This essay points out that no one has anything new and true to say at this moment because no one knows where this war is headed.
"I have no clue" would be an honest response.
In late 2015, I was at a small dinner with David Petraeus and everyone at the table was allowed to ask him a question. My question was "If Trump is elected, who will act as the guardrails?" Petraeus paused to think and then said "He won't be elected."
First, great piece. Nice to know the pockets of the experts. I'm skeptical of the whole shebang. I definitely don't believe their nonsense. I hate the opining which never means anything in reality.
Tapper been setting himself for the CNN takeover too. We have been hearing a lot of echos from the past decades, but without the manufactured consent that one would normally do… I dunno… Before the conflict maybe? Can MSM save this I wonder, or have too many people moved on in what and how they consume news?
These TV generals are perfect examples of how the mainstream media have degenerated into pap. None of them had any information. None of them added to what we know about the war on Iran.
Excellent newsletter, and the reason I don’t listen to cable or the news and just read books, some periodicals and newsletters. In all honesty, if I wanted to hear “a glimpse into the obvious,” I’d enjoy listening to myself!
Full disclosure, I do subscribe to the Bulwark, and appreciate their viewpoints; however, I fully understand your point about generals and admirals.
Morever, back in 2002 during the run-up to the Iraq War, I noticed the conflicts of interests between the expert opinions of generals and admirals on cable, versus their roles on board of companies with a lot to gain from perpetual wars. I guess when you spend a lifetime in a hierarchy, taking orders from senior officers and civilian leadership; you end up as being salesmen, not unlike Dear Dear, and instead of selling cheap and gaudy products like Trump, Bibles, watches, and steaks; they just sell wars. Hey, someone has to pay the mortgage!!!!
And honestly, when I think about it, after 9/11, our most prestigious publications were all shilling for the an Iraqi invasion with only a few outlets printing the truth: Shoutout to Knight Ridder, and the Guardian. And as far as the NYT’s is concerned, the publishers pathetic mea culpa after the war speaks for itself!
Furthermore, when put into it’s proper perspective, it’s almost as though Congress’s, and the corporate media’s reaction after 9/11 was a test case for what was yet to come: MAGA:
1. From illegal wiretapping of Americans—Patriot Act.
2. Manufactured wars—with multiple justifications; although packaged professionally.
3. Cronyism/crony-capitalism—Trillions wasted, and hundreds of billions plundered by unscrupulous corporations with fraudulent contracts.
4. Retribution—sought revenge from anyone or media corporations that printed the truth.
Not to mention, being the most powerful administration ever to hold office before Trump. In addition, there were multiple ethical scandals as well as the administration’s —abuse’s of power.
Bottom line, Retired Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler was right when he wrote his book “War is a Racket,” in which he argues “that warfare is a profit-driven enterprise conducted for the benefit of a small "inside" group of bankers and industrialists at the expense of the masses.” And it’s as though we’re reliving the 1933 Business Plot for a second time, except in this case, the call is coming from inside the house! IMHO…:)
Ken . . . I'm so glad you wrote this so I don't have to listen to them. I don't own a TV and I get most of my news from Substack, Reuters, The Guardian, Aljazeera English and NPR. Any more than that I can't handle. I had no idea these generals did that, but I should have. Follow the money. And we know they know where the money is.
Ken, thanks for this, but the last 36 years of genocidal fruitless wars of choice by the US in the Middle East should render each and all participating military (and political) leaders’ opinions moot if not defecated upon. That the media weasels turn to them tells you all you need to know about them and their “sources”.
Did any of these generals actually win a war? There hasn't been a U.S. victory since WWII. These losers are too young to have saved in that one. Ike must be doing over in his grave.
Dude, in a really messed up trust world, I really get the feeling you’re trying to find the truth. I appreciate what you do.
:)
I actually thought the picture of Gen. Mark Hertling was an older publicity shot of Leslie Nielsen.
It should be a requirement of reporting to disclose the experts' conflicts of interest.
It is! But for some reason tv doesn’t care
This essay points out that no one has anything new and true to say at this moment because no one knows where this war is headed.
"I have no clue" would be an honest response.
In late 2015, I was at a small dinner with David Petraeus and everyone at the table was allowed to ask him a question. My question was "If Trump is elected, who will act as the guardrails?" Petraeus paused to think and then said "He won't be elected."
You had me at “on-air hand jobs.”
First, great piece. Nice to know the pockets of the experts. I'm skeptical of the whole shebang. I definitely don't believe their nonsense. I hate the opining which never means anything in reality.
Thanks Ken. Noting like a retired General to shatter the nerves with nonsense that the people are seemingly no longer buying.
I remember a video I saw by Jan Oberg, who said the US doesn't do diplomacy anymore, it just sends weapons. Damn.
I follow Greg Stoker on military issues; former Army ranger who cuts through the crap. You both have the courage to tell it like it is.
They all sound like VP Selina Meyer's college friend Karen
Tapper been setting himself for the CNN takeover too. We have been hearing a lot of echos from the past decades, but without the manufactured consent that one would normally do… I dunno… Before the conflict maybe? Can MSM save this I wonder, or have too many people moved on in what and how they consume news?
These TV generals are perfect examples of how the mainstream media have degenerated into pap. None of them had any information. None of them added to what we know about the war on Iran.
Excellent newsletter, and the reason I don’t listen to cable or the news and just read books, some periodicals and newsletters. In all honesty, if I wanted to hear “a glimpse into the obvious,” I’d enjoy listening to myself!
Full disclosure, I do subscribe to the Bulwark, and appreciate their viewpoints; however, I fully understand your point about generals and admirals.
Morever, back in 2002 during the run-up to the Iraq War, I noticed the conflicts of interests between the expert opinions of generals and admirals on cable, versus their roles on board of companies with a lot to gain from perpetual wars. I guess when you spend a lifetime in a hierarchy, taking orders from senior officers and civilian leadership; you end up as being salesmen, not unlike Dear Dear, and instead of selling cheap and gaudy products like Trump, Bibles, watches, and steaks; they just sell wars. Hey, someone has to pay the mortgage!!!!
And honestly, when I think about it, after 9/11, our most prestigious publications were all shilling for the an Iraqi invasion with only a few outlets printing the truth: Shoutout to Knight Ridder, and the Guardian. And as far as the NYT’s is concerned, the publishers pathetic mea culpa after the war speaks for itself!
Furthermore, when put into it’s proper perspective, it’s almost as though Congress’s, and the corporate media’s reaction after 9/11 was a test case for what was yet to come: MAGA:
1. From illegal wiretapping of Americans—Patriot Act.
2. Manufactured wars—with multiple justifications; although packaged professionally.
3. Cronyism/crony-capitalism—Trillions wasted, and hundreds of billions plundered by unscrupulous corporations with fraudulent contracts.
4. Retribution—sought revenge from anyone or media corporations that printed the truth.
Not to mention, being the most powerful administration ever to hold office before Trump. In addition, there were multiple ethical scandals as well as the administration’s —abuse’s of power.
Bottom line, Retired Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler was right when he wrote his book “War is a Racket,” in which he argues “that warfare is a profit-driven enterprise conducted for the benefit of a small "inside" group of bankers and industrialists at the expense of the masses.” And it’s as though we’re reliving the 1933 Business Plot for a second time, except in this case, the call is coming from inside the house! IMHO…:)
Ken . . . I'm so glad you wrote this so I don't have to listen to them. I don't own a TV and I get most of my news from Substack, Reuters, The Guardian, Aljazeera English and NPR. Any more than that I can't handle. I had no idea these generals did that, but I should have. Follow the money. And we know they know where the money is.
Ken, thanks for this, but the last 36 years of genocidal fruitless wars of choice by the US in the Middle East should render each and all participating military (and political) leaders’ opinions moot if not defecated upon. That the media weasels turn to them tells you all you need to know about them and their “sources”.
It is so absurd, that it sounds like a parody.
Did any of these generals actually win a war? There hasn't been a U.S. victory since WWII. These losers are too young to have saved in that one. Ike must be doing over in his grave.