CNN's Don Lemon Issues Chilling Warning About Jim Mattis Resignation

[left-of-center2012]

[Javaman]

1. for those of us video challenged, could you give us a summation? thanks. nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. He calmly but dramatically threw everything back into Trump's face

Don's delivery was amazing. For those who can that alone is worth viewing this video for. Straight on camera, choosing his words carefully but holding nothing back, nothing. Very slow delivery, many pauses to allow his words to sink in. Among other things he read every word of the full resignation letter submitted by Mattis, but he framed everything in a broader context. His comparison of Trump to Mattis was calm and brutal. He even referenced Trump once having called his efforts to avoid sexually transmitted diseases his personal Vietnam. He quoted the reaction of one Congressman to the news that Mattis was leaving as the perfect two word summary of what many throughout government were feeling: "Oh Shit." The screen caption was "Oh S--t" but Don said both words out loud clearly.

There is more. It is worth the effort to find a way to view this.

[Javaman]

4. thank you. I suddenly have a feeling of dread. the same kind of dread I felt...

during the cold war as a kid.

an uneasy queasy feeling.

[maryellen99]

5. Me too I'm frightened nt

[akraven]

8. Exactly the same fear I have.

"Put your head between your legs."

Followed by "Kiss your ass goodbye".

And I was in Catholic school!

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Nothing much new-- he read the resignation letter, listed generals who quit...

or were ousted. played the fun part of the Blitzer/Miller "interview" and other good stuff we've seen.

It is nice, however, to see a major anchor put it together again.

[left-of-center2012]

6. this

“If you are worried tonight, you should be. Because honestly, who knows what is going to happen next? I’m not being hyperbolic. I’m not being an alarmist. And here’s why,” said Lemon. “However you felt or feel about James Mattis, Secretary Mattis, General James Mattis, he was the bulwark between impulse and stability in this administration. He was the last person left who could tell an impetuous president: Slow your roll; Hold your horses; Cool your jets; You don’t want to do that.”

“So tonight a political earthquake is rolling through Washington as the Trump administration sinks further into chaos,” he said.

Lemon outlined that Mattis differed with the President on key policy issues like Syria and ISIS. He was critical of Trump’s view, calling it “false” and “dangerous”, and then contrasted the two leaders. One, a Marine, the other, a draft-dodger.

“What happened today has made it crystal clear that President Trump is acting against the advice of top Pentagon and national security officials. Because he thinks he knows better,” he said, and then showed a clip.
The clip was of President Trump’s famously outrageous statement about knowing more than people like Mattis. “I know more about ISIS than the generals do. Believe me,” bragged Trump cluelessly in the clip.

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/don-lemon-says-viewers-should-be-worried-after-mattis-resignation-earthquake-is-rolling-through-washington/

[Autumn]

7. I don't think he was the last person left who could stop Trump from doing damage.

That is a job of the Senate and the Congress. I will not absolve them for not doing their job.

[Mr.Bill]

9. Good point.

One thing that would help things very much and could be done immediately without anyone voting on anything would be if a few republican senators changed their party affiliation to Democratic.

[Hekate]

11. He was the last person left with the will to do so. The GOP Congress/Senate has shown no sign yet...

The House, thank gods, will shortly be back in Dem hands, but the Senate will not be.

[oberliner]

10. Mattis wanted to increase troop levels in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan

And also supported sending troops to the US-Mexico border.

[Hekate]

12. He slow-rolled many of Trump's worst ideas. Has there been a parade yet? As for the border...

...did he originate the idea? Don't think so. Did they shoot to kill, as Trump said they would? No.

As for troops in the Middle East, former SoS John Kerry was on last night saying we are actually very close to achieving certain goals in some areas, and that pulling everyone out abruptly would undo them all.

No man is a saint, but by all accounts Mattis was an excellent general, devoted to his mission of serving the US (not Trump), highly educated, extremely intelligent. Your animus toward him sheds little light on our situation, which is dire.

Any suggestions for his replacement?