Fare Well My Brother-in-Arms

Back in early February 2007, before GoE was even remotely what it has become, I received a phone call from a Vietnam veteran who had somehow gotten one of my emails about the impending A.N.S.W.E.R./ Code Pink, et al announcement that they had plans to "occupy" the Vietnam Wall. In one of the last sentences of that email I said something to the effect of I have always thought of The Wall as mine too because my father took me there over the Christmas break of my senior year in high school. I remember my old man pointing at The Wall and saying, "You wanted to be in the infantry. That's the infantry. Do not f@#k this up." Immediately after that I bought the POW/MIA bracelet I still wear today. Coincidentally, the date Curtis R. Smoot was reported missing is March 10, 1971. Well, yesterday March 10, 2011, that Vietnam veteran who accidentally got into my email string, Sal Lanzetta, 4th ID US Army, Vietnam, passed away do to complications from A.L.S.

In the email that Sal had gotten I also said something to the effect of, "If I have to stand at The Wall all by myself to keep these bastards from desecrating the memorial marker to our dead, I will, but I know I won't be alone." Sal called to say, "Well Chris I guess if it turns out to be just you and me we'll go down fighting." As you all know, it didn't turn out to be just us. Literally tens of thousands of veterans and troop supporters turned out that bitterly cold St. Patrick's Day in 2007. We stood as one and reversed the 40 year trend of the anti-American forces being the only ones yelling in the streets, and Sal stood within an arms length of me nearly all day.

Since then Sal has been at every event GoE has undertaken from the counters of Code Pink at Walter Reed to the support of the Coast Guard Academy to the defense of the A.E.C. He was never far off my six and told me once, "Don't worry brother. I won't ever let charlie creep up on you. You just worry about what's in front of you. The Ivy's on station." All of you know of my deep respect and unmitigated love for my 'Namies. As much as I love the men and women serving now, the 'Nam vets will always be my Gold Standard for warriors. Sal Lanzetta was the embodiment of the true American spirit and patriotism of the Vietnam veteran. He told me once that he volunteered to serve in Vietnam, "because the country has given me so much. How could I not give back to her?"

When I received the call of his passing, and as I write these words, I find my self getting more than a bit misty eyed. No GoE action will be quite the same without Sal just off my left shoulder and several paces to the rear. I shall miss him terribly, but have to believe he will be greeted on the other side with a hearty WELCOME HOME from our brothers and sisters who have gone before. Second Brigade MC will be riding escort for Sal on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, and we welcome anyone who would like to ride with us. If any of you are in the neighborhood, please stop by and say goodbye to one of our own. I believe his family will appreciate it and know that I will. All the details are below and, as I said back in 2007, if I have to stand alone to wish Sal fare well I will, but I know I won't be alone. Good bye Sal. Thank you for your service, both in Vietnam and after, and, as always, WELCOME HOME. Manchu

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 259 Forest Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002. The viewing will be held on Monday evening from 6:30-9 PM and Tuesday from 8:30 – 10 AM at the Emil J. Ciavarelli Family Funeral Home, 951 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ambler. Donations in Sal’s name may be made to The ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002. Condolences may be made at www.ciavarellifuneralhomes.com

A Muslim Terrorist Named Nidal Malik Hasan

The murders at Ft Hood have provoked all manner of response from people. Nearly everyone is united in a feeling of horror, but many have been hesitant to call this what it was; an act of terrorism. Merriam-Webster defines terrorism as: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. I have heard all manner of people from our Commander-in-Chief, to senior generals, to media pundits caution us to wait until we have all the facts before we rush to judgment. Well, I for one have enough information. An American Muslim, of Jordanian parents, (no he's not Palestinian, even though he listed himself as such), committed, by definition, an act of terror, while screaming Allah Akbar. That makes him an Islamic terrorist. That he did so while in uniform on an American military reservation only makes it all the more jihadist.

Hasan, the beneficiary of all that is good about the United States decided that his God was more important than his oath to defend the Constitution of his birth country. He cared not that the soldiers he gunned down were unarmed, nor that the United States military has "liberated" tens of millions of Muslims in Bosnia, Kuwait, and yes, Iraq and Afghanistan and provided humanitarian relief to hundreds of thousands more in Somalia, Indonesia and elsewhere. Hasan was apparently following a strict interpretation of the Koran, although I have my doubts that there is any other interpretation. Before anyone reads me the riot act about the Bible's viciousness, know two things, 1) I'm an agnostic at best and 2) when discussing the fire and brimstone passages the Bible details events that have happened, whereas the Koran gives instructions as to how a Muslim should act for all eternity.

I am personally acquainted with an American Marine who is Muslim and currently serving in Afghanistan. A more stellar human being one could not find. He is my personal definition of an American fighting man. He, and many like him in uniform, have gone about the business of war with honor and professionalism. I am not calling for the internment of Muslims or for them to be removed from the ranks of the military. I am saying though, that just like when several ardent white supremacists were dishonorably discharged from the Army for espousing their hatred, so too should have Hasan been similarly treated. Had the culture of the military not been so penetrated by political correctness I am certain 13 of my fellow Americans, murdered at Ft Hood, would still be alive today.

When Professor Gates had his run-in with the Cambridge Police Department, our President informed us all, without anything approximating the facts, in total, that "the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home." I didn't agree with the reasons the Cambridge Police used for arresting Professor Gates, but that does not diminish the notion that the President could not have known all the facts when he made his remarks. Somehow though, he wants the rest of us to refrain from labeling a Muslim terrorist as such, apparently less we offend any more of the followers of the religion of peace.

I am sick and tired of tip-toeing around the sensitivities of the Muslim community. They have rioted over cartoons and they danced in the streets of the West Bank after 9/11, but I cannot call into question their apparent disregard for human life. It is high time that the American Muslim community at least rallies together publicly, and in substantial numbers, to decry the acts of jihadists everywhere. I want to see Muslims in the streets carrying the American flag proudly, as opposed to burning it. Then, I will consider the notion that most Muslims simply want to live their lives peacefully.

American Muslims are not fully to blame for their startlingly sensitive natures, although CAIR and its Islamaphobia campaign are a large part. Media personalities such as MSNBC's Chris Matthews are also to blame. On his 9 November broadcast of Hardball, Matthews said, "See - we have a problem. How do we know when someone like Hasan is going to make his move and do we know he's an Islamist until he's made his move? He makes a phone call or whatever, according to Reuters right now. Apparently he tried to contact al Qaeda. Is that the point at which you say, ‘This guy is dangerous?' That's not a crime to call up al Qaeda, is it? Is it” If we have truly reached the point where the President of the United States won't immediately respond to a Muslim terrorist attack inside the United States, a TV journalist doesn't know if it's illegal to call al Qaeda, (note to Matthews: It is!) and the Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey Jr. can say, “As horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that’s worse,” then the country as a whole cannot stand.

A Muslim monster used the uniform of the United States Army to murder 13 soldiers in cold blood and to wound 30 more. Hasan became, by definition a jihadist and a Muslim terrorist. This after his parents had immigrated here to find the American dream and he benefited from our education system. I no longer care what his problems were, or that he had been picked on for his faith. When I was a child we all learned, "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That is still true today and any attempt to make Hasan into a victim is not only disgusting, but beyond rational comprehension.

The one highlight from this entire event is that this Muslim terrorist, who considered women to be so far beneath him that he would not even have his photograph taken with them at functions, was himself brought down by Sgt. Kimberly Munley, 34, a civilian Department of Defense police officer at the base. Even after being wounded by Hasan, Sgt Munley pressed the attack and stopped Hasan's murderous rampage. There are two things to say about that: 1) I hope Hasan recognized that an American woman brought him down, and 2) I only wish she had double-tapped Hasan to the head after dropping him and finished the job. That is better than any Muslim terrorist deserves, and Hasan is nothing more than that.

A Hollywood Good Guy Makes Good

Back in February I had the high honor to meet an Iraq vet who lost a
leg while serving with the 1/25 Marines in Al Anbar Province. Neither
he nor the triple amputee who accompanied him to a Fischer House
Benefit as the guests of Second Brigade and Viet Nam Vets MC exhibited
anything other than the warrior spirit. In fact, they insisted that
the first drink of the evening had to be drunk from their prosthetic
legs. Now that was a sight to see.
Several months later, that same vet approached me for an assist. He
has been fighting with the V.A. over medical bills related to his
wounds. Bills were mounting. I put him in touch with Al Gambone, an
attorney I’ve mentioned on this site to get that problem in check.
Unfortunately, he was also behind on his mortgage through no fault of
his own. I tried various avenues to come up with cash to prevent the
foreclosure, to no avail. This morning I was listening to Dennis
Miller’s radio show and he mentioned his participation with USA Cares
as a spokesman and proponent (http://www.usacares.org/). Figuring I
had nothing left to lose, I ponied up the $18.00 to join the DMZ,
Miller’s premium subscription package, so I could email him
personally.
In my email, I explained about our wounded Marine and the trials he
has been forced to withstand since returning home. I explained how we
had found an attorney, but had to prevent this Hero from losing his
home. I simply asked him to put me into contact with someone from USA
Cares and let me plead the case. If this fails I said, “We’ll have to
start selling blood,” because there’s no way I’m letting one of my
heroes lose his home, especially with a new baby on the way.
Anyway, within an hour, the retired Sgt Major who started USA Cares
called me personally. He took down our Marine’s phone number and
promised to help. The Sgt Major also insisted that in the future GoE
and USA Cares would collaborate to reach and assist more of our
heroes. Dennis Miller, who was on the air at the time, had read my
email, contacted the Sgt Major and my phone rang. While all this was
happening, Miller’s show never missed a beat. In this day and age
when we have come to expect Hollywood celebrities to kick us when
we’re down, Dennis Miller took up the colors and charged into the
fray.
I urge you to recognize both Miller and USA Cares for this wonderful
act. Our Marine’s house was set to go into foreclosure on 12 August.
Thanks to two very good men that will not happen. God bless you both
gentlemen and know that our veteran’s community owes you one for the
solid you did one of our own. That debt is payable upon demand, just
yell out. Thanks, you guys. Manchu.

On "Taking Chance"

The photo is of L Cpl. Chance Phelps who was killed by enemy fire outside Ar Ramadi, Iraq on 9 April, 2004. He is the subject of HBO's movie Taking Chance. I had resisted watching the movie for several reasons. I mainly resisted because I had absolutely no faith that HBO would treat the subject matter with the dignity it deserved. I was also afraid that HBO would take the opportunity to put in multiple anti-war digs. Then, when uniformly good reviews started coming out I resisted because I was afraid of how it would effect me. The first couple of reasons turned out to be unfounded, and the last was exactly as I knew it would be. All of which is a reason to watch it.

Kevin Bacon plays the part of real-life Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, whose account of the escort was the genesis for the movie. I freely admit that there were multiple occasions when tears literally streamed down my face as I sat watching the movie. It was a pleasant surprise to see America's warriors treated with the reverence they all deserve. It was also moving to see Col. Strobl portrayed as multi-dimensional and not some automaton. There were many times when I was moved by what, to some, would be the inner workings of the military.

In one scene Col. Strobl is told that Chance will stay over-night in a hangar and a taxi has been called to take him to a nearby hotel. Col. Strobl responds that he will spend the night in the hangar with Chance because, "I don't want him to be alone." The airline workers aren't quite sure how to respond, but they understand and do what they can to make the Colonel as comfortable as possible.

In a later scene, Col. Strobl is at a VFW talking to a Korean War Marine. The Colonel tells his fellow Marine of his guilt at not being in Iraq. How he is nearly ashamed that he is safe behind his desk, while men such as Chance are in the fight. The Korean vet tells him that his feelings are unfounded because he had his day for that and what he is doing now is all the more important because of it. The scene resonates with me because I have shared that feeling since both our current wars have commenced. Not a day goes by that I don't feel as if I should be in either Iraq or Afghanistan. No amount of conversation with other veterans can change my mind on that, and I'm fairly certain that Col. Strobl feels likewise. It is a version of survivor's guilt and not a little envy, at least on my part. All I ever wanted was a C.I.B. and there's no way that will ever happen.

Taking Chance made me remember another 19 year old patriot who was killed too young. He was a friend of mine and one of the sweetest people on the planet. We went to Basic and A.I.T. at Ft. Benning, GA together, caroused together and he was killed providing covering fire so that others would live. I know he believed in what he was doing, and that he loved being a soldier. I also know he would not want me to feel guilty that all these years later I am here, while he isn't. I know he would want me to live happily, secure in the knowledge that I did my part. That doesn't make me miss him any less, nor wish that I could trade places with him. I miss my fiend and think of him at least every week.

I never knew L Cpl. Phelps, and have never met Lt. Col. Strobl, but I have known them all my life. I was a soldier at five and will remain one until I die. I hope everyone who has ever worn the uniform sees this movie. I further hope that they all remember their own Chance, for it is through memories that they live on. The movie concludes with a passage that will stay with me forever, "Chance Phelps was wearing his Saint Christopher medal when he was killed on Good Friday. Eight days later, I handed the medallion to his mother. I didn't know Chance before he died. Today, I miss him." - LtCol Michael R. Strobl, USMC (Ret.) Semper Fi Sir, and for what it's worth, though I never knew Chance either I miss him too.

Nation of Cowards

In case you missed it, our newest Attorney General, Eric Holder recently spoke at an event for his staff in honor of Black History Month. In part, he said, “Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial, we have always been, and we, I believe, continue to be, in too many ways, a nation of cowards.” In case you doubt the veracity of that quote you can find the full transcript at the Department of Justice website. Of course, many will say I have taken the quote out of context, but before any of you prepare the pitchforks, proverbial rail or burning oil know that I agree with the quote; just not for the reasons the esteemed gentleman suggested.

I attached the editorial cartoon above precisely because I agree with Attorney General Holder. We have become a nation of cowards. We are afraid of charlatans like Al Sharpton who posture and preen the second there is any chance for him to display his plumage to a camera. And yes, I am well aware that I gave Mr. Sharpton no title. I've never seen him in a pulpit and in this age of you tube everything I am fairly certain something would have presented itself by now if any such footage existed. No one can say anything in the least related to race if you do not believe the way Mr. Sharpton does. I'm not certain exactly who made him the arbiter of all things concerning liberal Black America, but that is as it is.

Mr. Sharpton, in his normal style, rounded up 500 people to protest outside the offices of the The New York Post until he extracted an apology of sorts for suggesting that our new President is a chimp. That the editors of the newspaper meant nothing of the sort is besides the point. What is important is that Mr. Sharpton has once again earned his Rolex watches and $1,500 suits. Somehow I always thought men of God were supposed to be less flashy, but as an agnostic I could be mistaken. I am all but certain Mr. Sharpton knew that the Post meant no disrespect to President Obama, but intended to ridicule the United States Congress for coming up with the inanely named Stimulus Package. Unless of course Mr. Sharpton believes that President Obama sat down at his desk in the Oval Office and composed better than 1,000 pages of nonsense. Whatever I think of Mr. Sharpton I do not believe him a fool, and nor should you.

For the record, if I were on the Editorial Board of the Post I would have said this in response to the false uproar over the cartoon: In so much as we have heard the repeated race baiting epithets over our recent editorial cartoon, we would like to explain it to the rest of you. You may not know, because it was passed and signed so quickly that no one could have read it all, but Congress recently passed a bill they wishfully call a Stimulus Bill. The bill is nothing more than nearly $800,000,000,000 (looks amazing with all those zeroes doesn't it?) in pet projects and political payoffs and will do very little, if anything to stimulate new jobs. We were certain though that everyone had heard of the 200lb chimp who recently chewed the face off of an unsuspecting woman. Putting two and two together we were convinced that everyone who saw this cartoon would rightfully get the point: All the clowns in Congress who signed off on the gargantuan bill, which our grandchildren will be paying off, are nothing more than crazed primates. In fact, our mistake was in attributing that much cognitive development to the likes of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. So, too all primates everywhere we say, "We are wholly apologetic for likening you to humans who are obviously so far beneath you intellectually."

Unfortunately, the newspaper chose not to publish my apology as written, or anything close to it because Mr. Sharpton, once again used the bullying tactics which keep him in such nice attire. There have been all manner of truly offensive editorial cartoons suggesting that former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was nothing more than an Aunt Jemima caricature or that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is an Uncle Tom. Of course those cartoons are not truly offensive because neither Secretary Rice nor Justice Clarence believe as Mr. Sharpton does. You have to be "down with the struggle," (read his struggle) to be worthy of Mr. Sharpton's outrage on your behalf. If you are in any way at odds with what Mr. Sharpton believes concerning the plight of Black Americans then you are simply part of the problem. Remember, Free Speech is only a guaranteed right if you spout the ultra-left party line. Otherwise, you are an imbecile, just don't get it, or a racist.

All that leads me back to my initial comment agreeing with Attorney General Holder. We have become a nation of cowards regarding race because we allow sham artists like Mr. Sharpton to dictate the parameters of any discussion regarding race. Black men are still being incarcerated at a rate higher than their numbers in the population would dictate. In all our nations' cities, black men are more likely to die violently and ever younger at the hands of other black men. Black females are having more and more children out of wedlock, with less and less men around to provide any means of support. That means more and more black children are suffering below the poverty line and the cycle repeats. Mr. Sharpton doesn't care about that though. What he cares about is face time in front of network cameras and we are all too cowardly to call him on it because we don't want to be called racist. Well, since I am certain I am not a racist I will call him on it. Mr. Sharpton you are a fraud who is making a very comfortable living off those you pretend to defend. You are intentionally keeping people ignorant to benefit your own selfish ends. You do not have any one's best interests, besides your own at heart. You sir are part of the reason, a very large part why we cannot come together as a nation in the greatest country on Earth. Shame on you Mr. Sharpton, and those who knowingly assist you in this travesty. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr must be rolling over in his grave at the way you have perverted The Dream of many of us, both black and white.

Farewell to A Good Man

I have just finished watching President George W. Bush's final address to the nation. I have not always agreed with his decisions; most noticeably on illegal immigration and the failure to control government spending. I have though, always thought him to be a good man who was doing what he thought was right. I was honored to meet him on the White House lawn and felt like a kid at Christmas when he knew my name. He shook my hand and thanked me for my service as an infantryman and as a veteran's advocate. I was cheered to see him defend himself, finally, last night for the things he did get right. Whatever else the Bush haters will say, we have not suffered another terrorist attack on U.S. soil in 2,684 days.

That is absolutely not a coincidence. Should the veracity of the statement be called into question I would suggest that we simply listen to the President-Elect's current positions. He has decided to keep SecDef Robert Gates. He has said it will take time to close Gitmo and that we need to move cautiously in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those are all positions maintained by President Bush. Gone is President Elect Obama's rhetoric concerning a precipitous withdrawal from Iraq. Why? Because he has finally seen the intelligence reports that President Bush has been privy to for all these years.

I did not vote for President Elect Obama. In fact, I worked hard for his opponent, Sen. John McCain. I, like most American citizens, though will be proud and cheered to see President Obama sworn in next week. It will, indeed, be a good day for the country to have a black man become President. It will go a long way to soothing wounds that have long festered. I can only hope that the smooth transition, which has been solely because of the outgoing President, gives our new President pause for thought.

I know President Elect Obama is a bright man, and I believe he will be thoughtful. I only ask that as his days get ever harder that he look back on the man he replaced and realize that the tough decisions will have to be made, regardless of public opinion. I am certain W has told our incoming President to call and I hope he will. I am hopeful for the country because I am on our team: the United States of America's team and I support my Commander in Chief. On the day after the election, I got up and saluted the Flag as I do every other day. Next Tuesday will be no different. So, as one President goes home to resume his life and another begins the hardest task on Earth I say to them both: Thank you for shouldering the responsibilities gentlemen. Goodbye Mr. Bush, private American citizen, and Hello President Obama. Remember our brave men and women in uniform because they belong to you both now.

Miss Alaska Hell, She's Mrs. America

Okay, so let’s just for a second forget the truthfully important aspects of Governor Sarah Palin. After all, she must be the only woman in the country with a pregnant, unmarried daughter and a wife with a husband who has a DUI on his record. As important as those things are, let’s just for a moment examine the trivial aspects of only the second woman to ever be nominated to the post of Vice President. She is governor of the geographically largest state in the Union. A state that has as its largest trading partner a foreign country, namely Japan with exports of over a billion dollars annually. In addition, Alaska has to negotiate frequently with Russia over fishing and drilling rights. I am not suggesting that Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda or President Putin have ever faced Governor Palin from the other side of a oak table with the balance of power at stake, but the nature of any state’s chief executive is to safeguard their state’s best interests. That Governor Palin has done. Okay, so that’s not National Security expertise, but it is more foreign policy experience than registering people to vote.

In addition, as trivial as it may be, Governor Palin is the Commander-in-Chief of the Alaskan National Guard; a guard unit which has deployed to varying degrees in the Global War on Terror. No, Governors do not equip, fund or oversee the battle plans of deployed troops, but they do have oversight on those that remain. State issues still arise and Governor Palin has deployed the troops in her charge to fight forest fires and in various support roles. The logistics of deploying troops anytime, yes even domestically, are daunting. Don’t think so? Ask the Governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Blanco. My mistake Governor Blanco didn’t even deign to run for a second term after botching the troop response to Hurricane Katrina. President Bush and the feds were demonized for their tepid response, and rightly so. The President should have federalized the Louisiana Guard as soon as it was evident that Governor Blanco was not up to the job. I am from New Orleans and was in the hurricane-ravaged area three days after the levees broke. I saw Army National Guard troops awaiting orders from their commander, the Governor of Louisiana, and people suffered. She also recognizes the sacrifice of our brave warriors having traveled to Kuwait to visit her troops while they were deployed, and on the return trip found time to visit the wounded at Landstuhl. Ask any of our wounded warriors what it means to receive such a visit. Being Commander-in-Chief of a National Guard unit inside the confines of a state is not the same as putting those same men and women into a “hot zone,” but it is more command experience than editing the Harvard Law Review.

As trivial as energy concerns are Governor Palin responded to high gas and oil prices by taking the high budget surplus created by the influx of petroleum cash and gave every citizen of Alaska a $1,200 rebate, eliminated the state gas tax and proposed giving grants to electrical utility companies in order to lower customer’s energy bills. She has personally taken on big oil companies in Alaska, and has the approval ratings in Alaska to prove it. She governs a state with 24,000 employees and an annual budget of $11,000,000,000, which amazingly is not in the red. She has cut waste at every level of government, as trivial as that seems, even selling the state’s Westwind II private jet on eBay. Now those ideas may be too revolutionary to succeed on a national scale, but they are more creative than suggesting the way to combat $4.00 per gallon gasoline is to properly inflate our tires.

None of this truly matters though when choosing the person who will hold the second highest office in the land. What matters is that Governor Palin has five children who need their mother at home. After all, that is a woman’s place isn’t it? Of those five children, Track, the oldest is deploying to Iraq as an infantryman next week on September 11th. The Governor’s second oldest child, her 17 year old daughter, is knocked up and getting married. She and her soon to be 18 year old husband will be setting up their own home soon, so Governor Palin will have more time to donate to the other three. Whatever caused two teenagers to believe that both parents are more likely to raise a well-adjusted child has not been paying attention to this election cycle. Governor Palin has done an admirable job raising her children, regardless the mistakes one has made. She has not only made a home for her family, but also helped her husband on his commercial fishing boat. Pretty uppity of a woman to want to work outside the home, but she just wanted to make sure her bills got paid. After all, left to his own devices her husband probably would have squandered the family’s funds on another hunting rifle. Oh wait, the Governor hunts and eats caribou, moose and other wild game. I guess another rifle might not be such a bad thing for a gun toting, Lifetime Member of the N.R.A. Being able to literally bring home the bacon, and fry it up in the pan may not count for much when super markets will deliver foie gras and arugula to your house, provided you live in a civilized area of the country, but it is more honest work experience than voting “present” 160 times while in a state Senate.

So, what’s the end result here? Governor Sarah Palin is an independent woman who has chosen her own path in life. She has tackled both politically and personally tough issues head on whenever they have confronted her. She is a mother, wife, homemaker, career woman and a good role model. What she is not is a Democrat, and as we are all too well aware, no woman who really cares about women, the planet or children could ever be anything other than a Democrat. Real women are the likes of Speaker Pelosi and Senator Clinton, not bumpkins from the backwoods like Governor Palin. If Governor Palin is elected Vice President she will have risen higher than either of those two aforementioned paragons of femininity, some could even argue just being nominated elevates her above them. After all, neither Speaker Pelosi nor Senator Clinton has been nominated to a national position. Of course all these things are trivial when you really consider them because she has never published a best selling book. All she’s done is make her own way in the world in the best traditions of America. Now what could possibly make her think that something like that could prepare her for either Vice President, or God forbid should something happen to Senator McCain, President? Doesn’t she know that the only way to get ahead in this world is by having all your wants and needs met by those who know better than you? Of course not. How could she? After all, no graduate of the University of Idaho could ever expect to understand the real world. You would have to attend a prep school and at least one Ivy League school, if not two, before you could understand what those of us out here in the real world really need.

Mike Belongs to the Nation Now

In a driving downpour, with wind gusts up to 60 mph, 8 motorcycles, 65 private vehicles and a 54 passenger bus departed suburban Pennsylvania to transit a true American hero home to Arlington . Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz, Medal of Honor recipient, was escorted by three hundred of us. There were a couple of minor glitches. Two members of the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club went down at 50 mph, but were only banged up and bruised. One of them even got back on the bike and finished the ride. At another point 5 vehicles and the bus were separated from the pack by inconsiderate drivers who cut in on the funeral procession. Everyone made it to the grave site in time though.



The Old Guard did their normal stellar job and Mike now belongs to the entire nation, as is fitting. Kudos to the PA and MD State Troopers and the Special Events section for DC Metro. They did an above average job of shepherding a truly unwieldy convoy across busy highways in the most inclement of weather. I was afforded the honor of safe guarding Mike’s Medal of Honor all day. I literally carried it on my shoulder in a leather bag for about six hours. Just having it in my possession made me feel like… well, I’m not sure I can fully explain what it felt like, but you get the idea. It was, without a doubt, the highest honor I have ever been afforded.



Finally, in a day replete with awesome experiences, special praise must go out to Inspector Tony Boyle of the Philadelphia Police Department. He rode a Philadelphia Highway Patrol bike with a Medal of Honor guidon flying. He rode directly in front of the hearse through all manner of bad weather and unruly drivers, even functioning as an extra road guard when the need arose. Tony is a Vietnam vet who told me a couple weeks ago that nothing would stop him from helping to take Mike home. He is a man of his word and I personally wish to offer him my thanks. As the rain poured down on us just seeing the lights flashing on that bike, with the guidon flapping in the wind, caused my chest to pound with excitement. Mike belongs to the nation as a whole now, as is fitting. Sleep well brother. You are finally home. Manchu.

Primary Day

I have been gleefully watching the back and forth of my liberal friends. The moaning and gnashing of teeth as they decry the Clintons has caused me unmitigated delight. "How can they do this to Barack?" they cry. First, no one has done anything to Sen. Obama, because it's not allowed. You cannot lean too hard on the black guy without hearing the charges of racism. Former President Clinton learned that, when he referenced Sen. Obama and Jesse Jackson in the same breath. As much as I find the machinations of President Clinton despicable, I do not believe anyone could rightfully accuse him of being a racist. The forces on the far left have though, and will continue to, because it matters not who is best qualified for the job of President of the United States. What matters is how we feel about ourselves, and our choices; at least if you reside on the far left of any issue. Secondly, where have all you people, who are just now discovering the evil genius of the Clintons, been for the past 15 years? These two have always been reprehensible self promoters who always feel your pain; unless of course they were the ones who caused it.

As I watched the antics of the Hillary and Obama supporters at my polling place yesterday, I was moved to outright laughter on a number of occasions. One sweet, young, college student approached me with an earnest look and a reporter's notebook. "May I ask you some questions?" she asked with a bright smile in place. "Depends. Where are you from?" I responded. "U of W, Seattle and we're observing the election process," she bubbled. Now my smile grew brighter and I agreed to bear her questions. "Did you vote today?" she queried. "I did," I said. "And who did you vote for?" she followed up. Knowing full well for whom she had voted, I said "I'm an R." Mildly perplexed she said, "You guys have a primary today? Who'd you vote for?" At this point, the Firefighter Lt., with whom I was conversing when this delightful creature approached, broke out into laughter. Ah, but it was only to get better. "We truthfully only had the one choice," I told her as politely as possible. "Who's that?" she asked. By now we were drawing a crowd of uniformed firefighters from inside the firehouse polling station. "Why, Sen. McCain already has enough delegates to be our nominee, so it's not worth the effort to vote for either of the others," I told her. "Hmm," she processed before turning to the firefighter Lt. "And have you voted today sir?" she asked. "Not yet," he said before continuing, "but I'm an R too." "And why haven't you voted yet," she said with a straight face. "Because I'm working," he retorted.

At this point the entire episode became bizarre. Did I mention he was a uniformed Lt. in the Philadelphia Fire Dept., standing in front of a Philadelphia Fire Dept firehouse, complete with big, red fire engines? Anyway, with no sense of irony, and pen poised to take notes she looked him right in the eye and said, "And where do you work?" At this point, convulsing with laughter, the assembled firefighters literally ran from the area. Pointing at the firehouse, the fire trucks and, finally, the uniform, in my best spokes-model mode, I asked her, "Do you see all these fire department things?" And the Lt asked, "Did you miss the big red trucks?" "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm working on three hours sleep." Yeah, that's not quite going to explain it.

After that exchange I questioned her about why she was voting for Sen. Obama. The answers were, predictably, Hope and Change. As to what, exactly, that change was, she admitted she had absolutely no idea. "I've seen Barack three times and his speeches are wonderful, but they aren't very substantive," she told me. Apparently, if you feel good enough about something, that it is more than enough. I guess I don't have to tell you this young girl was lilly white, nor do I need to tell you that so were most of the people sporting Obama buttons. We've all seen it. The phenomenon of the fainting, and messianic status of Sen. Obama has, at last, begun to wane, but not the adoration. Nothing can stop this fight from continuing, and Sen. Obama will probably still be the candidate for the democrats come November. I recognize that my experience was nothing more than anecdotal evidence of what I have always suspected, but it was great fun to be proven right; at least in the most microcosmic of examples.

Regardless of the outcome of the General Election, I am, now and forever, on our team. I would mourn for a day or so if Sen. Obama were elected. I would mourn for the days to come, and for the brave men and women in uniform; all of whom are my kids, regardless their age. I would mourn for them because their valiant sacrifice would be for nothing, if Sen. Obama were to stick to his talking points and begin withdrawing them before the war in Iraq is won. I would have to move on and begin doing what the warriors would need from me after an Obama presidency. I would still salute the flag. I would still be proud of my country and its people, but I would not be happy with their lack of reason. Sen. McCain was not my first choice, or even my second, but he is my choice now for one simple reason: he will let my guys in uniform put lead on target until the mission is done. I need nothing else at this point in time. We are engaged in a battle for the safety of the world against a foe with whom we cannot barter. Sen. Obama may doubt that, and I am certain the lovely young lady from Seattle knows it isn't true, but Sen. McCain knows differently. Sen. McCain takes Zawahiri at his word when he says, "I urge all Muslims to hurry to the battlefields of Jihad (holy war), especially in Iraq," Zawahiri said in the message, the second in a two-part series to answer about 100 questions put to him via online militant forums. "The situation in Iraq heralds an imminent victory of Islam and the defeat of the crusaders and those who stand under their flag," he said. Some on the left will gladly reference bin Laden or Zawahiri when it suits, but never will they reference when it doesn't. Voting for change and hoping for peace with Al Qaeda won't make it so. And to that young lady from Seattle I say, remember, even you know there's no substance to Sen. Obama. Keep your rock heroes on the posters on your wall and let a grown-up govern the land.

Sorry, I Expect Better

The Right Reverend Jeremiah Wright's anti-American rhetoric caused, as we all know, Presidential candidate Sen. Barrack Obama to deliver a speech distancing himself from the rhetoric, but not the reverend. Now, nearly a week later, polling data has been released stating that 7 out of 10 people who heard the speech have a favorable opinion of it. How that can possibly be is beyond my comprehension, but it does not surprise me. Today's general electorate is all about feeling good, not substance; the ultimate example of form over function. A careful reading of Sen. Obama's speech bears that out, but who has time for that with American Idol and Dancing with the Stars beginning anew?

I have heard Sen. Obama's speech called "the greatest speech on this issue in American political history," and a "stunning address." It was, indeed, an extraordinary speech, delivered beautifully, and that is what the candidate is banking on. My reading of the speech finds it to be all emotion, with no direct, substantive proposals for actual change. The senator made no reference to past behavior, nor explained specific policies he would implement. Worse yet, he does not seek to distance himself from Rev. Wright, but rather only to convince us that he does not agree with the reverend when it comes to the more 'inflammatory comments." Since Sen. Obama has repeatedly told anyone who will listen that Rev. Wright's church does remarkable, good, and heroic work in the community, we must presume he agrees with everything except the You Tube moments. We also are expected to accept the senator at his word that he never heard, nor heard of, the reverend's remarks. That they were an open secret in Chicago apparently escaped both the senator's exploratory committee and his opposition research team.

For me, that is where Sen. Obama's speech becomes disingenuous. I am used to politicians talking at length, while saying nothing, but to suggest that Rev. Wright's statements were unknown to him and his advisers just strikes me as purely false. I have reached the conclusion that we must either accept Sen. Obama when he says that he had no direct knowledge of the statements, or conversely, we must conclude that he lacked the courage to confront the reverend regarding them. Either way the senator is not ready to lead the nation. Considered through that prism, a reading of the speech just makes it sad. A sad recitation, made by a man who fully expected to receive no ill treatment at the hand's of the Fourth Estate. Granted, he was mostly right that the honorable men and women of the press would be so enamored of him that they would not seek to scratch the surface of his polished oratory. Unfortunately for Sen. Obama the internet is not a fluke, and everything everyone does and says is posted somewhere in all its gory infamy.

Another disturbing portion of Sen. Obama's facade is the notion of such a strenuous upbringing. He was raised by a single mother, but not in anything approximating destitute conditions. For the most part Sen. Obama was reared in Hawaii and attended prestigious schools, which eventually led him to acquire degrees from Columbia University and Harvard Law School. In many ways he is the embodiment of the American dream. That is the most galling aspect for me. Nowhere else in the world could Sen. Obama even expect to reach the heights he has achieved, much less the one's he covets. For him to turn his back on that legacy angers me. For 20 years he ignored the anti-American rantings of a radical reverend. Sen. Obama admits that Rev. Wright was his spiritual advisor and one of his closest friends. Are we to believe that Rev. Wright said these inflammatory statements in public, but did not once reference them in private? That notion seems improbable, if not impossible, at best.

So, where does that leave us? It leaves me expecting more. I expect better from Rev. Wright, a Marine rifleman, and Navy Corpsman. I expect him to remember the oath he took. Dissent is patriotic. It is what our nations is founded upon, but to incite anti-American emotion is unacceptable. I expect my fellow Americans to challenge our government, but to repeatedly scream God Damn America! to state that the U.S. is the largest state sponsor of terrorism, and affirm that 9/11 was nothing more than chickens coming home to roost is beyond the pale. It is the equivalent of yelling fire in a crowded movie theater, and any good the reverend did is wiped from the slate because of it.

I also expect more from Sen. Obama. I expect him to embrace the country which gave him opportunities many of us desire. I expect him to wear the American flag lapel pin if he truly wishes to be the United State's public personification. I expect him to chastise and cut off the reverend for his actions. Remember what every one of our mother's said, "People judge you by the company you keep." It is not unfair to suggest that because if someone continues to associate with men of low caliber we can only expect that they approve of them; even if only tacitly. In the words of George Washington, "Associate yourself with men of quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company." I also expect the senator to not reduce the reverend's statements to "controversial" or "fiery statements." I expect him to stand on the principle he espouses. I expect him to unabashedly love the country which has given him and his family so much. I expect him to differ on politics, but not the notion that the United States is the best country on Earth. And yes, I expect him to admit when he is wrong. Unfortunately for him he need not do any of those things. The race division he claims to abhor is exactly the wedge he wields. I, and many of my friends and family, proudly wore our nation's uniform so that the senator could be afforded the opportunity he now possesses. I guess it is simply too much to ask that he exhibit a little recognition of that.

A Woman Scorned

Under a cloudless, crystal clear sky, I had the distinct honor and pleasure to be at the christening of the New York (LPD 21) on 1 March, at Ingalls Shipyard outside New Orleans, LA. Her bow was made with 15,000 pounds of steel salvaged from Ground Zero. She is specifically tasked with fighting terrorism, and can carry various configurations of Special Ops forces, as well as her normal compliment of 800 Marines and their landing equipment. As soon as I saw her berthed dockside, festooned with signal pennants, I involuntarily held my breath and my heart began pounding. Being a soldier, I had never completely understood how my brothers and sisters in the Department of the Navy could get so attached to what I perceived as an inanimate object. I can assure you that New York is no inanimate object. She is the living embodiment of the sacrifice and courage exhibited by so many on 9/11.

There were, literally, thousands of people in attendance at the christening. The crowd ran the gamut from Department of Defense personnel, to sailors from the WWII battleship who shares the name New York, to ship builders, to veteran's organizations, to an assortment of New Yorkers. Amongst the New Yorkers were several 9/11 survivors and a half dozen firemen from FDNY. All the fire-fighters were at the WTC on 9/11, and I can tell you that watching them be so moved by the ship will stay with me forever. I sat next to a 23 year old Lt. Junior Grade, who is shepherding New York through her various stages of construction. His warmth, good humor and desire to answer questions made the experience more personal somehow. Before the formal ceremony of speakers, a short film was shown. It documented New York's ship builders meeting with 9/11 survivors at Ground Zero before her keel was laid. I can tell you that as the film rolled there was not a dry eye in the house, and later, when the National Anthem was performed, every spine was a little straighter and every salute was a little crisper.

I defy anyone to tell the firefighter pictured with me that the War on Terror is not worth fighting, and, yes, that includes the Al Qaeda magnet, Iraq. He, and the six men with him, were all at Ground Zero on 9/11. They witnessed terrorism close up and did not blink. These men, on both 9/11 and this past Saturday, exhibited everything that is best about the United States and Americans. New York is a stark reminder of 9/11 and she made me proud to be an American. It was as perfect a day as can be had
and I look forward to seeing New York commissioned next year in the harbor that bears her name. The saying goes that Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and, with the motto of "Never Forget" New York will undoubtedly exact our revenge. Fair winds and following seas New York. May you get some vengeance for us all.

Can We Just Get on with the Business of Winning?

"There was no Al Qaeda in Iraq before George Bush and John McCain decided to invade," so said Senator Obama at a recent campaign event. He followed that statement with the proclamation, once again, that he would pull all the troops out of Iraq were he elected President. The obvious problem with the Senator's statements are three-fold. First, Al Qaeda was in Iraq before we invaded. They were afforded a safe haven in the Kurdish region after we invaded Afghanistan; according to captured documents, and as reported by ABC News, Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein did meet before the invasion to discuss attacking Saudi Arabia; and Zawahiri, the now deceased leader of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, was treated at a Baghdad hospital after being wounded fighting American forces in Afghanistan. Second, George Bush did not invade Iraq; the United States invaded Iraq, with the full backing of Congress. Third, Al Qaeda is in Iraq now, and will not leave Iraq, nor cease their murderous tactics, both there and abroad, because US military forces are withdrawn precipitously. It does not matter to me why Al Qaeda is in Iraq. They are there now and we have no choice but to destroy them, or cede to them not only a base of operations to wage their murderous campaigns of terror, but rather an entire country.

It is a juvenile, and ill formed thought that pulling the troops out of Iraq will somehow cause Al Qaeda to summarily cease their reign of terror. Just because we decide we are no longer at war does not mean Al Qaeda will decide likewise. Senator Obama also stated that if Al Qaeda establishes a base of operations in Iraq after we withdraw, as President he would recommit the military. Is it just me that finds that to be the most illogical of statements? Senator Obama apparently believes that everyone in the world, regardless of public proclamations, is worth trusting, except of course the evil men and women of the Republican Party. I have news for this erudite, big hearted, Ivy League graduate, you cannot trust Al Qaeda. If we pull our troops out of Iraq before the job is done, Al Qaeda will take over, and a slaughter of innocents to rival any seen before will ensue. Al Qaeda will torture and murder everyone even remotely suspected of aiding the American forces. Al Qaeda is the most evil adversary we have ever faced; more evil than the Third Reich and the Soviets because they would gladly butcher billions if it would give them control of the world.

It also bears mentioning that is has been 2,362 since 9/11. Some of the reason for that has to be that the terrorists are otherwise engaged fighting our professional warriors in Iraq. Were the terrorists not fighting in Iraq would they not be plotting further death and devastation here in the United States? On 9/12/2001 what else did any of us want but no more terrorist attacks on American soil? I know Senator Obama and his acolytes will say that we should not sacrifice our American warriors for a nation thousands of miles away. The death of every American service member hurts my heart, but it has taken years for the terrorists to match the number they killed on a single Tuesday morning in September. That is because it is always better to have our professional warrior class fighting the terrorists, than to allow them time to attack soft targets here.

There has also been much talk out of Senator Obama's camp on the fiscal cost of continuing the fight in Iraq. I would suggest that the cost to the Treasury of the United States pales in comparison to the costs of another 9/11. All of us remember exactly where we were that crisp, Fall day in 2001; though some of us have forgotten how we felt. You cannot negotiate with abject evil. Senator McCain has his failings. If elected, he will probably close Guantanamo Bay; a grievous mistake I believe. Senator McCain will also probably make it more difficult for our intelligence services to extract intel from captured terrorists, by limiting tough interrogation methods. Those too, are less than well formed responses to his own personal experiences, but Senator McCain has seen evil up close. He looked it in the eye and has not forgotten neither where he was, nor how he felt. He is reminded of it every day when he realizes that he still cannot lift his arms above his shoulders because of the torture he underwent. Senator McCain was tortured. What we have done to a very few, high value targets was not torture. All that said, the main difference between the two senators is that one knows that carnivores are loose in the world, and one does not. I am certain the gazelle out on the African Savannah would sorely like a time-out as the hungry lion sinks his teeth into the gazelle's haunch, but no amount of wishing on his part will make it so. Senator Obama would benefit by remembering that the plains of Africa are a brutal, unforgiving place to the prey, when the predators are hungry. Unfortunately, until freedoms of human rights and expression replace theocratic despotism in the Middle East, all the world is the Serengeti during a drought, and nothing but the brave American fighting man stands between us and the sickening snap of incisors.

I Have Always Been Proud of My Country

I am not from a "silver spoon" background. I'm a working class kid from honorable, but low, economic roots. I proudly admit to being moved by the strains of the National Anthem, and the fluttering of Old Glory in the breeze. I tear up slightly when I hear the Anthem, whether at the ball park or in my living room; and yes, I stand up in my living room when it plays. I salute the flag wherever, whenever I encounter it. I do this specifically because I am proud of my country, and for all that it stands. I enlisted in the Army, generally because I wanted to serve. I joined the Infantry specifically because I wanted to kill bad guys. I have been less than enthused by some of our leaders, and appalled at some of my fellow American's actions; whether elected officials, or the simple rank and file. I have never though, waivered in my pride of country.

I had the distinct honor to revisit Ft. Benning, GA a couple weeks back to see a friend "Turn Blue." For those of you unfamiliar with the ceremony, it is when an infantryman receives his distinctive Blue Cord. The cord is placed on the infantryman's Class A, or dress uniform, on the combat shoulder; so called because we wear our combat patch on the right shoulder. The cord is the color of the sky, because God loves the infantry. We are the Queen of Battle, and no battle, big or small can be truly finished without us. I not only had the honor of putting the cord on my friend, I also was able to welcome the other 184 infantrymen in his class into my club. I was so proud of them, and my country, that I kept my sunglasses on to maintain my tough guy image. To a man these heroes all expressed thanks for my service, and exhibited public pride of self, and yes, country. None suggested they had joined the infantry for any reason other than the one for which I had joined. For all time we will be linked to the men from Valley Forge, Omaha Beach, Pork Chop Hill, Hamburger Hill, Fallujah and all the nameless places in between. That, makes me proud not only of myself, but of my country.

I understand that for those who have never served, the country is a different place. It can seem shallow and trite. It may even seem less than honorable on occasion. It is never anything less than the best place though, and never less than the world's last, best hope. We have had our share of problems here, and we have stumbled on occasion, but we have never failed. I say that because I once heard failure expressed as "staying down after you fall." The United States of America has always managed to get up off the mat, and has always answered the bell. I admit then, to not a little bit of anger to hear the wife of a candidate for President of the United States say, "Before now I have never, in my adult life, been proud of my country." I would suggest that someone who feels that way, whether Freudian slip, or intentional flippancy has no business urging her husband to be Commander-in-Chief; let alone campaigning for him.

Do not misunderstand me. This is not a shameless plug for Sen. McCain, nor a castigation of Sen. Obama. It is a reminder that the president, to much of the world, is the United States. He need not be jingoistic to secure a place in my heart, nor do I require that he be nationalistic. I do require though, that he remember the pride of the new infantrymen I referenced above, and feel it himself, at all times. That may seem shallow to some, and downright awful to others, but it is what I expect from my President. I accept that the man who inhabits the Oval Office is human, and subject to the foilbles of humanity. I accept that he will make mistakes, and only ask that they not be those of a juvenile nature, nor ones that will squander my faith. I also accept that the needs of the world will very occasionally come first, and that we, as a country, will shoulder more than our share of the world's burdens. What I cannot accept is a President who is not stirred by the strains of the National Anthem, nor one who is embarassed by his country of birth; regardless of cause. My President must face the flag, whenever he sees it, and feel a pounding of pride in his chest. My President must see the infantry walk by, and know that they are all that is best about this country. My President need not have worn the uniform himself, but must always remember that many men have granted him the office, through sacrifice of life and limb. If the men currently running for office cannot meet those requirements I have only one question: If these conditions seem onerous sir, why would you want the job?

Is This A Great Country, Or What?

It was a couple months ago that I had the honor of being in the presence of the President of the United States. The event was a breakfast on the South Lawn where Gathering of Eagles, National Alliance of Families, Move America Forward and the Vets for Freedom were feted. I admit that I ate nothing because I feared ingesting anything would lead to me vomiting on the White House lawn, so awe struck was I by being an invited guest on the grounds of the White House. It was nice to be honored that way, and to be surrounded by people who were similarly moved. It is proof positive to me that this is the greatest country on the planet. After all, prior to that day in September I was not personally acquainted with anyone who had been invited to the White House, nor had I been able to converse with the sitting President and Vice President of the United States as if we were regular folk.

There is nothing wrong with fervently loving the good old US of A. These days many people will tell you that America is the cause of all of the world's ills. Nothing could be further from the truth. We, as Americans, are everything that is good about the world and the reason why the world is still a place where millions of people can live freely. A great part of that ability to let people live freely comes at the point of a weapon. A weapon cradled with both tender loving care and exacting precision. A weapon cradled by those among us who choose to wear the uniform of the United States Military. The mostly young warriors who currently serve are what is best about us. It has always been that way, but these kids, and their elder NCOs and officers, are special. They are truly golden.

The Ayatollah Khomeini once said, both in word and print, that there are no jokes in Islam. That is but one of the differences between the United States, and not just radical Islam, but the majority of the world. We have always had a somewhat self-deprecating sense of humor. The wry smile that comes before a side splitting joke at our own expense has always been one of our hallmarks. A nation that cannot laugh at itself cannot survive the trials and tribulations that a Super Power must endure; not for long anyway. The Soviet Union and the Third Reich have proven that. What we, as Americans, have been able to accomplish is nothing short of the greatest country the world has ever produced. We are the most caring, most imaginative, most giving people on the planet, and, when roused, the most capable of sustained military operations. We have proven to be unyielding in the prosecution of evil foes, and the current climate is no exception.

Many will say that we are fighting at least one unjust war, if not two. These are the same people who will laugh uproariously and protest loudly when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says, "There are no homosexuals in Iran," but pass away his comments about wiping Israel of the face of the planet as if they are just the utterances of a deranged homeless person. We are engaged in a war with radical Islam precisely because we can laugh at ourselves, and because we can allow those among us to disagree. It is not because we are occupying the Holy Land of Islam, nor because we support Israel. It is because we are the greatest nation on Earth, and we are the greatest because we are free. Freedom is not free, and no one knows that better than those who have worn the uniform.

I have ranted too many times in this arena about the political posturings of the anti-American forces on the left in this country. Likewise, the inane mutterings of Reps Pelosi and Paul, and Sens Kennedy and Reid have taken up too much space here already. I think anyone who reads my writings knows where I stand on those imbeciles. I am sick though, of all the bashing of the country I love. I have heard often that all Islam needs is a Reformation and the moderates will rise up to carry the standard. Unfortunately, I believe the Reformation is underway, and the radicals are winning. Those on the extreme American left cannot see that evil, but witness American ills at every availability. The "I Support the Troops, but Not the War" crowd cannot even find it in their hearts to publicly condemn the public lashing and subsequent jail term of an Islamic rape victim in Saudi Arabia because it would undercut their position on Iraq. They will, however, applaud the likes of Brian DePalma and Mark Cuban when they make a movie that depicts the rape and murder of Iraqis by American servicemen. Never mind that the movie seeks to be allegorical in nature.

I am tired of it. I no longer wish to dialogue with those types of people. I no longer wish to make them understand that we are engaged in a world-wide battle for our very survival. I have, instead, decided to channel all my efforts into supporting the brave men and women who currently wear our nations' uniform. I choose instead to back those valiant warriors with all my might, so that they may complete their mission; a mission I fully support and one which is, finally, going in the right direction. I support the troops and the mission because they support us. They support the country I love, my country, the United States of America. They fully know the stakes and, yet, still shoulder the burden and soldier, or sailor, or airman, or Marine, or Guardsman on. I love these kids because they are my country. So, this time of year do something kind for the men and women in uniform. Send them some love in the desert, and tell the next person who says I Support the Troops, but Not the War to just shut the hell up.

Culture of Mythology

With the near constant back and forth of our political leaders it occurred to me that American culture may quite rightly be at fault. After all, American Idol gets higher audience share than nearly everything else. News programs devote sizable portions of their air time to the trials and tribulations of Paris Hilton and Owen Wilson. I am not without sympathy for spoiled millionaires who get whatever they want, whenever they want it. I would, I am sure, have behaved in a similar fashion were I suddenly bequeathed millions at age 21. The constant fascination with their lives is what irks me. We are coming up on the 6th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, are simultaneously fighting two hot wars, and several warm ones too, and this is what people want to watch? Maybe al-Qaeda is justified in hating, if not all of us, than at least a simple majority of Americans.

While I am on the topic of al-Qaeda let's dispel a few myths there. Osama bin Laden has been characterized as a 6 foot 5 inch Saudi billionaire, dying from kidney disease. He has never been worth more than 20 million, is, at best 6 foot 1 and probably has Addison's Disease. I mentioned those things to someone recently and was asked, "How the hell do you know?" "Read a book," I responded. Lawrence Wright's exquisitely researched and foot-noted book The Looming Tower should be required reading for American school children, and the honorable men and women of Congress. Maybe then these superhuman qualities attributed to a psychotic, militantly Muslim madman could be replaced with the truth. Now I know the truth is not easily chopped into sound bites, but it is where we should all start. I have read the book a couple times and it was just released in paperback this week, so consider this a plug. If you're interested in the "real" story about al-Qaeda and militant Islam pick it up.

Another myth that needs dispelling is that the war in Iraq is a losing issue. First, we never lost a battle in Vietnam, but the media decided that was a loss because they forced our brave Vietnam vets to slink home with their tails between their legs. The same thing is being tried with our brave Middle Eastern Conflicts vets. Our warriors are ruthlessly hunting down and killing al-Qaeda and their cronies in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both bin Laden and Zawahiri have released multiple tapes calling Iraq the "central war for dominance." Somehow though American mythology keeps replaying the WMD track. Let me say it once and for all, "IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW WE GOT THERE. WE ARE IN IRAQ NOW AND MUST WIN."

This week the Democratic Party took righteous indignation at the notion that President Bush would reference Vietnam and Iraq in the same breath. Vietnam has always been their stock in trade after all. The liberal left believes they won Vietnam by marching, banging drums, smoking pot and supporting the troops by calling them "baby-killers." The liberal left did win the Vietnam War. They just won it for the wrong side. That is the same model alive and well today for the left. They chant and sing, bang pots and support the troops by calling us, variably, "baby-killers," "war criminals," and the new and improved "bomb throwers." The similarities to Vietnam are real; just not in the way the left would have us believe. The left is helping our enemy maintain fighting strength and recruit new members to their culture of death. The left is actively trying to demoralize our brave men and women in uniform. The left is trying to bring about the overthrow of a democratically elected government, both here and in Iraq, and, most importantly, they are invested in us losing, at all costs.

The main difference between Iraq and Vietnam is that the NVA had no intention of visiting murder and mayhem on American cities. Al-Qaeda has, and will if given the safe haven an unstable Iraq will provide. Afghanistan under the Taliban will look like Canada in comparison to how a destabilized Iraq will look. Al-Qaeda and every associated cause will not only have a safe haven, but a revenue stream of petroleum. Iran has no interest in seeing a stable, democratic Iraq and the overwhelming number of foreign terrorists in Iraq are still Saudis. Iran provides arms and Saudi Arabia cannon fodder. Seems like Saudi Arabia has an inexhaustible stream of young men ready to die for Allah. Saudi Arabia wants no part of democracy in Iraq because it might give the locals back home some ideas. How could a region lousy with Maserati driving, yacht owning princes manage to maintain that lifestyle if democracy took hold?

The greatest myth being perpetuated on the American public though is that we are at war. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard are at war. The American public is at the mall watching the latest, mindlessly juvenile Will Ferrell offering. Next month I will be in the nation's capital, Washington, DC, a number of times. I will be visiting Congress on 10 September both to twist arms and slap backs. I care not for party affiliation. A number of democrats will receive an "atta boy" for recognizing that The Surge is working, and a number of republicans will be reminded that they work for us. I find it surprising that people who just a few months ago who had said Iraq was lost now say, well the strategy is working, but we still need a political answer. As if a political answer is possible without a military solution to precede it. I will also be in Washington, DC to counter the likes of International A.N.S.W.E.R., Code Pink, The World Workers Party, and various, assorted communists du jour. These groups plan to tell Congress to "do the people's bidding and end the war in Iraq." The American people have no bidding. As I already mentioned, they are at the mall. I, Gathering of Eagles, Move America Forward, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vets for Freedom and other like-minded organizations and individuals will stand up to the loud mouths of the liberal left. We will tell them, in no uncertain terms, that we want our men and women home too, but as victors, not painted as losers. We will not allow these communist sympathizers to do to this generation what they did to those fine men and women who fought in Vietnam. We will tell them that their myths do not fool us. We know we are on the side of good.

I understand that there is a freedom of speech and an alleged free exchange of ideas in this country. I enlisted at 17 to help guarantee it. I also understand though that, like it or not, we are at war with radical Islam and they are not going away. We can disagree on the politics of war, and even the direction. I do not believe, for one, that the first few years of the war in Iraq were fought effectively. We should have been fighting under the proverbial "black flag" from day one. This is where we are now though and we are winning, even al-Qaeda says so. It is Walter Cronkite telling us that Tet was a loss, once again. The model has not changed. I will tell you this. I am a life-long republican. I registered 6 days after my 18th birthday and have not looked back. I registered late because I was in Infantry School at Ft. Benning, by the way. So, I am a life-long republican, but I'm not on the republican side, or the democrats side. I'm on our side. The United States' side, and will be regardless who the next President of the United States is; although I admit I would probably soil myself if a certain senator from New York were to win. The question I have to ask though, "Is that too much for me to ask of everyone else?" I sincerely urge everyone of you who can be in Washington, DC on 15 September to do so. Stand with me and say, "Enough. The sixties are over and our brave men and women in uniform deserve to be treated like the heroes they are." While you're at it tell one of our brothers from Vietnam Welcome Home. They, maybe above all others, deserve it.

No Retreat, No Surrender

I know that there are many good people on the democrat side of the proverbial aisle. I can even make the leap of faith to think that some of the anti-war protesters are kind, caring people who mean well. Unfortunately, the world is full of cannibals who want to eat us and no amount of wishing can make the bad guys go away. It seems though, that the leadership of the Democrat Party are willing shills for the anti-America movement organizations Code Pink, A.N.S.W.E.R. and United for Peace and Justice. These organizations are anything but well-meaning. They all have their roots in the American Communist Party and their leadership have been bashing the United States in general, and the American serviceman in particular, for better than 40 years. Simply put, these organizations, and the democrat elite are invested in a US defeat in not just the war in Iraq, but in the larger War on Terror in general. It is the only way for them to prove to their satisfaction that they have the ability to influence events in the US and the world.

I have made mention of the anti-America movement attempting to draw parallels between Iraq and Vietnam. They have used the Tet Offensive and the current Surge in Iraq as evidence that we are an immoral, imperialistic, war-mongering bunch who needs to become more sensitive to the world's needs. Forget for a moment that Tet was a win for the US forces. I have blogged extensively on the historical inaccuracies of the Left's portrayal of the "loss" we suffered during Tet. Walter Cronkite said it was a loss, so it must have been. Actually, it was a monumental defeat for the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese; General Giap said as much at the time. Giap also is on record as having said that the American anti-war movement was the only reason for optimism after Tet, and was a resource to be harnessed. Giap and his staff listened daily to reports by the American media and decided that North Vietnam could win the war, not through force of arms, but by force of will. he reasoned that if the North could simply hold on long enough the American left would win the war for him.

Much the same is happening now in Iraq. Even though Bin Laden and Zawahiri have both released Islamic diatribes explaining the historical context of Iraq through the Vietnam prism, the anti-war left refuses to publicly accept complicity in defeat. Any rational human being would be expected to hear Bin Laden and Zawahiri's statements regarding the assistance anti-American rhetoric provides to them and immediately be chastised. Al-Jazeera routinely plays video of A.N.S.W.E.R.'s anti-war rallies and statements from the likes of Sen Harry Reid (D-NV) and Rep. Jack Murtha(D-PA). If a person was well-meaning and truly had the country's best interests at heart that would be cause for them to self silence their rhetorical protestations. Since it has only fueled the accusations and moronic comments by the democrat hierarchy and their attendants one has to presume that the statements are designed to cause a loss in Iraq.

The Surge in Iraq has been characterized as the Tet Offensive, or a holding action that cannot be sustained. The problem with that logic is quite evident though. Someone wiser than I remarked to me today that "To compare Tet to the Surge is dishonest. First, Tet was the enemy's last gasp effort pushing against us and we broke them. The Surge is us pushing against them and revealing that Al-Qaeda is the true Paper Tiger." Think about that for a moment. If the left insists on saying, as Sen Reid recently did, that the war is lost, are they not, in effect, saying that the American military, with all its vaunted might, is incapable of defeating a rag-tag bunch of terrorists? How could a person, in good conscience, say our military is the greatest to ever take the field and then say we have lost? The answer must lie in political machinations. Either the left-most wing of the Democrat Party has deluded themselves, or they are liars. No middle ground exists.

Somehow the American public has been lulled into complacency by American Idol and the trials and tribulations of Paris Hilton. The healthy skepticism we have always displayed has been replaced with partisan lines in the sand. If you are a democrat and a republican says something it must be a lie, and vice versa. An email I have received numerous times has a white-board in a Marine Corps barracks which reads: America is not at war. The Marine Corps is at war. America is at the mall. That notion could not be more accurate and it is a sad commentary on the state of the American public. Barack Obama, one of the leading contenders for the Democrat Party nomination is on record having said that, if elected, he would sit down with middle-eastern dictator Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This in the same week that news reports linked Iranian Special Forces to American combat deaths. It was also the week that the US military reported there is no Al-Qaeda in Iraq. It is just Al-Qaeda. Apparently the left is prepared to believe anything the terrorists and dictators say, but nothing the Americans utter; unless it helps their cause. What it comes down to is this: either you believe that we should confront our Islamic enemies and kill them or you think we should talk to them. If you picked the talking route, you are also signing on to give up some more of your money to the public coffers, which won't matter for long because some man who wants to meet 72 virgins will eventually blow you up or cut off your head.

I, personally, am against talking to anyone who believes that flying planes into buildings full of civilians is a negotiating tool. I am for killing them, wherever and whenever we can. Iraq may not have had weapons of mass destruction and did not have any direct operational control over the events of 9/11. Iraq is now, however, the magnet for jihadists and, in the words of Bin Laden and Zawahiri, the "central front in the battle for worldwide supremacy." Iraq is the front lines in the battle for a worldwide caliphate and I have no desire to pray to Allah five times per day. My solution is simple: Unleash the dogs of war and let our men in uniform kick ass. The job of the Army is to win wars, not police streets. It is time for some good old fashioned military action, which will be borne by those who volunteered for it; the infantry. We may have chosen the venue, but we did not choose this fight. If Al-Qaeda and their compatriots want a return to the 6th Century so badly I say we accommodate their wishes and go medieval on them. Anything less is aiding and abetting the enemy. This is a fight we must win, or sacrifice all that we hold dear.

Never Hit Softly

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
William Shakespeare

The Senate Majority leader, Harry Reid, has called for a time table for troop withdrawal in Iraq. This is, ostensibly, because the Iraqi government has not met the benchmarks we have set for them. I say we, but, truthfully, it is the micro managers in Congress who have set these goals. I will not bother to reiterate the myriad of reasons why pulling our troops out precipitously is a bad idea for the country as a whole. The Left just ignores the very real threat radical Islam poses to the country. In their defense though, they do have Global Warming threats with which to contend. Now that's really scary stuff. I also will not spend much time on the civilian casualties that will result from a Coalition Troop withdrawal before the country is stabilized. Let's just say, be prepared for film of terrified civilians being cut down by jihadists. Picture the Iraqi citizenry begging to be allowed to cower on tanks or prostrating themselves on airfields as the American helicopters lift off. Think the Fall of Saigon and you'll have some idea of what to expect. The real casualties will be among American men, and yes women, and it will be brutal, bloody and, possibly more than we can bear.

As an Army retreats from a hostile force it moves in a nearly straight line. It is hard to protect the flanks and, frequently, small elements are cut off from the main body. All the while Al-Qaeda and militant jihadi opportunists will snipe at them, detonate IEDs and confront lightly armed units. You could very well witness an entire platoon of Americans butchered on the evening news. The terrorists will not hang back and wait for us to leave. They will press the attack everywhere at once, and soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen will pay the price in blood.

The Left will gleefully talk of their victory as our troops are pulled out, but if you mention the civilians left behind they will be more sanguine. "Oh well," they will say "they brought it on themselves. We were there long enough for them to stand up. It's not our fault." Never mind that these self same hypocrites are the ones calling for action in Darfur to end the genocide; a genocide perpetrated by militant Islamists. That's different, will be the argument. Darfur is a humanitarian effort. Last time I checked, no one in Darfur had attacked the United States and there was no imminent threat of attack, so I cannot see how they can use that argument for Iraq, but still proselytize for Darfur. I, of course, not being a liberal am probably not bright enough to figure it out. More likely, hypocrisy is the liberal stock in trade because after all, they are down with the struggle for oppressed people; just not oppressed people freed by a republican President.

The millions of civilians that will perish will be seen as just so much collateral damage caused by a rogue cowboy who over-stepped his bounds. "Not our fault," our liberal friends will say as they prepare another round of organic carrot juice. What will be harder to ignore, but just as easy for them to disavow, is the American military losses. For years now I have witnessed the ultra-left call soldiers "baby-killer" and have seen vitriolic signage exhorting soldiers to shoot their officers. This though comes in tandem with people swearing they support the troops. How these two things are mutually possible is beyond my limited cognitive power.

What is not beyond my cognitive powers though, is the fact that a precipitous withdrawal, under fire, puts our troops into a special kind of harms way. Many more mothers will receive their Gold Stars should this reach fruition. It will be more than I can bear. I have listened to these blow hards in Congress, shaken their hands at ceremonies and watched them kiss babies. All the while they plot the betrayal of men and women they put into battle, only to cut the legs from under them when it became politically expedient. I loathe that type of bovine excrement and the lemmings in the nation who follow them, gleefully, are simply too much for me to tolerate. We need to convince these honorable men and women of the Legislative Branch that, whatever the reason we went there, we are in Iraq and we need to win. Al-Zahahiri, Al Qaeda's number 2 man, released a 90 minute video tape only yesterday calling Iraq the central fight for Islamic sharia law dominance. Yet Harry Reid sees only a civil war. This is the fight of the ages and we are in danger of losing our way of life. This war must be won. I promised a Gold Star mother recently that I would not let her son's, Sgt Brian Romines, sacrifice to have been in vain. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to support our brave men and women over in The Box. We have not lost Senator Reid, and I, for one am offended that you would say so. I would bleed on the flag to keep the stripes red. Is that too much to expect of an elected official? Sadly, the answer to that is probably yes.

Honoring Our Own

People who know me are familiar with my affinity and respect for Vietnam veterans. I have spoken and written many things detailing how, and why they are my personal Gold Standard for warriors. I do not need to articulate the broader reasons again. I will, however, take this opportunity to pay special attention to the Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans, or DV3, as they are affectionately known. I have witnessed many things undertaken by ordinary people to honor others, but DV3 rises to a special level in that regard. This past weekend the members of DV3 erected their 22nd Annual Flag Memorial in Bucks County. It is truly an experience that causes me to look for the good in people.

Over 58,000 American flags are placed in the ground by volunteers. The flags are arranged so as to exactly mirror the Vietnam Wall in DC. Each flag represents one service member killed or missing in action in Vietnam. This year the flags were placed in the ground by a tireless group of volunteers on a day when the thermometer reached 92 degrees. With no shade to protect them, a dozen or so hardy souls braved the direct sunlight and placed the flags in exacting detail. The memorial has been set up for 22 years to mourn and honor those valiant men, and nine women lost to the Vietnam War.

This year the memorial was expanded to include all the conflicts of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Stations were set up along the edge of the Flag Memorial. At each station a description of a particular war was provided and the casualty numbers were totaled. Plastic-coated sheets of paper were placed in binders for ease of use. The grim statistics of each conflict were in stark contrast to the flags which bordered them, and the green grass which enveloped them. From World War I through Enduring and Iraqi Freedom the totals for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice were meticulously annotated. Surprise greeted many visitors when they saw how large the numbers were. More than a few people expressed shock at the number of non-combat deaths associated with each conflict.

For the most part, Vietnam veterans came home to scorn and derision, or, if they were lucky to apathy. The Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans have channeled that treatment into something good and noble. They have developed a memorial that is at once honorable and apolitical. In a time where everything related to the military is politicized, DV3 has managed to remind us all that those who have given everything for the rest of us deserve not only remembrance, but respect. I was moved by the memorial. For those of us who have served there is no higher reward than the respect of our brethren. I started this post with a statement reiterating my love and respect for the noble warriors of Vietnam. DV3 and their Flag Memorial just reminded me why. Good job brothers and WELCOME HOME.

History Revisited

Lately I have noticed that the war in Iraq has decided parallels to the war in Vietnam. No, not the quagmire comment bandied about by the Left; nor the notion that all the warriors in Iraq are there because they had no other viable alternative. Well, maybe that is the correlation. The far-Left in America is always reminding the rest of us that they are smarter and more creative than the rest of us. It seems though that they have accepted the notion of "it ain't broke, don't fix it" when it comes to opposing American national security issues. I say that because while reading Whitewash/Blackwash: The Myths of the Viet Nam War something I have long believed was put forth in a more learned way than I have been able to muster. Simply put, the extreme-Left in America is helping our jihadist enemy kill United States soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen by extending the war in Iraq.

"The North Vietnamese government paid close attention to all of this, listening every day to world news on the radio, tracking the progress of the antiwar movement. They considered the antiwar movement essential to their strategy and rejoiced in visits to Hanoi by American public figures condemning the US involvement. They acknowledged privately that Tet had been a staggering defeat, but took heart from realizing that they had gained a political advantage, as shown so clearly by Johnson's decision to not run for office again. At that point they became supremely confident that all they had to do was maintain a level of conflict in South Vietnam long enough and the US would pull out, not because of lack of ability to wage the war, but because steady erosion of the will to fight would force an eventual withdrawal." pgs. 19-20

If that sounds eerily familiar it is because the jihadis have been doing the same thing the North Vietnamese did. If anything, it is easier for the jihadis to follow the news and plant their own stories. The 24 hour news cycle, ability to post anything, anytime on the internet and the complicity of a world-wide media that sees no good in anything the US undertakes outside our borders, and precious little inside, all make it easier for the bad guys to shape the war. The anti-American Left, most noticeably A.N.S.W.E.R. and Code Pink, have taken a page from the playbook of the 60s and 70s antiwar movement. In fact, some of them are one in the same. Code Pink sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to Fallujah, while the US Marines were fighting in Fallujah. Ramsey Clark defended Saddam Hussein in his war crimes trial. The politicians who owe their job security to the most radical elements of the American left trumpet the notion that "The War in Iarq is lost," or "The Americans are the real terrorists." The newspaper of record, The New York Times does its part and places Abu Ghraib photos on the front page for 6 straight weeks, but relegates an uncovered plot to blow up fuel tanks at JFK International Airport to page 30.

People have been conditioned to think that the antiwar movement is considerate and compassionate and simply wants the suffering to end. The truth is that for the hard liners among them the opposite is the truth. I have stood on the street and been called a war criminal and baby killer. The far left does not like soldiers, much less support them. They feel we are somehow less evolved than they are. If it were not for the virulent antiwar movement here in the US we could have conceivably struck hard enough that the jihadis would have chosen to abandon this particular battlefield. At the very least the jihadis would have been denied as much positive recruitment and little, to no, public support among the rank and file Iraqis.

I am still a firm believer in the American spirit. I know the American fighting man cannot be defeated in battle. I am not the first to say that the only way we can lose is if we are defeated here at home, but it is more than factual. It is a historical precedent. It is time to stand up and refuse to accept a revisitng of bad behavior. It is time for those of us who care to simply say: enough.