Lt. Col. Allen B. West

Washington Times ^ | November 6, 2003 | Stanley SrA. USAF 91-95

[Calpernia]

Letters To Leaders

All messages are published with permission of the sender. The general topic of this message is Defense/Military:

Subject: Lt. Col. Allen B. West

To: Sen. Charles Schumer

November 6, 2003

Sir,

With all due respect, this is the very first time I have ever written to a Senator. With regards to this fine officer and the plight he is in. I have attached the article below if you are unaware of his situation. As an American, and as a veteran myself, I am utterly disgusted, shocked, and ashamed that our Army is harassing this man and is even considering a court martial. These same people who are requesting this mans court martial would probably have something quite different to say if it were their loved ones lives who were saved by this mans actions. I can not express to you how utterly disgusted and extremely angry I am at this outrageous and unjust treatment of an officer who saves lives by using such tender tactics as these to gain information from an enemy who does not abide by, or respect any code, or human right. I mean are you kidding me! So he fired a weapon near his head and made a threat, BIG DEAL! LIVES WERE SAVED!!!! Hello? Is this thing on? Are you hearing me!!! Are we such a nation of weaklings that we would have our interrogators offer prisoners candy popcorn and maybe a comfortable seat on the couch while they decide if they want to cooperate or not! Consider the tactics of our enemy, yeah, I won't even go there as they are too gruesome and inhumane to even mention. This absolutely ludicrous and unjust action being considered against this American fighting man who saves lives and who gave so many years of his life in that effort is an abhorrent black mark on the face of what is increasingly becoming and embarrassing country to have sworn my allegiance to. And no, I am not ashamed of our president and his decision to go to war. I am NOT one of those. No, in fact I LOVE our president and I am all for sending a message to radical religious groups who have committed so many blatant acts of war against our country in the name of their religion. No Sir, what makes me ashamed is to read of our nation treating it's heroes, like this Man Col. West, like a criminal when his only action was to save lives. It sickens me. Absolutely sickens me and almost makes me wish I had never served. Almost. Let me just leave you with this last thought so that you understand. I say almost as I never served in our country's armed services for you, or any fed. No government agenda was ever a motivating factor in my serving. As though I was subordinate to the government and obeyed the orders thereof, my service was to the people who had gone before me and stood and fought and died for my right to impart this to you now. It is for their sake, and for their honor that I did serve. And it is for their sake, and for their honor that I am still proud to be an American and I will still stand and fight should my country call me to do so. I do not know how to make this any more plain to you Sir, this is an injustice that needs to be rectified. PLEASE do what you can on this honorable mans behalf. Also, thank you Sir for having taken the time.

Sincerely Stanley SrA. USAF 91-95

'Heroic' officer clings to faith Facing charges after foiling ambush plot, 'devastating' to be regarded as a criminal

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35447

Guilderland , NY

[Soaring Feather]

The prosecutors gave West a choice – face charges or resign early, losing retirement benefits. The 19-year veteran was scheduled to reach his 20-year retirement last Saturday.

An absolute outrage!!

[A Simple Soldier]

At risk of being the wet blanket here and the target of a large-scale incendiary strike, NO ONE on this list knows exactly what happened. Everyone wants to jump on this based on the media's account? The oh, so accurate media? Or the accused himself? Frankly, I have seen some info that make me lean toward the guilty side at least on some lesser charges. I have enough confidence in the military justice system, which is eminently more fair than the civil system, to let this investigation play out. There may be more than a little rough play here. As people who purport to be the highest example of civilized society, we should be leery of attempts to meet the enemy at their low to non-existent level of ethical behavior. I am not advocating we fight under the Marquis of Queensbury rules, but if we start advocating certain behaviors or excusing them, then it isn't long before we truly become "occupiers."

I am a little disturbed that everyone here seems to want to short-circuit the established procedures of due process we all reverently cherish as constitutionalists.

Furthermore, does it not bother anyone else that his wife played the race card immediately? Go back and read some of the initial articles. The Army is an institution that prides itself on being as close to color blind a place in America.

[Soaring Feather]

bump to the top

[Calpernia]

>>>Many higher ups appointed by klintoon

But what is very confusing is Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee was appointed by Bush. I'm researching this info now.

[lonestar]

I'm sitting at the computer thinking about what all I should be doing.

I just helped my mother get ready for bed and she introduced me to myself in the mirror again. It's so funny!

[McGavin999]

Thanks for the links Ragtime.

[Calpernia]

You can sign Weinie's guestbook :))

>>>she introduced me to myself in the mirror again. It's so funny!

Thank is rather sweet.

So, tell me, what did you say to yourself?

[Calpernia]

Thank you Cowgirl!

[Calpernia]

Thank you "Judge Simple"

May I ask why you assume nothing more is known?

And if you are supportive of letting it play out, you may do that. You don't have to join the email, letter writing, petition signing party.

Goodnight to you.

[sultan88]

Sorry if you have been multiple-pinged. But this is important to me. LT COL West is a hero and needs to be treated thusly. Please help keep this and the thread started by Jeff Head bumped!

[Polybius]

PRESIDENT BUSH----TELL THAT DIRTBAG J.A.G. TO DROP ALL THE GODDAMN CHARGES NOW!

Well, that's not how the rule of law works.

Better to go to court martial and get a ruling that Lt. Col. West acted appropriately in handling an illegal combatant that had no rights under the Rules of War to POW status or POW rights.

The JAG must be ruled wrong lest this happens again and lest other officers believe that it is their legal duty to handle terrorists with kid gloves.

[fatima]

Here's a bump Tonk.

[Hondo1952]

Thanks for the ping RC.

What have we come to? The military politicians now running things need to all resign and let the warriors take over. LTC West is the type of officer we need leading troops. He obviously learned the basic tenets of leadership, "follow me."

Where are you Jesse, you fraud? What about you Biggal, nothing to say? You both are cowards and frauds. Neither of you could carry LTC West's belt buckle. You finally have the chance to do something good and you run into hiding.

Letters written
Petitions signed

FREE LTC WEST NOW!!!!!!

[A Simple Soldier]

I was hoping we could discuss/debate this like adults. So, I'd appreciate if we could keep this civil.

First, I assume there is a whole lot we do not know about the case, so I am uncertain as to your first question. As I see it, many here seem to think they have all the info necessary to make a judgement and render a recommendation to the SECDEF. As one who has done military investigations, we know about 10%-25% of what happened.

Second, does not your tagline have a touch of irony in it in this whole episode?

Third, I hope he is found not guilty, because it would reflect poorly on how we try to educate and train our officer corps to behave in high stress situations. Recommendations from the Division Staff Judge Advocate to the CG like this are not made lightly, especially for so senior an officer.

Fourth, as one who is likely to face similar dilemmas shortly, I can honestly say that I do not know how I would react in the same circumstance.

I think you'll see that if he is found guilty, it will have less to do with the discharge of his weapon and more to do with the use of some soldiers (who have since been charged and convicted under a lesser form of military justice than the General Court-Martial) to rough up the prisoner.

This is not going to be an easy case. And the results will have serious ripples throughout the theater of operations, whatever they are.

[Calpernia]

Thank you Hondo!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

bump.

I have written. Hope to hear back from them.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Bookmarking for an e-mail in the am. Thanks, this is extremely important.

[flutters]

exonerate Col. West from this grossly misguided criminal prosecution

Bump

[Calpernia]

Evening to you VHAW! Thank you!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

I'll be on this in the morning. Thanks. I've been steamed about this crap for a while. Glad to be helping. Thanks guys and gals. :o)

Now I feel like I can do something besides be upset about this. Lets pass this stuff on to our e-mail addy's with the story and the links for helping. That is my plan tomorrow.

I'm gonna sleep a heck of a lot better knowing I can do something.