Obama's 'Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighters'

Posted: March 20, 2009
1:00 am Eastern


By Lt. Col. Allen B. West
© 2009


I pride myself in being a person of calm demeanor, unless of course you are Attorney General Eric Holder and you call my America a "nation of cowards." So as I begin this column, I find myself on the verge of total rage – which is great for writing.

In these first 60 days of the Obama administration, I am beginning to have concern over issues of national security. There have been some very disturbing trends over the last two months.

It first started right after the coronation – I mean inauguration – with Obama's first phone call going to Mahmoud Abbas. Last time I checked the leader of the displaced Arab nomad group in the West Bank called Fatah was not a national leader or ally. Considering all the other key allies who have stood by the United States, why was this gentleman first on the new president's call list?

Next came the series of executive orders that commanded we shut down Guantanamo Bay detention facility, stop any harsh treatment of terrorists and ceased any ongoing military trials against those being held. Now just recently we have heard from the infamous GITMO 5 who have claimed they take utmost pride in what they have accomplished, including the atrocities of 9/11.

We know that some 60 released detainees went right back to the battlefield to include several who are now leaders in Yemen and Afghanistan. Some would say this recidivism rate is low – but not when you are the American man or woman in uniform overseas fighting.

As of March 13, we have been instructed by this administration that we can no longer call these fellas "enemy combatants." Hmm, lets see, how about we call them "Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighters"? I am certain we should consult Dr. Phil for a proper means to address these cheeky fellows without damaging their self-esteem.

New Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently stated in an interview that she found using the term terrorism nuanced. She preferred using the term "man created disasters." Well, Secretary Napolitano, if there is another "man created disaster" perpetrated by "Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighters," Americans will not take that too kindly.

Does an IED fall into the category of a "man created disaster"?

Soon after the series of executive orders focusing on Gitmo, the president gave his first TV interview, with Al Arabiya. During that interview, he remarked about a return to better relations with the Muslim world, like 30 years ago. Perhaps the president did not realize that in Iran they have been celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

I remember that being a very sad and embarrassing episode in American history – can you say embassy hostages?

At a time when we are having serious economic issues, the American taxpayers are now sending $900 million to the Gaza Strip for rebuilding. The "political" entity controlling Gaza is called Hamas, and they are a "Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighter" organization. I bet that the only thing being rebuilt will be tunnels from Egypt into Gaza.

Along with that piece of change, is, by executive order, $20.3 million going to resettle pro-Hamas Palestinians to the USA. Did anyone ask the American people about this?

First planned overseas visit? Turkey, where "Friendly Frustrated Freedom Fighter" ideology is taking root. (I call it radical Islamic ideology, but don't tell anyone. I could be arrested for hate speech.)

So far the president's only visit to a U.S. military installation was to Camp Lejeune, N.C., home of the U.S. Marine II Expeditionary Force, a place where I spent three great years. The purpose was to announce his plan for withdrawal from Iraq.

Could you imagine Alexander the Great telling his Macedonians: "Well, guys, that whole bit about conquering the world – I was just kidding, let's go home." Warriors want to be inspired.

President Obama and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have both referred to our ICE agents as terrorizing Hispanics and being un-American. That should really inspire them to protect us against illegal immigrants.

OK, you are asking, so what? Well, this is the so what: President Obama thinks that our wounded warriors and others with service-related injuries should have to use private insurance – though he's reversed himself amid a barrage of opposition. AFLAC does not send our men and women into harm's way to defend our way of life; the Constitution mandates the government do so.

Why are we placating and appeasing the enemy while abandoning those who stay on the wall protecting our America? That has me fuming and truly concerned about the loyalties of this president.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned; President Barack Hussein Obama has Wednesday evening parties in the White House.

How did we get to this point?





Lt. Col. Allen B. West retired after 22 years active duty service in the U.S. Army in 2004. He holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Tennessee and two Masters degrees, and ran for Congress in 2008. He currently resides in Plantation, Fla., with his wife, Dr. Angela West, and their two daughters, Aubrey and Austen.