good_leadership_leads_by_example_not_by_coercion.html

The military as an institution is completely reliant on coercion to exist. That's why the UCMJ exists.
"Conform or be punished".
We can SAY its bad, but it's in the background every day, hanging over every servicemembers head every second during their contracts.

"Pass your PT test or get kicked out!"...Coercion
"Do your DLC's or you'll never get promoted!"...Coercion
"Bust tape and we'll chapter you!"...Coercion
"If you need more promotion points, you better do XYZ!"...Coercion

Coercion is the cornerstone of military discipline.

We lost our way long ago in Afghanistan. Our mission should have ended when we got Bin Laden. The fact is both Trump and Biden wanted out of Afghanistan. There was just no good way to get us out. If Trump had left all 13000 troops there last year, more than 13 would have likely died in the suicide bombing. A suicide bomber can possibly slip through anywhere at anytime. Our agreement was with the Taliban, not Isis K... there are just so many factions... we had no business there for the last 10 years.... Life is going to go on for the survivors the way it always does. The Taliban is playing with fire if they start cutting off heads. Time will tell.... I hope the Taliban has learned; headless people pay no taxes.... we will see. Let's hope the new Taliban will take lessons from Nelson Mandela. Wouldn't it be great if Afghanistan worked out it's own problems. Most countries do in time...

This is a political hit piece. Here is how I can tell:

(regarding reminders after botched Afghanistan withdrawal) "Damn. How bad must it be if one of the deepest of deep state entities has to remind its active duty and retired military members to hold their tongues? Really, how bad is it?"

a few sentences later:

"It is curious, isn’t it? None of these “reminders” were issued while President Trump held office. Then, there were no prohibitions against an active-duty military member’s 'disrespect' to 'government officials.' "


Except, you know, there *were* multiple reminders not to say anything bad about Trump.

And no one is saying we cannot criticize particular policies or decisions. They are saying we cannot DISRESPECT them. There is a world of difference.

"I believe Biden screwed the pooch on the withdrawal" is a hell of a lot different then "Corrupt Sleepy Joe is a moron and was doomed to fail by his own incompetence." "I see a failure to plan" is not the same as "Biden didn't give a fuck."


He goes on to villify Vindman - who spoke up in conscience against what he thought was wrong, but did so (or attempted to do so) behind the scenes and respectfully and trying to walk the line of UCMJ as best as he could while still addressing (what he believed was) a grave wrong. And then praises Scheller - who spoke up in conscience against what he thought was wrong, but did so loudly and publicly in CLEAR (and knowing) violation of UCMJ.

Guy who tries to comply with rules who speaks out against "my guy" = scorned
Guy who publicly and intentionally thumbs nose at rules to speak out against "the other guy" = patriot!


Mr. Lewis *does* make some good points. But when those points are all colored and filtered by clear partisan bias and personal rancor, they amount to nothing.