This Will Not Stand!

As you will come to learn about me over time, I have Right-leaning tendencies when it comes to politics. That is why I have chosen to name the area where I am to blog "America: With a Clockwise Twist". Why? Not only is my screen name "Clockwise", a "twist" in the "Clockwise" direction goes to the "Right".

With that having been stated, I am not a partisan. I do what I believe to be the correct and just thing to do, not just to blindly serve some politician, political party, or ideology. Hence, I will not give a pass to anyone on any subject when I think believe are wrong.

Case in point - I found this blog entry for "Dark Angel Politics with Angel Artiste" which was posted on July 26, 2008 at 4:24 pm:

In response to this image I posted the following as a Comment in regards to this image used as a blog:

I was recently made aware of your blog and have only been reading it for a few minutes and I like what I see. I, too, will never forgive nor forget Barack Obama’s arrogance, insensitivity, extreme poor judgment, and one could even make a case for lack of patriotism, for his failure to forego his campaigning and photo op moments in order to humbly visit our men and women who have paid a dear and steep price for their service in the U.S. military – most of them wounded in the combat zones of Afghanistan and Iraq.

However, as disgusted and angered I am at Barack Obama, and indeed, the behavior of the Left towards those who serve in the military – defending their freedoms and liberties – I am also not pleased with you.

Why?

Your use of the image of a wounded Serviceman in order to make a political statement. As much as I agree with you, your position, and your stand against the Left and the prospect of a future where Barak Obama is President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, I cannot and will not idly stand by and silently allow anyone to misuse and abuse the service and sacrifice of American Servicemen and women; especially those who have been wounded.

As such, I respectfully request that you show the proper honor and respect to those whom serve and remove from your blog this image, any images like it, not to use any such image in the future, and pass along this standard of behavior to your fellow bloggers and political activists.

Service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America is a deeply personal act of selflessness, service, and sacrifice. To those not serving, witnessing such acts and people should be inspirational and emotionally moving. In return, those not serving should only do those things that brings honor and respect to those who do serve - to demonstrate appreciation and support - and never, ever take advantage of their service, take it for granted, or use their service to derive pleasure or profit; to include personal or political gain.

As someone who has served this great nation over a span that covers more than twenty-five years in both the Army and Marine Corps, who has served twenty-six months in Iraq, and who has been in combat with the enemies of freedom and liberty, I implore you to remove this image from your site and to never again engage in such behavior.

I agree with what it is that you are attempting to accomplish, but there are ways of doing it without throwing those you mean to honor under the bus in the process.

I love my politics as much as the next activist, analyst, blogger, commentator, Centrist, Conservative, Democrat, Independent, Liberal, Libertarian, Moderate, pundit, Republican, spin doctor, or talking head, but there needs to be some standards and self-discipline in our behavior and actions.

Yes, yes, I know…

Politics is a DIRTY game and not for the faint of heart.

Fine, I can accept that, but lets try to leave the innocent out of it – and that includes using those who serve in the Armed Forces as pawns in political games.

The military as an institution has no choice but to be “A-political” in the public arena, and those serving can only speak and act as private citizens - as it should be. Hence, they have no voice and cannot defend themselves against attacks or when they, their service, or their Brothers-and-Sisters-in-Arms are misrepresented, misused, or abused.

Let us all do right by them, no matter your place on the political spectrum or within the political universe, and just simply appreciate and respect their service.

Once upon a time in America, politics ended “at the water’s edge” during a time of danger and conflict and when our men and women in uniform were in harm’s way.

Let us return to that standard…

This will not stand!