Joe W.
>From: Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com>
>Reply-To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org
>To: lbo-talk <lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org>
>Subject: [lbo-talk] shooting people is fun!
>Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 17:24:51 -0500
>
>[Reminds me of the time I saw Alexander Cockburn at URPE summer camp pick
>up a copy of Against The Current, which featured the headline: "Stop The
>Killing!" AC said, "This is everything that's wrong with the left. Can't we
>do some shooting?"]
>
>Marine General Counseled for Comments
>
>Associated Press Feb.3 2005
>1 hour, 10 minutes ago
>
>WASHINGTON - The commandant of the Marine Corps said Thursday he has
>counseled a senior subordinate for saying publicly, "It's fun to shoot some
>people."
>
>Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis, an infantry officer who has commanded Marines in
>both Afghanistan (news - web sites) and Iraq (news - web sites), made the
>comments Tuesday while speaking to a forum in San Diego about strategies
>for the war on terror. Mattis is the commanding general of the Marine Corps
>Combat Development Command in Quantico, Va.
>
>According to an audio recording of Mattis' remarks, 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," 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."
>
>Thursday, Gen. Mike 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."
>
>"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," Hagee said. "Lt. Gen. Mattis often speaks with a great
>deal of candor."
>
>Hagee also praised Mattis, calling him "one of this country's bravest and
>most experienced military leaders."
>
>He said the commitment of Marines "helps to provide us the fortitude to
>take the lives of those who oppress others or threaten this nation's
>security. This is not something we relish, yet we accept it as a reality in
>our profession of arms."
>
>He said he was confident Mattis would continue to serve.
>
>According to Mattis' biography, he commanded, as a lieutenant colonel, an
>assault battalion during the first war with Iraq. During the war in
>Afghanistan, he commanded the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade; in the
>second war in Iraq, he commanded the 1st Marine Division during the
>invasion and early period after the war.
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