If you ever had any doubt that our Federal Government has become a bloated bureaucracy with so many agencies that have their own “protocols,” many of which differ from each other, than you have been living under a rock. I learned a basic principle during my time in the Corps: “A leader is responsible for everything his/her command does or fails to do.” Go to the top and question the Director of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, they all belong to him,  As the director he leads the third largest Department of the U.S. government, with a workforce of 229,000 employees and 22 components including TSA, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service — just to name a few. He needs a “sit down” with the heads of all his agencies and DEMAND they get their stuff together. But, you know what? That will never happen until some heads swing. Come on Trump, we need you to clean house!

Federal immigration boss at center of turf war over terror suspect transferred on heels of damning report

Originally posted 2016-06-07 12:06:32.

OMG. I can just hear the famous “President’s Own playing Hail to the Chief as this thing comes down the stairs to the east room for a state dinner. And in trace of her would be a Marine from 8th & I in dress blues carrying her flag. OMG. 

Originally posted 2016-06-06 17:56:35.

I’ve been drafted! No, not back into the Corps, but pretty close. Well, to be truthful—I did actually volunteer, but with much trepidation. The Marine Corps League (MCL) of Elgin, IL had been trying since January to start a Young Marines unit in their area. They had some folks interested, but no one would step up to be the Unit Commander. Then somehow, my MCL in McHenry County learned of their need and unbeknownst to me, threw my name in the ring.

I went to their website (www.youngmarines.com) and the more I read, the more interested I became. Finally, the first part of April, I gave in and agreed to take on the responsibility of Unit Commander. We have an XO, Adjutant, and three registered adults (Nancy is one of them). I will assume the billet of Training Officer until I find a Marine qualified for the job. 🙂  We are still feverishly in search of a Paymaster, but until found the XO will handle that job.

We have been hard at work setting up everything for the past few months. I finally received our charter and our 501 3c letter from the IRS last week. Now I’m waiting for the packages to arrive with all our “stuff” e.g., flag, guidon, etc.

We have ten children who have already signed up to become Young Marines. We must conduct a twenty-six hour syllabus appropriately entitled “Boot Camp” to be designated as a Young Marine Private. Until then, they are, what else — “Recruits.” Perhaps many of you have heard of the Young Marines. If not, I would encourage you, when you have few free minutes. to peruse their website and see what they are all about – www.youngmarines.com. This organization is NOT a recruiting tool for the Corps. It has; however, been sanctioned by the Corps. The unit adheres to the Corps’ credo of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, wears Marine utilities (without the EGA), uses the Corps’ grade structure, and teaches many of our principles and leadership traits. Their mission is to: “positively impact America’s future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy drug free life style.” Their motto is: Strengthening the lives of America’s youth.

Lord knows a mission and a motto like that is something we sorely need. I have been reborn. By that I mean I am excited to have the opportunity to use what the Corps taught me during all those years to try and have some impact on today’s children and to pay back to our once great nation for what I have been blessed with at my age and station.

We do not receive federal or state grants and no funding from the Corps or the Young Marines HQs. We will get some help from the MCL in Elgin. We survive through donations and by holding fund raisers.  It is costly to become a Young Marine. Our XO and I visited a unit south of us and their fee to join is $589. That got them a set of utilities, pair of boots, cover, PT shorts and shirt and a few other garments and items they would need. I can’t and won’t do that. To begin with, families in our area are hurting,  I cannot expect parents with two children to dish out a thousand dollars to enroll them in the program, or have to make a decision to only enroll one.

So, I am asking for donations, every penny will help provide a young boy or girl the chance to learn the necessary skills to become a success and in some small way help this once great nation get out of the sick state we now find ourselves. We are a 501 3c non-profit organization; therefore, all donations are tax deductible. Just yesterday, the XO opened the unit’s account at a local bank. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Checks can be made out to “Young Marines of Fox Valley,” and mailed directly to me at:

4303 East Drive Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Or, if you have a “Fifth Third” bank near you, you can simply go in and tell them you want to make a donation to the “Young Marines of Fox Valley” and they will handle it

I thank you so very much. This was very humbling to have to go out to my friends and Marines Corps family asking for help. I would never do so if I did not believe it is for a good cause.

Thank you, Gy Bathurst has awoken. 🙂

As always, Semper Fi;Jim Bathurst

Originally posted 2016-06-04 21:42:20.

This has got to be the saddest piece I have read thus far about what is happening to our U.S. Army. If it weren’t so sad and tragic, it would be hilarious! The comments in red are mine. Sorry, I just could not help myself. Wake up America, we are doomed!

Boykin bounced: Fort Riley cancels Delta Force hero’s prayer breakfast speech.

A Kansas military base abruptly canceled an upcoming prayer breakfast that featured retired Lt. General Jerry Boykin after complaints were lodged that Boykin is anti-Muslim and anti-gay.

Military Religious Freedom Foundation founder Mikey Weinstein told Army Times that Boykin’s invitation had caused great angst among soldiers at Fort Riley – leading some to break down in tears.

“I have clients of ours weeping on the phone about this,” he said. Weeping? Oh, please. OMG, the soldiers were crying because they were upset. OMG OK men, fix bayonets, and follow me CHARGE! Yeah right. OMG

“I sincerely doubt that America can expect to win wars if the people who are tasked to do so are frightened by an old retired general with biblical views and a testimony of faith,” Boykin told me.

Boykin, an original member of Delta Force and an executive vice president of the Family Research Council, was scheduled to deliver remarks at a June 6^th prayer breakfast. The event was set to be held in conjunction with the 1^st Infantry Division’s Victory Week celebration.

The MRFF launched a protest on May 31 accusing the retired three-star general of being a “homophobic, Islamophobic, fundamentalist Christian extremist.”

“He sows hatred and heinous divisiveness with his sickening screed of fundamentalist Christian supremacy, primacy, exclusivity and triumphalism,” Weinstein wrote in a complaint to Fort Riley.

Mr. Weinstein might want to consider cutting back on caffeine – and adjectives. Yeah, I think he needs to crawl back under his rock!

He went on to label the decorated military hero as a “World Class bigot” and threatened to sue unless Boykin was ejected.

Gen. Boykin told me the cancellation is “just another reminder of the incredible discrimination against Christians in our armed forces.”

“This should tell you how difficult it is for Christians, and especially chaplains, to live their faith in our military,” he told me.

I reached out to Fort Riley and they confirmed that the prayer breakfast has been called off. They blamed the cancellation on a scheduling conflict and said it would be rescheduled. Yeah right, who’s schedule? 

“Lt. Gen. (Ret) Boykin’s credentials as a Soldier and leader speak for themselves and his 36 years of service to our nation are worthy of our respect,” Chief Public Affairs NCO MSG Mike Lavigne told me in a statement. “However, in an effort to ensure everyone in our broad and very diverse community feels welcome at any event on Fort Riley, we will pursue the invitation of a different speaker for the prayer breakfast once it is rescheduled.” There’s that word, diverse” again. you have to use it in every sentence when trying to explain the morbid, insane, idiotic, and ludicrous goings-on in our military today. It’s all about diversity, nothing about mission capability.

Now, it’s important to follow the timeline on this story. Boykin was extended an invitation to speak on March 31. On June 1, the MRFF filed their complaint and 23 hours later Fort Riley canceled the breakfast.

However, Fort Riley denies the MRFF complaint had anything to do with their last-minute decision to drop the prayer breakfast – calling it a “coincidence of unfortunate timing.” Yeah right, who is the commander of Fort Riley I wonder. Perhaps an up and coming Kool Aid drinker?

Folks, now you know that I deeply admire and respect the Armed Forces – but you could plant a mighty big crop of butter beans with the kind of fertilizer coming out of Fort Riley.

Mr. Weinstein makes a very comfortable living by bullying the military into eradicating public displays of the Christian faith within the Armed Forces.

Most recently, the MRFF has been successful in forcing the military to remove Bibles from “Missing Man” displays.  And they aren’t big fans of the Baby Jesus either.

The MRFF demanded those responsible for inviting Boykin (base chaplains) be “aggressively investigated and visibly punished.” Who does this jerk think he is?

So what kind of punishment would be suitable Mr. Weinstein and his MRFF minions? Would they be satisfied if the chaplains were stripped naked, tied to a pole and beaten with a whip?

Boykin said he understands that Fort Riley’s commander was “caught between radical secularists and a Commander-in-Chief who seeks to impose a politically correct culture on the military.”

“The Fort Riley commander is in a tough spot,” he said. “However, he must remember we all took an oath to support and defend the Constitution – all of it, including the First Amendment.”

Sadly, I’m afraid the Constitution doesn’t have a prayer at Fort Riley. Well put General Boykin, but you simply should have called your fellow soldier  who commands Fort Riley exactly what he is — a coward!

Todd Starnes is host of Fox News & Commentary, heard on hundreds of radio stations. His latest book is “God Less America: Real Stories From the Front Lines of the Attack on Traditional Values.” Follow Todd on Twitter@ToddStarnes and find him on Facebook.

Originally posted 2016-06-03 12:46:20.

What a well written article for all your #NeverTrump “associates.” I say associates, because they would not be friends of mine if they took the stand of simply not voting. Are you kidding me? A “no vote” is the same as a democratic vote!

Dennis Prager’s latest book, “The Ten Commandments: Still the Best Moral Code,” was published by Regnery. He is a nationally syndicated radio show host and creator of PragerUniversity.com.

When you differ from people you admire, you have to question yourself. After all, what is the purpose of admiring people if they aren’t capable of influencing you?

So, I have had to challenge my position — stated since the outset of the Republican presidential debates — that if Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination, I will vote for him over Hillary Clinton, or any Democrat for that matter.

I devoted many hours of radio and many columns to criticizing Trump. His virtually assured nomination has therefore caused me grief as an American, a Republican and a conservative. That his character defects, gaps in knowledge on some important issues, and lack of identifiably conservative principles came to mean little to so many Republican voters is quite troubling. (Though, I might add, it is even more troubling that virtually all Democrats ignore the even worse character of Hillary Clinton, as well as the idiotic socialist ideas of Sen. Bernie Sanders.)

#NeverTrump conservatives, such as (in alphabetical order) Jonah Goldberg, Bill Kristol, Ben Shapiro, Bret Stephens and George Will are not merely people I admire — they are friends and colleagues. Goldberg, Stephens and Will have made multiple videos for Prager University, which receive millions of views. Shapiro and I have spent Shabbat together. I have had the privilege of writing for Kristol’s The Weekly Standard and having him on my show many times. And I have enthusiastically promoted their books. These individuals are special to me not only as thinkers, but as people.

However, in the final analysis, I do not find their arguments compelling.

Take the “conscience” argument that one can sleep with a clear conscience by not voting for Trump. I don’t find it compelling because it means that your conscience is clear after making it possible for Clinton or any other Democrat to win.

In fact, the “conscience” argument is so weak that Goldberg — to his credit — published a column two days ago titled “Sorry, I Still Won’t Ever Vote for Trump.” He wrote, “If the election were a perfect tie, and the vote fell to me and me alone, I’d probably vote for none other than Donald Trump.”

Shouldn’t all Americans vote as if their vote were the deciding vote? Including those whose votes “don’t count” because they live in states that are so left-wing they would still vote Democrat if Vladimir Lenin headed the Democratic ticket?

The choice this November is tragic. As it often happens in life, this choice is between bad and worse, not bad and good.

But America has made that choice before. When forced to choose between bad and worse, we supported Joseph Stalin against Adolf Hitler, and we supported right-wing authoritarians against Communist totalitarians.

It seems to me that the #NeverTrump conservatives want to remain morally pure. I understand that temptation. I am tempted, too. But if you wish to vanquish the bad, it is not possible — at least not on this side of the afterlife — to remain pure.

The most moving interview of my 33 years in radio was with Irene Opdyke, a Polish Catholic woman. Opdyke became the mistress of a married Nazi officer in order to save the lives of 12 Jews. She hid them in the cellar of the officer’s house in Warsaw. There were some Christians who called my show to say that Opdyke’s actions were wrong, that she had in fact sinned because she knowingly committed a mortal sin. In their view, she compromised Catholic/Christian doctrine.

In my view — and, I believe, the view of most Catholics and other Christians — she brought glory to her God and her faith. Why? Because circumstances almost always determine what is moral , even for religious people like myself who believe in moral absolutes. That’s why the act of dropping atom bombs on Japan was moral. The circumstances (ending a war that would otherwise continue taking millions of lives) made moral what under other circumstances would be immoral.

In the 2016 presidential race, I am not interested in moral purity. I am interested in defeating the left and its party, the Democratic Party. The notion (expressed by virtually every #NeverTrump advocate) that we can live with another four years of a Democratic president is, forgive me, mind-boggling. To that end, with at least one, and probably multiple, additional leftists on the Supreme Court, a Republican presidential victory in 2020 would mean little. All the left needs is the judicial branch, especially the Supreme Court. Left-wing judges pass so many left-wing laws that they render those who control Congress, and even the White House, almost irrelevant.

Here, then, are nine reasons (there are more) why a conservative should prefer a Trump presidency to a Democrat presidency:

—Prevent a left-wing Supreme Court.

—Increase the defense budget.

—Repeal, or at least modify, the Dodd-Frank act.

—Prevent Washington, D.C. from becoming a state and giving the Democrats another two permanent senators.

—Repeal Obamacare.

—Curtail illegal immigration, a goal that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with xenophobia or nativism (just look at Western Europe).

—Reduce job-killing regulations on large and small businesses.

—Lower the corporate income tax and bring back hundreds of billions of offshore dollars to the United States.

—Continue fracking, which the left, in its science-rejecting hysteria, opposes.

For these reasons, I, unlike my friends, could not live with my conscience if I voted to help the America-destroying left win the presidency in any way.

I just don’t understand how anyone who understands the threat the left and the Democrats pose on America will refuse to vote for the only person who can stop them.

Originally posted 2016-06-01 15:49:30.