Mattis for Secretary of Defense

Two days ago a front page headline in the New York Times read:  “As Commander in Iraq, Defense Pick Made a Case to Halt Torture.”

First of all, I’m grateful that James Mattis, President-Elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, said the death of a prisoner who had been tortured was “the worst thing that happened” under his watch.  General Mattis sounds like a man who has the right principles.

On the other hand, think about this.  Let’s go back to World War II.  Would a military officer’s opposition to torture have made headlines?  Of course not.  We weren’t Nazi Germany.  We didn’t torture prisoners.  

Our President-Elect has said he would bring back the practice of water-boarding, a favorite torture of our Japanese enemies during World War II.  Mr. Trump said during the campaign, “only a stupid person would say it doesn’t work.”

I personally hope Gen. Mattis is confirmed.  It would be great to have someone as Secretary of Defense who has some moral standards.