General Discussion

rasputin1952

(83,484 posts)

25. Some of you know me, some of you don't...

Tue Jan 14, 2025, 07:08 PM

Jan 14

I will therefore start with this caveat:

I am a 72-year-old (73 as of tomorrow) straight, white, male, atheist. I believe that everyone has the right to live their lives as they see fit, unless the objective is to harm others. I am a combat vet from an ill-conceived war over 50 years ago, spending 13 years on active duty.

With that said, I was there when women came into the military in significant numbers. As a Medical Plt Sgt, I told my platoon that if I heard of any harassment or inappropriate behavior, they would answer to me first and then I would go to the CO to rectify such behavior, ZERO tolerance. My platoon was the only one in the entire Brigade, that never had a complaint from the women we came in contact with.

There is never a justification for unwanted advances upon anyone, end of story.
I have NO respect for those who abuse others, such behavior can never be tolerated.

Hegeseth is a knuckle-dragging idiot. For the short time I watched his hearing, he never answered anything pertaining to his previous behavior. It was obfuscation, "rumors", give me a break. For all of his time in the NG, and he could not make it to Major, speaks volumes.

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I don't know how to say this, but I'm going to try. [View all] madaboutharry Jan 14 OP

Any woman of a certain age remembers biophile Jan 14 #1

Please Bio, DENVERPOPS Jan 14 #41

Ditto....at your sides and out in front clearing the way calikid Jan 14 #44

With gratitude- will accept all the help you give! biophile Jan 14 #50

Thank you for your support! biophile Jan 14 #48

"was 'just the way things are'... so it just didn't register" Beartracks Jan 14 #54

I got enlightened DENVERPOPS Jan 15 #66

I believe that enough dtates have actually passed it to put it into the Constitution, soldierant Jan 15 #71

I'm that "certain age" WinstonSmith4740 Jan 15 #88

I definitely get a visceral feeling watching this guy so many others in Trump's orbit as well Walleye Jan 14 #2

And yet many of them will insist that they just "love" women. 🙄 ShazzieB Jan 14 #30

Yeah - like a wolf loves little children biophile Jan 14 #51

I had to stop watching Hegseth and his smirk when being questioned by female senators Walleye Jan 15 #81

He reminds me of Matt Gaetz. And that's about the biggest insult I could throw at him. patphil Jan 14 #3

Brylcream spokesmen by day... rubbersole Jan 14 #6

Exactly! And he has the same smirk. Mike Johnson has it , too. KitFox Jan 14 #55

Slimy, creepy, dangerous men. Irish_Dem Jan 14 #4

I visited a girlfriend earlier this afternoon, slightlv Jan 14 #42

I think women in various parts of the world are having similar discussions. Irish_Dem Jan 14 #46

"I feel like I don't see it changing... ever." CrispyQ Jan 14 #64

Ernst could be described the same way.. BattleRow Jan 14 #45

That is really the core of their movement. Bleacher Creature Jan 14 #52

Exactly, this is the cohort group they are interested in. Irish_Dem Jan 14 #57

Agreed on all points. yardwork Jan 14 #5

Never forget BigMin28 Jan 14 #38

Wow, I did not know that. arthritisR_US Jan 15 #69

Ernst is an abuser mercuryblues Jan 14 #7

Did she specify if her rapist was male or female? BattleRow Jan 14 #62

A college boyfriend. mercuryblues Jan 14 #65

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace is another like Ernst. Mister Ed Jan 15 #75

Totally with you. ancianita Jan 14 #8

..and coping with that emotional reality is going to have a high cost and many or most of us may not have the skills... WizumbODaSage Jan 14 #10

Welcome to DU, just roll with the punches and get back up KS Toronado Jan 15 #90

While I agree that we are no longer in a functioning democracy Brenda Jan 14 #32

I'm a male who has worked around a lot of these types and it revolts me. erronis Jan 14 #9

Those types have always enigmania Jan 14 #22

I hear you Lulu KC Jan 14 #11

I agree, Lulu.. TY for saying that. Cha Jan 14 #16

Mahalo for talking about your Cha Jan 14 #12

Well said, Cha. nt spooky3 Jan 14 #23

Mahalo & Aloha, Spooky.. Cha Jan 14 #24

Aloha to you! spooky3 Jan 14 #26

Yes lots of Putin Puppets in Cha Jan 14 #34

"Putin puppets in charge" TommyT139 Jan 14 #36

I am hoping that a large group of his supporters will soon see that he will do spooky3 Jan 14 #37

Yes the inflation thing & Cha Jan 14 #40

Joni Ernst is a coward AverageOldGuy Jan 14 #13

While I agree with you MLWR Jan 14 #17

It doesn't matter to MAGA if he has functioning brain or not. travelingthrulife Jan 15 #84

I'm an old soldier AverageOldGuy Jan 14 #14

Welcome Home Brother n/t rasputin1952 Jan 14 #27

I was really hoping Duckworth would ask if he thought she wasn't lethal Arazi Jan 14 #31

The behavior is neither manly nor leadership. legallyblondeNYC Jan 14 #15

I didn't watch today, but a 'takeaway,' elleng Jan 14 #18

Hegseth is pure fucking evil. Initech Jan 14 #19

Well said. Ernst is a good old boy and they are all marching to Maga and the Chosen Orange manchild. Fascism is here Evolve Dammit Jan 14 #20

Trump's iron fisted control of our future with no one to stop him terrifies me. Peregrine Took Jan 14 #21

Some of you know me, some of you don't... rasputin1952 Jan 14 #25

Thanks rasputin1952 Brenda Jan 14 #29

Thank you, rasputin1952, for laying down the law with your platoon. That was REAL leadership Attilatheblond Jan 14 #33

He's probably been well-coached. calimary Jan 14 #39

Fealty to him is a major tennet of drumphf's pov. electric_blue68 Jan 15 #68

Happy Birthday Rasputin Capricorn Beringia Jan 14 #43

You are correct. yellow dahlia Jan 14 #53

Thank you for your service, Rasputin1952 LNM Jan 14 #59

Thank you for the Respect you gave to your fellow Women Soldiers... electric_blue68 Jan 15 #67

I did my first tour as Infantry... rasputin1952 Jan 15 #85

"He reminds me of Matt Gaetz." J_William_Ryan Jan 14 #28

People use the word, kozar Jan 14 #35

I used to work with guys like him when I was younger working on a stock trading desk kimbutgar Jan 14 #47

I see creepy - yellow dahlia Jan 14 #49

I am sure Pete Hegseth thinks he is pretty. madaboutharry Jan 14 #56

Meggyn Kelly two rows behind him. Defends him on her radio show. IA8IT Jan 15 #77

The worst... Mike Nelson Jan 14 #58

I can't rec your OP enough MontanaMama Jan 14 #60

When I'm triggered, I don't blame anybody. I reflect on my own issues and refrain from reading or listening Martin68 Jan 14 #61

I really worry about the younger generations. They grew up with an expectation of equanimity in the future. 58Sunliner Jan 14 #63

Recommended. H2O Man Jan 15 #70

Ernst isn't alone. iemanja Jan 15 #72

This is no surprise. Most of the cons The Third Doctor Jan 15 #73

Reminds me of Susan Fucking Collins BigDemVoter Jan 15 #74

I'm triggered too Laurelin Jan 15 #76

k and r BoRaGard Jan 15 #78

Joni Earnest True Blue American Jan 15 #79

I get you. Been there, experience that, suffered the trauma. mucholderthandirt Jan 15 #80

There will be a certain pleasure in watching it all implode. Hegseth, who looks like he'll be confirmed, Vinca Jan 15 #82

At their core, sexual abuse, racism, and wealth inequality are about injustice. Republicans are cool with injustice LaMouffette Jan 15 #83

You hit the nail on the head. After seeing clips of Hepseth akbacchus_BC Jan 15 #86

I gave it up after Grassleys True Blue American Jan 15 #87

A large group of criminals being pushed through. SupportSanity Jan 15 #89