Breach of Discipline

Retired Colonel (Representative) Joe Wilson's conduct last night is a breach of military protocol and represents a further departure from the historic good order and discipline I expected, in the past, to see from the GOP, pre-conservative talk show entertainers. Recent GOP performers have proven embarrassing to the New Republican Party.

As a retired Soldier I expect better from our Soldiers, to include South Carolina National Guardsmen. But, those rallying in the blogosphere to Wilson's defense claim that he has reason 'to be stressed out' because he has children in the military. Interesting defense.

Fully one third of Army General Officers have sons and daughters fighting in our Armed Forces. Every parent whose children are serving -- as all three of mine are -- can respect the strain retired Col. Wilson might be feeling, and thank him for his sacrifice. Yet I would never expect to hear anything but the greatest respect for the elected President of the United States from these men and women, regardless of their political persuasion. 'Stressed' or not by having military doctors and intelligence officers in the family.

I would also highlight Colonel, Retired (Professor) Andrew Bacevich who has proven a brilliant communicator on behalf of men and women critical of those incompetent warfighters who have handed off serious military dilemmas to President Obama and his administration. Colonel Bacevich lost his son in combat in Iraq a few years ago, and I doubt if the good Colonel would ever embarrass the United States Army or Armed Forces as did Colonel Wilson.

I expect Minority Leader Boehner to police his ranks and help get his GOP colleagues back into a regimen of good order and discipline.

Comments

[Thabit]

Sir you might expect it but you had better not hold your breath waiting for it or healthcare wont do you any good . The republican party of today has no concept of the truth , and no ideas to better our country or they would be putting them forward . Republicans are NOT a unit , they are now a MOB

[Biffmeister]

Well said sir.

[SILVANUS]

Conservatives only want to exploit illegal aliens for profit. They do most of the hiring of them. How interesting. How dare these 'aliens' demand anything more than a sub-min wage.

[Youngvet09]

You know what, with all due respect to you General, the reality of this mess is that Wilson will get away with disrespecting the President and he'll probably be re-elected to. We all know that in most cases officers are not punished or reprimanded for their obvious incompetence.

They screw up, get a good rating and then move on to their next staff position. so much for good order and discipline. Don't hold your breath on any of these right wing nutjobs doing the right thing.

[Eoin45]

If there's one phrase that gets my hackles up it's the one you used: "We all know..." It's a cinch that the writer is about to mix up their personal opinion with objective fact. There is no such thing as anything "we all know". Everything you say may be true but it's your opinion and yours alone. You've no right to attribute it to anyone else.

[pjburke]

so... are you saying that we all know.... that we _don't_ all know?

[Lahonda]

When they have nothing left to attempt in order to disrupt the agenda, the GOP moves to insulting the decency and intelligence of every American who serves in the military.

[Marlyn]

"I expect Minority Leader Boehner to police his ranks and help get his GOP colleagues back into a regimen of good order and discipline."

Don't hold your breath.

[JFoxCPT]

WHOOPS, correction. I intended to say: I also admired your mention of Colonel, Retired (Professor) Andrew Bacevich, who has truly suffered the most grevious loss possible but does SO as a respectable and respectful man who does NOT lash out like a four year old.

JFox

[JFoxCPT]

Dear General Paul Eaton,

I liked your post a lot. A certain dry irony that to me spoke of hypocrisy on the part of the GOP. And then just a matter of fact call to order as appropriate for military personnel.

I also admired your mention of Colonel, Retired (Professor) Andrew Bacevich, who has truly suffered the most grevious loss possible but does as a respectable and respectful man who does lash out like a four year old. Your pointed comment about what Col. Bacevich has done on behalf of people in the military to counter "incompetent warfighters" is bound to ruffle righteous feathers but I'll mention hypocrisy again.

thanks,

JFox

[Sonoma]

"I expect Minority Leader Boehner to police his ranks and help get his GOP colleagues back into a regimen of good order and discipline".

I trust you're not holding your breath in hopes your expectation will be met, General. You'd look damn silly turning purple-faced before you passed out.

[GunnyJ]

I guess if Wilson were an enlisted solider he'd be charged under the UCMJ by now like the Army reacted to the enlisted guards who were the sacrificial lambs for the prison photos....Still trying to find out the names of the officers punished? This officer, Congressman/Colonel Wilson will come out smelling like rose as well as this is another untold story within military ranks. The CG of the SCNG should have this solider cited under Article 88 of the UCMJ. Pretty simple if you ask me. The Colonel is supposed to be the example of seasoned, calm leadership...just sayin'......

[Steve28273]

I agree wholeheartedly. Another member on the opposite side of the fence believes that comments like yours and mine is comparing congresspersons to the military. There are rules and codes of conduct for both.
Congressman Wilson would have expected and received the respect he deserved as a field grade officer while serving in the National Guard. President Obama regardless how you feel about him should be entitled to the respect entitled to the holder of his office, just as his predecessors.

[MJEpstein]

General Eaton,

As a retired Soldier and veteran, I find it hypocritical of you to avoid the "Breach of Trust" inherent within the president's assertion that illegal aliens would not receive health care under the current plan. Within hours of Congressman Wilson's truthful accusation, the US Senate's "Gang of Six" was looking at shutting down the loopholes in two congressional committee plans -- committees that had previously rejected calls for closing the loopholes, and which loopholes existed when President Obama made his statement. Our Commander-in-Chief, in response to Congressman Wilson's accusation, lied again: "Not true." One "misinformed comment" is just that. Two of them constitute the president being a liar. Spin it however you wish, but the fact remains: Americans and their Armed Forces cannot trust Obama, which is far worse than anything Congressman Wilson said. Breach of decorum? Even our stiff upper-lipped cousins across the pond find the Democratic reaction to Wilson's statement a joke. Our president is NOT a monarch, he is the people's servant and the people are tired of his lies. Moreover, the men and women serving our nation in harm's way MUST be able to trust the president. At this point, they can't and they know it.

Mark Epstein

http://markepstein.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/does-america-elect-monarchs-obamas-lies-and-the-joe-wilson-affair/

[FunkyP]

The fact is that under current law, undocumented workers cannot be denied (emergency) healthcare.
There is nothing in the proposed legislation that calls for free healthcare for 'illegal aliens'; that is the existing law.
Americans cannot trust politicians? What a novel idea.

"Our president is NOT a monarch, he is the people's servant and the people are tired of his lies. Moreover, the men and women serving our nation in harm's way MUST be able to trust the president. At this point, they can't and they know it.
70% of Americans support healthcare reform with a public option.
President Obama has their support.
Where was the outrage from the military when they were sent to Iraq to fight for oil, without sufficient armor or supplies, and substandard food, water and housing courtesy of Cheney's Halliburton?

[sneez54]

All of my life conservatives have fallen on "illegal aliens" as they loose arguments. I beleive history shows that whenever conservatives are loosing an argument, they fall on the people without voices.
Yes we cover anyone that comes into an ER with medical care. I also watch, here, the lifeguards that help anyone that needs it at our beaches. Yes it is my tax dollars that pay for that. They don't ask for ID before helping anyone. Humans from all over the world ( we have no idea if they are illegal or not) are helped here. It doesn't bother me because the alternative is having bodies floating in water all over the beaches! I also don't mind my taxes helping anyone from anywhere at the ER for actuall emergency care.
I don't understand why anyone wouldn't want healthcare reform , now, we need preventative care so the ER isn't used up with illness that could of been prevented. Yes if a woman is pregnant before getting medical coverage at a new job she is declined and not getting prenatal care!

[AntiRethuglican]

Pure, 100 proof Rethuglican blather~

[Eoin45]

"...he is the people's servant and the people are tired of his lies." To what people do you refer? The overwhelming majority elected him, are happy with the job he is doing and are not tired of his "lies" because they haven't heard any. You speak for an ever shrinking minority of no nothings and it is beyond arrogance for you to claim you speak for the "people".

[pjburke]

Here's something completely new and different for you to experience... pertinent facts:

H.R. 3200

SEC. 246. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.

Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/text?version=ih&nid=t0:ih:965
__________­__________­__________­__________

HHS ISSUES CITIZENSHIP GUIDELINES FOR MEDICAID ELIGIBIITY
Friday, June 09, 2006

Overview of New Guidance on Citizenship Documentation for Medicaid Benefits

HHS today issued guidelines for states to implement a new requirement, effective July 1, that persons applying for Medicaid document their citizenship. The new documentation requirement is outlined in Section 6036 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) [Public Law 109-171] and is intended to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries are citizens without imposing undue burdens on them or the states.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1878
__________­__________­__________­__________­___

The first is the section from the proposed House bill which explicitly prohibits extending healthcare coverage to illegals. The House bill is the one under discussion, not your mythical Senate proposals-­under-disc­ussion in Committee.

The second pertinent fact is the rule promulgated by HHS, pursuant to the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act, which bars Medicaid assistance to anyone who cannot document their citizenship status.

Those HHS rules are the applicable rules in this discussion.

[leapyearmark]

and gee, ACORN gets exposed 3 times in 3 days and yet still no mention of it on here or all the givt media chanells. YOUR TAX MONEY hard at work and no one on the left cares.


OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!! We are fellow Americans, right?

[weatherwaxx]

Oh, get a grip.

[FunkyP]

Acorn didn't get exposed. In fact, it was Acorn that called for an investigation of the fraudulent registrations.
Next!

[leapyearmark]

so when all the Dem booed GW in 05 when he was simply talking about Social Security running out of money that was OK? A left-wing Dems in the crowd can boo the President in the middle of his speech was saying some simple facts iisued by the CBO, but one guy can't call the Pres on his outright lie of the current bill being presented????

[wizegeye]

I made a similar comment in another thread and was ripped a new one. I was not defending Rep Wilson's behavior, but the incivility in DC, expecially in the Congress, is not party-specific and really needs to stop for any meaningful progress to be made on getting legislation passed.

[weatherwaxx]

What President Obama said was not a lie.

What General Eaton is saying is that as a Reserve officer, Wilson owes the C-I-C respect.

What part of that don't you understand?

[FunkyP]

First, "W" did not allow anyone in to his 'speeches' if they were not supporters, so nobody could Boo him at his speeches.
Second, the Wilson outburst came as the President addressed Congress, not in a public speech, and it was a breach of etiquette, and showed disrespect for his CIC.
Third, it was not a lie. The medical care for undocumented workers is part of existing law, not the new plan.
Fourth, if SS had been privatized, people would have been devastated by the crash of '08. Fortunately, W did not succeed.

[Eoin45]

George Bush got over 4,000 Americans killed when he lied us into war. Barack Obama is trying to get health care for all Americans. Who deserves booing?

[jrpup]

General,
are you active duty or retired?

[wizegeye]

In the second paragraph, he states "As a retired soldier," so he is retired. If he was on active duty, it would be inappropriate for him to comment.

[jrpup]

I agree with you wizegeye, if he was active duty it would be inapporpriate. THat is why I clicked on the blog because his title doesn't refer to his status.
His status should be reflected next to his title, not buried in the article.

[CheneysACoward]

General,
It's not an interesting defence , it's an insult to every one of us. Wilson's campaign financing prior to 2009 had no money from the medical field other than from The American Dental Assn. Which was number 17. Today, 2009, his number one contributor is, The American Hospital Assn. followed by Blue Cross Blue Shield. What Wilson did was show his money people , he was a good, soldier. He showed The American people that money talks, He pointed out very clearly where his loyalty lies. Maybe someone should read that "Oath of Office" again to him real slow ,so he is able to understand it.
In the military we are told to respect the uniform/rank. Here is a great example why one does not need to respect the ,man. Wilson, gets no respect from this former SSGT.

[FunkyP]

Well said!