The Eddie Gallagher case troubles me deeply, because I care about the rule of law. I try to figure out what is going on. A thread. I start with noting that Trumpists HAVE A PLAN and I'm just not sure what it is yet.
NOTE: Nixon also singled out deeply troubled military officers for special mercy. Nixon changed Lt. Calley's sentence from life imprisonment to house arrest (which ended at 3 years) for his role in the Mai Lai Masacre in Viet Nam. time.com/5202268/calley…
BIG PROBLEM: An Commander in Chief that forgives lawless killers emboldens same and weakens those that follow the law. Nixon and Trump both did that. (Not to mention Hitler and Stalin).
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer specifically cited the rule of law as the reason that he could not follow the order to reinstate Gallagher. cnbc.com/2019/11/24/pen…
This lines up with the current impeachment proceedings concerning Ukraine, where the US's official federal policy was to promote the rule of law, but Trumpist policy was to destroy it.
Here are Spencer's own words:
TRIGGER ALERT: The accusations against Gallagher, which I discuss below, are jarring. They are damning. Horrifying. You may want to skip. If you do I leave you with this thought: Authoritarians like war criminals who ARE ALSO LOYALISTS. That is why this must end.
Gallagher was a sniper. All snipers hold the power of life and death. US Snipers, however, must operate on lawful orders. At the end of the day, however, they operate independently, according to their training and judgment. taskandpurpose.com/5-things-learn…
I draw my facts from Task and Purpose from trial evidence. It describes itself as "the #1 digital media company for today's military community and the fastest growing brand for a new generation of military service members, veterans, and spouses." The NYT reported similar
Per Task and Purpose, and per the evidence at his trial, Gallagher did the following: "texted a photo of himself cradling a dead ISIS fighter's head in one hand while holding a knife in the other and boasted that he "got him with my hunting knife,"
Per Task and Purpose, and at trial, Gallagher did the following: Captured 15 year old ISIS fighter: "walked up without saying anything at all" and started stabbing him." This was confirmed by multiple witnesses and his own phone pics and messages.
The trial addressed two other civilian murders: "The first incident occurred ...when Gallagher, posted in a sniper hide in a tower east of the Tigris river, allegedly shot and wounded an elderly Iraqi civilian ...The 2nd incident... involved the alleged shooting of a young girl."
Evidence strongly suggests HIS OWN PLATOON altered his weapon to try to stop civilian killings: "After both incidents, Warpinski said, other members of the platoon told investigators that Gallagher's rifle was slightly "off" due to poor sight settings and incorrect range cards."
Platoon "decided not to tell him, remarkably, because they felt that he was targeting civilians. Their priority was to protect civilians from Chief Gallagher, not ISIS." EG was highly experienced, no way he would not know due to negligence.
EG also tried to intimidate and dox witnesses, putting them in extreme danger SEAL Petty Officer, Gallagher said "I have shit on all of you. If you bring this up you all go down." taskandpurpose.com/seal-chief-gal…
"Gallagher... wanted their names put out on social media, to include getting the word out to a private Facebook group for current and former SEALs that they were informing on "multiple SEALs," Obvi doxxing to seals is a dangerous game.
Doxing witnesses to other SEAls, obviously very dangerous: Soon after the search warrant was executed on Gallagher's residence... Gallagher texted [put witness names on social media including ]FB group for current and former SEALs that they were informing on "multiple SEALs,"
Speaking of the Rule of Law. One of Trump's other pardons was Arapaio, who did same in law enforcement: violated rule of law; allowed deaths; lied to court. ITS THE SAME IDEA. cnn.com/2017/08/25/pol…
Based on evidence, EG could have been convicted of murder and the investigation if expanded would surely have turned up many other civilian killings. Military justice imposed MINIMUM possible - unlawful photographs with enemy. Minimum not good enough for Trump.
Based on evidence, EG could have been convicted of murder and the investigation if expanded would surely have turned up many other civilian killings. Military justice imposed MINIMUM possible - unlawful photographs with enemy. Minimum not good enough for Trump.
Trump wants Law Enforcement and Miliary to value loyalty over rule of law. So... forgive war crimes for loyalists. This is the lesson of Nazi brownshirts. And Stalin's Secret Police. This is utterly against the values of the United States. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NKVD
In the US, no military officer; enlisted man/woman; or public official need follow an unconstitutional law. And that is LITERALLY why a top official resigned today. cnn.com/2019/11/24/pol… 
If you dig this kind of thing, please follow. Lies spread faster than truth. I try to post truth and thoughtful analysis. I wish I could have more of an impact than lying traitors.
CONCLUSION: Trump is sending a very specific message with leniency for Eric Gallagher -- "you can murder the "others' as long as you are loyal to me." We The People cannot tolerate that. This is OUR country; our democracy; OUR RULE OF LAW. Dirk out.
PS: Right wing political operatives are engaged in active measures in support of EG.
PPS: This is the Flynn case, too. Flynn's crimes are excusable to Trump b/c they help Trump. (Trump probably cannot pardon, however, because then Flynn must testify against Trump or face jail for contempt). time.com/5045158/donald…
@liekitis when a member of the US military does not follow the Rule of Law and commits crimes on the battlefield, they enhance the narrative of our enemies that we are just as lawless as they. Screw that. Rule of Law. Ride or Die.
@liekitis Yes.
@liekitis PS: Another thoughtful voice weighs in. washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…
