The Real Dave Petri
@davepetri.bsky.social
Retired Naval Officer who is quite concerned about what's going on.
My oath to the Constitution didn't end upon retirement, so I will continue to defend it!
My oath to the Constitution didn't end upon retirement, so I will continue to defend it!
I shared with students in Hillsville, VA that honoring veterans isn’t just about gratitude — it’s about continuation of our founding motto E Pluribus Unum, noting that Veterans defend our nation’s body & Teachers defend its soul.
Read my #VeteransDay reflection & watch my full remarks on SubStack
Read my #VeteransDay reflection & watch my full remarks on SubStack
Veterans Day Reflection, Part Two
My Second Veterans Day 2025 Reflection | Honoring Those who Served by Keeping the Promise of E Pluribus Unum
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I shared with students in Hillsville, VA that honoring veterans isn’t just about gratitude — it’s about continuation of our founding motto E Pluribus Unum, noting that Veterans defend our nation’s body & Teachers defend its soul.
Read my #VeteransDay reflection & watch my full remarks on SubStack
Read my #VeteransDay reflection & watch my full remarks on SubStack
Every officer pledges not loyalty to the president, but fidelity to the Constitution. That oath is a compass, reminding officers that their ultimate duty is to the rule of law, not to the cult of personality.
My views on the SecDef's recent comments in Quantico
greensboro.com/opinion/colu...
My views on the SecDef's recent comments in Quantico
greensboro.com/opinion/colu...
David Petri: No, Secretary Hegseth: As a Navy officer, I did not serve “at the pleasure of the president”
On Sept. 30, 1988, I took my oath to become a commissioned officer in the United States Navy — an oath that I would reaffirm four more times with each
greensboro.com
October 5, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Every officer pledges not loyalty to the president, but fidelity to the Constitution. That oath is a compass, reminding officers that their ultimate duty is to the rule of law, not to the cult of personality.
My views on the SecDef's recent comments in Quantico
greensboro.com/opinion/colu...
My views on the SecDef's recent comments in Quantico
greensboro.com/opinion/colu...
The Time that Someone named Kirk Read the Constitution as a Teaching Moment open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
The Time that Kirk Read the Constitution as a Teaching Moment
What a famous hero named Kirk taught a crowd about liberal democracy
open.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:10 PM
The Time that Someone named Kirk Read the Constitution as a Teaching Moment open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
“Nazi” is too often thrown around in ways that diminish its meaning. But “fascism” is not an empty insult. It is a specific political category with identifiable traits.
Nazis were fascist, but not all fascists are Nazis!
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
Nazis were fascist, but not all fascists are Nazis!
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
Meeting Halfway on “Nazi” and “Fascist” Labels
My attempt at a thoughtful reply to a realistic, albeit myopic argument presented on Facebook
open.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
“Nazi” is too often thrown around in ways that diminish its meaning. But “fascism” is not an empty insult. It is a specific political category with identifiable traits.
Nazis were fascist, but not all fascists are Nazis!
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
Nazis were fascist, but not all fascists are Nazis!
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
In February 1939, the New York Times reported on the German government’s efforts to limit criticism of the Nazi Party and its leaders.
This is how it might read today.
The question: “Does it Sound Familiar?”
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
This is how it might read today.
The question: “Does it Sound Familiar?”
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
September 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
In February 1939, the New York Times reported on the German government’s efforts to limit criticism of the Nazi Party and its leaders.
This is how it might read today.
The question: “Does it Sound Familiar?”
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
This is how it might read today.
The question: “Does it Sound Familiar?”
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
Milk and Kirk remind us—uncomfortably—that democracy requires something more complicated than loyalty to a side.
My thoughts on #CharlieKirk’s tragic murder and what both the far left and right should learn from it.
Read on SubStack:
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
My thoughts on #CharlieKirk’s tragic murder and what both the far left and right should learn from it.
Read on SubStack:
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
Free Speech, Provocation, and the Fragility of Liberal Democracy
Different Causes, Same Cost: Why Harvey Milk and Charlie Kirk Belong in the Same Conversation
open.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Milk and Kirk remind us—uncomfortably—that democracy requires something more complicated than loyalty to a side.
My thoughts on #CharlieKirk’s tragic murder and what both the far left and right should learn from it.
Read on SubStack:
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
My thoughts on #CharlieKirk’s tragic murder and what both the far left and right should learn from it.
Read on SubStack:
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
If the U.S. military’s destruction of a civilian boat carrying suspected smugglers bothered you—it should have.
If it didn’t, then maybe your moral compass needs recalibration.
My thoughts on the recent military strike in the Caribbean.
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
If it didn’t, then maybe your moral compass needs recalibration.
My thoughts on the recent military strike in the Caribbean.
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
The ‘Drug Boat’ Strike Wasn’t Justice — It Was an Extrajudicial Execution
Bypassing maritime law and due process, the U.S. used military force against civilians in a way that undermines both justice and the rule of law.
open.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
If the U.S. military’s destruction of a civilian boat carrying suspected smugglers bothered you—it should have.
If it didn’t, then maybe your moral compass needs recalibration.
My thoughts on the recent military strike in the Caribbean.
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
If it didn’t, then maybe your moral compass needs recalibration.
My thoughts on the recent military strike in the Caribbean.
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
If the #CrackerBarrel backlash teaches us anything, it’s that brands can no longer treat rebranding as a cosmetic exercise.
A follow-up to my views on the recent Cracker Barrel rebranding backlash from a marketing strategy perspective.
open.substack.com/pub/cynosura...
A follow-up to my views on the recent Cracker Barrel rebranding backlash from a marketing strategy perspective.
open.substack.com/pub/cynosura...
Rebranding in the Age of Division: Lessons from Cracker Barrel’s Backlash
When a logo change becomes a culture war battlefield.
open.substack.com
August 25, 2025 at 10:49 AM
If the #CrackerBarrel backlash teaches us anything, it’s that brands can no longer treat rebranding as a cosmetic exercise.
A follow-up to my views on the recent Cracker Barrel rebranding backlash from a marketing strategy perspective.
open.substack.com/pub/cynosura...
A follow-up to my views on the recent Cracker Barrel rebranding backlash from a marketing strategy perspective.
open.substack.com/pub/cynosura...
The outrage over a logo isn’t about heritage or tradition. It’s about people being manipulated into believing their way of life is under attack, when in reality they’re defending a corporate façade and feeding social media algorithms.
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
Cracker Barrel’s Backlash Proves Nostalgia Isn’t What’s Really at Stake
Cracker Barrel’s brand was never about tradition — it was always about selling the illusion of it.
open.substack.com
August 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The outrage over a logo isn’t about heritage or tradition. It’s about people being manipulated into believing their way of life is under attack, when in reality they’re defending a corporate façade and feeding social media algorithms.
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
Sending NG units to DC for political grandstanding puts states at risk, is costly, and solves nothing. This is especially concerning as hurricane season picks up and Hurricane Erin threatens the East Coast.
“The N.C. National Guard is a lifeline in times of crisis. Diverting it from its core mission in the middle of hurricane season is reckless and unnecessary.” — Commander Dave Petri, USN (Ret)
Read his op-ed here: www.nsl4a.org/in-the-news/...
Read his op-ed here: www.nsl4a.org/in-the-news/...
August 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Sending NG units to DC for political grandstanding puts states at risk, is costly, and solves nothing. This is especially concerning as hurricane season picks up and Hurricane Erin threatens the East Coast.
The Senate will soon vote on the Administration's rescission request, which strips funding for Public Broadcasting that it previously approved by unanimous consent last year.
MY recent SubStack Post provides insights into why this action is profoundly misguided.
MY recent SubStack Post provides insights into why this action is profoundly misguided.
In Defense of Public Broadcasting
The President’s decision to target public broadcasting is deeply misguided.
open.substack.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The Senate will soon vote on the Administration's rescission request, which strips funding for Public Broadcasting that it previously approved by unanimous consent last year.
MY recent SubStack Post provides insights into why this action is profoundly misguided.
MY recent SubStack Post provides insights into why this action is profoundly misguided.
Senate Republicans’ choice to use “current policy” baseline accounting to misrepresent their version of the #BigBeautifulBill misrepresents the actual cost and begs the question, “Do current Republicans understand how to do math?”
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
July 1, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Senate Republicans’ choice to use “current policy” baseline accounting to misrepresent their version of the #BigBeautifulBill misrepresents the actual cost and begs the question, “Do current Republicans understand how to do math?”
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
open.substack.com/pub/nooneask...
I am honored that @usnews.com published my #Opinion in support of #PublicMedia. Leveraging my lifelong passion for public broadcasting & my community advisory role at
@885wfdd.bsky.social
I explain why defunding the CPB will disproportionately harm rural America.
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
@885wfdd.bsky.social
I explain why defunding the CPB will disproportionately harm rural America.
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I am honored that @usnews.com published my #Opinion in support of #PublicMedia. Leveraging my lifelong passion for public broadcasting & my community advisory role at
@885wfdd.bsky.social
I explain why defunding the CPB will disproportionately harm rural America.
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
@885wfdd.bsky.social
I explain why defunding the CPB will disproportionately harm rural America.
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
My recent OpEd on Tariffs
#Tariffs aren’t stunts. They’re tools of national strategy, impacting everything from the economy to national security. When used without rigor, they risk becoming weapons of self-inflicted harm.
www.19fortyfive.com/2025/04/what...
#Tariffs aren’t stunts. They’re tools of national strategy, impacting everything from the economy to national security. When used without rigor, they risk becoming weapons of self-inflicted harm.
www.19fortyfive.com/2025/04/what...
What Is the US Trade Representative Hiding on Tariff Calculations?
Removing the tariff formula without replacing it sends a clear message: The Trump administration may not be interested in economic truth.
www.19fortyfive.com
April 23, 2025 at 2:55 PM
My recent OpEd on Tariffs
#Tariffs aren’t stunts. They’re tools of national strategy, impacting everything from the economy to national security. When used without rigor, they risk becoming weapons of self-inflicted harm.
www.19fortyfive.com/2025/04/what...
#Tariffs aren’t stunts. They’re tools of national strategy, impacting everything from the economy to national security. When used without rigor, they risk becoming weapons of self-inflicted harm.
www.19fortyfive.com/2025/04/what...
We expect engineering precision when launching a rocket & ensuring nuclear safety, we should demand no less from policymakers when trillions in trade, millions of jobs, and U.W. credibility is at stake.
didntaskmebut.substack.com/p/economics-is-not-rocket-science-except?r=913rs&utm_medium=ios
didntaskmebut.substack.com/p/economics-is-not-rocket-science-except?r=913rs&utm_medium=ios
Economics is Not Rocket Science, except when it is
The Trump Administration provided a complex equation used to calculate new tariffs, but they oversimplified its use.
didntaskmebut.substack.com
April 16, 2025 at 12:27 AM
We expect engineering precision when launching a rocket & ensuring nuclear safety, we should demand no less from policymakers when trillions in trade, millions of jobs, and U.W. credibility is at stake.
didntaskmebut.substack.com/p/economics-is-not-rocket-science-except?r=913rs&utm_medium=ios
didntaskmebut.substack.com/p/economics-is-not-rocket-science-except?r=913rs&utm_medium=ios
Donald Trump says, “I Know What I’m Doing,” but does he?
My latest on Substack
open.substack.com/pub/didntask...
My latest on Substack
open.substack.com/pub/didntask...
April 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Donald Trump says, “I Know What I’m Doing,” but does he?
My latest on Substack
open.substack.com/pub/didntask...
My latest on Substack
open.substack.com/pub/didntask...
This is my first Substack post and an introduction to upcoming articles I am writing and will share soon.
I May Not Be An Economist, But I Have A Perspective
Initial observations on the United States new Tariff and Trade Policy
open.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 12:12 PM
This is my first Substack post and an introduction to upcoming articles I am writing and will share soon.
Despite so many examples of how #Signalgate could have been catastrophic for the United States and even more so for those involved in the attack and their families, the administration's national security team still believes & proclaims it did nothing wrong. #SMH
medium.com/nobody-asked...
medium.com/nobody-asked...
Signalgate | What If…
The Response to the Strawman and Red Herring Arguments
medium.com
April 2, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Despite so many examples of how #Signalgate could have been catastrophic for the United States and even more so for those involved in the attack and their families, the administration's national security team still believes & proclaims it did nothing wrong. #SMH
medium.com/nobody-asked...
medium.com/nobody-asked...
Written by a colleague & wife of a Green Beret; provides a military family perspective
"I always assumed that if there was going to be a weak link in the OPSEC chain, it would be one of us, the family members. Never did I worry that the leaks would come from the top."
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
"I always assumed that if there was going to be a weak link in the OPSEC chain, it would be one of us, the family members. Never did I worry that the leaks would come from the top."
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com
April 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Written by a colleague & wife of a Green Beret; provides a military family perspective
"I always assumed that if there was going to be a weak link in the OPSEC chain, it would be one of us, the family members. Never did I worry that the leaks would come from the top."
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
"I always assumed that if there was going to be a weak link in the OPSEC chain, it would be one of us, the family members. Never did I worry that the leaks would come from the top."
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
Last week, many friends asked me about the Signal controversy.
I wrote this to offer my perspective as someone who oversaw classified material and operational security while deployed in the Fifth Fleet area of operations (where the recent attack occurred).
medium.com/the-national...
I wrote this to offer my perspective as someone who oversaw classified material and operational security while deployed in the Fifth Fleet area of operations (where the recent attack occurred).
medium.com/the-national...
Sharing Classified Information on Signal Should Alarm Every American
The country was lucky this time. But luck is not a national security strategy.
medium.com
March 31, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Last week, many friends asked me about the Signal controversy.
I wrote this to offer my perspective as someone who oversaw classified material and operational security while deployed in the Fifth Fleet area of operations (where the recent attack occurred).
medium.com/the-national...
I wrote this to offer my perspective as someone who oversaw classified material and operational security while deployed in the Fifth Fleet area of operations (where the recent attack occurred).
medium.com/the-national...
This should be concerning to everyone.
A top vaccine advisor at the FDA was forced to resign on Friday. In his resignation letter, Dr. Peter Marks, wrote "truth and transparency are not desired," by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The top FDA vaccine official is forced out, cites RFK Jr.'s 'misinformation and lies'
A top vaccine advisor at the FDA was forced to resign on Friday. In his resignation letter, Dr. Peter Marks wrote "truth and transparency are not desired," by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
www.npr.org
March 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
This should be concerning to everyone.
Reposted by The Real Dave Petri
A top vaccine advisor at the FDA was forced to resign on Friday. In his resignation letter, Dr. Peter Marks, wrote "truth and transparency are not desired," by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The top FDA vaccine official is forced out, cites RFK Jr.'s 'misinformation and lies'
A top vaccine advisor at the FDA was forced to resign on Friday. In his resignation letter, Dr. Peter Marks wrote "truth and transparency are not desired," by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
www.npr.org
March 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
A top vaccine advisor at the FDA was forced to resign on Friday. In his resignation letter, Dr. Peter Marks, wrote "truth and transparency are not desired," by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Reposted by The Real Dave Petri
NSL4A is a coalition of former military and civilian leaders committed to defending the Constitution. We believe the power of democracy secures freedom and prosperity for all.
Join us to protect the principles that make our nation strong.
nsl4a.org
#DemocracyMatters
Join us to protect the principles that make our nation strong.
nsl4a.org
#DemocracyMatters
March 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
NSL4A is a coalition of former military and civilian leaders committed to defending the Constitution. We believe the power of democracy secures freedom and prosperity for all.
Join us to protect the principles that make our nation strong.
nsl4a.org
#DemocracyMatters
Join us to protect the principles that make our nation strong.
nsl4a.org
#DemocracyMatters
Reposted by The Real Dave Petri
Are you a former national security professional or someone passionate about preserving democratic values? NSL4A invites you to join our mission.
Together, we can ensure America remains a beacon of freedom and democracy.
Learn more: www.nsl4a.org
#DefendDemocracy #NationalSecurity
Together, we can ensure America remains a beacon of freedom and democracy.
Learn more: www.nsl4a.org
#DefendDemocracy #NationalSecurity
March 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Are you a former national security professional or someone passionate about preserving democratic values? NSL4A invites you to join our mission.
Together, we can ensure America remains a beacon of freedom and democracy.
Learn more: www.nsl4a.org
#DefendDemocracy #NationalSecurity
Together, we can ensure America remains a beacon of freedom and democracy.
Learn more: www.nsl4a.org
#DefendDemocracy #NationalSecurity
