You'd have to be living under a rock not to be aware of the case of LTCOL Terry Lakin, a decorated Army surgeon who has refused orders to deploy to Afghanistan (NOT his first deployment; Lakin has served previously in Honduras, Bosnia, Korea, and Afghanistan) until such time as President Obama produces documentation demonstrating that he meets the Constitutional requirements of his office... primarily, proof of natural U.S. citizenship.

It's important to note that, despite the now-common "birther" slur, neither Lakin nor very many other people who sympathise with him are convinced that President Obama is not a natural American citizen. This isn't the point.

The point is that, as the Constitution DOES lay out requirements for the office, anybody who wants to hold that office has an obligation to PROVE that he meets those requirements. If I had to show proof of citizenship to get MY job--the argument goes--then why shouldn't the Barack Obama have to submit to AT LEAST the same level of scrutiny in order to become President of the United States?

This case is relevant to the Jacks because, like us, LTCOL Lakin takes his own Oath of Office very seriously... so seriously that he is willing to stake his military career and perhaps his freedom on the theory that his interpretation is the correct one.

There are those who say that Lakin's uncertainty regarding the Constitutional purity of the President's authority as Commander-in-Chief does not absolve him of his obligation to obey the orders of his more immediate superiors. Alan Keyes disagrees, and has written a tightly reasoned piece expressing his argument in support of LTCOL Lakin's principled stand.

Absolutely worth a read.

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General Patton once famously pointed out that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor, dumb bastard die for HIS country.

It appears the "militia movement" was packing heat at a "gun rally" on the Potomac a mere entire county and a half away from the White House. Given the way all those stalwart beltway warriors were hyperventilating about it this morning, I am relieved there was no bloodshed.

With all respect to the folks who participated, I have to ask: is this smart?

Thomas Jefferson said that when the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. As a nuisance to the regime and as a demonstration of courage on the part of the people, this is a fine gesture.

Unfortunately, Jefferson was no soldier. So instead we turn to renowned military theorist Carl vol Clausewitz, who remarked that the backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy.

I'll just leave it at that.

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