124 Military Generals and Admirables call out Biden's mental incompetence

Whyayeman said:

This man speaks for the World? I don't think so.

But it has to be said, the USA has an awful lot of retired generals and admirals. Does anybody know if their cognitive function is at all impaired? They are entitled to their view of course, but what is it about them that elevates their opinion above the nation as a whole? They do, after all, maintain that 'without fair and honest elections that accurately reflect the “will of the people” our Constitutional Republic is lost'.

That is what America has just had, so that's all right!

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Their opinion should matter less, especially considering that civilian leadership of the military in the US is traditionally considered sacrosanct. It's improper for a former military leader to criticize the competence of a sitting president under the mantle of their military leadership and it undermines the legitimacy of our republic.

RDKirk said:

Not to mention that they don't have any more information about the president's health than the rest of us.

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Good point.

FireDragon76 said:

Their opinion should matter less, especially considering that civilian leadership of the military in the US is traditionally considered sacrosanct. It's improper for a former military leader to criticize the competence of a sitting president under the mantle of their military leadership and it undermines the legitimacy of our republic.
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Not completely improper, depending on circumstances. It was not improper of James Mattis, for instance. But Mattis was talking about a situation in which he had first-hand experience.

I think they should be free to criticise all they want.

Just like those who read their politically motivated, conspiracy laden, demented screed should be free to criticise them.

The text of their open letter should tell you these aren't serious people making a serious point. This is political grandstanding and pandering.

I wonder how many of these men (and without a full check, it does appear to be exclusively men) are planning to run for office in the next 18 months?

I think I saw one woman and there could be more. It hardly seems worth the bother of finding out. I think there is something treacherous about this letter; should ex-military be so presumptuous as to criticise their Commander in Chief or should there be some residual loyalty to the office?

They would have retained some dignity by being silent.

It is rather hilarious that out of a country that size, he is what you picked though.

Gene2memE said:

I think they should be free to criticise all they want.

Just like those who read their politically motivated, conspiracy laden, demented screed should be free to criticise them.

The text of their open letter should tell you these aren't serious people making a serious point. This is political grandstanding and pandering.

I wonder how many of these men (and without a full check, it does appear to be exclusively men) are planning to run for office in the next 18 months?

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At least one, Brig Gen Bolduc who is running who is running for Senate. And it appears to be not only all men, but all White men.

Some wag on Twitter did the numbers on the demographics of the letter signers. Turns out the average age is a little over 80....

Most of them also have political ties to a single, hyper-conservative PAC organised around US veterans.

Let's not pretend this is ex-military being concerned about the capabilities of the CinC, or the nuclear chain of command.

This is a political exercise conducted for political purposes, with a national security figleaf tacked on.

Speaking as someone who is currently serving, I can honestly say that not all admirals and generals are a Nimitz or Eisenhower, some need help tying their shoes.

If not being able to finish a sentence is now the standard, then it should also be applied to the person who came before.

Jaxxi said:

What are you talking about? What does Trump have to do with this?

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You commented about how "the world" sees us, using an Australian right-wing op-ed as a proxy for "the world." I pointed out that "the world" had a far more negative view of Trump and asked if you were really concerned about "the world's" opinion of POTUS or if you were merely happy to point when a right-wing rag confirms your pre-existing feelings.

No, those Generals and Admirals are not all " right wing"! They are a mixture.

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You know this how? Did you research their previous political statements? Do you know them personally?

They signed on to a list of idiotic, right-wing talking points. (And to be clear, they're not idiotic merely because they're right-wing. Their being idiotic is independent of their political orientation.) If these officers knew what they were signing (which I don't assume), then that almost by definition makes them right-wing, whatever their positions may have been in the past.

Jaxxi said:

watch the man to see something is wrong

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Nothing to see, really. He has a wide vocabulary, speaks clearly and unambiguously, and what he says makes sense. He has begun to institute policies in line with his manifesto promises. In short, admirable!

It has made a pleasant change. European leaders have expressed warm feelings about the incoming President and have said how much they look forward to working with him on the urgent issues - particularly climate heating. NATO is safer under Biden.

Aryeh Jay said:

Speaking as someone who is currently serving, I can honestly say that not all admirals and generals are a Nimitz or Eisenhower, some need help tying their shoes.

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And Mike Flynn shows that generals are not necessarily "ideal citizens".

Jaxxi said:

What are you talking about? What does Trump have to do with this? No, those Generals and Admirals are not all " right wing"! They are a mixture. They are pro- constitution .All you have to do is love this country and watch the man to see something is wrong. This isn't about anyone but Biden. You can try to discredit whoever. It does not change the fact that he can barely finish a sentence if at all.

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93 of them had signed a letter endorsing Trump during the election. I'd say that marks them as right wing.

Of those 93 all are over 80 years old.

Pro Trump and pro Constitution seems to be an oxymoron.

Jaxxi said:

Well how many people do you know with the mental capacity to be a General in the U.S. Army? Do you even understand the level you have to be operating at? I am pretty sure it's above your average pot smoking Goodwill employee. They aren't just shmucks with an opinion!

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Hmmm, Mike Flynn comes to mind.

It is not their military prowess that is at issue. Nobody has criticised them for their performance as generals.

In a democracy they are no more qualified than anybody else when it comes to political judgment. Any assessment of these old men and women must be tempered by the fact that they are associated with some very Conservative Republican views. The most sensible conclusion is that they were motivated by partisan considerations, not patriotism.

My guess is that they were put up to it by the Republican Party machine over cocktails in some swish hotel.