If you look into the eyes of the young men and women who are here - not just American, but British, Romanian, Canadian, Danish, Dutch, Poles, and more - they are here as evidence that our civilization, our society and our way of life is worth defending.

Why should we take counsel from those who feel there is nothing worth sacrifice? As Teddy Roosevelt termed them, "those hapless souls who will never know victory nor defeat." They fear to enter the arena, yet will sit back and ridicule the warrior who provides them the safety and sanctity upon which they can offer their criticism.

This abject, vile filth called self-loathing is nothing more than the manifestation of internal insecurity and, actually, shame. Shame from those who cannot make a stand. Shame from those who have no honor. Shame from those who would rather prostrate and subjugate themselves before anything, just to preclude calling upon a simple character trait, courage.

Do I have fears? Hell yea. But do I take counsel of those fears? No. That is called courage.

I will not back down in the face of totalitarian, imperialistic, fascist Islamism or its 7th century jihadi henchmen.

I will not bow down to the false god of multiculturalism. I am proud of my American, and black, heritage.

I will not submit to inner insecurities based in self-loathing and hatred.

I will not base my life and my country upon being liked by nations that, if they examined themselves, are failing.

We are the most benevolent superpower ever known in history, and it is time we realized that respect far outweighs being liked. If we are such an immoral society, then why do we have an immigration issue?

My dad, my mom, my brother, myself, and now my nephew, have not taken up the shield, spear, and sword as warriors of this country for nothing. Ever since the Boston Massacre, Lexington/Concord, Bunker Hill and onwards, Americans have not wasted their lives. They have sacrificed with honor so that others could live free!

I will not live my life in shame as a coward and will show no respect to any person who does.

Al West, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Retired

Amen to that!

Cross-posted at CinnamonStillwell.blogspot.com.