By Ed Sperry Col USAF (ret), Stevensville
I’m an old vet, a white guy, and on most issues a conservative. I am tired of being told that I am a menace to society, a racist, a homophobe, a misogynist and misanthrope (I think these last two mean I hate everyone). I now publicly declare that I am not guilty! However, I will admit to being guilty of being politically incorrect and clinging to my guns and God. Like all veterans I served with honor and took the oath that all veterans take. That is the oath to defend the Constitution of against all enemies foreign or domestic. The oath does not have a time limit as oaths do not expire.
Today our Constitution is under attack. Unfortunately the source of these attacks is domestic.
To name but a few targets for change or erasure consider the right to fee speech, the right to bear arms, the right for each state to control elections, the freedom of religion, rights to manage private property, state control of education, need I go on? Yep, you got it! The far left is intent upon destroying our Republic. They realize that before you can build a communist or any authoritarian state you have to demolish what already exists. Progressives have been busy in the demolition business for over 50 years and have finally taken off their Democratic masks. Frankly, there is no longer a Democratic Party.
As vets we represent approximately 10% of the population of Montana. Where is our voice? I not talking about the voice of politicians. I mean you and me ,the plain old everyday working citizens.I have been occasionally writing letters to the editors. I have deliberately signed them as Col USAF (ret). Some folks say I shouldn’t use rank or service. They are wrong! When we leave active duty we regain the right to speak of political issues. We all kept our mouths shut while we served. It was and is proper. But now, no longer in uniform, let’s SOUND OFF ! For example, how do you mustered out Master Sergeants,Warrant Officers and Petty Officers feel about what is going on? You and I , each of us, can be politically partisan as hell and proud of it.
Let me offer and example for your consideration. Senator Tester has done many things to improve the lot of veterans. On the other hand he was a 90% plus supporter of Obama when they destroyed our military capability. They used the national defense budget as a piggy bank. Remember? It was called Sequestration. Those 8 years allowed our unfriendly peers like Russia and China to catch up with our capability. We may never regain that lost edge which was the key to deterrence. Now he is part of the current administration which holds national defense as the lowest budget priority. I ask, did he buy your vote?
Finally, so no one thinks that conservative vets are the only ones I’m talking to, let me encourage all of us to become politically involved. Every vet, Democrat, Republican or Independent needs to consider the threats to our Constitution which we all swore to defend. Political Ignorance, fence sitting and silence are no longer acceptable.
Commuter says
I have felt for some time that an ideological form of lingchi, death by a thousand cuts, is being used. It shows itself in attempts to embarrass, dismiss or silence certain opinions by associating them with unsavory actions. The expression of patriotic ideas, conservative opinions or heartfelt wishes are called undemocratic or even hateful. Specifically mottos like “make America great again” or opinions like Col. Sperry’s are met with accusations and an unspoken insinuation that they somehow support, agree or identify with the mob that attacked the Capitol on January 6th. Sadly some people believe ideas and opinions they disagree with can be easily dismissed as the rantings from an unruly mob.
Bill LaCroix says
As a vet and a “white guy” whose dad, gramps and other ancestors fought in every war since the Revolutionary one, I have to point out that the guy writing such regurgitated, nativist nonsense that helps or defends no one (except maybe “white guys”) failed to mention the Jan 6 attack on the capitol, where some of the challenged individuals he probably voted for in the last local election had a hand in treason. Interesting, Judge, that you love your freedom but you don’t love mine. Is it “give you liberty or give me death” then. Asking for a friend.
Gomez says
Yup. It struck me too that he made no mention of the insurrection at the Capital in January.
Joe says
Col Sperry, thank you for your service. You are spot on. clueless democrats who listen to main stream propaganda are not aware that the capital police allowed the protesters in the capital. Furthermore, if democrats read the constitution, would learn the protest was lawful. There was no insurrection.