We owe him a debt of gratitude. He prevented Trump from sending armed troops against Black Lives Matter protesters, and he probably saved us from a war with China.
Thank you General Milley. Attending meetings in the Oval Office must have been very much like sticking your head in a bucket of sh**t. Thanks for keeping us informed sir.
Communication value of the written word is greatly enhanced by voice, more so by in-person visual clues such as body language, eye contact, set of the jaw, etc. Thank you for your descriptions of much more than than transcripts. Yes, we are fortunate to have patriots among the general staff, as we are fortunate to have such an astute commentator.
Your Substack writings are the only semblance of "social media" that I have participated in for months and it has been a great improvement on my mental health. (Admitedly, I kind of miss seeing what you guys are making for dinner, but hey! Enough, with the Facebook, already!) Mr. Truscott, your experience and history gives you a perspective and an advantage that enriches my view and gives me hope for the future, because- to paraphrase Bruce Springsteen- there IS "somebody ALIVE out there"...
I greatly appreciate how you summed up our recent past and current situation visa vi trump and Milley. The mention of General William "body count" Westmoreland brings to mind something I mention when speaking to those who were too young to have experienced the war on Vietnam years, the only decreeable objective seemed to be the daily or weekly "Body Count." I have a suspicion that many of those I mention this to don't believe that was an 'official' term used by the US government!
The fact Mr. Truscott grasps and understands the truth should be a comfort. Millions of Americans understand perhaps not in such detail, but the general theme of Trumps insanity. What must be hoped for is that media and the internet keep everyone aware and do everything possible to keep Mr. Trump away from the White House in 2024. General Milley should keep shouting and never surrender to the tinpot politicians.
So many excellent comments here on an outstanding essay. I have nothing to add but this: I now understand why General Milley has such deep circles under his eyes!
What really sticks with me in this piece is your "translating" of what was SAID and what was MEANT. The between the lines, or behind the words messaging between Milley and the Chinese general is fascinating and I have not seen or read of it anywhere else. Of course, it makes perfect sense that two brilliant and experienced military leaders would understand the nuances behind the obvious words spoken aloud. I'll bet none of that made it into the notes of those calls!
It's a bit like the messaging that burned out of Milley's eyes and reverberated from his chair across to those trumplican jerks at the hearing. THEY got his unspoken messages loud and clear. Somewhere in my distant past, when communicating was a part of my educational experience, I believe I learned that communication is closer to 80% nonverbal and only 20% verbal. If not that, then somewhere in that ballpark.
I've come to appreciate General Milley as a true American patriot, and I do believe that he did indeed save our country during the last year of that disastrous clusterfuck known as the Trump regime.
He is who we needed when we needed him, and thank goodness for that! He is the hero this country deserves. I can only shudder to think what would have happened had he not been there and that asshole named Michael Flynn had been in there to stir up the pot.
Thank you General Milley. Attending meetings in the Oval Office must have been very much like sticking your head in a bucket of sh**t. Thanks for keeping us informed sir.
Bravo to Lucien for this impassioned article, and to General Milley for swatting away the petulant slings and arrows of puny Republicans.
Communication value of the written word is greatly enhanced by voice, more so by in-person visual clues such as body language, eye contact, set of the jaw, etc. Thank you for your descriptions of much more than than transcripts. Yes, we are fortunate to have patriots among the general staff, as we are fortunate to have such an astute commentator.
I rely on you so much for your clearsighted and inspiring writing on this topic.
Hell, yeah! No chickenshit hawk he, a real deal citizen soldier.
Made me proud of my family and country.
a worthy endeavor, indeed!
Your Substack writings are the only semblance of "social media" that I have participated in for months and it has been a great improvement on my mental health. (Admitedly, I kind of miss seeing what you guys are making for dinner, but hey! Enough, with the Facebook, already!) Mr. Truscott, your experience and history gives you a perspective and an advantage that enriches my view and gives me hope for the future, because- to paraphrase Bruce Springsteen- there IS "somebody ALIVE out there"...
Once again, powerful, insightful words on an important subject. Thank you, Lucian.
Thanks, Lucian--I, too, admire General Milley.
I greatly appreciate how you summed up our recent past and current situation visa vi trump and Milley. The mention of General William "body count" Westmoreland brings to mind something I mention when speaking to those who were too young to have experienced the war on Vietnam years, the only decreeable objective seemed to be the daily or weekly "Body Count." I have a suspicion that many of those I mention this to don't believe that was an 'official' term used by the US government!
I know nothing about generals. Thank you Lucian for sharing your insight and knowledge.
Thanks for the context and inside perspective.
The fact Mr. Truscott grasps and understands the truth should be a comfort. Millions of Americans understand perhaps not in such detail, but the general theme of Trumps insanity. What must be hoped for is that media and the internet keep everyone aware and do everything possible to keep Mr. Trump away from the White House in 2024. General Milley should keep shouting and never surrender to the tinpot politicians.
You nailed this one. Absolutely!! Thanks!
So many excellent comments here on an outstanding essay. I have nothing to add but this: I now understand why General Milley has such deep circles under his eyes!
What really sticks with me in this piece is your "translating" of what was SAID and what was MEANT. The between the lines, or behind the words messaging between Milley and the Chinese general is fascinating and I have not seen or read of it anywhere else. Of course, it makes perfect sense that two brilliant and experienced military leaders would understand the nuances behind the obvious words spoken aloud. I'll bet none of that made it into the notes of those calls!
It's a bit like the messaging that burned out of Milley's eyes and reverberated from his chair across to those trumplican jerks at the hearing. THEY got his unspoken messages loud and clear. Somewhere in my distant past, when communicating was a part of my educational experience, I believe I learned that communication is closer to 80% nonverbal and only 20% verbal. If not that, then somewhere in that ballpark.
I've come to appreciate General Milley as a true American patriot, and I do believe that he did indeed save our country during the last year of that disastrous clusterfuck known as the Trump regime.
He is who we needed when we needed him, and thank goodness for that! He is the hero this country deserves. I can only shudder to think what would have happened had he not been there and that asshole named Michael Flynn had been in there to stir up the pot.
We had a very close call.
I nominate him for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.