Space Force commander fired after comments made on conservative podcast

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

Washington, DC (CNN)A Space Force lieutenant colonel has been removed from his command after appearing on a conservative podcast criticizing the United States military.

Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier joined The Steve Gruber show to discuss his new book, "Irresistible Revolution: Marxism's Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military," which alleges that Marxist ideologies are becoming widespread within the armed forces. He expounded on those concerns in the podcast.

"Since taking command as a commander about 10 months ago, I saw what I consider fundamentally incompatible and competing narratives of what America was, is and should be," Lohmeier said. "That wasn't just prolific in social media, or throughout the country during this past year, but it was spreading throughout the United States military. And I had recognized those narratives as being Marxist in nature."

When pressed on what exactly he meant, Lohmeier decried the New York Times 1619 Project, a historical look at how slavery formed America's institutions, as "anti-American."

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/15/politics/space-force-lohmeier-fired-after-comments/index.html

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Red state of mind and a bit paranoid

If the US military were going Marxist - whatever that means - it would be news indeed.

[Atticus]

2. Just asking----does the Space Force Academy have a terrestrial location or is the campus

entirely aboard the Mothership?

And, are recruits referred to as "Space Cadets"?

[sarge43]

16. Eager Young Space Cadets, Atticus. Formal title

A Space Force commander's call film

[reACTIONary]

25. The space force warfighters are officially known as...

... "Guardians". Space is now a contested domain, and their mission to protect our access and assets is important.

[FSogol]

67. From Bob & Ray, "When I joined the Intergalactic Space Corps, I never imagined I be stationed in

Walpo, Kansas."

[lonely bird]

3. Just another ignorant MFer in the military

I give this country 25 years, max. I keep adjusting that number downward. We keep seeing more and more instances of stupidity manifesting themselves. A country cannot maintain itself with a citizenry so self-focused, so selfish to the exclusion of all else.

[lookyhereyou]

18. yes

well said to the point, ignorant and out for self interest only

is almost the definition of the breakdown of civilized society.

we are well on our way.

[ArizonaLib]

35. The last time this country crashed

During the Hoover administration, the people took over and the opposition were the Republicans who immediately swore to burn it down. Dewey's last remarks at his convention before losing to Truman were promises to undo the the New Deal to raucous cheering in the hall.

These same southern confederate minded folks never freed the slaves willingly. They destroyed the entire south and slavery ended after a war based on "slavery will end over my dead body".

Those people understand nothing until it all burns down and they are forced to restart whether it is under military or political force.

[Mr.Bill]

47. Yeah, for starters,

The 1619 Project has nothing to do with Marxism.

[brush]

52. Yeah, that guy was just running his mouth because he liked the sound of it.

What came out and actual fact had nothing to do with each other as how does one connect truth about American history and the beginning of slavery here in the 17th century and the development of the 19th century theory of Marxism. Any contention that the two are connected is an outrageous stretch as the former exploited the free labor of the enslaved and the latter sought to better the lives and compensation for labor.

[sop]

4. It always comes down to race with these guys, doesn't it?

He must be quite upset Lloyd Austin is the first black defense secretary.

[jcgoldie]

15. yeah it seems "Marxism"...

..has become code for anyone who opposes white supremacy.

[llashram]

17. it has always

been about race in America. No matter the denials and obfuscation of this fact.

[EYESORE 9001]

5. A Gen. Jack T. Ripper for our time

[CentralMass]

7. ...

[Progressive Jones]

68. ROFLNAO !!! nt

[marble falls]

6. Space Force. Sounds like a title to a Trey Parker flick ...

... why do these RW huckleberries think only the mooks who feed on wooo can hear them?

[DinahMoeHum]

10. I keep thinking of Duck Dodgers. . .

. . .and his "Eager Young Space Cadet"

[marble falls]

14. Exactamundo.

[reACTIONary]

28. Space is now a contested domain and essential to...

... our military effectiveness. Without our space based assets our forces would be essentially blind and directionless. For instance, consider what the effect of taking out the GPS constellation would be. The space force's mission is to preserve, protect and enhance our access to space and our space based assets.

[marble falls]

30. No doubt. But we have the Air Force already. Read the history of the Space Force. It's not been ...

... active half its 50-year existence with active periods separated by inactive periods.

Why do we need not only another layer of bureaucracy, but a whole other cheeseball to feed a frenzy of defense contractors?

I think space is a serious question. I think the Space Force is a joke-like response.

[pandr32]

40. I agree with this comment

[reACTIONary]

44. The space force is simply an evolution ...

... of the original Air Force Space Command, compelled by the growing and evolving importance of space. Other than being above our head, space is very different from atmospheric operations. It requires different skills, knowledge, strategies and technologies. At some point in the evolution this requires a differentiated organizational structure. Maybe now, maybe latter.

[niyad]

39. I remember when space command was created and we got saddled with it here. The new

commander was practically giddy in an interview with the local fishwrap, gloating about how we just HAD to militarize space before anyone else. He was practically rubbing his hands with glee at the destruction he envisioned. He definitely did not like me questioning his views.

[reACTIONary]

46. LBJ, I believe, said that we must....

... "take the high ground of space". He wasn't talking about the moral high ground.

[niyad]

8. I was not aware that white nationalism, reichwing evangelicalism, misogyny, sexism and sexual

assault and cover ups were part of marxist ideology. Must have missed that in my liberal education.

[multigraincracker]

34. He may want some SS troops.

Founded in 1925, the “Schutzstaffel,” German for “Protective Echelon,” initially served as Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler’s (1889-1945) personal bodyguards, and later became one of the most powerful and feared organizations in all of Nazi Germany. Heinrich Himmler (1900-45), a fervent anti-Semite like Hitler, became head of the Schutzstaffel, or SS, in 1929 and expanded the group’s role and size.

[FakeNoose]

38. It's weird how Karl Marx never mentioned any of that stuff

[Lonestarblue]

9. Republicans throw around terms like Marxism and socialism but understand neither.

Either that, or they know the meaning but also know that most of their voters don’t and will just react to the idea that they mean bad things for them.

I wish some Democratic figure, or even a nonpartisan one, would start combatting these claims by Republicans directly. The country needs a lesson on the real meaning of socialism, Marxism, communism, oligarchy, and all the other isms Republicans use to portray Democrats as trying to turn away from democracy. I’m not even sure that most Americans understand what democracy is. Far too many of the MAGA cultists have decided it means they get to ignore laws they don’t like, prevent black people from peacefully protesting, be hateful to people they don’t like (all non-white people, anyone speaking a language other than English) and call police on them probably hoping the police will hurt or kill them, and claim special rights that only they have because their ancestors came here from mostly white countries in Europe. I can’t seem to find anywhere in the Constitution where it says that the descendants of white European immigrants would be more equal than anyone else and have special privileges not enjoyed by other citizens.

We have to find some way to fight the lies, the ignorance, and the conspiracies in this country, or we may not have a country left that most of us would want to live in.

[PatSeg]

24. You're right

In many cases, it is politicians who do know the meaning, but also know that most voters do not, thus taking advantage of their ignorance. Any scary word will do, because fear is a powerful motivator.

Like you said, so many people really don't even know what democracy means. They confuse it with nationalism, blind patriotism, and a lot of "rah-rah" flag waving.

[brush]

54. Yep, "socialism as a bogeyman" is used often by the GOP...

Last edited Sun May 16, 2021, 04:24 PM - Edit history (1)

to slur our candidates, which is why, IMO, it's not the wisest move to label oneself a democratic socialist...except in deep, deep blue districts as the tag is toxic to many Americans who've been taught that all their lives, even though there are many positive aspects to the theory.

[PatSeg]

56. Oh yes, I agree

I know what Democratic Socialist means, but unfortunately, most people only hear "Socialist" which has a negative connotation to many Americans. Some believe we lost some House seats because of the misunderstood message that such a political tag sends. Terrible choice of words. I was raised during the "Red scare" 1950s and anything that smelled of socialism or communism was deemed evil and scary. For many people, the stigma still exists.

Every era has some kind of bogeyman that will be used by politicians. After 9/11 republicans went on and on about terrorists and Muslims. "Be very afraid" and only republicans can protect you. Of course, that same fear apparently does not apply to homegrown white domestic terrorists or lone wolves with military grade weapons (often republican voters).

[PurgedVoter]

27. They do it all the time Democratic figures are constantly combatting these claims by Republicans

The problem is, that either it doesn't get airtime or the format elevates a conservatives obvious lies to the same level as the truth the compassionate and intelligent speakers espouse.

[JI7]

11. I knew it was going to be about race. Whenever they complain about communism

socialism or Marxism or other related terms they mostly mean they hate minorities .

[Mustellus]

12. The Space Force has done absolutely nothing....

.. to counter the Jewish Space Lasers

[PatSeg]

26. Seriously, I know

We should all write our senators and congressional representatives! What an outrage!

[smb]

31. To Be Fair, Making A Trench Run On The Death Star Of David Would Be A Major Operation nt

[niyad]

37. You nearly owed me a keyboard for that one!

[Baitball Blogger]

13. "Marxist ideologies are becoming widespread within the armed forces."

Do any of them argue when they join the military and taxpayers pay for everything, including their boxer shorts, soap, shaving cream, rent, food and the medical attention to take care of that nasty rash in their nether regions that they picked up when they went on leave?

[machoneman]

23. Right wing, evangelical, white supremacy, authoritarian ideologies have already infected wide...

..swaths of the military. We must eliminate these ant-democratic forces STAT!

[Gore1FL]

59. They even practice Marxistmanship at the gun range! nt

[DBoon]

63. like maybe he thinks we need a free market capitalist military?

Where different military corporations compete to decide who can provide the best national defense, and citizens select which military they will support?

Like what Texans do with electricity?

[melm00se]

19. A few comments

this book, at Amazon and the time of this post, is out of stock.

The book is self published by the author so I assume that a professional editor did not review it to ask/see if there is any vercity to his claims (fact checker).

On Critical Race Theory: While this man is a yahoo, there is plenty of criticism in regards to the perspective and there is plenty of support for it.

Additionally, the author was correct in regards to criticism of CRT. Among the methods of countering the criticism of CRT is one that may be summed up as "See??? This objection just PROVES that we are right" which is not the best argument.

Furthermore, the author will probably get drilled for failure to submit his book for policy and security review to ensure that he did not violate any of the many and arcane rules regarding government personnel publishing books.

Finally, this points out something that you can see in writings: almost every analysis can point out Marxist, Capitalist, Racist or or or or influences in many (if not most) people, places, events and times.

[brush]

55. What's the critism of CRT? Isn't it the truth about...

Last edited Sun May 16, 2021, 04:30 PM - Edit history (1)

the beginning of the enslavement in this country of human beings, something many in America don't like to face about the nation's past?

[melm00se]

57. Your comment sums up the problem with

CRT

"Isn't it the truth about..."

It is not "truth", it is a different perspective and interpretation of history. No different than

Marxist
Annales School
Big Event
Big Man
Counterfactual
Modernist
Postmodernist
Cyclical
Linear
Metahistory
Microhistory
Propagandist

interpretations of history.

The concerning thing about CRT is that it has become the be all and end all way of interpreting societies specifically American and the other schools and perspectives have been rejected in favor the "new shiny object" in the field. If someone disagrees with its applicability (especially as a white academic), they risk having the CRT advocates and their allies collapsing in on that person (not their work but the person) with a tar and feathering.

Now, I am not saying that CRT is wrong, it certainly has its place and applicability, but it is nowhere as universally applicable across all American history.

BTW, this is nothing new.

CRT has been around for 30 or so years and was folded into the existing historiography but then along came the 1619 Project. This project focused the CRT advocates (and those who are willing) that this is (queue choirs of angels) gospel TRUTH. This observation (and objection) has been floating around for the last 20 or so years.

[brush]

58. Quite a few words, but what's untrue about enslavement...

of human beings beginning in 1619 and the distaste of admitting/facing it by too many now?

Perhaps because it might invitably lead to the question/need of accountability/reparations, which is even more distasteful to many?

I mean you say in your first graph that CRT is not the truth but then later you say it's not wrong. What's up?

[melm00se]

60. If that is what it was limited

to it wouldn't.

But CRT, as it has been interpreted by many, is the only explanation for the entirety of American history..every aspect of every event is colored by slavery.

We discussed this in a class I teach on the founding principles of the USA. Among my students the fact that Jefferson owned slaves was grounds to immediately offset all the positive things that were done by him.

- Declaration of Indepence? He owned slaves.
- Louisiana Purchase? He owned slaves.
- Anti-slavery comments in the Declaration? He owned...umm...he owned..errr....
- His letters calling slavery a "moral depravity" and a "hideous blot"? Nope, he lied...he owned slaves.
- His 2nd draft of the Virginia Constitution "No person hereafter coming into this country shall be held in slavery under any pretext whatever"...but he owned slaves.
- He proposed a Virginia law to free slaves...but he owned slaves.
- He proposed a law banning slavery in the Northwest territory (OH, IN, IL, MI and parts of WI and MN)...but he owned slaves.
- Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves of 1807? He owned slaves AND if he was so against slavery why didn't he make it the law before 1808? (fair question but we hadn't gotten to Article 1, Section 9 which prohibited such a law until until 1808). When I brought that up, one of my students suggested that the entire Constitution should have been tossed because of that.

History is complex and no single perspective can ever encompass all aspects of a single event much less 200+ years but CRT tries to do so and that is its major flaw.

[brush]

61. He was complex, brilliant, but still a hypocrite. No way around it.

[melm00se]

71. yes he was

but the CRT fanatics would have you only focus on the bad...

Like I said, CRT is another school of thought. Neither good nor bad until that becomes the ONLY way to interpret history.

History is a many faceted subject and focusing on 1 facet (like CRT folks do) misses out on so much of history.

[brush]

72. That's one way of looking at it, but America would be completely...

different if not for enslavement. It touched just about everything about the nation and it's legacy continues to touch it (all the white supremacy and police killings). It's hard to face for some but there's no getting around that either.

The 1619 Project is a way for the nation to finally face up to it's debt to Black Americans. Even South African dealt with apartheid somewhat with their Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Imagine that, that country's apartheid was even more brutal than America's slavery and they made the attempt. We should be kinda ashamed.

[Devil Child]

73. Well written and thorough post melm00se

You detail some very valid concerns and critiques of CRT. Thanks for this post.

[bronxiteforever]

20. "Like a dog returneth to its vomit"

Communists and Marxists in the military? Let’s roll that 1954 tape.

[lark]

21. Good move getting rid of this jackass. All the drumpf asses in government need removing.

Every sick and anti-American one of them needs to be gone - for the safety and continuance of the country.

[orangecrush]

22. Another Trump humper holdout

Not smart enough to keep his mouth shut.

[Layzeebeaver]

29. 1619 has noting to do with the military

this guy is an idiot.

[Collimator]

32. In Creating The "Space Force". . .

The former president was trying to co-opt or subsume the energy, glamor, tropes and mostly the popularity of Star Trek. That he did so without any commitment to or even inclusion of the ideals represented by that show offends me deeply.

The former guy didn't celebrate Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. He and his cronies don't believe in science and the uplifting of the human spirit to explore and learn. He certainly doesn't subscribe to the discipline of logic. But he does believe in force. And that is what he wants to expand into space.

The fact that the people placed in power at this new department of our military agencies think like him should not surprise me. "Greatness" and force, i.e., the ability to manifest violent control, are synonymous in their minds. Seeking out new knowledge, acknowledging variations in cultures and lifeways and adherence to strict principles of scientific inquiry are the antithesis of racism, misogyny and homophobia and by definition, cannot be the guiding standards of this newest effort from the desk of the knee-jerk Right.

[WestofDenver]

33. Rhetorical device common among *rumpists

What bothers me is how specifically 'looking-glass' were his comments. He posed an implausible "Marxist" cabal in the military when the likely-hood of a right-wing putsch emerging from the military is supported by actual evidence (how many insurrectionists/paramilitary have military/police background?).
Is this deliberate smokescreen? Was he sitting around with his cohort and strategize 'if I make this claim we will achieve both-siderism", to the usual effect. Isn't that how propaganda is done. Trump offers many similar examples on so many topics...its a technique.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

49. Agree, projection is their thing, and they absolutely use it as a tool for confusion

i.e. 'the other side is just saying this about us because we 'exposed' them for it!' type of deal.

Welcome to DU, btw

[MarcA]

53. +1000 n/t

[Warpy]

36. Typical empty headed wingnut

Anything he doesn't approve of is Marxist, no matter how far removed or factual it might be.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

41. Space Force

is another Trump creation the President should get rid of..............

[BobTheSubgenius]

42. How was his major lack of fitness to serve, let alone command, not noticed before this?

There are a few ways this could have gone unnoticed for so long, and few of them are anything but concerning, at the least.

[dexdah]

43. Marxism: Anything his little mind can't handle.

More grievance from the entitled.

[greenjar_01]

45. The 800 billion or whatever we spend on makework for military and weapons manufacturers

Is the only thing even vaguely "Marxist" about the military. It's a giant government funded work scheme, with 90% of the expenditure having no necessary functional purpose - a welfare operation if ever there was one. The economy in many southern states and parts of other states would utterly collapse without the massive welfare program / wealth redistribution scheme called "defense spending."

[Mr.Bill]

48. Exactly.

It's a huge taxpayer funded jobs program. And the jobs are about the tools of war.

What if we had a jobs program that large where the jobs were about the tools of medicine and health care? Or education?

[Hugh_Lebowski]

50. A lot of the purpose is making weapons to sell around the world

Mainly big-ticket, very profitable products.

I'm sure the other countries end up on the hook for training and parts and ammo and stuff like that as well.

It's a means to keep the whole world beholden and indebted to Uncle Sam.

[Calista241]

51. Personally, I don't think he should have been relieved for this.

He expressed an opinion that the 1619 project was wrong, and that the purpose of America's founding wasn't racist in nature. It's not terribly controversial. He didn't pledge allegiance to Trump, he didn't espouse white supremacy, he didn't really say anything about politics outside of his comments on the 1619 project.

Now you and I can disagree with him, but that sounds an awful lot like what Trump was trying to do with the military. The whole "you're on my side, or else" kind of mentality.

[Humanist_Activist]

62. He's active duty who went on a political rant on a conservative podcast, that's a BIG...

NO NO in the military. Many soldiers and officers have been discharged for that, regardless of their politics.

Letting him stay would have set a very bad precedent.

[oasis]

66. He revealed a lack of good judgement by agreeing to be interviewed

by a politically biased media outlet.

[haele]

64. I guess he hates his free medical and years of free training.

Along with his subsidized room and board, guaranteed employment with a nice pension (including Tricare for life to suppliment his MediCare), subsidized college degrees, low costs for entertainment (sometimes free), subsidized business wear, all sorts of Marxist goodies the US Military has had to suffer under since his Daddy listened to his Uncle's WWII war stories sitting in a brand new house purchased through the VA a couple years after Grand-Dad came back home.

I'm sure he'd be happy to give it all up to show how Patriotically Capitalistic he is, and strike out with only what is on his back and what he might have saved up.

Wonder what any female or POC staffers or subordinates have to say about him.

The US Military has been one of the most Socialist organizations in the world since the 1940's.
And yet, they still manage to work pretty damn hard and put up with all sorts of BS to get the job done.

Haele

[SunSeeker]

70. Right wingers have always been about "socialism for me, not for thee."

They want taxpayers to pay for their churches (which we do through church tax exemptions) and private schools (via vouchers). The list goes on and on.

[sloopdog50]

65. Can't we just call it off?

Space commander leading space cadets. Let's close the book on this stupid idea.

[SunSeeker]

69. Another racist right wing asshole who doesn't know what he's talking about.

Glad he was fired.