Ralph Peters Defends General Mattis

The press and the blogosphere had devoted much attention to the unusually blunt statements by Marine Lt.Gen. Jim Mattis. The liberal media, in particular, is outraged at the admission that soldiers love their jobs. Here is part of Peters’ comment.

Gen. Mattis may have been unusual in his honesty, but he certainly isn't unusual in our history. We picture Robert E. Lee as a saintly father figure, but Lee remarked that it's good that war is so terrible, since otherwise men would grow to love it too much. He was speaking of himself. Andy Jackson certainly loved a fight, and Stonewall Jackson never shied from one. Sherman and Grant only found themselves in war.

Warfare brings forth many raw emotions, some of which are noble. It is recognition of the moral and physical dangers of war that gives rise to the just war doctrine and to our constitutional limits on the power to make war. Remember that when we send our sons and daughters off to combat we put their physical and moral lives at risk. The Just War doctrine helps us in deciding that the dangers outweigh the risks.

Those who are horrified by Gen. Mattis’ blunt statements might look into their own hearts. Each of us has a shadow, or dark side. If we are honest with ourselves, we will be able to admit that it exists. Admitting this is a first step to channeling and converting its power into a force for good. When it can’t be a force for good, it can at least be a force for restraining evil.

From my perspective, the General’s statements are more honest and more moral than those of his critics.