To all UAP supporters,
As I am sure you are all aware, I am nearing the end of my incarceration and will be released from the USDB on 16 October 2020. I will finally have the opportunity to enjoy the freedom in which I have spent the majority of my life fighting for. I spent 20 years of my life fighting for the freedom of every American and the past 11 ½ years fighting for my own. Without the support of all of you, I feel confident that this victory would not have come to pass, and I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation and undying gratitude to each of you for helping me achieve this monumental milestone in my life.
It is my ardent wish that you all continue to support UAP in their defense of our nation’s warriors which remain confined or are facing confinement. This is especially important now at a time when we are watching the enemies of our country, which are responsible for the loss of countless American lives, released by the thousands in Afghanistan. The Afghan government is scheduled to release 5,000 prisoners as part of the Taliban peace agreement. Also, there have been more than 600 released from GITMO. Imagine how disheartening it is for our warriors who have sacrificed so much out of love for their country to remain in prison while our enemies are set free. We ask for nothing more than to receive the same considerations, rights, and privileges that are being granted to our enemies.
The military judicial system is fatally flawed and designed to gain convictions regardless of the lack of evidence or an individual’s innocence. I have addressed numerous times the catastrophic deficiencies within the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ is incapable of reformation because the military cannot fix itself. The only solution is to remove judicial authority from the military and transfer it to the state and federal courts. This will ensure that transparency is achieved and that our military service members receive the same rights and protections that every American receives. Non-judicial punishment would remain within the military services to ensure that good order and discipline is maintained, and commanders possess the tools to enforce the standards expected of each service member. Currently, there is a system in place that is detrimental to each Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine, and which discriminates against an entire class of people; our servicemembers.
The UCMJ and the senior leaders within the military are susceptible to political pressure which creates ethical dilemmas. This results in undue command influence in the judicial process. Take for example President Obama’s “zero tolerance” policy which resulted in substantial numbers of innocent people being convicted. When President Obama was in office, the UCMJ had an unprecedented 98% conviction rate because the appearance of justice was much more important than justice itself. Commanders, judges, and senior leaders were afraid to not convict a servicemember less they incur the wrath of political leaders such as Senators Gillibrand, McCaskill or the president himself. In contrast, since President Trump has been in office, the UCMJ has a 77% conviction rate. This shows what happens when the Commander-in-Chief places his finger on the scales of justice in order to satisfy political goals.
I would also like to seize this opportunity to encourage everyone to vote. As a result of my conviction, I will be unable to cast my vote in order to ensure the continued security and sanctity of our republic. My greatest wish is that President Trump will grant me a disapproval of findings and sentence so that my right to vote is returned to me. In the event my voting rights are not restored, I ask that each of you cast your vote in favor of President Trump so that he may continue to protect this great nation of ours.
As I stated earlier, I spent 20 years of my life dedicated to defending the freedom and democracy of all Americans. It is unsettling at best to think that within a few months that democracy could be placed in jeopardy at the hands of a few individuals who fervently believe that socialism or communism is preferable to the freedoms we currently enjoy. I have spent a significant portion of my life witnessing the devastation and heartache created by ideas such as these. It breaks my heart to think that this self-destructive ideology could be accepted in our country. The supporters of this pathway are obviously uneducated in the realities of the world and have never been to the countries where these ideologies are prevalent. The only alternative and logical conclusion is either ignorance or the fact that these individuals truly hate America and desire the destruction of everything it stands for. Remember, just because someone has a degree from a university, it does not mean that they are knowledgeable in all facets of life.
I am reminded of a quote by Stephen Vizinczey who declared, “Strange as it may seem, no amount of learning can cure stupidity, and higher education positively fortifies it”. I watch the news daily and see the anarchy unfolding in places such as Portland, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Minneapolis, and numerous other Democrat run cities. It is reminiscent of the same violent environments I personally experienced during peacekeeping and combat tours in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq. We do not want that for our country.
Now, more than ever, it is of the utmost importance to safeguard all that we hold dear by voting for President Trump, supporting our law enforcement, and upholding the rule of law. It may seem ironic hearing those words from someone such as myself who has been wrongfully incarcerated, but law enforcement is suffering many of the same injustices that our military face. I believe that we are at the cusp of a historical event which will inevitably decide the fate of our country’s future. The decisions we Americans make today will have substantial repercussions for generations of Americans to come.
On a personal note, I am excited about my future for the first time in my life. I have a wonderful woman (my fiancée) and son in which I look forward to beginning this next chapter of my life with and sharing each new moment in an unfamiliar normal environment. I have an incredible family that I have rarely seen over the past three decades whom I am anxious to spend time with again and who have provided me their unwavering support throughout this ordeal. Furthermore, I have the greatest of friends in which I would do anything for and look forward to enjoying their company. Finally, there will be the opportunity to see the numerous plans I’ve developed over the years come to fruition and share them with the ones I love.
Again, thank you all for everything you have done, for being patriots, and helping defend me and those like me when we were unable to defend ourselves. I’m not sure if you can imagine how difficult it is for people like us who have spent their lives fighting for others and never asking for help, to receive the much-needed assistance that you have provided. I am humbled and will be eternally grateful for all of the generosity and compassion you have shown me and will carry it with me for the rest of my life.
May God bless and keep you safe and continue to watch over you. Should you wish to contact me in the future, my email address is johnntx@aol.com and I will be happy to provide you with my physical mailing address once I have a mailbox. Thank you again for everything and for making America the greatest country on earth.
With my deepest respect and adoration,
John E. Hatley
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.”
– Thomas Paine
“Character, not circumstances, makes the man.”
– Booker T. Washington
