Hegseth has been confirmed.

[sqwakvfr]

29 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

In accounting there are ways to classify cash transactions, unless you are trying to hide something.  I don't know what the reasons for failing the audits were and I doubt you know either.

If there are suspicions of fraud then a forensic auditor should be used to investigate.

We are talking about combat zone and sometimes the last thing on anyones mind it to keep track of the spending.  DCAA auditors were all civilian GS types and most were on the slightly older side.  Record keeping was not exactly a priority from what I saw. SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction) was suppose to "track the money".  SIGAR was supposed to track exactly where over $140 Billion went.  Apparently SIGAR is still active and is suppose to end in September 2025.  I wonder what the final report will say? 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

Ah difficult to track DOD spending.  I got a first look at it during my deployments to A-stan.  Civil Affairs officers had the mission to help the locals build schools, government buildiings etc.  In the end the locals were handed $100 dollar bills to get the job done.  How would this program be audited?  No receipts were generated. This is just one example of DOD spending.  There was also DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) people in A-stan and I do not konw what they were actually doing.  The DCAA was supposed to ensure taxpayer dollars were spent in accordance with contracts but most of never knew exactly what the contracts specified.  Of course auditing DOD contracts at stateside bases or at Defence Contract firms could be simpler.  

 

If all that is true, doesn't that indicate we need different people in there?

 

[sqwakvfr]

1 minute ago, impulse said:

 

If all that is true, doesn't that indicate we need different people in there?

 

Yes.  Many have been saying that for decades.  But what does Capt Hegesth know about DOD Contract accountability or how the US Military spends during combat operations? As much as I know  For instance I loved  eating at KBR Dining Halls in A-stan.  The meals were alwasy great.  On some Fridays at Camp Eggers(which was located within walking distance from the US Embassy in Kabul) they had lobster.  So I asked a Colonel what KBR charge per meal.  He was not sure but he thought it was about $20 per person up to 4x a day(this is because the 4th meal was served at midnight). The KBR contract for DOD dining halls was huge.  I have no idea if that was ever audited.  I believe what Eisenhower said about the military industrial complex beceame reality and still thrives. Pete Hegseth can't do anything to change it. 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, herfiehandbag said:

I think "enough money" is not a concept Mr Trump acknowledges!

 

He will remain perched on his tarnished throne until he is either removed by the voters (and moves are afoot to enable him to run again, rest assured in that case that the system will be managed to ensure he wins) or his diet catches up on him.

This is a very good point, he is very, very old for his age, and he does not even consider the possibility that food represents fuel for the body. Hamburgers are simply not efficient fuel, certainly not for someone who's 80 going on 90.

 

There's a very good chance that he won't last the full term, there are many doctors that say there is a one in three chance of him dying during his term, due to his age. And we're not even taking into account his poor health, which I think is quite obvious. There is a reason why he kept his medical records secret. 

 

And if you consider the prospect of JD Vance as the leader of the free world, that should make a person with perception and intellect very, very afraid. 

[SunnyinBangrak]

Just now, spidermike007 said:

This is a very good point, he is very, very old for his age, and he does not even consider the possibility that food represents fuel for the body. Hamburgers are simply not efficient fuel, certainly not for someone who's 80 going on 90.

 

There's a very good chance that he won't last the full term, there are many doctors that say there is a one in three chance of him dying during his term, due to his age. And we're not even taking into account his poor health, which I think is quite obvious. There is a reason why he kept his medical records secret. 

But if he becomes obviously demented and senile and loses his cognitive ability to the point he falls over all the time and can't complete a sentence, then you will support censoring and mocking rational folk that point out the guy is a vegetable? I mean, for you lefties having a completely gaga old man for President is cool bananas, right? Or now it's suddenly bad again?

Standards fellas. Stick to your standards and you won't look like clowns flipflopping and backtracking over everything.

 

[Yellowtail]

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is a very good point, he is very, very old for his age, and he does not even consider the possibility that food represents fuel for the body. Hamburgers are simply not efficient fuel, certainly not for someone who's 80 going on 90.

 

There's a very good chance that he won't last the full term, there are many doctors that say there is a one in three chance of him dying during his term, due to his age. And we're not even taking into account his poor health, which I think is quite obvious. There is a reason why he kept his medical records secret. 

 

And if you consider the prospect of JD Vance as the leader of the free world, that should make a person with perception and intellect very, very afraid. 

So in the event Trump kicks, how do you feel about Vance? 

[transam]

4 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

But if he becomes obviously demented and senile and loses his cognitive ability to the point he falls over all the time and can't complete a sentence, then you will support censoring and mocking rational folk that point out the guy is a vegetable? I mean, for you lefties having a completely gaga old man for President is cool bananas, right? Or now it's suddenly bad again?

Standards fellas. Stick to your standards and you won't look like clowns flipflopping and backtracking over everything.

 

Why do you keep calling folk like me a lefty just because I think Trump is an embarrassment for the USA.

 

Plus, Biden was voted in because of Trumps failures 2016/20, people like you forget that. If Trump now got voted in by lying at every opportunity and voters falling for it, up to them........

 

 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

Yes.  Many have been saying that for decades.  But what does Capt Hegesth know about DOD Contract accountability or how the US Military spends during combat operations? As much as I know  For instance I loved  eating at KBR Dining Halls in A-stan.  The meals were alwasy great.  On some Fridays at Camp Eggers(which was located within walking distance from the US Embassy in Kabul) they had lobster.  So I asked a Colonel what KBR charge per meal.  He was not sure but he thought it was about $20 per person up to 4x a day(this is because the 4th meal was served at midnight). The KBR contract for DOD dining halls was huge.  I have no idea if that was ever audited.  I believe what Eisenhower said about the military industrial complex beceame reality and still thrives. Pete Hegseth can't do anything to change it. 

 

Going back to Rummy in 2001, the day before 9/11 announcing that $4 trillion was unaccounted for, that's over 20 years of not being able to handle money.  (And it didn't start or end with Rumsfeld) 

 

It's time to do something different, and I'm willing to give Hegseth a chance.  He doesn't need to be an audit and money guru.  He needs to know who he can trust to be the guru who's going to hire a team of competent people.  And I doubt that guru is even going to come with a military background.  Finance isn't what they teach...  

 

[Walker88]

Just makes one prouder and prouder every day!  /sarc

 

----A drunk and alleged wife beater, alleged rapist, accused of malfeasance and for using funds ostensibly raised for veterans, but instead for staff Christmas parties where he was drunk....in charge of an $840,000,000,000 entity employing 3,000,000 men and women

 

----A convicted felon, convicted charity fraudster, adjudicated sex offender, serial philanderer, pathological liar, obese, willfully ignorant, whining crybaby, vindictive clown as POTUS

 

---A former softcore porn model who allegedly lied on her "Einstein Visa" application, worked illegally while on a Tourist Visa as FLOTUS

 

Yes, Madison, Jefferson, etc. are rolling over in their graves, while H.L. Mencken is saying, "I told you so".

[SunnyinBangrak]

4 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

Just makes one prouder and prouder every day!  /sarc

 

----A drunk and alleged wife beater, alleged rapist, accused of malfeasance and for using funds ostensibly raised for veterans, but instead for staff Christmas parties where he was drunk....in charge of an $840,000,000,000 entity employing 3,000,000 men and women

 

----A convicted felon, convicted charity fraudster, adjudicated sex offender, serial philanderer, pathological liar, obese, willfully ignorant, whining crybaby, vindictive clown as POTUS

 

---A former softcore porn model who allegedly lied on her "Einstein Visa" application, worked illegally while on a Tourist Visa as FLOTUS

 

Yes, Madison, Jefferson, etc. are rolling over in their graves, while H.L. Mencken is saying, "I told you so".

I don't remember all this outrage when a certain laptop and a certain diary dropped. And the accusations against Hegseth are mild to non existent compared to the irrefutable horrific goings on the diary and laptop showed your beloved Bidens were getting up to.

Again, I must question whether your stance is sincere?

[Hawaiian]

39 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Going back to Rummy in 2001, the day before 9/11 announcing that $4 trillion was unaccounted for, that's over 20 years of not being able to handle money.  (And it didn't start or end with Rumsfeld) 

 

It's time to do something different, and I'm willing to give Hegseth a chance.  He doesn't need to be an audit and money guru.  He needs to know who he can trust to be the guru who's going to hire a team of competent people.  And I doubt that guru is even going to come with a military background.  Finance isn't what they teach...  

 

Even if you appointed a CEO with years of experience he still wouldn't be able to run the show efficiently without the help of others(advisers) under him.  Guess some people have never heard of "hiring some of the best minds."

This the same reason elected legislators have a staff of assistants to do research and write bills.

[Jingthing]

Just now, Hawaiian said:

Even if you appointed a CEO with years of experience he still wouldn't be able to run the show efficiently without the help of others(advisers) under him.  Guess some people have never heard of "hiring some of the best minds."

This the same reason elected legislators have a staff of assistants to do research and write bills.

You think that stuffed suit from Fox weekends has a best mind? OMG!

[Hawaiian]

38 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

Just makes one prouder and prouder every day!  /sarc

 

----A drunk and alleged wife beater, alleged rapist, accused of malfeasance and for using funds ostensibly raised for veterans, but instead for staff Christmas parties where he was drunk....in charge of an $840,000,000,000 entity employing 3,000,000 men and women

 

----A convicted felon, convicted charity fraudster, adjudicated sex offender, serial philanderer, pathological liar, obese, willfully ignorant, whining crybaby, vindictive clown as POTUS

 

---A former softcore porn model who allegedly lied on her "Einstein Visa" application, worked illegally while on a Tourist Visa as FLOTUS

 

Yes, Madison, Jefferson, etc. are rolling over in their graves, while H.L. Mencken is saying, "I told you so".

Here comes one of the vilifiers I mentioned earlier.

[Hawaiian]

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You think that stuffed suit from Fox weekends has a best mind? OMG!

I'm talking about Hegseth hiring "some of the best minds." Some people just can't wait to jump to the wrong conclusion.  OMG!

[Jingthing]

Just now, Hawaiian said:

I'm talking about Hegseth hiring "some of the best minds."  OMG!

I doubt he will do that and even if he did I doubt he has the competence to manage and effectively use them. He's only there as a yes man for Trump.

[Hawaiian]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I doubt he will do that and even if he did I doubt he has the competence to manage and effectively use them. He's only there as a yes man for Trump.

Doubt all you want.  You've been wrong a few times before or have you forgotten?

[Jingthing]

15 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Doubt all you want.  You've been wrong a few times before or have you forgotten?

So your argument is because I thought that the strong man authoritarian Trump wouldn't win that my criticism of his policies and picks is made null. This is a pattern I've seen by the sore winners brigade. They actually think winning makes them or dear leader right and that critics are now compelled to shut up, or if not to be harassed and insulted or in the case of Trump's armed militias (now made above the law like Trump himself) like the Proud Boys actively threatened with violence or actual violence. At the same time they crow about free speech and how the maga moverment isn't fascist. No no no. 

[Hawaiian]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

So your argument is because I thought that the strong man authoritarian Trump wouldn't win that my criticism of his policies and picks is made null. This is a pattern I've seen by the sore winners brigade. They actually think winning makes them or dear leader right and that critics are not compelled to shut up, or if not to be harassed and insulted. At the same time they crow about free speech. No no no. 

You are free to voice your opinion just as I am free to disagree with you. 

[Yellowtail]

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

So your argument is because I thought that the strong man authoritarian Trump wouldn't win that my criticism of his policies and picks is made null. This is a pattern I've seen by the sore winners brigade. They actually think winning makes them or dear leader right and that critics are now compelled to shut up, or if not to be harassed and insulted or in the case of Trump's armed militias (now made able the law like Trump himself) like the Proud Boys actively threatened with violence or actual violence. At the same time they crow about free speech and how the maga moverment isn't fascist. No no no. 

Why should the President have people that do not support his agenda?  

[Hawaiian]

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

Why should the President have people that do not support his agenda?  

He talks about sore winners, but fails to mention sore losers.  Seems as the sore losers are back on line again with their vilifying posts.

[herfiehandbag]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

And if you consider the prospect of JD Vance as the leader of the free world, that should make a person with perception and intellect very, very afraid. 

Trump has a remarkably effective grip on MAGA and through that the Republican Party. Hence his unchallenged control. If he goes then MAGA goes, and Vance is just another politician. He won't have Trumps ruthless grip.

 

And without that ruthless grip, the punch up between various factions within the party, and the wealthy oligarchs who have invested in becoming the third part in government, after the legislative and executive branches, well that punch up will be spectacular and entertaining, and will give a whole new perspective on lame ducks. In fact I suspect that Vance will be reduced to quacking on the sidelines 

[Yellowtail]

6 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Trump has a remarkably effective grip on MAGA and through that the Republican Party. Hence his unchallenged control. If he goes then MAGA goes, and Vance is just another politician. He won't have Trumps ruthless grip.

 

And without that ruthless grip, the punch up between various factions within the party, and the wealthy oligarchs who have invested in becoming the third part in government, after the legislative and executive branches, well that punch up will be spectacular and entertaining, and will give a whole new perspective on lame ducks. In fact I suspect that Vance will be reduced to quacking on the sidelines 

And to think we could have had stolen valor Tim Walz as VP....

[bubblegum]

Only the best. For a day or 2 then "you're fired". Trump basis TV move. All he knows.

[Hawaiian]

7 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Trump has a remarkably effective grip on MAGA and through that the Republican Party. Hence his unchallenged control. If he goes then MAGA goes, and Vance is just another politician. He won't have Trumps ruthless grip.

 

And without that ruthless grip, the punch up between various factions within the party, and the wealthy oligarchs who have invested in becoming the third part in government, after the legislative and executive branches, well that punch up will be spectacular and entertaining, and will give a whole new perspective on lame ducks. In fact I suspect that Vance will be reduced to quacking on the sidelines 

Charismat

 

9 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Trump has a remarkably effective grip on MAGA and through that the Republican Party. Hence his unchallenged control. If he goes then MAGA goes, and Vance is just another politician. He won't have Trumps ruthless grip.

 

And without that ruthless grip, the punch up between various factions within the party, and the wealthy oligarchs who have invested in becoming the third part in government, after the legislative and executive branches, well that punch up will be spectacular and entertaining, and will give a whole new perspective on lame ducks. In fact I suspect that Vance will be reduced to quacking on the sidelines 

Charismatic leaders, like Martin Luther King, lead the charge and when they go the movement they started doesn't necessarily peter out.  This is not about personal character but rather an example of what may be in store if Trump leaves unexpectedly.  According some posters, they expect Trump to leave sooner than later.  We will have wait to see how accurate their expectations are.

[Hawaiian]

8 minutes ago, bubblegum said:

Only the best. For a day or 2 then "you're fired". Trump basis TV move. All he knows.

Be prepared to be disappointed.  Past performance is no guarantee.

[herfiehandbag]

14 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

And to think we could have had stolen valor Tim Walz as VP....

But you don't, you have got JD Vance. He is who we're discussing so don't bother trying to deflect...

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

But you don't, you have got JD Vance. He is who we're discussing so don't bother trying to deflect...

So stolen valor Walz was qualified to be President, but Pete Hegseth is not qualified to be Defense Secretary. 

 

I think that's hilarious. 

[riclag]

58 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Doubt all you want.  You've been wrong a few times before or have you forgotten?

President Harris lol

[illisdean]

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

So stolen valor Walz was qualified to be President, but Pete Hegseth is not qualified to be Defense Secretary. 

 

I think that's hilarious. 

He's in, officially and the liberals will soil themselves and make bigger morons of themselves now with seething disdain. HUGE win for Trump with Pete who's ultra popular and SUPER ULTRA intelligent. Perfect.

 

 

 

[herfiehandbag]

2 minutes ago, illisdean said:

He's in, officially and the liberals will soil themselves and make bigger morons of themselves now with seething disdain. HUGE win for Trump with Pete who's ultra popular and SUPER ULTRA intelligent. Perfect.

Your post, and the imagery it conjures up is very revealing.