I cover you, Brad. Strange feeling to do so
, but what you said almost exactly mirrors how I feel about the issue.
The "Kadavergehorsam" (word by word: cadaver-obedience) demanded by some people here is alarming and deeply troublesome.
Armies should not be sworn in to their leaders, nor should they risk lifes for a thing like a flag. They should serve their people instead, and can fulfill the spirit for which a flag stands (in values)even with all flags burning in the dust. It reminds me of the differenc between regular legions in Rome, and the Praetorians. The latter, first bodyguarded the emperor, then were turned into a tool of the emperor to push through his interests and keep the people of Rome in line, then became a power faction of their own and followed their own interests, often turning against their emperor. The Praetorians did not serve the interests of Rome that way, and it's peoples.
The Wehrmacht also decided for a perversion of arguments like "duty", "obedience" and "chain of command", that way rallying behind a dicator instead of protecting the interests of the German people whom to protect they had sworn oaths. their was nothing wrong with the old Prussian code of honour, and Prussian sense of duty. It became wring once it was no longer understood that this Prussian attitude was no self-purpose, but pointed towards something beyondn that was bigger than itself. That way it became a purpose that only served itself. And this always is dangerous, and uselessly costs lifes.
The six rebellious generals have been hesitent to step forward for YEARS. They never did something like that as long as they were in active service. After leaving the army, again a long time has passed. To think they made an easy decision now is mean, and unjust. Chain of command would mean: their complaints finally would end on the desk of Rumsfeld and be buried there. And this is what some guys in this thread obviously are hoping for. The six generals decided to defend the interests of the soldiers in the field and their peopl,e at home, ranking both above the interests of Rumsfeld - and that makes them so much more valuable than a single Rumsfeld or a perverted sense of duty.