Sec. of Defense

[Jeff]

The best friend of one of my daughters went in for thyroid surgery. Afterward, she was awake and talking, then her brain began to swell, she went into a coma and died. She was still in high school. Doctors couldn't say what happened. I've always wondered if there was some kind of event with anesthesia during the surgery.

I believe thyroid surgery is what my co-worker was in for at that time as well.  She had 2 young boys 8 and 5 I believe. Her youngest  is one of my best mill guys. He's now in his early 30's.

[Del.]

I was nervous about being put under for 6.5 hours when I had back surgery last year.

[RobertELee]

When I was in highschool a girl in my class had a breast reduction (they were yuge!) because of back problems. She went in, and never came out.

[neurosis]

we're not having that discussion because #MyBodyMyChoice trumps all sanity.

This guy does a much better job of explaining than I would (although I do agree with you that there are extremes that shit on any sense of rationality in this so there can't be any actual discussion and I feel that's by design); to start that thought over, he does a better job of explaining why that isn't an argument using Ben Shapiro, using that same argument, as an example. I don't expect this to change any minds.




I wish that this discussion could be had outside of politics and religion.

And I apologize for the sponsor pushing in the vid although I like that sponsor.. lol.

[Del.]

Word is that Desantis will replace Hegspath for Sec of Defense. I like that choice better.

[Jim at Gentex]

Word is that Desantis will replace Hegspath for Sec of Defense. I like that choice better.

Too bad, but most likely going to happen.

Too many 'unnamed sources' throwing shit at Pete, which is complete bullshit.
This is a classic, textbook smear campaign which the left and the media are best at.

Remember the 3D chess game going on behind the scenes though.
DeSantis gets to choose who fills Marco Rubio's vacant Senate seat, so I'm sure that was a consideration in the conversation about possibly nominating him for SECDEF.

I agree with Del, he will probably do a great job, but the way they tried to destroy a good man like Pete Hegseth is just sickening.

[neurosis]

I agree with Del, he will probably do a great job, but the way they tried to destroy a good man like Pete Hegseth is just sickening.

I saw Geraldo Rivera defending Hegseth on NewsNation this morning. He had nothing but nice things to say about him.   

[Jim at Gentex]

Pete had a good interview with Megyn Kelly recently.

He characterized what was happening to him as a 'classic smear campaign' as I mentioned earlier.
All that is necessary is for 'unnamed sources' to make some accusations, then it takes on a life of its own.

Pete made a great point about all of these so-called 'journalists' who are investigating him.

He said to Megyn Kelly, "Do you know who they DIDN'T ask?"...
"People who actually know me, guys I served with, people I worked with in many veteran's organizations, and at Fox News."

I would say Geraldo would fall into the last group, and also, knowing Geraldo's reputation, I think if he thought any of those allegations had any substance at all he would have called Pete out on it.
I think he worked with Pete long enough at Fox to see the character of the man, which is why he doesn't have anything negative to say about him. 

[gcode]

One thing to keep in mind,
The Dems will attack every Trump nominee like they were THE WORST NOMINEE EVER!!!!!

This has nothing to do with the actual qualifications of any of the nominees.
Killing off nominees is just politics as usual.

It's just an effort to blunt Trump's momentum leading  up to Jan 20, 2025.
Every defeated nominee is a "win" in their effort to block Trumps' presidency.

In a perfect world, the Senate respects in incoming President power to nominate the
cabinet of his choice.
Back in the day cabinet nominees were approved with super majorities.

For the most part the R's respect an incoming Dem's  wishes, but with Trump and the Democrats, they
will fight every nomination like the fate of the republic depends on it.

Trump listened to the party elders during his first term and his nominations reflected
that... and 90% of his cabinet members betrayed him, taking The Swamp's side when it came time to stand tall.

That is why you are not seeing any swamp dwellers in Trump 2.0's list of nominations...
and why the Dem's are fighting and smearing every nomination like it was Custer's Last Stand.

[neurosis]

Pete had a good interview with Megyn Kelly recently.

I have that cued up in the podcast to listen to on the way home from work today.

If you're interested, apparently Geraldo was on CNN praising Hegseth too. 


https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/13/business/video/geraldo-rivera-reacts-hegseth-defense-secretary-trump-choice-ac360-digvid

[Jim at Gentex]

Geraldo worked for CNN back in the day, and Fox News more recently.

Again, I think he got to know Pete as a co-worker at Fox, and he is basically vouching for his character based on his professional interactions with him.

Creepers and abusers usually can't hide it forever, and apparently Geraldo never got that vibe from Pete at all.

Anyway it's sad that a decorated Infantry officer with combat experience can have his character cast into doubt by some unsubstantiated claims from unknown sources. 

[Del.]

My reservations about Pete is his experience with such a massive entity as the department of defense.

[Jim at Gentex]

My reservations about Pete is his experience with such a massive entity as the department of defense.

True, but over-rated.

Even the CEO of a global corporation usually only has a handful of 'direct reports' who answer to him or her personally.

Military officers learn to delegate authority down the chain of command, yet still expect accountability.
That's how leadership works, whether the organization is big or small.

JM2CFWIW...

[neurosis]

Anyway it's sad that a decorated Infantry officer with combat experience can have his character cast into doubt by some unsubstantiated claims from unknown sources. 

Not to keep bringing up the turd, but you didn't see people going out of their way to vouch for Gaetz the way that you do Hegseth. The best you got for Gaetz was MTG threatening to out other peoples indiscretions.

It says a lot when he has people going out of their way to defend his character this way. Especially someone who disagrees with him politically.

[YoDoug]

MTG

You mean BBBBBB......