As Obama Preaches Patience, Mattis Prepares for War With Iran (Overrules Gen)

The Daily Beast ^ | May 21, 2012 4:45 AM EDT | by Eli Lake

[TexasCajun]

Mattis wanted to send a third aircraft-carrier group to the Persian Gulf earlier this year, The Daily Beast has exclusively learned, in what would have been a massive show of force at a time when Iranian military commanders were publicly threatening to sink American ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The four-star Marine Corps general and CentCom commander believed the display could have deterred Iran from further escalating tensions, according to U.S. military officials familiar with his thinking.

But the president wanted to focus military resources on new priorities like China, and Mattis was told a third carrier group was not available to be deployed to the Gulf.

The carrier-group rebuff in January was one of several for the commander responsible for East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Working for the Obama administration, Mattis has often found himself the odd man out—particularly when it comes to Iran.

[TexasCajun]

Those who have worked with Mattis say his views when it comes to Iran are more in line with those of America’s allies in the Persian Gulf and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu than with his own government’s. At a recent charity event for Spirit of America, Mattis, known by admirers as the “warrior monk” and by detractors as “Mad Dog Mattis,” said his three top concerns in the Middle East were “Iran, Iran, and Iran.”

[thethirddegree]

I suspect that the military holds jugears in utter contempt, and it is all they can do to control themselves from dealing with him as the national security threat that he is.

[TexasCajun]

Gotta luv a General with the nickname ‘Mad Dog’.

[SandRat]

Is the scenario in the Pacifc of 1940/41 replaying itself only this time centered around Iran? Will it play the same for us?

[Recon Dad]

Best General in the Armed Force today. Should be either head of the Joint Chiefs or Nat. Security Adviser in the next Admin.

“I come in peace, I didn't bring artillery. But I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all.”
-Marine General James Mattis, to Iraqi tribal leaders

[Repeat Offender]

Mattis is like one of those General's you read about in the history books.....like a living legend. He knows what it takes to win and he says what's on his mind. He isn't married and he doesn't have a tv.

You won't hear him whining about how he needs more minority officers (like the Commandant) and you won't hear him boo-hooing about someone's feelings. He expects the consumate professional and he leads his men by example.

The same man that said "Engage your mind before you engage your weapon," also said "Be polite, be professional, and have a plan to kill everyone you meet."

And one of my favorites (as said to Iraqi leaders) "I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But I’m pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you f#ck with me, I’ll kill you all."

It's a shame we can't weed out some of the yes men and limp wristed faggots in favor of more leaders like this.

[lodi90]

"Gotta luv a General with the nickname ‘Mad Dog’."

He doesn't sound like one. He took his marching orders from barry wtihout a peep. None of these generals are willing to risk their retirement pay by publicly breaking with the kenyan. Petraeus is another one who has gladly taken barry's handouts. It wouldn't surpise me if he ran as a Democrat in 2016.

[BerryDingle]

I suspect that the military holds jugears in utter contempt, and it is all they can do to control themselves from dealing with him as the national security threat that he is.

And all we get from Congress is crickets chirping.

[TexasCajun]

If I was Imanutjob, I be trembling in my boots at the prospect of "Mad Dog" Mattis at my doorstep.

Gen. Mattis sounds like a great soldier's soldier.

[silverleaf]

It has got to be HELL serving under a regime of incompetent America-hating Harvard-pointy-headed military strategerists and wannabe commies

[paterfamilias]

“Mattis, known by admirers as the ‘warrior monk’ and by detractors as ‘Mad Dog Mattis,...”

Something tells me that this Devil Dog would approve of both nicknames.

[BlackVeil]

But it is just not possible for someone serving in the military to refuse orders from the CIC. He would be risking more than retirement pay - it would be a major offense against the law and morality if he were to rebel.

It is up to the civilian world to choose polical leaders and heads of state, then live with that choice. Obama is apparently lawfully in office. If there is something wrong in his elevation, it really is up to the Republican leaders to investigate, and their passivity on this issue is noticable. Unlike the general, they are not bound by obedience, indeed, their duty is to question.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The Warrior attitude.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping.

Is Cyprus in this Generals Area of Operation?

[lodi90]

Maybe I was a bit harsh on Mattis but Petraeus and McChrystal have a duty to spell it out. They haven’t. Their silence is very telling. Barry is going to use OBL and the troops as an election year prop and they have a duty to correct the historical record.

[RaceBannon]

Me and Mattis were on the same boat in 1980 off Iran.

[Marine_Uncle]

Post 5: "“I come in peace, I didn't bring artillery. But I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all.”
-Marine General James Mattis, to Iraqi tribal leaders

Honor comes to mind.