President-elect Donald Trump has tapped retired Marine Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis to be his secretary of defense. Congressman Charlie Dent has been no fan of Trump, but applauds the selection of the "Warrior Monk."
"I commend President-Elect Donald Trump for naming retired United States Marine Corp General James Mattis as his choice for Secretary of Defense. I believe that General Mattis will serve our country and the men and women of our Armed Forces with the same distinction and integrity as he did for four decades wearing the uniform of the United States Marines. As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that is tasked with meeting our nation’s military construction needs, I look forward to working with General Mattis and his team.”
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
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Friday, December 02, 2016
18 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Mattis's greatest attribute is that he listens well. He is not a man that can be bamboozled by a flashy Power-Point presentation. You can expect him to ask hard, straight forward, piercing, insightful questions. This man believes: If you want to know "Ground Truth" go ask the man doing the job everyday.
ReplyDeleteI would pay to set in on his initial briefings with DOD staffers. I would highly recommend those boys get real busy understanding every facet of their positions and job titles. Mattis does not suffer fools nor will he accept mediocrity.
Regional Combatant Commanders can expect to see this man at their forward deployed forces Headquarters and "Guided Tours" will not work. Mattis wants to talk with men "On the Ground" He is knowledgable and takes a no-nonsense approach to terrorism. It's also possible he will dial back the social experimentation in the military that Barack Obama actually believed was one of the military's primary missions.
One thing is certain: a fresh wind will blow through the Pentagon from the first day of Mattis's tenure.
seems the winner of the electoral college has at least picked a educated warrior.
ReplyDeleteMattis values knowledge over hype.
of course Mattis will have to work with President elect trumperdink to exercise the "secret plan " he has to eliminate isil.
the generals would probably want to know what that is.
hopefully Mattis can lend some sanity to the job.
The laws says seven years from career military until a civilian control position. Concerned that we are drifting form the Founding Fathers insistence of civilian control of our military apparatus.
ReplyDeletePompey, here we come.
George Washington was a General in the Continental Army
ReplyDeleteHe was not a General. He was THE General. Moreover, after surrendering their swords, many of the so-called founding fathers picked them back up. Hamilton did so on several occasions, to the consternation of Jefferson and Madison. They were fearful that he would mount a military coup, and not without some reason. But mere than anyone, Washington exemplified the concept of civilian control, even when he was the commanding general. He always deferred to the Continental Congress, even though it was hopelessly weak and ineffectual.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Congress will have to consider and enact new legislation. This is NOT afoul of the constitution, but is contrary to federal law. I believe the principle of civilian control is so ingrained in our psyche that an exception is warranted.
"Pompey, here we come."
ReplyDeletePompey did not march on Rome. That would be Gaius Julius Caesar, and before him, Lucius Cornelius Sulla and Gaius Marius (Caesar's uncle). I agree the principle of civilian control is important. But if we know anything about Trump, we know his ego won't allow any member of the military to stand out, unless he stands out under him.
Bernie, times have changes and now a days people have turned opinions into facts with the help of the internet. My fear is after electing a President who scored worse than any previous contender on fact check, our nation may drift far to the right. In our current atmosphere of loving all things military and hating all things civilian we are ripe for exploitation.
ReplyDeleteThis is not an indictment of this individual but an observation of our culture.
Have to agree with some of the concerns Bernie. I few are going to stray into military only advice on foreign policy we are drifting afar from the intent o four constitution. If that is the case then bring back the military draft so that citizens are once again on an equal footing.
ReplyDeleteSadly much of the new found hero worship regarding the military is boomer guilt over the Vietnam war and the powers that be wanting to make the 1% of the population that serves in the military keep serving.
Something is afoul in this country and I doubt that Trump is the answer.
Drifting afar from the constitution? Nothing in the Constitution prohibits this.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Dent, blowing the way the wind blows!
ReplyDeleteSo We now have a military man nominated for Secretary of Defense. Maybe we will have an administrator who knows what the U.S. military can not do.
ReplyDeleteMattis is technically not eligible because he needs to be a civilian for 7 years so congress will have to make an exception for him. Nonetheless, this seems to be Trump's only good choice so far.
ReplyDelete7 year rule- not a law -Geo.MARSHALL had exception also.- Gen. Mattis is going into a new job and understands things dimensionally. Mattis is a leader of hard men and woman and Anon 1;49 describes the General superbly . ''Powerpoint makes you stupid. '' James Mattis quote. Don't be surprised if Gen.Mattis surprises you . He can ''play chess'' on multi levels. He is so revered by most all Marine Corps personnel that if he asked for 100 volunteers, he would get 5,000 . The General cares for his Marines and expects other leadership to do the same. He will be a handful to any complacent person in his future chain.
ReplyDeleteIndecisive and willing to allow wounded troops to die.... Perfect Trump nominee....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/green-beret-accuses-gen-mattis-leaving-men-die-article-1.2896433
The only thing about Mattis that concerns me is that Dent likes him.
ReplyDeleteIn response to anon 6;40 is that you have it backwards. He is indeed decisive and the other guy's wounded troops die way more often.Additionally- Mr. Dent will probably never even deal with SecDef Mattis in his career at his pesent level . MOOT .
ReplyDelete"Pompey did not march on Rome. That would be Gaius Julius Caesar, and before him, Lucius Cornelius Sulla and Gaius Marius (Caesar's uncle). I agree the principle of civilian control is important. But if we know anything about Trump, we know his ego won't allow any member of the military to stand out, unless he stands out under him."
ReplyDeleteSulla was a dick....
Yes, he was. He never lost a battle, including some for which others took credit. He was intensely loyal to friends and unforgiving to his enemies. When he became dictator, the streets ran red with blood. One exception. Gaius Julius Caesar. He uncharacteristically let him off the hook even though Caesar remained defiant and stood for everything Sulla opposed, i.e. more popular control. Unlike most people with total power, Sulla gave it up after he had achieved what he wanted, In fact, he walked the streets of Rome without a guard and nobody dared attack him.
ReplyDeleteHe is one of history's most under-rated generals and leaders.
That's because he was a prick. in fact, I think the word "sullen" is likely a derivation from his name.