Life is getting too absurd.
The man is possibly a traitor.
Go read.
Of course it's possible that it's journalistic nonsense. Woodward isn't my "go to" guy for truth. But given Milley's track record, I wouldn't put it past him.
We are led by effing clowns.
Dangerous effing clowns.
I almost didn't post that "news flash" above, I don't care for politics at any time, but this one seemed too egregious to ignore. Who does this man think he is? There's a reason why the Founders instituted civilian control of the military. Milley is the poster boy for that.
But enough of that, this story just supports my theory that the current crop of stars needs to be retired, at the O-6 paygrade. There may be one or two who are worth spit, but I doubt it.
Things are back to "normal" for the time being. I returned from Sandy Eggo at a reasonable hour on Sunday, but took Monday off to try and beat the jet lag. It's only three hours, but...
Went to work yesterday, still groggy and on West Coast time in some respects. I did pile up a lot of extra hours out there, so I made the command decision to make this week, and the next, three day work weeks. I think I can live with that.
Working on the ship is more focused and with very clear objectives. Though the days are long they go by relatively quickly. At the end of the day you can walk down the pier and feel like you've accomplished something.
I guess I did okay as word on the street has me going back out in December, a shorter trip this time, only five days. But I will get to go underway and I'm all about going to sea for a few days. I didn't join the Navy as they always seem to go out for months at a time, not days. The beauty of an Air Force base is that they don't move. Well, at least not under their own power.
Some of my colleagues think I'm nuts and should be thinking about retiring. Believe me, I am, the new corporate masters have decreed that the pension shall change at the beginning of 2023, I don't plan to stick around for those changes. Word has it that the new plan is "more reflective of the competition." That translates to "their plans all suck, so should ours."
Ah, the life of a defense contractor, it ain't all beer and skittles.
The Internet is becoming less and less fun, everybody's bitching about something and many of my friends find no end of joy in announcing the latest stupid thing in our society. Particularly the escapades of the current administration, unconstitutional assholes all in my book, but hey, we let 'em get away with it. I daresay I have no idea on how to stop them, I'm too effing old to take to the streets anyway.
Ah, enough of this.
I'm doing precisely what I'm complaining about...
I agree(especially regarding underway time). USS stands for "Underway Saturday and Sunday". Standing 6 on/6 off allows two three hour naps a day. After the 3rd day the body slips into automatic and by day 5 you can't tell if it has been 1 week or 2 months. Old Guns
ReplyDeleteI get that, I really do.
DeleteBack in the day when I was assigned to the Joint Staff at Ft Fumble and Bosnia went down, I got the privilege of working the 3PM to 3AM shift in current ops. 3PM DC time corresponded to 9AM Bosnia time, so they could come to work at 7, figure out what story they were going to tell us and then post it. We would then have 4 hours or so to figure out what was really going on and get ready to brief the stars. That went on for 6 months. The only silver lining I remember about the ordeal was I was driving opposite traffic both ways. And OG is right, pretty soon, you have no idea what time, day, DOTW, month or year it is. Ground hog day indeed.
DeleteThat does not sound like fun, not at all.
Delete(Don McCollor)...On the old sailing ships, Saturday was an all hands 'work' day and Sunday was a 'rest' day. The story is that sly old Captains would time the crossing of the Date Line so that one way there were two Saturdays, and there was no Sunday going the other way...
DeleteHeh, sounds about right.
DeleteGood luck with the pension changes, ain't it interesting how "changes" mean less? As for taking to the streets there are a few things you're never too old for Sarge,there's something called "overwatch". Stay frosty.
ReplyDeleteOverwatch, I can do that.
DeleteI'm also skeptical about the story from Bob Woodward since I remember many times he's ginned up controversy to sell books. But if true, then Miller should be keel hauled.
ReplyDeleteI will also leave TN protesting in the streets to younger folks, but there are other ways to resist the current shenanigans in DC and various state and local governments. I worry about our future as a country if the current crop of political criminals and traitors have their way.
"The" not TN - I pine for e comment editor!
DeleteYes, I hear the name "Woodward" attached to "story" and have to wonder just how true it could be.
DeleteI am worried as well.
As to a comment editor, that would be so nice to have. But the folks at Blogger would rather tweak something to annoy the users rather than give the users a needed feature. But hey, it's free, we get what we pay for.
DeleteWhat leads me to believe it's (mostly) real is that stories of the JCS not following Trump's orders and lying to him have been around for a year. And Miley is one of the Left's pet generals.
DeleteAlso you have to consider that Woodward was writing from a leftist viewpoint trying to make President Trump look bad. In this case I'm leaning towards Milley being a traitor.
DeleteAnd the officers who knew and didn't say anything about it? They also need to go.
DeleteYup.
DeleteSarge, the interesting thing about it - at least for me - is that if what Woodward is reporting is true, it makes it very hard for supporters of the Current Occupant to deny, as he is quite their "go-to guy". So if it is true, it presents a much harder case to ignore. Mind you, I suspect very little will come of it - "justified circumstances" and all that. But I do think it presents a serious problem for confidence and perception the overall military general staff, a thing which is is itself a long term issue (I of course have no knowledge of the military side of this, but it certainly would on the civilian side).
ReplyDeleteHow nice that your talents are appreciated and they are asking you back. And for a shorter (and hopefully even more palatable) period yet.
To be honest, I have been keeping an eye on the "when I do I find another field" front as well. I have a short term and mid term triggers that if realized, will mean I will get out of Dodge as quickly as I can. I do not necessarily foresee not doing anything - just not something that I have to do, something I choose to do.
The InterWeb has become a lot less interesting (if that is the correct word for it). It is a bit unfortunate, because I think that there are some long term trends that are becoming visible that, if properly discussed and vetted, could provide some points of real conversation at least, if not permanent change. Sadly, I doubt such will occur because it also requires a certain ability to detach from current events and frankly, not get mired in the tactical discussions (twice in a single day, I have had people try to pull me in. I simply smile and say "I am not really following that". It is amazing how quickly this shuts things down).
The rhetoric is beginning to feel a great deal like all the antebellum rhetoric of history, which is no good sign.
I agree on the rhetoric. Not a good sign at all.
DeleteSometimes, no matter how much you try to avoid the evil, you must acknowledge the evil. Is it fun? No. Is it needful? Yes.
ReplyDeleteThat shows us how bad these days are, when even OAFS says something straight up, rather than inferring and implying.
Sorry that the excrement theater has gotten that bad. Truly.
Evil is real.
DeleteAs to your job, yes, bail before the pension changes for the worse. Any executive that willingly screws loyal retirees will screw employees elsewhere, like health care and other benefits. Good thing you have Tri-Care.
ReplyDeleteAnd, like I admonished juvat, as soon as you hit the door, any phone call or query is to be billed at, considering your expertise, $300 an hour, minimum 3 hours. Any local travel to and from, billing starts the microsecond you leave and stops when you return from home. Any long distance travel they pay for the travel, again billing from door to door, and jack them on expenses. Or check out what other consultants at your level are receiving and price accordingly.
Because, well, the second you pass the barrier of work for the last time, they'll start calling you for 'queries' and 'questions.' And you will be a free man and free men are expensive. Plus you don't have to hold back the truth any more. You can call Bob le Village-Idiot a village idiot and get away with it.
Stay sane, take care of yourself and yours. Go play in the fish pond or buy a remote control tank and terrorize the raccoons or something.
Yes, I remember, Beans. Funny this would come up today as yesterday I got a call from my old boss (He, one of my co-workers and I all walked out the same day) asking if I might be interested in helping one of the guys who stayed with a data problem he's been having. That guy is also one of the good guys, so I'm inclined to help. But...we'll see.
DeleteIf it's within your scope of work now, then you kinda have to do it. But one millisecond after you 'retire' and the billing starts, hard. Even a question over the phone asking if you're interested is billable.
DeleteContractors, like lawyers, bill for everything. If you could charge for the air you breathe, then charge it.
Take care of yourself. Don't push too hard and mess yourself up.
For $300 an hour I wouldn't even answer my phone.
DeleteI know, I'll screen your calls for $250. Yes, that's it.
DeleteHahaha!
DeleteWill the administration do anything about this? Will they smile and say it's a lie like they have in the past?
ReplyDeleteNo idea either, about how to stop them...
Well, they have torn up the Constitution, so unless the Supremes step in, we're screwed.
DeleteI simply can't comment on the political stuff as it's gotten to bizarre to keep up with.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, you get to Go To Sea!
I'd do it again in a heartbeat *if* I could get medical clearance.
Be sure and tell us about your accommodations and the chow, if you go.
Roger, will do.
DeleteHe said he'd tell China if we were going to attack? That's hypothetical, but treasonous nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that was hypothetical.
DeleteYeah, you're right.
DeleteSad, innit?
DeleteAs one old MSgt to another, at what point do we identify and act against a domestic enemy of the Constitution? Asking for several friends.
ReplyDeleteGood question.
DeleteNancy Pelosi had no authority to tell Miley to do anything. She is not in the chain of command. Miley had no business doing anything other than telling her that, and politely ending the phone call.
ReplyDeleteThey are making their own, unconstitutional, rules as they go along.
DeleteUnfortunately, this is so.
DeleteYup.
DeleteThe shame is that nobody fragged him MANY years ago!
ReplyDeleteThat can be said about a lot of them.
DeleteFully agree!!!
Delete👍
Delete