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Undoubtedly, many serving member of the Navy and the other services will be outraged at such an indictment. If so, they should have hard conversations with those who serve alongside them, and with their superiors, whose craven conduct is a danger to them, and to all Americans. Because if they do not call them out, no one will.
The saddest part of this presidency is not the behavior of the commander in chief of the armed forces. Everyone knew what he is and how he was likely to behave from well before he won the presidency. The saddest part is what he reveals about individuals in high places, and institutions that we once thought relatively free from moral rot. What this episode shows is that the black fungus of fear, and ambition, and servility is more pervasive than might have been imagined. It stains uniforms even as it has stained business suits. The president has merely brought it to the surface.
The first stanza of the Navy Hymn ends, “Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee/For those in peril on the sea.” Unfortunately, the peril they face is now shown to be far greater than one might ever have imagined.
The saddest part of this presidency is not the behavior of the commander in chief of the armed forces. Everyone knew what he is and how he was likely to behave from well before he won the presidency. The saddest part is what he reveals about individuals in high places, and institutions that we once thought relatively free from moral rot. What this episode shows is that the black fungus of fear, and ambition, and servility is more pervasive than might have been imagined. It stains uniforms even as it has stained business suits. The president has merely brought it to the surface.
The first stanza of the Navy Hymn ends, “Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee/For those in peril on the sea.” Unfortunately, the peril they face is now shown to be far greater than one might ever have imagined.
A Stain on the Honor of the Navy
Posted from theatlantic.com
Honor
Ethics
Morals
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 1
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If the President ordered (or strongly suggested) that the name of the USS McCAIN be obscured for any reason...I'd regard that as behavior below his office. However, I'd suggest that the ship's own recent operational history may have as much to do with any desire to "obscure" it...as any "political" conflict between the President and her name-sake. Still, I'm not convinced that circumstance, and poor situational-awareness on the part of his staff may not be the true culprit here.
Even so, I'd like to state clearly why I voted for the man...and why I would again, even if this incident proves to be the worst of what's implied. It's been a long time since I "believed" in any political candidate. I regarded Bill Clinton as a "good" President...even though I disliked him at a personal level. I felt that George W. Bush was a "good man"...who could've been a much better President. I assume I'd have found Mr. Obama an interesting person to talk to. I read some of his book, and found it engaging and well-written. I've regarded him as one of our most "idealistic" Presidents of the last fifty years... and absolutely, completely feared every single day he was in office. I voted against him in both elections, not because of his heritage, or the suggestions that he is "Muslim"...let alone "incompetent"...but because I believed him to be extremely competent at forwarding a totalitarian ideology threatening everything I and my ancestors stood for. For the same reasons, I could not have, and would not have voted for any candidate committed to continuing down the same path...let alone a woman whose own character has been so often, and so compellingly excoriated.
Trump was the roadblock needed to stop a proto-Communist soft revolution...as far as I'm concerned. He's a businessman; a salesman...someone whose built a career on being bullish, aggressive, and "playing dirty". He built his brand in an arena where being "nice", "respectful", and "dignified" was worthless...and he's fighting a system that appears to be corrupt beyond measure, entrenched like a cancer into every facet of public life, and to my mind, the single greatest threat to American freedom in a century.
Hopefully, we'll one day have a Commander in Chief who served; not in some cushy-rear area, or some ambiguous capacity...but someone who was "there". Maybe that individual will be as idealistic as others, but with the right kind of ideals. Perhaps they'll be dignified, and "above" political mud-slinging and intrigues. Maybe they'll have a spotless record of professional and personal existence; complete with the multi-decade, happy marriage, shadow box of valor, and strong record of diplomacy...
...but for the moment, I think we need a "brawler" whose not afraid to speak their mind.
Again, if he did what's being accused regarding the McCAIN, then he should be ashamed, and should be called-out for it. However, with so many ready to castigate anything, and everything he does... I'm willing to accept alternative explanations if they bear out.
Even so, I'd like to state clearly why I voted for the man...and why I would again, even if this incident proves to be the worst of what's implied. It's been a long time since I "believed" in any political candidate. I regarded Bill Clinton as a "good" President...even though I disliked him at a personal level. I felt that George W. Bush was a "good man"...who could've been a much better President. I assume I'd have found Mr. Obama an interesting person to talk to. I read some of his book, and found it engaging and well-written. I've regarded him as one of our most "idealistic" Presidents of the last fifty years... and absolutely, completely feared every single day he was in office. I voted against him in both elections, not because of his heritage, or the suggestions that he is "Muslim"...let alone "incompetent"...but because I believed him to be extremely competent at forwarding a totalitarian ideology threatening everything I and my ancestors stood for. For the same reasons, I could not have, and would not have voted for any candidate committed to continuing down the same path...let alone a woman whose own character has been so often, and so compellingly excoriated.
Trump was the roadblock needed to stop a proto-Communist soft revolution...as far as I'm concerned. He's a businessman; a salesman...someone whose built a career on being bullish, aggressive, and "playing dirty". He built his brand in an arena where being "nice", "respectful", and "dignified" was worthless...and he's fighting a system that appears to be corrupt beyond measure, entrenched like a cancer into every facet of public life, and to my mind, the single greatest threat to American freedom in a century.
Hopefully, we'll one day have a Commander in Chief who served; not in some cushy-rear area, or some ambiguous capacity...but someone who was "there". Maybe that individual will be as idealistic as others, but with the right kind of ideals. Perhaps they'll be dignified, and "above" political mud-slinging and intrigues. Maybe they'll have a spotless record of professional and personal existence; complete with the multi-decade, happy marriage, shadow box of valor, and strong record of diplomacy...
...but for the moment, I think we need a "brawler" whose not afraid to speak their mind.
Again, if he did what's being accused regarding the McCAIN, then he should be ashamed, and should be called-out for it. However, with so many ready to castigate anything, and everything he does... I'm willing to accept alternative explanations if they bear out.
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