An American Terrorist Says Hello

Hello. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Michael and I am a sailor in the United States Navy. I have served in the Navy for nearly 20 years. I am going to retire and go home to Philadelphia in December. I am, according to reknown TV personality, and apparent foreign policy and engineering expert, Rosie O'Donnell, a terrorist.

Over my term of service to my country, I have been called many things. Being in the Navy has afforded me the opportunity to travel the world and to meet a variety of people. I have been called a 'hero' by Viet Nam vets and from a man who owned a restaraunt in Haifa, Israel. I was called 'friend' by a Greek in the city of Rhodes and was given many thanks from the citizens of New Orleans for helping them to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

I have defended the interests of my country in three different wars. In the First Gulf War, my command aided Kurdish refugees with humanitarian supplies. In the Balkans, I helped throw back the aggressive Serbs and put an end to their genocidal practices in Kosovo. In the Caribbean, I chased and helped capture drug smugglers who poison our children with their 'product'. In 2003, I participated in the overthrow of dictator, criminal and human rights abuser, Saddam Hussein. I returned to the Gulf in 2005 and resumed my mission. Everywhere I have gone, I have fought for liberty, the security and the safety of other people.

But, according to the wisdom of Rosie O'Donnell, I am a terrorist.

I strongly believe that Ms. O'Donnell is greatly mistaken in her concept and definition of just what a terrorist is. A terrorist, by Webster's dictionary, is one who uses terror to accomplish a political end. The only "end" I have pursued in my career is the safety of others and to defend them against aggression.

In the beleagured nation of Iraq, Islamic extremists have pursued a campaign to put an end to the spread of democracy in the Middle East. The insurgency is being funded and aided, militarily, by elements of the group known as Al-Qaeda and by the governments of Iran and Syria who fear a democratic regime on their doorstep.

In this extreme version of Islam, women would become slaves and the people would fall under the rule and whims of mullahs instead of being able to rule themselves. Their rights and liberties would be determined by a few instead of by the many.

Rosie O'Donnell is mistaken in her definition of the word terrorist; just as she is in a great number of things. Unlike these people, I do not believe in the selfish and dictatorial practices of 'one man rule'. I do not enforce my religious beliefs upon others. I do not blow up markets or kidnap people and leave their dead bodies laying in some river. I do not behead prisoners of war nor do I make threats against civilians.

Nor do any of my comrades in arms in the US Army, Air Force, Coast Guard or Marine Corps.

Unlike Rosie O'Donnell, I know what it is like to be dedicated to something and to show loyalty to my friends and co-workers. After seeing the world, I also know what it is like to not be able to enjoy the freedoms we do in a democratic society. Ms. O'Donnell would prefer it if American soldiers left Iraq to the wiles of Islamic extremists and the predatory desires of Iran and Syria. I would much prefer if the people of Iraq were allowed to determine their own path and to rule themselves freely.

I have been to Israel and the Middle East and have seen with my own eyes what real terrorists do to people and the society which they infiltrate. I know fully the difference between right and wrong; good and evil. I have seen, with my own eyes, the sacrifices people have been willing to make in the name of freedom and security.

But, still, according to the all wise and knowing Rosie O'Donnell I am a terrorist?

Ms. Rosie O'Donnell has no idea, whatsoever, what it means to 'sacrifice' for anything or for anyone. She is a selfish, self centered woman who allows her ignorance of facts to determine her beliefs. She relies not on truth but upon propaganda and malicious rumors and loudly relays them on national television. Ms. O'Donnell has no concept of just what a 'terrorist' is. She is not a journalist nor is she professional by any means and I recommend that she, at least, ask someone who has lived under terrorism just how they feel about it instead of just spouting off her own misled and misinformed opinions before the world.

I stand fully behind my friends and fellow servicemen in Iraq. They are good men and women doing a job that no one else who stayed behind on the safety of their sofas know anything about. I know this from having served side by side with these men and women for nearly 20 years. They are my friends, my comrades and my family. I don't betray either of those for anyone let alone for politics.

If I am a terrorist, then I am in very good company for I follow in the footsteps of those who gave their lives at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, the Somme, Iwo Jima, Chosin Resevoir and Viet Nam.

So, as they say in Alcoholics Anonymous, I repeat with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Hello, my name is Michael and I am an American terrorist. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

We Come In Peace ....

Do you remember those old 1950s science fiction films where the alien spaceship lands near the Washington Monument and some alien in a silvery space suit steps out, raises his hand in supplication and says ... "we come in peace"?

You do? Then you might remember the next scene ...

Where the alien blasts the surrounding crowd with a ray gun!

I find it often very funny how life imitates art ... or is it art imitating life?

Our new 'aliens' nowadays come not from an far off planet but from a far off country in the Muslim lands of the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The right thing to do is not to judge a book by it's cover. We try, or at least should try, to look at everyone with an open heart and an open mind. Even when I was a little boy, my mother had always taught me to treat everyone the way I wanted to be treated until they gave you a reason not to. I believe that it is called the Golden rule.

I am trying very hard not to get to that point where I will look at anyone who calls themselves a Muslim as being a possible terrorist but when 6 men are arrested for planning a terrorist attack upon the US Army base at Ft. Dix, New Jersey I cannot help but be suspicious of their intent.

Then, when I am not looking, I find that a Hamas sponsored video was played on a US Government Arab speaking channel which implored people to perform violent acts of terror upon the State of Israel.

I do not want to choose sides in this conflict but it is fast becoming a time when I will have no choice but to do so. I know that there are good Muslims ... there are also very good Jews and Christians too. Still, if I have to choose, I may someday have to choose to support my brothers in Jerusalem over my brothers in Mecca.

Jesus was a Jew ... Mohammad was not. It's that simple.

Until then, I will abide by the Golden rule and my mother's teachings.

All the while watching over my shoulder very carefully because sometimes, the aliens do not always come in peace.

The Press Determined to Give Up Hero of Ft DIx

In Japan, they practice something called 'Responsible Journalism'.

In America, we practice 'Whatever sells'.

The reporter who wrote this article should be tarred and feather with a sign stating "I collaborate with terrorists" hung around his neck for he has done all but name the man who helped authorities capture the Ft Dix Six.

What did they do? They gave up the city he lives, where he works and what month he spoke with the terrorists.

When the terrorists avenge themselves, I hope that this reporter will be sure to send his condolences to the man's family. As a commentator posted on the article: "But I can't help but want to smack this reporter upside the head for giving out this kind of information on a private citizen who was just trying to do his part".

... and they say that the liberal media does not support terrorism?

Securing the Land of Liberty

"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it." ~ Daniel Webster

In this age of violence, it is important to many to have a sense of security. We all crave it and will guard the safety of our families and friends with our lives. However, sometimes all is not what it’s cut out to be. A false sense of security is a dangerous trap to fall into. Unfortunately, it is one that I feel that many Americans, particularly those on the left, have already found themselves lured into.

Those on the left, the liberals, the Democrats, talk too much. They feel that negotiation will solve all the problems in the world. Let me rephrase that. It’s not so much negotiation that the Democrats and their liberal contingency want as much as it is appeasement of an enemy which wants to usurp and to destroy the United States. They are willing to sell out our nation for a false sense of security. Like Neville Chamberlain, the Democrats talk so much and are so willing to compromise the standing, if not the security, of the United States to the point where it would not surprise me at all if the liberal Democrats were completely willing to surrender the entire country to radical Jihadists. After all, the Democrats do not like Christianity; perhaps they will embrace Islam instead. Ladies, buy your burqas now while you can. Perhaps you can get them before they change the fashion style next spring.

Although many seem to ignore it, America is in a state of war. While millions of us go about our daily business everyday nearly oblivious to the fact that there are thousands of American soldiers, sailors and airmen who are fighting that war everyday. Sadly, many of us are apathetic to their cause or their welfare. They would rather spend their time musing over the goings on of Desperate Housewives, who got dumped on American Idol and what was the score of the NBA game last night.

America has enemies who are bent on our destruction. As much as the left would love to place the burden for all of this squarely in the lap of America itself, this is not so. Sometimes, people hate just because they can. In the case of the Jihadists, they want to destroy America so that there will be no one to stop them from spreading their evil form of Islam throughout the globe. This is Fascism but on a different level than we’ve ever seen before. Our enemy doesn’t arrive on our shores on military ships and planes but as tourists and illegal immigrants. They arrive stealthily and lay in secret waiting, like a coiled snake, for their opportunity to strike us when we are not looking.

It is therefore necessary for us, as Americans, to be eternally vigilant for the enemy is not only without; but within. Just look at the most recent headlines concerning the foiled terrorist attack at Ft Dix, New Jersey and the arrest of the Miami-7 last summer.

America needs to wake up from the terrible slumber we have fallen into. 9/11 was only the opening phase of an attack upon our nation. Our enemy is patient and they are willing to wait for their next chance to take a swing at us. 9/11 will happen again and the only way to stop it is to remain vigilant and not surrender ourselves to complacency.