Where have independent military officers gone?
Where have independent military officers gone?
EDITOR:
While watching questioning of Gen. Petraeus by Congress, it became obvious that his testimony could have been prepared by the White House or secretary of defense. He continued “on message” regardless of the questions being put to him. Each was answered with a canned response supporting the administration position on Iraq. This is in marked contrast to the intent of how civilian oversight of the military is designed to function.
Is there not one remaining flag level (general/admiral) military officer with sufficient integrity and moral courage to stand before the commander-in-chief or secretary of defense and tell the truth about the Iraq situation? In our storied military history there seems to have always been a senior officer who was willing to risk his career to correctly access and voice opinion concerning geo-military-political matters, even if this opinion did not follow sitting administration policy. Grant’s assessment of the Civil War for Lincoln, Billy Mitchell’s prophetic air power stance, Patton’s view on why armies fight and Eisenhower’s skillful navigation of the allies military/political minefield during WWII. Even MacArthur’s feud with Truman, although largely ego driven and wrong-headed, was courageous from a standpoint of not following party line. There appear to be none of these types left in the military.
Somewhere along the line a decision was made to require commander-in-chief (president) endorsement for elevation from staff to flag level military promotion. Since that moment, these promotions and subsequent career advancement of these officers is forever tied to the promoting authority, which has now become the political party of the sitting authority of the time. This situation is evident in listening to the remarks of nearly any officer interviewed by the media. Active duty senior officers sound like the sitting administration and those retired or actually fired for not staying on message usually oppose current policy. If analyzed closely, even retired military members acting as network military affairs consultants can be correctly identified as to their original promotion authority. Consequently, the sitting administration can ensure nearly complete, unquestioned support by the military. This set of conditions has eliminated the advisory capacity of senior military officers. This is not the intent of the civilian control of the military as envisioned by our founders.
TOM SEDLOCK
Master Sgt., Retired USAF
Mineral Ridge
There is no mortgage ‘crisis’
EDITOR:
It is a simple fact that 96 to 97 percent of all home mortgages are not in default. While it is true that there may be some part of this “issue” that relates to predatory lending practices, there is also clearly some element of moral hazard. Two points should be made. One is pragmatic and the other moral.
It is as certain that night follows day that the federal government will over-react to whatever “crisis” there is in the mortgage foreclosure area. Therefore, do not be surprised when the “help” that is forthcoming will generate its own scandals.
Is it fair that the vast majority of people paying their mortgages on a timely basis be taxed for others who have, often foolishly, undertaken obligations that they cannot afford?
It should also be noted that the federal government with the repeal of the “Glas-Steagal Act” helped to create a situation in which literally any financial entity could offer mortgages on real property.
RICHARD R. THOMPSON
Ellwood City, Pa