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

[colorado tanker]

It would nice if we could all discuss these things without so many noses getting out of joint.

Agreed. I'm working on getting my nose back in joint right now, but I'm having a hard time grabbing a hold with the pliers.

[trevorj]

In defense of Col. West...my latest op-ed, published yesterday in Townhall.com

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/GuestColumns/Bothwell20031118.shtml

[Calpernia]

I hope you don't mind. I just realized I sent out your awesome editorial without telling or asking you first. I really enjoyed it.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Well done trevorj! This was an excellent article. The best I've seen on the subject to date.

Calpernia, thanks for the freepmail letting us know that LTC West and his attorney read trevorj's article.

As you know, both of us have supported Col. West from the beginning.

Lets hope the Article 32 hearing ends in a dismissal of charges.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Trust me, there may be four on the board voicing they would like LTC West to do "time". But there are a thousand times more who think otherwise.

Calpernia has a link to trevorj's article from townhall that addresses this subject very well. I have to run or I'd link you to it.

Hopefully the Article 32 hearing will end in a dismissal of charges. They could recommend a reduction in rank and he could retire with full benefits.

We just pray the LTC is allowed to leave the service with the dignity and respect he is due after serving this nation so well. He saved his mens lives, and put their lives before his own self interest.

Considering what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the way the terrorists are "sniping" our troops, war is in a new "era" of combat. What the Lt. Col did was pretty damn benign, and got the job done. His troops lived to fight another day. As to the troops who were punching the prisoner.. if they were punished, they should have been. That was PHYSICAL.

We both feel LTC West fully expects some form of discipline for his actions, or he would never have reported the incident. He is taking full responsibility.

We imagine a reduction in rank would be acceptable to him, and we would accept that at this point also. As long as he gets his full retirement and benefits.

We need to untie the hands of our troops when interrogating prisoners in situations like LTC West and others find themselves in in Iraq. Playing kisses face all the time just doesn't cut it. There is a fine line between beating the crap out of a prisoner, and scaring the truth out of them. This is what we are defining.

The lives of many of our troops are hanging on the outcome of this situation and it's decision.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Calpernia has shared the link with mme as well. I will continue to pray for Lt Col West.

Thank you for your service.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I am going to wait and see how everything plays out. I will pray for Lt Col West and I will not respond to anyone claiming to have information that they will not share. If there is an insider on this thread with first hand knowledge they need to keep it under their hat.

Bless you all and I am praying for Lt Col West.

Flurry

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Thank you for your service as well FRiend!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

For the record let me make it clear, we have no inside information, but only state what we know are some options in article 32 hearings, such as a dismissal of all charges, or a reduction in rank, etc. This is information given to us from a JAG friend. Not from any inside source. Just wanted to clear this up.

FRegards!

[Conspiracy Guy]

You did not imply inside info. Others have made the implication. I have no respect for anyone with actual inside info that would imply it on a public forum. That is a security leak.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Just wanted to ping you all and wish you Happy Thanks giving and say good bye. We are leaving on vacation for 9 days.

For a multitude of reasons, we hope the article 32 ends in with a total dismissal. God willing this will all end soon. Have a safe and happy holiday. Keep the faith!

FRegards

[Calpernia]

Thanks for the ping and have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Oh, BTW, you better print this Homeland Security alert before you go:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1026833/posts?page=62#62

Major instructions to follow for the holiday week.

[Phyto Chems]

bttt

[Phyto Chems]

bttt

[Calpernia]

Woo hoo!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1037301/posts

[Happy2BMe]

BUMPING for a great reference.