[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONDEMNING THE COMMENTS OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES MATTIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2005

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, last week, United States Marine Corps LTG 
James Mattis made public comments that were unbecoming of a military 
officer. As quoted in numerous newspaper articles and media broadcasts, 
Lieutenant General Mattis told a San Diego, California audience of 200 
civilians that ``It's fun to shoot some people.'' Referencing 
combatants in Afghanistan he added, ``You know, guys like that ain't 
got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot 
them.''
  Lieutenant General Mattis has no doubt served his country with 
courage and distinction as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. It is, 
nonetheless, inexcusable that, as a high-ranking officer of the U.S. 
military, he would make these callous and insensitive remarks that 
denigrate the value of human life.
  Furthermore, comments of this nature reinforce negative perceptions 
of U.S. military actions abroad and have the potential to incite 
greater animosity toward our troops. The price to be paid for this 
irresponsible conduct cannot be exaggerated given the vital role 
support from the Iraqi people and the international community is to the 
success of ongoing operations in Iraq.
  The U.S. Marine Corps Commandant has said that he has counseled 
Lieutenant General Mattis with regard to his comments. However, it is 
incumbent on our military's leadership to ensure that this behavior is 
not repeated on the part of Lieutenant General Mattis or any other 
military officer in the future.
  It is critically important that a clear and resounding message is 
sent that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in the United 
States military. It is wholly inconsistent with the values we hold dear 
as Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, it is hard enough in this day and age to protect my 9-
year-old-son--or any child--from graphic violence rife in popular video 
games, which demean the value of human life and portray killing as just 
a game--an act without moral consequence. I suppose they make war look 
like fun, but tell that to the over 10,000 Americans who've been 
critically wounded or the families of the nearly 1,500 Americans who 
gave their lives in Iraq.
  Now, we have a general from the field saying how fun it is to shoot 
people. I think that's wrong, its despicable, it's an unconscionable 
message to be telling our children.
  It is time to put a stop to this unnecessary, obscene war in Iraq and 
the obscenities of generals like James Mattis, both of which demean and 
denigrate the moral fabric of our country.

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