Hi everyone,
So … Blue Ear Books author David Grantham’s March 22 article on the phenomenon of “self-deployment” of military veterans to Ukraine, “Fleeing to the war zone,” has drawn several good comments … but they all came in the form of emails back to me as editor, rather than comments appended below the article. I’ve been wondering why, and it turns out to be because I failed to insert a “Leave a comment” button like this one when I published David’s piece:
I figured this out thanks to fellow Blue Ear Books author Qaisar Shareef, who told me:
Thanks for sharing this from David Grantham. Very insightful and forces reflection on key issues. … P.S. I wanted to leave a comment on Substack but couldn’t find a link.
I’ll try not to make that mistake again. For now, I’ll just paste here the several comments, and of course we invite more comment from anyone on David’s excellent article, as well as welcoming any responses to them that David might feel moved to offer.
Dayle Casey (who is my father) commented:
I would add to Grantham’s concern about the absence of leadership the fact that we now rely on a mercenary military. We made a big mistake, I think, in dropping the draft, which gives the privileged a pass. No need for leadership; let the purchased soldiers take care of it.
Jeff Siddiqui asked:
Questions for future “events”: When will “self-deployment” be accepted or, condoned or, condemned? Once the ball starts rolling and precedence is set, how to stop it? When are we interfering on the right side and when is it wrong?
Another Blue Ear Books author, Dennis Rea, offered simply:
What a timely and informed post!
And Michael A. Lee wrote:
At 71 yrs there are a few anti dotes of life’s journey. 1. Just because someone says something does not make it so, Everyone has a opinion,, including the author,, it is not absolute,, There is a Great power - God, It is not me,, and it is not you. No one knows for sure the strategy of our countries leadership or our allies. We at times are the most uncivilized- civilized Country,, . My prayer is for the people of the Ukraine, those who have placed themselves in harms ways as humanitarian people,, I am a Vietnam Veteran, I served 2 tours back to back 68-70, I’ve guest lectured in most of the Colleges, and high schools in Western Washington, on the results of War, and healing. I’m not asking anyone to agree, or reply,, the delete button will solve and give you the relief you seek, everyone have a great life!
Further comment very much invited! And, again, as the editor, all I can say for myself is: “Oops - sorry, folks!”
David Grantham’s book Consequences: An Intelligence Officer’s War is published by Blue Ear Books and available for US$17.95 plus $3.95 U.S. shipping. You can order it via this link.
Thanks to all for reading, and participating in, this Substack. - Ethan Casey, Publisher, Blue Ear Books
This Substack newsletter from Blue Ear Books features occasional articles by authors of the books we publish. This newsletter is free, but consider supporting our work with a modest paid subscription.
David thank you for your insightful piece. Indeed between the withdrawal from Afghanistan (and in fact 20 years of being there) and now the shocking war in Ukraine we seem to be dealing with so many new phenomenon. While I see the fault of leadership in the management of the war in Afghanistan, I am not sure how better or different leadership would solve the issue of people self deploying. Perhaps time will tell.