Showing posts with label Benghazi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benghazi. Show all posts

11 September 2013

ALLAHU AKBAR!

Avenge December 7 (Pearl Harbor)
Never Forget 9/11 (NYC, DC, Shanksville, PA)
???? 9/11 2012 (Benghazi)

WWII Battle Cry Poster.
For every major battle or attack on our sovereign ground, where American soil ran red from the blood of killed Americans, we have had a rallying or “Battle Cry” such as “Remember the Alamo”. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the blue-green water was stained blood red, the Nation pulled together in a shared spirit of Espirit de Corps to “Avenge December 7”. From recruiting offices, to train stations and even on factory floors, posters were hung to remind us what we were fighting for.

A Battle Cry said either in unison or simply as an individual mantra solidifies ones resolve. It provides energy when you cannot take another step. It can be a word, a phrase or even an inarticulate word such as the Marine Corps’ OORAHHHH! A battle cry serves to rally those in battle and remind them why they are fighting. It also extends to those that support the troops and a nation as a whole. The etymology of the words “battle cry” is common to both “motto” and “slogan”. Such as, “Don’t Tread on Me” (used by Continental Marines and others during American Revolution), “Be Prepared” (Boy Scouts of America) “In God We Trust” (United States of America), “We Dare to Defend Our Rights” (Alabama State Motto). They are also important in the business world, but known as slogans. We all recognize slogans such as “I’m Lovin’ It” (McDonalds), “Just Do It” (Nike), and “Where Dreams Come True” (Walt Disney World). They also extend to political campaigns, like “Forward”.

On September 11, 2001 a group of men hijacked four jets and flew them into each of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and if not for the brave men and women aboard Flight 93 crashing the plane into the countryside of Shanksville, PA either the US Capital or even the White House would have been destroyed. Since then we have vowed to “Never Forget”. I and many like me will never forget the cowardice act that these men and the religion they represent, perpetrated upon innocent human beings. They believe that everyone must profess Islam as the true religion, and if you do not you should die. No other religion requires such acts. They continue to attack the world in general and the USA and Israel specifically.


One year ago today 9/11 2012, Muslim men attacked our consulate in Benghazi, Libya on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. As yet we do not have an official battle cry for Benghazi, because we are a divided nation. Many (not all) on the Left have no idea what happened; those that do have no burning desire to pursue the issue. You know why? This administration, with assistance from the mainstream media has not led the charge to bring these attackers to justice. Between outright lies about a video, to differing and
Bloody handprint at US Consulate.
changing stories, to slow rolling FBI investigation, to hiding witnesses, this Administration has not done much to right this wrong. Once again, US soil ran red with American blood—the blood of Ambassador Chris Stevens, Sean Smith (Information Management Officer), Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods. Both Doherty and Woods were former USN SEALs. We need to find, apprehend, try, and prosecute the killers to the fullest extent of miltary law. We need a battle cry for Benghazi; I believe “Remember Benghazi” is fitting. We need something done. We need in the words of Nike "JUST DO IT". We need to change the only battle cry that was heard during the eight hour Battle in Benghazi—the Battle Cry of our enemy as they rallied to kill Americans—they cried
ALLAHU AKBAR!
Allahu Akbar in Arabic script.

28 November 2012

Sticks and Stones


I am tired of being called names.

If I disagree with same-sex marriage, I am called a homophobe.
If I disagree with the politics of the President, I am called a racist.

I say it again; I am tired of being called names. Not because they do me harm or hurt my feelings, but because of the hypocrisy of those calling me names. What elicits the name-calling? Simply trying to hold our elected officials and by extension, the individuals they appoint, accountable. For some reason, when we ask questions they do not or are unable to answer, they call names.

In recent weeks, several Senators have questioned U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice’s role in the Benghazi attacks. This led to the President defending her from the “mean old white men” failing to mention that in addition to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Kelly Ayotte—a female—also questioned her role. But I guess it is harder to make a sexist statement when another female is involved. Remember this: “If Senator McCain and Senator Graham and others want to go after somebody, they should go after me. And I’m happy to have that discussion with them. But for them to go after the U.N. ambassador, who had nothing to do with Benghazi and was simply making a presentation based on intelligence that she had received, and besmirch her reputation, is outrageous.”

Why is the President so willing to come to the aid of this cabinet appointee but not others? Just think of Mr. Eric Holder, Attorney General during his Fast and Furious investigation. To me, President Obama’s actions are the ones that are sexist.

Then we have the Congressional Black Caucus. They were quick to throw the race card around. Saying the attacks are “racist and sexist”. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis) further commented “McCain and other men should not be allowed to attack or batter this woman (Rice)”. Notice the words “attack” and “batter”. Kind of conjures up a vision of a poor, helpless, defenseless “little woman” who suffers at the hands of her overbearing husband. Is this the vision we want for a possible future Secretary of State? I think not.

Let’s explore the race issue a bit more. Might I remind you that prior to Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, both Condi Rice and Colin Powell held this post—both Blacks. Let’s not forget that U.N. Amb. Rice was confirmed by the Senate 98 to 0. Don’t you think if there was a racist and sexist attitude, Sec. of State Clinton would not have been confirmed (94-2), Sec of State Condi Rice would not have been confirmed (85-13), and Sec of State Colin Powell would not have been unanimously confirmed. Also, he was the FIRST Black to ever hold this office. No one cried racism then.

Since the ladies of the Congressional Black Caucus have introduced the race issue, let’s look at a few facts. According to the Pew Research Council, from 2009 to 2012, median household income for blacks declined by 11.1%. Compare that to only a 5.2% decline for whites and 4.1% for Hispanics. Unemployment numbers have not fared any better.

Former Secretaries of State, Rice and Powell.
UNEMPLOYMENT
Before BHO After BHO
Blacks 12.6% 14.3%
White 7.2% 7.0%

In the recent election, based on Exit Polling, Romney got 58% of the White Vote, while Obama got 96% of the Black Vote. Read how CBS News reported the issue for the State of Virginia.

Exit poll: Romney dominates among whites in Virginia
Polls have closed in the battleground state of Virginia, and the race is tight: Mitt Romney leads among men 53 percent to 45 percent in the early CBS News exit poll, while President Obama leads among women 53 percent to 46 percent. Women are 53 percent of the electorate in this early exit poll, while men are 47 percent of the electorate.
There is a large racial divide among voters. White voters – who are 70 percent of the electorate – are breaking 64 percent to 35 percent for Romney. That includes white women, who support Romney 61 percent to 39 percent. Black voters, who make up 20 percent of the electorate, overwhelmingly favor Mr. Obama: 94 percent to 6 percent. (Emphasis added)---CBS News 07 NOV 12

Reread the Headline: Romney dominates among whites in Virginia. Romney received 64% of the White vote while Obama received 94% of the Black vote, yet the headline references the smaller of the numbers. They are implying that the racist whites are overwhelmingly voting for the white candidate, yet ignoring the blatant fact that nearly every black voter cast their ballot for Obama.

Other exit polls reveal a little over 5% fewer whites voted for Obama this election than the prior election. The Democrats interpret this as returning to their racist roots. Instead of returning to their racist roots, might they have been upset with the President’s record? Could they have felt he misled them? The Democrats refuse to accept this. People want accountability. The same is true for Amb. Rice, people want accountability. They want our leaders to be responsible for their decisions and actions.

If the Senate wanted to attack Susan Rice on baseless platforms of race and sex, they would have done so when they confirmed her. They did not. Now, after she agreed to go on five Sunday news programs and perpetuate a lie, people want her to be held accountable. Her race and sex, notwithstanding.

With all the name-calling, I am reminded of all the playground arguments. When two or more children were in heated disagreement and when one seemed to get the better of the other with facts, the “loser” would then resort to calling names. They could no longer “debate” the issue and went straight for the personal attack(s). To that, I say “Sticks and Stones…”


02 November 2012

I Want to Know

I am not one who believes the POTUS should have served in the military to be a more effective Commander-in-Chief. I prefer they have served in uniform because they are afforded the opportunity to understand camaraderie and can experience firsthand, what being a member of a team feels like.

From the very first day of Boot Camp, we are taught we must trust the Marine (Soldier, Sailor, Airman) to our left and right because they and our training are all we have. They will watch your back, treat your wounds, and if necessary bring your body home. The movies love to show the lone warrior dodging incoming mortars, diving for cover, and maybe even sustaining a wound, just to get his buddy’s body. We are taught to run towards the gunfire, to protect those who need protection, and to help those under fire. The thought of hearing your buddies cry out in agony while still maintaining fire discipline trying to hold out until help—you—arrive, serves as a motivator. Those same cries easily turn to torment, if you do not get there in time. You second guess your every action, attempting to determine what you could have done, to get there before they died.

I do not know how it was in Benghazi, but I can imagine Ambassador Chris Stevens and Sean Smith running for their lives into what they thought was a location secure enough to hold out until help arrived. They probably reassured themselves, maybe even picking up items that could be used as weapons. A mile away, former USN SEAL Tyrone Woods hears the mortars and small arms fire and wants to go help them—to run towards the gunfire. He is told No. Stand Down. He asks again, and a third time. Each time he was told No. Stand Down. Disobeying orders, he and a small group of men go to help. They recover Sean Smith’s body but cannot find Amb. Stevens. During the fight, Tyrone Woods is killed. A while later, a second former USN SEAL, Glen Doherty is also killed trying to help his countrymen. During it all, everyone is calling for help. Help that is denied. They are told No. Stand Down.

Body of Ambassador Chris Stevens.
This attack was not a surprise—it was expected. In the previous six months, two different attacks were made on US soil. Ambassador Stevens made multiple requests for more help. He was denied. Why did he not have more protection before 9/11? Why were requests to help denied during the attack? Who told Amb. Rice, Jay Carney, and Sec State Clinton to say this was a result of a video? There are too many questions, yet this administration believes they do not have to answer. Even worse, most of the mainstream media is refusing to ask questions. As an American citizen, I want to know. Do you? It is my opinion his campaign made the decision(s) relating to Benghazi because if they acknowledged there was a threat, then al-Qaeda is not on the run. Please remember the same president who was quick to spike the ball after the SEALs' actions in Abbottabad is the same president who was even quicker to punt the ball when the SEALs needed his action in Benghazi. Again, I do not know what happened, but I want to know. Do you?

Perhaps if President Obama had spent time in the Service or at least in the uniform of a Little League Baseball team, he might have some understanding of what it means to belong to a group of people who depend on each other. He might have some idea that Commander-in-Chief is not a title that is easily thrown around in a manner to build his self-esteem, but rather is a title that burdens even the strongest of men. Mr. President, please tell us what happened. I want to know.