I'm reminded why I love Marines from time to time

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2005-02-03 03:25pm

Linka

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.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2005-02-03 03:25pm

Semper Fi....

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-02-03 03:28pm

The general would have been well advised to remember ....

"Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact."
- George Eliot

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2005-02-03 03:28pm

haha, rah. those comments are perfectly in place

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2005-02-03 03:37pm

War is not fun.

Ubiquitous · Post by **Ubiquitous** » 2005-02-03 03:45pm

I didn't know that Lt. Gen actually went to the front lines to have the chance to shoot...

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-02-03 03:46pm

I can perfectly understand his satisfaction at wasting two-legged garbage like the Taliban and Al-Queda.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-02-03 03:46pm

ALI_G wrote:I didn't know that Lt. Gen actually went to the front lines to have the chance to shoot...

Well, mostly the guys who refuse to obey orders ......

Falkenhayn · Post by **Falkenhayn** » 2005-02-03 03:54pm

Seems like he suffers from an excess of fighting spirit. As long as its coupled with competence and sound reasoning, I've got no probelms with this guy enjoying his job.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-02-03 04:00pm

You know, it's sad that we can go from Patton sixty years ago to this pussy whipped shit.

Falkenhayn · Post by **Falkenhayn** » 2005-02-03 04:09pm

Stormbringer wrote:You know, it's sad that we can go from Patton sixty years ago to this pussy whipped shit.

Even a die hard ass kicker has to do the song and dance for the press.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-02-03 04:13pm

Patton got in deeper shit with the press and his commanders than THIS guy can dream about.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2005-02-03 04:16pm

Chmee wrote:Patton got in deeper shit with the press and his commanders than THIS guy can dream about.

Yes, but that's because he did things like pistol whip shell shocked soldiers, on more than one occasion.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-02-03 04:42pm

Stormbringer wrote:Yes, but that's because he did things like pistol whip shell shocked soldiers, on more than one occasion.

All I ever heard about was the famous hospital incident, and there is a theory that he was applying one of the prevailing theories of the time on how to deal with shell shock, namely shame and a sharp kick in the ass. But pistol-whipping is a bit... over the top.

After all, it'd get blood on the that pearl-inlaid grip...

As for whether or not the guy thinks it's fun or not, it probably falls under the sort of black humor people in high-stress positions develop. He's got a point though; if you absolutely have to be in the position of shooting people, at least it's a consolation to know that the guys you're shooting at are jackass throwback misogynists.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-02-03 04:48pm

Patton just made too many careless comments around the Press, that's what got him in trouble mostly. Criticizing Eisenhower, comparing the Nazis to American political parties, suggesting that we'd have to go to war with Russia after we were done cleaning up Germany ..... he had a little trouble remembering who forms American foreign policy.

Petrosjko · Post by **Petrosjko** » 2005-02-03 05:02pm

Chmee wrote:Patton just made too many careless comments around the Press, that's what got him in trouble mostly. Criticizing Eisenhower, comparing the Nazis to American political parties, suggesting that we'd have to go to war with Russia after we were done cleaning up Germany ..... he had a little trouble remembering who forms American foreign policy.

That got him in trouble with the brass, but the press loved Patton because he was good copy. But shell-shocked troopers were sacrosanct in the heart of the homefront, because 'these are our sons out there', and nobody wanted a big mean general abusing poor Johnny. That's what really stirred up the public against him for a while.

Historically, good generals have not been terribly politically correct. That's why good battlefield generals generally make lousy politicians in the post-war environment.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » 2005-02-03 06:05pm

Petrosjko wrote:
Chmee wrote:Patton just made too many careless comments around the Press, that's what got him in trouble mostly. Criticizing Eisenhower, comparing the Nazis to American political parties, suggesting that we'd have to go to war with Russia after we were done cleaning up Germany ..... he had a little trouble remembering who forms American foreign policy.
That got him in trouble with the brass, but the press loved Patton because he was good copy. But shell-shocked troopers were sacrosanct in the heart of the homefront, because 'these are our sons out there', and nobody wanted a big mean general abusing poor Johnny. That's what really stirred up the public against him for a while.

Historically, good generals have not been terribly politically correct. That's why good battlefield generals generally make lousy politicians in the post-war environment.

Of course the press loved him, every dog loves when you feed it ... but it's a dangerous path for a general to follow while he's serving. The right pithy quotes can make you a national hero and set you up for life to do whatever you want after the military (Schwarzkopf) ..... the wrong kind and you retire to Bumfuck, Oklahoma and open a bait store.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2005-02-03 06:20pm

Yeah, Patton might have gotten away with a lot, but Patton was kicking ass and taking names all the way across France, while this guy was not. He doesn't have the war hero's immunity.

Big Phil · Post by **Big Phil** » 2005-02-03 07:26pm

He's a soldier; they're supposed to think about killing people. Do you really want your soldiers talking about picking flowers and dancing the YMCA song?

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2005-02-03 07:39pm

SancheztheWhaler wrote:He's a soldier; they're supposed to think about killing people. Do you really want your soldiers talking about picking flowers and dancing the YMCA song?

Its really not as fun as it sounds, trust me.

Big Phil · Post by **Big Phil** » 2005-02-03 07:56pm

consequences wrote:
SancheztheWhaler wrote:He's a soldier; they're supposed to think about killing people. Do you really want your soldiers talking about picking flowers and dancing the YMCA song?
Its really not as fun as it sounds, trust me.

I don't doubt it for a second, but all this hand wringing because a career soldier spoke positively about the main function of his job - gasp! killing people - is silly.

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2005-02-03 08:04pm

Petrosjko wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:Yes, but that's because he did things like pistol whip shell shocked soldiers, on more than one occasion.

All I ever heard about was the famous hospital incident, and there is a theory that he was applying one of the prevailing theories of the time on how to deal with shell shock, namely shame and a sharp kick in the ass. But pistol-whipping is a bit... over the top.

After all, it'd get blood on the that pearl-inlaid grip...

As for whether or not the guy thinks it's fun or not, it probably falls under the sort of black humor people in high-stress positions develop. He's got a point though; if you absolutely have to be in the position of shooting people, at least it's a consolation to know that the guys you're shooting at are jackass throwback misogynists.

He did it atleast twice in Sicily; the events were merged into one for the movie. He slapped one with his glove I think and threatened to shoot another I believe. He went so far to the point of unholstering tjhe gun to get someone to throw the guy ut of there. However, it wasn't just Patton, numerous senior officers, especially in Patton's armies acted in a manner like him.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2005-02-03 10:18pm

SancheztheWhaler wrote:
consequences wrote:
SancheztheWhaler wrote:He's a soldier; they're supposed to think about killing people. Do you really want your soldiers talking about picking flowers and dancing the YMCA song?
Its really not as fun as it sounds, trust me.

I don't doubt it for a second, but all this hand wringing because a career soldier spoke positively about the main function of his job - gasp! killing people - is silly.

seriously. think we're there to throw flowers? daisy cutters, maybe

kill people. blow shit up. ask your usmc recruiter.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2005-02-04 01:52am

kill people. blow shit up. ask your usmc recruiter.

Typically, though, recruiters mention the "see the world" and "paid-for college tuition" more than the "harrowing firefights" and "brutal combat."

Obloquium · Post by **Obloquium** » 2005-02-04 12:31pm

CAIR's taking a stand on this incident.

Muslims Call for Pentagon Action over General's Remarks

General Mattis thinks killing domestic abusers is satisfying. CAIR apparantly finds that appalling. Any thoughts?

PS, can someone delete the above post?

What post?- Beo.