Obama, OPSEC, bin Laden and General Dempsey

The United States' top military official, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, criticized a group of former military and intelligence operatives for their outspokenness through television ads against President Obama's claims that "he killed bin Laden" and from the security leaks that came from no place other than the White House. 

While nobody believes that Obama means that he pulled the trigger on bin Laden, Obama's use of removing bin Laden from the face of earth grates on these special operators, because they risked their lives to execute this mission, and they believe Obama is using their efforts to his political gain, and to add insult to injury, all while wanting to gut the military.

Anyway, back to Gen Dempsey who told reporters that he is "disappointed" by such political activity, which he called "not useful."  Dempsey comments “If someone uses the uniform, whatever uniform, for partisan politics, I am disappointed because I think it does erode that bond of trust we have with the American people.”

Go to Fox News to read more and watch the video on General Dempsey's comments.

Our comments to General Dempsey are, first - thank you for your service,.....and, secondly those people who call themselves "OPSEC", engaged in what you call "partisan politics", are former service members (from the CIA, Navy Seals and Army Special Forces) and not currently serving in uniform.  There is a big difference. While you give up much of your first amendment rights as a service member, once you are out of the service, you have the same rights as anyone else.

Okay, now that we have discussed rights, let's talk responsibility.  Everyone has the responsibility to standup and speak to wrongdoings they have witnessed.  Where are the uniformed Generals and Flag Officers standing up to Obama over military budget cuts?.......about letting gays serve openly in the military?.....about Obama foreign policy disasters?......about White House security leaks that place American service members at risk and make our allies think we are butt clowns? 

You and your peers are at the end of your careers.  Please start standing up for what is right even if you have to retire.   Stanley McCrystal has the respect of his subordinates and the gratitude of a nation for his stand which cost him a continued career.  Pay should not be an issue.  Even the four star General star Kip Ward, caught misusing government funds on travel and other misconduct, will retire with a hefty retirement package.  All of you Generals retire and move right into some high paying executive gig anyway.  It's time for America's senior leadership to stand up and be counted.

Here is the video on OPSEC.  Make up your own mind.  But before you do that, let's remember a leading Democrat's quote:  "I have been on the Intelligence Committee for 11 years, and I have never seen it worse than this; I can tell you that." - Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chairwoman for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, referring to the national security leaks coming out of the White House.