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Questions for Mad Dog
I am looking forward to Peter Robinson’s interview of the Secretary of Defense. Peter’s a skilled interviewer, but I have suggested questions about social engineering and wonder what issues other Ricochetti would like raised. Here are my questions:
Some Obama social engineering initiatives have not been reversed under Sec. Mattis. Does he plan to take action on these issues which affect military preparedness? For example, transgender surgery is extremely expensive, makes a person unable to serve for a long time, and has severe negative long-term consequences.
The Obama administration, over the opposition of the wives of servicemen, put women on submarines. Is Sec. Mattis reviewing that? Similarly, standards have been reduced to encourage women to join elite troop units such as rangers. Will Sec. Mattis ensure that proper physical standards will be maintained. So far, it seems to me that nothing is being done in these important areas.
Published in Military
Those are good questions. I hope to read somewhere that they have been given good answers.
Agreed — great questions. He must at least have opinions on these items.
Your questions have been sent to the questioner. No idea if he’ll use them or not.
I would like to hear his thoughts on the ambush in Niger both politically and militarily @blueyeti. And tell him, for what it’s worth, that I truly appreciate his unwavering dedication to our country.
He undoubtedly has opinions about them but he is also probably hesitant to express them publicly. It is not always prudent to do so; acting quietly behind the scenes can be more effective.
True, but Richard’s right to put these forward so he knows we are watching.
But, Mattis is easily 10 steps ahead of us on all these issues and things have to be done in sequence and when the likelihood of success is high. So, as you are implying, we don’t have to get worried if he doesn’t answer these questions explicitly because it would hurt his plans.
I agree that it’s sometimes more effective in a bureaucracy to do things quietly. I’m concerned that the President was saying the right thing about transgenders and the Pentagon did not appear to be on the same page. How difficult would it have been to publically agree with President Trump. There appears to be a disconnect somewhere.
Yes, of course it’s good to pose the question for the reason you cited. And, who knows, he may surprise us and give a politically incorrect answer. Most of all, it’s important to keep the topic open for discussion.
As Secy. Mattis absolutely loathes the appellation “Mad Dog” (prefers the call-sign CHAOS), I wouldn’t suggest prefacing anything that way. :-) But, I’d be interested to hear something about resolving the rash of aviation mishaps (solutions?) and more about his emphasis on ensuring “post-traumatic growth” in/with/for our wounded-ill-injured (visibly and otherwise) service members. (Oh, and a Thank You with an S/F to him, from an honorary Marine.) Looking forward to it! Thanks, @richardeaston!
I am totally amazed women are allowed on submarine duty. Had no idea. And, taxpayers pay for transgender surgery? What is the world coming to?
I expect the US military to gameplan out all kinds of scenarios. I also expect Mattis would not share that speculation easily, but he might comment on a supplied scenario. I wonder what Mattis things about this: Iran develops nuclear capability in 7 years and Saudi Arabia immediately makes a secret deal with Pakistan to buy their nuclear technology. Do the Sunni/Shia civil wars in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria go nuclear?
Is progress being made on cyber-security and how? It is insane that foreign entities can take hospitals and American companies – God forbid, utilities – hostage until payments are made, and the currency of choice on the dark web is the mysterious Bit-Coin. At one point last year, in some countries, I think our ally Britain was one, surgeries had to be postponed! Is this a worry?
Also, Russia was able to power up under Obama, is now a major player in Middle East unrest, troops increasing on the borders of Eastern European countries, recent summits with Iran, Turkey and China – are steps being taken to curtail the web of Russian influence, including cyber-meddling? Thank you for serving our country and the great job you are doing!
“OK, let’s say you’re, like, a tree, right? And so you have to kind of pick what kind of tree…please come back….”
This is the session I am most looking forward to tomorrow.
Yes, I know that the alliteration aspect of that nick name is almost irresistible–but he doesn’t like it. We all need to quit using it.
Perhaps we can dress it up a little like “scurrilous canine” or “truculent mutt.”
And don’t forget the important questions, Peter. Like: briefs or boxers?
And an excellent interview it was.