It’s time to stop hitting the snooze alarm

  • johnnyb
    Davenport, Ia
    Posts: 199
    #1250426

    When WWIII Started****1979

    This is not very long, but very informative You have to read the catalogue of events in this brief piece. Then, ask yourself how anyone can take the position that all we have to do is bring our troops home from Iraq, sit back, reset the snooze alarm, go back to sleep, and no one will ever bother us again. In case you missed it, World War III began in November 1979… that alarm has been ringing for years
    US Navy Captain Ouimette is the Executive Officer at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. Here is a copy of the speech he gave last month. It is an accurate account of why we are in so much trouble today and why this action is so necessary.

    AMERICA NEEDS TO WAKE UP!
    That’s what we think we heard on the 11th of September 2001 (When more than 3,000 Americans were killed -AD) and maybe it was, but I think it should have been “Get Out of Bed!” In fact, I think the alarm clock has been buzzing since 1979 and we have continued to hit the snooze button and roll over for a few more minutes of peaceful sleep since then.

    It was a cool fall day in November 1979 in a country going through a religious and political upheaval when a group of Iranian students attacked and seized the American Embassy in Tehran. This seizure was an outright attack on American soil; it was an attack that held the world’s most powerful country hostage and paralyzed a Presidency. The attack on this sovereign U. S. embassy set the stage for events to follow for the next 25 years.

    America was still reeling from the aftermath of the Vietnam experience and had a serious threat from the Soviet Union when then, President Carter, had to do something. He chose to conduct a clandestine raid in the desert. The ill-fated mission ended in ruin, but stood as a symbol of America’s inability to deal with terrorism.

    America’s military had been decimated and down sized/right sized since the end of the Vietnam War. A poorly trained, poorly equipped and poorly organized military was called on to execute a complex mission that was doomed from the start.

    Shortly after the Tehran experience, Americans began to be kidnapped and killed throughout the Middle East. America could do little to protect her citizens living and working abroad. The attacks against US soil continued!

    In April of 1983 a large vehicle packed with high explosives was driven into the US Embassy compound in Beirut When it explodes, it kills 63 people. The alarm went off again and America hit the Snooze Button once more.

    Then just six short months later in 1983 a large truck heavily laden down with over 2500 pounds of TNT smashed through the main gate of the US Marine Corps headquarters in Beirut and 241 US servicemen are killed. America mourns her dead and hit the Snooze Button once more.
    Two months later in December 1983, another truck loaded with explosives is driven into the US Embassy in Kuwait, and America continues her slumber.

    The following year, in September 1984, another van was driven into the gate of the US Embassy in Beirut and America slept.

    Soon the terrorism spreads to Europe. In April 1985 a bomb explodes in a restaurant frequented by US soldiers in Madrid.

    Then in August 1985 a Volkswagen loaded with explosives is driven into the main gate of the US Air Force Base at Rhein-Main, 22 are killed and the snooze alarm is buzzing louder and louder as US interests are continually attacked.

    Fifty-nine days later in 1985 a cruise ship, the Achille Lauro is hijacked and we watched as an American in a wheelchair is singled out of the passenger list and executed.

    The terrorists then shift their tactics to bombing civilian airliners when they bomb TWA Flight 840 in April of 1986 that killed 4 and the most tragic bombing, Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in1988, killing 259.

    Clinton treated these terrorist acts as crimes; in fact we are still trying to bring these people to trial. These are acts of war.

    The wake up alarm is getting louder and louder.

    The terrorists decide to bring the fight to America. In January 1993, two CIA agents are shot and killed as they enter CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

    The following month, February 1993, a group of terrorists are arrested after a rented van packed with explosives is driven into the underground parking garage of the World Trade Center in New York City. Six people are killed and over 1000 are injured. Still this is a crime and not an act of war? The Snooze alarm is depressed again.

    Then in November 1995 a car bomb explodes at a US military complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia killing seven service men and women.

    A few months later in June of 1996, another truck bomb explodes only 35 yards from the US military compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It destroys the Khobar Towers, a US Air Force barracks, killing 19 and injuring over 500. The terrorists are getting braver and smarter as they see that America does not respond decisively.

    They move to coordinate their attacks in a simultaneous attack on two US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. These attacks were planned with precision. They kill 224. America responds with cruise missile attacks and goes back to sleep.

    The USS Cole was docked in the port of Aden, Yemen for refueling on 12 October 2000, when a small craft pulled along side the ship and exploded killing 17 US Navy Sailors. Attacking a US War Ship is an act of war, but we sent the FBI to investigate the crime and went back to sleep.

    And of course you know the events of 11 September 2001. Most Americans think this was the first attack against US soil or in America. How wrong they are. America has been under a constant attack since 1979 and we chose to hit the snooze alarm and roll over and go back to sleep!!!

    In the news lately we have seen lots of finger pointing from every high official in government over what they knew and what they didn’t know. But if you’ve read the papers and paid a little attention I think you can see exactly what they knew. You don’t have to be in the FBI or CIA or on the National Security Council to see the pattern that has been developing since 1979.

    I think we have been in a war for the past 25 years and it will continue until we as a people decide enough is enough! America needs to “Get out of Bed” and act decisively now. America has been changed forever. We have to be ready to pay the price and make the sacrifice to ensure our way of life continues. We cannot afford to keep hitting the snooze button again and again and roll over and go back to sleep.

    After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Admiral Yamamoto said “… it seems all we have done is awakened a sleeping giant.” This is the message we need to disseminate to terrorists around the world.

    This is not a political thing to be hashed over in an election year this is an AMERICAN thing. This is about our Freedom and the Freedom of our children in years to come.

    hwalleye18
    Coon Rapids MN
    Posts: 163
    #451683

    This is all fine and patriotic, but can you tell me why we are in iraq?(W showing daddy he’s a big boy now)

    johnnyb
    Davenport, Ia
    Posts: 199
    #451700

    IRAQ, IRAN, and Afganastan have been the training grounds for these terroists for years. We can not allow them to freely conduct these training camps. That being said, since my employeer happens to be the Dept of Army I can not discuss my opinions any further. My attempt at posting this speech was just to ensure that everyone realizes that this is not an issue that started over night.

    hwalleye18
    Coon Rapids MN
    Posts: 163
    #451705

    Did we have full U.N. support?Did we find W.M.D?I am a patriotic person,But i think it was wrong to invade iraq bad intel. (W.M.D) and all.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #451707

    Quote:


    Did we have full U.N. support?


    United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 is a resolution by the UN Security Council, passed unanimously on November 8, 2002, offering Iraq “a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations” that had been set out in several previous resolutions (Resolution 660, Resolution 661, Resolution 678, Resolution 686, Resolution 687, Resolution 688, Resolution 707, Resolution 715, Resolution 986, and Resolution 1284).

    I have no doubt what so ever that Iraq had WMD at the time of this vote. Too bad we didn’t get in there sooner. Now we will likely need to find them in Iran, Syria, Jordan. This war will take a few more years to win.

    -J.

    farmboy1
    Mantorville, MN
    Posts: 3668
    #451719

    The WMD seems to be the poster child for why not to be in this war. To me the bottom line is that if they did not have them, why would they not allow UN investigators to verify this, they had nothing to hide, right? Seems to me like stuffing a candy bar down your thoat to show you don’t have candy when you are a kid.

    In 2001 Saddam stated that “we are not at all seeking to build up weapons or look for the most harmful weapons . . . however, we will never hesitate to possess the weapons to defend Iraq and the Arab nation”. Please explain to me how he is not stating the obvious, they are making weapons, if even on a small scale.

    It had also been shown that Sadaam had the means and the guts to brutally kill his own people, which leads me to the conclusion that he would do the same to anyone he felt was a threat. Maybe the US, or UN forces. Killing his own

    And get real, we all know who the UN really is. It is just the USA and a few other countries who are there in name only. We carry out everything the UN has ever came up with, our troops, our dollars, etc. We have to support our troops, and IMO we cannot do this by not supporting the war. Our troops can watch TV, and if they see protests everyday telling them how horrible they really are, maybe they will start to believe it.

    I will get off my soapbox now, with one final thought. To the troops, my hats off , you have my respect and admiration no matter what happens. These men and women put their whole worlds on the line so you may protest this war without a second thought. A very sinceer thank you once again

    david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    #451724

    We are in Iraq to provoke even more terrorist attacks in the future when we dont finish the job that we started once again(Afganistan.. Osama is still out there).

    Theres lots of people out there planning attacks on american soil today.. there isnt anything we can do about it because we cant even control our own borders, let alone another country… plenty of people already living within our borders… in fact, we welcome them in.

    Anyone thinking this war is going to detour terrorist in the future should wake up, its only going to provoke them further.

    This war was profitable for Mr Bush.. got him re-elected, and it is making oil more profitable than ever.. an industry he has his hands heavily into.

    I support our troops.. but I dont have trust/faith in our government.

    We cant even police our own country, how are we going to succeed in policing the world?

    I am not going to fall for some pep-rally snooze button speech. Its a violent world, these things are always going to happen across the globe and there is nothing anybody can do to stop it… that would be like trying to stop street gangs all togehter in the U.S… its not going ot happen.. get rid of a few, a few more take its place.. there is always someone else to step up to the position of power, same with terrorist groups.

    hwalleye18
    Coon Rapids MN
    Posts: 163
    #451739

    Well said there’s two sides to every story.

    heitda
    Eau Claire, WI
    Posts: 272
    #451740

    Quote:


    We are in Iraq to provoke even more terrorist attacks in the future


    The terrorist attacks have been increasing in number before entry into Afghanistan and Iraq. Leaving now would allow them to solidify and organize even more than before.

    For others who continually state Bush made us go to war. It was most ALL of the congressmen voting for the Iraq war, not just Bush. If you’re going to throw blame around, make sure you don’t just single out the one you want.

    Just leaving Iraq now would allow the terror cells and other entities to move in and sieze power making it a new terrorist state. You have to stick to a job until it’s done. Similar to reeling in a big fish 3/4 of the way and then putting down the pole thinking you’re done…the fish will swim away with the pole.

    Yes, there will always be others to take the place of those taken out. But make it difficult for them to organize and attacks will not be as well coordinated and as large scale.

    There is a lot to do with securing the country. We need our elected officals to stop taking bribes and working for their “pork” projects. Get off their butts, stop stalling, and make progress towards securing our country. Either that or stop making laws that make it difficult for the states to protect the borders.

    gary_wellman
    South Metro
    Posts: 6057
    #451743

    Don’t forget now, how long we occupied Germany (still there!), Japan (still there!), Korea (still there!), Bosnia (still there!)…….

    The only countrys we didn’t occupy post war was Vietnam for reasons not needed to say, and Iraq……..

    Maybe we wouldn’t have had this problem we are in today, if we would have never left Iraq in 92?

    gary_wellman
    South Metro
    Posts: 6057
    #451744

    By the way, word on the news is that Somalia is having troubles again……..

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #451746

    Dave, sorry, but your entire post is so weak. If our grandfathers thought that way we would all be speaking German. You simply want to give up. I don’t have much respect for that thinking. Really, none at all.

    Those of us who believe in what is right will keep fighting so peolpe like you can sit back and whine….that’s just fine with me!

    corey_waller
    hastings mn
    Posts: 1525
    #451749

    JJ I couldnt agree more!!!! some people seem to forget how they got to have the right to free speech.

    hwalleye18
    Coon Rapids MN
    Posts: 163
    #451765

    Who here has served our country for our freedoms?

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    #451768

    Quote:


    Who here has served our country for our freedoms?


    USMC >> 81 – 85

    -J.

    hwalleye18
    Coon Rapids MN
    Posts: 163
    #451770

    And i thank you.

    TBOMN11
    Circle Pines, MN
    Posts: 608
    #451772

    Sorry, guys and Jon….I apologize, bad week.

    1st. Marines, 1st MAW, 363rd Medevac..Qua Viet, South Viet Nam

    1968-70

    HM2/USN

    gary_wellman
    South Metro
    Posts: 6057
    #451774

    E Troop, 4th Squadron, 6th Cavalry……Ft Hood Texas, 91-94

    corey_waller
    hastings mn
    Posts: 1525
    #451779

    WOW
    TBOMN chill!!!
    guys,guys,guys lets have a respectfull debate with out any personal attacks. we can debate the subject giving our own opinions. there are plenty of people who are from the right and plenty from the left. when we talk politics people tend to get a bit ruffeled up lets just remember that befor we respond in an even higher tone

    jdbruesewitz
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 467
    #451773

    Does anyone here just want to go fishing

    hwalleye18
    Coon Rapids MN
    Posts: 163
    #451780

    What do you expect from a post like this.

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    #451782

    Quote:


    Who here has served our country for our freedoms?


    USAANG – 1990- 1999 147th FA.

    No, I didn’t see any active duty during my stint in the military, but I can tell you this. I was ready to. I owe it to every person who served before me, back to George Washington.

    And for you liberals who think we should just hole up and bury our heads in the sand, thank god there are Americans who believe this soil is sacred. I can’t say enough about all the soldiers serving this country and the new recruits who sign up every day knowing full well they are going to war. God bless you and your families!!!

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    #451798

    Co. C 1-409th Infantry , 1985-1991

    If we were allowed to take the kid gloves off, this thing would be long over and others would think twice about messin’ with the U.S.

    big g

    hwalleye18
    Coon Rapids MN
    Posts: 163
    #451824

    AMEN to that.Thank you all.

    Kooty i dont have any sand in my back yard.

    vikefanmn77
    Northfield,MN
    Posts: 1493
    #451828

    It seems to me that at least once a month someone tries to encite a political riot on this site. I really enjoy this site, and you people have so much info and know how, but i dont sign on to hear politics. A man once said that God does not charge a mans life time fishing, I hope that applies to talking about it as well

    Willeye
    La Crosse, WI
    Posts: 683
    #451870

    Quote:


    …but i dont sign on to hear politics…


    Maybe we need a new forum strictly for politics.

    Koot–were you based out of Salem? My brother (Clay Rees) is still with them but he may have started at the end of your time there. He just went full time with the Guard (training coordinator) and is now based out of Sioux Falls.

    Here’s my $.02 for the riot…

    I saw a great bumper sticker the other day. It read, “Don’t blame me. I voted for a veteran.” It was referring to John Kerry and the problems in Iraq.

    Yes, I’m one of those dreaded “liberals” but I do try to keep my head out of the sand. I’ve been told that I have my head elsewhere at times (up my ), but I do the best I can.

    Peace, love, and happiness.

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    #451872

    I believe Salem is 1st Batalion, we were 2nd. I probably spent summer camps on the same camps at him. Don’t remember the name, but then I can barely remember mine….

    Willeye
    La Crosse, WI
    Posts: 683
    #451874

    He did end up moving to the 2nd in 2003 and then went to Iraq for 14 months (January 04 to March 05). While he was gone, his son Myles OIF Rees was born. The middle name OIF stands for…Operation Iraqi Freedom! Seriously, that is his middle name. I’m guessing he’ll be the only kid in his class with that name.

    While Bush certainly is not on my Christmas card list, I love what our troops do for us, whether they are stateside or abroad.

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