Lt. Col. Allen West: A True American Hero

I learned today that if all the stars align, and I mean to make sure they do, that I will have the incredible honor listening to Col. Allen West speak in person on April 13th.  West is running for Congress in the 22nd district here in my home state.  The seat is currently held by an Obama Democrat, but if anyone can change that it is West.  The following will tell you everything you need to know about the kind of man Col. West is:

Back in 2003, few Americans had heard of Lt. Col. Allen West, then commanding a battalion of roughly 600 in Iraq.

Attacks on his platoon suddenly spiked, and his intelligence operations got wind of an Iraqi policeman having leaked their maneuvers, in advance, to Islamic terrorists. West got nowhere by interrogating the suspected collaborator for several hours. Ever mindful of his men’s safety — and of a rumored plot to assassinate him and attack the entire battalion — West drew his service revolver and fired near the man’s head. The policeman started talking.

West averted the plot, but also faced a potential court martial, and was called to testify before Congress. “I’d go through hell with a gasoline can” to save his men’s lives, a nonplussed West told Congress.

The Army merely fined West and relieved him of his command, ending his otherwise stellar 22-year Army career.

Col. West didn't think about his career.   He thought about his men and he thought about his mission.  He didn't hesitate.  He did the right thing.  How many men and women currently sitting in Congress choose their career over doing the right thing for their constituents just as a matter of course?  I think we know the answer now that we've seen the results of the health care vote.

Clifford at Another Black Conservative linked the following video in his post announcing Sarah Palin's endorsement of Col. West.  It is said that over 2 million have seen this video.  Until tonight, I was not one of them.  Having watched the video I can honestly say that I do not recall when I have been this inspired.  I plan on watching it again and again, any time I have doubts that we can take our country back. 

We need this man in Congress.