Foreword by Trenches founder Brooks Bayne: As an American, and more importantly, as a Christian, I believe in redemption. We’ve all made mistakes in the past, but it’s how one deals with the mistakes moving forward that makes the difference. Does one have a spirit of contrition or not? We believe that our newest contributor is contrite with regard to his past transgressions. With that aside, The Trenches are happy to give Mr. Paul Lemmen of “An Ex-Con’s View” a chance to express his views as a contributor amongst us. We know this may be perceived as a controversial decision. We’re well-aware or Mr. Lemmen’s past. Per our nation of laws, he’s paid his debt to society and we’d like to offer him a safe place to continue his long road to redemption by welcoming him here. We’re under no misconceptions, as Mr. Lemmen has had some serious problems with his propensities in the past. However, I’ve been watching him closely for nearly 6 months, and I haven’t seen anything in that time which would require me to treat him as an outcast. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Lemmen. Accountability is important. If Mr. Lemmen backslides and you’re aware of it, let me know – we’re transparent in this regard. For now, let’s let Mr. Lemmen prove his abilities as a contributor here based on merit. Enjoy Mr. Lemmen’s first post here! 

Any student of American history remembers that “carpetbaggers” was a term used to describe northerners who flocked to the south to take up positions of political power post Civil War. These very men then used their appointed positions, often outside the actual government, to profit from the public treasury as well as to enrich themselves from the bribes and graft rampant in the south during that time.

We have now entered into the digital carpetbagger era, where the modern equivalent uses social media, blogs, and private parties at political action events to spread their tentacles into thousands of wallets all across our nation.

How is this possible? How is this done, who are these folks accountable to?

On June 9^th I published a post on my personal blog entitled “Withdrawing Support for the National Bloggers Club” wherein I described my reasons for doing so and making several recommendations. A shit-storm ensued. True, I was noticed by many recognizable names on the right, even appearing on OTNN radio, appearing on “The Radio Patriot” Andrea Shea King’s Blog Talk Radio show and even discussing this on air with Dana Loesch.

How dare I think that a nobody like me should garner attention for my opinion calling liars, cheats and thieves on the (purported) right to account? Wasn’t I an ex-con? A former life-long con-artist and notorious military impostor?

Yes to all of those things, I am a publicly confessed con-artist and former military imposter. One who dared to pose as a retired Brigadier General and operated as the CEO of a company that contracted services to our military in Iraq. I also spent 34 months of a 42 month sentence in custody, being released from federal prison in January 2010.

You can read my confessions on my blog “An Ex-Con’s View” as well as the responses to the shit-storm and blacklist that followed. I am disgraced by man, yet redeemed by God. I hold these deceivers like Ali Akbar, his top supporter (and NBC board member) Michelle Malkin and the attorney Dan Backer (an enabler and money-man) to the same standards I hold myself and they fall far short. Delay until after the election when all these subjects will disappear and the guilty will escape punishment once again. Fat as ticks on ill-gotten gains, these folks will sit back and after a celebratory vacation on the money they deceived average Americans out of, they will begin planning and positioning for their next con.

I call foul!

Investigate now, prosecute now, publicize their sins and crimes now! Without public outcry nothing will be done except further damage to our ship of state, our dear Republic, another step taken further away from the intent of our Founders.

I know all too well the smell of a con, this smells to high heaven!

ali akbar, carpetbaggers, dan backer, dana loesch, michelle malkin, national bloggers club, paul lemmen