Honor and Betrayal

U.S. Navy SEALs are some of the most highly trained, most elite warriors in the American armed forces.  In September, 2009, a team of Navy SEALs in Iraq captured Ahmad Hashim Abd al-Isawi, the so-called “Butcher of Fallujah,” who was responsible for thousands of deaths including those of four American Blackwater contractors whose bodies were mutilated, burned and hung from a bridge.

What was the reward for these brave fighting men who brought a heinous terrorist to justice?  Court-martial and disgrace.  Three SEALs were charged with prisoner abuse for allegedly hitting al-Isawi while he was in custody.  The only witnesses for the government were the terrorist and an emotionally unstable naval policeman who had earlier repeatedly abandoned his post and changed his story about what happened.  The only visible injuries to the prisoner were a split lip which a doctor testified were probably self-inflicted.

Despite pleas from Congress and public outrage, the military high command stubbornly proceeded with the prosecutions.  Even after two of the Seals were acquitted after trials in Iraq, the commanding officer, Major General Charles T. Cleveland, insisted that the prosecution of the remaining SEAL go forward.

Journalist Patrick Robinson has written an expose of the politically correct hypocrisy of the Obama military.  It is a military which is more concerned with how our military appears to the United Nations than in achieving victory.  Robinson’s book, Honor and Betrayal, should be required reading for every American.  And every Patriot should be deeply ashamed at how our current government treats our bravest and most decorated warriors.  

Guns of the Old West

Colonel Jeff Cooper (1920 - 2006) may have known more about guns than any other person in the history of the world.  A Marine Lt. Colonel and veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Colonel Cooper had a Master’s Degree in History and a love for the United States of America.  The founder of the American Pistol Institute, Colonel Cooper trained thousands of individuals in gun use and safety.

Guns of the Old West, originally published in the 1950's, recounts the history of the firearms used on the American frontier in the 19th century.  The story of the pistol really takes off with Samuel Colt’s production of the first practical revolver in 1836.  Colonel Cooper takes us through the entire development of the Colt revolver: the Patterson, the Walker, the Dragoon, the 1851 Navy (favorite handgun of the Confederate army), the 1860 Army, and finally the 1873 Army which will forever be known as the “Peacemaker.”  All of these weapons were “cap and ball” pistols until the development of the 1873 Army which shot a .45 caliber self contained cartridge.  Just as Sam Colt revolutionized the pistol, Mr. Winchester revolutionized the rifle.  The “Winchester 1873" was to the rifle what the Colt Peacemaker was to the handgun.

This is a short but very informative little book (64 pages), but well worth anyone’s time.

  Colonel Jeff Cooper (1920 - 2006)

A Wire From Paladin

Obviously, this blog is an homage to the CBS television series Have Gun Will Travel which starred Richard Boone and ran on television during the late 1950's and early 60s.  Although I may be writing some posts about Have Gun Will Travel, this is not primarily a fan blog.  The purpose of this blog is to have a platform to talk about whatever I want to talk about - mostly about history, politics and guns.

I just recently got into guns.  Now, I, Bad Catholic, crazy member of the legal profession located in deep South Georgia, understands that some don't think that there ought to be any guns in private hands.  The Bad Catholic ain't one of them.

Mrs. Bad Catholic prepares to fire.

Mrs. Bad Catholic lets the target have it!

The Bad Catholic's bad friends enjoy a day at the range.