but destruction to the Republican Party and to our nation. The problem is if they made that conclusion, then they'd have to admit they were wrong about a bunch of things. For certain type of men, admitting error can be a narcissistic injury.
I believe, politicians are naturally narcissistic.
Why does it have to be just men? Susan Collins would like to have a word with you.
Is it really about admitting they were wrong, or having to admit that they went along to keep and gain power, and when it kept going further and further and far more dangerous, they would have to admit they put power over country? And some of them, I'm sure, are still doing that...
That's a fair observation. What I believe is most of these guys hate Trump but also fear their voters. If we're to believe Mitt Romney's observations about the Senate -- it's like high school and all senators care about is holding onto their office -- then your observation is probably correct. See Mike Lee, Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott, Tim Scott, etc.
For some I’m sure. But I’m still trying to understand how obsequious behavior toward Trump endears them to their base. Aren’t these supposed to be strong men? I would think that sort of behavior emasculates them in the eyes of their base, which I’d think would be off-putting. Then again I cannot understand a lot of the MAGA movement, so perhaps the fault is on me for lack of understanding.
It’s like I say to plenty of my peers, superiors, and subordinates: if we didn’t have integrity, we’d have nothing.
I can’t understand it either. I never would have suspected so many, especially former military, to abandon their oath to the Constitution. To me it would be unthinkable, unimaginable.
I've wondered for years how a guy who can't bear being seen as weak can at the same time spend so much time complaining about being a victim. The whole "I've been treated unfairly" thing reeks of weakness to me. Maybe I'm just insufficiently narcissistic to get it.
It's not a lack of understanding you suffer from, it's their lack of acting in a rational, or at least normal manner.