WELCOME TO THE MAD DOG!!

Today every other man (and still more so during war-time) is an amateur strategist and tactician; the House of Commons is full of such folk. No politician would be considered sane if he told a chemist or an astronomer what to do, but he considers it his right to tell the soldier, sailor, and airman what to do, and even how to do it; and if his words are not based on a true understanding of war they are based on a false understanding, for there can be no middle course. J.F.C. Fuller

Did you hear that sound a couple of weeks ago? It was the deafening rush of air as millions of liberal heads exploded after President elect Trump selected Marine Corps General James “Mad Dog” Mattis to be his Secretary of Defense. It appears we are finally going to get a Secretary of Defense whose main objective is the destruction of enemies to our democracy instead of social engineering ideas like transgender sexual reassignment surgeries being paid for by the DoD.

But of course, no matter how well qualified he may be for the job, there is a line of people standing behind the woodshed ready to oppose him. Congressman Rueben Gallego from Arizona, a former Marine is one of several. There is a current law that states that a military man must be out of service for 7 years before he can hold such a position. Although Senator John McCain has stated that he will draft a proposal to give an exception for Mattis, Gallego stands to oppose it. As a former Marine, he respects Mattis’ service but believes the rule should remain in place. Senatorial hack and social engineering loser Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) also stands to block the nomination. As a leading member of the Arms Services Committee you would expect her to be smarter; but she claims that the military needs to “be run by a civilian.” Well, here is a two-pronged look at her stupidity. First, and rightfully so, the military IS run by a civilian. That civilian is called the President of the United States. Duh. Secondly, if she is referring to Mattis, guess what? He is indeed a civilian. He is not in the military anymore but has been out less than the seven year minimum.

I find it funny how people like her, sheltered from reality, continually show us who and what they really are. In effect, she is purporting that no military person should serve in the highest levels of government and that we should be content and happy with the dismal failures of men like Ash Carter. One of the reasons Mattis was fired by President Obama was that many of the civilians surrounding him were uncomfortable with his directness and his constant questioning of their idiotic actions. Heaven forbid there is a person in the room who asks questions about strategies, objectives, centers of gravity, mission statements, measures of effectiveness and second, third and fourth order consequences to current actions. Just those things military personnel at Mattis’ level are infinitely familiar with in terms of planning and execution.

And the fact that many civilians hate his directness is funny. Imagine having someone in a leadership position who is not restrained or constrained by political correctness. Below are some of my favorite “Mad Dog” Mattis quotes:

- "The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears."

- "PowerPoint makes us stupid."

- "If in order to kill the enemy you have to kill an innocent, don’t take the shot. Don’t create more enemies than you take out by some immoral act."

- "You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it’s going to be bad."

- "I don’t lose any sleep at night over the potential for failure. I cannot even spell the word."

- "There are hunters and there are victims. By your discipline, you will decide if you are a hunter or a victim."

- "I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I’m pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you ---- with me, I’ll kill you all."

- "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."

- "The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event."

- “No war is over until the enemy says it's over. We may think it over, we may declare it over, but in fact, the enemy gets a vote.”

- "Demonstrate to the world there is 'No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy' than a U.S. Marine."

- "It is mostly a matter of wills. Whose will is going to break first? Ours or the enemy's?"

Yeah, pretty direct. Reminds me a lot of George S. Patton who was a supreme warrior but clearly no politician. That would be my biggest concern of Mattis who is incredibly well read, intelligent and a man whose entire life has been dedicated to serving this country. And thus far, everything I have read about him is indicative of a man who will do well in the job of SECDEF.

Just one more thing about the type of man Mattis is. After his retirement from the Marines the 41 year vet hopped into his car and drove a zig-zag course cross country visiting many families of the Marines who died while under his command. He personally hand wrote letters to every family of his fallen Marines. Here is a man who leads by example and is an example almost all of our politicians can look toward instead of trying to do nothing but enrich their own bank accounts.

As for me, I am willing to give the man a chance. It tells me something when countries like Iran oppose him because they see their bullying ways coming to an end. Days of rules of engagement that get our people killed and threatening acts against our forces are allowed to continue unchallenged will soon go away. That I like. Mattis, like Patton, knows the value of negotiations through strength. Let’s see what happens.

God have mercy on my enemies, because I won’t. General George S. Patton