Dr. Robert M. Bowman Patriot News e-letter December 2007

Patriot News e-letter December 2007

The Patriots

Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Lt. Col., USAF, ret., National Commander

web site: www.thepatriots.us

Contents:

1. The struggle to prevent war with Iran

alted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 confirms our contention that there is no immediate threat from Iran . Here is the complete text of Dr. Bowman’s Open Letter. Though it has been reprinted many times, we still don’t know if the Pentagon brass have seen it. Please copy it and pass it on, along with a link to our web site www.thepatriots.us .

Duty, Honor, Country 2007

An Open Letter to the New Generation of Military Officers Serving and Protecting Our Nation

By Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Lt. Col., USAF, ret., National Commander, The Patriots

Dear Comrades in Arms,

You are facing challenges in 2007 that we of previous generations never dreamed of. I’m just an old fighter pilot (101 combat missions in Vietnam , F-4 Phantom, Phu Cat, 1969-1970) who’s now a disabled veteran with terminal cancer from Agent Orange. Our mailing list (over 22,000) includes veterans from all branches of the service, all political parties, and all parts of the political spectrum. We are Republicans and Democrats, Greens and Libertarians, Constitutionists and Reformers, and a good many Independents. What unites us is our desire for a government that (1) follows the Constitution, (2) honors the truth, and (3) serves the people. (See www.thepatriots.us )

We see our government going down the wrong path, all too often ignoring military advice, and heading us toward great danger. And we look to you who still serve as the best hope for protecting our nation from disaster.

We see the current Iraq War as having been unnecessary, entered into under false pretenses, and horribly mismanaged by the civilian authorities. Thousands of our brave troops have been needlessly sacrificed in a futile attempt at occupation of a hostile land. Many more thousands have suffered wounds which will change their lives forever. Tens of thousands have severe psychological problems because of what they have seen and what they have done. Potentially hundreds of thousands could be poisoned by depleted uranium, with symptoms appearing years later, just as happened to us exposed to Agent Orange. The military services are depleted and demoralized. The VA system is under-funded and overwhelmed. The National Guard and Reserves have been subjected to tour after tour, disrupting lives for even the lucky ones who return intact. Jobs have been lost, marriages have been destroyed, homes have been foreclosed, and children have been estranged. And for what? We have lost allies, made new enemies, and created thousands of new terrorists, further endangering the American people.

But you know all this. I’m sure you also see the enormous danger in a possible attack on Iran , possibly with nuclear weapons. Such an event, seriously contemplated by the Cheney faction of the Bush administration, would make enemies of Russia and China and turn us into the number one rogue nation on earth. The effect on our long-term national security would be devastating.

Some of us had hoped that the new Democratic Congress would end the occupation of Iraq and take firm steps to prevent an attack on Iran , perhaps by impeaching Bush and Cheney. These hopes have been dashed. The lily-livered Democrats have caved in, turning their backs on those few (like Congressman Jack Murtha) who understand the situation. Many of us have personally walked the halls of Congress, to no avail.

This is where you come in.

We know that many of you share our concern and our determination to protect our republic from an arrogant, out-of-control, imperial presidency and a compliant, namby-pamby Congress (both of which are unduly influenced by the oil companies and other big-money interests). We know that you (like us) wouldn’t have pursued a military career unless you were idealistic and devoted to our nation and its people. (None of us do it for the pay and working conditions!) But we also recognize that you may not see how you can influence these events. We in the military have always had a historic subservience to civilian authority.

Perhaps I can help with whatever wisdom I’ve gathered from age (I retired in 1978, so I am ancient indeed).

Our oath of office is to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” Might I suggest that this includes a rogue president and vice-president? Certainly we are bound to carry out the legal orders of our superiors. But the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) which binds all of us enshrines the Nuremberg Principles which this country established after World War II (which you are too young to remember). One of those Nuremberg Principles says that we in the military have not only the right, but also the DUTY to refuse an illegal order. It was on this basis that we executed Nazi officers who were “only carrying out their orders.”

The Constitution which we are sworn to uphold says that treaties entered into by the United States are the “highest law of the land,” equivalent to the Constitution itself. Accordingly, we in the military are sworn to uphold treaty law, including the United Nations charter and the Geneva Convention.

Based on the above, I contend that should some civilian order you to initiate a nuclear attack on Iran (for example), you are duty-bound to refuse that order. I might also suggest that you should consider whether the circumstances demand that you arrest whoever gave the order as a war criminal.

I know for a fact that in recent history (once under Nixon and once under Reagan), the military nuclear chain of command in the White House discussed these things and were prepared to refuse an order to “nuke Russia .” In effect they took the (non-existent) “button” out of the hands of the President.. We were thus never quite as close to World War III as many feared, no matter how irrational any president might have become. They determined that the proper response to any such order was, “Why, sir?” Unless there was (in their words) a “damn good answer,” nothing was going to happen.

I suggest that if you in this generation have not had such a discussion, perhaps it is time you do. In hindsight, it’s too bad such a discussion did not take place prior to the preemptive “shock and awe” attack on Baghdad . Many of us at the time spoke out vehemently that such an attack would be an impeachable offense, a war crime against the people of Iraq , and treason against the United States of America . But our voices were drowned out and never reached the ears of the generals in 2003. I now regret that I never sent a letter such as this at that time, but depended on the corporate media to carry my message. I must not make that mistake again.

Also in hindsight, President Bush could be court-martialed for abuse of power as Commander-in-Chief. Vice President Cheney could probably be court-martialed for his performance as Acting Commander-in-Chief in the White House bunker the morning of September 11, 2001 .

We in the U.S. military would never consider a military coup, removing an elected president and installing one of our own. But following our oath of office, obeying the Nuremberg Principles, and preventing a rogue president from committing a war crime is not a military coup. If it requires the detention of executive branch officials, we will not impose a military dictatorship. We will let the Constitutional succession take place. This is what we are sworn to. This is protecting the Constitution, our highest obligation. In 2007, this is what is meant by “Duty, Honor, Country.”

Thank you all for your service to this nation. May God bless America , and sustain us in this difficult time. And thanks for listening to the musings of an old junior officer.

Respectfully,

Robert M. Bowman, PhD, Lt. Col., USAF, ret.

email: bob@thepatriots.us

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2. The case for Impeachment

A few brave souls on Capitol Hill are calling for impeachment, but the movement doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The leadership of the Democratic Party seems to have made a calculated decision that if they can possibly keep Dick Cheney and George W. Bush in office until November 2008, then Democrats will sweep the elections. And they may be right. But there are more important things than partisan politics.

Never in our history has there been such a strong case for impeachment. The number of “high crimes and misdemeanors” committed by Cheney and Bush is staggering.

Many of their offenses involve usurping the Constitutional powers of the legislative branch and building an “imperial presidency.” Many involve deliberately and arrogantly violating the law, including the Constitution itself. Many involve abrogation of our freedoms as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Any decent Constitutional lawyer would be able to draw up Articles of Impeachment including dozens of offenses for which there is undisputable proof.

However, I propose bringing impeachment proceedings on only one count — deceiving the Congress and the nation into an unnecessary and illegal war of aggression in Iraq. (An equally strong case could be made for the war in Afghanistan, but that’s another count for another day.)

Hardly anyone denies that there is a mountain of proof of this charge. The only argument against proceeding seems to be that there is so little time left in their term of office that it doesn’t make sense to spend the time and money involved. I disagree.

Reasons for impeaching Cheney and Bush (regardless of whether the Senate ever gets around to convicting them) are as follows:

(1) There are still sixteen months left in which this fascist cabal can do even more evil than they have already done. Among the possible deeds they may do if not prevented from doing so is a “false flag” attack against one of our own assets (a city or one of our carriers in the gulf), blaming it on Iran, and using this deception to get us into yet another disastrous war, possibly involving the use of nuclear weapons against Iran’s underground facilities. It will be much easier for the generals and admirals in the Pentagon to refuse such orders if Cheney and Bush are under impeachment.

(2) Impeachment will send a message to future presidents that if they become dictators, violate the Constitution, and ignore the will of the people, they will NOT get away with it. We will not let them quietly serve out their term and retire to a ranch in Paraguay. WE WILL TAKE THEM DOWN!

(3) Impeachment will send a message to the people of the world that the American people do not support the evil that has been done in our name. We are now the number one rogue nation on earth. Moreover, we apparently reelected the perpetrators. If we are to recover our standing in the family of nations, we must make it clear that this administration is an aberration that will not be tolerated.

It is not sufficient to just elect a Democrat and hope all will be well. In all likelihood, it will not. Democrats are not immune to the allure of power, and all too many of them serve the same big money interests that control most Republicans.

If we want our Republic back, we the people must insist on our representatives using the tool provided in the Constitution to protect us from tyranny — impeachment.

If not now, when?

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3. Form a local chapter of The Patriots

If you agree with our drive to “Take Back America”, then consider forming a local chapter of The Patriots. We will help in any way we can, and will provide the chapter with a web site. Just send us information about your chapter (Congressional District; contact name, address, phone number, & email address; and any other information you have) and we’ll get you started. We will provide free hosting of your web site if you like.

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4. The Constitution Project

Some of us carry a pocket copy of the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Amendments to the Constitution. It’s amazing how few Americans know what their rights under the Constitution really are. How can we get our government to start following the Constitution if we don’t know what it says?

We are therefore starting a project to increase awareness of the Constitution. We have provided a link to the text on our web site. We are also hoping to raise enough funds to provide every member of The Patriots with their own copy. We also plan to provide chapters with many copies they can distribute.

An aware electorate will not put up with abuses like the so-called “Patriot Act,” the Military Commissions Act, Presidential Directive 51, and other infringements on our freedoms as Americans.

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5. New Guidelines for Event Organizers

Go to www.thepatriots.us and click on “Events.” That page will tell you all you need to know to organize a speaking event for Dr. Bowman in your community. Such events provide the bulk of our income to support the activities of The Patriots through the year. They are vital in bringing in new members and bringing us closer to the critical mass needed to “Take Back America.” Such an event will also help you gather members for a local chapter.

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6. Remember “The Patriots” in your will.

One of the best ways to keep us going is to remember “The Patriots” in you will or living trust. A bequest to The Patriots will be most appreciated. Remember, we are a 501c(3) non-profit organization. All gifts to us are tax-deductible.

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7. The Elephant in the Living Room: 9/11 Truth

The corporate media will not address the issues of 9/11 Truth, except for occasional “hit pieces” putting us down. It’s true that there are a few “kooks” in the movement, but the vast majority are highly educated, highly credible, and highly rational. See for example http://patriotsquestion911.com . I (Dr. Bowman) don’t know if anyone in the Bush Administration was complicit in the attacks. It’s quite likely that at least President Bush himself was quite clueless. But we know there has been a cover-up. Why, we don’t know. We’re not sure what they’re covering and who they are protecting. We just know we have not been told the truth. Those of you who share these troubling thoughts may be interested in a three-minute DVD on our web site. It’s all about World Trade Center Building 7. It’s so short and to the point, we have successfully used it in Congressional lobbying. Take a look, and feel free to download and copy it. You may not think it’s a “smoking gun,” but it’s as close as we have. It should at least open people’s eyes to the fact that there’s something fishy about the official conspiracy theory we’ve been subjected to. It usually leaves folks wanting more information ... and there’s plenty available.

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8. Finally, do go to www.thepatriots.us every week or so, and keep informed. Together, we can take power away from the global robber barons and return it to the people.

Thanks!

` Bob

Great letter from Dr. Bowman

Unfortunately the war mentality of the current administration is based on "can-we-invade-Iran-now?" rather than "Is-Iran-an-immediate-threat?". In this regard, the findings that Iran is not developing weapons might make the warmongers more confident to start the war.