Reflections On Jim Molan and Absent Panegyrics

HAD Jim Molan been an American seeking elected office, serious conversations in the Republican Party would inevitably have taken place about his suitability for what Captain Willard called “a top slot in the corporation.” Not the Presidency itself – he was a little too impolitic and unyielding for that – but a well funded career in the Senate at the least would have been likely. The Liberal Party, however, made the man who had commanded more troops at war than any Australian since 1945 rely on his own stubbornness and two flukes to eke out five years in this country’s upper house. As it happens, he succumbed to cancer on Monday at what was – in this strange age of gerontocracy – the ‘young’ age of 72 and nobody is to blame for that. He also got a late start in a political game still dominated by lifers like Anthony Albanese. I won’t try to eulogise the former Major-General; I lack the military and personal knowledge to do it well. I didn’t always agree with him but I respected his peerless solidity as decorated 40-year veteran of the Army, loyal husband and beloved family man. It follows that I was happy to see John Howard and Tony Abbott praise the senator for his service. What a shame they can’t speak as passionately for the SAS men they sent into Afghanistan – the ones being rewarded only with the silver sword of Damocles.

10 Responses to Reflections On Jim Molan and Absent Panegyrics

shatterzzz says:

19 January, 2023 at 6:42 am

Molan’s (super top-up) political career hinged on being a “yes” man .. nothing else!
Eyrie says:

19 January, 2023 at 6:53 am

I read a report where his family was around him when he died. How lovely for him and them. Where was Jim Molan when people were dying alone with their families unable to see them? I don’t remember him saying a word.
Not Trampis says:

19 January, 2023 at 7:50 am

He had a very distinguished war record. He wrote a number of very good articles for the Lowy Institute before deciding to go into politics.
Als his political career was undistinguished. Few ex-military men make a success of politics.
He tried like crazy to get his government into changing its national security strategy but was u nsuccessful.
It also must be noted he was always available for RSL or other ex-service functions where he might help ex-defense personnel.
That ALP pollies have praised him shows just highly he was thought of.
Peter Hatcher was not the only one nonplussed when he was demoted to an unelectable position on the NSW senate ticket.
Buccaneer says:

19 January, 2023 at 8:11 am

Trampis, at the most recent senate preselection, Molan was elected to the second, winnable position, he probably would have been elected to the first position had CFW supported Molan for First position in return for second position.
Boambee John says:

19 January, 2023 at 8:51 am

Non Mentis

Als his political career was undistinguished. Few ex-military men make a success of politics.

It is pretty much a truism that people whose early career is in a stream largely insulated from the consequences of error do not perform well in politics.

Examples are the regular defence forces (reserves are a bit different), bureaucrats, academics, union officials who have never worked in the relevant trade and political staffers and advisors.

Unfortunately politicians these days seem predominantly to be selected from those groups.
Cassie of Sydney says:

19 January, 2023 at 9:00 am

“I read a report where his family was around him when he died. How lovely for him and them. Where was Jim Molan when people were dying alone with their families unable to see them? I don’t remember him saying a word.”

You’re right. Having said that, Molan was a good, decent and principled man with a distinguished military record. We need more men like him. Whilst his political record was not so distinguished, he was subjected to the venal machinations of the NSW Liberal Party machine. A nasty, petty and vindictive campaign targeting him was waged by various NSW Liberal scum, such as Kean and Photios, and Molan stood up to that and by doing so he won his senate seat. Well done to him. But he should have also stood up more to Scumbag Morrison and the last three years of Covid tyranny.

Anyway, RIP Jim.

I wonder who will take his senate seat? It should be someone like Katherine Deves but watch the various NSW scum, aka Kean, Bragg and Photios, put in someone like Dave Sharma.
Riversutra says:

19 January, 2023 at 9:28 am

So, is Dave Sharma to become the Kristine Keneally of the Liberals ?
C.L. says:

19 January, 2023 at 9:37 am

Cassie, as you probably know, Kroger flew the kite for Tony Abbott to take the senate spot on Sky last night.

Molan wanted to escalate Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan in about 2012 – a self-evidently silly idea – and most of his contributions to national security debate more recently consisted of advocating a daft one-out war footing against China. Australia’s comparative advantage in national security terms is diplomacy founded on our status as a very old democracy with a certain moral suasion to bring to bear. In a war against China over Taiwan, there is nothing we can do about it. Nobody wants to hear that but it’s the truth.
Buccaneer says:

19 January, 2023 at 10:02 am

Definitely should not be Katherine Deves, she is a wet who just doesn’t agree with Trans theory.

The Molans of the world need the support of people who stand up for principle, otherwise the process of getting preselected in the first place means they will be forced to concede principles just to get elected. The way Morrison coopted preselections in the fed election shows this.
Nix says:

19 January, 2023 at 1:59 pm

Quite Right. We need more SAS in cabinet.