Are There Racists in the Tea Party?

Our latest podcast: Are There Racists in the Tea Party?

Podcaster: Marie Stroughter
Summary: Marie puts the undue concern regarding “racists in the Tea Party” in its proper context!

Liberal Racism: “One Nation under God, Indivisible With Liberty and Justice For All”

(NOTE: LTC Allen West writes a monthly column for Wheels on the Road Magazine, and was kind enough to furnish us a copy of his latest missive):

18 July 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Retired)

Liberal Racism
“One Nation under God Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All”

Greetings Wheels on the Road readers, fellow South Floridians, and all Americans: My how time flies, and here we are again for our monthly political assessment.

It never ceases to amaze me that as we get closer to our monthly submission of this regular missive that the topic becomes evident. I often use an ole saying from my parents, “sometimes you just have to thank God for stupid people”….and I do. The focus for this month without any doubt has to be the NAACP and its President/CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.

Let me make one thing very clear, my Mother, Elizabeth Thomas West, was a lifetime membership holder with the NAACP. Therefore growing up in our home I clearly understood the mission and vision for this organization. It was a mission and vision that enabled me to have the pride in myself and the heritage of my parents, grandparents, and extended family. It was a mission and vision that, to me, fostered a desire to excel beyond the standard and have a commitment to excellence regardless of skin color.

However, something has happened to that mission and vision, something horrific and inconsistent with the principles and values I recalled emanating from the “ole school” black community. Somewhere along the way victimization mentality has taken root in the black community resulting in astronomical unemployment rates, high incarceration rates, appalling murder rates, breakdown of the black family, and embarrassing teen pregnancy rates.

And in the light of all these negative socioeconomic indicators the NAACP decides that the preeminent focus of their national convention would be on issuing a resolution castigating the Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Party movement as racist. Even Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas was so compelled as to state that the Tea Party is filled with Klan members…..but we will get to the Congressional Black Caucus a bit later.

Instead of maintaining its mission and vision, the NAACP has now become the “useful idiots” (a term coined by Vladimir Lenin) for liberal racism. They have made themselves into a political hack job organization which now seeks to maintain the liberal progressive socialist control of the 21 century plantation. It is on this new economic plantation where the liberals seek to enslave the black community in order to maintain a devoted, monolithic, voting electorate.

I find it interesting that the NAACP was silent when Senator Harry Reid made his insidious comments about President Obama was favorable, likeable, because he is “light-skinned” and did not speak in “negro dialect”. I recall that the NAACP said nothing when Vice President Joe Biden referred to Barack Hussein Obama as “clean and articulate”. The NAACP said nothing when liberals attacked Clarence Thomas, Condoleeza Rice (birthing tubes cartoon), Michael Steele, and General Colin Powell.

In 2008, where was the NAACP to denounce the obvious case of voter intimidation by the New Black Panther Party? Why did the NAACP not demand President George W Bush, and now, Attorney General Eric Holder, and the Obama adminstration, to prosecute this case to the fullest extent? Does the NAACP now support the same tactic which targeted the black community seeking to restrict the most fundamental of American individual rights, the right to vote? And shall the NAACP distance itself and condemn Malik Shabazz and the New Black Panther Party?

It is this duplicitous hypocrisy which allows me to state that the NAACP is shamefully now a liberal racist enabler. The upcoming mid-term elections have the Democrat party in certain peril. Therefore they have turned to their tactic of first and last resort, race baiting.

The resolution issued by the NAACP against the Tea Party is just a strategy to focus this coming election not against liberal progressive policies, which are anathema to our Republic. No, the NAACP, in conjunction with their masters, the Democrat party, seek to make this into an election based upon an insane charge of racial hatred.

We even see charlatan blasts from the past such as Julian Bond stating that Martin Luther King Jr was a socialist, a feeble attempt to garner black community acceptance of the liberal progressive agenda. We are truly on the verge of a dangerous situation in America. And yes, this also includes the lawsuit being brought against the sovereign State of Arizona, an attempt to win Hispanic votes…..an extension of liberal racism to another minority group.

We can fully expect from now until 2 November 2010 to see the usual suspects come out to promote the dishonest tyranny of the liberals. You will find the Congressional Black Caucus, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton out to ensure blacks remain wedded to the failing liberal social welfare policies, all the time shouting how the Democrats know what is best. I find it comical that Al Sharpton has already leapt forward to head up a new left-wing grassroots group to counter the Tea Party called “One Nation”.

Does One Nation believe in higher taxes and bigger government? Will this counter group promote individual rights and freedoms, liberty, and adherence to our US Constitution? I presume this group will seek to intimidate and put forth the ideals of collectivism combined with victimhood and expansion of the “nanny-state”.

I find the Tea Party, to which I have spoken to several times, stands for fundamental principles and values consistent with that which has made America an exceptional Constitutional Republic.

Therefore, under the “leadership” of Al Sharpton, this counter group One Nation obviously stands for principles which are antithetical to our Republic.

In closing, I am sure you are asking why did the ole Colonel have the last sentence in the Pledge of Allegiance in the title for this piece?

Simple, Liberal Racism does not believe in One Nation under God. They believe in a Nation of subjects organized into collective groups under which they shall rule, not govern, in a secular humanist based society.

Indivisible, Liberal Racism does not believe in “e pluribus unim”, they prefer a balkanized America where they can pit us against each other through their manipulated messages….such as Tea Party racism.

Liberal racism does not believe in Liberty and Justice for All, they believe in freedom defined by a ruling class elite while creating more victims who become dependent upon their dishonest benevolence. Justice in the world of Liberal Racism means social and economic justice rooted in a principle of leveling, which founding father Samuel Adams spoke against. Al Sharpton defined justice as everyone having the same in every home in America…..government engineering of results and outcomes.

The mid-term elections of 2 November 2010 comes down to “One Nation under God Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All” or the concept of One Nation under the proprietor of victimization Al Sharpton, a simpleton crony of Liberal Racism. Which shall you choose?

Steadfast and Loyal,
LTC(R) Allen B West

Everyone Needs to Repent for Tolerating Racism, Including Those Who Support Planned Parenthood by Dr. Alveda King

Atlanta, GA – Dr. Alveda King, Director of African American outreach for Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., responded today to the NAACP’s charge that the Tea Party movement tolerates racism.

“We all need to examine and repent of our own tolerance for discrimination,” said Dr. King, “but to condemn an entire group because of a few people, yet support Planned Parenthood, an organization marinated in racism, is to strain out gnats and swallow a camel.”

“The most obvious practitioner of racism in the United States today is Planned Parenthood, an organization founded by the eugenicist Margaret Sanger and recently documented as ready to accept money to eliminate black babies,” added Dr. King.  “The most positive step we can take to fight racism is to end the hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies given to an organization that fulfills the dreams of the Ku Klux Klan – a group Planned Parenthood’s founder once addressed.”

Reprinted by permission

I Condemn the NAACP

African-American Conservatives Co-Founder, Marie Stroughter, was published at Big Government. Her piece, repudiating the NAACP resolution regarding “racism” in the Tea Party, was featured on the site.

Statement Regarding the Black Panther Case by LTC Allen West

LTC West has graciously forwarded us a copy of his position on the disposition of the Black Panther case:

“The recent decision by the Obama Justice Department to drop all charges of voter intimidation against the New Black Panther Party during the 2008 Election represents a sad day for all Americans.  For an Administration that promised a new era in race relations, Obama and the Democrats in Congress have demonstrated that race will continually be exploited for political gain.  It is outright hypocrisy that the Justice Department under Attorney General Holder is suing a sovereign American State, yet dismissing this heinous violation of our Constitution – the right to vote.

Throughout history, the Democrat party has been the standard bearer of voter intimidation in America – only this time the once victim is now the perpetrator.

The recent comments and actions of the New Black Panther Party are despicable, disgusting, and completely reprehensible. It is with no reservation that I make a formal condemnation of this racist and extremist group, which is anathema to the principles and values that make America a great Nation. For those who would define our country as a “nation of cowards,” or who feel the United States is neither great nor exceptional, and to any other racist and extremist groups, feel free to show yourselves the door.

As a young black man who grew up in the inner city of Atlanta, my Mom and Dad taught me that which is presented in the Declaration of Independence – that all men are created equal.  I was taught – and I have taught my children – that there is no such thing as an African American or Black American, only American. That there is only one true race – the Human race.  That the only colors that matter in this country are Red, White and Blue.  That, as a Constitutional Republic, the rule of law is paramount in binding us as a Nation.

Throughout our Congressional campaign endeavor to restore honor, integrity, and character to the US House of Representatives, I have been called many things by some black Americans – token, Uncle Tom, sellout, Oreo cookie, and many others.  And the so-called leaders of the black movement – mainly those in the Congressional Black Caucus – have remained silent in their condemnation of these race-baiting critics.

The die has been cast in this election cycle – Democrats and their liberal progressive socialist allies will continue to play the race card when it is politically expedient.  I demand an investigation of the New Black Panther Party and the placement of it, along with any extremist group, be placed on the Terrorist Watch List if warranted. If that it not done prior to my taking the oath of office as a United States Congressman, it will happen soon thereafter.”

My Mother The Conservative

African-American Conservatives Co-Founder, Marie Stroughter, posted a heart-felt blog about conservatism and parenting over on her personal blog, Mama-graphy, that we think our readers might relate to. We hope you’ll check it out!

Happy 4th of July From AACONS!

To get you in the holiday spirit, here are a few of our very favorite patriotic videos:

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:

John F. Kennedy: “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You:”

Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I Have A Dream:”

Ronald Reagan: “A Time For Choosing:”

George W. Bush at Ground Zero (9/14/01):

“Too Late to Apologize:”

Lloyd Marcus: “United We Stand:”

Allen West: “Happy 4th of July:”

Be safe, and be sane, Patriots!

Evil Republicans to Unemployed: Drop Dead

Anyone clicking on the major news sites Thursday night would have been greeted by a startling headlines that would not exactly make one proud of being a member of the GOP. The headline, of course, is “Evil Republicans To Unemployed: Drop Dead.”

That wasn’t literally the headline…but close enough. The AP reported the failure of the Senate to pass HR4213, which would have — along with other things, such as $1 billion for some kind of “youth summer jobs initiative,”   — extended unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed in “Republicans kill Senate jobless aid measure:”

Republicans on Thursday defeated Democrats’ showcase election-year jobs        bill, including an extension of weekly unemployment benefits for millions of people out of work more than six months.

The 57-41 vote fell three votes short of the 60 required to crack a GOP filibuster, delivering a major blow to President Barack Obama and Democrats facing big losses of  House and Senate seats in the fall election.

…

The bill had been sharply pared back after weeks of negotiations with GOP moderates Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine. The most recent version, unveiled Wednesday night, contained new cuts to food stamps and scaled back the state aid provision to allow Democrats to claim the measure was fully paid for except for the unemployment insurance extension

That didn’t move Republicans like Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

“It adds new taxes and over $30 billion to an already staggering $13 trillion dollar national debt,” said McConnell.

Ouch! Dems are working so hard for the poor unemployed, but those Republicans, well, they just can’t be moved.

The Huffington Post covered the story with similarly, lamenting – first with the booming headline “THE JOBLESS GET JOBBED. Democrats Abandon Aid Package In The Face Of Unified Republican Filibuster,” then with ‘Jobs Bill Fails In Senate: Democrats Say Thursday’s Doomed Vote Was The Last Chance”  —  how noble Democrats like Jesus at a synagogue in Nazareth spoke out in compassion for the poor; only to fall on the stone ears of the Republicans.

This meme continued throughout most major publications. The Los Angeles Times, for example, losing the good will it gathered by interviewing AACONS co-founder Marie Stroughter, ran a headline that said “Senate GOP blocks jobless aid extension.” Wow…mean! Even FoxNews.com simply ran the AP version of events.

Most of these stories, strangely enough, did not mention why Republicans voted against this bill. Given that the unemployed are still allowed to vote, and Republicans want votes at least as much as Democrats, that would seem a reasonable question. Besides, isn’t “why” one of the Five Ws of journalism? The stories that did cover the “Why” behind Republican opposition generally featured a statement from Mitch McConnell’s office (or something along those lines) buried eight paragraphs down that essentially said ‘it raises the deficit too much.’ In other words, the mainstream media is painting the Republican Party once again being the Party of No, just as it was during the healthcare reform debate, with neither constructive ideas of its own nor with any concern for the least fortunate of those they are elected to represent.

However, just as in the healthcare debate, Republicans actually do seem to have the capacity to do more than simply vote against whatever the Democrats propose. Unfortunately, one would have to be extremely diligent, extremely intelligent, or extremely lucky to find any reporting of the Republican alternative in the mainstream media. I was extremely lucky. As it turns out, there is a Republican alternative to HR4213. As reported by AssociatedContent.com (),

The final vote, 57 – 41, reflected a gain of one vote in a week where Democrats cut and dropped and sliced to win bipartisan support. Senator Max Baucus, sponsor of the current version of the bill, said that about $100 billion had been taken away the original measure.

For Republicans, it still wasn’t enough.

Much of the Republican aversion to the bill, they have claimed, was that the unemployment benefits extension provision ($35.5 billion) was unpaid for, that there would be an increase in overall taxes, and that the bill would increase the national debt. Democrats countered their argument this week by agreeing to pay for some of the programs in the American Jobs and Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 with some of the unused and unallocated monies from the economic stimulus package and finding ways to pay for the unemployment extensions.

The problem now seems to be the raise in taxes. The taxes are all levied in the business sector.

A Republican version of the bill, sponsored by John Thune, provides for everything the Democrats have incorporated in their bill, actually decreases the deficit, and pays for everything as well. However, Thune’s version does not mention business taxes at all.

So, Republicans had a reasoned argument against the Democrat bill, and suggested an alternative that would have taken a different – and, in my opinion, superior – route to achieve the same result that the Democrats claim that they want. Again, this was also the case in the healthcare reform debate, where the Republican argument became framed as either not wanting to burden insurance companies with the cost of actually insuring people or being willing to sacrifice the well-being of Americans simply to have an issue with which they could embarrass the president – never mind that the Republicans argued for healthcare reform involving interstate portability, tort reform, etc. both during and before the Obama administration (which Senator Obama opposed, by the way).

Unfortunately, the media resists reporting Republican ideas on any major issue, preferring instead to stick to their White House directed narrative that the GOP is the Party of No.

–DK

McChrystal, Obama, and Afghanistan by Coby Dillard

So, GEN McChrystal resigned. In fairness, he wasn’t fired, though he probably would have been-from his position as the top American and NATO commander in Afghanistan…and all because, it seems, he said that President Obama seemed “uncomfortable and intimidated” at a briefing that he thought seemed more of a “photo op.” Let’s look at what actually happened, whether his resignation was the best move, and what it means for the war in Afghanistan (and the 2012 presidential race).

What Was Said (and its ramifications)

In his article “The Runaway General,” Michael Hastings wrote (with emphasis added):

Even though he had voted for Obama, McChrystal and his new commander in chief failed from the outset to connect. The general first encountered Obama a week after he took office, when the president met with a dozen senior military officials in a room at the Pentagon known as the Tank. According to sources familiar with the meeting, McChrystal thought Obama looked “uncomfortable and intimidated” by the roomful of military brass.

It’s important to note that, throughout the entire article, the sentence at the end contains the only disparaging words of McChrystal towards Obama (the “Chaos-istan” comment stemmed from comments by Vice President Biden, and McChrystal had been previously counseled on that incident). Everything else-the “Biden-bite me” remark, for example-is attributed to “an aide” or “an adviser.”

That’s important. Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) states:

Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

The UCMJ lists certain elements that must be present for a person to have violated this article:

(1) That the accused was a commissioned officer of the United States armed forces;

(2) That the accused used certain words against an official or legislature named in the article;

(3) That by an act of the accused these words came to the knowledge of a person other than the accused; and

(4) That the words used were contemptuous, either in themselves or by virtue of the circumstances under which they were used.

Numbers 1, 2, and 3 definitely apply. Does #4? Does calling someone “uncomfortable and disorganized” rise to the level of “contemptuous?” I don’t think so. The words of the various “aides” and “advisors,” though, definitely rise to that level and merit punishment. That won’t happen, though, because 1) they’re unnamed, and 2) McChrystal’s already taken the fall.

Why Resign?

Because this isn’t the first thing McChrystal’s done to set Obama off. And a fragile ego, already bruised, can only take so much before it has to strike back. Couple that with all the bad press that Obama’s received over the last few weeks, and you have the makings of a person who is well overdue for lashing out…and just needs the right spark.

With this incident —actually, the third— McChrystal was gone; the only question was how. But was it the right move for the overall strategy in Afghanistan?

Counterinsurgency operations-winning “hearts and minds” instead of winning through brute strength-require leaders who have gained the trust of the populations they work within. Building up that trust isn’t something that’s done overnight; it can take months or-at worst-years.

McChrystal had gained the trust of many Afghan leaders, including the country’s president:

“The president believes that Gen. McChrystal is the best commander that NATO and coalition forces have had in Afghanistan over the past nine years,” spokesman Waheed Omar said. Omar said McChrystal has worked closely with Karzai since he took command last year and that “lots of things have improved.”

Now, there’s no doubt that GEN Petraeus, who will replace McChrystal, is more than competent and capable of building the same level of trust with the Afghanistan’s national government (assuming he doesn’t have those relationships already). But what of the warlords that run large sections of the country? What of the villagers who have come to admire McChrystal’s painstaking-some would say overly so-avoidance of civilian causalities? Granted, Petraeus wrote the playbook that McChrystal used…but the people on the ground, on the local level, may not know him as well. So for them, it’s almost back to the beginning in building that trust. It may not take long to build, given Petraeus’ reputation-but it’s time that could be spent doing other things.

What It All Means

Will the overall strategy in Afghanistan change? Not at all. The professor’s running the show now, instead of the talented graduate assistant.

But will GEN Petreaus continue to serve as CENTCOM commander and the ISAF lead in Afghanistan, and can he effectively do both jobs? If the security situation there heads further south, will he recommend that our troops remain past the 2011 withdrawal objective?

And what’s the real reason for the selection of Petreaus? Clearly, he stands well above many of the names that were floated to take over for McChrystal. But is his selection to this post a vote of confidence in his abilities, or is it a ploy to keep him off the GOP’s presidential wish list in 2012?

These questions, and others, will ultimately decide what direction our efforts in Afghanistan take.

One thing is certain, though-with the appointment of his second general to head our mission in Afghanistan in a year-President Obama definitely owns this war. He has the people he selected in command and implementing the strategy he wanted.

Our success-or failure-there is completely in his hands…and not to be blamed on his predecessors.

About guest blogger Coby Dillard:

A blogger, Navy veteran, and activist, Coby W. Dillard seeks to apply conservative solutions to the problems of urban and inner city environments. He has worked with many grassroots organizations and is a co-founder of the Hampton Roads Tea Party. In 2009,  he worked on Gov. Bob McDonnell’s campaign as the director for veteran and African American outreach before briefly pursuing the Republican congressional nomination earlier this year in Virginia’s 3rd district.

Coby and his family live in Norfolk, where he is completing his undergraduate degree and working as a consultant.

Image credit

Of Lambs and Lions, by LTC Allen West

NOTE: African-American Conservatives is pleased to post this from LTC Allen B. West, who was gracious enough to give us an advance copy of his editorial for the July issue of Wheels on the Road Magazine:

Washingtoons

15 June 2010

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (US Army, Retired)

Of Lambs and Lions

“I do not fear an army of lions if they are led by a lamb. I do fear an army of sheep if they are led by a lion”.  —Alexander the Great

Greetings Wheels on the Road readers, fellow South Floridians, and indeed all Americans. It is time for our monthly political assessment and this one is rather personal. Last month we addressed what is at stake, and the response was the future of America. One of the factors affecting our Country right now relates to Alexander’s quote mentioned above.

Attorney General Eric Holder once lamented that America is a “nation of cowards”, that is far from the truth. The problem we have in America is that we are being led by lambs, by an effete ruling class elite. America is a nation of lions, warriors, but when we find ourselves being led by a cabal of weak, ineffective, and indecisive appeasers the result is evident.

Sure, the liberal progressives are dogged ideologues and tenacious poodles when it comes to nationalizing our production; healthcare, financial sector, energy sector, and automobile industry. They stand strong against the rule of law regarding illegal immigration. And there is no doubt no group will fight harder to redistribute wealth and turn America into a collective “balkanized” socialist Country.

However, what scares the liberals more than anything else is the “Warrior Class”. They abhor the men and women who find a commitment and conviction in believing in this Constitutional Republic and the principles which make America exceptional. This is a sentiment which over the past 30 days we witnessed being manifested  from the highest office in our land, the President.

When Barack Hussein Obama made the decision to take a “vacation” back to Chicago rather than attend Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National cemetery that was a complete disregard and disrespect to those who gave the “last full measure of devotion”. I know, those who suffer from Bush Derangement Syndrome are frothing and recounting that Pres GW Bush missed an Arlington ceremony….but he was at Normandy, a very appropriate place to be.

But it was not just the missing Memorial Day, it was also the lack of any recognition of the 66th anniversary of D-Day. It was the failure to address Flag Day which was also the 235th birthday of the US Army. Lastly, Obama’s refusal for the second year in a row to attend the “Gold Star Family” events clearly telegraphs his regard for our military does not go beyond photo opportunities.

The malignant narcissism of the President, and the liberal progressives, is laser focused on the disrespect and the destruction of the American Warrior class. They detest anyone who has the courage of conviction and love of America, something which they find unconscionable.

It starts with a national security strategy which refuses to address the enemy of our Nation, Islamic totalitarianism and radical islamic state sponsored terrorism. We have sheep who are so oblivious to the threats to our security that the Obama administation’s terrorism expert, John Brennan, stated that “terrorism is a state of mind and jihadism is a legitimate tenet of Islam”. When at the highest levels we project a recalcitrance to confront our enemy, you only embolden them.

When an enemy is emboldened, such as this one, they launch a “humanitarian aid” flotilla which is nothing more than a cover to supply a terrorist organization, Hamas. When you have a Sovereign State seek to protect itself, and even institute insidious rules of engagement, and yet is condemned for protecting its warriors, we are upside down……we are being led by sheep. Nothing pleasures wolves more than fresh lamb meat, and we are serving that up at every instance.

This seemingly is not just an American phenomenon, but a worldwide epidemic. North Korea sinks a South Korean naval vessel and we ask for an apology. The international community demands that Israel apologize and submit to an investigation.

We have created rules of engagement in Afghanistan which allows the enemy every opportunity to kill our men and women. We have considered such horrible ideas such as an award for “courageous restraint”. We even allow former Taliban members who have attacked, and maybe even killed, our troops to be released from detainment based upon a “pledge” signed by their fathers and tribal leaders.

Yet, we have our own Warriors such a Army 1LT Michael Behenna serving a 15 year prison sentence for killing a known Al Qaeda operative who attacked him. Worse however, is the fact that exculpatory evidence in his case was withheld by the Army prosecutors who also withheld a key witness. There in the military prison at Ft Leavenworth sit 10 Army Soldiers while Taliban fighters are being released. We just witnessed some of our finest Warriors, US Navy SEALS, having to endure a courts-martial because they “punched” a terrorist.

That is why I will be heading to Ft Leavenworth in September to rally for the release of our Soldiers so that they can be reunited with their families. Those families who willingly sacrificed their loved ones, believing that they could be severely wounded, or even killed….but never imprisoned for doing what we ask Warriors to do.

In the past 30 days we watched the House of Representatives so concerned about the military that they just could not wait, and voted to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” This was done against the counsel of the Service Chiefs who asked for an opportunity to allow the men and women in uniform to offer their suggestions and insights. No, it is more important to have the military accommodate behavior rather than respect the professionalism of those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.

We have seen the President nominate someone for Supreme Court justice who attacked the Solomon Amendment, allowing ROTC activities on our college campuses. We are willing to allow an Islamic victory tribute to be erected at Ground Zero in New York City because we have leaders who just cannot find the courage to stand….sheep.

We have a running gun battle occurring on our southern border but we allowed a foreign leader to demean our laws and attack a Governor of a sovereign American State.

There has never been a more critical time for our Republic and yet we find the worse possible individuals in control for this time. We have a Nation of men and women who embrace victory and detest the stench of defeat. However, all we get is more speeches, talk, empty rhetoric, and never an action plan….at least not an action plan which is commensurate with the foundational principles of America.

I stated earlier that this subject is personal to me and that is because of my story from Iraq in 2003. Yes, I fired my service 9mm over the head of a detainee to ensure my men were protected. Yes, I was removed from command and fined $5000. Yes, I withstood the attacks from the liberal sheep and will continue to do so because I am part of the Warrior class. I retired with Honor and remain a respected member of that group of men and women who feel pride when the National Anthem is played, and tear up at Taps.

When I look at Pelosi, Frank, Weiner, Clyburn, Klein, and Obama I see lambs, certainly not leaders. I see mundane deliberators, not decisive people of character. This 2010 election cycle has the most Veterans running for office since WW II and there is a simple reason.

America will not survive as a Nation in a world of wolves being led by sheep, it will take Lions.

Steadfast and Loyal,

LTC(R) A B West