Posted on 02/03/2005 12:37:35 PM PST by mhking
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior U.S. Marine Corps general who said it was "fun to shoot some people" should have chosen his words more carefully but will not be disciplined, military officials said on Thursday.
Lt. Gen. James Mattis, who led troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, made the comments at a conference Tuesday in San Diego.
"Actually it's quite fun to fight 'em, you know. It's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up front with you, I like brawling," said Mattis.
"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis said during a panel discussion. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."
In a statement, Gen. Michael Hagee, commander of the Marine Corps, praised Mattis as "one of this country's bravest and most experienced military leaders."
"While I understand that some people may take issue with the comments made by him, I also know he intended to reflect the unfortunate and harsh realities of war," Hagee said.
"I have counseled him concerning his remarks and he agrees he should have chosen his words more carefully," Hagee added.
Maj. Jason Johnston, a Marine spokesman at the Pentagon, said Hagee did not plan any disciplinary action against Mattis. Johnston declined to provide details of how Hagee had counseled Mattis, calling it a private matter.
At a Pentagon briefing on Thursday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he could not comment on the remarks, but Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised the general as having set a stellar example for troops in his service abroad.
Mattis is commander of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico, Virginia, south of Washington.
(Even if what he says is true!)
Just damn.
If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
If this guy ever runs for anything he's got my vote!
This is exactly what a Marine should be!
You can bet the libs will have a field day with this.
bet he's a h-ll of a soldier!
ping
There are people in Afghanistan who needed killing and we killed them. I don't see why Marines should be the only professionals who aren't allowed to derive pleasure from a job well done.
I'm not a public figure so I can say proudly that it wouldn't break my heart to put a few dozen slugs into a terrorist pig.......starting with the feet and working my way up.
when will people realize we need warriors just like the Gen here. not these PC nancy-pants like weaselly clark
He needs to be VP for Tommy Franks in 2008!
The cretins in DummieLand were all over this yesterday.
My new favorite General.
Absolutely. They might just rethink having him speak in public ever again, but that's a secondary consideration in my book.
So what's the problem here. Promote him again, and find a couple more thousand like him.
Well, his grammer is just unacceptable ;)
Sometimes, it is better to look at things that way, but not voice them around non-warriors. I laughed (along with my men) at stuff that at the time scared the crap out of us.
Tripping over each other running away from a grenade, or poking your head around a corner and having the enemy open up on you, scaring 7 years off of your life. You know, fun stuff like that. ;)
You shall not kill.
He's probably a very good general, but no more press conferences or statements to the press for him.
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