The interview by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth of the 29th United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been making the rounds with the purpose of demonstrating Mr Hegseth’s inadequacy for the assignment. She does a poor job of it.
Mr Hegseth is clearly unfit for the work he has been given. Being rude to someone who is not up to their job may make juicy repartee. It actually damages the important issue of who should be the US Secretary of Defense.
It has the same impact as bullying a sick bear. Not very nice.
What was Senator Duckworth’s purpose?
Presumably to make the point that a job that now significantly holds the security of the world in its hands is not adequately staffed. Does shouting “Yes or No” repeatedly achieve that? I don’t think so.
Does it convince us that the Democrats would do a better job than the present administration? Rather the contrary. It convinces me, at least, that neither Senator Duckworth nor Secretary Hegseth should be allowed anywhere near any form of government of however insignificant a state.
Debate is at the heart of compromise. Compromise is at the heart of peace.
Bullying an inadequate Secretary of Defense on prime time television is an invitation to an aggressor to carpe diem and attack. I’ll bet a few Heads of State have watched the episode more than once. They will have concluded that Senator Duckworth may have won the Game, possibly even the Set.
And made America more vulnerable to losing the Match.
Good morning
John Bittleston
Please do comment at [email protected].
06 June 2025
