"We Can't Leave Now"

I have the high privilege of meeting and visiting with a number of military personnel on a daily basis. I am amazed at two things. First, I am amazed at how young they all look, but I have trouble telling age the older I get. Some of you can understand that. Second, I am amazed at their dedication to the mission and the cause of freedom. I have visited with PFC's, Sergeant Major's, Crew Chiefs and a few officers. These men and women have been deployed multiple times and they all, without exception, tell me they are ready to go back.

Today I asked both the Sergeant Major and an E-7 why they felt that way. "Because to leave now would be a defeat. It would also mean that a lot of people died for nothing." I asked if they thought we were really making a difference and they both replied, "Without question." You see, these folk are not politicians. They are men and women dedicated to the cause of freedom, whether it's here or somewhere half way around the world. To leave now would simply be another VietNam, where a lot of people died and nothing was finished.

I talked to these two men about the prospect that some individuals might be prosecuted for water boarding and other forms of interrogation. They were both angry, but especially the E 7, who is also Airborne. He hit the counter and said, that President Obama was more concerned with the enemy than with his own people. He said something about it being a disgrace. And you know, he is absolutely correct. Remember the song, "Have we forgotten?" I remember September 11 like it was yesterday, but today there are no, or very few, churches who hold services in remembrance of the events of that day. For about 90 days following September 11, churches were full. People were reaching out to God, but soon things were back to the way they had always been. It would be a national disgrace to prosecute people for water boarding! Especially so since Congress knew about it at the time and gave their blessing.

But you have to remember, we are talking about the same President who has apologized for the actions of the United States. He called us arrogant. He shook hands, not once, not twice but three times with Hugo Chavez who made a laughing stock out of him. He wants to be nice to the President of Iran. He has nothing but good to say about Castro. I really hope that all those who said, "Change Now," are happy with the changes they see, because this writer isn't. Change is not always a good thing. And change, just for the sake of change is seldom positive. As the leader of the free world, this President has to first ask, "is this in the best interest of Americans?" I don't think he has asked that question, and my gut says he never will.

I can respect most people and I could have lived with Hillary Clinton. She, at least, knows the dangers and warning signs which is more than I can say for Barack Obama. First, he has never stopped campaigning. Somebody needs to tell him that he won and now he needs to step up to the plate, stop being nice to everyone and be the President. I watch of a lot of football and basketball and I never once saw a team win by being nice to the other side. They can play fair, but those linemen are there to hit the other team as hard as they possibly can and drive the ball into the endzone. So far, Obama has just opened up a nice hole and invited the other side to run through it.

Let's remind him that he is able to be President because a bunch of people fought and died for his right to do so. A lot of blood was shed to allow him to take the oath of office. "Has he forgotten what it felt like that day?" Regardless of anything else, let's all write to him in support of our troops, in support of freedom (which is never free) and tell him "Not until the mission is accomplished."

God Bless You and God Bless America!