<strong>By DAVID TAUB</strong>

In the brutal Lowcountry summer of 1964, I enrolled at the University of Parris Island (UPI). One of my first and everlasting axioms learned was that Marine Corps “bird” Colonels walked next to God.

I lay out this bit of military insight because my long-time friend, Col. Carter Swenson, USMC, ret., sent me a love note asking what I believe in. Some say the Colonel and I have what might be described as somewhat divergent political views, but we both harbor a strong friendship and healthy respect for one another.

Note that even after 56 years, how well imprinted are my lessons learned at UPI, using Navy/Marine Corps jargon like “harbor.”

I believe in SCIENCE, as do you, Colonel, and POTUS. Who can believe that I repudiate the President’s sage and informed advice on science and medicine, such as the obvious value of taking hydrocholoquine? I have been trying for months to get a year’s supply.

Perfect use of my tax dollars, I’m told there are millions of doses stored in a warehouse somewhere in Oklahoma, being reserved for those more deserving than me, such as the irreplaceable brilliant staff of the White House.

I must admit somewhat reluctantly, that using Clorox as mouthwash might be pushing things a bit far. Clorox is months behind in production, so I guess it’s a moot point.

You, I and DJT walk hand in hand in the enlightened universe of science. So, any notion that I doubt our President’s stable genius for creating new regimes combating that nasty old China virus (aka Baddus Wuhanicus), is definitely misplaced.

Like you Colonel, I believe that our courageous Commander is not a science denier. Nonsense. Science is his middle name. Hasn’t he told us the virus will just fade away? Right on, dude.

As a proud Texan by birth, I believe in men who tell it like it is; straight-talkin’ men you can trust. Fancy-schmancy Harvard-talk is a dead giveaway you can’t trust ‘em.

And by-damn, our valiant President tells you exactly what is on his mind — no BS. Scientific studies have shown that men who use “salty language” are smarter and can be trusted more than those who do not.

Colonel, somewhere, somehow along the way, you all seem to think that I believe POTUS is a liar. I have no idea where such a nonsensical idea came from. Like you ColoneI, and the President, I believe in Truth.

And like you Colonel, I believe in “law and order” and POTUS is our main man. How awful if videos POTUS so honorably shared with us of horrible riots in Ukraine that he says “this is Biden’s America” had actually taken place in America instead of Ukraine. OMG, what an awful thing to imagine.

Colonel, when those pointy-headed, so-called experts in Washington said we should shut down all but “essential” businesses, I was one of the first to praise the President for his insightful understanding of what Americans really believe. Football, wrestling, bars, liquor stores (No. 1 on my list), tattoo parlors, casinos, etc. I join with you and POTUS in saying KEEP our blessed America great.

As you and POTUS know so well, those millions of so called “patriots” taking unemployment money are just lazy and don’t want to work.

Colonel, like you and POTUS, when I joined “the Corps” I took a sacred oath to believe in democracy and up-hold the Constitution. We three believe in Honor, Loyalty, Duty, and the Republic for which it (the sacred Flag) stands, just like the Corps taught you and me.

To Hell with those damned red Commies and Marxists; the socialism of failed European states whose free health care for all we pay for; those crazed left-wing terrorists that want to destroy the greatest country the world has ever seen.

Come on, Colonel, there is no daylight between you, me and POTUS in fighting those dirty treasonous fifth column traitors. Send ‘em all back to the s-hole countries they came from.

Colonel, like you and POTUS, I believe:

that all Americans should be treated equally with justice and dignity, without discrimination;

that all Americans “have been endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” such as Life, Liberty and Equality. Liberté, égalité, fraternité;

that all Americans should be allowed to vote, and no barriers should be erected to prevent the principle of one person/one vote – the ballot over the bullet.

that every community should be protected by a cadre of WELL-TRAINED law enforcement officers, respecting the community and vice versa, such as we had when Chief Bill Neal instituted “community policing” in Beaufort under my administration;

that every citizen in the richest country in the world should have access to basic health care at a reasonable cost;

that American children should not go hungry;

that every American child should have access to the best education available.

Colonel, alas my Editor puts a limit on my word count. Loquacious me, I crossed that “red line.” So, I hope these thoughts from an old former Mayor and erstwhile Marine are helpful.

Birds of a feather, say I. Just like POTUS, you, and Superman, I believe in “Truth, Justice and the American Way.”

<em>“Well, all I know is what I read in the newspapers.” – Will Rogers.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></em>

<em>David M. Taub was Mayor of Beaufort from 1990 through 1999 and served as a Beaufort County Magistrate from 2010 to 2015. You can reach him at david.m.taub42@gmail.com.</em>