I apologize for my over-emphasis (or misinterpretation).

However, continuing on that line, in reflecting on Eisenhower’s military experience as compared to that of other Presidents (both since — in my lifetime — and previous), a rather remarkable conclusion came to me. As a military leader during WW II, he held more military authority and power than any other man who then went on to be elected President! Certainly as the supreme commander of the Allied forces in the European theater of that war, his command was not over US forces alone but those of other nations. And yet he never abused such remarkable military authority. Not to mention that he went on to warn about the military-industrial complex.

And in my opinion Ike was a very decent President! Nothing very remarkable or of historic import occurred during his eight years. And definitely no scandals or crises — nothing like Iran-Contra, Lewinski, or Watergate! He just quietly went about being the nation’s leader, following a career as a citizen-soldier. Much in the manner of our first Chief Executive. What do you think?

Oh, and thanks for pointing out that neither FDR nor Wilson served in the military and yet led us thru the great military trials of WW II and WW I respectively. You have a great point there!

(But I had concisered that Clinton DID serve, at least in the Guard?)

Eisenhower was simply commenting that he, as a general who was knowledgeable and experienced in both warfare and military procurement was uniquely qualified to put into perspective the proposals and demands of the military industrial complex and its powerful army of lobbyists. A man with simple military service would have no greater experience or better judgment in such matters than would a man who did not serve at all.

Now, as to your fears for President Obama, they would seem unfounded. The two presidents who served as Commander in Chief during the greatest conflicts in our history were without any military experience of their own. Roosevelt and Wilson filled their roles quite successfully during World War I and World War II, wouldn’t you say?

As a Commander in Chief without personal military service, Obama is in good company. Here is a list of presidents who never served in the military: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Franklin Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Warren Harding, Woodrow Wilson, William Taft, Grover Cleveland, Martin Van Buren, John Q. Adams and John Adams.

It’s not impossible for a non-military-experienced man like Osama to be Commander in Chief and conduct the military affairs of these United States, but it’s certainly a lot more difficult.

I wish the man well, and I pray that he listen to his military advisors, particularly Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Which, BTW, that was a good decision on his part to retain the sitting Secretary.

So Ike made the comment that God help the USA when somebody sit at the presidential desk that didn’t know as much as did he about the military! Chills go up and down my flesh as I hear this, because for the first time in my lifetime (I was born while Ike was Pres.) we have a President who did not do military service. God help us indeed!!!