Unserious People with Serious Jobs
There is a lot to be said about Pete Hegseth and his involvement in the boat strikes in the Caribbean. But let me quickly note the following. I originally saw the mock-up below on social media a few days ago and thought it was someone making fun of Hegseth (or something), and then I realized that, no, Hegseth himself tweeted it out.
Part of me sees stuff like this from this administration and its allies, and I want to dismiss it/just move on because it is so immature and ridiculous that my mind rebels at the notion that it should be taken seriously.
But, of course, what things like this demonstrate is how utterly unserious he and others in the administration are, despite the deeply serious jobs that they have. For a man who loves to throw around the word “lethality,” he does not take his responsibilities with the necessary solemnity, but instead approaches being the head of the most powerful military in the world with the kind of seriousness of a talk show host (at best).
More to the point he, and many in the administration, might as well be a bunch of 15-year-old boys who think that bravado and some sick burns are how Real Adults behave.
It is worth noting that the story about the second strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean (as James Joyner first noted here) has gone from being declared to being “fake news” to being largely confirmed, but with the brave and bold Secretary of “War” passing the buck while still asserting that the strikes were proper and legal.
Here’s his account from the recent cabinet meeting.
It is amusing for him to criticize the press for reporting from air-conditioned offices, given that he was giving orders from one.
He is throwing Admiral Bradley under the bus (although Bradley definitely shares in the guilt), and I am not sure that using overwhelming force against an unarmed boat can create a meaningful “fog of war” excuse.
BTW, every time he calls the DoD the “Department of War,” it feels like George Costanza trying to give himself the nickname “T-bone” (see again the 15-year-old boy theory).
BTW: I am pretty sure Trump dozes off, briefly, at least twice in that clip.
Hegseth gets the South Park treatment in the latest episode. Mostly running around playing soldier with a selfie stick.
It’s interesting that the targets of teen-age mutant turtle Hegseth are incapable of shooting back. This reptilian Sec of War and his bone spurs hampered CinC are paragons of attacking the weak. I’m not impressed, Pete.
I saw that the publisher of the Franklin books has sued.
On a completely unrelated matter, what’s the status of Iran’s nuclear program?
Reminds me so much of Generation Kill (book/miniseries), which is a terrific read/watch.
Also, the officer in the background of the picture… I recognize that posture and expression. Oh how I would love to take that man out for a few drinks. #stayfrosty