The important comment was Zinni’s. It is little known outside the military, but ever since Dwight Eisenhower, there has been a strong core of military officers that refuse party affiliation.
While as many as over 90% of senior officers are supportive of Republican policies, and have some very deep grudges with the Democrats, and outright abhor their policies, they firmly believe that it is their constitutional obligation to not officially align themselves with a political party.
Remember that all military personnel swear to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States. And nowhere in that document are political parties even mentioned. So affiliation with a party is seen by some as “having two masters”.
While this may seem a minor argument, it is not. If these officers are ordered to violate the constitution of the United States, they will not do so, for any reason, especially politics.
Ashton, Ashton. You are halfway there.
You shouldn’t pay for someone who overeats. You shouldn’t pay for someone who smokes. You shouldn’t pay for someone who talks on a cell phone while driving and gets in a an accident. You shouldn’t pay for someone who gets seriously burned because they wore a flowing robe while cooking on a gas stove.
Ashton, you should not pay for anyone but you and your family! If you choose to give to a charity to help pay for those who need help, great, but you should not be required by your government to do that either.
Only on active duty. Both parties are full of former military officers, including flag officers. Don't you recall Kerry trotting out a lineup of former flag officers at the Dem convention in 2004?