White House Pushing Out CENTCOM Commander USMC Gen Mattis

[roo_ster]

For the crime of making our civilian leadership walk through the consequences of their policy & potential actions.

http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/01/18/the_obama_administration_s_inexplicable_mishandling_of_marine_gen_james_mattis?wp_login_redirect=0

Why the hurry? Pentagon insiders say that he rubbed civilian officials the wrong way -- not because he went all "mad dog," which is his public image, and the view at the White House, but rather because he pushed the civilians so hard on considering the second- and third-order consequences of military action against Iran. Some of those questions apparently were uncomfortable. Like, what do you do with Iran once the nuclear issue is resolved and it remains a foe? What do you do if Iran then develops conventional capabilities that could make it hazardous for U.S. Navy ships to operate in the Persian Gulf? He kept saying, "And then what?"

On another note, the author of the posting, a big effing deal, foreign policy reporter-wise, just got around to reading Obama's book.  WTF, over?  Wouldn't that be the first place to start when covering a POTUS?

I'm still a fan of President Obama. I just drove for two days down the East Coast listening to his first book, and enjoyed it enormously. But I am at the point where I don't trust his national security team. They strike me as politicized, defensive and narrow. These are people who will not recognize it when they screw up, and will treat as enemies anyone who tells them they are doing that. And that is how things like Vietnam get repeated. Harsh words, I know. But I am worried.

FTR, Mattis has a sterling reputation for competence and judgment.

[RoadKingLarry]

FTR, Mattis has a sterling reputation for competence and judgment.

All the more reason to get him out of the way.

[kgbsquirrel]

Another one thrown from the train. 

[Fly320s]

How dare a commanding officer plan ahead!

[Blakenzy]

So he wasn't a Yes-man? That's a serious faux pas in the Empire 

What freedom loving people have got to begin to understand, is that working for the Government in any of it's branches is not about service, but servitude... As in: You are not in service to your Country, you are in servitude to a small group of elitists.

Smarten up already.

[Scout26]

The boss doesn't like it when you are smarter then him.

[HankB]

Sounds like Gen Mattis was somewhat like the child who cried out "But he isn't wearing anything at all!"



(I trust everyone got the reference to the Han Christian Anderson tale, "The Emperor's New Clothes")

[Waitone]

Notable quotes
http://www.businessinsider.com/general-maddog-mattiss-best-quotes-2013-1#

[longeyes]

It's good to be a loyal soldier, better to be a noble warrior who tells his nation why he's been ousted when the truth might help save the Republic.  These men leave in silence.  Sometimes bravery goes beyond the battlefield.  We need their voices.

[RoadKingLarry]

I wonder if some stay silent out of fear or repercussions?

"We won't do anything to you but if you spill the beans we'll probably find kiddie p0rn or evidence of espionage on somebody you care about's computer."

[Hawkmoon]

The boss doesn't like it when you are smarter then him.

Cuts both ways. Donald "Let's rumble" Rumsfeld canned the general who told him we would need 300,000 pairs of boots on the ground to successfully invade Iraq. Rumsfeld insisted it could be done with 100,000 ... so he appointed someone who was willing to go with 100,000. And history hasd already shown that 100,000 was enough to capture the country, but not enough to secure the country afterward.

[Blakenzy]

I wonder if some stay silent out of fear or repercussions?

"We won't do anything to you but if you spill the beans we'll probably find kiddie p0rn or evidence of espionage on somebody you care about's computer."

I am certain that more than subtle threats are made against people who may "rock the boat". In the end, it's not unlike any other organized crime syndicate.