WAITING FOR CONTEXT

Someone I admire, both professionally and personally, has now published a book.  You may have heard about it.  Duty by Robert Gates, the former Secretary of Defense.  While I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, (like when would I have time for that until the weekend), the news media has it covered in massive proportions.  Now, despite all the criticism from both liberal and conservative voices (for different reasons as they twist it their way), I have decided to reserve all judgment until I’ve actually read the book.  After all, most things require context, and if you think you’re going to get context from the news media, then you might believe that you will also find virginity in the employees of a “house of ill repute.”  While it might not be impossible, it sure “ain’t” likely.  As for anyone being tossed under the bus, I think that currently serving officers and professionals should hold their tongue.  I’ve said it before, and I still believe it.  It is also equally notable that those who are no longer serving have no such constraints.  As a result, I’m truly looking forward to seeing for myself what was said, and what was written, as opposed to having somebody else tell me without any clue as to context. ~ Michael S. Pauley