I don’t draw the same conclusions from my observations. So much to unpack:
1. Harris is a 60 year old professional woman. Like all of us, she has undoubtedly been told ALL HER LIFE like the drip drip drip of Chinese water torture that she was too soft, too quiet, too emotional, too sympathetic, not tough enough, not bold enough, etc. And when she WAS tough, she was undoubtedly told she was too harsh, too aggressive, too shrill, etc. I don’t worry that she is going to kowtow to the military, because I know this game. Unlike male candidates of a certain age, she has to show that she can function like they do in the toxic environment of male dominated military leadership, as the Commander in Chief of the most powerful nation on earth. The generals are partly window dressing for the old misogynists in the crowd who will be voting. Trust me.
2. I have unfortunately had to deal with high level military commanders and they are some of the most politically astute, arrogant SOBs you could ever meet, and they are EXPERTS at CYA efforts. I have no doubt that Milley, Mattie and his ilk were unprepared for the utter fecklessness, lack of discipline and complete disregard for law/custom/human decency they encountered in Trump. By the time they wised up and realized he’d take the whole enchilada down with him (including their pensions and careers) they likely believed that they were uniquely positioned to prevent some of the carnage, so they stayed. Until they couldn’t control him. Then, in a mixture of awareness (when the denial bubble burst) and self interest, they walked. This makes more sense than what you propose: that these guys are so emotionally unhinged that they throw tantrums and quit when the Prez doesn’t do whatever they tell him to do. I don’t worship soldiers, but I acknowledge the amount of combined effort, self control and strategy that goes into their functioning and performance of duty.
3. Despite your characterizations, when I read the Harris quote, I noticed that she doesn’t elevate the generals over others in importance or stature. What she is referring to is the fact that they were privy to classified info and had access to the President in unguarded moments of critical decision making. This is priceless intel that was available to only a small group. The fact that they are willing to come out and make these statements after what they experienced, to prevent the complete destruction of democratic norms and processes in a 2nd term, is significant for that reason. They know what Trump is, how he makes decisions and what he envisions for the future. He asked them why he couldn’t just call out the National Guard to go shoot protestors, remember?
4. Which brings me to the most important point: I agree that civilian control of the military is essential. However, I do not see any threat to that in Harris. The Trump presidency was anomalous and enlightening. He did us a great service in showing us where the cracks in our foundations need patching to prevent another wanna be dictator from attempting to hijack our Constitution and the spirit of our nation. But he is a threat to order and freedom - why? Because of his shaky, shady financial ties, his cult of MAGA fanatics, his lifelong abuse of the justice system, his alliances with and admiration of autocrats and oligarchs, his use of extortion, fraud and gang style management of every criminal enterprise (and some legit ones) that he has ever led. Basically, because he operates like Tony Soprano. All the zealots and grifters have propped him up with a structure and a vetted list of 5k loyal stooges to take over on Day 1 to enact his horror show of priorities here. So he may be incapable and incompetent, but his Oval Office Round 2 Team is not and they have had time to regroup. That in itself is good reason to temporarily suspend (yes, I know what that sounds like) some concerns about pre-election puffing and generals making negative reports about a candidate who is determined to end the American experiment in favor of anointing himself king for life (followed by the nightmare of a fundamentalist theocracy led by Shady Vance, for the pale male landed gentry only).
“ That in itself is good reason to temporarily suspend (yes, I know what that sounds like) some concerns about pre-election puffing and generals making negative reports…”. I disagree. Good reason to vote for Harris, but there’s no need to soft-pedal concerns about the power of the military-industrial complex and, at this moment, especially the military portion of that. There were few things the writers of the Constitution feared and despised more than a powerful standing military, and for sound causes. There’s no more reason to give these men an opening to have a voice in our politics than there is to give Never Trumpers a voice in Harris campaign and policy decisions.
You make a solid point, and I do appreciate the slippery-ness of this slope. Agreed that we cannot relinquish all concerns. I’m suggesting that the unique threat posed by Trump has spurred military commanders to step outside of their conventional restrictions to prevent the complete destruction of governing norms, and that while we should remain vigilant, it’s not as much a cause for alarm as we would typically experience when viewed in context. Of course I could be overly optimistic. The real solution lies keeping our engagement levels up. Thanks for your comment.
Condemnations of Trump by his former generals and natsec people have been ardently embraced by Harris to my dismay (and disgust). My initial reaction every time a new one pops up is, “Where the hell have you been for the last x years? Why now?”. The same people who decry election interference from [insert country du jour] have no issue with election interference from the U.S. military?
I also laugh sardonically at the Dems latest scare tactic. “Trump wants Hitler-style generals. He’s a fascist.” Have these folks paid no attention to Israel and the IDF in the past year?
Thank you for confirming what I was thinking. In my 81 years on this earth, I’ve never been faced with two worse major party candidates in a presidential race. Neither has earned my vote.
Trump booting war hungry psychos John Bolton and Victoria Nuland from the adminstration was one of the best foreign policy decisions any President has made in decades.
Bravo. Thank you for reminding us of US military's restricted role. Those generals are such egomaniacs. The last sentence- "But most importantly, no more reverence for the generals, who can win no wars, provide no peace, and who gorge themselves like ticks on the private sector and now on our politics."- PRICELESS!
Ken, I sense when you're writing an essay those imaginative juices are percolating. As you approach the conclusion you're fired up and BANG! POW! Priceless phrases. Loved: "who gorge themselves like ticks" WOW!
And when Trump installs his own generals whom he then unleashes on his political enemies I’ll be interested to read your commentary then. As for the people saying Harris has no right to critique the fascism of Trump because of the fascism of Israel - the Dem support of Israel is horrible. Horrific. Trump will be worse. We will then have two fascists. Voting is harm reduction, not virtue signaling. Harris will do things to cut child poverty and help real people help their families without going broke. People voting for Stein or West are voting for Trump. As I said , please unsubscribe me. I feel physically ill.
Can you share how Trump will actually install his own generals then unleash them on his political enemies? This sounds like a completely implausible scare tactic to me, but I’m no expert on how the military works.
This is a horrible take. Please unsubscribe me immediately. I wish I hadn’t given you money. This is an example of the far left circling around to embrace the far right.
Some months ago, I said to a friend, that it's not only Trump who may not accept the results of the next election. I could well see the Democrats doing what Trump tried, and failed to do. Maybe she's getting her military ducks in a row? Thanks for this report, and analysis of this military, over-stepping of the constitutional boundaries.
(Just to make it clear, I did not vote for either of the two Uniparty candidates.)
So many former high ranking military go on to sit on boards for think-tanks and defense industry and middle-east advisory committees. And the only thing I see them pushing is war war war. Because $ $ $.
I am sickened at the moment by the proposal that appears to be accepted by the US of using MERCENARIES controlled by an ISRAELI firm to divide and control the people of Gaza in tiny unconnected living areas, if they are ever allowed to rebuild. USA has already sent 1,000 people from an agency. Please look into this.
Also if you check the credential of the experts of these middle-east “experts” that they bring on media to interview regarding middle-east wars, and if you check the credentials of the people at these think tanks - you will find they are extremely in heavy Israeli/jewish backgrounds. I DO NOT have a problem with Jewish people. I love that many are trying to stand up for the people of Gaza (their counterparts can’t call them antisemites, so they call them self-hating Jews for not toeing the Zionist line). But I have a problem with extremely biased people in high positions of government or advisory committees who are guiding the USA down a dangerous and unsustainable path to further their empire goals of “Greater Israel”. This has been brewing for 50+ years and we are seeing the long term plan play out in front of our eyes. And rather than stop this killing, the USA is funding it.
You have to ask, why did the USA have to provide $3B in aid annually to Israel? Because I checked the Forbes list of Jewish billionaires and looked like there was more than enough money there to fund their goals for years past and many years to come. Why do my tax dollars have to fund their free healthcare, college tuition assistance, and bombs to kill civilians?
Thank you for reminding me that the military is civilian controlled. Too many people have the wrong kind of respect for certain Generals that have never fought one single battle. It took me a really, really long time (too long) to understand the disdain certain military brass have for certain leaders. The fact is there has been a play in place for a long time to nation build and make America the GLOBAL leader of the world. These leaders, national security, CIA, and even FBI don't regard us as citizens of this nation. Everything is global now. It's why you see powers reserved for foreign countries (spying, censorship, classifying everyone as a domestic terrorist) turned towards our own citizens now. 51 former intelligence officers urged by Blinken, anyone? The soldiers do not feel the way the careerists feel. There are people in these agencies who feel they control the world. And, if you get in the way of their wars or plans, they are coming. Of course, they hate Trump. No new wars when war is their business? Fk em.
I don’t draw the same conclusions from my observations. So much to unpack:
1. Harris is a 60 year old professional woman. Like all of us, she has undoubtedly been told ALL HER LIFE like the drip drip drip of Chinese water torture that she was too soft, too quiet, too emotional, too sympathetic, not tough enough, not bold enough, etc. And when she WAS tough, she was undoubtedly told she was too harsh, too aggressive, too shrill, etc. I don’t worry that she is going to kowtow to the military, because I know this game. Unlike male candidates of a certain age, she has to show that she can function like they do in the toxic environment of male dominated military leadership, as the Commander in Chief of the most powerful nation on earth. The generals are partly window dressing for the old misogynists in the crowd who will be voting. Trust me.
2. I have unfortunately had to deal with high level military commanders and they are some of the most politically astute, arrogant SOBs you could ever meet, and they are EXPERTS at CYA efforts. I have no doubt that Milley, Mattie and his ilk were unprepared for the utter fecklessness, lack of discipline and complete disregard for law/custom/human decency they encountered in Trump. By the time they wised up and realized he’d take the whole enchilada down with him (including their pensions and careers) they likely believed that they were uniquely positioned to prevent some of the carnage, so they stayed. Until they couldn’t control him. Then, in a mixture of awareness (when the denial bubble burst) and self interest, they walked. This makes more sense than what you propose: that these guys are so emotionally unhinged that they throw tantrums and quit when the Prez doesn’t do whatever they tell him to do. I don’t worship soldiers, but I acknowledge the amount of combined effort, self control and strategy that goes into their functioning and performance of duty.
3. Despite your characterizations, when I read the Harris quote, I noticed that she doesn’t elevate the generals over others in importance or stature. What she is referring to is the fact that they were privy to classified info and had access to the President in unguarded moments of critical decision making. This is priceless intel that was available to only a small group. The fact that they are willing to come out and make these statements after what they experienced, to prevent the complete destruction of democratic norms and processes in a 2nd term, is significant for that reason. They know what Trump is, how he makes decisions and what he envisions for the future. He asked them why he couldn’t just call out the National Guard to go shoot protestors, remember?
4. Which brings me to the most important point: I agree that civilian control of the military is essential. However, I do not see any threat to that in Harris. The Trump presidency was anomalous and enlightening. He did us a great service in showing us where the cracks in our foundations need patching to prevent another wanna be dictator from attempting to hijack our Constitution and the spirit of our nation. But he is a threat to order and freedom - why? Because of his shaky, shady financial ties, his cult of MAGA fanatics, his lifelong abuse of the justice system, his alliances with and admiration of autocrats and oligarchs, his use of extortion, fraud and gang style management of every criminal enterprise (and some legit ones) that he has ever led. Basically, because he operates like Tony Soprano. All the zealots and grifters have propped him up with a structure and a vetted list of 5k loyal stooges to take over on Day 1 to enact his horror show of priorities here. So he may be incapable and incompetent, but his Oval Office Round 2 Team is not and they have had time to regroup. That in itself is good reason to temporarily suspend (yes, I know what that sounds like) some concerns about pre-election puffing and generals making negative reports about a candidate who is determined to end the American experiment in favor of anointing himself king for life (followed by the nightmare of a fundamentalist theocracy led by Shady Vance, for the pale male landed gentry only).
Ok that’s just my initial thoughts, enjoy.
“ That in itself is good reason to temporarily suspend (yes, I know what that sounds like) some concerns about pre-election puffing and generals making negative reports…”. I disagree. Good reason to vote for Harris, but there’s no need to soft-pedal concerns about the power of the military-industrial complex and, at this moment, especially the military portion of that. There were few things the writers of the Constitution feared and despised more than a powerful standing military, and for sound causes. There’s no more reason to give these men an opening to have a voice in our politics than there is to give Never Trumpers a voice in Harris campaign and policy decisions.
You make a solid point, and I do appreciate the slippery-ness of this slope. Agreed that we cannot relinquish all concerns. I’m suggesting that the unique threat posed by Trump has spurred military commanders to step outside of their conventional restrictions to prevent the complete destruction of governing norms, and that while we should remain vigilant, it’s not as much a cause for alarm as we would typically experience when viewed in context. Of course I could be overly optimistic. The real solution lies keeping our engagement levels up. Thanks for your comment.
Condemnations of Trump by his former generals and natsec people have been ardently embraced by Harris to my dismay (and disgust). My initial reaction every time a new one pops up is, “Where the hell have you been for the last x years? Why now?”. The same people who decry election interference from [insert country du jour] have no issue with election interference from the U.S. military?
I also laugh sardonically at the Dems latest scare tactic. “Trump wants Hitler-style generals. He’s a fascist.” Have these folks paid no attention to Israel and the IDF in the past year?
Thank you for confirming what I was thinking. In my 81 years on this earth, I’ve never been faced with two worse major party candidates in a presidential race. Neither has earned my vote.
Trump booting war hungry psychos John Bolton and Victoria Nuland from the adminstration was one of the best foreign policy decisions any President has made in decades.
Bravo. Thank you for reminding us of US military's restricted role. Those generals are such egomaniacs. The last sentence- "But most importantly, no more reverence for the generals, who can win no wars, provide no peace, and who gorge themselves like ticks on the private sector and now on our politics."- PRICELESS!
Ken, I sense when you're writing an essay those imaginative juices are percolating. As you approach the conclusion you're fired up and BANG! POW! Priceless phrases. Loved: "who gorge themselves like ticks" WOW!
And when Trump installs his own generals whom he then unleashes on his political enemies I’ll be interested to read your commentary then. As for the people saying Harris has no right to critique the fascism of Trump because of the fascism of Israel - the Dem support of Israel is horrible. Horrific. Trump will be worse. We will then have two fascists. Voting is harm reduction, not virtue signaling. Harris will do things to cut child poverty and help real people help their families without going broke. People voting for Stein or West are voting for Trump. As I said , please unsubscribe me. I feel physically ill.
Can you share how Trump will actually install his own generals then unleash them on his political enemies? This sounds like a completely implausible scare tactic to me, but I’m no expert on how the military works.
This is a horrible take. Please unsubscribe me immediately. I wish I hadn’t given you money. This is an example of the far left circling around to embrace the far right.
Meh.
I’m a military mom and could not agree more.
Some months ago, I said to a friend, that it's not only Trump who may not accept the results of the next election. I could well see the Democrats doing what Trump tried, and failed to do. Maybe she's getting her military ducks in a row? Thanks for this report, and analysis of this military, over-stepping of the constitutional boundaries.
(Just to make it clear, I did not vote for either of the two Uniparty candidates.)
“Hold him back” from what? Preventing another disastrous foreign excursion that these generals specialize in losing?
So many former high ranking military go on to sit on boards for think-tanks and defense industry and middle-east advisory committees. And the only thing I see them pushing is war war war. Because $ $ $.
I am sickened at the moment by the proposal that appears to be accepted by the US of using MERCENARIES controlled by an ISRAELI firm to divide and control the people of Gaza in tiny unconnected living areas, if they are ever allowed to rebuild. USA has already sent 1,000 people from an agency. Please look into this.
Also if you check the credential of the experts of these middle-east “experts” that they bring on media to interview regarding middle-east wars, and if you check the credentials of the people at these think tanks - you will find they are extremely in heavy Israeli/jewish backgrounds. I DO NOT have a problem with Jewish people. I love that many are trying to stand up for the people of Gaza (their counterparts can’t call them antisemites, so they call them self-hating Jews for not toeing the Zionist line). But I have a problem with extremely biased people in high positions of government or advisory committees who are guiding the USA down a dangerous and unsustainable path to further their empire goals of “Greater Israel”. This has been brewing for 50+ years and we are seeing the long term plan play out in front of our eyes. And rather than stop this killing, the USA is funding it.
You have to ask, why did the USA have to provide $3B in aid annually to Israel? Because I checked the Forbes list of Jewish billionaires and looked like there was more than enough money there to fund their goals for years past and many years to come. Why do my tax dollars have to fund their free healthcare, college tuition assistance, and bombs to kill civilians?
Thank you for reminding me that the military is civilian controlled. Too many people have the wrong kind of respect for certain Generals that have never fought one single battle. It took me a really, really long time (too long) to understand the disdain certain military brass have for certain leaders. The fact is there has been a play in place for a long time to nation build and make America the GLOBAL leader of the world. These leaders, national security, CIA, and even FBI don't regard us as citizens of this nation. Everything is global now. It's why you see powers reserved for foreign countries (spying, censorship, classifying everyone as a domestic terrorist) turned towards our own citizens now. 51 former intelligence officers urged by Blinken, anyone? The soldiers do not feel the way the careerists feel. There are people in these agencies who feel they control the world. And, if you get in the way of their wars or plans, they are coming. Of course, they hate Trump. No new wars when war is their business? Fk em.
Yes . . . well, liberal centrists (if not liberals) . . . .