Controversial US general to head Central Command
Mattis: 'It's fun to shoot people'
President Obama's pick to lead military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and the Middle East is an experienced ground combat commander, but also earned a stern rebuke in 2005 for controversial comments about combat operations. With all the wars going on around the world he speaks his mind which is not always savory but he is the right man for the job.
Blunt General Appointed to Lead Forces in Mideast
I don't want to sound like a masochist or a right wing war mongering baby killer but it sounds to me like President Obama has picked the right man for the job. He was disciplined 5 years ago when he spoke the truth saying it was sometimes fun to kill those that harm and kill others. I believe he has since learned something I learned as a little kid and have said here often and that is engage brain before opening mouth!
Mattis would replace Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, who is in Afghanistan as the U.S. and NATO's top military officer there having taken over for McCrhystal after his ill fated interview where he and his staff openly mocked Obama and his war staff. I think Obama picked the right man for the job. I was pretty proud of the men he led in the battle of Fallujah in Iraq in 2004. In reclaiming that city I had a friend who won a silver star reclaiming bobby trapped houses and areas.
With his new job General Mattis would technically be in control of General Patraeus too. Patraeus got much of the credit for Afghanistan and what was done in Iraq but General Mattis was the man advising him. With the Pentagon now examining its media relations in the wake of the Rolling Stone article that ended McChrystal's career Gates has in Mattis the right man for the job, a general not known for cozy relations with reporters. Still, he values good press and pulls no punches, a quality I admire and remember from another great General.
As he was poised to cross into Iraq in 2003 with embedded reporters in tow, he quoted the Greek poet Pindar: "Unsung, the noblest deed will die." Sound familiar? Remember General Patton who was well known for his love of battle and quotes? 37 memorable quotes and quotations from General Patton
James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com
