(no subject)

[f4f3]

Last night I was quite vociferous in my defence of the U.S. as a democratic state which believes in equality and free speech. But they’re really not helping me, are they?

This story about U.S. troops being deployed in the “Homeland” should scare the bejesus out of anyone left of Bush or with a deep sun tan…

Comments

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

One of the good things about the US is that its military leaders are, most unusually, to the left of the political leadership and while not particularly bright are not as stark raving loony as the Administration. This means it is a little less likely that the military would connive at blatantly unconstitutional use of force. It is said by those in the know that the military refused an order from the White House to launch a nuclear attack on Iran last year.

[anthrokeight.livejournal.com]

Not sure how high up the command chain you're going when you say "leadership" in the US military. I couldn't say about the high heid'uns, but I am the daughter of Military Middle Management.

It's been my experience that your career types- the unit commanders and deputy commanders, as well as captains and such tend towards the remarkably articulate. And not a little eccentric. And probably because they know exactly what it means to deploy assets, not in any great hurry to do so.

(I asked my dad what he thought of the Iraq invasion in Spring 2004 and his comment at the time was "we need to rescind the Patriot Act and vote those guys out of office."

Then again he also once, about a settlement made by his union that the officers called a "great victory" that "the last time I heard something like this called a great victory, I was lying on my stomach in a rice paddy waiting for a helicopter to get us out of there, and let me tell you, there was no parade when I got home."

So I suppose he'd be the sort to be suspicious of Bush et al.)

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of the 3/4/5 star guys. I've been told by people that ought to now that they have done quite a bit to restrain the real, politically appointed, loonies in the White House and Pentagon.

[anthrokeight.livejournal.com]

Yeah, those guys were once the unit commanders and majors. Perhaps the not-brightest-ones get the stars, but they all seem to have some measure of horse sense.

A nuke attack on Iran? Did the Bush govt. WANT to precipitate the end of the world?

Would love to know how that idea got loose in the Oval Office.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

As it was told to me the blocking forces had moved to the Iraq/Iran border, the planes were in the air, the warships were in the gulf, the codes had been issued but CINCCCOM refused to issue the order to proceed.

[anthrokeight.livejournal.com]

Am I allowed to ask who told you?

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you but I have every reason to believe him. Certainly he moves in circles where such things are known.

[anthrokeight.livejournal.com]

I am writing a letter to my Congress rep. and Senators today.

Unreal.