Who dropped what ball and when did they drop it...

[Ken White]

Interesting article at the LINK. In my view, the Professor has it about right. That is sad...

Edited to add: Posted the original late last night, probably should've added this before posting.

Owen says:

"If Mr. Woodward's account is true, it means that not since Gen. McClellan attempted to sabotage Lincoln's war policy in 1862 has the leadership of the U.S. military so blatantly attempted to undermine a president in the pursuit of his constitutional authority. It should be obvious that such active opposition to a president's policy poses a threat to the health of the civil-military balance in a republic."

While I agree with him on what happened, I disagree on a couple of other points, notably that many times since 1862 (and before that, as well...) have the Armed forces, one or another if not all, attempted to "undermine a president in the pursuit of his constitutional authority." (as has the CIA, DoS and others) I submit that selective neglect (or selective compliance, take your pick) is a military problem solving technique that is many centuries older than even the US. Thus, I do not see a grave crisis.

I also suggest that the intent of folks was not to counteract the orders of the President; it was to simply protect the institution -- lot of history in that in this country and elsewhere as well.

Lastly and most worryingly to me; it is indicative of an attempt to shape national policy by the Armed forces tailoring themselves to do only certain jobs, ala the Weinberger and Powell Doctrines -- that did not work; it never has.