Cease Fire by LTC Robert Lanzotti, USA (ret.)

The New Media Journal ^ | February 16, 2008 | LTC Robert Lanzotti, USA (ret.)

[K-oneTexas]

Cease Fire by LTC Robert Lanzotti, USA (ret.)

February 16, 2008

Friendly fire, in military terms, is deadly fire emanating from allied or friendly forces which mistakenly engages allied or friendly forces as apposed to intended hostile fire delivered by enemy forces. Friendly fire is an unusual euphemism since there is indeed nothing friendly about being mistakenly targeted by your own forces. Everyone remembers the tragic 2004 friendly fire incident involving Pat Tillman, the Army Ranger who traded his lucrative NFL football career for the opportunity to bravely serve his country, then died by friendly fire while engaging the enemy in Afghanistan. It is not an unusual occurrence as anyone who has been in one or more combat campaigns knows.

The unfortunate wounding and killing of innocent civilians in the war zone is referred to as collateral damage. And I suppose you could likewise refer to the deadly results of friendly fire as collateral damage. Certainly, both are never intended and the nightmare of all American soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen.

But let’s move out of the combat zone into the political twilight zone where there now appears to be a good amount of collateral damage within both parties, but more vividly on the side of the Republicans. Senator McCain’s emergence at the top of the heap has triggered a shock wave of discontent among staunch conservatives, the likes of which has not been seen in the span of almost a century of Presidential primaries. His senatorial history of reaching across the aisle with both hands on too many issues and occasions has not set well with the true conservatives of the Republican party. Predictably, talk radio has aimed a deserved and unrelenting salvo of friendly fire aimed right at Senator McCain‘s liberal tendencies.

Just minutes after Romney conceded his run for the White House, Senator McCain took his turn at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference podium. In effect, he said,…Cease fire friends, I stand before you as a loyal conservative…Really? If only he had a Republican Senator’s record to prove it. Clearly, he’s in big trouble with the evangelicals and conservatives of the party and he must realize that he desperately needs their approval to move his Capitol office to the Oval Office.

While the friendly fire directed McCain’s way is undoubtedly deserved and might in the future make him less eager to use both hands to reach across the aisle, it can be deadly and the collateral damage caused could very well nix Republican occupancy of the White House come 2009. In other words, we might win the battle by pointing out McCain’s shortcomings, but we could lose the war in the process. And by losing the war I mean keeping a Republican President in the White House and even more important for our country, winning the war against the Islamic fundamentalists. And don’t forget the assault on America’s constitutional and cultural values…President Bush filled two Supreme Court vacancies and the next White House occupant might very well execute that same important task. Need more ammunition, you friendly fire advocates?…Think increased taxes and continued run away spending, a la ear marks.

So, for the good of the party and to minimize further collateral damage…I, a loyal conservative Republican foot soldier, say to my fellow Republicans friends, “Cease Fire!”

[K-oneTexas]

I know this angers some. You have your opinion on this subject and post articles and comment about it in numerous posts. I do respect that and know you will continue to state your views on the best course.

However, after careful consideration on my part this is my opinion and I believe it needs to be said over and often. I do realize that I may possibly be in the minority on this, if that is the case so be it. That will not keep me quiet on what I believe to be the best course of action come November.

[Bear_Slayer]

If Son of Cain wept like Jimmy Swaggart on stage, apologized for stabbing conservatives in the back, and signed his name in blood to conservatives promises, with threat of public hanging if he reneged, then I might be inclined to vote for him.

Otherswise he can kiss my a$$.

[FunkyZero]

My only comment is.. the intro was lame... as if written by a high-school student. He obviosuly tried to connect it as an introduction, but it just didn’t work.
As far as the McCain thing... i’ts been beat to death already. We’ve all taken our sides and are just waiting it out now.

[Bear_Slayer]

Interesting intro,

but deceptive.

You are correct that sides have been chosen and the issue has been beaten to death.

[peeps36]

McCain will be the republican version of John Kerry. He will be another candidate who wins the nomination without the support of the party base. Does the republican establishment really expect him to win without the support of conservatives? I fear that both parties are really one big corrupt entity that works together for the benefit of a select few.

[SuziQ]

So, for the good of the party and to minimize further collateral damage…I, a loyal conservative Republican foot soldier, say to my fellow Republicans friends, “Cease Fire!”

Thank you, LTC Lanzotti!!

[TADSLOS]

More gloom and doom scare tactics. The war is also lost by opposing water board interrogation of terrorists, supporting the ICC, closing down GITMO, leaving our borders wide open and the homeland vulnerable as a result. I see no value in voting for someone who won't come to terms with those factors being of equal or more importance as the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sorry, McCain- you don't get to cherry pick on National Security and not get called on it.