Sounds like we have another Truman/MacArthur moment coming.
BlueMatt
· 1 year ago
Well, coming from recent experience I'd say he'll probably gets to keep his job for the sake of healing and reconciliation.
nikto
· 1 year ago
Obama should say:
YOU'RE FIRED, MFer!!!!!
cosanostradamus
· 1 year ago
. It might be good form, and good public policy, if each new incoming President were to demand the resignations of all top brass at the Pentagon. He could keep them in place until he finishes evaluating their performance, then bid adieu to the bad eggs, and make whatever changes he deems necessary.
Otherwise, they seem to think they're civil service, can't be fired, in for life. The Cons would squeal that this would jeopardize National Security. In fact, NOT doing it jeopardizes natsec. Just because a General or Admiral is old, or adept at DOD office-politics doesn't mean he or she is worth a damn at strategy and tactics. Most them are, famously, forever fighting the last, previous war. And there's nothing more deadly to our security than a bunch of super-annuated brass-hats who think the Commander-In-Chief is a temp whom they can ignore, embarrass or countermand at will.
Our very successful system is based on civilian control of the military. It's worked damned well for over two hundred years, and too many wars to count. Instituting a ritual of resignations would help safeguard our successful traditions. It's a great loyalty test: if they refuse, they should be kept on, but sent to shovel frozen shit in Adak, Alaska. You can see Russia from there.
No, really.
Here's Dubya, our departing C-I-C in his SUV, giving Detroit his best. .
Sean
· 1 year ago
He is trying to dictate policy and cover his own ass. He should definitely shut the fuck up.
paulbe
· 1 year ago
Not North Korea. Maybe Israel.
skeptic
· 1 year ago
I am getting concerned that Obama may not be tough enough to do what needs to be done. Ried and Pelosi are not helping much either. Although I understand Obama wanting to take a conciliatory role, especially starting out of the box, but if he wants to make changes then he needs to do the hard stuff.
Dave of the Jungle
· 1 year ago
Obama isn't the President..., yet.
Rab
· 1 year ago
There are a bunch of the chimps repug generals and admirals that need to be shown the door.
Ferdiad
· 1 year ago
Maybe in the spirit of "change" he should be made Secretary of Defense?
matty
· 1 year ago
Great points, but Obama isn't the president yet. Mullen works for GWB at the moment.
Wait and see how Mullen acts after inauguration day.
james k. sayre
· 1 year ago
End the illegal, criminal, imperial Bush occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq now.
okojo
· 1 year ago
Mullen is not going to get the boot, he still has a year or two more as JCS. Second, JCS are not in the chain of command for the tactics and strategy in Iraq, the Chairmain has a say on the NSC but chain of command goes from CentCom, Sec Def to POTUS. Gates will be SecDef, and if he had a say on Mullen's appointment, he will protect Mullens if he continues as SecDef.
The reason why Mullen gets the boot if he resists or speak out publicly about the upcoming big military cuts that are inevitable to some major Defense programs, like missile defense, and a cutback to the JSF-35 procurement..
It is better to keep Mullens now. He can hem and holler about Iraq, but he is pretty much out of the loop.
Now, defense budgets and defense programs, he can cause much political damage.
Andrew
· 1 year ago
John A......."Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, thinks he's the president of the United States. He's thought this for a while. Unless Obama wants the US military freelancing at running its own government from the Pentagon, Obama should give Mullen the boot and explain to the rest of the military leadership that America is not a banana republic, and they didn't get elected to office".
Surely you must be kidding John. The CIA had been doing this to destabalize governments for years. Educate yourself and Read " Diary Of An Economic Hitman" written by a former CIA agent. Came out a couple of years ago.
PrahaPartizan
· 1 year ago
Mullen isn't the only flag officer who needs to be retired. From what I've seen, every one wearing two stars or more needs to be asked to submit their letter of resignation/retirement at noon on January 20, 2009. All of these officers were the suck-up/kick-down types who decided to go along with approving the war in Iraq because they thought it would be a career enhancer. They chose poorly and now need to learn, the hard way, that they did choose poorly. Besides, it would provide great encouragement for the rest of the force. As the French would say -- "pour les autres."
Rational
· 1 year ago
Cashier him. Bust him to private take his pension and give him a dishonorable discharge, That will bring those dishonorable scum into line.
Rufus
· 1 year ago
No need to sugarcoat, just say what you mean.
BroD
· 1 year ago
Oh come on. there's no need to be vindictive. Let bygones be bygones. Give him a slap on the wrist and a wag of the fore-finger--like Lieberman.
ShirleyGoodnessanMercy
· 1 year ago
...and end Don't Ask/Don't Tell!!! NOW!
tbhull
· 1 year ago
Mr. Mullen will soon be quite inferior to Obama. Obama will tell this old man when he must jump and how high. Shine the execs shoes with a smile or leave. Mullen on the floor and give the Big Boss Man 20, muy pronto old man!
Indigo
· 1 year ago
My policial awakening happened when President Truman called General McArthur back from Korea and fired him. I was just a little kid but I thought that was the most gutsy thing ever. I still think so.
Let's do it again!
cosanostradamus
· 1 year ago
. Unfortunately, ex-US Army artillery Capt. Harry "Give 'Em Hell" Truman was the last Prez to do that. Subsequent C-I-C's have been cowed by their Generals & Admirals, like LBJ & Clinton, or simply handed them a blank check like Nixon, Carter, Reagan & Bush I & II.
Clinton tolerated open insubordination: Not the way to get respect from these old dogs. So far, the new Obama seems to have no balls atall. Then, neither did Lincoln, at first. But look how he ended up. .
BroD
· 1 year ago
As an aside, I recently became aware (thanks to PBS) that Truman and McArthur had roles in the WWI Bonus saga which probably didn't predispose them to a harmonious relationship.
cosanostradamus
· 1 year ago
. Yeah, MacArthur commanded and Eisenhower seconded the force that fired on the Bonus Army. Slimeballs. .
BroD
· 1 year ago
But what I didn't know was that, as a Senator, Truman was instrumental in finally getting the bonuses paid. I suspect ,based on that experience, Harry formed strong (and accurate) opinions about MacArthur.
cosanostradamus
· 1 year ago
. Yeah, I read that. Maybe that's why he never got any props. He was a wild-eyed radical! Good fer him! .
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
He should get his marching orders the day after the inaugural.
All Comments
YOU'RE FIRED, MFer!!!!!
It might be good form, and good public policy, if each new incoming President were to demand the resignations of all top brass at the Pentagon. He could keep them in place until he finishes evaluating their performance, then bid adieu to the bad eggs, and make whatever changes he deems necessary.
Otherwise, they seem to think they're civil service, can't be fired, in for life. The Cons would squeal that this would jeopardize National Security. In fact, NOT doing it jeopardizes natsec. Just because a General or Admiral is old, or adept at DOD office-politics doesn't mean he or she is worth a damn at strategy and tactics. Most them are, famously, forever fighting the last, previous war. And there's nothing more deadly to our security than a bunch of super-annuated brass-hats who think the Commander-In-Chief is a temp whom they can ignore, embarrass or countermand at will.
Our very successful system is based on civilian control of the military. It's worked damned well for over two hundred years, and too many wars to count. Instituting a ritual of resignations would help safeguard our successful traditions. It's a great loyalty test: if they refuse, they should be kept on, but sent to shovel frozen shit in Adak, Alaska. You can see Russia from there.
No, really.
Here's Dubya, our departing C-I-C in his SUV, giving Detroit his best.
.
Wait and see how Mullen acts after inauguration day.
The reason why Mullen gets the boot if he resists or speak out publicly about the upcoming big military cuts that are inevitable to some major Defense programs, like missile defense, and a cutback to the JSF-35 procurement..
It is better to keep Mullens now. He can hem and holler about Iraq, but he is pretty much out of the loop.
Now, defense budgets and defense programs, he can cause much political damage.
Surely you must be kidding John. The CIA had been doing this to destabalize governments for years. Educate yourself and Read " Diary Of An Economic Hitman" written by a former CIA agent. Came out a couple of years ago.
Bust him to private take his pension and give him a dishonorable discharge,
That will bring those dishonorable scum into line.
Let's do it again!
Unfortunately, ex-US Army artillery Capt. Harry "Give 'Em Hell" Truman was the last Prez to do that. Subsequent C-I-C's have been cowed by their Generals & Admirals, like LBJ & Clinton, or simply handed them a blank check like Nixon, Carter, Reagan & Bush I & II.
Clinton tolerated open insubordination: Not the way to get respect from these old dogs. So far, the new Obama seems to have no balls atall. Then, neither did Lincoln, at first. But look how he ended up.
.
Yeah, MacArthur commanded and Eisenhower seconded the force that fired on the Bonus Army. Slimeballs.
.
Yeah, I read that. Maybe that's why he never got any props. He was a wild-eyed radical! Good fer him!
.