I know there are a lot of Trump supporters here, and I share some of your opinions, but the National Security Council shakeup should make all of you tremble in your boots, or slides, whatever. Excluding the DNI and the CJCS, for any reasons or purposes on any national security matter is beyond insane. Now, the country's National Security policy and more importantly actions are going to be run by a bunch of political hacks. Other than eliminating the adults in the room, what possible outcome could this portend? What is next, excluding Mattis? IMHO, this is worst of the worst, and we are only starting week 2.
I'll admit some of his actions make me nervous. I expect him doing what we elected him to WILL though. We need to break away from our norms and do some things differently. Old saying, " If you keep doing things the way you've been doing them you will keep getting the same results."
To be fair....an invitation only approach regarding the NSC is not revolutionary. Dubya did it. However, Dubya was always careful to keep politics and operatives away from the process. The biggest problem here is Bannon being added. He's a political operative, plain and simple, with what I would call "limited" knowledge or experience on the issue of national security. In fact, his Georgetown Master's Degree in National Security Studies makes him much like the ivory tower illuminati that I criticized Obama for hiring. His Navy service is good and appreciated but it hardly makes him an expert.
I agree with you but this dude better think long and hard about what he is doing because it doesn't have the appearance of someone that wants to help anyone except himself get more power. Gag orders on scientists, his advisors telling media to shut their mouths, essentially telling the country they can't believe anyone but him, telling the country he is the only one that fix these problems. He really sounds like Palpatine. Now he is banning people from middle eastern countries, well at the least the ones he doesn't have business ties with. Notice Saudi Arabia didn't get a ban, neither did Egypt, United Arab Emirates, or Turkey. What's crazy is most of the acts of terror committed on our soil came from people from the countries i just listed, but they have business ties to Trump so I guess that's ok. And all these congressmen and senators who are just sitting on their asses letting this shit happen, they are complicit as well.
IMO, SA should have been #1. And I agree on Turkey, as Ankara is a key transition location for terrorists in and out of the region. Frankly, Russia should be on the list as well. There are some terrorists being trained there who really do make isis look like the JV team. What I do find hypocritical is certain folks on the left who are whining about SA not making the list when plenty of them never acknowledged the Saudi role in 9/11. Not you LaSalle....others in general.
Here's some more analysis of the order and it's absolute incompetence. It will likely give more aid to Trump's enemies than be an effective deterrent and shield. https://www.lawfareblog.com/malevol...horrifying-executive-order-refugees-and-visas
I guess honesty is out the window now: "Trump also said the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and the director of national intelligence, two of the most senior defense chiefs, will attend meetings only when discussions are related to their “responsibilities and expertise” I am constantly amazed at the liberals and everything else the media likes to bitch about. This commitee was a direct reason "Weapons of Mass Destruction was our reasoning". Further, here is a summary of why the NSC was formed: The White House National Security Council (NSC) is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for consideration of national security and foreign policy matters with senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Since its inception under Harry S. Truman, the function of the Council has been to advise and assist the president on national security and foreign policies. The Council also serves as the president's principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies. The Council has counterparts in the national security councils of many other nations. The National Security Council was created in 1947 by the National Security Act. It was created because policymakers felt that the diplomacy of the State Department was no longer adequate to contain the USSR in light of the tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. The intent was to ensure coordination and concurrence among the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and other instruments of national security policy such as the Central Intelligence Agency. SO why is a HUGE surprise he gives his principle adviser a "seat" Further, Trumps DNI is waiting senate approval.
I guess what people fail to realize is the NSC also has regular meetings on commerce and world economies.
Look, I get that they will only attend at times when their expertise is the focus. However, these topics are not mutually exclusive and Bannon is still a political operative with limited experience on issues of national security.
