Army general's promotion pulled after referring to Democrat congressional staffer as "Sweetheart"

[NightHawkeye]

From the "Political correctness run amok", files: Former Fort Carson commanding general punished for calling staffer 'sweetheart'

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A two-star general who recently headed the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson was denied a promotion to three-star after referring to a congressional staffer as "sweetheart" during a meeting in 2016.

That's according to military news outlet Stars and Stripes, which reports that Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded after an investigation into the incident.​

Army general’s promotion pulled after calling congressional staffer 'sweetheart' | Stars & Stripes

The complaint cited accusations that Gonsalves took issue with the female congressional staffer’s youth, and that the general said she should take detailed notes on why the military needed funding “since she was a Democrat and did not believe in funding the military,” the IG report stated.​

 

[Aryeh Jay]

It is not political correctness when the Military holds their people to a higher standard than some elected officials. The Soldiers Creed lists Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. The general failed in upholding these values.

 

[Favourofone]

“Gonsalves had testified that he didn't call the staffer "sweetheart," but the IG report says evidence didn't support "his recollection."

So he is an idiot for starters to use that kind of language in first place in official meeting and also apparently a liar for denying evidence after getting caught.

Great military conduct. Can’t see why he wasn’t promoted for such a stellar performance.

 

[JCFantasy23]

Good grief

 

[AirPo]

From the "Political correctness run amok", files: Former Fort Carson commanding general punished for calling staffer 'sweetheart'

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A two-star general who recently headed the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson was denied a promotion to three-star after referring to a congressional staffer as "sweetheart" during a meeting in 2016.

That's according to military news outlet Stars and Stripes, which reports that Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded after an investigation into the incident.​

Army general’s promotion pulled after calling congressional staffer 'sweetheart' | Stars & Stripes

The complaint cited accusations that Gonsalves took issue with the female congressional staffer’s youth, and that the general said she should take detailed notes on why the military needed funding “since she was a Democrat and did not believe in funding the military,” the IG report stated.​

Stupid people shouldn't be generals.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

But.....what if she IS a sweetheart?

 

[NightHawkeye]

Stupid people shouldn't be generals.

Stupid people shouldn't be reporters ... or Congressional staffers.

What's your point, exactly?

 

[AirPo]

Stupid people shouldn't be reporters ... or Congressional staffers.

What's your point, exactly?

That stupid people shouldn't be generals. Which one of those words is causing confusion.

 

[cow451]

The military has a code of conduct that requires a great deal of personal integrity. This General is unable to meet that standard.

 

[NightHawkeye]

The military has a code of conduct that requires a great deal of personal integrity. This General is unable to meet that standard.

The issue here is not about integrity. The general appears to have, if anything, been a little too honest and open.

 

[AirPo]

The military has a code of conduct that requires a great deal of personal integrity. This General is unable to meet that standard.

The issue here is not about integrity. The general appears to have, if anything, been a little too honest and open.

I put in bold the part that seems to have been missed.

 

[cow451]

The issue here is not about integrity. The general appears to have, if anything, been a little too honest and open.

Which is why he lied, right? And there were other comments made to her that were clearly unprofessional and constituted harassment.

 

[Chesterton]

But.....what if she IS a sweetheart?

From the OED:

1A person with whom someone is having a romantic relationship.
‘the pair were childhood sweethearts’

1.1 Used as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address.
‘don't worry, sweetheart, I've got it all worked out'​

1.2 A particularly lovable or pleasing person or thing.
‘he is an absolute sweetheart’​

 

[NightHawkeye]

Which is why he lied, right? And there were other comments made to her that were clearly unprofessional and constituted harassment.

Calling her "Sweetheart" was a lie?

In retrospect, it appears to be untrue ... but a lie? How would he have known?

 

[Maren]

Sorry, I don't see the political correctness here. The standards are clearly laid out for military members and the General did not meet those standards.

 

[LoAmmi]

If I condescendingly called an intern at work sweetheart, I'd not be demoted. I'd be given a box and shown the door. This isn't political correctness. It's professionalism.

 

[cow451]

Calling her "Sweetheart" was a lie?

In retrospect, it appears to be untrue ... but a lie? How would he have known?

He denied his remarks (plural). The other evidence (people in the meeting, a confidential complaint to the AG and her formal complaint) was more credible than his denial.