Tough but accurate. Someone was shocked at an event recently when I said I’m ready for us to leave Afghanistan. They thought I’d support my old bosses in their dismay. Of course, I’m very worried about the Afghan people but 20 years is a generation. (1)
Did you ever see ‘European Vacation’ when they get stuck in the traffic circle in London? Chevy Chase is every general whose DNA is written with code to never ‘fail’ the mission. They will always keep fighting. “Look kids, victory!” Around and around, again and again. (2)
It’s why I’ve always said I want true civilian oversight of our wars. Everyone outsourced the “Forever War” to the military. We are purpose built to never fail the mission. It’s hammered into every soldier from day one. “There is no substitute for victory.” -Douglas MacArthur (3)
The last stanza of the Ranger Creed literally tells us to fight to the end: “Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.” You’ve left the war to good people who can’t fail.(4)
This will be ugly and we’re going to have to figure out how to support our national security objectives in the region but a generation of war is enough for an all-volunteer military. I truly pray for the Afghan people and my fellow vets who fought there. But, we must change. (5)

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More from @FPWellman

30 Jun
Because of my work as a PAO I actually met then SecDef Rumsfeld a number of times in CONUS and Iraq. First time was the day of this photo. He came to Ft. Campbell where I was the freshly trained division PAO and was hosting a press conference for him at our museum on post.
We got the media gathered in the museum early in the day and amongst them was an 8th grader from our on post middle school that had their own "TV station". She had a question for the SecDef. Her teacher asked me if I could pull off calling on her amongst a full house of media.
When Rummy arrives he's swept into an office and I proceed to brief him on the media and what I expect them to be interested in. I asked about our 8th grader and said "she wants to ask you...." and before I finish he cuts me off and says "don't tell me. I want to be surprised."
Read 6 tweets
5 May
Big shout out to @HamillHimself this #MayTheFourth for taking an email request from a random political hack to craft an ad focusing on ensuring that every military ballot was counted on election day. Funny story too. It was a long shot email and I wasn't ready for 'yes'.
I wrote the script and shipped it off to Mark. While out for lunch with my son I got a call from CA. It was the lovely @MarilouHamill to tell me that Mark had a few questions on the shoot and wanted to chat with me. So, I'm in a distillery doubled over in shock as he says hello.
I'd love to tell you how cool and collected I was..but family...I was not. I was jumping up and down and trying to string together coherent thoughts. I pulled it off...kinda. The next day I got video files of words I wrote being eloquently spoken by one of my favorite Americans.
Read 6 tweets
13 Apr
Buried in here is a response from freshly minted veteran, YouTube influencer and now GOP candidate @HaroldEarls on the cascade of criticism about his use of Arlington National Cemetery and Army uniform. He says 'F you' (1) ajc.com/politics/polit…
He is as tone deaf as you. expect: The Republican stood by the use of the images. From Earls’ campaign: “Arlington is not just part of my history, it’s part of our American history — a story that must be told. The sacrifices of our fallen and their families who fought for..." (2)
"...ALL of us should never be forgotten, and should inspire us to seek what unites us instead of this strangling divide so many have given into.” So...that's just gibberish. He is saying he has a RIGHT to use the grief of military families for his campaign. No, you don't. (3)
Read 6 tweets
9 Apr
This kid is using reels of video of himself in uniform in this political ad but more appalling is the use of video of funerals of service members, families visiting their graves and on and on. These are families of fallen being used for his right wing bullshit. But there's more.
He graduated West Point and did the minimum time required before going back to a town he hasn't lived in for 10 years and decides a month after arriving he should be their Congressman. What does he know about their issues? Know any business owners? Average people? Nope. Hubris.
Harold here is a kid who has been told how amazing he is for years. He was the best of the best and now he should be a Congressman using his miniscule time in service as his only qualification. He literally counts his time at West Point as part of his "9.5 years of service."
Read 5 tweets
3 Apr
Look at the love @marcorubio has for the troops! His staff dug up this awful stock photo of a "soldier" in a fake uniform with a beard! Nothing says "support the troops" like a bad stock photo. I wonder why they couldn't find pics of him with military families? #LincolnProject
OH MY GOD! This guy has two wives! What will Marco say about this?? #BadStockPhoto
NOOOOOOOOO!!! It gets worse! This "soldier" has a whole other family too! What kind of family values is @marcorubio supporting? #badstockphoto
Read 5 tweets
27 Mar
So why do the Republicans introduce packages of voting restrictions instead of single bills? So, one law seems innocuous. They will even get a Dem or two vote for some. But it’s a game. They build on each other. They get you to focus on one hole but it’s a giant net.
You will get the bill with more weekend voting then another that makes it harder to actually register to vote at all. They keep absentee balloting but outlaw giving people water in line. They restrict hours but “relent” as “compromise.”
Then they sneak in the administrative changes you don’t hear about. Less polling places in black neighborhoods. Reduced staff at the board of elections to register. Close down DMV offices in downtowns. Change the types of required ID. It’s an insidious and duplicitous effort.
Read 4 tweets

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