James Mattis sworn in as defense secretary, pledges to build alliances
32 replies, posted
[url]https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/01/20/senate-confirms-retired-gen-james-mattis-as-defense-secretary-breaking-with-decades-of-precedent/[/url]
[quote]Retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis was confirmed and sworn in as President Trump’s defense secretary Friday, breaking with decades of precedent as a recently retired general became the Pentagon’s top civilian leader.
Mattis, 66, was approved with a 98-1 vote after the presidential inauguration and then sworn in by Vice President Pence. The new Pentagon chief released a statement to U.S. troops afterward that credited not only them, but intelligence personnel as “sentinels and guardians of our nation” — rhetoric that is in line with Mattis’s past statements, but stands in contrast to the way Trump has criticized the value of U.S. intelligence in recent weeks.
Mattis also pledged to work with the State Department to strengthen U.S. alliances abroad, some of which have been rattled by Trump questioning their worth.[/quote]
Boy, this is gonna be fun
Mattis will build alliances and then Trump will tear them apart in fits of narcissistic rage
Seeming more and more like Mattis is going to be stuck doing damage control.
[QUOTE=Sitkero;51737167]Boy, this is gonna be fun
Mattis will build alliances and then Trump will tear them apart in fits of narcissistic rage[/QUOTE]
Can we just say Godwin's law is a fucking bitch.
[QUOTE=Megadave;51737187]Can we just say Godwin's law is a fucking bitch.[/QUOTE]
That... Doesnt make any sense?
[QUOTE=AaronM202;51737207]That... Doesnt make any sense?[/QUOTE]
Could be referring to how parts of the German military started disobeying Hitler's orders as he became more unhinged and irrational.
[QUOTE=RainbowStalin;51737250]Could be referring to how parts of the German military started disobeying Hitler's orders as he became more unhinged and irrational.[/QUOTE]
But thats not Godwins law? :v:
He might be referring to Dietrich von Saucken , who was very vocally against Hitler's plans and demeanor
I sort of wish this awesome son of a bitch was President, he actually seems like he knows what he's doing.
[QUOTE=AaronM202;51737276]But thats not Godwins law? :v:[/QUOTE]
I think Godwin's Law has basically lost all meaning by this point.
Even if a historical comparison to Nazi Germany is valid, it will get shot down by a misinterpretation of Godwin's Law. It's really more for people who say shit like "well Hitler had dogs too!".
[QUOTE=Megadave;51737187]Can we just say Godwin's law is a fucking bitch.[/QUOTE]
Not as terrible as Segal's law! or Hanlon's razor!
If I just randomly interject internet slang into my post I'll look smart
[QUOTE=jonu67;51737301]I sort of wish this awesome son of a bitch was President, he actually seems like he knows what he's doing.[/QUOTE]
Can you actually list any reasons why he would make a good president other than hoo rah lets worship the military.
[QUOTE=Megadave;51737187]Can we just say Godwin's law is a fucking bitch.[/QUOTE]
I think you mean murphy's law
[QUOTE=RainbowStalin;51737367]Can you actually list any reasons why he would make a good president other than hoo rah lets worship the military.[/QUOTE]
He's got his head on straight, I've heard nothing but good things about him, he carries a great deal of respect and he seems to actually care about America and in a world where people like Trump can win the Presidency that's good enough for me.
I don't know him personally, but he wouldn't exactly be a [I]bad[/I] choice.
[QUOTE=jonu67;51737380]He's got his head on straight, I've heard nothing but good things about him, he carries a great deal of respect and he seems to actually care about America and in a world where people like Trump can win the Presidency that's good enough for me.
I don't know him personally, but he wouldn't exactly be a [I]bad[/I] choice.[/QUOTE]
Oh Lord
[QUOTE=RainbowStalin;51737367]Can you actually list any reasons why he would make a good president other than hoo rah lets worship the military.[/QUOTE]
He's a smart, pragmatic and very rational man. He cares about hard raw data, and doesn't let trivialities get in the way of achieving maximum performance.
At least as far as the military is concerned. If he took this attitude into the Office, that would be great, although these aren't the kind of people who usually win elections.
Check out his wikipedia page, it's hard to find faults with this guy. He was valued by Obama as well - it's not really a "dumb trump" thing or anything.
[QUOTE=Code3Response;51737422]Oh Lord[/QUOTE]
Explain? Because from what I've read up on the guy he seems like he would make for a pretty fitting presidential candidate.
If you want to get a good grasp of what kind of guy he is outside the short blurbs, this is a good watch:
[video=youtube;tggjdGNLXyI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tggjdGNLXyI[/video]
Historically speaking, military leaders seldom make good heads of state. They may be fantastic officers, may be adored by their troops, may look out for their men like parents look out for kids, but the military mindset simply does not translate well to the civilian world, where you have to balance a number of special interests as well as public opinion in order to keep the country running. If I was to massively oversimplify this idea, I'd put it like this: Military men, especially career military men, have a low tolerance for bullshit. The job description of POTUS is to put up with bullshit from every possible source with a smile.
[QUOTE=archangel125;51737479]The job description of POTUS is to put up with bullshit from every possible source with a smile.[/QUOTE]
Considering that POTUS is current source of bullshit, it appears that roles are in great reverse.
Anyway, this dude can run a military takeover and he would still be widely supported.
I don't get the impression that Mattis is one for the politics that the presidency requires but I think that in itself makes him a brilliant candidate for Secretary of Defense.
[QUOTE=gufu;51737537]Considering that POTUS is current source of bullshit, it appears that roles are in great reverse.
Anyway, this dude can run a military takeover and he would still be widely supported.[/QUOTE]
That's because the current POTUS is an idiot manchild. And that's not even an exaggeration.
I still don't think any military coup would have the support of the American public, even with Mattis at its head.
[QUOTE=RainbowStalin;51737367]Can you actually list any reasons why he would make a good president other than hoo rah lets worship the military.[/QUOTE]
there aren't a lot of people that would be worse picks for president than trump
Wait, Mattis is an Aurelian Stoic? Holy shit, I like him even more now.
[QUOTE=RainbowStalin;51737367]Can you actually list any reasons why he would make a good president other than hoo rah lets worship the military.[/QUOTE]
Jeez be more condescending.
[QUOTE=BusterBluth;51737659]Jeez be more condescending.[/QUOTE]
Well, he's not wrong. Mattis is a brilliant man and was a fantastic general, but as I said, that doesn't necessarily translate to any of the qualities you want in a President. Though he'd certainly be much, much better than the current one.
[QUOTE=BusterBluth;51737659]Jeez be more condescending.[/QUOTE]
Sorry for not getting caught up in the cult surrounding this guy but I don't see how he's qualified to be president other than people like him and he doesn't seem to be too mad.
But then again you guys elected Trump so anything would be an improvement.
[QUOTE=RainbowStalin;51737674]Sorry for not getting caught up in the cult surrounding this guy but I don't see how he's qualified to be president other than people like him and he doesn't seem to be too mad.
But then again you guys elected Trump so anything would be an improvement.[/QUOTE]
The impression I've gotten is that although he's a military guy he's also extremely diplomatic. Basically Roosevelt style "speak softly, and carry a big stick" diplomacy
[QUOTE=Lambeth;51737682]The impression I've gotten is that although he's a military guy he's also extremely diplomatic. Basically Roosevelt style "speak softly, and carry a big stick" diplomacy[/QUOTE]
I think as POTUS Mattis might be perfect for handling international relationships. But for domestic affairs... not so much.
[QUOTE=SirJon;51737428]He's a smart, pragmatic and very rational man. He cares about hard raw data, and doesn't let trivialities get in the way of achieving maximum performance.
At least as far as the military is concerned. If he took this attitude into the Office, that would be great, although these aren't the kind of people who usually win elections.
Check out his wikipedia page, it's hard to find faults with this guy. He was valued by Obama as well - it's not really a "dumb trump" thing or anything.[/QUOTE]
he'd probably do alright in the elections tbh
even in the army they've got posters of him shopped as jesus with a hand grenade just about everywhere
and if the military supports him he'll get a lot of support from families and conservatives as well
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