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Say hello to our new Secretary of Defense

Spoiler

Say hello to our new Secretary of Defense

Spoiler

Snopes is claiming that they can't find the original source of the quote, so I'm a bit uncertain of whether this one is merely attributed to Mattis or actually said by him.

On the other hand, Mattis does have a trove of memorable (and fairly badass) quotes, including one that ended up being used by the Sniper in TF2.

It would seem bravado is a hallmark of authoritarian and authoritarian-wannabe officials.

It would seem bravado is a hallmark of authoritarian and authoritarian-wannabe officials.

Based on a reddit discussion here, I'm actually inclined to say that Mattis is perhaps the first Trump cabinet pick I could actually get behind.

But going back to what Justinian Ezkantion posted, that is the exact sort of bravado I'm talking about. I'm not saying that the guy actually said it, but I'm sure a lot of people agree with that sentiment...that sort of disdain for people who would utilize their rights as Citizens to express their disagreement. Those rights are at the core of the principles and values this country was founded on, and so casually belittling those rights, or those that utilize them for doing so, weakens that core and paves the way to their weakening and eventual abolition.

And the fact is, we need more anti-war protesters...Iraq should have proved conclusively the cost of recklessly charging into war on false pretenses.

Dear lord, this is a good debate. Trevor Noah just completely exposes the lack of logic in conservative pundit Tomi Lahren's arguments.

Way to go, Trevor. You do South Africa proud.

But going back to what Justinian Ezkantion posted, that is the exact sort of bravado I'm talking about. I'm not saying that the guy actually said it, but I'm sure a lot of people agree with that sentiment...that sort of disdain for people who would utilize their rights as Citizens to express their disagreement. Those rights are at the core of the principles and values this country was founded on, and so casually belittling those rights, or those that utilize them for doing so, weakens that core and paves the way to their weakening and eventual abolition.

And the fact is, we need more anti-war protesters...Iraq should have proved conclusively the cost of recklessly charging into war on false pretenses.

The problem with discussions like this is you end up in a loop... The misinterpreted quote posted didn't actually say people shouldn't join anti-war protests... Just called those people cowards (even though I don't think that's true), and I'm okay being called a coward by someone like that... Either way it is as much anyones right to criticise anti-war movements as it is those same movements right to protest.

While in the past anti-war groups were shut down in undemocratic ways, it's quite rare these days in the west, and here in the UK it's considered a faux pas by most people to be in favour of expanding our armed forces.

I've been to a few anti-war protests and donated a lot to anti-war movements (if anyone didn't know I am a practising pacifist), so I am definitely with you that we should keep advocating for less conflict; but the way to achieve that isn't by calling the other side evil.

Yeah, that's the problem with politics: Everyone who isn't "us" should just shut the fuck up. It's a mentality that has to stop.

Yeah, that's the problem with politics: Everyone who isn't "us" should just shut the fuck up. It's a mentality that has to stop.

Just politics? I'm pretty sure it's nearly everyone who don't want to shearch to hard into the fact that we're all people from this world and need to try to go forward together. Because it's easier to make other appear evil and "us" being good. It's easier to see black or white than grey.

I don't believe anyone called anyone else evil...at most I pointed out that it's an authoritarian tendency to have disdain for the utilization of rights and to belittle those that use them. And there's a difference between criticizing someone's opinion and belittling them for expressing it. The former encourages respectful, civil discourse and reasoned discussion...the latter weakens the respect for our rights that is necessary for their continued existence.

Recently I posted about a report that came out, which in part indicated that 46% of Americans surveyed believed that peaceful protests should be banned if they were in support of "offensive values". Your guess at what would constitute "offensive values" is as good as mine, but I'm willing to bet that a good many of those people would include anti-war protests in that category. My point is that this is not a trivial matter, and just because it's rare that peaceful protest is shut down in the West now doesn't mean that it will always remain that way. Freedom is not self-sufficient. It must be supported, defended, and respected continuously or we risk losing it.

It may be that people have the right to say whatever they please, and that's as it should be, but when a statement crosses the line, goes beyond respectful discourse, and harms the very rights they are utilizing, it's our responsibility as citizens of a free society to thoroughly dismantle and denounce that statement.

Dear lord, this is a good debate. Trevor Noah just completely exposes the lack of logic in conservative pundit Tomi Lahren's arguments.

Way to go, Trevor. You do South Africa proud.

Alternative view of that interview:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fY9xGRZjUUI

But going back to what Justinian Ezkantion posted, that is the exact sort of bravado I'm talking about. I'm not saying that the guy actually said it, but I'm sure a lot of people agree with that sentiment...that sort of disdain for people who would utilize their rights as Citizens to express their disagreement. Those rights are at the core of the principles and values this country was founded on, and so casually belittling those rights, or those that utilize them for doing so, weakens that core and paves the way to their weakening and eventual abolition.

And the fact is, we need more anti-war protesters...Iraq should have proved conclusively the cost of recklessly charging into war on false pretenses.

You do realize that he's pretty much saying in that quote that rather than fight or yell at these protesters, you should pretend to respect them and replace that anger with mild passive-aggressive behavior, right?

And that's a good thing?

What about ex-soldiers who get involved with these protests?

Anyway, some drunken thoughts:

I've been offered the position of team leader for the weekend shifts at my job. The pay will be nice, and I think I've got a handle on inspiring people to do their jobs well, but it's a lot more politics than I'd like.

I'm not sure what to do.

Anyway, some drunken thoughts:

I've been offered the position of team leader for the weekend shifts at my job. The pay will be nice, and I think I've got a handle on inspiring people to do their jobs well, but it's a lot more politics than I'd like.

I'm not sure what to do.

It's just the weekend, right? Only a few days a week? Exactly what would you be doing?