James Mattis provides evidence of an American spine. Gratifying, reassuring.
I imagine that many political figures -- even some media figures -- will hate Mattis for what he said: because they know, somewhere, that he is right, and that they cannot, or will not, say it. He makes them look bad by saying it. An old, old human situation.
When a person holds his manhood cheap (h/t Shakespeare), he sometimes lashes out at the person or people who make him feel that way.
Trump was enchanted by Mattis because he liked his nickname: "Mad Dog." But he was disappointed in Mattis and took to calling him "Moderate Dog." In truth, Mattis was just about the least mad dog in the administration.
It's interesting that it took the Lafayette Square stunt to make Mattis speak as he has. That stunt, in my view, was grotesque -- from many angles.
"Patriotism" is an old-fashioned word, and it has been supplanted by "nationalism" in recent years, I think. But Mattis is a patriot, and -- pardon the cliché -- I appreciate his service. He should sleep well at night (yes, I know: and his enemies not!).
