Allen West for Congress Blog

June 2009 Wheels on the Road Column

May 15, 09:20 PM

Greetings fellow South Florida riders, South Floridians, and Americans, here we are for another monthly installment of our Wheels on the Road political assessment. There is so much which has occurred since my last missive. Of course we breached the Obama 100 day milestone and all I can say is….Holy Cow Batman!

However, as I sit here pondering my focus for this month I am reminded of a bit of history from ancient Rome. Back after the defeat of the great Carthaginian General Hannibal, Roman parents would use a simple threat when disciplining their wayward children, “Hannibal is at the gates”. There are many issues facing the Obama administration, and I am sick of his “I inherited this” excuse. He should not have run for President if he finds that he is too inept to display visionary leadership.

The primary objective of the federal government is to protect the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of the American people. This past month I have had the opportunity to participate in some events which tells me they are failing.

The Honorable Geert Wilders, Dutch Parliamentarian, visited South Florida for a “Free Speech Summit” in April. Hon Wilders is a man of great courage and conviction who lives under threat, as well as his family, from Islamic radicals simply because he tells the truth. He has also been brought up on charges of hate speech by his own Dutch government cowering to pressure from Islamic clerics, mullahs, and imams.

Hon Wilders was denied entry to the UK, he was invited to House of Lords, by British Home Secretary because of Muslim threats to riot.

This all because he has chosen not to be silent but to confront the enemy at the gates of western civilization, radical Islamic ideologues.

This is not the first time that the so called “religion of peace” has stood at the gates of western civilization. Charles Martel turned them back in 732 AD at the Battle of Tours. The Venetian Christian fleet turned them back in 1571 at the naval Battle of Lepanto. The Germanic and Polish Knights came to defeat the invading Ottomans in 1683 in Vienna.

However, there was one place where western civilization did not stand when this enemy came to its gates. That place was Constantinople, what was once the seat of the Byzantine Empire, cradle of art and education. It fell in 1453 to the conquering Ottoman Turks, Muslims.

Hence, I found it very interesting that while addressing the Turkish general assembly our dear fearful leader stated that the United States is not a Christian Nation. He further stated that we are not at war with islam.

The hypocrisy would be humorous if not so dire; Barack Hussein Obama surrendered our values to a Nation established upon the destruction of a Christian empire. Furthermore, he failed to understand the countless attacks of Islamic armies on western civilization. The enemy was given a free pass.

And do not portend to lecture me about the Crusades, there had been nearly 400 years of Muslim oppression in the Holy Lands and in Spain before Pope Urban II declared such an expedition circa 1095. Atrocities occurred on both sides, but the impetus for this military action came from the mistreatment of Christian pilgrims. The movie “Kingdom of Heaven” is replete with historical inaccuracies.

Why this history lesson?

“Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them”.

Here we are in the 21st century fighting against an enemy, yep, I said enemy, which still maintains a 7th century ideology. It is a totalitarian, imperialistic system which truly has no roots in religion, just a suitable mask behind which it hides true intention.

We are currently embroiled is an insidious discussion about a psychological intimidation tactic called waterboarding. All the while our men and women have to fight doggedly because this enemy murders, ritually guts, dismembers, and beheads our troops when captured. This is an enemy which targets civilians and holds a belief that the clear way to paradise is to kill those who are not of their belief, non-muslims, kaffirs, infidels.

And yes, I have studied the Koran and the hadiths of Muhammad.

But what is most frightening is that this enemy now has 30-35 training camps right here in our America. This enemy is actively recruiting in our prisons, matter of fact pay attention to how many Islamic centers and mosques are near our federal and state prisons. This is an enemy who by sheer demographics are now out-population us in America. Our birth rate is somewhere around 1.6 while Muslims in America, and indeed worldwide is near 8.1.

Last year right here in Broward County at a pro-Israel rally I witnessed taunts to my Jewish friends of; “Hitler did not finish the job” and “Go back into the ovens”, captured on You Tube. Where were the criminal arrests for hate speech?

We even have a coward Broward County Commission which allowed the Council of America-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to purchase ads placed on busses which stated; “Islam: The Way of Life for Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad”. This was done during the Judeo-Christian holiday season of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas.

All this is occurring and we have a President who states we cannot use the term enemy combatant. He is pledging to send $900M American taxpayer dollars to the Islamic terrorist group Hamas which controls the Gaza strip. He has declared he will shut down the GITMO facility, with no plan. And lastly, as our leader, Barack Hussein Obama has bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, a well known supporter of promulgating terrorist propaganda, of dispensing radical clerics and imams, and to madrassas and mosques all across the world, and America.

What message does this all convey?

Even this week we saw Pope Benedict exhibit cowardice in the face of this enemy during his trip to the Middle East.

I humbly beseech you to become more aware of this enemy. I implore you to read and study history, read books by Robert Spencer, Dr Andrew Bostom, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Mark Steyn, Walid Phares, and Brigitte Gabriel. View the films Obsession, Fitna, Third Jihad, and Homegrown Jihad.

We must realize that when tolerance becomes a one way street it leads to cultural suicide.

This enemy is not only at our gates, he resides amongst us; infiltrating our cultural, economic, educational, and political systems. We have school districts being sued to take pork products off school lunch menus. We have honor killings occurring in America. We have groups like CAIR, MAS, MPAC, ISNA who are masquerading under a cloak of advocating Muslim rights but have been tied to Islamic terrorist groups.

Are there Muslims in America who love our Country and want to live in peace and enjoy our freedoms, of course. However, their voices remain silent because we have cowardly and unprincipled leadership which is recalcitrant in defining, and holistically confronting, this enemy.

Hon Geert Wilders is a dear friend and I have pledged to him that I will be his counterpart in America. We shall not be as Constantinople and the Byzantines.

Will you join me to preserve the greatest Republic and Constitutional Democracy the world has ever known? Nope, no apologies here!

Steadfast and Loyal,
LTC A B West

May 2009 Wheels on the Road Column

Apr 14, 08:06 PM

Greetings fellow South Florida riders, South Floridians, and Americans, here we are for another monthly installment of our Wheels on the Road political assessment. Just have to tell you, I am freaking mad as hell and implore you all to not take this anymore. If this means I shall be castigated as a “right wing extremist” so be it.

Today I received an email containing a story on the US Department of Homeland Security unclassified report, dated 7 April, titled, “Right-wing extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment”.

Now most of the mainstream media is reporting about a stupid new dog in the White House, Portuguese water dog, who cares.

I have just finished reading Secretary Napolitano’s office declaring that, “the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks”.

As well, this report cites, “returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to right-wing extremists, who will attempt to recruit and radicalize veterans in order to boost their violent capacities”.

Align these statements with Barack Hussein Obama’s intentions to have wounded war veterans use private health insurance and you see the contempt this administration holds for those who protect and defend this Republic. We have an administration which declares we cannot call radical Islamic terrorists “enemy combatants”. We can no longer speak of a war on terror, only overseas contingency operations. However, this administration issues a report demonizing our heroic vets as potential terrorists and extremists!

Perhaps those Navy SEAL snipers should be made aware that they are considered potential terrorists because of the skills they exhibited to save an American citizen. Oh by the way, a citizen held hostage by Muslim pirates, can you say Barbary? Jefferson sent the US Marines, what shall dear fearful leader Obama do?

Back to the report which contains countless references singling out returning war veterans as particular threats.

Not only that, this report admonishes law enforcement to watch out for individuals with “radical” ideologies based on Christian views such as opposing illegal immigration, abortion, and federal taxes. Indeed, this report decries anyone who is concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion, and the loss of US sovereignty. In other words this means anyone holding conservative principles in opposition to left wing liberal socialist policies is a threat.

I am happy to be in that category. I am an American and shall not cower from this insidious accusation, shall you?

“The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by right-wing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law enforcement”, this means you, law abiding citizens of America. In the 1930s Adolf Hitler outlawed private gun ownership, and the rest is history.

Shall we live under this type of overt tyranny and become nothing more than economic slaves and subjects? I am angry about the attacks on Americans who work hard and succeed, why not empower us, not create a dependent entitlement class?

This report uses race baiting by suggesting that the election of an African-American president “is proving to be a driving force for right-wing extremist recruitment and radicalization”. No, his asinine socialist economic policies, apologetic and appeasing words about our America, and his cowering to the Islamic world are the cause for our concern.

The fact that in less than 80 days we have seen countless “Czars” being created, $500 billion in government spending, North Korea missile launch, pirate attacks against US shipping, and amateurish actions of our president ranging from inept cabinet selections to abject incompetence (his inability to speak more than 3 minutes without a teleprompter) are the reasons for our angst.

I am also angry at my fellow members of the Republican Party, supposed leadership, who have not exhibited the courage and conviction to stand against this administration. It is appalling to me that the most prevalent voices are those of talk radio hosts. Who are the leaders in the Republican Party?

To them I simply say, “Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way”. If I must stand alone, so be it, but these crazed liberals shall not suppress our Freedom and Liberty.

Tomorrow is tax day, and there are many “Tea Parties” planned across America. I implore all of you to stand up tomorrow and send a clear message.

Our own government has declared us the enemy; never in my life did I believe this could happen in my Country. How did we get to this point?

There is no doubt that we are now fighting against a fascist regime that seeks to silence our voice. What shall the history books say of us? What shall we leave to our children and grandchildren as a legacy of this Republic? Now is the time to fight back and I encourage all of you to do so, do not be afraid, our forefathers were not.

America is heading towards a tumultuous 2009 and there shall indeed be a Constitutional crisis. I do not care about any “historic moment”. So far this Obama administration has insulted us overseas, called us a “nation of cowards” here at home, and now has declared open war against those who stand in opposition.

We have true enemies who seek to destroy our Country; drug cartels, illegal immigrants, radical Islamic ideologues, Muslim terrorists at sea, and rogue Nations such as North Korea. It seems we can now add our own federal government to that list.

America, it stops here, join me and do not run away intimidated by Obama, Holder, Napolitano, Reid, Pelosi, Frank, Soros, Moveon.org, and ACORN.

April 2009 Wheels on the Road Column

Mar 17, 06:39 PM

Greetings fellow South Florida riders, South Floridians, and Americans, here we are for another monthly installment of our Wheels on the Road political assessment. It is hard to believe how fast a month flies by but it seems that we have been under the Obama administration for years; perhaps it is the everyday speeches.

I hate speeches.

I pride myself in being a person of calm demeanor, unless of course you are Attorney General Eric Holder and you call my America a “nation of cowards”. So as I begin this month’s article I find myself on the verge of total rage which is great for writing.

In these first 60 days of the Obama administration I am beginning to have concern over issues of national security. There have been some very disturbing trends which I will share in this month’s column.

It first started right after the coronation; I mean inauguration, with the first phone call going to Mahmoud Abbas. Last time I checked the leader of the displaced Arab nomad group in the West Bank called Fatah was not a National leader, or ally. Considering all the other key allies who have stood by the United States, why was this gentleman first for a new President to call?

Next came the series of executive orders which commanded we shut down Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) detention facility, stop any harsh treatment of terrorists, and ceased any ongoing military trials against those being held. Now just recently we have heard from the infamous GITMO 5 who have claimed they take utmost pride in what they have accomplished to include the atrocities of 9-11.

We know that some 60 released detainees went right back to the battlefield to include several who are now leaders in Yemen and Afghanistan. Some would say this recidivism rate is low, however, not when you are the US man or woman in uniform overseas fighting.

As of 13 March we have been instructed by this administration that we can no longer call these fellas “enemy combatants”. Hmm, lets see, how about we call them “Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighters”? I am certain we should consult Dr Phil for a proper means to address these cheeky fellows without damaging their self-esteem.

New Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently stated in an interview that she found using the term terrorism nuanced. She preferred using the term “man created disasters”. Well, Secretary Napolitano, if there is another “man created disaster” perpetrated by “Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighters” Americans not take that too kindly.

Does an IED fall into the category of a “man created disaster”?

Soon after the series of executive orders focusing on GITMO the President gave his first TV interview, with Al Arabiya. During that interview he remarked about a return to better relations with the Muslim world, like 30 years ago. Perhaps the President did not realize that in Iran they have been celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

I remember that being a very sad and embarrassing episode in American history, can you say Embassy hostages?

At a time when we are having serious economic issues the American taxpayers are now sending $900 Million to the Gaza Strip for rebuilding. The “political” entity controlling Gaza is called Hamas, and they are a “Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighter” organization. I can certainly bet that the only thing being rebuilt will be tunnels from Egypt into Gaza.

Along with that piece of change, is, by executive order, $20.3 Million going to resettle pro-Hamas Palestinians to the USA…..did anyone ask the American people about this?

First planned foreign country visit? Turkey, where “Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighter” ideology is taking root (I call it radical Islamic ideology, but don’t tell anyone, I could be arrested for hate speech).

So far the President’s only visit to a US military installation was to Camp Lejeune NC, home of the US Marine II Expeditionary Force, a place where I spent three great years. The purpose was to announce his plan for withdrawal from Iraq.

Could you imagine Alexander the Great telling his Macedonians, “well guys, that whole bit about conquering the world, I was just kidding, let’s go home”. Warriors want to be inspired.

President Obama and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have both referred to our ICE agents as terrorizing Hispanics and being un-American. That should really inspire them to protect us against illegal immigrants.

Ok, you are asking so what? Well, this is the so what, President Obama has decided that our wounded warriors and others with service related injuries will have to use private insurance. AFLAC does not send our men and women into harm’s way to defend our way of life, the Constitution mandates the government do so.

The so what is that why are we placating and appeasing the enemy while abandoning those who stay on the wall protecting our America? That has me fuming and truly concerned about the loyalties of this President.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned; our President Barack Hussein Obama has Wednesday evening parties in the White House.

How did we get to this point?
Ride Hard, Ride Safe, AW

I have stood with Americans in many foreign lands, seen them everyday across this Nation, and we are not cowards!

Feb 23, 08:30 AM

The PC Club
Sun, 22 Feb 2009
LTC Allen West

Greetings readers, I have held my peace long enough to allow Attorney General Eric Holder an opportunity to rectify his faux pas from last week. I am now compelled to offer my insights into Attorney General Holder’s epidemic of diarrhea of the mouth when he called our Country a “Nation of Cowards”.

Whenever I think of fools speaking unwisely I am drawn to the writings of one who is considered the wisest man the world has ever known, not you Bill Clinton. Rather, I speak of King Solomon and his words from the Book of Proverbs.

Solomon certainly has some advice which Eric Holder may wish to take to heart. I shall use The Soldiers New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Proverbs 15:7 “The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools”

Proverbs 15:14 “The discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feed on foolishness”

For Eric Holder to castigate our America as a “nation of cowards”, being someone who has capitalized on every opportunity this Country could afford, is pure foolishness. It also represents a malicious narcissism and hypocrisy from someone purported to be of great education.

I am a West Man, third of four generations of military servicemen; Dad World War II combat wounded veteran, older Brother Vietnam Marine combat wounded veteran, my serving 22 years active duty in 13 different countries and three combat zones, and my young nephew, Captain Herman Bernard West, commanding an artillery unit serving his second tour in Afghanistan. We are proud American black Men who certainly are not indicative of a “nation of cowards”. Holder’s comments are offensive to the legacy my Dad established for our family.

Perhaps also Attorney General Holder forgot about the many white Americans, and Jewish persons, who marched during the civil rights movement, some cowards huh?

Attorney General Holder, do not ever refer to my Country with such manner of disrespect. I have stood with Americans in many foreign lands, seen them everyday across this Nation, and we are not cowards!

Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips”

Attorney General Holder has certainly lost respect as the enforcer of our Nation’s laws. It would have bided him best to have kept his comment to himself, even though it must be in his heart. It has to be evident to the American people that this person cannot be trusted to protect a County which he holds in such disdain.

What could have persuaded Holder to make such an insidious comment and believe he would not be challenged? And anyone defending his comment or ignoring it is complicit in this terrible offense against our great Nation.

If Holder had any honor, which I doubt, he would have apologized. Since an apology seems to not be an option, Attorney General Holder MUST resign.

If Holder does not resign then President Obama MUST dismiss Eric Holder from his Cabinet, or perhaps Obama and his cabinet hold the same contempt for America ?

Proverbs 18:6 “A fools lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating”

My recommendation to Holder is to stay away from places where we cowards congregate; military bases, NASCAR races, around law enforcement officers, first responders, Southeast Conference college football and basketball games, Boy Scout meetings, biker bars, VFW and American Legion Posts, youth soccer games, anywhere true Americans exist.

Remain in those places where the bravest victims in America exist; your office, the White House, Ivy League schools, Hollywood , NAACP offices, Oprah Winfrey Show, and MSNBC. Cowardice is voting for an inexperienced usurper and charlatan just because he is black, do not be confused.

Yes, I am angry and therefore Attorney General Eric Holder you have earned a lifetime membership in The Phallus Cranium Club.

Sir, you are not there alone, Speaker Pelosi, Barney Frank, and Rod Blagojevich are members, and Congressman Clyburn of South Carolina membership is being processed as well.

Steadfast and Loyal! LTC AB West

Washingtoons part II (Stimulus version)

Feb 12, 03:11 PM

“Washingtoons”

11 Feb 2009

LTC Allen B West …aka AW

Fellow South Floridians, it is time again to have our monthly analysis and assessment of developments out of our Nation’s capitol. We are less than one month into the Obama administration and already we have much to discuss. This past Saturday we had a rally to kickoff our 2010 Congressional campaign and I spoke using a simple theme, “How did we get to this point”? I would like to use that theme for this month’s piece as well.

How did we get to the point where we are told that “only government” can remedy our current economic situation? Last time I checked it was government that placed us in this situation. Our founding fathers guaranteed us the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, not the right to happiness. When government made the fateful decision that everyone in America was entitled to own a home this terrible crisis was born.

Home ownership is a privilege, something achieved through dedication and hard work. It should be earned. However, those in Washington brought forth legislation, which lowered standards for mortgage lending. It also pressured financial institutions that tried to maintain appropriate lending standards and levied fines against them for non-compliance. Dwight Eisenhower once said, “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” When government places entitlement over empowerment you will head down the road to perdition, which is where we find our America heading.

Five months ago, we were told that our financial system would collapse and were sold a bill of goods in the Troubled Asset Recovery Plan (TARP), aka bailout, which turned out to be nothing more than a big government spending spree. When did our country, which was paid for by the blood of revolutionaries that sought to create their own nation far from the grips of a strong and tyrannical government, become one that looked to government to solve all of our problems? More to the point, when is the last time “more government” ever fixed a problem for you or the ones you love? Government is not the answer to our financial woes; the answer lies with the ingenuity and spirit of the American citizen. President Obama continues a fear-mongering tactic to get us to believe that this plan is what is needed. A recent Congressional Budget Office analysis, and many top economists, stated that we could do nothing and be better off than with this plan.

How did we come to the point where we no longer respect the indomitable American spirit to be resilient and push past this crisis? When did we lose faith in realizing that putting money back into the pockets of the American citizen is the way to restore an ailing economy? When we focus on empowering the American taxpayer, our small businesses, and entrepreneurs then our economy will grow.
Why not simply say we are going to eliminate capital gains, dividend, and death taxes. We should no longer tax social security benefits. We could freeze employer and employee payroll taxes for six months to a year and create wealth for our families. Why not establish a flat tax rate with standard deductions for individuals, corporations, and businesses and provide tax credits to those who stay in America, hire Americans, and produce American goods and services? We need to look towards stimulating investment, innovation, ingenuity, and economic growth… not bloating government and increasing our deficit.
And do not forget, there is no provision for use of e-verify in this stimulus bill, how many of these “shovel ready” jobs will go to illegal immigrants?

How did we come to the point where we do not re-assess our foreign aid spending and perhaps make the cuts there? One place to look is the $925 Million we send to the UN and say, we are cutting back. Why do we not hear anyone in the federal government; President Obama, Sen Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi say, “We are going to examine how government can cut back, reduce spending, and shift money to paying off our debts”? Instead we have, at last count (7) seven new government positions called Czars…welcome to the United Socialist States of America.

How did we get to the point where our government is now in ownership of financial institutions? This concerns me because it resembles one of the mandates from the Communist Manifesto, which prescribes for the state to gain control of banks and financial institutions.
How did we get to the point where, a new President would make his first call not to allied leaders but to a Palestinian group leader, Mahmoud Abbas? Where, his first interview was to Al Arabiya and his tone is apologetic and appeasing to the Muslim world.

How did we get to the point where President Obama felt the most important first executive order was to shut down GITMO, cease military tribunals, and seek to offer our precious American constitutional rights to our terrorist enemies? How many families of those who lost their lives on the USS Cole had their hearts ripped out when charges against these murderers were dropped?
How did we get to the point where our Second Amendment constitutional rights are again under attack with a bill, dated 6 Jan 2009, floating around in the US House of Representatives? Be very aware and remain vigilant my fellow Americans.

How did we get to this point? The answer is simple; we grew complacent, apathetic, and lazy. We have now allowed the inmates to run the asylum, speaking of Washington DC. All that should have mattered during the 2008 Presidential election is now starting to matter. We have strayed so far away from our foundational principles of governance and free market capitalism that we are in danger of losing the essence of America.

We have been taken advantage of by a media that was complicit in hiding the truth, and as Goebbels in Nazi Germany, they just kept telling us the “Big Lie”... which then became truth. America is a Republic, meaning there is a limit of power for the government. It means that “We the People” are the stakeholders and that the rule of law must reign supreme. We have separation of powers and should always be on the lookout for consolidation of power. We must reemphasize the preeminence and strict interpretation of our Constitution, the embodiment of the America way of life.
Shall there be a new “tea party”? I say yes, and that is because the American people and not the mindless lemmings, who are dead from the neck up, shall stand and demand their Country back. I know what my purpose is, do you?

How did we get to this point, well, that is evident. The real question is, “How do We the People recommit to our principles, restore our Republic, and regain our American spirit”?

Let's Just Boil Our Military Officers in Oil, Shall We? -- The New Media Journal

Jan 18, 09:51 PM Most sequels I don’t like but now we are to be treated again with another Groundhog Day movie, where things repeat themselves every day without end. It wasn’t enough insanity and betrayal, as a nation, to shred and force into retirement war hero, Lt. Col. Allen B. West, serving bravely in Iraq several years ago.

You may recall, Lt. West had intelligence that a captured terrorist knew where snipers were hiding that were primed to kill off his men. This guy wouldn’t talk after several attempted interrogations by Allen’s troops so like any of us wanting to save lives and get to the bottom line, he faked him out by shooting at the ceiling and threatening him if he didn’t talk. The guy did finally talk and, for you very sensitive touchy types, the terrorist was fine. In case you want the important conclusion to the story…Allen’s men were all saved.

However, the politically correct illness that grows like cancer through parts of the military, our media and members in congress, freaked out. He went through public and private hell as his brilliant and popular war record was tarnished, shredded and he even faced potential court martial and prison. Why? For scaring a terrorist in a war zone into talking and saving his men. I know. I interviewed him many times over the years. Eventually after a long and public fight, he was forced into early retirement after 22 years of loyal and brave experience. Here is the epilogue on this man.

You might wonder, after losing all he did, if he dried up and became an alcoholic and lost all hope. Not Allen. He went on as a civilian to serve our troops in Afghanistan. He was training and supporting our military even as a civilian contractor.

After this continued service he came back and ran for Congress and almost got elected this last year. It was a very tight race and he plans to run again much to our excitement. Lt. Col. Allen B. West is a rare breed. We need him in Congress and continued leadership.

I had hoped against hope that this kind of nightmare would never again happen to our brave officers in harms way…WRONG!

Ground hog Day #2: Let’s Shred Capt. Roger Hill

Capt. Roger Hill was accused of detainee abuse, dereliction of duty, a mock execution and other charges related to he and his first sergeant, Tommy Scott’s alleged behavior with dangerous detainees.

This all started when, last August, Hill obtained intelligence that several Taliban agents were working in his own unit and on the base. They had excellent intelligence that even tracked these enemy spies to Hill’s own assistant. The word was that they knew and were finding critical military information about strategy, movement and plans. They quickly obtained the identified enemies and detained them.

Now, as idiocy and politically correct military rules would have it, there was a 96-hour window in which they could hold detainees, then, send them up to battalion. However, they had to request that and get a response from battalion within the 96 hour period. Allegedly there were issues between Hill and the battalion command so there was no response received. Hill was in an impossible situation, follow the 96-hour rule and let Taliban enemy spies go to kill his troops or keep them. Like any good soldier trying to fight – and win a war….oh yeah and stay alive – he kept them.

Interrogations began and, as with Lt. Col. Allen B. West, “Fake out threats” were used to get these guys to talk. Rounds were shot in the air and statements were made to scare the enemy into sharing critical info they were suspected of having. Again, for you extremely sensitive, human rights types…after this incident was over, and they were finally handed over to a U.S. Army physician and inspected, they were in fine shape. Faking the enemy out to get info in a nightmare, war situation isn’t the same as cutting off fingers, breaking their bones and raping them! This was a dangerous war zone, not a special on Oprah.

In case you ever so concerned human rights crusaders would like to know, Roger Hill was an award-winning soldier. He received a Bronze Star for valor and three Army commendation medals. He was highly respected and loved, just like Lt. Col. Allen B. West…award winning, brave and loved by his men. Oh yes, there is that small pesky detail, both were in a dangerous war zone!!!

For a whole, detailed outline of this case regarding Capt. Roger Hill, look up P.J. Tobia’s article, Dec. 14th, 2008 issue of the WashingtonPost.com. It is exhaustive and excellent.

What Is The Bottom Line Now?

After the Article 32 hearing, the Army finally offered to Captain Hill and First Sergeant Scott lesser versions of the original charges. In their plea bargain Captain Hill had to forfeit one-month of salary with a forced discharge from the Army under the heading OTH – Other Than Honorable.

Let’s be ever so sensitive. I’m sorry, I’m losing it!

How is it that a decorated war hero like Captain Hill was charged in the first place??? So what that he held the dangerous Taliban terrorists past the 96 hours. He had strong intelligence showing their intentions and information to harm and kill his troops.

Even now, we have President-Elect Obama saying he will shut down Gitmo; why, because of the “rights” of terrorists. Never mind that our military and leadership at Gitmo didn’t torture high up detainees. Never mind that over 63 released detainees went back to being terrorists, again! Pressure Interviews in cool rooms with weird music aren’t the same thing as torture, oh sensitive ones!

Why do Islamic terrorists intent on killing us have to be treated gently and kindly? Why can’t we use pressure and even fake out threats to get much needed info to save lives? In talking just recently on my show with Van Hipp, the former Deputy Secretary of the Army, he suggested we use sodium pentathol (truth serum) to get info from the lying terrorists being held.

It’s not that I don’t have empathy for terrorists and their precious feelings but I have much more concern for the lives of our troops and citizens. Let the bad guys cry to Mommy or Muhammad in a cool room and let our military use all the fake out strategies they need to get the life saving info and keep a city from blowing up!

For now, let’s do the right thing regarding the latest victim of insanity, Captain Roger Hill. Let’s write to the Secretary of the Army and respectfully request an Honorable Discharge for the Captain, not Other Than Honorable!!! Help him regain some of his stolen honor, honor he deserves. Ask Secretary Pete Geren to Honorably Discharge Captain Roger Hill.

Secretary Pete Geren
Department of the Army
Office of the Secretary of the Army
107 ARMY PLFNTAGON

Washington, CD 20310-0107

Let’s stop persecuting our brave military officers in times of war!!!

See Original Article at: http://www.newmediajournal.us/staff/l_roth/2009/01162009.htm

"Washingtoons" by Allen West

Jan 18, 09:20 PM

Greetings fellow South Florida bikers and I pray the New Year has so far gone well for you all. As I write this piece I am at the site of America’s newest amusement theme park, Obamaland. Yes, I am in Washingtoon, had to come up for a week as I still work for the US Department of the Army. Once I got past the freezing temps, I came to notice all the banners and propaganda ushering in our 44th President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama.

All through the METRO stations in DC there are Obama symbols with the complimentary one word message….”change”, “hope”, “soul”, and there are even commemorative DC METRO tickets for inaugural day, a week away as I write this. It is all so very Orwellian, in reference to George Orwell’s book “1984”.

The atmosphere here is more like a coronation than an inauguration. Friends and coworkers that I know here are planning to depart since the DC area is being closed off to most, bridges, roads, shut down, access controlled. I remember as a young ROTC Cadet at University of Tennessee marching in Reagans second inauguration, dont remember this kind of hoopla.

Therefore, as you read this piece, we have been under President Obama for about two weeks. Lets us take a few minutes to assess some key indicators to assess where the Obama administration may be heading.

First though, a quick review of the Bush administration, since this evening Thursday, 15 January, President Bush shall deliver his farewell address.

Any leader seeks to have thrust upon him a crisis situation where they can distinguish themselves and establish their vision. The Bush administration kept us safe over these past 7 years but it was never able to clearly articulate their vision. If there was a telling deficiency of President Bush it was his inability to proactively communicate his vision and direction for our America.

Another terrible mistake for President Bush was to coin the term “compassionate conservatism” which ended up leading to the biggest growth of the federal government, and spending. One cannot have tax cuts and growth of government and spending together.

My final assessment of the Bush administration was its inability to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws. If President Bush departs the White House without pardoning our Border Security agents Ramos and Campeon I will not forget, may even never forgive.

History shall judge President George W Bush, remember our 16th President Abraham Lincoln was not a very popular fella.

Now, onto the Obama administration, which at this time is limping into office due to several transition period issues and scandals. Upon winning the presidential election, President Obama stated in his speech, and I am tired of speeches, that “Chicago is coming to to Washington DC”, be very afraid….Richardson, Geithner, Holder, Panetta?

One thing Americans have never liked were edicts, remember our last ruling monarch, King George III of England. Well, if we start to see Presidency by executive order, that is not what a Republic is about, that goes contrary to rule of law, not executive edict. Pay attention to how many executive orders emanate from the Obama administration, especially in first 100 days.

The biggest challenge for the Obama administration is not the economy. Why is it that in his speech, tired of speeches, to George Mason University before he took office President Obama stated several times that “only government…....”, heck government got us into this financial mess. President Bush was criticized for spending, but now that President Obama says government spending, he is lauded.

Just a point of clarification, if you allow the Bush tax cuts to expire then you have a tax hike. And, you cannot give a tax cut to 95% of Americans when about 45% do not even pay taxes, that means they get free money, welfare.

The big challenge for the Obama administration is fighting radical islamic terrorism and their state sponsors. If Obama even thinks about talking with Hamas and terrorist groups, he conveys weakness. And, regarding torture, heck, naked pictures of Rosie O’Donnell would be torture to me. Making me listen to another Obama speech would be torture, hey Tattoo Dave Amchir, I would give you up if they did that to me!

Lastly, look out for Fairness Doctrine legislation regulating talk radio, Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) which would promote comprehensive nationwide abortion on demand, and of course 2d Amendment attacks, masked as ammunition regulation.

My recommendation to the Obama administration, no more speeches, keep Americans safe, secure our borders, and put our Country, its principles, values, national character, first and foremost over any partisan ideology.

See ya out on the open road, never forget, we are Americans!
Ride Hard, Ride Safe
AW

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Aug 6, 12:17 PM

Not getting it about Iraq and who the good guys are
By Patrick McIlheran
Tuesday, Aug 5 2008, 11:23 AM

The New Republic has a story meaning to say that the Republicans are desperate for congressional candidates.
Which they are, apparently, to some extent. That’s what happens when lots of polls say a party’s going to get creamed: Recruiting is harder.

But it’s interesting what the magazine thinks is the chief example of GOP barrel-scraping: It would be Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Allen West, who’s running in a district in Florida that was long represented by a Republican but was nabbed by a Democrat in 2006. West aims to take it back. The New Republic seems to think he’s an unlikely guy.

After all, he was mired in scandal.

West, you may recall, was the commander who in 2003 questioned an Iraqi detainee—an Iraqi policeman identified as possibly part of an ambush plot—by making the man imagine he was going to be shot. “This man will not be injured and he will not have to be repaired. There will be no blood and no breakage of bones,” West told his men, he later said to the New York Times. But, he said, the detainee wouldn’t know that. He told Army investigators he violated the military’s rules regarding threatening prisoners with the use of force: He eventually fired his pistol into sand near the man’s head. The detainee talked, insurgents were rounded up, the Americans weren’t ambushed. In the ensuing furor, West was given the choice of court-martial or retiring; he chose the latter.

“I have never denied what happened and have always been brutally honest,” West said afterward. “I accept responsibility for the episode, but my intent was to scare this individual and keep my soldiers out of a potential ambush. There were no further attacks from that town. We further apprehended two other conspirators (a third fled town) and found out one of the conspirators was the father of a man we had detained for his Saddam Fedeyeen affiliation.”

He told a reporter later, “I sacrificed my career for my soldiers and that’s the bottom line.” Or, as he told another, yes, he deliberately disregarded Army rules, but, “There are rules and regulations, and there’s protecting your soldiers. . . . I just felt I’d never have to write a letter of condolence home to a ‘rule and regulation.’”

So now West is running for Congress. This hasn’t exactly been a secret. American Spectator had a piece on West earlier this summer; Fox News did last winter, as did American Thinker.

What’s interesting now is that The New Republic, one of the biggest Hindenburgs of left-leaning gasbaggery, seems to think West is a figure of absurdity, a ridiculously unsuitable candidate, embodying all that was wrong with the Iraq war.

Truly? The man used what force he had to in order to get the bad guys, and he managed to do it cleverly enough that the detainee did not have “to be repaired.” This evidently thwarted an attack on Americans and, presumably, further attacks on Iraqis. As we now know, both from the failure of the Bush administration’s initial low-force policy in Iraq and through the ensuing success of the surge, a willingness to use force on the enemy actually wins over the majority of Iraq that wasn’t on board with the jihadists and Baathists to begin with.

West’s problem was that he used force in a way that the Army’s rules banned, which means the Army had to boot him out. Those rules do not at all bind voters in Florida from seeing West’s sacrifice of his career—the Times piece from 2004 suggests he knew that it was on the line from the start—as anything but the honorable placement of duty above self.

In short, just what you want out of a soldier—or a lawmaker.

Can LTC Allen West Rise to National Prominence in Congress?

Aug 2, 11:42 AM

http://www.stateofsunshine.com/2008/08/01/ltc-allen-west-is-a-rising-star-in-the-republican-fold/

Vince Mariano | August 1, 2008 |

Partisan liberal Democrats should have good reason to fear the candidacy of LTC Allen West. Not only is LTC West a legitimate threat to make Ron Klein a one term congressman in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, LTC West also has the potential to become an effective national spokesman for the Republican Party by virtue of his commanding persona coupled with his impressive background and credentials- provided that his insurgent campaign is ultimately successful.

FL-22 is Clay Shaw’s old district, running up and down Atlantic oceanfront in Palm Beach and Broward Counties from Jupiter all the way down to Fort Lauderdale. Shaw was a 13-term incumbent in 2006, but he became one of the seemingly endless number of losses endured by Republicans in the 2006 whitewash of Republicans across the country, losing the seat to Klein by 3 percent. FL-22 is a bona fide “swing” district- it is by no means a safe Democratic district, which will force Klein to vigorously defend his seat.

Surely due in no small part to his military background, LTC West is a fearless individual blessed with outstanding oratorical skills. I was on hand to witness his brief remarks at a recent Palm Beach County Republican event, and it was clear that his motivational style of oratory and energetic persona easily garnered the most enthusiasm and applause from the crowd. He brings instant gravitas on foreign affairs and the Global War on Terror based on his 20 plus years of highly decorated and honorable military service. Rest assured, there is no squishiness on his part regarding any of issues pertaining to the threat of terrorism and the need to protect the homeland.

Perhaps even more impressively, West is also unafraid to confront liberals when they blatantly play the race card against Republicans. Recently, Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama told his supporters that Republicans would use his race to foment fear against his candidacy, to which West issued the following response:

“My advice to Senator Obama is to run as a Man and Leader, and the American people will evaluate you as such, not as a victim. This is a Presidential race, based solely on a capacity to lead the United States of America. It is not about skin tone…however, perhaps we should come to expect these immature statements.

It also seems rather humorous that the Presidential candidate who was supposed to be such a “uniter” and transcend race is the one talking about it the most. If Senator Obama was confident in his abilities and character, he would not need to create a crutch for failure. Senator Obama has just tipped his hand, any criticism of him and his policies will be directly attributed to racism. I congratulate Senator Obama for taking race relations in America back some 30 years.”

Ouch. Refreshingly honest, and bereft of the typical platitudes we’ve come to expect from aspiring Congressmen who are hyper-concerned about their election prospects and are worried about offending their future colleagues. When future events demand an unequivocal response from our elected representatives, it’s a good bet that LTC West will be there to provide it without reservation.

Recently, LTC West received an additional “honor” – he was named World’s Worst Person by the undisputed king of hyperbolic, misleading news commentary himself, Keith Olberman. Consider this distinction a civilian badge of honor of the highest order, LTC West!

What are his prospects for unseating the incumbent Democrat? Based on the current buzz in the district and the local media, I see this race as a legitimate toss-up. South Florida Democrats are crowing that Republican held seats in FL-21 and FL-25 are in definitely in play for them this election. That observation may be true, but FL-22 could just as easily become one of their own unanticipated casualties.

Michelle Malkin.com Looking Down the Ticket

Jul 29, 04:34 PM

By see-dubya • July 29, 2008 09:15 AM What’s a disgruntled conservative blogger to do this election?

A: open up the five hundredth “Lesser of Two Evils” should-I-actually-vote-for-that-squish-McCain debate, or

B: Look around for some actual conservatives to back?

You might not find any at the top of the ticket, but the real conservatives are out there, running for Congress all around the country. I was thinking about writing a post summarizing some of the hotter races, where some support from bloggers and local activists and small donors could make a big difference.

But then some guys went and started up a whole blog dedicated to exactly that subject: Down The Ticket.

Which is pretty cool. They’re covering some of the races I’m interested in: Harris in Maryland, McClintock in California, Barletta in Pennsylvania, and several more.

I’d point out that they’re missing Florida’s Allen West, who I would really like to see in Congress.

I’d also recommend they follow Keith Fimian in Northern Virginia–not so much that he’s a rock-solid conservative (he might be, I just can’t tell yet) as that his Democratic opponent is Gerry Connolly, who as Fairfax County supervisor maintained a sanctuary policy for illegal aliens and also backed the county’s relationship with a Saudi-funded radical Islamic school.

So even if Fimian turns out to be a RINO who makes McCain look Reaganesque, I don’t think there’s any reason to let this district go to Connolly. And even if it is trending a little Whole-Foods soccer-mom nanny-state around NoVa, Connolly’s spent a lot to win his primary and he’s made those very bad decisions on illegals and madrassas that Fimian’s campaign–or his surrogates–ought to be able to exploit.

Anyway, conservatives. They’re out there, and they need some lovin’. I’m not big on telling you what to do, but if you were to ask my advice, I’d say to pick out a name from Downtheticket’s list–or maybe one of my additions–and send them twenty bucks along with a short note explaining why you’re doing this and which issues are important to you.*

And when your paycheck comes in next month, do it again. Repeat until November.

We’ve got plenty of time to decide what to do about McCain, and frankly I’m already tired of him. But we can never have enough principled conservatives in Congress. Even if we don’t reclaim a majority, we’ll need stalwarts in there who will do their best to delay and disable the new shamnesty bill that will be headed our way pretty soon–under either new president.

*If you do this, please mention where you got the idea–because if these candidates aren’t reading this site, they should at least know that their donors are.

Also, this doesn’t constitute an “endorsement” of any of those candidates, for whatever that’s worth. I’m just saying it’s a pretty good list. If you know of anybody who ought to be added to it, let us know in the comments.
___________________

{Post by See-Dubya. H/T to Doubleplusundead, whose co-blogger “It’s Vintage, Duh” is involved in the new site.}