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Don’t believe I used the sniveling adjective to describe what I thought about the beret or people who do not share my views.

My apology - it was centurion316 - and he/she used the term in post #70.

To centurion, I still disagree with what you posted, and I continue to believe that Shinseki was a bad General officer.

The very fact that he accepted a political appointment from the likes of Barack Obama is evidence he is a bad seed, and of questionable character.

Barack Obama is a man who believes babies should be murdered even if they survive abortions.

I believe God tells us to judge people by their character. Hence, Barack Obama is an evil man. Shinseki accepted a paying Government job from Barack Obama.

What am I missing here?

I can’t refute your point or disagree with your assessment. Most of my experiences with Shinseki were when we were Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels. My contacts with him were less frequent when he became a general officer, though I did bump into him from time to time.

I think that he blundered on what should have been a simple and straightforward decision on the beret. He was right on the mark on the decision to move forward on the Stryker brigades and I was pleased to support his efforts toward that in a small way. The experiences of combat have validated his decisions.

I never knew his politics, but they appear to be quite troubling. I find this appointment quite curious because it has been widely rumored that he intends to run for Inoyue’s Senate seat in 2010. That doesn’t leave much time to serve as Veteran’s Affairs Secretary. Given the way many Army veterans view him, even a year might be a bit too long to stay.

" The very fact that he accepted a political appointment from the likes of Barack Obama is evidence he is a bad seed, and of questionable character.

I sympathize with your point of view...but even Robert Gates accepted at least a temporary appointment from Obama, and Robert Gates is a person I greatly respect. Sometimes you take a job because you know it's what's best for your country, even if you don't agree with the politicals in charge. It takes a special person to be able to do this, because it requires extraordinary self-control, prudence, and wisdom...you really need to be able to pick your battles wisely. I won't comment on Shinseki's past career, intentions, or potential as the new head of the VA, because I don't know enough about him. I don't recall him publicly gloating after it turned out he was right, and that seems like an example of good character to me...it shows that he may be quite humble after all.