War is ugly and brutal. The brave men and women of the military fight, and yes, kill terrorists bent on America’s and western civilization’s destruction. These terrorists are the same “extremists” who celebrate death, use women and children as human shields; and who would gleefully slaughter—kill, all Americans, and any westerner whenever possible

Tragically, regrettably, in the fog of war collateral damage occurs and innocent people get caught in the crossfire, but when the bombs have fallen and the troops have secured the area, why is it that no one asks how many lives did the military save?

Why is it that those serving in the military, who have pledged their life to America’s defense; a pledge not quantified by hollow, empty, rhetoric but by deeds, seem to be constantly taking fire from their fellow countrymen?

For years, we have witnessed the military’s verbal laceration emanating from coddled and insulated Hollywood honchos; from book-smart but educated fools within academia, and specious media types. Even lawmakers, like Pennsylvania’s Congressman John Murtha accused Marines serving in Iraq of committing “cold-blooded murder” and war crimes in the highly publicized and defectively named investigation, the Haditha Massacre. (So far, seven of the eight Marines have been exonerated. One awaits trial.)

Perhaps it seems that the military is constantly under fire because of particularly disparaging reports like this one: “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fuelling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment” that the Obama Administration’s Department of Homeland Security, under Janet Napolitano, published last week. It effectively, in one broad-stroke, demonized over 23-million vets and active service military personnel. The report was originally commissioned under the Bush Administration.

In it the Obama-Napolitano DHS admonishes law enforcement to be on the look out for returning veterans because “rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists—including lone wolves or small terrorist cells—to carry out violence.” The assessment determined that “the economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.” Rightwing Extremists report here.

How many lives did the military save? Recall when Europe was liberated from Hitler in World War II?

The Obama-Napolitano DHS report, which notably was not intended for public view, states that in the 1990s there was a “willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups…because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war…” The report alleges that it “is being replicated today” but offers scant documentation to support its contention.

Instead, the statistics-free assessment cites Timothy McVeigh as its prime example. The barbaric McVeigh blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma in 1995 and killed 168 people, including 19 children.

McVeigh had served in the U.S. 1st Infantry Division where he was trained as a gunner – he was not trained as a bomb maker, the lethal weapon he used on his murderous rampage.

How many lives did the military save? Although the battle persists, think about the liberated people in Iraq and Afghanistan. Remember what the military did in Kuwait?

Ironically, highlighting Timothy McVeigh might further undermine the Obama-Napolitano DHS report’s thesis should an investigation be reopened. According to Representative Dana Rohrabacher’s (R-CA) Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee report: The Oklahoma City Bombing: Was There a Foreign Connection? Critical evidence was overlooked or ignored and unanswered questions remain as to whether or not Timothy McVeigh and his cohort, Terry Nichols, acted alone. See report.

How many lives did the military save? Think about what the military did after the devastating tsunami in Thailand, the earthquakes in Pakistan and elsewhere.

The Obama-Napolitano DHS assessment’s footnote defines right-wing extremism as hate-motivated groups and movements. Extremists possess a hatred of certain religions, racial or ethnic groups and “may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration,” the report said, curiously echoing tenets of President Obama’s domestic platform. What’s DHS’ point? Returning veterans should avoid people who believe in the right to life and desire secure borders or else they are terrorists?

How many lives did the military save? Think about a Naval Captain held hostage by gun wielding Somali pirates. Consider the Americans lifted off rooftops to safety after hurricane Katrina.

For the Leftwing, the Obama-Napolitano DHS issued an assessment called: Leftwing Extremists Likely to Increase Use of Cyber Attacks Over the Coming Decade.” The report assessed that “cyber attacks are attractive options to leftwing extremists who view attacks on economic targets as aligning with their nonviolent, “no-harm” doctrine and tactic of “direct action”… Their no-harm doctrine includes claiming to ensure the safety of humans, animals, and the environment even as they attack businesses and associated operations.” Seriously. While the report refers to Animal rights and environmental extremists as well as Anarchist extremists, there was no mention of President Obama’s “family friend” and domestic terrorist Bill Ayers and his bomb-throwing Weather Underground, even to reference as a factual example of a deadly leftwing extremist group’s tactics. Leftwing Extremists report.

Your tax dollars at work.

That clueless bureaucratic hacks slandered returning veterans, labeling them as dangerous extremists and potential domestic terrorists is simply outrageous. In contrast, veterans, unlike bureaucratic hacks, have a record of tangible accomplishment, have honorably served in America’s defense, have sacrificed in ways that cannot be quantified; and have families who have sacrificed, day after day, deployment after deployment. Apologizes? What about resignations?

Worse, America’s Commander-in-Chief, President Obama, and Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano permitted this shoddy and inflammatory military defamation tripe’s distribution to law enforcement agencies. The real question here is who is really harming America?

How many lives did the military save?

It is with our utmost gratitude and appreciation that we thank the military and their families for their service and sacrifice.

Godspeed and Semper Fi.

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