James Mattis’s Letter of Resignation

The Atlanitc ^ | 12/20/18 | Mattis

[central_va]

One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world. Instead, we must use all tools of American power to provide for the common defense, including providing effective leadership to our alliances. NATO’s 29 democracies demonstrated that strength in their commitment to fighting alongside us following the 9-11 attack on America. The Defeat-ISIS coalition of 74 nations is further proof.

[Zhang Fei]

[Fact is, he is a typical Military Industrial Complex idiot that will do anything for the next massive military budget.]

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The term Military Industrial Complex is an anachronism floated by Eisenhower that might or might not have been an issue when he gave his speech. It is definitely not an issue today. When he handed over the reins to JFK, US defense spending was 10% of GDP and 40% of total government spending. Today, defense spending is 3.5% of GDP and 10% of total government spending.

https://www.usgovernmentspending.com/total_spending_chart
https://www.usgovernmentspending.com/defense_spending

[2CAVTrooper]

The last of the well respected generals are in their late 70’s to early 80’s or in the case of General Schwarzkopf is dead.

[CodeToad]

Measuring GDP to MIC is silly. You spend what’s needed, some arbitrary percentage of GDP.

[Zhang Fei]

[What an ungrateful POS.]

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I wouldn’t call Mattis or any former cabinet figure ungrateful. It’s not as if Trump made them everything they are today. In Mattis’s case, he could have made a bunch of money as a defense analyst for some network, lobbying for some defense company and sitting on corporate boards. Instead, he chose to head up DoD and work with a President whose views were diametrically opposed to his, in a job where at-will employment doesn’t adequately describe how quickly a political appointee can be pushed out the door.

Given the short-term, at-will tenure of the job, it’s obvious that Mattis signed up to put his stamp on defense policy. Now that Trump has decided to put his own stamp on that policy, in a way that is at odds with Mattis’s most fundamental preferences, it’s understandable that Mattis would not only resign, but attempt to get those policies reversed. Will the Republicans in Congress attempt to reverse Trump’s policies on Syria and Afghanistan, with Democratic votes? That would be like a bizarro version of Vietnam, with the President supporting withdrawal and Congress supporting a continued presence.

[Zhang Fei]

[Measuring GDP to MIC is silly. You spend what’s needed, some arbitrary percentage of GDP.]

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You’re right. It’s all about feelz. I shouldn’t attempt to confuse people with comparative numbers.

[Songcraft]

Good points.   I agree completely.

[Rebelbase]

Oliver North for SecDef. Make liberals heads explode!

[poconopundit]

Very good analysis. But in the upper ranks, a lot of them were tainted with the Obama stain. Mattis may have been one of the safest choices.

[Impy]

Neocons are throwing an absolute hissyfit over Syria. Every democrat outside the hardcore peaceniks is suddenly virulently pro-war. Lindsey Graham has rediscovered his bloodlust. Most Republicans outside of the liberatarian types is wringing their hands like a old women afraid of a mouse in the kitchen. Adam Kinzinger (RINO-IL) is being especially odious, we need to “Sanfordize” this tool in 2020.

And now with Mattis quitting the entire establishment and media is having some kind of friggin epileptic seizure. “Chaos” is new buzzword. Trump is “despicible scum” because some guy who disagrees with him doesn’t want to work for him anymore. The over the top INSANE reaction alone...

My opinion, leaving Syria? Right decision, overdue. Afghanistan too (are we gonna stay there forever? It’s been 18 years, kids born on 9/11 are gonna graduate from High School!)

Mattis? I honestly never was thrilled with him, he got too much praise from too many pieces of crap. His resignation letter reads like a New York Slimes editorial. Swine are terrified that no more establishment shills will want the job.

[FrdmLvr]

He should say, “Give me Option A, but modify it like this...”.

[RFEngineer]

A generals letter to the president should be brief, to-the-point facts only.

A rambling opinion page editorial is not becoming of a general officer.

He just looks like an embittered enchtrenched bureaucrat who thinks he knows it all. That’s what happens to everyone who earns their living on the taxpayers dime.

We will somehow muddle through without you, general.

You should keep your mouth shut from now on, but we know you won’t. See ya on the Sunday shows.

[EEGator]

A “court martial” is for a member of the military.
SecDef is a civilian position. Mattis is a retired Marine.
No cabinet member is elected via popular vote of the people.
Are you even an American?

[GOPsterinMA]

Well said, Impy. Yes.

This is the first time I’ve heard “Syria” in...forever. Remember when it was the most important thing ever? Funny how that works, huh?

Don’t know if it’s just me, but I’m beyond burnt out with politics. Time for the next step, be done with it and rebuild.

Merry Christmas to you all!

[trebb]

He obviously forgot who the Commander in Chief is and thought it might be him.....good riddance to a policy wonk masquerading as a military man....

[Alberta's Child]

I learned long ago that most generals are politicians, not military leaders ... which makes you wonder why Mattis would complain about Trump’s actions when he took this job knowing full well that Trump campaigned on promises to do exactly what he’s doing.

[Elsie]

One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships.

HMMMmmm…

George Washington advised against "permanent alliances," whereas Jefferson, in his inaugural address on 4 March 1801, declared his devotion to "peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none."

[Elsie]

It’s pretty much a forced choice because you’ve arranged it so that no one would pick anything except Option C.

Similar to the Excluded Middle

[Elsie]

I'm the president and you're not.

[AuH2ORepublican]

I disagree with you. We should stay in Syria to continue to fight alongside the Kurds until ISIS is eradicated. As for Afghanistan, removing our remaining troops only will help the Taliban. We still have troops in Korea despite babies born at the start of hostilities being almost 70 years old; while I would reduce our number of troops in the Korean DMZ, the situation there is very different from that in Afghanistan.

[GOPJ]

No one is indispensable.

Mattis's a good man but he sees the future as ‘global’ and interconnected - and on the taxpayers dime... that's not consistent with what the American people want.

American defense should keep Americans safe - not Syrians, or Saudis or thugs in Brussels...or any of the other hundreds of countries and borders we protect.It's time to put American first... and our safety.