Allen West (R-FL)
The Weekly Standard is reporting on a statement via email from Congressman Allen West(R-FL) on the incident involving Marines who urinated on three Taliban Corpses. West is known particularly for his own service, having retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel. His statement reflects the view of a military realist, who understands the real nature of war, and the things that sometimes happen on the battlefield. I think the hand-wringers would do well to listen to West on this one, as his statement comports well with my own statement on the matter. I wish all of our veterans in government were willing to be this blunt:
“I have sat back and assessed the incident with the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers Shugart and Gordon had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu. Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah.
“All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill. Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?
“The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.
“As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell.”
I have but one thing to say to this: “Hooah!“
Mark —
We have identified a "proper" Presidential candidate.
Col. West is just who this country needs to run it. I would vote for him without a doubt.
I agree, Col. West is an amazing American and I would vote for him too.
All in favor? "Aye."
Excellent Rep West !!!!!!!
A politician that cuts through the bs politics, wow, well said Rep. West!
I agree 100% with the LtC (Congressman)! Hooah!
Who from the white house released the tape to start with ??
Some persons have said we cannot reduce ourselves to the enemy actions.
This situation is a far cry from cutting off heads, disemboweling, dragging bodies in the street and hanging bodies.
More like bury Osama at sea, salty, without the fan fair.
Thanks Mark – for your comments and for helping broadcast LtC West's remarks. Right on!
Reb
It doesn't get any better than that !
I would VOTE for West in a heart beat….
Lt. Colonel West is RIGHT ON! Thanks for the Post!
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Answer for Fred Johnson…the same a-hole that gave the info on the Benny hit for the re-elect Erkel movie…I am a VN vet and what Lt.Colonel West is talking about doesn't put a scratch on the surface. Open up a few body bags of your buddies…then tell me they didn't do the right thing…As my wife said…the LSM doesn't say a word about the O's shi@#$g on the police cars, the many rapes and murders by the O's in our own country…and these A-Holes want to talk about our men and women who wake up every morning with a bull's eye on there far-head…
I am a mid democratic, have voted republican in the past- this guy if running for vp/president gets my vote!!! Perfect and EXACTLY right about our pathetic liberal media- pathetic…
Well said Congressman, looking forward to the day when you decide to run for President. I only wish our fighting men would learn when to quit taking videos.
He has my vote!
You tell 'em Mr. West – there are those who would say that we should be above reproach in our conduct, but when you stand over the body of a fellow service member who has been defiled or died/was injured protecting the rights of those who do not appreciate the sacrifices they are making, to provide that protection – hard to get all wrapped around the axle over this incident. Ranks right up there with Soldiers being punished for Abu Ghraib, kicking the Koran and firing a shot too close to a prisoner's ear to get them to disclose military secrets.
A rather pitiful comment by West. The big question is why the hell are we over there anyway? What about American imperialism, the destruction of Fallujah by deplete uranium ordnance? Strafing and murdering the defeated Iraqi column going back to Baghdad? Our stinko government of neocons is behind this with our Israeli buddies, that's the real issue here. This pissing deal is a mere distraction from our murderous ways. Focusing on these GI's does not take the onus from the real issues here. I'm very glad this fool West is not going to be our president. It's time to throw out this idiot Obama, a murdering snake with a spendthrift wife. A stupid congress, idiots all. Ask yourselves, just exactly WHO is behind this photo? Who took this picture, who publicized it, and WHY??
Thank you. Why exactly are we over there? Why? If the Taliban is so bad, why don't the Afghans kill them, themselves? Why are we half way around the world pissing on people? This is why this country is broke, fighting wars it has no business fighting.
Mayme, Based solely on your remark, you know less than nothing.
Feel free to move and don't look back! These men and women who you are scoffing are thousands of miles away from home making sure you have the right to spew such nastiness. They don't really want to be that far from home, but they are following orders and more importantly their hearts. My husband spent almost 27 years of his very short life defending you and those that think like you. Let me reiterate, if you don't like it leave.
And you're still here why? Maybe because you know that you can say things like that BECAUSE you are in the USA and that very same military defends your freedom to make derogatory comments. I agree with West. What they did was wrong, give them an art.15, make apologize to God, country and their fellow service members. Then, get back to work cause 'people' like you need to be able to spew venom without fear that someone might be waiting to cut their fool heads off.
Alan West for President!
I certainly hope whoever gets the Republican nomination ask Mr. West to run as VP.
Thank you Mr. West for who you are and what you stand for.
All I know is that I would be appalled and saddened if the Taliban had killed my son and then put photos of them urinating on him, on the internet. Our soldiers are better than this and I realize you have to hate someone to kill them. I just hope I don't see my son or nephew doing this to men they have killed. It is right up there with cutting off parts of the enemy and making purses and lampshades of their body parts. It is desecration of the dead.
Earth to Mayme: We have seen videos sent to the press of BEHEADING Americans, and the things done to our dead makes this look like a school prank. Allen West is right about this, on several counts. Follow his advice and move along.
And that justifies it how? Desecration is desecration. It doesn't matter who is doing it. How is their wronging us equate us in turn wronging them. Freedom? We're in their country not fighting for our freedom but for their freedom. They don't want us there… fine. Bring our boys home and protect our own borders.
Mayme you don't have to hate someone to kill them, all you have to do is want to live more. If put in a situation that was kill or be killed, which side of the sod do you see yourself?
I never comment on posts, but this is worth replying too. Mr West, you need to run for president.
no kidding teach men to be hard so they can survive the call them jerks for being so. get over yourself and let them survive in war >WAR IS HELL
We need more people like him in Washington………..
Bravo!
Very well said and I concur completely.
WHY IS IT WHEN A U.S MILITARY PERSON IS SINGLED OUT FOR SOME KIND OF INFRACTION. BUT WHEN SOMEONE FROM A DIFFERANT COUNTRY DOES SOMETHING. THAT INFRACTION IS
SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.I SAY WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS
GOOD FOR THE GANDER. OR SHUT THE HELL-UP. AMEN
As a parent who has lost their son in the Navy this administration is foolish.-
CONGRESSMAN WEST HAS HIS S**T TOGETHER AND WIRED TIGHT. MY PRAISE TO HIS COURAGE TO SPEAK OUT TO THOSE WHO DARE CONDEMN THE CORP OR ANY OTHER BRANCH OF THE MILITARY. WALK IN THEIR SHOES BEFORE YOU JUDGE THEM. SEMPER FI MY BROTHERS IN ARMS.
HD, UNITED STATES NAVY AND VIET NAM VETERAN. '69-72'.
Lt Col West remarks are refreshing and straight forward, if you have not been in combat< you have no idea as to what you are talking about. War is hell!
Bravo Allen West!
You are my new hero. keep up the good work and thank you for your service to this country.
AYE!!!!! Sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!