If you have not heard about this knucklehead, Lee Whitnum, running for congress in CT you can check her out here http://leewhitnum2008.com/index.html.

Platforms built of racism, anti-Semitism, and a desire for defeat in the Global War on Terror should be condemned and fought against.

Good morals must precede good government.  Bottom line.

To send her a message condemning her “Blame America First” and anti-Semitic platform. http://leewhitnum2008.com/Joinus.html.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonatha Jenkins

Popularity: 27% [?]

October 15th is a milestone date that citizens of Pennsylvania should become familiar with.

Moms birthday - she turns (edited to protect the old innocent).

For me, it marks the 15th anniversary of my graduation from the land that God forgot (Parris Island) and became a Marine.

Most importantly, this October 15th will mark the third anniversary of when Iraq further solidified their escape from tyranny by holding a Constitutional Referendum.

The Constitutional Referendum essentially was the national referendum held on the new permanent constitution.  Despite the intimidation campaigns from terrorist and thugs with even less ideology then the terrorist 70% (9.8 million) of Iraqis eligible to vote headed to the polls.

Of particular note, the referendum established how the government was to actually be formed.  It set the basis for what was known as the Council of Representatives (CoR) Election.  Once completed, the Iraqis would then be set to go to the polls just 2 months later to elect a representative government.

Geez Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania continues to drift away from good governance.  Pennsylvania is held captive by socialist czar governor Fast Eddie and a state assembly now considered by most to be the most corrupt state government in the union.

A state assembly where millions of tax dollars have not only been stolen to re-elect themselves but to defend the few who have thus far been arrested too.

The state assembly continues to force people from their homes because of property taxes.  In some instances taxes have gone up over 500% with a few nearing 1000%.  What have we come to when upon retirement your government says that house you lived in for 40 or 50 years, raised children in, and paid property taxes for those 50 years is now to be taken away just because its value increased.

With no incentives for businesses, the middle class continues their exodus while companies run to set up shop in neighboring states.

Good Going Iraq
The Government of Iraq (GoI) continues to have a public affairs campaign to have those who have left the country (middle class) to come home.  They have even started a program to have families return to the houses that were rightfully theirs when they had to flee.

The GoI is building schools, hospitals, and countless other public works through the country and without taxation to its populace.

Iraqis are continually recognizing that only with transparency in government and expulsion of corrupt elected officials can they prosper as a nation.  Only then will other countries and businesses invest.

And speaking of businesses, new businesses are encouraged at every level of government.  From loans to a more robust infrastructure Iraq understands what they need to do as a nation to lift them from what Saddam had taken.

Can Pennsylvanians Take Back Their Government?
In Pennsylvania a growing number of reformers and even some state assembly like my friend Representative Curt Schroeder are trying to call for what is known as a Citizens Constitutional Convention.  By the way, check out Curts website http://www.Vote4Curt.com.

Pennsylvania needs true reform.  It’s too big, truly socialist in many forms, and too costly.  Sadly we cannot count on “reform” candidates as the extreme majority has turned out to be other then what they promised.  Too easily influenced by party leadership and lacking moral courage to stand up for what is in the best interest of the citizens.

It’s Not All the Elected Officials Fault
Don’t blame it all on the elected officials however.  Blame must also rest on those who don’t get involved with the process.

Can you name your state rep, state senator, and congressman?  No?  Tisk-tisk.

If you complain about your paycheck or taxes but don’t vote you are part of the problem.

If you don’t wish to “rock the boat” as a committee person or elected official and just go along to get along then yes you are part of the problem too.

Bad things happen when good people don’t take action.

Things I Know and Don’t Know
I know it’s embarrassing that with over 200 more years more experience, Pennsylvania seems to trail the GoI when its comes to good governance.

I don’t if a Constitutional Convention will be successful because most citizens don’t seem to recognize the power of their voice and vote.

I do know that when I go around meeting Pennsylvanians talking about good governance they understand what I am blathering about.  They crave a candidate that will remove government from their lives.  Someone that will side with personal responsibility vice a government program.  A true representative that will work to empower the people and not himself or the legislature.

I don’t know if the political parties can see past their thinking of party first vice Pennsylvania first.

I do know that we need change.

Ok I am Finished with My Rant
Maybe it’s the Marine in me for seeing things simply as they need to be.  Without emotion or playing favorites just execute the mission without regard to self.  Just seems so clear. 

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 64% [?]

The other day my friend and patriot, Bob Guzzardi, forward me an article that he found interesting and asked for my opinion.

The article, titled Winning Isn’t News, was published in the Investors Business Daily with the online version being found here http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=300324023809577.

In my opinion it is a good article that exposes how the main stream media continues to fail in reporting to the world that only a few Al Qaeda (AQI) members are in Iraq and that the other yahoos who are not dead or in prison are up against the wall waiting to be killed or captured.

Reading the article and my participation in the effort here in Iraq has led me to concur with just about everything written.  My only differences of opinion are with the time table and the number of AQI operatives.

The Government of Iraq has the right man for this moment in time as Prime Minster, Nouri al-Maliki.  However, the best man for the job of defeating a counter insurgency and jihadism is General David Petraeus.  Of course don’t ask Obama or his MoveOn.org types instead ask those who have been on the field.

Time Table
Iraq and al-Maliki may make mention of a timetable and even discuss operationally how it should work but at the end of the day it will be the decision of General Petraeus.  You will not even hear our government explicitly say this but thousands of inferences are there.

President George Bush’s primary reason sending us over here was to kill or capture bad guys to prevent attacks like 9/11 again not the liberation of Iraq.  Eerily similar to what John McCain is saying right?  Country First.

Number of AQI Operatives
The only other item I would not fully concur with is the estimate of AQI operatives.  In my opinion, that number is much less.  While we cannot quantify the number of yahoos I can tell you that the daily observance indicates most are very small groups more bent being free of government so that they can develop a criminal enterprise.  Thugs if you will.

Another interesting fact that is being missed is Iraqi on Iraqi crimes are either for profit or personal reasons.  Attacks that have nothing to do with Al Qaeda, Muslim values, the CF being in Iraq, etc…  So be careful when you read about shootings and IEDs.  Pay attention to who was targeted and witness what wasn’t told to you by the media i.e. ‘The Why’.

Now, don’t misunderstand me though as there is still yahoos that have nothing to do so take up arms against the CF for a “job”.  They rob, kidnap, and kill for money to support their daily habits (drugs), to eat, and when possible buy weapons or weapon making material to go after Iraqi Police then the Iraqi Army and if bold then the CF.

AQI Frustrations
Lastly, let’s talk about AQI frustration and disruption.  It’s so bad for AQI that they rarely if ever do the grunt work anymore in Iraq.  We killed so many of them that they are primarily just planners who then solicit others to do the dirty work.  This is great because when we kill or capture the planner the group is unable to continue as a functional cell.  Often the existing yahoos turn themselves in, join another rag-tag group, or get murdered by a rival group.  Gang mentality no?

It’s so bad for AQI that they have focused effort away from the CF.  Instead they are trying to get back at the Muslims who are siding against Al Qaeda.  So beaten down they had to completely change their strategy.

Closing
Why are these easy to make observations not being expressed in the media?  I am not sure but I know it should.

America would serve itself well only if we stay focused on the prize.  Total defeat of Jihadism in every corner of the earth. 

Continue the Bush strategy to fight the enemy abroad rather then at home.

Give General Petraeus what he needs to win the war.

Country First.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 87% [?]

One needs to look no further than B. Hussein’s Obama voting record to conclude he is seeking defeat in the Global War on Terrorism.  His refusal to support our leadership as well as voting against providing all of the necessary resources available to me and my fellow Marines in the time of war, in my opinion, is treasonous.

I am sure you remember his negative mannerisms and MoveOn.org-based questions to General David Petraeus during July of this year.  On July 10th, 95 out of 100 Senators voted to confirm General Petraeus as Military Leader of the Middle East.  Barack of course didn’t.

Voted against the Military Commissions Act which was the bill that created a military commission to try unlawful enemy combatants for violations of the laws of war and establishes rules for the conduct of these commissions.  It passed anyway 65-34.

Never casted a Yea vote for funding operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Never casted a Yea vote for an emergency funding supplemental bill.

Voted for a withdraw 3 times.

Twice voted for the Iraq Troop Reduction Amendment against the advice of General Petraeus.

Voted for the Time Between Troops Deployments Amendment against the advice of the U.S. Army.

Voted for the United States Policy in Iraq Resolution of 2007 which was the resolution to start a phased withdraw in Iraq.  Again, against the advice of General Petraeus.

Voted for the failed Supplemental Appropriations for the Department of Defense and Timeline for Withdraw from Iraq resolution.  Once again, against the advice of General Petraeus.

Voted for the failed Cluster Munitions Amendment which refused to fund our military for any cluster weapons unless clearly specified that they wouldn’t be allowed near civilian populations.  If B. Hussein was aware of what’s going on over here he would know that we never go after anyone unless we can positively ID them.  And, it’s horrific to have a Senator assume we would place civilians in harms way.

Bottom line, B. Hussein was against the surge which of course worked.  He works contrary to the experts on the ground and his refusal to vote for General David Petraeus shows his disregard winning leadership.

Even the left-leaning Brookings Institute said withdraw would most likely result in the slaughter of up to 800,000 people in and around Iraq.

Is that the leadership you and I want and need in a President?  Someone who runs contrary to success?  Someone who wishes to spur the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people?

Slick Willies disregard for people in Africa and the former Soviet Union resulted in over 1.2 million people being slaughtered.

Their vision of America in which sitting on the sidelines, waiting to be hit, and ignoring genocides is not why I came over here to fight.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 49% [?]

Yet another unique experience last night in Iraq. Being in Al Asad for a few meetings I had the opportunity to attend a Jewish Shabbat service. Shabbat or Shabbos is the weekly Sabbath i.e. day of rest in Judaism. I must confess that being in the heart of the Middle East I erroneously didn’t expect to see anyone practicing their Jewish faith.

Before the 1st millennium it is said that the Jews were nearly 300,000 strong in what we now considered Iraq. At the time this was the largest Jewish population in the world. Sadly now, they number only 9. Yes 9. 9 followers of the Jewish faith amongst the 25 million people of Iraq.

As for the number of Synagogues in Iraq? 1. I had no idea I would be observing and eating dinner in the only Synagogue in Iraq.

Service was led by Rabbi John Cutler who is in the Navy and is the Chaplain for the Third Marine Air Wing stationed here in Al Asad. Rabbi Cutler is also from Pennsylvania and lives in Bucks County (not too far from Philly).

Afterwards the dinner, the Rabbi and I talked for awhile so that I can gather some of his thoughts and opinions on how religion can play a role in the counter-insurgency (COIN) in Iraq.

All the left-wing nuts so badly wanted to call this a civil war (yes including MoveOn.orgs favorite son B. Hussein Obama) so that their blame-America-first rants would start to have more validity. In keeping with tradition of the loony left they failed to look at the facts nor show a desire to help a culture other then theirs.

We have now been fighting a COIN for the past couple years. Since General David Petraeus was able to implement a surge our ability to conduct COIN operations has proved huge dividends. By the way, McCain supported the surge and the General while B. Hussein Obama still speaks against both.

While we are doing a terrific job with COIN operations we still lack probably the most necessary ingredient for quicker success and that is the implementation of religious engagement programs. We need more American Muslim Chaplains to live with and work the Iraqi religious leaders.

Iraqis do not identify themselves as Iraqis. They first identify themselves by their household (family), then their clan (group of families), then their tribe (groups of clans), and finally a confederation or qabila (groups of tribes). Essentially, we are talking about what is known as blood loyalty.

With loyalty based on local leadership (predominantly religious leaders) vice those in Baghdad it would be in Americas best interest to expand our Chaplain Corps well beyond the 2 Muslims Chaplains we have now.

If you attended any meetings with military, political, and religious leaders in Iraq its easily recognizable that the Iraqis listen to the religious leaders first and foremost. This is the sort of knowledge that we must exploit.

Let me close by thanking Rabbi Cutler for the Shabbat dinner and follow-on discussion and of course the warm welcome I received from all of my new friends who also attended last night.

Shabbat Shalom and Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 68% [?]

With an estimated 7 out of 10 newspaper readers being voters it would be wise for conservative candidates and groups to exploit their penmanship skills by writing letters to the editors (LTE) in their local publications. 

Writing an LTE is simple but let’s be honest it’s not about getting your name in the paper.  If an LTE doesn’t motivate people to action it’s worthless.  As conservatives, we speak often about our deterring rights and the injustices cast upon us from socialist minded representation but take no further action.

It is incumbent upon conservatives to not only be well versed in constitutional matters but to express them to the masses.  Amongst friends, neighbors, and co-workers is not good enough.

Each of us has an issue or two that moves us so why not create more awareness and energy about it?  Think about a “campaign” you wish to start, learn all points of view, and set forth with a plan of attack.

When you are ready to kick off your campaign remember that there are three (3) keys to successfully motivating people to action.

Credibility

Professionalism

Optimism

On my page GET YOUR BLOG ON is a document my company produced to better aide you attain the 3 keys to success.  Click here to open the PDF.

As usual, my fellow patriot, feedback is always appreciated.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 38% [?]

As you know from a blog entry last week, I went to Saddam’s house to see if he was in.  While he wasn’t there I of course slithered in to check it out and got to meet General David Petraeus instead.  Much better don’t you agree?

The General is doing an awesome job.  After spending more time listening in on the morning briefs and talking to others he “gets it”.

He understands Counter Insurgency (COIN) operations and knows when and how to deal with them militaristically as well as economically.  Most of what he does is help push along common sense ideas and approaches.  However, he also has an innate ability to recognize when to extend the olive branch to groups to resolve concerns or current issues.

Congress would do the right thing for America is they do not pressure him for timetables and results.  Just with my limited exposure to this man I feel its in the best interest to allow him to run CENTCOM as he seems fit.

John McCain has bought into the Petraeus philosophies but unfortunately Obama repeated states that his policies and actions are failures meaning the General is a failure.  I do not feel its appropriate for a Presidential candidate should be siding with MoveOn.org and Code Pink when all the facts say otherwise.

General David Petraeus, a leader we can trust in.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 63% [?]

How We Got Here
The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) is Americas forced response to the jihadist networks that have killed, maimed, and tortured Americans for years.  For too long, America’s lack of leadership has emboldened jihadist and rouge nations.  This “acceptance” paved the way for September 11th.

Under President Clinton the jihadist networks thrived.  Clinton sat on the sidelines and watched jihadist literally get away with murder.  His lack of action allowed jihadist networks to grow in size, scope, and capabilities.  Allowing the jihadist networks to blossom resulted in the fall of some countries and government infiltration within many more.

New Sheriff in Town
Let’s be honest, on September 11th most Americans knew they made the right choice by electing George Bush over Al Gore.  America was sick of inaction and complacency.  America was craving a real leader and justice.  President Bush would take action to chase down and punish the terrorist versus being part of the “blame America first crowd”.

Since taking the fight to the enemy, jihadists have sustained huge setbacks.  Driven from power in Africa and the Middle East, remnants of jihadist networks remain but are severely degraded.  Their ability to communicate and operate freely, other than on a very small scale, is non-existent. 

The policies of the Bush administration to stop the money flow and infiltrate their communication networks has hampered them to the point where those who haven’t been killed or captured have resorted to either walking off the battlefield or forced into remote areas with little or no resources to put up an effective fight.

Presidential Candidates
In respect to the GWOT, this is the 2004 Presidential race all over again.  The two leading Presidential candidates are miles apart in wisdom, philosophy, and military prowess.

One will protect America while the other will blame her.  One will continue to eradicate jihadist and fulfill a promise to our friends in Africa and the Middle East, while the other shows moral cowardice by immediately leaving Iraq thus succumbing to anti-American groups such as MoveOn.org and Code Pink.

Putting political affiliation and all other issues aside, one can only reason that it is Senator John McCain who is best qualified to be commander-in-chief.

Sacrifice and Maturity
We all know John McCain as a warrior at heart.  His journey took him from the Naval Academy to becoming a Navy pilot, to eventually being taken as a POW for 5 years.  When offered a chance to be released before others McCain rejected the offer.  He understood duty, honor, and sacrifice.  McCain doesn’t wish to place fellow military members in harms way, but understands the necessity and sacrifices that must be made.

One cannot reject the fact that Obama lacks the understanding and wisdom of the capabilities and needs of a military.  As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he chairs a subcommittee on European relations that includes, of course, NATO and therefore involvement in Afghanistan.  Hillary Clinton and Obama are both on record stating that no substantive meetings have been held.  His lack of participation demonstrates his lack of appreciation for Americans sacrificing their lives in Afghanistan.  To not hold even one meeting about oversight in Afghanistan shows a lack of wisdom and duty.

Cost of the War
Have you noticed since the war began that Obama predominantly talks about the cost of the war? 

Americans need a president to envision an endstate that brings peace to the Middle East and the United States.  They need a President with the wisdom to look at the cost of not winning this war.  They need a President that believes in General David Petraeus and fully supports the great inroads paved, not only by the surge, but shared economic investment too.

It only takes sitting in on a few briefs with the General to recognize he continually asks who is paying for new projects or assuming responsibilities for its administration / execution.  His plan requiring Iraqi investment within their infrastructure has undeniably shown tremendous results.

With water, electricity, food, health care, etc… far exceeding pre-war levels, the civilian populace are now conditioned to a better life.  So much so that they are turning in the jihadist in their neighborhood in order to keep their creature comforts.  Other then Al Qaeda, jihadists recognize they just lose more support and credibility when attacking civilians and their infrastructure.

Yes, wars are costly, but there is a shared economic responsibility and the Government of Iraq now takes the lead for budgeting and spending with their own money.

We need a President who recognizes a strategy that is exceeding expectations and continues to support those executing it.  A President planning on running away now will show the world that America doesn’t have the stomach for war and will further embolden the terrorist.

Do we really want another 4 years of Clinton-esque foreign policies where terrorist run free and without repercussions?

Why I Support John McCain
The loss of Iraq will cause ripple effects thru most of the Middle East and large portions of Northern and Eastern Africa.  The loss of sovereign nations will provide havens for jihadist networks to rebuild and prosper.  The fight will then come to our shores with possible unspeakable consequences due to a weapon of mass destruction.

John McCain knows how to best decide when, where, and how to deploy the military.  He has no problem standing alone when it comes to his opinion on American security.  He leads from the front but will allow the conditions on the ground to dictate America’s success and pullout from Iraq.

Nothing else matters if we lose security and sovereignty.  That’s why I support John McCain.

Semper Fi,

Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 71% [?]

Everyman’s Library is a series of reprinted classic literature since 1906.  The goal was to create a 1,000 volume library of world literature that was not only affordable but appealed to everyone from students to the working classes to the cultural elite. 

The official Internet site for the Everyman’s Library is http://www.everymanslibrarycollecting.com and to purchase affordable books in its collection please click here.

I have two professional libraries in my home in Pennsylvania. One is the geek library with computer books covering everything from FORTRAN and COBOL (let’s just say 1960ish books) to the latest software and database languages and theories today.

The other library is smaller (yet growing) and contains books or essays on philosophies and politics.

One of my goals this year was to document this second library and provide it to the thousands of readers of has been hitting my website each month.  For the lack of a better name we can just consider it the conservative version of an everyman’s library for now.

If you wish to learn how to better effect positive change then please click on http://www.conservativebog.org/book-store/ and see what I consider the first dozen books every patriot must read.

These initial must reads are listed in the order in which I feel is best to grasp the general them of pro-growth, limited government, and personal responsibility as well as attain a unique perspective on winning ANY grassroots battle. 

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 48% [?]

Wow, it was like Christmas in July as the Chester County Young Republicans and the Republican Committee of Chester County shipped us 9 boxes of goodies as well as health and comfort items.

Unfortunately, my fellow Republicans back in Chester County, PA included what they thought was just a football.  My naivety saw it more as a weapon of opportunity and quickly engaged on a target of opportunity (Lance-Coconut Price) to see if I was correct.

Pictures don’t lie!

Stage 1 – Target Identified

Stage 2 – Target Acquired

Stage 3 – Target Hit

Ok it wasn’t the Republicans per se that brought the Lance Coconut down but, I am going to take the Democrat approach for my rebuttal:

1. “Well they shouldn’t have given me something that if used completely inappropriate would hurt someone.”

2. “I am sure this is George Bush’s fault, just like when he Rumsfeld conspired to create Hurricane Katrina with the help of Halliburton”

3. “I did not have relations with that pigskin”

4.  “I was for using a football appropriately before using it inappropriately” – Thanks John Kerry

5.  “Then we will hit him in the shoulder, then in the legs, then in the back, and then in the groin.   Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa” – Thanks Howard Dean

Wow again.  Look at all the stuff below.  Not only do I and the junior Marines in the office appreciate the generosity but so do some Marines in Fallujah we may never meet.  There have been a few hut fires in Iraq and almost a companies worth of Marines lost their gear and personal items.  Because of your generosity we were able to send a few boxes to them today.

Pictured: Tough Guy (Me), Sgt Slaughter, Cupcake, and the Lance Coconut

Semper Fi Fellow Republicans,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 100% [?]