Let me get this straight: General Mattis is traitor, because he likes to kill terrorists? Only in the Orwellian alternate universe of Madison...

I'm glad to have people like General Mattis defending me and my country.

This wouldn't bother me so much if folks like you even once mentioned the vitriol coming from terrorists. How can we compare the speech of two parties when you refuse to acknowledge what one of those parties says?

Um, Casey, you need some legal standing to dishonorably discharge someone from the military. Saying something stupid at a press conference is not included in that.

Although it was a ridiculously stupid thing to say.

I just read, in more than one news source, that a woman National Guard troop is facing disciplinary action for her participation in a mud-wrestling contest.

Gosh, sounds like our troops are having a blast over there, not to mention the U.S. Military's top brass bragging about how much fun it is to shoot people.

Kinda makes you wonder why we're really over there.

"Gosh, sounds like our troops are having a blast over there...Kinda makes you wonder why we're over there"

Our solders are human...Don't you think they deserve to try and keep some sanity by enjoying themselves when they aren't dodging bullets?

"Let me get this straight: General Mattis is traitor, because he likes to kill terrorists? Only in the Orwellian alternate universe of Madison..."

It doesn't take a lot of guts to enjoy killing terrorists. A real hero would kill the terrorists because it was necessary to do so, but would not enjoy having to do so and would in fact lament the necessity.

"Our solders are human...Don't you think they deserve to try and keep some sanity by enjoying themselves when they aren't dodging bullets?"

You call that sanity?!

I wouldn't call mud wrestling insanity. An inappropriate use of time and resources, yes. But not insanity.

"I'm glad to have people like General Mattis defending me and my country"

Me Too! I think it's absolutely ridiculous this is even an issue. Terroristst are after our men and women daily, and apparently pretty successfully, why should we be embarassed that we have a man who is excited to fight back? And these prisoner abuse scandels? The men were not physically harmed, humiliation is a perfectly acceptable method of extracting information. They are torturing and killing innocents and we're supposed to be upset because they were made to stand naked? This is a little unreasonable.

"I'm glad to have people like General Mattis defending me and my country"

Me Too! I think it's absolutely ridiculous this is even an issue. Terroristst are after our men and women daily, and apparently pretty successfully, why should we be embarassed that we have a man who is excited to fight back? And these prisoner abuse scandels? The men were not physically harmed, humiliation is a perfectly acceptable method of extracting information. They are torturing and killing innocents and we're supposed to be upset because they were made to stand naked? This is a little unreasonable.

i'm sure it is exhilarating to kill terrorists...or any enemy combatant. the adrenaline rush must be insane and strangely enjoyable. maybe the general could have been a little more precise with his language. let's remember that soldiers are trained killers and not everyone is born to be a soldier, but that nearly all soldiers ARE born to be soldiers. we need more people like him in the armed forces...as long as they minimize civilian deaths.

The author also took the comments out of context. The General made his statements in relation to the people who beat up women and children. The context surely was not in regards to a wanton shooting spree at innocent civilans (which the author tacitly suggests).

Moreover, Casey, I am really happy that you have family ties to the military, but that does not increase your credibility on military matters.

Finally, to call the General a terrorist is preposterous.

News flash indeed. Marines like to fight and shoot bad guys. Astonishing.

You left this part out:

"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis said during a panel discussion. "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."

***

What General James Mattis did when he said "It's fun to shoot some people" is beyond my comprehension.

Getting beyond your comprehension seems too easy.

***

...stereotype of the U.S. Marines as "killing machines"

You think it will be better if thought of as easy marks who don't shoot back?

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

Orwell

How about another quote?

"You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!"

Arab men slapping women around? Shit, I'd shoot the bastards too! What the hell do liberals care about these bunch of huns? Wouldn't they shoot those pussies too?

As his puerile justification for the thrill he gets from killing people is nothing more than a racist stereotype, I think it's pretty clear that the general's view of the world is as narrow as his mind.

It may come as a shock to some of you, but just as people sit here and ask "why do they hate us?" arabs and muslims worlwide ask themselves the same question. Sadly, one look
at the general's comment is enough to answer the question. If both sides continue to demonize one another, well, look forward to a military visit to Iran between now and 2008.

If you're looking to kill people who abuse women, why not read this article first?
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/Violence_againast_female_061604.htm

"It doesn't take a lot of guts to enjoy killing terrorists. A real hero would kill the terrorists because it was necessary to do so, but would not enjoy having to do so and would in fact lament the necessity."

It really amuseses me how you sit there criticizing any man/woman who is serving in dangerous areas so that you can attend college and live in your blissful-ignorant world. I mean to even think that you know what is running through a soldiers head while they have to take on the serious task of protecting freedom, even when at times that may require killing murderers. They say ignorance is bliss, you must live a happy life.

We've been saying, bring those baby killer home.....

The argument is not whether he shoudl have said it or not, the real issue here is that this is the mentality of soldiers being sent there, they are being fed hatred in their training camps before they go to Iraq, thay are reading books like clash of civilizatations, instead of reading some History of the Region book, or learn some Arabic, to communicate with the people they pretend to care for a defend.

No, Casey, that's not true, Mattis is not on par with Bin Laden.
Bin Laden has a cause, and he fought for it, even though the media in this country never allows you to read or listen to his speech. Regardless of how wrong he is in using violence, he did so for a cause, the Marines are killing for fun, that's sick and dangerouse, like blacks where linched for fun.

yes its fun to kill people...

"Bin Laden has a cause, and he fought for it, even though the media in this country never allows you to read or listen to his speech."

Ah, so you think that Bin Laden is justified in orchestrating the attacks on 9/11? Gosh, maybe we shouldn't be so quick to criticize General Mattis then.

Another thing:
"dangerouse" and "linch"; who taught you how to spell? You actually made it in to college spelling like that? No wonder UW-Madison sucks!

Excellent Article, it is god awful that anyone would ever insinuate that taking another persons life, no matter who they are, is enjoyable. I can't believe some of you out there think that General Mattis's comments were "ok".

Yes I would shoot those bastards, but it is a completely different story if i were to go around laughing about how i blew someones head off. This is not an anti-America anti troop paper, no where in this entire article does the author even come close to saying that he does not support our troops in Iraq, nor does he say that our troops should feel guilty about what they are doing.

The author was completely correct when he said that Mattis's words placed our troops in more danger. How do you think the vastly ignorant middle eastern population would respond to hearing these words? Maybe are you getting it yet? Maybe the reaction would be to increase the terrorrists ranks even further and to spure on anit-american feelins?? Time to start thinking outside your small boxes and realize the implications of George Bush's actions as well as the words of this disturbing General. Seriosuly, put some effort into it and look up some info on this guy, he has said some other rather stupid things that would be rather painful to American Interests if they were ever to be spread. If you really do care about America, if you really do care about our troops as I do, then you should not be supporting the general's publicly spoken words that it is enjoyable to take lives. The General himself regrets his words, he admits that it was wrong to say such things, he admits that it did in fact endanger our troops in Iraq. So stop trying to defends the words of a guy who has already admitted the mistake.

Oh and to the guy who said the author took the quote out of context, you are a liar;) You yourself took the quote out of context you hypocrit. Don't believe me, go look up the words of General Mattis... just type in the generals name, and the sandiago thing, and im sure it will pop up for you to read just as it did for me.

And to the person who said UW madison Suks, maybe if you learned how to read you would like Madison better, and school for that matter as well. You put words into people's mouths with your odd view of reality. You say, "ah so you think bin ladin is justified in orchestrating the attacks on 9/11?" Excuse me, but seriously, can you even read?? Here let me help you, the guy you are bashing said, "Regardless of how wrong he is in using Violence..." Hmm, ...how wrong he is in using violence...i dont know, but being a good reader with actual intelligence, that kinda sounds to me like the guy does NOT think Bin Ladins actions were justified. One of us is an idiot... and i kinda dont think its me...

Some of you talk about Ignorance, but who the hell are you to say that? What, do you actually spend your time researching anything? Most of the republicans, in fact, every single republican i talk to has no idea what the issues are. I would love to meet a republican who could actually articulate a convincing argument say for... oh i dont know, giving the vast majority of the tax break to the top 1%, the top 1% that makes 40% of this nations GDP? Gee i certainly feel good giving more money to people who make around $400,000 per year... Wait... no thats horrible and horribly stupid. Anway, id love to hear some logic for that, or for any republican issue, but as of yet, im still waiting.

All in all, this was an excellent article, General Mattis comments were out of line, inhumane, and unbecoming of our fine soldiers in Iraq. They reflect poorly on the USA and endanger the very lives you claim, and i do, care so much about.

I can understand the mindframe of someone trained to kill, but what a piss-poor time and place to say that "it's fun to shoot them."

I can understand the mindframe of someone trained to kill, but what a piss-poor time and place to say that "it's fun to shoot them."

Save it for the tavern.

oops. double post

Funny how you want this solider booted for enjoying his job and saying so but I'll bet you not only want to keep Professor Churchill's job but you'd probably like to go listen to him.
When you grow up I think that you'll relize that you can rarely have your cake and eat it too, meaning you can't go to war without killing and you can't kill without killers.
Thank God for all our troops

Funny how you want this solider booted for enjoying his job and saying so but I'll bet you not only want to keep Professor Churchill's job but you'd probably like to go listen to him.
When you grow up I think that you'll relize that you can rarely have your cake and eat it too, meaning you can't go to war without killing and you can't kill without killers.
Thank God for all our troops

I am hoping Casey Hoff sees this. I Graduated from UW Madison several years ago now and joined the USMC just after that. Let me just say, most people were suprised with my career choice... I fit in quite well at UW Madison... To give you some background I have been to Iraq 2xs. Several members of my family have also been in the military...
Casey, I do not think you can understand LtGen Mattis and the comments he made. I believe your views of war are very naive. Go back and watch Saving Private Ryan. And pay attention to what happens when someone hesitates... your friends...troops or those you are responsible for usually end up paying the ultimate price.
I encourage you to do some more research on LtGen Mattis, and see if your opinions of him and what his has done as a Leader of Marines does not change. I would also suggest you watch the beheadings performed by Abu Musab al-Zarkowi. Stretch yourself beyound the headlines.... Good Luck
Semper Fidelis

I wish you read or heard his full comments and you would realize your wrong. He said it was enjoyable killing people who were murdering, raping and beating women and children. I'm surprised that you didn't investigate before you reacted. I thought better of you.

Casey is a master of taking comments out of context. Then based on that deception, he then equates the general being on par with the terrorists. Scary logic, but who needs logic to attend or graduate college these days.
On top of that insult he tries to use his relatives and friends to give him backing. Then he uses his opinion to say that 99% don't think its a hoot to kill (new math just make numbers up). Though he reuses "hoot" again to reiterate that this general doesn't take killing seriously. I know if you talked to WWII veterans more than 99% thought it was good that they killed Nazi's and the more the better. Especially after they saw the death camps.

But in Casey's deranged world, the general saying that he enjoyed killing these terrorists who were murdering, raping and beating women and children is equal to taking innocent defensless people and chopping there heads off.
Finally, Casey thinks the military is there to stand at our border and shoot people who try to attack us. Any sane person knows this isn't the case and as soon as people like Casey become in charge of the military, we are assured of more terrorist atacks on our soil. I want people in the military that are not afraid to kill our enemies, though it sounds harsh, that is the fact of the world. As long as people in this world are willing to use violence against our citizens, I want our armed forces not afraid to do the same.