Scholar who decoded "Primary Colors" unmasks author of Times op-ed

[Frequency Kenneth]

Professor who outed Joe Klein in 1996: Detailed analysis narrows the list of administration suspects — down to one

https://www.salon.com/2018/09/20/right-to-remain-anonymous-who-is-the-senior-official-who-wrote-the-times-op-ed/

To spare you from reading the excruciatingly-long article, the writer is convinced Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis wrote the op-ed. But the article's last line is incredibly fascinating:

"If I were Donald Trump at this moment, I would not be worried about impeachment. I’d be sweating a military coup."

[mahina]

1. To the author of the article: thanks for nothing.

[JI7]

2. Mattis was with Cindy McCain during the funeral(so was Kelly but he has proven to be a bigot)

Mattis has actually been reported to have been critical or gone against Trump.

and when they do things like go around the table and take turns kissing Trump's ass, Mattis was the only one that didn't .

but Mattis is most likely a patriot so there will not be a "coup" . i think that is the wrong term to use. things like the 25th amendment are not a coup. Mattis would not become the president. it would follow the constitution and go to VP and then on down the line of succession if vp can't serve .

[tazkcmo]

5. That's right

The 25th amendment is not a coup. It is a constitutional right.

[Honeycombe8]

10. Mattis did join in the "kissing Trump's ass," though his words were more objective...

and not specifically kissing his ass. He did as he had been instructed to do, though...thanking him for the opportunity & such. So he joined in the rah-rah Trump fest. The rah-rah fest probably got under the skin of all of them.

Rather than think they are all so country-dedicated, though, and that's why they stay, I think I believe more what John Dean laid out in his book, "Blind Ambition." Dean describes in detail how he got to where he broke the law. What it's like being part of the W.H. administration. He describes everyone from porters to drivers to reporters all knowing his name ("Mr. Dean" ). Going first class everywhere. Never having to wait in line. He was being sent somewhere in a hurry, so while he expected a commercial flight, he found he was taken to a chartered flight and given the rich guy treatment. When he flew commercially, he went first class and was led on last (so people wouldn't bother him), and was practically hand carried out first after landing. He went from being an ordinary person to being a very important person. People wanted to know what he thought, repeated his words. He got sucked into it all, as he gradually did things to maintain his status. He violated his personal code of conduct in the end. It becomes an addiction. The grandiose idea that one is so important.

I think that's why they stay. To leave would mean returning to being ordinary people. Not Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense. Just ordinary. Famous, yes. But no more First Class treatment. No more reporters hounding you like you're the important person you are. No more seeing your name in print. A has been.

[CHARLIE008]

3. God, I hope not.

[JI7]

4. why?

[watoos]

9. God I hope so,

I originally thought this was a false flag, a distraction, but I hesitated because Trump cannot accept criticism so I doubt he would approve of an article criticizing himself.

Of all the people who could have written that article I was hoping it was Mattis because Mattis is not a politician, a Mattis letter would be sincere.

[mythology]

11. You're hoping for a military coup?

That isn't something that works out well.

[Honeycombe8]

6. Interesting. It's well thought out, and w/supporting information.

But I have no idea.

We may eventually find out. But the author says it's a group of them, so he's speaking for them all. I think that's the more important point. He was sending a message to whom? Our allies, maybe. N Korea, maybe, to assure it that we won't be nuclear bombing the country. Republicans in Congress? Maybe, if they don't have direct lines to them already. To the moderates of the public? To assure any of them who might vote Republicans out for fear of a nuclear war or hasty canceling of a treaty or trade agreement, that those things won't happen. I just don't know.

But I do know that Trump is not a real President. He's a mouthpiece who is expected to sign things for the Republican agenda. But the decisions, while made by Trump sometimes (if allowed by the group), are being made by the group. People not elected, who are serving who?

This is how it was done in Reagan's second term, I imagine, when his mind was failing because of Alzheimer's. He was merely a suit, a prop. A face for the Republican agenda.

[True Blue American]

7. Before that Reagan was

A Nancy prop.

[Honeycombe8]

8. I strongly disagree with that.

That's a Republican meme because she interfered with them controlling Reagan. She was not very political. She looked out for her husband, though. She protected him against those in his administration who worked against him. But policy? No. If she'd had her way, stem cell research would have been approved...Reagan was against it.

[True Blue American]

12. Sorry you disagree

Nancy was right there with the Reagan advisers.

She protected her husband from his enemies, but she let his friends take charge. Other wise there would have been no Iran / Contra.

But that is fine, you are entitled to your opinion. Democrats allow that.

[Honeycombe8]

14. She had to in the 2nd term. He had Alzheimer's & couldn't even ans. questions by then.

She was not political...that's how Iran/Contra happened. It was also done in SECRET...as illegal activities are.

As I said, she protected HIM...she didn't run the country.

The fact that Iran/Contra happened supports what I said and disproves what you claimed.

[True Blue American]

16. I disagrre

Because I watched it happen. That was the beginning of the end of our middle class.

[bucolic_frolic]

22. "Just say 'No!'" was policy that led to

drug testing at work for all eternity and provided cover for Iran-Contra

Nancy was as politically involved as any First Lady is allowed to be from a position of demure figurehead

[bucolic_frolic]

24. It's so great she found a way to use Astrologers to protect the President and set policy

I mean, the record is clear. She was active in influencing White House timing and therefore agenda. Republicans were actually not very supportive at all about the use of Astrology.

[Honeycombe8]

30. Geez...give your "blaming the wife" meme a rest...move on. nt

[True Blue American]

15. That is why Trump and his cronies

Are so dangerous. It is not just them calling the shots. Putin is,too.

But good post.

[irisblue]

13. Seven Days in May? Great.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Days_in_May

[VOX]

17. Identical thought. "Ecomcon."

The admiral’s signed, folded confession in the damaged cigarette case found in the plane’s wreckage. *wheeze*

It only takes one James Mattoon Scott. I think about this scenario somewhat regularly. Too far out? Probably. But when you read about Erik Prince pitching the idea of a PRIVATE army to #45, it doesn’t exactly build confidence.

[Pacifist Patriot]

18. Thank you!

I often see cultural references posted that I have to go look up when I find them intriguing. It was very considerate of you to post an explanatory link for those who needed it. I recognized the name of the movie and forgot the plot. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in saving me a little time.

[irisblue]

19. Watch the movie when you can. Or read the book...better

I don't think it's on youtube.
I saw it on late night TV in the distant pre cable past. Parts are serious cheezewhiz, but dayum, truthbombs are dropped. You're welcome PP

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. Will do!

[irisblue]

21. Because I am being pendantic...

[irisblue]

23. And

No freaking way the apricot hellbeast is this articulate and coherent

[Pacifist Patriot]

26. I don't think he'd understand the scene if he saw it.

[Pacifist Patriot]

25. Wow! Lost count of the money quotes in that 2 and a half minutes!

[irisblue]

27. Did you notice the use of the word. 'republic'?

Geez I miss that word. This is completely taken from Merriam Webster

Definition of Republic
1a(1) : a government having a chief of state who is not a monarch and who in modern times is usually a president

(2) : a political unit (such as a nation) having such a form of government

b(1) : a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law

(2) : a political unit (such as a nation) having such a form of government

snip...
"a body of persons freely engaged in a specified activity"

[gordianot]

28. The MIC cannot be happy about Trump.

It does exist and probably has this planned out after thoroughly mismanaging for a quick buck. By the way another Republican President warned us and actually called them by name. When this actually turns it will be quick and legal. Does anyone remember Alexander Haig? Old Mr “I am in charge”. Of course you cannot discount Poppy Bush back in his day he was forced out of the shadows. I do hope Trump leaves the Oval Office soon probably on two legs of his own volition and heavily medicated. At this point it would be wonderful to have a newly minted “No drama Obama”. I tend to look at Trump as a Bush era miscalculation allowing the tea party nonsense. After 60 years you would think these people would have learned their lesson and avoid future screw ups like Trump.

[GoCubsGo]

29. I don't know if he's right about Mattis, but I agree with him on the "military coup" part.

One has to imagine than many of the military big wigs are horrified that they're having to answer to a Russian asset. They signed up to protect the United States, not a Russian satellite. When Mueller presents proof positive of that, I would not be surprised if they wind up making an attempt at a coup, pending on how Congress and everyone else reacts.