Posted on 02/04/2005 12:55:42 PM PST by rightalien
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Marine Corps general with battle awards is being counseled to watch his words more carefully after publicly observing that "it's fun to shoot some people."
Lt. Gen. James Mattis, a career infantry office now in charge of developing ways to better train and equip Marines, also made fun of the manhood of Afghans during comments Tuesday while speaking at a forum in San Diego.
On Thursday, Gen. Mike Hagee, the commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, issued a statement of regret about Mattis' remarks, saying they reflected "the unfortunate and harsh realities of war."
According to an audio recording, Mattis had said, "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. ... It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right upfront with you, I like brawling."
He added, "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. 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."
His comments evoked laughter and applause from the audience. Mattis was speaking during a panel discussion hosted by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, a spokeswoman for the general said.
Gen. Hagee's statement said, "Lt. Gen. Mattis often speaks with a great deal of candor. I have counseled him concerning his remarks and he agrees he should have chosen his words more carefully."
"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's statement added.
Among Marines, Mattis is regarded as a fighting general and an expert in the art of warfare. Among his decorations are the Bronze Star with a combat distinguishing device and a combat action ribbon, awarded for close-quarters fighting.
He is currently the commanding general of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Va., and deputy commandant for combat development.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it was up to Mattis to address his own comments, but he added, "All of us who are leaders have a responsibility in our words and our actions to provide the right example all the time for those who look to us for leadership."
Pace spoke to a Pentagon press conference. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said he had not read Mattis' words and deferred to Pace.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil liberties group, called on the Pentagon to discipline Mattis for the remarks.
"We do not need generals who treat the grim business of war as a sporting event," said the council's executive director, Nihad Awad. "These disturbing remarks are indicative of an apparent indifference to the value of human life."
"These disturbing remarks are indicative of an apparent indifference to the value of human life."
Best joke of the century.
You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. 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."
great!
"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. 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."
He enjoys popping scuzzballs who abuse women. So why isn't NOW agitating for his promotion?
I would be pleased to see their comments toward the Islamic individuals who perpetrated some of the beheadings on TV.
Gen. Mattis , you go ahead and say whatever you damn well want to Sir .... Semper Fi !
( ***k um if they can't take a joke )
Where's a picture of this guy?
This guy's job is to kill people and break things. I'm glad we have him. I'm also glad he has passion for his work and isn't just marking time.
Discipline him? Counseling? They idiots suggesting it need counseling! Anyone think Patton needed "counseling" for his speeches? Sure, he was nuts. He was also the only general we had the Germans respected.
I'll take this kind of talk from a military man any day.
I wouldn't exactly say it's "fun" to shoot people. But I'd sure as heck get a great deal of SATISFACTION from shooting some people. Like Islamic terrorists and violent criminals.
Yeah, a Marine should always say, "May I serve you more food and blankets?", instead of killing people and breaking things. I mean, we all know the military is for meals-on-wheels and not waging wars.
If it wasn't for the "apparent indifference to the value of human life" perpetrated by the radicals in that region, and the indifference of those living around them, we wouldn't have had to send a gentleman like LT GEN Mattis over there to correct the situation.
The folks over there made a mess of their region, and men like LT GEN Mattis are there to clean it up. He's not over there to be a statesman - he's there to whoop up on the bad guys and bring his guys home alive. Deal with it, Nihad Awad.
The comment about the Afghan Taliban guys was right on. We need more men like this general.
When he was talking about how it was fun to shoot evil people, I think he meant that there is a certain satisfaction in killing terrorists and knowing you just did something to make the world a better and safer place. There's nothing wrong with getting a sense of satisfaction from shooting terrorists. I'd be willing to bet that I'd feel that way too, if I ever got the chance.
You read my mind!
No, Mr. Awad, what we need are politicians who treat the grim business of war as serious business, and not partisan politics. Fortunately we've got one in the White House, and several in the Executive branch, but the Senate and the House need a hell of a lot more.
And as for General Mattis...if there's justice, that man will never have to buy a beer in any bar or O-club he ever visits, ever again. Ever.
}:-)4
His comments about guys who slap women around are DEAD ON TARGET.
Right, why bother shooting, when it is so much easier to fly a few planes into a building and take out a couple thousand?? Value of human life my "royal Irish a$$"
Ditto all comments made so far.
This man is a WARRIOR. And I thank G_d that we have such men in our military.
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