LTC Alexander Vindman, an Army Borgist

(Dutch Harbor)

"When I joined the NSC in July 2018, I began implementing the administration’s policy on Ukraine. In the Spring of 2019, I became aware of outside influencers promoting a false narrative of Ukraine inconsistent with the consensus views of the interagency. This narrative was harmful to U.S. government policy.While my interagency colleagues and I were becoming increasingly optimistic on Ukraine’s prospects, this alternative narrative undermined U.S. government efforts to expand cooperation with Ukraine."  Vindman

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The US Army sends too many officers to graduate schools to study Political Science and International Relations.  These subjects are pseudo sciences based on the 19th Century yearnings of some European scholars for a paradigm change in human affairs that would relieve them of their minority status.   Sadly, these disciplines also create a mentality in officer students that gives inculcates them with the idea that they are members of a kind of fraternity that dominates or should dominate the American foreign policy establishment.  I call that establishment The Borg. 

The Army lent Vindman to the NSC staff, much as the marines lent Oliver North to the White House staff long ago.   In an NSC staff led by the arch neocon John Bolton he must have felt quite at home.  Last Summer he was given the task of listening (with several others) to Trump's conversation with Zelensky.  This is a routine precaution taken to avoid misunderstandings as to what is said.

Vindman says that the president holds views inconsistent "with the consensus views of the interagency." (the Borg)  LTC Vindman has evidently been seduced by the idea that the president of the US is obligated to accept the consensus of The Borg or to tell them the truth about his intentions as he directs US foreign policy.  Vindman is wrong about that.  He, and all the other Borgists are staff, not partners.

Vindman has evidently been returned to the Army.  As a serving Army officer he can only be ejected from the officer corps for legal cause.  IMO it is likely that the Army will be deeply offended by his rejection of his assigned role as a staff officer to the president and his preferred loyalty to The Borg and will find a comfortable place for him in a basement or on a distant island.  (not Hawaii)

I should say that there is nothing wrong with the Army sending officers for study of useful subject but poly sci/ IR are not among them.  pl

https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/read-the-document-opening-statement-of-lieutenant-colonel-alexander-s-vindman/2573a183-18ee-4036-9638-939677a1b9d6/

Comments

[srw]

While you have a point about Vindman representing NSC views, I am more concerned about Trump coercing Zelensky into investigating the Bidens. Are you saying he should not have gone to the NSC lawyers to express his concerns?

[turcopolier]

srw

If Vindman could not accept Trump's policy he should have asked the Army to relieve him of duty at the WH. It was pathetic to stab Trump in the back.

[turcopolier]

anon

No, Vindman wore his uniform to the hearing because he is a pompous ass in much the same way that Ollie North wore his to hearings.

[Factotum]

Trump coerced Zlensky into investigating Joe Biden and Hunter Biden? How did that happen.

[Snakepit]

Moon of Alabama thinks Vindman is a suspicious character and assumed responsibility and judgement he did not have but the president did according to the U.S. Constitution.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjsxfCn2MXlAhVIjlkKHWk3AOgQFjAAegQIAxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moonofalabama.org%2F2019%2F10%2Fwho-is-supposed-to-define-us-foreign-policy-hint-it-is-not-the-borg.html&usg=AOvVaw3dX8OEfbW8Fzbx7nG4LGT7

[Bill H]

And once again I regret the absence of a "like" button. I would press it for this particular comment until my finger wore out.

[jd hawkins]

"... trained to detect patterns"?

And the patterns are certainly there.

[jd hawkins]

He's a disgrace to the U.S of A.

[anon]

So it was his decision to make.Interesting.Have no idea how army works.For some reason i get the impression,a gut feeling,that this is a watershed moment,but it seems with trump the sheds in water all the time.Ollie went south you know.

[turcopolier]

anon
Active duty military and naval personnel assigned to the WH are still the "property" of their service and can be taken back unless the president insists on keeping them at the WH.

[fanto]

As Keith Harbaugh said - there are more parts to the story. As some commenters here allude, the loyalties of Vindman may be complicated to say the least. In that light, I am confused about the position of AIPAC is taking in the attempts to unseat a president who has been so far very kind to issues concerning the best US-ally in the ME. Is Ukraine issue now even more important? and if so, why.

[K]

Check his wastebasket.

[Bill Hatch]

I spent too many years inside the beltway as an action officer (AO). AO's are normally the area experts in something & are therefore involved in developing & maintaining their agency's policy in that area. I can not remember ever running into an AO who thought that it was "their" policy. You research & recommend; but, the policy is set by the principal of the agency. Not all of your recommendations are accepted. It's the nature of being a staff officer. It was understood that if you take the kings shilling, you do the king's bidding. If you can't accept the principal's final policy position & feel strongly about your opposing position, it is time to quit taking the shilling. It's time to resign or just put ketchup on it & eat it.

AO's live or die by their AO networks. The network is normally the AO's in the other departments or agencies who you must coordinate with on a routine basis in order to move actions in your area of expertise. AO's strive to develop trust in their AO network. Burn your network & you die (bureaucratically). My guess is that
the whistleblower's source of dissatisfaction & information about the WH/Ukrainian PM phone call is Vindman's AO net of Ukrainian area "experts" - an "echo chamber."

I to was offended by Vindman wrapping himself in the Army uniform for his testimony.
I doubt that he'd worn a uniform to work for years.

[Factotum]

ISL - I think Bernie Sanders was just quoted saying exactly that in today's news - resistance is futile - I will change the values system in this country.

[anon]

Right.So he is permanent force but does not wear his uniform at work?So who does he report to while he is stationed at the WH.An army officer or a governent civilian.Just curious because the generals around trump are always in uniform.

[turcopolier]

anon

The generals you see around Trump or any president are in uniform because they came to meetings representing the armed force(s). A military officer working at the WH works for whoever is appointed above him civilian or military. When that assignment is over he/she goes on to another assignment.

[Keith Harbaugh]

On the subject of LTC Vindman wearing his dress blues for his appearance before Congress, sundance opines:

In an effort to bolster his very sketchy credibility;
and likely in an effort to avoid the appearance of sedition;
Schiff’s Lawfare staff recommended
Vindman wear his military uniform to the hearing today,
though Vindman never wore the uniform for his NSC job.

[Keith Harbaugh]

Also, a question:
Based on the photo sundance provided,
LTC Vindman looks not merely overweight, but actually obese.
Also, is that not Infantry insignia on his lapel?
If so, is physical fitness a part of the OER for Infantry officers at his level?
Or is this waived for officers such as he?

[turcopolier]

Keith Harbaugh

He is definitely overweight and has probably found some way to dodge the PT test. The officers assigned to the WH probably give each other the PT test.

[Kilo 4/11]

Be thankful there is a place without social media paraphernalia.

[Diana C]

Agree with the idea of a "like" button.

[anon]

Right got it.Thanks

[catherine]

''I am confused about the position of AIPAC is taking in the attempts to unseat a president who has been so far very kind to issues concerning the best US-ally in the ME. Is Ukraine issue now even more important? and if so, why.''

AIPAC & Fellows now think Trump can't be pushed to attack Iran, therefore he is no longer of much use to them. Our Israeli occupied congress probably would go along with attacking Iran and a new president, Pence or whoever might also go along with that.
Israel has some economic interest in the Ukraine and would like to have top influence there that they could then use to threaten, barter with,trade favors with re the US and other manipulations.
Besides its time for the Bolsheviks to loot Russia again.

[catherine]

Pardon my horrible bigotry but Vinderman is a first generation American and Jewish whose beliefs/attitude re Russia and Ukraine probably come from his refugee parents.
And for some reason many of this type think they are entitled 'to tell the US
what its policies should be.'
This pompous squirt fits the type.

In his written opening remarks to yesterday's confidential hearing, widely spread to the media, he asserts:

''In spite of being under assault from Russia for more than five years, Ukraine has taken major steps towards integrating with the West. The U.S. government policy community's view is that the election of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the promise of reforms to eliminate corruption will lock in Ukraine's Western-leaning trajectory, and allow Ukraine to realize its dream of a vibrant democracy and economic prosperity.

[turcopolier]

All

I am NOT going back to Disqus. I prefer to run SST. I do not want Disqus to run it.