Independent Patriots for America

Friends,

Has there ever been a war when mistakes have not been made?  Mistakes in leadership circles, mistakes in planning, mistakes in tactics, and yes, mistakes by war fighters?  Of course mistakes have been made.  What the shark infested media’s insatiable appetite for “a story” at any cost ignores is the United States military Uniform Code of Miliary Justice.  The UCMJ is well arranged to deal with mistakes and does so in a policy of “policing it’s own”.

What is appalling is the fabrication of “so-called warrior mistakes” by media and others and an all too willing government attempting to leap great prosecutorial chasms to support “political correct” legal success.  For too long our military heroes of all services have taken the brunt of unsubstantiated rumors planted by anti-America elements, unscrupulous journalist, disgruntled citizens, self-serving media, and selfish, power hungry politicians, to name a few sources.

As an example.  We know facts surrounding Pennsylvania Rep John Murtha’s announcement branding Marines associated in Haditha, Iraq combat as murderers of innocent civilians in cold blood.

“Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.” Congressman John Murtha, USMC Retired

We also know Murtha made these statements before the smoke cleared from the battlefield, prior to any investigation, without consideration of any verified evidence.  It does not stretch the judgment for a reasonable person to conclude Murtha’s motive was selfish, focused on his agenda, an opportunity to advance a political position, at the expense of an American time honored principle of “innocent until proven guilty” all leading to a despicable, terrible betrayal of combat Marines.

We also know, “with one exception, all of the Haditha Marines now have been exonerated. The exception is SSGT Frank Wuterich…”  A lame-brain politician and a half baked journalist makes public statements based on rumor that Marines murdered innocent civilians contributing to an unbelievable legal horror show for combat Marines.  To even charge these Marines in the first place is a gigantic miscarriage of justice.

This is not a democrat, republican, independent or any other political party issue.  This is about a politician that has proven he is untrustworthy, without judgment, a political opportunist, a betrayer of our Marines in the case of the Haditha issue, a stain on the integrity of America, a reflection of aiding and abetting the enemy, and the cause of enormous pain on innocent Marines and their families.

Now we’re at the point where the rubber meets the road.  Will we allow the ilk of John Murtha to again be elected as a Representative of the people of Pennsylvania, speak for America, and sit in the United States Congress?  Or will citizens search their hearts and consider what’s best for America?  That’s the question.

My personal opinion is that if Murtha is reelected, America no longer gives a damn about our freedom, our flag, our integrity, but chooses the cowardly, dishonorable, disloyal character of Murtha over the honorable, courageous,loyal character of our warriors and our nation, trashing the bedrock principles embedded in our Constitution.

Murtha has opposition.  Lt. Colonel William Russell is a decorated combat veteran who has served in Desert Storm, the Iraq War, and the Pentagon on 9/11….an intelligent, courageous, viable candidate opposing Murtha in the congressional fight.  Again, this is not about political party,  it’s not even about Bill Russell or John Murtha, it’s about honor,  integrity,  and all the principles that have carried America as the greatest nation in the world which are being eroded.

Have we had enough of the slime coming from politicians to say,  “I’m mad as hell and I’m going to do something about it” and really mean it? Are we willing to put politics aside and vote out a self-serving, betraying politicians and seat a fresh face?  God help us, I hope so.

If so, go to William Russell’s web site and sign on to receive his information, read what Russell is about, watch a u-tube presentation, and send him a contribution.

Pass this information to your email friends, add it to your web sites…….let’s sink our talons in John Murtha’s ass and carry him somewhere other than the Congress of the United States.

Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret
Crestview, FL

http://www.williamrussellforcongress.com

www.independent-patriots-for-america

Are we going to let the surrender crowd disrespect, dishonor, and malign General Petraeus by questioning his integrity…the leader of our warriors in battle?

Hasn’t this week of crap in Washington D.C. convinced you America is going to hell in a hand-basket and we need to do something about if?

Friends,
 
This will be my last contribution before Eagles Land on E-Day…and we all meet in DC on Sep 15th. (see http://www.eaglesup.us/ for guidance)
 
Just want everyone to know that I have been privileged to work with a dedicated, committed and professional group at http://www.eaglesup.us/ for the last month or so.  They’re the unsung power of Eagles Up.
 
Our primary mission has been to encourage “boots on the ground” in support of America, our troops, and honoring our fallen, missing warriors and their families….
 
Is this a valid, needed mission?  We think it is and events of recent days confirm the deep, grave,  and potentially devastating division in America reflecting unparalleled hostility toward American leadership, our current troops, General Petraeus, and our fallen warriors.  This hostility, surrender message, is carried out by a small minority of America and cannot be broad brushed as representing main-stream America…Eagles of all segments of America will send a clear message on September 15th in Washington, DC  that “we’re taking America back and we’re prepared to keep it”.
 
We have seen spectacles in the US Capitol this week. Code Pink, an anti-America group,  dishonoring not only the institution, but one of our respected and honored military leaders, General Petraeus;  we have also witnessed the treasonous Moveon.org advertisement in the New York Times which referred to General Petraeus as “General Be “Tray” us;  what we have not seen is Congress, in total without exception,  moving rapidly to condemn the moveon.org treasonous attack; a few brain-dead Congressmen are challenging the integrity of General Petraeus, another despicable act while he commands troops in battle; there has also been, what I call, purposeful vandalism, desecration of the Viet Nam memorial in Washington, DC…squirting, smearing, throwing some substance on numerous panels of the memorial, a length of 50 to 60 feet of the memorial.
 
The culprit(s) that desecrated the memorial is not known, but, the message is clear…hate and dishonor toward warriors that answered the call, did what we were told, suffered and sacrificed, didn’t whine, got the job done…the individual(s) that finds conscience to “desecrate the memorial headstone of over 58,000 fallen warriors” is the lowest of the low and an enemy of America in my opinion.
 
We have an opportunity to rise above all the hate, hostility, betrayal, and treason that appears in America’s headlines and against our memorials.  Let us demonstrate the power of principled, patriotic, square shouldered, unequivocal support of our nation, our troops, and honor to our fallen, missing and their families who have sacrificed for our freedom.  Can we, in our hearts, do anything less?
 
Our options are two and stark:  we standup for America or be prepared to kneel to a barbaric, butchering killer enemy.  For me and Mary, we’ll stand with the patriots on Saturday.
 
Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret., 111 Overview Drive, Crestview, FL 32539  850-689-1818

http://www.eaglesup.us/  -  Where there is no offense, there is no effect.
 
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;  they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
 
Awsome Childrens DVD http://www.polliwogscholar.com/

Decision Time

Where will you be on September 15, 2007?

Plans made to travel to Washington, DC?

America and going to Washington, DC on September 15 is just about all that’s on my mind these days and hardly anything different comes off my keyboard.  Not necessarily that I want to travel, but what I’m driven to do…the threat posed to America by the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) rally cannot be ignored.  I can’t imagine not being there, God willing.
 
I can hardly wait to claim a spot on the street in DC, standing up for America, and sink my talons securely in my portion of the pavement.   Yes, I’m claiming a portion of the streets that the left-over hippie generation think they still own…….wrong……the 60s are over, Eagles will be in town.
 
At the same time a sadness creeps into my heart over the disunity, disharmony, hatred,  betrayal of our warriors, out right attack by a powerful  evil enemy determined to destroy America, leading  rank and file sheep that has literally no idea what they are doing, to destruction.
 
The poor ignorant souls that are brainwashed into thinking they are voicing and participating in a legitimate cause that will steer America on the correct course are totally blind to the background, motivation, and goals of the ANSWER movement.  ANSWER is a communist based, Marxist organization filled with tag along radical groups to include Muslim extremists with the goal of destruction.  These radical anti-war, anti-America, supporters of the Islamic butchers that are killing our warriors throughout the world must be stopped…their “hate America” shrill has been a thorn in the flesh of freedom loving Americans for decades…I’ve had enough, am sick of the “surrender attitude in America that will be reversed again on September 15 as it was on March 17 this year.
 
Do I take joy in the necessity of challenging other Americans, traveling a couple thousand miles to DC and return, creating some sacrificial difficulty on my family?  NO, I would rather be at home with my family enjoying America, and all it offers, reading newspapers and watching news reports of a unified America, supporting our warriors, in the battle against Islamic terrorism.  This is not reality and we all know it.  America is being attacked from within and it must be confronted.
 
Unfortunately, If I stayed home, I would become a mirror image of America in the 60s and 70s that stayed home while millions of warriors were in fox-holes in Vietnam defending freedom, myself included. Over 58,000 American warriors died fighting for freedom while America snoozed, allowing the anti-war radicals to convince cowardly, selfish politicians to surrender to an enemy our warriors defeated.   The anti-war crowd in the 60s, some of whom will be in DC in September, were given freedom to roam the streets without any challenge.  That cannot happen again……….not ever again…..enough is enough….our current warriors cannot be abandoned or dishonored because America is too busy to realize men and women are dying for them daily while a subtle, cancerous virus is attempting to infect our Congress with the “surrender” disease once more.
 
In my life-time I can testify to the horrors of WWII, the  absolute repulsive conditions on the European battlefield, POW camps, gas chambers ; the unspeakable jungle conditions, death marches, POW torture, by the Japanese in the Pacific;  sacrifices of unimaginable proportion on the Korean peninsula; equally heroic and successful warrior performance in Vietnam but never truthfully reported by the media; and following Vietnam the Islamic terror movement which has been slowly killing us for at least three decades.  Over 240 Marines killed in their barracks in Beirut; our Embassies being bombed, Somalia, Pan Am 103, Air Force billets bombed in Saudi Arabia, Cole attack, 9-11, on and on.
 
According to the ANSWER movement, America is responsible for everything wrong in the world…..America is the reason for the pain…they even go so far as to support the IED suicidal barbarians in Iraq that kill, maim, and wound our warriors…men and women sacrificing themselves so ANSWER and their minions have the freedom to protest in the streets, dishonor our returning wounded at Walter Reed Army Hospital with vile demonstrations, and even interrupt warrior funerals as family members lay their loved one to rest.  Is there anything more despicable?
 
It’s time for America to decide a course of action to deal with the infection……allow the cancer to grow or cut the sucker out.
 
Will patriots continue to allow these repugnant haters of America,  that openly call for the destruction of our republic to claim ownership of the streets that our warriors, cited above, fought and died to protect?  The old excuse “let someone else do it” won’t wash…it’s up to you and me.  Let’s get the boots on, pick up the flag, get in the car or on the plane and head to DC. How can any of us sit idly by while the enemy works to undermine,  before our very eyes, over 200 years of sacrifice for freedom ?
 
Tens of thousands of us have awakened from the snooze.  On September 15, 2007, Eagles will challenge those that want to destroy America, abandon our troops, and desecrate, vandalize memorials to our fallen and missing warriors, if not protected in Washington, DC.  Join in, be part of a positive impact on America.
 
The hope of America literally rests on a massive  “boots on the ground” Landing of Eagles, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, arm in arm, locked in support of America…our numbers will send a message to American political leaders, our enemies, and those that support them.  Which will it be?  Standup for America or bow down to a ruthless, evil, Islamic enemy?
 
Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret
Eagles Up
 

http://www.eaglesup.us/  -  Where there is no offense, there is no effect.
 
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;  they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
 
Great Kids Video - http://www.polliwogscholar.com/

A NEW SONG: Where Has All The Backbone gone….gone to jelly everyone….When Will They Ever Learn, When Will They Eveeeerrrrr Learn?

According to press reports “…Senator Warner, an influential Republican on defense matters, urged President George W. Bush to announce by Sept. 15 a plan to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq…”  This gutless politically correct Senator may want to demoralize the troops and “surrender”, his choice. Reprehensible, but his choice.

But, I can tell you there will be thousands of screaming, committed, patriotic, flag waving, hard nosed Americans that utterly reject surrender, and we will be standing on the streets, “boots on the ground” in Washington, DC, on September 15, 2007.

Eagles locked arm in arm, shoulder to should, still committed to the oath we took to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”  We will not shrink our duty…we will lift America, we will give hope to our troops, and honor our memorials to our fallen, missing and their families.

In Senator Warner’s words, “We simply cannot as a nation stand and continue to put our troops at continuous risk of loss of life and limb without beginning to take some decisive action,'’  “Warner, who returned from Iraq last week and met with top administration officials yesterday, said during a news conference at the Capitol.”

The only area I agree with Warner is “decisive action”….. but the “decisive action” is not  “surrender”, but to attack………we should have been attacking Iran and Syria years ago……..the gutless cowardly Congress has fought and rejected a winning strategy for years, openly defied the Commander in Chief, hypocritical in voting to go to war and then threatening to not fund it; contributed significantly to the disunity in America, encouraged and emboldened the enemy,  and the Commander in Chief has listened to spineless advisors with a “cannon fodder” mentality………attack, attack, attack should have been the cry from day one until unequivocal victory…….if we know where the threat is, why in God’s name would we give them sanctuary; let them continue to attack and kill our warriors without consequence, without accountability?

Now the JCS wants to withdraw troops, General Petraeus and our leaders on the ground don’t, the Administration seems against it, Congress is leaning toward withdrawal…………who in hell is in charge?  Is the Commander in Chief in charge or not?  If he is then, there is only one way…attack, attack, attack………….

Leadership in Washington, DC may be guilty of criminal activity…I can think of nothing more despicable that having the wherewithal to win but choose to surrender..giving the enemy the advantage, giving the Islamic butchers hope to hold on,  just like the gutless leaders in Congress and anti-war movement of the 60s and 70s led us down the surrender path, sacrificing the lives of our men and women warriors to satisfy personal political agendas.  Where are the patriots with a backbone?…. gone to jelly everyone………..

Let us sing an old song in Washington, DC on September 15….that old song is “Victory, Victory, Victory…America, The Land of the Free Because of The Brave.

Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret

http://www.eaglesup.us/  -  Where there is no offense, there is no effect.

Eagles Landing

“A helpless sparrow can drift with the

wind. It takes an “Eagle” to fly against the

storm.”

September 15, 2007

Washington, D.C.

I am happy to report the Eagles message is taking hold throughout America…more and more are committing to travel to Washington, DC for the September, 15, 2007 E-Day.  Of course as our numbers climb, the opposition is deviously looking and employing counter-measure to thwart our efforts…you know when this is happening, our progress is worrisome to the “moonbats”.
 
We’re beginning to see glimpses of distortion, fabrication, deception, from elements that reflect intentions to sow disharmony, confusion and cause division among those of us 1. Supporting America 2. Reflecting to our troops and their commander, General Petraeus, that we have their backs, and 3. honoring our fallen and missing warriors and their families on September 15, 2007 on the streets of Washington, DC. .  Elements engaged in this behavior can only be part of the ANSWER crowd.   Recognize it for what it is and ignore those attempting divisive and false rumor.
 
Some are spreading the notion that we are pro-war.  Simply because one element of our mission supports the troops, some are referring to our September 15, 2007 intention to field massive numbers on the streets of Washington, DC as “pro-war”. 

In a discussion with a family member who subscribed to the anti-war movement,  Jim, a military man used the following logic:
 
“I asked if we could have a gentlemen’s agreement - namely that I’d say something that would only take a minute or two and he would sit still and listen, and when I was done, I’d sit still and listen to whatever he wanted to say.  He agreed.

I asked him who he thought was most against war.  After a minute, he said he didn’t know.  I then said that I thought the people most against war were those, like me, that had to fight them.  I have been under rocket attack three times and personally heard shells (23mm) go past my head (while I was in a FAC O-2) and that was very scary and personal.  I also lost friends in the war.  I said that the military, who has to fight the wars, is the group most against war, because they have the most to lose, but that the military understands that sometimes war is necessary.

I said I was done and he could say anything he wanted and I’d be quiet.  After several minutes of silence, he said he had never thought about it that way before.”

The difference between the anti-war elements and American’s for freedom is simple…if we must go to war, then “we win, they lose”…period.
 
It’s freedom we’re about, ensuring the security of America, not debating the right or wrong of Iraq but looking at the longer term threat America faces of which Iraq is a part.  It’s about messages being sent to a barbaric, ruthless, bunch of butchers that are encouraged when they see elements in America that suggest “surrender”, demeaning our troops, and allowing the Islamic killers to use foolishness of a few private citizens and politicians, as ammunition for propaganda purposes.
 
We cannot allow a repeat of the 60s when America abandoned our troops in Southeast Asia….folks it is not easy to make a trip to Washington, DC that is recognized…be sure that this is not about some individual getting his/her ego stroked or some organization bolstering it’s agenda…what it’s about is the survival of our nation, our way of life is being moved perilously close to  a repeat of the 60s…this time, as we have already experienced, the enemy is attacking us on continental United States soil.  If we do not hold the line and move with offensive action to rally in support of America, our troops, and recognize the sacrifice of our fallen and missing, the blood bath will continue in America with a force that will dwarf 9-11-2001.  We can make a move now without bloodshed at home if we act…think about it? 
 
Many organizations such as Eagles Landing, Move America Forward, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Gathering of Eagles, Rolling Thunder, and others are engaged in preparation and urging American patriots to sacrifice, if necessary, to be present for duty, ‘boots on the ground” in Washington, DC on September 15, 2007.  The goal is to fill the streets and totally overwhelm those that would tear America down, abandon our troops again, and dishonor our fallen and missing and their families..
 
America needs each one of us desperately to stand-up for her…our troops, the very sons and daughters, sacrificing blood, body parts, and lives deserve nothing less…use our web site www.eaglesup.us and tell us you’ll be in DC…click on the forum and sign up or hit the “contact button” at the top of the page and tell America you’re on the way……
 
God willing our presence in DC will shake the political establishment and our national media into some sense of reality where America stands.
 
Respectfully,
 
Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;  they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
 
www.independent-patriots-for-america.com  
 
http://www.eaglesup.us  -  Where there is no offense, there is no effect.

Can America survive two more years under the present Administration and Congress??  Every day it appears more hopeless as those in positions of responsibility in Washington, D.C. mangle any sense of responsibility common sense would expect.

President Bush is a nice man, I believe he tries and I like him, but he is not a leader.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Leader Pelosi reflect the attitude of mis-guided missiles…in fact it’s difficult to name any rational member of Congress these days……..or for that matter, see any on the horizon.

President Bush seems to have his head in the posterior cavity of his body as he continues to champion illegal alien border crossers above the security of America…an insult to American citizens…to think we can’t see through the politics is simply ignorant…I’m convinced the President is unable to determine that he is surrounded by incompetent advisors.

Leaders in Congress continue idiotic political battles over war funding while warriors lives are lost, bodies are maimed, blood spilled, widows numbers grow, family devastation ignored…the leadership in Washington, D.C. is cold, callous, and without conscience…how they can ignore the blood of our warriors and family impact while pursuing political games is despicable at best.

President Bush’s approach to immigration is simply condoning illegal activity, betraying American citizens, and is proposing amnesty, pure and simple..why?  He has said over and over “we are a nation of laws” but he cannot muster the intestinal fortitude to enforce our laws…he should do the right thing and begin deportation of every illegal alien detected in America, and do it now.

One only has to total the crime associated with illegal aliens, terrorist plots(read recent plans to kill soldiers at Ft Dix, New Jersey), drain on medical care, safety on highways, melting pot impact, to name a few,  in understanding failure of government to do it’s job…this is not about picking on someone, discrimination, et al., its about the law, about protecting America.

The track record of America of late seems to be one of, start wars, throw the warm bodies in the mix, allow enough to die to create a political issue, start the spin for political advantage in continuining or ending the war, allow the forgotten to continue to die….  Only a radical, catastrophic national event will get the virus out of Congress…….with 435 new Representatives and 34 new Senators last November, many hoped there might be some recognition of reality….wrong, business as usual.

America’s enemies see victory on the horizon as spineless politicians crumble and the white flag is being readied for hoisting……..only this time surrender will be followed by an incalculable cost.  I fear America is indeed lost forever.

Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret., Crestview, FL

What If A Gathering of Eagles Fails? Magnum P.I. Answered ‘What If!’

By Ronald Winters

The 1980s television drama Magnum P.I. was, in my opinion, one of the best shows to portray the true spirit of the American Vietnam veteran, and actor Tom Selleck’s title character, the private investigator Thomas Magnum, was and still is one of my all-time favorites.

Selleck’s ability to bring a likeable reality to the small screen was unparalleled at the time, and to this day.

In one of my favorite episodes, the lead character and a small group of friends, all combat veterans of that war, save for Magnum’s employer, Higgins, the very, very proper British Sgt. Major who also had seen his share of action across the globe, went back to Vietnam on a rescue mission. In that two-part episode they faced all the demons of the past, but showed America the savage reality of the enemy we had faced and the courage of the soldiers and civilians of all nations who stood up to the communists.

After they return home to Hawaii, each character lists a host of chores undone, people and projects put on hold, and sacrifices that had been made as Vietnam again became a priority in their lives. Finally, the question is raised, “What if we hadn’t gone?”

Selleck pauses for a moment, and answers the question of the ages simply, but succinctly.

“We did.”

I have been reminded of this episode many times in recent days, as the Gathering of Eagles vigil planned for the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., on March 17 grows exponentially, and efforts to prevent the vigil take on a frantic tone. The gathering is a grassroots call for a vigil at The Wall to ensure that pro-terrorism protesters who are reenacting a 1967 March on the Pentagon that day, don’t deface the Vietnam Memorial as they did the Capitol in January.

Pundits and commentators from across the political spectrum are worrying themselves sick, or trying to appear that they are, over the correctness of the Eagles’ gathering, or the possibility that it will fail, or that the media will ignore or misportray the veterans (what else is new?), or that the vets may encounter violence from the anarchists.

Their feigned concerns range from political correctness run amok, to a very real fear that the veterans’ vigil will take on far more significance than the pro-terrorists’ march regardless of what the media reports.

Talk all you want, the vigil is going forward. Individual after individual and group after group are stepping forward and signing up. The organizers are firm that the purpose of the gathering is to stand a peaceful vigil over the wall and prevent any of the anarchists participating in the pro-terrorism march from dishonoring those whose names are listed on it.

By extension, this vigil is for all veterans and their supporters who have stood up for America and freedom.

By any common sense measure, this vigil is necessary, and long, long overdue. I believe that one of the biggest fears behind the negative commentaries is that mainstream America will finally show the pro-terrorist politicians and news media that no matter what they have done to the contrary, we still believe in our country, and are willing to stand up for it.

Some in the pro-terrorist crowd claim that the veterans’ vigil is unnecessary. A spokesman from one of the pro-terror organizations claimed recently that the anarchists who defaced the Capitol in January were but a small number of the “hundreds of thousands” who had been at the pro-terror rally on the DC mall in January.

For starters, the best estimates I have seen of the number of people in that demonstration were around 30,000, not anywhere near 100,000 or “hundreds” of thousands as the spokesman claimed. Face it, no one gives a rat’s behind what Cindy Sheehan thinks about anything, and Jane Fonda is a schizoid relic of a bygone day who can’t decide whether she is capitalist or communist.

The fact is, she is and always was an opportunist with no common sense or morals. Neither Cindy Sheehan nor any of Fonda’s multiple personalities can draw a crowd. But for a pro-terror organizer to drastically inflate the numbers who attended a previous pro-terror rally, to give the so-called ‘movement’ more importance than it rates, tells us plenty.

America may be fed up with both political parties, but it isn’t fed up on America, and certainly does not support the pro-terrorists in our midst.

As to the claims that the veterans are over-reacting to the incident at the Capitol, take a look at what the pro-terrorist march organizers are saying on their own website.

“Tens of thousands of people will be gathering at Constitution Gardens at 12 noon near the Vietnam Memorial prior to the March on the Pentagon on Saturday, March 17. …

The 58,000 U.S. soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam and the millions of Vietnamese who were killed, died in a criminal war. The connection between Vietnam and Iraq could not be more clear. Iraq is also a criminal war of aggression. …

Some tiny pro-Bush groups who support the war in Iraq, and who normally mobilize about 25 people to hold signs when massive antiwar protests take place, are now callously trying to manipulate Vietnam veterans by spreading rumors that the March on the Pentagon will defile the Vietnam Memorial. This lie should be treated with the same contempt that people have for the other lies promoted by Bush and his followers to justify an illegal war of aggression …”

Yada, yada, yada.

Can the issue be more clear? There is no mistaking the pro-terrorists’ aims. Once again, America is a criminal enterprise, once again its veterans are war criminals, and once again groups who have no real agenda save for the downfall of democracy are using the very freedoms that veterans fought for to attack and overthrow the country that guarantees those freedoms.

As a Marine brother put it recently, the pro-terrorist march is organizing “Within spitting distance” of the Vietnam memorial. Their web site makes their intentions all too clear.

But there is a solid truth at work here that will prevail, as truth always does. This is the communication age, and mainstream America is communicating. We who were spat upon when we came home from Vietnam were not organized, we were not in large-scale contact with each other, and we did not have anywhere near as much information available to us as we do now.

This time we are organized and we are talking to each other constantly. We have seen what happens to our allies if we leave them helpless. To somehow claim that the millions of Southeast Asians who died at the hands of the communists after South Vietnam fell in 1975 did so because of America or its veterans is despicable, dishonest, unsupportable and outright false.

The millions who died were killed by the communists. The allies of the communist forces in the 60s and 70s are in many cases the same people who are supporting the terrorists today. History does repeat, and to follow this concept to its logical end ensures that millions more innocents will die at the hands of terrorists if the pro-terrorist forces prevail. This time, millions who die will be Americans on American soil.

There is no question that the vigil is necessary, and for it to succeed, it needs only to occur. Whether the vigil is attended by 50 veterans, or 500 or 5000, is not relevant. That we go, and stand shoulder to shoulder to defend our memorials and the honor and dignity of the Americans who died defending our freedoms is all that matters.

Regarding the possibility of violence, it is likely only if it is used by the pro-terrorists and their anarchist brethren. But I would caution those prone to violence to think twice before attacking a solid mass of people who are the all-time masters at improvisational combat. The media can rewrite history all it wants, but we have defeated every enemy we ever faced, regardless of how vicious the tactics they used.

We have improvised, we have adapted and we have overcome every single time. I wouldn’t recommend violence against this group, especially from people who are attempting to shield their true pro-terrorism agenda from the public by claiming to be marching for “peace.”

We will stand our vigil, peacefully, but firmly. Attacking us would be foolhardy and counter-productive on many fronts.

I realize that the hand-wringers and worry warts will continue to chew on this issue right up until March 17, and probably even afterwards. That is their nature and it won’t change.

But there is a simple and succinct answer to the question “What if we don’t go?”

“We will!”

The media has been drooling over the recent anti-Bush, anti-troop increase, “non-binding” resolution blather being thrown around in the United States Senate…and many Senators seem favorably inclined (read listing to the left) to accommodate.

The sad aspect of the Senate, as in most politicians, is their ability to say one thing but when decision time comes, they are either absent or side with the majority…the recent example of cowardice by the United States Senate was in the vote to confirm General Petraeus as Commander in Iraq…….

General Petraeus, testifying and being questioned before the Senate Armed Services Committee,  told the Senators what he was going to do,  he couldn’t do it without a troop increase, said cutting and running would lead to disaster, all the things the Senators did not want to hear.  Yet,  the General was confirmed by a 81-0 vote.  I know Senator Johnson was in the hospital, but who the gutless 18 were that could, but did not vote I don’t know. I suspect it was many of those that didn’t have the courage to vote for Petraeus or against him…but many Senators continued to spew their anti-Bush, anti-troop, American is the problem venom, while saying they support America and the troops……….that is pure, unequivocal lies and political cover tactics.

Senator Hagel lashed out at his Senate colleagues stating,  “I think all 100 senators ought to be on the line on this. What do you believe? What are you willing to support? What do you think? Why were you elected?” Mr. Hagel said, his voice booming. “If you wanted a safe job, go sell shoes.”

My fax to Senator Hagel and others was “If you are not a shoe salesman Senator, then introduce a “binding resolution” to cut off the funds for the Iraq war and do it now.

Your rhetoric in the safe confines of the United States Senate mean nothing unless you exercise courage of words and take action.  Either put up or shut up.

If you don’t, you are branded as a hypocrite,  a coward, and worse, a traitor.”  

I hasten to add that Hagel’s, Kennedy’s, Warner’s, and others words do mean something…they give aid, comfort, and embolden the Islamic butchers. The enemy views them as weak, America as weak, America as divided, America as toothless…our warriors in harms way are put to disadvantage by the reckless anti-war shrill while these Senators quickly add “I support our troops”…I wonder how many good old gullible Americans will swallow this crap, close their mind, go back to sleep, or at least to a snoozing stupor……

United States Senators who carry out this farcical “non-binding” debate against President Bush’s troop increase are nothing short of traitors, should be tarred and feathered and left in Washington, D.C.

Harry Riley,COL, USA, Ret