Trump and Barrett

I see that Tom Barrett, Republican, Michigan's Seventh Congressional District was one of four Republicans who voted against extending Trump's War Powers in the Iranian conflict.

I live in Michigan's Seventh Congressional District. 

I believe that is a case of Barrett voting his conscience. Given the vast amount of money it takes to run a congressional seat campaign, that decision will likely cost Barrett his seat. He will either get primaried or will be starved for funds during the general election.

There is a very small window that Barrett and one other veteran could change their vote. I suspect that one of the conditions would be private meetings where they were given privileged information about the exit strategy. Trump has been cagey about sharing details. Some members of Congress share those details with people they shouldn't.

The signal-man with the ping-pong paddles

 

Growing up, WWII movies featuring aircraft carriers in the Pacific were a childhood staple.

There was always a scene where the signal-man guiding in the battled-battered fighters would wave one off.

The Admiral of the fleet was the above that signal-man in the chain-of-command.

The Captain of the aircraft carrier was above the signal-man in the chain-of-command.

The pilot of the aircraft was an officer and was above the signal-man in rank.

And yet, the signal-man made the call regarding the continuation of the pilot's descent based on his assessment of the probability of a successful landing. Not the Admiral. Not the Captain or the pilot. Just that lowly enlisted man.

WHY?

Because he had unique information. The wishes of the Admiral and Captain didn't count for Jack-squat. They didn't have the information he had.

I am going to give Barrett the benefit of the "Signal-man" analogy. Barrett flew a Chinook Helicopter in the middle-East. He has first-hand experience with how "sticky" wars are.