It would be nice to actually believe that but when push comes to shove, I fear they will follow orders they know to be illegal.
MacArthur and Patton obeyed orders to fight fellow military veterans under Hoover’s orders - the “Bonus Army” conflict. There are others throughout history.
I think you’ll see an even split. Those men like the above who will uphold the constitution no matter what; those who won’t really care about the constitution as much as they care about self-preservation and will try and remain ‘neutral’; and those who will actively engage with America’s enemies seeking their own glory.
Pretty much like it was in 1776. 1/3 Patriots; 1/3 Loyalists; 1/3 Tories.
Hoover was a LEGITIMATE president!!!
I agree with you.
“Bonus Army conflict” was about money.
This time it is about the very essence of the Constitution and our Nation.
Freedom.
That is worth fighting for.
We have an obligation as citizens of the U.S. to oppose the loss of our Freedom and our Nation.
—
Ben Franklin
“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
I have the same fear.
MacArthur was sent to disperse a large crowd that was demanding early payment on their war bonuses (which were due for another few years). In other words, they had assembled to demand a government handout. MacArthur sent them packing. One person died in the chaos.
Two years later they returned to demand the same thing. FDR wasn’t any more interested in giving it to them than Hoover, but he got rid of them differently- he sent them into exile.
FDR sent the bonus marchers to the Middle Florida Keys to build a road linking the islands. It was then one of the most remote places within the 48 states, the government assured them they would be taken care of. In 1935, hundreds of them died in the great Labor Day Hurricane. Problem solved.
Our tradition is of a “housebroken” military that serves it’s civilian masters. On the one hand, you have the advantage of not being subject to military rule by “the Colonel of the Month.” On the other hand, I suspect that the vast majority of the military WILL follow orders, because that’s what they’ve been conditioned to do. Like the Stormtroopers from Star Wars.
Also, you can expect that any officers signing this Constitution Oath will be weeded out of any command posts, and forced into retirement. 0bama wants a housebroken military, but it has to be one that hears his voice as master.
1. To those saying that today’s military is hobbled by a crippled government school system and lack critical, independent thought, I’ll say that it has been statistically shown that the average military member is better educated than the average civilian.
2. To those comparing today’s military to the Vietnam era service members, I’ll say that today’s military is an all voluntary force and therefore the vast majority, I believe, maintain a much more intimate view of exactly why they signed up and therefore, are better grounded in Constitutional principle.
El Cid ‘91
thaDeetz