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

[Ispy4u]

It's rude to speak of someone and not ping them.

None of the four you named here have convicted him. And I believe all of us have stated that the maximum sentance would be too harsh. Simply, I think I speak for all four of us here, we want to see justice served, whether he's convicted or acquitted makes no difference to me, but he does have to face the music for his deed.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I did not intend to be rude to you since you haven't been rude to me.

A couple of the other's have stated that they hope he does time. Which using their own logic means they have convicted him.

[Ispy4u]

I guess I missed that.

[Jeff Head]

My thoughts on the matter...

Colonel West...you've got my back any time

[Conspiracy Guy]

The whole case has gotten too heated on this thread. I'm not coming back. I'll wait in peace on another thread. This one is getting repetitive.

[Jeff Head]

Colonel West violated the rules in a relatively minor way in a very time critical, combat set of conditions. In so doing he not only was able to accomplish his mission (securing and pacifying the area)...he was able to do so while minimizing the loss of American life. He displayed admirable qualitities of discretion, judgement and accountability in the circumstances he was presented with IMHO, and reported his ciolation personally, indicating he was willing to be accountable for them.

The very outcome he achieved demands a review of the rules in this case IMHO, because had he adhered, in all likelihood he would not have prevented or thwarted the attack (therefore not fulfilling his mission) and he would most likely have lost more lives than he did (which was zero for this particular set of circumstances).

So, while some verbal reminder to him of the importance of adhereing to the written rules may be in order...he should also be recognized and lauded for his willingness to put himself and his own career on the line in order to achieve the accomplishment of his mission with minimum US losses. Such wllingness to sacrifice and put himself at personal risk in order to accomplish the mission would, at another time, be called "service above and beyond the call of duty".

Had he failed...had he not thwarted the attack or found that there was not attack...then his actions would have potentially warranted a more severe reprimand and a mark on his military record...potentially even a justifiable court martial.

But that's not what happened. If everything is as it appears in all of the reports I have read about this, then he took the risk...and it was a personal one...it panned out and the mission was accomplished and lives were saved. That warrants our respect and our praise IMHO.

All of that pretty much some up my own thoughts on the matter.

Jeff

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'd like to second your feelings. Well said!

And thanks for spelling martial correctly. I have been writing marshall out of haste. I'm surprised the spelling and grammar cops haven't slapped a fine on me.

Once again thanks.

[r9etb]

Apparently you have no problem being spun by the supporters of a man whose actions were wrong, by his own admission. Remember: the only story we're getting is the one he and his supporters are feeding to friendly media outlets, and it's the best face they can put on it. Even then, the story is not very favorable.

As for me, I don't trust military officers who act like thugs, and I trust them even less when they fight their battles in the media.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks, we have had a very similar discussion on this thread:

Colonel West...You've got my back any time

[Conspiracy Guy]

I think we are all aware of your feelings and you have a right to them.

[GOPJ]

Sorry, this is the path Saddam took... It ends with nuts killing children in front of their parents. Great way to get information. And it works. It'll even become "fun" after a while. It's called the old "ends justify the means" method. Totally totalitarian. I would rather leave Iraq with shame than become like them. This man should be dumped as soon as possible, with pension. Next Saddam wannabe gets the boot, period.

"So he fired a weapon near his head and made a threat..."

Flame away...

[Jeff Head]

I will not flame you...and I will agree that we cannot become like them.

I just disagree that this instance comes anywhere close to us becoming like them.

See my post 238 on this thread for a summation of my own feelings on why I feel that way.

Best Fregards.

Jeff

[colorado tanker]

You might want to read the Manual for Courts Martial before lecturing me about military justice or the elements of the offense of aggravated assault.

[colorado tanker]

I'm mostly in agreement. From what I can piece together LTC West knowingly risked his career to save some of his soldiers. But the termination of a successful military career is not enough for the lynch mob that wants to send him to Leavenworth. Pretty shabby treatment for a guy who had to have something on the ball to get a battalion command in the 4th I.D.

[Jeff Head]

I don't believe hs should lose his career or got to Leavenworth. I hope the military proceedings result in his complete vindication and in a reveiw of the rules as they relate to this type of circumstance.

BTW, we have another good thread going on about this HERE.

I'll BUMP it to you.

[Dubya]

Very good way to be. Thanks.

[Dubya]

Very good thoughts Jeff. Thanks for sharing them with me.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I have to be some way so I may as well be that way.

[Dubya]

LOL. Thats true.

[Pukin Dog]

You are feeling lectured to? Not my intent.

I've said my piece, and I am willing to see how it all plays out. From persons I have spoken to about this, I have confidence in my opinion, but like I said before, we will see. It would nice if we could all discuss these things without so many noses getting out of joint.