Let me get this right? Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville never served in the military!

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville is facing (justifiable!) backlash for remarks he made about white nationalists in the armed forces, in an interview about his blocking of military nominees.

Tommy Tuberville never served in the military! In fact, Tuberville has no military experience

 

Echo opinion published in The Washington Post:

Senator (ugh!) Tuberville is irresponsible! He has no sense of responsibility to act in his role as a United States Senator.

Michelle J. Howard is a retired four-star admiral. She was the 38th vice chief of naval operations from 2014, to 2016.

At the main entrance to the Pentagon (reserved for the highest level of visitors) is appropriately paneled in dark wood. Among the first items one sees upon arrival are the photos of the Defense Department civilian and military leaders.

Senator Tommy Tuberville is wrong!

The Joint Chiefs of Staff, heads of the services, are hung in a group. When Marine Corps Commandant David H. Berger relinquished his office in July, his photo was taken down but not replaced. Now, there is a blank black spot. The spot is empty because the position of commandant is vacant. Berger’s nominated relief, Gen. Eric M. Smith, has not been confirmed by Congress and is plugging the hole as “acting” commandant. No portrait will be displayed until he/she is confirmed.

Another photo was blacked out on Aug. 4, when the chief of staff of the Army, Gen. James C. McConville, departed. Adm. Michael M. Gilday, the chief of naval operations, relinquishes his office on Aug. 14. There are more empty spots threatened — visual reminders that absence matters. The Joint Chiefs is a team, and holes in the organization have impact.

One (wrongminded 😠) man, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), is clearing the wall with his (irresponsible) blanket refusal to allow military promotions to be voted on as a way of forcing change in Defense Department policies. The department funds travel for military members who seek out-of-state abortions. (Maine Writer- "who cares?"❗)

Tuberville’s power arises from the traditional courtesy of senatorial “holds,” a primary tool senators use to engage the Defense Department and other agencies on issues of importance to them. 

But, holds have not (and should never have) been turned against the Joint Chiefs in this manner, since the services were reorganized after World War II. Tuberville also stated that his holds on promotions do not impact military readiness. Here he is wrong. And he, of all people, should know that.