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Alexander Vindman: Coming forward ended my career. I still believe doing what's right matters.
After 21 years, six months and 10 days of active military service, I am now a civilian. I made the difficult decision to retire because a campaign of bullying, intimidation and retaliation by President Trump and his allies forever limited the progression of my military career.
This experience has been painful, but I am not alone in this ignominious fate. The circumstances of my departure might have been more public, yet they are little different from those of dozens of other lifelong public servants who have left this administration with their integrity intact but their careers irreparably harmed.
A year ago, having served the nation in uniform in positions of critical importance, I was on the cusp of a career-topping promotion to colonel. A year ago, unknown to me, my concerns over the presidents conduct and the presidents efforts to undermine the very foundations of our democracy were precipitating tremors that would ultimately shake loose the facade of good governance and publicly expose the corruption of the Trump administration.
At no point in my career or life have I felt our nations values under greater threat and in more peril than at this moment. Our national government during the past few years has been more reminiscent of the authoritarian regime my family fled more than 40 years ago than the country I have devoted my life to serving.
Our citizens are being subjected to the same kinds of attacks tyrants launch against their critics and political opponents. Those who choose loyalty to American values and allegiance to the Constitution over devotion to a mendacious president and his enablers are punished. The president recklessly downplayed the threat of the pandemic even as it swept through our country. The economic collapse that followed highlighted the growing income disparities in our society. Millions are grieving the loss of loved ones and many more have lost their livelihoods while the president publicly bemoans his approval ratings.
There is another way.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/01/alexander-vindman-retiring-oped/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=wp_opinions
This experience has been painful, but I am not alone in this ignominious fate. The circumstances of my departure might have been more public, yet they are little different from those of dozens of other lifelong public servants who have left this administration with their integrity intact but their careers irreparably harmed.
A year ago, having served the nation in uniform in positions of critical importance, I was on the cusp of a career-topping promotion to colonel. A year ago, unknown to me, my concerns over the presidents conduct and the presidents efforts to undermine the very foundations of our democracy were precipitating tremors that would ultimately shake loose the facade of good governance and publicly expose the corruption of the Trump administration.
At no point in my career or life have I felt our nations values under greater threat and in more peril than at this moment. Our national government during the past few years has been more reminiscent of the authoritarian regime my family fled more than 40 years ago than the country I have devoted my life to serving.
Our citizens are being subjected to the same kinds of attacks tyrants launch against their critics and political opponents. Those who choose loyalty to American values and allegiance to the Constitution over devotion to a mendacious president and his enablers are punished. The president recklessly downplayed the threat of the pandemic even as it swept through our country. The economic collapse that followed highlighted the growing income disparities in our society. Millions are grieving the loss of loved ones and many more have lost their livelihoods while the president publicly bemoans his approval ratings.
There is another way.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/01/alexander-vindman-retiring-oped/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=wp_opinions
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Alexander Vindman: Coming forward ended my career. I still believe doing what's right matters. (Original Post)
demmiblue
Aug 2020
OP
duforsure
(11,885 posts)1. He deserves to get another medal
For what he's had to sacrifice. He stood tall defending the truth and against corrupt criminals .
demmiblue
(36,838 posts)3. I say Biden should bestow upon him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
50 Shades Of Blue
(9,967 posts)2. K & R!!!
FM123
(10,053 posts)4. I hope President Biden finds a place for him in his administration.
chriscan64
(1,789 posts)5. We will need experts on Russia more than ever.
Don't go anywhere Fiona Hill.