Posted on 12/20/2018 4:38:48 PM PST by central_va
Any chance he was the Lodestar who wrote the anonymous letter?
What an ungrateful POS.
You the right on point! He was never a supporter but a globalist guy. Good riddance
I thought the Opus was banned on FR.
I believe Mattis is very knowledgeable, probably excellent in warfare BUT he is not Secretary of State. From a national security standpoint his letter was not helpful. I’m just not aware we’ve walked away from any alliances.
He's a retired Marine. Mattis is a civilian as SecDef.
The following is the money quote and he comes AFTER he summarizes his views on our “international alliances”, our “respect for our allies”, and the relationship of those things to our own national security, and he then says:
“Because you have the right to a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, “
Translation: You, Mister President don’t agree with me on “those and other subjects”.
He uses very well thought out language to very politely diss Trump - like saying “you’re dead wrong on what I think are the important things” while showing a nice face with a big smile.
What I think everyone deserves to know, is which of our “allies” did Mattis think Trump was too hard on and which he are the ones he thinks Trump was too soft with. Besides Russia and China does he or does he not include Turkey in the nations he thinks our interests are “in tension with” due to THEIR actions. Does he or does he not think the NATO members should have been asked, strongly asked, to up their contributions to military defense within NATO in Europe?
Like many religious leaders, Mattis says much while avoiding saying exactly what he means.
Altogether, he should have said less and just made a very simple resignation “for personal reasons at this time”.
He has plenty of time to - and surely will - lay out his differences with Trump in a “tell all” book, so he can make a great income, in addtion to all the on-air “expert analyst” “reporting” he’ll be doing for the mainstream media TV venues.
Why does a civilian show in dress blues everyday? Can’t have it both ways.
Sorry that was meant for EEgator
His letter shows his arrogance and self-righteousness. He failed to thank Trump for giving him the opportunity to be SecDef.
America can no longer bear the costs of defending the Free World. We have spent our blood and treasure in never ending wars that have not advanced our strategic interests. Our military personnel are being worn out with multiple deployments. Our equipment is being degraded. Alliances are fine when everyone is pulling their weight. That has not been the case.
Our allies have enjoyed the benefits without the costs. They have exploited us with their one-sided trade deals. It is time to put America first.
You are confused.
I know, that’s why I asked the question.
Doesn't sound that way to me. I think he is more concerned that we aren't tough enough on our rivals, especially China: "Similarly, I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model ..."
We’ll get some idea of this guy’s class when we see if he goes on talk shows like The View to pontificate about how Trump just doesn’t get it. He should just blend into the background and go fishing or run the Marine Corps Museum.
He doesn’t wear dress blues everyday.
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Assignment: parse the author's meaning of that sentence. What did he intend to say.
Your right! He was a disaster. One thing I learned from a career in the military is that General Officers are totally political. Those who pander to the administration get selected for stars. If you were a conservative during the Clinton, Obama, and even the Bush administrations your chance of making Brigader General or above was less than winning a mega lottery. Now is not a good time for a republican President to appoint a recently retired General for anything, they are a product of liberal administrations and therefor can’t be trusted.
Incorrect, just an urban legend. The Opus is still allowed, but since everyone who knows how to compose a proper Opus have already left, nothing that we might see would be an actual Opus.
POTUS is addressing global security issues from both a political point of view as well as a military point of view. Mattis’s perspective is focused primarily on the military point of view. I would say POTUS has the more complete picture. As a result, he sees possibilities and solutions that may not be as obvious from a strictly military perspective.
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