"It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up there with you. I like brawling."
"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."
-Lt. Gen. James Mattis, USMC
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
"A three-star Marine general who said it was "fun to shoot some people" should have chosen his words more carefully, the Marine Corps commandant said Thursday."
Perhaps he should also have chosen his attitude more carefully.
Posted by Nim' (Member # 205) on :
What a jerkbag. Explaining away the sensual elation he felt after popping an afghan in the forehead with "well he was probably beating his wife, or would've, if he'd been married".
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
Perhaps the USMC should choose its generals more carefully.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
SHOCK AND AWE!
Posted by Doctor Jonas (Member # 481) on :
Yay to the world's police corps! We're safe with them in the case.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
I hate to say it, but from what I've heard from the many British soldiers I've spoken to over the years (I'm a civvie living on an Army camp for those who don't know) American soldiers are notorious for this kind of attitude. I've actually heard some say that given the choice they'd rather not be anywhere near American troops in a battle situation. Since apparently American soldiers also have a reputation for "shooting first and asking who they shot later". Despite that, I�m quite surprised to hear that level of unprofessional ism coming from a General, of all people. I just hope the NCOs and lower ranking officers have a little more sense.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"'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,' [Marine commandant Gen. Michael Hagee] said in a written statement."
So, one of the unfortunate and harsh realities of war is that it's fun to shoot people?
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Of course.
My name is Jim. I'm desensitized.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
quote:Men, this stuff we hear about America wanting to stay out of the war, not wanting to fight, is a lot of bullshit. Americans love to fight - traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble player; the fastest runner; the big league ball players; the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win - all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost, nor ever will lose a war, for the very thought of losing is hateful to an American.
General George Patton
Posted by Nim' (Member # 205) on :
quote:God I love a good funeral!
Admiral Thomas Benson
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I guess it's a good thing Patton died right after WW2, or he would have felt increasingly silly through the '50s, '60s, and early '70s.
Posted by Doctor Jonas (Member # 481) on :
Or he would have just become an expert spin-doctor for the pertinent administration. Not admitting defeat because it's not AMERICAN. Yes, a lifestyle. Much like any other empire, right?
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Small wonder that today's newspaper leads with a story on the Marine Corps failing to meet it's quarterly recruitment numbers.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
I feel a draft.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
Mostly because a lot of people don't join the military to go to war. Considering how many people have died so far it's no wonder people are reluctant to join.
Posted by Veers (Member # 661) on :
quote:Originally posted by Aban Rune: I feel a draft.
The thing is...would they risk a draft? Do they want a bunch of people who don't want to serve over in Iraq? Sure, there are some now, but do they want to risk Vietnam-era fraggings?
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
I don't see a draft happening yet.
First off, they'd have to have all active duty personnel in use, then all reservists in use, then all Fleet Reserve people in use, then... well eventually resort to a draft.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
What was the 6th line of defense? The American league of women voters? (T'was in the Simpsons) Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Originally posted by Veers:
quote:Originally posted by Aban Rune: I feel a draft.
The thing is...would they risk a draft? Do they want a bunch of people who don't want to serve over in Iraq? Sure, there are some now, but do they want to risk Vietnam-era fraggings?
Just pierce your face and act queer- they'll omit you on "moral grounds".
No need to fear. Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
Seriously though. Would you go if you were drafted? It's easy for me as I'm likely too old to get drafted, but my paranoid of a mother asked me that the other day. It's weird, but I think I would.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I think I would as well: it would be a chance to try to help directly (or at least ensure no one in my unit did anything too dumb or dishonorable).
Despite GWB's idiocy, I do think there's a real chance in Iraq/Afghanistan to do good.
If they drafted me to fight the genocide going on in Darfur, I'd go for certain. That, to me, is as needed as the intervention in Kosovo was.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
There are, I think, not a lot of ways of committing political suicide circa 2005 that are faster than instituting a draft.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
What does Bush care, though? His political career is already secured for another four years, and it's already going to end after that, anwyay.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
But the president did not get elected as a representative of the Bush Party. There are rather more careers at stake than his own.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Perhaps. But, then, since when did Bush care about other people?
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Who's career though? It's not as if anyone would vote for Chaney and the next notable republican is....er....Hillary Clinton?
I'm pretty sure she's a republican anyway, what with all her new talk of "american morals" and "strong spiritual conviction".
Hmmm....the next race might be between two relative dark horses.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
I wouldn't be surprised to see Rice run, personally.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Hmm...I considered that. I think her credibility is pretty slim.
...though the public's memory for such things is disturbingly short.
Who would run against her? Dean is (I guess) the best Democrat choice.
Posted by Veers (Member # 661) on :
Except Dean will most likely be the Chairman of the DNC. Which will be a better legacy for him than a (twice, if he runs in '08) failed presidential candidate.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
I'm not sure who these "Democrats" you speak of are.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Out of the current big names in the Bush administration, the only one I can imagine even trying to run for office would be Rice, but I don't see it happening. Especially not if she ran for president. She wouldn't make it past the primaries, unless the other candidates really sucked. Not only does she, as mentioned, lack credibility, but she's just not very likeable.
As for the Democrats... Well, as mentioned, people are more interested in Dean as DNC chair than as president. There's the perpetual talk of Hillary-'08, but I doubt it. People seem impressed by Harry Reid's attempts to whip the Senate Dems into shape. Also, by Barbara Boxer's verbal bitchslapping of Rice.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Addenda: I guess I could also imagine Hastert running, but I don't know if he'd count as part of the administration. Also, Democrat-wise, there's the perpetual talk of Obama-'08, but that's just silly.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Hmmm...I could actually see Powell running. He's managed to distance himself from Busco now.
I dont think it will happen -though I might seriously consider voting for him if he ran.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I suspect that Powell is, at this point, probably thinking that politics can go fuck itself.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
quote:Originally posted by Sol System: I'm not sure who these "Democrats" you speak of are.
Remnants of a political party that Cheney is quickly feeding off of and hiding the remains. Damn that Cheney... God: "Yes Mr. Cheney?"
Posted by Futurama Guy (Member # 968) on :
ripoff
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
If that's referring to me Futurama Guy then yes it's a quote from American Dad. Didn't know quoting from a show was a ripoff.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Next time include a complete bibliography on all posts....mabye start a website to host it and link it in your sig line instead of any silly "sci-fi" stuff.
This is a political discussion fotum after all.
Posted by Daryus Aden (Member # 12) on :
quote:This is a political discussion fotum after all.
Indeed. And the number of well considered and informed responses to a variety of issues is staggering.
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