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One is inevitably reminded of the quite unbelievable image of the president of the United States on the phone with a congressman discussing Bosnia while being simultaneously serviced by Monica Lewinsky. -- Charles Krauthammer, History Will Not be Kind to Clinton
- ASIDE: While clinton was being serviced by The Intern, he and Congressman H.L. "Sonny" Callahan were discussing sending American troops -- our sons and daughters -- to a dangerous place full of death. -- Mia T
What was always staggering to me about this scene was not what it says about Clinton's sexual practices -- I couldn't care less one way or another -- but about his unseriousness. -- Charles Krauthammer, History Will Not be Kind to Clinton
- ASIDE: This scene confirms more than simply clinton's smallness; it confirms the Africa clip, the clintons' easy disregard for any life not their own... which, in turn, explains THE CLINTONS' EASY DISREGARD FOR GENOCIDE AND TERRORISM.--Mia T
Mia T, 8.01.05
NANO-PRESIDENT, MEGA-DISASTER
history will not be kind to bill + hillary clinton
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The following is a letter to ex-President Clinton from James Smith, a former Ranger whose son Corporal James E Smith was killed in Somalia. Mr. Smith, a decorated Vietnam-era Ranger himself, rejected the traditonal letter of condolence written by the White House, and returned this in reply:
10 Mallard Lane
Long Valley, N.J., 07853
President William Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C., 20500
October 25, 1993
President Clinton:
As a warrior who was disabled in the Vietnam War and as a father of a warrior killed in action in Somalia, I cannot accept your letter of condolence for the death of my son Ranger Corporal James E. Smith. To accept your letter would be contrary to all the beliefs I, my son and the Rangers hold so dear, including: loyalty, courage and tenacity.
During the battle for Anzio, in World War II, an inept indecisive field commander sent the Rangers into battle where they were slaughtered. Fifty years later the Rangers again were ordered into battle, where they were surrounded and outgunned. But this time it was not the fault of the field commanders. No - this time it was the fault of the Commander in Chief, the President of the United States. Your failure to provide the requested combat support reveals a lack of loyalty to the troops under your command and an extreme shortage of moral courage.
I had the honor to meet the Rangers who fought along side my son and were with Jamie when he died. I heard of magnificent acts of courage and sacrifice. I had Rangers, with tears in their eyes, apologize for letting my son die or their failure to break through and rescue the trapped Rangers. The failure is not theirs, it is yours. Trucks and Humvees cannot replace the requested tanks, armored personnel carriers and Spectre gunships.
As a combat veteran I know that there are no certainties on the battlefield; however, as an Infantry Officer I will always speculate that significantly less casualties would have resulted if you, as Commander in Chief, provided the Rangers with the requested combat support - equipment with which Rangers routinely train and for which approval should have been automatic. The Rangers were pinned down for twelve hours - long hours when the Rangers were fighting for their lives and a Delta Force medic fought to save my son. Jamie bled to death because the requested armor support was not there to break through to the Rangers.
Rangers pride themselves on the Ranger Creed. "Driving on to the Ranger objective", or "Surrender is not a Ranger word" are not hollow phrases to the men of the black beret. These soldiers understand the word tenacious and wanted to complete their mission. As Ranger after Ranger told me, they were hitting Aidid's forces and command structure hard. But, the United Nations was actually impeding Ranger missions by offering sanctuary to Aidid's supporters. Your willingness to allow this dangerous situation demonstrates a lack of resolve in supporting the men you sent into battle.
My son is no longer here to "Lead the Way"; however, I am. Until you as President and Commander in Chief are either willing or able to formulate a clear foreign policy, establish specific objectives and, most important, support the men and women in uniform, I will "Lead the Way" in insuring that you no longer send America's finest to a needless death. When you are capable of meeting these criteria, then I will accept your letter of condolence.
Sincerely,
[signature]
James H. Smith
Captain/Infantry (Retired)
thanx to snowrip for letter
discussion
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