Gen. Mattis: Can Trump Leash His Pentagon 'Mad Dog'?

**Brian4Liberty** · 12-06-2016, 12:38 PM

President-elect Trump's choice of Gen. James Mattis to be Defense Secretary has raised more than a few eyebrows. Not only as a military officer in a traditionally civilian position, but also as an executive at a leading defense contractor. His views on Iran are also considered extreme and not grounded in reality. Will the mad dog be leashed?

**Seraphim** · 12-06-2016, 06:19 PM

I really like the Mad Dog pick. I think by the time Trump's presidency is over, a lot of people around here will be much happier with the foreign policy direction of the USA.

This is an excellent interview of Mattis. I find his philosophy and pragmatic approach to be admirable.

Key points of his:

-he is submissive to the American public
-he believes it is his duty as a General (and now Sec. of Def.) to push the politicians making decisions to have CLEAR "End-state" goals for missions and wars. He cites not having clear "win" objectives is why the US has wasted so much time, money and life in 4 failed wars in particular: Vietnam, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan.
-He believes it is his duty to implore President Trump NOT to go to war under any circumstance unless there is a clear objective in mind to signal it is time to leave.
- fiscal strength is critical
I highly suggest watching this interview.

**Seraphim** · 12-06-2016, 06:38 PM

The Warrior Monk is another of his nick names. He says one way a leader manages to always improve is to read, read, read. He attributes reading as the reason why he has been successful in combat. He can out think his opponent.

**Uriel999** · 12-06-2016, 10:32 PM

Chaos is the freaking man.

I would follow that man to the ends of the earth and back.

He is a true American badass.

**Todd** · 12-07-2016, 07:32 AM

I guess in the grand scheme of the position he is a good pick. The problem arises when the influence and expertise he has translates into leading Trump down a path to hell. The man has hard on for Iran. So if he is not as "reasonable" as others believe, we could jump from one stupid fight into the middle east into an equally horrible alternative. Invading Iran would be a disaster.