treestar (59,505 posts) http://www.democraticunderground.com/110231531
Tired of Republicans who claim the military
I have a loved one now in the military - so often you see comments on FB and the like to the effect that the military only respect their CIC if he's a Republican. There is a FB page for their mothers, etc., and from time to time the other members post things that imply that of course Obama is hated by the military. And no one on the page would disagree.
One was a video of marines cheering when Bush came and then being quiet when Obama came. The situations were different but the insinuation is always that the military does not respect our President if he's not of their party (and also insinuating the military must be made up entirely of Republicans).
And Obama (and Michelle and Jill I know have made efforts) has done tons for them. And he is their CIC even if they are Republicans. I did think the military was supposed to respect the chain of command upward. They don't have to agree with him or be of their party, but they should respect him as their top officer.
Here's the deal, DUmpmonkie. Respect is earned. While serving you have to show 'respect' for the CiC because that's the law that came into being around Clinton's presidency. Respect? You earn that mutha-****a. Or you don't.
I had served under many presidents from Reagan to Obama. Here is the feelings on each of them from myself and my fellow warriors;
Reagan- LOVED this man. The military was rebuilt after Vietnam under Uncle Ron. We all loved him.
H.W. Bush- He was liked. He was respected as a pilot from WW2 and he did good things for the military. Gulf War 1 was largely successful because the Army hadn't downsized after the collapse of the USSR yet. Funny story: We waited for HWB to show up for a parade one time at Fort Bragg. A huge thunderstorm came in and we all stood there, bayonets fixed, in the open parade field during a thunderstorm. He didn't show as the cancelled the parade...but not until we were soaked. We weren't even made about it. It was funny.
Clinton- despised as a draft dodging doper who hated the military and showed it. We hated his wife more. Never saw a pay raise under Bill. Downsized the Army and made training difficult due to lake of funding.
GWB- Massive respect after 9/11. Many of us love this guy only slightly less than Ron. Disillusioned after the politics got involved in Gulf War 2 and 2.5,
Barry- I didn't think the military could hate anyone worst than Bill. I was wrong. The only thing saving Barry from a coups is term limits. I retired in 2011 a year and a half before 30 because I didn't want to be in Barry's army anymore.
Wellstone ruled (4,059 posts)
1. It starts at the top chain of command.
Have you ever met a liberal General? And you wonder why the Rank and File tend to be Jaded towards the conservative bent. Military Schools are so structured towards a Fascist Ideal,and they still study the Prussian Empire,and it is a racket.
treestar (59,505 posts)
2. No, I've never met a general. I can see where they want to have wars and not diplomacy, because that was what they were trained to do and they want the chance to do it.
I was irritated by a posting calling Obama "weak" as if diplomacy is always "weak." People get killed in wars, and it's not "weak" not to want to them. Just tired of that thing men have to prove they are tough by always being ready for a fight. I wonder if women in the military will change that some.
The military is going to be authoritarian. But we are told we have to respect them and so I think they should respect us, and when we elect their CIC, to respect that choice regardless of whether it's their own or not.
You got no clue how it really works, do you?
Aristus (35,882 posts)
5. Former Army Chief of Staff the late John Shalikashvili was a liberal.
He lived his final years in Dupont, Washington, just outside of Fort Lewis.
He was an outspoken progressive on a lot of political issues.
Who was universally despised by the rank and file, btw.
ANYway... you want to know about the military ask a military person. Whiny ***** liberals got no clue.
