I’ve sat around a lot of tables, drinking coffee and listening to guys like this. They were mostly court ordered and they just wanted someone to sign their little slips saying they were there.
She is almost as despicable as Kellyanne Conway. Both do a disservice to everyone by deflecting and explaining away trump and his administration’s crimes and mechanizations.
My grandpa became an acholoic after WW2 he never got help. My uncle became one after Vinteem. He got help and admitted it, tho. Veterans can see through that bs, plus he wants to throw benefits away. He could care less.
Wow! That took a chilling turn. Sociopathic behavior is layered and complex, like for many in the Trump orbit. People feel safe with the words, but should fear the actions.
“i haven’t offed myself so i don’t have a drinking problem.” this is the tragic logic my kids’ dad employs every day. lack of introspection is killing this country, and a lot of good people are going to see this man and think they’re ok because he thinks he’s ok.
also, reducing veterans’ trauma to the “obvious” solution of drinking is absolutely egregious. he should be decrying for mental health access and comprehensive physical care for his brothers in arms, not just relegating us all to drunks. we can do better for each other.
Agree. Just for the record, I’m starting to think about why it seems like a person who was in the military is presented as best to run for office. By his own admission, his service drove him to drink from the trauma.
"I've never had a drinking problem. I drink, I get drunk, I fall down, no problem!"
Yeah. It's funny when it's on a t-shirt. Not so amusing when it's from a posturing d!ckhead who desperately wants to be SecDef, no matter how grotesquely unqualified he is for the position.
As a person, I hope for his sake, any of what he said is true, but if he's in denial and really does have a problem, then I hope he hits bottom soon and reaches out for help, so he can start rebuilding his life. In any event, it's clear he lacks the requisite experience and character to be Sec Def.
This makes it seem like Hegseth is relieved to just be alive and functioning, which I think we’re all happy for. But the job of SECDEF requires a lot more nuance than the simple churning of oxygen into carbon dioxide.
Betcha the bottle has lead to unwanted advances and several divorces. But he doesn’t need help. His avg is about 5 years per wife. Rauchet better keep her paperwork nearby.
In an ideal world, nobody is an alcoholic or addict, and seeks proper counseling. But the reality is that very few do - that's why we have so many addicts.
I won't judge a soldier for drinking in moderation, and I think it's bad politics to do so.
There's no evidence of alcoholism.
Actually, there is reporting that his colleagues at Fox and at non-profits he led repeatedly expressed concern of his abuse of alcohol.
And we're not talking about a soldier. We're talking about someone who wants to lead the Pentagon. There's a major difference in the messaging between the two.
There are multiple anonymous sources vs. many Fox colleagues who dispute the claims.
If the claims are real, let the sources come out of the shadows.
You don't get to accuse someone from behind anonymity.
Pete may NOT be best choice, but that doesn't change the stadnard by which he should be judged.
The sources have come out of the shadows: Hegseth's mother, for one, and Hegseth himself admits in the Megyn Kelly interview that he abused alcohol as he self-treated.
Seriously, you're on the wrong end of a losing argument: advocating alcohol use to cope with PTSD is not a good message.
I'm not advocating alcohol to treat anything. I have many addicts in my family, and I know the consequences. But I'm also not going to lecture a veteran for "having a few beers," because that would be ridiculous.
This guy tanked 2 non profits. Had to be carried to his room at corporate events. This isn't someone just overdoing it a few times. That's the thing with alcohol, it's insidious. He wasn't forthcoming and it's coming back to haunt him.
Every human who knows an alcoholic (or who is one and admits it) put hand over face in response to this. And every person who has dealt with an abuser likely did the same thing. I wish we lived in a nation where leaders could admit their failings. Naive? I'll accept that label. I want better.
I mean, Megan, I've drunk down to the bottom of many bottles, yes. No one's ever told me to seek help, so no, they don't have a problem with my drinking. Should I be more self-aware that I am a blackout drunken alcoholic, absolutely yes, Megan; however, I am unbelievably STUPID. Happy to be SecDef.
What I don't get in these videos is how many telltale signs there are of emotional insincerity and yet there are millions of people who don't see them.
As a musician and music journalist and biographer of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Allman Brothers Band, I have spent a lot of time thinking about addiction and talking to addicts in all stages. What Hegseth said to Kelly is textbook denial and his pledge to stop drinking is really just sad.
Oh well, as anyone who grew up with alcoholic parents can tell you, if he says he doesn’t have a drinking problem, then he must not be an alcoholic. He’s just medicating his war demons. Totally normal to get black out sober and assault women.
I feel like his functioning alcoholism/DV/vibe with a healthy dose of Christian Nationalism is what makes him so relatable to the base of the GOP. The Mel Gibson crowd must be giddy.
Aaron, go do 2-3 combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Combat Veterans struggle with depression, alcohol, drugs and relationships. On avg 22 Veterans commit suicide every damn day. That's the elephant in the room few want to discuss.
Rumors are that we are General Striking Dec 26. (It’s me. I’m starting the rumors). #Dec26GeneralStrike #generalstrike #demandchange #resist #TWRLL (this is what resistance looks like)
Comments
Why doesn’t Pete get a pass, comrade?
Really pressing him.
Throwing some hard balls.
3 mediocre white guys whose sense of entitlement far outweighs their talent and intellect
"However much you deny the truth, the truth goes on existing, as it were, behind your back".
Truth exists behind denial.
Many people have not told me that.
He's a frigging walking penis.
Yeah. It's funny when it's on a t-shirt. Not so amusing when it's from a posturing d!ckhead who desperately wants to be SecDef, no matter how grotesquely unqualified he is for the position.
Trump chose Hegseth for his looks as much as anything. He values people for their appearance and also their subservience.
What could go wrong??
Sorry, I'll see myself out
Sad. But shows how Trump does not care to vet anyone because this was no big secret!
Um, through counseling and mental health support for the vet and their family, not alcohol abuse.
(This is why this man is completely unsuited for his desired position.)
Also, do we have any proof he's even SEEN a battlefield? Seems to be a strange amount of stolen valor over there.
I won't judge a soldier for drinking in moderation, and I think it's bad politics to do so.
There's no evidence of alcoholism.
And we're not talking about a soldier. We're talking about someone who wants to lead the Pentagon. There's a major difference in the messaging between the two.
If the claims are real, let the sources come out of the shadows.
You don't get to accuse someone from behind anonymity.
Pete may NOT be best choice, but that doesn't change the stadnard by which he should be judged.
Seriously, you're on the wrong end of a losing argument: advocating alcohol use to cope with PTSD is not a good message.
Hegseth was so incompetent, even the Koch Brothers fired him, but Trump thinks he can run the Pentagon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNULHGsy3SE
“The piano has been drinking, not me…”
Followed back, my friend 😊💙
'Are you drunk?’
'Nah... just a couple of beers. I'm sober. Totally sober. Trust me. I am all good.’
Now he is sitting in front of another demon witch.
Always forget to do so when you go to accuse somebody else.
- The Ghost of Foster Brooks about Pete Hegseth
That is asking a lot.
Combat Veterans struggle with depression, alcohol, drugs and relationships. On avg 22 Veterans commit suicide every damn day. That's the elephant in the room few want to discuss.