http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/politics/medals-for-drone-warriors-canceled.html?ref=us
With all due respect ... Outfinstanding!
One, it seems to me, has to credit Hagel's personal combat experience
in Nam, his character and also his responsiveness to outside pressure groups. Yes, I
know that I just suggested a positive value to outside pressure groups.
I was initially conflicted when I wrote that because my current
perspective has been of the "moneyed" groups successfully exercising
influence in both executive and legislative matters to the detriment of the general welfare of the nation. Here, the groups
were assemblies of veterans and their supporters who influenced some in
Congress and to some degree Sec. Hagel. Here these veterans, in groups
and individually, brought petitions on an issue relevant to them yet not
for their personal selfish advancement and not merely with checkbooks. Certainly, there is the inherent political element of the number of votes at issue but that is and should be the nature of this beast. For once, it worked righteously.
Showing posts with label Secretary of Defense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Secretary of Defense. Show all posts
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Resilience in Place of Fear
NEW YORK --- After a decade of war with al-Qaida the potential for another devastating terrorist assault "remains very real," Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday following a somber visit to ground zero of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
It seems clear that the Secretary of Defense has an obligation to promote the military successes and responsibilities in preparing for the inevitable and imminent budget conflicts in Congress. However, it is imperative in that effort that he not bolster the fear-mongering that unnecessarily pervades national discourse. Reasoned debate in Washington among politicians and implementers of policy is essential. However, there is an obligation among them to present a balanced perspective to citizens. Prof. Zelikow, former Executive Director of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks, summarized what Americans should be brought to understand and believe in, is our "resilience" as individuals, families and a nation. Of course, vigilance is imperative but, in the context of our successes, particularly against al-Qaida, and our established counter structures, terrorism need not be on the Top Ten list of a citizen's personal concerns. So "Cool it." Mr. SecDef.
It seems clear that the Secretary of Defense has an obligation to promote the military successes and responsibilities in preparing for the inevitable and imminent budget conflicts in Congress. However, it is imperative in that effort that he not bolster the fear-mongering that unnecessarily pervades national discourse. Reasoned debate in Washington among politicians and implementers of policy is essential. However, there is an obligation among them to present a balanced perspective to citizens. Prof. Zelikow, former Executive Director of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks, summarized what Americans should be brought to understand and believe in, is our "resilience" as individuals, families and a nation. Of course, vigilance is imperative but, in the context of our successes, particularly against al-Qaida, and our established counter structures, terrorism need not be on the Top Ten list of a citizen's personal concerns. So "Cool it." Mr. SecDef.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)