COIN Strategy, Rules of Engagement and Catch-Release Policy--Congress Must Demand Hearings

Hear an interview with USMC Sgt (Ret) John Bernard and Mrs. Vickie Behenna (mother of Lt. Michael Behenna) talk about the COIN strategy, the rules of engagement and the catch and release policy.  John Bernard lost his son Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard (KIA Afghanistan in 2009) and he has been speaking out about the COIN strategy along with its rules of engagement that have hampered our military's ability to have victory in Afghanistan.  Instead we see a pass in Afghanistan as amid the efforts to bend over backwards and build goodwill-we are still seen as the enemy by the majority of Afghans.  John Bernard has through his writings in his blog (letthemfight.blogspot.com) have exposed the failed foundation of the COIN part of which is due to the relationship between Hesham Islam and Gordon England in the Dept of Defense that compromised the proper development of the strategy due to subversion of important documents.  The truth needs to be heard by our Congress so please visit his blog and share the truth then demand Congress to have a hearing. 

That is also the call of Mrs. Vickie Behenna mother of Army Ranger Lt. Michael Behenna wrongfully imprisoned for supposedly killing a known Al Qaeda terrorist operative.  When enemies are set free due to incredibly troubling catch and release policy that leaves officers reeling at the further danger this places men in their charge--it is no surprise the pro-active action of Lt. Michael Behenna.  The turn of events however led to him being now seen as the enemy by this current administration's policies and this true American hero was sentenced to 25 yrs in prison and the height of insults is the prosecutors withheld vital information that shows he did not murder the Al Qaeda operative.  Why would the prosecution withhold such information and when confronted--the system still has not given him a new trial so that this information could be heard to absolve Army Ranger Lt.  Michael Behenna-one of our brave defenders.  Why does the Obama administration not do its best to help one of it's greatest resources--a brave young dedicated American military soldier (Army Ranger)--yet bends over backwards to help make sure terrorists gets their day in court.

Part of the reason maybe because they think US citizens do not care.  Please listen, share, pray and then ask Congress to pay attention as our soldiers do matter.  You need to learn about the COIN strategy, rules of engagement and catch and release policy so that you can make a difference and tell Congress to stop this madness.  Our soldiers must be able to fight well as unfortunately the current strategy has not worked even though it is portrayed as doing so--proof shows otherwise as the only reason we are not worse off is due in fact to the surge and not the coin strategy.  We maybe leaving Afghanistan but we pray we will not have to come back as unfortunately most of the Afghans still see us as infidels and their enemies as nation building has not worked as evidenced by an event this month in one of the safer places when Afghans turned against our soldiers-- read more  This story along with news of even Iraq's government unwillingness to help pay for expenses in helping their country when they are able --and the treatment of the California Congressman who dare suggest such is a very disturbing indeed...We must look again at our policies--time to demand it America!

The COIN Strategy and Rules of Engagement Must Be Seen For What It Truly Is--A Plan For Losing

 If a nation expects to be ignorant and free... it expects what never was and never will be. Thomas Jefferson

Hear an interview with John Bernard as he shares with us the roles of Hesham Islam and Gordon England that subverted truth to the point that America embraced a plan on how not to win.  When you tie the hands of the best trained military to the point where they are constantly on the move backwards--how can you not ultimately hand the keys to the enemy.  That is what we are now seeing played out in Afghanistan.  Can America afford to be ignorant now that the truth is out?  It depends on whose perspective is being proclaimed.  Political correctness is now the prime tool of the enemy as subterfuge has reached the highest levels.  Who can believe what?  Well--the facts of history--yesterday and today speaks volumes as to which road we must take.  Open your eyes America starting today and honor the heroes like Joshua who gave his very best so that  you can continue to live in the land of the free because they are the brave. Learn about the COIN strategy and the rules of engagement so that you can  help change it because as Ronald Reagan pointed out:

"Perhaps at this late date we can all agree that we've learned one lesson: that young Americans must never again be sent to fight and die unless we are prepared to let them win."- Excerpt from his speech at the Vietnam War Memorial.

--America you are needed today to honor those who give their lives for you and me...

Please go and learn from John Bernard at www.letthemfight.blogspot.com

The Military--Where Does The Warrior's Help Come From

Hear an update from John Bernard on the war on terror. We can not appreciate our military families enough and his family is one who gave their best and so should all of us. There is no excuse for not being informed--we owe it as part of our duty as co-laborers in the fight to keep this nation truly free from tyranny.  Pastor Matt Smith of Barabbas Road Church joins him as they help the warrior with the battles they and their families face.  Men of valor throughout history had to face to find the truth to survive---so can you.  Hear some moving perspectives that gives hope to mankind and unites people like Mosab Hassan Yousef (son of a Hamas founder) with the Joshua Bernards of this world.  Click on picture to hear interview.  Go to podsite link on right if you wish to pass it on to friends with smartphones and there is an app for this on itunes.

Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard--"Holy Man"--Life Short But Well Lived

Please tune in 10-17-09 and listen online to a program on this issue.  We need more people aware of this issue so please share and get others to tune in and /or listen to the podcast that will be available on this issue dealing with the revised rules of engagement that are tying the hand of our soldiers.

It's always sad to read about the death of any soldier like the one of Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard who lost his life on Aug. 14th in an ambush in Afghanistan.  But I don't remember reading about one so young (21 yrs old) yet described as a "Holy Man" by his fellow soldiers.

George Washington said "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."  Indeed Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard bore that character. 

I asked the Lord for a word today after I had read his story in the Sunday paper and when I opened my Bible it opened to 2Cor Chapter 5

Verse 1 says "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

That was an awesome scripture for all of who believes in Jesus Christ.  Joshua believed and without a doubt he is glad he knew his Savior.  He probably wants all his friends to come to know the Savior he knew so well that gave him a servant's heart after all that's the greatest tribute to our Lord and that is to be like Jesus.  He was the greatest servant of all. 

Joshua saw it was his duty to serve God and country.  I am sure the seeds he planted in the lives of the men he was around will someday sprout and they too maybe called "Holy Man"--what an awesome thing that would be.  Joshua I am sure would like that.

He was described as humble, unassuming and shy yet in contrast he was also the point man for his team and he was known for his determination to get the job done.  2Cor 5:11 talks about the fear or "awe" of God.  The fear or awe of God gives Christians uncommon courage in face of life's troubles as it did Paul of Tarsus and I believe Joshua had this also from what his fellow soldiers described. 

Let us remember to pray for his family also as they continue the fight.  His father, John Bernard,  had sent (weeks before his son's death) a letter to lawmaker.  This was in regard to a recently revised rules of engagement that state troops, can fire at an area if they are receiving fire and are in imminent danger, but if it's possible for them to move away from the area, they are to do so. 

He states "our troops are nothing more than sitting ducks."  What a way to fight is that?  Joshua's father feels this attributed to his son's death.   John Bernard said "they're being fired upon and being told they can't fire back in fear of hitting civilians, which means Marines can die and ultimately can't protect civilians because they can't fire at the bad guys. "

"It's not that they want to go out and kill women and children, but they can't fight like this."

Joshua's father has demanded change so no more troops are in unnecessary danger.  They are fighting a war and they can't do it with their hands tied which is basically what seems to be happening more and more. 

Let's honor the memory of his son by contacting our Congress in support.  Call 202-224-3121.  There are many concerns about our economy to call Congress on --but this is also of high importance.  Our brave men and women deserves us to also fight for them.  It's the least we can do.  After all they give their lives for us.  Thank you Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard for a life well lived serving God and country.  Hope we can do the same. 

Here is an example of the problem our soldiers are dealing with:

Let’s briefly revisit the ROE.  We have discussed the standing rules of engagement, the theater-specific rules of engagement for Iraq, and even the rules on the use of force.  Our problems with the existing ROE and RUF are legendary, and include the insurmountable initial problem that they are constructed around defensive operations and personal and unit self defense and include no discussion or guidance for offensive operations.  This is why General Kearney wanted to charge two Army snipers with murder for targeting a Taliban commander who didn’t happen to be holding a weapon.

Insurgents learn to game the system, as this event shows in Ramadi, Iraq, as reported by David Danelo.

The vehicle commander, Corporal Ronnie Davis, is in front of me holding a pair of binos.  Three other Marines peer down a street where Mujahideen have been firing at us from multi-story buildings scarred by gunfire and explosions.  While we exchange fire with the Muj, other observation assets available to 1 st Battalion, 6th Marines are mapping enemy positions for future operations.

“That’s the same two guys.  They’ve crossed back and forth four times,” Corporal Davis announces, referring to a pair of unarmed Iraqis who have run for cover.  Because these men are unarmed, the Americans under the Rules of Engagement are not allowed to shoot at them—even though gunfire is coming at us from that direction.

Get the picture?  The insurgents had emplaced weapons, fired them, dropped them, run to the next station and picked up another weapon, fired, and were repeating the process as long as they wanted.  The Marines couldn’t return fire because they never saw the insurgents run across the street holding a weapon.  Go to site with this info

City On A Hill Radio Show will be doing an interview with a lawmaker on this issue as our brave men and women needs all of us to fight for them too.