I dont really care to start any debate on the subject and I highly doubt Ill participate in one should it develop, just thought some of you guys might get a little “F&*k YEAH!” moment out of this:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/allen-west-marines-incident-shut-your-mouth-war-hell_616699.html
His ending line is definitely one for the books.
Would LOVE to see him be the President someday.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Proud to say I worked on his campaign and helped get him elected. Great American Hero! We need more men like him. Unfortunately, he reminds me of American men of a bygone era…this is how most men used to be in this country. These are the kind of straight talking without fear of consequences, balls to the walls men and military Leaders that made America great! We need more of them. Particularly leaders.
I have been following him since seeing that first 7 minute or so YouTube vid.
I would love to see him continue in ever higher positions.
He must really piss off the socialists…
Hopefully his next stop is Sec. Defense
Thank you. Our country has always thrived under strong leaders.
I have to say, I am almost always impressed by what Allen West has to say.
And even his response to the Marines situation, he sounds like someone who has lead men in combat.
Also, playing “gotcha” with Allen West usually results in a verbal thrashing that liberals have a problem recovering from.
I like LTC West. It is a realistic opinion from a man who had lead troops in combat and who can sympathize, having gone through a similar event in his own career (Iraqi prisoner interrogation incident).
As far as the actual incident is concerned, maybe the Marines should have lit their asses on fire first, THEN pissed on them, so it would have looked more humanitarian.
I have fond admiration for creative thinking! American ingenuity. I Love it!
He is correct.
Unfortunately, while I agree with the general substance of West’s remarks, it is his intemperate “As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell" remark which will make headlines.
To assert that only those who serve in combat should voice an opinion with respect to the actions of American military forces is patently absurd. The military forces of the United States represent this nation whenever and wherever they serve and carry the flag.
The Constitution assures civilian control of the military. With good reason.
The military draws its members from civilian society, is funded by tax dollars, and returns its members to that same civilian society when they have completed their service. As a career military officer who has now transitioned into a political figure, West reveals an unacceptable level of arrogance and condescension towards the very public he serves.
You don’t have an accurate picture of the situation. Your emotional response precludes objectivity. Yes, everyone should be allowed to comment on the incident. However, some commentators have a more qualified opinion than others. When judging the quality of the comment, I’d have to place the quality of Col. West’s comment far above that of Leon Panetta’s, or the multitude of the hand wringer’s comments. He has the experience and the quality of character to have his comment considered superior to those who lack these qualifications.
Anyone who deplores the Marine’s acts, should in fact direct their derision towards the civilian authority you mention. It was their failed political actions that got us this war. It is their continued failures that are making this war approach the 10 year mark. Their willingness to sacrifice those soldiers and marines in their quest for global control of “hearts and minds”, begets us these events. They are directly responsible. If Panetta wants to hold anyone accountable, he should first address his culpability and that of his boss. Only then should he work his way down the ladder. That’s how true leadership works. Going on a witch hunt at the tip of the spear is a fruitless endeavor, for it is the hand that held the shaft that’s truly responsible.
West’s comments to the hand wringers are accurate. They may not be appreciated, but candor rarely is. Our politicos and wilting lily populace much prefers politically correct words these days. It’s so much easier to pretend that problems aren’t yours when candor is eliminated. 
Word. I’d take him over Panetta any day of the week, and thrice on Sunday!
While he says a lot of the right things, he shouldn’t be defending the incident. The vast majority of combat veterans don’t feel the need to piss on those they killed and have it taped for the amusement of others.
That said, good to see his mention of Gordon and Shughart. They aren’t remembered nearly enough for what they did.
This is why they made you an officer, Roger. The out of the box thinking. 
And I will strongly second those would believe LTC West should hold positions of higher responsibility in our government. I made several contributions to his Congressional election campaign, and will continue to do so. Our Army lost a great future General officer when he resigned. And I am aware of his reasons for resigning his commission.
As a former Marine infantryman, I would have willingly followed LTC West into combat. I can think of no higher praise for any officer.
I’ll stipulate the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq reflects an incredible failure by our civilian leadership in formulating a coherent foreign policy and providing the military with a clearly defined mission.
However, the videotaping and posting to the internet of American soldiers pissing on enemy combatants is evidence of a breakdown of military discipline. That single thoughtless act has done uncalculable damage to America’s reputation (think Abu Ghraib) and provided aid and comfort to the enemy.
Whether it’s our elected leadership or enlisted service personnel “pissing away” (pun intended) a trillion dollars of our money, the American taxpayers have a right to get angry and demand accountability.
Being told, in essence, to STFU by an elected official is total bullshit.
For sure he is a great man, officer and leader of men.
I salute him!
I must of missed that part of the article. Unless you were one of the armchair quarterbacks he refers to.
I miss the good ol days where the men were men and shook hands after the battle.
Of course that never really happened and the Pacific Theater of WW2 made this look like Sunday School. War does bad things to the head.
I’m not saying they were right, I’m just saying I understand. I’m all for appropriate punishment. But the more whaargarbl we do, the more it magnifies the problem. I’m sure USMC can handle this.
When I heard of the Iraqi prisoner interrogation incident, I thought that LTC West is exactly the kind of leader I want my young soldiers to serve under. If the Army had more leaders like him, the Ft. Hood terrorist attack would never have occurred.
For all intents, and purposes, he was talking to the mainstream media, who generally dislike the military, and his peers who felt the need to voice their opinion from a position of authority.