Putting Afghanistan in the Red Circle
Something interesting is happening.
This guy who trained snipers? His ability to put things squarely in the crosshairs — to focus on an issue with that signature intensity and clarity of concentration we dubbed the red circle — is gaining attention beyond the narrower confines of his nominal expertise.
Commentators in the media are starting to turn to him for his perspective on larger issues.
Like foreign policy. Like, for instance, whether what we’re doing in Afghanistan makes sense, and if so, why, and if not, why not.
One thing I’ve found so refreshing about working with Brandon is his common sense — for example, when it comes to political matters. Here’s what he says in The Red Circle:
“In political matters I have always been a down-the-middle-line person.
“When it comes to leaders, I care less about their party affiliation and more about their character and competence. I don’t care how they would vote on school prayer, or abortion, or gay marriage, or gun laws. I want to know that they know what the hell they’re doing, and that they are made of that kind of unswerving steel that will not be rattled in moments that count, no matter what is coming at them. I want to know that they won’t flinch in the face of debate, danger, or death.
“I want to know that they excel at what they do.”
So to tell you the truth, it comes as no surprise to me that pundits from both sides of the political aisle are interested in Brandon’s view of things.
Here is an interview he did a few days ago on MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan show in which they discussed the Afghanistan situation.
Regardless of where you happen to stand on issues of U.S. military involvement in foreign engagements, it’s worth taking the few minutes (and enduring the rather eye-glazing double-talk of the show’s other guest) to hear what he has to say.
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May 28th, 2012 at 10:21 am
John … just wrote to say how much I like your practice of putting excerpts of your books in your blog. It lets me checkout the co-author’s expertise and the subject matter before buying the book. I know I’ll always enjoy the writing style of anything you’ve written, so it’s a good way to choose books that are keepers.