Someone EMailed me an OpEd by Executive Editor David M Shribman, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, titled "50 years later, MacArthur's farewell to arms continues to inspire". And, he is correct. Douglas MacArthur, notwithstanding his being well and properly fired by President Harry S Truman, during the Korean War, has a lot to say to us and this OpEd covers an important part of it..
MacArthur's Farewell Speech to the Corps of Cadets at West Point, given 12 March 1962, is still inspiring, at least to me.
Regards — Cliff
Indeed, one of the finest, most significant analyses of the purpose and performance of the military profession.
ReplyDeleteI would add only that the three words, "Duty, Honor, Country" speak to a much deeper and perhaps transcendent obligation for military personnel....one that lifts them above mere citizenship and above the fray and at time futility of the body politic. Our Duty is at once to our elected overseers, but beyond that, our duty is to the very soul of America, and our Duty to Country is much more, much deeper than simple loyalty.
It was that Duty to Country that led MacArthur to his decision to publicly oppose the President. While most view his actions as reprehensible and disrespectful, I suggest that they were sacrificial for the highest purpose of commanding military personnel. His intent was to win the battle decisively and protect against unnecessary and continuing loss of life. As it turns out, we have not "won" and the costs of not doing so are inestimable....and infinite.
We see what the blind obedience to civil direction has done to the military. At the highest level today, commanders have become much less than simple rubber stamps for transient and politically motivated "direction" from unqualified civilian "authority."
Perhaps it is as a result of the very nature and personality of the kinds of people who seek high public office that the military is feared, loathed, and must be controlled. The current CINC cannot countenance even the slightest disagreement with his whimsical goals. Presidents are all extreme narcissists, some rising to the level of being pathological. A four star general is the epitome, the vision of raw and awesome power...and for a narcissist....evokes fear and loathing.
I place a great amount of blame for our current dysfunctional civilian/military situation on the Congress who have been in the process of abdication of their Constitutional responsibility since the rise and reign of FDR. It is truly the Congress to whom military leadership is answerable, and that body then tells the President what he must do with our military. That process has been so perverted as to be lost now to antiquity....to the nation's damage.
MacArthur was the last true warrior general. His persona was so strong that he either evoked admiration or outright hatred. There has not been....nor will there ever be...another general with such impact....our political system will not permit it.
Right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) is a personality and ideological variable studied in political, social, and personality psychology. It is defined by three attitudinal and behavioral clusters which correlate together:[1][2]
ReplyDelete1.Authoritarian submission — a high degree of submissiveness to the authorities who are perceived to be established and legitimate in the society in which one lives.
2.Authoritarian aggression — a general aggressiveness directed against deviants, outgroups, and other people that are perceived to be targets according to established authorities.
3.Conventionalism — a high degree of adherence to the traditions and social norms that are perceived to be endorsed by society and its established authorities, and a belief that others in one's society should also be required to adhere to these norms.[3]
"Move out, smartly!" - Modern Infantry adage.
ReplyDeleteNote: The adverb is conspicuously NOT "obediently."
Jack
ReplyDeleteWould that be like Stalinist Soviet Union?
And Happy Mother's Day to your better half, and Neal's.
Regards — Cliff
What if we take away the sharing and make it "every man for himself?"
ReplyDelete