'Almost ended in a physical fight': Axios reporter describes Trump meeting
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/almost-ended-in-a-physical-fight-axios-reporter-describes-trump-meeting/vi-BB1djZ7g?ocid=msedgdhpThe most shocking part of this report is about Lieutenant General Michael Flynn trying to persuade President Trump to use the military to overturn the election.
Michael Flynn was a Lieutenant General. That’s a pretty high rank. He went through the usual progression of Brigadier general, Major General, Lieutenant General. Only half the officers receive a promotion to the next level. Very few officers ever get promoted to Brigadier General, and only half of them became Major Generals and only half of them become Lieutenant Generals. After three years of service, there is a 50-50 chance the general will be promoted to the next level. And a 50-50 change that he will be forced into retirement.
That is our system. Seems like a bad system, on the surface. We lose a lot of excellent officers. But maybe there is a danger of having senior officers who feel they were unfairly passed over for promotion, still in some command. These kinds of feelings was a factor in building up the resentment of Benedict Arnold who was eventually promoted to a very high rank, but this promotion came very late and his attitude had already hardened.
Flynn was just one promotion away from getting the rank of “General” which is the highest rank in the army for the last 60+ years. As a “General”, he would have a high enough rank to be appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs. Although there are currently 34 four-star generals, plus this position can be held by an Admiral. But if Flynn had gotten one more promotion, Trump might have been able to maneuver Flynn into the position of Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.
The military needs to do a better job of decided who gets promoted. General Colin Powell said getting a promotion is very competitive. The least flaw will end a general’s career, by preventing the next promotion. According to Colin Powell, having a wife who doesn’t get along with the other officer’s wives is a common reason for ending a career. I think the military needs to adjust their priorities and make loyalty to the Constitution something to consider. Does the officer in question have political views that might be undemocratic?
Lieutenant General Michael Flynn is one of the greatest traitors in American history. Of senior rank involving the military, he ranks with Major General Benedict Arnold and Secretary of War John B. Floyd.
I understand Flynn is not on the active list and so cannot be court martialed. But I understand he can be recalled to the active list and then is subject to court martial. I think this should be done. A strong message needs to be sent about treason.
I wonder if, under military law, the testimony of civilians can be used. I am almost certain it can be. If so, there does appear to have been witnesses to the December 18 meeting in the White House who could testify against him. The Pardon Trump gave him was given before December 18 so it would not protect him, I believe.
