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.
22 year army here, field artillery private to CW4 attack helicopter pilot. All I can say is well said, sir. You hit the nail on the head. Thank you for your courage and candor.
Jim I will not address you as colonel. It’s clear from this rant where you stand and who you stand with. To supposedly be a marine colonel you sure don’t know how to write/speak intellectually. You sound like a pissed off “good ole boy”. Let say this to you then I’m done. You may want to adjust your way of thinking because a new day is coming and you might not like it.
You criticize my writing? LOL, that’s the pot calling the kettle black. LOL I am ready for the new day, bring it on sir you know where I stand. Be sure to bring a company with you when you come. We, as dedicated Marines will kick your sleazy liberal butt. Have a great day. You’re nothing but what Lenin called “Useful Idiots.”
My Son is a Marine retired: Combat wounded! Thank for this. This Country used to respect a sitting President whether you liked him or not!
All I can say is well said and thank you for your support of our president.
Sender Fi Jim. Your statement is absolutely correct. The only reasons Mattie made his statement and supports Biden is for monetary or political prestige. God bless you and our beloved corps. 1973-1977.
Your entire article seems rather personal. It’s clear you have a grudge towards him. As an Officer, you of all people should know that every single person that has ever served has sworn an oath to the constitution. Not the POTUS. If Mattis is such a liberal, why did he never speak out against Bush(either one of them)? Or Reagan? Maybe it’s because the current POTUS is divisive. It’s not just Mattis that is speaking out, but many other Generals and Admirals are speaking out. That should say something.
Blah, blah, blah, here comes another rant of the party lines. Go soak your head head sir!
RJ, Do you consider what these Generals and Admirals are saying not divisive? It sounds pretty divisive to me.
Well, Colonel, why don’t you tell us how you REALLY feel?! Not that I don’t agree with you! I was Army (2 year draftee 68-70) and a lowly Sp. E-5. I served in a medical unit with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. I too am disgusted with all the negative screeds about President Trump. At least he’s had the backbone to stand up for America again. That’s been sorely lacking in the previous administration. Unfortunately, I doubt you brave comments will have any more effect than mine, but at least we can say we continued the fight for America! Thank you, Sir!
Thank you for your service and your fearlessness and boldness to speak out about the disdain in which Mr. Mattis slandered our great President. It’s time for the truth and righteous to stand up and stop watching from the sidelines as our country falls into despair and ruins! Enough is enough…my grandfather retired a Sgt. Major in the Marine Corps and died when I was only 1 year old, so I never got the great honor of knowing him, but the stories and pride in his memory lives on through my father and his siblings. My dad talks about the young men returning from Veitnam sleeping on cots in his living room as a kid. My grandfather, Sgt. Major Eugene Adams cared for his men and treated them as family and helped them through the traumatic reentry to civilian life once stateside. I wish I has gotten the opportunity to know my grandfather and I’m glad he’s in heaven beside our heavenly father and isn’t burden with what has become of our Military leaders like Mattis and our Country. Keep telling the truth… Dawn Adams- Cendana
Bless you Dawn, stay safe and strong.
Jim, how do feel about our sitting president using US armed forces logos on his reelection campaign merchandise? Are you comfortable with whoever is in office using Armed Forces logos, or whoever is running for the office? This president you so strongly back, seems to have no problem dissolving the political neutrality of the military. Where do you think it will lead now that the precedent is set? I believe our oath is to the constitution. If a sitting president is the one dismantling it, then each and every one of us has a duty to speak up. 10 year Army vet, CMB.
Oh dear me, here we go again a never trumper spewing the party lines. I find nothing wrong with POTUS using our service logos. He has earned the right to use them for his undying support of us.
Thank you Col. Bathurst.
From 1SG Jeff Landrum USA (Ret)
Jim Bathurst’s comments fit the classification of an ad hominem logical fallacy. Unfortunately, he did not bother to study moral philosophy, or he would have known better.
No sir I did not study moral philosophy, I was too busy defending my country
GOD Bless you sir and my Marine son Jake Kola.
Thank you Jim, your words reflect my sentiments as well. I’ve read the comments and as you said we’re all entitled our own opinions. I’m not a Marine but had the honor to serve along side many. God bless each and everyone. In the case of Mattis, I always believed if you can’t respect the man, give the proper respect to the Office. Political animals can’t/don’t understand that principle.
The Oath we share I always believed had no “use by date” even for 4 stars. As a 100% disabled combat Vietnam veteran who had the privilege to break bread via a Marine field mess and share a bunker with combat Marines he disgraces the honor of all who never returned.
In March 1965 at the Danang AFB under a ROE of “let the ARVN’s fight Charlie – just stay put” as we were pummeled with mortars and rockets night after night. Eventually they let the dogs out and they were silenced. Again the liberal policies put lives in jeopardy to appease the corrupt. Some things will never change unless WE change it our selves. Go 45!
Combat Stevedores (NCHB 2 – 9th MEB (3rd MAF) 1965-1966
Please do me the courtesy of specifically answering or commenting on the following, Jim…
1. If he was actively serving either in uniform or as the SecDef, I could understand your point about criticizing a sitting president, but Mattis isn’t in any of those positions. So while you might disagree with him, why can’t Mattis voice his critical opinions of the president, and why isn’t he allowed to bring his resume to the equation just like you?
2. Mattis worked directly for the president. Your opinion of Mattis is based on one source (and fired by him?) hearsay? Also someone above piped up saying they worked for Mattis and was highly complementary. Not knowing him and not knowing you, can you understand a lack of equivalence?
3. Mattis resigned 18 months ago over a forthrightly and clearly stated disagreement on policy, and when he resigned he stated that the president had the right to someone who would execute on that policy. And he kept scrupulously silent for 18 months. Even if you disagree with him, why doesn’t that do him credit, and why shouldn’t his breaking of that silence be especially considered?
4. As asked of you, I too would like to know not what you disagreed with Obama about regarding policy but rather regarding his ethics? And please specifically quote him showing where he did this.
5. Did you offer Obama the same sitting president type of loyalty that you are asking Mattis to give?
6. Is there no one of the liberal persuasion, say 3o-4o% of the population, acting in good faith but who might see the facts differently than you and come to different ideas on how we as a nation should proceed?
7. Is there anything that the president would do or anyone who could criticize him that would significantly change your opinion of him? Is the job so easy or is anyone that perfect that they wouldn’t make mistakes?
8. If I got rid of my Trump loving friends, I’d lose half my friends. And I can fully understand a net-net argument that you like what he’s doing. But I can’t seem to get any acknowledgement from these friends — who are my friends because they have integrity, don’t lie let alone don’t even shade the truth, who are honest in their dealings, who don’t whine about their lot in life or anyone being unfair to them particularly if it’s based on them having made a courtesy choice to do something, who have humility, who are quick to admit fault and apologize for it, who not only don’t hide behind lawyers but certainly don’t use them as weapons, who pay their bills and obligations and would die before they would go bankrupt, who respect and honor women, who abhor bullies and certainly wouldn’t themselves be one, who are faithful to their wives, and who voluntarily went into the Marines and exhibited bravery — that because of all this they wouldn’t want the president as a fellow Marine, friend, boss, colleague, business partner, or client, and they wouldn’t use him as an example for their children, and they wouldn’t trust him with their daughters. So can you see why a significant number of Americans for good reason are not unquestioning fans and actually might be quite appalled by him?
Thank you for your answers or comments.
reedmbenet@herohomes.com
LOL, you really expect me to answer your list of unanswerable questions? LOL. Sir, I was the kind of Marine (and still am to this day) that if you can’t handle my answer, do not ask me the question. That sir sums up my reply as I am sure you won’t like my answers. Furthermore I do not have time to banter with someone who has already made up his mind. But I will approve your diatribe, maybe someone else on here will have the time and energy to answer you.Sorry.
Great comments. I agree with you.
One good way to evaluate anyone, especially our next Commander in Chief, is to carefully examine them. Since we are Marines it makes sense to use the standards in our Fitness Reports. Take a look at them and then decide where you would evaluate our sitting President. If you are honest with yourself, you will not mark him very well.
Performance, Proficiency, Courage, Effectiveness Under Stress, Initiative, Leading Subordinates, Developing Subordinates, Setting the Example, Ensuring the Well-Being of Subordinates, Communication Skills, PME, Decision Making Ability, Judgment, Evaluations
Spoken like a true “Never-Trumper.” LOL, you have to be joking, no maybe you are simply deranged by the MSM and misinformation. Have nice day Jay and put your head in the sand and go back to sleep.
My Lord Jim you nailed it, NAILED IT!!!
I’m an active duty officer and to see O-6 fail to make a compelling argument while being so prolific and vulgar is disappointing.
To begin with sir, I was not an 0-6, we Marines do not use pay grades, we use rank I don;t know what service you are in, but it’s obvious it’s not the Corps. If you do not like my comments, don’t read them. LOL
Well stated Jim.
It is pretty bold, Colonel, to sign your name and rank when you dress down a man who has done things that you clearly only read about. It is no small step from Colonel to Brigadier General (let alone General) so consider adding some respect to your “opinion”.
Yes Michael it is bold, I am a bold person who loves my country and I support my duly elected president. You obviously know very little about the real Mattis or about me. Excuse me sit, I don;t have time for the likes of you, and yes it my Corps. I do not know if it is yours or not, you failed to give any credentials to your spew. And I am sorry of my language and grammar upsets you….why do you read it. Do you have any idea what it is like trying answer neatly 96,000 hits on this site. Not to mention the 100’s of personal emails I have rec’d from my Marines, my mentors, my idols who have all agreed with me — but could not leave comments here due to there station in life. They deserve an answer much more than you do so. So please go sit this one out.
Well you have been dismissed by 2 Presidents. Keep trying.
You’re on target Jim.
Speaking disparagingly about a sitting US president is out of bounds, regardless of service status. It’s bad for morale and Mattis pretty much dishonored the underlying code of the UCMJ there.
He wasn’t elected to the position he held, granted it was earned, arguably or not, but it was a position earned on the tax payers back. He was entrusted with such a rank and with it, certain expectations regarding his conduct, and it appears he was more interested in his own agenda and not the agenda of the president that the people elected into office.
His statements were an insult to voters and a kick in the gut to the morale of my Marine Corps.
So… Real Marines understand your position and will agree with it.
Boom! Nailed it
God bless you, Sir! You have no idea how much we the non-demonrats appreciate you speaking up & risking the mob wrath, from the mentally ill cancel club! There is a demonic spirit that has gained a foothold not just here but globally. And that wickedness has the entire global cabal attacking a great man, our POTUS. I wish I could buy you dinner! Semper Fi (my grandson is the Marine, not me).
Jim- that is the best response I have read in years. I don’t care which POTUS is in office (well I really do care), but our standing Service members are obligated by oath to serve if I am not mistaken. Mr. Mattis obviously is pissed now due to him being relieved of his post now by 2 sitting presidents and that probably has his shorts in a wad. I took the liberty Sir to copy your posting to a site of mine and gave you credits for it also, hope that meets with your approval. I do this for the few postings I wish to retain in the event they “disappear” from the original site.
Respectfully
Ken Dreger
EX-Viet Nam Navy Vet and old Fart.
Old fart? I love it Ken, applies to me too! LOL Not a problem using the site, in fact thank you, that’s probable why I am approaching 160,000 hits. Stay Safe and strong Ken!
The commander and chief is Trump not that liberal Mattis so go sit it out .
Great letter jim salute.
Thank you Jim!
Well my “Army” Lt. Col son and me, the old PFC have the same thoughts about Mattis. We see him as the “Warrior Monk” who is only happy when at war. He will do anything to get into a war. Does not have to have any particular good reason, “Saving the world for Democracy” seems as good as any. The man has no personal life and while he may well have spent his life serving the country as he saw fit, he is obviously NOT qualified in any way, shape or form to make policy. The good general should learn at some point that keeping the peace is a whole lot more important than starting wars which beget other wars which beget yet other wars. As vilified as Curt Le May was, his aggressiveness both in words and style actually kept the peace. What most dumb-dumbs seem to miss about this President is that he, like no one since Teddy Roosevelt will throw out a thought and say “I may” and what he wants to see as a result is done. Note well that the 82nd and 101st have NOT been called out as Eisenhower and Kennedy did yet the governors put on their big boy/girl pants after his threat and FINALLY did their job.
Respect is earned and military is supposed to support the country and its president who is the commander in chief. He doesn’t deserve any Americans respect.
The UCMJ has some basic logics to it regarding a member speaking in disparaging terms towards a POTUS and if Mattis had an ounce of integrity beyond his ego, he’d have realized that a person in his position should never do what he did, even in retirement. It isn’t good for our troops still serving. It’s a morale thing and if Mattis cared about morale, he’d have held his tongue.
He’s now nothing more than retired as a full honorary Shitbird, IMO.
There are plenty of Col’s who spend as much time in service as many gen’s. Maybe you’re not aware of how the system works. The higher you go the more people bend to meet the demands of the “club” sort of speak. Those who refuse to bend are refused entry into the club. I also wouldn’t hesitate to say that a Col does way more for the Marines in his charge than any Gen. Most of them, especially four stars, are more politician than Marine. There’s a common saying used in the Marines “You’re only as good as the last thing you did.” Or in other words what have you done for me lately? Secretary Mattis earned his reputation 17 years ago and honestly hasn’t done anything extraordinary, or to the benefit of Marines, since.
Isnt that a hypocrisy statement, when this dirtbag general Mattis makes his public statements about the president of the United states of America not to mention, the commander in chief of the armed forces. Your an idiot
I too spent time in the Military and Gov’t. Just like many ranks once u get so high the rest is Political. Not what u know it’s
who u blow
I’m not sure if this posted the first time I tried, so here is a second go……
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.
Thank you for your service and for making your feelings known. I appreciate you taking up for our President. He needs to know the real people of the United States has his back.