(Dutch Harbor)
"When I joined the NSC in July 2018, I began implementing the administration’s policy on Ukraine. In the Spring of 2019, I became aware of outside influencers promoting a false narrative of Ukraine inconsistent with the consensus views of the interagency. This narrative was harmful to U.S. government policy.While my interagency colleagues and I were becoming increasingly optimistic on Ukraine’s prospects, this alternative narrative undermined U.S. government efforts to expand cooperation with Ukraine." Vindman
————
The US Army sends too many officers to graduate schools to study Political Science and International Relations. These subjects are pseudo sciences based on the 19th Century yearnings of some European scholars for a paradigm change in human affairs that would relieve them of their minority status. Sadly, these disciplines also create a mentality in officer students that gives inculcates them with the idea that they are members of a kind of fraternity that dominates or should dominate the American foreign policy establishment. I call that establishment The Borg.
The Army lent Vindman to the NSC staff, much as the marines lent Oliver North to the White House staff long ago. In an NSC staff led by the arch neocon John Bolton he must have felt quite at home. Last Summer he was given the task of listening (with several others) to Trump's conversation with Zelensky. This is a routine precaution taken to avoid misunderstandings as to what is said.
Vindman says that the president holds views inconsistent "with the consensus views of the interagency." (the Borg) LTC Vindman has evidently been seduced by the idea that the president of the US is obligated to accept the consensus of The Borg or to tell them the truth about his intentions as he directs US foreign policy. Vindman is wrong about that. He, and all the other Borgists are staff, not partners.
Vindman has evidently been returned to the Army. As a serving Army officer he can only be ejected from the officer corps for legal cause. IMO it is likely that the Army will be deeply offended by his rejection of his assigned role as a staff officer to the president and his preferred loyalty to The Borg and will find a comfortable place for him in a basement or on a distant island. (not Hawaii)
I should say that there is nothing wrong with the Army sending officers for study of useful subject but poly sci/ IR are not among them. pl
Putchists always claim they have a loyalty to the constitution and/or the nation that overrides their duty to the elected Government. This guy is just another such brat.
In the Air Force, Lt Col was where military careers came to dead ends. Good Thai restaurant in Dutch Harbor. You may want to reconsider his preferred next assignment if one is looking for a new Siberia..
Perhaps an assignment to make a detailed report into the condition of Camp Century?
Colonel
So Vindman was subpoenaed to testify before the Congressional Committee. He said he volunteered to testify [under subpoena]. Why did Vindman go in whistleblower ‘stuff’ in his prepared statement?
Presidential prerogative trumps NSC ‘staffer’. Guess that one went way over Vindman’s head.
Did he ever for one second consider the possibility that “the consensus views of the interagency” might be the false narrative? Does the Washington Borg have a history of false narratives? Nah.
Vindman says that the president expressed views inconsistent “with the consensus views of the interagency.”
No, he didn’t say that. At least not in the document you linked to. The sentence you seem to be referencing is “In the Spring of 2019, I became aware of outside influencers promoting a false narrative of Ukraine inconsistent with the consensus views of the interagency. This narrative was harmful to U.S. government policy.” Not about the president and not about the phone call. It also fits much better into his job description as I perceive it.
He does seem a bit arrogant, but he was living in John Bolton’s world so …
The U.S.government policy community’s view is that the election of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the promise of reforms to eliminate corruption will lock in Ukraine’s Western-leaning trajectory,and allow Ukraine to realize its dream of a vibrant democracy and economic prosperity.
Given this perspective and my commitment to advancing our government’s strategic interests, I will nowrecount several events that occurred
He misunderstood the “U.S, government policy community’s view”? Or Trump’s and/or Pence’s view? Or he assumes, wrongly I understand, that their (Trump’s) view is the borg’s view?
Are you suggesting Unalaska as a good working destination for the LTC?
Lovely place, great fish and lots of it. He should get living quarters with a view to mount Ballyhoo and entertain himself reading Jack London’s works.
Isn’t this a case of misplaced loyalties?
It seems to me that Vindman remained loyal to the “members of the (foreign policy)fraternity” rather than the president of the United States. Isn’t that what’s really going on here?
At some basic level, these people like Vidman don’t seem to accept our system of free elections where bureaucrats are required to implement the policies of democratically elected leaders. They seem to think it is patriotic to sabotage those policies that don’t square with their narrow idea of how things should work. Unfortunately, this sickness appears to be pretty widespread across the government, military and intel agencies.
We need a good purge.
plantman
“Isn’t that what’s really going on here?” Isn’t that what I said?
Fredw He made it clear that his gripe was that the president was not taking the Borg’s direction.
LTC Vindman, apparently never read Article II, Section 1 of our Constitution.
I honestly just don’t get the clown show of the impeachment “inquiry” that Nancy is running. She clearly doesn’t want to have an open and transparent impeachment investigation where both the President and the minority could subpoena witnesses and retain counsel to cross-examine all witnesses and review all the evidence.
Why this sham? Why not just bring forward the articles of impeachment without any open investigation and have the House vote. The Democrats have enough votes in their caucus to pass it. Or is Nancy concerned she actually doesn’t have the votes in the House?
Perhaps Vindman is loyal to something other than just “members of the fraternity.”
Aren’t intelligence people supposed to be trained to detect patterns?
There is an unmistakable ethno-religious thread running through the entire effort to destroy Trump. It is not a coincidence.
Over half a millennium ago, Machiavelli warned against trusting exiles, yet our forpol has revolved around the interests of exiles – when it has not been dictated by them directly, and it has brought us nearly to ruin.
“Why this sham?”
My opinion is that the sham is designed to vent steam from the dangerously fried brains of the “Resistance” before these zombie troops can destroy the Democrats’ (dwindling) hopes of taking over the White House next year.
They need to be kept in the corral, given some food and water (not too much), reminded hourly that Orange Man bad, and yet not be allowed to eat Republican brains YET.
Happy Halloween, America.
To paraphrase, ….I became aware of outside influences promoting a false agenda in Iraq that was inconsistent with the consensus views of the interagency that Saddam Hussein had stockpiles of WMD. Therefore, it was my opinion as a subordinate, President Bush should be impeached.
This Lt. Col thinks we are all idiots. Using foreign gov’ts to investigate U.S. citizens is his sudden concern? Where was this idiot when Obama was doing that? Guess this Lt. Col never heard of the “Five Eyes” Program. It is common knowledge that the U.S. cannot spy on its own but heck it doesn’t mean Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.K cannot do it for us. Lt. Col Vindman needs to be drummed out of the Army and sent to the Federal Prison at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Also nice of his smart *** to wear his uniform to the hearing but not on a daily basis to his job. Who the F is he trying to impress OR why is he stupid enough to let the Dem’s use him. He is a disgrace to me and every Veteran that has served or is serving
I was a tourist in Ukraine shortly before the Russian re-annexation of Crimea, and our tour bus leader was quite candid about wanting to side with western Europe instead of Russia in the upcoming referendum. For her, was all about access to more consumer goods and potential of getting her hands on EU investment money; nothing political.
Nancy wants a deafening anti-Trump drum beat to continue until November 2020. She has to in order to appease the big government employee unions who fund the Democrat party and provide the GOTV ground troops. She doesn’t care about substance; only form.
She knows this can lead to voters finally screaming, just get rid of the guy. We want peace. We see this same thing play out in California – it is dedicated Democrat tactic, until even a candidates mother would not recognize anyone who dares take on the powerful public employee unions in this state – aka the well-funded Democrat Mean Machine.
There is another part of the story.
Let any member of the bureaucracy express a view contrary to that of President Trump,
and WaPo will present the view of the bureaucrat as being clearly right, and in America’s interest,
and the view of President Trump as being wrong.
President Trump is clearly the Rodney Dangerfield of our time, with regard to the media.
It’s worse than a shame; it’s not a crime;
I don’t know the right word to describe the situation.
Sundance writes:
“Seditious Conspiracy / Sketchy Witness – Schiff Blocks Questioning of NSC Staffer Alexander Vindman to Protect Him from Legal Exposure…”,
sundance, 2019-10-29
We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.
Not for a Borg Drone
Its not hard to get background information on LTC Alexander Vindman and His brother who is also an Army Officer and Attorney by doing a google search..and reading on the News Articles Defending Him..As an Immigrant from the Ukraine..fluent in the Language and fluent in Russian..He held many interesting Posts including Assignments to Our Embassy in Russia..and then into the NSC Circle so well That He could listen in on Phone Calls by President Trump.. .With his Background and Political Bias…I have to wonder if He had Contact with any of the People who are Part of the Hillary Clinton Team..or participated in the Christopher Steele Circle here or in Europe or Russia..or The Ukraine.. that Put together the Steele Dossier. .All I see and read is Absolute Verification of Every Point you have ever Made here …. No Coincidence that MANY First or Second Generation Politicans..are also the Ones Trying to take down Prsident Trump..and it is a COUP Attempt..IMO
Vindman wore his uniform because he does exactly what he is ordered to do.He does report to senior officers after all.If this turns into a drefuss then it is all over
To quote LTC Vindman:
” I was a politico-military affairs officer for Russia for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs where I authored the principle strategy for managing competition with Russia.”
So the JCS didn’t draft the strategy a LTC did? Why do we need all those generals?
” I am appearing today voluntarily pursuant to a subpoena”
So, no subpoena = no testimony. I sure hope zero reporters ask just how your name came to be known to the committee to they would force your appearance by issuing a subpoena.
“In my position, I coordinate with a superb cohort of inter-agency partners. I regularly prepare internal memoranda, talking points, and other materials for the National Security Advisor and senior staff.”
So you are a highly skilled speechwriter and PowerPoint expert.
“I became aware of outside influencers promoting a false narrative of Ukraine inconsistent with the consensus views of the interagency. This narrative was harmful to U.S. government policy.”
As President Trump’s decision determines what is U.S. Government policy.
“… it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend OUR country, irrespective of party or politics.”
So you are on a mission from God and elections won’t get in the way of what you and your colleagues determine is the national interest? Please remind me when the political commissar elections were held, I don’t remember any but do remember quite clearly Trump winning the presidential election of 2016.
“I have never had direct contact or communications with the President.”
Imagine that. But you do know what the best policy for the US is and what the elected President decided isn’t acceptable to you and your “interagency colleagues”, thus the sabotage of US policy, by you, the good officer and let us emphasise, the good immigrant. The entire Democratic Party stands ready to defend you. How many more junior officers will decide that sabotage of US policy – as inspired by their own enlightened understanding of course – will we see in the years to come? Congratulations to Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, et. al. What a wonderful achievement. Perhaps you should vote LTC Vindman an honorary gold medal for his courage.
Factotum,
An EU passport meant a ticket out of the sticks and none of that nation building stuff. Why create a civilization worth living in when you can just high tail it to one other people built?
While you have a point about Vindman representing NSC views, I am more concerned about Trump coercing Zelensky into investigating the Bidens. Are you saying he should not have gone to the NSC lawyers to express his concerns?
srw
If Vindman could not accept Trump’s policy he should have asked the Army to relieve him of duty at the WH. It was pathetic to stab Trump in the back.
anon
No, Vindman wore his uniform to the hearing because he is a pompous ass in much the same way that Ollie North wore his to hearings.
Trump coerced Zlensky into investigating Joe Biden and Hunter Biden? How did that happen.
Moon of Alabama thinks Vindman is a suspicious character and assumed responsibility and judgement he did not have but the president did according to the U.S. Constitution.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjsxfCn2MXlAhVIjlkKHWk3AOgQFjAAegQIAxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moonofalabama.org%2F2019%2F10%2Fwho-is-supposed-to-define-us-foreign-policy-hint-it-is-not-the-borg.html&usg=AOvVaw3dX8OEfbW8Fzbx7nG4LGT7
And once again I regret the absence of a “like” button. I would press it for this particular comment until my finger wore out.
“… trained to detect patterns”?
And the patterns are certainly there.
He’s a disgrace to the U.S of A.
So it was his decision to make.Interesting.Have no idea how army works.For some reason i get the impression,a gut feeling,that this is a watershed moment,but it seems with trump the sheds in water all the time.Ollie went south you know.
anon
Active duty military and naval personnel assigned to the WH are still the “property” of their service and can be taken back unless the president insists on keeping them at the WH.
As Keith Harbaugh said – there are more parts to the story. As some commenters here allude, the loyalties of Vindman may be complicated to say the least. In that light, I am confused about the position of AIPAC is taking in the attempts to unseat a president who has been so far very kind to issues concerning the best US-ally in the ME. Is Ukraine issue now even more important? and if so, why.
Check his wastebasket.
I spent too many years inside the beltway as an action officer (AO). AO’s are normally the area experts in something & are therefore involved in developing & maintaining their agency’s policy in that area. I can not remember ever running into an AO who thought that it was “their” policy. You research & recommend; but, the policy is set by the principal of the agency. Not all of your recommendations are accepted. It’s the nature of being a staff officer. It was understood that if you take the kings shilling, you do the king’s bidding. If you can’t accept the principal’s final policy position & feel strongly about your opposing position, it is time to quit taking the shilling. It’s time to resign or just put ketchup on it & eat it.
AO’s live or die by their AO networks. The network is normally the AO’s in the other departments or agencies who you must coordinate with on a routine basis in order to move actions in your area of expertise. AO’s strive to develop trust in their AO network. Burn your network & you die (bureaucratically). My guess is that
the whistleblower’s source of dissatisfaction & information about the WH/Ukrainian PM phone call is Vindman’s AO net of Ukrainian area “experts” – an “echo chamber.”
I to was offended by Vindman wrapping himself in the Army uniform for his testimony.
I doubt that he’d worn a uniform to work for years.
ISL – I think Bernie Sanders was just quoted saying exactly that in today’s news – resistance is futile – I will change the values system in this country.
Right.So he is permanent force but does not wear his uniform at work?So who does he report to while he is stationed at the WH.An army officer or a governent civilian.Just curious because the generals around trump are always in uniform.
anon
The generals you see around Trump or any president are in uniform because they came to meetings representing the armed force(s). A military officer working at the WH works for whoever is appointed above him civilian or military. When that assignment is over he/she goes on to another assignment.
On the subject of LTC Vindman wearing his dress blues for his appearance before Congress, sundance opines:
Also, a question:
Based on the photo sundance provided,
LTC Vindman looks not merely overweight, but actually obese.
Also, is that not Infantry insignia on his lapel?
If so, is physical fitness a part of the OER for Infantry officers at his level?
Or is this waived for officers such as he?
Keith Harbaugh
He is definitely overweight and has probably found some way to dodge the PT test. The officers assigned to the WH probably give each other the PT test.
Be thankful there is a place without social media paraphernalia.
Agree with the idea of a “like” button.
Right got it.Thanks
”I am confused about the position of AIPAC is taking in the attempts to unseat a president who has been so far very kind to issues concerning the best US-ally in the ME. Is Ukraine issue now even more important? and if so, why.”
AIPAC & Fellows now think Trump can’t be pushed to attack Iran, therefore he is no longer of much use to them. Our Israeli occupied congress probably would go along with attacking Iran and a new president, Pence or whoever might also go along with that.
Israel has some economic interest in the Ukraine and would like to have top influence there that they could then use to threaten, barter with,trade favors with re the US and other manipulations.
Besides its time for the Bolsheviks to loot Russia again.
Pardon my horrible bigotry but Vinderman is a first generation American and Jewish whose beliefs/attitude re Russia and Ukraine probably come from his refugee parents.
And for some reason many of this type think they are entitled ‘to tell the US
what its policies should be.’
This pompous squirt fits the type.
In his written opening remarks to yesterday’s confidential hearing, widely spread to the media, he asserts:
”In spite of being under assault from Russia for more than five years, Ukraine has taken major steps towards integrating with the West. The U.S. government policy community’s view is that the election of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the promise of reforms to eliminate corruption will lock in Ukraine’s Western-leaning trajectory, and allow Ukraine to realize its dream of a vibrant democracy and economic prosperity.
All
I am NOT going back to Disqus. I prefer to run SST. I do not want Disqus to run it.
Is the “policy” you’re referring to; ‘withholding bipartisan funding for Ukraine until Zelenski investigates the Bidens’?
srw
Any policy. As an Army officer detailed to the president’s staff he had no right to independent action. the ethical action on his part would have been to ask the Army to remove him form the WH. He then could have done whatever he thought best.
Catherine, I listened today to an interview by NYT correspondent in Moscow, (forgot his name, it was the Fresh Air show of Terry Gross, but she was not the interviewer) – and he mentioned the connection of Zelenskyj with the oligarch Kolomoiskji – and I was somewhat pleasantly surprised that the correspondent of NYT was very carful not to praise Zelenskij to heaven, but was reserving judgment. It seems that the Jewish diaspora, which came from Ukraine and neighboring Moldova (as Ms. Nuland), is quite adamant on regime change in Ukraine; Crimea would be a plum to get, if Russia could be persuaded. The dream of “California in Crimea” was described Pavel Sudoplatov in his autobiography “Special Tasks”. Thanks for the explanation to my earlier question about position of AIPAC in current impeachment probe.
Gaia apparently replaced chain of command in the military. And the workplace and now Congress too.
Gaia weeps – chaos and selfishness was not her original intent. Universal peace and love drives Gaia. At least that is what they claim in LaLaLand.
One could endlessly parse just that one statement:
“… it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend OUR country, irrespective of party or politics.” (The Lt Col sez)
Let’s just start with his definition of ….. OUR country. I guess his country tosses out the US Constitution and puts himself truly into the position of Commander in Chief.
Some extra credit reading for you Lt Col Vindman about OUR country:
United States Constitution Section 2
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
Trick or Treat? (Red State) – In praise of the deep state say Brennen and McLaughlin:
….”McLaughlin’s response was more than a little disturbing as he in fact confirmed that yes, indeed there was a cadre of folks doing exactly that. “Thank God for the ‘Deep State,’” he said to cheers in the liberal friendly audience.
What he said was truly stunning. Because they didn’t like what Trump was doing, they were going to try to take him out.
“With all of the people who knew what was going on here, it took an intelligence officer to step forward and say something about it, which was the trigger that then unleashed everything else,” McLaughlin said.
He went on to praise the intelligence community. “This is the institution within the U.S. government — that with all of its flaws, and it makes mistakes — is institutionally committed to objectivity and telling the truth,” he said.
“It is one of the few institutions in Washington that is not in a chain of command that makes or implements policy. Its whole job is to speak the truth — it’s engraved in marble in the lobby.”……”
Colonel Lang, thank you for this site, sir. It is a never ending source of information, and I greatly appreciate your patience in keeping it up and running.
factotum
“It is one of the few institutions in Washington that is not in a chain of command that makes or implements policy. Its whole job is to speak the truth — it’s engraved in marble in the lobby.” John Mclaughlin I have known for many years. He is a bootlicking servant of the “collective” at CIA. That is how he became Deputy Director out there at Langley. CIA IS NOT outside the policy world. The operations part of CIA has a legislated role in covert action as well as in clandestine HUMINT. This makes CIA an advocacy group for covert actions that it favors and is carrying out. He either lies in this statement or is deluded.
Some links for McLauglin’s comments:
“Former CIA Acting Director Praises ‘Deep State’ For Role In Trump Impeachment Push”, Daily Caller 2019-10-31
also, a 1m30s video showing McLaughlin making the comment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89SC1xlQ_pw
I see several of Colonel Lang’s best buds were at that conference 🙂
Ah! Now I understand why the U.S. seems to be so unfathomably entangled in the affairs of the former Pale of Settlement:
“BEFORE CRIMEA WAS AN ETHNIC RUSSIAN STRONGHOLD,
IT WAS A POTENTIAL JEWISH HOMELAND”
“Jews have lived in the area since ancient times, and leaders from Catherine the Great to Stalin encouraged their settlement there”
That article, from Tablet magazine, is well worth reading. A sample:
The Jews had a republic in Russia set up in 1934,a Jewish Autonomous Region with Birobidzhan as its capital.
It was about the size of Holland and Belgium combined. Was located near the China boarder with particularly fertile land and forest.
Stalin supplied it with food and some equipment for the first few years but it was a specular failure. Jews who moved there were not prepared to be farmers and gradually most slipped back into Moscow to pursue their former merchant trades. So there were only a few hundred Jews left there as time went on.
But what is interesting is that the Chinese struck a deal to move into and farm the land. They have turned it into a booming industrial and agricultural region and export its resources like minerals and timber to China.
This has led to renewed Jewish (and Israeli) interest in their only
other official ‘Jewish state’outside of Israel…..so there is a movement of Jews returning.
Some reality of russian hospitality
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krymchaks
USN-Ret is not going to let some Army LtCol steal all the thunder taking down the duly elected Commander in Chief. Quoth the McRaven, Trump Nevermore
…..”For the first time in 243 years, a 4-star decorated and retired US Navy admiral, Admiral William McRaven, violated the ethos of military professionalism by authoring an Op Ed for release in the New York Times. McRaven openly attacked the President of the United States and brayed for the removal of the President, stating it is time for a new person in the Oval Office— “the sooner, the better.”…….. (RedState)
Not sure what your point is…but since your wiki article is only about Jews I assume you are saying Jews were persecuted in Russia despite the fact Russia at times tried to find a solution to their desire for self rule. Nothing new there…light bulb on, light bulb off is the way it has gone thru out the centuries.
Stalin persecuted all religious …confiscated and burned down churches, mosques, killed clergy, basically outlawed religion and God.
“She has to in order to appease the big government employee unions who fund the Democrat party and provide the GOTV ground troops”
Maybe you should set your watch up 40 years to 2019. Those “big government employee unions” aren’t capable of funding a primary candidate in a big state these days. The Democratic Party, since the Clintons, is funded by Wall Street.
Goin’ South: Wall Street does not walk precincts, monitor polling stations hauling in Democrats who have not yet dropped off their ballots nor does Wall Street send out vote-harvesters to Skid Row and Memory Care centers and fill out ballots and conduct same day voter registration.
Nope, it is the highly disciplined GOTV public sector unions who do all of this. The public sector unions have immediate existential skin in the game, which is hard to match by any other pervasive entity, even Wall Street.
In the final analysis, it is the actual votes that get counted. Not how much money is spent getting those votes. 200 teacher union members, government employee union members along with police and fire union members will always out vote 100 fat cat Wall Street bankers.
Colonel, I wonder if you have a reaction to this 2019-11-09 sundance column:
The “Coup” Against a Sitting U.S. President Became Official on October 29th, 2019…
It begins (with my added emphasis):
Sundance continues with a very detailed look at Vindman’s testimony, pointing out how one of Vindman’s lawyers blocked a Congressman’s questions. Then sundance prefaces his next analysis of the testimony with:
Very interesting — do you have an opinion on this?
Does sundance have a point in this?
Keith Harbaugh
Vindman is a pompous, conceited ass who values his self esteem more than his constitutional office as a servant of the Republic. I do not think the military supports his insubordinatio. He is headed for the dustbin in the Army and will never make colonel, never go to the War College and will not be selected for command. The Army wants him to go away quietly.
and so it shall be done…
National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday and talked about the major reduction in personnel at the NatSec Council moving forward.
Mr. O’Brien told CBS host Margaret Brennan that the agency became bloated under the Obama Administration and ballooned to over 236 people.
Robert O’Brien, who was just appointed as National Security Advisor in September of this year after John Bolton was forced out, said Alexander Vindman is scheduled to be rotated out of his post at the NatSec Council and sent back to the Department of Defense as he pares down the agency to about 100 people.