Obama 'gutting military' by purging generals

[Neil]

 

'I was offended by his implication that we might squeal.  And now I'm squealing about it.'

[Admiral Yi]

Did he in fact write about such sensitive matters?

[grumbler]

Did he in fact write about such sensitive matters?

No, but for the board troll, the truth doesn't matter.

[Razgovory]

Did he in fact write about such sensitive matters?

No, but for the board troll, the truth doesn't matter.

But, you're the board troll...

[Jacob]

Did he in fact write about such sensitive matters?

Perhaps not, but it's still rich to complain about people implying you may go telling tales in your book telling tales; even if the implication is about a different tale. You're still being indiscreet.

It's like someone complaining that the store keeper accused them of wanting to steal porn mags while they were shoplifting bubble gum. Sure, they're not a pervy thief, just a thief, but a thief nonetheless.

[Admiral Yi]

The difference is that the secrets Obama was talking about are ones that can harm the country.

It doesn't particularly imperil US security if everyone knows that Gates disagrees with Biden about policy.

[Jacob]

The difference is that the secrets Obama was talking about are ones that can harm the country.

It doesn't particularly imperil US security if everyone knows that Gates disagrees with Biden about policy.

Seems to me that in Gates' quote, Obama isn't speaking to national security either. He is - jokingly it seems - making sure that the meeting won't be spun in a counter factual direction down the road in someone's memoirs, presumably for political purposes... and here Gates is, spinning the meeting in a different direction for political purposes in his memoirs, while acting offended at the implication that he might spin the meeting for political purposes in his memoirs.

[grumbler]

Seems to me that in Gates' quote, Obama isn't speaking to national security either. He is - jokingly it seems - making sure that the meeting won't be spun in a counter factual direction down the road in someone's memoirs, presumably for political purposes... and here Gates is, spinning the meeting in a different direction for political purposes in his memoirs, while acting offended at the implication that he might spin the meeting for political purposes in his memoirs.

  When Obama declares something "for the record," I don't see how Gates is "spinning things" by mentioning it in his record.

As for the meeting (on Middle East policy) itself, in what way do you think Gates is spinning it, given that he only mentions that it happened, plus its "for the record" conclusion?

[Jacob]

  When Obama declares something "for the record," I don't see how Gates is "spinning things" by mentioning it in his record.

We disagree, then

[grumbler]

  When Obama declares something "for the record," I don't see how Gates is "spinning things" by mentioning it in his record.

We disagree, then

Well, I guess it is entirely possible that "for the record" means something to you other than what it means to Americans, but I don't think you can blame the American, Gates, for not knowing your non-American definition of the phrase. For the record, Obama is an American as well, and I am sure that he used the phrase in the American sense.

[crazy canuck]

Seems to me that in Gates' quote, Obama isn't speaking to national security either. He is - jokingly it seems - making sure that the meeting won't be spun in a counter factual direction down the road in someone's memoirs, presumably for political purposes... and here Gates is, spinning the meeting in a different direction for political purposes in his memoirs, while acting offended at the implication that he might spin the meeting for political purposes in his memoirs.

  When Obama declares something "for the record," I don't see how Gates is "spinning things" by mentioning it in his record.

The irony lies in the fact that Gates is publishing this while the President he served is still in office giving credence to the President's belief that he needed to be careful and undermining Gates' self report that he felt slighted.

[Jacob]

Well, I guess it is entirely possible that "for the record" means something to you other than what it means to Americans, but I don't think you can blame the American, Gates, for not knowing your non-American definition of the phrase. For the record, Obama is an American as well, and I am sure that he used the phrase in the American sense.

No, that's not it.

[grumbler]

Well, I guess it is entirely possible that "for the record" means something to you other than what it means to Americans, but I don't think you can blame the American, Gates, for not knowing your non-American definition of the phrase. For the record, Obama is an American as well, and I am sure that he used the phrase in the American sense.

No, that's not it.

I disagree. 

[Jacob]

I disagree. 

Of course you do 

[grumbler]

  When Obama declares something "for the record," I don't see how Gates is "spinning things" by mentioning it in his record.

The irony lies in the fact that Gates is publishing this while the President he served is still in office giving credence to the President's belief that he needed to be careful and undermining Gates' self report that he felt slighted.

You may see irony in that, but irony is more than just the opposite of wrinkly.  The only element of the meeting that Gates reports on is the part where the president tries to forestall everyone's memoirs by making statements that people will be sure to include in their memoirs.

The issue of Gates publishing while the president he served is still in office is a separate one.  I think that he was wrong to do so, but I don't see anything in this latest Jacob report that bears on that issue at all.