Daat torah. Why does this surprise you?
Josh

I am referring to the people for whom 'daat Torah' isn't a relevant answer. if it were, they would be keeping kosher and shabbat ....

I don't think it is so true that it goes against what the traditional sefardim believe - it may go against what the practice, but many of them, deep down, have very religious hashkafos. I remember once a sefardi, not very observant (basically a traditional chiloni) co-worker vehemently defending the value of charedi children (boys) only learning Torah.

It's interesting as well in that Shas emphasizes that all of their candidates did, in fact, serve in the army. They're trying to have it both ways.

When this once great Rabbi speaks like this, I lose all respect for him.

Did any one of you actually see the video in which he said this?

Of course, the media is portraying this as if Rav Ovadia is threatening to leave E"Y. It isn't a threat. It is an unwanted last resort due to the situation. See the tone in which Rav Ovadia says it - he is not saying this in a rebellious tone; he is saying it in a painful, sorrowful tone.

All the judge first/ask questions later people need to do some introspection.

Shas and Rav Ovadia continue to be the target of attacks by all sides - very unfairly. And people wonder why Shas always complains about anti-Sepharadi bias.

Nonetheless, even the traditional followers of Rav Ovadia, the ones who put on tefillin each morning before going to work, and keep a folded up kipa in their back pocket, respect what daat torah the rav is saying, even if it contradicts their somewhat non-religious lifestyle.
Josh