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Friday, February 04, 2005

'It's Fun to Shoot Some People' Marine General Says

1:39 PM

I am no pacifist or knee-jerk peacenik. Sadly, because of the life I've had to live due to the times I grew up in, and the causes for which I chose to make a stand, I know and understand violence in defense of life, family, home, ideals and liberty, but never have I enjoyed it. The only violence that was "fun" for me was on a football field. There violence is intended to knock opponents on their asses as hard as you can, always believing, expecting, that they will bounce up, re-huddle, and come at you again so that we can continue having fun.

The words Marine Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis spoke in a recent speech and exposed in the The New York Times article excerpted below, are shameful and also flat-out not true--for most of us, at least, thankfully.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 - A senior Marine general who commanded forces in Iraq and Afghanistan has been admonished by the commandant of the Marine Corps for saying publicly, "It's fun to shoot some people."

Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis, a slightly built infantry officer who is a revered figure among marines for his fierce demeanor and warrior ethos, made the comments on Tuesday while speaking to a forum in San Diego about strategies for the war against terror.

According to an audio recording of General Mattis's remarks obtained by The Associated Press, he said: "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right upfront with you, I like brawling."

He added, "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil."

General Mattis continued: "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."

On Thursday, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, issued a statement saying, "I have counseled him concerning his remarks, and he agrees he should have chosen his words more carefully." General Hagee added, "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."

General Mattis is now the commanding officer of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Va., which is responsible for developing Marine war-fighting doctrine, techniques and tactics.

The New York Times

Is this really the voice of America now? Under Bush, I'm afraid it is. And because it is, General Mattis and the young men he trains should have a lot of "fun" in the years to come.

1:39 PM / Editor / permalink 3 comments

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3 Comments:

Well I can see your problem with Bush and your limited vision of the world from the high horse you seem to be very above any type of aggressive behavior, but there are times when there is not an option. Was Operation Iraqi Freedom one of those times? I'm not sure you or I are the right person to make that decision. Did I kill people that wanted to kill my brothers and myself? Yes. Was I a well trained, mentally tough Marine who was led by men like General Mattis? Yes. If that somehow makes you feel as if myself and General Mattis are less intelligent, or less human, or war mongers, you are wrong. My question to you is what have you ever done apart from being a critic to change the situation?

By Recon_Marine, at 10:42 PM

I take exception to your view of General Mattis. There is not a more compassionate, well educated man on the planet. There is also not a more agressive Warrior. He knows when to be gentle and when to kill. Just because he enjoys the hunt doesn't make him bloodthirsty. As a woman, I find that he makes me feel safe. He respects women and would fight for me.

All of you who look the other way, while the terrorist cowards abuse women and those who are weaker, and then say you support emancipation well, you're really just refugees from accountability.

Sammy Girl

By Samantha West, at 10:05 AM

By Samantha West, at 10:06 AM