Read on Twitter
Regardless of his qualifications, I think opposing this nomination is important. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/07/lloyd-austin-biden-secretary-defense-frontrunner-contender-443479
somebody better tell @jimgolby to answer his phone. his office will be calling
why is opposing a recently retired general important? Civilian control of the military matters. And post-service restrictions on recently retired officers are an important manifestation of that control https://twitter.com/jimgolby/status/1290114751259766786?s=20
the current state of the relationship between civilians and the military is, to put it mildly, strained https://twitter.com/brooks_rosa/status/1331818808588242944?s=20
the relationship is strained from bottom to top.
Armed vigilante groups self-styled as "militias" -- cosplayers in military attire -- took to the streets this summer in opposition to protesters standing up for basic human rights.
Armed vigilante groups self-styled as "militias" -- cosplayers in military attire -- took to the streets this summer in opposition to protesters standing up for basic human rights.
at the top, Congress has consistently been negligent in conducting oversight of US military efforts since 9/11. The number of hearing days dedicated to military oversight has declined significantly in the past 40 years. https://www.amazon.com/Watchdogs-Hill-Congressional-Oversight-Relations/dp/0691151628
in addition, the recent administration, stocked with retired generals serving in a variety or roles, broke down many long standing norms surrounding civilian control of the military
from retired generals continued to be referred to by military titles, to police officers dressed in military garb -- the message to civilians about what the military does, who runs it, and its role is politics, is, at best, mixed
What is needed now is a reassertion of norms, not another stressor on the already strained relationship. That reassertion requires a trained hand at the helm of DoD
Moreover, retired generals are not particularly well suited for the job generally https://twitter.com/KoriSchake/status/1336101407963766784?s=20
For all of these reasons -- the current state of civ-mil relations, the damage done to norms, and the particularly ill-suited nature of star officers to serve in political roles -- I believe this nomination is a mistake, and ought to be opposed by citizens, and by the Senate
