By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following reports of potentially unlawful airstrikes in the Caribbean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a cartoon depicting Franklin the Turtle targeting “narco terrorists,” a move deemed childish and unprofessional. This post was made in the context of increasing scrutiny over the administration’s actions, including allegations of a second strike against survivors, potentially constituting a war crime. Regardless of the legal justifications for the attacks, Hegseth’s post, which also sends a poor message to the military, is deeply inappropriate and offensive. Investigations are being demanded by congressional leaders concerning the legality of the attacks, and the administration has refused to release requested information.
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Pete Hegseth’s ‘Franklin the Turtle’ meme is beneath the dignity of the U.S. military. Well, it’s pretty clear that many people feel this way, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree. The consensus seems to be that, in the current climate, this kind of thing, while perhaps not surprising, still manages to feel disappointing. The sentiment boils down to a simple, yet complex question: Where are the standards?
One recurring theme is the erosion of any semblance of traditional values and respect. The notion that the U.S. military, an institution meant to embody honor and service, would be associated with a meme like that seems to hit a raw nerve. It’s a feeling that anything goes now, that the level of discourse and behavior has sunk to a new low. It’s as though there are no rules, no boundaries, and that’s concerning to many.
Then there’s the broader context. A lot of comments touch on the idea that the entire government, and the people running it, are beneath the dignity of a functional democracy. Some see this as a sign of something even more insidious – a death cult, beyond redemption, where loyalty trumps everything, even basic decency. The focus on the supposed moral character of political figures is called out as a farce, given the actions and inactions of those figures.
The core of the issue for many seems to be hypocrisy. There’s an undercurrent of, “Are you kidding me?” after the meme comes to light. The hypocrisy is that an administration that shits posts is now being criticized for an unseemly meme, the argument being that the meme is, in this context, the least of anyone’s worries.
The discussion frequently pivots to the actions of the military itself, pointing out war crimes, civilian casualties, and other atrocities that overshadow a cartoon turtle. The use of the military and all its resources is questioned, with no bar being low enough for the administration. This perspective sees the meme as a symptom of a larger problem: a lack of respect for human life and a disregard for international law.
The copyright angle also comes up, highlighting the possibility that Pete Hegseth’s actions were, in addition to being undignified, also legally questionable. The publisher of the Franklin books is recommended to sue for 10 trillion dollars to protect the intellectual property, or to simply call it out on copyright violation.
There’s also a sense of historical perspective. The idea that everything is new, or that we’ve reached a new low, is challenged by reminders of past scandals and transgressions. The military has a storied history of actions that clash with the idea of honor, and the meme simply adds to that.
Ultimately, the argument is that there’s a disconnect between the way things are and the way they should be. The U.S. military, and the country as a whole, is seen as having fallen far from its ideals. The “Franklin the Turtle” meme isn’t just a harmless joke; it’s a symbol of this decay, a sign that the standards have plummeted.