78 Comments

The problem with any military leadership is it must have some legitimacy from the political leadership of a country- even in those countries with authoritarian leaders and even military juntas.

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Who has the military with the most disorganized and confusing leadership in the world? Ukraine, Russia, or United States?

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Joe, there's no question Tuberville is a disgrace to his party, to the US Senate, to his own state, and to the nation as a whole. His idiotic stunt is indicative of just how far the moral rot has degraded the Republican party; unfortunately, there's no particular reason to hope - much less assume - that we've seen the worst of it.

That said, the Democratic party, which actually controls the senate, could immediately confirm the new Marine Commandant, by simply carrying out a roll call confirmation of the nominated individual. They choose not to, because they believe the unfilled position reflects poorly on Tuberville, and on his party.

Make no mistake, in any case: the position is unfilled for two reasons: first, as a result of Tuberville's stunt but ALSO the Democratic party's willing participation in this destructive charade. Both causes reflect a higher priority, by the respective parties, on political gains (leaving aside the sad fact that Republican voters won't be fazed by any of this) than on the institutional damage for which, through their cynical calculations, the Democratic party assumes some degree of complicity.

Incidentally, the Democratic-controlled Senate could also proceed with roll calls for the remaining 200 or so senior military nominations. They prefer not to do so, however, as a means of keeping "pressure" (he'll feel none of it...) on Tuberville to stop his shenanigans, and so as "not to incentivize" him, or others who may try this tactic in the future. The problem with this game of chicken is that, on the Democratic party's side, it both ignores the complicity which they inherently

take on by their inaction, while demonstrating shocking levels of naivete about the Republican base, which will be utterly unmoved by the impact of Tuberville's actions on senior military leadership.

The Democratic party's choice not to proceed with roll call confirmations is inexcusable.

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Let’s see.

Recruiting issues, so crippling it may in fact cause major reconstruction to our 50-year-old all volunteer armed forces, to include re-instituting the draft (remind us again why selective service is not a requirement for all of us upon reaching our 18th birthday?).

Increased OPTEMPO to “ramming speed” in the Pacific theatre, with no signs of decreasing. This place called Ukraine, as well as a Veteran’s Administration that appears to be finally caught up in treating a record number of patients, but is actually just treading water…these are only a few outstanding issues, yet the GOP wants to (as Rhonda Santis Ad (nasally / annoyingly) nauseam, regurgitates “don’t back down”) play the cultural warrior.

It’s also astounding that a traitorous motherfucker (please extend veteran courtesy to use poo poo 💩 words) like Tubby gets the privilege to approve officers promotions. The same officers (minus the Flynns) he would likely place behind bars, post coup d’etat for supporting and defending the constitution he gleefully wipes his tushy with.

Parade. Rest. At ease…

#leadership #militarytransition

☮️🇺🇸☯️

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founding

What is wrong with Democrats to allow this to go on? They need to change the rules to avoid one clueless Senator from holding up their appointments. Another idea is to have Biden do interim appointments like TFG did again and again.

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Knee high by the Fourth of July is good enough for me.

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Grassley is a disgusting liar and should just go away. The majority of the voters Iowa on the whole must be very stupid. The same goes for Tuberville and Alabama. The real disaster however is a Senate that allows one Senator to hold up everything. Schumer is a fool.

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Grassley is a disgusting liar and should just go away. The majority of the voters Iowa on the whole must be very stupid. The same goes for Tuberville and Alabama. The real disaster however is a Senate that allows one Senator to hold up everything. Schumer is a fool.

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Does James Comer have any witnesses who are not fugitives from American justice?

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Regarding Tuberville, I think he's actually not the problem. The problem is that Senate rules allow one senator to block promotions. That rule is not embedded in the Constitution; rather, it's just some stupid rule.

For the love of God, change the rule and get on with running the country.

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Both are problems.

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Do we need term limits?

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Tommy Tuberville is an idiot. You can tell he has no idea what he's talking about most of the time. He couldn't even name the three branches of government when he was sworn in as Senator. Unfortunately, he's also a straight a$$hole.

Dems would be wise to start connecting the threads of all the different ways the GOP takes normal government operations hostage to get things they want that are unpopular -- especially since they've been doing it a lot lately. "Now they're even doing it to our military."

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Dems tend to think good govt will convince people. It won’t they need to play be the same rules as repugs. Schumer is not up to it.

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Last I checked, Dems have control of the Senate and can ammend its rules and customs as they want.

I'm not sure why they are allowing this nonsense to continue. Tubberville literally represents less than 1.5% of the U.S. population but he gets to put the entire military on hold on whim? How does that make any sense?

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You are correct. Schumer should be out there everyday talking about it. Of course ManSinema

would protest.

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founding

It isn’t just that one senator can compromise NatSec of 350 mm people, he is also denying bodily autonomy & access to legal health care/due process to all women who serve in uniform. It is beyond anti-democratic and it should be illegal. This is not equal protection under the law. Tuberville is a disgrace to this nation and unfit to serve.

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Since he, along with the rest of the GOP, don't care about that, I wonder if the better attack/pushback is the effect on the military families. Trump used emergency powers to divert money from the DOD construction budget to build the wall. This money was to be used to build/upgrade/replace infrastructure for the miliary - homes, schools, etc. The pro-military GOP keeps shafting them.

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founding

Maybe? But they’re brushing off NatSec implications in docs case & let him skate for extorting Zelenskyy & accepting Russian help in election then making rhetorical love to Kim Jong-Un. They honestly don’t care if they kill us all. Bottomless pit of nihilistic narcissism.

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I agree, but I am a firm believer in undercutting their positions and turning their strengths into weaknesses.

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Its OK for an 89 year old Hawkeye to be a senator, but not ok for the currently sitting president at 80? I don't get it.

Also, shame on the Atlantic for agreeing Biden shouldn't go for relection: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/biden-2024-reelection-age/674634/

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They are shameless liars. Biden has done a good job with a bad hand. On the wrong side of the filibuster and court reform arguments and McConnell is no “man of honor” . He’s a lying snake. I do think that Biden should step aside. We need younger, holder leadership. Biden has probably been the best president of my lifetime. I’m 64 but 82 is too old to be President.

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Thank you for that; I was starting to wonder if my rage-quit a while back was an overreaction. Looks like the answer is no.

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Fight the power, always!

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" I understand a little bit about what’s going on,” Tuberville added. "

OK, Senator - so, step back until you understand EVERYTHING that's going on - the country's security is at stake.

On your past comprehension record, that should see you stepping back for about twenty years - if not more.

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