Congratulations, James "Mad Dog" Mattis

General James Mattis has been sworn in to the cabinet position of Secretary of Defense by Vice-President Mike Pence.  I don't know a whole lot about this man, but I do know he loves to fight.  He seems like someone who does not take any crap and is a man of honor and integrity.  I do hope he serves the position well.  Actually I am sure he will.  I didn't get to see any of his confirmation hearing sessions, but given that he was confirmed around the same time as Trump & Pence were sworn in, the hearings must have gone extremely well.

Now to just nitpick some, Trump needs to work on his self-presentation during these events.  His stance is kind of bad.  Pretty slouchy with his hands hanging as if he doesn't want to be there.  When Mattis got up to say his speech, Trump's stance improved where he crossed them in front himself.  Anyways, that's is not the big thing.  The big thing is his speech where I feel he needs to get rid of these key words and phrases that IMO sounds immature.  "Believe Me" &  "Beautiful" are a few.

Ok.  Trump gave his speech and then went to sign a couple of Executive Orders. One was the Rebuilding of the U.S. Armed Forces.  I think I understand what this is about, but I am trying to understand why.  Honestly I don't think anything major is wrong with the military.  We have pretty much the strongest military out there.  Rebuilding it kind of tells me that it has seriously weakened to a point that it is all, but disappeared.  The other thing about this is cost.  You already have to do budgets to maintain the Armed Forces, but rebuilding them?   *Sigh* I don't know.

The second Executive Order was the Protection of the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry.  Now he said that we should know what that is about, but to be honest, I am not sure.  I know he was talking about temporary bans on Muslims and cleaning up illegal immigration so I am going to think it will have something to do with that.  May have to research more on them.

Oh well, congrats to Secretary Mattis.  Best of luck to you in your position.  Hopefully you will be in for the long term.

Below is a playlist of videos on Secretary Mattis.  Check them out if you like:

Boehner Out!

So, John Boehner has resigned.  I will admit I did not see this one coming.  I do feel it was a long time coming.  Well that or they don't vote him back in as Speaker if they win the majority again or whatever.  Was his leadership a failure?  In my opinion, yes, but probably not in the way you may expect me to think. 

The leadership failed because Boehner had an extremely difficult time controlling the entire House of Representatives.  Now I know a lot of my conservatives or republican friends would say, "Well it's more so because of the democrats or liberals making it difficult".  Well yes and no.  No, because the democrats were not his only adversary.  They other were the far right extremist, mainly your Tea Partiers.  It looked like a lot of bills that Boehner would try to compromise and send through was met with major opposition by the far right.  Some look at him as being too moderate.  As being a centrist, I am bugged that that word or term is being used like a four letter word.  The only way for government to work is for everyone in it to work together.

Anyway, I am actually happy for Boehner as he is removing a major monkey off his back.  A lot of you on the right and left are saying good riddens and I am sure he is saying the same to all of you.  That job, just like any other major leadership position, seems very difficult especially when you have very difficult people working or not working with you.  Be well and take care, Mr. Boehner.  You deserve the breather.

Here is his resignation speech.