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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHaaretz: Kelly's Toxicity Corrodes Confidence in Trump's Generals as Guardians of the Galaxy
https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-1.818421The backdrop to the rise and fall was another Israeli trait of the Trump era. It may be a novelty in the U.S., but most Israeli politicians have learned the hard way to steer clear of confrontations with bereaved families of fallen soldiers. Trump entered this dangerous arena already burdened by his bad record of clashes with the parents of Humayun Khan, the Muslim officer killed in Iraq in 2004, who spoke at last years Democratic Convention. The issue, thorny for anyone but Trump, came back to haunt him following his conversation with the family of La David Johnson, one of the four U.S. soldiers killed in Niger two weeks ago under yet-to-be-explained circumstances. Trump tried to rebuff criticism about his reported failure to talk to bereaved families by inventing that his predecessors Obama and Bush had been even more derelict than he was. In this context, Trump said that Obama had not spoken to his Chief of Staff after his son Robert was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. And even though Kelly had not received any advance notice that Trump was going to exploit his sons death to score political points, he nonetheless came to the White House press room on Thursday to defend him, like the good soldier he is.
In his previous appearance, Kelly had captured the medias heart with what was perceived as honesty, humility and a level of sophistication that was a breath of fresh air compared to the usual school yard type of arguments presented by Trump or his main White House spokespersons. Kellys second performance, however, was panned, perhaps more strenuously because it was such a letdown after his first. The former marine general seemed bitter, arrogant and patronizing. He suddenly embodied the high-handedness often ascribed to military officers, waking dormant liberal demons of a military junta with anti-democratic tendencies. At the end of his press conference, Kelly executed a bizarre ritual in which only journalists who personally knew so-called Gold Star families of fallen soldiers were allowed to ask questions. Despite Israels special sensitivity to soldiers killed in the line of duty, its highly doubtful that Israeli journalists would tolerate such an unnatural selection. Far too many American reporters collaborated, however, with Kellys humiliating hazing of their freedom and their honor.
Kelly saved most of his bitterness for Frederica Wilson, the African-American Democratic Congresswoman from Florida, who listened in on Trumps conversation with the Johnson family. Wilson said that Trump had angered and saddened Johnsons family by saying he knew what he signed up for, as if his death did not require investigation or justification because he had volunteered for duty. Despite the fact that Kelly actually contradicted Trumps adamant denial and corroborated Wilsons account, he lambasted the Florida legislator in the harshest of terms. He called her an empty barrel. He scolded her for listening in on a private conversation, even though shed been asked to do so by the Johnson family. And even though he works for the most irreverent foul-mouthed bully to ever reside in the White House, Kelly still had the audacity to claim that he was stunned by Wilsons behavior.
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The writer went on say that "if Kelly is willing to sell his soul, as the commentators saw it, and if he is now deploying the trusted Trumpian mix of lies and personal attacks, then he can no longer be trusted to serve as a Guardian of the Galaxy who will prevent a global disaster."
Finally, he noted that Trump is continuing his own attack on Rep. Wilson. "Trump may admire Kelly and appreciate his willingness to take a media bullet for his boss, but he wont let him steal the limelight for long. In the U.S. system of government, it is the presidents prerogative to demand exclusivity in playing a village idiot, a menace to society, a threat to world peace, or all of the above."
rusty fender
(3,428 posts)but I assume that all 4-stars take it for granted that they are treated like gods. However, his lies, broadcast to the universe, stunned me. His hubris blinded him to the consequences of such a public display of his mendacity.
Some defend him as just misremembering Wilson's speech. I've misremembered events in my past, but not that badly. He may have believed that cloaking his lie in the death of his son and all of the fallen at Arlington would make the lie sacrosanct, and thereby shielded from fact-checking
Irish_Dem
(47,309 posts)Fritz Walter
(4,291 posts)He disgraced the uniform shortly after he took charge of Guantánamo.
As posted on the Center for Constitutional Rights website,
Kellys recent vow to end political correctness in U.S. national security policy is a thinly veiled endorsement of policies and practices that are illegal and immoral, including torture and racial and religious profiling. His statement is a clear warning sign, and the Senate must reject his nomination to preserve and protect the rule of law.
The above-referenced nomination was for Mr. Kelly to take charge of the Department of Homeland Security, which includes -- among other agencies -- FEMA, Customs and Border Protection, TSA (the people at the airport who scan and ogle at your body and those of your children), the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service (the guys and gals who are charged with protecting Presidents Carter, Clinton, Obama, Bush I & II, and their families. Not to mention the spawn of the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue).
Now, he's Chief of Staff. Will this nightmare never end?
Photos of Kelly reacting negatively to the Mangled-Apricot Hellbeast's actions and statements gave many of us hope that he would be the sane one in the room.
We were mistaken.
He sold his soul long ago. At least Judas allegedly got 30 pieces of silver for his. What did you get for yours, Mr. Kelly?
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)as well as the German Press for the true Political Impact of American Politicians and so called advisors. Is this story foretelling the future of Kelly? Trump's Friends in Israel smell something major about to happen and they are positioning themselves Globally not to get dragged into the Frey.
Attacking Congress Person Wilson is just the latest Diversion for Trump and Kelly. Loo ks like a major FUBAR happened in Niger and it was caused by another egotistic self aggrandizing by a unqualified person or person's in the White House .
Is Haartez warning America about something involving a major US Company and it's well placed influence peddler? Sure appears to be the bottom line. And Kelly will just be another victim of his own circumstances.
Mediumsizedhand
(531 posts)procon
(15,805 posts)When Kelly announced that he would only allow journalists who personally knew a Gold Star family to ask questions, I was stunned. I expected an immediate pushback with angry references to free speech and constitutional rights, and a reminder of who pays Kelly's salary. Instead, the journalists, the stalwart members or the free press, the respected Fourth Estate, rolled over and meekly acquiesced to his unprecedented new rules.
Kelly humiliated the entire press corps, and the just set there and took it, abrogating their duty to speak truth to power.