THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

I had the pleasure recently of interviewing Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Peters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Peters

I have not met Colonel Peters in real life. The interview was conducted by email. What I can say is that beneath the occasionally tough persona Colonel Peters displays on television and in print, he is a deliberate and thoughtful man that possesses genuine warmth.

In addition to having a distinguished military career, the Fox News military analyst and New York Post columnist is also the author of plenty of books.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ralph+peters&x=0&y=0

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05262009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/instant_justice_171002.htm?page=0

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06192008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama_vs__osama_116128.htm?page=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lJPnijk5Wg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3LIc_F-6s

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08072009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/world_burns_as_doc_o_fiddles_183348.htm

On military matters, Colonel Peters holds a place in the recently created Wall Street Journal/Charles Krauthammer Index of Intellectual Titans.

With that, I present the brilliance of Ralph Peters.

1) What is the Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Peters story?

I’m a coal-miner’s son.  My family had dramatic ups and downs.  I was a wild kid. I joined the Army as an enlisted man in 1976.  The Army straightened me out. I became an officer through OCS. I picked up a couple of degrees along the way and started writing essays and novels while still on active duty.  After serving as a Military Intelligence officer in conventional units, I became a Foreign Area Officer specializing in the dying Soviet Union and the “new” Russia.  I Got tapped as the Army’s global scout and found myself in dozens of different countries, from Bolivia to Burma.  My job wasn’t to pull triggers, but to observe other countries in crisis and report back.  It was a fascinating chance to see just how ugly humanity can get, from refugee camps to roadblocks manned by drunken thugs.

I loved the Army and serving our country, but I chose to retire in 1998, shortly after promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel, since I was outraged by the Clinton administration’s passivity in the face of various threats–not least, terrorism–and wanted to write freely (Serving officers cannot and should not criticize our president, no matter who he or she may be).  On September 11, 2001, I regretted having retired–but we make our choices in life and must live with them.  So I do my best to support our troops and our country by writing my columns and books, and by speaking out.

Oddly, I never thought I’d have anything to do with journalism, beyond a few military articles.  Yet the phone started ringing as soon as I retired.  I think what appeals to editors and readers is that I always turn in clean, clear “copy,” I don’t waffle, and I tell the truth as best I can determine it, no matter the consequences.  This doesn’t mean I’m always right–only God is perfect–but I tell folks that, well, if I’m wrong, at least I’m honestly wrong.  I pay the bills with my pen and don’t take any political or industry back-door funding.

I am happily married, love hiking and Shakespeare (all the Elizabethans and Jacobeans), and the thing that would most surprise people who know me only through my “warpath” public persona is that I’m actually a very happy person who delights in every God-given day.  Despite all of our troubles these days, it’s a wonderful thing to be an American citizen in 2009 (or any year).

2) What can ordinary citizens do, besides donating money and buying your books, to help win the War on Terror? What obligations do we have, and how can we help?

Buying my books won’t help win the War On Terror (my publisher’s grateful, though).  Anyway, it’s fine with me if people get the books from the library–I’d just like them to read them.  I’m especially anxious for folks to read the new novel I have coming out on September 15, THE WAR AFTER ARMAGEDDON.  It’s set after–yes, after–the nuclear destruction of Israel, when a battered US military has to return to the Middle East.  It’s a fast-paced story, thrilling to read, and I chose fiction to drive home the risks Israel faces simply because more people read fiction–and, if you tell an exciting story, you reach them on an emotional level.  Although I’m not Jewish myself (I’d be proud of it, if I were), I feel a deep bond with Israel and am horrified by the Obama administration’s conviction that, somehow, Arab terrorists and Israeli Kindergarten kids are equally guilty for the region’s problems.  Anyway, I do want to scare people–because the reality is terrifying.

What can we all do to help defeat terrorism?  I’ll resort to platitudes, because the platitudes are true:  Support our troops.  Vote.  Fight political correctness.  Tell the truth.  Be a good citizen.  Don’t let the establishment media tyrannize you.  And don’t vote party lines–for either party.  Hold politicians individually responsible.  Love your neighbor, smite the wicked, salute the flag.

3) Many people say they support the troops, but what can and should Americans do to make that more than a slogan? What are the very best ways ordinary citizens can help our soldiers?

One of the best ways to support our troops is just to think for yourself and not let the establishment media sell you a bill of goods.  Freedom of thought and expression is elementary.  The extreme left loves the First Amendment–as long as it only applies to them.  When you believe the media are lying, talk back, write back, fight back.

On a practical level, there are some very good charities that help our gravely wounded soldiers and their families.  I won’t favor any one of them here, but just say “Check before you donate,” of course, because there are always vicious characters who’d steal from anyone.  But some of these soldiers have multiple limb losses, devastating burns, memory loss, blindness…they gave all they could to us.  Let’s help them in their recovery and transition back into our society.  By the way, one of the things I’m proudest of as a journalist is that, with the New York Post team, I was able to raise over a million dollars for a re-integration facility for our veterans in San Antonio.  Oh, and one other thing: When you’re traveling or just out and about…if you see a soldier, walk up and say, “Thank you!”  They appreciate it.

4) With regards to Iraq, what have we done right, and what have we gotten wrong, in the last 6 years, and what steps need to be taken to improve the situations that require improvement?

What did we do right?  We deposed Saddam Hussein, a monstrous dictator responsible for over a million-and-a-half deaths, and we gave one vital Arab state a chance to become a rule-of-law democracy.  What did we get wrong?  Trying to do the occupation on the cheap.  In warfare–the most complex of human endeavors–some few things are straightforward.  One clear thing is this ironclad rule:  “He who is unwilling to pay the butcher’s bill up front will pay it with compound interest in the end.”  Iraq wasn’t inherently hard.  We made it hard by trying to do it on the cheap and violating fundamental principles.  Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, especially, was a disaster.  But, despite the tragic errors, it’s to President Bush’s credit that he didn’t quit.  Today, Iraq looks like it has a chance to succeed–imperfectly, but wonderfully by the standards of the Arab world.  It won’t be Iowa, but it still may be a democratic beacon for its neighbors–and we’ve already seen the Iranians next door out in the streets, crying out for honest democracy.  I believe it was Bush’s tenacity, not Obama’s disgraceful apologia in Cairo, that made the difference.

5) With regards to Afghanistan, what have we done right, and what have we gotten wrong, in the last 8 years, and what steps need to be taken to improve the situations that require improvement?

What did we do right?  We promptly struck back, stunning al Qaeda and punishing the Taliban for hosting the terrorists.  What did we get wrong?  We stayed.  Afghanistan wasn’t the problem.  Al Qaeda was.  Afghanistan is a black hole.  Trying to turn Afghan elders into good Americans is a hopeless cause.  We should never tie our troops to “real estate” and feckless nation-building efforts.  We need to concentrate on killing terrorists, not teaching hygiene to Afghan hillbillies.  Let me be perfectly clear: In and of itself, Afghanistan is worthless.  And nobody in Washington can give a convincing rationale for our continued presence.  We don’t have a strategy, just sound bites.  And no American soldier should die for a sound bite.

6) With regards to any other foreign policy hot spots, what have we done right, and what have we gotten wrong, in the last 8 years, and what steps need to be taken to improve the situations that require improvement?

We promoted democracy, which was wonderful.  Then we backed away from promoting democracy, which was tragic.  Our foreign-policy principles should be based upon our values and security needs, and they should not bounce back and forth between administrations.  Our face to the world should wear a constant expression of vigilant good intentions.  One terrible mistake, though, that Bush and Obama both share, is the belief that strategic progress is all about personal relationships.  It’s not.  It’s about interests.  It doesn’t help to make nice with Putin or Chavez.  We need sober policies based upon our strategic interests–not on weekend getaways or bear-hugs with dictators.

7) How does the Obama Doctrine differ most consequentially from the Bush Doctrine? What aspects of the Obama Doctrine are an improvement, and what aspects are a regression?

As near as I can tell, the Obama Doctrine is simply “America’s guilty.”  Bush’s corresponding doctrine was “America’s a force for good in the world.”  Take your pick.

8.) Our country is incredibly polarized. Outside of another 9/11, is it even possible to unite Americans? What can be done to help reduce the acrimony among Americans today?

I believe that most Americans are still in the middle.  But middle-of-the-road views don’t make for exciting television or radio shows, or for dramatic headlines.  Extremists–hardcore extremists–on either end of the political spectrum are bad for our democracy.  Unfortunately, the blogosphere does a great deal to empower irresponsible extremists, the really good haters.  Speaking of the blogosphere, my rule is simple: I don’t trust or take seriously anyone who lacks the guts to sign his or her own name.  Now, I’m not talking about people having legitimate fun–I’m talking about the obscenity-laced rants.  “Anonymous” is a synonym for “coward.”

9) Who are your three favorite political leaders of all time, American or worldwide?

Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Oliver Cromwell.

10) Who are your three favorite military leaders of all time, American or worldwide?

Joshua, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

11) What America refers to as 9/11, Israel refers to as every day life. What did America get right and wrong in its relationship with Israel during the George W. Bush administration? What about so far in the Obama administration?

What do Israel and Mexico have in common?  They’re both vital to US security; they were both high on the Bush administration’s agenda on inauguration day; and they were both victims of 9/11.  Despite some fussing about, the Bush administration simply had other priorities than Israel–which wasn’t all bad, since Bush didn’t force any genuinely stupid polices on Israel.  As for the Obama administration, well, I believe our president’s world-view is much farther left than he consciously realizes.  You can’t spend twenty years listening to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright spew anti-Jewish hatred, or hanging around left-wing activists, and not absorb some of their bigotry by osmosis.  Sad to say, I fear that Obama came to office with a huge anti-Israel chip on his shoulder, along with a lot of phony Third-World free-the-poor-Palestinians b.s.  Well, as I point out to folks, the other Arabs never really cared about the Palestinians, except as a cause, and the Palestinians could have much greater freedom, mobility and prosperity if they stopped murdering Israeli children.  Obama just doesn’t get the fundamental difference between Israel and its enemies: Israel is willing to live in peace, while Israel’s enemies want every Jew dead.  I hope Obama will figure things out, but I worry about him doing great damage to Israel.

12) Can the issue of Iran be resolved through diplomacy, or are we at the point where military strikes are necessary? If strikes are needed, should they come from Israel or America?

No.  Almost.  America.

13) Do you support coercive interrogation techniques? If so, is there a specific example where they have been proven to work?

Generally speaking, violent coercion in interrogations isn’t productive.  But there are always exceptions.  The master interrogators I’ve known much prefer a methodical, non-violent approach that plays to the captive’s ego.  But sometimes you don’t have months.  And–while I do NOT condone torture as normative behavior, if it could keep Americans alive, I’m not sure I’d stop at any means.  I’m ultimately more concerned about the human rights of the innocent than I am about the rights of terrorists (the left takes the opposite view).

14) Should Guantanamo Bay stay open? If not, what should we do with the detainees?

Yes.  Period.

15) Without delving into your personal life, what would you want Americans to know about Ralph Peters the person? 100 years from now, what would you want people to remember about you, and what would you hope the history books say about you?

I would just like them to know that I have never knowingly written or said a false word when speaking to the American people.  As I said at the outset, I may be wrong, but, if so, I’m honestly wrong.  I believe that integrity is a fundamental value–and that, if a person has the privilege to speak to his or her fellow Americans through the media, he or she has the obligation to be honest.  No excuses.  As for how I’d like people to remember me 100 years from now, my vanity isn’t that great.  I want to continue to live a good life; thereafter, it’s in God’s hands.  Rather than remembering me, I want future generations to remember that, despite a national crisis of convictions in the early 21st century, Americans came through, made the right decisions, and continued to lead the world toward freedom and human dignity.

I would like to thank Colonel Peters for his time, and more importantly, for his service. He is too humble to say it, so I will say it for him. He is a great man.

I wish Colonel Peters well always, and eagerly await his next analytical report.

The only thing left to say is what all Americans and freedom loving people world wide should say to him.

Thank you Colonel Peters. Thank you, and welcome home.

eric

Several weeks ago I attended a discussion about missile defense put on by the Israel Missile Defense Association and the Claremont Institute. Children of Holocaust Survivors co-sponsored the event.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2009/04/the-israel-missile-defense-association-forum/

The event at the Luxe Hotel was such a sobering and brilliant experience that a sequel was necessary.

Several days ago the Luxe was once again the site of an eye opening foreign policy analysis that contained a heavy dose of discussion about missile defense.

Avi Schnur repeated his lecture on missile defense. The link above contains his remarks, so repetition is not necessary.

Another speaker was a brigadier general whose name I shall leave out. He requested that he be off the record, and I will as always honor that request. He did give me permission to repeat a couple of lighthearted jokes that he told, in addition to other perfunctory remarks. Specifics will be avoided. While they do not do the program justice, they were still enjoyable.

“Somebody saw me dressed in a suit and tie tonight and asked, ‘Who the hell are you, a congressman?””

“I found a box in my closet containing three eggs and a bunch of money. I asked my wife about it, and she explained that every time I gave a bad speech, she put an egg in the box. Three eggs in 32 years is not bad, but then I asked what the money was for. She replied that when she collected enough eggs, she sold them.”

“There has been a complete lack of coordination between the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.”

“I just came back from Iraq 48 hours ago to find illegal aliens in my backyard. That was surreal, and made for an interesting conversation.”

“Not every act is preventable.”

“There are several bad actors around the world. There are several areas of global concern Russia is at the top of the list. They are recidivist fundamentally.”

“Next comes China, Yet the last three decades has been declared the decade of the Pacific Rim. Howeever, right now China is preoccupied.”

“This brings us to North Korea. They are as unusual and strange a regime we will ever see. We will not get out arms around them. We will not figure them out.”

“With Pakistan, we have to deal with a strategy that works from the outside in, the same as North Korea.”

“India has a hugely unstable relationship with us due to Pakistan. Our relationship with India is vastly improved thanks to our previous administration, but it is still a dangerous part of the world.”

“Iran is trying to suppress dissent, but the flow of information is continuing. However, it is not always reliable. When policy decisions in America based on Twittered tweets, that is faulty because the information cannot be validated. While much of the information may be true, there is an old axiom that two idiots using technology are still two idiots.”

“Iran has another problem, which is that Sunni Arabs will rally against Iran.”

While the brigadier general mixed in some humor with his serious remarks, the real seriousness of the evening came from Frank Gaffney.

http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/index.xml

Frank Gaffney runs the Center for Security Policy.

There are too many children making decisions in this world. Frank Gaffney is an adult. He is one of the world’s foremost experts on national security.

I kept his remarks condensed because I want every American to attend his lecture live. His primary emphasis is on EMP, which stands for Electromagnetic Pulse.

He is also the brains behind the movie “Islam versus Islamists,” and the book “War Footing.”

With that, I offer the thoughtful wisdom of Frank Gaffney.

“Many in America are concerned with global warming. Let me tell you that solar flares over America will really heat things up.”

“Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that ‘A world without the United States is desirable and achievable.'”

“In Toronto, unique solar activity in 1985 hurt the city. Canadian authorities feverishly tried to get the power back on before resorting to the contingency action of ordering an evacuation of the city. At least they had evacuation as an option. Today in cities across America, that might not be the case.”

“Either those that are spending 20 billion dollars on updating the electrical grid either take electromagnetic aspects into account, or face charges of malfeasance when the next generation electrical grid fails.”

“Senator Joe Lieberman and Congressman Benny Thompson get it.”

“I is imperative that the Electromagnetic Pulse Threat Commission be reauthorized.”

“We worry about Kim Jong Il and Ahmadinejad, but what about what we cannot prevent? It could be Mother Nature that damages our electrical grid. Picture Hurricane Katrina times one thousand.”

“In 1992, the United States of America stopped worrying about nuclear threats.”

“Even the military does not have the resiliency on this issue that it once did.”

“There is also COTS, Commercial Off The Shelf technology. Civilians do not think about this.”

“North Korea, China, and Russia are doing nuclear tests. Iran will. We don’t.”

“Missile defense won’t stop solar flares, but it will protect us from missile attacks.”

“We need long range missile interceptors. President Obama cut funding for them.”

“We need a complete comprehensive rethinking of of Electromagnetic Pulse.”

Frank Gaffney is not a partisan gunslinger. He sees threats to our way of life, and wants politicians of both parties to do what they are elected to do above everything else, which is to keep us safe.

We need to listen to Frank Gaffney. Then we need to act.

eric

I recently had the pleasure of attending a forum put on by the Israel Missile Defense Association. The IMDA forum was co-sponsored by the Claremont Institute and the Children of Holocaust Survivors.

While many in the audience had strong political opinions, this event was not about politics. It was about policy. The IMDA has one mission, and that is to educate people on the ins and outs of everything related to missile defense.

The presenters were Avi Schnur, the Executive Director of the IMDA, and Brian Kennedy of the Claremont Institute. Larry Greenfield of the Claremont Institute was the moderator of what was a very sobering evening.

The event took place only days after the heroic rescue of Richard Phillips by Navy Seals. Three perfectly fired shots took down three pirates.

Larry Greenfield began with some ice-breaker remarks.

“I am a proud Navy man. Let’s pay a tribute to the Navy Seals. Let’s also pay a tribute to an American hero, Richard Phillips.”

“The Navy has played a vital role in preserving the safety of America since the days of Thomas Jefferson, during the Barbary Wars of 1801 to 1805.”

“To those in this room, I wish you a happy Passover. With Passover we celebrate a festival of freedom. A love of freedom is what America protects and defends today.”

“Those involved with Navy Intelligence have an expression. ‘In God we Trust. All others, we monitor.'”

“Some might have noticed a slight shift in foreign policy lately. We now have a world wide apology tour, the closing of Guantanamo Bay, and bowing before the Saudi King.”

“Yet tonight is not about partisan politics. This is about something we can all agree about, the need to keep America safe. This is about the importance of missile defense.”

Avi Schnur then gave a very serious presentation. Mr. Schnur has a background with Northrup Grumman. His expertise is in space and laser products.

“Israel’s enemies are now making far reaching changes in military strategy. No more are they using traditional weapons. Now they are using missiles and rockets.”

“Israel is surrounded by the largest world fleet of missiles.”

“All of Israel’s major populations centers are in the range of Hezbollah and Hamas missiles.”

“Missiles, unlike rockets, can be aimed.”

“There is a missile defense gap between what is available and what is needed.”

“Israel has many threats. Iran is a threat. Their missiles now contain one ton warheads. This is not like the old twenty kilogram warheads that Hezbollah used to fire. Syria is a threat as well. They have thousands of missiles, buried in silos in the mountains. Hezbollah is a threat. Their missiles now contain half of a ton warheads.”

Mr. Schnur then shifted from the threats and problems to the solution, in the form of defenses.

“The F-16 I is a capable aircraft. The United States has them. Israel does not.”

“The Arrow Missile has been deployed against Iran. The Arrow Missile has been very effective. This was a joint project between America and Israel. However, production of the Arrow missile ended this year. The Arrow is the only long range defense that Israel has.”

“Medium range is needed to deal with Syria and Hezbollah. There is the New Patriot Interceptor. It destroys items at Mock 10 speed. There is no warhead. There is just complete disintegration.”

“There is also the Skyguard Laser. The prototype is meant to defend against Ketushah rockets.”

“For short range, there is the Phalanx Gun. This is being used by America in the Green Zone in Iraq and by Israel to combat attacks against Sderot.”

“What is probably shocking to most of you is that the Israeli military has fought the development of these weapons. That may sound strange, that Israel’s own military would want to fight the development of weapons that could save Israel. Yet one characteristics of democracies is that democracies need tragedies before taking action. For America, it was 9/11. Democracies need tragedies. Problems with developing these systems in Israel include budgetary and other constraints. Money for these weapons must be taken from somewhere else, and nobody wants to give up their slice of the budget.”

“These defense systems are not expensive, especially when compared to the amount of current world wide spending during these times. Building these missile defense systems will not take a relatively large amount of money. It will take a large amount of political will.”

“Benjamin Netanyahu has the political will. He has promised to defend Israel. The United States should let him keep his word.”

“Sitting back and hoping is not a solution. We are past that point.”

Brian Kennedy then offered his perspective.

“Happy Passover. Passover was another time in history when Jews refused to allow themselves to be destroyed. Here we are again today.”

“There is a Hebrew word ‘Shoah.’ Shoah means whirlwind. There is epochal confusion where good and bad are put on the same moral plane.”

“Twelve years ago, in 1997, 75% of people thought that we in America already had a missile defense system.”

“Ronald Reagan believed in missile defense. He felt it was better to prevent another attack.”

“Why don’t we have missile defense? This is bipartisan failure. Democrats and Republicans are to blame.”

“Liberals oppose missile defense because they oppose shows of force and military strength. They prefer the nihilist approach of mutually assured destruction. Conservatives were too busy preening over the end of the Cold War. We won the Cold War, but we never got rid of the Soviet weapons.”

“The GOP has been too busy saving tax dollars.”

“America has a rudimentary system of interceptors in Alaska and California. This is better than nothing, but it is not acceptable.”

“An attack on America by attacking our access to electricity would be devastating. Absent electricity, America could hold 30 million people. We have 300 million people. Food and water require electricity. If a ballistic missile from a ship takes out our electricity, then America has ended. Civilization has ended.”

“Iran has twice tested ballistic missiles in the Caspian Sea.”

“President Obama has said that he will support a missile defense system only if it is ‘cost effective and proven to work,’ but he won’t provide the money to make it work. It costs 30 billion dollars. To paraphrase an old senator, that is not even real money nowadays.”

“President Ahmadinejad is not crazy. He is cold, calculating, and rational. He sacrificed his own women and children. He put sheets around them and had them roll through minefields in the Iran-Iraq war. Even John McCain didn’t talk about this.”

“The Iranian goal is to bring about the 12th Imam. This will only happen with a cataclysm. They have no fear of obliteration.”

“One such cataclysm could come in the form of Iran destroying our transformers in an electric attack. We only have 300 transformers. That’s it. There are no backups just sitting around.”

“The experts know this, but the problem is that the experts are not getting their message to the leadership.”

“There are 9000 interceptors defending 75% of Russians. The Chinese and Israel are setting up missile defense systems. Only the West will not get right that we need it.”

“For those that are Republicans, saying you are for missile defense is not enough. Talking tough isn’t enough. You have to do something about it.”

The question and answer session allowed for more reality to be spread by the presenters.

“Preemption is necessary. If you wait too long, it is too late.”

“Most people do not know that Israel has no missile defense. Systems require deconfliction codes. America has the deconfliction codes, but has not shared them with Israel. Without the deconfliction codes, there is no defense. Israel does not have an offensive missile force. Israel only has fighter planes.”

“The grand strategy involves superpowers. Russia and China are helping Iran and North Korea against us.”

“90% of food and electricity into North Korea comes from China. North Korea would never test a missile without permission from China. The recent North Korea missile tests were done with approval from China with the purpose of embarrassing President Obama.”

“President Obama needs to say publicly what George W. Bush would not even say publicly. He needs to publicly state that he will kill 70 million Iranians if they attack us. He will never say this.”

An intense evening concluded with websites that people could go to if they wanted more information.

http://www.missilethreat.com

http://www.empact.com

http://imda.org.il/English/index.asp

http://www.claremont.org/

http://www.cjhsla.org

For the sake of those that love freedom and civilization, I hope that a pursuit of more information is just the beginning. Attending lectures and learning is informative. Concrete action is what is needed.

eric

Today is a Sunday dedicated to some great Americans and more. Great Americans can be found anywhere and everywhere.

I will keep it simple today and just say that people can tell their stories  better than I can. Those stories are below.

For those that still do not know the truth regarding Israel, I recommend that you get your Israel news first hand from the Israpundit.

http://www.israpundit.com

A powerful movie is coming out that pays homage to who and what safeguards our liberty. The movie is called “Forgotten Heroes.” Always remember.

http://www.forgottenheroesthemovie.com/

The Slavblog has an interesting take on our current leader.

http://slavblog.blogtownhall.com/2009/03/26/pharoah_obama.thtml

My friend Larry Greenfield is a fellow at the Claremont Institute. He now does weekly podcasts, including one with Conservative comedian Evan Sayet, also a friend of mine.

http://www.redcounty.com/audio/by/podcast/618

The Townhall blog Outside of the Box has a full throttled trilogy defending President George W. Bush. Read every single word and commit it to memory.

http://outsideofthebox.blogtownhall.com/2009/04/03/in_defense_of_gwb-the_economy.thtml

http://outsideofthebox.blogtownhall.com/2009/04/03/in_defense_of_gwb_-_the_war.thtml

http://outsideofthebox.blogtownhall.com/2009/04/03/in_defense_of_gwb_-_communication.thtml

Lastly, many of the truest and bravest heroes are unsung. Well no more. We shall give them their due loudly and proudly. They are the best of the best. This website is dedicated to Great Americans.

http://www.greatamericans.com

God Bless Great Americans everywhere, and God Bless America.

eric

At the 2009 Republican Jewish Coalition winter quarterly meeting in Fort Lauderdale, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Ohio State Representative Josh Mandel.

http://www.joshmandel.com/

Notice the donation button on his site. It is not there for decoration. Please help him.

I have met Josh Mandel at previous RJC functions. He is a rising star in the GOP and a source of great pride for the Jewish community. I initially met him in California in 2008 at the Reagan Library. Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing him again when he came to Los Angeles.

His remarks from the Los Angeles event were off the record, but my interview with him in Florida was more than enough to tell his story.

1) What is the Josh Mandel story?

JM: “I am the grandson of a Holocaust survivor. I went to Ohio State University, where I became Student Body President. Inspired by my grandparents, I joined the Marine Corps in 2000. I ended up going to Law School at Case Western Reserve. I went to Iraq in 2004, to Anbar Province. I was part of the First Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion. Mostly I was stationed on the Syrian border.

I returned home, and in 2006 was elected to the Ohio legislature. I knocked on 19,679 doors, and wore out three pairs of shoes. I led the fight on Iranian divestment in Ohio.

In 2007, I went back to Iraq as part of the surge, again in Anbar province. I came home in 2008 and was reelected to my seat. I am now contemplating a run for Ohio State Treasurer. On the personal front, I got married a few months ago.”

Josh was modest in his description of himself. He actually had to make some hard choices. In 2007, while he was in the legislature, the marines wanted him back for a second tour of duty. He made the tough but right decision. As he explained, “I didn’t join the marines so that I could say no to my country.”

When he returned to Ohio in 2008, his Democratic opponent actually accused him of neglecting his constituents by leaving Ohio during the legislative session! The voters of Josh Mandel’s Ohio visit were not fooled. Serving in Iraq was a noble endeavor, and the voters rewarded Josh with a second term.

2) What have we gotten right and what have we gotten wrong regarding Iraq and the overall War on Terror?

JM: “What we got right was that we recognized the serious threat that America and worldwide democracies face from Muslim extremism. The only language the terrorists understand is strength and force. The American military is why Iraq has turned around. As for what we got wrong, I am not going to play Monday morning quarterback.”

3) If you had five minutes to talk to President Bush or Vice President Cheney, what would you say to them or ask them?

JM: “I would thank them for recognizing the threat we face with Muslim extremism, and for giving the needed resources to the soldiers fighting abroad.”

4) What role if any has Judaism played in your military career?

JM: “I am a grandson of a survivor. I looked up to him. He had a level of toughness I couldn’t imagine. That toughness and belief in God will stick with me as I try to be a leader in our country.”

5) How would you like to be remembered 100 years from now? What would you want people to say about Josh Mandel the person?

JM: “I would like to be remembered as a man who loved his country, and his family, and who was dedicated to making us strong economically and militarily into the future.”

It was a genuine joy to get to know Josh Mandel better. As Senator Norm Coleman remarked to me in front of him that weekend, pointing to him, “Eric, this is our future.”

I will probably run into Josh many times in the future at various functions, since we associate with many of the same people. Yet while I honor his service and marvel at his accomplishments, I also take great pride in knowing that Josh Mandel also lets the world know that he is a proud Jewish Republican.

I wish him well always, and the people of Ohio are lucky to have him.

eric