Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Defending the Nation with Secretary of Defense James Mattis
In his first televised interview in almost a year, Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis sits down with Peter Robinson to discuss a wide range of issues facing the United States Armed Forces at home and across the globe.
Published in General
That was an excellent interview. My only regret was that he had to leave immediately afterwards.
It was excellent.
It’s refreshing and reassuring to hear such calm, clarity and focus coming from someone so high up in power.
Thank you for a good interview, Peter.
I second all of the first three comments, and add that it is reassuring to realize that while Secretary Mattis may be called Mad Dog, he is really a thoughtful leader with a servant’s heart.
Peter – Since many years I enjoy the content and style of your interviews, the structure and tone, choice of party, topic and pace. Obviously, it is your personality which makes it work. This truly was one for the ages and the guy from the west is a gift to the Republic and the free world. Mr. Mattis in choosing his words carefully and in simple language is truly leading in thought, planning, and communicating with the public. Once again, his presence comes across the screen.
Enough of the mollycoddling. Next time don’t let it end so darn quickly.
You know what you did for freedom across Central and Eastern Europe in Berlin there and then which has you in our family’s prayers every year on November 9, but thank you for the longstanding dedication to conservative values, and especially for founding Ricochet. It is a pleasure.
What do you get when you cross a dinosaur with James Mattis? Nothing. No one crosses James Mattis.
Let’s see:
Concur. Wholeheartedly. Not a wrong note in the interview.
I think I want to have Mattis’ babies.
Money quote: If something is slipping away, it’s internal not external.
Amen, Devil Dog.
I laughed so hard, I coughed up a lung. Good thing I have five more.
I’m sitting taller, grinning broadly, as my heart is full enough to bring tears to my eyes. Semper Fi and Thank you, Secy. Mattis! Thank you, Peter, as always!
I did not expect him to be funny.
Terrific interview.
What a mind, and what a communicator, if the Kennedy Johnson administrations had had such a SecDef there would be a lot more of my classmates alive today! Awesome interview Mr. Robinson.
Great interview. He’s a man to follow. Audit, save the money, push it back into lethality- bam!
Wow! I feel so much smarter and well informed after watching this interview. To see someone thoughtfully address issues, acknowledge the nuance of the situations, and communicate it well is so refreshing. I understand Mattis is well read and a student of history. It shows. Two powers: “power of inspiration and power of intimidation”. Absolutely! God bless and keep Sec Mattis.
Peter,
I’ll follow General Mattis anywhere he wants to go. I think we’ll handle the Chinese, the Russians, North Korea, and Iran just fine. What I’m more worried about is the EU. They continue to stymie forward movement and vilify duly elected governments while hypocritically refusing to reform their own illiberal system. How much easier would General Mattis’ job be if France and Germany hit their 2% GDP NATO commitment immediately rather than dragging their feet. The EU sends an incredibly negative message as it fails to meet its security requirements while bullying its member Nations over social policy. General Mattis can’t do much about the EU but somehow I think he’s got that certain something that the best American military men have always had.
They kind of sneak up on you.
Regards,
Jim
Beautiful. The humility, the continuous awareness that he is a servant leader, the sense of duty, are awe inspiring. And his faith that we will get through these times and find our old selves again, which I’ve heard him enunciate more than once.
True enough, but it was said by ColonelHasAnOutsandingSolution [CHAOS] Mattis…FIFY :-)
Optimism doesn’t hurt his reputation at all — he’s the one sleeping soundly while bad guys around the world are squirming in their cots.
“I don’t have stress, I cause stress.”
Why did the video disappear from Youtube? I wanted to post it again today.
We will look into this and get back to you.
Here you go:
Thanks Blue Yeti!
Although, when I post that youtube link on Facebook it doesn’t show a preview, it just shows a generic gray box that says “youtube.com”. Maybe they have sharing restricted?
Go to the YouTube page, click on the share button and select Facebook. Let me know if that does not work.