Trump picks another billionaire, for secretary of the Army

[dixiegrrrrl]

He chose former US Army infantry officer and Virtu Financial founder Vincent Viola.

Here is some background on the guy, via a quick look at Wiki.

He is an "officer" because he graduated West Point. Does not appear to have seen any combat.

He founded Virtu Financial, one of the largest high-frequency trading and market making firms.

As of September 2015, Viola had a net worth of $2.2 billion.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Viola

Interesting footnote, which may explain what Trump sees in him:

They live in NYC.
In 2013, their Upper East Side townhouse was listed for sale at $114 million, and Variety described it as "turgidly ornamented and giddily gaudy in its unrestrained grandiosity"

"turgidly ornamented"...this page has pics of the townhouse, with lots of detailed info....Versailles seem to be an apt description.
https://variety.com/2013/dirt/real-estalker/epic-and-epically-opulent-manhattan-townhouse-listed-for-114-million-255/

[madaboutharry]

1. Apparently

Viola and Trump have the same decorator.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Mrs. Viola IS an interior decorator, according to the article.

Which means she may be inflicting her taste on other people.....yikes.

[smirkymonkey]

6. Sounds like the Viola's and the Trumps have the same vulgar taste in interior design...

"Listing details describe the townhouse, just off Fifth Avenue on swanky East 69th Street, as “tastefully redone by the current owners.” Hmm. We’re not sure if tasteful is how Your Mama might describe the interiors of this house. Luridly lavish? Yes. Hilariously overwrought? Sure. Savagely opulent? Why not? Turgidly ornamented and giddily gaudy in its unrestrained grandiosity? Absolutely! But tasteful? There is no question in Your Mama’s un-trained and booze-soaked brain that the fittings and kittings that adorn this house were painstakingly sourced at unimaginable cost by Miz Viola and her team of architects and decorators but it really goes to show that good taste, like beauty, really is entirely subjective, isn’t it? Anyways…"

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. Goes to show you can't buy good taste.

I am reminded of the stories of the "old money" in the 1800's in the US, versus the "new money".
The old time rich ( Vanderbilts, Rockefellers,, Goulds, etc) were fairly conservative with their decor. Big estates, yes, but they would never think of splashy garish ostentation, whereas the new money people would.

[atreides1]

3. Single tour of duty

In other words he did the minimum to meet his service obligation!

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Seems to be a slap in the face for the Army...

I am sure there are many capable ranking members who could a better job.

[hughee99]

12. I don't think either of Obama's official (not acting) Secretaries served in the military at all.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_M._McHugh
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Fanning

[NightWatcher]

5. Generals for civilian posts and a (near) civilian financier for a military post.

Because sure, wtf not.

[Lurks Often]

7. Secretary of the Army is a civilian position, not a military one

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_the_Army

[bluedigger]

8. It's a civilian position.

Only President to put a General there was Bill Clinton.

[Captain_New_York]

9. I am Not Pleased that another Billionaire in the Cabinet

But as a former CPT in the Army and having a West Point Graduate son I have to defend the guy. He worked his way up from some very ordinary roots to the financial success he has now. Unlike the Orange man who given everything on a silver platter (and probably would have a more money if he just invested in an index fund), Viola started with nothing. Although I am not near as successful as Viola, I too attended an Ivy League school on a Army Scholarship and as a Bartender, after serving as a Paratrooper. As the son of a firefighter and teacher, I know how tough it is to do it with your own resources

As far as his service, he fulfilled his obligation. In the late 70's there wasn't much going on in the Army. And unlike a number of his fellow cadets, he didn't resign after the second year to avoid any military commitment at all (Called "2 and Screw&quot and he served in the reserves long enough to be promoted to Major

Just my 2 cents, we have to be careful of demonizing someone for their success

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. Fair point. ( My BIL is West Point grad,)

But can I get a bit nauseated over his need to be so damn ostentatious in his tacky home decor???