Posted on 03/22/2018 4:42:56 PM PDT by MarvinStinson
Rex Tillerson delivered farewell remarks to the State Department on Thursday, saying "this can be a very mean-spirited town" 10 days after President Donald Trump fired him.
"We're all just human beings trying to do our part," he said, urging in his closing for people to do an act of kindness for one another each day.
"This can be a very mean-spirited town," Tillerson said, drawing laughter and applause. "But you don't have to choose to participate in that. Each of us gets to choose the person we want to be and the way we want to be treated and the way we will treat others."
Tillerson and Trump differed on several key policies, notably the Iran nuclear deal, moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and the Paris climate accords. Their relationship was rocky throughout; at one point, Tillerson reportedly called Trump a "moron."
Tillerson offered thanks to all gathered for their contributions to the department's mission, and he also described the preparation of the transition to Mike Pompeo, the CIA Director who Trump has nominated to be the next Secretary of State.
"While the the policies and the strategies should never change, we must constantly review how the tactics are delivering on the objectives," he said.
The country faces many challenges, Tillerson said, ranging from perplexing foreign affairs to serious national security threats.
"In these times, your continued diligence and devotion to the State Department's mission has never been more necessary," he said. "As you go about your duties, each of you carrying out your individual responsibilities as well as your collective duty, it is my hope that you will be guided by and test your actions each day against the values that we have spoken about over this past year."
Tillerson called "personal integrity" the department employees' most important asset.
"Only you can relinquish it, or allow it to be compromised. Once you've done so, it is very, very hard to regain it, so guide it as the most precious thing you possess," he said.
He spoke less than five minutes and left the building to a large ovation. Tillerson will officially leave the State Department on March 31.
Anyone who hasn’t been fired at least once it their life, hasn’t lived or learned.
That can happen when you get a new captain and crew, even if you think you know every scrap of the ship.
Gathering a new Crew, Need a Ship, And a Cargo.
Rex will be fine, He just did not want to listen to the Skipper
The swamp is way bigger than we imagined, it will take at least 16 or 24 years to clean it. That’s why the swamp creatures are after 2018 so hard and fast. Trump needs to step it up and get the vote out.
Rex got it easy, I got it easy.
and a disloyal and insulting one (calling your boss a moron)
The spineless jellyfish can run for president and change it.
Obama went the cabinet like a rat looking for beans
He ushered homosexuality into the Boy Scouts.
Tells me who he is really working for. Hated the pick from day 1.
went through the cabinet..
I quit as a Cub because it was all to gay.
I wanted to go hiking and build fires and such.
It was all den Mother BS in the 60s!
Oh Lets make construction paper turkeys for thanksgiving.
Maybe I am bitter because I have no awards LOL
If Rex is the man he says he is he will handle it.
nice. thx.
I don’t have a problem with Trump replacing (firing) Tillerson, but do have a problem with the way he did it. Don’t think anyone was amused with Trump’s t.v. “you’re fired” antic through a tweet. It was humiliating to a decent man and completely unnecessary.. Thank God he didn’t do the same with McMaster.
Yeah. Some douchebag-ingrates work for the President yet call him a "f***ing moron" within earshot of others.
Just go away - useless POS.
So long, Rex. Perhaps you can go on a “What Happened???” tour on the tabloid media outlets. You know, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS... oh, and now we can include FNC in that “basket of deplorables” as well.
“Tillerson ...left the building to a large ovation.”
I thought he was universally hated there because he was downsizing / rightsizing the dump.
Adios, moron.
Tillerson knew Trumps foreign policy positions when he took the job and did not support several of Trumps positions. Based on that fact, Tillerson should have never accepted the job if he was unwilling to impliment them.
Tillerson pretty much fired himself.
He worked for Enron...dealt with all kinds of people from some very troubled and obscure places in Africa, Middle East, etc...so oil people are nicer-spirited? Hmm...
For the record I like Tillerson, and McMaster grew on me — but agree their time is up.
I modified that while in the military.....If the boss says "Jump!", you get as much clearance between you and the ground as possible and then ask if it was high enough....
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