Commentary
Just as I respond to opposing opinions, I like to occasionally call your attention to other writers who agree with me.
Checking my archives in each of the first three months of this year, I devoted space to the subject of responsibility and accountability, usually in disgust of leaders, military and civilian, who failed to accept either.
That’s why I want to refer you to a piece by William Lehman in the blog, HashtagMedia: Burn the Boats, in which he quoted Admiral Hyman Rickover:
“Responsibility is a unique concept. You can share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you. If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion, or ignorance or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone else. Unless you point our finger at a man who is responsible when something goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible.”
Lehman used the quote to remind his readers of the mishandled Afghan withdrawal. “In Afghanistan, we apparently never had anyone responsible.”
He points out how “there are things now coming to light, things that have been known for the last year by our government, things about that debacle, the absolute abortion, that, in other days would have caused people with first names like General, Admiral, and Director to have lost their jobs, their pensions, and in some times and places their very lives. Things that are now admitted, but no one has been made to answer for them.”
After re-reading Admiral Rickover’s quote above, remember that Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, who, after advising President Biden against the withdrawal and recommended a 2,500-man force level, was in charge executing it. However, he later said, “The president of the U.S. owns the final responsibility for those actions.”
McKenzie, now retired, was named to head the newly created Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida. Joe Biden, still president, has put Afghanistan and the deaths of our 13 warriors in the rearview mirror. Accountability is elusive.
Some Lingering Comments on Biden’s Rant
“I found it so strange: usually presidents in the middle of their reign should be counting their accomplishments and making their promises. Instead, we had this Khruschev-like, and as I say, sort of Vincent Price-ish Tales From The Crypt-style spooky address without specifics.
“By all measures, he’s an unpopular president launching a war on a large segment of his own population, which is weird.” – Walter Kirn, novelist and literary critic
“Biden’s speech was full of hatred and anger. It was the most disgusting national address I’ve ever seen a president give, and lots of people far older than me seem to be concurring.” – Bonchie, Red State
“The speech, titled ‘Soul of the Nation,’ was an attempt to reframe the November elections as a battle between the virtuous bearers of light (like himself) and the sinister Ultra MAGA semi-fascists. His serial message-switching between good vs evil and bipartisan unity was jarring.” – Jon Gabriel, columnist
“Biden is not acting as a responsible president should act in the circumstance, he says we are in, (he should be) working to bring Trump supporters back into the national fold rather than treating them like the enemy, which will drive them deeper into the MAGA maw.” – Oliver Wiseman, The Spectator
“The speech President Biden gave last night is one of the most important I’ve seen a president give. We must name the threat our democracy faces – including a MAGA faction that incites violent insurrections and rejects the rule of law – in order to overcome it together.” – @Hillary Clinton
“Nothing screams unity like a backdrop of blood red lighting and Marines positioned behind Biden as he should with raised fists from the podium.” – Mia Cathell, The Post Millennial
Then there’s this …
Commenting on former President Trump’s rally in Wilks Barre, Pennsylvania Saturday night, former CBS anchor Sharyl Attkisson wrote @SharylAttikisson: “There is no other US President in our time who’s kept this mojo with crowds pre-during-post presidency. What do you think it is?”
FINALLY, ponder this …
“We have created nearly ten thousand million jobs since President Biden took office, which is the fastest job growth in history.” – Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary
Just 63 days to the midterms. May God continue to bless the United States of America.
