Retired 4-Star General and and an American Hero's Warning to the USA

This post will most likely garner some opposition on this website, and undoubtedly some people will attack me personally for posting it, while others will attack the general whose words I am asking to be discussed. Some will attack the media company for giving the general airtime. I am kindly asking the wiser people to listen to the whole interview, think for a few minutes and then post a comment.

For some background into the general:

Barry Richard McCaffrey (born November 17, 1942) is a retired 4-star US Army general.

He received three Purple Heart medals for injuries sustained during his service in the Vietnam War, two Silver Stars, and two Distinguished Service Crosses—the second-highest United States Army award for valor. He was inducted into United States Army Ranger Hall of Fame at the United States Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning in 2007.

He is what Americans normally call an American hero. A life long public servant that dedicated his entire life to serving the Constitution and protecting our nation — our way of life.

Here is a very disturbing interview he just did:
The things he addresses are pretty serious — the way our military is getting blocked and diminished by a handful of people he calls a pretty inflammatory name — this is not normal, this is extreme, un-American behavior that is weakening us all. He also calls a parallel to the 1930s Nazi Germany, but says it is not all of the GOP that is leaning this way, they are allowing “15 to 25 House members, a couple of senators, and all those who are Trump MAGA loyalists” to pervert the idea of American democracy, attack our military, call for executions of military commanders and all the other shameful acts we are witnessing in real time. He calls the MAGA movement a "lawless cult."

He also goes on to say that Gen. Milley is a tough guy, a life long soldier; a combat hero whose parents were both combat heroes. The between-the-lines implication is that he won't be intimidated by a draft dodger calling for his execution.

It's a pretty polarizing interview, but when it comes from someone who's given so much to our country — likely more than any of us here have, other than those that have experienced physical loss for our defense — the very least we can do is listen to him and consider his background and his life experience in making these statements in public.

This man should be enjoying his retirement after a life of service, but he feels his service is not yet finished. He has to keep upholding and defending the Constitution past his retirement. That oath is life-long.

An American Hero.

originally posted by: Mahogany
This post will most likely garner some opposition on this website, and undoubtedly some people will attack me personally for posting it, while others will attack the general whose words I am asking to be discussed. Some will attack the media company for giving the general airtime. I am kindly asking the wiser people to listen to the whole interview, think for a few minutes and then post a comment.

For some background into the general:

Barry Richard McCaffrey (born November 17, 1942) is a retired 4-star US Army general.

He received three Purple Heart medals for injuries sustained during his service in the Vietnam War, two Silver Stars, and two Distinguished Service Crosses—the second-highest United States Army award for valor. He was inducted into United States Army Ranger Hall of Fame at the United States Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning in 2007.

He is what Americans normally call an American hero. A life long public servant that dedicated his entire life to serving the Constitution and protecting our nation — our way of life.

Here is a very disturbing interview he just did:

The things he addresses are pretty serious — the way our military is getting blocked and diminished by a handful of people he calls a pretty inflammatory name — this is not normal, this is extreme, un-American behavior that is weakening us all. He also calls a parallel to the 1930s Nazi Germany, but says it is not all of the GOP that is leaning this way, they are allowing “15 to 25 House members, a couple of senators, and all those who are Trump MAGA loyalists” to pervert the idea of American democracy, attack our military, call for executions of military commanders and all the other shameful acts we are witnessing in real time. He calls the MAGA movement a "lawless cult."

He also goes on to say that Gen. Milley is a tough guy, a life long soldier; a combat hero whose parents were both combat heroes. The between-the-lines implication is that he won't be intimidated by a draft dodger calling for his execution.

It's a pretty polarizing interview, but when it comes from someone who's given so much to our country — likely more than any of us here have, other than those that have experienced physical loss for our defense — the very least we can do is listen to him and consider his background and his life experience in making these statements in public.

This man should be enjoying his retirement after a life of service, but he feels his service is not yet finished. He has to keep upholding and defending the Constitution past his retirement. That oath is life-long.

An American Hero.

Do you mean Bill Clinton's drug czar during the rise of Meth and Crack in the 90s?

I salute him as an honorable and decorated soldier, but it doesn't mean you are correct in every situation, opinion, or decision that arises for the rest of your lifetime. Soldiers are subject to all of our same humanistic faults. That doesn't mean I support Trump or his comments, just think the left has no effective candidate

www.palmpartners.com...

In the 1990s there was a rise“mom and pop” labs of methamphetamine. Heroin use in the 1990s also increased, as well as the number of overdoses. In fact, you can see see the residual effects of the drug trends in the fashion industry.

Here is a fun fact, heroin became so popular that the reason most models look the way they do today is because of it. The 1990s came up with the trend “heroin chic”. Heroin chic was a look popularized in mid-1990s fashion and was characterized by pale skin, dark circles underneath the eyes and angular bone structure. The look gave way to emaciated models such as Kate Moss. A 1996 article in the Los Angeles Times stated that the fashion industry had “a nihilistic vision of beauty” that was reflective of drug addiction and U.S. News and World Report called the movement a “cynical trend”.

The 1990s saw an increase in pot use, ecstasy use, and crystal meth. “Ecstasy and crystal meth are popular in California, meth is big in the Midwest, and the New Jersey Turnpike is just ‘the Heroin Highway’,” -Unknown

Heroin use in the 1990s: During what seemed like an epidemic of urban heroin use in the 1970’s, the images of the typical addict — strung out, nodding off on street corners, track marks along every vein — were so strong that they turned off an entire generation of potential users. Those images did not resonate so strongly in places where addicts were seen only on television. So when heroin became purer and cheaper as well as able to be smoked or snorted, in the 1990’s, it took root in predominantly white, working- and middle-class communities. Heroin in the 1990s was one of the most deadly of the illegal drugs leading to overdoses of many famous people such as Sublime’s front man Bradley Nowell who died in 1996 and The Smashing Pumpkins band mate Jonathan Melvoin also in 1996. Heroin was glamorized within the music industry as well as the fashion industry.

Meth use in the 1990s: PDFA studies found that use by high school students more than doubled between 1990 and 1996. New ways to cook methamphetamine appeared in 1990s. Some new versions were four to six times stronger and more addictive. Greatest use was seen in the Southwest and West. Methamphetamine use began and grew in the rural Midwest. Rural locations became ideal for cooking of methamphetamine because of geographic isolation, available supply of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and anhydrous ammonia. In 1996, congress passed the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act, which regulated mail order and chemical companies selling chemicals. For example, people who bought large quantities of red phosphorous, iodine and hydrochloric gas would have to show they would use them for legitimate purposes. Law enforcement agents became allowed to track large mail order purchases of pseudoephedrine, another precursor chemical. Chemical supply companies would now be punished if they sold chemicals to people who make methamphetamine.

Ecstasy use in the 1990s: MDMA use rose sharply among college students and young adults during the 1990s, according to the 1995 Monitoring the Future study. Beginning in 1987 on the Spanish island of Ibiza, British vacationers had all-night parties with loud, beat-driven dance music in crowded conditions. Raves spread first to the United Kingdom and then to the United States. By the mid-1990s they were all over the place, especially in big cities. The use of “club drugs” to enhance the enjoyment of the party experience was already established in America, where certain “discos” had already been catering to coc aine and amphetamine users. Ecstasy fit into the rave scene better than coc aine, however. High on ecstasy, shy or cautious people became wild dancers, open and friendly to strangers, and they were able to stay awake all night. By the time raves became established in the United States, ecstasy had already been added to the Schedule I list of controlled substances by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Emergency room visits sparked by bad reactions to ecstasy spiked from 253 in 1994 to 5,542 in 2001, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report.

Thanks for sharing this interview! General McCaffrey's perspective is intense, but it's crucial to hear from people with his background. The comparisons to Nazi Germany are jarring and definitely make you stop and think.

I didn't know about Trump's comments on General Milley, that's just crazy. It's disturbing how extreme the rhetoric has become, and it's not doing our country any favors.

Regardless of our political leanings, we should all care about the state of our democracy and our military. McCaffrey's passion for these issues, even in retirement, is impressive and a reminder of the sacrifices people have made for our nation.

I'm glad you're encouraging open discussion about this. It's a lot to take in, but it's important that we engage with these issues and figure out how we can move forward as a country.

FOR THE RECORD.....

Attacks on other members is not allowed on ATS!!!!!

originally posted by: Mahogany
This post will most likely garner some opposition on this website, and undoubtedly some people will attack me personally for posting it, while others will attack the general whose words I am asking to be discussed. Some will attack the media company for giving the general airtime. I am kindly asking the wiser people to listen to the whole interview, think for a few minutes and then post a comment.

YOU are responsible for your own posts

Do NOT reply to this post......

It's MSNBC and we all know they're hard Left and they wouldn't have him on there if he didn't carry the water for the Democrats.
He was there to bash Trump. Period.

Just another Democrat spewing the Party line.

If this guy actually believes Trump and his supporters are the greatest threat to America, he's been hiding under a rock.

a reply to: Mahogany

General McCaffrey hit the nail firmly on the head but sadly I feel his warning will fall on deaf ears.

originally posted by: DAVID64
It's MSNBC and we all know they're hard Left and they wouldn't have him on there if he didn't carry the water for the Democrats.
He was there to bash Trump. Period.

Just another Democrat spewing the Party line.

If this guy actually believes Trump and his supporters are the greatest threat to America, he's been hiding under a rock.

or he's just right - which, given his character, wouldn't be a surprise. what he says is said by many well educated, rational and objective people around the planet. the shrill opposing voices come from giants like gaetz, taylor green, bobbert and people who believe that jfk is still alive. isnt this telling?

a reply to: Mahogany

Meh, My guess is Trump is toast and so are the MAGA crowd. The GOP has nothing.

originally posted by: TonyS
a reply to: Mahogany

Meh, My guess is Trump is toast and so are the MAGA crowd. The GOP has nothing.

Respectfully nor does the DNC, it's why they continue to attack Trump, it's the only thing that rallies their MSNBC viewers and base voters.

RFKjr is an infinitely better choice and he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting the DNC nod.

a reply to: Mahogany

Milley is a fat commie POS. Anyone calling him tough has very questionable judgement. This guy sounds like a McCain globalist, like most of today's Generals.

a reply to: Mahogany

General MIlley is busy investigating his white rage. While he does that, I can sit back and smile knowing Trump has the old Conservative thought process when it come to having a strong military, and when he is re-elected, he will do his best to repair the totally screwed up system Biden has flucked up with his China first initiative.

I also served and got a medal, does that make me the "go to" guy for political ideology?

If you see this guy in person, thank him for his service from me. And if you served, thank you for your service.

Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the mouth. -Mike Tyson

a reply to: DAVID64

I bet he would have been happy to sign the letter saying Hunter's laptop was Russia disinfo.

a reply to: watchitburn

Milley is a fat commie POS. Anyone calling him tough has very questionable judgement.

You type that then question others judgement ?

Seriously dude ?

General Milley has had multiple command and staff positions in six divisions and a Special Forces Group throughout the last 44 years to include command of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division; the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division; Deputy Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division; Commanding General, III Corps; and Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command.

While serving as the Commanding General, III Corps, General Milley deployed as the Commanding General, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Forces Afghanistan. General Milley's joint assignments also include the Joint Staff operations directorate and as Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

General Milley's operational deployments include the Multi-National Force and Observers Task Force, Sinai, Egypt; Operation JUST CAUSE, Panama; Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, Haiti; Operation JOINT FORGE, Bosnia-Herzegovina; Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq; and three tours during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan. GEN Milley also deployed to Colombia, Somalia and served two years on the DMZ in the Republic of Korea.
www.defense.gov...

They aren't ear muffs.

a reply to: Mahogany

Miley should have retired in disgrace after Afghanistan.

I broker no esteem in anyone who thinks otherwise.

originally posted by: watchitburn
a reply to: DAVID64

I bet he would have been happy to sign the letter saying Hunter's laptop was Russia disinfo.

You beat me to it. I had visions of this guy drinking beer at the VFW with the intelligence officers that signed off on the Hunter Bidens laptop is Russian disinformation lie.

originally posted by: Dogo22

originally posted by: watchitburn
a reply to: DAVID64

I bet he would have been happy to sign the letter saying Hunter's laptop was Russia disinfo.

You beat me to it. I had visions of this guy drinking beer at the VFW with the intelligence officers that signed off on the Hunter Bidens laptop is Russian disinformation lie.

Officers like that would never step foot in a VFW unless it was a photo op or to hit on our wives.

a reply to: gortex

Dude.

I did 20 years in the Marine Corps.

Do you know what Command and Staff means?

It means sitting on your ass at a desk.

Or maybe he felt it needed to be said, and he felt Fox would never let him say it, or would keep interrupting him, which is probably true.
Or it could be both. Probably is to some degree, but nothing you said refutes the man's message.

a reply to: DAVID64

Here come the inevitable "what-about-isms".
Man, people sure are obsessed with fully worshipping things without question to the point where you're no longer able to criticise anything about it because it's "your team", and anyone who is not on your little team is the enemy.
This red really hates this blue. I find it silly. Maybe I'm just bitter because I suck at sports, and I think politics and law is too important to be treated like a sports game.
Well, back to my hidey hole!

*grabs popcorn*

a reply to: Mahogany




Had to edit this because it came across like it was directed at you, OP, and it wasn't.
Society is just crazy in general. Full on crazy.