Posted on 02/04/2005 4:40:57 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
What this country needs is a Marine Corps filled with Alan Aldas. You know - sensitive men who would rather lounge around musing on the vicissitudes of life rather than sully their hands with the ugliness of war.
That would appear to be the attitude of The Today Show, judging from its treatment of the story of Marine Lt. Gen. James Mattis, a career infantry officer, who has been called on the carpet. He was caught on tape at some gathering saying "it's fun to shoot some people."
In fact, Mattis' full statement was, roughly: "guys in Afghanistan who have been slapping their wives around for five years for not wearing a veil - it's fun to shoot some guys like that."
Horrors! A warrior who likes to wage war! Today would apparently prefer that we recruit our Marines from the ranks of the sociology professoriat, or perhaps from the membership of the Association of Multicultural Sensitivity Trainers.
NBC Pentagon reporter Jim Miklaszewski was brought in to inform Katie that Mattis had often engaged in such "inappropriate" remarks, though never anything quite this "egregious" and that he was being "counseled" by the Marine Corps Commandant.
I can imagine the scene, straight from the old Al Franken Daily Affirmation skits on SNL: "General Mattis, repeat after me: 'I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.' Wonderful. Now I want you to go out there and hug an Al-Qaida."
Can you imagine Katie's dismay and horror if General Patton were still around? We recall the monumental multicultural insensitivity and bloodthirstiness he showed in addressing his troops on the eve of D-Day:
"Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bull----. Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle."
Oh, the horror!
Today Show can't-we-all-get-along? ping.
C'mon, terrorists need love, too.
Katie is looking for Dr Seuse to take charge
You're right. What was I thinking? Let's not forget, OBL has feelings too.
hey, patton, why aren't you around? ; )
Jim Mik, I am ashamed of you for participating in this.
I have seen on TV interviews of ex-WW2 vets and they unabashedly stated that they enjoyed killing the enemy and hated them also (oh, the horror!)
I think the PC crowd have to push that nonsense in order to sell the lie that women can fight as well as men.
Oh please sign me up for that job
"OK, troops. We'll be going into Fallujah tomorrow at 0 dawn 30. But enough of that. I want every man to take the hand of the fellow next to him, and sing along with me:
Sunny day,
Everything's, A-OK
On my way, to where the air is sweet.
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street?"
Still, the Marine General certainly knows this enemy well and should have been more careful. Now they'll do their best to make him grovel before their power. Ugh!!!
Feh. Katie is a dolt.
Lt. Gen Mattis is just the type of man I'd marry if I didn't already have a perfectly good husband.
In fairness to Mik, he did say things along the lines that Mattis has been recognized as a great Marine, and someone who has actually shown great compassion for civilians and encouraged his men to do the same. Still, Mik did go along with the general drift of the Today story line - that Mattis had said something "egregious" that deserved "counseling."
Forget Patton! What about Chesty Puller!!! Are these people saying that nobody should be shot? That there is no crime or act despicable enough deserving of a bullet? These people need to get a life!
This morning on Fox & Friends, Steve and E.D. were in meltdown over the comments, too. Camera changes to Brian Kilmeade who is on location to cover the Superbowl. Sanity returns to F&F as Brian says, basically, 'hey, they guy is trained military, and that is what military do...they fight wars and war aren't pretty.'
[This is going to turn into another Abu Ghraib type PR nightmare. The handringers are in both camps. They choose to voice the 'awfulness' rather than the 'reality'. Abu Ghraib 'abuse' wasn't much more than fraternity type pranks, but it was allowed to explode into a PR fiasco. The General's comment, like it or not, is true. Many join the military with the intention of going into battle and killing the enemy. That is the primary purpose of having a military. But, the PR machine will make the General's comments into a PR fiasco. We'll know it is in full bloom when Senator Lindsey Graham is on tv decrying the 'atrocities'.]
I am sure the General got some 'serious'counseling over some aged scotch and a good cigar.
You've got to love this American! ;)
Son ... How do you like the Marines?
I've been here a whole week and I like it just fine ... Sir!
Great Flagg poster!
And that's why he should be ashamed of himself.
Especially considering what he's covering and the length of time he's been covering it. He knows better.
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