The Most Vulnerable

(Maverick Free Verse about a true life Maverick) hey, Mr. Editor, you got it wrong labeling Allen West as Congress’s “Most Vulnerable” misnomer insult to his character ambush of American troops planned Colonel West fired shots near an Iraqi prisoner’s head information obtained, ambush prevented no blood shed, not even the prisoner’s thankless military bureaucracy forced him to retire Colonel West proclaimed, “The battlefield’s no place for political correctness” “Don’t blow sunshine up my butt,” Maverick West warned, standing his ground refused to march to a “Machiavellian Kumbaya” had he been a West Point grad West would have been promoted adorned with medals accolades for soldiers saved soldier’s mother spoke out; see it her way “I hope my son’s commanders protect him as Allen did” behind a shield of political ties Allen never hides in a Democratic district this Tea Partier rose disenfranchised Americans cheered do you think West deserves beatings from the press watch your “Most Vulnerable” rise to prominence if this hero hasn’t earned his seat in Congress Mr. Editor, tell me who has * Allen West represents the Tampa area of Florida in the U.S. Congress. In 2003, when West was a battalion commander in Taji, Iraq, he fired his weapon near the head of a prisoner to frighten the detainee into divulging information about a planned ambush. The detainee started providing information and the ambush of American soldiers was prevented. West was removed from command and the Army considered a court martial. West argued he acted to save his troops, was fined $5,000, but was allowed to retire with full honors and benefits.