Report: Obama Ousting CENTCOM Chief Mattis

[txradioguy]

“Word on the national security street is that General James Mattis is being given the bum’s rush out of his job as commander of Central Command, and is being told to vacate his office several months earlier than planned,” reports veteran national security correspondent Thomas E. Ricks.
 
It now appears likely that Gen. Mattis, a Marine Corps legend, will leave his post as head of America’s most important combatant command in March, several months earlier than planned. Ricks continues:

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?
 
Inquiry along these lines apparently was not welcomed — at least in the CENTCOM view. The White House view, apparently, is that Mattis was too hawkish, which is not something I believe, having seen him in the field over the years. I’d call him a tough-minded realist, someone who’d rather have tea with you than shoot you, but is happy to end the conversation either way.

The reported departure will have consequences for U.S.-Iranian relations, civil-military relations, Marine Corps morale, and inter-service politics, Ricks writes. “I am at the point where I don’t trust his national security team,” he adds. “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.”
 
Obama is expected to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear program this year.
 
Evidence of Iranian entanglement in Iraq, low-intensity conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East, the Syrian civil war, Afghanistan, and in international terrorism continues to mount.


More from Ricks on the Mattis controversy:
http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/01/19/the_ouster_of_mattis_some_follow_up_details_and_a_white_house_response

http://freebeacon.com/report-obama-ousting-centcom-chief-mattis/

[txradioguy]

Well...the "Warriors not welcome here" sign has been officially posted at the Pentagon.

[tac]

because he pushed the civilians so hard on considering the second- and third-order consequences of military action against Iran.

I believe that might have been his job, advise the administration on these issues. But I doubt the administration wants advise on anything. My way or the highway seems to be the order of the day.

[NHSparky]

Well...the "Warriors not welcome here" sign has been officially posted at the Pentagon.

God I'm so glad I'm out.

[txradioguy]

I believe that might have been his job, advise the administration on these issues. But I doubt the administration wants advise on anything. My way or the highway seems to be the order of the day.

They want yes men...people with actual expertise need not apply.

[txradioguy]

God I'm so glad I'm out.

Lucky you...I've still got 5 years (for now anyway) till I can even consider it.

[samspade]

Obama is expected to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear program this year.
 

Obama will lose the war, the media will claim it was won. meanwhile Al Qaeda  is growing again as well as other radicals who are spreading across  the MidEast and other countries.

Then Obama will blame Bush when they attack on our soil again.

[JohnnyReb]

I have come to the conclusion that the only answer to the Mideast problem is to arm all the Christians and non-Muslims left in that part of the world and to encourage them to wipe out all Muslims.

[Eupher]

"Going along to get along" for general officers isn't a new thing. It's been around for a long, long time.

It's refreshing to see a military leader draw a line in the sand and refuse to back off when the tough questions need to be asked.

Donilon - just another Barry thug, lawyer (for Fannie Mae, no less), lobbyist, and basic Washington insider. He is Barry's National Security Advisor, which tells me the twit doesn't know jack about his gig and, what's worse, doesn't know his role with the military professionals who have had to deal with shortsighted national security policy for far too many years.

I'm sure Mattis is even relieved at these latest developments. He can retire and look forward to writing a book or going on the talk circuit, or even serve on a corporate board somewhere. Having to negotiate a shitstick like Donilon won't be a daily headache.

[Dacabeti]

I read a story today that was shocking to say the least. Gen Mattis was mentioned in the story. I do not know how much credence to give the story. I do not like stories that use unnamed sources. But here it is just in case you're interested.

On Monday, renowned author and humanitarian Dr. Jim Garrow made a shocking claim about what we can expect to see in Obama's second term. "I have just been informed by a former senior military leader that Obama is using a new “litmus test” in determining who will stay and who must go in his military leaders. Get ready to explode folks. “The new litmus test of leadership in the military is if they will fire on US citizens or not.” Those who will not are being removed." So, who is the source? Garrow replied: “The man who told me this is one of America’s foremost military heroes.”

The rest of the story here

[DumbAss Tanker]

Well...the "Warriors not welcome here" sign has been officially posted at the Pentagon.

Been coming for awhile.  Probably a good time for warriors who can do so, like Mattis, to cash in the retirement chit rather than burn themselves out trying to keep a corpse alive.

[marv]

God I'm so glad I'm out.

Lucky you...I've still got 5 years (for now anyway) till I can even consider it.

...I'm glad I'm 74 years old.

[delilahmused]

I hope at some point in time (probably not until it's too late and 0bamacare raises all our taxes) the American people realize how much they shit all over themselves and the military by reelecting this incompetent, vindictive asshole! I don't want to suffer, but the only way America every learns is when individual citizens feel the pain of their actions. I thought they'd feel that this last election. Maybe they did and we just didn't have a viable alternative since Romney was simply 0bama-lite and never defined himself, but allowed the press to define him. It is possible to talk over the press. Hopefully we find a conservative candidate next time with some charisma. People would flock to him/her, especially if our candidate is an optimist.

Mattis is a hero. The boy king will never take that away from him.

My favorite Mattis quotes:

"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you **** with me, I'll kill you all"

"Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."

Cindie

[vesta111]

I hope at some point in time (probably not until it's too late and 0bamacare raises all our taxes) the American people realize how much they shit all over themselves and the military by reelecting this incompetent, vindictive asshole! I don't want to suffer, but the only way America every learns is when individual citizens feel the pain of their actions. I thought they'd feel that this last election. Maybe they did and we just didn't have a viable alternative since Romney was simply 0bama-lite and never defined himself, but allowed the press to define him. It is possible to talk over the press. Hopefully we find a conservative candidate next time with some charisma. People would flock to him/her, especially if our candidate is an optimist.

Mattis is a hero. The boy king will never take that away from him.

My favorite Mattis quotes:

"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you **** with me, I'll kill you all"

"Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."

Cindie

Now we have really a chance to see pure Evil in action.   First 4 years of Obama was to ---soften us up, give or promise to give to the people any damn thing we wanted. First 4 years was to see just how much we the people would tolerate with his actions.  Now we are in for it, with 4 more years of his " Whats Me Worry"  attitude, he can now sit back and use Executive Privilege to change the course of history.

First on agenda is to strip the Military of all Conservatives and old timers that know what they are doing.   Bring in only the liberals and pantie waists so involved in their carrear they follow the party for self preservation.   Flood our Military Academies with Muslims and Atheists.

Oh Yes Obama needs to lock up the military first and fore most.  Who is next, National Guard, on to corrupt police departments ?? 

4 more years and America will become just like Europe, the Colonists the Muslims hate the most.
 

[Conservative Libertarian]

God I'm so glad I'm out.

My nephew did not re-enlist because of the present leadership.

[delilahmused]

My nephew did not re-enlist because of the present leadership.

My son really loves his job and separates his obligation & service from the boy king.

Cindie

[txradioguy]

My son really loves his job and separates his obligation & service from the boy king.

Cindie

Same here.

[Conservative Libertarian]

My son really loves his job and separates his obligation & service from the boy king.

Cindie

My nephew is Infantry and is not keen on the idea of the present CIC. He has been separating it and can no longer do so.

[samspade]

I was reading an article  in which it is claimed Obama is purging all commanders who will not fire on American citizens.  It was infowars so take it with a grain of salt.

[txradioguy]

I was reading an article  in which it is claimed Obama is purging all commanders who will not fire on American citizens.  It was infowars so take it with a grain of salt.

Yeah and batshit crazy Alex Jones stuff like that doesn't deserve any traction here

[DumbAss Tanker]

Yeah and batshit crazy Alex Jones stuff like that doesn't deserve any traction here

It may be something taken out of context that got this started, like trying to deal with lingering reservations on the part of some over the legality of taking out Anwar al'Awlaki with a drone strike.  I can see how grilling directed at that particular kind of situation could turn into a rumor about something much more sinister in the rumor mill.

[delilahmused]

I was reading an article  in which it is claimed Obama is purging all commanders who will not fire on American citizens.  It was infowars so take it with a grain of salt.

I thought that was what the ATF was for.

Cindie

[samspade]

Yeah and batshit crazy Alex Jones stuff like that doesn't deserve any traction here

Yeah you are right.  Jones is definitely a nutjob.  Sometimes I find the same story elsewhere but Jones will put his spin on what ever he wants to make of it.

[docstew]

Lucky you...I've still got 5 years (for now anyway) till I can even consider it.

2 for me, unless I decide to go indef.