I agree. At this point, the token attempt to "de-fund" the program is a shallow exercise in futility. At best, it would take 67 strong votes in the Senate-- because a presidential veto of ANY bill de-funding Obamacare is inevitable. Sorry folks, but hell will freeze over before 21 Senate Democrats vote for any sort of de-funding mechanism. If the strategy is to simply call them out by "putting their vote on record", that's pretty futile too. Low-info voters have very little to virtually no memory of anything political that is more than one week old.
In this particular case, Republicans taking a stand on principle have already lost. It's better to let this fiasco play out... even if the results are a replay of Greece-- at least maybe THAT will get their attention.
The Republican leadership in both congressional houses is almost devoid of any sense of politcal strategy-- much less any perception of the will of the unwashed masses.
Regarding the original topic, as much as I like Alan West and would vote for him in a heartbeat, The MSM will do their level best to not only controversialize the "retirement" issue, but they will also do their utmost to portray him as an "Uncle Tom."
It's the "Clarence Thomas" strategy.