The Pentagon Continues to Push Back At Racist GOP Lawmakers

With the economy improving under Joe Biden and America - at least outside of some Trump supporting states - exceeding most developed nations in Covid-19 vaccinations thanks to the efforts of the Biden administration, the GOP is left with (i) slavish self-prostitution to Trump, (ii) pandering to Christofascists - think Glenn Youngkin here in Virginia - and (iii) fanning the flames of racist white grievance. A key part of the last element of the GOP's default platform involves shrieking about and spreading misinformation about so-called "critical race theory" - a totally academic term - and attacking anyone and any institution that admits that America has a ugly history when it comes to race.  One of the latest targets of GOP wrath and lies, as noted in previous post has been the U.S. Military.  A piece in Politico looks at the Pentagon's continued push back against racist members of Congress (such as Sen. Cotton pictured above) who care zero about the truth or an honest approach to U.S. history.  It goes without saying that among Republicans, anything that fosters a full analysis of the nation's history and/or which questions white supremacy is labeled "divisive." Here are article excerpts:

The Pentagon is defending comments made by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after GOP lawmakers claimed the military chief misrepresented the department's stance on the teaching of critical race theory.

On Wednesday, an Air Force Academy professor wrote an op-ed in defense of discussing the subject with cadets, which prompted the lawmakers to criticize Austin, who said last month that the military does not teach critical race theory.

"There is no contradiction here. The Secretary’s comments stand," Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby told POLITICO Thursday. "That a professor at an academic institution such as the Air Force Academy teaches a given theory as part of an elective course does not in the slightest way signify some larger effort by the Department to teach, espouse or embrace said theory.

"We expect our professors to challenge the minds of future leaders, and we respect their academic independence," he added.

The comments are the latest development in an escalating spat between conservatives and the Pentagon over the military’s efforts to combat racism and extremism in the ranks, which also drew in the military's top officer, Gen. Mark Milley, last week.

“Cadets, like all military members, take an oath to defend the Constitution with their lives — so it is crucial they have a sensitive understanding of that Constitution,” Garcia wrote.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Wednesday said that Garcia, based on her op-ed, has "no business" teaching the Constitution or political science to Air Force cadets, and called on her to start looking for a new job.

One GOP lawmaker called on the Air Force to fire Garcia. Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), a West Point graduate and former President Donald Trump’s one-time choice for Army secretary, demanded her firing in a Thursday letter to acting Air Force Secretary John Roth.

“Professor García’s comments on Critical Race Theory are utterly unacceptable and incompatible with the mission of our United States Military Service Academies,” Green wrote. “Disparaging the United States as a racist country should disqualify anyone from teaching at one of our country’s most prestigious institutions.”

Speaking alongside Austin in June before Congress, Milley dismissed as “offensive” GOP lawmakers’ characterization of military leaders as “woke” for studying the origins of racism, prompting outrage from the right. Trump later waded into the fray, calling on Milley to resign.

The reaction to Garcia’s comments comes just weeks after lawmakers demanded that another military school, the U.S. Military Academy West Point, stop teaching critical race theory. In a letter to West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, Waltz called the teachings “divisive” and “unacceptable” for future military leaders.