Perception is nine-tenths of reality, and right now, Alabama’s State Republican Party leadership is looking more like a pack of yellow-dog Democrats wearing elephant costumes than the principled conservatives they claim to be. That’s right, let’s break out the shock collars and discipline these bad doggies!
As a former infantry soldier and intelligence officer who served this nation for over 22 years, I’ve seen enough skullduggery and subterfuge to spot an ambush from a mile away. The current crop of so-called Republicans running Montgomery ain’t fooling anyone who’s paying attention. It’s time we call them what they are – relics of a bygone Democratic machine, veritable museum pieces – and rip that GOP label off their chests and backs.
Look at the evidence. Gov. Kay Ivey (a.k.a. Pavlov), the grand dame of Alabama politics, pushes policies that’d make a yellow dog wag its tail and salivate. Her apparent vindictive sidelining of Admiral Kent Davis – a decorated veteran who dared challenge the status quo – smacks of the old Democratic playbook: control the narrative, punish dissent, and keep the cronies close. Her gas tax hike? Hardly the limited-government gospel Republicans preach. And don’t get me started on her COVID-era finger-wagging at the unvaccinated – sounds more like a Dixiecrat scolding the peasants than a liberty-minded leader.
These aren’t isolated missteps; they’re symptoms of a deeper rot.
Then there’s the Alabama Legislature. These folks cut veterans’ dependent scholarships whilst standing by idly in a collective lack of advocacy on behalf of the Alabama veterans watching the federal legislative body of Alabama fail to rally behind the PACT Act – legislation that’d help warriors scarred by Agent Orange and burn pits. That’s not Republican valor; that’s the kind of neglect you’d expect from the yellow-dog crowd who ruled this state for a century, more interested in power than principle. They’re politicizing the State Board of Veterans Affairs, turning merit-based posts into patronage plums. It’s a move straight out of the old Democratic machine – reward loyalty, not competence.
History backs this up. Alabama was a Democratic stronghold until the late 20th century, run by yellow dogs who’d vote for a mutt if it wore the party collar. When the national Democrats lurched left, many of those same players didn’t change their stripes – they just swapped jerseys. The Republican label became their new shield, but their instincts? Pure yellow dog. Clinging to power, doling out favors, and shunning accountability – that’s not the GOP of Reagan or even Trump. That’s the ghost of George Wallace in a red tie.
Veterans like me see through this. We swore an oath to defend this nation and state from all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that duty doesn’t expire. We’re not impressed by photo-ops or hollow proclamations from the State Capitol’s marble halls. We know a storm’s brewing, and it’s not just hot air.
Alabama’s military and economic future – think Space Command, my brother at arms Col. Doug “Cinco” DeMaio and his gallant 187th TFW F-35s, Maxwell AFB – hinges on leaders who honor service, not sabotage it. These yellow dogs in GOP clothing are poking the bear of the veteran community, and they’ll feel the claws soon enough.
It’s time to think the unthinkable: these pretenders need to go. Not because they’re Democrats at heart – though they act like it – but because they’re betraying the Republican promise. Alabama deserves leaders who bleed red, white and blue, not yellow.
The 2026 governor’s race could be our shot, maybe with a dark horse who has proven he will fight for what’s right.
We’ve got a proud state to defend, and it starts by unmasking these frauds. Let’s peel off that Republican veneer and send these yellow dogs back to the kennel where they belong. Alabama veteran nation is watching, and we’re ready to act. There is a storm coming Alabama … RLTW … join us!
Troy Carico is both a former infantry enlisted soldier (11B) and infantry officer with branch qualifications including counterintelligence (35E) and military intelligence (35D). He served with distinction in the U.S. Army for more than 22 years, and is highly decorated and service connected disabled. He also has prior service as a civilian intelligence officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency Great Skills Program and has served in numerous clandestine assignments throughout the world.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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