The headline at Drudge is "BOOK: SEALS DIDN'T WANT TO HELP RE-ELECT OBAMA...". I am not sure that captures the thrust of the new book, No Easy Day, reviewed by The New York Times, to which Drudge linked. But, it is up on Drudge.
There is a lot of discussion swirling around this new book. The point I would like to make is that no one on active duty should be saying things like "SEALS didn't want to help re-elect Obama." People on active duty need to keep their noses out of electoral politics. They may vote, but they shouldn't talk about it, especially in public. Sure, all of us have our own opinions and discussing it with friends and family is natural. But, people in Uniform need to not use that uniform to advance their opinions. Retired guys are free to speak in public, but they shouldn't be using their uniform to push their ideas. This is very important for our Civil-Military relations. The work of the late Professor Samuel P Huntington, and his The Soldier and the State: The Theory and Politics of Civil-Military Relations informed me early on and could usefully inform you. The original was published in 1957. Rumor in the 1960s said that Professor Huntington was denied tenure at Harvard over the book. Too bad for Harvard, but good for the rest of us.
Bottom line: People on Active Duty should be hanging back on active political activities. Register to vote, donate money and keep your mouth shut.
Regards — Cliff
3 comments:
Well said, and of course that's the course of action that falls within the bounds of the law, anyway. But is it sometimes more honored in the breach?
I like your point about NOT using the uniform to advance a cause. I find it an instant red flag when someone mentions veteran status in a context that has nothing to do with military service (i.e. the City of Lowell shouldn't screw with me on this excise tax...I'm a veteran and I deserve better).
I'm not saying don't talk about your service (esp. if it constitutes the majority of your working/managerial experience...how could you NOT talk about it)? But my BS detectors perk up a bit when someone is making a public spectacle.
Non-veterans and veterans alike should question things that are draped in veteran-hood...I cracked up when I saw a Facebook post from a former Marine...he saw a guy in FL holding a sign that said "Homeless Marine...please help." The actual former Marine asked, "What was your MOS?" and the guy with the sign responded, "What's that?"
Re the Marine, exactly.
Thanks
Regards — Cliff
This is how you should do it:
Candidate for the US House of Representatives in Illinois and Former Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth addressed the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night, speaking to how President Obama has lived up to his title of Commander-in-Chief by his actions with the U.S. military.
Though, I'll concede, you shouldn't have to leave both your legs in Iraq to be heard.
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