Posted on 02/07/2005 1:10:36 PM PST by rightalien
Reader Stephen Prince, of Phoenix, AZ, shares with us a letter he sent to another Mattis supporter. Col. Anderson is the CO of NROTC at Norwich University, Vt. Dear Col. Anderson,
I read an article in the Arab News highlighting your defense of Lt. General Mattis. I would like to add that I am a former Marine officer myself. I served from 1984-1988. I was a graduate of the PLC Jr./Sr. program in 1981 and 1983.
I can not tell you how bitter and ashamed I feel over the remarks made by Gen. Mattis. His remarks have now been published in over 500 newspapers world wide! As a former Marine trained at the very facility the General now commands, I can not understand people like you defending the indefensible.
This story is all over the Arab press. This has no doubt helped recruiting efforts of those opposed to the US in Iraq. How many will die because of the General's loose lips?
Never in my time in the USMC did I ever hear a senior leader speak like this! We were constantly taught how horrible the costs of war are to humanity at large. We as Marines were taught at Quantico that human life has value. A man who considers it fun to shoot people (Especially when he had every major advantage in the fight, Iraq is not Tarawa!) does not get it.
His words were not taken out of context. I saw the video of the General, and these are his words. He displayed glee. His face was lit up like a little boy. Words have power! This story can not and should not be SPUN by the Marine Corps. The General said what he said.
Every veteran I have spoken with has made it clear to me the General is way out of line and unfit to be a leader of Marines. His combat record is No defense for his bad judgment. The General has played his hand and shown the world who he really is. I am ashamed of the way the Marine Corps has handled this whole rotten affair. Do you think the President is pleased with General Mattis? General Mattis has stained the very honor of the men he leads. "To keep our honor clean" What a mockery the General has made of Marines Hymn.
This is perhaps the poorest display of judgment I have ever seen by a Marine General. Now the talk radio people are telling people all over America, the General has it right, "They should have fun killing these people, it's their job." This type of garbage even makes it worse. It makes Marines look cold blooded. I will bet you that these statements by the General will ultimately end up in Bartlett's quotations, and hence forth will be a stain on the Marine Corps for years and years to come.
Colonel you have entered the ring on this, and I do not think it will die down soon. I live in Arizona, and people have contacted Senator McCain's office regarding this matter.
The only solution is for General Mattis to go away quietly. What credibility does he now have at Quantico? Is he going to lecture others on moral behavior in general? He will be seen as an hypocrite. Will he be able to teach Marines the moral duties they have to the human beings they are fighting? Are you saying that because men in Afghanistan treat women horribly, they should be shot on site with out a trial? Do Marines now go into wars making the rules of who lives and dies based on their personal moral agenda? Should Marines conduct raids on the Porno industry in California and shoot them on site because they don't like the way women are being abused in the production of pornography? Should all men in the USA who abuse women be shot by Marines with out a trial? What is all this saying Colonel? Seems the General makes it clear he goes by his own rule of the gun, not the rule of law (UCMJ) enacted by the will of the people at large.
Are not our Marines dying almost daily in Iraq fighting so democracy can emerge there?
This issue will not die. As a matter in fact it has opened a can of worms.
The tooth paste is out of the tube. The remarks made by General Mattis will live in infamy. He will from now on be known as the General who says, it's "fun to kill people." He has thoroughly embarrassed the President, and Secretary of Defense! The President is constantly telling the world that we are a compassionate people who believe in the sanctity of human life! When people in high positions such as Gen. Mattis state that it's fun to shoot people (for any reason what so ever), we have lost it. The General sounds like an SS officer of another sad time in history.
I am convinced that these remarks will now cause an intensified effort to kill Marines in Iraq! These men who the General made clear "Got no manhood"
will want to show Marines how much they have their manhood. The General is actually helping the enemy with his macho stupidity, and extreme lack of judgment.
In my opinion Colonel, the remarks you made in the Arab News do not make you look very smart. Your argument is weak, and will not hold much water. My bet is that the President is furious with General Mattis, and actions will be taken. The man is an embarrassment to the United States. He does not reflect the moral character of the entire American people at large, nor the highest standards of moral leadership required of men who are the ultimate managers of violence. This was not some drunk 18 year old PFC making these statements, it was a Lt. General in UNIFORM, who just happens to command the most important training command in the USMC! War is the last resort among people. Innocent women, children and the elderly are killed and horribly wounded for life, because they just happened to get in the way. It is never fun, NEVER! When our military leaders start saying it's fun, we have become a sick and depraved people only worthy of the harshest judgment brought down by our Creator. This is a sad time for the history of the United States.
General Mattis is a disgrace to the uniform he wears, and to the people he leads.
Sincerely,
Stephen Prince
Gen Mattis, gleeful or not, spoke the truth. It is good fun to wipe the scum from the earth. Helpful? Probably not, but who gives a rat's ass what people who already hate us think. Reminds of the Bring it On statement by Bush. Screw the whining crybabies.
The word "fun" was definitely a poor judgement.
"Exciting", "Invigorating", "Fulfilling"... but not "Fun".
Now, how much he has to pay for that bad judgement, we shall see. If he were to apologize and admit to bad judgement, I would let it slide right there.
Do these people prefer West Point grads going on to Swiss Finishing school before fghting and then -- yes, KILLING -- America's enemies?
BS. I salute and applaud Gen Mattis for his service and his attitude. Screw the PC crowd and whomever else thinks it's not right and he's unfit. He's got the right attitude: terrorists are subhuman filth who need killing, and it should be a real pleasure to do so.
This is exactly the attitude I had near the end of my 2nd of 3 tours in Nam, '69-'72, 5th SF, 3rd Btn.
Below is a website that describes various logical fallacies. I don't have the time to go over this article, but there are a significant number of logical fallacies in this thing.
found at: http://www.datanation.com/fallacies/index.htm
bump
Never in my time in the USMC did I ever hear a senior leader speak like this! We were constantly taught how horrible the costs of war are to humanity at large. We as Marines were taught at Quantico that human life has value.
That's funny, because when I was in boot camp, they taught us to shout "Die M*****F***** Die!" to time our bursts while firing the SAW.
This person might have been in the marines, but never came close to being a warrior. In the classic sense of the word. I suspect mostly as a paper-pusher.
Everyone who serves deserve thanks.
Not everyone who serves deserve respect. A subtle but clear distinction.
'Nuff said.
found at: http://www.datanation.com/fallacies/index.htm
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I'm not, nor ever have been, a Marine, but I would guess that the following may well be fallacies:
Never in my time in the USMC did I ever hear a senior leader speak like this!
We were constantly taught how horrible the costs of war are to humanity at large.
We as Marines were taught at Quantico that human life has value
Dear Mr. Prince: I was a Marine officer too. I had much the same experience that you did, with two big exceptions: I didn't grow up in an environment steeped in political correctness, and I served in combat. I suggest that we need all the Lt. Gen. Mattis's we can get! I hope he gets a fourth star, although it seems unlikely because of twits like you!
I have to question the sense of someone who'd want to get rid of an otherwise stellar example of military strength. So he's not a pampered press baby (thank goodness). Slap his wrist and move on.
You said:
"I'm not, nor ever have been, a Marine, but I would guess that the following may well be fallacies:
Never in my time in the USMC did I ever hear a senior leader speak like this!
We were constantly taught how horrible the costs of war are to humanity at large.
We as Marines were taught at Quantico that human life has value"
I did 3 in the Corps and 17 in the Army (retired a crabby old sergeant - LOL). Pretty clear he didn't get out and about too much while he was in.
Semper Fi
I side with and suport General Mattis.
His remarks have now been published in over 500 newspapers world wide!
As a former Marine trained at the very facility the General now commands, I can not understand people like you defending the indefensible.
I have the greatest admiration for the U.S. Marine Corp and their fantastic history which makes me wonder why anyone especially an Ex-Marine of no doubt an impeccable record, which is not the least bit doubted, would voice anything but the highest praise for any member in good standing with his Band of Brothers(The Corps).
It is part of my knowledge that the Corps. never won any battle by weeping for the enemy or not doing all that is necessary to perform his duty above and beyond the call of that(his)duty!
"SEMPER FI"!
As a one-time peer (battalion commanders), classmate (command and staff college), and admirer of Jim Mattis I shall attest that the Marine Corps is fortunate to have men of his ilk as general officers. In this time of war, our Nation needs true warriors and General Mattis is the finest example of same. He spoke the truth as he sees it, and we should listen rather than condemn.
Semper Fi,
Semper Fi
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Thank you.
My nephew is a Marine who is currently stationed near Fallujah. I can't tell you how proud I am of him.
We're ALL proud of him. Thanks much.
Semper Fi
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