The idea of never deploying regular military troops to deal with domestic disturbances goes all the way back to ancient Rome, or at least back to Laurence Olivier‘s thoughts about same in Stanley Kubrick and Kirk Douglas‘s Spartacus (’60).

Olivier’s Marcus Licinius Crassus to John Dall‘s Glabrus: “Have you forgotten Rome’s most sacred law, that a general may never bring his troops within the city walls?” Dall: “Sulla did.” Olivier: “Sulla? To the infamy of his name! To the utter damnation of his line!”

Posted on CNN.com today at 12:44 pm: “Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska broke with many of her Republican colleagues Thursday, applauding an op-ed by General James Mattis that condemned President Donald Trump‘s actions this week.

“When I saw General Mattis’ comments yesterday I felt like perhaps we are getting to a point where we can be more honest with the concerns that we might hold internally and have the courage of our own convictions to speak up,” Murkowksi said on Capitol Hill.

The comments were a stark contrast to many of her other Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill who argued that while Mattis had a right to disagree with Trump, they didn’t agree with Mattis’ assessment.

“‘I was really thankful. I thought General Mattis’ words were true, and honest and necessary and overdue,’ Murkowski said. ‘And, I have been struggling for the right words, and I was encouraged a couple of nights ago when I was able to read what President Bush had written. And I found that to be empowering for me as one leader.’

“Murkowski, a Republican who has demonstrated an independent voting streak in the Senate, told reporters Thursday that she was still ‘struggling’ with a decision about whether she would support Trump in November.

“‘I am struggling with it. I have struggled with it for a long time. I think you know that. I didn’t support the President in the initial election, and I work hard to try to make sure that I’m able to represent my state well that I’m able to work with any administration and any president,’ Murkowski said.

“‘He is our duly elected President, and I will continue to work with him and I will continue to work with this administration. But I think right now as we are all struggling to find ways to express the words that need to be expressed appropriately, questions about who I’m going to vote for or not going to vote for, I think, are distracting at the moment.”