A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
In 2000, I made a conscious decision to change my field of specialty within the Army. The catalyst for that decision was the murder of 17 Sailors on the USS Cole in the Port of Aden. In 1998, hundreds of people were killed in the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. Two years prior to that, 19 more servicemembers were killed by Islamic terrorists. When the USS Cole was bombed, I made a conscious decision to stay in the military (I was contemplating getting out) and change my specialty to be in a position where I could make a difference in stopping these attacks. While I was in school, 9/11 happened, confirming I had made a good decision.
The hardest part of this job is the politics that goes into fighting terrorism, especially these days. The country seems to have lost focus and forgotten about all the events leading up to 9/11. We seem to have forgotten all the events SINCE 9/11 as well: the Bali nightclub attack that killed over 200, the Beslan school hostage crisis that killed nearly 400, 53 killed in London subway attacks, over 200 killed in Mumbai train bombings, the “shoe bomber”, the Fort Hood massacre, the Arkansas recruiter shooting…I could go on and on and on about Islamic terrorism. And yet, our country just doesn’t get it. We continue to play politically correct and pretend that either we aren’t at war with Islam or Islam isn’t at war with us! The fact that an extremist Muslim cleric wants to flaunt his people’s attacks on 9/11 by opening an “Islamic Cultural Center” near ground zero and on the anniversary of the attacks is seen as okay by some!
Now, our government doesn’t even want to prosecute the people involved in the event that changed my life. The Obama Administration has decided to drop charges against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, the man responsible for masterminding the USS Cole bombing! Apparently, the military tribunal system is just too draconian for this government. Don’t get me wrong – the Bush administration didn’t exactly work to bring justice either! But, in a filing this week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department said that “no charges are either pending or contemplated with respect to al-Nashiri in the near future.”
What is wrong with our government when a group of individuals can murder hundreds of Americans and NOT be given a swift trial?! Why haven’t the 9/11 bubbas been prosecuted yet? Why hasn’t Nashiri been prosecuted yet? Seems like Hasan is the only Islamic terrorist that will actually see a day in court and hopefully hang any time soon, but he’s going through a court martial!
I am so infuriated that the victims and citizens of this country are being spat upon by our justice system. Meanwhile, WE are the bad guys for getting pissed about an extremist planting roots at the scene of one of the worst attacks. WE are the bad guys for supporting businesses that are bullied into a Sharia compliant alternate universe like Disney is right now. And WE are the “hateful” ones for opposing a religion that finds this okay:
Compassionate Muslims at Work from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.
And this:
And this:
We don’t think it’s okay for a 55-year old man to purchase an 8-year old bride. We don’t think it’s okay to execute homosexuals just because of their sexual orientation. We don’t think it’s okay to execute 13-year old rape victims that become pregnant outside wedlock. We don’t agree that women are second- or third-class citizens and should be denied an education. We don’t believe that non-believers should be killed and murdered.
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![[UPDATE] The “Face” of Military Dating Scams – The Wall of Shame](http://militarygear.com/asp/wp-content/themes/LondonLive/thumb.php?src=http://militarygear.com/asp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2.jpg&w=53&h=41&zc=1&q=100)
Anatomy of a Military Dating Scam
to Anonn, thank you. i thought so. i just want a clear picture of his
Military Dating Scams (More Nigerian Scammers)
New Scam to be aware of……….I am 2LT. Anderson Darrell Clinton , an off
Anatomy of a Military Dating Scam
New Scam to be aware of……….I am 2LT. Anderson Darrell Clinton , an off
[UPDATE] The "Face" of Military Dating Scams - The Wall of Shame
New Scam to be aware of……….I am 2LT. Anderson Darrell Clinton , an off
Kat in GA
Wow…. absolutely stunning, and infurating.
Gary G. Swenchonis, Sr
Dear Sir, I am the father of Gary G. Swenchonis, Jr. who was killed in the Cole attack.We, my wife and I have been fighting three presidents now, the dictator of Yemen, etc…for close to 10 years now. We have spent alot money and time, and more of both to come unfortunately.
You summed up quite well whats been on a a large scale with our leaders> Great Job! We were able to secure one trial at Gitmo in Novemebr of 08. The propagandist got life. Our biggest victory to date. You would not believe the amount of politics that have gone on, and are still going on with the Cole Attack, subsequent investigation, how we, my wife and I have been treated by Clinton and now Obama administrations. Its sickening. We were actually kicked out of ouir sons memorial at Norfolk, Va. It toook the base Commander to over rule the Secret Service. Only one small example. And no we made no threats or were rude. Long story.
We both wanted to thank you! I got long winded. Could I link to your site from our site?
Keep up the great work and writing!
Gary and Deborah Swenchonis
“Even though your countrys leaders have forgotten you, we never will.” Remember the Cole!!
Gary Swenchonis
I left a much longer post. I hope it got through
Gary
Gary Swenchonis
Dear Sir,
I will try again, and keep it short. Thank you for such a well writeen post. My wife and I have been fighting for justice for our murdered son and his mates for close to 10 years now. You summed up so much of what has happened and is still happening. I would like to link to your site if possible. If not, thanks again for some grate work!
Remember the Cole
Thomas Patrick Folan
Excellent Commentary C.J.. Keep it up .
Justice is being denied here.
Heaven help the families
of the sailors of the U.S.S. Cole.
REMEMBER THE COLE !
Sincerely,
Thomas Folan
member, Vets for Freedom and AMVETS
Thomas Patrick Folan
* Hull Maintenance Technician Second Class* Kenneth Eugene Clodfelter, 21, of Mechanicsville, Va.
* Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer* Richard Costelow, 35, of Morrisville, Pa.
* Mess Management Specialist Seaman Lakeina Monique Francis, 19, of Woodleaf, N.C.
* Information Systems Technician Timothy Lee Gauna, 21, of Rice, Texas
* Signalman Seaman* Cherone Louis Gunn, 22, of Rex, Ga.
* Seaman James Rodrick McDaniels, 19, of Norfolk, Va.
* Engineman Second Class Marc Ian Nieto, 24, of Fond du Lac, Wis.
* Electronics Warfare Technician Second Class* Ronald Scott Owens, 24, of Vero Beach, Fla.
* Seaman* Lakiba Nicole Palmer, 22, of San Diego, Calif.
* Engineman Fireman Joshua Langdon Parlett, 19, of Churchville, Md.
* Fireman* Patrick Howard Roy, 19, of Cornwall on Hudson, N.Y.
* Electronics Warfare Technician First Class* Kevin Shawn Rux, 30, of Portland, N.D.
* Mess Management Specialist Third Class Ronchester Manangan Santiago, 22, Kingsville, Texas
* Operations Specialist Second Class Timothy Lamont Saunders, 32, of Ringgold, Va.
* Fireman Gary Graham Swenchonis Jr., 26, Rockport, Texas
* Ensign Andrew Triplett, 31, of Macon, Miss.
* Seaman* Craig Bryan Wibberley, 19, of Williamsport, Md.
REMEMBER THE COLE !