PeterS

I'm sure conservatives will engage in a character assassination as that seems to be the only argument they can muster for Trump. What they can't do is engage in an argument to convince others that the Adm. and others are wrong. That kind of argument is beyond them leaving the Admirals statement standing as the t***h...

https://www.businessinsider.com/william-mcraven-navy-seal-us-is-under-attack-from-trump-2019-10?utm_content=bufferdfa53&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer-bi&fbclid=IwAR2PPieksgXjpt_xkcy9Ow0JSwL-2SIwMrPTCe_gUIcq1EZgcdlSqfGRbJo

The retired US Navy Adm. William McRaven, a Navy SEAL who oversaw the raid that took out al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, gave a bleak assessment of President Donald Trump and alleged the commander in chief was gutting the country of the "nation's principles."

In his fiercest condemnation against the president yet, McRaven recounted in a New York Times opinion column a military ceremony he recently attended at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he reflected upon the thousands of US service members who marched on the parade field before him.

McRaven pointed out what he said were examples of the US neglecting its duty to be the "the protectors of the less fortunate" — including Trump's recent decision to withdraw troops from Syria as Turkish-backed militants wage war against the once US-backed Kurdish m*****a.

McRaven added that Trump "is wrong" to think empathy is "unimportant" or shows "weakness."
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The retired US Navy Adm. William McRaven, a Navy SEAL who oversaw the raid that took out al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, gave a bleak assessment of President Donald Trump and alleged the commander in chief was gutting the country of the "nation's principles."

In his fiercest condemnation of the president yet, McRaven recounted in a New York Times opinion column, titled "Our Republic Is Under Attack From the President," a military ceremony he recently attended at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he reflected upon the thousands of US service members who marched on the parade field before him.

"For everyone who ever served in uniform, or in the intelligence community, for those diplomats who voice the nation's principles, for the first responders, for the tellers of t***h and the millions of American citizens who were raised believing in American values — you would have seen your reflection in the faces of those we honored last week," McRaven wrote.

But "beneath the outward sense of hope and duty," McRaven wrote that "there was an underlying current of frustration, humiliation, anger and fear."

crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

Trump is asking a basic question that neither McRaven even understand; why are we there in the first place. Our presence in such outlying areas is descended from a Wilsonian understanding of our role on the world's stage. That is at odds of the understanding that existed prior, articulated by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Washington and others like them that I am sure McRaven & you regard as t*****rs.
It is an attitude that got us into the two world wars, Korea, Viet-Nam, Grenada, Desert Storm, etc. It is also an understanding beloved by the military-industrial complex.

McRaven is misguided, IMHO. How's that for an argument not based on character assassination which guides all of your postings?

Gatsby

Retired US Navy Adm. William McRaven promotes spending American Lives in wars

that we have absolutely no intention of WINNING. I find that to be d********g.

Carol Kelly

I think the latest reports prove that the military retirees included have been proven wrong. Trump was right in the first place...we can’t go to war with another NATO
NATION. ITS BEING WOrkED OUT DIPLOMATICALLY. Trump is brilliant.

Radiance3

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Ah, withdrawal from Syria again. It does not mean that an opinion of one liberal military officer, signifies the total decisions of the president is wrong. Well, sorry the admiral's decision is wrong. Perhaps there are also other liberals in the military who may have similar opinion. I have families who died in the military. he is lucky he is alive. Perhaps he is a Muslim like the t*****r Brennan. Did he criticize the untimely removal of US Security Forces in Iraq 2011 by Obama? That paved ways to where we are now. ISIS became a monster team. And president Trump who withdraw few thousands of troops from Syria, you call him no soul?

He talks about the less fortunates. Who are the less fortunates? We have so many less fortunates in the world who don't k**l people. Those are the people we must help. We spent 1 million of lives in the violent country of Muslims, no peace was reached. Since the 7th century, Muslims have been beheading 272 million heads of infidels, does the admiral consider this? Muslims love to fight. They love to k**l. It is their own culture. E.g. In Afghanistan, for 20 years we spent trillions of dollars, and millions of the blood of our families for what? Why don't you try going and fight there PeterS? Have you been there? They never end up fighting. Likewise the case in Syria is surrounded by violent fighting Muslims who love to k**l. Their fellow Muslims and most especially those they call infidels. When they k**l they believe their god rewards them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_terrorism

The decision of the president is the most humanly possible decision. Pulling out of Syria is the best. In addition, the radical Muslims in the US, been accusing the US of k*****g their own people in the Middle East. That is why the best is to leave them alone. The lesser of them, the world will be more peaceful.

In case of the Kurds in Syria, the president made the best decision by pulling out. The letter of president Trump that the left criticized so much, was so effective that president Erdogan immediately did the cease fire, and complied with the president's letter. Now, it is up to the Kurds, if they continue fighting, that means they don't want peace. They are now given the chance for peace. I care about them, but they must cease fighting.

You did not criticize Obama when he untimely removed US Forces in Iraq in 2011. Well that was the source how ISIS became a monster team until now in Syria.

Seth

McRaven is one citizen speaking his mind. I know a few former SEALs who, just like anybody else, would have a different opinion.

I'll also note that I have yet to see a Business Insider piece that isn't anti-Trump, leading me to "suspect" that, like the New York Times (whom they quote in the posted article), cherry picks only "news" and opinion critical of the president.

So what's your point?

moldyoldy

We left Iraq because Bush had made a Status of Forces agreement that required us to leave.

Radiance3

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President Bush agreement said that after the Afghans are able to stand by and defend by itself, then US can leave.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/president-bush-visit-to-troops-in-iraq

But Obama pulled the US forces out, when the Afghans are so helpless. Not yet prepared to stand alone. That was why the ISIS took over them, and got everything they have including banks and oil reserves. Obama did not want to stop ISIS, which he called the JV Team. That JV teams is the one we are fighting right now.

Lonewolf

Why didn't trump act 3 years ago and why did he just send troops to Saudi arabia

Lonewolf

And I call even a good Ally on the battlefield without warning it's probably the most d********g cowardly act I've ever witnessed

Radiance3

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Dumb opinion. Very wrong! No intention of winning? D********g. You don't win among the Muslims. Since 1400 years ago, we have been fighting Muslims. Results, 272 million human being with cut off heads. Why don't you join them? I think there are also those in the military who are dangerous. But they don't die. Perhaps they hide and require the little guys bait on the enemy front. I respect and honor most of them, but few hypocrites, I don't.

moldyoldy

Anybody who stands up to trump, wins.

Michael Rich Loc: Lapine Oregon

The most cowardly act are the proggie politicians and unelected vermin trying to ruin the United States.

Seth

Smedley_buzkill

This is the same Andrew McRaven who was terminated from SEAL6 because he was unable to hack it.