Will They Court Martial Milley?

From what I've read, Milley is not insulated from a court martial by his pardon. So, to settle this matter, they need to proceed with trying him for what he was accused, or allow him to accept he is guilty, remove his pension, change his discharge to dishonorable, and let his legacy follow Arnold's. The crimes he has been accused of are serious; so serious the death penalty is a possible punishment. If he is innocent, then he can present his defense in a military trial. Until then, he should be treated as a criminal.

Let The Trials Begin

From reports I've read, there were some of the J6 prisoners abused while incarcerated. The reports stated physical, and psychological, torture from guards who are now not protected by a rogue administration. Some reports state prisoners are still being held, regardless of their pardon. If any of this is true (and why should I doubt it?) and the investigations expose those involved, there is no fury from citizens more terrible for those that tortured citizens simply because they wouldn't admit a crime, or do what their guards wanted. Those involved with the torture have now become pariahs, their futures filled with terrible moments, and for those that were not pardoned, prosecutions that will demand the most harsh of penalties. Those that can post bail will wish they hadn't. Their families will be affected, too. 

Pardons may protects those in the last administration that needed prosecuting from charges, but nothing can protect them from the public, or officials that turn their backs. May they suffer for their actions.

After 83 Years

 When I was in school, the bombing of Pearl Harbor was still fresh in the minds of most people. Between that atrocity, and the other atrocities revealed over the next few years, the evils of the world were revealed. I doubt many of the younger generation of today even think about the significance of today. That, and the youngest have little idea of the horrors their parents felt after 9/11. The past fades away, those that dealt with the attacks on the U.S. slowly die off, and eventually the significance of the events are mostly forgotten. 

So, at a little before 8:00 am, it will be the 83rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I won't forget the day, but many will. My generation is fading, my parent's generation is gone, and history becomes only a curiosity of those that make the effort to research the past.

Gathering My Thoughts

I've been reading some blogs, news reports and pondering on D-Day. There is something profound to be written, but one nagging thought has bounced around my head all day: Seventy years since D-Day.

It's been 70 years since the Normandy Invasion. For those that don't know what that was, it was the huge Allied Forces push to start dismantling the Nazi hold on Europe. Thousands were involved and the accumulated forces were described as shocking by the German defenders that found the ocean lined with ships when the sun rose on June 6, 1944.

I won't go into detail about the outcome. The event is well recorded and the horror is something you can't imagine, until you read the recollections of those that survived the landings on the beaches of Normandy, France. Look it up and read all you can.

I was born a little over twelve years after the invasion. My father's peers were part of the invasion and most, at that time, were young, just getting settled into their careers and probably like most young adults today: Retirement was a passing thought and life was still to be lived as full as possible.

Those soldiers were the fathers and uncles of my friends. They were just ordinary people and the realities of what they faced never crossed my mind. They, like many that fought in WW 2, went on with their life; most just placing their experiences in the hidden nook, where uncomfortable thoughts are placed.

I'm trying to grasp the reality that even the youngest that fought are now in their eighties. It seems like yesterday they were young, vibrant and and found most everywhere. Everyone knew a WW 2 vet and, if they felt comfortable, they might even tell you a story about their experiences.

We can't forget them. When the entire world was torn with war, they fought for an almost intangible thing, which is slowly being removed. They understood liberty and they understood losing it only makes the removal of tyranny a more brutal endeavor.