‘Tough Guys’ We Have Known, &c.
On Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump, George Washington, and more
The administration summoned our senior military officers from all over the world to hear speeches by Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump at Quantico. That was yesterday. Already there has been excellent analysis of the event. I would recommend, in particular, Eliot A. Cohen and Nick Catoggio: here and here.
What do I have to add? Perhaps just a few observations—maybe four, for now.
(1) Trump and Hegseth are used to appearing before audiences that are impressed by them: Fox viewers, CPAC-ers, Republican rally-goers. At Quantico, they faced a different audience: military commanders who have seen and done a lot.
(2) I thought back to March 2016 in Detroit—there was a debate there. A debate in the Republican presidential primaries. The moderator, Brett Baier, asked Trump what he would do if he, as president, issued illegal orders to the military and the military refused to carry them out. Trump answered, “They won’t refuse. They’re not going to refuse me. Believe me.”
(To see a transcript of the debate, go here.)
(3) For his first secretary of defense, Trump chose General Jim Mattis. According to reports, Trump was attracted to the general’s nickname: “Mad Dog.” But he was soon disappointed in his SecDef—because Mattis is a serious professional. Has Trump at last found his “Mad Dog,” same as he has found his “Roy Cohn” at the Department of Justice?
(4) There are genuine tough guys and there are simulacra of tough guys. I think of George Washington, who, in a speech of his own to senior officers, said, “Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have grown not only gray but almost blind in the service of my country.” Bless that man.
***
Speaking at Quantico, Trump said,
I’m so disappointed in President Putin. I thought he would get this thing over with. He should have had that war done in a week. And I said to him, “You know, you don’t look good. You’re four years fighting a war that should have taken a week. Are you a paper tiger?”
My thinking is very different. I am impressed by the Ukrainian people—indeed, in awe of them. I am astounded by their bravery, their determination, their patriotism. I hope they succeed in repelling the invader and hanging on to their country. I am not “disappointed in President Putin.” I think he’s a curse upon humanity, and I hope he fails in his aims.
***
A tweet reads as follows:
In Kyiv, Ukrainian Fashion Week highlighted a new era of fashion—where models with prosthetics and scars redefine beauty. It’s a powerful statement of inclusivity, resilience, and Ukraine’s unbreakable spirit.
There is video with that tweet: here.
Also, I was interested to read about Yurii:
A Ukrainian teen launched a start-up at 16 to create anti-drone munitions.
Now at 18, he’s balancing school, prototypes, and a mission to protect Ukraine’s skies.
To read this story, go here.
Every day, Ukrainians perform heroics, in circumstances that require heroics. People would admire this society, if they would let themselves—but the pull of Putin and Putinism is very strong. I have seen it up close, for years.
“Evil, be thou my good” (Milton).
***
The Saudi dictatorship is getting into the comedy business. Have you heard?
The state-sponsored Riyadh Comedy Festival will feature Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson and other top acts. Human Rights Watch says the event aims to obscure the country’s abuses.
I have quoted a subheading in the New York Times, over this article.
Several years ago, the Saudis got into the pro-golf business. I said everything I know to say on the subject in a piece for The Dispatch: here. More recently, the Saudis have partnered with the Metropolitan Opera, and vice versa. Again, I have said everything I know to say, in that golf-related piece.
In the mid-1980s, there was a song that went, “Ain’t gonna play Sun City.” “Sun City” was a resort in South Africa. The song was an anti-apartheid song.
Lotta people gonna play Riyadh.
***
We are in an age of video, and every week there are videos of ICE agents doing things that ... that make you wonder where we are as a country. There was a particularly gross incident in New York. It was a relief to learn that the agent was suspended. But then, he was quickly reinstated.
To look into this, you might start here.
Others may be able to say what I’m about to say—may sing along with me: I have been a supporter of law enforcement my whole life. In fact, it’s one of the things that define my politics. Disrespect for law enforcement has always irked and nauseated me. Moreover, no agency can be perfect. There are always bad apples, bad actors. But it is hard not to be troubled by ICE. Even Frank Rizzo might say, “Hey, wait a minute ...”
***
Longtime readers of mine know that I have a pet peeve—well, a hundred of them, but I’m now thinking of one in particular: music in videos. Unnecessary, inappropriate, ruinous music. Music that ruins sports videos, interviews, etc.
Last night, I ran into this: a video of Charles Moore, talking about Margaret Thatcher. Moore is the eminent British journalist who wrote Thatcher’s authorized biography. He has countless interesting things to say, including in this video. But I could hardly hear him over the music.
Why? Why do they do this Why do they think it is good? Why do they think it is non-ruinous?
To me, they’re like saboteurs.
***
Do you feel like a picture of a great white egret? I do too. It comes from Dr. Hans Goeckner, our physicist-photographer in Chicagoland. This splendid bird was in Evans Field, in River Grove. Hans titles the photo “Double Egret” (for the reflection in the water).
***
A correspondent of mine ended a letter yesterday, “Don’t take any wooden nickels, as my late grandfather used to say in parting.” I love that.
Thank you, my friends, and don’t take any wooden nickels.
I share your opinion of the Ukrainians.
The closeup shots of the Quantico audience was impressive. Stone-faced and motionless. I thought I may have seen some eye-rolling, but I've been informed that would have been beneath their dignity.