"The New pick for Defence Secretary" Topic

from Fox News presenter to….and ….I got nothing….

Oh, no, I remember:

at least you guys are in safe hands !

YouTube link

And to save time – no, no, no, it'll be fine.

Hegseth was a major in the Minnesota national guard who served as a prison guard at Guantánamo Bay detention camp and served in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming an outspoken rightwing critic of the military

link

For….that should be For in the title.

What's up with autocorrect today?

Best not to watch this kind of thing…..

" Hegseth has been a fierce advocate of "wokeness" in the military, and has suggested banning women from combat roles and firing Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. CQ Brown.

Should he be confirmed in the Senate, Hegseth would replace Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is set to depart along with President Biden in January.

Here's what to know about his nomination:

Hegseth was an infantry officer in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021. After graduating from Princeton University in 2003, he went on to serve tours in Guantanamo Bay from 2004-'05, Iraq from 2005-'06, and Afghanistan from 2011-'12, according to the Army National Guard.

His military awards include two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, and the expert infantryman and combat infantryman badges.

Hegseth also served as the executive director of the non-profit Vets for Freedom and CEO of Concerned Veterans for America, a Koch-backed conservative advocacy group that advocated for the privatization of veterans' care.

Hegseth has never served in government. He unsuccessfully ran for a Senate seat representing Minnesota in 2012 and was considered for the Secretary of Veteran Affairs position in Trump's first administration."

Top liberals are already whining and gnashing their teeth. (That must mean he's good). He is a staunch defender of the military and those serving.

He was not dependent on the government for his livelihood(like so so so many in there now). I'm pretty sure he makes more money between Fox, his books and other ventures. He won't be dependent on the government for future jobs.
He is a man's man, unlike so many in office positions recently.

So NOT a deep state swamp rat. 🐀

Want to know his views on the military, read his books.

Sounds like a lot of positives.

An EXCELLENT choice fully supported by veterans and serving military (except for the political generals).

This announcement has sure received criticism from military industry lobbyists and mainstream media pundits. Sounds like a good pick. :)

I am concerned about his apparent lack of administrative experience.

Yes Shag

My only concern is; will he be able to handle the entrenched, backstabbing, deep state, entrenched deep swampers, who currently fill the bureaucracy? Those people who become "unnamed sources" for the MSM.

Hopefully he can clean house. But that's like getting flys of a pile of 💩.

"I am concerned about his apparent lack of administrative experience."

Yes, because those experienced individuals who are currently in charge of the military are bureaucratic wonders who are responsible when it comes to managing their budgets – or at least that is what the Taliban regime probably thinks.

I am reminded of the scene in "A Fish Called Wanda" where Michael Palin is driving a steam roller to flatten Kevin Kline. All the while he is shouting, stammering "R-r-r-r-revenge!"

Yes. Hitler's generals were very obedient. So someone said. Anyway, until they weren't.
Oh dear. Godwin's Law!
The "ancient Chinese curse" is coming through. We are living in interesting times.

Also the view that anybody with relevant experience or qualifications must be unfit for the job so let's pick somebody with neither based on loyalty and ideology. We don't think like that for Doctors or Dentists and I'm sure we like to think, when flying, that the the Pilot, maintainers and Air Traffic Controllers aren't just random guys picked off the street based on having the same politics as the boss and following orders regardless.

@20th Maine.
Autocorrect and AI are more to be feared than any fictitious "deep state".

When you're building that big wall across the south, can you extend it all the way round, omit any doors and put a roof on it to stop any planes getting out? The rest of us should be safe then.

Dean,

We'll keep that in mind the next time the German actively seek to expand the E.U.

Well since the UK has kicked in.

Just when I had very little hope for politics in the UK, this comes out.

Subject: Citizen Free Press on X: "BEAUTIFUL MOMENT FROM UK PARLIAMENT Meet the new leader of the UK Tory (conservative) party, Kemi Badenoch. This is outstanding. t.co/M4XOCjGJOo / X

link

But then hope dies again. 😔
1984 come to life.

Subject: UK Hate Speech Laws Used Against Conservative Journalist


link

Subject: No 10 confirms non-crime hate review amid Allison Pearson row


link

+1 Midlander

The current SoD is beyond worthless. Anyone with a brain would be an improvement and Hegseth will be a great improvement.

It is nice to hear all the UK input on this issue as most US citizens have no idea, or interest, in the corresponding occupant of the UK equivalent position. Take heart in that.

What is this obsession with seeing the president-elect as a super macho man – he's almost 80 ( as someone once said – an age that is much too old to be president – who was that someone….) and rather (ok, ok, let's not prevaricate, very) overweight. He's not muscular – he's flabby. None of this is to be insulting – it's just true.

It does beg the question: can't you stand to look at the man you actually voted for?

It is, as someone said, very weird.

I talked to a number of guys from Fort Moore (Benning) and I was surprised that they liked the guy.

As I posted on another thread here …

The new POTUS chose Pete Hegseth from FOX news. As his Sec Def. He was in the same regiment I was with in the 101. But of course, many years later. old fart

As usual, some of the media and those in Congress, etc. are bashing him. But I'd like to ask them if they were ever in the military, served as an Infantry Officer, at Gitmo, Iraq and A'stan. Has a CIB and 2 Bronze Stars. Served over 20 years in the Army. He is currently an NG MAJ, IIRC.

Of course, don't think any of them have any of those qualifications. And he is a conservative, thinks woke, DEI, CRT, pronouns, etc. in the military is total 🐮💩. But since Trump chose him, he must be "bad" …

Amazingly Trump it appears chose people he knew were capable and had some sort of relationship with. Hmmm … who would have thought !!!? But the difference is the people Trump chose was based generally by capabilities, experience, etc. not sex, sexual preference, race, etc. Hmmm … how novel !!!!

They are doing the same to Tulsi Gabbard as she was selected for DNI. She is a LTC in the NG and served in Iraq, IIRC. That must give her some credibility. But since Trump chose her, she must be bad … just as they are doing with Hegseth …

Plus, both of them have the unforgivable sin of being conservative, don't agree with woke, DEI, CRT, etc. dogma, plus they are straight … oh and white. But Gabbard I think she is part Samoan, so she is an "indigenous people", IIRC. However, since she had joined another party, the party of Trump, she must be equivalent to Lucresia Borza, Catherine Demedici and Cruella DeVill. 😱

The potential problem is that the picks seem like personal loyalty to the Prez,

And no other POTUS did the same ? AFAIK no other POTUS took race, sex and sexual preference into consideration, as we have seen currently. And has said often that this was the most diverse Admin ever. Too bad it can be said it was the most effective admin ever.

It is only the illegal requests for military help that will be questioned.

No, if the JCS, Sec Def, etc. thinks the POTUS is making a poor decision, they can and should recommend otherwise. And why, etc. E.g.
The Biden admin and his Sec State, etc. ignored the recommendations of the Military and Intel advisors and went with the plan he and the Sec State, etc. came up with. We see what debacle that was. There have been a number of investigations on this tragedy. And only the POTUS and his admin call it a success.

And again, this massive failure demonstrated to Putin and Iran that the US top elected and appointed leadership did not have the right stuff. So, Putin felt free to invade Ukraine as he saw how risk adverse and fear of escalation the current US leaders were. Iran saw the same and resulted in the current war with the IDF vs. Hamas and Hezbollah …

No need to mention how the Chicoms are reacting. They saw the same weakness with US leadership as the rest of the USA's enemies have. But the Chicoms are on a war footing and threatening to take Taiwan …

Elections have consequences, this past four years is a good example of that …

We just had four years of constant whining and gnashing teeth on the right, so cut those lefties a break!

No slack, they brought it on themselves.

For all our sakes, I hope these people can cut it. Rooting out diversity training while the Russians steal Ukraine does not work for me.

Having been both and Infantry Platoon Ldr and Mech Co. Cdr, I can assure anyone that anything that takes away from valuable training time. Time that is used to train for war. Is a waste of time among other things. And this woke progressive DEI, CRT, etc. agenda/dogma has not made the US Military stronger but caused dissention not cohesion. Cohesion that is very important to a Military unit.

Gray Bear and Timeportal +1/ea …

What is this obsession with seeing the president-elect as a super macho man –

Don't see that … we just want someone who can demonstrate strength if need be … And certainly, is better that the current leaders in the WH, etc.

It does beg the question: can't you stand to look at the man you actually voted for?

I see as may others did, and voted him in.

The many negative things that occurred in the past 4 years with the USA's current leadership. It is no surprise the working class in the heartland, etc. wanted a change.

and has suggested banning women from combat roles

Some female pundits, media types, etc. basically said this would be like going back to stone age. What ? Women in combat arms units e.g. Infantry, Tanks, FA, ADA … were always males only. There are a lot of jobs in the Military that females can do. The higher loss combat arms branches, i.e. Infantry and Tanks, would be something females would want to avoid. That was the way it was during the Vietnam War with a draft. Many were drafted and if having the choice would not want to go into those branches. What makes things any different today. Warfare has only gotten deadlier.

These female pundits who think it is a good idea for females to be in the Infantry obviously never have been in the military. But yet they are enraged when someone says females can't be in combat arms units. IMO the only reason that was done and I think back in the Obama era. To try to make everybody "equal" … Another leader who never was in the military. Maybe they should review the footage of the pitched battle during Vietnam. The list is long …

Yelling loudly and blustering isn't strength. It's sad how quickly we forget this.

Bad to worse…..

"Who is Trump intelligence pick Tulsi Gabbard, accused of repeating Russian talking points?"
link

The joke that just keeps on giving….

"Trump picks vaccine-sceptic RFK Jr for health secretary"

link

So, an intelligence chief who believes the enemy's propaganda, and a health chief who thinks viruses are not real.

Good Luck.

Oops, nearly missed this one…

"What do Capitol Hill lawmakers think about Matt Gaetz?"

"The House Ethics Committee has been investigating the Florida lawmaker for alleged sexual misconduct and financial impropriety."

He, at least, seems perfectly suited to the role.

@Legion4 – so can you explain the deaged, muscled up gladiator warrior image – and all the hundreds of similar images?

I compare it to Churchill – often thought of as the greatest PM (we can debate!) and certainly the right man for WWII.

But he was never portrayed as anything but an elderly overweight alcoholic who smoked too much. None of those things detracted from what he achieved and no-one thought he needed to project a false image of who he was and what he looked like.

He had a lot of doubts – he suffered from depression as well – but he didn't solve it by cosplaying as a cowboy or a firefighter or….you see what I mean and hopefully understand why it can seem curious.

So it looks like the new president is picking a lot of incompetent individuals for his staff. Point of case because Kennedy for Health.

Well since the UK has kicked in

Stay calm. That's not the UK kicking in – it's the opinion of one person.

DBDD

It appears that certain of the posters can't recognize a meme when it slaps them upside the head.

And, at least, we were intelligent enough not to elect starmer or someone who can't produce a coherent thought.

I like Hegseth's combat experience but his lack of administrative or legislative experience of any kind likely makes it very though to be effective. As a major he had maybe a battalions worth of men and limited budget responsibility. The Pentagon is the single largest US budget piece and the US military is the most powerful on the planet. Mike Rogers (AL 3rd District -R) is the Chairman of the House Armed Forces Committee and has a deep knowledge of the risks around the globe and US forces posture and procurement with a focus on the defense industrial base. Joni Ernst (Senator – R Iowa) is the Chair of the Republican Policy Committee, a retired LTC and has been involved on manufacturing reinvestment. Both would seem far more qualified to lead the largest most complex military entity on the planet. The Pentagon is a labyrinth of competing petty kingdoms and experience in both administration, legislation, foreign policy and procurement is not a good on the job training project when the budget number approaches one trillion.

I saw the current defense secretary when he was a lieutenant colonel. He wasn't any smarter than he is now, and in between times he picked up lots of "qualifications," while he did what I remember him doing: sitting mutely in a chair while the staff officers around him told him what to do. He was regarded as an empty suit by the Army long before he pinned on four stars, and decades before he became Secretary.

He's a good illustration of what those "qualifications" are worth.

It's all part of the Revenge Tour. 🤷
If that's what you wanted, that's what you're going to get.

And, at least, we were intelligent enough not to elect starmer or someone who can't produce a coherent thought.

Do you mean by any chance Sir Keir Starmer – who got his knighthood as a result of successfully prosecuting MPs of both the labour and the tory persuasion during the Expenses Scandel when he was The Director of Public Prosecutions?

Also made a Queen's Counsel. And interestingly got his knighthood from a Tory government.

Not an idiot, whatever you think of his politics. And demonstrably someone who is capable of working in a bipartisan way – oh, and quite an important player in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Wouldn't it be nicer/better to not play the "my opponent is an idiot" game? There's one guy in American politics who whenever he throws out his playground insults just sounds like he's (a) describing himself and (b) has the debating power of a 6 year old. Surely at TMP we're better than that?

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply
cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A
democracy will continue to exist up until the time
that voters discover they can vote themselves generous
gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on,
the majority always votes for the candidates who
promise the most benefits from the public treasury,
with the result that every democracy will finally
collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is followed by a dictatorship."

Alexander Tyler, Edinburgh University Scotland 1787

He goes on to say that the average lifespan of a civilization is 200 years. The United States is living on borrowed time. We are now in the Revenge phase.

link

😂🤣

Well since this has turned into a Trump and his picks attack fest and it so far has been allowed, I guess response is ok.

So the other side was ready to vote for a woman who raised 1 billion dollars and yet ended her campaign 20 million in debt. Yes that's who I want running the country. 😂

Speaking of military qualifications, they were ready to ignore a VP who claimed combat experience and when the going got rough for his unit(they were sent to the war), he got going! 🤣

Oh and Pete won't wear a dress, like the current Assistant Secretary for Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. 😉

Or another deputy assistant secretary of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition in the Office of Nuclear Energy, who also wore dresses and had to be released for stealing suitcases with women's clothing in them ( at least 3 times). 🤣

And all the great appointees of the current administration, how have they done?
No wars worldwide? Successful withdrawal from Afghanistan? Border secure? No trains derailing? Infrastructure good? How's that national debt? Grocery prices where you want them? Housing? Illegals in "your" neighborhoods? Crime? Inflation? Did you like being forced to take a shot that didn't work? Masks that were useless? Lockdowns? Seems experience didn't do them a lot good. 🤣😂

Also remember these individuals in his cabinet hid the fact that the president of the US has had dementia or worse Alzheimers, for most of his term, if not all. They told you he was great! Until they could no longer hide it, then they staged a coup. I won't laugh at that, it's not funny.

This same man who has told us repeatedly that Trump is a Fascist, a Nazi and a danger to democracy, as well as any who vote for him. Well that same man just had a really gentlemanly turnover meeting in the White House. Would you do that if it was Hitler? 😂🤣

What I'm seeing is this thread, is the current talking points I'm hearing currently on CNN, MSNBC, The View and most of the rest of the MSM. Propagated by the lame media and the entrenched deep state bureaucracy. 😂

His picks may not be successful. They may fail. But God can they do worse than the current crop of DEI losers?! 😂🤣

And after all, you can vote him out in 4 years. 😂

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply
cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A
democracy will continue to exist up until the time
that voters discover they can vote themselves generous
gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on,
the majority always votes for the candidates who
promise the most benefits from the public treasury,
with the result that every democracy will finally
collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is followed by a dictatorship."

Good thing we are not a democracy right? 😉

But does sound exactly like the party that just got voted out. Forgiven student loans, welfare, ADC, offering first time homeowners money, first time parents, free benefits to illegals, free sex changes, etc. etc. etc..

DEI and CRT are not going to last regardless of who is finally confirmed as SecDef. That ship has sailed but, there are far bigger issues on the next SecDef's platter.

The Navy does not have enough shipyards and skilled workers to build the surface and subsurface fleet we need to compete with China.

The Airforce has an aging fleet, a tanker shortage, a 6th gen NGAD that may or may not be progressing and a next gen ICBM behind time and budget along with the unresolved debate over drones v manned aircraft.

The Army needs to learn the lessons of Ukraine while significantly improving a broken procurement process.

Whoever gets the job has to navigate a Congress more concerned with projects with jobs in their district than necessarily the actual effectiveness of the military all within the constraints of an ever shrinking group of defense contractors as mergers/consolidation make the US military reliant on fewer and fewer suppliers.