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gulliver

(13,677 posts)
18. I agree, but it was a provocation.
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 01:20 PM
Wednesday

In context, the ad telling "the troops" (and the whole world, including Trump) that they don't have to follow "illegal orders" is a backhanded accusation. I assume everyone realizes that. It strongly implies that Trump has or is likely to issue illegal orders.

Pro: Standing up to Trump. Drawing a line in the sand.
Con: He'll make hay out of it in predictable ways as he is now.

Giving this "reminder" to the troops about illegal orders is also, intentionally or not, a minor condescending lecture and threat to the troops. "You may not know this, but you don't have to follow illegal orders." (Translation: "You might be fairly ignorant of your basic duty, so I feel it is necessary to remind you. Also, we're watching you in case you do something we consider illegal. You'll have no protection from prosecution." )

Pro: Some few military folks may not be fully aware of their responsibilities, and this reminds them. Not a very big pro.
Con: Could alienate military votes and support

To me, it's not proving to be very effective so far. Trump et al have, as usual, gone off the rails, but they've gotten folks used to that. It gets them eyeballs for their messages (earned media). They have the "bully" pulpit. I'm a big fan of Kelly and Slotkin, so I hope it plays out well.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I remember the My Lai massacre, it horrified me to think that US soldiers could commit MarineCombatEngineer Wednesday #1
Many of us do remember, but we're starting to age out. It's important not to forget. MineralMan Wednesday #3
I remember it well PatSeg Wednesday #10
Ha! Good names. Joinfortmill Wednesday #13
Great actors, Fox, Penn, Harvey, etc. MarineCombatEngineer Wednesday #14
After Calley's 1971 sentence to life imprisonment, Nixon ordered the Army to transfer him from the military stockade sop Wednesday #2
Yes. That was yet another misjudgment by a Republican President. MineralMan Wednesday #4
I remember when the Hersh story came out - it was horrifying. Ocelot II Wednesday #5
Yes, exactly! There is a measure of contempt for locals that creeps in MineralMan Wednesday #9
And this mis-administration is working on contempt for others within this country. erronis Wednesday #19
All trump has to do is keep his mouth shut Turbineguy Wednesday #6
We studied and dissected that incident for a couple long days ... MiHale Wednesday #7
Another good link...more in depth. MiHale Wednesday #8
The S**t usually hits the fan with the order to fire on your own countrymen. Mustellus Wednesday #11
I remember My Lai, but my first thought was Kent State. MLWR Wednesday #15
Excellent point Joinfortmill Wednesday #12
Illegal orders Cirsium Wednesday #16
"On November 12, 1969, Seymour Hersh broke the My Lai massacre story" -- Great DU post erronis Wednesday #17
I agree, but it was a provocation. gulliver Wednesday #18
I don't know as much about this as I should. ShazzieB Wednesday #20
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