Mattis says no need for dramatic U.S. military moves in South China Sea - Polidicks

[quote]U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Saturday played down any need for major U.S. military moves in the South China Sea to contend with China's assertive behavior, even as he sharply criticized Beijing for "shredding the trust of nations in the region." "At this time, we do not see any need for dramatic military moves at all," Mattis told a news conference in Tokyo, stressing that the focus should be on diplomacy. In his Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea. The White House also vowed to defend "international territories" in the strategic waterway. But how the United States would achieve that has been unclear, including whether it would have a military dimension. Analysts have said Tillerson's remarks, like those from the White House, suggested the possibility of U.S. military action, or even a naval blockade. Such action would risk an armed confrontation with China, an increasingly formidable nuclear-armed military power. It is also the world's second-largest economy and the prime target of Trump accusations of stealing American jobs. Mattis suggested that major military action was not being currently considered. "What we have to do is exhaust all efforts, diplomatic efforts, to try to resolve this properly, maintaining open lines of communication," Mattis said, in his most complete remarks on the issue to date. "And certainly our military stance should be one that reinforces our diplomats in this regard. But there is no need right now at this time for military maneuvers or something like that, that would solve something that’s best solved by the diplomats." China claims most of the South China Sea, while Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei claim parts of the waters that command strategic sea lanes and have rich fishing grounds along with oil and gas deposits.[/quote] [url]http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-southchinasea-mattis-idUSKBN15J061[/url]

Thanks, Jim

Mattis is basically my sole source of solace in this pathetic excuse for an administration. As near a I can tell he's the only person in it who has the nation's interests ahead of his own

[quote]"What we have to do is exhaust all efforts, diplomatic efforts, to try to resolve this properly, maintaining open lines of communication[/quote] sanest thing said by the entire administration

Honest to god, He seems to have enough balls that Trump Himself is afraid of him.

Mattis will save the US armed forces from unnecessary military actions and loss of life. Thank you based Mattis. The marines were right about you.

Mattis is the only person in Trump's cabinet I can straight up say I tolerate. I'd say he even has some admirable qualities to him. Sensible pick who is fully qualified for the position he is in. Too bad Trump okay's covert operations without Mattis being informed at all.

Good Guy Mattis At least he actually knows what the fuck he's doing.

[QUOTE=Aldawolf;51776462]Mattis is the only person in Trump's cabinet I can straight up say I tolerate. I'd say he even has some admirable qualities to him. Sensible pick who is fully qualified for the position he is in. Too bad Trump okay's covert operations without Mattis being informed at all.[/QUOTE] Tolerate? I strongly support him. A very down-to-earth guy who knows what he can and can't get away with.

[QUOTE=OmniConsUme;51776444]Honest to god, He seems to have enough balls that Trump Himself is afraid of him.[/QUOTE] I have this suspicion that Trump genuinely had no idea what he was getting into when he brought Mattis on board. I suspect that the only thing Trump knew about Mattis was the nickname 'Mad Dog' and that he was popular with the troops, and from that limited knowledge he deduced that Mattis would be totally on board with his bullshit

[QUOTE=Sitkero;51776432]Mattis is basically my sole source of solace in this pathetic excuse for an administration. As near a I can tell he's the only person in it who has the nation's interests ahead of his own[/QUOTE] Mattis just doesn't want to see men and women die over some cement islands in the ocean.

[QUOTE=choco cookie;51776454]Mattis will save the US armed forces from unnecessary military actions and loss of life. Thank you based Mattis. The marines were right about you.[/QUOTE] How is this stance going to save loss of life. China would never attack the US

[QUOTE=RocketSnail;51776583]How is this stance going to save loss of life. China would never attack the US[/QUOTE] So are you saying you support, and even, prefer Trumps potential personal plan to Mattis's?

[QUOTE=RocketSnail;51776583]How is this stance going to save loss of life. China would never attack the US[/QUOTE] With the oncoming trade war, Trump being anti-China in general, and a lot of other political shit, the threat of war with China is a very real scenario. So despite that, being very diplomatic instead of very dick-wavey with carrier groups will save lives.

[QUOTE=Sitkero;51776503]I have this suspicion that Trump genuinely had no idea what he was getting into when he brought Mattis on board. I suspect that the only thing Trump knew about Mattis was the nickname 'Mad Dog' and that he was popular with the troops, and from that limited knowledge he deduced that Mattis would be totally on board with his bullshit[/QUOTE] Frankly I wouldn't be surprised that Trump would be ill-informed enough to pick someone who would end up being his Achilles's heel.

I'm hoping to Christ Mattis is also against invading Iran since that would also be massively retarded and would end up making Iraq look like a cake walk.

Those who have experienced conflict first hand are usually the last to advocate for it as a first response.

Good deal, probably not a good move to go to war with China when we're going to war with Iran.

[QUOTE=Bradyns;51776757]Those who have experienced conflict first hand are usually the last to advocate for it as a first response.[/QUOTE] Just to play devil's advocate, Mattis has said in the past that it is fun to shoot bad guys.

[QUOTE=Cyke Lon bee;51776870]Just to play devil's advocate, Mattis has said in the past that it is fun to shoot bad guys.[/QUOTE] He also hates losing people.

[QUOTE=Cyke Lon bee;51776870]Just to play devil's advocate, Mattis has said in the past that it is fun to shoot bad guys.[/QUOTE] He's a hardcore marine I would be surprised if he didn't say that.

I think military men like Mattis have more respect for peace than any politician. And he still can kick ass. And I remember those retards whining about how he was a warmonger, a brute and that he would stage a military coup.

[QUOTE=Cyke Lon bee;51776870]Just to play devil's advocate, Mattis has said in the past that it is fun to shoot bad guys.[/QUOTE] Who doesn't? Either way, still the most level headed American on the planet

[QUOTE=Trek;51777836] And I remember those retards whining about how he was a warmonger, a brute and that he would stage a military coup.[/QUOTE] I don't remember much of this. Most of the replies welcomed Mattis and since he has been praised as one of the few good things to come out of Trump's administration. Almost like people are willing to give Trump credit when it's actually due :v:

Thank god there's one person in Trump's cabinet who isn't a dick-waving fucktard. Trump and most of the GOP seem to forget that speaking softly is at least as important as having the biggest stick.

[QUOTE=Trek;51777836] And I remember those retards whining about how he was a warmonger, a brute and that he would stage a military coup.[/QUOTE] To be honest, from what I've seen, most people wanted him to stage a coup...

With Mattis at the helm of defense the worst trump can do is fuck with immigration and tax law.

Mad Dog 2020. I'm serious.

[QUOTE=Smoovedawg1;51778515]Mad Dog 2020. I'm serious.[/QUOTE] sanders/mad dog 2020 possibly the most voted for candidacy in the united states

[QUOTE=Sitkero;51776432]Mattis is basically my sole source of solace in this pathetic excuse for an administration. As near a I can tell he's the only person in it who has the nation's interests ahead of his own[/QUOTE] Why do I feel that if we were to elect Mattis as President, we'd basically get Eisenhower 2.0?