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Jason Reed / Reuters
Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., U.S. representative-elect for Illinois' 8th Congressional District, is pictured with other female members of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 14. Duckworth, a helicopter pilot in the Iraq war who was shot down and lost both her legs in the attack, is the first disabled woman to be elected to the House of Representatives.
When Tammy Duckworth steps into Congress this January for her first term, she’ll be carried by two prosthetic legs – and the potent notion that if she can survive a grenade blast while piloting a chopper, she surely can endure any political flak on Capitol Hill.
“The worst day for me in Washington on the floor of the House is never going to be as bad as me getting blown up. So bring it,” said Duckworth, a Democrat who represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, the suburbs north of Chicago.
One of the first women to fly combat missions in Iraq, Duckworth’s Black Hawk was hit by enemy fire in November 2004 as the aircraft skimmed tree tops at about 135 miles per hour. The explosion vaporized her right leg, smashed her left leg into the instrument panel, sheering it off, and tore away most of her right arm. Before losing consciousness, she used her remaining arm to try to land the sputtering chopper. On Nov. 6, she won election to the U.S. House.
“There’s nothing anyone can say to me or do to me — short of actually pointing a gun and shooting at me — that’s going to be as bad as it was in Iraq and that year I spent recovering. So it’s really freeing,” Duckworth told NBC News. “Had you talked to me 10 years ago, before I served and got hurt in combat, I would not have the courage to do what I’m doing now.”
The sudden violence of her final mission — followed by months of surgeries, (doctors reattached her arm), and rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center — imbued Duckworth, 44, with an intimate understanding of warfare’s true cost, a sensibility that’s fast vanishing from both chambers of Congress.
Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth defeats tea party-backed Joe Walsh in the 8th Congressional District race. Watch her victory speech.
**
In 1977, the 435-seat U.S. House of Representatives contained 347 veterans (almost 80 percent of that body) while 65 former service members filled the 100-seat U.S. Senate.
In 2013, 84 fellow veterans will join Duckworth in the House (19 percent) while the Senate’s cadre of ex-military personnel has dwindled to 18, according the American Legion.
“That’s incredible,” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a nonpartisan and nonprofit group with more than 200,000 members. “The volunteer military has been great for our military, but maybe it’s not great for our democracy.”
The rapidly shrinking corps of congressional veterans threatens to dampen the attention Washington pays to tens of thousands of men and women yet to return from Afghanistan and, Rieckhoff added, to more than 2 million post-9/11 veterans — many of them tormented by combat-related stress and troubled by sluggish hiring rates, Rieckhoff said.
Click here for more military-related coverage from NBC News.
“A low number of veterans in Congress is bad for everybody. It’s bad for the veteran community. It’s bad for the active-duty military. It’s bad for America,” Rieckhoff said. “I am concerned that as the number continues to decline, we will have fewer advocates.”
At the same time, however, Duckworth’s election gives what Rieckoff calls the “new veterans movement” a truly historic moment and some vital momentum.
“That’s not just because she is a woman and it’s not just because she is a disabled vet,” he said. “It’s because she’s become such an important spokesperson for our entire community — beyond politics.”
**
Inside the cockpit of the crippled Black Hawk, all internal communications were dead.
Duckworth wasn’t sure if she was the lone survivor. Smoke swirled. The floor of the helicopter had been ripped open by a rocket-propelled grenade. She spotted a field where she thought she could ease the aircraft down. She tried to work the controls. She didn’t know that Chief Warrant Officer Dan Milberg was alive as well, had glimpsed the same clearing and was steering the Black Hawk toward safe ground.
Duckworth also believed she was uninjured. She could still feel her legs.
Before losing consciousness, Duckworth remembers completing a final task after the chopper had come to rest. She raised her left arm to perform an emergency shutdown of the electronics. She worried about a fire consuming the other five soldiers still strapped into their seats.
She has no recollection of arriving at the emergency room in Baghdad where — Duckworth later was told — she demanded that medics give her a full update on her crew. Her remaining memories are some of her worst, coming at Walter Reed, during a slow surfacing from her induced coma.
Before anybody near her bed realized Duckworth could again see and hear, she watched and listened for two days as doctors and nurses mentioned “a helicopter crash.”
"To a pilot, a crash is very different from a forced landing. At the time, I didn’t know Dan was OK. But I did know my crew chief was badly hurt and had almost lost his leg. I had been told I’d lost my legs,” Duckworth said. “But I kept hearing talk about a helicopter crash. I thought: ‘Oh my God, I crashed the helicopter. I didn’t do my job.’ I spiraled into a depression, laying there in that intensive care unit where I just thought: ‘I deserve to lose my legs. I must have crashed the aircraft. I am a complete and utter failure and I hurt my men.’ ”
Her husband, Maj. Bryan Bowlsbey, a fellow Army National Guardsman, was by then at her side. He noticed she was crying. He tried to cheer her with descriptions of amputees running atop artificial legs. She told him her misery was rooted in the crash, not her devastating injuries. Bowlsbey gently corrected her: She had been on the controls as Milberg had managed to settle the aircraft onto the Iraqi field. She had done her duty.
“I’ve been fine ever since,” Duckworth said. “Nothing you can do to me now can ever negate that. I just have this freedom in my life because of that day and what I’ve been through. In a very weird way, it’s a gift.”
**
The 2012 presidential election marked the first since 1932 in which no veterans held spots on the Democratic or the Republican tickets. The last time: When Herbert Hoover lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt.
But that trend has been speading inside the legislative branch for 40 years.
“The declining population of veterans in Congress creates an even wider divide between our veteran community and the majority of the American public,” said Louis J. Celli, Jr., national legislative director for the American Legion.
“Congressional members who have worn the uniform of our nation tend to have a better understanding of the unique challenges and needs faced by the veteran community, especially those veterans who return with medical needs that extend beyond their active service period,” Celli added.
While veterans groups like IAVA acknowledge that civilian politicians can become champions of military and homefront causes, Celli said, however, “it is usually a long process educating them regarding the difference between earned benefits and sympathy legislation.”
**
As the highest-ranked amputee at Walter Reed, then Maj. Duckworth began handling personal issues for other wounded soldiers in 2005, including salary snags and the potential losses of their homes.
She called Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin so often to ask for his help, he eventually gave her his business card scrawled with his cell phone number. Through her advocacy for other veterans, she also met then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
Paul Beaty / AP
Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, representative for Illinois 8th District seat, talks to the media in Elk Grove Village, Ill., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.
“I was just doing it because it was my job,” Duckworth said. “In August of ‘05, I get a call from Senator Durbin who said: ‘You know, if things are as bad as you say they are for veterans, then you need to do something about it.’ I said, ‘Well, yes sir, I’m calling you.’ He said, ‘No, you need to run for office.’ Barack and I think you should run.’ ”
She narrowly lost her first bid for Congress in 2006.
Days ago, as she and other freshman congressional members gathered for a group photo on Capitol Hill, Duckworth met former Marine Col. Paul Cook — the new Republican representative whose district covers Highland, Yucaipa, the San Bernardino Mountains, the entire High Desert.
“He’s a Vietnam vet. We just hit it off,” Duckworth said. “There’s a subset of us who have seen direct combat action. He started talking about walking into a trip wire in Vietnam and wanted to know what hit me. He asked: ‘What that was like?’ When you’ve both seen combat action, you have this common place.”
Simply put: War stories can trump political parties.
Duckworth lists two primary heroes: retired Republican Sen. Bob Dole and Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye from Hawaii, both disabled veterans.
“They are two men who recovered in the same hospital after World War II and who went on to pass legislation nationally,” she said. “They found a way to come to middle ground because of their shared experience. So I hope that with the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans coming into Congress, we also will be able to work together.”
More content from NBCNews.com:
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- Panetta orders review of ethical standards amid misconduct allegations
- Student veterans sue UNC system alleging military discrimination
- Hearing loss the most prevalent injury among returning veterans
- Your 'thank you' to veterans is welcomed, but not always comfortably received
Leave a Comment:
Tammy thank you for your service and sacrifice. Please do not forget the high moral standards and reasons you became a Veteran.
Democrats Rule, Tammy kick the tea Loonies in the Butt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suk it , PA USA
onermailerliv
dont bother ... feeding fixated trolls accomplishes nothing.
As a Vet, Salute to Tammy and all our Vets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So tell us PA, how remarkable for you to survive the traumatic head injury! This is a story about somebody who actually made a sacrifice for her country and wishes to serve her countrymen before herself. So why don't you shove your partisan politicking. There's really only one party anyway.
PA USA comments like your first one is why nothing is getting done in DC. How about you join the solution and stop being the problem. With her in DC I hope she can shine a light on how this country is forgetting out out veterans. I hope she can get the medical and psychological help to all the vets who need it. They need to stop denying all VA claims and get the lawyers out of the system. Why is it so hard for a vet to get a claim approved but it seems to be easy for the lawyers to get it done? Anyone who serves at least one full term in the military should never have to look for insurance and should be taken care of. We also need a ID card system for all veterans in this great country. While my political views are not the same as Congresswomen Duckworths I am glad to see a Iraq war veteran in DC. I hope to see many more in the feature no matter what side of the isle they sit on.
I can care less what you think Robin Steele, you are nothing to me - Nothing, Go get help !!!
PA, Hon dit tao, lo dit! Viet Vet.
pa usa......you are overwhelmed with you own importance an that is not patriotic...but you'll come back with some critical thinking message / slander which is typical of the liberal democrat..
If she were a Republican Representative, There wouldn't be a story, much less headlines on MSNBC.
It's not the true grass root tea party that's the problem. It's the money. Mostly republican, but democrat too, the people running for office today were born with silver spoons in their mouth. There is no way their well connected families would allow one of their kids serve in the military. That's the problem.
Gee, Patriotic Leftist American, a whole lot of us Tea Loonies are veterans; which do want to do...salute us, or kick us in the butt? Salute, and we'll salute back; kick, and we'll kick back....and so much more.
all the partisan BS in this thread and in Congress needs to go...
The Tealiban is the problem. Period. There's no argument here. They are the ones who used a record number of filibusters to grind the government to a halt and obstruct every effort at recovery. There have been more filibusters and more efforts at obstruction in the last 4 years than the rest of American history combined. This is the reason this Congress also has the lowest approval rating in history (7%). I'll give you a hint. It's not because of the Democrats trying to speed the recovery.
All so they could make a black man a one term president at all costs. Go ahead and throw a fit about the race card. The reason you people react with the "race card" is because it's entirely true. The only way any of you can dispute that the slow recovery is the fault of the Republicans and mainly the Tea Party (owned by billionaires) is if you lie. It's part of the historical record now, because it's the truth. Tell me, is McConnell's new goal to make Barack a two term president at all costs?
Tammy Duckworth is a real veteran unlike "veterans" like Bush who had their family connections to keep them out of war. Bush sure defended our country by going AWOL from the national guard and partying in Mexico. Man, he's lucky he didn't blow off both his legs like Tammy, it was so dangerous.
Patriotic American is right, and all you rwnj's can't stand the truth. Maybe if you'd realize the what the majority of Americans realize (as evidenced by the 2012 election), you'd know you have to change your platform and your behavior or go extinct.
Apologies for the double post.
wow dangerous mind you have your mind made up that is for sure. first off our president is not 100% black which no ones wants to admit he is just as white as he black , the 2012 election had a 2.4% difference of the popular vote if it was not for the electral college which obama was once againts it would of been a real close race so many peoples votes where worthless since obama won by the electra college. The tea party have many black people in the tea party. No one wants to report the truth anymore. people believe what they hear and than vote based on the wrong information
give em hell Tammy !!! BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE !!! too bad she's a democrat..I hope she is a moderate and not a military budget killer...
God Bless this woman - She already is a leader.
An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Pssst Dangerous Mind....It is & was Obamney and the Democrats that violated the Constitution by attacking peaceful protesters in Occupy Wall Street Movements across America....http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/25/nypd-occupy-protests-report
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats who has Secret CIA Prisons in Benghazi-Gate....http://www.infowars.com/why-did-cia-director-petraeus-suddenly-resign-and-why-was-the-u-s-ambassador-to-libya-murdered/
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats that passed the NDAA2012 with Indefinite Detention of Americans in America....http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/obama-signs-into-law-indefinite-detention-of-americans-without-trial?news=843828
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats who Authorized the "New" Patriot Act....http://townhall.com/tipsheet/kevinglass/2011/05/27/patriot_act_reauthorization_passes
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats that are responsible for the endless "Drone Wars" that kill 5 times more civilians than it kills "Terrorists" whatever that means.....http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/25/world/asia/pakistan-us-drone-strikes/index.html
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats who started their very own "Not War" in Libya using Al Qaeda.....http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8391632/Libya-the-West-and-al-Qaeda-on-the-same-side.html
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats who keep trying to start their very own "Not War" in Syria using Al Qaeda.....http://www.cfr.org/syria/al-qaedas-specter-syria/p28782
Yet all you seem to want to do is Spray & Pray the same ole Wall Street Political Game of "Divide To Conquer" Democrats are "For The People" and the "Tea Party Members" Are Not?
Hahahahaha........In 2012 a person would have be a "Intentionally Naive or Clueless" Poster to continue spouting just Corporate Supporting Demo-Rat Dribble!
It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.~Sun Tzu
And yet you don't know that the President of the United States is called "Obama", not "Obamoney."
The problem is not the number of black people in the tea party; the problem is that they are more than eager to shut down the United States government unless they get their way in each and every thing.
It was President Reagan who first said "government is not the answer, it is the problem."
Imagine a country in which the platform of a major political party is the destruction of that country's government. Anyone would think it is insane, and yet it is accepted here in the US.
it wouldn't matter to me what party this woman is a part of, she's awesome AND I bet she gets @!$%# done...
Good for her. I hope she can keep and advance the a just and moral highground while avoiding the partisan traps set by all political parties. If she can do that, I don't care one way or the other if she has a D or R after her name.
Not to mention obfuscating the fact that a Republican Congress also passed the measures he lists. It's should Obama and Congress, in toto.
Also since when does Obama run the NYPD? The Mayor of NYC is a Republican, you know that right?
Did this guy simply copy/paste an email? Since when is sharing an enemies goals cooperation? Al Qaeda also wanted to topple the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq (him being a mostly secular dictator), would you suggest George Bush "used them" to that end?
Why am I even discussing that drivel.....Congratulations Congressman Duckworth. I'm not entirely convinced it matters how many veterans there are in Congress, but it's necessary to be reminded from time to time the price these men and women pay.
1hnstchicpol
So what Obama won the popular vote by a few million? Bush lost the popular vote in 2000 and Republican puppets in the Supreme Court appointed him king anyway. Did you have a problem with that?
To the other guy with the page long list of conspiracies and distortions, you better patch up your tinfoil hat pal. Nobody's buying that Tea-loony nonsense and that's exactly why your side lost. Did you put something about a fake birth certificate in there that I didn't see?
Byron Raum...And you're obviously appear to be intentionally not trying to understand!
Here let me help you....Obama + Romney = Obamney for it mattered NOT ONE BIT "Who We Elected" as was proven ever so well once again with the Re-Election of the Oligarchs #1 Judas Goat in Charge....POMPUS Obama!
The Wall Street Robber Barons, the UN Globalists and Goldman Sachs Banksters wins EVERY Time and any rational American Knows that is a FACT (don't you?)! The rest is merely to place a False Veneer of Democracy on the Facade of our Fascist Plutocracy!
Though I still do hold out a "Little" hope for Tammy and the other newly elected "VETS" I hold nothing but contempt for Obama and anyone who is stupid enough to still support the "Liar In Chief" or any of these Wall Streets Corrupted Political Minions be they Demo-Rat, Republo-Rat or Bureau-Rat (The worst RAT of them all)!
“Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind. ” ~George Orwell
I couldn't give less of a rat's a$$ if she is a Democrat or Republican - hopefully she can help get the warmongering 'tards in Congress to stop these asinine foreign wars that have been a complete waste, and to focus on our OWN problem here at home. You go, Tammy!
It may seem fine to attack PA,USA for his "extreme" dislike of the TEA Party, but he/she should perhaps more clearly, calmly and rationally state why that dislike exists. In Indiana, the TEA Partywas responsible for driving Richard Lugar out of office, only to front Richard Mourdock as his replacement. While Mourdock embarassed the Party with his real rape, and NO-COMPROMISE, "my way or the highway", shut government down or tear it down attitude, the consequences, especially to veterans became more apparent. He wanted to end ALL federal family and young mother support programs (read food stamps), to end ALL federal student and education support systems (read student loans - as GI benefits frequently don't cover all the costs), and he didn't think there should be any job guarantee for a returning Guard or Reserve veteran as it was unfair to the employer and temporary replacement.
As the TEA Party poster boy, one has to believe that he represented the Indiana TEA Party and its goals: tax cuts, government employee cuts and human services cuts - while increasing contracting government services to private companies for profit.
By the way, I have no problems debating policy with Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians. Each party has some rational base to its arguments, and each party recognizes that sometimes even doing the "wrong" thing is better than doing nothing; and that political surgery ought to use scapels, not chainsaws; and that no matter how simple, brilliant, or self-evident a proposal is, it will always be far harder and long to implement (and in an amended condition).
Give 'em hell, Congresswoman Duckworth. We Democrats are proud of you and your service to this country. Don't let the Republicans take that over like they try and do with patriotism as well.
Bill Marvell....Thank God for the Tea Party and Thank God for Occupy Wall Street!
The only hope we have is that "They" begin to understand that they both believe in the same thing (the Restoration of the Republic and the Ending of Corruption in our Government) and to stop listening to the Sprayers Of Wall Street Propaganda who claim their are SOooo "Different" in their Beliefs" when both Are Not At All Different!
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all of them who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleansing_of_the_Temple
And may God cast the Demo-Rat, Republo-Rat or Bureau-Rat and their supporters into the Pit of Eternal Damnation (and I truly hope there is one) for the Corrupting Perverting and the Out Right Stealing of Our Sacred Republic and once again setting American against American!
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Thank you Blue Panther. We definitely need more like her regardless of which party they belong to. She is an American who continues to serve our country with honor. Judging by the way they conduct themselves honor seems to be what most congressmen are missing.
MUW,
Very interesting list of "non-quote" citations from an array of conspiracy-theorist rags to left-leaning mainstream papers of cable television to right-leaning mainstream papers. One hint that I would give before you put too much emphasis on what any British newspaper says regarding national vs. local actions (like the Occupy evictions) -- the British have most police power concentrated into the national government, while ours are more concentrated in the local government. They may not understand that the Mayor of NYC can order protestors evicted from a public space, when in the UK, that might require a call to the Home Secretary.
But seriously, from where do you acrually distill your attitudes? And what do you really believe? In polite English, please.
Proud to be from the same country as this hero. Thank you!
I hope WE all remember what our TAX dollars go for taking care of our service members that come back from HELL with no legs arms brains self worth and the likes of TEXASSSSSS that don't want to pay their fair taxes and they will not send their KIDS of to WAR like Raw-money's boys they are more PATRIOTIC hiding behind Raw-money's skirts
There are manny more of our men and women who need to be cared for for the next 60 to 70 yrs by us tax payers but TEXASSSSS con't want to help pay their share
Go Ms Duckworth your better than those Raw-money BOYS
Bill Marvell.....To understand the "Truth" in a world full of Lies & Deceptions you must listen Carefully to "All Sides" and "Distill" the truth for yourself!
Far too many "People" assume their "Parties" Line and refuse to be willing to listen to the other person or to consider and / or disregard the "Facts" in the forming of their "Own" opinions!
Many (Most) times in a Highly Mega Corporate Propagandized Nation like America, sometimes the best way to ascertain the truth is to read the "Alternative & Foreign" Press, be they NBC, FOX, CNN, Infowars, Think Progress, Drudge, Code Pink, English, Israeli, Russian Chinese or Iranian.......
BTW....As far as Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party I can speak "First Hand" and need not listen to ANYONE'S Corporate Sponsored Propaganda & Disinformation about that "Truth"!
What is a "Conspiracy" Today will never be allowed to be anything else tomorrow in our Corporate Controlled Plutocracy regardless of the "Facts" for we are merely a "Sheople" being lead up the Corporate "Slaughter Chute" by Judas Goats such as Obamney and the rest of the Demo-Rat, Republo-Rat or Bureau-Rats!
Say what you will but ANY rational person has to agree (or should) on the real "Facts" so I ALWAYS post supporting links and not just my or your "Silly" opinions!
"Everyone believes in the atrocities of the enemy and disbelieves in those of his own side, without ever bothering to examine the evidence." ~George Orwell
Let me now … warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party…. It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another….
—PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON,
Farewell Address, 1796
Since the Corporate "Robo Collapsing" Bots are once again showing their Support Of Free Speech (but only their own) please allow me......
"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching. ~Mahatma Gandhi
Pssst Dangerous Mind....It is & was Obamney and the Democrats that violated the Constitution by attacking peaceful protesters in Occupy Wall Street Movements across America....http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/25/nypd-occupy-protests-report
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats who has Secret CIA Prisons in Benghazi-Gate....http://www.infowars.com/why-did-cia-director-petraeus-suddenly-resign-and-why-was-the-u-s-ambassador-to-libya-murdered/
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats that passed the NDAA2012 with Indefinite Detention of Americans in America....http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/obama-signs-into-law-indefinite-detention-of-americans-without-trial?news=843828
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats who Authorized the "New" Patriot Act....http://townhall.com/tipsheet/kevinglass/2011/05/27/patriot_act_reauthorization_passes
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats that are responsible for the endless "Drone Wars" that kill 5 times more civilians than it kills "Terrorists" whatever that means.....http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/25/world/asia/pakistan-us-drone-strikes/index.html
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats who started their very own "Not War" in Libya using Al Qaeda.....http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8391632/Libya-the-West-and-al-Qaeda-on-the-same-side.html
And it is & was Obamney and the Democrats who keep trying to start their very own "Not War" in Syria using Al Qaeda.....http://www.cfr.org/syria/al-qaedas-specter-syria/p28782
Yet all you seem to want to do is Spray & Pray the same ole Wall Street Political Game of "Divide To Conquer" Democrats are "For The People" and the "Tea Party Members" Are Not?
Hahahahaha........In 2012 a person would have be a "Intentionally Naive or Clueless" Poster to continue spouting just Corporate Supporting Demo-Rat Dribble!
It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.~Sun Tzu
PS but I would also like to add "Go Tammy" and the rest of our newly elected "VETS"! Now "Defend The Constitution" against ALL Enemies both Foreign and Domestic as you have "Sworn" you would do not as a "Democrat" but as an American!
Cheers to Rep.Duckworth for her bravery, service to our nation and winnng the election to be a member of congress.
We need more Vets in congress..not just those who made millions while others served in our wars!
was she elected because she is a woman? a disabled veteran? or a democrat? if any one of those is a yes then she was voted in for the wrong reasons. experience in the field at which you are applying for is the only thing needed and as far as i know and what was reported on the media, she is inexperienced at the job she applied for but democrat voters do not care about experience as they blindly vote for whatever democrat is running as evidence in the election of jesse jackson jr and that dead guy among others from past election. thats right, democrat voters will elect dead guys and criminals who cant even show up to work because they are in drug rehab before they would vote for anyone with experience or a republican.
look at the voting history of democrats and you will see the horrible truth. countless democrats are elected and re-elected even after they are caught red-handed committing crimes and other official corruptions. throw repubs in there if you will but dems are by far the worse when it comes to educated voting.
maybe when we can get passed the party lies of democrats and republicans then maybe only then can we solve any issue without rhetoric and vitriol. i only see it getting worse do to the ignorance of the voters and especially the electorate. when there is a less that 3% difference is pop vote but a 100+ point difference in electorate vote, we have a problem.
MUW,
I suspect that the TEA Party and the Occupy movement will not find any common ground.
From their own literature, the TEA Party wants virtually NO regulation on business or wealth creation. It feels that OSHA and the EPA have long out-lived their mission and are nothing but nuisances to the economy. Briefly put, the TEA Party wants to return the "Golden Age" of 1900 America, but forget that the age was only golden for those with the gold (Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan).
Occupy, on the other hand, wants to start a new political revolution much like the "Trust-Busters" of the late 1900-1920's. Occupy wants the multi-nationals, large banks, and private companies and trusts broken up and distributed to "the poor and disadvantaged" - in effect a legal communist revolution. (Far more Leninist than Marxist, as Marx still allowed for a bourgeoisie to manage the means of production - Socialism vs. Lenin's dictatorship of the proletariat managing those means - Communism).
Regarding your comments on Christianity... I could have used the same words to Ghandi, but substitute Hindu for Christian. And you should note that the political nature of "the" "church" has changed significantly in the past 30 years. Most American Christian churches have had a Euro-centric view of the world, with a white supremacy attitude expressed as paternalism to the Heathen brown, black, red or yellow man. Hence our continued effort to educate and save those folks - in overseas lands, or forsake them to "their" own spin-offs domestically. Emigration and reproduction rates over the past three decades have now left those churches in decline, as new, more open churches like some of the evangelicals have grown in both membership and influence.
Also, generally liberal American churches with "mother country" national churches (Episcopal, the several Orthodoxies, even the Roman Catholic) have found a backlash by the mother church, or the now large numbers of "new" members in S.America, Africa, and Asia, whose local churches often operate under strict and conservative local goverments (like Kenya or Uganda). Try telling a church to follow Christ's lead in driving out the money-changers, when in part it is supported or has members under a dictator who has his own money-changers.
Finally, your money-changer example is only half the story. Remember, during Jesus time Judea (including the former kingdom of Israel) was a Roman province. Romans were multi-god pagans, whose pagan idols included symbols of statehood, like Emperor worship and state-sponsored sacrifice. This was not acceptable to the monotheist Jews, who believed only in the god of Abraham. The insertion of the requirement to buy temple sacrifice animals, using temple coins was a way for the Romans to insinuate themselves into the heart of the Jewish religion. This was key, as the next step was to require Jews to offer sacifice at a pagan temple. Even if done superficially, this was still at least Blasphemy, a major sin. The second pard of this story was the Pharisee's question to Jesus as to whose coin he held. Jesus answered, "Look at the image on the coin. Render unto Caesar (Rome) what is Caesar's (Rome's tax), and render unto God what is God's." This was a trap to tempt Jesus into an open opposition against Rome (a capital offense). The Pharisees, though unhappy with Rome, had adapted to life under Rome. Jesus Christ did end up on the cross, not for threatening Rome (though he died a Roman opposer's death), but rather to redeem our sins by reforming the then corrupt Jewish society (as presented in His Parables and in the story of His Passion).
Yes, it would be so much nicer if we all just marched, lock-step, behind one single agenda and no one ever voiced an opposing view point. Couldn't agree more.
you are outright lying because that is not what the tea party stands for! everything after that is also a lie because liars do not know the truth. regulations are a means of control, nothing else. while some regulation are needed most are not, especially at the federal level.
wealth creation? why would we need regulation of how much money you can make? your ideas are dangerous and very anti-american.
please leave your revisionist history and opinions to yourself as nothing you said is accurate.
Go get 'em, Tammy! I like your thinking that both parties should find common ground. If only...!
Swagganaut,
By your rationale, we could never replace a Representative, Senator, or President; as the only way to get that kind of experience is to get elected to the job. Anyone who thinks that their state experience qualifies them to work on Nation Budgets, National affairs with other countries (not a trade delegation), National defense and veteran's affairs, National transportation and energy and agriculture policy or any of the other 100's of the causes that states are not involved with; are fooling themselves.
In fact, new Congressmen and Senators usually require 1-2 weeks just to learn where the "private" (members-only) restrooms, elevators, offices and meeting rooms are located. Many, interviewed after their first year express amazement at what the are just learning.
No incoming President, including GW Bush, son of HW Bush and frequent White House visitor, really knows what to expect. HW Bush, for example had no 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina. From where would Barack Obama learned how to "bring Osama bin Ladin to justice", or to deal with a blown-out Gulf well, or the first major hurricane strike on the NorthEast in over sixty years?
This is sexist crap that does not belong in America just like racism. Women and minorties are the most racist and sexist groups in America today. \
If they can be glorified for it than White men need to start doing the same again. Whites have been making amends and transformations for 50 years regarding racism and sexism, and they have not even efforted one day. Time to make the first movie in history of cinema showing whites being discriminated and physically violated by minorites and women instead of the other way around for once. All this is, is a continuing of brainwashing all Americans into believeing the unnatural and abomination of nature.
i hope you are kidding right? i have hired and fired people before so i know what job qualifications and experience mean. being a politicians does not require one to already have been a politician. if your a lawmaker then your qualifications should be in law fields and management, if your a representative then your qualifications should be in management, pr skills, customer service, business. if your the president then your qualifications need to be in leadership positions, management, law, pr, business. you never hire a guy who's only job qualification is what he tells you he could do for you. as far as actual on the job experience, private sector job fields can provide that and as long as the qualifications are legit, you do not need experience, just a positive attitude and good work ethics.
pretty much for any politician to be qualified to run a city, state, country, they need qualifications in multiple fields directly related to the job position. private sector jobs fields can supply all the needed experience and more but people would rather vote for the smooth-talking-words-coming-out-of-a-liars-mouth than someone with actual qualifications and experience.
being a politician is not a career, its a calling to serve the greater purpose. someone who is currently working for a successful fortune 500 company can transition to a politician very easily and be rotated out with new recruits. what we have now is cronyism and basically oligarchy with political families and allies consolidating power.
if you do not prepare for the job at which you are applying/hired for then you are not qualified.
you are defending the status-quo and making excuses for the very problems that exist in our politics. when i hire anyone it has nothing to do with anything other than the job i want them for and they better prove to me why i should pay them my money for their labor.
Unfortunately this poor women will have to deal with the Tea Party Taliban
I remember when I was 19...I was going to join the Army..the recruiter told me even if you just do 4yrs it will help you lots of way in America...jobs-benefits-congress-senate...I never joined because they couldnt give me what I wanted...but I never had the intentions of joining to get special treatment..I had a sense of duty to my country...so if your gonna run for public office you need to be an ex service person...most of these people if not all have been indoctrinated by the government ... think alike..I dont feel the true people are being represented and you wont get any respect unless you have a service record...
Witchking...deal with the Tea Party Taliban. And don't forget those nasty Demo-Al Qaeda-Rats either......
Hmm wasn't there something in our / your Oath about "All Enemies both Foriegn & Domestic"?
Fortunately I am sure Ms Duckworth is quite used to being shot at from all sides so we can only hope she and our other "Veterans" in Congress will stand against all of these Corrupt Corporate Puppets now infecting Washington DC and still hiding on Wall Street.
Remember to "Duck & Cover" Tammy.....Don't "shoot" until you see the "Green" sticking out of their shirt "Pockets"!
Communism has never come to power in a country that was not disrupted by war or corruption, or both.~John F. Kennedy
Swaggaanaut,the only qualification in order to be a politician is to do lunch with lobbyists for their money for special interest groups agendas.And to make sure and get lots of photo ops.
oh, oh, I notice spider was getting tough, up there in the thread somewhere.
As for the teabuggers, one of them called a guy a liar for saying that teabuggers wanted no regulations on our criminal capitalist system. He then proceeded to say that he was a teabugger and wanted very few regulations, and none or next to none at the federal level. As if the azz hols in the states could regulate multi-state or multi-national corporations. So he proved that the guy he just called a liar was, in fact, correct.
Thus illustrating the real problem with the teabuggers: their brains are defective.
Jamesde, glad to see someone on here representing the Klan point of view. It is far too often overlooked in serious conversation. Really, maybe you should go visit Tammy Duckworth and make your point to her face. I bet you'd spend the rest of the day in DC removing one of those prosthetic limbs from your rear end. Here's a hint when it gets to that point: Dislodge your head first.
Top commenter - Why would you think it's relevant to bring up the Klan?
Jamesde was simply saying that the left has built most of its platform upon the "get even with the white man" game, and even though society has been utterly transformed to the point we have a black man as president, a rapidly growing populus aproaching a non-white majority, the left is beating a dead horse with the "get even with the white man" bit. They still use it because it has been so successful.
However, pointing all of this out has nothing to do with the activities of the "Klan".
Proud 2B Liberal:
from Jamesde: "All this is, is a continuing of brainwashing all Americans into believeing [sic] the unnatural and abomination of nature."
I'm sorry, anybody who calls challenges to white male hegemony an 'abomination of nature' is taking a page out of the Klan play book and deserves to be called out on it. It is highly relevant, in other words, contrary to your simplistic, excuse-making reformulation of Jamesde's post.
Some liberal you are! Straight dip$hit is more like it.
Right on Top Commenter. I, for one, am getting sick and tired of "poor" white males crying victim. Boo hoo hoo!
QUESTION: If you really feel victimized: would you turn black and/or female (or both) today if you could? If you answer no...cry me a river.
The percentage of black or white doesn't seem to make a difference to the Tea party. He isn't white enough. That much is clear; from the outcry that he show his birth certificate to the demand he release his college records. Please cite another President in American history who released their college records or had to show their birth certificate. And don't bother telling me he's being treated this way because he is a Democrat...we've had a few for president in the past.
Perhaps there are, but clearly the don't much participate in rallies or conventions. Pretty much all you see is a sea of white faces...old...male.
Exactly what amends and transformations are you talking about. Are you talking about the Civil Rights Act of 1964? Passing an appropriate law bringing society into the purview of the Constitution is not exactly what I'd call an amend. And passage the law does not constitute a transformation. The closest thing to transformation I've seen beyond legal statute is that white men seldom lynch black men these days. Corporations still discriminate against women employees. Not a great deal of transformation...but a good start.
onermailliw, you're suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
She didn't do a thing when she worked at the VA to change things for our veterans. I don't think she will do anything but just the status quo for a politician. She was hand fed this job.
You go Tammy. Fight the Fight and never give up in what you believe in. We are proud of you for the way you have led your life from the battle field onto this day.
It doesn't get any better than this, a Dem., Vet fighting for middle class Rights !!!!!!!
Yep, a Dem vet. That's one....
She is not fighting for the middle class rather she is fighting against the middle class and the successful. She is fighting to keep the poor poor and to increase their ranks. Those who are dependent on the government for their will being tend to stay that way and once they are dependant they become easier to control and that is what it is all about for Dems, power and control.
texasbob you really are a reject. DON'T YOU DARE INSLUT HER!!! AZZHOLE!!!
wow
Forgive texas. He is easily confused. Because they keep rewriting the history books in texas. He can't spell gop.
Question for ya texasboob, If you are so against government assistance, why did texas recieve over 6 billion dollars in federal money in the last two years??
Good old Texas, one of the biggest Takers of federal funding.
And always Bit@hing about the big bad goverment.
All noise! little substance.
Probably used it to feed and house the illegal's,Randy, AKA, the future of the Democrat Party!
I only disagree with one thing in this article. We don't need more veterans in the Senate or House. We need all the children and grandchildren of Senators and House members serving in active combat roles in the military. Mandatory every one of them. There would be a lot less chickensh!t chickenhawks if they had the skin of kin in the game.
Oooh, MNniceguy, congratulations on a really stupid statement. Texas has a whole lot of substance...lots of jobs, strong economy, manageable debt...they're in high clover compared to liberal disasters such as California, Illinois, New York, et al who are on the very brink of bankruptcy. "All noise! little substance"...must be a self-description.
From MNiceguy:
Typical. No facts to substantiate his baseless claim.
Joe Biden's son is a major in the Delaware Nat'l Guard & was deployed to Iraq a mo b4 the 2008 election. He's also the Atty General of Delaware. He could've gotten out of that deployment. He didn't. He went. He did what he was supposed to do. His unit was called up during Sandy & he suited up for that as well.
Biden may be the only sitting VP who had a son in a combat zone. I can't think of another VP (or POTUS) who did.
By the way, Texas ranked 43rd in states receiving Federal Funding....
http://dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com/dont_mess_with_taxes/2010/09/states-that-get-the-most-federal-money.html
Actually, per capita, Texas is near the bottom of recipients of Federal Funding. But 7 of the Top ten are Republican controlled and voting states.
There goes spider again with his idiocy. California has the highest GDP in the nation. I.E. they produce more than Texas. Don't like it because they're liberal? Tough crap it's true.
Here's your facts dog-faced rightie:
You're right about Texas not taking more than they produce. But just barely. And they are the exception to the rule. The real truth is that the majority of the red states are takers. A confederacy of takers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-the-confederacy-of-takers/2012/11/13/d8adc7ee-2dd4-11e2-beb2-4b4cf5087636_story.html
And their are about a thousand more articles like this if you could be bothered to Google and read.
See just because your Fox talking heads parrot a lie over and over doesn't make it true. The majority of "takers" are in red states. Period.
scar_tissue, I don't disagree with your sentiments, but the sons & grandsons of Teddy Roosevelt did serve & most valiantly. For example, TR II, a brigadier general, was one of the first to land on Utah beach. He died July 12, 1944 while in the field. His brother Quentin died while serving in WW!. TR II's son, TR III was a decorated navy pilot in the Pacific. For his service on D-Day, TR II received the MOH. Sadly, the history of service is there, it is the more recent generations that have chosen to ignore the past.
Eisenhower also had kin in service i thought, maybe while he was Commander of Services in Europe also.
Hey texasbob, I wouldn't talk about who is easy to control, since FOX has done such a good job with you and those like you.
scar
President Theodore Roosevelt sons died at normandy.
http://algarvehistoryassociation.blogspot.com/2009/05/war-graves-of-roosevelt-brothers.html
flnobody,
Actually, not one of the three Roosevelt sons were in the military while TR Rossevelt was in office (1901-1909). Teddy, Jr. died from a heart attack 5 weeks after leading his divison ashore at Normandy (and earning a Congressional Medal of Honor in the process). Quentin and Kermit both died in combat in WWI; Quentin as a pilot over France and Kermit assigned with the British in Iraq. Their remains were moved from other cemetaries to be interred next to their brother.
Oddly Patton apparently did not like Teddy because he did not dress and act like the Black Jack Pershing model of a general, all spit shine and no concern for the troops under him. Much like the British officer corps of WWI. Patton won just about every medal, but the Congressional.
flnobody,
You will NEVER see the child of a sitting President, VicePresident, DoD Secretary, or senior Congressman or Senator in a combat zone. I'm still amazed that John McCain was allowed in combat over VietNam, since his 4-star Admiral father was still active at the time.
In WWII, Gen. Patton's son-in-law was taken prisoner by the German's in Tunisia in 1943. In March 1945, when Patton learned that his lines were within 80km. of the prison where his son-in-law was being held, Patton broke almost all the rules and organized a regiment-sized raid to liberate the prison. Of 314 men, and 57 pieces of equipment, 35 men managed to return to allied lines.
Patton tried to explain this away as first a concern that prisoners might be killed as the army moved closer, then as diversionary attack as his army turned to attact north.
Now imagine what might happen as the result of an even higher level conflict of interest.
Hey Tonybeeerm, You shouldn't talk but you do so anyway! What do you know about Tammy Duckworth other than she is a Democrat? Face it, this is the first you ever heard of her. Whenever Tammy wants attention out comes the skirt. You have no idea what she is going to do yet you and MSNBC has her practically running for Vice President in '16! Who has done a job on who,here?
Winner for thread stupidity trophy: Texasbob for repeating something he doesn't understand, has never fact checked, and therefore cannot tell whether or not it's a lie.
You go, texasbob. You should run for the texas school board.
A little history for ya, since you seem to have no memory of what went before. When George W. Bush took office, along with decisive majorities of Republicaqns in both houses of Congress, unemployment was only 4%. By the time he left office, unemployment was at 8% and rising faster than Halliburton's profits! By the time the aptly named "Bush Recession" had run its course, unemployment was 10% and 17 million people were out of work!
Now, tell me again how it is Democrats that fight to keep the poor poor and increase their ranks! Republicans seem to do a much better job at this!
Really Bob? It's not Democrats trying to reduce taxes for the wealthy at the expense of the Middle-Class. It's not Democrats trying to remove regulations enacted to prevent Wall Street from destroying the economy. It's not Democrats fighting to keep tax breaks for Corporation to off-shore. It's not Democrats trying to slash the safety net during times of economic difficulty. Who's at war with the middle-class? ...It's not Democrats!
Is that right? So disabled veterans should hid their wounds in shame? WTF is wrong with you boy? I have a few buddies with prosthetic that I'm sure would enjoy providing you with a swift and permanent attitude adjustment...what a POS.
Ol Doc, Listen up, like I told Tonybeeerm, you know nothing about this woman. I would never prey on anyones handicap and would for sure support and applaud those who struggled to over come theirs. What do you know about Tammy Duckworth? Are the veteran friends of yours parading around their injuries in order to advance themselves? Of course not,anyone who would do that is pathetic, and that's part of what's wrong with her. The other is that Barack Obama encouraged her to run again after being defeated in '08, only to solidify a Democrat stronghold in the 8th dist. in Illinios. So Doc you are the one that needs a swift prosthetic where the sun don't shine!
You would never...holy crap man! You just did!
And they're not hiding them either. If it makes you or the rest of the Republican Party uncomfortable...tough sh!t!
Two things here. Of course he encouraged her to run. A recent veteran and a Democrat, hell yes he encouraged her to run. And if a previous defeat is a disqualifier...why the hell did Mitt run? As to your comment about the prosthetic...if you feel you're man enough.
What is also concerning about not having veterans in the congress is the willingness to go to war by non-combatants.
It's good to see some vets in congress as they do have a better idea of the cost of warfare. If there had been fewer chickenhawks and more vets in office during W's term we might not have the mess we have...
get a grip. the whole blame bush thing was lame to begin with.
Absolutely right, he didn't do anything to get us into the mess we're in, the manufactured war in Iraq only cost pennies and those men and women that died probably wouldn't have lived forever either, huh, you dip!
If Congress has 19% of it's body as ex military and the Senate has 18% of it's body as ex military.
I'm pretty sure that the 80% who NEVER served in the military are career politicans who are also known as CHICKENHAWKS !!!
Bawk! Bawk!
Scooter, isn't time for your 10th time today, Benghazi update?
Bawk! Bawk!
Hey Guys, Most of the Chickenhawks are the Tea Loonies !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bud
in case you didn't hear we are no longer in Iraq, we followed bush's withdrawal plans Your Messiah however has "augmented" the Afghanistan force's however.Oh and BTW do you have any idea how Barry voted for the invasion to begin with?
steamie,
show me ONE... just ONE... time i have done that....normal lib, make up facts and accusations as you go...
p.a ?
Fixate much?
VFFV
What good does it do to blame Bush anymore?This article was about Tammy making it into life despite all her setbacks.Congrats Tammy,Way to hang in there,I hope you can help get this country moving forward instead of dwelling on the past like so many others in BOTH parties.
Hey IA, are you talking about Dick Cheney's War for Oil ( "Iraq" ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
exactly my point wolf.
scooter you really are a jackhole. you are so backwards it's ridiculous. i'm not even going to take the time from my day to spell it out for you cause you'll just hold the effing book upside-down.
wowcant,
jackhole? ....go join steamie he likes to make things up as well.
oh and thank you for taking time from your day.
Hey Scooter, BAWK! BAWK !
You brought up the word "TROLL"
12 of the 1st 70 posts are yours.
Making you king of the Trolls
Bawk ! Bawk !
Agreed! But when the conservatives want to place blame for high unemployment, the debt, deficit spending, downgraded credit ratings, or socialism solely on Obama, while completely ignoring "Dubya's" record of massive job loss, debt, deficit spending and socialism of Wall Street, banks and Medicare Part D, then it becomes necessary to remind them time and again of their culpability in bringing about the worst economic downturn in 80 years. If they'd rather not talk about their own record, fine. But they shouldn't be trying to saddle others with their own miserable failures. The American people are way smarter than that, regardless of what the conservatives try to get you to believe.
Bush ran the car into a ditch, and Obama has spent the last four years sitting in it and spinning the wheels.
Hmmmm ...... so the number of posts is what makes one a troll? I don't subscribe to that theory.
@tjohn. i guess that's civilian politics for you.At least in the military after every operation,we have an after action review and lessons learned.The purpose of an after action review is to identify any mistakes,errors or problems as well as including things that went right that affected the mission good or bad.The outcome of an after action review could or should result in better conducted operations on the next mission.However,when someone messes up on an operation we don't grind their noses in it until there is nothing left but a bloody stump.Our politicians on both sides would do well to conduct after operations in the same manner as the military instead of pointing fingers which accomplishes nothing.
just what i mean by uneducated voters. you do realize that most all the democrats prior to bush jr was warmongering iraq by stating sadaam was a threat and had WMD's and was going nuclear. you do understand that we were still technically at war with iraq from the 91' war, iraq was under a cease-fire agreement with a no-fly zone in place and sadaam violated the terms many times over.
when the vote came down, the dems voted along with repubs to re-invade iraq but when the dem voters turned on the dem party, the dem party turned on america and we had continuous bush bashing and outright lies for years to come and it still has not stopped. now that their man is in charge, they want to protect him from everything at all costs and ignore any wrong doing.
hey what happened to cindy sheehan? oh thats right, she was thrown under the bush when obama got elected. she actually continued her anti-war crusade well after obamas election but the media ignored her completely. during bush jr's presidency, thats all we heard was about cindy sheenan protests and our soldiers were hung in effigy. do you not see the problems right in from of your face? im sure you will just make excuses and divert blame to the opposition like a true partisan.
when the dem voters cant even remember the things the dem party has done, they are nothing but brainwashed dembots who cannot think for themselves.
Goldarnit, rightwingers are stupid. tramp: bushie lied us into a war that will cost two trillion dollars, 5000 and counting American lives: he was so bad that even the republickkkans haven't mentioned him for years.
Yet you, yes you, a man who is loyal to dishonesty and stupidity to the bitter end, think it's lame to "blame him." It is far too weak, just to blame him. He should have been put on trial.
Wolf: "I hope you can help get this country moving forward instead of dwelling on the past like so many others in BOTH parties"
Unless one remembers the past (and learns from it), one is condemned to repeat it.
...nevertheless, they're a nasty, back-stabbing pack. Watch your back.
Annie, are you talking about the TeaTards ???????????????????
calm down P.A. (?) try a nice soothing glass of tea.......
No thinks, I hate Tea !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat, When did YOU serve? Hmmm?
coffee beats tea any day.
NC, your answer to that is 1961 to 1964 Army "Artillery" !!!!!!!!!!!!
Patriotic,
See how they question your authenticity? They just can't believe that Democrats served because Fox told them the entire military was Republican and only right wing politicians care about veterans.
That's why the Republicans House blocked several veterans bills including increasing medical coverage for vets. Because they care so much.
They like to just ignore reality and what actually happens in favor for Fox mythology or gibberish spouted by that drug addicted moron Rush.
agreed
We need more Vets and less Tea Loonies in Government !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then you will get mostly Republicans since Democrats are normally cowards.
watch yourself, nc. if you don't, someone will have to come "correct" you. i will be first in line too.
nc
Yep you are right. There is a whole 5% difference.
34% of veterans and those currently on active military service are Republican, while 29% of veterans identify themselves as Democrats,
Since more than 9 out of 10 veterans are men, and since men as a group skew more Republican and less Democratic than women, it is possible that some of the differences are the result of the comparison of a largely male population of veterans
http://www.gallup.com/poll/118684/Military-Veterans-Ages-Tend-Republican.aspx
I have long advocated that all elected officials be by mandate honorably discharged service members. It is only the soldier that truly understands the tragedy of war. No soldier wants to face another soldier on opposite sides of the battle, knowing the difference between getting your buddies home, and not, depends on killing or injuring a soldier that is probably as good as you are, and has the same basic wants and needs, but serves a different political ideology. It is also the soldier that follows the orders given to them. If all elected officials were required to honorably serve in our nations military in order to hold public office, our nation would be much more reluctant to go to war, as those in office would have an intimate understanding of what they were asking our young people to do.
You are all entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.
A recent Army Times study and survey provides evidence that refutes the notion of a politicized military. The study found that “political party affiliation has fallen sharply among those wearing the uniform today … the percentage of self-identified Republicans has decreased by one-third since 2004, from 60 percent to 41 percent, while the percentage of self-identified independents has nearly doubled to 32 percent during the same period.”
I don't agree, but I do believe (a' la Robert Heinlein in Starship Troopers) that the qualification for voters should include a certain amount of service to our country, whether in the armed forces or otherwise.
See? Look at that halfwit NC-numbers. "The military is all Republican and Democrats are cowards." Living in a willfully imposed false reality. Pathetic. Yeah sure, Tammy Duckworth is a coward obviously. You're sick in the head.
I'd also love to prove you wrong to your face NC. Reject.
denver bill
Those are not my facts. As you can see by the reference I gave. Now nc and your comments are your own facts. Because neither of you provided any reference to backup your comments. Not that I disagree with your comment bill.
Congratulations Tammy!
We are so proud of you.
Thank-you for your Service.
Thank you for bringing the conversation back on track Repubs for O. This article is about a pretty amazing woman who has survived something that, hopefully, most of us will ever be asked to endure, has come back and triumphed. She will use her power for good to help other Americans live and work in a competitive America. This site is not about Party Politics or recriminations. Take the moment and be proud of this extraordinary individual.
Thank you and congratulations Rep. Duckworth for your sacrifice and for caring enough about other Americans to try and make a difference. Go get 'em tiger.
Second the motion.
Good start on bi-partisanship Tammy! You'll fit right in with the rest of the partisan idiots in D.C.
Are you serious? I'm curious what gives you cause for that? As she even said combat over shadows political parties. So calling a disabled vet an idiot just because YOU think it'll be business as usual doesn't give you that right. Sounds like you have more isuues than she ever will so please cancel my subscription.
Letusreason is taking Party over Country !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
letusreason- you are an embarrassment.
I hate almost every post that PA USA puts on here but for once I have to agree with him. I don't know how you can take that statement and make it about party lines.
P.A. USA is trolling. Do not feed the troll.
Trolling with the truth. Truth hurts when you're on the wrong side of it doesn't it?
Collapsed by political correctness.
What a great person and great attitude,,"that which does not kill us, makes us stronger and! wiser"..as we can see,Those who have been to "the edge" cant describe it, but they will all say, "it changed my life forever, in an instant",I have to agree with the lack of Veterans in GOV,, we need more, in Canada too,whatever it takes, lets make it happen,,often those who survive these things live a different life from others, they have no time for games,ego,s and blah blah blah,, its all about action,, making "it" happen, whatever "it" happens to be,,and a good thang that is too,,,message for media, you could try to not focus so much on her and others missing limbs and more on the person, just saying?...ya know,, I can still feel my leg too,,toes and all,, still wiggle them,for me? they are still there,,it is only others! that have a problem with it,,food for some thought we hopes, eh??..
Critical times hard to deal with, will be here.
so you say all the time. and again i point out...."will be"...????
What a weird thing. In 1977, when (according to another article on today's front page) veteran stress was being ignored, we had 80% of the House and 65% of the Senate made up of veterans. Today, when every political rally has a salute to vets (so long as they are not gay), we have almost no representation. It makes the constant "thank a vet today" refrain feel a little hypocritical. Thank a vet, but don't vote for jobs for vets, nor pay any attention to the ridiculous multiple tours that we put on them, nor pay for VA health care, nor listen to their advice on Afghanistan, nor have your own kids join up.
i agree. it's terrible. here's the problem... well... the current problem.
Democrats introduced a bill to help returning vets gain state-side employment and the skills for that 're-integration part of their lives.
Republicans FILIBUSTERED THAT BILL! WTF?!
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW??!
I suppose the reason there are fewer veterans in Congress/Senate is that there have been fewer Americans fighting in the 30-40 years between the Vietnam years and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now there may be a new increase in veterans, as Aghanistan and Iraq vets retire from military service and look to serve politically. Maybe this is what Congress needs to cut through partisanship and work together for the good of our country; our soldiers know how to do that! Please know, however, that one does not have to be a veteran to be caring of veterans' needs; I hope every American wants to make sure our veterans are well cared for!
Congratulations, Tammy, and thank you, very much, for your dedication to duty and your service to our country. You make a valid point about the lack of congressional veterans. It makes a difference in not only how veterans are treated and what benefits they receive, but it also makes a difference in how Congress views war and its consequences. Most of today's congressional members have no idea of the sacrifices that are made by the military and their family members in peace or in wartime. They just don't get it. I believe you have to serve to truly understand. It changes you, even if you never go to war. It's a different mindset; something the civilian world does not understand. I may have only served three years, but I came away with a sense of pride for having made the sacrifice of serving my country, even in a time of relative peace. I am even more grateful for the sacrifices that are being made everyday by the men and women who are serving in today's military, and I can't thank them enough for their selflessness. God bless you, Tammy, and all who are serving or have served.
Careful...politics is WORST than combat. A female vet myself (never saw combat) Congrats! Nice to see actual vets in Congress again. I hope it's a trend. As for the naysayers. Tough. I mean, she's tough to tough out her job, her injuries, her recovery and her running for office, you people who cannot say anything nice because they are from the oppisete party know NOTHING. Case in point: Warstories trump politics. We (the military) are trained to WORK TOGETHER to get the job done lese people die. That's far better than Congress has shown in years. Perhaps that's the reason we have such bipartisanship...not enough vets in office.
First of all, good luck to her. Second of all, I think we all KNOW why most of the older, male members of Congress aren't ex-military- because daddy got them out of it....the "I don't want to pay taxes" wealthy, and their demented, cowardly, lazy offspring. Third of all- how the he*l is the Representative from San Francisco a Republican? The answer to this might just be your answer as to why the Republicans still run the HOR, despite losing everywhere else....
Wow. You are able to write a remark in here but are otherwise so clueless.
First, I agree, good luck to her.
Second, you can't buy your way out of the draft that many of us older veterans had to deal with so, oops!, there goes THAT ignorant remark. How about you? Are you a veteran? Hmmm?
Third, he is a Republican because he is capable and even some of those fools in SF can see that. If you check, gnat-brain, most vets in Congress are Republicans not Dumbocrats.
Finally, although Obama did win the presidency, by less than he did the first time, nothing much changed. The Boy Blunder is still in the WH (most of his votes came from those who still want more "free stuff" and had not the sense to look at any other election because they were not giving away anything), the Senate is still obstructed by Democrats and the GOP still dominates the House by a wide margin. At least we know the House will keep Obama's stupidity in check as it does now. Also, most governors are GOP (30) as are most state legislatures.
So, there you have it, sonny. We are still a center-right nation. Maybe you should do a little research before you next spew.
Oh, do you pay more taxes than you are required? Do you even pay taxes at all? If you don't already pay more than you must, you are a hypocrite. The again, you are a liberal and that goes along with being a hypocrite.
Get an education.
Get a job.
Do not have children.
N.C
excellent post...dudos to you sir.
VFFV
Look what Dad did for Romney, hiding in France with the Mormons !!!!!!!!!!!
Because Paul Cook is a member of that endangered species, a moderate Republican. There's still a few of them around (the sane adult wing of the party) and he defeated a TP favorite in a heavily-GOP district to get in. Will he keep his election promise of working across party lines, or toe the RWNJ line? Time will tell...
Really? That's funny, I knew more than a few whose family wealth and 'connections' either kept them out of the military or found them a 'safe berth' (like W and his guard 'service'). And before you ask, no, I'm not a vet; I tried to enlist but failed the physical.
NC you are so misinformed, I don't know where to start. If you really think "money" (and the power and influence that comes with it) cannot buy a ticket away from the front-lines, you need to have your head checked. seriously.
And why are you resorting to name-calling? you are a real winner, "Sonny." (that is what is called 'sarcasm' just so you aren't confused)
Scooter - Did you just say Dudos to NC? Did you mean kudos or doodoos?
Please don't lump DC in with those of us in the republican party that have a brain. Yes "W" got out of war due to money and influence.
Cook is not from San Francisco. The reporter got it wrong, probably not realizing that redistricting changed where the 8th congressional district is.
Because the United States went for an all volunteer armed service!
That's why you don't have so many vets in congress or the white house.
After all why hit a beach when you could be hitting a bong back at the dorm!
So, anyone who is not a "militarist lackey" is not a patriot? Get real.
jim,
Not all; just most.
How about you? You a veteran? What have you ever done for the country, "patriot"? Anything? Or do you just "get"?
Find a job.
jim
lackey?....go on down to your local VFW or American legion and give them your point of view, im certain it will be ...educational......
NC
no way he is, you know better.
VFFV
Most Republicans are Draft Dodgers, their daddy's get them into college are you know how that works !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you are just a disturbed and disturbing person NC. you too, scotter. disturbing. where do you live, please?
Most politicians today were draft dodgers. If you had money back then you got out of war. That was the way it was. To be a politician you almost always have to be rich or backed by some really rich people. Don't lump the draft dodging only on the republicans.
Don't bother poor Scooter and NC, they might not be able to take the strain if you burst the non-reality bubbles they live in.
NC thinks only Republicans serve, and only Republicans care about vets, even though they blocked numerous veterans bills the last four years.
,
I have a great idea. Since Vietnam we've sent Americans to every country that we felt needed to share in our vision of freedom and religious freedom. In the process millions of our troops have been maimed for life or killed. It would be a noble endeavor if the other countries really wanted our help instead of our money and they've all turned on us when the chips were down. We need to bring our troops home, protect our borders epically our southern boarder. Enforce our immigration laws and only defend ourselves from real threats by exacting a swift response if attacked. We allow drug gangs from Mexico nearly unrestricted access while wasting time in the Middle East Doing this we might end up with less crippled and dead soldiers and have a safer country.
Excellent post, Roger Pankey-3107863.
You are 100% correct and yes, it's a great idea.
Amen
She'll still be taking cheap potshots, but now she'll be surrounded by cowards.
Yes, so many Democrats in the House.
Cowards of both stripes.
...are you a coward if you don't go to war (well if some of them dodged the draft in their time, then I guess perhaps)? Why can't you just be a hero if you do go to war?
Lets emphasize the positive end of things guys.
NC-numbers
Wait until 2014 when there will be even more Democrats in the house because of statements like yours and "people" like you.
2014? Like 2010? Like that?
Dems had their chance this time. What happened? All seats in the House were up for election or re-election. Why does the GOP STILL have such a comfortable margin?
Hmmm?
I'm still pretty pissed about the horrendous comments that Joe Walsh said during their campaign. He accused her of exploiting her injuries and that she was no hero. Cheap words from a cheap person (I cant even use the word "man" here). He calls John McCain a hero (which I agree) so why not her. Any soldier or for that matter anyone who puts their life on the line is a hero to me. His comments were such cheap shots that I can't imagine such a small minded person like him ever could have been elected in the first place. She is a class act and we need more people like her.
Joe Walsh, deadbeat dad and Tea Party hero. Yeah that guy was real quality, refusing to pay his child support. I'm sure he could have got elected without backing from Tea Party billionaire owners the Koch brothers. Right.
that is the only bad part here.... or do you people want MORE chicago style politics...
Get some psychological help, IA.ScooterTramp, you need it desperately.
We need democrats in congress, just as much as we need republicans.
The day that we have no republicans in congress, I know this country has gone to $#!T, because I like having my parties "checked" by each other. Everyone talks about socialism, communism, and the like? All (usually) single-party states. Thats when America is in the dumps.
This coming from (generally speaking) a democrat...
Chicago style politics are a whole hell of a lot better than Texas style politics. That much is certain.
Chicago style, and Texas style, are not a thing. People need to stop trying to make it a thing lol.
Politics is Politics--its unnecessarily dirty at times and incredibly productive at times.
Good for you young woman. Give them all hell, republicans and democrats for their lack-a-dasical attitude towards our veterans. Congress better start working for the American people, instead of for themselves. If enough veterans start taking an interest in what is going on in congress and visit at the same time then God help the members who sit on their dead asses. All of us veterans have military training and if we band together will constitute a significant force that cannot be triffled with. "Warrior Vets" have met the enemy and in a lot of cases it is our own congress passing laws for themselves and their friends and sending our jobs overseas. Congress: DO WHAT YOUR ARE ELECTED TO DO AND REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA! iF YOU CONTINUE THE WAY YOUR ARE GOING, BE VERY AFRAID AS MOST VETERANS ARE NOT SHEEP, BUT LIONS,
exactly. Both the democrats and republicans in congress have (for the most part) acted in their party's best interest before the american public's. This is NOT a one-sided issue.
this is what our country needs...people who walk the walk in public office... too many talk the talk and ask others to walk the walk...have too much power...God Bless Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth..and others like her..truly a courageous admirable beautiful individual.
Good luck. You are going to need it.
Yes, she will, especially with people like IA.ScooterTramp in this country.............
Then again, considering what she's been through, dealing with someone like IA.ScooterTramp would be a piece of cake............
She's not the first disabled woman in the House--Nancy Pelosi (mentally disabled) is!
Hey Howdy, you got to stop looking in your mirror, that could be very dangerous !!!!!!!!!!!!
Conservatives mired in unhappiness.... it may have become a permanent condition for them.
While I may not agree with Duckworths politics, I respect her service, and admire her conviction. I always like to see veterans move on to government service, because then we at least have someone in office who knows what our troops go through over seas.
It's because she's a Democrat.
Marine Col. Paul Cook served 26 years in the US Marine Corps(that's pronounce 'corpse' if you're Pres. Obama). Cook has received numerous military decorations, including a Bronze Star for combat bravery and two Purple Hearts while serving in Vietnam. Cook's Bronze Star was accompanied with a Valor Device for combat heroism. The Bronze Star is the fourth-highest combat decoration and the ninth highest U.S. military award in order of precedence.
Tammy Buckworth was given a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal and promoted to Major. A Commendation Medal is for valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star Medal.
Marine Colonel Cook was mentioned in paragraph 31 of this article as one of the veterans Duckworth met and had a photo taken with. No mention of any military accomplishments. Cook is a Republican.
We get it NBC.
Quite being such a partisan a-hole. Time to put that sh1t on the back burner and move forward. There is just way to much of this and it spreads like cancer. How about being part of the solution instead of spreading your vile divisiveness!!
msnbc is totally partisan.......and duckworth is a dem......msobama....and this ass obama is responsible for the deep division in out country.......
Bunk! I'll listen when ONE of Mitt's FIVE sons enlist! The Duckmeister rules, and shame on those who sought to smear her.
Recon rules!
'I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites.'
'I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race.'
'There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.'
'I will stand with the Muslim's should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'
- Barack Obama
** Obama: “They Bring a Knife…We Bring a Gun”
** Obama to His Followers: “Get in Their Faces!”
** Obama on ACORN Mobs: “I don’t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry! I’m angry!”
** Obama to His Mercenary Army: “Hit Back Twice As Hard”
** Obama on the private sector: “We talk to these folks… so I know whose ass to kick.“
** Obama to voters: Republican victory would mean “hand to hand combat”
** Obama to lib supporters: “It’s time to Fight for it.”
** Obama: “My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks.”
** Obama: “I will be happy to see the Republicans test whether or not I’m itching for a fight on a whole range of issues. I suspect they will find I am.”
** Obama: “It’s tempting not to negotiate with hostage takers”
** Obama: “We’re going to punish our enemies” (to a Latino gathering concerning those opposed to illegal immigration)
** Obama: “Those aren’t the kinds of folks who represent our core American values.”
And there’s this:
** “All 50 States are coordinating in this – as we fight back against our own Right-Wing Domestic Terrorists who are subverting the American Democratic Process, whipped to a frenzy by their Fox Propaganda Network ceaselessly re-seizing power for their treacherous leaders.”
What was that you were saying about "partisan a-holes" wydrifter?
obama won the election and he is still poison.....
No one's smearing her. I'm just pointing out the bias of NBC News.
Don't you think that a Bronze Star recipient was worth more of a mention than "Duckworth met former Marine Col. Paul Cook — the new Republican representative whose district covers most of San Francisco?"
Headline: Battle-hardened double amputee to prospective congressional foes: 'Bring it'
LMAO!!!
Keep it up righties. You still can't admit why you lost. Just keep spreading that partisan poison and watch more (R) seats evaporate in 2014. I hope your useless Tea Party keeps just voting 'no' on everything, at least for the 36 weeks they actually are "working" a year.
Poor Dangerous. If he only had a brain.