Greetings friends and supporters, fellow Americans, another week has flown by and we are in October. Where has this year gone?
To begin, I want to share a personal note with you all. The greatest spectacle I watched this week was my youngest daughter Austen’s volleyball game, the final game of the season. Now understand, last year the young ladies of Parkway Christian only won one game. They entered the game Tuesday against Weston Christian at 4-3. Weston Christian is about as close as you get to a professional middle school girls volleyball team.
In previous matches this season, Weston Christian had beaten them 25-1 and 25-2. It was an exciting match to watch Austen’s team win game one, lose game two, but come from behind to win game three…and the match. The girls charged the court, the parents leapt to their feet and cheered…and I was jumping to my feet with them to celebrate such a great win!
That is what America is about, never quitting and playing the game….to win! America is about winners and fighters. We know what victory looks like and we are more than willing to leave it on the field in order to achieve that honor.
Right now, our men and women are leaving it on the battlefield in Afghanistan, but are led by a Commander-in-Chief who is indecisive and unable to conclude that victory can be achieved. It is utter disregard that a president would give his Operational theater Commander, General McChrystal, a mere 25 minutes to discuss strategy. Gen McChrystal’s request for greater resources for victory was not as worthy as a last minute holiday with Oprah Winfrey to speak to the International Olympic Committee.
Those of us who have been on the field know the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory; we prefer the latter. Those whose character has not been forged in competition and struggle, shy away from the responsibility of taking the “hard right over the easy left”. America has so forgotten what leadership looks like, we confuse speeches read from a teleprompter with leadership as Winston Churchill’s, who offered his British citizens the inspirational “we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old”….a speech unaided by false platitudes and teleprompter rhetoric.
On Monday I had the honor of being asked to tape an interview with Erick Stakelbeck of the Christian Broadcast Network (CBN), the topic being Afghanistan and victory. Be on the lookout for a campaign email blast announcing when the interview will air, hopefully next week. I also want to thank Cindy Graves up in Jacksonville for having me on her radio show, “What’s the Buzz”. My message to everyone concerning Afghanistan is that American will and strength can overcome the adversities if our leaders would show the fortitude exemplified by our military, bravely fighting an enemy half the world away from home.
I must send out a hat tip this week to Inez and Marty Murray for the meet and greet they held in their home. It is such a special thing to have the opportunity to have such wonderful supporters and share this effort with my fellow South Floridians. Remember that we entered this race to provide District 22 with the leadership sorely lacking from Ron Klein. If you have the chance, please visit my website, www.allenwestforcongress.com, to make a very appreciated donation to the effort. Nancy Pelosi will not allow one of her best allies, Mr. Klein, to go without a fight. Klein will be well financed by the usual special interests so have your voices heard in my campaign and in DC!
This past weekend was be very busy…..hopefully some of you saw me on my motorcycle Saturday heading down I-95 from Palm Beach Harley-Davidson to Mizner Park in Boca Raton. We were having a “Think Pink” ride to support breast cancer research. This is a great cause that we can all support and I am comfortable enough to wear pink…LOL LOL!
On Sunday I ran in the Dunn’s Run 5 miler in Deerfield Beach to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County. Mr. Jim Dunn, race sponsor, has asked me to carry an American flag the entire route….too easy for an ole Paratrooper but a great honor! Later Sunday afternoon, Ft. Lauderdale was visited by the American Liberty Tour featuring Lloyd Marcus and Joe the Plumber. I met many fellow South Florida Patriots, nice to see so many of you there!
Have a great weekend and hope your favorite college football team wins, including my Tennessee Volunteers, so Go Vols!
Steadfast and Loyal,
Allen
