COL Robert K. Brown's editorial on the Gunwalker Scandal in the June issue of Soldier of Fortune magazine: "Cesspool Mutants Again Surface at ATF."

From the June 2011 issue:

Well, the cesspool mutants at the ATF have screwed the kitty again. They allowed thousands of guns in the U.S. bought by “straw men” under the aegis and approval of the ATF to be smuggled into Mexico, one of which was used to assassinate ICE agent Jaime Zapata. Always on the make for the “show case” case to justify their existence and requests for ever increasing budgets, this travesty, named “Project Gun Runner” ranks right up there with their wretched blunders at Waco and Ruby Ridge, along with the recent attempt to entrap Laotian freedom fighters. ATF spokesmen lamely justify such stupidity, saying they were trying to use this smuggling effort as a means to bring down a major cartel. Though they never explain "how” giving the cartels small arms would result in their demise. Smoking those funny cigarettes again.

The fact of the matter is that someone out there could make a fortune, as well as do the country a great favor, by writing a book on ATF screw ups, incompetence, and stupidity since its inception. Probably would make a fantastic TV series.

And whom do we thank for exposing this scandal? A number of people. For beginners, David Codrea, a pro-gun activist who writes a column for Guns magazine and Michael Vanderbeough, who is the brains behind the pro-gun blogsite, Sipsey Street Irregulars (www.sipseystreet irregulars.blogspot.com). If you are seriously interested in this scandal, Vanderbeough’s blogsite has a superb time line.

They got on the story hard and early and have followed it through with incredible persistence, getting the sad facts in front of Senator Grassley’s committee. Then there is Dave Workman, an old colleague of mine, who is editor of Gun Week (www.gunweek.com) and writes a column for the Examiner, who has doggedly followed the scandal. (You can read his Examiner column on the SOF website www.sofmag.com.) Certainly not least is Sharyl Attkisson, an investigative reporter for CBS, believe it or not. She was the first to really give nationwide exposure to the mutants’ latest scandal.

In light of the heroic work done by the aforementioned individuals, SOF has decided to honor all four by awarding them the “Soldier of Fortune 2nd Amendment Freedom Fighter Award for 2011.” Now, somebody ought to nominate them for a Pulitzer. Presentation of the awards will be made at the NRA convention in Pittsburgh, 29 April–1 May. For details, check the SOF website.

Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), who is Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has jumped into the fray, writing to the Acting Director of the ATF, Ken Melson, as follows: “Dear Acting Director Melson: Recent media reports have raised grave questions about your department’s handling of operations involving gun trafficking into Mexico. In the aftermath of the tragic killings of Brian Terry and Jaime Zapata, it is imperative you act decisively to assuage the public’s deep suspicions that ATF has a policy of permitting the movement of guns into Mexico. It has been brought to my attention you are not cooperating with congressional inquiries about Project Gunrunner and Operation Fast and Furious.”

Senator Charles Grassley expressed frustration at ATF’s responsiveness in a letter to the Department of Justice: “I’m still asking questions and we’re getting the runaround from the Justice Department, they are stonewalling. And the longer the wait, the more they fight, the more egg that they’re going to have on their face.”

So, dear SOF’er, its going to be a long hot summer for the boobs and loons at ATF. If you want a piece of the action, contact your Congress critter to see what response they have to this fiasco. If you get a letter back, forward it to SOF and we will publish it.

“Soldier of Fortune 2nd Amendment Freedom Fighter Award for 2011.” Well, shit and shove me in it. Hope they spell my name right on the award. And presentation at the NRA convention as well. “Dulce et decorum est.”