Pete Hegseth

I am neither a sitting United States Senator on the Judiciary Committee nor a veteran of the U.S. military but I do have a question for Pete Hegseth, the president-elect’s nominee for Secretary of Defense.

My question session would go something like this:

ME: “Mr. Hegseth, you have previously stated that the mere presence of women in a combat unit degrades military standards. Yet you have also admitted to having multiple extramarital affairs while you were in the military, thus committing adultery by cheating on your wife. This action violates the Uniform Code of Military Conducts. Do you understand this?”

HEGSETH: “Yes.”

ME: “You have also admitted to drinking while in uniform, which would have made you subject to disciplinary action. Do you understand this?”

HEGSETH: “Yes.”

ME: “And worst of all, you told your troops to ignore commands about when to fire on potential enemies. That also violates the Uniform Code of Military Conduct. Do you understand this?”

HEGSETH: “Yes.”

ME: “These violations of the UCMJ could have gotten you court-martialed and dishonorably discharged, Do you understand this?”

HEGSETH: “Yes.”

ME: “Given that history, how could the mere presence of women in a combat unit degrade military standards more than you have already done by your own actions? And secondly, how can a man who has acted in ways that made him eligible for a court-martial and dishonorable discharge possibly have the character required to lead the United States military?

Hegseth: Unqualified and Unready

Now, I understand that Mr. Hegseth’s answers would be accompanied by some fancy verbal dancing. But that doesn’t change the bald facts of his own behavior. Neither does it make him more eligible for a job he is unqualified and unready to perform.

Mr. Hegseth promises not to drink on the job but, really, isn’t that what any alcoholic would say in these circumstances?

Race to the Bottom of the Barrel

Nevertheless, virtually all Republican senators will vote for him. Even Susan Collins, who has a spine made of silly putty, will pull her usual flip-flop from declared conscience to abject collaboration and vote for him.

There is no end to the unqualified, inexperienced, uneducated, and outright criminal men and women the Republicans will embrace just to own the Democrats.

We have reached the point where we no longer have party over country and self-interest over the interests of constituents. Simple competence no longer matters when they can use cultural issues to work up their followers without regard for important issues like national security.

We have a full-on race to the bottom of the barrel on the orders of a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist. I would ask how it can get worse over the next four years, but it will and I don’t know that I want an answer.