U.S. Military & Partisan Politics (Part 2)

By | January 17, 2021

[January 17, 2021]  Military officers are educated throughout their career that the military should stay out of partisan politics.  Yesterday, in part 2 of this two-part series (link here), I argued there is a contradiction between this idea and the fact that what we do can be politically important.  Thus, not everything political is off limits. The U.S.… Read More »

U.S. Military & Partisan Politics (Part 1)

By | January 16, 2021

[January 16, 2021]  The idea, instilled in all incoming U.S. military officers, that we should stay out of politics has always puzzled me.  On the one hand, we are told that our behavior can have strategic effects, yet we keep our mouths shut about the political element of strategy.1 Like other publications,2 I was asked to comment on… Read More »

Twitter: a Lesson in Failed Leadership

By | January 15, 2021

[January 15, 2021]  Leaders around the world are starting to speak out in condemnation of Twitter’s censorship of U.S. President Trump and others they don’t agree with politically.1  This backlash is about Twitter trampling on fundamental democratic freedoms.  The leadership of Twitter has repeatedly stated that their censorship goals are only about safety and are not biased in… Read More »

Face the Danger

By | January 12, 2021

[January 12, 2021]  The world is unimaginably complex, dangerous, and unpredictable.  Events happen quickly, unexpectedly.  It can kill you.  While we want to feel we are in control, and we are in some ways, we are often not in control.  This is why we must face the danger that inevitably appears. “He who learns but does not think,… Read More »

The Rat Patrol: Lessons Not Forgotten

By | January 10, 2021

[January 10, 2021]  Sociologists tell us that culture affects perception, and perceptions drive behavior.  Some parts of our culture influence us in different ways, and some are more powerful than others.  Growing up, like so many kids, I watched television and saw something exciting and educational.  One show that I favored was The Rat Patrol (1966-1968). Starring Christopher… Read More »