And the meltdown begins. The entire US government - President on down to the Congressional 'Leadership' is nothing but a bunch of absolute, spineless cowards! The left has always said the military should only be used to defend these shores, translated - wait until they land in Boston or Manhattan or DC, and then we can fight them. CRAP! They would sell this country out in a heart-beat! How many Marines and Soldiers have died taking and holding ground that the 'Great Generals'(there isn't a decent star in the bunch) now want to turn over to the enemy? Hey,IDIOTS in DC listen up; THE ENEMY IS ISLAM and always has been! Waiting on you to finally develop a spine and some sense of moral indignation is like waiting for you to finally decide there really is a God, a Devil, right/wrong and a responsibility to protect that which you have sworn to protect. You are all useless and now you intend to waste all of those lives spent to deny the enemy ground to go to. Congratulations; you are now officially cowards and enemies of your own country and people! You disgust me to a man - and woman. Start looking for work because we are going to see to it that you all, whether 'D' or 'R' are out of work in 2010!
To everyone else on this list; if you have not been paying close attention to all of this, understand that this is exactly what we have been waiting for; the cowards to finally sell us downstream. The stories that have come out in the past week are unbelievable. From paying the Taliban to switch sides to now relinquishing ground Marines and Soldiers bought with blood, giving it back to the Taliban. We don't need a new 'strategy'; we need to fight the original one with so much intensity that the very rocks cry out for mercy (no intent at sacrilege)! Scorched Earth should be the order of the day. Once again; THERE ARE NO HEARTS AND MINDS TO WIN!!! They are all enemy. The men are Jihadists, the women bare children that become...let me think...Jihadists.
If you don't want to see this country reverted into a 21st century version of a third world dust bowl we had better make sure these bone-heads in the 'Dark City' are ALL on the unemployment line in 2010!
Disgusted beyond any description;
John Bernard
1stSgt USMC ret and thoroughly ashamed of this government
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/Afghanistan/article6908806.ece
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
That 'pesky' Inconvenient History
The White House has announced - weekly, that it intends to have an answer to the question of what to do about strategy/strategy change in Afghanistan 'by the end of the week'. The latest excuse is that in light of the apparent fraud in the election process, there will be a run-off election. Because it cannot be determined with certainty who will be victorious, President Obama wants to wait before sanctioning any troop increases ('approving' the change to COIN is a certainty). It is unclear what the actual hold-up is but the given reasons change with the calendar starting back in June when the White House announced General McChrystal as the new ISAF Commander. Since then we have heard rumor and innuendo about the General's assessment of the conditions on the ground in Afghanistan. What we do know is that the White House has linked the opinion of the Afghan people with whatever strategy changes that will be forthcoming. In effect; the security of the United States lies with the desires of the Afghan people.
General McChrystal has staked his entire reputation, not to mention the lives of our men and women in the field, on a counter insurgency strategy that almost exclusively focuses on population protection. His statement that 'success would be defined by the Afghans' harkens back to the Malayan Emergency and General Templer's contention that 'the answer lies not in pouring more troops into the jungle, but in the hearts and minds of the people'. The problem is, the insurgents in Malaya were different than the Afghan insurgency. Theirs was a political ideology. The 'insurgents' in Afghanistan are hardly an alienated element within the society there. They represent the true doctrine of Islam and, arguably, the hearts and minds of the Afghans in that regard. Success for them is measured in infidels and apostates killed. Yes; they are a mix to be sure with some not much more committed than are common thieves and drug runners but even that number is ideologically tied to Islam. Another thing worth noting is that the combat in Malaysia, while officially over in 1960, never really quelled the hostilities. The insurgents re-emerged in the late 60's and continued in the struggle until 1989. Some might consider it coincidental that the iron curtain fell that same year, but I think an argument can be made that it had a profound effect on the hopes of communists world wide - including Malaysia. If General McChrystal is using The Malaysian Emergency as proof of a successful COIN operation; he has to explain away a lot of inconvenient history.
The Philippine Insurrection (1899 - 1913) causes him yet another problem because even though there are those who suggest it was a counter insurgency, the reality is that it was a declared war by the first 'President' of the Philippines. The war quickly degraded into a war of tribes waging a guerilla style war with many atrocities by the Filipinos recorded. Our response to those atrocities would not be considered 'politically correct' today, but were effective. As the war raged into its final years, the splintered warring factions stepped up their guerilla tactics as well as the atrocities. General Pershing is said to have taken 50 prisoners of muslim persuasion and lined them up for the firing squad. He had the firing squad file by the prisoners, dip their bullets in pigs blood and shoot all except one with those bullets. He then let the remaining prisoner go to warn his brethren. There are also stories of dead Moros (muslim) being buried in pigs skin, face down (so they could not see Mecca) in an attempt to demoralize them and force a cessation to hostilities. I can't imagine the good General is recommending these standards in dealing with the indigenous elements that are the Taliban, in Afghanistan. One must also note that there were several religious ideologies at play in the Philippines and it is not at all apparent that they played a part in the Filipino's decision to declare war on the US or sustain hostilities for fourteen years.
Finally there is Vietnam; the hearts and minds campaign there was an abysmal failure while the chase and kill campaigns were largely successful. This is probably our first literal attempt at a counter insurgency and one of our greatest political disasters. Is the General really taking from the McNamara/Johnson playbook and attempting to 'right history'? There are still many of us with keen memories of that debacle and the shame of Saigon and the horrific treatment our Warriors received when they returned to these shores. The entire political establishment of that decade and a half should have been thrown in prison for letting any and all of that happen!
So if we sum up just two of the three efforts, what we have is a failure of counter insurgency strategy. And with this history, General McChrystal finds solace and hope for success - in a country that is ideologically opposed to us just for breathing the same air?? Even if there was a shred of hope in this strategy succeeding, what gives us the right to interfere in the affairs of another culture that is, by any measure, content with their lot in life? The fact is we don't have the right and, that is not what we went there to do. Again; we went there to chase and kill the enemy that spawned the elements that attacked us on September 11, 2001. In addition we decided to chase and kill those who offered them safe harbor and training bases from which to train and launch attacks. The Taliban, which were the sitting governance at the time, invited Al Qaida into Afghanistan to train and plan. The contention that the Taliban and Al Qaida are somehow diametrically opposed either ideologically or on some other basis; rings hollow in light of the facts. If the Taliban did not want Al Qaida there, they would not have been there. It must have pleased them on some level to have them there because they were there.
This still boils down to whether or not we believe we have the right, duty and responsibility, regardless of international consent, to export violence to deal with a clear and present danger to American property, American citizenry and American interests. As Americans the answer should be a resounding yes. I fully understand that foreign entities and individuals, and those in this country who have not yet felt oppression, death or fear, will say no. I understand there are those who think there has never been nor shall ever there be a justifiable war. I no longer expect you to be a serious part of this conversation. You are living in a land of make believe because I know, and you know how you would react if someone entered your house and threatened your family. You would pick up whatever was available and do whatever you had to in order to secure safety for your loved ones including killing the dirtbags. All you need to do is multiply your family by millions and you might understand the peril that confronts your country.
What we have here is the General involved in a great social experiment, with the plains of Afghanistan as his personal laboratory and our Marines and Soldiers as the rats. History is not on your side General and you are losing time and the support of the only segment of the population of this country who would normally support your efforts.
Admiral Mullen said in a letter to Senators Collins and Snowe (meant for me) that the ROE had not in fact changed with the ISAF Commander back in June 2009; The Rules of Engagement had only been 'clarified'. Ganjgal is but one example of how that 'clarification' is being brought into question. The current investigation, if not buried by the Army, ISAF, SecDef or higher, is going to yield what we already know; that the rules are intentionally vague to offer maximum cover for those who have implemented them while exposing the decision makers on the ground and all at the expense of those prosecuting the war, O-5 and below. It is already painfully obvious to all, especially those on the ground, that before June we were blowing crap up and providing Air and Arty when needed and now; American lives are inferior to Afghan by our own rules and the UN has prosecutors in Kabul, gleaning after-action-reports looking for evidence they can use to prosecute Marines and Soldiers.
What General McChrystal, Sec Def Gates and President Obama need to remember is that they are sworn by oath to defend this country and our people - not protect the civilian population of another country or rebuild their country with our tax dollars and the blood of our children!
Semper Fidelis;
John Bernard
General McChrystal has staked his entire reputation, not to mention the lives of our men and women in the field, on a counter insurgency strategy that almost exclusively focuses on population protection. His statement that 'success would be defined by the Afghans' harkens back to the Malayan Emergency and General Templer's contention that 'the answer lies not in pouring more troops into the jungle, but in the hearts and minds of the people'. The problem is, the insurgents in Malaya were different than the Afghan insurgency. Theirs was a political ideology. The 'insurgents' in Afghanistan are hardly an alienated element within the society there. They represent the true doctrine of Islam and, arguably, the hearts and minds of the Afghans in that regard. Success for them is measured in infidels and apostates killed. Yes; they are a mix to be sure with some not much more committed than are common thieves and drug runners but even that number is ideologically tied to Islam. Another thing worth noting is that the combat in Malaysia, while officially over in 1960, never really quelled the hostilities. The insurgents re-emerged in the late 60's and continued in the struggle until 1989. Some might consider it coincidental that the iron curtain fell that same year, but I think an argument can be made that it had a profound effect on the hopes of communists world wide - including Malaysia. If General McChrystal is using The Malaysian Emergency as proof of a successful COIN operation; he has to explain away a lot of inconvenient history.
The Philippine Insurrection (1899 - 1913) causes him yet another problem because even though there are those who suggest it was a counter insurgency, the reality is that it was a declared war by the first 'President' of the Philippines. The war quickly degraded into a war of tribes waging a guerilla style war with many atrocities by the Filipinos recorded. Our response to those atrocities would not be considered 'politically correct' today, but were effective. As the war raged into its final years, the splintered warring factions stepped up their guerilla tactics as well as the atrocities. General Pershing is said to have taken 50 prisoners of muslim persuasion and lined them up for the firing squad. He had the firing squad file by the prisoners, dip their bullets in pigs blood and shoot all except one with those bullets. He then let the remaining prisoner go to warn his brethren. There are also stories of dead Moros (muslim) being buried in pigs skin, face down (so they could not see Mecca) in an attempt to demoralize them and force a cessation to hostilities. I can't imagine the good General is recommending these standards in dealing with the indigenous elements that are the Taliban, in Afghanistan. One must also note that there were several religious ideologies at play in the Philippines and it is not at all apparent that they played a part in the Filipino's decision to declare war on the US or sustain hostilities for fourteen years.
Finally there is Vietnam; the hearts and minds campaign there was an abysmal failure while the chase and kill campaigns were largely successful. This is probably our first literal attempt at a counter insurgency and one of our greatest political disasters. Is the General really taking from the McNamara/Johnson playbook and attempting to 'right history'? There are still many of us with keen memories of that debacle and the shame of Saigon and the horrific treatment our Warriors received when they returned to these shores. The entire political establishment of that decade and a half should have been thrown in prison for letting any and all of that happen!
So if we sum up just two of the three efforts, what we have is a failure of counter insurgency strategy. And with this history, General McChrystal finds solace and hope for success - in a country that is ideologically opposed to us just for breathing the same air?? Even if there was a shred of hope in this strategy succeeding, what gives us the right to interfere in the affairs of another culture that is, by any measure, content with their lot in life? The fact is we don't have the right and, that is not what we went there to do. Again; we went there to chase and kill the enemy that spawned the elements that attacked us on September 11, 2001. In addition we decided to chase and kill those who offered them safe harbor and training bases from which to train and launch attacks. The Taliban, which were the sitting governance at the time, invited Al Qaida into Afghanistan to train and plan. The contention that the Taliban and Al Qaida are somehow diametrically opposed either ideologically or on some other basis; rings hollow in light of the facts. If the Taliban did not want Al Qaida there, they would not have been there. It must have pleased them on some level to have them there because they were there.
This still boils down to whether or not we believe we have the right, duty and responsibility, regardless of international consent, to export violence to deal with a clear and present danger to American property, American citizenry and American interests. As Americans the answer should be a resounding yes. I fully understand that foreign entities and individuals, and those in this country who have not yet felt oppression, death or fear, will say no. I understand there are those who think there has never been nor shall ever there be a justifiable war. I no longer expect you to be a serious part of this conversation. You are living in a land of make believe because I know, and you know how you would react if someone entered your house and threatened your family. You would pick up whatever was available and do whatever you had to in order to secure safety for your loved ones including killing the dirtbags. All you need to do is multiply your family by millions and you might understand the peril that confronts your country.
What we have here is the General involved in a great social experiment, with the plains of Afghanistan as his personal laboratory and our Marines and Soldiers as the rats. History is not on your side General and you are losing time and the support of the only segment of the population of this country who would normally support your efforts.
Admiral Mullen said in a letter to Senators Collins and Snowe (meant for me) that the ROE had not in fact changed with the ISAF Commander back in June 2009; The Rules of Engagement had only been 'clarified'. Ganjgal is but one example of how that 'clarification' is being brought into question. The current investigation, if not buried by the Army, ISAF, SecDef or higher, is going to yield what we already know; that the rules are intentionally vague to offer maximum cover for those who have implemented them while exposing the decision makers on the ground and all at the expense of those prosecuting the war, O-5 and below. It is already painfully obvious to all, especially those on the ground, that before June we were blowing crap up and providing Air and Arty when needed and now; American lives are inferior to Afghan by our own rules and the UN has prosecutors in Kabul, gleaning after-action-reports looking for evidence they can use to prosecute Marines and Soldiers.
What General McChrystal, Sec Def Gates and President Obama need to remember is that they are sworn by oath to defend this country and our people - not protect the civilian population of another country or rebuild their country with our tax dollars and the blood of our children!
Semper Fidelis;
John Bernard
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Letter that Started Everything
So many of you have been so kind throughout all of this. When the AP release hit the net today I realized that most everyone who has been tracking the progress of this effort have never seen the original letter I wrote to our delegation in DC. The issue was important then and and even more so today. Since then, dozens on men have died staying in compliance with the current COIN strategy and its ROE; including my Son.
We have continued this fight because there are still too many Marines and Soldiers on the ground over there who will continue to die because of these Rules of Engagement. President Obama intends to release his decision, by the end of this week, on what the strategy should be as we go forward with the operation in Afghanistan and he is likely to accept much of what General McChrystal has recommended. The one caveat in the Stratfor/AP report of this announcement today was that he intends to lean even more heavily on the side of the civilian population. This means, most certainly, heavier American casualties.
The original letter:
Congressman Mike Michaud 7/09/2009 08:01
1724 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515-1902
Dear Sir;
I am writing to you today as an American citizen, 26 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, committed Christian, Husband, Father of two and a businessman. I am also writing to you as the Father of a Marine who is, as all of his brothers in arms are, in harms way. That by itself is not a cause for concern for me because as a Warrior I understand two things:(1) it is the very nature of the calling to which we have been called that we will be thrust into dangerous, even life threatening situations to fight the enemies of our country and (2) that there could not possibly be a safer place to be than in the company of fellow Marines. In any case, that is the nature of the business and those who serve in this capacity have long since dealt with the realities of life in uniform.
There are, however, certain expectations, an unspoken trust within the ranks of those of us who serve and have served in this capacity. One of those is that we have a belief that as Americans, our leadership will not frivolously spend our blood on unworthy pursuit. To those of us who serve, let me be very clear to those of you who hold our lives in your hands; this means that the reason we may die can ultimately be defined as protecting homeland, family and fellow American lives (spelled US citizens). We also assume we will not be used as pawns in some personal vendetta or worse some career building scheme; that we will not be asked to spill our blood in a foreign land to defend the indefensible. We expect we will be able to do that for which we were trained; export violence with ferocity and drive our enemies to their knees with the ultimate goal of ending the conflict by forcing them to do our will. Such are the dreams and aspirations of the Warrior. Men like this seek to serve side by side with like-minded men prepared to meet their destiny on the field of battle; living a life of honor while testing personal courage in the forge of combat. Our nations Warriors have no other expectations, no visions of grandeur, no careers to bolster, no kingdoms to lord over, no sovereignty to subvert. These men just seek to serve their country.
Now that you have ever so basic an understanding of the intrinsic nature of the Warrior; I hope to encourage you to show them at least the dignity of thoughtful and painstaking decision-making when considering when and where to thrust them into the fires of hell. My demand is that you emphatically understand that this decision will have eternal consequences for the men involved and their families. I also expect this decision to be for the simple reason of defense of country and countrymen (again spelled United States Citizens).
If any part of you still understands that you were sent to Washington DC for the sole purpose of defending these shores and to defend the ‘life, liberty and pursuit of happiness’ of the citizens of this nation; and if you still believe you are first a servant of all, then you yet may possess the ability to understand the immorality of what I am about to share with you and the necessity to change this policy NOW.
President Obama has seen fit to replace the sitting ISAF commander with a General McChrystal (see Bio at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_A._McChrystal). Suffice it to say that Gen McChrystal’s understanding of the Warrior ethos is somewhat askew from the mainstream. Also let us cut to the chase and identify him more as a political mouthpiece than a field commander. Add to this the dubious addition of General James L. Jones (see bio at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_L._Jones), who unlike McChrystal has actual combat experience but still shares the same ultimate goals and one world vision as both McChrystal and Obama. What you have here is an unholy trinity injecting their shared philosophy of ‘spare the civilians at all cost’ – even though those civilians are not US citizens and are in fact complicit in their own misfortune. The new ROE presented by McChrystal and under which operation Khanjar was mounted is nothing less than disgraceful, immoral and fatal for our Marines, Sailors and Soldiers on the ground. The Marines and Soldiers that are ‘holding’ territories of dubious worth like Now Zad and Golestan without reinforcement, denial of fire-support and refusal to allow them to hunt and kill the very enemy we are there to confront are nothing more than sitting ducks. Denying them even the ability to fight, which is their only purpose for existing, to defend themselves in a foreign land that sees them first as agents of the devil is detestable to the secular world and immoral to the rest of us. And for those of us with ‘vested interests’ thrust into that foreign land; it angers us. The links I have provided will give you some indication of the insanity of the current situation and the suicidal position this administration has placed these Warriors in. I admonish this administration and all those currently in public office whom we have entrusted with our security, well-being and the very lives and well-being of the best of us, our Warriors to start acting like you actually care or even understand the consequences of ludicrous decisions like this one. I then hold you responsible to actively seek to change this immoral policy to one that allows our Warriors the opportunity to do what they were trained to do; destroy our enemies and protect our citizenry.
http://www.militarytimes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1578049
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2009/07/07/no-excuse-marines-losing-legs-in-now-zad/
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2009/07/03/afghanistan-the-wtf-war/
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2009/07/05/calling-on-national-security-advisor-james-l-jones-to-resign/
To those who would suggest that COIN (counter insurgency) is complicated I say hog-wash. This has become the mantra of the one-world ideologues. This has become complicated because leadership has lost its way. It is not the responsibility of the leaders (servants) of this country to re-build a country that has not been destroyed by us nor does the leadership of this country have any intrinsic right to spill the blood of this country’s finest for this cause. I’ll lay it out for you; bad guys entered this country, unannounced and unwelcome and killed Americans on American soil. Bad guys continue to harass and threaten to kill Americans here at home and abroad. Bad guys continue to train in foreign lands and continue to plan to carry out these plans against sovereign American citizens. They have no rights or guarantee of protection under the Constitution of the United States because they are not United States citizens. They are not protected by the Geneva Convention because they don’t fight under any Nation’s Flag. We however, have the right – and responsibility, with historical and Biblical precedent to export violence to crush these Bad guys, wherever they may live and in whatever lair they may hide – relentlessly! If the civilian populations in those areas lack the intestinal fortitude to expel them from their midst or they quietly support them or they actively support them; they are not innocent and may well suffer ill consequences for their cowardice and their complicities.
For those of us who have served in uniform and for those of us who have family forced to serve under these immoral conditions the time to quietly observe and pray has ended. There is a new activist emerging; not like the cannabis induced flailing of the sixties and seventies but one with the discipline, training and tenacity of a Warrior. Those of us who have a history in this Warrior culture and a vested interest on the battlefield will be a lot more vocal from this point on. Those in this culture who do not yet know about this immoral ROE change will soon all know as well as the families of those who are imperiled by it. Those who have actively supported this policy of immorality or are not engaged enough to know of it; they will be re-introduced to your constituencies for their failings. Public service is precisely what it portends to be; service. If there are those among your number who have failed to remember that I can promise you we will make that known within our spheres of influence.
This letter is making its way through the halls of every national news agency as well as the local ones in Maine, as you read this. I have contacted your office by phone, e-mail and now letter to give you a chance to get out in front of it. Consider this a wake-up call.
John J. Bernard
1stSgt USMC ret
We have continued this fight because there are still too many Marines and Soldiers on the ground over there who will continue to die because of these Rules of Engagement. President Obama intends to release his decision, by the end of this week, on what the strategy should be as we go forward with the operation in Afghanistan and he is likely to accept much of what General McChrystal has recommended. The one caveat in the Stratfor/AP report of this announcement today was that he intends to lean even more heavily on the side of the civilian population. This means, most certainly, heavier American casualties.
The original letter:
Congressman Mike Michaud 7/09/2009 08:01
1724 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515-1902
Dear Sir;
I am writing to you today as an American citizen, 26 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, committed Christian, Husband, Father of two and a businessman. I am also writing to you as the Father of a Marine who is, as all of his brothers in arms are, in harms way. That by itself is not a cause for concern for me because as a Warrior I understand two things:(1) it is the very nature of the calling to which we have been called that we will be thrust into dangerous, even life threatening situations to fight the enemies of our country and (2) that there could not possibly be a safer place to be than in the company of fellow Marines. In any case, that is the nature of the business and those who serve in this capacity have long since dealt with the realities of life in uniform.
There are, however, certain expectations, an unspoken trust within the ranks of those of us who serve and have served in this capacity. One of those is that we have a belief that as Americans, our leadership will not frivolously spend our blood on unworthy pursuit. To those of us who serve, let me be very clear to those of you who hold our lives in your hands; this means that the reason we may die can ultimately be defined as protecting homeland, family and fellow American lives (spelled US citizens). We also assume we will not be used as pawns in some personal vendetta or worse some career building scheme; that we will not be asked to spill our blood in a foreign land to defend the indefensible. We expect we will be able to do that for which we were trained; export violence with ferocity and drive our enemies to their knees with the ultimate goal of ending the conflict by forcing them to do our will. Such are the dreams and aspirations of the Warrior. Men like this seek to serve side by side with like-minded men prepared to meet their destiny on the field of battle; living a life of honor while testing personal courage in the forge of combat. Our nations Warriors have no other expectations, no visions of grandeur, no careers to bolster, no kingdoms to lord over, no sovereignty to subvert. These men just seek to serve their country.
Now that you have ever so basic an understanding of the intrinsic nature of the Warrior; I hope to encourage you to show them at least the dignity of thoughtful and painstaking decision-making when considering when and where to thrust them into the fires of hell. My demand is that you emphatically understand that this decision will have eternal consequences for the men involved and their families. I also expect this decision to be for the simple reason of defense of country and countrymen (again spelled United States Citizens).
If any part of you still understands that you were sent to Washington DC for the sole purpose of defending these shores and to defend the ‘life, liberty and pursuit of happiness’ of the citizens of this nation; and if you still believe you are first a servant of all, then you yet may possess the ability to understand the immorality of what I am about to share with you and the necessity to change this policy NOW.
President Obama has seen fit to replace the sitting ISAF commander with a General McChrystal (see Bio at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_A._McChrystal). Suffice it to say that Gen McChrystal’s understanding of the Warrior ethos is somewhat askew from the mainstream. Also let us cut to the chase and identify him more as a political mouthpiece than a field commander. Add to this the dubious addition of General James L. Jones (see bio at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_L._Jones), who unlike McChrystal has actual combat experience but still shares the same ultimate goals and one world vision as both McChrystal and Obama. What you have here is an unholy trinity injecting their shared philosophy of ‘spare the civilians at all cost’ – even though those civilians are not US citizens and are in fact complicit in their own misfortune. The new ROE presented by McChrystal and under which operation Khanjar was mounted is nothing less than disgraceful, immoral and fatal for our Marines, Sailors and Soldiers on the ground. The Marines and Soldiers that are ‘holding’ territories of dubious worth like Now Zad and Golestan without reinforcement, denial of fire-support and refusal to allow them to hunt and kill the very enemy we are there to confront are nothing more than sitting ducks. Denying them even the ability to fight, which is their only purpose for existing, to defend themselves in a foreign land that sees them first as agents of the devil is detestable to the secular world and immoral to the rest of us. And for those of us with ‘vested interests’ thrust into that foreign land; it angers us. The links I have provided will give you some indication of the insanity of the current situation and the suicidal position this administration has placed these Warriors in. I admonish this administration and all those currently in public office whom we have entrusted with our security, well-being and the very lives and well-being of the best of us, our Warriors to start acting like you actually care or even understand the consequences of ludicrous decisions like this one. I then hold you responsible to actively seek to change this immoral policy to one that allows our Warriors the opportunity to do what they were trained to do; destroy our enemies and protect our citizenry.
http://www.militarytimes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1578049
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2009/07/07/no-excuse-marines-losing-legs-in-now-zad/
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2009/07/03/afghanistan-the-wtf-war/
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2009/07/05/calling-on-national-security-advisor-james-l-jones-to-resign/
To those who would suggest that COIN (counter insurgency) is complicated I say hog-wash. This has become the mantra of the one-world ideologues. This has become complicated because leadership has lost its way. It is not the responsibility of the leaders (servants) of this country to re-build a country that has not been destroyed by us nor does the leadership of this country have any intrinsic right to spill the blood of this country’s finest for this cause. I’ll lay it out for you; bad guys entered this country, unannounced and unwelcome and killed Americans on American soil. Bad guys continue to harass and threaten to kill Americans here at home and abroad. Bad guys continue to train in foreign lands and continue to plan to carry out these plans against sovereign American citizens. They have no rights or guarantee of protection under the Constitution of the United States because they are not United States citizens. They are not protected by the Geneva Convention because they don’t fight under any Nation’s Flag. We however, have the right – and responsibility, with historical and Biblical precedent to export violence to crush these Bad guys, wherever they may live and in whatever lair they may hide – relentlessly! If the civilian populations in those areas lack the intestinal fortitude to expel them from their midst or they quietly support them or they actively support them; they are not innocent and may well suffer ill consequences for their cowardice and their complicities.
For those of us who have served in uniform and for those of us who have family forced to serve under these immoral conditions the time to quietly observe and pray has ended. There is a new activist emerging; not like the cannabis induced flailing of the sixties and seventies but one with the discipline, training and tenacity of a Warrior. Those of us who have a history in this Warrior culture and a vested interest on the battlefield will be a lot more vocal from this point on. Those in this culture who do not yet know about this immoral ROE change will soon all know as well as the families of those who are imperiled by it. Those who have actively supported this policy of immorality or are not engaged enough to know of it; they will be re-introduced to your constituencies for their failings. Public service is precisely what it portends to be; service. If there are those among your number who have failed to remember that I can promise you we will make that known within our spheres of influence.
This letter is making its way through the halls of every national news agency as well as the local ones in Maine, as you read this. I have contacted your office by phone, e-mail and now letter to give you a chance to get out in front of it. Consider this a wake-up call.
John J. Bernard
1stSgt USMC ret
Monday, October 12, 2009
Another Dandy Week in Barracks ‘Excellent Adventure’
Well it was another fine week in the ‘Excellent Adventures’ of American leadership. There were so many new reports and revelations that it was hard to know where to begin so let’s begin by forming a list: (most of the links will have to be copied and pasted in the search window)
1. MJG was kind enough to send me this gem; we now know that funds have been made available and were distributed to Mullahs and Mosques for the improvement of existing Mosques and the building of new ones. There was no hint in the story that these were for war reparations and if they were; it would be too soon for that anyway. http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2004/02/the-us-government-builds-mosques-and-madrassahs.
2. The Taliban is declaring victory due to our closing the outpost in Nuristan that was attacked on October 4th. The outpost has been slated for abandonment for quite a while. 9 Soldiers were killed, several ANA killed and dozens (missing?). There are conflicting stories about how many Taliban were killed. http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/taliban-claim-to-raise-a-flag-over-nuristan/
3. Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe reports that Laith al-Khazali a leader of Asa’ib al-Haq (Iranian backed) was released by the United States in an ongoing effort to achieve reconciliation with… I’m not sure whom, in Iraq. It is worthy to note that he is responsible for the deaths of at least 5 American Soldiers. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/08/a_casualty_of_callousness/#end
4. The coveted Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Barrack Obama; praise his name! http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/29421
The story of the United States Mosque building efforts is not brand new. This has been going on for a long time and is probably couched in the language of war reparations. The problem is; the war is not over and, the enemy has been using these mosques, regularly, from which to launch attacks on our Warriors. I won't go into the apparent conflict with the 1st amendment of the US Constitution here although there is much to talk about. The more glaring problem is that we are building hardened bulwarks from which the enemy can launch attacks on our troops. Have we lost all understanding of how to wage war? You don't build emplacements for the enemy, you destroy everything they can use and deny them ground. Want an example? Look at Berlin circa 1944-45 or the waning months of our battle with Japan. By the way; Both Germany and Japan are now leading economic and manufacturing powers in the world. I don't think we are likely to see that in Afghanistan anywhere in their future - with or without their US built Mosques.
The Taliban declared victory over the 'infidel' in Nuristan after assaulting two American manned outposts there last week. The two outposts were slated to be closed down as part of Gen McChrystal's new 'protect the populace at all costs' strategy which includes pulling back from territories of marginal value (marginal value as defined by population density). Of course our US leadership told the whole world, including the Taliban, what our plan was and the Taliban exploited that piece of intelligence and planned and executed an attack on those outposts (from a Mosque) and eight American Soldiers were killed in the ensuing battle. Closing these outposts does not mean we are abandoning the province or the region. The fact that closing the outposts had been in the works for quite some time negates any claim to victory especially in light of the fact the Taliban paid a high price (some reports say 100 Taliban dead) and in the end, gained zero property. Never-the-less a question should be asked; why is it Lcpl Schmuckatelli can't tell Mom and Dad back home where he is or what he is doing but the highest ranking officers in the US military can share sensitive information with the enemy - like when we are going to shut down an outpost? I don't suppose it crossed their minds that they were party to those US deaths?
We, as a nation, have allowed a sickness to creep in called a lie. This lie has been propagated in the school systems through the use of revised history. The lie is pervasive and essentially paints the United States and its citizenry as incredibly evil people who have imposed their evil on the innocent peoples of other nations. The result of decades of this kind of indoctrination is self-loathing. It is not unusual for someone to seek redemption once they discover their sin, and elements within the United States have spent their lives trying to ‘make up’ for the sins of the past. This week’s example of this was the release of Laith al-Khazali in Iraq. He is not a soldier, nor an elected representative of his people. He does not expound on the virtue of peace nor has he developed a vaccine for cancer. He is a murderer. He listened to and believed a lie and that lie grew into something insidious and he acted on it and because of that at least 5 American Soldiers did not return home to their families. In an 'act of reconciliation', the upper echelon of our own military released him back to his family. Match that to the plight of Sgt Larry Hutchins who kidnapped an Iraqi civilian (he suspected of aiding the insurgency in his area of operations) and subsequently shot him in the head. He is spending 15 years in prison for murder. The parole board recommended leniency and a reduction of sentence but earlier this year, Donald Winter – a man with ZERO military experience and a member of the Bush administration and now the Obama – denied the recommendation. Reconciliation you say?
The Coup de Gras was the announcement out of Norway that President Obama was being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course, everyone, including the President himself is questioning why he was chosen. I don't expect him to turn down the honor however. In fact this is just more justification that he is 'all that' and more. A friend of mine had called and lamented this fact within hours of having heard but, I told him, he should be encouraged by the announcement. The fact is that the committee has been awarding individuals of dubious accomplishment for years and it has become clear, from the 'progressive mindset' segment of society. This is just the latest in a list of ludicrous selectees right behind Al Gore, Jimmy Carter and Yasser Arafat, et al. Al Gore of 'the sun is falling' fame and Jimmy Carter of 'let's wring our hands and beg the Iranians for forgiveness' fame (1979).
I am going to ask those of you and your friends, who voted for this current administration, how do you like them now? Not only did you vote for someone with NO resume; you did it with religious zeal; and don't fool yourselves, you displayed classic worship. This man, Barrack Obama, was declared to be 'our Savior' by none other than the Reverend Al Sharpton himself. Fringe you say? How about the refrains from those young angelic voices in the public schools that sang (and still do) praises to 'his majesty'? Remember the latest refrain; 'Barrack..Hussein..Obama. Mmm, Mmm, Mmm'. It is time for you or your relatives and friends to wake up to your sin. You voted for a man who received and did not deny the devotion reserved for a deity. There were tears of joy flowing at the inauguration and now, there are tears flowing at the gravesides of men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are being slaughtered by our own government's complicity in the war plans of our enemy; Barrack Obama's hand selected appointees.
How long can a Nation last whose leadership values the lives of the enemy and foreign civilians above that of its own military? To those of you who have called, e-mailed, and blogged your concerns about a loved one in the military looking for information or hope, I say this; be very, very, afraid. Then you need to get up, write letters, make calls, blog, e-mail, and do a song and dance on the street corners to get the word out that this current strategy is wrong. You need to reflect on what God you believe in and I pray it is the one true God. Then you need to educate yourselves on the true nature of this current enemy and the insidiousness of his religious ideology and understand that any strategy that does not include chasing him and killing him with ferocity, is doomed to fail, politically. You also need to take a stand are you a citizen of the United States of America; or a world citizen? It is time to stand up and be counted.
Until next time; this is John Bernard reporting from the top of the country while we continue to chronicle the amazing exploits of “Barack, Hussein, Obama. Mmmm, Mmm, Mmm” and company.
Semper Fidelis;
John Bernard
1. MJG was kind enough to send me this gem; we now know that funds have been made available and were distributed to Mullahs and Mosques for the improvement of existing Mosques and the building of new ones. There was no hint in the story that these were for war reparations and if they were; it would be too soon for that anyway. http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2004/02/the-us-government-builds-mosques-and-madrassahs.
2. The Taliban is declaring victory due to our closing the outpost in Nuristan that was attacked on October 4th. The outpost has been slated for abandonment for quite a while. 9 Soldiers were killed, several ANA killed and dozens (missing?). There are conflicting stories about how many Taliban were killed. http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/taliban-claim-to-raise-a-flag-over-nuristan/
3. Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe reports that Laith al-Khazali a leader of Asa’ib al-Haq (Iranian backed) was released by the United States in an ongoing effort to achieve reconciliation with… I’m not sure whom, in Iraq. It is worthy to note that he is responsible for the deaths of at least 5 American Soldiers. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/08/a_casualty_of_callousness/#end
4. The coveted Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Barrack Obama; praise his name! http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/29421
The story of the United States Mosque building efforts is not brand new. This has been going on for a long time and is probably couched in the language of war reparations. The problem is; the war is not over and, the enemy has been using these mosques, regularly, from which to launch attacks on our Warriors. I won't go into the apparent conflict with the 1st amendment of the US Constitution here although there is much to talk about. The more glaring problem is that we are building hardened bulwarks from which the enemy can launch attacks on our troops. Have we lost all understanding of how to wage war? You don't build emplacements for the enemy, you destroy everything they can use and deny them ground. Want an example? Look at Berlin circa 1944-45 or the waning months of our battle with Japan. By the way; Both Germany and Japan are now leading economic and manufacturing powers in the world. I don't think we are likely to see that in Afghanistan anywhere in their future - with or without their US built Mosques.
The Taliban declared victory over the 'infidel' in Nuristan after assaulting two American manned outposts there last week. The two outposts were slated to be closed down as part of Gen McChrystal's new 'protect the populace at all costs' strategy which includes pulling back from territories of marginal value (marginal value as defined by population density). Of course our US leadership told the whole world, including the Taliban, what our plan was and the Taliban exploited that piece of intelligence and planned and executed an attack on those outposts (from a Mosque) and eight American Soldiers were killed in the ensuing battle. Closing these outposts does not mean we are abandoning the province or the region. The fact that closing the outposts had been in the works for quite some time negates any claim to victory especially in light of the fact the Taliban paid a high price (some reports say 100 Taliban dead) and in the end, gained zero property. Never-the-less a question should be asked; why is it Lcpl Schmuckatelli can't tell Mom and Dad back home where he is or what he is doing but the highest ranking officers in the US military can share sensitive information with the enemy - like when we are going to shut down an outpost? I don't suppose it crossed their minds that they were party to those US deaths?
We, as a nation, have allowed a sickness to creep in called a lie. This lie has been propagated in the school systems through the use of revised history. The lie is pervasive and essentially paints the United States and its citizenry as incredibly evil people who have imposed their evil on the innocent peoples of other nations. The result of decades of this kind of indoctrination is self-loathing. It is not unusual for someone to seek redemption once they discover their sin, and elements within the United States have spent their lives trying to ‘make up’ for the sins of the past. This week’s example of this was the release of Laith al-Khazali in Iraq. He is not a soldier, nor an elected representative of his people. He does not expound on the virtue of peace nor has he developed a vaccine for cancer. He is a murderer. He listened to and believed a lie and that lie grew into something insidious and he acted on it and because of that at least 5 American Soldiers did not return home to their families. In an 'act of reconciliation', the upper echelon of our own military released him back to his family. Match that to the plight of Sgt Larry Hutchins who kidnapped an Iraqi civilian (he suspected of aiding the insurgency in his area of operations) and subsequently shot him in the head. He is spending 15 years in prison for murder. The parole board recommended leniency and a reduction of sentence but earlier this year, Donald Winter – a man with ZERO military experience and a member of the Bush administration and now the Obama – denied the recommendation. Reconciliation you say?
The Coup de Gras was the announcement out of Norway that President Obama was being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course, everyone, including the President himself is questioning why he was chosen. I don't expect him to turn down the honor however. In fact this is just more justification that he is 'all that' and more. A friend of mine had called and lamented this fact within hours of having heard but, I told him, he should be encouraged by the announcement. The fact is that the committee has been awarding individuals of dubious accomplishment for years and it has become clear, from the 'progressive mindset' segment of society. This is just the latest in a list of ludicrous selectees right behind Al Gore, Jimmy Carter and Yasser Arafat, et al. Al Gore of 'the sun is falling' fame and Jimmy Carter of 'let's wring our hands and beg the Iranians for forgiveness' fame (1979).
I am going to ask those of you and your friends, who voted for this current administration, how do you like them now? Not only did you vote for someone with NO resume; you did it with religious zeal; and don't fool yourselves, you displayed classic worship. This man, Barrack Obama, was declared to be 'our Savior' by none other than the Reverend Al Sharpton himself. Fringe you say? How about the refrains from those young angelic voices in the public schools that sang (and still do) praises to 'his majesty'? Remember the latest refrain; 'Barrack..Hussein..Obama. Mmm, Mmm, Mmm'. It is time for you or your relatives and friends to wake up to your sin. You voted for a man who received and did not deny the devotion reserved for a deity. There were tears of joy flowing at the inauguration and now, there are tears flowing at the gravesides of men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are being slaughtered by our own government's complicity in the war plans of our enemy; Barrack Obama's hand selected appointees.
How long can a Nation last whose leadership values the lives of the enemy and foreign civilians above that of its own military? To those of you who have called, e-mailed, and blogged your concerns about a loved one in the military looking for information or hope, I say this; be very, very, afraid. Then you need to get up, write letters, make calls, blog, e-mail, and do a song and dance on the street corners to get the word out that this current strategy is wrong. You need to reflect on what God you believe in and I pray it is the one true God. Then you need to educate yourselves on the true nature of this current enemy and the insidiousness of his religious ideology and understand that any strategy that does not include chasing him and killing him with ferocity, is doomed to fail, politically. You also need to take a stand are you a citizen of the United States of America; or a world citizen? It is time to stand up and be counted.
Until next time; this is John Bernard reporting from the top of the country while we continue to chronicle the amazing exploits of “Barack, Hussein, Obama. Mmmm, Mmm, Mmm” and company.
Semper Fidelis;
John Bernard
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Education is the Key
This Blog was started with a very narrow focus and that was elevating the conversation about the ROE as it is presently in Afghanistan and using it as a launching point for further conversations with our Legislators. I think it is obvious to everyone that the ROE is just an outgrowth of a larger more ominous problem and that is the current administration's vision for future operations in Afghanistan. A single strategy COIN (counterinsurgency) doctrine is now in full play there and it only needs the blessing of the President to keep it that way. While some elements of COIN may need to be employed as this war progresses, it is short-sighted to believe it is the single way to win. We have a very small window of opportunity to speak to our congressional delegates and effect the change that is necessary to move away from COIN and back to the more critical ‘chase and kill’ strategy.
The enemy is insidious and single-minded in his mission and we must be equally intent in our resolve to meet them on a battlefield of our choosing. Theirs is to kill all apostates and unbelievers and ours needs to be in kind. Short of that and we will find ourselves on the wrong side of this fight when history is written.
A few days ago I recommended a book that is a must read for all who are fully engaged in this fight. You all need to follow this link to Andrew Bostom’s website and his book, read the preface and purchase the book. http://www.andrewbostom.org/loj/ I have read many books on the history of Islam and Mohammed but have never found so comprehensive a book. If you have been reading, you will find this the one-stop manual you have been searching for. If you haven't started; this will save you hours of searching.
Semper Fidelis;
John Bernard
The enemy is insidious and single-minded in his mission and we must be equally intent in our resolve to meet them on a battlefield of our choosing. Theirs is to kill all apostates and unbelievers and ours needs to be in kind. Short of that and we will find ourselves on the wrong side of this fight when history is written.
A few days ago I recommended a book that is a must read for all who are fully engaged in this fight. You all need to follow this link to Andrew Bostom’s website and his book, read the preface and purchase the book. http://www.andrewbostom.org/loj/ I have read many books on the history of Islam and Mohammed but have never found so comprehensive a book. If you have been reading, you will find this the one-stop manual you have been searching for. If you haven't started; this will save you hours of searching.
Semper Fidelis;
John Bernard
Monday, October 5, 2009
Killing of Non-Muslims and Apostates
You need to read this excerpt from Dr. Bostom's Blog. It offers illumination from an expert on the subject, of what we have been saying in 'laymans' terms. His book 'The Legacy of Jihad' is a must read. http://www.andrewbostom.org/blog/2009/09/22/why-do-78-of-pakistani-muslims-favor-killing-%e2%80%9capostates%e2%80%9d-from-islam/
Sunday, October 4, 2009
'You will Know Them By Their Fruits..' Matthew 7:16
Yes, I know I'm taking liberties with Holy Scripture but the discussion of fruits is meaningful here because of the cause and effect relationship as it pertains to COIN and ROE. This scripture tells Christians we can identify one another by the fruits of the Spirit; 'But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,' (Gal 5:22). If you read the balance of Matthew 7 you also find those things which are the antithesis of the 'good fruit'. Even though there are those who do not ascribe to the truth of the Bible, it is a good academic read anyway. It is also instructive in its purpose to drive people to recognize good versus evil, right versus wrong, etc. The concept of seeing the 'fruit of your labor' is not lost on the vast majority of our western society. We are raised to work hard and that hard work reaps reward and that reward can help us live a more fulfilling life.
This war in Afghanistan is a case study in such arguments. It provides us with two protagonists in a religious war that will redefine the world as we know it and as it has been defined by recorded history. Make no mistake; this is a religious war. The first great mistake made in prosecuting this war has been the lack of political courage in identifying the enemy. The second was the lack of wisdom in correctly identifying the conflict as religious. Our delicate American sensibilities don't allow us, as a nation, to even conceive of the possibility of two nations fighting over religious ideological differences much less being party to it. We are not given a choice however. For if this war was thrust on us by the intrusions of Islamic forces from abroad over the past 30 years, we must also recognize the reasons for their attack. They have given us the reasons for their attacks over, and over again. We are the enemy to Islam and therefore to them. The fact that there are apostates in their midst and around the world that choose not to agree with that statement does not remove the fact that there are larger numbers of them who do.
In the weeks that followed September 11, 2001, our intelligence agencies and those from around the world identified the forces that exported the agents that carried out that final insult that awakened the 'sleeping giant'. Once identified, our government decided to find them and destroy them as well as those who offered them shelter and comfort. If this was not a justifiable response to an unprovoked attack then there never will be a legitimate reason to go to war - ever! The reason that some, lacking intestinal fortitude, were and are repulsed by this war is because of the religious overtones. They should be afraid; very afraid. In traditional wars, peoples send out their government trained, armed and uniformed forces to attack or repulse a like trained enemy. Hostilities continue until the coffers run dry or one side or the other can no longer bear the pain. This war is different. Only one side has a legitimate cause. One side fights as a nation, for their survival, the other based on warped ideological obedience. For that side, there will never be a cessation to hostility because that is a core tenet of their ideology. They live to fight and die for Allah. There is no earth-bound reason and therefore no earthly power restraining them or guiding them in their conduct. As a Christian nation (sorry Barrack) we are constrained by our faith and the governing forces placed there by the electorate and God.
General McChrystal has bought into the argument that there are those in the Islamic culture of Afghanistan that want what we have and need and want our help. He is wrong, and, to quote yet another scripture, 'he has left his first love.'(stolen from Rev 2:45 describing the cold heartedness of the Ephesians to the Church) has been telling us that his real concern is for the safety and well-being of another people at great cost to his own. The General's first responsibility is to his oath as it is for all sworn and elected officials. He has determined that the protection of a foreign entity, be they friendly or not (I dare say the events of the past several weeks say, not) is far more important than the lives of the Americans fighting in that foreign land. The latest example can be found in this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8289200.stm. This is a quote taken from the article that should make every American angry: "In a statement, Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said that tribal militia launched attacks on foreign and Afghan military outposts from a mosque and a nearby village."
The General is flirting with treason as defined as an act of disloyalty toward the sovereignty of this nation. Willful destruction of the uniformed forces of this nation certainly seems to qualify. This is a question for Constitutional lawyers and history however. Looking at the successes and failures to judge this new strategy is a far more valuable use of time. Remembering that closer one on one involvement with the Afghan people and the ANA and ANP is the center piece of his new strategy, it only makes sense to use recent events as a gauge of success. There has been an uptick in the number of treacherous acts by Afghans working closely with Americans since the General hit the ground in June 2009. These don't appear to be a problem for him though. He is still selling his tripe. It doesn't appear to be bothering the fair one in the White House either, who seems to have time for everything except discussing the war effort or the interminable hell he has abandoned our Warriors in. Our elected Representatives and Senators are oblivious to the insanity being perpetrated against our Warriors by their superiors. They see everything through the prism of the next election cycle. This is the answer for their silence. No one who was concerned on any level, knowing that time will make the difference between a Warrior coming home to the waiting arms of his loved ones, or in a box, would refuse to act to change the current course of this war. I am wondering what would be the appropriate number of US Marines and Soldiers, killed through treachery, allowed by the ISAF Commander before Congress thought it appropriate to act? Shame on all of you for your cowardice!
Expecting Congress to change their focus from themselves to any of us is a waste of hope. Hoping to change their minds through a groundswell of public indignation is proving to be challenging. Waiting for this ISAF Commander to decide to cede his position or for the President to become involved enough in the affairs of State to recognize his responsibilities as an American President is equally challenging. The tide is shifting in this country though. My prayer to God is that he mercifully protect our Warriors as they continue to display the honor and courage on the battlefield that is the hallmark of Real America while we continue to struggle with the forces of evil spawned inside the DC beltway.
Semper Fidelis
John Bernard
This war in Afghanistan is a case study in such arguments. It provides us with two protagonists in a religious war that will redefine the world as we know it and as it has been defined by recorded history. Make no mistake; this is a religious war. The first great mistake made in prosecuting this war has been the lack of political courage in identifying the enemy. The second was the lack of wisdom in correctly identifying the conflict as religious. Our delicate American sensibilities don't allow us, as a nation, to even conceive of the possibility of two nations fighting over religious ideological differences much less being party to it. We are not given a choice however. For if this war was thrust on us by the intrusions of Islamic forces from abroad over the past 30 years, we must also recognize the reasons for their attack. They have given us the reasons for their attacks over, and over again. We are the enemy to Islam and therefore to them. The fact that there are apostates in their midst and around the world that choose not to agree with that statement does not remove the fact that there are larger numbers of them who do.
In the weeks that followed September 11, 2001, our intelligence agencies and those from around the world identified the forces that exported the agents that carried out that final insult that awakened the 'sleeping giant'. Once identified, our government decided to find them and destroy them as well as those who offered them shelter and comfort. If this was not a justifiable response to an unprovoked attack then there never will be a legitimate reason to go to war - ever! The reason that some, lacking intestinal fortitude, were and are repulsed by this war is because of the religious overtones. They should be afraid; very afraid. In traditional wars, peoples send out their government trained, armed and uniformed forces to attack or repulse a like trained enemy. Hostilities continue until the coffers run dry or one side or the other can no longer bear the pain. This war is different. Only one side has a legitimate cause. One side fights as a nation, for their survival, the other based on warped ideological obedience. For that side, there will never be a cessation to hostility because that is a core tenet of their ideology. They live to fight and die for Allah. There is no earth-bound reason and therefore no earthly power restraining them or guiding them in their conduct. As a Christian nation (sorry Barrack) we are constrained by our faith and the governing forces placed there by the electorate and God.
General McChrystal has bought into the argument that there are those in the Islamic culture of Afghanistan that want what we have and need and want our help. He is wrong, and, to quote yet another scripture, 'he has left his first love.'(stolen from Rev 2:45 describing the cold heartedness of the Ephesians to the Church) has been telling us that his real concern is for the safety and well-being of another people at great cost to his own. The General's first responsibility is to his oath as it is for all sworn and elected officials. He has determined that the protection of a foreign entity, be they friendly or not (I dare say the events of the past several weeks say, not) is far more important than the lives of the Americans fighting in that foreign land. The latest example can be found in this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8289200.stm. This is a quote taken from the article that should make every American angry: "In a statement, Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said that tribal militia launched attacks on foreign and Afghan military outposts from a mosque and a nearby village."
The General is flirting with treason as defined as an act of disloyalty toward the sovereignty of this nation. Willful destruction of the uniformed forces of this nation certainly seems to qualify. This is a question for Constitutional lawyers and history however. Looking at the successes and failures to judge this new strategy is a far more valuable use of time. Remembering that closer one on one involvement with the Afghan people and the ANA and ANP is the center piece of his new strategy, it only makes sense to use recent events as a gauge of success. There has been an uptick in the number of treacherous acts by Afghans working closely with Americans since the General hit the ground in June 2009. These don't appear to be a problem for him though. He is still selling his tripe. It doesn't appear to be bothering the fair one in the White House either, who seems to have time for everything except discussing the war effort or the interminable hell he has abandoned our Warriors in. Our elected Representatives and Senators are oblivious to the insanity being perpetrated against our Warriors by their superiors. They see everything through the prism of the next election cycle. This is the answer for their silence. No one who was concerned on any level, knowing that time will make the difference between a Warrior coming home to the waiting arms of his loved ones, or in a box, would refuse to act to change the current course of this war. I am wondering what would be the appropriate number of US Marines and Soldiers, killed through treachery, allowed by the ISAF Commander before Congress thought it appropriate to act? Shame on all of you for your cowardice!
Expecting Congress to change their focus from themselves to any of us is a waste of hope. Hoping to change their minds through a groundswell of public indignation is proving to be challenging. Waiting for this ISAF Commander to decide to cede his position or for the President to become involved enough in the affairs of State to recognize his responsibilities as an American President is equally challenging. The tide is shifting in this country though. My prayer to God is that he mercifully protect our Warriors as they continue to display the honor and courage on the battlefield that is the hallmark of Real America while we continue to struggle with the forces of evil spawned inside the DC beltway.
Semper Fidelis
John Bernard
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