A Domestic cancer “threatening Democracy”
Opinion Piece this morning comes from retired U.S. Army General Steven Anderson, CBS News
I do not necessarily put-up military commentary. This brigadier general appears to have his “stuff” together on the topic. It is a good read.
Forty-three years ago, I swore an oath to protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Back then, who could have imagined the domestic attack on our democracy a year ago this week?
In the past, we sworn an oath to obey the president.
I’ve become increasingly concerned that our military has become politicized and infected by the acrimony that plagues our society today.
Just consider this:
- At least 10% of the January 6th insurrectionists charged with crimes served in the military;
- Over 100 retired senior service leaders signed an open letter supporting Trump’s “Big Lie” about the 2020 election;
- Convicted felon retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn advocated military action to support this claim; and
- The Republican Party spent the last year downplaying the insurrection and obstructing investigations.
All this nonsense may confuse our troops on the difference between allegiance to a leader and allegiance to our Constitution. Such confusion could set conditions for another coup attempt, a thought that chills me to the bone.
I agree with this statement. The problem, I see if we do not teach Civics anymore from what I know today. It was mandatory in 8th grade for us.
So, what should we do?
First, all insurrectionists must be held accountable, to include the politicians that supported the Capitol assault.
We need to educate our service members on the Constitution, and the integrity and legitimacy of our election system.
This is not their problem. It should be a part of a grade school education. The military should only have to reinforce this. They asked us if we were members of the John Birch society. If we said yes, it was a quick ticket out of the military.
The Pentagon must identify emerging threats, and war game against future domestic terrorist acts.
And we need policy that prevents troops from joining hate groups. Military service is a profound privilege, and we cannot allow extremists to contaminate unit morale and cohesion.
I am not sure if I would call it a privilege; however, you joined it, and you abide by its rules or the UCMJ.
Ultimately, our military is merely a reflection of us – you and me. The misinformation and hateful rhetoric that infects our country and our political discourse weakens our national defense and vitalizes our adversaries.
We must learn from the January 6th insurrection and take immediate actions to protect our democracy from the domestic cancer that continues to grow within.
Maybe this is my inner militaristic tendencies revealing itself. It is not often I would agree with them. I would think anyone getting VA benefits would still be attached to the military in a manner,
@run,
I never took civics in high school or at any other time in my life, but I’m sure I knew by the time I finished high school that the POTUS is the commander-in-chief. A casual survey of 20th century history alone gives ample evidence of the peril of putting allegiance to a leader ahead of the rule of law. The lesson of 6 January is that “oaths” don’t mean squat to many of the people who swear them.
I understand despotism and I understand civil disobedience. But anyone who undertakes civil disobedience (which is how the apologists for 6 January style the Capitol insurrection) must be prepared to suffer the consequences. At the end of the day, those violent self-appointed “patriots” were few and represented nobody but themselves. What it will take to prevent this in the future is for the majority of Americans to stand up and defend American democracy against anarchism and despotism. Not more oaths.
Joel:
I wanted to make sure: “ I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me.” This comes after: I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Oath of Enlistment for Military Service (thebalancecareers.com)
Chicago schools (except my high school) were not an icon of education. Even in the fifties and sixties there were issues and the schools were under funded. Hell, my desk had ink wells and was bolted to the floor. I just was lucky as to where I went for grammar school and high school especially.
The class was one semester and you had to pass a test.
In the sixties if you burned your draft card, failed to report to the draft board, skipped the country, etc. ; those kids were jailed for longer periods of time. Punishment for the Days of Rage were not light. These guys are getting off easy.
What will it take? Americans should be down right angry at Republicans for their supporting an overthrow of the nation.
@run,
Yes, Americans conservative and liberal should be mad at the extremist GOP for supporting sedition. There is nothing conservative about violent insurrection against the US government–it is radical.
happy perihelion
!
that’s pretty interesting….i didn’t know anything like that was going on now..
My concern during the Bush/Cheney term was who were they elevating to higher ranks in the military that would be left behind. Cheney was a unitary executive ideologue. Carl Rove anyone?
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-karl-rove-really-had_b_60947
The media is doing a disservice by not connecting the history. Trump was just the product of decades of Republican efforts to transform our democracy, American Democracy into nothing more than a label evoking warm feelings of Mr. Smith goes to Washington.
It is time we stop talking about Jan 6th as if what we are now fighting started with Trump’s term.
Generally (no pun intended) military personnel (officers especially) are supposed to stay out of politics. Trump, who as a kid went to military school, did not understand this (or much else.)
Eisenhower was courted to be a presidential candidate by both parties. Apparently he decided that the GOP suited his views better (the Dems under Truman having recently ‘lost China’ according to the GOP, when Mao defeated those the GOP favored in China.) Officers were supposed to stay neutral about politics. Many soldiers harbor very conservative views however, as one can see among the claque surrounding Trump. Ordinarily, these views must be kept in check.
If only Trump was anywhere near as wise as Eisenhower.