Memorial Day and My Thoughts on Delegate Bob Marshall's GeoStrategic Thinking
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:45PM 
(York Town 2007)
Memorial Day calls upon all Americans to take a day and reflect on the sacrifices Veterans have made for our country. Our first veterans gave their lives as we fought with England in the French & Indian Wars along our western borders. This of course was followed by the American Revolution, and the War of 1812, which were fought solely on American Soil and the high seas.
The Mexican American War pushed our young country westward, and many of those veterans fought in the War Between the States, (Northern Aggression) a dozen years later. The development in arms technology and tactics brought our nation finally to a proficiency to actually be able to project power overseas, which we successfully did in the Spanish American War. We secured our position in the Caribbean, and won territories in the Pacific, namely the Philippines islands.
Later we came to the aide of the French & English in WW1, with our motto being "Lafeyette, We Are Here!" Unfortunately, the USA withdrew inward, and we down graded our War fighting abilities so much; we had to play catch up with the outbreak of WW2, and even eight years later in the Korean conflict. A new enemy had emerged after the dictators of WW2, the Russian Bear, who threatened to take the war to our shores for the first time since the early 1800's.
We were able to break the Soviet Union economically, and never fire a shot because we did not decimate our armed forces as drastically as we did after WW1, and we kept our forward bases won in WW2 in an 'Forward Defense' Strategy. We had a powerful naval and Air Force, and we kept the Army and Marines deployed in Korea, Japan, Italy and Germany. This deterred the Soviet Bear, and we won. Europe has also seen an almost unprecedented 60 years without major war on the continent during this time.
We also owe a great deal of debt to the Vietnam Veterans who stood up for the Freedom of others, only to have their efforts thwarted by political opportunists here at home.
That is what I see so lacking in Delegate Bob Marshall's short sighted view of withdrawing our forces from Europe and placing them on our southern border with Mexico. When we were attacked on 9-11, those European bases were critical in our taking of Afghanistan so rapidly. They were and are now crucial to sustaining our forces in the Middle East, and they cement our economic ties to the European and Asian countries we maintain them in.
Our American citizens are safer today because our Armed Forces keeps our enemies at bay, over seas. That we haven't been attacked on our soil since 9-11 isn't proof enough? We have the most porous borders of any nation, I will grant you that, but our security has hinged on Forward Defense, and always will, until some one like Obama gets into office, and starts withdrawing our troops, and shrinking the size of our land, naval and air forces.
I would hope Bob Marshall would reflect on this sacrifice that Veterans have and are making at this moment overseas, and get away from knee jerk policies that decrease our security. He has a 'bumper sticker' slogan at best strategy on the issue, and it really doesn't impress me one bit. President Bush could secure those borders over night with the military and police assets we presently have in the USA, he just doesn't want to do it.
Meanwhile Governor Jim Gilmore served his nation as a Veteran, and was trained in Army Intelligence. He chaired the Gilmore Commission pre 9-11, and only after 9-11 did Congress wake up and invoke 2/3rds of the Commissions work into current defense/preparedness policy concerning Terrorism.
Governor Gilmore can walk into any American Legion or VFW Hall and stand proudly among fellow Veterans, something that Governor Mark Warner, nor Delegate Marshall can not do. Getting our Veterans to the polls will be crucial for us in this election and a McCain - Gilmore Ticket will do that with seamless credibility. A credibility that unfortunately Senator Jim Webb had that Senator Allen did not, and look at that outcome. A Ton of Vets voted for Jim Webb.
The choice is clear this next Saturday, we need Governor Gilmore as our candidate for US Senate. He is uniquely qualified for the job. I hope you see why I am adament in supporting him for the security of our Country.
Sincerely
Chris Green
aka
Spank That Donkey
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Reader Comments (12)
By that logic, John Kerrey should have waxed George W. Bush.
The fact is, Germany is no longer a front-line state. It hasn't been for almost ten years. We already have troops in Romania, with a deal on the way in Bulgaria, and we're helping to modernize the Polish military.
Meanwhile, drug dealers and al Qaeda are taking advantage of our porous border, and only Marshall is willing to take this threat head on.
Almost nobody likes Bush anymore. The further our Party distances ourselves from Bush and his malicious Neocon agenda, the more likely Republicans will have a chance to win in November. Jim Gilmore is seen by most Virginians as a Bush lackey. He is simply the wrong candidate for a post-Bush era (error) election.
I am a Veteran and I am supporting John McCain (not my first choice, but better than Osama Obama). I have absolute faith in Bob Marshall. Bob has shown that he will defend the Constitution and that he will roll up his sleeves and go to the Supreme Court if necessary, to help restore our Liberty and ensure Constitution-based government.
Because of his outstanding courage and devotion to his legislative duties, Bob Marshall has earned the respect of Veterans, like me. I am confident that in a race against Mark Warner, my fellow Veterans will happily support Bob Marshall, because we know that Bob will fight to ensure Liberty and Justice for ALL Americans.
J. Tyler Ballance:
This is simply a response lacking any truth to it. Governor Gilmore stepped down as RNC chairman because he REFUSED to be a "bush lackey"! Karl Rove and Bush wanted to have Gilmore simply be a talking head for them in the RNC chair position, and he REFUSED. He withdrew from the position because he has principal as to what it means to be a Republican.
These are the facts, no matter how the Bob Marshall supporters try and spin them.
We may never know how much of a Bush lackey Jim Gilmore is/was. The point is that the voters mostly see Gilmore as being, "more of the same" when it comes to their disgust with Bush.
It is unfortunate, but many otherwise good people are going to be unelectable in November because voters will be voting against anyone who they see as being part of the Bush team.
Bob Marshall doesn't have that baggage. Jim Gilmore will need a miracle to shake his image as a Bush Neocon lapdog. It doesn't help that Gilmore's position on National Security is exactly the Bush position, including the suspension of our Constitution.
Bob Marshall is our Champion of the Constitution who will fight to restore our Liberty.
With Bob Marshall as our nominee, Republicans will send a clear message that we are moving away from the Bush Neocon, anti-Constitutional approach to governance and forward to an era where the God given Rights of all Americans are respected and shall be enhanced.
JT has been heard from again. He keeps coming down from NY to tell us how to run this state.Why doesn't he fix NY first. Governors up there have been Socialists, whoremongers, RINO's, etc. JT, get on board with Mike Long up there and turn the bluest state atleast purple.
"With Bob Marshall as our nominee, Republicans will send a clear message that we are moving away from the Bush Neocon, anti-Constitutional approach to governance and forward to an era where the God given Rights of all Americans are respected and shall be enhanced."
With Bob Marshall, we would also send a message that we want a candidate that is inarticulate and prone to ill-informed statements. That we want a candidate that will be mired in controversy.
By the way, how many attacks have happened in the US since 9/11?
"By the way, how many attacks have happened in the US since 9/11?"
Yankee, How many civil liberties and Constitutional rights have been taken away since 9/11?
John,
"He withdrew from the position because he has principal as to what it means to be a Republican."
Cite a source before I reveal all the jobs Jim's been fired from with Republicans, including the RNC.
Being given the courtesy of resigning to avoid humiliation and quitting on the basis of righteous principals are two different things.
Yankee
How dare you attack a veteran by saying he should fix things in NY and not tell us what to do. Liston to yourself. Is this what we have become in this country, that we would tell those who have put thier life on the line for our freedom to shut up and go away. Let me be the first to thank J. Tyler Ballance. Thankyou for your sacrifice so that I can live in this great country in peace. I think this country would be a lot better off if WE would shut up and listen to our veterans.
Eric,
Do you recall Gilmore getting the "Defender of the Constitution" award at CPAC in 2001?" Or was that a rant not against Gilmore, but just Republicans as a whole destroying Constitutional liberties?
Here's my source:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zLzUxTi1uQI
hmmm, sure sounds like a Bush Lackey to me... Did you even watch this debate? Do you have any idea why Matthews asked that question?
Oh, by the way, J. Tyler Ballance: I'm sorry to see that you're using outright and blatant lies at this point:
"Bob Marshall doesn't have that baggage. Jim Gilmore will need a miracle to shake his image as a Bush Neocon lapdog. It doesn't help that Gilmore's position on National Security is exactly the Bush position, including the suspension of our Constitution."
Your statement here shows you've done ZERO research into anything homeland security related with regards to Governor Gilmore. If you even bothered to read a portion of the Gilmore Commission Report the absolute stress is on protect the Civil Liberties of the People of the United States.
If you actually bothered to read to the Gilmore Commission Report, you'd understand that he in no way recommends "suspension of the Constitution" I've seen a lot of lies, but jeez, this is ridiculous.
Governor Gilmore spent 5 years of his life discerning the best methods to defend the United States of American, and OUR way of life.
Lauren:
PhilBilly knows who the Veteran is in this race. Governor Gilmore served in US Army Intelligence during the Cold War in Germany, and is fluent in German.
Where was Bob Marshall during this time.. He told us at the Waynesboro Mass Meeting he was a Democrat then....
Take from that what you will.... but yes I agree with you, we should be listening to our veterans, and that is Governor Gilmore.
btw: PhilBilly is a retired NYC Cop who worked the World Trade Center/9-11 from Day 1...and a masters degree in public policy. He has more than enough room to talk.
While I will not be voteing for Gilmore I definatly am glad he is active in the party. I for one am not telling anyone to shut up, just be respectful to our vets. They deserve a voice becouse they have earned it. I think it is healthy for the party to hear from everyone.