A well-oiled machine... though I always listen (and watch) state dept spokeswomanHeather Nauert... so fine! State responds to Gorka, says Tillerson carries a 'big stick' http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...to-wh-aide-says-tillerson-carries-a-big-stick
Mattis answer a Troop question on isolationism. Q: Mr. Secretary, sir. Lieutenant English (off mic) assistant. Sir, with the ever-increasing complexity of global economics and instantaneous information, do you feel that our place is still with the level of involvement we've had post-World War II, or should we get back to our isolationist roots? And if we maintain our level of involvement, do you feel we should increase the manning and capabilities of our fleets, in terms of all more ships in the waters, sir? SEC. MATTIS: OK, about three points there. If we were standing here in 1945, let's say, December. It's Christmastime. You guys are coming back in from all over, places called Japan, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Philippines. You've taken the Army and the Marines all over. You've landed on the islands yourselves. You're Seabees and corpsmen. You've set up logistics dumps, and you look around. Now you've grown up in a depression, when you're dad didn't have a job and he couldn't find (work no matter what. You've just gone through a war that cost us hundreds of thousands killed and wounded, and over -- (inaudible). We're not sure how many millions – 40 million -- people dead. And they looked around, and they said, what a crummy world. And they've just come through a war, and some of you know what that's like. And they said, like it or not, we're a part of that world, and they did something. They made the United Nations. Never had a place where everybody came together and talked before. It's still not perfect. A lot better than nothing. They made NATO. The Australian ambassador to the United States once told me -- (inaudible) -- was the single most self-sacrificial act in world history when -- (inaudible) -- Americans said, instead of turning their backs on Europe, two World Wars in 30 years. They could have said, “We're through with you; we're going to work with Latin America and (inaudible), with the Middle East. We're just not going to put up with anymore of your crap.” Instead, we put in NATO, sent U.S. troops over, and we said a hundred million Americans may die in a nuclear war, but we're going to stand with you NATO, all of Europe -- Western Europe. You're not going to fall to the Soviets. We put together something called the International Monetary Fund, so people for economic reasons wouldn't be driven to elect a guy like Hitler -- you what I mean? -- as the answer. And by the time they got done, they created a new world order, and every nation on Earth -- (inaudible) – has actually benefitted. So, do we return to our isolationist roots? We could only do that if we forget the example, forget the example, Lieutenant English, of the Greatest Generation. And we ought not forget that example. They're not called the Greatest Generation for no reason, OK? The second thing is, then, what do we do about, you know, the size of the fleet and that sort of thing. We're going to have to grow the fleet. That's all there is to it. But also what we're going to do in strengthening the military by making certain the new Columbia-class (submarine) is at the top of her game. And the other things were going to do here make the military more lethal. We're also going to have a second line of effort that's going to be that we're going to build stronger alliances. We're going to do more with our allies. Now you probably will not be involved in that very much. You are a unilateral, quiet -- know everyone knows you're there. And frankly, if you're one of our friends, they love you. They don't know you, but believe me, I can walk into rooms and then they will ask me, does your extended -- (Laughter.) Yeah, well, it happens, right? (Laughter.) But the bottom line -- (inaudible) -- be separate, but we will try to get more other navies to carry more of the load, but we'll also have more folks in their armies and air forces. Right now, for example, to take down Mosul, we have had two Americans, I think it is, die, around 20 wounded, to take Mosul. We had over 6,000 Iraq (inaudible) and over 1,200 killed. (Inaudible) what we’re doing -- we're working with them. We're bringing Navy airplanes in over -- (inaudible). We've got Marine artilleryman firing for them. We've got special forces calling in air support, but we're going to do it by, with and through allies. And the number one thing is you, believe it or not. It's not the speeches of a secretary of defense; it's volunteers who join the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, Coast Guard. They volunteer. They look past all the hot political rhetoric, and they rally to the flag, OK? You send a message -- you send the message, and all I do is convey it. It's your example that sends the message. If we want to turn over a world to our next generation -- and every generation of Americans have to do that -- we can't learn the lesson the Greatest Generation learned the hard way. That answer your question?
Neither Trump nor anyone in his administration have advocated isolationism, the dishonest, nitwit rantings of the hysterical left and the mass media, notwithstanding. That speech was given by Trump's Secretary of Defense and describes the policy of the Trump administration, by the way.
Don't get stuck onto a word. But if simple words make it easier, maybe this simplify it. Trump: NATO bad, IMF bad, Russia good. Mattis: NATO good, IMF good, Russia bad.
There is literally nothing you will not say, is there? Again, those statements do not accurately represent Trump's position on any of those issues, comments to the contrary by lying leftists and the mass media, notwithstanding. Hopefully you know that. If not, then you are too ignorant on this topic to have a meaningful discussion with.
Actually, Tony's points seem pretty accurate, certainly not ones that can easily be ignored: re: NATO: Trump has at best been inconsistent. And of course, as the article details, Trump went against Mattis, Tillerson and "the adults in the room" and took that supporting statement out of the speech. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/05/trump-nato-speech-national-security-team-215227 https://www.theatlantic.com/interna...nato-article-five-israel-saudi-arabia/528393/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ational-embarrassment/?utm_term=.305c60cdd206 re: IMF: while it appears that Trump's scorn for globalism runs counter to the IMF, and his opinion of IMF is reflected as much by his appointing IBM and World Band critics in key administration positions https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...imf-s-globalism-and-now-he-gets-to-vote-on-it http://www.aei.org/publication/why-trump-should-heed-the-imf/ Perhaps the bigger question is, what is the IMF view of Trump's approach? Apparently, not good: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...tlook-calls-trump-s-growth-target-unrealistic https://qz.com/1037163/trumps-inabi...cast-for-us-economic-growth-in-2017-and-2018/ re: Russia. Seriously?
Guessing this deserves itw own thread... but methinks this is just inner views of Trump's own fears that even his own peopl are working to get rid of him. Scaramucci: White house plotters seeking Trump exit http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40917640
Who had Bannon in the "Trump administration Deadpool?" CBS reports Bannon will be out by the end of the week. Trump was asked about it today and he said "well see"
Expect more of this: "President Trump has a magnetic personality and exudes positive energy, which is infectious to those around him. He has an unparalleled ability to communicate with people .... He has built great relationships throughout his life and treats everyone with respect. He is brilliant with a great sense of humor … and an amazing ability to make people feel special and aspire to be more than even they thought possible." She's a PR flack, her father and grandfather were PR flacks as well.
SMU Alumni represent! Hope she does a good job. But man, taking this job is crazy. I can't ever imagine myself up there and argue with a bunch of people at once for an hour.
Har har har good one! /s Some of the comments I've seen about her are absolutely disgusting though. She's been working for him for a while now. We shall find out soon enough if she's qualified enough for the comms director role. Can't people just wish her the best of luck and move on with their day instead of making wild speculations about her?
If she can tell a lie with a straight face, she is qualified to be white house communications director. She will be nice eye candy at least.
Rumors were floating that Trump was planning on moving Rick Perry to head DHS (to replace Kelly), and nominate Joe Manchin (D-W.VA) to repace Perry. This would have also meant the repub Governor of W.VA to replace Manchin with a repub. Fortunately Manchin is staying put. Manchin rules out Trump energy secretary appointment http://www.politico.com/joe-manchin-no-energy-secretary
Fox in hen house... Trump admin appoints ex-dean of college busted for fraud to run student aid fraud office: Former DeVry official hired to run Education Dept. enforcement unit: report http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...-hired-to-run-education-dept-enforcement-unit
