Who is winning the war on optics?

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 13:08:40 -0500

Nancy Pelosi vacationed in Hawaii while some of her Democratic colleagues partied in Puerto Rico, and President Trump languished in the White House waiting for someone to talk to him, to negotiate a settlement. The news and cultural media has obviously taken sides with the Democrats, castigating the President for causing our dedicated, hard-working bureaucrats as well as service members to miss paychecks, while the Democratic leadership refuses to compromise. It seems that the unwashed masses populating the dark corners of the Internet are seeing some humor in all of this (as am I). Are you taking sides? Whose?

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jan 18 at 2019 1:18 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 13:18:27 -0500

CPT Jack Durish I'm not taking either side. This is an embarassment to our nation and we should make sure we send a clear message to all that govern our nation that they need to get back to work until a compromise is reached. If they were working for a company in the civilian world the Board of Dirctors would replace them all. I would anyway. I want a Wall and I've explained my reaosns due to a family member being killed by an illegal alien and then coming right back into the United States to do it again. The wall is just one piece of this nation's security and there is much to be done in all areas of immigration law as well. I'm all for immigrants coming into this country just like my immigrant relatives did (legally and through proper citizenship). What wrong with that I ask you? Anyway that's my two cents brother!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 18 at 2019 1:37 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 13:37:25 -0500

As a student of politics, my opinion is that the Democrats didn't learn anything from the Republicans during the Clinton Administration. It appears to me that they are more worried about opposing Trump than in passing any meaningful legislation, something that bit the Republicans in the butt with Bill Clinton and the Democrats seem even more obsessed with Trump. I thought they gave LBJ and Nixon a hard time (both whom deserved it more), but apparently those were light weights.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2019 1:42 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 13:42:29 -0500

I think there is another optic here and that is the citizen that works in private industry vs the Government employee. Did anyone bat an eye when Obama signed the oil moratorium that ended thousands of jobs on the coast and cost the South millions in lost revenue? Did these roughnecks get back pay? Hell No! So it’s pay back time. I think it’s simple as that. At least for some. Those that get up every day and work their asses off to support a family, pay taxes to a bloated Federal Government that appears to be inept at solving any of their problems for the past 50 years but cater to non-Americans as if they were somehow entitled to our sweat and treasure. Who’s winning this war? Well we ain’t.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 18 at 2019 2:03 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 14:03:24 -0500

If the Speaker is truly concerned with imposing a burden on the security folks for a local event like the state of the union address then she should be happy the trip was sidelined.
Just think of the out of pocket costs to the security forces for travel expenses in a multi national adventure as you know the GTC folks start melting down if a TDY trip isn't reconciled within a few days of travel completion and they aren't getting paid. The hassle those folks will have and the whining of the GTC make it perfectly sensible to cancel.
So POTUS has basically used the Speakers own argument to justify the response of: no plane for you Nancy

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 18 at 2019 3:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:31:53 -0500

For being the most powerful country in the world, we sure act like clowns.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Jan 18 at 2019 4:02 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 16:02:27 -0500

Good survey.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2019 4:10 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 16:10:50 -0500

I believe that what is going on right now is a national embarrassment. I understand the politics behind this, but what this is is a giant PR maneuver with an eye on 2020. Considering that we swore in a new Congress AFTER all this started, that it continues on even now is nothing but gamesmanship. Games that affect lives and security, confidence in our leaders and abroad.
I am sick of the disfunction.
Do your jobs.