On Friday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley spoke in Arlington, Virginia, at a farewell ceremony before his retirement after four years in the position to which former president Trump appointed him. Milley’s position as the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces and the nation’s top military advisor during a stretch of U.S. history in which a president tried to overturn the results of a presidential election and undermine our democracy made his tenure perhaps more difficult than any of his predecessors’.
It was important that Milley had the last “say”. He didn’t need to mention any names as we knew exactly who he was referring to. Milley is that guy you want around to protect and defend you. During the Trump years, he was the juggler. He had to hurry to make “nice” with our foreign counterparts before Trump went off of the rails. I imagine it was humiliating and tiring for him. I have a feeling he will start a training program or something else. Cannot see him doing anything, like mowing a lawn.
Many prior dictators (Stalin, Lenin, Castro, Hitler, Napoleon...) were arrested, incarcerated for short periods of time but then 'released' based upon shifts in politics and their popular support. Point is dictators are seldom successful on the first try and overlooked allowing for subsequent coups. Trump must be given a fair trial, hopefully convicted and incarcerated for the remainder of his miserable life.
Some of you may remember me, I used to be a paid subscriber to LFAA, but since my wife and I moved back to Canada 18 months ago to escape the war in Ukraine, I have dropped all paid subscriptions. I’m a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Ukraine where I lived for the past 16 years. I follow the war religiously and have very definite pro-Ukrainian opinions.
HCR, in her October 1st column, stressed the importance of continuing American aid to Ukraine, although the stopgap funding bill excluded it. She is absolutely right in that it is critical for America to continue to fund Ukraine against Putin’s genocidal war. Ukraine must be able do more than simply defend herself or even return her borders to 1991. Any permanent peace with Russia must meet Zelensky’s 10 points:
I think that Ukraine will get support further on. Kevin McCarthy is saying that and other members of Congress, too, possibly by accessing other sources such as the frozen Russian accounts.
I don’t know enough about sanctions and do not understand why the families of sanctioned Russians are not sanctioned as well as the owners and families of sanctioned businesses. So many of them have assets in the West and are safely living and studying in the west. The UK is one of the worst offenders. I think UK MPs are just as bought off as some of the American politicians.
Ukraine is winning in spite of the trickle tactics of arms supply from a number of countries. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, should be beaten about the head and shoulders. Even Macron has realized what is at stake.
Thank you, HCR and readers, for supporting Ukraine. Tanya and I want to go home. (Allen Hingston)
I cannot think of a military commander who articulates the why of our Armed Services since Ulysses S Grant than Milley. Thank God he was at the helm from 2019 - 2020 and beyond!
What a great speech, Heather. Thank you for devoting tonight's Letter to General Milley. I am so grateful that he was able to maintain his position as Chairman through our country's most perilous time.
Postscript: I urge you to listen to Milley's speech. It is among the most inspiring I have ever listened to.
“It was a pointed statement, coming as it did from the highest-ranking military officer of the U.S. as he voluntarily stepped down from his position.” Such a light, almost delicate ending with complete punch. I re-read it several times. Heather, you are a GOAT of a writer and historian. You are an activist, too, and I believe innumerable people are engaged because of your wonderful, open-armed acceptance of We The People. We are in such good company with you. Thank you, Heather.
If only a majority of the elected politicians of the National and state Republican Parties of Trump were as honorable and devoted to their oath of office as General Milley, the feated President Trump on Jan6 might not have invited insurrection enabled by his party and executed by those who called themselves his militia. Yet even today, those politicians continue to pledge to protect and defend Trump the man rather than the Constitution, the American People , and two and a half centuries of democratic governance and the peaceful transfer of political power to the victor by the loser warranted by a free and fair election election. Perhaps someday, Trump will be seen by the people and Historians as our new Benedict Arnold
If by some tragic misstep of history Trump becomes President again, democracy will only survive if every man woman and child “comes to the aid of their nation”.
General Mark Millley spoke for all active and veteran service members whether we served in combat or during the Cold War. And, now that we are civilians we continue to serve our country by exercising our franchise in an attempt to elect servants who abide by that constitution and serve the public good.
So, I have already posted my thoughts about retiring General Mark Milley. But I wanted to give a shout-out to our 39th President, Jimmy Carter, who celebrated his 99th birthday yesterday, October 1, 2023. What an amazing human being.
It's quite a speech and I'm glad you reprinted it Professor but I cannot get out of my mind the vicious attacks on the Black Lives Matters marchers that day. It must have taken a lot of planning to bring out those forces, helicopters and tanks. Done at tfg's direction no doubt, but who made it happen and why have they not been punished? And what connection to January 6 when no forces were called out?
It was important that Milley had the last “say”. He didn’t need to mention any names as we knew exactly who he was referring to. Milley is that guy you want around to protect and defend you. During the Trump years, he was the juggler. He had to hurry to make “nice” with our foreign counterparts before Trump went off of the rails. I imagine it was humiliating and tiring for him. I have a feeling he will start a training program or something else. Cannot see him doing anything, like mowing a lawn.
Many prior dictators (Stalin, Lenin, Castro, Hitler, Napoleon...) were arrested, incarcerated for short periods of time but then 'released' based upon shifts in politics and their popular support. Point is dictators are seldom successful on the first try and overlooked allowing for subsequent coups. Trump must be given a fair trial, hopefully convicted and incarcerated for the remainder of his miserable life.
From our friend, Allen Hingston:
Some of you may remember me, I used to be a paid subscriber to LFAA, but since my wife and I moved back to Canada 18 months ago to escape the war in Ukraine, I have dropped all paid subscriptions. I’m a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Ukraine where I lived for the past 16 years. I follow the war religiously and have very definite pro-Ukrainian opinions.
HCR, in her October 1st column, stressed the importance of continuing American aid to Ukraine, although the stopgap funding bill excluded it. She is absolutely right in that it is critical for America to continue to fund Ukraine against Putin’s genocidal war. Ukraine must be able do more than simply defend herself or even return her borders to 1991. Any permanent peace with Russia must meet Zelensky’s 10 points:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/28/what-is-zelenskyys-10-point-peace-plan .
I think that Ukraine will get support further on. Kevin McCarthy is saying that and other members of Congress, too, possibly by accessing other sources such as the frozen Russian accounts.
I don’t know enough about sanctions and do not understand why the families of sanctioned Russians are not sanctioned as well as the owners and families of sanctioned businesses. So many of them have assets in the West and are safely living and studying in the west. The UK is one of the worst offenders. I think UK MPs are just as bought off as some of the American politicians.
Ukraine is winning in spite of the trickle tactics of arms supply from a number of countries. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, should be beaten about the head and shoulders. Even Macron has realized what is at stake.
Thank you, HCR and readers, for supporting Ukraine. Tanya and I want to go home. (Allen Hingston)
I cannot think of a military commander who articulates the why of our Armed Services since Ulysses S Grant than Milley. Thank God he was at the helm from 2019 - 2020 and beyond!
What a great speech, Heather. Thank you for devoting tonight's Letter to General Milley. I am so grateful that he was able to maintain his position as Chairman through our country's most perilous time.
Postscript: I urge you to listen to Milley's speech. It is among the most inspiring I have ever listened to.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?530826-2/outgoing-joint-chiefs-staff-chair-mark-milley-speaks-farewell-ceremony
Never have the words, “Thank you for your service.” meant more!
“It was a pointed statement, coming as it did from the highest-ranking military officer of the U.S. as he voluntarily stepped down from his position.” Such a light, almost delicate ending with complete punch. I re-read it several times. Heather, you are a GOAT of a writer and historian. You are an activist, too, and I believe innumerable people are engaged because of your wonderful, open-armed acceptance of We The People. We are in such good company with you. Thank you, Heather.
If only a majority of the elected politicians of the National and state Republican Parties of Trump were as honorable and devoted to their oath of office as General Milley, the feated President Trump on Jan6 might not have invited insurrection enabled by his party and executed by those who called themselves his militia. Yet even today, those politicians continue to pledge to protect and defend Trump the man rather than the Constitution, the American People , and two and a half centuries of democratic governance and the peaceful transfer of political power to the victor by the loser warranted by a free and fair election election. Perhaps someday, Trump will be seen by the people and Historians as our new Benedict Arnold
If by some tragic misstep of history Trump becomes President again, democracy will only survive if every man woman and child “comes to the aid of their nation”.
Glad that Chairman Milley spoke as he did. Glad he recognized Biden's efforts to keep our democracy.
That speech is one for the ages. What a way to end his storied service. The sad thing is that the people who really need to hear his words won't.
General Mark Millley spoke for all active and veteran service members whether we served in combat or during the Cold War. And, now that we are civilians we continue to serve our country by exercising our franchise in an attempt to elect servants who abide by that constitution and serve the public good.
So, I have already posted my thoughts about retiring General Mark Milley. But I wanted to give a shout-out to our 39th President, Jimmy Carter, who celebrated his 99th birthday yesterday, October 1, 2023. What an amazing human being.
https://www.ajc.com/news/a-little-bit-magical-plains-celebrates-jimmy-carters-99th-birthday/MWJ27PVSUJC5TMC7X5AUZMX55Y/
There are men who have integrity and men who don't.
Heather Cox Richardson this is a piece about a man who held steadfast to his country and his principles. Integrity rises to the top Professor ⭐
A reminder that we must stand up for democracy..
It's quite a speech and I'm glad you reprinted it Professor but I cannot get out of my mind the vicious attacks on the Black Lives Matters marchers that day. It must have taken a lot of planning to bring out those forces, helicopters and tanks. Done at tfg's direction no doubt, but who made it happen and why have they not been punished? And what connection to January 6 when no forces were called out?