DUers What do you. make of this? Mattis memorandum

[Zoonart]

Anyway, I don’t know what to make of this, do you?

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.

James Mattis

[Vinca]

1. That's a puzzler.

Maybe someone photocopied their private parts and forgot to take the copy.

[JI7]

2. Kick

[LittleBlue]

3. He's probably the only good appointment in this White House

Which came about completely by mistake, as Dump did it because of his nickname. Seems like a guy who takes the oath seriously. Haven't seen him playing politics so far.

[JI7]

5. The nickname also came about because of him being strict and disciplined

Trump probably thought the opposite.

[WhiteTara]

21. I just wish he hadn't used white phosphorous

on the citizens of Fallujah.

[Deb]

4. If this is real, I would call it hope.

[Zoonart]

7. Snippet from Kos article:

"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."

[Deb]

18. Thanks. We may need to "support our troops" as never in our lifetime.

praying this doesn't happen

[BamaRefugee]

6. I make of it:

WAR IS COMING and he knows it. He also knows that our battle tested strategic genius Commander in Chief is going to order the military to outstrip the cruelty of any previous armed forces in any era in history.

So he's covering his ass, and giving his underlings hope that by doing the right thing, they will save America. Only they won't. Those who fight ethically and by international rules of warfare will be summoned, court martialed, and hung, probably in NFL stadiums packed with bloodthirsty base-bozos, as loyalist Trump pilots fly jets overhead in the "Missing Democracy Formation".

[oasis]

8. In other words: "Your Commander in Chief is not an example to follow".

[Angry Dragon]

12. WINNER

[33taw]

9. I think he is telling his subordinates to not compromise their values regardless of who is asking.

Kind of like - don't execute an illegal order.

[malaise]

10. Smedley Butler?

I hope

[TacoD]

11. "Mad Dog" Mattis is pretty fuckin' far from Smedley Butler (nt)

[malaise]

13. Notice the

I hope?

[DK504]

16. A lot of people don't know who Smedley Butler was or even believe what he did was real.

A huge number of Americans don't believe there was an attempted coup on FDR. Wasn't Prescott Bush part of that cabal?

[Elwood P Dowd]

20. Yes he was.

https://harpers.org/blog/2007/07/1934-the-plot-against-america/

[radical noodle]

14. It sounds as though

he's expecting people will be given unethical orders and is telling them to hold themselves above them.

[Kaleva]

15. It's on the USNI website so it is legit.

[Corvo Bianco]

17. Not sure about rallying cries delivered with cryptic whispers

Can you imagine the Braveheart scene? jeeeeez

[niyad]

19. how do you train to be ethical?

[hlthe2b]

22. Mattis only cabinet member who did not genuflect verbally to Trump in his

full on narcissism session recently. Mattis, instead pledged his undying loyalty to the men and women of the military who serve us every day.

So, yeah, I don't have a problem believing this is a true memo from him to DOD.