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babylonsister

(171,090 posts) Wed Aug 9, 2017, 08:10 PM Aug 2017

A 25-Year Army Vet Explains the North Korea Warning Sign He's Waiting For

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a56921/mattis-north-korea/

A 25-Year Army Vet Explains the North Korea Warning Sign He's Waiting For
Trump will continue to throw tantrums. Keep an eye on James Mattis.

By Robert Bateman
Aug 9, 2017

snip//

See, after that initial report kicked up a massive brouhaha, President Trump cranked it up a notch by making what may prove to be one of his dumbest statements ever when he explicitly threatened North Korea that they better not issue so much as a threat.

"North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. He has been very threatening - beyond a normal statement - and as I said they will be met with fire, fury and frankly power the likes of which the world has never seen before."

To which North Korea, automatically, did exactly that. I mean seriously, nobody who has looked at North Korea for more than 10 minutes could possibly be surprised by that response. Almost as soon as Trump's comments hit the news, North Korea made statements about how they are making plans to hit the U.S. territory of Guam. Which essentially makes our president look like a fool, because now he has nowhere to go but to carry out his threat, or admit that he was just talking out of his fourth-point-of-contact. (Now they're spinning it as "improv.&quot

And this is where I start to worry.

It has long been apparent that this president is not conversant with international issues, military issues, and, apparently, economics. But what he does have is power, specifically, the ability to issue launch orders for various forms of military attacks. Disassociated from realities in all three of those areas, it seems quite possible that this commander-in-chief might, in a fit of pique, actually initiate a new war. (It won't be his fault, in his mind of course, despite the fact that I have just demonstrated how this entire crisis is the creation of his own actions.)

So what am I looking for as a siren?

James Mattis.

If Secretary of Defense Mattis resigns, anytime soon (say in the next few weeks), all bets are off. Why does this worry me? Because Mattis would resign, as I think would national security adviser H.R. McMaster, should an order be issued to commit overt military action. If you see that happen, maybe we should all worry. Until then, relax but monitor.

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A 25-Year Army Vet Explains the North Korea Warning Sign He's Waiting For (Original Post) babylonsister Aug 2017 OP

Found this on Daily Kos Monday and posted it here at DU Zoonart Aug 2017 #1

+1 uponit7771 Aug 2017 #2

Zoonart

(11,878 posts)

1. Found this on Daily Kos Monday and posted it here at DU

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Wed Aug 9, 2017, 08:22 PM

Aug 2017

Just found this on Kos. Seems to have been authenticated. Some odd phrasing and getting attention on twitter.
Something Up?

Here is the memo text in a format you can c/p from, if you wish to do so in your replies…

………………………………………………...

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES
August 4, 2017
Re: Ethical Standards for All Hands
Those entrusted by our nation with carrying out violence, those entrustedwith the lives of our troops, and those entrusted with enormous sums of taxpayer money must set an honorable example in all we do.
I expect every member of the Department to play the ethical midfield. I need you to be aggressive and show initiative without running the ethical sidelines, where even one missstep will have you out of bounds.
I want our focus to be on the essence of ethical conduct: doing what is right at all times, regardless of the circumstances or whether anyone is watching.

To ensure each of us is ready to do what is right, without hesitation, when ethical dilemmas arise, we must train and prepare ourselves and our subordinates. Our prior reflection and our choice to live by an ethical code will reinforce what we stand for, so we remain morally strong especially in the face of adversity.

Through our example and through coaching of all hands, we will ensure ethical standards are maintained. Never forget our willingness to take the oath of office and to accept The associated responsibilities means that even citizens who have never met us trust us to do the right thing, never abusing our position nor looking the other way when we see something wrong.

I am proud to serve alongside you.

THIS WAS POSTED IN THE KOS THREAD:
"Some questioned it’s authenticity, but, no, it’s real...it is on the United States Naval Institute website, an organization chaired by Admiral Stavridis, who you will remember was briefly considered as HRC’s running mate.

But other than that I could only find two mentions of it in the press, one by a Los Angeles LGBT News outlet TheLABlade, that considered it a response to the Donald’s Transgender ban, and on a site called Roughly Explained that praised Mattis’ ethical rectitude, but offered little other commentary."

uponit7771

(90,363 posts)

2. +1

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Wed Aug 9, 2017, 10:00 PM

Aug 2017

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