Ex-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel: Trump sending troops to border is 'folly'

[mia]

Source: CNN

Trump is "using our military and our troops in a very political way that ... really casts a lot questions about the competency of his leadership," Hagel said, adding that his own military service during the Vietnam War familiarized him with the hardship of the armed services....

Tapper also asked Hagel his thoughts on Trump's message to troops headed to the border that if migrants throw rocks at them, to "consider it a rifle."



"That's a wanton incitement of unnecessary violence," Hagel said. "It's a distraction, it's a distortion, it is of rank political purpose to use our military like this."

"Not in my lifetime have I ever heard those kinds of words from a president of the United States," he added.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/01/politics/chuck-hagel-border-troops-cnntv/index.html

[Wintryjade]

1. really casts a lot questions about the competency of his leadership,

So many situations, comments, actions have, in so many ways for the last two years. This is merely one in many. Yet, .... Hagel is just coming to the conclusion that maybe inciting the army to fire on some who may or may not be throwing a rock shows a lack of leadership skill.

Telling them to shoot with a rock was telling them to shoot at will.

Call it like it is.

[ms liberty]

2. Hagel has spoken out against Comrade Dumbass a few times

Too bad Chuck can't get sone of his former colleagues to come to their senses.

[mia]

6. "...Hagel also cited the restrictions on military personnel at the border...."

"They are of limited utility anyway because of the constitutional issues involved here as to what our active military can and cannot do," he added.

Federal law forbids "direct participation by a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps in a search, seizure, arrest or other similar activity unless participation in such activity by such member is otherwise authorized by law."

Trump is "using our military and our troops in a very political way that ... really casts a lot questions about the competency of his leadership," Hagel said, adding that his own military service during the Vietnam War familiarized him with the hardship of the armed services.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/01/politics/chuck-hagel-border-troops-cnntv/index.html

[mia]

3. Trump's Operation Faithful Patriot will also encourage some right-wing militia fanatics

to shoot anyone they see with a rock. Many, I believe, can't wait for the opportunity.

[watoos]

4. Very atute observation.

I wonder if Trump had that thought in mind?
Mattis disappointed me when he stuck up for Trump by saying that the military doesn't do stunts. Better to have Mattis in charge though, when he leaves Trump is liable to nominate poopy pants Ted Nugent.

[mia]

5. His rhetoric is always about firing up his base.

He's also trying to make people afraid to come here.

[Initech]

7. Calling this misuse of our military "egregious" is an understatement.

This is an act of war, all just to please that fucking base.