Follow-up

This isn't exactly the picture I had in mind when I posted about the general who said it's fun to shoot Afghanis, because he also said, "Actually, it's quite a lot of fun to fight; you know, it's a hell of a hoot. I like brawling." Does this old coot look like he can tumble? He looks like a constipated bag of chicken bones to me.

[S]uch public slip-ups by its senior officers are irritants for the American military, whose reputation for honour and moral fibre are central to American life.
  BBC article

High time Americans took a look in the mirror and faced the truth about their military's actual honor and its reputation everywhere else in the world.

And here's his commanding officer's response...

Marine Commandant Gen. Mike Hagee responded to Mattis’ comments Thursday, saying he wished Mattis had been more careful with his comments.

“I have counseled him concerning his remarks and he agrees he should have chosen his words more carefully,” reads Hagee’s statement.

At the same time, however, Hagee defended his general.

“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. Lt. Gen. Mattis often speaks with a great deal of candor,” wrote Hagee.

“Throughout our history, Marines have given their lives in the defense of this nation and human rights around the globe,” continued Hagee.

“When necessary, this commitment 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.”

Hagee gave no indication that Mattis would suffer any punishment.
  EStripes article

I don't even have anything to say, other than I am accepting contributions for a one-way ticket to France.

And, as you can imagine, Mattis' degenerate remarks didn't sit so well with some other people.

-- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the Pentagon to discipline a top general who earlier this week said it is "fun to shoot some people."

[...]

"We do not need generals who treat the grim business of war as a sporting event," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "These disturbing remarks are indicative of an apparent indifference to the value of human life." Awad urged that "appropriate disciplinary action" be taken against Gen. Mattis.
  PR Newswire article

The pervasive Abu Ghraib syndrome hasn't been dealt with in any serious manner yet. I don't know what makes them think this incident will be. It's merely part of the same attitude.

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Talk about an Olympian undertaking.