Citizen John Kelly is a true disappointment. I listened incredulously to his comments today regarding the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson . His comments from the 50's-60's Cold War, "Leave It to Beaver" era. When Afro-Americans still sat at the back of the bus. I know. I was there. I remember. Is this the "Make America Great Again" goal, Mr. Kelly?
Today's events come full circle. It is now totally clear that Trump is an aberrant president, incapable of governing anything in the 21st century.
Congress: 25th Amendment now. For the good of America. And the world.
Remove the aberrant and insane president now.
32
It was clear from the manner in which he delivered his scathing critique of Rep. Wilson, in the language he used ("empty barrel" "making the most noise"), and from the look on his face when he told his story -- for that's what it was, a story -- that his remarks were more than colored with racism. They were laden in it. Perhaps misogyny played a role, too. He made some passing remarks about bygone times when women were sacred. When was that? During "Mad Men" times? When they were barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen and fetching their masters' slippers and cocktail? Or was it when they were considered chattel? And life was sacred. Was this a pro-life dig? And religion was sacred. Because, you know, there's a war on Christians and Christmas! Never mind the actual war on Muslims and maybe Jews. And Gold Star families were sacred. But that went out the door at the convention. When the Khans had the temerity to call out the pretender in chief, I suppose for his ignorance. Or was it when the bully in chief had the audacity to attack them for daring to speak their minds. And for ... wait for it ... their religion. There was so much in Kelly's lecture that was dishonorable, and it went far beyond the story he concocted. The Editors are kind to suggest he may have been mistaken. It's more likely that he's been infected with "trumpitis", from which, it would appear, there is no chance of recovery.
46
...and they dare to cry about fake news. Sure, there is a lot of media bias out there. But the White House making fake news? I thought that "this maybe the last thing that's held sacred in our society".... :-(
14
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a trump puppet who shows zero emotion or empathy for anyone. Chastising the press for doing their jobs is frightening. I’m from the South and I’ve never heard « All Rodeo, no cattle ». When she speaks for the “president” I feel like we are living under the Third Reich. Salute the flag, don’t question authority of the military, the Press is the enemy. Sound familiar?
26
Sir, have you at long last no sense of decency?
19
He lost his "honor" when he went to work for a racist, xenophobic, misogynistic, grifter and traitor. He compounded that by becoming his chief of staff. All he did was confirm his loss of honor by standing by Trump during this sordid episode.
29
This should not come as a surprise. Kelly knew what he signed up for when he got into bed with Trump. Now any shred of integrity and credibility he had is forever lost. You lie down with dogs and you get up with fleas indeed, as Kelly has deplorably shown.
20
I am deeply saddened and disgusted by Mr. Kelly's lies. I am so disheartened that the one person whom I thought was an ethical one in this White House is just as bad as everyone else.
And how ignorant of Mr. Kelly not to imagine that there might be a videotape of the Congresswoman's speech.
Shame on him.
19
My question is when will you stop trying to make sense of this. Trump is a con-man and a liar; that is proven beyond doubt. And while decent people and the liberal press continue to debate this fact, he and his crew are two steps ahead of you dismantling education, the economy, justice, and any sense of global stewardship. Meanwhile, he is handing himself and fellow ultra-high net worth individuals the largest transfer of wealth in history, as outlined nicely by David Cay Johnston yesterday. So add Kelly to the list of disgraced liars; sad, but big deal -get over it. We need to shift our focus AWAY from Trump and ON the society that is falling to pieces in shambles. As for me, I serve on two non-profit boards and am trying to make my community a better place. Get moving. Trump is a liar. Get over it. You lost that battle almost a year ago now.
13
Military personnel are indoctrinated to follow chain of command above all else. Are these people people off there rocker? Wasn't that the excuse of German soldiers. Isn't that how 12 million perished in the camps? I was just following orders.
17
Perhaps Mr. Kelly is just economically insecure, but it sure seems as if the idea of a strong, black woman speaking in a position of authority made him want to slap her down. Call it whatever you like, but there is a strong smell emanating from that White House and Mr. Kelly just made it worse.
19
Kelly's lack of authenticity belies his military farce background.
6
Trump poisons all around him and everything he touches. Kelly is now a disgrace carrying lies for the Dumpster. He too has become another casualty of the war on truth. Sorry but Kelly gets no pass on the truth nor do any of us no matter what we have suffered.
16
Racism runs so deep in this country that even incontrovertible video evidence involving African Americans is ignored. In this case in regards to Congresswoman Wilson. But does anyone remember Rodney King? The video of him being savagely beaten by a pack of club wielding, fascist bully-boys wasn't enough to convince people of any wrong doing by the cops. Video of Congresswoman Wilson saying what she actually said isn't enough to convince people that Mr. Kelly got it wrong.
16
And what was wrong if she was listening to the call? Didn t Trump have a few of his own people listening in? See the diversion Kelly created to pretty much lie and then continue denying the facts? I am amazed he came out making up lies to defend a bone spurs draft dodger brick brained Trump. I expected more from Marine General Kelly and to take control. Instead he fell into the Trump sewer.
The correct thing for him to do is explain Trump s words, which given his lack of emotion came out wrong, and apologize for the mess. If he had done this up front this would be a non story.
14
When Kelley went down the path of "an empty barrel" I LOST all respect! When he used his own son's death in excusing the Liar-in-Chief, I knew that he had sold his soul.
Why lie about the congresswoman? If you have to lie to get a point across, your "point" is deeply flawed! And of course, Kelly threw in "Obama"!
A gracious POTUS would have stepped back, and offered an apology to Sgt. La David Johnson's widow. Instead, Donald continued his rant because a narcissist cannot admit he is wrong.
Deplorable!
18
Maybe it’s been too long a period of time, but I’m sure when Mr. Kelly was a Marine Officer he was taught to admit mistakes and learn from them.
Does anyone in the White House have the courage to just do the decent thing and say “I’m sorry, I was wrong”?
11
The quixotic vision of Kelly as savior was completely shot through last week....yet, hope remains that your eyes are just lying?
Like Donald the schoolyard bully, given the chance Kelly SHOWED you his true self but, you still refuse to BELIEVE it.
What privilege. To be trusted despite your obvious deceit. That's how we got to this low, low place with 45.
America, when will you BELIEVE what we all can SEE??
10
Peel the superficial 4 stars and behind Kelly you have the same bigoted, condescending and non truth mentality that resides in the White House. Empty barrel? It can't get any lower than that.
14
It's the last sacred thing because his boss shredded all the other sacred things. And now he's shredding the last sacred thing. Nice going, Kelly.
9
"One might have expected him to bring some dignity" You're kidding, right? Nobody would work for such an indecent, ignorant, arrogant, narcissistic, fraud like the President of the United States if they had an ounce of dignity.
7
Trump Taint Strikes Again!
3
Kelly has shown himself to be no better than the rest of the members of this corrupt administration. He is as despicable as the rest of the war mongers.
5
Anyone who works in this Whitehouse cares nothing for the truth. Why expect anything more?
5
Truth to power
3
Kelly should apologize and resign and disappear from the public stage. He has soiled so many with his behavior. He has been thanked enough for his service in the military, but caught the White House germs in just a short time.
5
Trump btaints everything and everyone, all the while his wife is traveling the country tellibng kids not to bully! Her husband is not doubt, the biggest bully on the planet.
Trump and his 'ism' is a disease, and Kelly has been infected. No one respects him any longer. At the end of his career, he politized a dead wife's husband, shame on you Mr. Kelly
3
From the "Empty Barrel" department:
Where one bad apple spoils the whole barrel is exampled and proven daily from the top down in Trump's administration.
Throw them all out.
(And for God's sake, let Mrs. Johnson see the body of her dead husband!!)
4
This is the man that was the giddy Deporter in Chief.
4
I stopped trusting Kelly the minute he came out to cover for Trump 's WH on the botched initial rollout of the travel ban and when ICE began to round up non-criminal illegals at restaurants. I don't know why DEMS ever fell for this guy.
9
Sad to see John Kelly become a fake Spartacus.
1
Kelly is acting like a over-eager vigilante who shoots the wrong guy, then says, "Well, he must have been guilty of something."
He won't disappoint Trump by manning up.
4
Did anyone actually believe that General Kelly would remain unscathed.
The problem with this "president" is that you CANNOT be associated with him AND retain your honor. There is just no way to achieve that. I would go so far as to say, that at this point, if you support this "president' you are a racist.
There is just no other way to spin it. General Kelly has disgraced himself and has furthered our overall national disgrace that we actually put this "moron" (to use the Secretary of State's term) into office.
I weep for General Kelly and our nation.
4
I'd love to see this Irish Catholic take communion and then try to justify his lies.
7
"Honor the Truth, John Kelly"?
Isn't it the fairly consistent dishonoring of the truth that characterizes most higher-echelon generals, at least since the Vietnam War days? Vietnam? Iraq? Afghanistan? Niger? How much "truth-telling" have we had from the brass hats about any of these?
Chest-beating and bragging about your own "honor" is cheap -- telling the truth, admitting mistakes, and owning up to lies requires true character. Kelly has shown he lacks this sort of character. Appealing to his "best self" is futile and naive.
5
Sad days when the "last best hope" for sanity in the highest office in the land succumbs to the truism:
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely"
At the moment of truth, it has only taken 30 pieces of silver to buy this general's soul...what a shame.
6
I thank the New York Times for addressing the Chief of Staff as John Kelly and Mr. Kelly. The White House has irredeemably politicized the honorific "General". Mr. Kelly has done nothing to correct this, instead, seeming to insist, as spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders did, that military officers and personnel have greater citizen rights than non military officers and personnel. This is a poison that must not go unchallenged. I hope the NYT will pursue it further.
13
I feel sad and sorry to see General Kelly tarnish his career in the manner he's done. But then the facts are there in front of us. Kelly did not get his facts wrong or misremembered them. It is now obvious that demons in his head would not let him believe that a black person, a black woman, at that, could discharge herself honorably, albeit, in an exemplary manner. As reported in the media, way back when the fallen soldier, La David Johnson, was a kid of 5 or 6, Ms Wilson had him enrolled in a mentoring program she started. Then as a member of Congress she struggled to have the new FBI building named after two fallen FBI agents, both white. When that came to pass, she thanked Republican Speaker Boenhner and her colleagues on both sides of the aisle for lending help. The video shows no boast or bragging or even a slight attempt to take credit for the building for herself.
No one present at the event can "misremember" it. The story that General Kelly recited came out of his own feverish belief that the blacks are not deserving of good faith or good deed. Sorry, General in an awkward attempt to tarnsih the Congresswoman, you ended up tarnishing your own career. A profoundly saddening spectacle, indeed.
11
This is not the first time John Kelly has made inappropriate and condescending comments. An "empty barrel" ? Peel away his 4 star superficial "dressings" and you will see just another bigot and liar that operates out of the White House.
8
It seems that any association with Trump rubs off on you. How on earth did a dignified military officer get caught up in the president's ugliness and lying?
1
"This nation is in crying need of a demonstration of virtue in public life," and we are NOT getting it from the White House and won't, BUT we do have John McCain, who has led the charge against all things undemocratic, dictatorial, and ruthless. Come on Congress folks, do your job and stand up for our country not to just cover your backsides. Be brave and fearless against the tyranny unleashed from this administration. Just think of what you would do if it were Obama speaking all these lies and defrauding the government and all your constituents of healthcare and a chance to make something of themselves, to say nothing of destroying the planet through deregulating carbon emissions and potentially started a nuclear holocaust. You would have had the articles of impeachment drawn the first month. How do you sleep at night? The day of reckoning is coming and you will be held accountable.
7
Everybody that touches this president sooner or later is soiled. Why should this general be any different?
2
Honor and Truth, both down the toilet along with John Kelley. We warned him.....
4
Man up, Kelly. Honor your Marines, your country & yourself & APOLOGIZE.
9
You you are too kind in your remarks about Mr Kelly, Editorial Board.
7
Mr Kelly, you have become a shadow of your reputation. Hard to believe Trumpitis has also infected you.
2
Kelly has lost his honesty and the truth. Did he ever have them or is he another casualty of the Trump fog?
2
A general is supposed to salute his fallen troops, not dismiss their sacrifice on the battlefield then cavalierly dismiss a Member of Congress who was present to console the soldier's family in their time on need. Your shame, sir, is eternal.
9
Every day I feel more ashamed of the leadership in our country. Just when one has a ray of hope that a person with impeccable military credentials will be able to keep the Oval Office clean enough, that person reveals himself to be just as corrupt as his boss.
As his boss would tweet: Sad!
3
I listened to Kelly speak about Representative and startled by his attacks on a sitting member of congress. Then I listened to the 2015 speech she delivered in a naming ceremony for a new FBI facility in Miami. John Kelly has crossed the Rubicon to join his boss and his lose relationship to the truth. I for one am happy to challenge his integrity given the facts at hand. Serving ones country does not give anyone a free ticket to slander someone. My view of this man has been irrevocably altered. Please stop using him as the "adult in the room." He is simply another sycophant surrounding the liar and chief.
11
One has to wonder if any of this would have happened if Representative Wilson and Ms. Johnson had been white. Based on Trump's track record, probably not.
4
My only (hopefully additional) thought or question would be:
What would Colin Powell do?
Remember, he led the charge on the Saddam Hussein botulism lie and, if memory serves, fessed up to it and was then promptly thrown under the bus by Darth Cheney. But, because of his sterling reputation as military man and statesman who owned his mistakes, he is widely and rightly regarded as a hero that even many Democrats wanted see as president.
Kelly can still do the right thing but, somehow, I don't think he's in the same league as Powell and that's a shame.
3
The video of Kelly's remarks against Congresswoman Wilson, raises several questions: (1) For what purpose did he come out with premeditated, falsified, derogatory remarks about Wilson? (2) Why did his remarks about Trump's conversation, and Wilson's part in it, bring in Barack Obama? (3) Why did he, Kelly, feel it necessary to explain "what Trump was trying to say", rather than Trump explaining himself?
There's only one plausible answer: Recall that Trump once exploded at Republican Senators for not "protecting" him in the ongoing special investigation. Kelly was chosen because of his loyalty to Trump. He is now a follower in the Trump cult, willing to sacrifice his own credibility, and maybe even career, in order to protect Trump. He will lie for Trump. Perhaps he will die for Trump.
Kelly joins all the rest: Spicer, Conway, Pence, Sessions, Mnuchin, Price, Sanders...
It's easy to imagine that sacrificing your own credibility is an initiation ritual in the Trump cult. Which leads to one more question: why do people do it?
5
It appears that the Trump disease is communicable by extended close contact and Kelly has become infected. Quarantine by removal from public office is indicated.
6
Mr. Kelly may be a former officer, but make no mistake, he is not a gentleman.
4
Loyalty to the chief also means that if Trump orders a nuclear strike his generals will most assuredly obey him and carry it out.
5
Does anyone really think that he would use the death of his own son or the ones who died while under his command to excuse Trump of anything. Absurd. Trmp used the words Kelly told him were words that applied to all of those who died serving their country. our country. They weren't drafted. They knew we are at war and what could happen in combat. To take that knowledge away from them is demanding what they did and why they joined. Why was Wilson there listening in? Was it to share with the widow a call that was meant to console her and recognize her husbands willingness to risk his life to serve his country. How long was Wilson there after the call before she headed for the first microphone she could get her hands on. Kelly didn't lie about Miami. I doubt go back and read the transcript He told it like he remembered it. Money or not, she gave a nine minute speech mostly about herself and not about the fallen agents or the others in law enforcement who put themselves on the line to serve our country every day.. After all of this, she now refers to herself as a Rockstar. I believe Kelly had to walk among those lying in Arlington Cemetery after hearing what she did and said. I wonder if she has ever put her foot inside that heartfelt place. It's not hard to find it, It is just across the river from where she works and she would be the only Rockstar there
2
I suggest the Kelly take a longer walk at Arlington this time to really clear his head first and then *Think*. Looks like he has a lot of thinking to do. And first he should discard the made up umbrage and disdain he has for "you people". No sir, it's "we the people to you"!
4
"When you sleep with dogs you shall rise up with fleas." PETCO has a sale on flea collars Mr. Kelly.
4
John Kelley has given 40 years of his life to The United States of America. His son gave his life in service to this country. Donald Trump, current occupier of the White House, the "People's House", got deferments from serving the country he now leads for "bone spurs." Not that you have to serve in the military to become President, but a prerequisite should be to "respect" the dignity of the office, and the citizens you have sworn to respect and protect.. During the debates and the freak show that was the republican campaign, Trump made a mockery of everything this country stands for. Everything John Kelley had dedicated his life for. Everything John Kelley's son died for. I hope beyond hope that this whole disgustingly disrespectful fiasco that Kelley has unfortunately gotten himself involved in will end quickly and he will realize that the principles he fought so valiantly for in 40 years of service to the United States, and the principles his son died for, won't be destroyed by the hurricane known as trump, that swept into Washington, D.C. almost a year ago.. It feels like an eternity...
4
Another one bites the dust. Is trmp just amusing himself, destroying these people? And who gave Kelly that story about Wilson's speech? And what exactly has happened to this man in his tenure at the feet of he-who-must-be-obeyed that he would get up and spout such nonsense, that he would trust whoever told him about Wilson's speech? It's like anyone who goes to work for this creature gets re-made into some kind of pod person. Surely there is a stash of empty pods somewhere in our once-beloved seat of government.
2
A good and real person knows when and how to apologize. Sadly, there is no goodness or truth left, it seems, in either Kelly or the current administration. They not only debased a congresswoman and a widow with their malice. They debased all who have lost a military person in any way. Shame on you Kelly, you know better.
A 'Gold Star' Family, will always outrank a 'Four Star General'.
At least in my book. Obviously, this is something Kelly doesn't understand.
He checked his rank at the door when he hitched his tail to the Trump Wagon of Lies. Kelly is a D.C. swamp master, like all of the other political wonks working in or near the Oval Office. And, obviously, he's a quick learner on how to look people dead in the eye and lie....and continue to repeat that lie.
Stunning !!
4
The editorial is being too nice to Kelly.
Kelly lied from the White House podium and he should apologize. Plain and simple. He has no right to viciously attack a member of congress.
All the years of service and good reputation are not going to be washed away by his recent lies but if he is not apologizing because he is following orders from Tump then he is not fit to serve this nation. Kelly has only a few days remaining to do the right thing.
7
All of us have now seen General Kelly's Patton moment. As with General Patton Kelly will go down in history as that General that licked the wing tips of Donald Trump. He didn't do it with a slap across the face but by lying about about Congresswoman Wilson and then not being man enough to admit that lie, disgraceful.
4
Trump infects almost everything he touches. His GOP allies should quarantine him until he can be immunized with the right vaccinations--electricians tape over those loose lips/agile fingers and blind narcissism. If Kelly fails to apologize to Rep. Wilson and the Widow Johnson he should resign.
1
How to lose a lifelong reputation for honesty and decency, in three easy steps when you join “Team Trump”. -
Step One: qualify your boss’s most outrageous pronouncements or tweets as innocent “misstatements” and gently rephrase them.
Step Two: ignore the “verbal garbage” and lies altogether, but let yourself be seen with “your head in your hands” to signal tacit disapproval.
Step Three: begin telling lies yourself for which you will never, ever apologize.
N.B. For those like Sarah Huckabee Sanders with no reputation to begin with, skip steps one and two.
4
Picture if HRC had insulted the widow of a fallen soldier.
So where's the outrage from all these hypocritical Trumpsters?
4
If they lie about this, what won't they lie about ?
4
I have one question for General Kelly. Where’s the honor in lying?
3
If this is the kind of integrity the Marines display, why would one be proud to be a Marine?
3
Where did Mr. Kelly's fake facts come from? It is hard to believe he ginned them up on his own.
4
As an atheist it is impossible for me to believe in Lucifer, Satan, etc, ... However, #45's ability to twist truth and lies--in essence reality--to suit his purpose, he is a twenty-first example of ultimate evil. His ability to rally the un-piously religious around him makes him a fine representation of ultimate evil. His ability to incite violence at his rallies and create a field for ever more random acts of violence after the rallies have left demonstrate his powers to destroy. He is the Destroyer in Chief, a moniker and synonym for the devil. And the world he is creating seems conjured from "Dante's Inferno" and "What Dreams May Come."
6
Given not the Times nor Congresswoman Wilson know exactly what Sergeant Johnson “signed up for”, editors’ righteousness here is premature, and unwarranted.
The assumption is apparently Trump was referring to “signing up for” a military career. More likely, Johnson had signed up for a dangerous and voluntary assignment relating to Niger’s involvement in international trafficking in uranium. The uranium used to construct the bombs detonated in recent DPRK nuclear tests was almost certainly diverted from Niger’s two mines, which are reknowned for uranium ore of high purity.
That the public may never know the complete facts (or whether it should) in this specific case is irrelevant. Condolences are a private matter, period. Congresswoman Wilson had no place in making her grievance public, and neither does the Times, theirs.
Geez, Trump has turned Kelly into Spicey. Ordered to go out and say false and ridiculous things...
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
2
one more casualty of the trump admin. as brave a man as Kelly is now in hiding.
3
He is under orders. The comedian in chief makes his people do the low crawl for him. This is what Faust looks like in the 21st century.
2
One further observaton: how does/can Kelly apologize without repudiating what has boss has done? Does he apologize to the wife, the mother, or the Congresswoman. Aside from repudiating his boss, how does he apologize to these women, these blacks, and this elected official? The fact is that he spoike emotionaly, but truly, for and about himself, and revealed himself to be ssexist, racist, and contemptuous of elected representatives, at least if they are women or blacks or both.
2
He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled. DT is the universal contaminant, with no solvent in sight.
4
When is the press going to stop reporting on this personality stuff and report real news? You are just feeding the monster.
And when are our congressional leaders going to stand up and do what what so painfully and obviously needs to be done, before it is too late?
1
Every thing and one that Trump touches is defiled.
3
Isn't it a lesson that if you attach yourself to Donald Trump, you destroy yourself? The list is growing.
1
trump stains everything and everyone he associates with. Kelly's reputation (if he ever had one) is irredeemably sullied. People are known by the company they keep and this pathetically undignified debacle proves that kelly and trump deserve each other. Pity that others had to be hurt by their hubris and lies.
see you in the history books, general kelly.
1
Well heck, Colin Powell sacrificed his honor at the UN for the Neo Cons.....seems like YES! we need to be questioning four star generals. Without a doubt
5
Just as with the Khan family, it is definitely not a coincidence that this episode is occurring between a non-white family and Mr. Trump. He knows since they are "not his kind" that he can attack them and his racist base will mobilize in his defense.
3
A very sad day for America. Even a man like Kelly is unable to recognize an error and apologize. He has become as small a man as Tump in my eyes.
1
Opportunist sell out. This shows you what he is truly made of....zero integrity.
1
Astounding. I fear General Kelly is afflicted with ideology and even tribal white guy sentiments hidden beneath his medaled dignity. I'm afraid there is nothing that justifies the hit job he did on the congresswoman. His apology should be abject and humble and public...apparently he is going to stonewall however. Sad.
5
The biggest empty barrel making all the noise is his boss
6
Unfortunately, if you go to bed with a prostitute you wake up with one. It appears that no one can get close to Trump without staining one's honor and integrity. Kelly began, much like his boss, to simply make personal attacks based on nothing but a fanciful and manufactured history.
You have to sell your humanity to work for Trump and he demands his pound soul as tribute nearly every day.
2
We already knew that Sarah Sanders was no better than Sean Spicer, though arguably better at her job. But it’s a real shock to discover that Kelly is himself just another Spicer. Just a four-star uniform with a liar’s megaphone attached. No better at sincerity than any of those other elderly creeps, many of them also generals, who all line their pockets while literally swearing fealty to the biggest liar of them all. Who’s left, who can restore integrity to the White House? Who is leading this country? Who can stop it from falling apart?
4
General Kelly was it worth it to lose your integrity to keep your job and destroy your stellar career with this one lie ?
Time is running out and you dad a chance to apologize and you failed to do so !
trump destroys anyone who comes in contact with him.
I lost all respect for you sir !
Still have hopes on General Mattiss and Rex Tillerson .
3
"I'm stunned, absolutely stunned, that she would listen in, I thought at least that was sacred"
Says Kelly who was listening in on the call to the widow Myeshia Johnson.
11
As for me, I have lost all hope that John Kelly is the honest broker everyone thought he was. He has been tainted by the Trump stench.
The original thought I had that anyone who is involved in this administration has sold his/her soul out still stands firm.
Sorry John Kelly- you are now firmly entrenched in the Trump swamp of sycophants and toadies.
Just like we thought Ivanka would have a moderating effect on her father- we are once again slapped in the face with the truth.
3
Lie down with dogs; get fleas.
3
Frederica Wilson and Myeshia Johnson know what few white people will ever understand: the sound of racism. Tone is in fact everything. Trump's pathetic response to this brouhaha is only the latest indication of his white supremacist leanings, burnishing his racist bona fides in the eyes of his base, no doubt.
That John Kelly with his distinguished career of military service is similarly predisposed is a startling revelation. Mr. Kelly has sacrificed his integrity and honor by choosing to slander and lie about Congresswoman Wilson in the face of incontrovertible evidence. In later moments of quiet self reflection, he will deeply regret his despicable behavior.
4
I hope Ms. Wilson sues Mr. Kelly for slander and libel, and wins.
5
The USA has a history of an only average level of cross-pollination between the highest levels of the military, and the civilian government which is supposed to answer to We the People. There is a reason for that, and we must return to that tradition--- that is, if we ever get another chance at having a better elected federal government. Eisenhower not only made the transition well, he warned us against the destructive marriage of government-military-industry in one of the great exit speeches of all time. Marshall took his administrative abilities to Europe and helped save their post-war bacon. I believe these two military men were exceptions. Perhaps they had seen quite enough brass by the time the war was over, perhaps they were just a better class of soldiers than the disappointing Kelly.
3
General Kelly claims he was "stunned" by the Congresswoman's behavior in 2015. Go to the video: she behaved with total dignity. It is we, the public, who are stunned by Kelly. He either mis-remembered or lied about the event. In any case, he owes Congresswoman Wilson an apology. But will she get that? No, of course not, because this a deeply dishonest, treacherous, slimy White House and all who inhabit it are infected. In fact, their press secretary says that just because Kelly is a former General, he is beyond reproach. What is this, a Third World dictatorship? If only they could feel shame!
8
And we thought Kelly was one of the grownups in the room.
Remember Dick Cheney? We thought he was a grownup too - until that story about Saddam's nukes...
5
When my wife expressed fear for our soldier son after the election of Donald Trump, a Trump-voter relative said of our Afghanistan veteran son, "He made his choice." We were therefore chilled when we heard what the president said to Mrs. Johnson. From our soldier's experiences, we know enough not to be assured by the presence of Generals Kelly and Mattis in the White House and Defense Department. General Kelly revealed much about himself in his comments last week.
5
I guess we just learned that "generals" are no better than anyone else and can be just as narrow minded, bigoted and nasty. Kelly seems to be a great fit in the Trump Whitehouse. So much for his taming of Trump - another fairy tale bites the dust.
3
If Kelly is happy and proud to work for a bum who mocked the service and sacrifice of a hero like Senator John McCain, then Kelly can spare us his sermons about how "women are no longer sacred" and quit attacking Gold Star family members.
As chief of staff, Kelly should spare us his lies about Rep. Wilson and instead ensure that the White House cranks out the condolence messages that Trump falsely claims to have sent. It's his job to keep the White House running.
4
I continue to worry about General Kelly, a universally respected honorable man in a dishonorable White House who has to walk that fine line between honor and loyalty. I wish him well and I hope he weathers this storm.
1
Respect for lost lives and for people's feelings must no longer justify more sacrifice, stall questioning and criticism, quiet congress, and allow generals to delay accounting until emotions cool and attention wanes. Limitless war fighting endangers our freedom, security, and solvency; it is corrupting our culture; and it is a disgrace to our democracy. Snap out of it America.
3
My guess is that John Kelly was given false information by either Trump or someone on his staff, which is the likely scenario, since everyone knows Donald Trump lies without shame on anything and everything.
I would suspect that John Kelly feels embarrassed, angry and ashamed that he trusted someone's account of what the Congresswoman said and had done at the FBI dedication, but rather than come out and lay the blame where it belongs for the erroneous information, most likely Trump himself, he's taking this hit to his credibility.
John Kelly, you need to do the right thing and come clean with the public and do the appropriate gesture to the Congresswoman, Apologize, it is the honorable thing to do; otherwise you will show the country that you have been infected by the crass, dishonesty of Donald Trump, and will forever destroy your credibility in this Whitehouse.
1
Having read a lot of history it's not rare for generals to be competent at war but not so in other areas of responsibility but most are really competent people, so it's wrong to stereotype them with the silliness of some. However, the profession can produce people with big egos and less than first class intellects that think that only they can run things right and just do not see their own foibles. Kelly seems to have been a very good military leader but he is not so in his current position, so he lets himself be mislead by his less than thoughtful boss.
From my experience, military people in high positions do not honor the truth. From the famous "you cant handle the truth" we get the basic idea that truth is something that is relative to the situation. Those with power can decide for themselves what the truth really is. Politicians of course are no different. Us "normal" folks have to live with our lies and pay the price. Most of us decide at some point to strive to live by the truth. The more powerful a person is the farther from the truth they live. It goes with the territory.
1
So the questions arise. Was Kelly actually at the buildings dedication? If so, why is his report of the ceremony so startlingly different from reality? And, if Kelly insists that he is correct, what does that say about his "caretaker" role in the White House?.
4
There are no profiles in courage in this administration or the GOP. No disrespect to Mr. McCain but he, Corker, and Flake all with nothing to lose at this point, are speaking out now when it is already too late. Donald Trump is in the White House because they were all COMPLICIT and "supported the nominee". Neither of these men will run for re-election so speaking out now means absolutely nothing. When it could have made a difference during the campaign they chose to remain silent. They are all part of the problem. General Kelly is in the same boat. There are no adults, and no patriots in any of these White House rooms.
2
Pretty sure John Kelly hurt his reputation just to run that adult day care center.
It is a shame, and I hope to be one of the historians documenting this era. Easily, Sarah Huckabee Sanders could be a character in an Orwell novel.
This whole state of affairs is Orwellian. Now three senators in total revolt:
the president keeps up his feuds, proving himself to be petty and disengaged.
This is not something the conservative media can spin. The senators are major figures, and calling out this president as incapable and disastrous.
2
Every government official involved in this cruel fiasco was at fault. Most severely at fault is President Trump, for criticizing Obama's and Bush's handling of the deaths of our military, and also for using the death of General Kelly's son for political purposes. Next, Representative Frederica Wilson did not need to criticize Trump's words. Doing so only escalated the situation and needlessly hurt Ms. Johnson. Kelly was greatly at fault when he shot back at Wilson with a lie when he could have defused the entire situation with the first half of his speech. Now it's a free-for-all grade school war of accusations and blame. All these participants should put down their slingshots and apologize to Ms. Johnson for the disrespectful back and forth that is so hurtful to Ms. Johnson and to our nation.
Why is everyone so surprised that Kelly has seemed to turn to the dark side? Once Generals get to the 4 star rank they are more politician then soldiers anyway, so no big surprise here.
Mr. Kelly provided a good reminder why our current military worship is a mistake. We should respect and honor those who volunteer for the military but we should not pretend that they are infallible or above reproach. Any of us can be killed on the job and none of us are superior to others because of our chosen professions.
1
To understand the current fascination with retired generals, a must read is "The Generals; American Military Command from World War 2 to today" by Thomas E. Ricks. This scholarly work describes how far current military leadership has deteriorated. From a noble and visionary General George C. Marshal to bureacratic generals marking time to collect their 200k/yr. pensions so that they can work as consultants for Lockheed-Martin on the F-35 boondoggle wasting trillions of taxpayer dollars or their consultant contracts with foreign governments like Russia helping them gain access to the Trump administration (see general Michael Flynn bio). Add Kelly to the list. God help us.
1
It is apparent that Kelly might have served honorably in the military but he has a great sense of loyalty than to our country as a whole, now. It's surprising to a lot of us that a man who lives the Marine Corps ethic of Semper Fi treats Mr. Trump like a fellow marine despite his lack of service except as Commander-in-Chief, now, and his only truly consistent behavior, lying.
1
Kelly formed his impression of Wilson, as did she of Trump. Words don’t always say it.
Did you ever look at it from this angle?
Kelly is long-time military. The most important thing the military man learns is obey the commander above you. If you are told to lie, well, there was some talk about resisting wrong commands back in military college, but the entire thrust of the man's career taught him to obey.
Especially in war, as Churchill said, a passel of lies is essential in protecting the truth. To the committed Trumpists, they are indeed at war.
Now Kelly works for the commander of the whole shebang. Whatever his private feelings may be, it is awfully hard to resist a command from the very top.
Even a great man like Colin Powell brought this country to its knees by undeserved, unearned, and as it turns out illicit loyalty to a commander in chief that was not even as close to being fairly elected as the monstrosity now in OUR white house. That along with Kelly shows how deep the military culture of blind obedience goes, and it why a so-called democracy that runs its civilian branch with too many military folks is doomed, plain and simple.
3
Kelly and the other so-called honorable men surrounding Trump do not lie accidentally. Lies are essential to maintaining Trump’s base. Kelly’s lies were essential to convincing Trump he is loyal. Like Goebbles, Trump sees lies as a source of power. And like his German brothers in arms, someday Kelly will explain that he was just following orders.
18
Now we know why Mattis stays sequestered at the Pentagon. He is less likely to be infected by the disease infesting those in the West Wing.
15
Kelly is as out of touch as Trump. Both only care about themselves.
10
Military personnel are indoctrinated to follow chain of command above all else.
2
In this country, the truth rises above chain of command. Military men and women are also instilled with this principle.
When their superiors, especially the commander in chief, are liars, then these two principles come into conflict. As in real war, there is only one winner. If truth loses, so does the foundations of the United States of America. Truth is the real final sacred trust, not sacrifice, for sacrifices made wearing the US military code is done in the name of prevailing truth.
I suppose it is crucial to remember that Kelly is no longer active military, and is now a politician. And, further, he represents the most corrupt politician to have ever held federal office, and that man's party. He swore off his allegiance to US principles the day he took his White House position.
2
General Kelly should resign. How can a person continue in a national role that requires respect after having told such an awful lie about the congresswoman -- and in a way that might as well have used the words, "Welfare Queen"? Our White House has been populated with racists.
19
Seldom does an editorial receive 100% support in comment section. So far that’s the case, the trolls will soon arrive, but it’s even hard for them to construct any support for Gen. Kelly’s misconduct. Of all the things that Trump has done to this country, it now is politically incorect to ever say “I’m sorry”.
8
Trump chose Kelly for a reason.. his other picks, from VP on down, have been grossly unqualified and self serving, like Trump himself......what's new?
8
Former Gen. Kelly - Your weighing in on this was below you and your family - at least the way you did it. Trump used your son to play politics, trying to cast aspersions on President Obama. Barak and Michelle had spent a breakfast with you after your loss yet you allowed the spiteful fool Trump to keep spinning his tales unchecked.
Why? He's using you. His America is not your America.
13
As I re-read my comment, I discovered I confused Sarah Huckabee Sanders with Hope Hicks. So easy to do, of course, two peas in a pod so to speak. But I do try to be accurate. It is Sarah H-S who is getting a wardrobe make-over when she needs history lessons. She has already mastered the art of lying.
13
So true. New makeup and a wardrobe can’t change her. She’s dishonest to her core . His foes that jive with her Christianity?
2
No. Emphatically no. John Kelly is NOT grimly suited to addressing the family of a fallen service member. The advice he gave Trump was to say what another general, another career military officer said to him when his son, a career military officer, was killed. But telling a pregnant widow that her dead husband chose to be where he was and died among the "best" in the world, his friends, his comrades in arms, is just another way of telling her that she and her family were simply second rate in his life, not the best; that she and all military spouses and their children are simply hangers on. The real life, the real death, the real meaning, the sacred holy of holies is elsewhere than with them. Far from the right thing to say, it is the ultimate in disrespect. And this nation and its media have so guzzled the militarist Kool-Aid since September 2001, become so accustomed to licking military boot, that almost no one can see this disrespect for what it is, even as contempt for Congress, the Free Press, and all civilians drips from General Kelly's bitter, self-righteous lips.
18
So much for "honor."
12
Given General Kelly's behavior this last week should provide us with some insight into why the military will never solve the sexual harassment problem they have. Women are just "empty barrels". Generals and admirals may think of themselves as the brightest amongst us, but they just spit downwards and polish upwards.
16
Culture permeates from the top down, and the same forces that enable this atmosphere of dishonesty are doing the same for sexual abusers.
And while Republicans are quick to jump on Harvey Weinstein, and Obama saying you can keep your doctor, when the liars or the abusers are on their team, they call it disrespectful and horrible to question them.
And it's no surprise that the nexus of dishonesty and sexual misbehavior found its way to the top of the GOP totem pole.
And this is what our country has become, and where it will stand until his Republican enablers confront him.
5
How the heck would General Kelly have even known about Rep. Wilson's speech related to the FBI building? He was a Marine General at the time, not a member of Congress from South Florida or the FBI Director. It is obvious that the White House PR staff just handed a bunch of garbage info to Kelly and he ran with it to slander a perceived Trump enemy. The result -- he has managed to give the lie to his statement that members of the military are more honorable than other Americans, a highly dubious claim in the first place.
15
This is the White House...that can't do Right...or correct...or proper.
5
'Mr. Kelly said that he was speaking up to defend “this maybe last thing that’s held sacred in our society” — the sacrifice of an American soldier’s life on the battlefield.'
Open mouth, insert career of deference to any chain of command, and one dead son? Kelly knew what he was signing up for, too. Trump never "says" anything is sacred in the book Tony Schwartz wrote for him. Kelly should have an autographed copy somewhere...
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/us/politics/trump-book-tony-schwartz....
6
This tiny, tiny man may have promised to drain the swamp has instead poisoned the well.
11
A great leader knows how and when to say the following 4 things :
(1) I made a mistake
(2) please forgive me
(3) I don't know
(4) I need help.
I'm still looking for some great leaders.
17
The national press created the Kelly myth. An apology and correction are in order.
16
Would Kelly and the Trump White House react otherwise if the soldier, his family and the Congresswoman were white?
13
John Kelly was smeared in the media as the level headed one in Donald Trump's fever swamp. For that stigma he found his head on Donald Trump's chopping block and so was forced to demonstrate that he could be as outrageously miserable as the next swamp creature. With this outburst John Kelly has no doubt redeemed himself
8
This episode reminds me of another honorable general who lied on the behalf of his President: General Colin Powell. They each have given their lives to the Country and souls to the Devil.
11
In my opinion, Sgts. J. Johnson, Bryan Black, and Dustin Wright and La David Johnson certainly didn't sacrifice their lives for General John Kelly and Donald Trump to thrash talk Mrs. La David Johnson, her family, and close friend,
Rep. Frederica Wilson.
14
Could it be that Gen. Kelly was set up? Perhaps a jealous and scheming member of the President's White House staff fed him that tall tale about Rep. Wilson just minutes before he walked out there on the stage.
1
Military discipline can cover for a number of basic traits, but bigotry will always come to the surface!
Why do you think they call it the WHITE HOUSE?
6
Mrs. Wilson referred to the White House as being compromised of white supremacists. She also said that Mr. John Kelly was a racist. Both those statements are false and she is the one who needs to do some apologizing. She has lost all credibility and she has made false accusations that are disgraceful.
3
Kelly owes her an apology, regardless of what she may owe him..
1
Correction: Mrs. Wilson referred to the White House as being comprised of white supremacists.
Sorry for the error.
Kelly's performance was a gut punch. Like almost everyone here I thought he was our ace in the hole. In retrospect that was wishful thinking born of desperation. We should have known....no person would ever voluntarily associate themselves with Trumps entourage unless they had a total lack of decency themselves. Contrary to what's often been stated, proximity to Trump has not tainted Kelly, Pence, Priebus, Tillerson, Sessions. etc...They were all damaged goods before they ever pursued/accepted these posts. And now that Kelly has been found soulless, I can't see any impediment to war. Trump does not see or feel other people. He is not patriotic. He does not respect our military personnel, whose heroes he insults, whose names he cant even bother to remember and whose families he has zero respect for. They are all beneath him, same as he felt when he dodged the draft with his bone spurs those many years ago. And if he can treat our fellow citizens from Puerto Rico like they are worthless leeches, outwardly mocking them in their time of need, just imagine the value he places on the lives of the Koreans and Japanese, who he likely views as sub-human. These defects spell certain doom.
13
Kelly can claim no honor. His boss is the one defiling 'the sacred' that Kelly pretends so moves him to tears.
9
You were and can be again an honorable man John Kelly. You have been put into the unfair and impossible position of defending the indefensible and you must stop.
He did what he had to do, and as a military man subservient to Civilian rule I thought he was gracious, balanced, and thoughtful. only to have his own ethnicity and place of origin besmirched and attacked. He is owed an apology but like the Irishman he is- he doesn't care for one or expect one.
General Kelly, if I were you, I'd quit before you completely lose your honor.
6
Is honor something any American values much before a lawyer is called?
Dear NYT. Leave all this alone and move on There's so much sadness and grief here that dissecting who said what and what it means is only editorial speculation.
2
It seems to me that some of our former enemies from warrior societies would have, (in accordance with tradition), chosen death —at their own hands— before lending their names to such despicable calumnies at the behest of their shoguns.
6
We have a president who has never put anyone else before himself.
7
It seems to me the our POTUS is like that rotten piece of fruit that can spoil the whole basket. Even a well-respected individual like General Kelly can be spoiled by the association with someone so lacking in empathy or a moral compass.
4
It is easier for cizen Kelly to face bullets in combat than to admit error and apologize. Sad!
5
General Kelly is the second biggest disappointment in the WH. Seems anyone who comes in contact with our President is doomed to debasement.
7
Anyone with an ounce of integrity should feel soiled by associating with this president. Kelly has shown that he is not the honorable, sincere, moral public servant we might have thought. He's just another slimy inhabitant of the Trump swamp.
9
Gen. Kelly’s speech struck me as more like a Shakespearean soliloquy than anything we would normally hear from a Trump operative. The speech was nothing, if not a performance by a conflicted soldier trying to explain to himself why he remains in such an ethically compromised role as a Praetorian apologist to a deranged and tyrannical leader.
As he struggled to explain his worldview - his exalted but conflicted view of women, his paradoxical views on the sanctity of life - he engaged in the same behavior of his leader, with its hate-filled lies and bizarre character attacks. It was a display of righteous indignation, and it was speculation that the erosion of his personal values explains why our national discourse has become so cheapened. These were the words of a confused and disillusioned soldier, struggling to accept the fact that his cause is unjust - a man struggling to accept what he knows is his duty to come.
In June, Columbia Professor, James Shapiro, wrote that Shakespeare’s, “Julius Caesar”, addressed the question: “Under what circumstances is it justified to depose a tyrant?”
As we speculate about the possible ways in which this monstrous presidency will be ended – ended before the profoundly unstable Mr. Trump does the unthinkable - analysts focus increasingly on the only solution that almost everyone can agree upon: invoking the 25th Amendment.
Mr. Kelly’s soliloquy was confused, angry, and painful to watch; it was as Shakespearean as it gets.”
15
There is widespread denial of what military recruiters (who are MANDATED to be in the schools and to have access to students' home information by NCLB/ESSA) tell the high school students about war. And that is nothing. You can search online and find the recommendations given to recruiters which which to answer questions such as "Will I be sent to battle?" That question is punted always. Add that to the widespread denial of the USA militarism and wars- see the very recent NY Times editorial- and you have recruits and families who believe they will sign up to the military to have a job and to travel the world, or to do good, not knowing that they will be used for other purposes.
7
Few people can make the transition back to civilian from the role of military. Whereas in the services one must nurture a mindset of invincibility and focus on one goal, a civilian leader must be guided by the principles of democracy and fairness to all. Kelly has now shown he could not make this transition a success. He is still wrapped in his military mind for personal guidance. His discipline has no place in the White House nor in government at all. He is not a disgrace, he is simply not fit for the role he is in.
6
Rep Wilson may be a little wacky but she didn't lie. Kelly, a retired general, did. And he lied not in an effort to defend himself but to impugn the representative's character. And he was masterful at it. Obviously he is well practiced in such things.
13
Has no one seen the fit between Trump and Kelly. Both of them have spent much of their lives issuing orders and expectng the person ordered to jump. The general has spent much of his life answering to no one except to the president. Does he not know that the person who with his family has been dishonored is not under his command any longer. And is the man who spoke of the military as an “elite?” He has dishonored himself and the “elite” by his behavior. What an example he has set for lowliest of our military!
I say this with all due regrants to Mr. Kelly for the loss of his son.
6
As a former naval officer, I swore to uphold and defend the constitution. While in the service I developed a tremendous respect for the flag officers. However, I consider it an obligation to challenge them if they appear to be lying.
13
Here is the unfortunate truth. There is something less than human, less than empathetic, less than American, in anyone willing to enable Donald Trump. That piece may be but a small fraction of that person, but it is there, and it will show eventually, as your Editorial so well illustrates.
8
I cannot believe that Chief of Staff Kelly has not recanted and apologized to both grieving Ms. Johnson and her close friend, the honorable Rep. Wilson. Disgraceful for a retired General to behave so poorly. When I was in the service, lying about official business was a punishable offense, but I guess with the make-believe Commander in Chief we have now, lying is normal and acceptable, since he does it so very, very, very, very, very, very, very (and on and on and on again) often!
8
If Mr. Kelly wants to be referred to as General Kelly or a marine, then he must apologize to Ms. Willson. Mr. Kelly's comments were wrong on the facts. Further, as a man who lost a son in combat, he needed to show his appreciation and respect for the loss and grief the Johnson's family is experiencing, he needed to refrain from becoming part of the Trump's spectacle. The phrase, "once a marine always a marine," must be earned by a marine-like conduct everyday and always. Mr. Kelly's comments were simply conduct unbecoming of a marine.
6
Wow, I'm just amazed at how Representative Wilson is invisible in the comments made by those who exonerate Kelly. What, her reputation was affordable collateral damage to what Kelly had to do to protect the President? Lying about her and calling her an "empty barrel" can be ignored because she's a nobody? No, she was the main target of a blunderbuss attack. A problem with the "misremembered" theory is that Kelly's story was quite detailed. When Wilson denied it, Kelly just pitted the credibility of his 4 stars against her protestations of innocence. In saying that other people were talking about the impropriety of Wilson's 2015 speech at the time, he assured us it wasn't just him who noticed it. The false story added punch to the portrayal of Wilson as a grandstanding politician who would stoop to use any occasion, no matter how grievous, to promote herself. It also diverted attention from Trump's remarks and his own lie. Unfortunately, the story is not only false in itself, but bears the stamp of outright fabricated attacks on other people's reputations that have come from the White House, and a history of maintaining these fabrications as a kind of rewritten history to be referred to in the future, even after it has been exposed as lies.
8
While General Kelly found General Dunford's words comforting at the time of his son's death that was one military man talking to another. Trump's call to Mrs. Johnson needed different words of condolences. Also, given that Trump is never articulate he should stick to sending letters instead of placing phone calls. General Kelly at the very least did not correctly remember Ms. Wilson's speech. I do not understand why he can't call her and apologize. By not doing so it takes takes his words from being a simple mistake to an infection from Trump of just making things up. Surely if General Kelly could face combat he can face his mistake.
8
Many readers are commenting that Trump pollutes the people around him. Perhaps it's just that he gives them the freedom to show themselves for what they've always been. Many people who voted for Trump said they loved how he voiced what they had been thinking (but were afraid to say out loud).
My guess is that Trump hasn't corrupted Kelly; he's just given Kelly permission to let the darker side show.
That said, I understand some of the frustration Kelly vented ... but, unfortunately, he's far too blind to his own faults and weaknesses.
4
No question that Kelly destroyed a message that started out uplifting by wading in and splashing around in Trump's swamp. While the president introduced the death of Kelly's son into the politics, Kelly kept him there. Has he not seen that anyone touched by Trump ends up damaged in some why? But what really scares me as that Kelly told a believable story about the congresswoman that was an absolute fabrication. Did he do this deliberately? did he dream it? I don't know but it does make me question even more the veracity of what comes out of the White House and unfortunately Kelly's credibility.
6
If he thinks honoring our war dead should at least be "sacred", why exactly did he choose to dishonor this soldier himself, by trading in a bold faced lie about his friend and mentor?
There is a meanness in this man, and that same white male nostalgia to which we owe so much of our nation's current degradation. It is no longer a mystery why he has found such kinship with Trump.
And we, the people have just been given another lesson into why civilian rule - not military - is such an important foundation of American values.
10
Trump lied about how President Obama responded to men and women who died in service to our country. As we've seen is often the case, he lied for no reason. Trump therefore opened the door to reviewing how he handles these situations. And Congresswoman Wilson took him up on his offer. The answer: as with most things, Trump handled the situation horribly. You can disagree about whether she should have stepped into this, if Kelly should have or not, etc. but let's not forget how this got started: Trump created more division.
4
I still have a lot of respect for General Kelly, despite what went wrong here. Plus, he's currently our best hope to help our country survive until January of 2021. But as other commenters have pointed out, he's got to be careful of picking up President Trump's worst traits.
Note the three things classic Trump characteristics that led the General astray here. The first, of course, is the need to attack people. The second is the willingness to tell flat-out lies to hype up the attack, never even being much concerned if those lies are easily disproven. And the third is the compulsion to not leave the battlefield before demeaning the adversary - e.g., Meryl Streep is an overrated actress.
Again, we have a lot riding on General Kelly. I'm going to stick my neck out and predict he'll learn from this experience and that he has better days ahead; we can all only hope so.
The only thing that Kelly probably learned was to destroy the videos the next time. He is now the emptiest of barrels
2
Mr. Kelly who should have known that Trump has absolutely no empathy should have cautioned Trump to send a letter, not make a phone call. Since Trump asked him for advice on what to say, Mr. Kelly should have known that the words spoken to him on the loss of his son "he knew what he signed up for" by a friend and fellow Marine were definitely not suitable for a young, grieving widow. Then when he called a black, female Congresswomen an empty barrel for what she did not say, he raised the question of whether he was, in fact, the empty barrel with a bias against blacks and women which is sadly not unusual in the Marines.
3
By failing to admit a mistake, he changes its nature to that of a lie.
And he has done something much worse. He first sent his emissary, SH Sanders, out to the press to defend his obvious misstatements, then had her suggest that he, a former military officer and now a white house official could not be questioned.
Then at a subsequent press conference he refused to take questions from reporters that had no connection to gold star families.
He apparently has a deep misunderstanding of the relationship between political appointees and citizens. This is not an autocracy yet (I hope)--they are answerable to us.
7
There is only one thing to say about this unfortunate affair. Since our leaders seem unable to bring themselves to say this clearly, I will.
I truly honor the life and service of Sgt. La David Johnson, and add my voice to the sympathy of the nation for his widow Myeshia Johnson. Likewise the other 3 soldiers who gave the last measure for their country in Niger.
Nothing else seems appropriate at this point.
5
Mr. Kelly wanted to prove his loyalty to his president. Unfortunately, he did that by falsifying facts to demean Congresswoman Ms. Wilson, God help this country when Mr. Kelly would defend Trump's use of nuclear weapons.
4
Kelly joined the Liar's Chorus.
So much for Duty, Honor, Country.
3
Watching Kelly speaking about this is reminiscent of watching Donald Sutherland in the last scene of the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
It seems like McMaster is also gone.
People holding out hope that Mad Dog Jim Mattis has been able to resist, should consider that he is preparing for evacuations of the Korean Peninsula.
4
Mr. Kelly surely "knew what he was signing up for" when he agreed to take on his current job. How anyone could possibly accept a position with this Trump administration is beyond comprehension. And the Rev. Graham says "only God could have accomplished" Trump's election! So much for these "Christians".
1
This one sure turned out to be a surly condolence for a fallen soldier. With the dexterity they showed in handled this mishap, maybe they would do more good not to call anyone.
4
According to some news reports Kelly advised Trump not to make a call. If that is true, and not fake news it would seem that Trump does not take Kelly's advice any more than he takes anyone else's. His only purpose then in the White House would be to act as another fawning sycophant in the Trump court.
1
If I had the unspeakable pain of enduring the loss of my child in any military action, the last “condolence” call I would *ever* want to receive would be from anyone in the White House. I would not allow them to use my dead son or daughter to score political points, or to show how much more “patriotic” they are than anyone else. Neither would I tolerate them being used to prop up the administration’s version of the “truth.”
There are obviously no depths as to how low these people will sink to defend falsehoods — especially a man who should know better.
Our troops and our country don’t deserve this, and from the look on Kelly’s face in the photo accompanying this editorial, I think he knows that too.
5
I wondered why/how a Marine General would take a job under such an obviously detestable man as Trump; the general would NEVER tolerate such deplorable Trumpian behavior in the ranks. It's clear now. Perhaps they wore different 'uniforms' over the years, but their philosophy appears aligned: "My way or the highway, do not question me; MY end justifies my means." Is the general, too, about the money?
Our political system and apparently a lot of our military lacks honorable, trustworthy leadership.
6
It is a lost cause folks. Maybe Congress will grow a conscience, but I doubt that also. Human nature being what it is, and I hate to say this, we are a doomed species. We are actually causing the next great extinction, and refuse to act accordingly. The good news is, the Earth will still be here when we are gone.
1
Mr. Kelly is no longer a general. He is a politician who engages in character assassination, just like his boss. In this instance, he has not brought glory to the Corps. Here's hoping he rectifies his mistake. His sacrifice qualifies him for forgiveness and redemption.
3
I had some hope that Kelly would be a good influence on Trump. I now understand that anyone Trump picks for any job,be it public or private, is a rogue.
1
"After more than 40 years with the Marines, Mr. Kelly possesses the gravitas and credibility..." One MAJOR correction.... "Mr. Kelly WAS THOUGHT TO POSSESS the gravitas and credibility..."
I am deeply disappointed in him and quite frankly deeply shaken. I had counted on the strong likelihood that there was a credible adult with integrity nearby to curb this so-called president's worst impulses. The Tweets have continued. The lack of focus has continued. The rude, inappropriate misbehaviors have continued. The provocative and dangerous threats have continued. Of course, I never dreamed the lies would stop, but I hoped with all my heart that someone in the room valued TRUTH. Apparently, Kelly is not that adult in the White House. Scary question then.....Who is?
7
There is a solid moral argument for military service being a necessary evil. In that context 40 years of military service would build a profound sense of humility to counterbalance the habit of obeying orders. Lest we fall victim to the romantic mythology that accompanies the records of many of our generals (where are the grunts) we should look at the hard evidence of Kelly's defense of an unrepentant Trump.
3
The measure of one's character is how one deals with adversity. If there is one good thing to come out of trump's presidency, it is that we will see the true colors of our leaders and our citizens. Our citizens are actually looking quite terrific with millions marching in resistance. You can count on one hand the politicians who display the same courage. Our leaders, like kelly, are showing they will say or do anything for power. Through his speech, the previously "honorable" kelly, proved himself a racist, misogynist, exclusionist in service only to himself. Like the child he serves, he is even unable to apologize. This is the person kelly has always been. And now we know.
7
He must apologize to reclaim his honor
1
Isn't it clear by now that there is zero honor or truth
in anyone or anything involved in this so called
Trump administration?
My boss lies so I will lie too.
What on earth does Kelly mean by saying
women are " sacred"?
Dies he mean that 's how our sexual predator in
Chief sees them? As he guts reproductive health care
and brags about groping them?
What an abysmal excuse for a government.
12
General Kelly,
You have lost your way.
Apologize, fully, as you obviously erred, publicly and terribly unkindly.
We all liked - needed- to believe there was a shred of decency in the White House. Please at least give us back our mirage. Without it, we are truly adrift in the Trump sea, and what a hideous naueseating place it is.
We, the People
6
Give Mr. Lump a break. Okay, he couldn't remember Sgt. La David Johnson's name, he said something along the lines of what Mr. Kelly told him to say ("He knew what he was getting into." Words every grieving family wants to hear.), his tone was not compassionate (he was thinking about his next bite of beautiful chocolate cake), but what we didn't know until now is that his call to Myeshia Johnson was his fourth call to offer condolences that morning. He had already consoled the families of three other dead soldiers; understandably he was having trouble remembering to whom and of whom he was speaking (until Mr. Kelly whispered in his ear, "She's the black one.").
And that brings us to Mr. Kelly. In joining the Lump Administration, he knew what he signed up for. Honor stops at the bolted front door of the White House. Hung high on the Hanging Tree, along with virtue, truth and reality. Mr. Kelly can see them through a peephole twisting in the winds of America's despair.
Mr. Lump has the FXYZUidas touch. He can turn Jesus into Judas. Evangelicals into jackals. America into Ancient Rome. When things were not just swell, but great. For the emperor...and his white citizens.
8
It seems that lying is a contagious disease in the current White House.
How is that a man who we all thought was an example of moral character could have so easily lost credibility and get dirty in such a sad and tragic episode?
General Kelly, please do not sell your soul to Trump, man up and apologize the Johnson family for making a statement that was blatantly false!
The country does not expect less from you.
3
our"leader" despoils everything and everyone with whom he comes in contact.
This must be the personification of pure evil.
4
It's confirmed: Trump is contagious.
6
There it is.
He's got the Trump Taint.
1
John Kelly made no mistakes, nor did he 'misremember.' He is a liar through and through, as well as the misogynist and racist his attacks on Frederica Wilson demonstrated.
Emails revealed in a Freedom of Information request show what he was doing as the head of Homeland Security:
In the emails, local ICE officials are ordered to come up with “three egregious cases” of apprehended criminals to highlight to the media.
Plus, if they couldn't find three cases in their location, they were told to 'borrow one from another area.
https://theintercept.com/2017/10/16/top-trump-official-john-kelly-ordere...
Kelly fits in perfectly with the other bigots, liars, and fascists that constitute the Trump regime.
5
You give John Kelly too much credit. Call John Kelly has proved is that he is a brown those to authority. That is surely how he climbed up the ranks in the military. While serving the worst president in the United States history he has shown he has no inclination to stem in the worst behavior imaginable by US president. In fact he showed that he has same qualities as Trump. This whole administration is sick. A bunch of small men with big egos.
6
I will say it again. The President made the phone call and the Congresswoman reported what he said and how the widow was upset by what he said. The president then DENIED saying it. Then Gen. Kelly came forward explaining what the President has just denied. Then Gen. Kelly proceeded to trash the Congresswoman with lies. Seriously. Does no one see first and foremost that the President lied again here? The Gen. has admitted that the President did (what he immediately and reflexively said he didn’t do.) And since what he said did not go over well, is shooting the messenger. Now that messenger includes the widow, who has come forward to corroborate the Congresswomen, and the press, who have unearthed video of the Congresswoman’s speech.
This is pathetic. Pathetic that the administration lackeys, Gen. Kelly and also Sarah Huckabee Sanders, have to continually throw themselves under the bus and make themselves liars as well. All those who read real news see them for the pathetic and ridiculous snivelers they have become in service to our liar-in-Chief, but their base who will read “alternative truths,” will see another picture altogether.
4
Kelly should be recognized for his years of honorable service and for the loss of his son in combat. But he can hardly be called an honorable man - how can anyone who has chosen to work for a known swindler, prolific liar, braggart, abuser of women, and draft evader be called an honorable person?
3
Yep...they are all hacks...every one of them. I withdraw my misguided hope (not that he cares).
1
Someone from 45's staff must have put that statement together for Kelly to say. It doesn't sound like something he would say, the diction isn't correct. Poor guy, Trump is like the tar baby.
2
Kelly should be stripped of 3 stars for his appalling dishonesty.
1
Amazing that Trump supporters like his showboating and lies and provocations but find a friend of the deceased and his wife. a former principal, and brutally frank truth-teller Wilson defending herself and piping up for this widow offensive. The sparkles and hats seem to be the assigned excuse to hate this woman who frankly schooled them just like she would have schooled students back in the day.
I guess Trump’s bragging about his property and golf courses and gold toilet are being temporarily filed wherever Kelly got his “I was stunned” story that turned out to be a hoax. He is stuck in a lie and you know what- Trump probably loves that Kelly’s uniform is soiled.
The truth is winning for once.
2
lying about body counts is a tool of war, genocide, and crime against humanity which seems to come naturally to generals -- from westmoreland to petraeous. god help us.
3
“This maybe last thing that’s held sacred in our society”.......should be the truth.
Unfortunately, that was the first thing tossed overboard when Donald J. Trump got elected.
.....and John Kelly is a flat out disgrace.
5
Mr. Kelly has not apologized for attacking Congresswoman Wilson with false statements. This is right out of the Donald Trump playbook - attack with lies, double down and never apologize.
This is shocking.
Mr. Kelly has done nothing to diffuse this horrible situation even after Trump tweeted today and appeared to be accusing Mrs. Johnson of lying.
This is shocking.
Mr. Kelly's statement also by implication smeared Khizr and Ghazala Khan who spoke at the Democratic Convention to criticize Donald Trump. Their son, Army Capt. Humayun Khan, was killed in Iraq while protecting his men. This was General Kelly attacking another Gold Star family.
This is shocking.
Donald Trump appears to rot everyone who works for him. Trump's a mean, cold, angry, lying sociopath. He isn't fit to be President of the United States.
If we needed any further proof how poisonous Donald Trump is, this behavior by John Kelly while representing mean, disgusting liar Donald Trump is it.
It should also be pointed out that Congresswoman Wilson, Mrs. Myeshia Johnson and Khizr and Ghazala Khan are people of color.
It's difficult to imagine that Donald Trump would have attacked a white family whose son was killed in action. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe that is all just an ugly coincidence. After all, Trump is busy insulting and smearing Senator John McCain, a war hero, who is a white man.
All I know is I don't want to hear anything else from Donald Trump.
3
John Kelly's unnecessary diatribe against Frederica Wilson sounds like thinly disguised racism if not out right misogyny. If Kelly or the President had taken time before opening their mouths to speak on the subject they would have learned that this 'black' 'woman' Florida representative helped found and support the organization for youth that mentored and helped to produce the fallen heroic soldier Sergeant Johnson. Her history would suggest to a fair minded person that Representative Wilson is hardly an "Empty Barrel". I wouldn't be too surprised to learn that black women in general are thought of as "Empty Barrels" by the so called 'honorable' men of this White' House.
7
Gen. Kelly is one of the most honorable men to serve in the White House who spoke from the heart and from the experience of losing a son in combat. Do get off your soapbox and listen to what he said, not criticize because he works for Trump.
We did listen. The first part of his statement was designed to create sympathy for the next part of his speech which was a lie. Unfortunately, his entire speech showed his true colors: a cloak of sentimentality designed to hide a lack of integrity.
3
And then he went on to lie about a Congresswoman and call her names. "For Kelly is an honorable man"
2
I listened to what he said. Everything he said was diminished by his lying.
4
Semper fi to the boss.
General John Kelly is a product of his time- and environment. Kelly grew up in the very Segregated Boston area, of the late 1950's, 60's and 70's. The ease of which he demonstrated his disdain for blacks and black women was astonishing until one realizes he probably grew up saying far worse about people of color. For all the polish and accolades- there is still- lurking inside, the mindset of a misogynist and racist. The uniform has- up-to-now, covered it quite nicely.
4
The most charitable view of John Kelly's unhinged behavior in Trump's WHITE House is that he's developed the worst case of Stockholm Syndrome since Patty Hearst joined the Symbionese Liberation Army.
6
All hat no cattle? She's a US Congressional Representative from Florida. She's not a rancher from Texas. Haha, and just imagine Congresswoman Wilson's hat on grand standing David Clark with his fake medals! Where's the outrage over his headgear?
Oh that's funny! Just in case anyone missed it, Another example of attacking a woman over her fashion choices,
And last but not least, there is a tag line for Ms Huckabee.
All Talk, NO Walk.
5
Let's be honest here, I guess he did all that lying because he simply wants to keep his job
1
What Kelly claimed is not even remotely or partially correct; it is the opposite of the facts. He does not deserve a "mistake" pass on this. This was a deliberate hit job, disgraceful and inept, the very signature of his boss' methods. He lied big hoping to bully Wilson into submission. Fat chance!
Kudo's, Mr. Kelly, for the acting performance. You so sincerely claimed the opposite of the obvious truth a) you were incensed at the politics, when you and Donnie were the only ones guilty of that and b) you long for the days when women were honored. Who do you think you are fooling? The answer is just as troubling as your lies.
You should mention that Kelly criticized Wilson for "listening in" to the conversation. Kelly was also listening in to the same conversation, but without the permission of Johnson's widow.
And of course, you should mention Kelly's hypocrisy about honoring women, religion and Gold Star families, while working for the man who is an admitted serial sexual abuser and adulterer, who defiles his own religion while condemning Islam, and who has verbally abused several Gold Star families.
13
It's quite amazing what being in Donald J. Trump's sphere does to people–it seems to bring out they're worst selves. Again and again being in service to Trump has equated to touching the tar baby, getting stuck, and being unable to break free with dignity intact. Serving this POTUS is a fools errand.
3
Misremembering!!! I wonder if the fault perhaps dwells in his stars!, 4 of them, and not in his brain. At times Generals need to be sacked. Truman did so with MacArthur. Obama fired McChrystal. And Trump?
3
Our President is simply toxic to all who have dealings with him.
It's his way.
2
"This is being used as an another excuse to discredit Mr. Trump. The hate mongers never let an opportunity go by if they can find fault with him. We have seen this over and over and over again."
do you not read or watch anything that is not FOX news? your president is a racist, a hate-bater, a misogynist, a liar and a corrupt business man. kelly is indeed a man of honor and dignity and most of his speech was correct and just. however, the latter part of his presentation was about following his boss's orders - most likely against his own better judgement.
The only thing Kelly is defending is his slanderous lie.
A lie meant to ruin Representative Wilson's character.
Not for a second did he "misremember" anything.
He intentionally spit out every word ... and every word backfired.
It is Kelly's character that bears an ugly stain.
A stain which clearly reveals who he truly is.
6
All Trump touches turns to slime. And still the Republicans rush to him screaming "touch me! touch me!.
4
This editorial is far too kind to Mr. Kelly, whose behavior has been despicable.
7
If you connect yourself to this troll Trump, you can be assured that your dignity and morality will soon be in the past.
How many people who joined this WH with some personal integrity have now left in disgrace? How many more, and at what damage to the fiber of our country?
3
Kelly had no reason to attack the Congress woman.....even if what he said was true. He just lost his honor and degraded himself.....and unfortunately, the reputation of generals.....as Trump is tarnishing the respect for the White House.....here and abroad. NYT is quite too accommodating to Kelly.....and his fake emotions at the beginning of the press conference. By the way, why the press conference? To cover for Trump....Kelly is now worse than Trump.....He does not deserve any respect....too bad we can not take away his stars and title of general....What a shame for this country.
3
I bet Stephen Miller is behind some of this ugliness.
8
Yet another powerful man demeaning and spewing lies about a woman. And not just any woman but a black woman who has some power of her own. The events of this last week, from Kelly to Weinstein, are making me ill. Will things never
change?
6
Citizen Trump didnt have alot of consultee' he could turn to, having surrounded himself with a fraternity of rich draft dodgers like himself. . And he had little choice but to turn to one person who is literally programmed to follow orders without question. . People like them are riding on the momentum of their predecessors's ctitical thinking , . but to the rest of us thier fakery is more obvious than the facts. They are not fooling us. . If the four were out there for a good reason: consistant with the traditional values of the USA armed forces, they would have been quick to bring it out. We can see right though them. There are many BAd reasons they there that night, and behind them many bad reasons for us to be there at all. . their hypocracy in not equating this with Bengazi, and thier systematic ,( and so for successful ) denial of the ubiquitous racial bias, and its evil partner, white supremicy , in shaping the responce to this dishonoring of our brave troops is disgusting
1
Tempest in a tea pot. Stop elevating this story, NYT. Trump clearly meant no disrespect to the family despite his mangled delivery. Let's have a little understanding and grace here.
1
This editorial is not about Trump, it's about Kelly ... who is channeling Trump.
3
Trump has the effect of flesh eating bacteria on everyone and eanything he touches - consuming all - turning healthy flesh and blood to rot and disfigurement.
2
I believe that a quick scan of Gen. Kelly's past performance makes it clear that he was a Racist and a Liar long before he landed in an office in the White House.
Donald Trump doesn't create monsters, he's just good at digging them up.
4
this general with the sculpted face, fit to be on a coin (!), or Mount Rushmore (?), has fallen, much like Ozymandias in the desert sand, a couple of millennia ago ...
1
I would love to hear from some psychologists and psychiatrists as to how, despite their depravity, pathological and chronic lying, people like Donald Trump are able to reel otherwise "honorable" people in and get them to sell their souls to do their bidding.
I am very curious about this. Gen. Kelly, for all I know, is himself a cad as far as character goes, I don't know. But the fact is, the FBI building thing was totally irrelevant to the issue at hand (as if Donald Trump never lies??? How can he discredit Rep. Wilson by pulling out one lie, which HE even lied about, while working for the chief liar?), so Kelly's using it was clearly meant solely to smear and discredit Wilson precisely because he knew she was telling the truth. It's the boss firing the woman who won't have sex with him by saying she has a bad attitude and her work really isn't as great as she thinks it is. Same exact thing.
The only reason people make such an effort to discredit someone is because that person is a threat, and they are a threat because they are revealing the truth. Kelly's tactic had Trump's fingerprints all over it.
Shame on you, General. You said women used to be sacred, then, in the same breath, smear one by lying about her. Trump has now cost you your credibility. For what? And if you were honorable, you'd have come right out with an apology for lying about her. Empty barrel indeed!
6
John Kelly has lost whatever credibility he's spent his whole life earning. For shame.
4
Stop being coy NY Times. Anyone working for Trump is, by default, a weasel. It's that simple, and has nothing to do with "serving their country". It's self enrichment, power, perks, etc. Just like it would be under any other president. Our system of government is hopelessly corrupt, and has been for a long time.
4
Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.
3
And over two weeks later, questions about why this mission resulted in four fatalities go unanswered. Which is what the WH wants, obviously.
1
Birds of a feather flock together.
It is like watching an episode of "The Sopranos".
1
Day after day the enormous might of the White House is wasted on pettiness, intolerance, cultishness, bullying and the vengeance of little boys. Full of superiority, Kelly went after Wilson with the confidence that he could easily degrade and destroy her, wipe her, like some rank garbage, off the map. He didn't reckon that it mattered to know the first thing about her. What was it about Williams, that made her, even in his ignorance, so easy to disrespect? Is there anybody who doesn't know the answer to that question? That was a despicable statement and briefing, given by a mean spirited, superficial, and bigoted man.
3
Stars on one's epaulet does not make one a better human being.
2
I suspect John Kelly went to Arlington National Cemetery to privately whisper, “I am sorry for what I’m about to do” to his dead son’s tombstone.
I cannot understand why any decent person would sacrifice their honor and integrity for such a worthless, false person as Donald Trump. John Kelly, wake up and see what is happening to you! Stop being a 'good soldier', and start being a good citizen.
2
Gen. Kelly never said she made comments in her speech. It is highly plausible that she paraded around like a peacock after the speech flaunting her profound lack of dignity. Even if Kelly were to apologize for something he obviously sincerely felt, the media would use it as an opportunity to continue denigrate him and the President. Apologies would be subject to ridicule, biased reporting and gross distortion just like virtually every other reaction from the media. Let us assume that General Kelly might have shown questionable judgment in this single instance. Was he deserving of some of the vicious, racist, slanderous comments by CNN and MSN commentators? Frederica Wilson has an extensive laundry list of lies, inflammatory rhetoric and inciting violent protests. Her erroneous. incendiary comments in the Trayvon Martin fiasco," He (George Zimmerman) hunted him (Trayvon Martin) down like a dog hunts a rabbit" should have resulted in her censure by Congress but she survived unscathed. The media know this in their heart of hearts but their unbridled hatred of Donald Trump is so all-consuming that they have no compunction about destroying the reputation and honor of a true American Hero while aggrandizing and supporting a proven, race baiting rabble rouser. Neither Trump, Wilson nor General Kelly is the ultimate villain in this sordid affair. The vilest blackguards are the media who know the truth but ignore it in their pyrrhic vendetta against Donald Trump.
1
This editorial is too kind to Kelly. The man didn't "misremember", he simply lied.
The picture he painted of congresswoman Wilson was the exact opposite of the video evidence.
And, 4 days later, Kelly still hasn't corrected the record. His narcissism and arrogance is stunning.
It is as if he has no honor. Unbelievable!
4
I use to respect John Kelly and feel relief he was in the WH watching out for our deranged and uncontrollable president.
But alas, it appears Trump has rubbed off on Kelly, rather than visa vera. One more cabinet member bites the dust. Adios. And pls don't bother us again.
1
Mr. Kelly we had so much respect and admiration for for you but now the feeling is "et tu Kelly". Is there anyone who respects truth in this White House any more? How did you, an honorable man, let yourself be infected like in this? Yes, you are in this Trump swamp which used to be the home of illustrious leaders like Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Reagan and Obama-- just to name a few but how could you stoop so low. Have you no shame? To err is human but once you found out that your "facts" were all wrong shouldn't you have openly admitted your mistake and apologized to the Congresswoman you so utterly maligned (empty vessel etc.!). Our great nation is losing all it stood for and you are just a bystander (or worse) now. That is a crying shame, notwithstanding the great service you once gave this nation. (:
It is past time to give up on the notion of being saved by the generals and Rexxon from trump and the white supremacist republicans. The notion of a triumvirate of generals running the country does not apparently bother you. They have done such a great job with the bloated defense of the homeland. You can also spare me the attempts to resurrect maverick McCain. I guess gerrymandering your way to legislative majorities and suppressing the vote of others are what now defines good old American exceptionalism, pun intended. As we gleefully prepare to further widen wealth inequality and add $1.5 trillion to the debt, I wonder where have all the non-racist tea party folks gone?
1
Note to Kelly: When you lay down dogs, you wake up with fleas.
Everyone Trump has surrounded himself with gets stuck in his web, sucked dry like a fly, and then cast out at his whim. Trump doesn’t allow the media to make mistakes, yet all he does day in and day out is mislead the public. Never an apology. Never a retraction. Never a step back to think before speaking. Never an, “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said what I did to a serviceman’s widow. It was a mistake. How insensitive of me.” The thing that is the most egregious about this whole situation is that everyone is so caught up in Trump’s horrible words, Kelly’s lie, and Sara Sanders’ ridiculousness, that few are remembering the four soldiers who bravely died serving this country.
2
I lost all respect for Kelly at that press conference for several reasons, not least of which is his complete fabrication of events and his subsequent lack of apology. (It appears that Trump's lying and refusal to apologize are contagious.)
But the most absurd was Kelly bemoaning the loss of all things sacred (religion, Gold star families). There is no individual in this nation who has so quickly bulldozed things traditionally considered sacred - from a president telling repeated and obviously false lies to refusing to denounce Nazis and White Supremacists - even after a young woman was killed, attacking the mayor of London after a terrorist attack, attacking POWs for getting caught, and the miserable list goes on!
Kelly has added his name to the sad list of Trump enablers!
5
So unbecoming of you General Kelly, please do not delay any more , please apologize to the Congress woman and to,the very yong widow who just lost her Husband in the line of duty.
Do the right thing, sir.
2
He agreed to work with Trump, a misogynistic, KKK-defending, habitual liar. That, in and of itself, takes Mr. Kelly out of any moral high ground. Going after a war widow moments after she laid her husband to rest removes Mr. Kelly from the level of basic human kindness and consideration. We are not impressed.
2
What Kelly revealed in his comments about Congresswoman Wilson is racism pure and simple. He must have watched her speech through a filter of an upbringing which did not respect people of color. In the male macho military world women, especially black women, have no respect.
Think about how many women in the military are raped and then disrespected further as their very own officers cover up for their rapists.
Kelly has not apologized. The clock on his reputation is ticking.
2
There were indications that Kelly was not as he apparead to be, his comments re Jared Kushners attempt contact Russia using a Russian embassy in a secret manner, Kelly said that was alright to contact Russia in that way, clearly a dishonest response or stupid at worse, unfortunately Kelly is no help in this manner as he appears to say things that are obvious untrue, i.e. a lie clone of Trump
2
Trump soils and corrupts every person and thing he comes in contact with. He is toxic.
Jerry N E Kingdom VT
5
Trump tarnishes anyone around him let this be a lesson for any other supposed adults in the room. John McCain is the only republican to accurately portray Trump in the national media by pretty much calling him a yellow belly traitor. Get used to it America it is all down hill from here.
3
I weep for you, Gen. Kelly, and your sons, and for the United States of America.
2
Mr. Kelly fits his own description of an "empty barrel" to a tee. All hat and no cattle. He is as crooked as the boss he serves.
5
You know what's sacred, John Kelly? The truth.
7
Trump has made Kelly his most recent lapdog.
4
...“this maybe last thing that’s held sacred in our society.” No, General Kelly, you did no such thing. You allowed yourself, like all others with whom Donald Trump comes into contact, to be absorbed by the bloated anaconda of untruth.
There is no honor in defending the indefensible--and that is precisely what this American "president" is. A man of honor, leave aside a four-star general whose DNA is (supposed to be) shot through with rectitude and decency. The meanest soldier is taught, as I was, to protect the innocent, the child, the woman, the old man, all those who stand in the predator's way. The civilian policeman (or policewoman) does as much.
Mr. Trump long ago abjured any claim to honor and truth and, yet, sir, you agreed to become the chief of staff of the most dysfunctional White House that anyone can remember, including that of the fatally-wounded Richard Nixon as Watergate submerged him in infamous disgrace.
General Kelly, you have aligned yourself to this dishonorable Omertà, a weird code of silence, denial and resentment, leavened with no small amount of racism, to defend your commander-in-chief who hasn't the decency to commiserate with the widow of a man who gave his life for his country, and, yes, your boss. Mr. Trump couldn't have been more disrespectful in forgetting the fallen soldier's name and then lying about it, a lie that you defended under the cover of baring your soul about the loss of your own son.
Your legacy is forever besmirched, sir.
8
Mr. Kelly will be the poster-child for what happens when you allow a distinguished career to be used as polish for a pathological liar.
Enter at your own risk!
4
what is the surprise,,,,,, did you not think he would be carefully chosen and vetted
The phrase that will start Kelly's obit will be something along the lines of "disgraced former General...."
4
is the truth not "sacred", Mr Kelly?
3
John Kelly lost his credibility. Just like everyone that comes close to T.
2
Lie down withe dogs and you expect to get fleas. Kelly will become tainted like
the rest of the white house associates. His legacy will be forever tarnished.
Sorry, I did not mean to insult dogs. They do not lye and pander hoping to maintain power.
2
A black woman daring to contradict a four star general? Shame, shame. This is just as bad as a black senator daring to run twice for president and win. As sheriff Bufford put it, "whatever the world is coming to?" Neither Trump nor Kelly have a clue on how to behave fairly and honorably. So they lie.
5
Everyone is sullied by this cultural mire that Trump requires of all his minions. Kelly is now a minion, a diminished man. Kelly just joined the Big Brother House. What a shame.
1
Among the very sordid affair of what Trump had said to the widow of a Black soldier Sgt. La David Johnson who gave his life defending our country from the terrorists who might have come to our country to blow up buildings,Mr.Kelly should've never defended his boss Trump who should've been declared a sex offender long time back but survived all attempts by the authorities due to his daddy's money and influence.
And then due to his own money and influence, he survived prosecution when he intruded deliberately upon young underage girls changing their clothes for a beauty contest he held in his own hotel.
So it is incumbent upon Mr. Kelly to know that he cannot use his four-star General's status to stand in front of the camera in the White House to lie about an incident which he knew from the beginning was not true as he was there at the opening ceremony of the F.B.I. Building in Miami.
He should've never accused Ms.Wilson, the Democratic Congress Woman from Miami,Florida,calling her "an empty barrel".
To Ms. Wilson and to most of the the Black Americans that 'word' is nothing but a racist term which Mr. Kelly should've known since he was born and brought up in Boston, Massachusetts in 1950.
So it is now absolutely necessary that Mr. Kelly apologize publicly to Ms. Wilson for insulting her Black heritage and then lying about her achievement in securing $20 million for the F.B.I. Building in Miami through Obama.
He knew that she secured that money through Republicans in Congress.
1
Gen. Kelly has sold his soul to the devil. It's a great shame.
2
Question. Am I to surmise by the absence of comment Gen. Kelley's restricting questions be from Gold Star correspondents was unremarkable?
1
You have shown your true color Mr. Kelly.
Do everyone a favor and resign from the disgraced Trump administration.
That is the only way you can show you are a true Marine.
2
Turns out that the General is just another lying Republican operative.
Sad!
2
Another sign, as if we needed one, on how incompetent this WH is. Any other WH would have researched and fact checked any retort he was to make for accuracy and relevancy. This is a WH built on lies. It's all they know. Another perfectly fine human being bites the dust.
I this administration, you become the company you keep.
1
Oops, I guess no one told this board that it is inappropriate to criticize a four star general.
2
Expect nothing from anyone who chooses to work in this White House at a senior level.
4
The plain and obvious truth is that Trump poisons, defiles, degrades, damages, and discards everything he touches. I guess that's why he gilds his surroundings. He's the anti-Midas.
Everything he touches turns to trash.
5
It's simple really. "Birds of a feather, flock together," Trump, Kelly, Tillerson. Pack of liars all.
1
Kelly has crossed the Rubicon, using his dead son to justify lying, from revered general to political hack.
4
"He that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas."
3
How sad... Kelly appears to be either a liar or an old White man with a racist and misogynistic memory. Another example of how Trump corrupts the reputations of all who work for him.
1
And we should not think of Kelly as corrupt because?????????
2
C'mon, Media, especially the Editorial Board ! It is time to get off Kelly's Case and move on. You have wrung it out, hung it out and drained it of any news value it ever had. I am a Liberal Democrat and spent 20 years in the military, and I can only say if you have not ever been a GI, Shut Up and move on.....it is another case about which you have no experience, and know little.
1
There doesn't seem to be any doubt about what was said. Too bad, but the general stepped on his you know what.
1
So what else should we shut up and move on about?
Russian corruption of American elections?
Muslim travel bans?
Misplaced travels bans that result in American soldiers being killed by terrorists?
The destruction of the Affordable Care Act?
The tax cut plan for billionaires?
The destruction of the environment?
The self-dealing by the president and his minions, see also Tillerson, Zinke, etc.?
Climate change denial?
Bigotry, racism and white nationalism?
Tell us, which should we protest and which should we shut up about?
2
White men mistreating and being condescending to women (black women to boot)... Where did I see this movie before? FoxNews? The current White House? The Republican House and Senate? Ah, yes, ALL OF THE ABOVE
3
Let's be blunt. John Kelly either lied, or misremembered. If he "misremembered," this is far worse. It indicates that he is every bit as partisan, sexist, and racist as his boss. So Mr. Kelly, are you dishonest or evil?
1
And lazy. It would have taken his staff minutes to confirm or refute his memory of that 2015 event? Where else has Mr. Kelly cut corners?
Resign Kelly. Just resign.
5
General Kelly drank some of the kool-aid. Maybe he thought he was protecting the Presidency. He wound up trapped in a Trumpian Twitter Quagmire of Lies. you can use that.
3
It is noteworthy that Kelly like his prodigious liar boss didn't bother to even comment on the Niger cockup for 12 days but he interrupts a press briefing to amplify the Trump lies. His misrepresentations seem to me deliberate because while given ample evidence and video footage that he had lied, he had not the decency to correct the record. The Niger episode is far more sordid than Benghazi. Quote: "Just how was it left to Nigerian troops, French helicopters and some contract aircraft to find and fetch the bodies of our heroic service members killed in Niger?".
And this NBC Oct 21: Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, commander of AFRICOM since 2016, told Congress in March that only 20 to 30 percent of AFRICOM's needs for "intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance" flights were being met. The Marine Corps general said there weren't enough helicopters to find wounded or dead soldiers, and that African partners weren't able to help with recovery missions.
And, I have found only the faintest reference in the US press that Chad with its capable and competent anti-terror competence, stunned by the Muslim Travel Ban, simply withdrew its forces which supported the USA-Niger operations. The result: 4 dead Americans. NYT: I believe you should be more upfront in your reporting on this massive failure by the USA.
Kelly has clearly demonstrated to the world who and what he is. We should take him at his word. He is a racist misogynist. Kelly and generals like him are the primary reason that rape continues to be such a rampant problem in the U.S. military. The united States is far better off that Kelly is no longer on active duty.
3
Maybe the pathetic, partisan, little man we saw last week is the real John Kelly. Maybe he is a racist misogynist just like his boss. Maybe he interpreted the event through the haze of a deep seated bigotry.
Or maybe he wasn't even there. Considering the fact that he has been proven to be a liar - HAS ANY REPORTER BOTHERED TO VERIFY THAT KELLY WAS ACTUALLY PRESENT AT THE EVENT IN QUESTION? Can he be seen in any video of the event? Right now we only have his word that he was there and his word doesn't mean a whole lot.
4
I've wondered that too. And think about it. Why would he be there? It wasn't a DOD thing, it was DOJ/FBI thing. Someone please check.
2
The NYT ought not to be so hard on Mr Kelly. The poor guy, once a general, is now only your usual politician chasing a fast buck. Who needs this "honor" thing and such, when you have power and money in your sights?
3
When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn't change . . . he changes you.
1
The NYT is being Way, way to lenient on Gen. Kelly.
He is a blatant, blatant liar in what he said about Rep. Wilson.
My grandfather died as Marine. Kelly not only disgraced himself, but disgraced all Marines, including my grandfather.
How can a man with ANY morality not at least publicly apologize when he has been shown on video to have lied so baldly?
Gen. Kelly, you have forfeited the right to call yourself a Marine.
If you have any decency left, apologize for your bald lies and resign your commission. My grandfather must be rolling in his grave.
The ends and means of this administration are disgraceful.
4
As I have said before, you sleep with liars, cheats and thieves you either are one or you become one. Kelly didn't take this job out of the good of his heart. He and the great pretender in the white house have something in common.. Think about it. Why would a good person take this job?
2
You didn't even mention the insult Kelly hurled on the Khan family.
2
When you work for a liar and enable a liar you will, sooner or later, become a liar yourself. Another reputation ruined by proximity to the Corrupter-in-Chief.
3
So much for John the 'savior'. Just another Trump apologist.
1
Perhaps Kelly was (is) an honorable man. But, when you sleep with dogs yer gonna get fleas...
A fish stinks from the head.
2
John Kelly disgraced himself.
3
The motto of this entire administration:
Semper fib
3
"last thing sacred-sacrifice of a soldiers life" What pablum! Vietnam--Generals lied thru their teeth about what was happening; Lead up to Iraq--Except for one army general, the rest all in lock step said It would be a cake walk...how long and how many lives lost there yet to hear generals talk they never made a mistake. We treat generals like rock stars and valiant warriors---look at the facts tho--the folks who fight and risk their lives are the junior officers and lowest enlisted ranks...and who tells them where to go and what to do--the generals, the bulk of whom have never led an infantry platoon in combat...Read Jake Tapper's book the Outpost and think about the Vietnam story on Con Thien recently written about in the Times. If they honored their troops they wouldnt make stupid decisions and then blame an underling for the decisions..
2
Kelly knows what he signed up for
5
A simple "I made a mistake and I apologize" would get Kelly square with most people.
Unfortunately, he works for a narcissitic megalomaniac who NEVER admits any mistake, and demands that his people do the same.
John Kelly has made his bed with this administration, and his personal reputation will take the hit for that decision.
John, you are a liar, and you think you can bluff your way through. The 2015 tape is your undoing. TOUGH.
8
Mr. Kelly said he comes from a world where women are considered sacred, yet works for a man who boasts about grabbing women's genitals just because he can.
I thought honor would be at least one thing a military man would hold sacred. Mr. Kelly just destroyed that notion by showing his true face. What a revolting man.
16
International banner headlines this week - President bickers with war widow. Add while his chief of staff was stoking the flames.
7
John Kelly is an abject failure as a citizen and has betrayed his liar of office and nation. Resign.
5
Kelly lost his credibility some time ago when, as head of DHS, he said the roll out of the travel ban went well.
5
So just tell me where this so called story that this so called "adult" Kelly came from, if not from his closed mind.
4
Kelly is a coward and quite possibly a racist.
A courageous and honourable man would have apologized to Congressman Wilson for getting his facts wrong and calling her an “empty barrel”.
12
Truth or the "president"? Kelly made his disgusting choice. No honor!
11
Take a deep breath NYT!' Kelly is not a villain here...he's your target because thing have "settled down in the White House since he's been chief of staff and that doesn't fit your desire to denigrate and ultimately eliminate Trump from your wrong person won POV.
1
General Kelly needs to do the honorable thing and admit he was wrong. That, however, does not appear to be something he understands.
Well, one thing is for sure, Kelly is no Colin Powell. None of the hype for Kelly's integrity was true. Kelly turned out to be the type of military person who obeys orders from his superiors, be they, Stalin, Hitler, or Trump.
12
General Kelly fell on his sword for Donald Trump. And President Trump`s Press Secretary trudged yeti-like though the muck and mire of defending her indefensible president. This sordid spectacle won`t end until there is another catastrophic imbroglio between our unfit and ignorant president and an enemy of his - Kim Jong-un of the DPRK? The Ayatollah of Iran? A Gold Star family? A Congresswoman? Will his `fantastic` friends! `great` people! - Shinzo Abe and Xi Jinping and the Saudis - ride to Trump`s rescue? Don`t count on it.
2
Is this the new swamp?
6
Kelly is a disgrace....to himself, to the US, to the US Marines.
7
It seems everyone who deals with Trump comes away soiled. Pity the nation.
10
If they went to work for Trump they were soiled to begin with.
I’d expect nothing less from this bigot from Boston, who stepped up the inhumane deportations of powerless immigrants and is a Trump apologist first and last. True colours coming out on national TV, that’s all,
11
A mental disease is never contagious--- unless one wants it to be. This White House outdoes itself in doing things more disgusting every week or so. If Donald Trump were not so mentally unfit to be president, one would believe it is strategy. It is, but not his. This is Bannonism at work.
1
Gen. Kelly, as a Gold Star parent yourself, is it worth selling your soul and turning your back on grieving military families in order to defend and perpetuate the lies and self-aggrandizement of your boss, who has absolutely no idea of the meaning of military service or sacrifice, or deep personal loss?
Just how craven can you be, sir? Is your White House position really worth your integrity?
9
He is now known as Lying John Kelly.
11
Brighton/Boston is so ashamed of him. So are Irish Catholic families who thought he would shine for them.
John Kelly, GodSpeed, and stop trying to make the pig dance. It can't and it gets angry. Leave, let the nation either impeach or learn Russian.
1
Honorable people honor the truth. Liars do not. The liar-chief lies nearly every day to the us all. When you surround yourself as the liar-in-chief does with obsequious and servile sycophants then a liars club doubles down on its lies. Allowing the deceit to be exposed is not what you do. The lies must be guarded at all cost because then, like a house of cards, the lies collapse and allow everyone to see that the king has no clothes.
5
Speak, John Kelly, speak!
Good soldier, John Kelly, good soldier!
2
Kelly is either a straight-up liar or he is insane. How does one "mis-remember" with such specificity? Kelly saw Representative Wilson through the lens of a racist sexist stereotype and proceeded to hear things she did not say. He wanted to dismiss her as a "empty barrel" while all along she has been telling the truth.
Kelly suffers from racist sexist psychosis and ought to resign.
11
oh oh the adult day care center should be quarantined ... there is an unknown virus spreading inside causing people to self destruct their own integrity
8
Easy, unfortunately, to understand Kelly's diatribe against Wilson. She's black, she's female, and she has a smidgen of power. And to find that unpalatable is a prerequisite for serving in the current White House.
8
Everyone in this WH lies constantly, consistently, and with no remorse.
7
He made his bed.
4
If you lie down with a dog like President Trump, yoiu can expect to get fleas. Maybe we should be sending flea powder to Kelly?
2
Long ago, during the Third Reich, military honor was quite a bit stronger than today's "valor" species, and with many Nobelmen then serving as officers and generals such an untruthful collection of insults by Kelly would have resulted in the obligatory "PISTOL", a term " er gab sich die Pistole", which meant noble military suicide to restore lost honor
1
Lies on top of lies on top of lies. I don't know how we recover from the stain of this presidency. Kelly is now just another Trump sycophant and his credibility is in the toilet. I'm terribly sorry for his son's death, but he prostituted himself to this administration and he's now permanently soiled.
5
Is anyone immune to trump's derisive, unbalanced, insane and inane ramblings? Clearly Mr. Kelly too has fallen into the black hole that is this man's soul.
The congresswomen was right the WH is full of white supremacists. I have looked for any evidence to the contrary, no luck.
5
General, if your lie to us, and betray our confidence, then you are at least betraying what you stand for -- whether you are a hero or not. Grow up, or resign. (And also watch 60 minutes!)
1
Wilson boasted about getting the name approved. She was grandstanding, showboating, when she should have been sitting, if there at all. This was clear from the video. Kelly made a minor error in not remembering exactly what Wilson was boasting about. The left wing media are making a whole megillah out of it, because they are trying to hide the fact that the Russian collusion is going nowhere, and that Democrat actors are likely to get investigated for the Russia uranium deal, unmasking of US citizens, and pay-to-play Clinton Foundation and related Clinton shenanigans, not to mention HRC exoneration and Russia dirt on Trump. They also are trying desperately to keep Bill Clinton's name out of the press, in the wake of Weinstein and O’Reilly, though Bill was the original excused sexual harasser.
The Wilson/Johnson/Trump/Kelly minor event is now huge because it is a convenient distraction.
Not for long. And all this is sinking Democrats deeper and deeper. Democrats are wasting time on useless culture wars and anti-Trump hysteria while paying no attention to the disarray and the fatal division (Bernie/Elizabeth vs. former establishment) of their own party. Who will vote for them other than the fervent few? 2018 can’t come soon enough.
2
Representative Wilson had every right to be present at the dedication of a government office in her Florida district. She was probably expected to be there.
JXIII re JK's misstatement: nothing minor or unintentional about it. Your fellow travelers will believe it and repeat it forever.
Agreed: Nov 2018 can't come soon enough.
What is most disturbing about this episode is what it says about General Kelly. A man of principle does not resort to publicly trashing a Congresswoman's veracity and integrity, especially a female congresswoman. He doesn't spread lies about anyone to a national audience without checking out the facts. He doesn't enable his boss by supporting his fabricated delusions.
Has Kelly been so isolated in his military environment and his career that he sees no problem with what he has done?
We often hear the talk about how Trump has reduced these "men of principle" on his staff to humiliated sycophants. But it begs the question that maybe these men are not as honorable as we would like to believe given their prior histories. Maybe we believe the hype about them. And maybe these men got to where they were in industry and the military by playing the game, kissing up to authority, and waiting their turn to achieve a position of power. And maybe the Trump experience isn't all that different than industry and the military. The difference is we get to see it played out in the public arena whereas industry and the military are closed systems we never get to view.
General Kelly has a stellar military record. The loss of his son is horrible. However, it doesn't mean he is immune to the biases, prejudices, and foibles that the rest of us have.
4
Retired Gen. John Kelly seems to have replaced "Duty, Honor, Country" with "Loyalty, Disrespect, Officiousness" in defending his Commander-in-Chief while desecrating the death of a fallen soldier and his friend and mentor who was consoling his widow. In doing so, he he has shown no "virtue," no remorse, and no respect for human dignity. He must resign.
John Kelly has a reputation for honesty and integrity. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt, and assume that he didn't realize he was lying when he said he was "stunned" to hear the (false) remarks of the Congresswoman. When an older person with a reputation for honesty and integrity begins making false statements, apparently believing them to be true, perhaps he should be examined for onset of dementia or Alzheimers disease.
It is hard to assume he made a mistake when he hasn't come out and apologized for it. His only value now is to Trump as yet another toady.
Notice the photo. THAT, is the face of someone realizing he's sold his soul and lost his honor. He's been Trumped.
5
Pundits and editors have demonstrated an almost inexplicable weakness for grossly overestimating public figures' wisdom, good sense, and good judgement in both their public and private behavior. The almost knee jerk reverence for military luminaries stands out in particular. Please use your heads, people. The guy works for and defends Trump. There's your sense of good sense and judgement right there. What did you think he was going to say?! Why would anyone have reasonably expected anything different?
"One might have expected him to bring some dignity to this agonizing and confounding episode, putting things right with remarks chosen with the care for which he is known among his fellow service members. "
Some quotes from the American military –
David Petraeus - ‘We in uniform protect the rights of others to criticize us’
John McCain - "One aspect of the conflict that I will never ever countenance is that we drafted the lowest-income level of America, and the highest-income level found a doctor that would say that they had a bone spur. That is wrong. That is wrong. If we are going to ask every American to serve, every American should serve."
And, reaching back –
Dwight D. Eisenhower - “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.”
I’m not questioning the sacrifice that John Kelly has made for this country – just humbly asking him to take the above quotes with him next time he collects his thoughts and goes for a walk “among the finest men and women on this Earth.”
3
For some reason you have completely ignored his other comments and that he would only take questions from journalists with some connection to a service member or a service member killed in action, etc. THAT is the scandal here, that only certain people can question the government.
3
Since the beginning of the Trump administration he has surrounded himself with sycophants and billionaires who seem to be uniquely talented at uncivil service . And any student of history especially American history knows the danger of the military having too much power in the military/civilian nexus of government. So the fact that Trump has relied on an unusual number of General’s in key positions has always been extremely troubling to me. They illustrate one of Trumps many flaws in leadership is the paradigm of putting the wolves to guard the henhouse. It is said and I believe that Donald Trump‘s mentor Roy Cohn taught him the value of “lying and distraction”
and I think despite all his military discipline John Kelly has fallen into this rabbit hole.
3
Would someone please tell me what bringing up something that he thinks Rep. Wilson said in 2015 have anything to do with the issue he is discussing. I truly believe there must be something in the water supply at the White House. People who I thought might bring reality, intelligence and truth and dignity back to our country are falling one by one. And once again, the words and reaction toward John McCain regarding his service as a soldier and the Kahn family episode via Mr. Trump, is that not more appalling to Mr. Kelly, what are his recollections of those incidents.
3
It seems to me that one lesson to be learned is that if you are serving in the military, or thinking of signing up, and you end up making the ultimate sacrifice of giving your life, or becoming a prisoner of the enemy, you have a president/Commander-in-chief who will think nothing of insulting and picking a fight with your loved-ones.
2
What a disappointment. Gen. Kelly--held up as a stabilizing influence on the current amoral, chaotic administration--turns out to be just another enabler.
Further proof of the failure of our nation's elite military academies to engrain principles of honor and ethics into military leaders.
1
Our president seems to tarnish everything he touches. I never thought General Kelly would survive this new assignment without being stained. Even then, I was shocked at the gusto with which the General embaced being a hatchet man. General Kelly is in fact far worse than being a disgrace. His actions were degrading to himself. He stuck me as not only being extremely condescending but also probably extremely racist. For a while, I thought there was some personal animosity between the highly respected General and the congresswoman of whom he spoke. An empty barrel making the loudest noise. That was his description of the congresswoman. What brought that about? I feel sad for our beloved country.
2
True, Kelly was a last best hope that the WH had a shred of decency. The rest of the White House slinks around sunk in the morass of Trump world. Sanders (the voice) is more self-righteous missionary scolding unbelievers.
But, let's get back to Trump, he initiated this. Kelly was seen as the adult in the room. Did Trump see using one of the most painful experiences known to humans - a most sacred and private memory - the death of a loved one, as a chance to corral Kelly? It's unconscionable he used Kelly’s son to score points against Obama & Bush disrespecting not only Kelly, dead soldiers, grieving families but the people of the US. Trump desecrated this solemn occasion. It's a tragedy that his refusal to apologize, his arrogance, his tweets have bought suffering to so many lives.
I understand why this article was written, but it ignores the person who lit the fire, Trump. It was his refusal to answer questions about Niger instead choosing to bash his predecessors - the match that sparked this disgusting furor. I’ll hazard a guess, the only reason Trump called the soldiers family was to score political points. He wasn't thinking of the soldier's family he was thinking only of himself, how he could use this for bragging rights, that's why this went so horribly wrong.
Of course Kelly should apologize, but why do you ask nothing of Trump? The fact that Trump is incapable does not give him a pass, he holds the highest office, he has immense power far beyond his capabilities.
2
And the rot spreads. From the top down. And a once honorable man debases himself in the service of an even less honorable man.
2
To channel Jon Stewart: I remain amazed at the number of people who continue to spout false stories or recollections while failing to realize the prevalence of recorded video today. How could someone as able as John Kelly try to defend himself and his boss by telling a pernicious lie about a member of Congress? The lie is bad enough, but to fail to consider that their might be recorded video that would disclose the lie (which is now commonplace) shows the same shoot-from-the-hip lack of judgment that undercuts his boss each time 45 opens his mouth.
2
“this maybe last thing that’s held sacred in our society” — the sacrifice of an American soldier’s life on the battled."
The fact that we are still sending our mostly poor and young with the occasional upper class person to die in an ignorant and stupid war that greed and power hunger started and is continuing is a tragedy There is no "noble" or Just end for this insane war. Each life lost is a horrible tragedy What is being sacrificed is the sacred bond of our nation of liberty, justice and freedom for ALL.
3
We had the daft idea -- sprung from our cliches of military service -- that Kelly took the job to bring some dignity and discipline to the White House. We've been disabused of that idea by now.
3
Kelly has transitioned into a gutter snipe in service to Trump. Respect and admiration for him has been much diminished by his awkward attempt at Swiftboating Congresswoman Wilson.
2
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but the photo of Gen. Kelly here seems to show an expression of deep shame. If he isn't ashamed, he should be. Trump's rise to power and maintenance of it on a daily basis could never have happened without the complicity of dishonorable, amoral enablers, be they judges, senators, mobsters or generals. Gen. Kelly's disingenuous complicity, when he could have made a real difference simply by telling the truth, represents a new low.
2
I believe that Kelly remembered the speech that Representative Wilson gave that way. When he called her an empty barrel, he was remembering a swaggering black woman in a cowboy hat boasting about securing funds and her connections to Obama.
But here's the thing...we know that's not what Representative Wilson said. Kelly remembered it wrong. That tells us something about Kelly. And his refusal to apologize is telling us even more.
We are all products of an unequal society. When you are shown to have responded to something in a way that is biased or racist, it's an opportunity to course correct. This is learning moment for Kelly and he is not taking the lesson.
8
Maybe he believes in spite of Visual and Audio to the contrary he's still Right?
In the bunker that contains the Oval Office and the surrounding cocoon of offices inhabit the White House staff that infantilize Donald J. Trump. In private, the president is said to be unsure and needing constant assurance as opposed to his public persona of Mr. Tough Guy, deal maker extraordinaire. One has to conclude that the desire to shield and protect this incompetent, damaged president is what drives this White House and allows these people to rationalize or discount the obvious. The man to whom they remain loyal does not deserve loyalty as he is a clear and present danger to the country he has power over and the entire world order. I don't care much that history will not be kind to them, as the fear of what disaster he will next usher in is terrifying.
Mr. Kelly has not lived up the the billing of unimpeachable integrity, he cleaves to a man who lies constantly, who is incapable of doing the job he was elected to do and whose ego is so fragile that he cannot even find grace for a pregnant war widow.
3
I am so saddened to hear a general who seemed to be respected (but maybe that was just in contrast to Trump?) debase himself by getting mixed up in the same kind of twisting of the truth that Trump and the Faux News crowd have been doing for years. John Kelly -- apologize to Wilson - apologize to the media for spreading alternative facts - apologize to all of us. Couldn't agree more with New York Times. Thank you New York Times and the adults who work there. Please please please keep your fact checkers well-staffed and happy and keep delivering us as straight a view of the facts as possible.
4
Kelly is just short for Kellyanne.
I guess there is some sort of perverse bravery in standing before people an unabashedly stating "alternative facts."
There is so much about this latest tragic Trump vignette that is disappointing and upsetting, but most of all is that a 4 Star General of the United States Marine Corps did not first and foremost offer his heartfelt gratitude and condolences to the family of a fallen soldier, but instead chose to tell a lie to disparage the character of a Congresswoman.
Semper fi? Really? Faithful to what?
It profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world, but for Donald Trump?
7
I'm a little tired of all this "sacrifice" talk. Being in the military doesn't make it onto most "25 most dangerous jobs" lists. Where is the talk about sacrifice by farmers, lumberjacks and bush pilots? The military is a good and legitimate way out of small-town claustrophobia for many young people, a career for some and a way toward higher education for others. Let's stop adding this whole pseuo-patriotic mush to the fact of joining the military and helping old, male Americans invade countries that never did us any harm. Or the implication that the most heavily-armed military in the world offers itself up, passively like Jesus, to be sacrificed.
7
It's not like drones were developed to facilitate selfies.
Nicely put. I also tire of "thank you for your service." I don't like that human beings are violent creatures and that our artificial national borders must be protected through warfare. I'm not proud of our species for needing standing armies and nuclear missiles. This need may be the reality of our human shortcomings, but it's not something to be proud about. The military is our mechanism to get a job done that needs doing, but I'm not thanking anybody for it.
As you point out, plenty of jobs are more dangerous, and they don't usually come with such good benefits.
Greed. Gluttony. Ego. Sexism. Racism. Narcissism. I have been deeply concerned that these destructive forces controlled Donald Trump's perspectives, ambitions and actions. But NO these forces have invaded the Presidential Offices and the White House and our Military. As WE the PEOPLE worry about North Korea and Health Care we are missing the opportunity to observe OUR GREAT DEMOCRACY internally implode and transform into a poisonous sewer. Greed. Gluttony. Ego. Sexism. Racism Narcissism. MLK & RFK would not just blame Trump and Four Star Generals. I am certain that both of their souls have been decimated by the reality that it is the American People who allowed this "State of Affairs" to happen.
3
Just another case of Trumpitis. It has been known to turn previously responsible people into pathological liars. The only known cures are either Extreme Avoidance or Uncommon sense.
1
Like members of his cabinet, republicans in Congress, the judiciary as a whole, like our alliances and the leaders of our allies, like every American and world citizen, Trump lowers the dignity, intelligence, integrity, and honesty of everyone he touches. That applies double for the people who work for this miserable president. Why should Kelly be any different?
Some republican politicians like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan continue to cross their fingers and hope they can push through their agenda before the bottom falls out. Other republicans are just praying that they can get through the next election. All republicans are hopelessly compromised by Trump. Trump is the great destroyer and we will be lucky if we manage to get through his administration.
1
Nice attempt at diversion EB, but the main issue is a publicity seeking congresswoman using the death of a special service soldier during the line of duty as a cheap publicity stunt. She twisted an attempt by the President to honor his service with what should have been a private conversation with the widow into something ugly and untrue. She is getting her time in the spotlight, unfortunately for her though America is watching and understands just how reprehensible her acts are.
Sadly, your own attempt at diversion was less successful- the point of this essay is that General Kelly missed an opportunity to move forward by needlessly bringing Congresswoman Wilson into his remarks and attributing statements to her which were demonstrably false. The most charitable construction is that his long-term memory is deeply flawed
1
Up until his deplorable behavior while defending Trump's fumbling the expression of condolences to a Gold Star family, John Kelly was considered the one honest adult in the Trump administration. The man of integrity and competence.
His integrity was ruined when he chose to respond in dramatic fashion (his walk through Arlington National Cemetery, etc..) to Trump's latest example of incompetence. And Kelly's competence was ruined when he couldn't even coach the selfish Trump through one phone call with a widow.
Kelly has revealed himself to be nothing more than another angry Trump sycophant intent on enabling Trump's deplorable character.
2
"Maybe he simply misremembered what happened that day; we all make mistakes." I think so, and I hope Kelly is able to apologize; it would go far to heal this wound and humanize the man we all hope, perhaps too optimistically, will protect us from the worst of Trump's thoughtlessness.
Important to note however that the fuzzy nature of memory is a location where our prejudices are inclined to slip in and take over. In that brain location where Kelly couldn't remember, that's where his racism and sexism grabbed the steering wheel.
3
It is impossible to be a person of honor in the Trump administration.
For most of Trump's appointees, honor is the furthest thing from their mind. But I suspect Kelly will live to deeply regret the lies and shame he has brought upon himself for lying and using his dead son as a political prop.
1
please let us all stop believing that generals are some superior class of human. they do not rise to their positions without political savvy and great ambition. john kelly is no different. the problem is he's really a politician now..... he left the stars at the white house door.
4
"Mr. Kelly said that he was speaking up to defend 'this maybe last thing that’s held sacred in our society' — the sacrifice of an American soldier’s life on the battlefield."
Mr. Kelly, truth and accountability are also sacred to democracy and you know first hand many have died supporting and defending it. Yet, you publicly aligned yourself with, and defended the views of a pathological draft dodging liar who -- in my opinion -- has done nothing for the military but insult them again and again since his campaign began, and since taking the presidency.
A confident man acknowledges his shortcomings. With Trump, I don't believe he will ever own his mistakes. I'm hoping I'm wrong about you.
1
As difficult as it may be he should apologize and save whatever vestige of character he has left. Tough to accept he represents the men and women who have died for the ideals our President consistently besmirches
If Mr. Kelly lies about something so provably false, I have to ask whether he found it so easy to lie during his 40 years in military service, when he wasn't in the public eye and both his superiors and subordinates simply assumed that as an officer he would not lie.
We've already established that he is not the adult in the room, and as the head of DHS was instrumental in tens of thousands of deportations, the destruction of American families, and the closure of perhaps hundreds of businesses. He is not a nice man. He is not a good man. It is time for the the NYT to explore his career in detail. My guess is that we'll find that recent behavior and lies are not aberrations but rather the essence of the man. And in this regard his behavior is a disservice to men and women who have indeed served with honor at all levels in the military.
2
I believe that Gen. Kelly referred to comments Congresswoman Wilson made at the event, outside of the speech. These comments apparently offended him, plus the fact that she was a black female referring to a black president, and that's what he remembered, his emotional reaction at the time. He got on his high horse, and now he's stuck, because he has no evidence of Wilson making the comments that he remembers hearing, in contrast to her documented speech.
2
General Kelly days have gone by and you lost your chance to apologize to the congresswoman whose previous speech is all over the net , which was respectful and compassionate .
Obviously you never listened to it but was coached with lies from trump.
I would like to get into your mindset how you lost it in that moment.
As for I lost all the respect for you sir.
There is no going back now !
4
Power, like alcohol and drugs, often unmasks even the best hidden truths. General Kelly, a hitherto respected military leader, turns out to be just another sycophant. What a deplorable way to besmirch a reputation and tarnish a 40-year military career.
1
Those Americans who believe military 'top brass' are forever truthful in their comments and intentions are willfully ignorant of American military history. . .one should read about the lies coming from Generals during the Vietnam War, or watch the new Ken Burns series about it. Such ignorant persons should also examine other nations where military is considered to be unerring, such as Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, China, etc. The farewell address of President Eisenhower best summarizes the military. . .he warned 'be ware of the military industrial complex'. Ret. Gen. Kelly is specifically the military guy to be wary of.
2
We know the pattern. We see it everyday on the news channels. Trump supporters looking a blatant lie straight in the eye—and denying it. Or, only slightly less repulsive, playing the game of false equivalence between a blatant lie and a mischaracterized counter to that lie so that a casual spectator (spectator—not citizen; that’s what we’ve become) can’t tell the difference.
There is no equivalence between General Kelly’s lie about Representative Federica Wilson’s speech to the FBI and Representative Wilson’s response to that lie. If Kelly did not lie about Wilson, Wilson would not have had to respond with her heightened rhetoric. The lie and not the rhetoric is the initiating problem, and so the lie and not the rhetoric is what must be apologized for. That Kelly has not apologized for what should be as clear to him as it is to everyone else reveals the collapse of his integrity. He too, as with everyone else in the Trump administration, has become contaminated goods. And his contamination will now add to the overall contamination to spread its influence.
One other thing must be considered. WHY did General Kelly so misread Representative Wilson’s speech? A speech that praised Democrats and Republicans alike, that asked all FBI agents to stand for a ovation that she led, that FBI Director James Comey himself praised effusively—was seen by General Kelly as shameless self-aggrandizing. Why?
Could it be that to Kelly Representative Wilson was just an uppity black woman?
4
John Kelly's days as chief of staff (WH) are coming to an end, He lost all credibility, in spite of having been a decorated general that fought wars for his country yesteryear. People change, I guess; but what is galling, is the motive, the defense of our vulgar bully in chief as he continues to misbehave and disrespect others.
1
This White House is where careers and reputations go to die in the service of Donald Trump's ego and insecurity. The victims put themselves in harm's way voluntarily, as Trump's character (or lack thereof) was obvious and well documented. The list is already long, and since he has no loyalty to anyone but himself, will grow longer.
1
Kelly has tarnished the Marine Code of Honor. And also his OATH TO THE COUNTRY.
For he owes his ALLEGIANCE FIRST TO THE NATION.
But instead he chose trump.
For SHAME!
3
"Maybe he simply misremembered what happened that day..."
No. He lied.
Why do people keep giving this guy the benefit of the doubt?
Kelly gleefully went along with the unconstitutional ban on Muslims when he was at DHS.
When Trump was represented with a ceremonial saber at a Coast Guard graduation, Kelly was caught on a hot mic whispering, "Maybe you can use it on the press, sir."
And now this whole sorry incident.
He willingly works for Trump. He's not one of the "good guys," no matter how much the press desperately wants it to be the case.
10
The Marine Corps motto is "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful). Mr. Kelly seems to have forgotten this fundamental principle. If I were giving him the benefit of the doubt, I would say that he knows that he is the only one preventing the madness from spreading more quickly, and so he knows must play along just enough to keep from getting fired. That's got to be giving him a massive dose of cognitive dissonance. Hang tough, Marine. You blew that mission, but you're still in the fight. Semper Fi!
I was hoping against hope that Kelly would bring some semblance of sanity to the White House. Boy, was I naive. It is absolutely stultifying that Kelly took a page from Trump's playbook - insult, then deny and then throw mud at the person bringing the wrong to light. As a black woman, the fact that two black women have been insulted and marginalized is not lost on me. Trump's failure to utter the fallen soldier's name and Kelly and Trump calling Congressmen Wilson an empty barrel is just too much to bear. And of course dragging Obama's good name into this mess only reinforces the racial animus that I believe lies underneath this sordid episode.
5
As Lawrence O'Donnell pointed out in an excellent commentary last week, John Kelly is a product of his environment. He is an Irish American from the Boston area. I remember vividly the ugly and violent reports from the 1970's when they were desegregating the schools. That sort of racial prejudice is exactly what John Kelly grew up with and sadly, obviously retains to this day. He is a racist. That a grown man, a supposed 4 Star General, would stoop to lying and name calling is the most frightening and shameful episode I've seen so far in this disastrous Administration. Don't blame Trump for this; if "General" Kelly got this far in life he surely knows what he is doing. He should resign both from his current position and his 4 Stars. He doesn't deserve them. What a lousy representative of our Armed Forces.
6
This whole mess is truly sickening, caused by one person—Trump—and exacerbated by his chief of staff Kelly. Once thought to be the adult caretaker in the room, Kelly has become one of the adult clients in the adult day care center that is the White House.
It's shameful that Kelly won't apologize to Congresswoman Wilson. His rant about her was wrong from start to finish. The only thing he remembered correctly from the FBI ceremony was his utter hate and disdain for this hard-working congresswoman. He questioned her listening to the condolence conversation, yet he did the exact same listening on the other end. He needs to examine his heart and his motivations in attacking the congresswoman and needs to apologize to her at once. I would also like to see him resign. I really can't look at him anymore without wincing.
And beyond the pale, Trump continues to disrespect the pregnant widow of Sgt. Johnson. Trump has cultivated himself as a vulgar mean-spirited bully, and then wonders why people hear disrespect in everything he says. You reap what you sow Mr. Trump. I believe Myeshia.
2
My only hope when all "his" generals were named to top posts in the White House was that they would remember the oath they took to the Constitution because it was certain that t rump would not. That they would remember their loyalty is to the Constitution and the Nation it represents, not to the thin skinned vulgarian who temporarily resides in "our" house.
Now I am not full of confidence that "our" generals remember their duty is to US.
4
Some weeks ago, a journalist or commentator made a telling point: exactly what quality of people do you think would even consider joining the toxic Trump administration? Exactly: only fools, rogues or those naive enough to think they could touch pitch and not be defiled. Americans love a uniform, and for a while there, Kelly looked good, even though he rarely sounded or acted particularly good. But at the end of they day, despite the uniform, despite the ramrod posture, despite the sadness of his son's death, Kelly was shown to be exactly what he really is: just another one of Trump's sock puppets.
6
Here's what I want to know: Why was General Kelly intimately familiar with an obscure speech that an obscure congresswomen made a few years back? This sin't a fact that I would expect anyone to have readily on hand. Rather, it seems likely that this was a piece of opposition research that was handed to Kelly for use in his little diatribe.
Gotta wonder how the good General feels getting played like this by folks who are willing to destroy his personal credibility defending a pathological liar.
5
Will someone at the NYT ask Mr. Kelly: "Why and on what legal authority is the US in Niger?"
Congress has not declared war on Niger. There is no threat to US national security in Niger.
Why are we there?
6
Whoever America's best one percent are, Kelly by his words and subsequent refusal to retract them, proved he's not among them.
2
It is time for General Kelly to make a career change. Simply put " lie down with dogs" etc.
It is terribly sad to see a fine, honorable gentleman prostitute, to quote the definition "sacrifice their self-respect', for the like of a man like the president.
My deepest sympathy to him and all Gold Star families.. Hopefully he will find it in his conscience to apologize, set the record straight, recover his credibility, to say the least, and his dignity and the respect that he deserves.
3
Just one more example - as if we needed one - that this White House drags down into the mire every single individual who attempts to work in it.
4
A honorable outstanding military man aligned with a draft dodger. Kelly should walk away.
No American should tolerate Trump.
Blame conservative voters for electing him. Never vote Republican.
3
Forget Kelly. What should be emblazoned front and center is a photo of our nefarious president presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain Gary Rose a true hero in a violent war. And the caption should read
"The gallant Captain saved lives while our current president skipped that war and drove around New York in his Cadillac with vanity plates."
6
So, General Kelly, this is how it all tragically, sadly ends. A lifetime of prior distinguished military service shredded in the public's mind through a later, civilian casting of your lot with an amoral man-child whose every vile, repulsive characteristic was the antithesis of all those treasured ideals and values that service embodied. In fact, doubly tragic and sad as you were well aware, or should have been, of the bottomless character deficiencies of that person whom you yet willingly chose to serve and defend. You inexorably became the company you kept.
3
“this maybe last thing that’s held sacred in our society” The irony of this statement is amazing. Does Kelly even know the depth of moral and intellectual bankruptcy that is his boss and those who work for and support him? Fear, greed and beliefs have made conservatives brain dead to facts and reality.
1
Now you can relax Mr. Kelly. You don't have to carry the heavy burden of goodness any more because now we know who you truly are.
8
America deserves a President and administration that can be trusted to speak the truth. And a Congress that will impeach and convict, if the Trump administration continues to break that trust
2
With few exceptions, the current administration continues to demonstrate how ill-suited its members are for the positions they hold. The office has not changed the man at the top, as some of us hoped might happen. Sadly, the idea that anyone can grow up to be President one day is actually a myth. The constant "rinse, blather, retweet" coming from the White House is pathetic and troubling.
In lies and name calling, Kelly only degraded his position, adding to the national disgrace that is this presidency. Then his delusional assertion that women in the 1950s were “sacred” would inspire a library of rebuttal. Suffice to say he's never talked to an actual women about that, and he should avoid the sociology business.
4
"This nation is in crying need of a demonstration of virtue in public life,...."
It's a bit late to be endorsing Bernie Sanders, isn't it?
1
A sad commentary on an otherwise good man. SAD!
A number of years ago, there was a Republican with integrity(that really dates me doesn't it?) He was a no nonsense guy who, due to his history of sacrifice and pain, as well as his experience as a statesman, made him an excellent choice to be our next president. He then caved in to his party's penchant for selfishness, greed and stupidity and he sold out, at the time I thought he sold his soul. I read about his choice of running mate, Sara Palin, she then opened her mouth and I voted for Barack Obama...twice. John McCain, in my mind now, not too late, has regained his integrity. General Kelly, a man of great courage, who also sacrificed greatly for his country, a seemingly decent man, a wonderful choice for Chief of Staff, a spokesperson for a Republican president, who when he opens his mouth, disgraces the office of POTUS, and all she is supposed to stand for. How long will it take you sir, don't wait, regain your integrity, man up, do what you would want your men to do...admit your mistake and speak the truth.and upon admitting your mistake, apologize to the Congesswoman and to the America that you have served so well.
2
Mr John Kelly has had ample time to apologize for his deliberate lies. It is quite evident that he has no plans to do so. He is now a convicted liar, and will carry that label for the rest of his days.
2
In this administration, truth is in the eye of the beholder.
2
"this maybe last thing that's held sacred"-- what about the truth, Mr. Kelly? Is that not sacred? Listen to the words of another president: "Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred" -- Vaclav Havel
4
One more man who used to be a good man, compromised by falling in line with Trump's Big Lie approach to sustaining his delusional view of a world that revolves around himself.
2
I believe that if John Kelly was still wearing his military uniform on Thursday when he delivered his tirade from behind the White House podium, he would have been reprimanded by a Commanding Officer.
His action was conduct unbecoming an officer.
5
"Honor the Truth"?
What a minute. How do we know the truth—from a piece of video display?
Sure maybe John forgot how the interview went, but it's more likely he's just another pig at the trough, hoping for leftovers.
2
General Kelly has been reported to be an honorable man. If he does not correct his false accusation of Rep. Wilson soon, we must assume that was FAKE NEWS
1
Yes but he is General and therefore honor him or else, otherwise tell Ovechkin to score more goals
Mr Kelly thought he was being cute when he made the false statements regarding the death of the soldier and probably was under the impression his past service was sufficient to not him being questioned. Is there no one left in the White House who can tell the truth or is this is the new normal?
1
Mendacity seems to be contagious in this White House. How sad to see a decorated patriot and Gold Star parent kowtow to a man who is loyal only to himself.
2
The "empty barrel" comment continues to make me cringe. Everything he said concerning Rep. Frederica Wilson was a mean spirited lie. That he refuses to apologize is alarming.
6
Really? Kelly misremembered a 2015 speech by this congresswoman? Don't you think that preparedness ( a high sung military trait) would require one to double check facts before an attack? Sure glad he is not leading the troops now.
6
Mr. Kelly looks very weak in not accepting his error. So sad!
2
Kelly is an ex-general and a present 'politician' (chief of staff ). He did his job to defend his boss which is not easy. He is a care taker of child care center and the center is dysfunctional. He insulted Rep.Wilson to please his boss. Kelly is not a perfect politician yet and contaminated by Trump and surroundings. So let us understand and forget the episode.
One of the weapons used in the stealth of political freedom is the lie told over and over again. Tell it often enough and it becomes the truth. None of of the lies or the liars in the Trump White House should be ignored. The people in this government must be called out loudly for their lies. They need to know that they cannot get away with them. The one way to do that is to get more Democrats in Congress in 2018 and get rid of these liars and their enablers currently representing us.
John Kelly wasn't speaking to us. He wasn't speaking to you. He was speaking to Donald Trump.
The line about walking in Arlington amongst the graves of young people who he said he put there, because of decisions he made, that was for Trump. The line about walking amongst the finest people he knows...that was aimed at Trump. Laying out that Trump had no idea what to say, that was important too.
Every bit of that press briefing was for Donald Trump, not us. This man knows his boss is insane and has been working with the specific intent of how to reliably communicate with him. If he makes it sound like he's attacking the press, Trump may absorb some of the information. Here it is: 1) When you are President you send people to die. 2) They are the best people we have. 3) Don't sacrifice lives on a whim. 4) If you're a dolt without empathy, listen to your advisors. They are trying to mitigate the damage Donald Trump has wrought on this nation.
Dig a little deeper journalist, friends. Who was Kelly's real audience? What was he actually saying to that person>
1
It might have been OK had he stopped before he attacked Representative Wilson. Then It didn't matter who he was talking to because he lied. Trump's brain already seems to be filled with enough misinformation and hate and Kelly serves no purpose by feeding him more lies.
This unfortunate sequence of events merely demonstrates Donald Trump’s ability to drag even honorable men like John Kelly into the mud with him.
Seen from abroad, the way American honour their soldiers looks repulsive for many. First comes this obscene "Gold Star family" notion, as if deaths deserved golden accolades. Gold is the colour of Trump. Gold is the reason why he got elected in a country where money reigns supreme over any other value. He can insult anybody, promote corruption, discrimination and racism over any law or decency because he is a millionaire adored and admire by the many for whom Gold is the supreme value. Should we bestow a similar golden accolade to the families of civilians in foreign countries killed by American bombs?
4
Kelly may have been an officer but he's no gentleman.
1
“Misremembered “ ??? “We all make mistakes”? No one could take what Congresswoman Wilson said during that FBI building dedication and twist it into the reprehensible remake of her speech that he said ‘stunned’ him. He then used his false version to personally excoriate her to the press and American people. And he also, in a very trumpian way, managed to bring President Obama into the frey as someone who takes a call from (in Kelly’s version) a crass and flamboyant black woman (an ‘empty barrel’) and immediately doles out millions to her. All lies, of course.
It took a knock on our collective heads to realize that no one takes the job as trump’s chief of staff unless he supports his policies and vision for the country
100 %. So much so that he shares the contempt that trump has towards the press by dictating who shall be deemed righteous enough to even question him. He is an obvious trumper to the core.
6
Was it just couple of months ago when the Times heaped praise on John Kelly because the editorial board was certain Kelly would be the adult in the room charged with the unappealing task of keeping our child-president out of trouble.
It doesn't take much to go from hero to zero when the mainstream media decides to throw you under the bus for not living up to their expectations.
It started as a awkward or heartless condolence call. Getting called on it prompted Trump to yell 'Squirrel' and lie about former presidents (again). He drags in Kelly to cover for him and Kelly disgustingly disgraces his perhaps not deserved reputation by lying again about a sitting congresswoman who just happens to be a black woman. An incontrovertible video comes out exposing Kelly's racist and cruel lies. Then the press secretary (Huckabee Sanders) stands by the bald-faced lie and questions the appropriateness of our press asking questions of the white house chief of staff. This is not just embarassing it is dangerous. The 500 or so members of congress who simply watch this happen a guilty of allowing our democracy to degenerate into a dictatorship. There is no point in asking Donald Trump or any of his minions - Have you no shame? However, all of us should call our congresspersons and senators and ask them - Have you no shame? How can you let this presidency go on? The 500 odd members of the congress, senate, and cabinet are the only ones who chart a peaceful end to this disastrous presidency before November 2018. A lot of bad things can happen in a little over a year. I don't think we can blame them on Trump at this point. The congress and cabinet have the responsibility to recognize when the president is not fit to serve and we are beyond that point now. Please call your congressional representatives and call for the impeachment of this president.
5
I have a feeling that ret. General Kelly ....will decide to re state his comments
and regain the dignity.
2
Kelly burnt his reputation with that speech.
For the WH it was compounded by the needless attack by that bulldog Sarah Sanders - All Hat and no Cow. So rude.
Every day one wonders, how much lower can it all go?
2
Go back and watch how Chris Matthews on MSNBC lavished praise on Gen. Kelly for his great performance in defending Donald Trump. It reminds you of how Matthews also praised Kellyanne Conway for being "one of us."
1
Nor, by the way is he honoring his son, Second Lt. Robert Kelly.
2
Why would anyone of stature answer the call of Trump, knowing, being a toady, would be part of the job.
1
Kelly has no courage to honor the truth.
1
John, I told you that Trumps basket of ill will, lack of compassion and his other deficits are catching. But oh no, you didn't listen. Don't let your 40 years of service be diminished by your current assignment. Now how about a four star apologize.
2
Kelly should resign. He either lies easily, or he creates situations in his head which he thinks are true.
How Much Longer? Not Much Longer! How The Mighty Are Falling . . .
1
When you make a deal to dance with the devil, only a fool expects a waltz. Kelly is Trump's latest and, in many ways, saddest collaborator yet. And maybe we, so desperate for hope, naively chose to believe this old Marine would be a "Semper Fi" kind of guy. He is not.
We will never know why Kelly has chosen to sell his soul. We had hoped he stood between us and a madman, and that he agreed to take this job for the general good of the country. He betrayed our trust. He has thrown his lot in with Trump's truth-challenged fraternity.
There is videotape evidence the Kelly spoke awful falsehoods about a 75 year old black Congresswoman. Common honor (not the higher USMC kind, just the common lowest level kind) demands that he apologize. It's this simple:
"I want to apologize to Congresswoman Wilson. My description of her behavior at the dedication of the new FBI building was incorrect."
John Kelly: if you have any remaining decency, you must says these words and move on. Don't disgrace yourself, the Corps and this country any further. Out of respect for your Gold Star fatherhood, I will say no more.
5
Anyone who spends a lot of time around this terrible president is diminished by the experience. So, behaving just like his boss, John Kelly won't correct his "untruths." No surprise.
5
The stain of association to Donald Trump will eventually despoil all who willingly put themselves near it. The road leading from his admisistration will be littered with hollowed out reputations.
4
Once you get labeled a liar it is hard to get the label unstuck Mr Kelly.
6
Career military are by no means great advocates of the truth, by any means. They go along with the party line in order to advance their careers. They look upon the president as their "Commander-in-Chief." Kelly's actions are no surprise, and are in consonance with fellow "lifers," who follow their superiors to the grave, even if they are ignorant despots like #45.
3
before Thursday, i admired General Kelly, wondering the sacrifice he had to make to serve in Trump administration ( i thought people who must have lost their heads and hearts in order to work under for a despicable man). did Trump "infect" him to take such action of untruth or this was the side we never knew of Kelly ? anyway, people coming close to Trump are eventually humiliated and burned.
3
This is insane. There is video proof that Kelly lied, yet he and the WH continue to insist his story is true. And no one in the GOP is calling them out. It's truly Orwellian.
5
Stop expecting grownups to restrain him. As the saying goes, "when you dance with the devil, the devil don't change. He changes you." It's really not more complicated than that.
5
Kelly gave up on truth when he signed up with Trump. His time at DHS showed him to be as gleefully cruel and mendacious as Trump. Kelly and Trump should resign.
3
General Kelly need not correct his statement about the congresswoman's FBI building involvement, because, Fox News hasn't given him the script.
2
How sad that general Kelly has succumbed to the Trump disease of attacking without really knowing ( or worse yet, knowing and not acknowledging) the Truth). My theory is that Trump asked Kelly for advice on how to talk to family members about military deaths and Kelly as an aside to Trump said "He knew what he was signing up for" and thus Trump, the stupidest person to ever occupy the oval office, just quoted Kelly verbatim. And so Kelly felt obligated to defend this President. Even the so-called "adults" get dragged into the muck by this president. How sad for all of us.
2
I'm starting a national office pool guessing how many lies president dodger the cowardly bone-spur bozo will amass before everybody in the country starts booing and hissing every time he shows up in public and is shouted down uniformly by those yelling for his resignation. I'm predicting 316,083 lies will be the tipping point. Whoever gets it correct will get a handmade trump commemorative collectors item as a prize - just contact me in Port Townsend, WA....they'll know who I am.
2
This episode proves the old saying that, if you lie down with a skunk . . . ."
Gen. Kelly, under the delusion that he would restrain the madman, sullied his reputation and shredded his credibility. His colleague HR McMaster did the same thing when he lied about whether Trump gave Russian officials classified information the Israelis provided to the US. What will the other so-called adult Gen. Mattis do when his turn comes?
As the conservative military analyst Eliot Cohen warned, decent Republicans not to get mixed up with President Trump.
2
Kelly knew what he signed up for when he enlisted in Trump's white house.
1
Why are you stating Kelly "misremembered" when he out and out lied? Is it because he is a retired 4 Star General? Kelly was not at the event that Congresswomen Wilson spoke at. So it is apparent that Kelly did not "misremember" anything. He got his information from unreliable sources, at the very least or he knew the truth and stated otherwise.
So I am left with two conclusions. He is not bright enough to ask for bonafide facts from whomever gave him the information. Or he had the information and he lied about it, not expecting to be questioned because he is a 4 Star General. Either way, Kelly has drank the Kool-aid in the White House.
2
Stunning that this seemingly honorable man has still not apologized...the swamp metastasizes....
2
The General probably isn't Allowed to Speak before the public until he can muster up a better set of lies than the initial set.
1
“I’m sorry, I meant no disrespect, your son was a hero. Please accept my apology and sincerest condolences.” Impossible words for Trump and apparently for Kelly also.
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Unfortunately if you spend more time around deception and less time studying to show yourself approved, this is what happens. Sarah Sanders and General Kelly have very little time to spend in prayer and meditation because they have made Trump their first love. I pray they will eventually turn it around.
You can bet that Trump told him what to say.
I never knew much about Kelly. I figured if he worked for Trump he couldn't be much but I hoped he would be better, which I suppose he is. But if he didn't lie about Rep. Wilson, then he remembered through a lens of seething racial resentment. You could hear it in his voice: how dare this nothing black woman stand up and make a speech at all.
And the ridiculous comments about what is sacred while working for Trump. Credibility is gone.
167
No evidence from reality can disturb Kelly's sense of who Rep. Wilson "truly" is: an uppity, narcissistic, self-serving woman who does not respect the achievements of others.
This is no different from the rest of the world that operates on power, not justice: from police body cams clearly showing unjustified killings, to Trump's "Access Hollywood" tape, to Gold Star mothers, to white supremacist violence in Charlotte, these men are undisturbed by evidence that contradicts their power and "good sense" for determining the way things will go.
3
In the media briefing, Mr.Kelly forgot for whatever reason that there is NOTHING more sacred than TRUTH - not religion (CERTAINLY NOT), not women or any other that he mentioned!!!
By essentially LYING, he perverted sacredness.
Truth is NOT something that can be massaged for expediency. At times truth may be ugly but MUST remain ugly. ANY other portrayal of truth will be a perversion.
Of course, sometimes truth must remain hidden - such as state secrets. As an ex-Four star General, Mr. Kelly must know all about that. However, this was NOT such a case.
Mr. Khizr Khan articulated very eloquently about the fall of Mr. Kelly in this regard when he spoke with Anderson Cooper on CNN yesterday. Mr. Kelly should note what Mr. Khan spoke and correct himself accordingly.
Mr. Kelly can learn a LOT from Mr. Khan.
1
When will commentators realize we are dealing with an all-purpose authoritarian package composed of a monomaniacal demagogue, a supine legislature, a packed judiciary, a bevy of plutocrats (the cabinet), free-floating supremacists (Steven Miller and his minions), and a military junta (three generals telling civilians where to get off)? Why is this not home-grown fascism?
2
I respected John Kelly before his sordid words. Not any more. It’s remarkable—and sad—how his boss manages to drag even the most honorable Americans down to his level.
1
Misrremembered. What exactly does that mean?
It is a hard job Kelly has but to be drawn into the fantasy world that the malignant narcissistic Trump lives in is beyond the pale. Lying and lying often must be the bywords of this administration. Shame on you Gen Kelly I expected better from you. At least now I know to never trust your word just like I would never take Trump on his word.
Please, John Kelly, honor your son's memory by a simple act of adult character. Admit you misremembered Rep. Wilson's remarks, apologize to her, and give La David Johnson's widow the deep condolences you must truly feel. And then, privately, tell your boss to grow up.
Please, sir, understand that more than 60% of Americans are deeply frightened by our tantrum-prone president who wields power like a 5-year old. A spoiled and willful brat has the nuclear codes?? We are somewhat comforted by your seemingly mature presence and influence. If you cannot display simple adult character we will sink even more deeply into our despair.
1
Ms. Wilson's speech at the opening of the new FBI headquarters in Florida in April, 2015, in its entirety, can be seen on youtube. Watching it clarifies the story. Obviously General Kelly did not nor was he likely there as he so stated.
wouldn't it be refreshing if they met alone and emerged saying they had worked out any misunderstanding, refusing to further entertain the media leeches!
2
This may be the essence of the “man baby” concept we hear discussed in relation to Trump, Weinstein, et. Al, and that is the demand to respect the FORMS of meaning, flags, uniforms, offices, and to ignore the CONTENT to such a degree that fact-checking is utterly irrelevant. While men appear deeply surprised to hear how many women suffered the Weinsteins of the world, women all know nothing will be done, except to them if they speak up, so they shut up and put up with it. White liberals appear surprised that African Americans taking a knee at a sporting event are heavily criticized at all levels of society, but African Americans all know that any form of dissent from them is unwelcome.
2
So, Kelly is just another enabler of Trump's destruction of American democracy.
1
John Kelly got caught into the vortex of lies. Pretty sad. And he was supposed to be the adult in the room. Guess not.
Trump and Kelly are white. The congresswoman and widow are black, which means open season to attack for Trump and Kelly. End of story.
2
People of all colors can tell the truth or lie. This is basic morality.
Mr Kelly and Mr Trump are grownups not children. The one with the Honor Code chose to lie. Trump lies all the time.
OK, so after agreeing that Kelly really botched the job and is probably suffering inside for the humiliation he's brought upon himself and the topic of Gold Star Families, what is the probability he was merely following orders from "Our Beloved Leader" to go out there and play whack a mole with the objects of irritation, getting it all deeper into the swamp?
Sounds pretty likely to me he was cued up for the fall by a small handed accomplice.
Sad....
1
General Kelly apparently drank the Trump koolaid. Never acknowledge mistakes, fight back 5 times harder when confronted. And of course, be loyal to the Don no matter what. What a blemish on his record.
4
Congresswoman Wilson is a former school teacher and has helped thousands of disadvantaged young people to get help and mentoring. All of you who do the same work should be highly insulted by Kelly's "empty barrel" tirade.
2
He allowed himself to be used by Trump. Trump owes the family an apology. Trump and Tillerson should have to endure 11 hours of testimony for this Niger/Chad nightmare, like Hillary had to endure for Benghazi.
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You left out the worst of it : that the White House is now saying that as a general Kelly cannot be questioned by a mere civilian. This is the stuff of military dictatorships.
Kelly is proof that working for this president means getting covered with his slime. I don’t know if Kelly was an honorable man going in, but he will emerge from this with his reputation in tatters.
6
Mr. Kelly, do the right thing. Resign!
3
Honor the dead.
Comfort the family.
Don't lie.
Is that so hard to remember?
5
John Kelly, had clearly demonstrated during his tenure as Homeland Security Secretary that he had espoused the Trump agenda on refugees. It was therefore a small step for him to take and come out to justify the unjustifiable! Trump's congenital inability to express empathy for another human being. What became additionally clear to all in his performance in front of the press, was a sense of superiority and hubris that some in the military have developed because (a) they volunteered for it (they think they're braver than the normal citizen) and (b) they think they see all of the bad stuff in the world more clearly, and therefore their understanding of the world is superior to diplomats, politicians and the average citizen. As a result of that he lied, pure and simple, about Congresswoman's Wilson speech at the dedication ceremony in FL. None of us should hold our breath that he will come out admit his mistake and apologize. Apologizing for mistakes is probably as non-existent in Kelly's DNA as it is in that of his boss. But hopefully the scorn and derision that has met his recent performance, will get through to him even with the cocoon of this White House.
2
As a member of a gold star family since 1945, when the telegram came that first listed my uncle as MIA although years later through persistent research, (dental records), we knew that he, in fact, had been knowingly sacrificed, and the US. Gov. knew all along he was dead..We did not know the real story until after Sept. 11...too long a story for here...
But I was 6 years old, staying with my g-mother with whooping cough, when the first telegram came listing her son First Lieutenant John W. Leary, paratrooper in the Seventeenth Airborne troops of General Patton's Third Army as MIA and yrs. later as a casualty. His wife Frances Miller Leary was also notified that day. His father, Master Sergeant John T. Leary, my g=father was much decorated for his thirty years service in the armed forces, serving in 4 wars, an original member of the Charlie Company, Co. C.
I regret that Kelly, who has had such an honorable but painful record of service to our country, was, in my opinion, as as some commentators have said, "thrown under the bus" by Trump to cover his cowardice, and
embellish his lies. I can only imagine the stress Kelly was under....Nonetheless there is a reason we have had civilian control of the military till now, and no matter the pressure I implore John Kelly to simply retract his lies, and say a simple "I am sorry" to the country and to all of us whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country we love.PLEASE.
4
General Kelly has an impeccable service record, and in the past has for the most part shown himself to be a person of the highest integrity. He has also with humility and courage faced one of the most painful experiences life can dish out – the loss of a child.
However, in the case of the Trump administration, the old saying, "if you lay down with the dogs you come up with the fleas" is proving to be so true. I don't think anyone who hangs around Donald Trump long enough will be able to walk away with even a shred of their former reputation intact. Remember Sean Spicer to name just one?
4
At first, I was just disappointed in General Kelly's remarks. I had hoped he was a positive influence on Trump. Then I read a comment online reminding me that this is the man who jumped into the leadership role at Homeland Security. In that position, he also followed Trump's lead and pushed forward aggressive and, at times, inhumane round up's and deportations. In the end, I realize he will support the "commander in chief", even if that person is unfit. Very sad.
4
I just do not understand why he has not apologized for making the incorrect statement about the Congresswoman. It is the right thing to do, the honorable thing and frankly the easy thing.
4
Charlie, you must be really young. White people apologizing to people of color? Ha. That will be the day. Do you have any idea how many countries with people of color the white people colonized because somehow they thought they were oh so superior? They assume people of color are uncivilized and need to be taught, get this: civility, civilized behavior, converted to Christianity, forget their primitive religions or whatever, wear western clothes, speak western languages....???
Kindly read history.
I think General Kelly's responses reflect the military view of life: death on the battlefield is an honor. Too much reliance on the general as a person with a larger view of society that includes women, people of color and perhaps congressional representatives who wear sparkly hats and not felt hats is too far a stretch for him. Larry O'Donnell did a great job on describing the part of Boston where the two grew up and spoke of the differences in then and now. This gulf of time perhaps too great for Kelly to cross. What else besides where he serves now could account for his painful disgrace with the Florida congresswoman?
We have reached a point in our political discourse where many think it is time to jump on the bandwagon of criticizing Trump. Criticizing him now over anything will score them points later on.
Trump may have bungled his condolence call but at least he meant well. Shame on Frederica Wilson for jumping on the bandwagon.
Sorry, Trump and Kelly may have meant well, and the call certainly did not have the desired effect. However, what they did afterward--lying and smearing and distorting has absolutely no justification.
I suspect that many attempts at condolence are misinterpreted. The right thing to do is to apologize--privately and publicly, ask what you can do to help, and apologize again with honest contrition. Kelly certainly knows this. Kelly, as a general, should also know that lying and acting on false intelligence is a great way to make a bad situation worse. Now he owes the family and everyone in the US an apology. For Kelly there may be hope.
Trump is obviously incapable of any kind of empathy, only able to feel personally wounded when he feels his oh so thin skin has been touched. He will then lash out blindly and viciously with insults, lies and distortions. This is part of his mental disease of narcissism. For Trump, there is no hope.
1
Seemingly overlooked in all of this is how John Kelly disparaged during his diatribe, President Barack Obama. How Kelly cheapened the former president's reputation by stating all it took was a phone call from an opportunistic Congresswoman to cause the president to suddenly shell out $20 million for a partisan political purpose.
John Kelly not only sullied unfairly the reputation of Frederica Wilson, but of President Obama. If John Kelly had the courage to back up his reputation now, he would not only apologize to both but ask for their forgiveness.
Otherwise, to me, who admittedly knows little of his background, Kelly's reputation is not supported by fact.
12
In giving John Kelly the benefit of the doubt that he might have misremembered what Rep. Wilson said at the FBI event, we are forgetting one thing, which is that his false memory of her words are reconstructed from a true memory of his visceral reaction to her presence at the FBI event. There is no doubt that his emotional reactions to her speech were real and based on his appraisal of this somewhat flamboyant Black woman, with a red cowboy hat, who perhaps in his mind had no place at such an event and, in any case, represented a cultural value that he found distasteful. Whether we call this racism or not is in the heart of John Kelly. Does the fact that he commanded and probably befriended many military men of color negate such a possibility? Just because someone shows lack of racism in one area of their lives, does not mean that they are free from prejudice in other areas. After all, many overt racists hero-worship black athletes. Kelly's use of the term "Empty Barrel" has been declared to be not racist because it is used as a generic insult without specific racial content. But, surely racism is not in the specificity of the epithets, but in the heart of the speaker of those epithets, and perhaps John Kelly is the only person who can conduct the self examination to answer whether his visceral reaction to Frederica Wilson's demeanor are free from prejudice, which can be about culture as much as the color of ones skin.
7
Though someone who is concerned about the militarization of the White House coming on the heels of a decades long militarization of American foreign policy, I cannot bring myself to criticize General Kelly. It should be obvious now that all that separates our nation from potential catastrophe are General Kelly, General Mattis, General McMaster and Secretary Tillerson. Working in this White House and operating under the chain of command subordinate to the authority of a pathetically unworthy and unhinged President, left General Kelly with little choice. Congresswoman Wilson, clearly wronged, needs to take the lead in calming the waters while making sure that Ms. Johnson does not fuel the fires. In short, this public feud that stains one of our heroic fallen, needs to end.
I agree that Congresswoman would have been better not to weigh in on this awkward phone call even though she overheard it. Whatever her motives (astonishment that the President would further distress Mrs. Johnson, self-aggrandizement, or just plain lack of focus on the grieving widow) Miss Wilson has started a firestorm and the President and General Kelly in their Trumpian way have asserted that they are not fit for the office which they hold. Will THEY apologize? Of course not. It is not in their dna.
1
No one questioned the honor of any soldier, despite Kelly's claim. Kelly dishonored himself with his faceless chastising of the Florida Representative. He must publicly apologize. He should resign if he cannot stand up to Trump.
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An honorable man would have apologized for publically making false statements about another person. He has done a disservice to Wilson, himself, and his country.
8
Mr. Kelly with his honorable military pedigree, potential for dignity and truth in an extremely unfortunate set circumstances has become yet another Trump sycophant. Unfortunately, he let the Gold Star widow down, the Marine Corp down, the Office of the United States of America Presidency down, the country down, and most certainly his family and their heritage.
What has our country become in such a short period of time...
8
John Kelly helped politicize the death of La David Johnson with his attack on Congresswoman, Wilson; which was an attempt to deflect attention away from the insensitive behavior of Donald Trump. Instead of displaying empathy for the loss of Mr. Johnson, Kelly capitulated to the intoxicating influence of the executive office – thus choosing power over honor. That is sad!
5
This is so, so sad. I thought he had integrity.
5
I'd love a psychoanalytic study on what it is about trump that draws a particular type of loyalist to his inner circle. Keep thinking that it's people vulnerable to blackmail?
5
I've put off watching the Wilson video until now, I think because I'm a little awed by those four gleaming stars on his uniform. I know now how unjustified Kelly was in slamming her the way he did. A small amount of political puffery does not deserve the vitriolic attack he heaped on her. At no time did she take credit for anything except fast tracking the naming of the building. I now see that Kelly was either grotesquely unprepared to deal with this or he's fully enjoined in the moral void.
5
I am willing to cut him some slack. He has served our country well and given the ultimate sacrifice a parent can give, not so to his lying boss..
1
Seven days and counting to the beginning of the 2018 open enrollment for the ACA. If you thought there was political bedlam now, just wait until Americans see first-hand the damage that has been done to their healthcare options by the Republican dithering with 3 failed "repeal and replace" attempts while Trump has been actively undermining the insurance system.
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Quite agree. The good news is something will have to be done now because it is turning into an absolute disaster. Taking care of health care should be priority #1. The costs are out of control. Forget Obama Care/ACA, we need to start over.
I am stunned. The "adult in the room" would simply have said:
"I, like so many other Americans, know the unspeakable grief of losing a son in service to his nation. No words can ever heal that pain, and the President is deeply sorry that, in his heartfelt words to Mr. Johnson's widow, he may have unintentionally added to her grief. Sergeant La David Johnson was a hero who died in service to a grateful nation and for this we honor him and his family."
And we could all have moved on...
45
I'd prefer to hear the following, which is fact-based. "No, the Congresswoman did not brag about funding for the building. She bragged about something negligible instead. She bragged about making congress and the president take less time than the year they are allowed to approve the name of the building. So unbelievably trivial that I had thought she must have been talking about funding for those three whole minutes."
2
Amen Judity. But it goes to show what life on the hamster wheel of working for a terrible, erratic boss can do to erode someone's better judgment.
1
A lifetime of service to his country has prepared General Kelly as no other to handle the job of Chief of Staff. I have to believe that he is acutely aware of Trump's personality. One detects his effort to guide Trump's conversation with Mrs. Johnson and, with Trumpian ease he mangles the job. The general's own observations were such that you could hear a pin drop in the press room. I feel sure he was instructed to go after the Congresswoman, fed bogus information, it being an article of faith that facts don't matter. I suspect he had to weigh this crass political maneuver against his conscience and realized that, had he refused to play hatchet man, we would have been tossed overboard as disloyal. I suspect that he personally would prefer to tell the truth. I also suspect he knows that, should he leave, the next Chief of Staff would be some political hack prepared to do anything, just to have the job. Faced with the choice, he held his nose and did what he felt he had to do.
2
I hope you're right and this is not an unintentional rationalization attempting to justify the unjustifiable. We need someone of decency in the White House.
Sorry JGR Kelly knew the facts and simply avoided them. To paraphrase Derek Hawkins (reported in the Wash Post no less) Rep. Wilson (D-Fla.) was riding in a limousine with the widow of Sgt. Johnson when President Trump called comes as no surprise. Wilson has deep roots in the South Florida community where Johnson grew up. Before entering Congress, she worked as a teacher, principal and school board member in the Miami-Dade area and served for more than a decade as a state legislator. She also founded a program in 1993 called 5,000 Role Models of Excellence, which helps at-risk minority youths prepare for college, vocational school and the military. Her long career in public service and her work in the program have put her especially close to military families and victims of gun violence over the years. Before Johnson was killed in an ambush in Niger earlier this month, he graduated from the program. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/10/19/rep-freder...
1
It’s not just that Gen Kelly got his facts wrong on a very public stage and has not promptly apologized and admitted error - a serious character flaw for a military officer of any rank. It’s that he demonstrated the same stunted teenage development as his boss by engaging in school-yard name-calling, covering himself and his reputation in mud in the process.
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On Thursday, Mr. Kelly said that he was speaking up to defend “this maybe last thing that’s held sacred in our society”
Regardless if his notion of what that thing is is second only to the opinion of The Board. With everything supposedly sacred, nothing is.