A just published article in "The Atlantic" magazine (reference link below) provides an eloquent tribute to the character and career of General James Mattis and thoughtfully assesses why he reached the decision to resign as Secretary of Defense.
This had to be a very difficult decision for Mattis. The case for staying on in the Administration to minimize damage from policies which Mattis found wrong I am sure weighed heavily on his mind. And it certainly could not have been obvious to him that Trump would find anyone more likely to persuade him to follow the directions which Mattis found to be correct. Probably Mattis' reason was as he stated: the President, being the nation's constitutional leader deserves a Secretary of Defense more aligned to his beliefs. That would be a difficult decision, but one of integrity.
Speaking of integrity, reminds me of something a supreme hero of mine, George Marshall, said in the middle of World War II, in the spring of 1943. He was talking to General John Hilldring as he was giving Hilldring the job of organizing military governments for countries to be liberated or conquered.
"I'm turning over to you a sacred trust and I want you to bear that in mind every day and every hour you preside over this military government and civil affairs venture. Our people sometimes say that soldiers are stupid. I must admit at times we are. Some (people) think we are extravagant with the public money, that we squander it, spend it recklessly. I don't agree that we do...But even though people say we are extravagant, that in itself isn't too disastrous.
BUT, we have a great asset and that is our people, our country men (they) do not distrust us and do not fear us.They don't harbor any illusions that we intend to alter the government of the country or the nature of this government in any way.
This is a sacred trust that I turn over to you today. I don't want you to do anything and I don't want you to permit the enormous corps of military governance that you are in the process of training..to damage this high regard in which the professional soldiers in the Army are held by our people--and it could happen, it could happen, Hilldring, if you don't understand what you are about".
This had to be a very difficult decision for Mattis. The case for staying on in the Administration to minimize damage from policies which Mattis found wrong I am sure weighed heavily on his mind. And it certainly could not have been obvious to him that Trump would find anyone more likely to persuade him to follow the directions which Mattis found to be correct. Probably Mattis' reason was as he stated: the President, being the nation's constitutional leader deserves a Secretary of Defense more aligned to his beliefs. That would be a difficult decision, but one of integrity.
Speaking of integrity, reminds me of something a supreme hero of mine, George Marshall, said in the middle of World War II, in the spring of 1943. He was talking to General John Hilldring as he was giving Hilldring the job of organizing military governments for countries to be liberated or conquered.
"I'm turning over to you a sacred trust and I want you to bear that in mind every day and every hour you preside over this military government and civil affairs venture. Our people sometimes say that soldiers are stupid. I must admit at times we are. Some (people) think we are extravagant with the public money, that we squander it, spend it recklessly. I don't agree that we do...But even though people say we are extravagant, that in itself isn't too disastrous.
BUT, we have a great asset and that is our people, our country men (they) do not distrust us and do not fear us.They don't harbor any illusions that we intend to alter the government of the country or the nature of this government in any way.
This is a sacred trust that I turn over to you today. I don't want you to do anything and I don't want you to permit the enormous corps of military governance that you are in the process of training..to damage this high regard in which the professional soldiers in the Army are held by our people--and it could happen, it could happen, Hilldring, if you don't understand what you are about".
I believe that with his decision General Mattis has preserved the sacred trust which General Marshall raised to the highest plain.
Talk about a timeless, unblinking statement of principle. A principle which applies to the leader of any organization or to anyone holding a covenant of trust with others, above all one's family.
Talk about a timeless, unblinking statement of principle. A principle which applies to the leader of any organization or to anyone holding a covenant of trust with others, above all one's family.
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