I dunno if Trump has picked the right guy for SECDEF, and I'd like to hear your thoughts.

On the one hand, Trump has invited a firestorm by nominating Hegseth, basically giving the middle finger to the democrats (so I get that part).  And, I'm sure he will be a big advocate for vets which is sorely needed, and I even believe he'd be good for cleaning up some of this DEI crap in the military (also a sorely needed thing).

On the other hand, I'm not sure he's got the background for SECDEF.  Yes, he was a military officer, but really only a Captain for most of his military time, only recently promoted to Major in the Army.  The SECDEF is someone who needs to be knowledgeable about the military, but also very knowledgeable about foreign affairs and I'm not totally convinced Hegseth brings this to the table.  Going forward, at least for the foreseeable future, the SECDEF needs to be a person who is capable of dealing with some pretty heavy stuff at a rapid rate on a global scale.

What are your thoughts?

(01-14-2025, 03:00 PM)FCD Wrote: I dunno if Trump has picked the right guy for SECDEF, and I'd like to hear your thoughts.

On the one hand, Trump has invited a firestorm by nominating Hegseth, basically giving the middle finger to the democrats (so I get that part).  And, I'm sure he will be a big advocate for vets which is sorely needed, and I even believe he'd be good for cleaning up some of this DEI crap in the military (also a sorely needed thing).

On the other hand, I'm not sure he's got the background for SECDEF.  Yes, he was a military officer, but really only a Captain for most of his military time, only recently promoted to Major in the Army.  The SECDEF is someone who needs to be knowledgeable about the military, but also very knowledgeable about foreign affairs and I'm not totally convinced Hegseth brings this to the table.  Going forward, at least for the foreseeable future, the SECDEF needs to be a person who is capable of dealing with some pretty heavy stuff at a rapid rate on a global scale.

What are your thoughts?

I think all the discussion about how qualified people need to be is mostly a gatekeeping mechanism for the establishment government blob. That seems to start at the lowest rungs of local government management and only gets worse as you go up the food chain.

People in the House and Senate run committees where their biggest exposure to the relevant field is the stocks they choose to engage in insider trading with and the names of whichever industry players have donated to their campaigns.

Most of the problems I see getting all the attention are problems that were created by incompetence, willful departure from sensible practices, or to promote an agenda outside the scope and spirit of our founding documents. We've either exclusively had people that didn't have sufficient qualifications running everything for years or they're lying about how much those qualifications translate to job performance.

Trump seems to be nominating plenty of people that aren't really America first. I don't see this guy as a high point, but not the worst either.

I can't have any faith in his nominees until they start producing tangible benefits to the citizens.

(01-14-2025, 04:38 PM)Ksihkehe Wrote: I think all the discussion about how qualified people need to be is mostly a gatekeeping mechanism for the establishment government blob. That seems to start at the lowest rungs of local government management and only gets worse as you go up the food chain.

I fully agree with this in general.  I was thinking specifically to Hegseth in the SECDEF position.  The role has two basic components, one inward facing and one outward facing.  I think Hegseth will be fine for the inward facing role, but I'm not sure sure he's the right guy for the outward facing role.  Given the failures of the current administration, fixing things going forward is going to take some pretty strong leadership skills.

Quote:People in the House and Senate run committees where their biggest exposure to the relevant field is the stocks they choose to engage in insider trading with and the names of whichever industry players have donated to their campaigns.

Most of the problems I see getting all the attention are problems that were created by incompetence, willful departure from sensible practices, or to promote an agenda outside the scope and spirit of our founding documents. We've either exclusively had people that didn't have sufficient qualifications running everything for years or they're lying about how much those qualifications translate to job performance.

Trump seems to be nominating plenty of people that aren't really America first. I don't see this guy as a high point, but not the worst either.

I can't have any faith in his nominees until they start producing tangible benefits to the citizens.

Agreed.

Is a reason why Trump chose certain people to certain key positions in his new administration, we need to remember that in his last administration many of his appointees, turned around and stab him in the back.

Hegseth will be somebody that will be in line with what Trump wants to achieve.

But democrats hates him.

Everything about Hegseth screams Company Man. 

Which attribute feels more closely associated with him if you had to make a snap judgement?

Responsible or ego maniac?

Ruthless or compassionate?

Ivy league secret society type or man of the people(ever seen one of those?)

Results may vary.