At best, Hussein Obama is an agnostic leaning towards Islam. At worst, he is a Muslim working on the inside, against what he considers the enemy. Us.

Would someone translate the latin phrase at the end of each article. My formal education began in a two room school house on the Oklahoma prarie during the depression era and latin wasn't stressed.

Semper Fi I can handle from my years in the Marine Corps, the others I can only guess at. Thanks.

Well said...

Democracy? Pray they become a Republic - as we USED to be!

Mark:

Thank you for the thoughtful wisdom expressed in this particular Patriot Post. Your travels around the world help us understand what is occurring in the Middle East.

I am so thankful to have a source of thought provoking and realistic information such as what is contained in your newsletter. I am most grateful for the contributing editors and the vigilance with which they purvey the truth about what is going on world wide.

As a Christian and an Army Brat, I couldn't agree more with the sentiments expressed. I also want to ask "What are some people in government thinking..?"

Outstandingly and succintly put! I am filled with pride for you and for all our service men and women.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Mr. Alexander, thank you for remembering to capitalize "Marines" in this newsletter. So often many do not and "we" deserve it. The message was strong and to the point. My wife and I consider the Patriot Post part of our daily briefings, Thank You.

Excellent post! All the issues you have raised are valid and why Afghanistan will never be what we 'want' it to be. What is often overlooked is that the Iraqi 'Constitution' has much in it that is based on Islamic or Shariah law. This ties in directly what you have brought up here. We are at war with Islam, and that is in the Koran, as we are all infidels or Kafirs. Unless we convert(Islam will accept nothing else), we are doomed to a life as a second class person, at best under Islam and shariah law. Ultimately you are persecuted until they kill you or you convert.

No, the mullah in the White House does not get it, nor does he see it. he does not want to. He is a Islamosympathizer of the worst kind and is pushing an agenda of 'stealth jihad.' Jihad is Jihad, with the end result being the same.

This is one of the most excellent essays that I have read, lately. It should be required reading for every adult american, whether they agree or not.I wonder if we will see Mark and his essay in "Time Magazine"?

A local US Air Force member returning from Afghanistan was asked about her experiences. In essence she said that Afghan President was in effect the mayor of Kabul and had little or no influence outside of that city. The US in general (the State Department in particular) is used to dealing with the head of a nation state on a one on one basis. I agree. We don't know how to deal with Afghanistan as it presently exists. The Army strategy of building up the security in the individual provinces to create stability of civilian everyday life is the right approach but will take time. The US usually, unfortunately, does not show patience required for such a plan to be successful. At the smae time the US has to play the diplomatic game of Afghanistan as a nation state balanced against the local provincial leaders (some good and some bad) who hold the real power.

When we will ever learn that they are over here because we are over there. Bring all the troops home, end the wars and let our troops rejoin the liberty that we originally created with our founding.

Mr. Bryant:

Veritas vos Liberabit = The Truth Shall Set You Free

Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus, et Fidelis = Always Vigilant, Brave, Prepared and Faithful

Thanks to Mark Alexander for his comments and analogy of the current situation we Americans find ourselves. The photo of the heavily laden soldier on his knee said it all for the courage of our fighting forces. Kudos to the PATRIOT!

Mark,

POWERFUL essay. Thank you.

This needs to be published in the traditional media so the people who need to read it, can. Please consider submitting it to some of the papers there in DC.

As much as I loved reading it, I'm guessing you're mostly "preaching to the converted" here. If you get this in the Washington Times for example, then Fox News can pick it up and it will spread into areas where more Americans who really need to read or hear about it, will.

Plus, it will be good PR for the Patriot Post!!

Best,

The above thoughts reminded me of the following that I wrote after dove hunting and contemplating the happenings on 9/11. When I got home that afternoon I wrote this comment:

"The seeds of hate will ultimately be eliminated only when each individual wishes to be used for the maximum service to humankind. The destruction of people, places and things does not kill "all things" and Thoughts are Things. We must seek first to understand others and where there is hatred bring Love.

Unfortunately, that Love may have to be for future generations. The present seeds of hate must die in some manner. We must then be prepared to change the seeds to compassion and service, the operative words for LOVE."

Mel Preslar, Friday, September 14, 2001.

I wonder if the actions taken in Iraq and Afghanistan with the surges and fellowship from American soldiers are not in fact showing that America believes in Love. Also that the support of our fellowman from the tyranny of terrorists or Jihadist Muslims is now being welcomed! Are we slowly changing the thought process of the peaceful and loving citizenship of these two countries? Pray they we are successful!

When will it be acknowledged that Obama's foreign and domestic policies are due to the fact he is a Muslim. He and his handlers are hell bent to destroy America and sadly to say, are well on their way. People, journalist, talk show hosts are afraid to call it as it is. If you walk like a duck, talk like a duck...

After we get through Obama, will we be safe from the Right? Many good people on the right, however, some can do as much damage as Mr. Obama from the other end. We must keep Church and State separated, please!

My fear is, we will fly from one extreme to the other. IE.....a Christian community that will push on our society "their concept" of how people should live and think.

Many of us out here, are Christians......... we worship on Saturday as the fourth commandment commands....are we looking at an invitation for problems by putting so many Christians in office that will presume on the conscience of Americans and how and when to worship. Not withstanding the freedom of those who are not Christians.

Please, please, keep the separation of Church and State.

Great essay, as always, Mark.

I wish the conspiracy folks alleging that Obama is a secret Muslim (see comments above) would kindly stop embarrassing the rest of us on the Right. Even if it WERE true, it would be nearly impossible to prove, and in the mean time, you've made the mushy-middle-of-the-roaders feel that Conservatives are a bunch of nuts and the Democrats are centrist.

Obama is simply a committed leftist who truly and foolishly believes that if we just give him long enough, he can appease the Islamists into a brokered peace and spend enough of our tax dollars to create a European-style Utopia.

Is he sympathetic to crackpots like the Reverend Wright and militant leftist groups? Yes. Is he surrounded by people who think America is at fault for all the bad in the world? Yep. And it's scary.

But we need to spend our time on things that actually get us traction to win elections, namely, exposing the folly of (and damage caused by) his ruinous policies.

Chris

Deborah R: One thing you must understand is that the United States was founded on Christian principles -- rights come from GOD, not from government. There is no clause in the founding documents about the separation of church and state, except that there shall be no established state religion.

When the USA was a more religious nation, when people actually had MORALs and followed them, when we had intact heterosexual families, society and the country was much stronger. We are on the verge of collapse because of a move away from being guided by a power higher than us.

And Ohio Ralph, you are incorrect -- THEY are not here because we are over there. THEY have been here for decades, immigrating and multiplying, but not assimilating. Their goal is dominance and destruction of western culture. As a previous poster said, we must either submit or die. FWIW, one translation of "islam" is "submission." Their jihad is violent, or it's non-violent as in the courts or by groups like CAIR. We are over there to engage them before they can come to our shores, even though our inept leadership in Washington doesn't do enough to keep them out.

Thanks for this article. It reminded me of something I read years ago....The Jewish Religion is the religion of justice and righteousness, the Christian religion one of sin and sanctity. The Muslim religion, the ease of which to deal with the Jewish and Christian religions (kill the infidels). I learned that the true religion of Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the religion of service, the operative word for Love!

"Orthodox" Muslims embrace the Quran in its entirety as the unaltered, dictated word of Allah. Thus they could NOT reject jihad since jihad as warfare is a part of the total Quran wherein post-Meccan period verses ABROGATE certain more pacific Meccan period verses. In other words, in their narrative, Allah gets fed up with pagans, Jews and Christians not taking Mohammad seriously and gives the thumbs up to warring until all the world submits to Allah and "his prophet". The more violent verses of the Medina period abrogate the former because all the world must show SUBMISSION to Allah. In fact ISLAM means SUBMISSSION.

Alexander's essay, especially his comments about our young uniformed Patriots, truly touched my heart. The summary of the issue with 'jihadists' was excellent and the pre and post Medina references very astute. I am a double leg amputee from Vietnam (5th Special Forces Group, 1967) who was, by the grace of God, healed from PTSD.

Today I devote my energy, time and efforts in service to our troops, visiting hospitals and bases and sharing my own story of healing. Please have your military readers visit www.combatfaith.com.

--West Point, 1963

WOW! Amen! Excellent article! Thank you for writing this.

Thank you for giving an understandable explanation of the difference between our goals in Iraq and Afghanistan. I recently watched a documentary on NTGEO on Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province and it is a desolate area and the job our marines are doing there is incredible. Every American should be made to watch this. We sit here in our comfortable homes and have no idea what conditions our military men and women live in on a daily basis. Prayers for their safety are the LEAST we can do...we should be doing so much more for them. God Bless them...God Bless you for speaking out...God Bless America...and God help us if we don't wake up as a nation.

Let's see.....57 states....hmmmmmm.....

"We are not a Christian nation.....hmmmmmm ....

Yep, he's a leftist and probably an Islamist. I want him voted out because he's destroying our country, but I'm certainly not embarrassed about calling a spade, a spade.

Mr. Alexander, I commend you and the writing of the article. As as veteran of Viet-Nam, Desert Storm and OIF you couldn't be more dead-on. War's are obscene, but must fought in order to maintain the liberty and freedom that the limp wristed, lilly livered left so greatly enjoy. God bless our country, our freedom and our uniformed service members worldwide.

Mark, I have been an avid follower and reader of the Patriot Post for several years now and have continually been impressed with the clarity of expression and purpose you and your associates have presented. However, this piece was especially well done and critical to understanding the real issues faced by our leadership and our troops in the conduct of a just war against Jihadists. Your insight is truly incredible and your ability to make a difficult concept understandable is the best I have ever seen. I am a former Marine who fought and volunteered to fight again in Vietnam, so I have a small understanding of what it means to step forward and take a stand against something evil, even when few others see it that way. I and my comrades were constantly pilloried in those days, when we returned and especially when we volunteered to go once again. The media, John Kerry, and the Hollywood wonks were our worst enemies. And, I believe that they were the direct cause of the deaths of many I considered exceptional patriots and friends. Such is what our troops face today, but only from those from the left and those influenced without thinking by the media. These troops are and always will be my heroes and should be to any who adore and live in freedom. I pray for them everyday and know that those who read your words do as you suggest and pray for them too. they are by no means perfect, but they are brave and they are dedicated and they are where they are as volunteers who believe in doing the right thing, serving and preserving freedom, though the left doses not see it that way. You encourage me when you write things like this wonderful piece. It is good to know that someone gets it and wants others to have even a slight chance of seeing the truth by carrying to them in a big clear basket. Thank you for all you do and especially for putting your insight out there for all to see. I say all, because I know that the MSM will not publish any of what you have to say. But, I also know that those of us who believe and are brought to a higher level of understanding by your well crafted words will and do pass this on to others. We even pass them on to those we know have a left leaning bent. Some actually read what we pass on. That in itself is encouraging, because one day they may actually see the truth for what it is. Keep up the great work.

Semper Fi forever!

The great concern that I have for our troops and our country is the lack of ammunition production capability. It began under Bill Clinton and BRAC 1995 when they got rid of 15 ammunition plants (GOCO's of the United States Army). In fact, one of them at Twin-Cities had a high rate production capability which with Lake City AAP could produce all the small caliber ammunition we needed for a two front war. Today, with only Lake City AAP remaining, we have to purchase ammunition from the private sector or overseas. We had to purchase 800,000,000 rounds from Isreal early in the Iraq conflict.

We also lost our TNT production capabilities. We are now to 8 ammunition plants. We can not fight a major conventional war. This puts us closer to "Nuke" the enamy or surrender point. Thanks Bill Clinton.

I use to be the Chief of the Review and Compliance Division at HQ US Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command. I have the history of ammunition written and available for anyone who would like to have a copy.

I read the Patriot Post each day as soon as I get it. I like to have a conservative news view and for the most part the truth to read instead of the liberal trash that is on TV. There is one area you are sorely lacking and that is coming to grips with the fact that the 911 events were organized by people in our own government for the sole purpose of taking away more of our freedoms and helping to establish a one world government.

There is enough evidence in print that you should by now accept the fact that Bush and company are as guilty as anyone. Please do your job and print the facts, not some garbage the Federal Government wants you to believe.

In the Foundations of the United States, a good definer of Christianity was the Apostles’ Creed found in most “old Hymnbooks”. Our founders “ respected the Lord’s Day” and wrote in the Constitution, “If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten day (Sunday excepted)”.

The traditional day of the Lord’s Day in English speaking Countries was designated Sunday, the Founders held that position.

When this other “interpretation” of the Lord’s day came into existence by Mrs. Ellen G. White( 1827-1915) who was “called a prophet and spoke with Divine authority” in her church, this different “interpretation of the 4th Commandment pertaining to the Lord’s Day being on Saturday” thus entered the religious debates.

I am an American Christian, the Founders (1776) had respect to God on Sunday as the Lord’s Day and so do I.

The picture of the soldier, kneeling, reminded me of that picture of our Beloved George Washington, kneeling in the snow beside his horse, during the Revolutionary War. Yes, Dear normal American Soldier, the road does seem long, but remember, “And conquer we must, if our cause it is just, (and it is) and this be our motto, In God is our Trust.”

As Always, the Americans are praying for their beloved Veterans.

For God & Country

Ruth Ann Wilson

this is a great article. It highlights the terrible policies of Obama and the leftist radicals. I get so frustrated at their repeated failures to recognize and combat the Islamic threat.

Left out of your Warfighting 101 evaluation of US strategy for Afghanistan is the reality that, at some point, we are going to have to come to a political accomodation with the Taliban, or such portions of the Taliban that can be separated from its most extreme elements. It is probably true, as you stated, "There is very little chance that a functioning democracy, or much else, can be established in Afghanistan", at least in the short term. It is essential, however, that the Afghan government reach some form of accomodation with the various tribal factions, the largest and most important of which is the tribal group represented by the Taliban. I would think that the US military commanders in Afghanistan understand this and that the current operations are a step in that direction.

"On 11 September, that enemy attacked us, leaving a hole in a Pennsylvania field and collapsing not only our World Trade Center towers and one fifth of the Pentagon, but also the U.S. economy, which was its ultimate objective."

While the thought here is true, we did not lose anywhere near 1/5 of the Pentagon during the 9/11 attack. I doubt the percentage of loss in square feet there was even 5% but have never seen comparative figures. The Pentagon is actually one of the largest buildings in the world in square feet of space.

Thanks.

MARK, There is no one more supportive of our fighting men and women than myself. But there is a paradox in our expending American lives for an Islamic people. Islam is a political movement masked as a religon. In their Koran, they are told to kill unbelievers (jihad) their goal is world domination. Here we are freeing a nation that wants our heads. We are helping them defeat ourselves.

It's a mess. To learn more,go to:

The Pentagon has 6,500,000 square feet of floor space. Office space equals 3,800,000 square feet of that space.

The 9/11 attack damged heavily 185,693 square feet and destroyed 37,161 square feet, totaling 222,854 square feet for a total of just under 3.5% of the total floor space of the building.

Your figure of 1/5,or 20%, or 1,800,000 square feet of the building being destroyed is far too high.

This clarification does not alter the horror and tragedy of the attack but accuracy should be observed.

I could not agree with you more. Our great nation is in the hands of a fool, who, if not reined in, will open us up to more serious attacks. I just hope this nonsense can be corrected before that happens. The worst part is, these terrorists follow a man who was not only a pedophile, but a rapist, as well. Mohammad.

Is it any wonder why a man with three Arab names would want terrorists tried in civil courts rather than military ones?

As Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Obama would have to sign off on any sentencing of military combatants found guilty in any Military trials. He wouldn't want that on his conscience, if indeed he has one.

larry b understands it and get's it. dana shore shore is full of explosive gas.

Nec Aspera Terrent

Here are some other possible exports from Afghanistan I just found out about.

http://www.gems-afghan.com/articles/status.htm

I am 79 now and I was 15 in 1945. I still remember World War 11. During our Pacific war taking the Japanese forces who were in caves every where, we would have lost far more american soldiers were it not for the use of Napalm. This forced the enemy to come out.We are not fighting a nation now but terrorist so my question is : why are we not using this in Afghanistan .

.

I think obama would be better off as the President of Iran than President of the United States. With his propensity to campaign instead of lead, I think he needs to take his wrecking crew on the road and try to win election in Tehran or maybe Afghanistan, I think he understands those people better than us heathen Americans. Those people are already destroyed and with his leadership, he could actually make their lives more miserable than ours. The American people have come to the realization they are dealing with the oval office weakling riding a stationary horse on the merry go round of his narcissism.

The nations in this world have been trying to distroy us since our nation was born..They ALL hate us because we have made so much progress since the day we were born..

and yet none have tried to copy us,./

The reason we're at war in the middle East is we have an immoral bankrupt Socialist economy with TRILLIONS in debts, trillions in outstanding US currency and over 100 trillion in unfunded liabilities, that's debt owed to American taxpayers for services & benefits they paid for but haven't received.

This means lots of dollar printing for the foreseeable future-and worthless dollars, unless you can "make" the world use your dollars, why should the world use our dollars, we just print them-far more every year then we can provide in goods or services.

This adds up to several trillion dollars a year in "unbacked" dollar printing so instead of buying oil with our worthless dollars we have to steal it (Iraq) with guns or cut a deal with the mafia (Saudis Kuwaitis Nigerians).

America doesn't respect property rights.

This isn't about "terrorism" or "Democracy", this is about "resources".

Amen!

Interesting theory, Smitty. What evidence do you have that we are stealing oil from Iraq?

The Taliban supplies seed and payment to farmers for their opium crops and sells these crops to drug dealers across the world. Part of the proceeds go to support the farmers and their families, and the rest buy guns and ammo to fight the infidels, us.

It is not profitable for farmers to grow cash crops other than opium because they have no way to transport them to a market whereas the Taliban picks up and transports the opium crops for free. The farmers need not leave their homes.

Afghanis are 80% illiterate and do not understand why we are intruding in their lives that rotate around 7th century traditions, rules, and beliefs. In the meantime, we operate 14 centuries ahead in hostile territory, religiously speaking.

We are trying to install democracy in a country where the word democracy is foreign, the concept unknown, and the people do not want it. They only understand tribal rule, bedouins, worship of Allah and death. We are the enemy, the Infidels, no matter how you spin it, they want us dead.

There is some exploitation of gems, i.e. lapis lazuli, and some wood carving. For the most part, there is nothing in Afghanistan other than opium. The climate and the mountainous desert landscape are unforgiving to the average European or American. It is for this reason that civilized nations will never win a war in Afghanistan.

I think it is time for us to realize that global peace can never be secured through military force. Anyone who listened to President Eisenhower's warning in the fall of 1960 about the growth of the "military-industrial complex" would be horrified at its monstrous size today. Our "defense" budget equals the combined defense budgets of all other nations on earth! And we are far less safe now than we were in September, 2001. Read the book by a former career Army officer, Andrew Bacevich, "The New American Militarism" (2005). And this in a country which some consider to have "Judeo-Christian" values. Something is wrong with this picture. It is not a matter of "who's the bad guy" here, but rather, that we realize that we have lost our way as a nation and then do some collective deep soul-searching and praying, rather than mindlessly building ever new and expensive weapons systems (instead of investing in national and international human well-being - health systems, schools, basic infrastructure, dealing with global warming). Peace to and through all here (but not with armed force).

I'm a Korean War vet and I know I did not carry nor was issued as much gear as that ground grunt in the first pix. What is in that back pack????

I have to disagree with one part of your column: "after eight years of Clinton administration national security malfeasance, and eight months of the newly installed Bush administration's efforts to reorder national security priorities"

I'm a patriot, not a partisan. Democrats are not inherently evil, nor are Republicans all saints - and in this case, you're seriously revising history.

True, Clinton didn't succeed against bin Laden and the Taliban. But Bush completely ignored them prior to 9/11. Roll the clock back, and you'll find that Clinton deferred attacking because Bush was about to take office - and although the Bush administration was warned of the danger during his first week in office, they chose to defer it. (Time magazine, August 4, 2002)

Whatever reordering of national security priorities Bush may have done, in hindsight they weren't on the right course - and Clinton's were.

That's not a defense of the Clinton administration as a whole - even a broken watch will be right twice a day - but whenever patriots distort the facts to make an argument, they cross a line our founders wouldn't. Painful truth is still the truth, and Bush & co were asleep at the switch on this one.

I agree completely with John Stuart Mill's famous quote. However, because we are a Constitutional Republic the "supreme law of the land" requires certain steps be taken to insure such actions are in the best interests of the Republic, and not just a whim of the Executive Branch. When the U.S. Congress adhers to the Constitution by actually declaring war against some nation-state, or declares to the world community that it considers the Jihadist Muslims nothing more than well-organized international pirates, military action should, and must be pursued.

Tom: Time magazine is a really "reliable" and "unbiased" source of information.

Bruce asked for a translation:

Veritas vos Liberabit -- Semper Vigilo Fortis Paratus et Fidelis

I would say the Complete answer would be "The truth will set you free -- Always vigilant, strong, prepared and faithful"

The literal translation is:

Veritas vos Liberabit - facts liberate you

Semper vigilo fortis paratus et fidelis - Always remain awake, strong, prepared and faithful

Military personnel, of every rank or grade, are at all times accountable. Errors of leadership are not tolerated. Fireteam Corporal, Carrier Admiral,or Theater Commander. Failure in judgement or appropriate action results in dismissal at least---death an ultimate penalty. History is replete with examples;a recent one at Fort Hood. How is it that (civilian) leader improprieties or failures are not rewarded with similar consequence? A militry officer exposed in conduct such as William Jefferson Clinton, would be relieved of command, very likely courts-martialed (conduct unbecoming)with disgrace tainted separation. Inappropriate conduct, indecisive command,(endangering the vessel)has immediated military consequence! The Ship of State is now endangered by just such weak and inapproprate command. Captain Queeg should go!

We have two priorities:

1. Get Leadership in our Government that care more about our Constitution, where it came from (our Heritage), and how to protect the freedoms and rights it guarantees.

2. Reorganize our Government at all levels to engage fewer but smarter people who have wisdom and who are not corrupted by Greed, Power, & Ego who can put our Nation back on the road to Prosperity and regain our leadership role as a Strong Christian Nation with conviction to advance World Peace and promote Harmony amongst all people as we insure their human rights.

We must also stop the Global advances of Islam by rescuing their people from it's Evil hypnotic grip. We do that by sharing truth and understanding of a divine Creator who has compassion on all man. This was the foundation of our Great Nation but unfortunately too many of our own have abandoned the basic tenants upon which our Nation was founded. How many 9/11's must we suffer before our people wake up and support the "Re-Founding of our Nation"?

Fred Howard

Ileana: facts are facts. Reporters and editors do spin them to suit their agenda - on both sides of the political divide.

Richard Clarke's memo to Condoleezza Rice urging a strategy meeting on al Queada was written just five days after Bush took office; the meeting was finally held eight months later, one week before 9/11. That's fact, not media spin. The documents and timeframe are readily available for anyone to research.

Alexander is right that it's easy to criticize in retrospect, and that even the best military plans do not survive the first shot. But while none of us have access to all the inner workings of the Bush administration, his assertion that Clinton was 100% negligent and Bush 100% vigilant simply doesn't ring true.

You have really great taste on catch article titles, even when you are not interested in this topic you push to read it

I can not help but believe you have a deep sense of misguided patirotism. Who do you think is capable of predicting and assessing the threath to this nation. Our CIA, NSA? Aren't they the clowns who let the underwear bomber on with "red lights"screaming? Aren't they the ones who did not pick up on the Islamist training how to take off but not land. You think by not following our Constituion and slauthering an Ancient civilizaton that proves a stong America!!

George Washington said in his farewell address:

Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. But even our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand; neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences; consulting the natural course of things; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing; establishing (with powers so disposed, in order to give trade a stable course, to define the rights of our merchants, and to enable the government to support them) conventional rules of intercourse, the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, and liable to be from time to time abandoned or varied, as experience and circumstances shall dictate; constantly keeping in view that it is folly in one nation to look for disinterested favors from another; that it must pay with a portion of its independence for whatever it may accept under that character; that, by such acceptance, it may place itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favors, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion, which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.

In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish; that they will control the usual current of the passions, or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But, if I may even flatter myself that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been dictated.

You sir are the imposter. HITLER depended on people like you. De-humanising other people to fit nicely into your essay is very convienient. Killing our children with borrowed dollar becasue you think the only true exports from Afgahnisan or Heroin and Terrorism. I reject your Analysis as ignorant and more then likely self-interested.

Our founders warned us not to be the worlds policemen. We took over as the dominent world power from England who became weak trying to manage the entire world. Would you have us go follow the same course? Just becacue we do not murder innocent civilians in foreign lands does not mean we are disinterested in advancing the interest of our Country...it simply means that human life has value where ever on this globe it may be found.

You guys need to look into a story about the new administration settling a $1.25 billion dollar lawsuit for Black Farmers. Can reparation be far behind. As if the country can afford it.

Regarding "Warfighting 101" I certainly hope that this paragraph is not another apologetic for Islam.

"A borderless nation, indeed. The "Islamic World" of the Quran recognizes no political borders. Though orthodox Muslims (those who subscribe to the teachings of the "pre-Medina" Quran) do not support acts of terrorism or mass murder, large, well-funded sects within the Islamic world subscribe to the "post-Mecca" Quran and Hadiths (Mohammed's teachings). It is this latter group which calls for jihad, or "holy war," against all "the enemies of God.""

In my study of Islam there is no meaning other than the literal reading of the Qu'ran, or Koran, if you prefer, then the way it is being portrayed by terrorists. Please tell me, where are all of those "Pre-Medina" Muslims who are protesting what the "post-Mecca" Muslims are doing to their "Religion of Peace"?

What reason does a Christian or Jew have for defending another faith? Our God never called us to follow another prophet named Muhammed. I think some right thinking is required here, not the same mistake that George W. Bush made after 9/11.

Your article certainly tells me you're a conservative. Well,I think I am as much a patriot as you feel you are and I'm a Blue-Dog Democrat. I have one question for you Mr. Alexander. Why didn't the previous administration remain in full force in Afghanistan and find Bin Laden instead of INVADING Iraq ? Could it have been about OIL ?

I normally find Mark Alexander's essays enlightening and true, but I must take exception to two sentences from “Warfighting 101” (February 18)—

“Though ORTHODOX Muslims (those who subscribe to the teachings of the "pre-Medina" Quran) do not support acts of terrorism or mass murder, large, well-funded sects within the Islamic world subscribe to the "post-Mecca" Quran and Hadiths (Mohammed's teachings).”

“Jihadists, then, are characterized by the toxic Wahhabism of Osama bin Laden and his HERETICAL ilk -- those who would remake the Muslim world in their own image of hatred, intolerance, death and destruction.”

While both statements are true with regard to source references in Islamic writings, to call one “orthodox” and the other “heretical” is a false distinction. In western parlance, “orthodox” normally connotes “authentic,” while “heretical” connotes “unauthentic.” But no Muslims reject either the “pre-Medina” or “post-Mecca” writings; the entire Quran and Hadiths are recognized as authoritative. This is what makes it so difficult to establish reliable distinctions between “good” Muslims and “evil” Muslims.

Great analysis and writing Mark Alexander, as usual. I also appreciate the many excellent points and comments that your writings stimulate from a very smart and informed readership.

We should be more ashamed of our "leader" and more proud of our military than we ever have been. This article was a great way to remind us that the folks in charge are the wrong ones to be in charge of our country. Our military has fought for centuries to "protect and preserve" our Constitution, while doing so with their lives. Yet the people that are elected to do so, can't even protect our Constitution without being shot at! Time to replace those people with people that will protect our Constitution! and not try and appease the world. If they aren't willing to do so with their lives, (as our military is) then they need to leave and be replaced!

Just an observation regarding this passage -

"In a nation where most young people are devoted, first and foremost, to themselves, our young airmen, sailors, soldiers, coast guardsmen and Marines serve a much higher calling, true to their oaths to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic..." If only their civilian political leaders were true to the same.

Among other operations around the world, these young people, and those in their chain of command, have made enormous progress toward establishing a functional democracy in the heart of the Middle East, Iraq."

Supporting and defending the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic and establishing a functional democracy in Iraq are not the same thing. They get conveniently lumped together when a politician runs out of plausible excuses for why we are occupying, yes, occupying, a foreign country.

Throw in the unlikelihood that a country like Iraq will ever be able to sustain a legitimate Democracy and you have a really expensive waste - not just financial, but also of people's lives.

More attention by government turned inward towards our own country's problems please.

Mr. Alexander is starting to be politically correct in this article. The Obama Administration are a bunch of Socialist cowards and if allowed to implement their agenda, will destroy our Republic!

Again, a self proclaimed attitude towards mediocrity. A mediocre presidency, a mediocre military which will leave us vulnerable, a mediocre economy which will leave us unemployed, a mediocre health care system that will leave us sick, and a mediocre legacy which will leave us less than the great America which has always been the guiding light of the world. Until now.

RalphPierre

Lacombe, La

Let Freedom Reign

kj1110,

Very well said. I wish I could keep my temper down and express myself as well as you.

When I read the Patriot Post, I feel like I'm home and among friends.

What Mr. John Brennan really means is that "Opposition politics should never get in the way of Administration national security" Evidently Mr. Bennan has never heard of the admonition from Pres. Theodore Roosevelt that "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

Tom ( aka mot ),

You're quite correct, we invaded Iraq due to oil. Now I'm sure such an admission from a conservative gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. Well, hold on just one moment friend.

Saddam not only invaded Kuwait, he had also invaded Saudi Arabia and attacked our ally Israel. He clearly stated his plan was to invade the United Arab Emirate and Bahrain and then swing into southeastern Saudi Arabia and up for a final takeover of the Arab oil producing region. He also had killed over a million Iranians using WMDs in an effort to get their oil fields and slaughtered Kurds in his own country for the same purpose.

Saddam stated his purpose was to create an Pan Arab Nation, a frequent vision of Mideast megalomaniacs, gain WMDs, and then use them to intimidate the West, including the US. Whether you know it or not, like it or not, Mideast oil is vital to the lifeblood of the West, petroleum. To placate Muslims, he wasn't a very religious one but rather was a communist (i.e., radical socialist rather than a progressive socialist) he said he was also willing to eliminate Israel. The US took Saddam's blustering seriously and reacted accordingly. Of course the Bush administration adopted SNAFU from the beginning. Bush also violated the Constitution in launching an undeclared preemptive war based on shaky intel. But then the Bush administration was no friend of the Constitution, although I'd Mr. Obama is even less so.

But let me ask, are you really a Blue-Dog Democrat or are you a Liberal who wouldn't mind seeing the fall of the US as a democratic Republic with a few market economy to a socialist welfare nanny one-party state? Yes, I'll admit that what we've had for about 5 to 7 decades isn't true free market capitalism but crony capitalism. Believing in the Constitution, I for one oppose both socialism and crony capitalism and am willing to dust off the Declaration of Independence in order to restore the Constitution, particularly the now defunct Bill of Rights. What are you willing to do?

Mark states that "Afghanistan has only two exports-heroin and terrorism".

Whoever lets them sell their heroin is going to win their "hearts and minds", They really can't survive any other way.

What about working on a free market solution , ( with the drug co's?), to get them to buy their raw materials and use them to make morphine-( a legal and necessary drug with a big market).

Could even set up a factory for it there and really improve the economy--?

Too weird? Or too capitalistic for the current admin.?

And to "aldante"-(Feb 19) -You reject his "heroin and terrorism" analysis, but give no reason. Like to see your list of other exports.

About 5 paragraphs down, the paragraph that starts with "Among other operations around the world," You mentioned how we are making enormous progress toward establishing a "functional democracy" in the heart of the Middle East in Iraq.

Shouldn't we be trying to establish a Republic?

That's what our country is, and it's worked for us!

A democracy is also called a "mobacracy", for the soul reason that it is rule of all by the many. In a democracy the minorities have no rights! If you can bully, bribe, or "woo" a majority, whatever they say becomes law. They aren't bound by anything!

In a Republic, representatives of the people make the laws, and the majority has the upper had, but the minorities still have fundamental rights! Not to mention we have checks and balances to keep any one group from getting too powerful. They are also bound by the law (in our case the U.S. Constitution) and we can't break it. (in theory)

I keep hearing in the news, History class, Political Science class and everywhere else that we are a "Democracy", does anyone remember "The Pledge of Allegiance"? "And to the Republic, for which it stands..." Some people believe there is no difference, and they couldn't be more wrong, I would have thought you guys would know.

What do you guys think?