As we honor those who have served our nation, our Lean to the Left podcast guest is Allen B. Clark, a heroic Army officer who shed his blood for our country during the Vietnam War, and who continues to this day to work to help our veterans.
In 1967, as a young captain in Special Forces, Clark was part of clandestine intelligence operations in Vietnam when an enemy mortar attacked his camp, critically wounding him and resulting in the loss of both legs.
But Captain Clark returned to life as a dedicated patriot and veteran who continued to serve our nation, working in a variety of political, public service, and financial endeavors. While encouraging soldiers and veterans to embrace their faith and heal from their own war wounds over more than five decades, he acquired a keen interest in the real causes of wars.
In Soldiers’ Blood and Bloodied Money, a hard-hitting work that pulls no punches, Clark’s extensive research exposes the real causes of war.
Throughout the course of his research, Clark discovered a myriad of motivations of individuals and groups who perpetrated the true “behind-the-curtains” stories of our military history. A large focus of the book is on the acquisition of money and power. Clark names the “usual suspects” who have profited from warfare and derived their “bloodied money”. They include Arms merchants; religious entities and their leaders; politicians; international bankers; media titans; lawyers and “secret societies.”
As he says in the clip above, "Overall through history, there are example stacked upon example of opportunities for power and lust and greed for money to motivate those who can make money to be prepared to do so once the wars start. It is pinstriped bankers... industrialists and merchants of death and politicians...in richly paneled, carpeted offices who could (not) possibly comprehend or imagine or I dare say, care necessarily about ... those of us patriots who go off to the wars, some still missing in action, dying in far away jungles, deep seas or isolated mountains, or those who return as I have now after 55 years with no legs, with our bodies and souls mangled and tormented."
Clark’s first book is entitled Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior and tells his personal story. His second book, Valor in Vietnam, is a collection of compelling and untold stories by soldiers and civilians.
In recognition of Clark’s service, former President Ronald Reagan once said, “There are a host of heroes to whom this country owes a debt it can never repay. Allen Clark lost both his legs while serving his country in Vietnam. When he came home, his body was broken, but his spirit never faltered. He went back to school. He earned his master’s degree in business administration. He served his state in a high government post and is now a successful businessman. He’s an inspiration to all who know him.”
Allen, thank you so much for being with us today on our podcast and helping us honor those who serve, and have served, our nation. And we thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
Interview Questions
Q. Your book is called Soldiers’ Blood and Bloodied Money – Wars and the Ruling Elites.” Can you please explain the title?
Q. You quote Major General Smedley Butler as saying that the principal cause of wars is competition for world trade. So essentially, we’re talking about greed being responsible for wars and for the loss of life and limb, correct?
Q. You also quote Gen. Butler on the subject of disarmament conferences. You write, “these conferences were conducted so that the opposing sides could utilize the negotiations to better arm themselves against their opponents.” Is that your view? Do you have any experience with such disarmament conferences?
Q. In another passage you quote Gen. Butler as saying “Out of war, a few people make huge fortunes.” Can you elaborate?
Q. You write the following: “Upon reflection, does anyone believe the civilians in their comfortable offices and homes during wartime really care about the frontline soldiers, Marines, sailors, and Air Force personnel?” When you were serving, did you feel that way? Resentment against the civilians, the bureaucrats, the politicians, who were responsible for the war you were fighting? How about after you were so tragically wounded?
Q. You have a section called Merchants of Death, and you preface that by saying that many retired military officers work for the arms industry, adding that “this cast of “villians” in this deadly play roam the globe.” Please explain.
Q. Let’s talk about the munitions industry and its role in spawning war. You write that “the Arms Merchants of Death have clearly profited substantially from warfare,” adding that “elitists of all countries make their fortunes and the patriots and common folks do the dirty work.” Once again, please explain.
Q. To what extent is the press and media complicit in all of this? How?
Q. What about the bankers and the financial industry?
Q. Once again, you quote Gen. Butler as saying “America must face the cold brutal facts. The people must eventually decide whether or if we want to sacrifice our manhood on the fields of battle, and struggle under the load of taxation that is created by wars, merely to save the business enterprises and profits of a handful of our citizens.” Your thoughts about that.
Q. Chapter 9 talks about the elitists and their role. Can you tell us what you’re talking about here?
Q. What role does the self-preservation focus of politicians – the need to constantly raise campaign funding and always be running for office – have in promoting war?
Q. You conclude your book by saying the entire work “is a description of the acts of some ‘capitalists,’ who have been devoted to personal monetary enrichment and achievement of personal power at the expense of the wounds and deaths of millions of the “little people” all over the world. Many have been in my veteran circles to include myself.” Your thoughts about that?
Q. You add that it is your hope that “before the bugles blow and the tocsin sounds, that there will be a serious debate about any ventures to send the young men and women of any nation into harms way. It is necessary,” you say, “to debate fully and openly what is the reason we are called to arms. We must follow the money down whatever bloody trail it may lead.” Would you like to elaborate?
Q. What are you doing today to help veterans?
Q. Where can people obtain your book?
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