It would seem that commitment is no longer an American value according to the actions of this White House and those in charge of various functions of government and the senior brass of our Armed Forces.  I am cautious about branding the military brass with this ideological stance for they are supposed to follow orders.  Well, lawful orders and, I guess that in their minds, this order was lawful.  I question it but, I am not senior brass in the military, just a Vietnam veteran, a patriot, a concerned citizen, and a Christian.  But question it, I do!

I agree with former CIA analyst Matt Zeller that the president engaged in presenting a false narrative about the evacuation.  President Biden insisted that we had planned for every contingency.  That is so blatantly false that I cannot believe his handlers would put that on his teleprompter for him to read.  But it would seem that we, the American citizens, are deemed too dense that we would believe whatever we are told.  If it were not for the many that seem to do just that, I would think that rather foolish on their part.  But alas that is an inescapable reality in today’s America.

Some of those with boots on the ground, inside Afghanistan in Kabul have informed all who would listen that the Taliban has been going door to door making a list of everyone who used to work with the United States.  They need not do that for our illustrious leader has provided them a list, supposedly with an agreement to gain safe passage for those individuals.  The history of that group of people suggests that the only passage those people will get is to the next life.

Mr. Zeller declared that the Taliban are the modern version of the Nazis.  He also stated that he voted for Biden and was happy when he took office and now has remorse over the blatant lies being told and the actions taken in Afghanistan.  It is documented that this administration not only left people behind but valuable weapons and technology.  Those actions can do nothing but embolden our enemies and dishearten our friends. 

I don’t care if you are a liberal or a conservative, a Republican or a Democrat, Independent, Libertarian what took place and what it could mean should trouble you.  If you can honestly say that the evacuation was a roaring success, then I question whether you are paying attention.  I don’t mean to be offensive, but the way this went down has breathed life into ISIS and has emboldened our enemies worldwide and make another 9/11 or worse a very real possibility.

Former U.S. Army Green Beret and CIA liaison officer Jerry Torres believes the cutting-edge weapons we left behind have not only emboldened our enemies but equipped them beyond their wildest hopes.  The botched evacuation not only left Americans in harm’s way but endangered hundreds of thousands of Afghanis as well.  Torres insists that we have American citizens or SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) holders scattered all over the country and in areas our government is paying no attention to.  However, the Taliban and ISIS are. 

The sad reality is that the Taliban is allowing the Chinese to inspect our weaponry left behind.  Isn’t that just peachy?  One of our most formidable adversaries in the 21^st century, China is now combing through what we left behind seeking any technological advantage and insight into our capabilities.  How is that for success?  The equipment is one thing but the code, the computer programming code in that stuff is beyond alarming, it is almost as though this administration wanted to disadvantage our military in future conflicts. 

The Taliban utilized much of the weaponry left behind to fight the Panjshir province, the last stronghold of resistance.  Over 64,000 machine guns, 350,000 assault rifles, and 126,000 pistols were left for the taking.  That violates every sentiment and position America has held since her inception as the Free Republic she was founded to be. 

A list that I have seen, but cannot fully vet is highly disturbing and, in my mind, borders on treason by the president or whoever ordered the abandoning of those weapons.  Let me quickly give you the list:

· 2,000 Armored Vehicles Including Humvees and MRAPs

· 75,989 Total Vehicles: FMTV, M35, Ford Rangers, Ford F350, Ford Vans, Toyota Pickups, Armored Security Vehicles, etc.

· 45 UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters

· 50 MD530G Scout Attack Helicopters

· ScanEagle Military Drones

· 30 Military Version Cessnas

· 4 C-130s

· 29 Brazilian made A-29 Super Tucano Ground Attack Aircraft

· Heavy Equipment, Including Bull Dozers, Backhoes, Dump Trucks, Excavators

Not a bad haul for our enemy but that was not the end of the list.  It appears that we left behind at last 600,000 small arms, M16, M249, SAWs, M24 Sniper Systems, 50 calibers, 1,394 M203 Grenade Launchers, M134 mini guns, 200 mm Gatling Guns and Ammunition.  Yet, that is not the total list, we also gave them encrypted cell phones, Air to Ground Rockets, night vision goggles, thermal scopes and goggles, body armor, U.S. Military HIIDE, for Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment Biometrics, and millions of rounds of ammo.  We made them one of the most highly equipped forces in the Middle East.  Nice move Mr. President.  America was certainly not first in your mind!

The Marines, and I salute them have a motto that most of the branches believe in, “No One Left Behind.”  If you saw the movie, Lone Survivor, you remember that a small US Navy Seal team went on a mission to capture a Taliban leader responsible for the death of more than 20 US Marines, as Afghan villagers.  The entire team, save one, was killed, in addition to 16 rescuers shot down by Taliban forces.  That kind of heroism and commitment was lacking in the evacuation of Afghanistan by the Biden Team.

The Marines have another motto that we should all hold, “Do Not Quit, No Matter the Cost of not Quitting!”  It may not be rational to lose an entire unit to bring back a dead comrade in arms, although I applaud the intent.  But to quit is not the American Spirit of 1776 or we would still be under British rule. 

History records three known Marine combat unit surrenders, Guam, and Wake Island in December 1941, and Corregidor in May 1942.  In all three cases it is reported that in all three cases, higher ranking non-Marine officers ordered the Marines to surrender.  It is also reported that at Wake Island, Marines wept when they laid down their arms because they believed they should fight until no one was left standing.  To that, I say Semper Fi Marines.

We are living in an evil and hostile world, a world that shares neither our values nor faith.  The people that we just helped become stronger than ever are those who chant “Death to America” and yet we are supposed to believe they will cooperate with us.  They, like all terrorists, will seek to hold us hostage and seize any opportunity to harm us.  I am thankful for the ex-military contingents and civilians such as Glen Beck who have facilitated the rescue of many of our citizens.  Sadly, our government leaders do not have the same heart and spirit. 

I am not arguing that we should have stayed in Afghanistan, but I do argue that we should never have closed the Air Base and should have gotten our citizens and allies out before removing our forces.  This was either incredible lunacy, ineptitude, or a diabolical effort to harm America.  None of those are acceptable to me.  You have and have a right to your own opinion!

God bless you and God bless America!