Are the Wheels Coming Off

One has to wonder if the wheels are coming off the Army. In the last week we have seen a General Officer relieved and the Secretary of the Army fired for the scandal at Walter Reed. Is this a sign of more acute problems?

Are We Stumbling, Bumbling, and Fumbling to War?

Years ago, when I first read Barbara Tuchman Guns of August, I was struck by the fact, that the great powers stumbled, bumbled, and fumbled their way to World War I. Are we, that is the United States, headed to a General War in the Middle East? There appears to be no adults in charge in what is happening in the Middle East, the Israeli Government appears to have forsaken its role of being both a leader and a controlling influence, as it allowing its military to wage general war against Lebanon, striking targets which appear to have no connection to Hebazollah. The United States rather than acting as the adult in this matter, appears to have given Israel a free hand.

Do not think I am advocating peace, I am not, but rather I am advocating a rational policy of dealing with Iran. The culprit here is Iran and they are pulling the strings in the Middle East, causing both Israel and the West to react. What concerns me even more than the actions the United States and Israel is the reaction of the West. The nations of Western Europe are pretending they do not see the threat posed by the Iran and the spread of its radical brand of Shite theology. In addition to a General War there is the specter of religious war pitting Shi’a and Sunni against each other. Not since the rise of Hitler has the West confronted such a situation, and like the 30’s is sitting passively on the sidelines.

The conditions which led to our last two great World War’s is being repeated, is the United States and the West prepared to act and not stumble, bumble, and fumble their way to World War? I am not sure.

Thirty Years and Counting

At approximately 0900 hrs on the 21st of July 1976, in front of my ROTC company orderly room, my father swore me in as a Lieutenant. I remember that day as my parents drove from Lexington, Virginia so my father could do the honors. It was a typical hot humid summer day at Fort Bragg, and by the time 0900 arrived it was already sweltering. I was wearing a brand new set of Khaki’s and they were already wilted. My parents arrived, my father in a gray suit, white shirt, bow tie, and his ever-present Stetson Open Road. My mother was equally well attired, I cannot remember if she was wearing a hat and white gloves but it would not surprise me--as she was very old and proper southerner. My father, by 1976 had been retired from the Army for 31 years, he was retired medically at the end of World War II. The swearing in took place in an old World War Ii Company Orderly Room, present for the occasion were the Company SGM--a crusty SF SGM who was missing the better part of one hand, and the Company Clerk and efficient but humorless AG type. When my father swore me in, it was done right, he produced a bible, and at the end of the oath of office, intoned with the most dignified of lawyer voice, "So help you god." I remember little else of that day, as it was rush to get out of Fort Bragg as quickly as possible. On 21 July 2006 I marked my 30th years in the Army--my only comment it seems like only yesterday.

Self Protection or Purposeful Destruction of A Nation

As I watch in disbelief at the action of Israel, the thought has crossed my mind that the actions of Israeli government are more that Self Protection--they have become and are a purposeful act of aggression. No one denies them the right of self-defense, however, the actions they have undertaken will not punish those they seek to punish but rather punish the government of Lebanon and its citizens. It is my fervent hope that sanity returns soon or otherwise we will be involved in a World War.

Does the Army Have a Problem?

Recent news release from the Southern Poverty Law Center indicated that extremists, aryans, klaners and other of their ilk are flocking to the Army and in particular the Light Infantry and Special Forces in the days since 9/11. If true the Army has a problem as it not only has to fight an enemy outside the wire but a homegrown enemy within. These individuals represent a threat not only to the Army but to the republic.

Thoughts on July 4th, 2006

We celebrate our freedom today . . .most Americans do not understand that in our republic we not only enjoy rights but also have responsibilities related to preservation of our rights and freedoms. Last week, the Senate of the United States came within one vote of eroding our freedoms, by restricting through Constitutional Amendment, the freedom for those who choose to exercise it, of burning the flag. I know that what I am saying will set me apart from the majority of those with whom I serve. So be it. I was raised and over the years have nurtured the belief that if one is so dissatisfied with the course of our nation. . . then that individual should be able to express his or her view through any manner of civil disobedience to include burning the flag. We hold the flag to be a sacred object, but it is not so sacred that it should be protected from those who wish to exercise the ultimate form of political speech--burning it. We have fought wars to protect the rights and liberties, which the flag represents. We should be more vigilant in preserving the rights that the flag represents rather than preserving the symbol of our nation.

I am adding below the original wording of the bill of rights as proposed by that great Virginian and American, James Madison. He stated very clearly that the "right of consciences shall not be abridged . . .” There are those who claim the founders words should guide our actions, in the case of a flag amendment, we should and all times consider well and wisely the words of our founders . . .for they would be appalled and shocked that we would consider in any manner the abridgement of any form of speech or protest against the powers of a strong central government.

As we celebrate the fourth, let us consider the wisdom of the ancients and raise a toast to their common sense and wisdom regarding government. If Madison's words had been adopted by the 1st Congress, it is my belief that many of the debates we have had in our history would be moot, as he fully anticipated the divisive nature of man.

"First.
That there be prefixed to the constitution a declaration--That all power is originally vested in, and consequently derived from the people.
That government is instituted, and ought to be exercised for the benefit of the people; which consists in the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the right of acquiring and using property, and generally of pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
That the people have an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform or change their government, whenever it be found adverse or inadequate to the purposes of its institution.
Secondly.
That in article 2st. section 2, clause 3, these words be struck out, to wit, "The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative, and until such enumeration shall be made."[1] And that in place thereof be inserted these words, to wit, "After the first actual enumeration, there shall be one representative for every thirty thousand, until the number amount to after which the proportion shall be so regulated by congress, that the number shall never be less than nor more than but each state shall after the first enumeration, have at least two representatives; and prior thereto."
Thirdly.
That in article 2st, section 6, clause 1, there be added to the end of the first sentence, these words, to wit, "But no law varying the compensation last ascertained shall operate before the next ensuing election of representatives."
Fourthly.
That in article 2st, section 9, between clauses 3 and 4, be inserted these clauses, to wit, The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience by in any manner, or on any pretext infringed.
The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable.
The people shall not be restrained from peaceably assembling and consulting for their common good, nor from applying to the legislature by petitions, or remonstrances for redress of their grievances.
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; a well armed, and well regulated militia being the best security of a free country: but no person religiously scrupulous of bearing arms, shall be compelled to render military service in person.
No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner; nor at any time, but in a manner warranted by law.
No person shall be subject, except in cases of impeachment, to more than one punishment, or one trial for the same office; nor shall be compelled to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor be obliged to relinquish his property, where it may be necessary for public use, without a just compensation.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The rights of the people to be secured in their persons, their houses, their papers, and their other property from all unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated by warrants issued without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, or not particularly describing the places to be searched, or the persons or things to be seized.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, to be informed of the cause and nature of the accusation, to be confronted with his accusers, and the witnesses against him; to have a compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
The exceptions here or elsewhere in the constitution, made in favor of particular rights, shall not be so construed as to diminish the just importance of other rights retained by the people; or as to enlarge the powers delegated by the constitution; but either as actual limitations of such powers, or as inserted merely for greater caution.
Fifthly.
That in article 2st, section 10, between clauses 1 and 2, be inserted this clause, to wit:
No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience, or the freedom of the press, or the trial by jury in criminal cases.
Sixthly.
That article 3d, section 2, be annexed to the end of clause 2d, these words to wit: but no appeal to such court shall be allowed where the value in controversy shall not amount to___dollars: nor shall any fact triable by jury, according to the course of common law, be otherwise re-examinable than may consist with the principles of common law.
Seventhly.
That in article 3d, section 2, the third clause be struck out, and in its place be inserted the classes following, to wit:
The trial of all crimes (except in cases of impeachments, and cases arising in the land or naval forces, or the militia when on actual service in time of war or public danger) shall be by an impartial jury of freeholders of the vicinage, with the requisite of unanimity for conviction, of the right of challenge, and other accustomed requisites; and in all crimes punishable with loss of life or member, presentment or indictment by a grand jury, shall be an essential preliminary, provided that in cases of crimes committed within any county which may be in possession of an enemy, or in which a general insurrection may prevail, the trial may by law be authorised in some other county of the same state, as near as may be to the seat of the offence.
In cases of crimes committed not within any county, the trial may by law be in such county as the laws shall have prescribed. In suits at common law, between man and man, the trial by jury, as one of the best securities to the rights of the people, ought to remain inviolate.
Eighthly.
That immediately after article 6th, be inserted, as article 7th, the clauses following, to wit:
The powers delegated by this constitution, are appropriated to the departments to which they are respectively distributed: so that the legislative department shall never exercise the powers vested in the executive or judicial; nor the executive exercise the powers vested in the legislative or judicial; nor the judicial exercise the powers vested in the legislative or executive departments.
The powers not delegated by this constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the States respectively."

The Decision of the Supreme Court

I was pleased by the decision of the Supreme Court regarding the detainees at GTIMO. Since that program began I have been troubled by the term enemy combatants. As a soldier the term held no meaning--as it was neither a POW or a prisoner. Our nation policies regarding the detainees at GTIMO has been misguided from the beginning and has done more to damage our standing in the world. Whilst the Constitution gives the President the responsibility of being Commander in Chief, it clearly states in Article I, Section 8 that Congress has the power to make rules regarding enemy prisoners. The Court affirmed the checks and balances of our founders and affirmed the Constitution must stand as a bulwark against arbitrary and capricious actions.