FreeRepublic Exclusive: LTC Allen West personally confirms 'no prosecution advisement' from Iraq.

LTC Allen West from Tikrit | December 10, 2003 | Jeff Head

[F.J. Mitchell]

"No good deed shall go un-punished",as has been said. Thank God though, that the unmerited punishment has been set at a bearable rate.

I agree with those who feel he should have been promoted and given a Medal for his actions.

[Grampa Dave]

Wow, where did this come from?

It truly covers the various serial bullies we encounter throughout our lives.

[Jeff Head]

Amen Grams, amen.

[Calpernia]

Just hoping some will self evaluate. A mirror can sometimes produce amazing results.

[Jeff Head]

FYI.

[Poohbah]

Then one would see that either he has no info, or he is sufficiently hardened that such tactics will not avail. A commander of Col. West's caliber would surely be able to discern that, don't you think?

Not necessarily, which is why we have standing orders on how prisoners are to be treated.

In the meantime...you have a problem.

If that man was a friendly Iraqi dragged in because of a false tip from an informant (you can tell when informants are likely to be lying rather easily: their lips are moving), he isn't a friendly Iraqi now. How do you propose to deal with the fact that you've now created a hostile Iraqi?

[Bob J]

BTW - You're article was posted to the FRN and Townhall yeasterday.

[hchutch]

At the same time, LTC West admitted what he did.

Not defending what he did, but the old saying, "The cover-up is worse that the crime" probably entered his mind. The reason Nixon ended up facing impeachment was because of the cover-up. It's also why Clinton got in such hot water over Monica. Contrast that with Reagan's handling of Iran-Contra, and LTC West admitting that.

I'm satisfied with the end result. The troops are safe. LTC West will be punished, upholding the orders given regarding the treatment of prisoners. At the same time, his life will not be ruined as a result of the punishment.

[Poohbah]

At the same time, LTC West admitted what he did.

There's a big issue on that one, as well. His Brigade CO should be looking at a serious investigation, too--it looks liek the Bde CO may have played CYA games, then rat-finked when the coverup started unraveling.

[Jeff Head]

Thank God though, that the unmerited punishment has been set at a bearable rate.

Yes indeed. And I am willing to bet that as this phase of Al West's life draws to a close, other even more important and rewarding aspects are about to open to him.

Thanks for your post and your sentiment.

[Jeff Head]

Great! I will go take a look right now.

[hchutch]

Perhaps.

The thing is, though, if a general order has to be violated, I'd rather it be handled the way LTC West handled it.

I don't know all the details, but it will be interesting to see how that shakes out.

[editor-surveyor]

"How do you propose to deal with the fact that you've now created a hostile Iraqi?"

Deal with it? Do you think that he'd be the one and only hostile Iraqi?

I have to challenge your standing assumption that every negative consequence of necessary and prudent actions can, or must be dealt with. PB, you're a hand-wringing liberal :o)

[editor-surveyor]

"How do you propose to deal with the fact that you've now created a hostile Iraqi?"

Deal with it? Do you think that he'd be the one and only hostile Iraqi?

I have to challenge your standing assumption that every negative consequence of necessary and prudent actions can, or must be dealt with. PB, you're a hand-wringing liberal :o)

[Poohbah]

Deal with it? Do you think that he'd be the one and only hostile Iraqi?

He's one more that you've made with your own two hands. I'm old-fashioned. I don't applaud people who make problems for themselves because of their own foolishness.

I have to challenge your standing assumption that every negative consequence of necessary and prudent actions can, or must be dealt with. PB, you're a hand-wringing liberal :o)

Generally, I expect people to clean up the messes they make. It's one of those "personal responsibility" thingies. Beating up and pulling a mock execution on an otherwise friendly Iraqi doesn't meet the description of "necessary and prudent."

[archy]

When I was a little girl, the whole city of Tulsa would turn out for the parades in honor of "our boys" (WW 2). The crowds would cheer so loud as the units marched by, with Our Flag flying high. It would be so nice to see something like that for this heroic man.

You bet! And OK is not so far from Ft Hood that a turnout of some Tulsa folks for such an event would be an insurmountable difficulty. Of course, I understand that the traditionan Texian welcome for such things is a barbecue, but I'm not about to tell Texans how best to throw a celebration or welcome-home party. I've got an idea or two for a couple of additional twists that the politically correct are not a-gonna like one little bit.

Do you plan on contacting the VFW? I am sure hundreds of Vets would show up, along with the hundreds of FReepers. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this turned into a major event like the March for Justice! Televised on C-Span, too. That would certainly let the inepts and PC'ers know where the true heart of America lays.

You bet. Plus the American Legion, AMVETS, DAV, ex-POWs and every other veterans and patriotic organization that comes to mind, around three dozen of 'em. Hey, if we get all those folks to show, somebody's gonna have to order up a bunch of porta-potties....

God Bless You, archy, for doing this. And thank you all of you guys who have been in touch with Lt Col West. I am sure when he was at his lowest ebbs, you were able to give him comfort and solace.

Yeah, that was before I found out he was one of those #$@*^+* Artillery officers. I'd figured him for a dumb but honest Infantry grunt Colonel, or maybe an Armor officer who forgot where he had parked his outfit's tanks. But I have been reliably informed he's one of those redleg noisemakers who make big holes from a long way off. Hmmm, first they cancel the Crusader artillery piece, then go after a redleg artillery officer who keeps his troops alive. You reckon someone wants American troops without artillery support for some reason?

I don't know about solace or comfort, but I hope to give Al West a chuckle and a grin now and again, and maybe a job in that house of ill repute called Congress....

HURRY HOME, LT COL WEST. YOU ARE LOVED AND WELL RESPECTED!

You bet!

When [Allen] Comes Marching Home Again Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll give him a hearty welcome then....

I'll see to it you get credit for that contribution....

-archy-/-

[hchutch]

At the same time, though, it has to be considered as a possibility. A sophisticated opponent would use that as a means of not only harrassing local supporters, but to possibly push us into crossing the line on an innocent party. That would make the guerillas more popular.

[archy]

With that...what next? When does it get turned off? Does it ever get turned off? Will Jeff Head ever engage the question, or will he continue to retreat into mind-numbing sophistry?

What happens when LTC West is replaced with another officer who holds back from the most effective methods he can imagine and some of his men come home in rubber bags while Iraqi teenagers dance at the sites where they're ambushed?

Will Pohbah accept his responsibility in creating the conditions that help make those deaths happen? Nah, he'll blame someone else....

-archy-/-

[TEXOKIE]

Oh I see. Thank you for the clarification. Well....I suspect that the Lord still has some very important assignments in store for him. May LTC West have the Lord's guidance and many open doors to him in the days to come.

[Poohbah]

What happens when LTC West is replaced with another officer who holds back from the most effective methods he can imagine and some of his men come home in rubber bags while Iraqi teenagers dance at the sites where they're ambushed?

Has the effectiveness of this interrogation technique been proven? No, it has not.

Next question.