Monday, May 16, 2005
Save LT Pantano - Update
It looks like some sense of sanity has crept into LT Pantano's case. The officer in charge of his Article 32 hearing has now determined that there is no evidence that LT Pantano committed murder. However, the officer wants to charge LT Pantano with firing too many bullets into the already dead bodies of the suspected terrorists. Give me a break! The Marine was taught to win by killing the enemy during war and he did exactly that. I didn't know that the Geneva Conventions included a limit on the number of bullets you can shoot into a body. If anyone was in his position, they would be too pumped up full of excitement, fear, anger, etc. to stop until they are out of bullets. This is war and we need to treat it as such until we win.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Respect Michael Graham's Rights
Dear Montgomery County Police Department:
As a former policeman myself, I found your treatment of Michael grahamvery unfair and unprofessional. Michael Graham is a well-knownpolitical commenter who was at the protest for legitimate reasons. Ifsome illegal immigrant might find his choice of attire or questionsoffensive, that's his business. I find it offensive that you keptharrassing him over his identification when you knew that thereillegal immigrants at that rally and you did absolutely nothing tothem. Try enforcing the laws on the books for a change instead ofviolating Mr. Graham's First Admendment rights. If you arrest him, Iwill be excersing my 1st Amendment rights and start a protest movementagainst your baised actions.
Sincerely, John Dittmer
As a former policeman myself, I found your treatment of Michael grahamvery unfair and unprofessional. Michael Graham is a well-knownpolitical commenter who was at the protest for legitimate reasons. Ifsome illegal immigrant might find his choice of attire or questionsoffensive, that's his business. I find it offensive that you keptharrassing him over his identification when you knew that thereillegal immigrants at that rally and you did absolutely nothing tothem. Try enforcing the laws on the books for a change instead ofviolating Mr. Graham's First Admendment rights. If you arrest him, Iwill be excersing my 1st Amendment rights and start a protest movementagainst your baised actions.
Sincerely, John Dittmer
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Save LT Pantano!
Dear Friends:
Below is a statement from Mrs. Merry Pantano, the mother of Marine Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano who is currently being accused of "murdering" 2 Iraqis whcih they turned and charged him. 2LT Pantano is a prior-enlisted Marine who served during Desert Storm then rejoined the Corps shortly after 9/11. He left a high-paying job as a executive for a TV and movie production company to become an active-duty Marine again. While in the Triangle of Death in Iraq last year, he made a split second decision to protect him and his Marines. Now he's facing a court-martial over it. Please read his mother's statement:
As America rallies behind the rhetoric, the talk of "bringing terrorists to justice" must be translated into action. Fighting men and women with wills of steel are in dark corners of the world getting their hands dirty where "the rubber meets the road" so policy can become a reality. These men and women are placed in harms way and are required to make split-second, life or death decisions - decisions that could cost them their own lives.
DefendtheDefenders.org stands behind the man who puts his life on the line again and again, who makes life or death decisions in the blazing heat, exhaustion, fear and confusion of war while conducting combat operations intended to capture or kill the enemy and as a result of his actions in combat becomes the subject of an investigation or even formal charges.
DefendtheDefenders.org's initial fundraising effort is for my son's legal defense costs, but it is a sad reality that the longer we are at war the more of these types of cases there will be. In the future, we would like to expand the parameters to help cover the legal expenses of other Marines and soldiers facing similar dire circumstances as a result of combat related actions. There are a number of such cases that are currently under investigation that may result in charges in the near future. The organization will screen requests in order to ensure the principle and the intent of the organization and its various donors is adhered to.
If you don't like what you've read or you don't agree with it, that's okay too. Millions of American men and women like my son put their life on the line so you can say, think or feel what ever you want. Use that freedom wisely. It's their gift to you and it has cost many of them their lives.
God Bless America and Semper Fidelis!
MERRY K. GREGORY PANTANO
So after reading this, what do you think?
Below is a statement from Mrs. Merry Pantano, the mother of Marine Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano who is currently being accused of "murdering" 2 Iraqis whcih they turned and charged him. 2LT Pantano is a prior-enlisted Marine who served during Desert Storm then rejoined the Corps shortly after 9/11. He left a high-paying job as a executive for a TV and movie production company to become an active-duty Marine again. While in the Triangle of Death in Iraq last year, he made a split second decision to protect him and his Marines. Now he's facing a court-martial over it. Please read his mother's statement:
As America rallies behind the rhetoric, the talk of "bringing terrorists to justice" must be translated into action. Fighting men and women with wills of steel are in dark corners of the world getting their hands dirty where "the rubber meets the road" so policy can become a reality. These men and women are placed in harms way and are required to make split-second, life or death decisions - decisions that could cost them their own lives.
DefendtheDefenders.org stands behind the man who puts his life on the line again and again, who makes life or death decisions in the blazing heat, exhaustion, fear and confusion of war while conducting combat operations intended to capture or kill the enemy and as a result of his actions in combat becomes the subject of an investigation or even formal charges.
DefendtheDefenders.org's initial fundraising effort is for my son's legal defense costs, but it is a sad reality that the longer we are at war the more of these types of cases there will be. In the future, we would like to expand the parameters to help cover the legal expenses of other Marines and soldiers facing similar dire circumstances as a result of combat related actions. There are a number of such cases that are currently under investigation that may result in charges in the near future. The organization will screen requests in order to ensure the principle and the intent of the organization and its various donors is adhered to.
If you don't like what you've read or you don't agree with it, that's okay too. Millions of American men and women like my son put their life on the line so you can say, think or feel what ever you want. Use that freedom wisely. It's their gift to you and it has cost many of them their lives.
God Bless America and Semper Fidelis!
MERRY K. GREGORY PANTANO
So after reading this, what do you think?
Monday, April 25, 2005
Welcome!
Greetings! Welcome to my Blog. I'm John Dittmer, your humble host. Later today, I'll be posting some views on variety of political, military, social, and relgious topics. FYI, I'm a moderate Republican who likes to examine each issue on its own merits. I'm also a Greek Catholic (a church which is in communion with the Roman Catholic Church but which follows its own traditions and has its own "chain of command" going up to the Holy Father. I'm a proud veteran who has recently retired from the Navy Reserve. During my Navy career, I have been stationed Denmark, Cuba, Italy, and Bosnia plus San Diego & the DC area. I have a MA in Info Resources Management plus BA degrees in Political Science and History. In addition, I am gradaute of the Naval War College. I work as a Security Analyst for an IT company in Northern Virginia. Combined, these facets of my life have given me a unique perspective on life. I look forward to chatting with all of you and sharing thoughts and ideas.
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