• chiliedogg@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Hegseth and Trump were treating it like a political event where people worship them.

    But these weren’t their superfans attending a rally. They were professionals ordered to be there and to listen. And even if they were fans, you don’t fucking clap and cheer at a military briefing.

  • Dr. Moose@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    I’m not an american or even fan of american military but how could career military people ever like a draft dodger and tv personality? Military is notoriously a rank based community and they absolutely don’t fit that.

  • kadaverin0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    His speech reminded me of the ranting self-absorbed monologues my father would go on when he was in the middle of a coke binge. The manic energy and barely concealed narcissistic rage while trying so hard to convince us of his righteousness and varity. It usually ended with him flipping the coffee table or punching a hole in the wall.

    • Uruanna@lemmy.world
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      Unfortunately, reporters also couldn’t find a single general who cares that it’s allowed to disobey an unlawful order and that they can overthrow a domestic terrorist.

  • WhatGodIsMadeOf@feddit.org
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    We market and psychologically manipulate people until they become terrorists and then our institutions build off it to become more powerful? Like a business?

    Understand crime and heartlessness to understand how the real world works?

    It was always like but not as blatant?

    What …is …grammar really?

  • xenomor@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    My favorite part was when Hegseth talked about removing politics from the military, and then trump spent 20 minutes whining about politics.

    • Tryenjer@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      Hegseth disrupted the lives of 800 highly educated military leaders to call them fat. 🤣

      • HubertManne@piefed.social
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        3 days ago

        did you see how long they had to sit with his talk and trumps and the stupid music playing. well over two hours but hard to say.

      • TemplaerDude@sh.itjust.works
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        3 days ago

        Exactly.

        These scumbags talk one thing and do the opposite.

        They deserve the gallows before they take the rest of that shit country down with them.

        • SanctimoniousApe
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          I’m afraid it’s far too late for that. You think things are bad now? You just wait. Shit’s gonna start getting extremely ugly when the massive house of cards that is the current US economy starts falling down - which I personally would normally peg to start happening in earnest by early next year, but with Trump deliberately destroying the very source that would let us all know the numbers behind what’s actually going on in the economy all bets on timing are off. The longer it gets put off, the worse it’s gonna be, however.

          • TemplaerDude@sh.itjust.works
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            3 days ago

            I’m just pulling for some Americans to do the right thing and start putting holes in these fascists. Doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen though, they’re happy just memeing their way to hell.

            • SanctimoniousApe
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              Unlike in the past, there are a million and one ways to avoid reality nowadays (heck, I’m doing so by spending time here). That, and the fact the bulk of the angry gun-owning types are on the MAGAt side of the isle. This crash is going to be like none before, so it’s impossible to make predictions (beyond any obvious ones) on what will happen.

              • Cethin@lemmy.zip
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                While I agree we should be cautious and fight back, that’s just not true. The Business Plot, for example, just sort of didn’t happen and fizzled out. This isn’t to imply nothing should be done, because we definitely need to work to ensure they don’t achieve their goals, but Fascists have lost to less than bullets. This also isn’t saying dead Fascists aren’t desired. It’s only stating that your comment isn’t exactly accurate.

                Saying the only way to fight back is by killing people leaves a whole lot of people doing nothing. There’s a lot more you can do besides picking up a gun. Your message plays into their hands, not ours.

      • cmbabul@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        Just like Christian’s don’t consider Christianity anything besides “the truth” American conservatives/maga/gop also don’t think their political beliefs are political, just “common sense”

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        More like anything but MAGAt ones, with Cheeto Gawd at the center of everything.

  • jjjalljs@ttrpg.network
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    3 days ago

    Hegseth is a cartoon villain that shouldn’t be anywhere near a position of power

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reposted and praised a video interview of a self-described Christian nationalist pastor whose church doesn’t believe women should be allowed to vote.

    Just an utter scumbag.

    • Ecco the dolphin@lemmy.ml
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      He’s talking about getting rid of military members who can’t shave due to medical reasons.

      context

      People with curly hair can have ingrown hairs from shaving. Most people with no shave chits are black.

      Don’t let him trick you into thinking this speech is just stupid. Its stupid, but he’s also trying to give generals plausible deniability to remove minority military members and women.

      • shawn1122@sh.itjust.works
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        3 days ago

        Somewhere between 1 in 2 to 2 in 3 African American men experience a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae where, due curliness and firmness of hair, a clean shave results in significant local inflammation, irritation and discomfort.

        The treatment is to not to shave too close to the skin…

      • yesman@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Don’t forget they’re also mad about Sakhs who were allowed to wear turbans and beards.

  • blattrules@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    I hope every single one of them realizes that they were used as seat fillers for more culture war bullshit. I’m sure they can see right through these two man-babies for the weak human beings they are and will think twice when they’re asked to do something illegal/immoral for them.

    • F_State@midwest.social
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      I mean, insofar as Hegseth has internalized the culture war and can’t stop being a fox news host long enough to do his job. I think priming the Military to eventually use it against the American population was the main purpose of this gathering.

      • BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today
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        You don’t have to say that you “think” that, Trump was very clear that he expects them to wage “War” against specific cities he hates. Deploying the military against American citizens is one of our most basic prohibitions, and he just told the world that he intends to violate it.

        The significance of using the word “War” to describe his intentions towards these cities can’t be overstated. He clearly intends to use the military to commit serious violence against these cities. Just that threat alone should be an impeachable offense.

    • unphazed@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      Mussolini promised the world to his troops, and was seen as a competent soldier himself (I admit I know little on his military prowess). Our regime is led by a diaper wearing, flat footed nepo baby who hired a pretty boy guardsman who spent more time in front of a camera wielding propaganda than he did a rifle to lead our entire military. These generals meanwhile get chastised and left to fix every fuckup generated by the administration with no reward for themselves or the men and women under their command. Then they see any hope of rewards in retirement after decades of service go up in smoke. Yeah, I’m not too worried about them doing illegal actions on US citizens. I’m becoming more afraid of a military coup however. If our balance of power and law becomes obsolete, then they may see it as reason to change the executive power as it stands.

      • Formfiller@lemmy.world
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        I was kinda hoping that they would have done that coup today and put those two on trial for being enemies of the constitution. The military swears an oath to the constitution and those two knuckleheads were directing the generals to do unconstitutional shit. I’m pretty sure this coup scenario would be better than what is going on currently

        • mcv@lemmy.zip
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          It’s much to early to talk about a coup. But when Trump really wants the US military to act against US citizens, I don’t think that’s an order the military can possibly obey. I think that will be coup time.

          I can’t believe we’re seriously talking about this.

          • BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today
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            I agree with your assessment. They all had a chance to speak with each other at this meeting, and I’ll bet at least some of them started to talk about worst-case scenarios.

            They won’t act spontaneously, it will be in response to a seriously illegal demand.

        • prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works
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          The military is not going to do a violence to protect the country unless ordered to do so (by the executive branch) OR a violence is done to them first.

          If they’re to be believed they’re honorable / noble enough to want to protect the nation from the president then they’re honorable / noble enough to not act first. So, double edged sword and all that

        • TronBronson@lemmy.world
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          There are 300 million of us lmao you just gotta convince people to remove their representation and replace it with someone competent. Im sure the generals probably believe its not their duty or place and also fear to consequences of turning the USA into a military rule for even a second. It’s time to stop praying to a higher power for a miracle and start removing your congress people from office. They can’t hide from their voters for ever.

            • TronBronson@lemmy.world
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              I mean voting is good: we just need to remove the rot and start voting again with a clean slate. We don’t have fair access to voting anymore.

          • Bronzebeard@lemmy.zip
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            The problem is, people rarely view their own representative as the problem (as long as it’s who they voted for). So if a republican view sees the country going to shut during a republican administration, at best, they’ll think it’s a bunch of other Republican reps that are messing things up for the person they chose.

            • TronBronson@lemmy.world
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              Right and this is a bipartisan issue because the Democrats will die behind whatever geriatric they’re about to prop up next year. No one cares about qualified candidates. They just want someone that makes them feel warm and fuzzy.

            • bitjunkie@lemmy.world
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              This country is gerrymandered as shit. A lot of people do view “their” representative as part of the problem, but what recourse do they have when decades of political gamesmanship has made their votes no longer count?

        • PrettyFlyForAFatGuy@feddit.uk
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          That would mean immediate civil war which would be horrific for everyone. It’s a lever that should only be pulled as a last resort

          • Formfiller@lemmy.world
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            They declared war on America yesterday and encouraged the military to commit war crimes against American citizens……how is that not a declaration of civil war? Genuinely curious

    • finitebanjo@lemmy.world
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      Imagine if it continues to degrade to the point that Kristi Noem gets put in charge of more branches of armed forces.

    • ameancow@lemmy.world
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      Speak for yourself, I would have paid DIRECTLY to the defense department to put Hegseth on stage in front of hundreds or thousands of career military professionals from all walks of life and all branches of our highest levels of defense planning and strategy so they all get to see him in person for what he is, a wannabe TED-talking, sound-bite spewing grifter civilian with no leadership qualifications past running a podcast. Telling them each “how it’s going to be” in a sad, rambling, uninspired, chat-GTP written lecture that you would expect from a CEO of a silicon valley startup hungup on military aesthetics.

      There is no better way to ensure that every competent and concerned armed-forces leader is on the same page as getting them all in a room together to listen to these clowns perform their circus act.

      If it comes to it, we do not win revolutions without the military. We need this kind of performance.

      • RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world
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        Hey hey… he’s not a civilian… for two weeks out of the year he is a citizen soldier.

        A citizen soldier that just called all of the top military brass pussies to their faces.

        Is it still considered a fragging if he’s a lower rank than them?

        • ameancow@lemmy.world
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          Is it still considered a fragging if he’s a lower rank than them?

          While I love the fantasy, the reality is even colder and harsher.

          They likely are not paying this clown any attention at all unless they’re forced to.

          Policy decisions and recruitment strategies come and go, but they have a saying about war and if it ever changes or not. These lifetime generals and leaders are in their positions because they have far greater concerns than the temporary ravings of a political pundit who captured the spotlight for a moment. They will all go back to their stations, a little time lost, a little more to do, and they will sweep all the performative letters into the garbage so they can focus on the eternal art of finding ways to put holes in other people in mass numbers before they can put holes in us in mass numbers.

  • CircaV@lemmy.ca
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    Whatever - they will follow orders from whoever their exhalted president is. Cause even though it’s a certified clown in office they still obey his bullshit cause they hold the office in high regard.

  • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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    The military may just have to step in and save us on this one guys. This administration is a direct threat to democracy and everyone who has provided material support for Project 2025 is a traitor.

    • Schmoo@slrpnk.net
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      The military isn’t going to step in and save us unless they feel strongly that the public will support them wholeheartedly, and they aren’t going to feel that way if there isn’t massive and unprecedented civil unrest. That means the onus is on us.

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      The military ain’t gonna “step in”. The only way that could possibly happen is if we have major and sustained civil demonstrations in our cities. Even then, it may take mass civilian casualties before the military intervenes.

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        You could very well be right, but without Congress acting on this lawlessness and with SCOTUS’s capitulation it leaves the military as the last organization that could step in to end this madness.

        First, consider the war crimes this administration has ordered. Second, its continual attacks on the Constitution and the rule of law. Lastly, the outright treasonous Project 2025 this administration has given material support to. The military would be acting well within reason seizing control and ordering a new election.

        Everyone who has given material support to Project 2025 should be held by military tribunal or ICC in order to ensure corruption is kept out of the proceedings. After this purge of the right, something we should have done long ago due to their spreading of hate and class warfare tactics, we can finally move on to an imperfect but functional future.

            • BeeegScaaawyCripple@lemmy.world
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              You likely wouldn’t get their unguarded perspective unless you were married to them.

              Source: one of my besties growing up, his dad got promoted to 2 star when we were in high school. Known them for decades, he still keeps his mouth shut when it might be construed as criticizing the commander in chief

    • MojoMcJojo@lemmy.world
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      Consider the implication of a countries military denying the commands of the officials elected by the civilian population. The military is armed. That would completely destabilize the countries economy and it’s security on the world stage. The chain reaction of consequences is terrifying. It’s up to the people.