Every nation has terrible, stupid people who manage to rise to the highest levels of their military hierarchy. Some through careerism and politics, some by having been in the wrong place at the right time and acquiring a reputation for heroism that pushes them up past their capabilities, some for reasons no one can explain. They’re like all large organizations, really. Are there any large corporations or universities that don’t have top officers who are horrible or stupid or incompetent or all three?
In most long wars, the side that’s losing in the early stages tends to be the one that hasn’t shaken the dead wood out of the ranks and promoted the competent into their places. But the competent are often exactly the wrong people to run the military when peace returns and, even if they are, they’re often rotten, miserable, horrible people to work for.
The Washington Post on Tuesday reported on the ongoing turmoil within the White House over a senior staffer’s ouster following accusations of domestic violence.
Technically ‘Dereliction of Duty’ does apply, in Kelly’s case he had a duty in this regard as the employer, and Porter’s retention after the FBI background investigation revealed his violent past would constitute Negligent Hiring. As his immediate superior Kelly should have acted immediately to separate Porter.
The only reason Porter doesn’t have a criminal record is because of the generosity of his ex-wife; or alternately the fear he instilled in them at that time.
In case anyone has not already noticed, Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly is a misogynist to go along with his being a racist. That is if you remember Kelly’s lies and doubling down on those lies about Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, it was clear Kelly what really bothered Kelly about Wilson was her birth. That is Kelly resented that a woman, then to add insult to injury a Black, had power to talk to him as an equal, and someone with oversight over Kelly’s actions.
Or to put another way, in regard to women and Blacks, Kelly is from the 19th century.
The fall is going to be hard when you hold yourself out to be a paragon of virtue only to be exposed as a ‘big fat liar’ as soon as the heat is on you.
No one survives this administration with their reputation in tact.
