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Letter from the Front

Another e-mail home from a carrier deck. Names removed. If I'm bothering any of you with this stuff, send me a note and I'll leave you off in the future. Being an old Fighter Pilot it's good to hear how our Front Line Folks are doing. I thought you might enjoy some first-hand looks, OTHER than Geraldo's..

Dear Kit,

Happy Thanksgiving (belated) everybody! For Thanksgiving, the ship dressed up the wardroom, dimmed down the lights and put out a nice T-day spread and, for a brief moment, it was almost like being home. Sure it was. I don't know too many folks who live in a gray tin can with 5,500 other roommates but what can you do! We had flights later in the day scheduled, so scores of aircrew had to fight off the triptofan nods during their 6 hour flights over Afghanistan. Can you see the headlines now? "US Fighter Down Over Afghanistan. Turkey Overdose Suspected. Should Have Gone For The Dry Ham."

I was able to call home and chat briefly with the kids who filled me in on the untimely passing of their second fish"It's OK Daddy. We'll get another one." It was a great day.

The flights over Afghanistan continue. The country's landscape reminds me of northern Nevada (without the casinos). As you cross over the southern border with Pakistan, you are met by hundreds of miles of desert. After the "Desert of Death" (as the charts call it), you get into rolling hills and occasional 2000' mountain ranges. From about mid-Afghanistan and north, the country turns into dark brown mountains that max out around 13,000 feet. Snow tops a majority of these peaks which remind me off the area surrounding Fallon, NV (one of our training areas). As you near the northern border by the -stans (Uzbeki and Turkmeni), the mountains start easing off and work down back into light brown, sandy plains. Off to the northeast are big snow-capped ranges that reach up to 25,000 feet. Overall, extremely rugged looking terrain in Afghan. To date, I have not seen one tree.The rural areas are littered with villages that are filled with collections of roofless, four walled structures that appear to be abondoned.

The "cities" are completely unremarkable and colorless with no structure being any taller than 2 stories. The only color I've seen in these cities besides the ever present light brown hue is the occasional red streakcoming from the Taliban gunners as they open up with their anti aircraft artillery.There is some farm land present, but it is infrequent and minimal. In a nutshell, Afghanistan is a giant pile of brown to light brown rocks that is bordered to the south and north by huge deserts and bordered to the east by an even bigger pile of rocks. The only signs of life that I have seen are vehicles (Toyota appears to be the SUV of choice) moving on one of the country's three main highways, some lights in the smaller towns at night and Taliban tough guys running from their convoy of military vehicles right before multiple weapons impacts.

The bombs keep falling on the Taliban. Sometimes you get in country and drop, sometimes you can't. As you can gather from all of the news coverage, the ground picture is changing radically and as a result, the air strike players are a bit more restrained. That's OK though because it serves to further cut the Air Force out of the picture. Designed to fight a war against an immobile enemy with fixed targets, the USAF is having a hard time with this fluid battlefield stuff, scenarios to which the USN/USMC routinely train. I'm sure they'll do fine when they get their 13,000 foot runways built in.....oh, that's right they don't have any runways nearby. Guess those boys should have invested in some carrier decks a few years back. Realize that the previous statements are heavily biased and ridiculously true.

A few funny stories for you before I sign off. Talked previously about the air to air refueling that goes on over here. Over time, you get a feel for who the cool tanker drivers are and who the dolts are. The dolts? Air Force guys, of course. Love all the gas they carry, but they have no personality whatsoever (big shocker there). Cool tanker guys? The Royal Air Force! Love these guys. They will always go the extra mile (literally) to make sure you get your gas when and where you need it. The RAF tankers are ALWAYS on station and on time. Apparently, the F-14 is their favorite platform so as an added benefit post tanking, you can pull up along side the pilot's window and he'll shove some literature up against the window for your perusal (your guess on the type of literature displayed).

A few days ago, we were directed to hang on this RAF tanker's wing until we received mission tasking. After about 10 minutes, I decide to strike up a conversation with the crew (we monitor the same frequency while getting gas) to kill time. Thus began the comedy. After a 30 minute exchange of good hearted jabs, the pilot delivered a challenge to our flight of two.

But first, let me explain a little bit about inflight refueling. As I have mentioned earlier, to get gas airborne we have to put out a refueling probe which extends out from the right side of the jet about 2 feet outboard and forward of the pilot's head. The tanker is dragging a 20 foot hose which ends in a basket that looks similar to a badminton "birdie". The basket is about 2 feet in diameter. Now the hard part of tanking at 300 MPH is getting in the basket, because as you near the basket, the air disturbance created by the nose of your jet causes the basket to move up and away from you. Also thrown into the moving basket equation is general air turbulence, as well as the "ham fist" of the pilot who is flying the tanker. Sometimes you get in the first time, sometimes it takes a couple of stabs. Where was I? Oh yeah, so this RAF guy says, "If you F-14 chaps are truly America's Finest Fighter Aircraft (my quote from a previous discussion), then you should have no problem getting into the basket first time, right?" I respond with, "Yeah, I usually bat about .900 with these poorly designed Brit baskets. The problem is that when I get in close, find myself thinking about Margaret Thatcher naked, get sick to my stomach and miss the basket. Tell you what, we'll put a case of beer on both Tomcats getting in the first time." Did I mention that he's flying a DC-9 type tanker where a basket comes off of each wing tip which exacerbates (thankyou thesaurus) the turbulence problem by virtue of the rough air flow over the wingtip? Screw it. Bet's on.

The call finally comes for us to go hit some targets and it's time to get topped off. Pressure's on. I head over to the tanker's left wing, my wingman over to his right and as we are closing in I tell my wingman, "Now Moses, as you get in close, try not to think about all of the great English warriors of the past: the Spice Girls, Boy George, Wham UK, and Dame Edna. Just free your mind and be the basket." A couple of corrections later and just as I plug (on the first attempt)I scream over the radio, "Revolutionary War, baby!" "Moses" was good on his first attempt so the final score was US-2, England-0. I doubt we'll see the beer but who would want a case of shitty warm Brit beer anyway.

Speaking of beer, somewhere in the Navy regulations it's written down that for every 45 consecutive days that you spend at sea without a port call, you rate two beers. Two weeks ago, they broke out 10,000 beers for the crew to tear into for this deployment's first of many "beer days". With beer day fast approaching, multiple discussions erupted in the Ready Room over how to best maximize the beer day allotment. Do you starve yourself for two days to increase the "buzz" potential? How about giving blood 2 hours prior to assist in decreasing the amount of blood in your alcohol system? Do you nurse your two beers over a two hour span or just chug 'em and ride the wave? Which type of beer gives you the most bang for the buck? Fosters? Yengling? MGD? All very important and crucial questions.

After much mental anguish and repeated calls to the flight surgeon inquiring about blood donor opportunities, I decided on the "full fed, Fosters chug" gameplan. Rumor has it that over 22,000 beers were killed. Hmmm....5,500 person crew, 2 beers per person....... hey...... someone went through the line more than once! No comment. Only 20 days until our next beer day, so I will take inputs on any improvements to my gameplan!

One last thing before I complete my novella...... Please remember in your thought and prayers every single enlisted Sailor that is slugging it out here on the USS Teddy Roosevelt. The aviator types have it easy in that we get to leave this ship for 6 fun filled hours to fly into a foreign hostile land and blow stuff up. We have variety and excitement in our days. Think of that 19 year old kid up on the flight deck 17 hours a day, fixing the same jets day in and day out while maintaining the same daily routine. Imagine doing that for over 70 days straight (only two days off in the last 6 weeks). He looks forward to 4 things: 1) getting off his feet for 5 minutes, 2) eating bland Navy chow, 3) sleeping in a cluttered space shared by 239 other Sailors and 4) port calls. His variety and excitement comes mainly during inport visits and, to date, we have had none and oh, by the way, there isn't one in the near or even distant future. They are the real heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom because it is through their efforts that we are able to launch and ultimately defend American shores. Through it all, you rarely hear one complaint from these kids despite the fact that they are working harder than anyone on this planet in the most dangerous "office space" on Earth, the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.

Hope this email finds you all safe and having a great Holiday Season. Don't worry about us, we are doing great out here. I can honestly say that there is no other place in the world I'd rather be than right here, right now, sticking it to the Taliban.

 

* * *

I am in WA state and had just gotten out of bed. My wife had turned on the TV just prior to the first impact. I got into the living room to see the second plane go into the second building.

I am sick at heart. I was 5 at the time of pearl harbor. I believe we should have the same attitude toward the moslems that we had toward the japs and germans at that time. I use those terms because that is the language used at that time.

When I see and hear the liberal media, the ones that want to take our guns, say "trust them all they are our neighbors, let the law handle this". I really get sick.

I believe we should let the military handle this just like desert storm, not like Vietnam. They should use every means possible to destroy those that want to destroy us. The moslems will not stop until the last man and woman and child has had their throats cut like the stewardess that tried to stop the terrorist in the plane.

I am a believer in America. We did not get to be the greatest nation on earth being pansy asses. Lets do it to them!! Without delay!!

Thank god that Gore lost the election. I have military friends. The unanimous attitude among the military people at that time was to leave the military because they would not support another liberal "liar" like Clinton. Where would we be now?

We have to have guts to survive. I hope this attitude is clearly shown in the Email you are getting.

Korean vet
Marvin

* * *

Terrorists maliciously committed a violent act of war against the whole of America in destroying the World Trade Center Complex, and severely damaged the Pentagon, which took the lives of thousands of innocent unsuspecting citizens.

Those who would commit such a dastardly act are unworthy of beingdignified as humans, since they obviously have no regard for human life, and by definition, can best be described as vermin, who have no conscience.

As opposed to previous armed conflicts where the might of our entire military was involved, I believe this conflict can most effectively and efficiently waged in relatively small concentrated actions with a focus on a comparatively small radical element of a much larger ethnic/religious group.

Combating such a clandestine enemy dictates a clandestine engagement.For this reason, I respectfully urge you to seek from the Congress a formal declaration of war, which as I understand, gives a president certain liberties to wage war not otherwise granted under our Constitution. Carrying out covert actions is always critical in minimizing risk to those involved in executing a planned action. Simply stated, let the media learn of an action after the fact.

As one astute patriot observed long ago, "eternal vigilance is the price of freedom." Now is the time to shore up and modernize our intelligence gathering policies, practices, procedures, and capabilities, even if itmeans eliminating certain government programs not directly related to our freedom. After all, who can name a government program more
important than our freedom?

Under God, and our Constitution, every citizen has a right to self defense. It naturally follows then that collectively, as a nation, we have the same right. That right has been violated, and must be defended. Respect, as individuals, and as a nation, is directly proportionate to our strength, ability, and resolve in defending ourselves. We must now take the action necessary to restore respect around the world, through strength. Your stated resolve in re-establishing that respect is reassuring, and most appreciated.

Respectfully,

Grady----WW II Veteran

* * *

I am a recently retired army intelligence officer. Here is my answer to the question: "Where do we go from here?"

We must be prepared for the worst. We must ask ourselves: "will the American public be able to stomach our kids coming home in body bags?" Like Vietnam there is no clear objective and no end in site. However, unlike Vietnam the enemy this time has attacked our citizens and is a direct threat to our freedom. We MUST win this war on terrorism! This war is no less significant than stopping Nazi advances in Europe or Japanese aggression in Asia. But, there is only one road to victory. First, let's not allow Bin Laden be the focus of our mission. Rather, let the annihilation of terrorism be our objective.

This horrendous act wasn't a common crime perpetrated by one individual. My concern is we may just kill or capture Bin Laden in the early phases of this war. What then? First, you will see the feel-good democrats in congress start talking about "mission accomplishment, retribution served, or objective reached." Next, we will see the peaceniks on the streets asking Americans to get out of this war. They'll scream slogans such as "we've already won; Bin Laden is dead; the war on terrorism is over; let's send our armed forces home." Finally, we will see our borderline allies begin to leave our coalition like a bunch cockroaches running for cover when the light is turned on.

We must not be intimidated. This is the worst act of savagery that any person or country has ever committed against America. We must fight it just as fiercely and as violently as we did the Nazi's and Japanese during WWII. This administration has already started off on the right foot. However, we must instill in all Americans to be patient and that the war will not be limited to the perpetrators alone. We must continue the fight to wherever it takes us, even if we find ourselves fighting in our own backyard!

The world has changed since September 11th. Everyone needs to know we are no longer playing patty cake diplomacy anymore. We are the strongest, most powerful nation on earth. We have the means and determination to win this.... and we most certainly will.

Best Regards
Major Dave (U.S. Army Ret)

* * *

Posting 1

I just wanted to tell you about an incident that happened yesterday while all of the horrors were unfolding. I was in attendance at my psychology class on personality when the professor asked the class what they thought about the events of the day. The student in the desk next to me started to talk about how it had effected him. He went on to say how sad and confused he was about the whole situation. He then said that he thought any retaliation was pointless.

He said, "Its pointless. Wed just go in and bomb them and then theyd turn around and bomb us. It would be a vicious cycle". I looked around the class to find - to my shock and horror - many of the students shaking their heads in agreement.

At this point I had decided to keep quiet. I am a 29 year old student in a school full of kids in their late teens and early twenties. I did not want to start an argument that would create any sort of animosity towards me. After all, I have to spend the next couple months with these people and didnt want to be ostracized. So I quietly bit my lip.

The student then went on to say in a matter of fact way, "I dont know. Has anyone else been joking about how Bush would start world war 3? Its just kinda scary because my friends and I had been joking about this just the other day".

I couldnt take it anymore. I was so angry that I couldnt breath. I turned to him and said, "How in the world does Bush have anything to do with this"?

"Well, you know...him being over there in Europe and not signing the treaty. Pissing off all the EU leaders and nations...all the European leaders yelling at him and all", was his response.

Before I knew it I said, "First of all, do you realize that all of those European leaders that were yelling at him hold the same position on the treaty as Bush does? They just dont have the b*lls to admit it! If they felt differently and agreed with the treaty, why havent any of them gone on record and signed it? And secondly, how can you possibly think that these disgusting terrorist attacks have anything to do with the environment? Dont twist the events of today to conveniently fit your personal beliefs. Thats called propaganda. Get your head out of the sand and take a look at the facts. This has nothing to do with Bush or his administration. It has to do with a sick, twisted individual or group that has effectively declared war with not only the United States and its citizens, but the entire free world. I find it insulting and repulsive that youre sitting here right now placing blame on someone instead of thinking about the victims and their friends and families. All you can do is try to make the other guy look bad".

I turned to look at the response of the classroom. Out of twenty or so students I found two or three nodding their heads in agreement. The rest just sitting there slack-jawed along with the student I was having this dialog with. Fearing the worst - the disapproval of my retort from the professor - I turned to see her reaction. To my relief, she sat quietly with her hand partially hiding the smile on her face.

After a few moments of silence, my professor asked if anyone else had anything to say. Since no one did, she let class out early. Hopefully, when we meet again on Thursday some of my fellow students will have thought about what was said. I hope that what I said will stop them from blindly following the liberal mantra (i.e. thats what happens when a Republican in is office). Im not holding my breath, though.

(This email, by all means, is not an attack on liberals and their beliefs. They can believe anything they want to - thats just fine with me. When they start the finger pointing and placing blame where none is to be though, I have found it high-time to put them in their place. The media has been brain-washing these kids for way to long. Their generation has been raised by TV. They take whatever comes out of it as scripture - the word of GOD. An end needs to be put to this type of abuse. Someone has to tell these kids that what they see on TV and read in the newspaper is not necessarily fact but rather a sort of fiction.

Im having a hard time trying to figure out how to end this email - I could go on forever but I will end it here. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who were touched by these cowardly acts of terrorism. My sympathy is with you.

~ Michael

Posting 2

Dear brothers and sisters of the USA:

Last night I posted a statement that, though I still stand by, was written out of anguish and pain. I failed to express my compassion and sympathy for the victims and families of this cowardly act. My neighbor and friend was feet away from the impact at the Pentagon and I just learned that he survived. Injured but alive and recovering. When I finally saw him today and talked to him I felt my Christian love well up in my heart and that made me realize that my posting last night left out my thanks to my God that there are survivors. We must not let the liberals take our God, however we perceive him/her to be, take that belief away from this great country. You see what happened to the she devil of atheism and her minions. If this country abandons our religious beliefs to the ACLU, NOW, NAACP, etc.... there will be no redemption and we, as a nation, will fall into chaos. I am not as good a Christian as I should be and am not a "bible thumper" but I believe that the core values that we were taught from our childhood make us a compassionate people. A free people who give our new neighbors the benefit of the doubt and accept them as our ancestors did, maybe even better than our ancestors, as fellow Americans. We need not attack our fellow Americans because they are of a certain faith. These attackers were fanatics from abroad. If one researches the Koran, it does not condone acts such as were precipitated yesterday. Our Muslim Americans are, above all, American citizens until such time as they are investigated and indited as criminals. Please DO NOT lower yourselves to the level of the terrorists by attacking our fellow Americans just because they are of Arabic or Muslim background. I am mad as Hell but I am a patriotic American and Love my country.

My family came to this country from Scotland generations ago and, I'm sure, faced some prejudices. Please remember that we are not the original inhabitants of this land. This nation is strong and prosperous because of our "melting pot" of wonderful people from around the globe. Our enemy is from abroad, and as such, should direct or rage toward abroad. I still have friends that I cannot contact at the Pentagon and am still worried about them but I will not HATE my fellow Americans who may be different from me. Lastly, I want to say that the good people of NYC have shown the rest of the country that they do not deserve the reputation that has been put upon them as being mean people. I am encouraged that they have rallied around the need for blood and support in this time of need. I am very proud that they are fellow Americans and will never believe that they in any deserve that stereotype of being mean. Even if they don't want to admit it, they are good, compassionate people and very good Americans. I am very proud to count them as MY brothers and sister Americans. 750,000 blood donors in this country, this should make every American's heart swell with pride. We are one people. One country. "One nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." God bless America. I am So Proud to be an American today. My Love to all of America.
Michael USAF, RET

* * *

I am listening to your program as I type.

After 20 years of Military Service in the US Navy I retired in 1993. I started out being a Coxswain on Landing Crafts and later transferred into the Intelligence Community were I spent the last ten years of my Military Service.

Tuesday Morning when I turned the TV on just before the 2nd Airliner Rammed the South tower of the WTC. After hearing that the North Tower was Rammed by another Airliner I realized this fact. They finally did it to us. In the years since my retirement people would laugh when I told them that one day Terrorist would strike our Country. Well Rush I am not laughing or saying I told you so. After the two WTC towers collapse I went and put Our FLAG out and it is still out with lights on it at night. Then I cried for the innocent that died.

I do not want revenge. I want Justice. I went to work that day and everyday since. Why because We must keep going and We must be strong.God Bless America

Thank You

Ed LePera
Intelligence Specialist 1st Class USN Retired

* * *

Awake the giant release the dogs of war!

I have no apologies for my feelings and thoughts Americans have been killed.

On Wednesday a caller from Utah expressed his opinion that it is time to use nuclear weapons that if an enemy is willing to die to the last man we must show we will take them to the last man.

I served 6 years in our Navy. Several of those years aboard a nuclear powerd fast attack submarine. I am accutely aware of the nature of nuclear weapons and their consequences. When I finshed my enlistment I was relieved to know the nuclear weapons were being phased out in favor of conventional cruise missels. I thought of my family my children and future generations and saw hope they would be spared the horror of nuclear war.

The attack on our country has changed my opinion completely. I agree 100% with the use of nuclear weapons to solve this crisis. Large scale nuclear strikes are the only choice. We need to deliver a crystal clear message to the world; If you allow condon encourage or harbor terrorist in anyway you are our enemy and we will leave as much of your country uninhabitable as it takes to remove all threat to Americans. We will take you out to the last man. Conventional weapons will not leave a long term physically obvious lesson permanantly etched into the minds of the world's population that attacking Americans is not tolerated. If Afganistan had one single shred if human decency they would have detained Osam Bin Laden yesterday and had him on his way to the United States of America immediately. Let them be the first to see their country's moutains reduced to gravel piles as they did our buildings. Iraq Iran Libya Somolia Sudan and all other terrorist havens should receive the same.

Let us stand as a country united behind our President The Commander in Chief of our armed forces. Let him show us that we the people will be served our dead and wounded avenged 100 fold and our future generation will not live in fear of terrorist cowards. Our forefathers showed this spirit at Bunker Hill Iwo Jima Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Let us honor their sacrifices and bring the full power of our mighty nation to bear.

Send out the Devil dog Marines the steely eyed missle shooters top guns and Death from above Paratroopers. Show no mercy no compassion. Release the dogs of war! Nuke them all and let their God sort them out!

Jeff / Florida

* * *

I am a retired Command Sergeant Major from the United States Army. I retired in 1995 and have worked as a civilian contractor for the US Army since then. During the 22 years that I served my country and protected our way of life I was asked to travel to places in the world
and conduct operations that on this day I am not proud of. During the years of 1988 and 1989 the United States conducted an operation in Pakistan and Afghanistan called Operation Safe Passage. I'm not sure how much of this operation I could or should discuss but in short our
mission was to assist in developing a program for the Mujahadeen to deal with the incredible amount of land mines that the former Soviet Union had deployed in the nation of Afghanistan. Throughout Pakistan and the southern portion of Afghanistan we met with members of the rebels whowere fighting the Soviets for control of the country.

I must tell you that the first time we set down and talked with these people it was a very disturbing experience. If you have ever looked in the eyes of a Pit Bull or Doberman Pincer you see no soul or compassion. I seen the same look in the eyes of the people I was dealing with. They were radical and held no compassion for anyone who differed from their views and beliefs. That included me!

I was proud to have served my nation in this capacity. I was honored to represent the Army. Most of all I was honored to answer the call from in my opinion one of Americas greatest president Mr. Ronald Reagan. But on this day I wish I could take all I gave back and reverse any assistance I provided to these thankless murdering bastards.

The events of the last few days have brought those soulless eyes home to me again. I pray for the victims and the survivors of the recent attacks on the United States. I close this letter with a call to deal with these dogs just as we would any dog in the US that would attack a member of our society. Eliminate them. Do it without prejudice. Do it without remorse. Do it now. I guarantee all Americans these people don't hold the same compassionate soul or love of life that we as
Americans do.

For us to let this go and think that we can contain their hatred and violence would be a big mistake on our part. I hope and pray that the United States would recall me to serve my nation again and provide me the opportunity to face these people again. Because of the nature of information contained in this letterplease refrain from using my name. Thank You. God Bless America.

CSM(Ret) US Army

* * *

I listen to your show several times a week. I am enraged by the recent terrorist attacks in the US and the deaths that they wrought. It has caused me to do some serious thinking about what our leaders have said we are going to do. [I had an all expesne paid trip to Vietnam courtesy of our government - no I did not protest that war. But I do understand the fact that we were defeated there.] Following are some of my thoughts regarding terrorist:

Terrorist

The United States has avowed to rid the world of terrorist. That statement is easier said than accomplished.

The US can bomb and invade developed areas within a country with great effect. We can punish the political and economic leaders of various countries who harbor terrorist. But that may not destroy terrorism - especially terrorist who have (what we might consider) fanatical outlooks.

Where do the terrorist live in train? Most do not live and train in the urban centers. They live and train in rural settings. Many do not have regular electricity or other modern conveniences. It could be like fighting against the American Colonial Revolutionist or the Viet Cong all over again. Does George Bush, the American Congress, and the American public have the courage, determination, and fortitude to attack everyone who provides safe harbors to terrorist and to everyone who provides financial support and to everyone who has or is providing training support for them? The list is long, the rural area villages that support the terrorist are many.

Conventional warfare fought by the United States in Vietnam and by the Russians in Afghanistan and Chechnya have proven unsuccessful. The world is a very mobile community. And our enemy takes advantage of the mobility and every weakness he can find. Have we developed better methodologies and have we incorporated lessons learned from Vietnam? I sincerely hope so.

I do not want to sound pessimistic - I think we need to know what the cost might be going in. We need to know what the cost will be if we do not start and complete the tasks as well. That is what I think our government needs to tell us. But then they may not really know.

We are angry and we should be. We need to take united action and we need to include the rest of the civilized world as much as possible. But what of the enemy we fight.

When I was raised, my parents taught me the value of children. They taught me that the primary purpose of marriage was to procreate and raise children. My teaching was somewhat like the manner of the Old Testament Patriarchs in regards to children and family. Many of the terrorist have similar (or the same or stronger) regards to children and family. The Old Testament method of dealing with an enemy was to destroy everyone and everything including the livestock. When an entire village was destroyed - it left no doubt for their neighbors of what would happen to them if they transgressed. It was Macheivellian in its effect. But it was also quite effective. Such destruction is not normally condoned in our western culture - but the Viet cong used it effectively in Vietnam. This may be the only true method that can be used to deter and stop future terroristic attacks - can we do this? If not we may be doomed to fighting continually (see Unsuccessful War on Drugs for a reference) and forever and only producing death and destruction, but never a winning strategy. My prayer is to win quickly and wipe out terroristic threats like we wiped out polio and smallpox. But...

Ed

* * *

An academic advisor at the Air Force Academy wrote the following, which we
believe everyone possible should read.

From: Dr. Tony Kern, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)

Recently, I was asked to look at the recent events through the lens of military history. I have joined the cast of thousands who have written an "open letter to Americans."

Dear friends and fellow Americans, 14 September, 2001

Like everyone else in this great country, I am reeling from last week's attack on our sovereignty. But unlike some, I am not reeling from surprise. As a career soldier and a student and teacher of military history, I have a different perspective and I think you should hear it. This war will be won or lost by the American citizens, not diplomats, politicians or soldiers. Let me briefly explain. In spite of what the media, and even our own government is telling us, this act was not committed by a group of mentally deranged fanatics. To dismiss them as such would be among the gravest of mistakes. This attack was committed by a ferocious, intelligent and dedicated adversary. Don't take this the wrong way. I don't admire these men and I deplore their tactics, but I respect their capabilities.

The many parallels that have been made with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor are apropos. Not only because it was a brilliant sneak attack against a complacent America, but also because we may well be pulling our new adversaries out of caves 30 years after we think this war is over, just like my father's generation had to do with the formidable Japanese in the years following WW II.

These men hate the United States with all of their being, and we must not underestimate the power of their moral commitment. Napoleon, perhaps the world's greatest combination of soldier and statesman, stated "the moral is to the physical as three is to one." Patton thought the Frenchman underestimated its importance and said moral conviction was five times more important in battle than physical strength.
Our enemies are willing -- better said anxious -- to give their lives for their cause.

How committed are we America? And for how long? In addition to demonstrating great moral conviction, the recent attack demonstrated a mastery of some of the basic fundamentals of warfare taught to most military officers worldwide, namely simplicity, security and surprise. When I first heard rumors that some of these men may have been trained at our own Air War College, it made perfect sense to me. This was not a random act of violence, and we can expect the same sort of military competence to be displayed in the battle to come.

This war will escalate, with a good portion of it happening right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. These men will not go easily into the night. They do not fear us. We must not fear them. In spite of our overwhelming conventional strength as the world's only "superpower" (a truly silly term), we are the underdog in this fight. As you listen to the carefully scripted rhetoric designed to prepare us for the march for war, please realize that America is not equipped or seriously trained for the battle ahead.

To be certain, our soldiers are much better than the enemy, and we have some excellent "counter-terrorist" organizations, but they are mostly trained for hostage rescues, airfield seizures, or the occasional "body snatch," (which may come in handy). We will be fighting a war of annihilation, because if their early efforts are any indication, our enemy is ready and willing to die to the last man.

Eradicating the enemy will be costly and time consuming. They have already deployed their forces in as many as 20 countries, and are likely living the lives of everyday citizen! s. Simply put, our soldiers will be tasked with asearch and destroy mission on multiple foreign landscapes, and the public must be patient and supportive until the strategy and tactics can be worked out.

For the most part, our military is still in the process of redefining itself and presided over by men and women who grew up with -- and were promoted because they excelled in -- Cold War doctrine, strategy and tactics. This will not be linear warfare, there will be no clear "centers of gravity" to strike with high technology weapons. Our vast technological edge will certainly be helpful, but it will not be decisive.

Perhaps the perfect metaphor for the coming battle was introduced by the terrorists themselves aboard the hijacked aircraft -- this will be a knife fight, and it will be won or lost by the ingenuity and will of citizens and soldiers, not by software or smart bombs. We must also be patient with our military leaders. Unlike Americans who are eager to put this messy time behind us, our adversaries have time on their side, and they will use it. They plan to fight a battle of attrition, hoping to drag the battle out until the American public loses its will to fight.

This might be difficult to believe in this euphoric time of flag waving and patriotism, but it is generally acknowledged that America lacks the stomach for a long fight. We need only look as far back as Vietnam, when North Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap (also a military history teacher) defeated the United States of America without ever winning a major tactical battle. American soldiers who marched to war cheered on by flag waving Americans in 1965 were reviled and spat upon less than three years later when they returned.

Although we hope that Usama Bin Laden is no Giap, he is certain to understand and employ the concept. We can expect not only large doses of pain like the recent attacks, but also less audacious "sand in the gears" tactics, ranging from livestock infestations to attacks at water and food supplies and power distributionfacilities. These attacks are designed to hit us in our "comfort zone" forcing the average American to "pay more and play less" and eventually eroding our resolve. But it can only work if we let it.

It is clear to me that the will of the American citizenry -- you and I -- is the center of gravity the enemy has targeted. It will be the fulcrum upon which victory or defeat will turn. He believes us to be soft, impatient, and self-centered.He may be right, but if so, we must change.

The Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz, (the most often quoted and least read military theorist in history), says that there is a "remarkable trinityof war" that is composed of the (1) will of the people, (2) the politicalleadership of the government, and (3) the chance and probability that plays out on the field of battle, in that order. Every American citizen was in the crosshairs of last Tuesday's attack, notjust those that were unfortunate enough to be in the World Trade Center orPentagon. The will of the American people will decide this war. If we are towin, it will be because we have what it takes to persevere through a fewmore hits, learn from our mistakes, improvise, and adapt. If we can do that,we will eventually prevail.

Everyone I've talked to In the past few days has shared a common frustration, saying in one form or another "I just wish I could do something!" You are already doing it. Just keep faith in America, and continue to support your President, the military, and their decisions then the outcome is certain. If, on the other hand, we lose our faith, our resolve and fail to do so, the outcome is equally certain. God Bless America

/s/ Dr. Tony Kern, Lt Col, USAF (Ret) /Former Director of Military History
Air Force Academy

* * *

A short bit of background, I am a retired US Marine First Sergeant who served in Afghanistan 1985-86 and several other US Embassy postings around the world to include Africa as a regional supervisor for the Marines in Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda, Burundi, Zaire, the Congo and South Africa to name a few. I lost friends in Beirut in 1983, my buddies were blown up in Costa Rica on their way to work one morning, my wife and I lost more friends in Kenya than I care to count and I was there a month after the blast in 1998 visiting surviving friends.

For those of us who have dealt with it overseas, terrorism was expected in some form some day here in the USA. The bold yet simple manner in which the attack was carried out on September 11th will forever change the daily habits of our great Nation. Though they might change our habits, they will never change our spirit or lessen our resolve.

There are those who will no doubt search for scapegoats and that will serve no purpose except to return the back biting bickering of party lines. By establishing a commission to assess the hows and whys of this attack we can plug the gaps and holes where needed. Any attempts to go after individuals or government agencies will only lead to disaster. While this approach might appear tactically plausible to the left winged liberals on the hill that are quick to seek avenues of personal and political gain they had better think twice.

I watched C-SPAN with great interest and pride as our very astute and courageous Attorney General met members of Congress this week. He outlined proposed changes to current law that he and his learned associates feel will improve the arsenal of our various law enforcement agencies as they try to develop strategies and methods to help find future planners of such acts. I sat amazed as the liberal leaders of our Nation tried to get assurances that the privacy they so cared about would in no way be threatened. Funny thing is, between them and the ACLU many Americans had lost interest in the dialogue and process. It takes a terrorist act on our own soil to wake up the passive and end some of the apathy.

America lost too many of her loved ones in this attack but She will be stronger as a result. We have a nation filled with unprecedented patriotism, children are saying prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools, Flags are flying as never before, our nation and the world has seen the Cabinet of our President, so called "has beens", rally to the task with a vigor and skill not seen in decades. Their knowledge and abilities could not have been better suited for the tasks ahead. President Bush will be re-elected, world unity is at an all time high, we will weather the storm of the economy and no doubt will return to life pretty much as we lived it prior to this attack. But we will not forget.

I recently asked a young college man, who was talking of fleeing to Canada if there was a draft, if he knew anything about Zimbabwe and the plight of the white farmer or if he knew the modern history of Afghanistan. He was not sure on which continent you could find Zimbabwe and he knew absolutely nothing about Afghanistan. However he said that he was rather well informed on American history. When I asked him who Thomas Paine was or if he had ever heard of Chappaquiddick he was very quick to say that Mr. Paine was unknown to him and that General Lee had won a major battle there. I told him I thought the civil war was before July of 1969. So much for informed views.

This line of thought brings me to my close. I recently wrote ABC news an e-mail not unlike many that are posted on your website. I, like many of your listerners, have heard enough of Peter Jennings and his treason. I am fortunate enough to truly understand what freedom means and do not take for granted that which this great country of ours stands for. I will die tomorrow fighting for the rights and privileges our forefathers were brave enough to fight for and literate enough to put to paper but Mr Jennings' has crossed the line. Mr. Jennings' remarks the day of the attack of 9/11 not only showed his pompous ego but also showed his desire to create the news rather than report it. Now is not the time to publicly belittle or undermine an administration that is working very hard to effectively deal with this tragedy and it's impact both nationally and globally. Rumor has it that he has never taken citizenship here in the USA and, if he in fact is a visitor, he should buy a one way ticket to cover the pending fireworks with Mr. Bin Laden.

I appreciate the ability to share my views. I pray that ABC finds the courage to fire Peter Jennings and that they give a younger and more sensitive anchor his chance to impact America.

Sincerely and May God Bless,

Clarence

P.S. Why are custodians raising the flags in our schools today and not the kids. Let's return to the days of flag ettiquite, flag customs and re-educate our future leaders just why Old Glory is the greatest symbol of freedom in the world today.

* * *

Evidence of the real damage

When the turn of events took place on Sept. 11, 2001. I was over seas stationed in Sicily and proudly feeling like I was in a posotion to actively defend this country. Being overseas I had access to channels other than just ABC, CNN, and the sort - I was able to watch BBC World, and Sky News (two British channels) and the superior quality of their coverage made how evident the real damage is to our country. The media is not only bias in the USA, but it is incomplete and senseless. It has a microscopic perspective from of the US only, where as BBC showed the beauty of the world's weeping and how cared for America is by other nations.

CNN, and ABC, and NBC the moronic news networks didn't even have a segment about the 3 minutes of silence that the rest of the world shared for our sakes, or how for the first time in the history of England the played another nation's national anthem at the changing of the guard - it was the National Anthem of the United States of America. IT did not show the thousands of flowers placed at the embassies all around the world and the tears on the faces of so many so far away.

It's not bad enough that the anchor's think so highly of themselves that they have to paraphrase what the president says rather than just role the videos and let us hear him unfiltered, but their arrogance is only surpassed by their ignorance and stupidity. They cover subjects of conjuecture and speculation so thatthey can keep their arrogant faces in front of the camera instead of covering matters of actual importance.

It is a sense of shame that I co-exist with this group who also can claim heritage to being an American. I think that if it was not for our rediculous commentators, pundits, and anchors we would not have the international resentment that have been harboring within these rouge nations. I myself think that the media as it currently exists are terrorists of another kind. Itstead of killing thousands of innocent civilians in an instant they instead chose to slowly and methodically wipe out the entire way of American life with treachery, deception, bias, and shear stupidity.

This war on terrorism will not be complete if the likes of ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN remain. They are actually worse then Usama Bin Laden in their dominance over the human psyche.

Sincerely,
Voice of a True American

* * *

A Military Prospective.

Today is the Sunday after. I have just returned from church where we sang, "God Bless America". I honestly could not find the strength to sing through the emotions this song brought to me. Since most of you are not in the military and I am often asked for the military's prospective, I will attempt to give you one man's view of this week from my military prospective.

Who are we? We are citizens engaged in the profession of arms in the defense of our homes, our friends, our country. We swear to God Almighty to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to obey the lawful orders of the President of the United States.

Why the Constitution? Why not defend the country or the people? We defend the Constitution because it defines the country completely. It, more than any other document, or cause, or belief, holds us together as a nation.

What does it say? In part, it says, "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America".

Where do these words come from?They come from the Declaration of Independence, which make the promise the Constitution fulfilled. "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem more likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Our country's purpose is to provide a place where the Government brings safety, allows happiness through life and liberty and gives its people the justice and tranquility that is the right of all free men everywhere. This we swear to defend.

Today and for the past three decades, our military has consisted of citizen volunteers. Now, because of this, to you, the military has become something disparate from you, something one joins or doesn't join, but something not part of you, the People. You feel you do not understand it and often view it as some large unseen power. But it is not. It is you and me, citizen and citizen soldier, who love the country and all it stands for. At any level,
those in the Services have chosen it as their life's work.

Why, when we could make three or four times our present salary, working twenty days a month, never going on six month deployments to parts of the world we have no interest in seeing, why do we stay in? We stay in because we feel it is important. Our beliefs in country, liberty, fairness, charity, democracy, are not words or beliefs or passing thoughts. They are tangible rocks of granite, permanent and unshakeable. They define us. They keep us on watch in the Persian Gulf. They guide us in the middle of an Ocean. They are who we are, and we are you.

What do we do? Easy, we do what you want us to do. We prepare for and develop plans against enemies our Commander-in-Chief tell us to prepare for. We recommend, but we do not prepare, we do not plan, we do not act against anyone or anything that you, the People, have not told us to act against. We, who care about this country, vote for and hold accountable representatives to control and guide our citizen-soldiers. I vote, I have political beliefs. I, the citizen, care who represents me. I, the soldier, do not care who represents me. I follow the lawful orders of the President, no matter who that may be, because my Constitution tells me to do so.

Have we failed you this week? Perhaps, perhaps not. We citizens love life, love liberty, love happiness. But which do we love more? It depends on the times. This threat has been here for years. Tuesday was not more dangerous than Monday. Tuesday was just the day it happened. Until then, we loved liberty and happiness more than life, because circumstances did not threaten life. Now that life is threatened, liberty and happiness are not held in the same regard as before. Before, we did not want the soldiers to be seen in our homeland. We would fight the fights away from home, before they became a part of our home. Now, in this new age, we see the fight can always come home. Now it is here. And now we will decide how much we want the soldiers to be in our lives here at home. We citizen-soldiers will do what you want. We will certainly recommend what we think is best and what we think we can do, but ultimately, we citizens will decide, because that is what our Founders believed was the way to govern.

What can we do? You've listened to what the news people say on television. This is hard, it is a new kind of war. I am a citizen-soldier and I know what we can do. What we the people can do. We can collect our warships, all built by citizens. We can put aircraft on our carriers and with the other ships, sail from our home ports to the other side of the planet and stay there. And stay there. And stay there, for days, or weeks, or months without setting foot on land. These ships are re-fueled, re-armed, and re-fed from the sea as needed. From this ship, we can launch our jets, day or night, good weather and bad. When airborne, we can turn on our radar and see all aircraft for miles. We turn on our infra-red pod that shows us a magnified picture of the differences of surface temperatures of all objects. We turn on our radios that cannot be jammed, flick on our night vision goggles and see through the night like no owl ever can. Our airplanes quietly rendezvous on several giant Air Force tankers at a point in the sky we found because of twenty-four global positioning satellites. We take on gas and proceed to where our enemies are. Our systems show us where to go and we find it, and we can destroy it. Laser guided, infra-red guided, TV guided, all developed by citizens, we can destroy our target. We can do whatever you tell us to do.

If you tell us to, we will do what we are trained to do. Calmly, efficiently, methodically, we will find our enemies. We will tell our citizen-leader what our plan is, what the cost is and what the risk will be. And he will decide whether you, the people, deem the risk acceptable and the cost payable.

As citizens, we will chose the course to take, the pain to bear, the cost to shoulder. As soldiers, we will do your bidding, accept your risk and complete the mission. Do not worry that you ask too much. Do not worry that the mission is too hard. All we ask for is your guidance, and once the decision is made, to remain with us until the mission is complete. Pray for us and for each other. We are not separate from you. We are you and you are we. Together, we create and build and man the machines that protect us. Give us your trust, as we have given you ours, and then watch us do your bidding until you are satisfied. May God bless and keep you this day and all the days ahead.

CMDR. James ____ - Naval Aviator, Citizen-Soldier

* * *

From a LTC in the Pentagon:

I just witnessed something I don't think I'll ever forget. I was down near the cafeteria in the Pentagon meeting a friend for lunch and I see a very large crowd of people inside. I walk in and soon find myself standing less than three feet away from our Commander-in-Chief and right beside the Secretary of Defense (and a bunch of Secret Service folks).

President Bush was walking around shaking hands and thanking all of us for what we do. He kept saying to people "Don't Worry" -- as if to say, I've got it under control. He must have shaken 1000 hands or more. What particularly struck me was his presence - not a particularly large man in stature, but he had an aura of a giant - a smile on his face, yet you can sense he was a man on a mission - a man of purpose and conviction - there was just this feeling that he is THE MAN, and he is in charge - he had a quiet confidence that was deafening!

Then, a group of folks just behind me started singing God Bless America and, in no time, the entire room - which was packed - was singing the song. It was enough to give anyone goose bumps. If there was a dry eye in the place, I couldn't see it (probably because my eyes weren't too dry). It was just one of those once in a life time experiences that I shall never forget.

After God Bless America, there were a few chants of "USA - USA-USA,"followed by a lot of applause.

When President Bush finally made his way toward the entrance, he turned with his confident smile and waved at everyone, and the room just erupted in cheers and whistles and applause. I've been to professional football games where the noise wasn't that loud. It was just such a wonderful experience -and it made me:

Just thought I'd share.

Rick
Lt. Col Rick / HQ USAF/ILMY

"Winners don't always finish first but they always finish"

* * *

Below is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard the USS Winston Churchill to his parents. (Churchill is an Arleigh Burke-class AEGIS guided-missiledestroyer, commissioned March 10, 2001, and is the only active US Navy warship named after a foreign national.)

Dear Dad,
We are still at sea. The remainder of our port visits have all been canceled. We have spent every day since the attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of it. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated, I don't think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects.

About two hours ago, we were hailed by a German Navy destroyer, Lutjens, requesting permission to pass close by our port side. Strange, since we're in the middle of an empty ocean, but the captain acquiesced and we prepared to render them honors from our bridgewing. As they were making their approach, our conning officer used binoculars and announced that Lutjens was flying not the German, but the American flag. As she came alongside us, we saw the American flag flying half-mast and her entire crew topside standing at silent, rigid attention in their dress uniforms. They had made a sign that was displayed on her side that read, "We Stand By You." There was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and saluted.

It was the most powerful thing I have seen in my life. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks. It's amazing to think that only half-century ago things were quite different.

After Lutjens pulled away, the Officer of the Deck, who had been planning to get out later this year, turned to me and said, 'I'm staying Navy.' I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but this is it for now.
Love you guys.

And here is a picture of what we saw that day!!

http://www.wnd.com/images2/germanship.jpg

* * *

Sobering thoughts

From: Dr. Tony Kern, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)

Recently, I was asked to look at the recent events through the lens of military history. I have joined the cast of thousands who have written an "open letter to Americans."

Dear friends and fellow Americans 14 September, 2001 Like everyone else in this great country, I am reeling from last week's attack on our sovereignty. But unlike some, I am not reeling from surprise. As a career soldier and a student and teacher of military history, I have a different perspective and I think you should hear it. This war will be won or lost by the American citizens, not diplomats, politicians or soldiers.

Let me briefly explain.

In spite of what the media, and even our own government is telling us, this act was not committed by a group of mentally deranged fanatics. To dismiss them as such would be among the gravest of mistakes. This attack was committed by a ferocious, intelligent and dedicated
adversary. Don't take this the wrong way. I don't admire these men and I deplore their tactics, but I respect their capabilities.

The many parallels that have been made with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor are apropos. Not only because it was a brilliant sneak attack against a complacent America, but also because we may well be pulling our new adversaries out of caves 30 years after we think this war is over, just like my father's generation had to do with the formidable Japanese in the years following WW II.

These men hate the United States with all of their being, and we must not underestimate the power of their moral commitment. Napoleon, perhaps the world's greatest combination of soldier and statesman, stated "the moral is to the physical as three is to one." Patton thought the Frenchman underestimated its importance and said moral conviction was five times more important in battle than physical strength. Our enemies are willing - better said anxious -- to give
their lives for their cause.

How committed are we America? And for how long?

In addition to demonstrating great moral conviction, the recent attack demonstrated a mastery of some of the basic fundamentals of warfare taught to most militaryofficers worldwide, namely simplicity, security and surprise.

When I first heard rumors that some of these men may have been trained at our own Air War College, it made perfect sense to me. This was not a random act of violence, and we can expect the same sort of military competence to be displayed in the battle to come.

This war will escalate, with a good portion of it happening right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. These men will not go easily into the night. They do not fear us. We must not fear them. In spite of our overwhelming conventional strength as the world's only "superpower" (a truly silly term), we are the underdog in this fight.

As you listen to the carefully scripted rhetoric designed to prepare us for the march for war, please realize that America is not equipped or seriously trained for the battle ahead. To be certain, our soldiers are much better than the enemy, and we have some excellent "counter-terrorist" organizations, but they are mostly trained for hostage rescues, airfield seizures, or the occasional "body snatch," (which may come in handy).

We will be fighting a war of annihilation, because if their early efforts are any indication, our enemy is ready and willing to die to the last man. Eradicating the enemy will be costly and time consuming. They have already deployed their forces in as many as 20 countries, and are likely living the lives of everyday citizens. Simply put, our soldiers will be tasked with a search and destroy mission on multiple foreign landscapes, and the public must be patient and supportive until the strategy and tactics can be worked out.

For the most part, our military is still in the process of redefining itself and presided over by men and women who grew up with - and were promoted because they excelled in - Cold War doctrine, strategy and tactics. This will not be> > linear warfare, there will be no clear "centers of gravity" to strike with high technology weapons.

Our vast technological edge will certainly be helpful, but it will not be decisive. Perhaps the perfect metaphor for the coming battle was introduced by the terrorists themselves aboard the hijacked aircraft -- this will be a knife fight, and it will be won or lost by the ingenuity and will of citizens and soldiers, not by software or smart bombs. We must also be patient with our military leaders.

Unlike Americans who are eager to put this messy time behind us, our adversaries have time on their side, and they will use it. They plan to fight a battle of attrition, hoping to drag the battle out until the American public loses its will to fight. This might be difficult to believe in this euphoric time of flag waving and patriotism, but it is generally acknowledged that America lacks the stomach for a long fight.

We need only look as far back as Vietnam, when North Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap (also a military history teacher) defeated the United States of America without ever winning a major tactical battle. American soldiers who marched to war cheered on by flag waving
Americans in 1965 were reviled and spat upon less than three years later when they returned.

Although we hope that Usama Bin Laden is no Giap, he is certain to understand and employ the concept. We can expect not only large doses of pain like the recent attacks, but! also less audacious "sand in the gears" tactics, ranging from livestock infestations to attacks at water supplies and power distribution facilities.

These attacks are designed to hit us in our "comfort zone" forcing the average American to "pay more and play less" and eventually eroding our resolve. But it can only work if we let it. It is clear to me that the will of the American citizenry - you and I - is the center of gravity the enemy has targeted. It will be the fulcrum upon which victory or defeat will turn.

He believes us to be soft, impatient, and self-centered. He may be right, but if so, we must
change. The Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz, (the most often quoted and least read military theorist in history), says that there is a "remarkable trinity of war" that is composed of the (1) will of the people, (2) the political leadership of the government, and (3) the chance and probability that plays out on the field of battle, in that order.

Every American citizen was in the cross hairs of last Tuesday's attack, not just those that were unfortunate enough to be in the World Trade Center or Pentagon. The will of the American people will decide this war. If we are to win, it will be because we have what it takes to persevere through a few more hits, learn from our! mistakes, improvise, and adapt. If we can do that, we will eventually prevail.

Everyone I've talked to In the past few days has shared a common frustration, saying in one form or another "I just wish I could do something!" You are already doing it. Just keep faith in America, and continue to support your President and military, and the outcome is certain.

If we fail to do so, the outcome is equally certain.

God Bless America Dr. Tony Kern, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
Former Director of Military History, USAF Academy

* * *

General Hawley Speaks Out (Published as a letter to the editor for The Southern Aviator)

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, I have seen, heard, and read thoughts of such surpassing stupidity that they must be addressed. You've heard them too.

1) "We're not good, they're not evil, everything is relative."

Listen carefully. We're good, they're evil, and nothing is relative. Say it with me now and free yourselves. You see, saying "We're good" doesn't mean "we're perfect." Okay? The only perfect being is Jesus. The plain fact is that our country, with all our mistakes and blunders, has always been and always will be the greatest beacon of freedom, charity, opportunity and affection in history. If you need proof, open all the borders on Earth and see what happens. In about half a day, the entire world would be a ghost town and the U.S. would look like one giant line to see "The Producers."

2) "Violence only leads to more violence."

This one is so stupid you usually have to be the president of an Ivy League university to say it. Here's the truth, which you know in your heads and hearts already: Ineffective, unfocused violence leads to more violence. Limp, panicky half-measures lead to more violence. Complete, fully-thought-through, professional, well-executed violence never leads to more violence because afterwards the other guys are all dead. Not "on trial," not re-educated, not nurtured back into the bosom of love. Dead.

3) "The CIA and the rest of our intelligence community has failed us."

For 25 years we have chained our spies like dogs to a stake in the ground, and now that the house has been robbed, we yell at them for not protecting us. Starting in the late 1970's under Jimmy Carter appointee Stansfield Turner, the giant brains who get these giant ideas decided the best way to gather international intelligence was to use spy satellites. After all, they reasoned, you can see a license plate from 200 miles away.

This is very helpful if you've been attacked by a license plate. Unfortunately, we were attacked by humans. When we bought our spy satellites, we fired our humans, and here's the really stupid part. It takes years to infiltrate new humans into the worst places in the world. You just can't have a guy who looks like Gary Busey in a Spring Break '93 sweatshirt plop himself down in a coffee shop in Kabul and say, "Hiya, boys. Gee, I sure would like to meet that bin Landen fella."

4) "These people are poor and helpless, and that's why they're angry at us.

Uh-huh, and Jeffrey Dahmer's frozen head collection was just a desperate cry for help. The terrorists and their backers are richer than Elton John and, ironically, a good deal less annoying. The poor, helpless people are the villagers they tortured and murdered to stay in power.

Mohammad Atta, one of the evil scumbags who steered those planes in the killing grounds, is the son of a Cairo surgeon. But you knew this too. In the '60s and '70s, the marchers against the war were upper-middle class college kids who grabbed any cause they could think of to get out of their final papers and spend more time drinking. It is the same today.

5)"Any profiling is racial profiling."

Who's killing us here, the Norweigians? Just days after the attack, the New York Times had an article saying dozens of members of the Bin Laden family, living in America, were afraid of reprisals and left in a huff, never to return to studying at Harvard. I'm crushed. I think we're all crushed. Why don't they just change their names? It's happened in the past. How many Adolfs do you run into nowadays?

Shortly after that, I remember watching TV with my jaw on the floor as a government official said, "That little old grandmother from Sioux City could be carrying something." No, she couldn't. It would never be the grandmother from Sioux City. What are the odds? Winning a hundred Powerball lotteries in a row? And then a Secret Service guy gets tossed off a plane and we're all supposed to cry about it because he's an Arab? Didn't it have anything to do with the fact that he filled out the form incorrectly---three times? And then left an Arab history book on his seat as he strolled off the plane? And came back? Armed? Let's stop singing "We Are the World" for a minute and think practically. I don't want to be sitting on the floor in the back of a plane four seconds away from hitting Mount Rushmore and turn, grinning, to the guy next to me to say, "Well, at least we didn't offend them."

So, here's what I resolve for the new year: Never to forget our murdered brothers and sisters. Never to let the relavists get away with their immoral thinking. After all, no matter what your daughter's political science professor says, we didn't start this.

Have you seen that bumber sticker that says, "No More Hiroshimas"? I wish I had one that says, "You First. No More Pearl Harbors."

Richard Hawley / General, USAF (ret)

* * *

WE Will Not forget!!!!!!
I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List," asked myself, "Why didn't the Jews fight back?" Now I know why. I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, "Why weren't we prepared?"; Now I know why.

Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people. On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because theydidnot comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.

On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others. Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers. They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. Major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not replaying devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers.

I will not be manipulated. I will not pretend to understand. I will not forget. I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting. I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president."

I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington, DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington."

And I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely -- nor should they be expected -- to show deference."

I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on the United States of America. I will not forget the Clinton administration equipped Islamic terrorists and their supporters with the world's most sophisticated
telecommunications equipment and encryption technology, thereby compromising America's ability to trace terrorist radio, cell phone, land lines, faxes and modem communications. I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration.

I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport. I will not be influenced by so called,"antiwar demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities.

I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines. I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality. I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?"

There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must!"

I will force myself to: hear the weeping, feel the helplessness, imagine the terror, sense the panic, smell the burning flesh, experience the loss, remember the hatred.

I sat in a movie theater, watching "Private Ryan" and asked myself, "Where did they find the courage?" Now I know. We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living.

Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC (Ret.)
Not as lean, Not as mean, But still a Marine.

Keep this going until every living American has read it and memorized it so we don't make the same mistake again. " DO NOT FORGET"

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Afghanistan Detainees in Wantonamo Bay Detention

I have been taking part in moving the detainees form Afghanistan to Cuba since January. I am by no means an expert on them. I do have some observations and comments about there care, condition and general attitude. First I would like to address this to those out there that think that if they get to know us they will understand that what they are doing is wrong and they will be our friends. That we are not the bad guy we can all get along and that the better we treat them the more likely they are to understand us and become our friends. I know that after you did all that for them that you would be the first one that they kill, because you would demonstrate that you are the easiest one to kill. They have no interest in being our friends or understanding us. They want one thing, and that is the destruction of America and everything that we represent.

If hate and evil were a physical thing, which after dealing with the terrorists for the past ten months, I know that it is. You could see it roll off of them as it is you can physically feel it as you stand and watch them much less interact with them. This is not just my own perception everyone else that I have talked to feels the same way.

We have to take great care with how we treat them, any hint of rough treatment would start a witch hunt by the liberal press. As such we are very professional in our dealings with them. The US Army MPs that have to care for them in Cuba are doing a fantastic job just as those members of the USMC did before them. In many ways the terrorist are housed and fed better then there keepers. They are allowed to do things to the solders and marines that in any county jail in the country they would never be allowed to get away with.

You know that the Army plays a call to prayer for them twice a day. The Army evan sent a Muslim "Chaplin" to see to there spiritual needs. I understand he lasted a month. He wanted to be there he wanted to minister to "his people" his words. I would guess that he found out that as far as his people go he was still an American and such an object of hate.

with warmest regards,

M

PS. - You might be interested in this little tid bit. One of the Army controllers substituted Lee Greenwoods "God Bless the USA" for the call to the faithful. He did get two weeks additional duties for his trouble but all agree it was worth it.

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