William R. Mann
Is President Obama purging the military?
By William R. Mann
Is America is on the brink of having a new, slavish military?
(See "Obama's Military Coup Purges 197 Officers In Five Years," Oct. 29, Investor's Business Daily.)
Did it begin with political correctness, then progress to religious and political restrictions and sanctions that go beyond the Service Regulations regarding Standards of Conduct? Did the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey, actually seriously intend to silence retired military officers and NCOs from taking political stands against this president for somehow being disloyal to America some time back?
A free America demands (as a necessary and sufficient condition of freedom) a free-thinking, candid professional military Officer Corps, not some Wehrmacht Oberkommando (i.e., Armed Forces High Command) that takes a personal loyalty oath to some leader. Naturally, some restraints exist regarding political participation: candidate official endorsements, certain forms of active campaigning, etc., are professionally inappropriate. But, one does not check one's brains or conscience at the door when taking the Oath of Service. Moreover, an obvious suggestion remains: If we want a Russian-style military and restricted speech, then perhaps we should live in Russia. We have in America a professional military, but it should remain a free military.
A president does his duty to dismiss those in command who violate their sacred trust. In contrast, a properly formed conscience by a renowned MacArthur or Patton can mean they are sacked, fired, or asked to retire solely for taking a contrary stand on principles or ethics or morals. Such brave and capable professionals have always stood for the best interests of America and those who served under them...as God gave eyes to see correctly and to do their duty. It is disturbing when one hears bureaucrats, cabinet officers, and even some senior military refer to any president as their "boss." Wrong! Their boss is the U.S. Constitution, We the People, and their sacred oath. Removing officers for misconduct or malfeasance is not new; silencing officers is. Speaking of misconduct or malfeasance, has anyone in the mainstream media seriously investigated the many administrative actions and policies of Obama since 2009?
A few years ago, one did not seriously contemplate that the actions described in this IBD editorial could come to fruition. We are obliged in giving the matter a second look. It is only General Paul Vallely (U.S. Army, retired), a distinguished officer and West Point graduate, has spoken out boldly and publicly in this editorial. Applaud him! It is the duty of such men and women of renown to speak out in the interests of sound policy debate and of their country.
Consider the IBD editorial very carefully and then dare to challenge any belief, or benefit of the doubt, that Barack Obama is just a misguided liberal or some naive, unrestrained neighborhood activist. He is not. Referring to the Armed Forces as "my military" says a mouthful about the Obama mindset that includes ambition and great hubris to my mind. Methinks such men are dangerous to a free American Republic.
Editorialist Holman Jenkins noted in a Wall Street Journal editorial Wednesday that the liberal 2004 Democrat candidate for president, John Kerry, did not go down President Obama's collectivist road to healthcare. It is also possible to believe that Kerry, despite his other faults, would never have attempted such a bold move of tampering with the Armed Forces so politically.
The free Democrat Party no longer exists; ditto a free mainstream press. Those who cling to Obama and his Marxist ideological approach to ruling (as opposed to governing) are caught up in the fairy-dust wake of this Sorcerer's Apprentice. The few remaining conventional liberals who have any shred of decency are looking for a way out. Incredibly, the GOP (save a few brave souls) will not call Imperator Obama out on any issue. They simply hope that the Obama go-cart will run out of gas first.
The chances may be growing slim that Americans will wake up in time and do something about this Manchurian Presidency before the damage to America is irreparable.
© William R. Mann
October 30, 2013
Is America is on the brink of having a new, slavish military?
(See "Obama's Military Coup Purges 197 Officers In Five Years," Oct. 29, Investor's Business Daily.)
Did it begin with political correctness, then progress to religious and political restrictions and sanctions that go beyond the Service Regulations regarding Standards of Conduct? Did the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dempsey, actually seriously intend to silence retired military officers and NCOs from taking political stands against this president for somehow being disloyal to America some time back?
A free America demands (as a necessary and sufficient condition of freedom) a free-thinking, candid professional military Officer Corps, not some Wehrmacht Oberkommando (i.e., Armed Forces High Command) that takes a personal loyalty oath to some leader. Naturally, some restraints exist regarding political participation: candidate official endorsements, certain forms of active campaigning, etc., are professionally inappropriate. But, one does not check one's brains or conscience at the door when taking the Oath of Service. Moreover, an obvious suggestion remains: If we want a Russian-style military and restricted speech, then perhaps we should live in Russia. We have in America a professional military, but it should remain a free military.
A president does his duty to dismiss those in command who violate their sacred trust. In contrast, a properly formed conscience by a renowned MacArthur or Patton can mean they are sacked, fired, or asked to retire solely for taking a contrary stand on principles or ethics or morals. Such brave and capable professionals have always stood for the best interests of America and those who served under them...as God gave eyes to see correctly and to do their duty. It is disturbing when one hears bureaucrats, cabinet officers, and even some senior military refer to any president as their "boss." Wrong! Their boss is the U.S. Constitution, We the People, and their sacred oath. Removing officers for misconduct or malfeasance is not new; silencing officers is. Speaking of misconduct or malfeasance, has anyone in the mainstream media seriously investigated the many administrative actions and policies of Obama since 2009?
A few years ago, one did not seriously contemplate that the actions described in this IBD editorial could come to fruition. We are obliged in giving the matter a second look. It is only General Paul Vallely (U.S. Army, retired), a distinguished officer and West Point graduate, has spoken out boldly and publicly in this editorial. Applaud him! It is the duty of such men and women of renown to speak out in the interests of sound policy debate and of their country.
Consider the IBD editorial very carefully and then dare to challenge any belief, or benefit of the doubt, that Barack Obama is just a misguided liberal or some naive, unrestrained neighborhood activist. He is not. Referring to the Armed Forces as "my military" says a mouthful about the Obama mindset that includes ambition and great hubris to my mind. Methinks such men are dangerous to a free American Republic.
Editorialist Holman Jenkins noted in a Wall Street Journal editorial Wednesday that the liberal 2004 Democrat candidate for president, John Kerry, did not go down President Obama's collectivist road to healthcare. It is also possible to believe that Kerry, despite his other faults, would never have attempted such a bold move of tampering with the Armed Forces so politically.
The free Democrat Party no longer exists; ditto a free mainstream press. Those who cling to Obama and his Marxist ideological approach to ruling (as opposed to governing) are caught up in the fairy-dust wake of this Sorcerer's Apprentice. The few remaining conventional liberals who have any shred of decency are looking for a way out. Incredibly, the GOP (save a few brave souls) will not call Imperator Obama out on any issue. They simply hope that the Obama go-cart will run out of gas first.
The chances may be growing slim that Americans will wake up in time and do something about this Manchurian Presidency before the damage to America is irreparable.
© William R. Mann
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