Down through the years, we who fought and watched
our fellow warriors die, have striven to ensure that
never again a screaming minority would presume
to speak for our nation in time of crisis and war.
But today, those ignorant of war and arrogant of
character once again sally forth to lose us a war
on the streets of America. They cannot be
allowed to once again rob an Army in the field
of a hard-fought victory.
This is not about being a Democrat,a Republican
or just voting for someone as a protest.
This is about blood and treasure not wasted in a war,
simply for a chance to “Change” — simple
revenge.
These are the facts;
(1) We have suffered few casualties in
this war. But even one dead soldier is too
much to expend for nothing. The “Change”
for leaving any battle without victory is simply
nothing. After Election Day is not the time
to scream, “Where is my ‘Change’”? As if you
just got stiffed at the soda fountain.
(2) There is only one candidate for President
who can even address war in real terms.
This is no debate about tactics or strategy
because only one candidate has the experience
to even broach these subjects. This is evident
by the fact the other candidate wants “Change”
from a winning strategy to surrender for simple
“Change” sake.
(3) Unlike some of my fellow retired officers,
I will not pander to a defeatist strategy simply
for “Change” or revenge for some perceived
personal or professional affront. For to pander is to
pimp, and this retired officer pimps for no man or woman
on this earth and that includes John McCain.
A Positive for President Bush
On the Democratic side, there will be those
who will declare they are the party that
cares about soldiers and veterans of all
wars.
Yet only this President signed so
that American wounded veterans were not
robbed of military retired pay in order
to draw V.A. disability. After decades of
political robbery, that, my fellow Americans,
is “Change.” The kind that jingles in
the pocket of he who has borne the battle
for the rest of us.
Every election the candidates for both parties claimed, prior
to the election, they would '”Change” the
sorry rules and stop the robbery. But only
this Commander In Chief did exactly that.
There is much I have disagreed with Sen.
John McCain about down through the years.
Some of these things were so important that
I personally detested hearing his very name.
But as strongly as I have felt,I will not
support a military and national defeat for
simple revenge.
The stakes are too high, and
I will not succumb to pandering from the
political right or left.
Running from a very low-intensity war for simple “Change” is
not an option.
We must defeat our enemy and avenge our dead of Eleven September
2001.The Democratic candidate has no
plan for this, and he believes that the maniacs
who attacked us can be appeased by pandering.
Again, we do not need a pimp.
We need a President. Pandering is pimping.
Who Cares?
Frankly I do not care what color or gender
the next President may be, but I will not
support a quitter.
Everyone is so concerned about what Barack Obama’s religion may be
and so am I.He has the same religion as Nancy
Pelosi and Harry Reid.It is the faith of Jesse
Jackson and Ted Kennedy.They worship at the
altar of quitting in the church of pandering.
It was the following of this false God that has
cost us lives,treasure and our rightful place in
this world and not our pursuit of “unjust
wars.”
Never again.
So you want”Change”?
I can give you “Change” myself,after careful thought and professional
evaluation.
I support John McCain for President.
So Jesse and Ted K, pimp that ride.
You of Washington, New York and Hollywood elite may be
shocked in your egos to know it is more important
for me to say the above than anything any of you
will say in this critical time in our history.
Some have an earned right to comment and some
were merely born with the ability to impersonate
real men and women.
I call on my fellow warriors to concentrate on today and our very best in
harm’s way.
This in no way should be viewed as
agreement with what too many we must support today,
did yesterday and continue to defend today. But to
throw away victory and the lives of our troops
spent today,would make us too much like those we
have always opposed.
John do not screw this up, and you had best address my
concerns and the concerns of those like me.
There will be no more chances. To some of my fellow RPWs who
made baseless attacks on me and others from our tiny
group, make no mistake. Nothing you have said in any
way drove this decision. But unlike you, my lodestar has
always been what is right for my country and those who fight
today.
I choose this for my legacy, and nothing else
matters.
God Bless America and her brave.
Maj. Mark A. Smith, U.S. Army (ret.), served in Vietnam. He was a Prisoner of War.
