Mistakes in the Middle East are Only the Beginning

by Ed Evan, MGySgt., USMC (Ret.)

     Pres. Obama is about to step on a land-mine of his own making in our dealings with Egypt.       Worse than his international faux pas, he is utterly destroying the ethics, morality and dignity of the USA.  His second term in office is marked by his obvious and extremist support of the Muslim Brotherhood, pettiness driven by the refusal of freedom-loving people to knuckle under to what his agenda demands, appointment of people to high positions with even less commitment to American ethics and morals than himself, and a total lack of servanthood leadership that has achieved the high water mark in previous American Presidents.
     It appears there is a gulf of great disparity between the American people and this President. They want good, solid, forward-looking leadership.  Barack Hussein Obama wants a kingdom, or perhaps as some see in his Muslim educational background, a Caliphate.
     It should by now be obvious to everyone that these opposing forces are leading to a whimpering collision.  It will not be the violent collision the White House seems to seek which would justify martial law and an opportunity to "remold" and "remake" America.  Instead, through the wisdom of America's forefathers there are safeguards in place to prevent military and political coups.  Nevertheless, a collision comes, and it will be an Pyrrhic victory for America, taking us many years to climb out of the financial and moral abyss.
     So far, statesmanship, personal discipline and an adherence to the United States Constitutional government have kept this wavering ship of state upright.  I must believe that will continue, so long as love of country and love of Almighty God prevails.
     There are those on both side of the issues, aside from political partisanship, who would be quick to "pull a trigger".  No doubt.  But calmer heads and the built-in give-and-take of American justice will, I believe, continue to hold sway among men of conscience, if not men of power.
     Someone has said that all politics is local.  But it goes even deeper than that, for all commitment, both patriotic and religious, is more than local, it is individual.
     The continuation, the salvation, of America for tomorrow's generations lies in that individual commitment to God and to Country.  And its genus lies in the hearts of men.  So long as we, as individual persons, are faithful to our God and to our nation, we cannot be overturned.  The secret lies in our personal, individual relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; in our prayer life, in our sense of faith, and in our obedience.
     Those who will not talk to God don't have a prayer.  Pray hard.  Time is short.

I Am Legion

by Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC (Ret.)

     I will admit at the outset of this rant that I am incensed, highly offended and honestly angry with the elected politicians who are supposed to represent us in our Nation's Capitol.  With the President?  No, I knew what he was going in.  He's only disappointed me that I was right.

     That "career politicians", however, would allow the office of the President of the United States to be sullied and misused, as Barack Hussein Obama has done -- causing the abuse of innocent citizens and foreign tourists in Yellowstone as they were held hostage at a hotel by armed NPS Rangers; the abuse of elderly veterans from among the Greatest Generation whose blood and courage bought our very freedom; with armed NPS Rangers and guard dogs reminiscent of 1950s Birmingham, Ala., driving veterans away from the Vietnam Wall; denying death benefits to the grieving families of dead soldiers; stopping WIC payments to needy mothers and infants; shutting down a national Amber Alert children's rescue website ... and more -- is the very picture of greedy self-interest and cowardice among the people's legislators.  And we are not even talking yet about the Benghazi debacle and the Fast and Furious abortion where people died, about money sent to Syrian rebels who were on our own terrorist watch list and martyred entire villages of Christians, or a politically motivated IRS attacking conservative interests.

     It is in a peaceful rage that I publicly send to our agenda-driven President and these pantywaists who ally themselves with him against the best interests of We the People, these collected words of "Doc Lee".  Admittedly we Marines love and respect our U.S. Navy Corpsmen.  Anyone who has ever campaigned with us and experienced a shot fired in anger knows well the basis for that honored relationship.

     Gentlemen, if I may speak in the most general terms, study, understand and take to heart a few of the truths and aphorisms by which this hero lives:

     "Nothing enhances authority more than silence."  -- Charles de Gaulle

     "Men trained in arms from their infancy, and animated by the love of liberty, will afford neither a cheap or easy conquest." ~ Declaration of the Continental Congress, July 1775

     "Deo et patriae" (God and Country)

     "Molon Labe" (The Spartan's retort to King Leonidas and his superior force.)

     "Let us study things that are no more. It is necessary to understand them, if only to avoid them." -- Victor Hugo

     Integrity Counts - Candor Counts - Honor Counts

     Now, readers of this rant may wonder by what right I deign to say anything at all.  Here are my bona fides, and I am legion:

     30 years in the United States Marine Corps

     17 years as a federal civilian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

     4 battlefields: two tours in the Republic of Vietnam; wounded second tour; with the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit in Beirut, Lebanon, 1983

     13 months in Iraq, 2003-2004.

     Father of five children, husband to one woman for 48 years

     Ordained minister of the gospel, April 29, 1995.

     A man of God, a U.S. Marine who knows by name men who bled and died to keep this nation free, extremely, extremely disappointed in those who inherited the job of defending it in Congress from enemies foreign and domestic.

     Rise up and be the leaders of this nation you are expected to be, on behalf of the citizens who put you there, because your self-serving rumps are beginning to show.  And believe me, it is true, I am legion.

BETRAYAL: Federal Nail in a Military Coffin

By Ed Evans, USMC (Ret.)

   Back a month ago when federal planners first raised the ugly head of their plan for penalizing military retirees by refusing them a civilian retirement at the end of a second career, it just didn't seem to go anywhere.  But you know how it is, once you put something on the Internet, it takes on a life all its own and becomes eternal. 

   In other words, I keep seeing traces of this venomous idea here and there. 

   It's not dead, yet.                 

   You can read all about it here:  http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20130804/DEPARTMENTS01/308040009/An-end-civilian-pensions-military-retirees

   The lead paragraph and bridge read: "To address long-term sequester cuts, the Defense Department is mulling numerous reductions that will affect civilian employees, including doing away with civilian employee pensions for military retirees who go back to work for the government as civilian employees.

The savings could be almost $100 billion over 10 years when combined with a halt to commissary subsidies and restrictions on the availability of unemployment benefits, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters last week in summarizing the recommendations of the newly completed “Strategic Choices and Management Review.”

   However, if I were their PR adviser my advice would be that they not just walk away from it, but RUN!  This should be dialogue written for the Saturday Night Live comedy TV show, not a serious approach to building an effective government workforce and viable national budget.  Not to mention that, truthfully, you cannot pay men enough to risk their very lives in combat, but to then prevent them from earning a living and taking care of their families afterward, if they live through it, is surely the worst kind of national cowardice.  And never mind that the entire U.S. military, the most blooded and battle-tested military in the world right now, goes about its business on the individual level like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers for reasons of upended ethical and moral guidelines of behavior, unsound battlefield rules of engagement, and social Generals who are administrators, not leaders.

   On the one hand this policy change in retirement rules will sow such divisiveness among the federal workforce, not to mention the career military, as to seriously affect efficiency, production and create infectious trust issues.

   On the other hand, I cannot imagine the hit the nation's federal workforce will take without the hand-in-glove synchronization of the disciplined experience that military members bring to the table, which work so effectively with civilian education and expertise.

   In fact, it is such a bad idea that if I believed even half of the conspiracy theories floating around the Internet, I would have to believe there would be no more certain way to pull the plug on American effectiveness in government, no better way to help America's enemies achieve this nation's downfall and freedom's dissolution.

   Bottom line, if for any reason those in the upper head shed want to start a revolution, want to create a cause to declare martial law as a pathway to ultimate control, this would be a good one.  However, anyone who would support such a cockamamie idea has no sense of the kind of fire they are playing with in a munitions bunker filled with volatile, sparking poverty, pain and class betrayal.  And those they are considering betraying are the ones with the guns.

Short Shots

NRA BACKS ACLU SPYING LAWSUIT OVER GUN REGISTRY FEARS

This should be a slam dunk for the judiciary, but it won't because of politics.  This is, however, a flashing red light to warn Mr. and Mrs. America that our government, which is created to serve us, is turning on us.  

We now have militarized police departments in some of our cities whom, instead of "Protect and Serve" concentrate on "Demand Subservience, Suspect, and Attack."  

Our Federal government is doing the same thing in spying on us.  This is NOT the America our forefathers created and many of us shed blood and lost friends to protect.  Get your elected officials attention and DEMAND this rogue political regime be stopped!

NRA backs ACLU spying lawsuit over gun registry fears

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/05/nra-joins-aclu-spying-lawsuit-over-gun-registry-fears/

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A friend sent me an email message say this makes a good point!

These two short sentences sums up the current government’s views and ideology: 
1) The gov't tells us NOT TO JUDGE ALL MUSLIMS because of a FEW lunatics. 
2) The gov't ENCOURAGES US TO JUDGE ALL GUN OWNERS because of a FEW lunatics 

Thanking him for his insight, I responded with the following:

I suggest the whole of God's Word in the inspired Bible tells us to forget judging, don't worry about the lunatics because He will take care of both, but that we should brush up on our discerning skills.  That would be so we can tell the difference between judging and being discerning, and between lunatics and old-fahioned sonabitches that just need terminating.

All of which reminds me of Mark Twain's advice to never argue with a fool.  Bystanders might not be able to tell the difference.

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Some will discount this as just another conspiracy caper, but if you listen to the facts, where, how much economic impact, lives and homes lost, it begins to be serious.

Economic Warfare Super Panel - William Scott

Some hard facts recited in this video; no emotional rhetoric

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SFHM0rd9cX8

The facts indicate jihad terrorists are burning our forests and homes......346 homes in Colorado destroyed by Jihad arsonists.....how do we fight back?

Lives lost, homes, jobs, economic income, all lost.  

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Syria: Outrage Is Not A Strategy

Michael Yon is a highly respected on-the-scene journalist, even by our military.  He is right, when you cannot trust a person's facts, you must wonder about his intention.  Why does the President keep throwing around a figure of Syrian dead that numbers in the thousands when the Doctors Without Borders, supporting medical treatment on the scene, place that number at 355 dead?  The President has no purpose beneficial to the problem, and no plan.  

Stop rattling that saber, Mr. President, you don't know how to use it.

Syria: Outrage Is Not A Strategy

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/syria-outrage-is-not-a-strategy.htm

Movie: The Battle of Gettysburg

In a time when women were women and men were men, and women were glad of it.
Gettysburg.

Women in Combat?

Former U.S. Marine Sergeant James Robert Webb  has written of five points that nail down the argument against having women in combat roles.  His full article may be found at http://www.jamesrwebb.com/2013/02/women-in-infantry.html  What follows is a brief excerpt:

I see this as an attempt to create social progress or make a social statement at the expense of those who put their lives on the line.
Pure and simple, it's nothing short of self promotion... which is ironic given that Infantry units abhor the concept of the individual.
It is preached to the point of mantra that tightly knit teams win wars, while individuals get people killed.

Let's break this down.

1. This is unfair to women.

2. The Infantry as a sub-culture.

3.  There is a marked difference between 'Combat' and 'Sustained Ground Combat Operations'

4.  It can physically break off even the strongest men

5.  Standards will be dropped to allow 'social progress.  

I support Webb's points.  Each one.  Having been in combat engagements in Vietnam 1967-68 & 1970, having observed them in Beirut and Iraq, I say James Webb has nailed the argument.  Any military leader who has heard a shot fired in anger knows the arguments and our military is now led by politically correct cowards.  While in Iraq 2003-2004, an Army convoy was hit by enemy forces and forces to stop by an ambush.  The senior sergeant was female.  She took charge, directed the soldiers to drive off the enemy, break the ambush and get her convoy back on the road.  It isn't that women can't perform in a given situation.  It is that men and women are not designed, physically and emotionally for sustained combat.  Women are women, men are men, and women are glad of it.  Any man who doesn't understand that needs to check his manhood.

Is the Light in America Going Out? -- by Pastor Ed Evans

Scripture:  Matthew 5:13-16 -- “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

How many times have you heard people say, "God is too loving to send people to hell."  Or perhaps, "What you need is more of the love of Christ. If you had more love, you wouldn't speak against the beliefs of other people."  And then there are those who say that when you warn others about the danger of what holy scripture calls sin, you are guilty of "hate speech."

First, allow me to point out that such ideas are common in this age, but they would have been laughed at in ages past, when Christian men and women of conscience would not allow their Christian experience and their knowledge of holy scripture to be watered down, attacked, and misused.

Secondly, let me hasten to deal with the idea that God sends people to hell.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  A lady following some exotic philosophical religion once said to me, "I could never follow a god who sent people to hell."  Her lostness is in her own ignorance of God.  Those who end up separated from the love of God have constructed that separation themselves.  2nd Peter 3:9 makes that point: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

Third, as for the lack of love being behind warning others of sin, we turn to Ezekiel 33:8, where God tells us, "When I say unto the wicked, 'O wicked man, thou shalt surely die;' if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."  Our love of God and our Christian love of our brother and sister should compel us to speak truth in the presence of sin.

The whole idea of "hate speech", of course, is a stillborn idea without merit borne of the political correctness movement that has no justification in scripture, much less in real life.  Those who accuse others of hate speech are first, guilty of it themselves through their accusation, and second, they are apparently ignorant of Ecclesiastes 3:8, "There is a time to love and a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace."

Much of this convoluted misunderstanding comes from those who know of the Christ, but do not know Jesus Christ; those who know of holy scripture, but do not know scripture.  Time and time again I must advise people, who are wielding a verse of scripture like a bludgeon, to go back and read the verses before their stated verse, and the verses afterward to gain context.  You cannot simply pluck a verse out of context and because by itself it suits your argument, win your argument with it when it doesn't mean at all what you are claiming.

They remind me of the story of the man was convinced he could receive divine guidance by simply opening the Bible each morning and reading the verse upon which his eyes first fell.  The first time he tried that method, he came to where the apostle Matthew wrote of Judas, "Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself" (Matthew 27:5).  Very disturbed by that reading, he tried it again, this time finding in Luke 10:37 where Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

We must keep in mind, when studying scripture, to keep the words within their context. A good example is where the New Testament tells us to "work with your hands."  So, does that mean a man must literally work with his hands in his job, such as digging ditches, or engaging in such careers as woodworking, agriculture, metalwork?  What if a man is adept at being an accountant, or rises to be a bank president?  Is he sinning?

Well, of course the answer is no.  When you go back to the context of that information, you find a contrast is being made between stealing for a living and working for a living (Ephesians 4:28).  And to add to that, in 1st Thessalonians 4:11 and 12, Paul is telling men to stick to their own business, set a good example for others and be self-sufficient.  It is about being a good disciple of Jesus Christ, not setting aside jobs that are un-Christian.

As Americans, and even as claimed followers of Jesus Christ, we have strayed far afield from the scriptural characteristics of the Christian life we are to lead.  Many of our problems in this day and age, across our troubled nation, spring from a lack of spiritual commitment by men and women, even men and women of faith.  If we know what God says about our current problems, to often we are silent, and we avoid taking positions of moral leadership out misunderstood calls for humility, civility, and "understanding."

We don't understand scripture, and we stand in error because of that.

At a time when this nation desperately needs strong ethical and moral leadership, as found only in the Christian scriptures, even God's called Pastors, as well as Elders and Deacons of the Church worldwide hide their knowledge of God under a bushel and fail to advise others not to abandon God to go another direction, that the bridge to God is out that way.

Jesus Christ is the bridge to God.  And yes, He is a one-way Jesus.  He said Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

Those who equivocate about whether Jesus is the only way to God stand in error.

You don't want to stand in error, because James 4:17 warns us, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."  Short version, you stand in error.  The danger here is what Jesus said in Matthew 10:32-33, speaking to His disciples, "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."

The characteristics of the life of those who claim to follow Jesus Christ is laid out very clearly in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

There is no use looking for figs on a lemon tree, or cherries on an apple tree.  And there is no use looking for these fruits outside the Holy Spirit.  Can men and women live decent, helpful lives without being Christians?  Of course they can.  Can men and women get to God without Jesus Christ?  No, and if you claim otherwise, you stand in error.

If men of good Christian character, believers in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection, would stand up in the face of evil and declare, "This is wrong!  Repent of your sins!", this nation would undergo a revival of faith, a reinstatement of ethics and morals such as we have never seen.

If you are not willing to do that, then yes, you stand in error.

Every individual, man, woman, and child, who has proclaimed a belief in Jesus Christ, should ask themselves, "After salvation, what?"

As an answer to that, Robert H. Kreger has written, in part, "God's purpose for the Christian calls for spiritual growth.  2nd Peter 3:18, "But grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ....." 

"2nd Timothy 2:15, "Study to show yourself approved of God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The Christian is kept alive on earth to fulfill his destiny, which is to become a spiritually mature believer, a spiritual winner.  "...a mature person to the measure of the maturity which belongs to the fullness of Christ." (Eph 4:13-16).

"Each believer's life becomes a unique expression of the glory of God in both time and eternity (Romans 8:29-30; 9:23-24), but only the spiritually mature believer's life glorifies God by receiving the highest and best that God has prepared for him (Romans 6:1-2a; Ist John 1:5-2:6). Divine blessings that the Christian can understand and experience and the overt manifestations of the Christian way of life only come as a result of spiritual growth."

That spiritual maturity, that fullness of Christ, that growth should be manifesting itself in the American community every day of our life.  Our entire nation would be at peace with itself and with our neighbors if every decision, every action, every plan had at its base God's manifested purpose.

So what should we do, you ask.  Should we take the locks off of our doors, throw away all security measures of protection, trust that those outside of Christ will treat us with kindness and compassion?

No, because we are not there, yet.  Jesus warned His disciples in Matthew 10:16, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."  You and I live and work among two-legged animals who would do harm to us and those we love, given the opportunity.  Violence is rampant and very nearly out of control in this nation.  Even our police are ramping up to military levels of protection and control, to a disturbing level for a freedom-loving citizen. 

Data compiled by the FBI shows a 1.2% increase in violent crime.  Doesn't sound like much, but that's nationwide.  According to the FBI, violent crime includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.  The following comes from the June 13th edition of the Wall St. Journal: "Three cities — Birmingham, St. Louis and Oakland — were among the 10 worst cities in the nation for both violent crime and property crime. In some of the most dangerous cities, specific types of property crime were especially common. Flint and Cleveland had among the highest burglary rates, while Oakland, Detroit and St. Louis had among the highest rates of vehicle theft."

The top ten most violent cities, from most to less violent, are Cleveland, Ohio; Baltimore, Md.; New Haven, Conn,;  Birmingham, Ala. ; Stockton, Calif.;  Memphis, Tenn.; St. Louis, Mo.; Oakland, Calif.; Detroit, Mich.; and Flint, Mich.  These represent a significant failure of the Christian influence in these violent cities.

Of them all, Detroit, Mich., with 54.2 murders for every 100,000 people reached the highest level in the past 40 years.  They have a 40.9% poverty rate, and their unemployment rate at 18.6% is much higher than the 8.1% national rate.

The city’s aggravated assault rate of 1,320.8 cases per 100,000 people was also the second highest in the U.S.  Those are people we are talking about, people murdered, maimed, hurt, families devastated by the lack of Christian ethics and morals throughout the community of Detroit.

Detroit seems to be one of the worst nationally acknowledged humanitarian disaster spots in America.  Block after block of deteriorating homes, empty and abandoned.  A city that has attempted to file for bankruptcy.  The soaring crime rate simply leads the list of many reasons not to move to Detroit.

To make matters worse, the huge Islamic presence in Detroit has become a growing problem for those who wish to worship in the name of Jesus Christ.  They have been arrested for praying in public.  They have been arrested for handing out Christian tracts.  They need your prayers around the clock.

Some people, in discussing the disaster of Detroit, have asked is Chicago next?  How about Chicago now?  They have serious crime problems in Chicago, much of it involving black on black crime.  Unfortunately, when I Googled "Black on Black Crime in Chicago," most of what I got were leftist blogs attempting to divert attention back to "white racists ignoring the problem."  I guess "black racists" can't accept any blame because so many people tell me that "black racists" don't exist.  I and my family members have the lumps and memories to effectively dispute that lie. 

The only media dealing factually with black on black crime in Chicago seem to be theguardian.com, thedailybeast.com, and thugreport.com.  Whites want to deal with it because they still live in Chicago, but black opinion leaders just want to blame "whitey" for it.  Makes no sense to me.  In Christ there is no difference, but many have abandoned the words and the cause of Christ.  Black young men and women are dying, black young men and women are going to prison for their crimes.  Why isn't black leadership dealing with this?  Why isn't Chicago's black Mayor dealing with this?  Why isn't America's first black President dealing with this?  I suggest it is because they stand in error.

Like Detroit, Chicago is replete with Islam representation, with mosques, Islamic centers, and web sites determining the seven times of prayer across the city.  Why can't they do better in the crime and home security arena?  Because they are in error. 

Some have suggested that God is punishing such cities, indeed, America, for turning their back on Him.  I suggest to you that God need not actively punish those in error, but He need simply remove His arm of protection. 

Deuteronomy 33:27 -- "The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." -- shows us that the arm of God symbolizes His protection.  And in Psalm 91:1-4 we read, ""He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.  Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."

God is our refuge in times of trouble, and we naturally take shelter in His protective arms.  But we need to stay in communication with our God, through a strong prayer life and communion with Him.  God wants to protect His children, but if we refuse to be His children, we have lost that option.  Jesus said it plainly in Luke 6:46, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

Our verse for today, Matthew 5:13-16, speaks to what is wrong with this nation today.  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Is the light in America going out?  Has life lost its Christian savor in America?  You cannot speak for others, so speak only for yourself.  How far does your light reach?  Are those around you seeking the seasoning that makes your life what it is?

Light the light right where you are.  Share the salt.  Amen.

The Problem is Leadership

This article very clearly demonstrates how current leadership, from the highest levels down, is being perceived, and it is deadly to the idea of "good order and discipline" in a military environment. 

This Marine officer makes it clear that he considers the problem one of leadership. The tone of leadership is set at the very top and travels down to the lowest element. The Marine Corps, more than any other military service, has empowered low level leadership to the max. But if the tone of leadership is confusing, not clear, seemingly hypocritical, the exercise of leadership at every level will emulate that. The only exception is that stellar individual who refuses to allow his or her personal commitment to leadership to be dumbed down by what is going on around them.

The Biblical writer James, in chapter 4, verse 17 knew what he was talking about when he wrote: "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."  Too many of we who know better are sitting on the sidelines silently watching the finest fighting force in the world being confused and disarmed ethically and morally. That's a sin.

Slide into mediocrity rocks Marines to corps

Thomas E. Ricks

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130730/EDIT05/307309991/1147/EDIT07

Why are we getting out? It’s about the low standards.

We joined because we wanted to be part of an elite organization dedicated to doing amazing things in defense of our nation. We wanted to make a contribution to something great, to be able to look back at a decisive chapter in American history and say “yeah, I was part of that.” We joined the Corps because if we were going in to the fight, we wanted to serve with the best. …..(see link for rest of article)

Marines Should Care?

by Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC (Ret.)

     While few are headlining it, I don't believe anyone of any true military experience believes this latest move by SecDef Panetta and Gen. Dempsey -- excising the ban on females in combat -- is anyone less than a continuing attempt to de-militarized the most effective military on the planet, the military with the most experienced and most recently blooded troops.  The goal is surely a benign group of peaceful men and women on whom you need not spend much money.  

     The U.S. Marine Corps, I submit, will forever be the problem in accomplishing that end.  Everything about Marine Corps training is aimed at producing warriors who break things and kill people.  Unless things have radically changed, even cooks and law clerks are taught hands-on tactics and how to call in an air and artillery strikes.  Individual leadership will forever chafe against the socialists' commune military.

     While both Panetta and Dempsey may feel this is a paradigm-breaking decision, it merely shows how out of touch they actually are with the American military and the U.S. Marine Corps in particular.

     There were several occasions when I was in Iraq 2003-2004 as a federal civilian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when we were under the protection of uniformed U.S. Army, several times including and often led by female soldiers. We usually traveled with contracted protection, but because our group included an Army one-star, it was often active duty Army.

     On one occasion a convoy got hit in weather which meant no air support. The senior soldier was a female Sergeant who took charge, deployed her troops, counter-attacked and drove them off.

     The one that sticks in my mind is riding in the back seat of a Humvee accompanying the one-star, with a female infantry in the front seat by the driver, she had an M-4. I'm talking with her about her home life, husband, kids, she's softened a bit and talking about home when suddenly a sedan of all males swung up close on her side. Without missing a beat she hung halfway out the window, stuck that M-4 up the driver's nose and in language a Marine would have understood told him where the bear did it in the woods. He swung off and stopped, she sat back down in her seat and picked right back up talking about home, hubby and kids.

     Point being, if you're well-trained, your training kicks in when you need it, no matter the gender.

     But it goes back further than that.  I wish I could remember which Marine Corps Commandant was involved, but at some point the Commandant was "reminded" by the Secretary of Defense that women were not to be assigned to the battlefield.  Seems to me it was either Gen. Louis H. Wilson, Jr., or Gen. Paul X. Kelley.  But their response was to "remind" the Secretary of Defense that at no time had any women Marines been assigned duty beyond the Final Protective Line, but that it was CMC's prerogative to decide exactly where that FPL was located.  I don't see this latest SecDef decision usurping anymore of the Marine Commandant's authority now than it did then.  

     As much as the current crop of social experimenters are concerned, they would like to see a kinder, gentler military; Marine Corps in particular.  But I submit that the rear rank Private's opinion remains golden.  That is that when the discussion is about anything beyond the Marine's mission, Marines really don't give a sh*t.

Statement of a United States Marine (Retired)

STATEMENT OF A UNITED STATES MARINE (RETIRED)

I read the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Diversity Quote, the Background, and the Talking Points (below) with a bitter taste in my mouth, the bitter taste of being abandoned by my Marine Corps leadership, the bitter taste of moral and ethical ground won in blood being walked away from for political expediencies.

Perhaps I will be the first to say it outright, but I am ashamed of my Commandant of the Marine Corps.  I am ashamed of all those who having received orders from senior leadership that they know in their heart and soul are not right, having bowed their heads down and joined in the abandonment.

This will lose me some valued friends, but even more with whom I have shed blood, and shared a lifetime of upholding the dignity of mankind, they will understand.  You don't leave fellow Marines behind, but I now stand with those Marines left behind in favor of upholding political agendas that support selfish sexual malcontents and a lack of moral discipline.  History teaches us that upon such lapses are the death of nations and their cultures based.

Better, gentlemen, that you had stood with your Marines of old, on behalf of those now in the ranks, upholding those precepts and traditions that would have protected America and the Constitution you are still sworn to uphold.  I am ashamed of you.  In the great scheme of things my single opinion matters little.  The future of the Corps matters a great deal.  God help us.

-- Edward M. Evans, MGySgt. of Marines, USMC (Ret.)

DIVERSITY
QUOTE

"We're changing our entire approach. And you might ask, 'Are you going to
change your standards?' The answer is 'Hell no.'" - Gen James F. Amos,
Commandant of the Marine Corps

BACKGROUND

Diversity is the aggregate of the varied cultures, backgrounds, talents,
skills and abilities among Marines that (1) ensures our connectedness and
special relationship with the American public, (2) leverages America's
varied pool of skills and abilities, and (3) maximizes individual
differences as a force multiplier.1 Our 35th Commandant says clearly in his
Planning Guidance that we will "improve diversity representation throughout
our Corps."

To that end, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) has an integral role at
the accession point. During FY12, MCRC is engaging potential officer
applicants, centers of influence and members of society at large in order to
create awareness of opportunities within Marine Corps Officer and Enlisted
programs and to remain connected with the American public.

These engagement events build lasting relationships among diverse
communities, dispel common misconceptions about the Marine Corps, and
increase overall diversity accessions.2 Our survival, status and reputation
depend on our special relationship with the American people. Diversity
broadens the base of support with the most stakeholders and demonstrates
inclusiveness in an ever changing demographic.3 The strategic end-state of
the Marines Corps' Diversity Program is to strengthen our connectedness with
the American people.4

TALKING POINTS

* The effort to improve diversity is rooted in our core values of honor,
courage and commitment. These same values that compel Marines to respect
others, act with moral, mental and physical bravery while embracing a spirit
of determination and dedication also guide our efforts to improve diversity.

* Success in diversity related endeavors will ensure our ability to maximize
the total capabilities of the Marine Corps by leveraging the unique
strengths of all Marines. (If they are not the best and the brightest - what
are their "unique strengths?)

* Rapidly changing demographics will continue to propel diversity forward as
a strategic issue. Support from leaders at every level is key, as it is the
catalyst required to ensure the Marine Corps continues to be ready, relevant
and representative of the nation it serves.

* Five broad goals illustrate the direction in which the Marine Corps will
move in order to confront challenges with diversity. The Marine Corps will:

- Institutionalize diversity and inclusive policies and practices across the
Marine Corps.

- Maximize the positive effects of the total Marine Corps command climate.

- Communicate the Marine Corps diversity mission through expanded community
engagement, outreach and marketing.

- Ensure each Marine is provided equitable opportunities for professional
development and career progression.

- Develop training and education packages to increase the Marine Corps'
knowledge and understanding of diversity.

* The CMC intends for the Corps to remain true to its forward-looking
mindset by setting the expeditionary example for raising mission capability
through diversity. The Corps will make a cultural change through policies of
inclusion, increasing its institutional knowledge of diversity and, where
practical, adopting best practices from other leading organizations.

* The strategic end-state of the Marine Corps' Diversity Program is to
strengthen our connectedness with the American people.

* The Marine Corps is committed to making concerted efforts to attract,
mentor and retain the most talented men and women who bring a diversity of
background, culture and skill in service to our nation.

* The Marine Corps has reinforced its high priority on minority officer
recruiting and candidate mentoring in our recruiting efforts. The goal of
diversity recruiting is to create a situation in which diverse populations
are well informed about opportunities within Marine Officer and Enlisted
programs, making them more familiar with and receptive to the Marine Corps
thus generating more leads for both Officer Selection Officers (OSO) and
Enlisted Recruiters.

* The Marine Corps' diversity campaign plan is now in the staffing process.
The plan will help the Corps focus its diversity effort in areas where
improvement is most needed. Its purpose is to map out a coordinated approach
to diversity that will sustain the successes realized throughout the
enlisted ranks while laying the foundation to address shortfalls in the
officer corps.