Another great article by John Lucas. Milley is the most unqualified, most disloyal Joint Chiefs of Staff since I first joined the military in 1968. His calling his counterpart in China and saying he would give China a heads-up betrayed his duties to his Commander in Chief and America. The honorable thing would have been for Milley to resign his commission when he could not provide loyalty and obedience to his president.
With an academy honed battlefield commander's understanding of the principles of war . the close look of Ignatius' article and detailed 'Fisking' of his credibility as stated objectives , Blue thankfully subordinated one principle in his Elite slaughter, marshalling and massing of simple fact , he eschewed surprise. However, knowing the author's unabashed commitment to enlightened truth , I am not surprised.
Milley is simply the culmination of a process that began many years ago. I had the honor of serving from 1969 to 2000. Saw the military claw its competence and reputation back after VN -- credit to the officers and NCOs that stuck it out and turned the institution around. Taught at USMA and served on the personal staff of an Army Chief of Staff. Observed the creep of Politics (partisanship) and dilution of the focus on warfighting beginning with the "peace dividend" after ODS. The senior leadership is compromised. Note that nobody (military or civilian) has been held accountable (i.e. fired) for the Afghanistan debacle. Even more troubling, no military officer resigned or offered to resign when presented with the completely arbitrary withdrawal date or the unworkable and dangerous "plan" for withdrawal that pulled the bulk of the military out before any civilians. No moral fiber, no backbone. Fish rots from the head.
China is laughing all the way to hegemony. While we focus on the 5 meter target of Ukraine, China gains a weakened, but resource-rich vassal state in Russia, securing its western flank. The conflict there weakens the US -- decades worth of munitions production and major weapons systems (tanks and HIMARS) sent to a secondary and worthless theater. If, as the current DoD leadership states, the Indo-Pacific is the priority theater, we can't project or sustain enough combat power to protect Taiwan. China doesn't want to destroy Taiwan -- they want the semi-conductor industry and shipyards and airfields intact. They just have to keep probing us and letting us waste resources in minor skirmishes as we slide into bankruptcy.
Patton combined the science of his intell collection with the art of his intuition and anticipated the German counterattack in the Bulge. Milley and his cohort can't see beyond the next promotion and then their selection of board positions.
The Russians mostly publish their doctrine, which many in our military read in translation. Milley should have been able to quote Russian doctrine to his counterpart...
Sep 24, 2023·edited Sep 24, 2023Liked by John A. Lucas
Pattonesqe? I recall a line from the movie "Patton": "L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace." IMO, the boldest thing Milley ever did was telling the Chinese that he would warn them of an impending attack by the US. For that he should have been cashiered and tried for his treasonous behavior. I'm sure there's something in the UCMJ that would apply if the elements of the crime of treason weren't there.
This sort of thing is frightening to an old lady with 17 grandchildren spread across the US. I don't mind these people sucking off our substance like leeches (I assume it has always been that way?) but I don't want exasperated Russians strolling through Canada or excess male Chinese floating toward the west coast because of the gross incompetence of these same leeches. My youngest grandchild is 9 months and the second youngest is a medically fragile toddler. I am too nervous, yes?
You are right to be concerned, Grandma T. I also worry about what the future looks like for my grandkids. That is one reason that I write even though it takes a heck of a lot of time for just one article.
Another great article by John Lucas. Milley is the most unqualified, most disloyal Joint Chiefs of Staff since I first joined the military in 1968. His calling his counterpart in China and saying he would give China a heads-up betrayed his duties to his Commander in Chief and America. The honorable thing would have been for Milley to resign his commission when he could not provide loyalty and obedience to his president.
George Marshall is the gold standard for any chief of staff. It is inconceivable that he would do what Millie has done.
With an academy honed battlefield commander's understanding of the principles of war . the close look of Ignatius' article and detailed 'Fisking' of his credibility as stated objectives , Blue thankfully subordinated one principle in his Elite slaughter, marshalling and massing of simple fact , he eschewed surprise. However, knowing the author's unabashed commitment to enlightened truth , I am not surprised.
Milley is simply the culmination of a process that began many years ago. I had the honor of serving from 1969 to 2000. Saw the military claw its competence and reputation back after VN -- credit to the officers and NCOs that stuck it out and turned the institution around. Taught at USMA and served on the personal staff of an Army Chief of Staff. Observed the creep of Politics (partisanship) and dilution of the focus on warfighting beginning with the "peace dividend" after ODS. The senior leadership is compromised. Note that nobody (military or civilian) has been held accountable (i.e. fired) for the Afghanistan debacle. Even more troubling, no military officer resigned or offered to resign when presented with the completely arbitrary withdrawal date or the unworkable and dangerous "plan" for withdrawal that pulled the bulk of the military out before any civilians. No moral fiber, no backbone. Fish rots from the head.
China is laughing all the way to hegemony. While we focus on the 5 meter target of Ukraine, China gains a weakened, but resource-rich vassal state in Russia, securing its western flank. The conflict there weakens the US -- decades worth of munitions production and major weapons systems (tanks and HIMARS) sent to a secondary and worthless theater. If, as the current DoD leadership states, the Indo-Pacific is the priority theater, we can't project or sustain enough combat power to protect Taiwan. China doesn't want to destroy Taiwan -- they want the semi-conductor industry and shipyards and airfields intact. They just have to keep probing us and letting us waste resources in minor skirmishes as we slide into bankruptcy.
Patton combined the science of his intell collection with the art of his intuition and anticipated the German counterattack in the Bulge. Milley and his cohort can't see beyond the next promotion and then their selection of board positions.
The Russians mostly publish their doctrine, which many in our military read in translation. Milley should have been able to quote Russian doctrine to his counterpart...
Excellent point. Thanks for sharing.
Pattonesqe? I recall a line from the movie "Patton": "L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace." IMO, the boldest thing Milley ever did was telling the Chinese that he would warn them of an impending attack by the US. For that he should have been cashiered and tried for his treasonous behavior. I'm sure there's something in the UCMJ that would apply if the elements of the crime of treason weren't there.
You are on target with all shots.
You've been "blocked" on FB. All the more reason to believe you...
Thanks for the heads-up, Bob. Did they give a reason? Can you send me a screenshot of anything you got from FB about the block/
Thanks again.
Of course Facebook is blocking the sharing of this article.
Thank you, too, for the heads-up, Joey. Did they give a reason? Can you send me a screenshot of anything you got from FB about the block/
Thanks again.
Not able to cut and paste. You can see the screenshot here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wp8pWj3wHtFxFqxi8
This sort of thing is frightening to an old lady with 17 grandchildren spread across the US. I don't mind these people sucking off our substance like leeches (I assume it has always been that way?) but I don't want exasperated Russians strolling through Canada or excess male Chinese floating toward the west coast because of the gross incompetence of these same leeches. My youngest grandchild is 9 months and the second youngest is a medically fragile toddler. I am too nervous, yes?
You are right to be concerned, Grandma T. I also worry about what the future looks like for my grandkids. That is one reason that I write even though it takes a heck of a lot of time for just one article.