Trump's scandals mount, General James Mattis' silence does a disservice to America

[dajoki]

Trump's scandals mount, General James Mattis' silence does a disservice to America
I much admire Mattis’ inclination to be circumspect. But I hope those close to this respected warrior will implore him to take on one last battle
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/amp/ncna1052571?__twitter_impression

By Glenn Kirschner, former assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia and NBC/MSNBC legal analyst
James Mattis resigned as secretary of defense on Dec. 31, 2018, reportedly as a result of disagreements with President Donald Trump about his conduct and priorities vis-a-vis the military. Mattis, an honorable man and decorated Marine general who dedicated his life to serving our country, is now on a well-deserved speaking tour, promoting his new book “Call Sign Chaos.”

In a recent appearance on MSNC's “Morning Joe,” Mattis said he will follow traditions and norms by not speaking about what he personally observed regarding Trump’s behavior as commander in chief. Specifically, Mattis said he will “hold his tongue about politics.” I would argue that given what we know about the Trump administration — which just this week included explosive reports of an exfiltrated Kremlin spy and the drama surrounding the breakdown of secret Taliban peace talks — this may be the first time in his long, distinguished career that Mattis is letting his country down.

That’s a hard thing to think, let alone say publicly. Compared to Mattis, I am a military nobody. I served just over six years on active duty as an Army JAG officer — leaving the military as a captain — before continuing my public service as a federal prosecutor in Washington. As an Army captain, I was military miles away from the rank of general.

Moreover, I much admire Mattis’ inclination to be circumspect, as have many of his predecessors in the service. However, there is a danger in abiding by traditions that no longer apply to the dire circumstances that now confront our nation. Indeed, Mattis owes it to his country to speak out about Trump’s unfitness for presidential duty.

The principles Mattis chooses to follow were forged on battlefields where men and women were sent by commanders in chief who loved America and acted in the interests of freedom and democracy. Trump is not such a commander in chief, something that Mattis strongly hinted at in his resignation letter and has coyly alluded to in subsequent interviews.

-snip-

[atreides1]

1. Mattis and Kelley are cut from the same cloth...

Someone needs to remind Mattis that the USMC motto "Semper Fi" means faithful to the Constitution and the country!!!

But, why would Mattis care about something as archaic as integrity, honor, and duty to his country...it's not like he's wearing a uniform anymore!!!

Another ex-Marine...

[gratuitous]

2. So what does this stuff mean, then?

I've heard for many, many years military folks assure me, a lowly civilian, that the common soldiery are not bound to obey an unlawful order. Very comforting. But here's General James Mattis, a real big shot, and he says he will hold his tongue about politics. Under the rubric of "politics," does that mean unlawful orders from the commander-in-chief? If a General can't or won't decide how he's going to handle an order he thinks is unlawful, how do we expect a private or corporal to figure out where their duty lies? Are they supposed to "just know" an order is unlawful, or do they tell their superior, "Hang on a second there lieutenant, I need to run this by someone in JAG"?

These are extraordinary times of great peril for our country, and it appears that a lot of people in key positions aren't equal to the task. How much greater damage will be inflicted on the country because our ordinary procedures are being followed to the letter? And yes, I recognize the danger of a breakdown in discipline because someone hit the panic button at the first sign of trouble. I saw Dr. Strangelove, too. How much more extraordinary must the situation get?

[spanone]

3. There's no buying back your soul.

[gibraltar72]

4. Effin traitors and that should not be forgotten.