Lt. Col. Allen B. West

Washington Times ^ | November 6, 2003 | Stanley SrA. USAF 91-95

[Calpernia]

Letters To Leaders

All messages are published with permission of the sender. The general topic of this message is Defense/Military:

Subject: Lt. Col. Allen B. West

To: Sen. Charles Schumer

November 6, 2003

Sir,

With all due respect, this is the very first time I have ever written to a Senator. With regards to this fine officer and the plight he is in. I have attached the article below if you are unaware of his situation. As an American, and as a veteran myself, I am utterly disgusted, shocked, and ashamed that our Army is harassing this man and is even considering a court martial. These same people who are requesting this mans court martial would probably have something quite different to say if it were their loved ones lives who were saved by this mans actions. I can not express to you how utterly disgusted and extremely angry I am at this outrageous and unjust treatment of an officer who saves lives by using such tender tactics as these to gain information from an enemy who does not abide by, or respect any code, or human right. I mean are you kidding me! So he fired a weapon near his head and made a threat, BIG DEAL! LIVES WERE SAVED!!!! Hello? Is this thing on? Are you hearing me!!! Are we such a nation of weaklings that we would have our interrogators offer prisoners candy popcorn and maybe a comfortable seat on the couch while they decide if they want to cooperate or not! Consider the tactics of our enemy, yeah, I won't even go there as they are too gruesome and inhumane to even mention. This absolutely ludicrous and unjust action being considered against this American fighting man who saves lives and who gave so many years of his life in that effort is an abhorrent black mark on the face of what is increasingly becoming and embarrassing country to have sworn my allegiance to. And no, I am not ashamed of our president and his decision to go to war. I am NOT one of those. No, in fact I LOVE our president and I am all for sending a message to radical religious groups who have committed so many blatant acts of war against our country in the name of their religion. No Sir, what makes me ashamed is to read of our nation treating it's heroes, like this Man Col. West, like a criminal when his only action was to save lives. It sickens me. Absolutely sickens me and almost makes me wish I had never served. Almost. Let me just leave you with this last thought so that you understand. I say almost as I never served in our country's armed services for you, or any fed. No government agenda was ever a motivating factor in my serving. As though I was subordinate to the government and obeyed the orders thereof, my service was to the people who had gone before me and stood and fought and died for my right to impart this to you now. It is for their sake, and for their honor that I did serve. And it is for their sake, and for their honor that I am still proud to be an American and I will still stand and fight should my country call me to do so. I do not know how to make this any more plain to you Sir, this is an injustice that needs to be rectified. PLEASE do what you can on this honorable mans behalf. Also, thank you Sir for having taken the time.

Sincerely Stanley SrA. USAF 91-95

'Heroic' officer clings to faith Facing charges after foiling ambush plot, 'devastating' to be regarded as a criminal

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35447

Guilderland , NY

[Pukin Dog]

I should have known that if anyone would get it, you would.

[Poohbah]

Thanks...methinks that when all of the facts come out, there are going to be some awfully red-faced Freepers.

[Pukin Dog]

I think you are right, and it wont be the first time that lawbreakers were defended because the results of their actions had a positive outcome. What many are doing, is exactly what Clinton did to the military by applying social standards to military doctrine. The two are not compatible in any way.

We have seen the result of 50 years of liberals bending the Constitution when it suited them, in favor of what they felt would be a better result. We have a political judiciary which cannot be trusted to uphold the Constitution, with a loss of trust in American leadership.

If the UCMJ can be corrupted in a similar way, then our Military will be unable to defend its position as the defenders of a free society. Col. West is one man. He is not to be made symbolic of a deterioration of Military law, just so some of us can claim a victory if he is excused.

[Poohbah]

I think you are right, and it wont be the first time that lawbreakers were defended because the results of their actions had a positive outcome. What many are doing, is exactly what Clinton did to the military by applying social standards to military doctrine. The two are not compatible in any way.

"So what if the Prez got a hummer in the Oval Office? The economy's doing great!"

[Old Student]

I see nothing wrong with a commander taking care of his troops. I see nothing wrong with that commander risking his career to take care of his troops. I see nothing wrong with that commander hoping to get away with it, but knowing he may not. Erickson called it "post-conventional thinking." There is the rule of law. Laws should be obeyed. Military orders are a form of law. Some laws are wrong. Some are good-intentioned, but still wrong. I see nothing wrong with a commander keeping the faith with his troops. His job is not to waste their lives. It is not to keep them alive at all costs, but to spend their lives wisely, and well. He may well have just expended his career to do so. I have no problem with that. It is another maxim of military thought that immoral orders are to be challenged. Allowing your troops to be killed by obeying a wrongful order does not fit that requirement. Dealing with problems like that is why officers get the big bucks. I shall be interested in how the investigation plays out, and in finding out if my perception of the whole thing is more-or-less correct. Since I've not read everything published on this particular incident, I could well be in the wrong; never the less, I have a very firm opinion on the subject. So do you, apparently, and you know what they say about opinions.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Poobah,

Sorry I didn't respond sooner but I was not on the site.

Have you never heard of a moral dilemma? A lot of people feel that Lt. Col. West faced one.

If law or rules are absolute in all cases, God save us all. Many stupid things are the law. Abortion, Judge Roy Moore's being forced to remove the Ten Commandments by a Federal Judge, Terry Schiavo's feeding tube removal/restoral, and on.

No one has said that West's actions were not against UCMJ. All of us are saying that his actions seem to be appropriate.

Yes details may arise that will change some minds. I still would rather serve by his side than Bill Clinton's side or by your side. No I am not accusing you of being a Clinton supporter.

Regards

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm coming through one post at a time.

Did either soldier refuse the Article 15 and request a court marshall?

[Poohbah]

Did either soldier refuse the Article 15 and request a court marshall?

Since they both got Article 15'd, no.

West is trying to refuse a general court-martial.

Sorry, that's not how the system works.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Bit of a stretch there poohbah

[Poohbah]

Bit of a stretch there poohbah

No, it isn't. You're the one saying psychological intimidation is "no hurt no foul."

[ought-six]

FREE COLONEL WEST!

[Conspiracy Guy]

In your mugger scenario is the victim an enemy in an unconventional war that has life saving info or does he just want your wallet?

[Conspiracy Guy]

You seem to pick and coose the posts you respond to. Why no answer on #266?

[Poohbah]

I still would rather serve by his side than Bill Clinton's side or by your side.

I would most assuredly not want a dishonorable piece of filth like you by my side.

That's why I didn't respond to this post.

[Poohbah]

In your mugger scenario is the victim an enemy in an unconventional war that has life saving info or does he just want your wallet?

You're saying it's not a crime because the guy wasn't injured. I'm pointing out the absurdity of your claim.

[Conspiracy Guy]

aww you have hurt my feelings. i am crushed. coming from you that is so hurtful.

[Conspiracy Guy]

No you are comparing apples and oranges. Is abortion OK? Answer please..

[Poohbah]

Is abortion OK?

No, it is not OK. It is legal, whether or not you like it.

Now Foxtrot Oscar: you've made your worthless points, and demonstrated that you're a singularly vile and despicable person.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Has your case been redused to name calling. Somehow I'm not surprised.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Let's ask some of the others. Am I vile and dispicable.