Back on 12/2016, criminal Fuhrer Trump* appointed Marine General James “Mad Dog” Mattis as Secretary of Defense. Although the appointment was illegal, I questioned opposing it, in the hope that Mattis would speak truth to power and honor his military oath above loyalty to criminal Fuhrer Trump*. I published an article, entitled “Is Mad Dog Such a Bad Dog?”. It took a long time, but he is proving me right.
James Mattis, the esteemed Marine general who resigned as secretary of defense in December 2018 to protest Donald Trump’s Syria policy, has, ever since, kept studiously silent about Trump’s performance as president. But he has now broken his silence, writing an extraordinary broadside in which he denounces the president for dividing the nation, and accuses him of ordering the U.S. military to violate the constitutional rights of American citizens.
“I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled,” Mattis writes. “The words ‘Equal Justice Under Law’ are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers. The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation.” He goes on, “We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution.”…
…“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us,” Mattis writes. “We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.”
He goes on to contrast the American ethos of unity with Nazi ideology. “Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that ‘The Nazi slogan for destroying us … was “Divide and Conquer.” Our American answer is “In Union there is Strength.”’ We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics.”… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <The Atlantic>
Ex-Defense Secretary Mattis condemns Trump as threat to constitution
Remembering that Mattis is as far right as I am left, if not farther, integrity demands that I acknowledge it, when what he says is actually true. In his analysis of the behavior of criminal Fuhrer Trump*, he could not be more spot-on!
Good Dog, Mad Dog!
RESIST!!
10 Responses to “Good Dog, Mad Dog!”
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Very well said, with a good message. Mr. Mattis.
Now that you’ve spoken how dt is, maybe others will now speak up!
Good video, btw.
Yes. He may be on the right, but he is not stupid. He knows exactly what he swore to do, and all that that implies. And now heis saying it.
I along with Pat hope that his speeaking will inspire others to speak. (I gather from Nebraskan commenters that Ben Sasse doesn’t vcount.)
Perhaps the Beau video I put i the open thread should have been here – if you didn’t already watch it, watch it now.
On a related note, I am heartened by the number and diversity of Christian leaders who are starting to use the word “blasphemy” to describe Trump*’s words and actions. I’ve been doing so for a while – but I’m not a national leader. Jim Wallis and Bishop Budde are.
Mattis has some company, Secretary of the Army:
https://www.alternet.org/2020/06/secretary-of-the-army-reminds-soldiers-that-they-swore-an-oath-to-uphold-the-constitution-including-the-right-of-the-people-to-peacefully-assemble/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4715
Trump is apparently working to rouse his version of Hitler’s Brown Shirts, now the 2nd Amendment crazies, trying to get history own army. I am wondering whether, or not, we may see him under house (no pun meant) arrest. My guess is that he’s going to try for such discord that he will be able to proclaim martial law, and put off the election. But, as the law of unintended consequences tells us, if this scenario is right, we can not know where it will end. The latest Fox Poll shows him nose diving, even in Ohio, and feeling backed up against the wall he might try to pull out whatever stops he can.
I agree, TC, “good boy, Mad Dog!” & also Pat——let’s hear some others—-c’mon out! Don’t think clown puppet meant for generals to dissent and/or thousands of folk to take to the streets when he proclaimed “Let’s open up the country, end the shelter-in-place orders! LOL! What a great, moving service for Mr. George Floyd today in Mnpls.——And we persist! Mitch, this Ohioan got her Biden sign today; put it in the window so lasts a while. Just saw on Daily Kos that Trumpence campaign sent letters to supporters that they should buy camo caps & wear to show oppo to LIBERAL MOBS! Yes, really. Be safe.
I too agree with you and others, that Mattis is finally speaking truth about tRump.
It’s about time that someone with his ranking finally comes out and lets the people know how tRump is destroying our country.
It’s long overdue. Now it’s time others do start wising up and turning away from tRump’s garbage.
Good for Mattis! We need lots of people who are willing to stand up to the mango menace and denounce his disastrous excuse for an administration. If 2020 wants to make up to humanity for being the Year From Hell, tRump getting his orange arse voted out of the Oval Office will be a great start – er, finish.
Good for Mattis, but as Colleen says, Mattis speaking out is long overdue and if it falls on deaf ears with Trumps already very tone-deaf base, the scenario of “divide and conquer” which Mitch describes may be taken to the extreme by Trumps. Trump will need only half a chance to proclaim martial law and put off the election. In fact, I think he’s working very hard towards that.
Mad dogs have a reputation for viciously barking and biting. May Mad Dog Mattis’ bark encourage others to speak up, peacefully demonstrate against a corrupt pResident and administration, and may his bite take a big chunk out of Trump’s ass!
According the WaPo, Trump finally built his wall but it is not the wall he had hoped to build. This is a wall of division keeping Americans away from a national site. The WaPo headline: With White House effectively a fortress, some see Trump’s strength — but others see weakness. I see a scared little Donnie boy, his weakness as he cowers behind others. He has no one to blame but himself!
Thanks, TGIF Hugs, and AMEN to all!
About time…