Current Events

My Open Letter to Mr. Mattis

486 Comments

I thought long and hard about this post, but after doing my due diligence to get the full drift of your senseless, destructive, undeserving slander of our president, I cannot hold back. Just so you know, this is from a retired Marine colonel who spent nearly as much time in uniform as you. And considering my love of the Corps and my brothers and sisters, it does not bother me one bit to state without any equivocation you are a disgrace to our Marine uniform.

Who do you think you are to speak out in such a disgraceful manner against a sitting president? Do you believe your rank entitles you to talk such trash? By your recent actions and words, you’ve aligned yourself with the Hollywood trash who think anyone with half a brain would take anything they say with a grain of salt. You Mr. Mattis (I will not call you by your rank — you do not deserve it) are a disgrace to my Corps. I believe the only people who genuinely care about what you said are your fellow Marines who are disgusted with your pompous ass.

According to your own words you have over 7,000 books in your library. It’s now obvious to me you have not read any of them. You said, “We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers.” WHAT? Are you kidding me? Where have you been lately, under a rock? Countless people killed and injured including many police officers, millions and millions of dollars’ worth of buildings destroyed and burned to the ground, many privately-owned stores and commercial establishments who had just opened after being closed because of the virus, all gone. Major stores looted; nothing left on the shelves. Yet you call that a small number of lawbreakers?

Then the biggest lie of all is when you state no president in your lifetime has been as divisive as President Trump. Where were you during the eight years of Obama? Oh, that’s right he fired your ass too. It seems the only arena in which you have been able to keep a job is in the military. Hmm, what does that tell me? Remember Mr. Mattis, I was there, well before you.

I always had my doubts about you especially after you fired a great Marine friend of mine whom I had a small hand in shaping his career. He told me things about you that caused me to believe you were nothing more than an egotistical liberal. I was, however, surprised when you took the job offered by President Trump to be our Sec Def.  But then he too fired your ass. I have not researched it in detail, but I do believe you are the first general to ever be fired by two sitting presidents, the first a liberal racist and the other a conservative doer. How does that feel? How’s that for a legacy?

You Mr. Mattis are a despicable, egotistical, self-centered person of no value to my country.

Signed; Jim Bathurst, Col, USMC (Ret)

 

Originally posted 2020-06-05 10:50:12.

486 thoughts on “My Open Letter to Mr. Mattis”

  1. Not a representative of the Marine Corps I was proud to be a part of.

  2. I found it particularly disturbing when General Mattis stated, as a matter of fact, how divisive the President appears to be. Even before the President was sworn in, political leaders vowed to impeach him. The Russian collusion hoax that dragged on for three years is now proven to have been instigated by the top levels of the previous administration, if not the prior president himself. A boarder line coup attempt to ensure no solid, peaceful transfer of power could actually occur, or at least create a back door to undermine someone rocking the boat. When General Mattis was relieved of command by Obama, it was over the very issue that inspired President Trump to run for office. The Iran deal. It was the catalyst that made up Trump’s mind. Mattis, on the other hand, was perceived to be undermining the Iran deal by asking for strategic level guidance, from the Obama state department, for Iran while negotiations were taking place with the administration and Iran. He found out that his replacement had been announced via a post-it note left by an aid on his desk. Not even a phone call from Obama. Let’s take a look at another General, General Flynn. Set up by the FBI utilizing tactics that are apparently common when they have nothing to charge someone with, which is a massive injustice considering the full force of the DOJ can be brought down on their target, their purpose, as has been a frequent tactic employed against the Trump administration, was mainly to get him fired. I can’t put my finger on it, but if you cause the disparity, spend years inciting the division, and then find those willing to back you up in blaming the target of your divisiveness through public statements, where do the loyalties really lie? Mattis and Trump both left their jobs for the exact same reason. One of them followed through in doing something about it. Two men, two different directions.

  3. Thank You for your much appreciated rebuff of Mattie. I was so disgusted that he would speak in such a way. Better not say anything than to do what he did.

  4. My Great Grandfather served in the USMC, my Grandfather in the Army and Father in the USAF. I broke the honorable chain when I was diagnosed with a chronic disease I still live with 35 years later.
    But my respect, admiration and appreciation to those that serve and help preserve our great country is very strong sir!
    One of my worst days of this administration was the day Mattis was relieved of his duty as Sec St.

    You words have removed that pain completely!

    I now see so many that once held a banner for this great nation drop it for public opinion or other reward. Those acts by any citizen or serviceman is a disgrace!

    We have a tough fight ahead of us both politically and socially. Malicious groups and individuals seek to divide and weaken the US and I fear even saying what could be after.

    We must stand as a united front against any and all seeking to destroy the things that make this country great.

    Never have we faced such a miserable enemy and this time they are mostly from within.

    Thank you for your service and wisdom!

    BPA

  5. Has sociopathic personality traits. In civilian life could have been a serial killer.

  6. Having not been in the Marines or the military I know very little about Mattis. I am only now reading about comments written by this career officer. Many in our citizenry erroneously believe that if someone has been successful in a particular discipline then it transfers to other areas, particularly politics. Given what I have just read he apparently has been living in some bunker. Mattis has little experience in any other area. His comments concerning the riots and protestors is incredibly stupid. Apparently he has been
    living in some bunker. But even more disturbing are his comments about our president. I can not help but agree with all the comments herein made.

  7. Is the underlining purpose of your “Open Letter” is really to sell your book ? You keep mentioning it.

    1. absolutely not Ms Brenda!!!!!! I mention to nitwits who accuse me of things they could have easily vetted on this website e.g., that I must have been passed over for general since I had almost as much time in Corps has Mattis. Had that individual read anything about me, before spouting off at the mouth, he’d no better. But I said nothing, I let others comment fopr me. Selling books is not a business to me

  8. I love that he spent so much time writing a rant that goes nowhere and was still too lazy to fix to typo in the fourth paragraph. It’s almost symbolic.

      1. 😂 WELL PUT Jim…. John: “still too👈 lazy to fix to typo” 👈👈👈 😂😂😂 What ah wanker!

    2. When you can’t muster the intellect to make a valid rebuttal, grade the grammar. So symbolic, John. I’ll bet your mantle is full of trophies from your days on the “Debating Team”, LOL …

  9. I agree with Generals Mattis, Kelly, Allen, and Powell.

    I will never understand Vietnam Vets love and support for the Bone Spur Draft Dodger. Many of know many Marines who served and died while our Commander in Chief Ducked. I wonder how they would feel about it?

    This is a free country and we have the right to say what we think. And our top very competent military leadership is not impressed. Neither am I.

    Another Private to Colonel of Marines

    Semper Fi

    1. Been there done that Private. LOL, obviously you ate all Mattis’ “Clint Eastwood bravado aimed at you folks, but those who were intelligent, mature Marines (and many civilians) knew what it was — talk. Sad that you did not.

    2. Nice to hear a different perspective. BL – Freedom is messy. Praying for strength, wisdom, peace, health, and joy for all 💪🏼 🧠 ☮️ ⚖️ ❤️

  10. Amen to COL B. USMC RET. best said on the betrayal of of Mr. Mathis. It’s solders like him that that help domestic and foreign enemies destroy America.

  12. Ok what about the other 5 general’s and now Colin Powell?

  13. COL. Bathurst… “Thank You,” for your very Courageous and Discerning Letter, filled with the value of Integrity, that seems to have been thrown astray, by Gen. Mattis, (As for many years he has earned my respect, but he lost all my respect with his verbal disrespect to the Serving President). This 75 year old, is not a Marine, but In my over 23 years in the Military, and over 21 years Law Enforcement, I have Team-worked with many Marines, that will forever, remind me of the quality that Marines share, with all. Again, Thank You COL. ,, in your powerful Letter,’ “To Set The Record Straight, in response to the FAILURE of Gen. Mattis. I respond to “SEMPER FI’, with No Mission to difficult, No Sacrifice too great, DUTY FIRST>, especially in compliance with the Oath we all take as Military Servants…during and after our service to our REPUBLIC. God Bless!

  14. Colonel,

    Thank you very much for your excellent response to Mr. Mattis. I don’t think you’ve left anything out and it is all true. I can’t speak to Mattis’s credentials in he military, but Obama was the worst and most divisive president we ever had, even worse than Carter. He pitted black against white, rich against poor, republican against democrat, etc. he had more executive actions and horrible trade deals that worked against our country and no one spoke out against it because they didn’t want to be labeled as racist. I’ve read your book “We’ll all die as Marines” ands thought it was terrific. I scanned through Mattis’s book at B&N “Chaos” and thought it was one piece of trash. Keep up the good work Col. Bathurst.

    Semper Fi.,

    Charlie

      1. OMG, sir, I don’t know if our times in Corps were close or not, but I can tell you this, I would have gladly saddled up to the bar alongside on a Friday Happy Hour and shared thoughts, beliefs, tactics, etc. Thank you, you have nailed it and did so with elegance, grace, and understanding even the lamest liberal should be able to relate to by sound logical analogies. Again, thank you Jason!
        BZ and Semper Fi brother.

        1. My question is when peaceful protestors se the brick piles, see the looting and first police vehicle damaged, why do they continue to protest with them? Peaceful protestors need to move on not remain mixed in with them You could question who is contributing. Peaceful is peaceful and when it turns the peaceful ones need to retreat and find another area.

      2. MY SON IS A PURPLE HEART MARINE FROM THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ. I ALWAYS HAD RESPECT FOR MATHIS AS MY SON SERVED UNDER HIM. WHAT HE DID RECENTLY JUST MADE ME LOSE ALL RESPECT FOR HIM. HIS TRUE COLORS JUST SHOWED UP AND IT IS NOT THE BROWN OF THE MARINE UNIFORM.! HE IS ANOTHER NOBODY IN MY BOOK NOW.

      4. Thanks for an insighful, alternative take on this. To my knowledge, no one else has assessed it this way. You’re playing 3 D chess while most of us were still at 2 D.

      5. I was not a Marine, but in spent 20 years in the Airborne Infantry, retiring as a 1SG in 1983. I did 4 tours in Vietnam and wounded 3 X. In my view Primadonnas like Powell and Mattis make my stomach curl. They’re flouted as military heroes, but they’re really not. Oh, they’ve been to all the right schools and military courses to receive their ‘I been there’ stuff, but what I’m talking about is real-life war. War seen through the eyes of someone in the trenches with the Grim Reaper tugging at his sleeve in the rain, heat and slop. Never seeing or hearing the animal-like screams of pain and fear as young men cry out for their mothers and sweethearts. I say all this because I know for a fact that once you’ve lived through these things, you never be the same. I have NEVER met a real grunt, officer or enlisted, that endured real combat and turned out to be a liberal POS.

        Mattis completed the naval academy at the end of the ground war in Vietnam. So what, exactly, did he do after he graduated? I know one thing for sure, he was NOT in combat in the capacity of an infantry soldier. How did he get the moniker, ‘Mad Dog’? It certainly was from his fierce leadership in combat.

        1. You are on safe ground Robert until your last sentence. Mad Dog came from his troops, the privates and PFC’s all brought about on purpose by his Clint Eastwood bravado i.e., “I came in peace, I did not bring my artillery, but if you XXXX with me I will kill every one of you.” Or words to that effect. Troops eat that up, they love it. Many military heroes of sorts have used that Puller, Patton, MacArthur, etc. It’s common among combat leaders. But a mature logical person, even a civilian should know what it is…….just talk! Oh and BTW, Mattis did not go to the Naval Academy. Come on Robert, do your homework before you post a comment

      7. LtCol Higgins: Thank you for such a posting. I’m retired NYPD lieutenant and retired USCGR. Your post really explained things in a clear manner. Initially I admired Gen Mattis when I read how he would be in foxholes as a one star with his men. It was just a blurb in the newspaper and I admired that. I can still admire that and can’t comment on Gen Mattis rant as I have not read it but obviously he should not “kiss and tell.” Semper Fi and Semper Paratus. Respectfully, Jack La Torre

  15. Mr.Mattis,as a former combat Marine Vietnam Nam veteran,I was never impressed with your leadership.You have totally disgraced Marine veterans.The Oath you took means nothing to you.You don’t deserve to be called General.

  16. Col: I respect your opinion (though I don’t agree with it) and decorated career serving the Country. My Dad is a ret. USAF officer and lives near MCAS Miramar. I love visiting the base and Flying Leatherneck museum with him. Such awesome history of the Corps on display there!

    My question for your, Sir: Do you acknowledge that: (1) systemic racism permeates our society today, (2) the majority of of the protestors are, in fact, peaceful and (3) they are pursuing a just and noble cause? I ask because in a previous comment you mentioned “BLM idiots.” Too many people would see that and label you a racist and I won’t because I hear the other side before I draw conclusions. So, as someone that led men and women of all races, I’m hoping you can make a statement here that shows you support these protestors and their cause today just as much as POTUS.

    1. Thank you for the comment MJ. Let me respond.
      1. No I do not. There will always be a tad of racism in any society, we are human and have many faults, each and every one of us.
      2. Yes the majority are peaceful protestors. How large that majority is, I have my doubts.
      3. Just cause? Yes, they are, but when does it end? Does this go on forever, and if so why. My answer is November 3rd.
      BLM, yes they are basically sheep being led by herd dogs. Who are those herd dogs, you decide, I already have. BLM needs to look within the black community and ask themselves what is the root cause of any racism? Why does BLM hold thugs up as a martyr? They do every time. Are there not a slew of black leaders to look up to and listen to; they are shouting from the roof tops, but the herd dogs shout them down with slurs like “Uncle Tom” and “Jim Crow,” etc. Look at the statistics and you should be able to decide for yourself the answer to your good questions. Why do the peaceful protests turn violent every time. Who and where do these agitators come from and who is bringing them there, who is paying them? Get to the root of it, don’t listen to the MSM, do your own due diligence. Why when a peaceful demonstration is planned suddenly several pallets of bricks show up at the site of the proposed “peaceful’ demonstration. We as a nation are being duped by some organizations, I’ll let you decide.. Yes I have led Marines, 1,000’s of them of all sorts of skin color, backgrounds, religions, etc. and I never ever became racist. My two heroes from the Corps, men I revered, men who taught me so much, men who helped shape and guide my career are two retired Sargent Majors with whom I worked. They are both black and have contributed to this blog. Sir, in closing I would ask you go to this link and listen to a black women who has all the critical numbers and can explain to us all what the real problem is. Please go to: https://youtu.be/dQknwreXZf0

    2. BLM is funded thru Soros. It is not legit. It is a terrorist organization. I grew up in North Portland in a black area in the late 50’s. I was beat up at least once a week. I’m a white female. They hated white people. Racist goes both ways. The smartest Black people I know our conservatives. Stop the pandering. It’s embarrassing.

    3. Systemic racism permeates our society?!! Bullshit!! Just and noble cause?! Bullshit!! BLM IDIOTS?!! YES!! Everything is seen as racist these day!! The word carries no weight anymore! Why does he need to make a statement supporting the protesters? Oh yeah, I forgot! He must be a racist if he does not!

  17. Unless Mattis is playing 3D chess and is undercover to expose the deep state players…. his words are clearly over the top…. either a traitor or a patriot… so far appears a traitor….

  18. Terrific Open Letter that “Opened”
    my eyes. Never knew the “Man” but believed the “Clint Eastwood” hype about him……….Thank you Colonel for your Service and best regards..,,…MSgt Richard H Knapp USMC retired 1959-1989…………

    1. Thank you sir, yes, it was all bravado aimed at the young trooper, but those of us who knew better just laughed it off.

  19. Colonel thank you for your service and for staying faithful to
    our Country and your Corp You are the embodiment of
    Semper Fidelis ! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  20. It’s a pathetic response. I’ll answer the two questions posed.

    Who do you think you are to speak out in such a disgraceful manner against a sitting president?

    A free American citizen with unique insight into the character of our President having served under him as SECDEF. A patriot who served his country for decades in war and peace. Unlike this president who dodged the draft with claims of bone spurs, and has never served this country, but has actually used his office to enrich himself.

    Do you believe your rank entitles you to talk such trash?

    Indeed it does. Mattis has been there. He has demonstrated combat leadership for decades. He rose to the pinnacle of his profession through dedicated professionalism and that gives his opinion far more weight than most others in the country. In fact, I can’t think of anyone more qualified to give us his opinion of Trump, having worked directly for him and with such an impeccable service career. Do you believe your rank entitles you to trash Mattis in such a way?

    And as for “Hollywood trash”, who do you think this President is? He’s a reality tv show actor. He’s never served this country, he avoided service in Vietnam, he’s left nothing but a trail of wrecked businesses, wrecked families, and now a wrecked nation. He is a disgrace to his office and is utterly clueless as to even the basics of his oath of office.

    I was fortunate enough to serve under Mattis for a year at NATO Headquarters, and met him twice. He was impeccably professional and polite. He is extremely well read and intelligent. To suggest that he hasn’t read any of the books in his library is just insanely stupid. He has a record of publications to disprove such a claim.

    As for Obama, how exactly was he more divisive than Trump? I don’t recall Obama mocking McCain’s service. I don’t recall him ever threatening to use force against those who disagreed with him. Trump has openly called for violence against those who dare to protest against him and demonstrated a blatant disregard of our sacred rights the other day by using force just so he could get a pathetic photo op. We are fortunate that both Milley and Esper stood up to his ridiculous and unconstitutional order to use military force the other day. I don’t recall any serious nationwide rioting under Obama. Nothing compared to what has happened under Trump.

    And finally, it’s not just Mattis whose calling him out, it’s also Trump’s own Chief of Staff, and retired Marine General John Kelly, Former CJCS ADM Mike Mullen, GEN Stanley McChrystal, and former SOC ADM William McRaven. Are all of these people such pompous asses and disgraces? Hardly.

    1. Okay, here we go again with the liberal talking points. I really don’t have time nor the desire to try and defend my actions to someone who “thinks” he knows all, which he does not. Furthermore had you read all the comments you would have found I have already spoke to your talking points. Trump never ever suggested using force i.e., military against someone who disagreed with him, get serious mister. He was talking about taking back our streets for the lawlessness thugs. Get real and don;t mix topics.And as for your list of generals and you question at the end of your diatribe; the answer is a resounding yes! They are all disgraceful asses. Demonstrated combat leadership. Really? Do some homework on your own, what caused him to be fired. You’ll have to dig for that answer as the media has been hard at work ever since trying t cover it all up with BS.

      2. It’s like Jim is talking to himself “a person who thinks he knows it all”
        You’re obviously drunk from the FOX kool aid. Your screed and bullying language ends saying Obama and Trump both fired Mattis. That is just a lie. Obama and Mattis had differences and he retired. He quit with Trump because he could see the kind of man and leader he was. Trump couldn’t stand that Mattis quit on him and let him go early, with words of praise. You lie about one thing, everything else is suspect. And there is no endemic racism in America? WHAT?????

        1. LOL, gee, I get so tired of party rhetoric. Trust me Jeff, Mattis was fired! How do I know that for sure, that I cannot tell you, you’ll just have to trust me or if not simply shut up about it I’ve explained this before, and I shall not do it again for your benefit.Go away Jeff.

    2. They all are examples of what Lenin described as ” Useful idiots. “

    3. Mattis is what Lenin called a ” useful idiot. ” sorry if this is a duplicate.

    4. So peaceful under President Obama. 2014 Ferguson, Michael a Brown. 2015 Baltimore Freddie Gray. 2016 Charlotte, Keith Lamont Scott.

        1. iRgrunt is correct….Retired military officers are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) under Article 2 of the UCMJ, which extends the jurisdiction of military law to “[r]etired members of a regular component of the armed forces who are entitled to pay.” (See the Army’s implementing regulation, AR 27-10, Military Justice, here: “Retirees are subject to the UCMJ and may be tried by court-martial for violations … that occurred … while in a retired status.”) Service-specific statutes and rules also define the regular components of the armed forces expansively to include retired officers.

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