Update no.1238

 Update from the Heartland

No.1238

29.9.25 – 5.10.25

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

 

To all,

 

On Tuesday, 30.September.2025, Secretary of Defense [not war] Hegseth recalled all flag officers (generals and admirals) and command non-commissioned officers to a collective meeting at MCB Quantico. Admirals and generals of brigadier rank and above who are in command rather than staff positions for what he billed as a major, short notice conclave. The podium was placed before a large American flag as if to resurrect the opening scene in the movie Patton. Implicitly comparing himself to George Patton is farcical. To his credit, Hegseth appeared to have given his entire speech from memory. Frankly, it was a very polished and smooth presentation. If he utilized a distant large teleprompter, he used it very effectively. Beyond the venue and presentation, I found most of his presentation to be quite offensive, and I am not and never have been a general officer. Hegseth implied that the U.S. military has not won a war since the name of the Department of War was changed and the Defense Department created in 1947. To be blunt, he really needs to go back to school and study history a little more closely; I will not detour into a history summary, and will only state for the record, the wars we fought after WW2 were political losses, not military losses. The politicians of the day lost their will to fight a war properly. You do not pull a pistol to intimidate someone; if you pull a pistol, you must be prepared to kill. So, I adamantly condemn his contention. Hegseth directed the military to return to the highest “male” physical fitness standards for combat arms. I am all in favor of high standards for the military and especially for the combat arms. I am not in favor of “male” standards—only standards for the job. He must drop that paternalistic nonsense. Hegseth also claimed their silly, ill-advised attempt to change the name of the Defense Department, since he claimed he wanted to change “The Woke Department to the War Department,” as if  the professional military is more involved with social progress than warfighting. It was an outright insult to officers and NCOs who have served the Republic for decades and continue to serve. Congress chose the name of the new coalesced department; only Congress can change the name. Hegseth also implied that that military belongs to the president. WRONG! WRONG! ABSOLUTELY AND CATEGORICALLY WRONG!!! The military is an agency that belongs to We, the People, under the Constitution. We pay for it. We staff it. We choose our political leaders to point the sword in the correct direction. The professional military in its various forms is a constitutional entity, NOT the personal militia of whomever we employ in the Oval Office.

Then, that abomination was not bad enough. [The person who shall no longer be named, AKA no name, the orange one, the Felon, et al] felt compelled to get his face time; he simply cannot pass up a camera. He kept the gathering of flag officers waiting for a long time, presumably so he could finish his morning Big Mac. I suspect he did not get a good night’s sleep. He appeared to be half-asleep with no energy in his speech. He meandered and chopped up his sentences. The orange one tried to use a teleprompter.

At least Hegseth tried to give a Rah-Rah speech. No name gave a political speech like it was at campaign rally for loyal MAGAts, rather than a gathering of generals—a political speech to an apolitical group. The orange one desperately wants the military to be loyal to him personally (sounds quite familiar, e.g., 1934). They are sworn to defend the Constitution . . . no individual or position. The military is a reflection of the people they serve. It is NOT a white, male, Christian organization as it appears no name and his lackey Hegseth want to make it. None of the social factors should affect or influence the military’s business.

As with all things, the devil is in the details. It is rarely the policy that causes problems. It is the interpretation and basic implementation where the problems lay. Case in point, Hegseth no more no nation building, To which, I say – right on! However, when get go into a country and destroy the government—you broke it, you fix it; e.g. Japan and Germany post-WW2.

All in all, I laud their attempt to tighten up the military, but their effort was yet another genuine embarrassment.

 

At 00:01 [R] EDT, Wednesday, 1.October.2025, the federal government of the United States of America suspended operations due to lack of funding from Congress. The leaders of the two major political parties are blaming each other, of course. Yet, it is Republicans who have total control of both the Executive and Legislative branches of the federal government. The Republicans are taking a “my way or the highway” approach to bludgeon Democrats into submission. Democrats, on the other hand, want to restore government subsidies for low-income individuals for basic health care protection. The shutdown has affected us in minor ways, not substantively as yet. However, if it continues, it will surely affect every American in major ways eventually.

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1237:

Comment to the Blog:

“The attack on Tylenol is just one more facet of a general attack on American society. (Someone posted that the parent company hadn’t played along with the DEI attack.) I find both Agent Orange’s and RFK, Jr.’s speaking style annoying; therefore, I don’t listen to more than 30 seconds of either at a time, most. I don’t need to hear the original speech in full to know what they’re up to now.

“Agent Orange’s rant at the UN reminds me of a particularly belligerent drunk, except Agent Orange went on far longer. The rest of the world can’t afford to ignore his many transgressions of international laws and norms. The worst is yet to come.

“Meanwhile, in Agent Orange’s worst nightmare, House Democrats have released more Epstein documents. They name Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, and Prince Andrew among the likely culprits. (Per https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/oversight-democrats-release-third-batch-documents-jeffrey-epstein-estate.) Musk and Thiel would be especially important catches due to their political spending.”

My response to the Blog:

It would be difficult to argue against your initial statement. That is certainly how I see things as well. The company that makes Tylenol is Kenvue, which was spun-off of Johnson & Johnson in 2023. You are quite right on both no name and RFK Jr. Every speech is just more of the same in shades of gray.

Again, spot on! His voice and manner of speech is truly irritating and annoying, but unfortunately, his words have impact on the actions of the government. He has appointed far too many feckless minions to positions where actions are taken, e.g., RFK Jr. Yes, indeed, the worst is yet to come. It will be morbidly interesting to see what allies remain after he is done.

Good. We need much more of that information. We both known another name who was undoubtedly a participant and thus perpetrator in that infamous affair. There is much more to come.

 . . . follow-on comment:

“The New York Times notes this morning that 4 of the 8 government shutdowns since 1990 have been under Agent Orange. Here we go again. Also, his speech to the generals yesterday suggested training the military on US civilians. Keep nausea medication handy.

“Agent Orange was close to Epstein, and he has been found liable for sexual assault. We can connect the dots.”

 . . . my follow-up response:

Indeed, here we go again. This one will be different as no name superimposed his vindictiveness on the shutdown consequences.

There are so many despicable elements of Hegseth’s and no name’s speech to the gathering of flag officers and command NCOs; more in this week’s Update.

Yes, he was, because he was getting easy access to young and under-age women for his sexual gratification. Yes, indeed, we can connect the dots, but his MAGAts do not care a twit. Sovereign immunity = the King can do no wrong!

 

Another contribution:

“OMG- just reading the latest twist between your politicians, your favourite man in the middle of the turmoil. This is no way to run a country, stand him down Cap.”

My reply:

You are spot on, correct! This is no way to run a country, which is precisely why I refer to this nation as a once grand republic. We have degenerated and continue our disintegration under the actions of no name and his devoted minions. The MAGAts are cheering him on. The only way we can stand down the orange one and his MAGAts is by our votes. Our next opportunity is next fall; we have a long way to go. I remain guardedly optimistic that we will eventually right the ship. I know it is hard for all of us but keep the faith.

 

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                  :-)