Thread by @KurtSchlichter

Re: The kneeling California Guardsmen video...

I hit the roof. I was/am furious.

That captain was from was my old battalion. He probably got in long after I left, and I don't know him.

I made my displeasure known in no uncertain terms....

1/

There is a counterargument and I wanted to bring it to your attention so you can judge for yourself. I owe you both sides.

It comes from sources in the know who I DEEPLY respect.

Like trust with my life respect.

I'll let you decide even as I remain unconvinced. 2/

The counterargument is that the captain made a smart tactical call to defuse a hostile situation. The gesture won over protesters, as opposed to the criminal agitators. Nationwide, it helped the Guard. Since then, protesters have been pointing out agitators to the Guard. 3/

The protesters do not see the Guard as the enemy because of the kneeling. This tactical act had a massive strategic effect. And that captain is squared away and not a loser or a sissy.

That's the counternarrative. 4/

Do I buy it? Obviously, I'm not there and I tend to strongly favor deferring to the commander on the ground. Also, this is NOT like the '92 riots, which was all criminal without mixed in legit protesters. I know many of you will see it as retconning a fiasco. 5/

My view? I only kneel in church (or I would if I wasn't one of those protestants who wears cargo shorts to services) and nowhere else. I think it was a terrible message and that our enemies will read it as weakness.

You have all the arguments and my view.

You decide. 6/