ADM Bill McRaven (Ret.) Calls Out Our Faux-Patriot President: Revoke My Clearance As Well

[hanger4]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/revoke-my-security-clearance-too-mr-president/2018/08/16/8b149b02-a178-11e8-93e3-24d1703d2a7a_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e670554dd2ff

I won't editorialize. The article is worth reading. This is a lifelong public servant and warrior whom many of us had the privilege of serving under and learning from. He oversaw NEPTUNE SPEAR (operation that killed UBL). I suppose this is one more actual American hero who will have to go under the bus for President *****-grabbing bone spurs.

McRaven defends a man, Brennan, who lied to Congress and latter apologized for his CIA spying on Congressional staffers. Obama should have fired Brennan, as many on the left implored at the time, when this became known. Now the left castigates Trump.

Ya just can't make this stuff up. :lamo

 

[Captain America]

Wow....

I wonder if this will spark an anti-Trump movement among our military?

Naw.......... Our guys are too professional to let politic's bog them down and compromise their duties....

But if the guys at the top do...

Imagine the possibilities.

 

[apdst]

You're talking about the Generalissimo Trumpolini. This was coming sooner or later and later has begun.


Special Ops general: The government is in 'unbelievable turmoil'

Gen. "Tony" Thomas center with Gen. Joseph Dunford (R) chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff and Gen. Joseph Votel commander of Central Command confer at Pentagon in 2017.


The head of US Special Operations Command gave a frank assessment of the state of the American government, and it wasn't pretty.

Speaking at a military conference in Maryland, Gen. Raymond Thomas told attendees: "Our government continues to be in unbelievable turmoil. I hope they sort it out soon because we're a nation at war."

When asked later about his comments, Thomas told The Times: "As a commander, I'm concerned our government be as stable as possible."

It's rather uncharacteristic for a top active-duty military officer to offer such public critiques.

Still, Thomas concluded that the Special Operations forces under his command — including Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and Marine Raiders — were "staying focused" despite the dysfunction in Washington.

https://www.businessinsider.com/socom-commander-government-unbelievable-turmoil-2017-2



Admiral McRaven and then Gen. Votel each commanded US Special Operations Command. Gen. Thomas is the current commander.

Any officer, regardless of rank, who tries to undermine the government is this way doesn't deserve to wear the uniform.

 

[LincolnRossiter]

McRaven defends a man, Brennan, who lied to Congress and latter apologized for his CIA spying on Congressional staffers. Obama should have fired Brennan, as many on the left implored at the time, when this became known. Now the left castigates Trump.

Ya just can't make this stuff up. :lamo

On the "lying to Congress" bit, I'm sure you're thinking of Jim Clapper's testimony before the SSCI in 2013. I know that's a talking point in your circles. He responded appropriately to an indiscreet question by an indiscreet Senator. If he said "I can't discuss this" regarding what information our agencies collected, it would have all but confirmed it--and all out of context. Of course, Edward Snowden took care of that. As for Brennan's apology for CIA inappropriately accessing SSCI sharedrive files in search of any CIA documents that shouldn't be there, it speaks for itself. The SSCI doesn't generate intelligence. It's unlikely that they'd have anything that CIA's senior executives and senior analysts wouldn't have. But they went about accessing and auditing those files in an inappropriate manner. I don't think any CIA director would have been fired for that, though.

 

[LincolnRossiter]

Wow....

I wonder if this will spark an anti-Trump movement among our military?

Naw.......... Our guys are too professional to let politic's bog them down and compromise their duties....

But if the guys at the top do...

Imagine the possibilities.

1. Will it? Absolutely not.

2. Should it. HELL NO.

The military has no place whatsover in arbitrating our routine, civil, partisan disputes. We aren't a banana republic. We don't need some tinpot Junta. If the American people want his fat ass gone, their Representatives will have to do it (should the Mueller probe uncover impeachable offenses), or it'll have to wait until November 2020. Meanwhile, just VOTE to limit his power in upcoming elections.

 

[Tangmo]

Any officer, regardless of rank, who tries to undermine the government is this way doesn't deserve to wear the uniform.

George Washington and the Founders disagree with you which makes you wrong. One hundred percent wrong to include the accusation as well as the penalty you, Putin and Trump would impose on "any officer" as you have mischaracterized it.

 

[apdst]

George Washington and the Founders disagree with you which makes you wrong. One hundred percent wrong to include the accusation as well as the penalty you, Putin and Trump would impose on "any officer" as you have mischaracterized it.

Any officer, or non-commissioned officer who undermines troop morale by making these kinds of claims about the government is a piece of **** and is a disgrace to the uniform.

 

[Tangmo]

Any officer, or non-commissioned officer who undermines troop morale by making these kinds of claims about the government is a piece of **** and is a disgrace to the uniform.

Adm. McRaven is a retired four-star who has spoken his mind based on his experience in the armed services and with John Brennan. Many retired flag officers have spoken out against Trump. The equally respected Gen. (ret.) Barry McCafferty is a leading critic of Trump's campaign to demolish the national security and stability of the United States due to Trump being under the direct influence of Vladimir Putin. Many flag officers who endorsed Trump during the political campaign remain silent in contrast. There's a reason and the Constitutional rationale of these developments is there for all to see. So the unknowing need to give a moment of sober attention to it....



The Oath of Military Officer - United States of America

“Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.”
--- George Washington opening the Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, 1788.




MARINES
The Official Website of the United States Marine Corps

Why are the two oaths different [officer and enlisted] and what does it mean that officers do not swear obedience to the president or higher ranking officers? This concept traces back to the intentions of the Founding Fathers who created our governing system with a separation of powers and series of checks and balances between the three branches. This ensures no single branch or person gains too much power and becomes corrupted. By swearing allegiance to a set of ideals and laws, our military is not bound by the orders of a single person, but are dedicated to the defense of the people and their way of life.

https://www.quantico.marines.mil/New...of-enlistment/





The Military Oath of Office

The oath requires military officers to support and defend the Constitution - not the president, not the country, not the flag, and not a particular military service.

Because the Constitution was built on a series of checks and balances that distribute power across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, armed forces officers must give their allegiance to all three entities - despite the fact that the chain of command leads to the President.

George Washington conveys the notion of support in his farewell address: “The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government. But the Constitution, which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all."

The words support and defend were added in 1862, during the Civil War, when defense and preservation of the nation became paramount. [23] America does not require its officers to obey “unquestioningly” but gives them the opportunity and flexibility for innovation.

Against All Enemies, Foreign and Domestic: This phrase was added in 1862 as a direct result of the Civil War - specifically, to address the possibility of Union soldiers joining the Confederacy. That is, people who had previously sworn allegiance to the United States were now fighting against it. Military officers cannot simply maintain the status quo - they must look toward the future, identify emerging trends, and develop capabilities to counter the entire range of threats.

However, the officer’s oath ensures allegiance to the Constitution as a whole, not just the president. Officers pledge allegiance to the nation as a whole. Many of the same themes and ideas apply to the dedicated professionals in our enlisted force and civilian personnel. Remember this, Once given, the Oath is binding for life, unless renounced, refused, and abjured. It does not cease upon the occasions of leaving office or of discharge. (emphasis added)

https://thoughts-and-stuff-zwright.b...f-america.html



This history of the officer corps Constitutional mission is contained in the curriculum of the federal service academies, all university Rotc programs, the curriculum of the state military academies such as Citadel, VMI, and at the privately owned DoD certified military colleges and academies such as Norwich in Vermont. It is standard fare in armed forces officer education, orientation, training and development. The uninitiated need then to accept it, accommodate it and learn to live with it.

 

[OscarLevant]

Well I just lost some respect for McRaven. Both he and Brennan and the rest of the whiners need to understand that THEY ARE NO LONGER IN THEIR POSITIONS AND NO LONGER NEED THE SECURITY CLEARANCE THEY HAD WHEN THEY WERE. Geesh, it ain't freakin rocket surgery. Read my lips, crybabies, "NEED TO KNOW". You are no longer in a position that requires that level of access. Period, end of story, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. If someone is dumb enough to put you back into a position that needs that level of clearance, they can request it, just like IT WORKS FOR THE REST OF US.

Truly amazing your level of ignorance. You just destroyed your credibility--you have no clue about what you're talking about. Former security officials retaining their security clearances is for a good reason as it aligns with US national interest. You should take a modicum of time and study the issue before you stick your foot in your mouth and embarrass yourself.

 

[Jarhead1369]

Truly amazing your level of ignorance. You just destroyed your credibility--you have no clue about what you're talking about. Former security officials retaining their security clearances is for a good reason as it aligns with US national interest. You should take a modicum of time and study the issue before you stick your foot in your mouth and embarrass yourself.

what is embarrassing is your attempt to pass off your incorrect opinion as some kind of fact. I am one of those "former security officials". My level of clearance changed per the requirements of my job..and after I left the job, my clearance was revoked. If I took another job that required clearance, I obtained that clearance, usually much faster depending upon time gaps. THAT is how it works. Handing out or retaining access to classified information to your political cronies who no longer have a legitimate need for that access is why our national security is so often compromised.

Try again, this time try using these thingies called facts in your rebuttal, rather than relying on emotion, bulltwinkle, and Hillaryish arrogance.

 

[Captain America]

Any officer, or non-commissioned officer who undermines troop morale by making these kinds of claims about the government is a piece of **** and is a disgrace to the uniform.

Teddy disagrees.....

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

 

[apdst]

Teddy disagrees.....

Teddy didn't say anything about officers of the military, or to abuse the priviledge of a security clearance to do so.

 

[Excon]

The President should tell him to put his request in through the proper channels.

 

[Linc]

The President should tell him to put his request in through the proper channels.

#45 is the only one that needs to have its security clearance revoked, permanently

 

[Excon]

#45 is the only one that needs to have its security clearance revoked, permanently

iLOL
McRaven first as he requested it.

 

[Linc]

Teddy disagrees.....

Let them run against McRaven, Petraeus, Bob Gates and the other 12 great Eisenhowers to sign on.

The DNC has a great new National ad correctly trashing GOP ‘Leadership’. Just gave for it. They finally earned it with this production.

So many GOP political fish tk shiit in the barrel, rhetorically of course.

 

[Linc]

iLOL
McRaven first as requested it.

Cadet Bone Spurs versus 4-Star Admiral McRaven and 14 other Eisenhower types :lamo:lamo:lamo

 

[Excon]

Cadet Bone Spurs versus 4-Star Admiral McRaven and 14 other Eisenhower types

:lamo
The Commander in Chief outranks a four star general, especially a retired one. :lamo:lamo

 

[Linc]

:lamo
The Commander in Chief outranks a four star general, especially a retired one. :lamo:lamo

Not in the minds of the American Legion, who walked away from this Criminally Insane Traitor Today.

#45 Broke the Law Today with Jury Tampering

 

[Excon]

Not in the minds of the American Legion, who walked away from this Criminally Insane Traitor Today.

1. Your characterization of PDJT is as delusional as it is wrong.
2. The American Legion has their own Commander, so your reply is nonsensical. Coming from the same thoughts that were as wrong as they were delusional, that is no surprise.
3. And they didn't really walk away. They attached a condition to their support. That could be considered a form of negotiation on their part. So again back to those kind of thoughts you seem to always be having.

#45 Broke the Law Today with Jury Tampering

iLOL No he didn't.
Again back to those thoughts you appear to always be having.

 

[Captain America]

I can't believe these traitors who are not only turning their backs on our nation's finest military leaders, but slandering their good name just to defend this p.o.s. Liar-In-Chief. They have no shame. They should be expatriated. Downright shameful. What's next? War on Veterans?

Commies.

 

[Tangmo]

The President should tell him to put his request in through the proper channels.

You refer of course to the Executive Coloring Book.

 

[jnug]

You refer of course to the Executive Coloring Book.

Now that was good. Its hard to make me laugh these days because all of this stuff is true. Trump is just this corrupt, just this juvenile, just this unscrupulous. But it is clear that some will just follow him right down the rat hole. Good, we can seal up one hole flood it with water and be done with them.

 

[Tangmo]

Teddy didn't say anything about officers of the military, or to abuse the priviledge of a security clearance to do so.

TR was a colonel in the Army. We recall Roosevent's Rough Riders, officially the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry which TR commanded in Cuba.

Roosevelt then ordered a charge and took after the Spaniards on adjacent San Juan Hill. But he didn’t realize that only five men followed, three of whom fell wounded within a hundred yards. The other two held their ground while an angry Roosevelt returned to the main line through the continuing fire and confronted his men for not following. In the heat of the moment, the troops hadn’t heard Roosevelt’s order nor seen him charging up the hill almost single-handedly. Now the charge became general and the troops cleared the Spanish trenches and kept a tenuous hold on both San Juan and Kettle Hills. The Rough Riders lost 89 of 490 men killed or wounded in what came to be known as Roosevelt's Crowded Hour. Most experts agree that his personal valor and leadership were the single strongest elements leading to that day’s victory.

The Soldier - Theodore Roosevelt Association


Colonel TR and Admiral McRaven vs Trump. There are many more flag officers vs Trump, generals and admirals retired and on active duty throughout the armed services. McRaven said he'd prayed Trump would change to become a good Potus. In other words, Putin-Trump-Fanboyz are up against the wrong guy who moreover has a lot of support behind him.

 

[Excon]

You refer of course to the Executive Coloring Book.

What a dumb thing to say.
No one wanted him to give you the proper forms to remove his clearance. It wouldn't go anywhere if that was done.
Do you really not know that?