Recently I chose to revive the old Lacy/
Hawkins debate, to which Rick Hawkins gladly responded. I must have touched a nerve because it seems Rick pulled out all stops
in his response.
He labeled me a liberal, when I clearly stated in my article that I am not a liberal. He accused me of being
ignorant of the damage President Clinton did to our military and our intelligence department. It also seemed that he includes
me in the list of people he calls the “fifth - column fourth estate”. And to top things off he creates this scenario
in which I am turned into a member of Saddam’s regime. He even went as far as to pervert my name, dubbing me “Sayeed
Lacy Nosarendeer” and then went on to accuse me of wanting a war with North Korea. Rick Hawkins I thank you for proving
a point I have held for quite sometime. There is very little difference between Neo-Cons like you and the raging Liberals
on the left.
In my last article I made the statement that supporters of this administration automatically label anyone
who criticizes it a “liberal” or “unpatriotic”. Congratulations you did both Mr. Hawkins. But it doesn’t
bother me and I’ll tell you why.
I believe in the country that our founding fathers created. The one of limited government free speech and
state’s rights. You have proclaimed to be a transplanted Southerner and insinuate that you accept our ways. But your
support of this war and this administration tells me you know absolutely nothing of our ways.
Listening to talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, no doubt idols of yours, I’ve
picked up on a reoccurring theme. Anyone that calls in and says that they voted for Bush and now regrets the decision is now
written off as “Seminar Callers”. To their credit I believe some of them are, but not all. As proof I offer myself.
I voted for “W” in 2000. I voted for him because he promised reduced government and the end of a nation building
era. He also promised the military a much-needed raise.
What we have received is nation building, and a growth of government that our nation has never seen until
now. And the military, the boys who have gone to risk their lives for operation “Iraqi Freedom”? Well they have
now found out first hand just what that got them.
According to the Army Times, “In recent months, President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress
have missed no opportunity to heap richly deserved praise on the military. But talk is cheap — and getting cheaper by
the day, judging from the nickel-and-dime treatment the troops are getting lately.
For example, the White House griped that various pay-and-benefits incentives added to the 2004 defense budget
by Congress are wasteful-- and unnecessary — including a modest proposal to double the $6,000 gratuity paid to families
of troops who die on active duty. This comes at a time when Americans continue to die in Iraq at a rate of about one a day.
Similarly, the administration announced that on Oct. 1 it wants to roll back recent modest increases in monthly
imminent-danger pay (from $225 to $150) and family-separation allowance (from $250 to $100) for troops getting shot at in
combat zones.
Then there's military tax relief — or the lack thereof. As Bush and Republican leaders in Congress
preach the mantra of tax cuts, they can't seem to find time to make progress on minor tax provisions that would be a boon
to military homeowners, reservists who travel long distances for training and parents deployed to combat zones, among others.”
Even though I have disagreed with this war, I have always believed that we needed to support our troops.
Too bad the “W” administration doesn’t feel the same way. But then again after sending 15 billion dollars
to Africa I guess they felt that they had to cut funding from somewhere. Maybe the 3’rd Infantry’s extended stay
will help make up for the cuts they received for risking their lives. You know, kind of like over-time pay that the Republicans
want to take away from so many hard working Americans!
Just as the Neo-Con talk show hosts have noticed similarities in callers who say they voted for Bush but
now regret it, I have noticed similarities between Neo-Con talk show hosts and authors who are asked critical questions about
this administration in regards to massive illegal immigration. Hawkins is no different, he has uttered the same old tired
line I have heard from his heroes when confronted about the loss of our freedoms through the Patriot Act and the complacency
of this administration when it comes to illegal immigration.
Hawkins says, “Deal harshly right now with the illegals coming into our country from down south? I
don't think that's such a sharp idea until after the next election”
Oh yes Rick I get so forgetful sometimes that I forget the Presidents job these days is getting reelected.
Not defending the Constitution of the United States of America. Here’s a thought for you Rick and I’ll make it
simple. When you hear crap like this from people like yourself or elected officials, ask yourself something. What will the
candidates run on if something is done to solve a problem like illegal immigration? The answer is nothing! They never intend
to, in simpler terms my Neo-Con friend it is the carrot dangling in front of the mule. (You can draw your own conclusion to
which end of that mule you are).
Hawkins also makes the statement that many lefties agree with what I’m saying implying again that I
am one. There are several differences. Unlike Neo-Cons and Lefties, I want a smaller less intrusive government. I want my
symbols of my Southern Heritage to fly proudly. I want Political Correctness to be gone. Something that the Democrats and
the Republicans cling to these days. As evidence I give you Dick Gephardt’s speech in South Carolina this past January
about the evils of the Confederate flag. And also presented as evidence, President Bush’s little speech on slavery he
gave while in Africa. Just in case you don’t already know it, the War Between the States was not fought over slavery.
And as an added note: Northeastern Shipping Merchants became wealthy off of the slave trade
One other thing Rick, I’m not worried about the United States attacking North Korea. When trying to
gain support for Iraq the reason for invasion was weapons of mass destruction. When they weren’t found Neo-Cons cited
the 15,000 remains found in mass graves. Paul Wolfewitz even went to the site for a very convenient photo op. Do you think
we are so stupid that we don’t know or at least suspect what the cause of the mass graves were? Mr. Hawkins it is you
who said we did not do the job right the first time. I agree, for starters when George Senior told the Kurds to rise up and
over throw Saddam, maybe we should have supported them in some way. Then maybe there wouldn’t be so many in those mass
graves. Don’t you think? And don’t give me any of your “there was not any U.N. mandate crap either!”
You are supposed to be against that. Like I know I am, and like I know the liberals aren’t against. The reason we will
never invade N. Korea is not the nukes; it’s what the country does not have.... Oil. Meanwhile let the children there
starve right? Isn’t it you who said kill them all? Well congratulations the people you support are doing one hell of
a job.
© 2003 Clint E. Lacy
