Atlas Shrugs

Atlas Interview Alan West!

The Colonel' from Kandahar is running for Congress in Florida. Get out the vote!

Alan West for Congress

VOTE FOR THE COLONEL

Atlas readers, check out the latest from the great one. I am sooooo backing him in his run for Florida'a house. He wrote a column for Atlas readers when stationed in Kandahar. Read him. Get to know him. Campaign for him. This is the leadership America is dying for.

"I sacrificed my career for my soldiers and that's the bottom line," he said.

Ex-Colonel Defends Controversial Actions in Iraq, Runs for Florida House Seat FOX NEWS
WASHINGTON —  While former Vietnam POW John McCain campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination in Florida, another retired veteran is counting on his military experience to catapult him to victory in the Sunshine State.

Retired Army Col. Allen West is campaigning in Florida's 22nd U.S. Congressional District, hoping to unseat freshman Democratic Rep. Ron Klein, who toppled 26-year Republican incumbent Clay Shaw in a contentious battle in 2006.

The well-funded and very politically active Klein is not about to give up his seat easily, but West is banking on his notoriety as much as his military experience to make his case.

West, 46, cuts an intriguing figure. He is a war hero to his supporters, but his opponents see him as a symbol of a war gone wrong.

West commanded the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, Fourth Infantry Division in Iraq, then spent two years as a private contractor helping to train the Afghan army.

He's not only up on military and national security issues, but he has worked briefly as a teacher in the Palm Beach/Broward County area public schools.

"Allen is one of the most compelling figures I've ever worked with," said Donna Brosemer, an unpaid campaign strategist and spokeswoman for West. "He's a non-traditional candidate at a time when the public is sick of traditional candidates."

Read it all.

Colonel West on Bhutto

I asked the  Colonel  from Kandahar, Allen B. West, Atlas  war time correspondent and my candidate for Florida's next congressman , for his thoughts on the Bhutto murder. He spent the last couple of years in that part of the world serving the war effort. Who better to examine events on the ground than the Colonel? West represents the best, the very best hope for America. We need this man in government. 

BTW, the Colonel will be joining me on my show, Atlas on the Air, January 7th 3pm.

Here now, his remarks:

The assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto evidences who is really in command in Pakistan:  Islamic terrorists and their ideology.  Pervez Musharref has done nothing to promote civil liberties, constitutional order or rule of law in Pakistan. He is a despotic ruler who has been playing the Roman god Janus with the US, and indeed the world. Pakistan has received billions in US foreign aid in money and weapons support, but none of it has gone to fight against Islamic terrorism. It has been stockpiled to fight against their traditional enemy, the world's largest democratic state, India.

When Musharref ordered the withdrawal of Pakistani troops from Waziristan it allowed the establishment of a new terrorist sanctuary, a self-proclaimed "Talibanistan".  The standoff at the Red Mosque earlier this month allowed us to see what happens when the radical islamists attempt to extend their ideology beyond the declared walls of sanctuary.

Benazir Bhutto knew the day she landed she was a marked woman, but her courage should embolden us to accept reality. That reality is that we face a barbaric and committed enemy which has no regard for liberty and freedoms, only their warped and insane 7th century vision of an antiquated totalitarian, imperialistic ideology. The best way to give tribute to Benazir Bhutto is to commit, as she did, to eradicate Islamic terrorism, the mysticism which holds hostage those who seek to step out of darkness, and into the light of individual freedom, not collective religious slavery.

There can be no doubt that Pervez Musharref and the Pakistan ISI allowed these continuous attacks to take place against Bhutto, until the enemies of our world were successful.

If our world leadership is serious, they will abandon the empty rhetoric of "strong condemnation" and begin to cut off aid to Pakistan and Musharref. We will begin to regulate the visas granted to Pakistan and revoke student visas. We will look to shut down our embassies. And lastly we will not allow the terrorist enemy sanctuary, wherever he seeks to find it, and that includes cross-border strike operations. These measures are not against the people of Pakistan who desire rule of law, civil liberties, and freedom. It is meant to place pressure and responsibility to enact a change. These measures would be meant to set conditions for those seeking reform to enact such, and restore honor and dignity to Pakistan.

Musharref is not an ally.  He is a despotic user. Having been in southern Afghanistan,  I know of the Chechnyans, Saudis, Yemenis, Uzbeks, Pakistanis, Somalis, and other Arabs who are captured in Afghanistan....and they have come from across the border in Pakistan. We all know that during the winter months many of the Taliban return to Waziristan to refit and retrain, preparing for the next spring campaign season. We know that the stories of Pakistan ‘capturing' Taliban are just a hoax; in actuality they round up many Talibs who refuse to return to Afghanistan to fight.

Bhutto sacrificed her life to inspire all of us to stop "playing war" with this enemy, and face the truth that they are determined to enslave us all, and no one is safe from their maniacal desires. In particular, western female political leaders should be enraged at the loss of a promising voice. Our response to this tragedy must resound clearly, and not be a typical sound bite.  We have to stand together as a free world.

We must declare the enemy to be Islamic terrorism (Al Qaeda, Taliban, Hezbollah, Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic Jihad, Al Aqsa Brigade, Al Quds Brigade, Iranian Republican Guards, Abu Sayyaf, Jemaat al Islamiah) and the state sponsors who provide them sanctuary and support:  Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Pakistan.

It is quite simple.  Strategically we must:

Deny this enemy sanctuary,
Interdict his support (men, materiel, and money),
Isolate him,
Contain the promulgation of his ideology, and lastly
Disrupt his operations worldwide.

This is not Bush's War.  It is not a war in Iraq.  It is a world war, an ideological struggle which cannot simply find a solution in appeasement, compromise, or negotiation. It takes bullets and words, the ability to know when to use each, and the willingness to do so.

Let not Benazir Bhutto’s death be in vain.

Sincere Regards,

Allen

August Column from Kandahar: THE GLOBAL JIHAD

Colonel Allen West, our best source of intel from Kandahar and Florida's next congressman writes this critical piece, the August column for Atlas readers. CAMPAIGN FOR WEST.  We need this kind of leadership in America. NOW.

August Column from Kandahar  

"The Global Jihad and its Ramifications for America"

August has been incredibly busy; hard to believe it truly flew past. This month we have been conducting a series of Afghan staff seminars on various organizational and operational planning topics. We received a new Afghan Army Regional Corps Commander and Chief of Staff; therefore it is important to re-emphasize some of the key points that enhance staff effectiveness. This comes at a critical time when we are about two weeks from entering the Muslim period of Ramadan (Ramazon in Afghanistan). As this global period is about to begin, I considered what this means to our enemy, as it is the prime time for a mujahideen to claim shaheed, or most revered, status.  

So what does this "global jihad" really mean for America, as we are its main target?  

This past week at a Veterans of Foreign Wars conference Pres Bush drew parallels between Vietnam and Iraq. I would like to add another point, which is Vietnam was a regional conflict but its long term meaning still resonates with our adversaries. It displayed a weakness our current enemy seeks to exploit. Vietnam also evidenced a willingness by our country to abandon allies when   confronted by a lesser but determined enemy---not to mention the effect of the media in our country.  

Vietnam affected our credibility as a nation, and our actions in Lebanon and Somalia reinforced the perception of only being a "paper tiger" to those who wage the global jihad. Vietnam resulted in a regional loss, but this time we face a far more dangerous enemy and a loss has far greater implications.  

This global jihad exploits our open borders and it does not take a genius to realize that this is a terrible gamble. It has become too simple to infiltrate the US from our porous borders, and as the Ft Dix incident showed us, we are walking a fine line.  The enemy now certainly feels a strong domestic event will bring America to its knees, and he will not be deterred if we don't take action. Once that occurs, we will find ourselves isolated from allies who will then be taken piecemeal until there is submission.  

This global jihad is heavily linked to one drug source, heroin, here in Afghanistan, while it is making incursions to develop better associations with others in South America and the narco-state of Mexico. It is plainly obvious that drug proliferation is a large funding source for terrorist groups, as well as a detriment to America.

The global jihad has penetrated our American cultural, educational, financial, and political systems in an attempt to desensitize us under the mantra of "multiculturalism". Our own constitutional rights are being used against us to foment hate and dissent right under our noses. Consistently we see subtle challenges to our rule of law seeking to create a gap of exploitation by which Sharia could be further promulgated. Our Middle Eastern studies programs in universities all across America are infested with those who openly speak against our republic. This was not the original intention of these educational programs. Even the attempt to open an American taxpayer funded Islamic school has to give one concern.

The financial and political impact in America of Saudi money is far-reaching. The energy bill recently passed by Congress did nothing to strengthen America's energy independence.  We must cut the ties to the Middle East. As long as the petrodollars roll in, Wahabbism/Salafism will be exported out, and to our shores.

I could speak for days about the number of state sponsors of terrorism, about Iran and their alliances so close to our sovereign nation. Again, this global jihad makes its intentions very clear.   It is up to us to make a stand and turn it back, such as Charles Martel did in 748 AD at Tours and at Vienna in 1683.

Lastly, let us not forget the enemy who lurks in waiting—China---for that opportunity of weakness. China learned a very important lesson from the collapse of the Soviet Union:  beat America economically first. Our own greed for cheap labor and cheap goods has created a "free trade" nightmare resulting in a 20-25% GDP spending of China on its military, primarily its navy. Couple that with their owning the operations of the Panama Canal, global ventures into Africa, and desire to drill oil off the coast of Florida, and you have a recipe for hegemonic dominance. This global jihad is enabling them to make their move possibly without challenge---strange bedfellows indeed.  

Solutions?

• Secure our borders and enforce the laws of the land on illegal immigration.
• Make the hard calls on repairing our economy--- cut taxes and curtail spending.
• Reevaluate foreign aid spending and bring the American taxpayer funds back to the people.
• Return social security to what it was intended to be:   non-taxable, part of an independent trust fund, and give options to future generations.
• Seek out our true energy independence; we have to wave goodbye to the Middle East and not be held hostage to a resource we possess in abundance.
• Strike back hard at Islamic terrorist organizations in their sanctuaries--- enemy-oriented, not terrain-oriented (as we are doing now), disrupting, interdicting, and isolating them and their support.
• We must end the revisionist education theory and develop pride and skills in our young people. This is about our future.

Friends, there is much to be done, but that is why we are Americans!

In Your Service, LTC Allen B West (US Army, Ret)

THE COLONEL CALLS OUT THE LIBERALS

Our man on the front lines  in Kandahar, Lt. Colonel Allen West calls the liberals out in this exclusive column for Atlas. As you know, The Colonel is running for Congress. I support him unequivocally. Let's start electing some legislators like him, who love this country and who want to serve the interests of American citizens.

Why Liberals Will Not Confront the Enemy But Will Condemn Their Own

By LTC (R) Allen B West

The real issue is simple: If Liberals admit there is a problem, they could be called upon to act. Liberals are blinded by the fear of action. They rest their hope upon the "reason" and "benevolence" of an enemy, an enemy who would slit their collective throats. Truly if they could understand, this adversary finds their existence useful but abhorrent---useful in that this enemy will support liberals’ quest for power through their propagandist efforts; abhorrent in that liberals only seem weak and cowardly, which is detestable in these parts. 

Liberals seek to destroy any institution of intrinsic value: God, country, family, honor, valor, courage, VIRTUE……Why?  Because if such things exist, then they must be defended, which brings them back to their fear of action.

If foundations of a society capture the essence of a State---patriotism, faith--- they must be honored and defended, but this not a raison d'etre for a Liberal. That is why movies like "The Da Vinci Code" are so important to them, and the "Passion of the Christ" was so threatening……Why believe or fight for this thing called Christianity if it is based upon lies and deceit?  If it is, then it does not need to be defended.  Christianity becomes a target for them to be destroyed and in its place can be created a completely secular state, with no faith to hold dear to ones’ heart. 

Legislation that permits the desecration of the American flag serves the same purpose, to destroy a symbol which, if honored, requires defense. 

No, do not expect Liberals to analyze Islam and Mohammed.  That requires action, which leads to fear, which leads to inaction. So do not ever expect the media to confront Islam and the problems of radical Islamic Fascism, theocracies/autocracies, and terrorism. It is far easier for Liberals to denounce our Judeo-Christian faith than to confront the truth that faces us all: that Islam is a religion of subjugation, submission and intimidation, whose teachings defend terrorism.

It is far simpler and easier for Liberals to say that Christians are terrorists, President Bush is a Nazi, Jesus Christ does not exist, and the defenders of their rights are "murderers".  That way, they can hide behind free speech, a right provided by those who embody the very character traits and virtues which Liberals seek to destroy. 

This concept is both puzzling and intriguing.   Liberals hate those who defend them because they are afraid to be them.  In doing so, they turn a blind eye to, and even celebrate, those who would destroy them because Liberals are afraid to confront them. In the long term, who really has the most to lose in this War on Terror? Liberals do, because we who defend them will never hate them.  We will only pity them, while the Islamic fascist, theocrat/autocrat, and terrorist will slaughter them and take away any of the "rights" they have enjoyed.

It concerns me to hear that UK Prime Minister Brown chastised people to not use Muslim and terrorism in the same sentence. We cannot become so paralyzed by fear and political correctness that we betray our own societal values. It was, after all, a great American president who reminded us that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself". I implore my fellow Americans of the liberal ideology to take counsel of their fears but not let fear be their guide. This enemy is far too dangerous and is already preparing their next generation to hate and fight us, regardless of—and even because of-- your appeasement and acquiescence.

Courage is about recognizing your fear, but overcoming it to focus on the greater good.

The Spartan alliance with the Persians gave them victory over Athens in the Peloponnesian War, but it also led to the downfall and destruction of what was Greece, never to exist again in the grandness it had achieved. Not even 50 years earlier, the Spartans had stood at Thermopylae against same Persian foe, and a famous epithet was erected to those warriors. Years later, they had forgotten they were Greeks; selfish greed led them to a fateful decision and alliance that cost them their entire civilization.

Here in the 21st century, we risk forgetting that we are Americans. If we have a society we want to keep, we are required to protect and defend it.  We are required to act.

Long live the Fighter!

AFGHAN SPECIAL EDITION: ATLAS RADIO LIVE WITH THE COLONEL FROM KANDAHAR

Booyaa! What a night here in the Atlas nation. First up, we kick off with Beryl Wajsman, my partner in crime, we'll have at at 7PM on our weekly show THE WORLD AT WAR on Canada talk radio 940 AM. That show is always hot.  Listen live here.

And then .................. a special edition of Atlas on the Air with LTC Allen B. West speaking with us LIVE from the battlefields of Afghanistan at 9pm Eastern time. Yowser.

West, my most valued warrior correspondents in Kandahar, writes a monthly column for Atlas readers on his sagacious observations  from the war zone (read them all here.)

More importantly, the Colonel is bringing his leadership and courage to DC. Allen West Announces Candidacy for Congress (Florida's 22nd Congressional District.)  And while I wish he was running for the White House, this will surely have to do.

I am endorsing him unequivocally. West is a great American. He has the moral clarity, sense of purpose and vision to lead this nation (leT alone those yentas in Broward county)  at what I consider to be this nation's most perilous time. I thank G-d for men like West and will do everything in my blogpower tohelp him get elected.

Get to know  him.

CALL IN:(347) 996-3944

UPDATE: JOSEF! Faster quicker every week. 9 minutes this week. I think he done broke his record. Here is the download.

Download 2007-06-28WorldatWarPodcast.mp3

LIVE: Colonel from Kandahar and Atlas

In case you missed column yesterday, Waging Holistic War,  read it HERE. LTC (Ret.) Allen B. West will be joining me on a special ATLAS ON THE AIR next Thursday at 9pm LIVE FROM KANDAHAR! Mark your calenders! listen live here on Blog Talk Radio. And yeah, he is running for Congress. How mad hot is that? Go here and join us in getting this man to DC.

And don't miss Evan Sayet on Tuesday night at 9pm. He is the brilliant wild man.

July 3rd: Francisco Gil-White, Historical and Investigative Research

LTC. ALLEN WEST: COLUMN FROM KANDAHAR

Another superb piece exclusive to Atlas readers from hero on the ground in Afghanistan. This man is running for office in Florida. I fully endorse him. GET BEHIND HIM!

Waging Holistic War LTC (Ret.) Allen B. West

Greetings to all from the very hot sands of Kandahar, Afghanistan, where this past week the temperatures hit at or just above 123 degrees, and we still have July and August ahead of us. It was two years ago this day that I boarded a plane departing Ft Lauderdale, Florida for Afghanistan. It was different deploying this time because there was no “unit”-- just me. However, one thing remained a constant:  I was deploying, leaving my family, in service to America, and to another group of people I have never met, the people of Afghanistan.

Last month, I was home for my final leave from Afghanistan, and some of you may know that I officially declared my candidacy for Florida US Congressional District 22 (Palm Beach and Broward Counties). I had a wonderful phone interview with Atlas in my final week before returning to Kandahar. If you will indulge me, I would like to address some of the key issues I see for us as America.

While home I recognized two very interesting phenomena.  First, we are not examining things in a holistic manner. Second, there is very little long term vision expressed by our elected officials for America; it seems everything is short-term focused based upon their immediate concern--reelection.

Let us look at the first assertion.  We say that we are involved in a “Global War on Terror”, and there are even those who call it a “so-called” war. I can attest that when you are on the receiving end of an AK-47, RPG, or rocket, it is not “so called”. However, my point is that we are very myopic in the prosecution of this current conflagration, which leads to myopic solutions. All I heard while home was War in Iraq, War in Afghanistan. I submit to you that we should view Iraq and Afghanistan as theaters of operations in an overall conflict.

We fail to realize, actually visualize, the greater sphere of this conflict which in turn restricts our utilization of all elements of national power and ability to, as I like to say, “peel back the adversary’s onion”.

We must begin to use our diplomatic pressure to isolate states that fund, recruit, train, and equip terrorist activities, and I do not mean negotiation or compromise. We have to isolate them through sanctions and cutting off their foreign investment capacity. Some of this is happening; recently Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed into law a measure to ensure Florida divests from any fund that promotes economic growth for states that sponsor terror.

Next we must use the power of global information systems to contain the vile ideology that is being promulgated throughout the world. If we truly understood the source in this war we would realize the power of the imams, clerics, and mullahs. These are the men, much as in the early Catholic Church, who fear losing power and influence. A focused national propaganda campaign is needed to combat their influence globally, as well as that of terrorist groups using the internet and other mediums. Simply stated, we are losing the information war, globally and domestically.

Economically, we must interdict the financial resourcing to terrorist groups, and if another NY Times “smart guy” decides to leak information relating to programs doing such, he should have two choices: Al Anbar or Uruzgan Province for a year. We need to in essence “dry up the pool” in which our terrorist friends seek to swim. Sure, the whole “virgin paradise” thing is enticing, but nothing gets started without money.

We must reevaluate our foreign aid spending because I would almost guarantee that the people in some of these countries never see this aid. However, despotic rulers use it to parlay their control, and sometimes that means placating terrorist groups who maintain sanctuary within their sovereign borders. I can think of one country just about 70 miles south of me here. Seek the accounts and freeze them, confiscate the funds and preclude the enemy from being able to get top-of-the-line weaponry and training facilities.

And this also means conveying to other countries that enabling states that sponsor terrorism will not be tolerated.

When the Soviet Union fell, it was as a result of pressure from all sides:  diplomatic, information, military and economic.  Right now, we are not using all the tools available to us and until we do, we will not effectively put an end to the forces that intend to destroy us.

So as we enter the crucial 2008-election season, listen for those who articulate a holistic approach and a vision for America. Let’s get America back into the hands of Americans, and not special interests, foreign or domestic.

In your service,
LTC (Ret.) Allen B. West

NOTE TIME CHANGE 10PM!!!!! Lt. Col. ALLEN B. WEST

Just back from his last tour in Afghanistan, Lt Col. Allen West will be discussing the war, his run for Congress in Florida and how we can help make that happen. A great American, tongiht at 9pm Eastern time.

Lt. Col. ALLEN B. WEST 5/29

CALL IN:(347) 996-3944

Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Lieutenant Colonel Allen West (US Army, Retired) today announced he is running for Congress in Florida's 22nd Congressional District.

Allen West Announces Candidacy for Congress

"After much prayerful consideration and conversation with my family, I am running for Congress to change the culture of defeat and retreat in Washington. Voters in next year's elections will be offered two distinct visions for the future of our country: strength or weakness, resolve or indecision, security or vulnerability. America is at a crossroads, and I intend to be a voice in Congress that stands up for preserving our nation's strength, safety, and future.

"Serving 22 years in the US Army and working in Afghanistan for the Department of Defense have provided me a unique, first-hand understanding of the enemy we face abroad. I'm running for Congress to continue my lifetime of public service and be a much-needed voice for victory in Washington. I understand how the decisions made by elected officials affect our troops overseas and families here in District 22.

"In Congress I will put my experience to work for our national security and honor my oath to the US Constitution by securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws. I will fight to lower taxes and reduce the size of federal government. I will be an advocate for bringing new, high paying jobs to South Florida and will protect small business by cutting senseless regulations that cost jobs and increase overhead. And I will be a champion for reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil, promoting energy independence while preserving our coastlines and farmland."

A veteran of Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Col. West served as Battalion Commander for the Army's 4th Infantry Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom, receiving numerous honors including a Bronze Star and 3 Meritorious Service Medals. Col. West and his wife, Angela, a financial planner, have been married 17 years. They have two daughters, Aubrey, 14, and Austen, 10.

Another Country Heard from

The Colonel from Kandahar. Can I vote for this guy?

1. The continued fear by the enemy of the Afghan people having a future based upon education, which leads to opportunity and advancement. Again, these Mad Mullahs will lose power, no different than in 1517 when Luther empowered us and threatened the stranglehold of the Catholic church.

2. Last night, I read a Congressional blog from Democrat freshman Representative who addressed casualties as a reason to disengage from Iraq. We all know that we have lost 3000 of our Comrades and some 22,000 wounded. Yesterday the media was touting the number of US servicemembers killed in Iraq in April at 100. However, if you look at the enemy losses in Herat, est 120 in one engagement, should we not do a fair analysis and comparison, that is if deaths and casualties are a criteria for measuring success? I feel we should publiciize enemy deaths, wounded, and detained, this serves to level the comparison playing field as well, may even dissuade enemy recruiting efforts.

In the same blog this Congressman bemoaned the expenditures in this endeavor. Yesterday some of us did some research, WWII (45% of GDP), Korea (15% of GDP), Vietnam (topped at 10% of GDP), Iraq and Afghanistan? (less than 2% of GDP) has been spent. And currently we are only spending less than 5% of GDP on our defense budget.  There was a pretty interesting jpg that went around for a while which stated, "Marines are at War, America is at the Mall".....and with a Dow Jones of over 13,000 that is probably a good assertion.

3. Here is the bottom line, we are in the "Best" strategic position to affect this current conflagration, there is only one problem. We are like a Bull that goes after the "pretty red thing" and not the Matador, until we are worn down and the fatal blow is given. The Matadors are in Pakistan, Syria, and Iran and until we begin to seriously take note of that and disrupt these external influencers we are just charging the red cape, and in turn getting worn down. If we want to do this right? Execute cross border strike operations, enemy oriented to deny terrorist sanctuary and training bases, disrupt external support, and interdict infiltrations into Iraq and Afghanistan. Musharref, Asaad, and Ahmadinejad are laughing at us.

Al Qaeda in Iraq (Sunni) purposefully began the sectarian violence by bombing the Shrine mosque in Samarra. Iran responded by backing Shiites. Both have created a situation of misdirection, due to support from Syria and Iran. Taliban has found reenergized possibilities thanks due to being able to have a "hands off" area in Waziristan, and of course they get upset with Pakistan govt when we hit them.....not our concern.

Allen West: Colonel's Column from Kandahar

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West writes his monthly column, exclusively, for the Atlas sphere. A gift for us - for Easter. This is a magnificent man. Reporting from Kandahar.

8 April 2007

Happy Easter to all and Greetings from Afghanistan, I am currently in Kabul for a meeting and with some time available decided to pen some thoughts and insights. As I landed here in Kabul and took the drive from the airport it warmed my heart to see the young children going and coming from school, especially the young girls. It made me think of my own daughters, Aubrey and Austen, Aubrey will turn 14 tomorrow, yet another birthday I will miss.

Therefore, it came to me to consider the importance of the sacrifices being made by many here in Afghanistan and Iraq, as that coincides with Easter and the theme of sacrifice and redemption.

As I sit here in Kabul and over the past few weeks I have read of much distressing news coming from our hallowed legislative bodies. It seems that they feel conceding to the enemy in this current conflagration is the best course for America, the Iraqi people, and I would suppose the world. But if you would allow me a few moments of your time I would like to illuminate some points. First of all, you all are well aware that I make no excuses for the Bush Administration in prosecuting current military operations. There have been mistakes, and there are very few conflicts that are clean, simple, and mistake ridden. Now, with that aside what is the best course, I contend to set a timetable and establish a date to withdraw is not. This gives the adversary a clear indication that he has achieved victory and that to simply lay low will enable his reaping of countless objectives.

It seems we have forgotten the bloodlust and carnage post exiting Vietnam and the “Killing Fields” of Pol Pot and Cambodia, no to mention the oppression and persecution of the Montagnards and countless others who had been supportive to the US. The repeat of such in Iraq will make this seem as nothing, as we deal with a far more brutal and savage enemy.

One must also consider the credibility of the US in the Middle East, and worldwide as well. Let’s see, left Beirut after barracks bombing, departed Somalia after having Soldiers bodies dragged through the streets, yes we lost 18 troops, but no one thinks about the death toll to Somali militiamen, in the face of countless terrorist attacks (Khobar Towers, USS Cole, Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania) responded with missile launches, and we all know of the Vietnam precedent….add to that a withdrawal from Iraq and Osama Bin Laden’s propaganda of the US being a “paper tiger” increases. We have to realize that in certain parts of the world strength is the measure of respect, not compromise, negotiations, appeasement. The Middle East is one of those regions.

My solution is simple, we must force the Iraqis to take the future of their country seriously, “No Free Chicken” but we must do our best to set the conditions for their success. This means to provide them external security against foreign incursions from Syria and Iran. Provide reinforcement to their Army in the security of Baghdad as well as advisors. We must get our military forces in position to do what they do best, maneuver warfare, strike operations. Coupled with that we must send a clear diplomatic message, we do not negotiate or create dialogue with States who sponsor terrorist activities. When you negotiate it has to be from a position of perceived power, not meekness, no threats, just resolve.

We have embarked upon two missions that are truly unique, trying to establish free democratic processes in Islamic States, Afghanistan and Iraq. We must rid ourselves of the typical ‘are we there yet” fast food foreign policy and realize that this is a long term investment, not just for America but for these regions and the following generations. Take for example in Afghanistan, going back to the Soviet invasion in 1979 through the establishment of the Taliban regime after the Afghan Civil War two American Presidents refused to engage and now we are trying to remedy 25-30 years of civil and social retardation. My friends this is not a 5-6 year fix. Oh by the way, how long have we been involved in the social endeavor in America called the ‘War on Poverty”.

Coupled with the above, we have to protect the only Democratic state in the Middle East, Israel, and support the only other potential Arab Democratic State, Lebanon. Lest we also forget, we cannot allow the wholesale export of Saudi Wahabbism in America. So there are many points of order necessitating our presence in Iraq, it is a door hinge, and exiting is just not a viable option.

INTERVIEW: Colonel West in Kandahar

Cinnamon Stillwell conducts an insightful and eyeopening interview with Frontpage Magazine's 2003 "Man of the Year," retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West here.
I think West is destined for great things and I intend to support him for his congressional candidacy in Boca Raton this fall. West will be joining me on my radio show, Atlas on the Air,  on May 25th. A Very hot show, indeed.
Atlas readers are quite familiar with Colonel West as he writes "Column from Kandahar" here in the Atlas Sphere and has provided us with ongoing insights and observations on the war against the jihad for all these many months.  West is a warrior hence the ideal candidate.
Currently stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, West is planning a congressional run in Florida later this year. He was kind enough to share his thoughts on military strategy, politics, race, media and the lessons of the ancient world.

Registering Republican was based on the fact that I am a simple and conservative type fellow. The flag that will one day drape my casket is not a rag to be burned in some semblance of self-expression. I do not believe in multiculturalism (as defined to make American culture and beliefs subservient), pluralism, secular humanism or moral relativism. I believe in the empowerment of the individual and self-reliance – not government intervention to make us all equal, but rather, the creation of opportunity. I like to sing the National Anthem – albeit, it’s not a pretty sound - and I detest self-loathing. It is a cancer I cannot tolerate. Lastly, I believe there are people in this world that just have to have their butts kicked. No amount of Oprah hugs or Dr. Phil sessions can abate their belligerence.

Stillwell  conducts a frank and compelling interview, read it and congratulate her on her new position to North California Representative to Campus Watch.

Allen B West: Column from Kandahar

 

Photo: Al instructing  Afghan Army Officers

I have asked one of my most valued warrior correspondents in Kandahar to write his observations  from the war zone. I think the world of Lieutenant Colonel Allen B West (bottom photo with the Afghan Army group of officers he instructes.)  He represents the best, the very best of America. Here is the first in a series Column from Kandahar;

My dear friend Pamela at AtlasShrugs suggested that I put together a monthly assessment for the people on her blog site. I feel that those of us who are over here need to provide the best possible insights into our current conflagration. I hope to be able to do this monthly for y’all. (I am from Georgia.) And yes, for those of you who have heard, I am considering running for US Congress in 2008.

I received many updates about this weekend’s Washington DC anti-war rallies. I was very glad to see that Americans conducted themselves with respect and there was no attempt to deface our Memorials to Fallen Heroes. 

There are some points I wish to make in this first missive.

“War on Terror” is a misnomer.  Terror is a tactic being employed worldwide to intimidate--- terrorize---people to reach a political goal. We are facing World War III;  the adversary is Totalitarian Imperialistic Fascist Islam. We are up against an ideology, not a tactic, and until we admit and understand that which opposes us, we are not going to be able to fully grasp the strategic and operational level tasks required to achieve success, victory.

• This adversary is totalitarian in that it seeks to dominate all aspects of life. I see that domination clearly here in Afghanistan, which was to be the beginning of the restoration of the Islamic caliphate.

• It is imperialistic, as is apparent if you read any jihadi website or listen to their preachings and demonstrative rantings where they profess the goal to reestablish Dar-al-Islam, first a borderless Islamic empire, ruled under totalitarian Sharia law. Then the complete subsuming of the world under this caliphate, which has been the mantra since 622 A.D.

• Finally, it is fascist in that Islam itself means “submission” and the subjugation of the individual with no such thing as human rights. I see it in Afghanistan, read of it elsewhere, and I hear the stories of no music, no TV, no education (other than memorizing the Koran), no free speech, no rights for women, no questioning--- just whatever the mullah, imam, or cleric says.

This is the 7th century jihadist ideology which has declared a jihad against the world, based upon Wahabbi, Salafi, and Deobandi virulent and radical interpretations.  Read the writings of Sayyid Qutb. If you disagree, your head is buried, not in sand, but in cement.

On the question of civil war in Iraq and elsewhere in the Islamic world, the conflict is not so much an issue of civil war, but rather inquisition versus enlightenment/reform. Since late 7th to mid 8th century, there has been a fundamental chasm between Sunni and Shiite based upon contentions of right to caliphate rule.  We should have understood that.