I looked up to him as ‘the greatest’ soldier I had ever met (and apparently I was right).

He seemed bored with this assignment and was eager to get back to Vietnam.

I can not explain how thrilled I was to finally find something about him. I had searched his name from the time I got on the internet.

While serving as Norwich’s Professor of Military Science, Col Donovan started a small group bringing together 12 seniors—from the Marine and Army ROTC programs—to read and discuss a professional military book once a month. He, along with other senior military officers, challenged our thoughts, shared their experiences, and prepared us to become future officers and leaders.

Even today, I still receive articles from Colonel D, where we discuss via email and he still challenges my assertions and opinions. Many of those who have had the privilege of knowing and staying in contact with him will all agree that his mentorship has carried over throughout the years. He still regards us as “his kids/ his cadets”.

What’s important to remember is that he not only has affected the lives of our senior military officers leading the war in Afghanistan and Iraq—there are a number brigade and battalion commanders; countless leaders in government and business; teachers; doctors; nurses; lawyers; investment bankers; significant others; husbands; wives; and parents who can thank Colonel Donovan for making us perhaps better than we were when we arrived at Norwich one hot August morning.

Rick Doblin, the founder of MAPS (and a friend of mine), is currently conducting clinical trials in Israel and Switzerland (and soon in Jordan) on the efficacy of MDMA in treating PTSD. The results have been more than encouraging, with a success rate of greater than 75 percent.

Denying such an effective medicine via ideological constructs is heartbreaking. We have a President that professes to favor science over ideology, yet seems to stand in lockstep with ideology regarding MDMA. Such a position by our Commander-in-Chief is not only a dereliction of duty but an insult to the men and women proudly serving our country.

If we can impeach a President over a blowjob, surely we can find cause here to impeach Obama. As an American and a veteran, I consider it my duty to support such an action.

1. “Instead of having lawyers assigned to planning staffs, we need cultural anthropologists.”

Great comment. But…
General McCrystal stated recently that the military needs to practice “humility.” I disagree. A military should defend the country and, in time of war, kill the enemy. If you want be humble in a battle area, send the Peace Corps, or cultural anthropologists, or STATE DEPARTMENT workers (I know, first we’d have to find some with passports.) It’s unfair to our military to train soldiers to defend and kill and then tell them to be humble.

2. “Today, less than 1% of our country is in uniform.”

That’s the main problem with our current wars. There is no shared sacrifice in the country other than for the 1% and their families. The rest of the population goes about its daily business as if there is no war. Congress has recently discussed a tax to pay for the war. I think that would be good at this point. Either the tax payers should get behind the effort (more tax would at least constitute a sacrifice), or we should get out.

3. “at this rate the war will be over soon.” He answered “yes, in maybe 20 or 30 years,”

I give you Afghanistan. Does anyone want to suffer another 20 or 30 years of military obituaries in Afghanistan?