Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Sequestration, Resignation, & Budgetary Grabassery.

Last week over at USNIBlog, a few JOs put out a post that, in summary, call for;
... leadership must accept the full burden of their command.

Resignation is the only option for strategic-level leadership that truly disagrees with sequestration; the time has come for a new Revolt of the Admirals.
I respect and empathize with their frustration. Their hearts and minds are in the right place, but I think they are about 1/4 out of phase.

1. Sequestration is nothing more than politics. Two of the very big Titans of our system of government, the Legislative and the Executive Branches, are at loggerheads of their own creation - part of that messy part of a representative republic in action. This is political, and any act related to it will be taken by one side or the other as political unless it is clearly seen as a natural 2nd or 3rd order effect of the political friction. The military, in uniform in their official capacity, should avoid at all possible costs being involved in politics. There is being "in DC" and being "of DC." Yes, yes, yes ... I know the reality is different and very messy - but we go there at our own peril. Those who play in that game need to understand the downside both personally and professionally - as well as morally. Be careful what you ask for in politics - and don't bluff if you can't cover the call; odds are you will be called. I am the first one to snort at professional politicians, but I know better than to try to play their game. Even those I have the most contempt for, I would never go at them in a frontal assault, nor would I step out in a "come at me bro" stance. Do that and you and the service you are part of will lose.

2. Is there at time to resign? Sure, that is when you are given an order that is illegal or in good conscience cannot carry out. What is going on right now is about as far as "they" could and should go; "Oh, I can't do that ... sorry." That is fine. Resigning because the Executive and Legislative Branches are at loggerheads? That isn't a bug in our system, that is a feature. Our system was designed like that. I can no more recommend someone resign over the budgetary grabassery, than I can recommend someone resign over excessive freedom of the press.

As for the leadership issue writ large, while there are some exceptional 3 & 4-stars out there - you've heard my point before about the need to start over. The BURKE option; where in 1955 he was selected over 99 officers senior to him - every four and three star officer in the Navy and a number of senior two star officers - to relieve Admiral Robert Carney as the Chief of Naval Operations. We need the right civilians to reach down to the 1-2 star ranks and bypass those with the taint of the lost decade that has put us where we are. That ain't happening for the next four years, so embrace the suck folks. Do the best for your Sailors and your Commands and let time, luck and yes, politics take care of the rest.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Or are you looking for some funny images for your desktop or
mobile phone wallpaper. If you have wandered around the internet to any
extent you have probably encountered funny pictures. While almost every cat is a
work of aesthetic beauty, they are often animals that combine silliness and a fierce disposition.


My weblog lol pictures

Anonymous said...

Hi, Neat post. There's an issue with your site in web explorer, could test this? IE nonetheless is the market chief and a huge element of folks will miss your great writing because of this problem.

Feel free to visit my site; mouse click the up coming document

Anonymous said...

You will find the most updated news being uploaded or published in blogs and celeb news sites.
But unlike their blank counterparts, custom lanyards
also can proclaim a marketing or motivational message to customers and employees.
The singer will not be charged for her public intoxication, but
her boyfriend was charged a $30,000 bail fee to release himself after he was tested positive for driving under the influence.


my web page :: latest celeb news

Anonymous said...

" The site also offers items for sale, including apparel and bags emblazoned with a drawing of a mustachioed cat; I could not find any statistics about how much merchandise the website sells, but the items for sale actually looked pretty good. This trend brings more enthusiast people to upload the beautiful funny videos to share with others and get their precious feedback. Many people prefer the link baiting to increasing the profit in the online marketing field.

Feel free to surf to my blog :: gacnoba.ipove.net

Anonymous said...

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over northern and Central Luzon
and coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.
The effects of what they see, read and hear are having a devastating affect on our society today.
Due to the recent horrifying terror attacks and other such couple of events people want to be aware and alerted
of the whereabouts of the nation.

Also visit my web blog :: Latest Daily News

Anonymous said...

I love it when individuals come together and share thoughts.

Great site, continue the good work!

Feel free to surf to my web blog Angry Birds Online Spielen