The Parents of a Navy SEAL, killed in action, issued a stern open letter calling for President Barack Obama to resign after the beheading of American war correspondent James Foley and a sense that America is weaker now because of the president’s inaction.
President Barack Obama speaks with a golf partner while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. Obama is vacationing on the island. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The letter asserts that because of Obama’s lack of leadership, terrorist organizations like the Islamic State have become more powerful.
“Please vacate the people’s house and allow a man or woman of courage and substance to seize the reigns of this out-of-control thug-fest and regain the balance we, America, have provided throughout our great history,” said the letter from Billy and Karen Vaughn, parents of SEAL Team VI member Aaron Carson Vaughn, which was published by the online news site World Tribune.
Billy Vaughn is the author of the book “Betrayed: The Shocking True Story of Extortion 17 as Told by a Navy SEAL’s Father.”
The parents explained in the letter their son was killed when a CH47D Chinook carrying 30 Americans and eight Afghans was shot down in the Tangi River Valley of Afghanistan on Aug. 6, 2011.
“Aaron Vaughn was a man who possessed the courage to acknowledge evil. And evil, once truly acknowledged, demands response. Perhaps this is why so few are willing to look it in the eye. It is much simpler — much safer — to look the other way,” the letter said.
“As commander-in-chief, your actions — or lack thereof — Mr. President, cost lives,” the letter continued. “As you bumble about in your golf cart, slapping on a happy face and fist-pounding your buddies, your cowardly lack of leadership has left a gaping hole — not only in America’s security — but the security of the entire globe. Your message has come across loud and clear, sir: You are not up to this job. You know it. We know it. The world knows it.”
Obama took significant criticism last month for golfing during his Martha’s Vineyard vacation shortly after giving a solemn speech about Foley’s murder.
“And now, we have this recent, heinous event: the beheading of an American citizen by a barbaric organization you foolishly referred to as ‘the JV team’ in your statements to the New Yorker magazine in January,” the letter added. “You, sir, are the JV team. It’s time for you to step down and allow a true leader to restore our honor and protect our sons and daughters.”
The letter said that Obama “demolished our ability to hold the trust of allies,” and faulted his administration for intelligence leaks and making the “Taliban five” prisoner swap without notifying Congress.
“Never in my lifetime have I witnessed such despair and such growing fear that the world’s last best hope, America, has finally been dismantled,” the letter said, and added, “Come to think of it, it’s become difficult — if not impossible — to believe things haven’t gone exactly as you planned, Mr. President.”
