Milley disgraced himself, permanently, by walking through Lafayette Square in his dress uniform. It took the combined weight of retired generals who matter – Mattis, Allen, Thomas, Brooks, etc. – before he apologized. That was still a week *after* the toady Mark Esper did the same. Everything he has said and done afterward, to include this bare-minimum testimony (Gaetz attacked the priesthood that is the General Officer class; that is different than standing up for a principle) and most certainly the leak planted by his allies and perhaps his office long after the fact of its relevance, has been reputational rehab. It was a mistake for Biden to leave him in his position.
Our empire is far larger than any this world has ever seen. It was just a matter of time before we turned our warlike gaze inwards. The powerful always need an enemy. If the enemy is not "them" then it is "you."
They are trying to create a new pseudoscience based on their own prejudices, not on US or international experience or academic research. An example of this is how the LGBT community was being treated under DADT.
The Right tried to paint LGBT inclusion as disruptive to a disciplined and well-ordered military preparedness, despite the fact that LGBT-folk have served with distinction since the country was founded. Being closeted only made many susceptible to blackmail. The homophobic firing of LGBT Arabic military translators likely contributed to 9/11 amid a shortage of translators. Harboring racists will have the same effect on military preparedness.
Since the military became fully integrated by the1950s, closet racism has undermined discipline and order. By embracing the importance of an integrated military that comfortably accommodates diversity and demonstrating how sheltering right wing bigots undermines the mission is the best way to fight back against right wing propagandists.
"...the line separating democracy from military intervention in domestic politics shouldn’t have to depend on military leaders keeping their oath to the Constitution."
I would argue it does and always will.
If military leaders don't keep their oath to the Constitution, then there is no telling what they might do, including a coup. Making sure military leaders (and members) keep their oath to the Constitution is crucial.
I agree, but would add that a military coup requires a critical mass of conspirators who command the unswerving loyalty of their troops. That's how I read the coups in Greece and Chile and probably Myanmar.
The US military would seem to be the least-fertile ground for such a scenario, particularly given the ethnic diversity in the lower ranks.
Milley disgraced himself, permanently, by walking through Lafayette Square in his dress uniform. It took the combined weight of retired generals who matter – Mattis, Allen, Thomas, Brooks, etc. – before he apologized. That was still a week *after* the toady Mark Esper did the same. Everything he has said and done afterward, to include this bare-minimum testimony (Gaetz attacked the priesthood that is the General Officer class; that is different than standing up for a principle) and most certainly the leak planted by his allies and perhaps his office long after the fact of its relevance, has been reputational rehab. It was a mistake for Biden to leave him in his position.
Really important points and part of what I was gesturing at when I said "unlikely."
Should have written "field uniform"; need an edit button...
Our empire is far larger than any this world has ever seen. It was just a matter of time before we turned our warlike gaze inwards. The powerful always need an enemy. If the enemy is not "them" then it is "you."
They are trying to create a new pseudoscience based on their own prejudices, not on US or international experience or academic research. An example of this is how the LGBT community was being treated under DADT.
The Right tried to paint LGBT inclusion as disruptive to a disciplined and well-ordered military preparedness, despite the fact that LGBT-folk have served with distinction since the country was founded. Being closeted only made many susceptible to blackmail. The homophobic firing of LGBT Arabic military translators likely contributed to 9/11 amid a shortage of translators. Harboring racists will have the same effect on military preparedness.
Since the military became fully integrated by the1950s, closet racism has undermined discipline and order. By embracing the importance of an integrated military that comfortably accommodates diversity and demonstrating how sheltering right wing bigots undermines the mission is the best way to fight back against right wing propagandists.
"...the line separating democracy from military intervention in domestic politics shouldn’t have to depend on military leaders keeping their oath to the Constitution."
I would argue it does and always will.
If military leaders don't keep their oath to the Constitution, then there is no telling what they might do, including a coup. Making sure military leaders (and members) keep their oath to the Constitution is crucial.
I agree, but would add that a military coup requires a critical mass of conspirators who command the unswerving loyalty of their troops. That's how I read the coups in Greece and Chile and probably Myanmar.
The US military would seem to be the least-fertile ground for such a scenario, particularly given the ethnic diversity in the lower ranks.