Quotes of the day
posted at 10:35 pm on February 10, 2009 by Allahpundit
“Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America, and he’s worried that someone won’t read them their rights.”
*
“Miranda is an issue, it is a potential issue in prosecution.”
Blowback
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NO IT’S NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gohawgs on February 10, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Palin completely misrepresenting Obama’s position.
The Dean on February 10, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Isn’t it funny how supposedly unintended consequences for certain actions, were PREDICTED by some of us who know somthing about the issue?
Without Congressional intervention, GITMO folks will go free… because Obama has destroyed the rule of law by not following the clearly Constitutional Rules that Congress made about Prisoners…
It won’t be Miranda, it will be Right to a Speedy Trial, and Due Process, which sets them free, as the Administration has decided NOT to use the Clearly defined path that Congress created.
Romeo13 on February 10, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Simple solution, don’t let them set foot in America. The answer is so clear, and yet, Obama and his merry band of morons can’t even see it, so busy they are with paying back political favors.
john1schn on February 10, 2009 at 10:40 PM
The US Constitution only applies to US citizens. I would think being one the the greatest Constitutional Scholars America has ever produced, Obama would know this.
Tommy_G on February 10, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Gov. Palin…………….. “Hammer meet nail!”
………. Mr. Obama’s actions speak for themselves, and it hasn’t even been a month.
You can’t spin this……………..
…………… he owns it, and his signature is on the executive orders.
Seven Percent Solution on February 10, 2009 at 10:41 PM
The Times must have shit their pants on those awesome Cuda quotes.
aquaviva on February 10, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Enemy combatants without uniforms are not entitled to Miranda rights.
Mr. Joe on February 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
They’re not citizens, they’re not on American soil. They are not entitled to anything, especially not Miranda rights. They were captured by soldiers, not cops.
jimmy the notable on February 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I bet Governor Palin’s representation of BHO’s position is closer to BHO’s position than not.
Gohawgs on February 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Enemy combatants without uniforms should be shot.
Mr. Joe on February 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
“You have the right to remaint silent…anything you say can and will…” BOOOOOOM!!!!
AUINSC on February 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Hey, let’s treat terrorism as a criminal justice matter and prosecute them with the full panoply of rights. We’ve never tried that one before!
Not.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on February 10, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Forget Miranda,,,,,what kind of country are we becoming. If it was me I would have left them dead on the battlefield once intelligence had their fill of them. No mercy for these killers.
alternative failures on February 10, 2009 at 10:44 PM
You might even say that Palin’s position is closer to BHO’s position than BHO’s position is.
CK MacLeod on February 10, 2009 at 10:45 PM
As a combat vet, I have a feeling there will less and less bad guys surrendering on the battlefield.
Star20 on February 10, 2009 at 10:46 PM
As it is also true (and what I originally intended to say) that Palin’s representation of BHO’s position is closer to BHO’s position than BHO’s position is.
CK MacLeod on February 10, 2009 at 10:47 PM
I wish you were correct, but the Supremes have determined that anyone on US soil has those rights… not just citizens..
And since they determined that GITMO IS defacto US Soil… then they get US Civil Rights.
We can’t even declare the Prisoners of War, because under the Constitution, we are not at war… and these guys would not qualify because they are not covered by the Geneva Convention, being Non Uniformed Combatants…
Whole thing is based on a series of laws, Supreme Court Precedents, and poor actions by our own Government, which have painted us into a corner.
What really needs to happen is that the Supremes, the Administration, and the Congress, need to get together and work out a plan which will function… but that would make too much sense….
Romeo13 on February 10, 2009 at 10:48 PM
You have the right to remain silent and this .45 should help you in that regard. Tell your 72 Virgils America’s finest said “hey”.
thomasaur on February 10, 2009 at 10:49 PM
And I suppose The LA Times is as well?
Esthier on February 10, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Enemy combatants without uniforms are not entitled to Miranda rights.
Mr. Joe on February 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
They are not even covered under the Geneva Convention, except a military tribunal must determine their status.
Tom
marinetbryant on February 10, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Yes, that will be the result, and tragically more service personnel will suffer.
BTW, thank you for your service.
aquaviva on February 10, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Screwed by the courts again. This is a good argument for term limits on Federal Appointees. Judges are supposed to interpret the law not write it. That’s the job of the Legislature. This explains why a group of Illegal Alien Trespassers can sue a rancher in Arizona.
Tommy_G on February 10, 2009 at 10:54 PM
forgot that part.
aquaviva on February 10, 2009 at 10:55 PM
LOL…. got a cousin named Virgil… big ugly bucktoothed Redneck guy….
Wouldn’t that be a biatch is that whole Virgin thing was a typo?
Romeo13 on February 10, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Sarah Palin made those comments on September 4, 2008, and those were Obama’s positions at THAT time. Granted his positions may have changed since then, but rest assured in no time at all he’ll shift gears again and they’ll be dead on target again. That’s how it is with people who have no moral core. Hell, look at the left’s previous God, WJ Clinton. His moral core that guided him was called Zogby.
Patrick S on February 10, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Nor do they qualify for Geneva Convention protections
(until now).
moxie_neanderthal on February 10, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Key is that the Congress and Administration COULD reign in the Supremes… by passing laws which Define what is meant in the Consitution… but for some reason they won’t…
Heres one for ya… that most people don’t know. Up until the 60′s you could not be a dual US and somthing else citizen…
Now? You can even vote in other elections, or even serve in their armed forces, and retain your US citizenship… you can even swear allegiance to them, but unless you sign a piece of paper specificly giving up your citizenship? your still a US citizen.
Combiniation of Court cases, and State Departement “Rule” changes…
Romeo13 on February 10, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I have a feeling there will less and less bad guys
surrenderingtaken prisoner on the battlefield.Star20 on February 10, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Thanks for your service!
moxie_neanderthal on February 10, 2009 at 11:01 PM
As a combat vet, I have a feeling there will less and less bad guys surrendering on the battlefield.
Star20 on February 10, 2009 at 10:46 PM
LOL
Old Hippie Vet on February 10, 2009 at 11:02 PM
It’s what the rest of us call plain English, son. Don’t worry, you won’t be hearing much of it for the next 4 years.
Jim Treacher on February 10, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Wait a minute…”Sarah Palin: In Her Own Words”?
Am I the only one who recalls all the hand-wringing – in the Obama Times and elsewhere – about “she’s reading the words of her speech writer”.
aquaviva on February 10, 2009 at 11:09 PM
She called it.
Nice catch AP.
WisCon on February 10, 2009 at 11:11 PM
She hit the nail on the head and through the board. In one sentence.
There will be a lot more where that came from if your boy Geithner keeps babbling like today. Maybe he wasn’t smart enough to do his taxes on Turbo Tax.
Starlink on February 10, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Miranda ain’t an issue if you take no prisoners.
GarandFan on February 10, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Last night Helen Thomas asked the One about the “so called terrorists”. He then answered “…folks who’d kill us”.
These are farking terrorists, Helen and boy emperor.
Indeed.
Entelechy on February 10, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Miranda is an issue
No its not
It will be at trial
Not anymore
Defector01 on February 10, 2009 at 11:33 PM
there’s a BANG in there
Liberals don’t and won’t ever get it
Defector01 on February 10, 2009 at 11:33 PM
1 cheer to A.P. for a Pro-Saracuda qotd!
:-)
Buckaroo on February 10, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Then again, since the terrorists are not in uniform and are not in any official nation army, we COULD use the Geneva conventions. Instead of Mirandizing them. Peace people like the Geneva conventions right?
Except I’m kind of thinking of the part where non-uniformed combatants get executed automatically….
mjk on February 10, 2009 at 11:42 PM
He never gets that.
Esthier on February 10, 2009 at 11:45 PM
our girl gets it correct once again.
lavell12 on February 10, 2009 at 11:49 PM
That’s the message being sent here and if I didn’t Kahlide pecking away at me a second time that’s the message I would take to heart.
Speakup on February 10, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Hah, I call that a good prediction.
God Bless you guys.
javamartini on February 10, 2009 at 11:51 PM
I remember two instances recently when I ignored my gut instincts in favor of these two approaches suggested by others…..
1) Thinking McCain as our nominee wouldn’t be so bad.
2) Giving Oslime-a a chance.
Well, I was right on both accounts and on a third. On the third it is time to make our bail-out shills eat the shit we all said would happen if the bailout passed.
Well, eat shit you bailout MORONS! You were wrong and we were right. This nightmare is just beginning. We know that much of the first TARP money was not used the way we were promised. AND, now that one bailout was approved, here we are with another and more than likely a third and forth.
As far as I am concerned, everyone of you idiot shitbags can rot in hell.
csdeven on February 10, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Oh well.
Just prep to start fighting them on the streets one day.
Aside from spreading the word, and calling politicians, that is all you can do.
Make ready! The hordes of Muslimun will be sounding their war horns in our streets eventually. That is, once they get enough political, social, and economic clout. Until then they will remain in their silent subversion.
blatantblue on February 10, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Perfect.
Nothing more need be said.
Talon on February 11, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Please, PLEASE, somebody tell me how a non-US citizen, who has never even been in our country, and is captured in a battle on foreign soil, during a military operation (aka, “war”), somehow is entitled to US Constitutional protection?
I just don’t get it.
stonemeister on February 11, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Allowing the lawless terrorist scum to survive long enough to attract lawyers was the political/military leadership’s main mistake.
Do not repeat this fatal error.
profitsbeard on February 11, 2009 at 12:16 AM
How ’bout we send all the Gitmo “detainees” back to their countries of origin to live out the rest of their days while sprucing up the place for about 400 or so lawyers, aka Democrat Congressmen? Then, they too could enjoy the Caribbean breezes, the chicken rice pilaf and the outdoor exercise courts in between demonstrations of various interrogation techniques such as the gentle flow of water over their faces…America would be the beneficiary of such an arrangement.
Gohawgs on February 11, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Summary executions.
Johan Klaus on February 11, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Drop em off on my front porch. I’ll save them from the ACLU.
Limerick on February 11, 2009 at 12:44 AM
That’s more “Geneva Convention” rights than “Miranda”…but can’t say I don’t disagree with that.
The worst part of extending Miranda rights to enemy combatants, would be their “right to remain silent”. Isn’t the whole purpose of capturing and detaining those guy specifically to glean information?
JetBoy on February 11, 2009 at 12:49 AM
LOL.. you need to stop watching that “Obsession” DVD so much.
btw, while we’re wringing our hands over a tiny number of scumbags in gitmo the Federal Reserve and the bankers have orchestrated a nice takeover of our country. Through TARP and Stimulus they have our government by the balls. Oh, look, something shiny over there! Cuda repeated something that Glenn Beck said the other night!
popularpeoplesfront on February 11, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Hey, did they have another open registration here in the last few days?
I see more leftist trolls with unfamiliar names (although familiar ways of saying things) here than there were a few days ago.
Or do they get marching orders from their masters to register for multiple names during open registration, so that when one identity gets banned for being constantly obnoxious and/or terminally stupid, they have another ID ready to go without having to wait for another registration period to open?
LegendHasIt on February 11, 2009 at 1:11 AM
When a person commits a felony crime, they lose certain rights in this country. Depending on which state you live in, you can lose your right to vote.
So what rights do people have in this country that are not citizens?
All the same rights and privileges as any US citizen.
However, when a person who is not a US citizen commits a crime in this country they are afforded the same rights as legal US citizens. That’s a given, because it’s here.
Those persons committing crimes against the United States outside of this country, are not US citizens, and should not be afforded the rights and privileges.
They should be treated with Extreme Prejudice.
Kini on February 11, 2009 at 1:19 AM
Prosecution??? You know, that’s the problem with this g’damned fruitloop sock puppet and his bleeding heard pussy friends….you have an enemy in your sights on the battleground. You have a choice. Either get him to surrender, drag his lame ass back to camp, guard him, protect him, then send him for rendition or prosecution and see him in a month, a year, whatever, again in the same position….
or
Pull the damned trigger while he still has a weapon in his hand.
I think the proper choice is pretty clear.
Spiritk9 on February 11, 2009 at 1:26 AM
Miranda Rights apply only to people (citizens or not, legal or illegal) who had been detained by the POLICE in the US and are going to be brought to a detention facility (you can start interrogating a suspect and, when you feel that is going to jail, read them the Miranda Rights. They are not applicable overseas, nor whenever the Armed Forces are the ones who detain someone. The Armed Forces have some paperwork that is filled up at a later time at the detention facility.
Ropera on February 11, 2009 at 1:33 AM
Neither will 95% of Americans when these shitbags start getting released because the Marines didn’t Mirandize them in Fallujah.
rockmom on February 11, 2009 at 1:35 AM
So now we know why Obama became such an expert in Constitutional Law, he was busy looking for loop-holes to exploit.
Oh, hang 0n, that is what lawyers do, their raison detre.
OldEnglish on February 11, 2009 at 1:54 AM
I really shouldn’t type in anger.
On = on, and detre = d’etre.
OldEnglish on February 11, 2009 at 1:56 AM
When we lose a city to one of these terrorists who helped other
Muslimsterrorists set off a nuclear bomb, will we finally label the Left as traitors?Tim Burton on February 11, 2009 at 2:16 AM
. . . once an hour with a .22 shot shell from about 5 feet. Something akin to the Chinese “Death of a Thousand Cuts”
Anyway, I’m really hoping that Sarah or someone like her can get up enough steam for 2012. She nailed this one right on the head.
bullseye on February 11, 2009 at 2:49 AM
Thank God we have a Government who’s sole purpose is to protect the citizens of the United States of America, and to those who wish us harm……….. we would use all the resources and capabilities of our Military, the State Department, the CIA, the FBI, the NSA, and the Pentagon, working together without walls of secrecy to hunt down and kill those who would kill our children in our own cities and schoolyards ………….
……… and if captured, our enemies would tremble in fear for what would be their circumstance in the warm embrace of the United States Intelligence Community, less they stay at home and not join the jihad.
……………. oh, wait………
Seven Percent Solution on February 11, 2009 at 2:50 AM
I heard a speech by former SecNav Lehman who was working on homeland security. I didn’t sleep right for a week or so afterwards. It isn’t IF, it is just a matter of WHEN.
At least with McCain or Palin, we could have been pretty sure of some swift, decisive retaliation (ie the MAD doctrine). Under Obama, we’ll have to wait till the teleprompter is set up, polls are taken, the press gets it’s marching orders AND THEN, we will be treated to vacillation and limp wristed response.
bullseye on February 11, 2009 at 2:53 AM
Worth a second, third, and possibly forth look……
Seven Percent Solution on February 11, 2009 at 5:37 AM
Palin completely misrepresenting Obama’s position.
The Dean
Governor Palin could only be misrepresenting Ogabe’s position if she assumed that he meant the exact opposite of everything he said. Unfortunately, she was brought up in a part of the country where folks take people at their word.
What a rube!
SKYFOX on February 11, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Sarah also was right on with her comments on:
1)the surge leading to ‘a US victory in sight’ in Iraq
2)that Obama besides wanting more of your money wants to give you ‘more orders from Washington’
3)her comment that Obama was using ‘change’ to promote his ‘career’
4)”America needs more energy…our opponent is against producing it.”
In addition to being eloquent, personable and charismatic Sarah knew how to read the tea leaves as well. I have always maintained that I will continue to support Sarah because she gives the GOP to win back the Congress in 2010 and the Presidency in 2012. If someone else comes along that is better than Sarah then I will acknowledge that and move on, but that person will have to be a conservative superstar-bottom line-superstars come along very rarely-I am not about to desert a rising superstar for a journeyman.
technopeasant on February 11, 2009 at 6:21 AM
On another site I mentioned that Obama considers Sarah Palin Public Enemy #1 and the devil herself.
Until Sarah declares that she is not a candidate for the Presidency in 2012 Obama and his minions in the MSM will attack her on all fronts with a relentless fury that will make the 2008 campaign disinformation and propaganda look like a skirmish.
Look folks, when anybody is attacked for their competence rather than their incompetence you have laid out in front of you the prescription for a future tyranny.
Read Atlas Shrugged if you have any doubt of my premise. Ayn Rand said it a thousand times better than I could ever have.
technopeasant on February 11, 2009 at 6:31 AM
There is an answer to all this and it will occur on the battlefield. “You have the right to remain silent.” POP!
Youngs98 on February 11, 2009 at 6:45 AM
A question from a non military person.
Are lawyers currently embedded with US troops?
OldEnglish on February 11, 2009 at 7:04 AM
BREAKING from Gateway Pundit and the Tribune SYRIA TO BE TAKEN OFF TERROR STATE LIST:
NICOSIA — President Barack Obama has decided on a new U.S. ambassador to Syria and is expected to lift sanctions against a nation charged with aiding Al Qaida in Iraq and secretly building a nuclear reactor with North Korean assistance.
Diplomatic sources said Obama, in consultation with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has asked Frederic Hof to become the first U.S. ambassador to Damascus since 2005. The sources said Hof, a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Middle East Policy Council, agreed to take the post.
“There will be an announcement very soon,” a diplomat said.”
Something very bad is happening under the rocks of the Obama Administration. Hillary may be thinking that this will woo Assad from Iran, but she and the USA will rue this cchange of policy.
eaglewingz08 on February 11, 2009 at 7:08 AM
Enemy combatants not in uniform are entitled to a swift and immediate execution.
Next.
Viper1 on February 11, 2009 at 7:29 AM
The obvious outcome of having a liberal lawyer elected president.
tru2tx on February 11, 2009 at 7:34 AM
Because the court, early on, rejected the argument that GTMO is not US territory. After all, we do have a ground lease with Cuba that apparently never expires. I think the war on terror opinion that grants habeas rights to terrorists is even broader, though, and basically says any terrorist anywhere in the world has habeas rights, too. It’s a total disaster. And just think — Obama is going to get to make plenty of Supreme Court appointments.
Soon, being Christian and/or engaging in political speech will get you thrown in prison. Meanwhile, terrorists will get a constitutional right to get HBO in their air conditioned cells on Miami beach, the right to an abortion will be extended to require abortion clinics to be attached to middle schools, and the government will be forced to transfer title to millions of acres of national forest to the Spotted Owl Conservatory…
Outlander on February 11, 2009 at 7:37 AM
Wow! I am speechless and it does scare me. Everybody, please take the time to watch it.
Coastal Paradise on February 11, 2009 at 7:39 AM
“Go forth and kill all infidels who fail to mirandize those who follow Allah.” Finally, we are addressing the root causes of terrorism. Praise Obama.
Basilsbest on February 11, 2009 at 7:42 AM
TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY CEREMONY
MAJOR GENERAL JOHN F KELLY USMC
COMMANDING GENERAL
I MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD)
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-WEST
AL ASAD, IRAQ
9 FEBRUARY 2009
It might surprise some here today of what a Marine is proudest of in
the nearly three years he’s spent on the ground in Iraq since March 2003.
It is not the triumphs of the invasion and the rush to Baghdad, Tikrit and
Bayji that I lived, while the rest of the world held their breath and
watched as we defined military power and prowess. It isn’t the fights we
had over the summer of 2003 against an emerging insurgency in the Northern
Babil Province, or the two battles of Fallujah in April and November of
2004. Or clearing Ramadi, or holding Karma, or cleaning out Al Qaim over
the years. It’s also not about the number of terrorist we’ve killed, and
the network they served all but destroyed, today making Anbar, Iraq, the
Middle East, Europe and the world a safer place protected for now at least
against a sick form of extremism no decent man or woman could ever embrace.
That the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that have fought here in
Anbar and Western Ninawa Province, and the men and women who commanded them
these last five years, are at least has good as the best in the world at
this business.
What I am very proud of is the number of human beings we did not
have to kill because we never stopped extending the hand of friendship even
in the darkest of days gone by, and the damage we didn’t do because we
resorted to force last, and always restrained its use when we did go to the
guns. The other things I am proud of are the cows we purchased for widows
to make a living, chicken farms we established or expanded, agricultural
experts we hired and brought in to help farmers save their fields and
increase production, and advise the shepherds on how to cull and strengthen
their flocks. Of the thousands of tons of seed and fertilizer we bought and
distributed to reestablish a farm industry destroyed by over a decade of UN
sanctions, and exacerbated by the current drought. Of the hundreds of miles
of irrigation canals we repaired or opened up, and the schools and clinics
built and stocked with supplies. The impact we had on the province’s
health. By fixing or building sewerage plants and systems, and water
treatment facilities, we began to reduce infant mortality by reducing the
unseen killers of the new born-killers that thrive in filthy water. And
then there was the cholera epidemic this past summer-that didn’t happen; the
dreaded tuberculosis outbreak in Hadithah-that we miraculously contained and
treated without the loss of a single life.
I am also very proud of the Iraqis we Americans, along with our
brothers in the Iraqi police and army, safeguarded as the insurgency was
systematically defeated. It wasn’t all done with guns and violence, but as
much with the kinds of nation building and “hearts and minds” programs we
established for the people of Anbar, and now those of Western Ninawa, who
are today working with us, and not fighting against us. And when the few
remaining Al Qaeda do crawl out from under whatever rock they call home,
those who once aided them now reject their presence and the venom they spew,
and tell us where to find them. Of the month-long voter registration drive
in August without a single accusation of fraud, without a single violent
incident, and with 100% of the eligible registered. Of the election just
held with nearly 100% of those registered walking miles even when you knew
full well hundreds and even thousands of you might die. You ignored the
threats of death. With the full knowledge that the terrorists were
frantically building vehicle bombs, and outfitting as many suicide bombers
as they could talk into their murderous assignment, you gathered at polling
places in your millions and exercised the right of free men and woman and
the forces of evil here never had a chance of stopping you. By dipping your
fingers in a bottle of ink you sounded the death knell of terrorists and
extremists who only destroy, never build. Who kill, and never nurture. Who
want to tear down societies now, but have no plan for the future. Who
simply can not stand the thought of men and women living their lives the way
they want to live them safely in their own homes with their children, and
enjoying the God-given rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.”
It’s harder-infinitely harder-fighting this kind of war as patience,
and innovation and economic development are the most effective ammo, with
trust, influence and personal relations the most effective and really only
usable arrows in the quiver. In this dangerous world we live in the sad
fact is that the kind of war we are fighting today in Iraq was made possible
only after all those who have to be killed because they are murderous
irreconcilables, are dead. And diplomacy and good will only work once these
kinds of men are hunted down and killed or put in cages, and those more
reasonable men and women are finally convinced they can’t win with the gun,
are tired of dying, and realize their only hope is through dialogue.
These are the things I am proud or as I end my third, and I am sure
my final, tour here in Iraq; however, what I am proudest of is why we came
here and regardless of what the talkers back home thought this was all
about, those of us on the ground that were putting our lives on the line had
the noblest of all intentions in 2003, and they guide us today as well in
our every action. Reasons only the American military would march forward to
do with happy hearts, and without regard for our own lives or well being.
Not for land, or oil, or prestige, or for anything else other than our
country’s security, and another people’s freedom. I know it sounds naive or
corny, but our Iraqi brothers and sisters who have come to know us the best,
believe it the most.
As we surged into Iraq six years ago the soldiers, sailors, airmen
and Marines of the Coalition came not to conquer a nation, but to free a
people. We sincerely believed we came to help free Iraq from a terrible
tyrant who not only ordered the deaths of thousands of his own countrymen he
was morally and ethically bound to protect as the leader of a nation in the
modern era, but also crushed the spirits of the living holding you all in a
grip of fear that turned brother against brother, sons and daughters against
their parents, and Muslim against Muslim. A man that fostered murderous
religious, ethnic, and social suspicions and hates as the means to keep you
divided.
This is what those of us in uniform who have served here are
proudest of, and not any number of cynics or the entire chattering class can
ever take that away from us. We who serve the colors risked everything in
this endeavor, while they throw their darts. We fought here in the
unimaginable heat of Iraq’s summer, and they criticized. We walked the most
dangerous streets in the world hunting the most murderous men on earth, and
they slept safe at home in their beds. We send the people we hold as dear
and precious to us-as close as our own sons and daughters-home to be buried,
and the best they can do is case doubt on our mission, our motives, and our
humanity. They should come to Anbar and see what we have done together as
partners in the same fight, and, as a sheikh recently said to me: “as
brothers now and forever because we have endured the same agony for four
years and emerged victorious. You never wavered and we have won.”
Our success here over the last year, indeed since we came, has been
a result of trusting those who could be trusted, and standing firm against
those who would do us-and you-harm. In the last year we did many things
with the Iraqis to build that trust. We took calculated risks to advance
the return to normalcy, risks we could take with confidence because we knew
the Anbar ground better than any non-Anbari on the planet. By living with
them we understood the minds of the local citizens and how they were
exhausted by the murder and the violence that took so many of them everyday,
and for so many years. We grew more and more convinced that it was over
everyday and every time we had a conversation that reflected hope, rather
than hopelessness, in the voices of parents. Parents like any on earth who
now talked of a future for their children that included education and not
ignorance, health and not disease, moderation and not extremism, life and
not death or maiming in a meaningless spiral of violence. At the end of the
day we in the military always knew we could “win the ten second firefight”
because we are better at fighting-and dying-for what we believe in than any
terrorist regardless of what sick ideology he might worship could ever hope
to be. The trick was to know how to recognize an opportunity for engagement
at the human level, then exploit it for the good without value judgment or
cultural arrogance.
These are the things I am proud and proudest of, but
what makes me eternally grateful is the relatively small number of American
soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines I have lost or had maimed in
comparison to what it was like the last two times I was here. Eternally
grateful, but their loss and suffering still breaks my heart and I think
about them everyday. I will think about them for the rest of my life
because I failed to bring them home. I will never forget them, or their
families. I am painfully aware that for their families, and their buddies
who knew them best in their squads, sections, and platoons, that their
single casualty is for them an overwhelming statistic. Their grief, is my
grief, forever.but I still thank God there were so few this time.
These men and women served because they are the best of their
generation. They understood above all else the notion of service to one’s
country, and of selfless devotion to duty. They died for their buddies, for
their Army and their Marine Corps, and for millions of their countrymen who
will never know their names but sleep safe in their homes every night
because of men and women like them. They are part of our legend now, and we
will never forget them:
We mourn the loss today of Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver 0311 USMC.
He was killed in action 21 February 2008 fighting alongside his buddies, and
for the country he loved.
We mourn the loss today of Major William G. Hall 7202 USMC. He was
killed in action 30 March 2008 fighting alongside his Marines, and for the
country he loved.
We mourn the loss of today of Lance Corporal Dean D. Opicka 0351
USMC and Corporal Richard J. Nelson 0341 USMC. They were killed in action
together 14 April 2008 fighting alongside their buddies, and for the country
they loved.
We mourn the loss today of First Lieutenant Matthew R. Vandegrift
0802 USMC. He was killed in action 21 April 2008 fighting alongside his
American & Iraqi buddies, and for the country he loved.
We mourn the loss today of Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter 0311 USC,
and Corporal Jonathan T. Yale 0352 USMC. They were killed in action
together 22 April 2008 fighting alongside their buddies, and for the country
they loved. (Both these men to be awarded the Navy Cross (posthumously) on
20 February 2009.
We mourn the loss today of Lance Corporal Casey L. Casanova 0621,
Lance Corporal James F. Kimple 0411, Corporal Miguel A. Guzman 3521, and
Sergeant Glen E. Martinez 1345, All U.S. Marines. They were killed in
action together 2 May 2008 fighting alongside their buddies, and for the
country they loved.
We mourn the loss today of Private First Class Aaron J. Ward 3110, a
soldier of the United States Army. He was killed in action 6 May 2008
fighting alongside his buddies, and for the country he loved.
We mourn the loss today of Specialist Christopher McCarthy 91k, a
soldier of the United States Army. He died here in Iraq serving the country
he loved.
We mourn the loss today of Lance Corporal Kelly E. Watters 0311
USMC. He was seriously injured on 23 May 2008 fighting alongside his
buddies, and for the country he loved. He lost the struggle for his life
yesterday at the Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland. He was surrounded by
his family when he went.
We mourn the loss today of Lieutenant Colonel Max A. Galeai 0302
USMC, Captain Philip J. Dykeman 0302 USMC, and Corporal Marcus W. Preudhomme
0151 USMC. These Marines were killed in action together 26 June 2008
fighting alongside their buddies, and for the country they loved.
We mourn the loss today of Staff Sergeant Danny D. Dupre 0369 USMC.
He was killed in action 114 July 2008 alongside his buddies, and for the
country he loved.
We mourn the loss today of Corporals Stewart Trejo 2131 USMC and
Corporal Adam McKiski 2131 USMC. These Marines died together 7 July 2008
fighting alongside their buddies, and for the country they loved.
We mourn the loss today of Sergeant Michael H. Ferschke 0321 USMC.
He was killed in action 10 August 2008 fighting alongside his buddies, and
for the country he loved. (His wife Hotaru gave birth to a son in Okinawa,
Japan, on 14 January 2009. His boy’s name is Michael H. Ferschke III.)
We mourn the loss today of Private First Class Daniel A. McGuire
0311 USMC. He was killed in action 14 August 2008 fighting alongside his
buddies, and his country he loved.
We mourn the loss today of Lance Corporal Stacy A Dryden 3052 USMC.
She died here in Iraq 19 October 2008 serving the country she loved.
We mourn the loss of Corporal Aaron M. Allen 0311 USMC. He was
killed in action 14 November 2008 fighting alongside his buddies, and for
the country he loved.
We mourn the loss today of Gunnery Sergeant Marcello R Valasco 3537
USMC. He died 19 November 2008 here in Iraq serving the country he loved.
We mourn the loss today of Master Sergeant Anthony Davis, a Solider
of the United State Army, and Captain Warren A. Frank 0302 USMC. These
Americans were killed in action together 25 November 2008 fighting alongside
each other, and for the country they loved.
We mourn the loss today of Lance Corporal Thomas Reilly 0311 USMC.
He was killed in action 20 December 2008 fighting alongside his buddies, and
for the country he loved.
To the people of Anbar and Western Ninawa-our friends and allies-I
wish you well and pray that you will see this experiment in democracy
through that has been bought with so much suffering and pain. Treasure this
new and wonderful way to live your lives, cherish it, nurture it, make it
grow, never stop trying to make it better as it is gift from God to you, and
your children. Semper Fidelis.
SoonerMarine on February 11, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Isn’t there a bigger problem than the mere failure to mirandize. The followers of Allah who wage war on the infidels of the West are simply practicing their religion. Who were we to deny them that? Praise Obama.
Basilsbest on February 11, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Leftists liberals and progressives. Read and absorb the second paragraph of Major General Kelly’s address. This is what you morons raged against.
What I am very proud of is the number of human beings we did not have to kill because we never stopped extending the hand of friendship even in the darkest of days gone by, and the damage we didn’t do because we resorted to force last, and always restrained its use when we did go to the guns. The other things I am proud of are the cows we purchased for widows to make a living, chicken farms we established or expanded, agricultural experts we hired and brought in to help farmers save their fields and increase production, and advise the shepherds on how to cull and strengthen their flocks. Of the thousands of tons of seed and fertilizer we bought and distributed to reestablish a farm industry destroyed by over a decade of UN sanctions, and exacerbated by the current drought. Of the hundreds of miles of irrigation canals we repaired or opened up, and the schools and clinics built and stocked with supplies. The impact we had on the province’s health. By fixing or building sewerage plants and systems, and water
treatment facilities, we began to reduce infant mortality by reducing the unseen killers of the new born-killers that thrive in filthy water. And then there was the cholera epidemic this past summer-that didn’t happen; the
dreaded tuberculosis outbreak in Hadithah-that we miraculously contained and treated without the loss of a single life.
Basilsbest on February 11, 2009 at 7:57 AM
I have spoken of my Son on prior threads, a young man I am very, very proud of… He’s a Marine, he’s in command of men and his men will not commit crimes against innocent civilians… We have spoken about the terrorist issue many times… He and his men will not disobey orders either, but he has said they are not taking nearly as many prisoners as they did before… Have no worries America about the “new” terrorists comming to a court room near you… It won’t happen… This will NOT deal with our current crop of radicals, but the future is brighter… Our Marines are not stupid, they understand the dangers and so do the Joint Chiefs… Field Commands have issued directives, not orders, but guildlines for prisoners… Let’s just say we will be seeing less… Oh and btw, the terrorists know it too according to a well placed person I just happen to know… Go get em Tex! I’m proud of you and all your men.
Mark Garnett on February 11, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Funny how that worked. Eviiiil Sarah accurately misrepresenting TAO’s then position as his future action & dilemma.
So who’s the wise one and who’s the know-it-all fool? Obambi, having never worked a honest lick in his life, has been misrepresenting himself as wise and learned. Yet Sarah’s derided for her non-elite background and common sense.
My advice to anyone dumb enough to have studied under “Professor” Barack’s Constitutional Law, to demand a refund for being shortchanged due to his innate inability to comprehend the Constitution. Suckers!!!
AH_C on February 11, 2009 at 8:30 AM
D**N that Sarah… She also misrepresented Obambi’s energy policy ///The Dean of Pelosi
AH_C on February 11, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Yes, we will finaly do what we should have done after 9/11 and cull out from America ALL “non-citizen” Muslims and deport them… Students, visitors… They, as a people, as a religion, intend us harm, intend us death… Thier holy book speaks very clearly. We are the infidels. We are the enemy. So why do we just invite them to “come on in”, go to our schools, take pictures of our schools, our churchs, our buildings? Because we are a very weak people, more concerned about Political Correctness then saftey and security. It WILL change after the next attack… We will either deport them all or place them in “camps” till we can process them… The far left radical ACLU Socialists will NOT be able to stop the rage of the real Americans. We will finaly rid America of those that intend us harm AND those that have ruined our security and failed to protect us… The Muslims AND the Liberals! But it will take a disaster five times as tragic as 9/11 before we will finaly stand together and fight back…
/sad
Mark Garnett on February 11, 2009 at 8:43 AM
I sure wish Obama would learn the same lesson that sane people learned on 9/11.
Where the hell was he?
profitsbeard on February 11, 2009 at 8:49 AM
And Geert Wilders will undoubtably be banned here, too.
Disturb the Universe on February 11, 2009 at 8:59 AM
On 9/10-11??? Yukking it up with friends of Bill Ayers over Bill’s interview where he wished he could have done more with the WU Clan. After the attack, they yukked it up over ‘little Eichmen‘ with Ward Churchill, the Indian poseur.
AH_C on February 11, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Robert Spencer is going to have lots of candidates for Dhimmi of the Year 2009.
Disturb the Universe on February 11, 2009 at 9:00 AM
You would think he’d be smart enough to realize that one of those plans was headed for the Capitol or the White House.
And Al-Qaeda has a tendancy to finish what they start. Witness the two attacks on the WTC, spaced about 8 years apart. Oh hey, it’s been about 8 years since 9/11.
Wake up, Obama.
Disturb the Universe on February 11, 2009 at 9:04 AM
I wish I could find one online or at a flea market or whatever, but the US Army Field Manual during WWII said that irregular combatants, essentially civilians or out-of-uniform regulars, should be tortured for info and shot. Period. I saw a photocopy of this page in the Manual laid alongside a later version that basically said no, treat them nice, c. 1951.
Akzed on February 11, 2009 at 9:12 AM
After the Boumediene decision, several of my Obama-supporting friends assured me this would never ever happen. Keeping a running tally of all the things they’ve been wrong about is becoming a full time job.
Cylor on February 11, 2009 at 9:27 AM
+1
As scary as the video is it only comfirms what we have suspected for decades. The sad thing? It is finaly unfolding before our very eyes right at this moment.
As others have said many times here at HA…. buy more ammo.
FireFly on February 11, 2009 at 9:29 AM
The Kenyan is going to get us all killed.
pseudonominus on February 11, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Mark Garnett,
Semper Fi! I’d like to offer a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to your son and all of his running mates.
I understand what you are saying. I am sure that they will use maximum care to avoid civilian casualties and will honor their uniforms and their country.
With that being said, an understanding of today’s bizarre, leftist politics, the death mentality of the terrorists, as well as being blessed with a healthy dose of common sense and survival instincts, our men and women on the front lines will prevail and keep their country safe.
Star20 on February 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Awesome. So illegals sneaking across the border to commit crimes in America, and terrorists seeking to murder us and destroy our way of life have more rights than me?
Under what crazy system does the military have more limited rights than their enemy on their own soil?
blankminde on February 11, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Yep, it’s much like the Arizona rancher that is being sued by 16 illegal aliens because he stopped and held them on his property and turned them over to the authorities. The judge in the case actually let it go further instead of throwing it out stating the rancher had violated their civil rights…!?!?!
We’re going back to the ineffective Clintoon and Carter eras of approaching the war on Islamo fascism from a law enforcement prospective, in other words shiite is going to hit that fan again in our country.
We all remember the left and the lefty ACLU were always the ones decrying that the Bush administration’s treatment of terrorist prisoners was in violation of the Geneva Convention, but what they fail to realize is that the convention applies only to combatants wearing a uniform and fighting under the flag of a recognized state, and since terrorists don’t do either they fall under the “illegal enemy combatant” status that renders the requirements of the Geneva Convention irrelevant!
But now they want to elevate the status of these illegal enemy combatants to the level where they are to be afforded Miranda rights (a US civil right, not an international or Geneva Convention right) is absolute insanity and unfortunately all of us (not just the 57% of the morons that voted for the empty suit) will suffer the consequences!
Personally, the only right the Islamo-fascists deserve is to be immediately dispatched to Allah! I’ve got your Miranda rights right here jihadi…it’s called a bullet!
Liberty or Death on February 11, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Not only are they NOT afforded Miranda rights but when they wage war without a uniform and/or under the flag of a recognized nation they are not afforded rights under the Geneva Convention either, hence the designation “illegal enemy combatant” a category that has completely different requirements for detention, prosecution, interrogation, etc. for these types of combatants.
Of course all the lefties and their cronies at the ACLU will argue that’s not true when in fact it is true! Bottom line is if they want certain rights then they need to play by the rules, but since we know Islamo-fascist terrorists don’t play by ANY rules then it is insane for us to do so as it only serves to hamper us in our effort to defeat them.
God help us all…and as many on HA have said, stock up on food, water, guns, and ammo because us sane Americans are going to need them soon!
Liberty or Death on February 11, 2009 at 2:06 PM