When military allegiance is blind

While the war with Iran rages, our “secretary of war,” Mr. Hegseth, has turned his guns on a total of 15 high-level management people in the Armed Forces. It was no secret when he was installed that he considered wartime rules of engagement "stupid and a hindrance to a military victory". Later statements included “threats to bomb the country (Iran) back to the Stone Age”.

Unfortunately, conscientious military members of all ranks would have to tolerate extreme and unlawful directives or suffer Hegseth’s fury. The lifetime achievements of all of these military people were tossed aside as they were forced out. The latest one was General Randy George a 44-year career soldier who rose to the position of Chief Of Staff of the Army. Numerous congressmen are praising the general too late. Shame on all of them for approving the nomination of Hegseth, who lacked experience but caught Trump's eye as a bombastic talk show host.

I am fearful that forcing the entire military into blind allegiance to Trump would give the president all the dominance he needs to affect the outcome of an election or even to put boots on our own ground to maintain his position as president.

Randy Parmec

Huntley