Defending Lt. Col. Duckworth

[FriendlyFire]

Defending Lt. Col. Duckworth

Illinois Tea Party congressman Joe Walsh, best known for calling the president a liar, finds himself under fire for comments he made Sunday about his opponent, Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth. Walsh suggested she`s not a, quote, "true hero" because, he says, she discusses her military service too much.

Duckworth was a Blackhawk pilot who lost both her legs after her helicopter was hit in 2004 and later went on to serve with the Department of Veterans` Affairs.
Here Walsh`s comments caught on camera by Think Progress. He begins by talking about John McCain`s campaign in 2008 and moves to his opponent. Let`s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOE WALSH (R), ILLINOIS: But understand something about John McCain. His political advisers, day after day, had to take him and almost throw him against the wall and hit him against the head and say, Senator, you have to let people know you served. You have to talk about what you did.
He wouldn`t -- didn`t want to do it, wouldn`t do it. Day after day, they had to convince him. And finally, he talked a little bit about it, but it was very uncomfortable for him. That`s what`s so noble about our heroes.
Now, I`m running against a woman who -- I mean, my God, that`s all she talks about.
(LAUGHTER)
Our true heroes, the men and women who served us, it`s the last thing in the world they talk about. That`s why we -- we are so indebted and in awe of what they have done.

I don`t know if I`m stoked, I`m kind of hurt. I mean, look, I -- if you look at the video, the worst part about it -- I don`t know if you caught it at the end, but there was people in the audience that were -- like, laughed.

He first had told a Politico reporter several months ago that all Tammy did was get shot out of a helicopter. You know, we later found out that he challenged Tammy Duckworth to a debate at the same time she was at military duty. And now this. And so I think he`s had a long track record of sort of insulting her service.
And to her credit, I mean, at some point -- she actually doesn`t oversell her service. I mean, John McCain may have written two books about serving in Vietnam, but Tammy Duckworth has yet to really even talk about her service.

You look at John Kerry and the whole swift-boat issue, you look at Max Cleland and what went on in that case, you now look at what is going on with Ms. Duckworth and you wonder if there`s a pattern to all of it. What do you see when you put it all together?

Well, when we spend money all over the country helping Iraq and Afghanistan veterans running for office, it`s the strongest positives they have. It moves voters. What these Republican candidates like to do, they like to try to tear it down.
And it hurts most -- with Tammy, like, it devastates me.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/hardball/48065014
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/03/joe-walsh-tammy-duckworth_n_1646793.html

At least there's one honest Republican.
I especially like that fact he has scheduled debates during her military service, then attacked her for not turning up.

Oh well didnt stop Bush using he very dirty "illegitimate black child" push pol on McCain either. US politics is strange

 

[Formaldehyde]

It is a shame he has the same name as a great rock musician.

But this is quite characteristic of the blatant double standard when it comes to military service in the US. George Bush is not criticized for defending the skies of Texas from communist invasion while John Kerry is vilified for actually being a real war hero. GHWB is turned into a hero even though by some accounts he was just the opposite. John Kennedy is also suspect in this regard. Dwight Eisenhower even warned about the military-industrial complex prior to leaving office after directly challenging most of the claims of the Cold Warmongers. He was impervious to attack though due to his own military service that was unquestionable.

 

[kramerfan86]

Yea she only lost some limbs, not a true hero clearly. jesus how is this guy a congressman?

 

[Flying Pig]

Bit of foot in mouth disease, but I think he has a valid point wrapped up in there somewhere -

Our true heroes, the men and women who served us, it`s the last thing in the world they talk about

There are a lot of military people who try and big up their service and make people feel grateful that they spent their twenties drinking bier in Germany: I've always said that we who are here to talk about it should never be able to think of ourselves as having 'sacrificed' anything, because to do so draws a parallel with those who made much bigger sacrifices and aren't here to get free drinks off the war stories.

 

[JollyRoger]

Joe Walsh is a true hero . . . I have never heard him speak of his own military service. He is more heroic than even John McCain on this point.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Bit of foot in mouth disease, but I think he has a valid point wrapped up in there somewhere -



There are a lot of military people who try and big up their service and make people feel grateful that they spent their twenties drinking bier in Germany: I've always said that we who are here to talk about it should never be able to think of ourselves as having 'sacrificed' anything, because to do so draws a parallel with those who made much bigger sacrifices and aren't here to get free drinks off the war stories.

That is very true. But I think it overlooks the major points here. That people in the audience actually laughed at his comments which disparage the military in general. They don't just disparage a Democrat candidate running against a Republican who has already shown he shouldn't even be in Congress for calling the president a liar during his state of the nation address.

Notice how few Republicans in this forum, even those who currently serve in the military, will condemn Joe Walsh for his hateful comments. But if a Democrat had made the same comments, they would be posting incessantly about it.

This isn't about honoring those who serve their country, or even about how real heroes are usually quite reticent to discuss their service record. It is about partisan politics at its ugliest. It is about vigorously waving the flag when it is seen as being positive to do so, but ignoring it when it is not.

 

[JollyRoger]

Link to video.

 

[Cutlass]

There's a long history of conservatives being twofaced on the issue. And there have been a lot of genuine American war heroes who have been endlessly insulted because of their service, even by a party that as a whole practically worships the military service of its own members.

 

[downtown]

Walsh is one of the biggest idiots in Congress, and is clearly unfit to be there. He's a huge deadbeat dad (he has tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid child support), and there are all sorts of videos of him screaming at constituents. Thankfully, he's going to lose his next election, badly.

 

[IdiotsOpposite]

Bit of foot in mouth disease, but I think he has a valid point wrapped up in there somewhere -



There are a lot of military people who try and big up their service and make people feel grateful that they spent their twenties drinking bier in Germany: I've always said that we who are here to talk about it should never be able to think of ourselves as having 'sacrificed' anything, because to do so draws a parallel with those who made much bigger sacrifices and aren't here to get free drinks off the war stories.

Getting your legs blown off in Afghanistan = drinking bier in Germany?

Seriously, I don't see how anyone can even possibly defend this man. He is disparaging a fine member of our military who, might I remind you, lost her legs in service. This is not some minor little thing like Honest Joe here thinks it is. That's the sort of thing we call a "sacrifice". That's the sort of thing we idolize people for. That is not the sort of thing that we say makes them "not a true hero" because they "won't shut up about it". I think it's Joe Walsh who needs to shut up and sit down.

 

[woody60707]

Whos this walsh guy?

 

[Cutlass]

A member of Congress with an unusually big mouth, even for a member of Congress.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Still no Republicans, especially those in the military, who are calling this guy "unpatriotic" and "un-American"? Gee, what a surprise.

No double standards and overt hypocrisy here...

 

[MobBoss]

Still no Republicans, especially those in the military, who are calling this guy "unpatriotic" and "un-American"? Gee, what a surprise.

No double standards and overt hypocrisy here...

I'm not even familiar with the story. What are you crying about now?

EDIT: Apparently there was an update to the Huffpo link:

UPDATE: Walsh released a statement Tuesday afternoon clarifying his town hall remarks about Duckworth's military record.

“Of course Tammy Duckworth is a hero. I have called her a hero 100’s of times in the past four months. Just like every man and woman who has worn the uniform, her service demands -- demands -- our utmost respect. That’s why I recognize our veterans at the beginning of every one of my public town halls. However, unlike most veterans I have had the honor to meet since my election to Congress, who rarely if ever talk about their service or the combat they’ve seen, that is darn near all of what Tammy Duckworth talks about. Her service demands our thanks and our respect but not our vote. She is running for Congress -- and there are real problems in this country like our massive debt, high unemployment and the Obamacare tax. We are about four months from Election Day and the people of Illinois have no idea where Tammy Duckworth stands on these issues because she dodges debate requests, ignores our invitations to speak at town halls, refuses to talk about solutions and constantly reminds voters of her war service. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with her for her service and her loss but these are serious times and the people of Illinois deserve to know what she thinks about real issues and what she will do as a Congresswoman."

I think Walsh needs to tread carefully here, but this clarification does help. I dont think the quoted part in the OP is fair to his actual comment and takes a lot of it out of context. For example, Walsh never called Duckworth not a true hero; unless one is guilty of hugely overblowing his actual comment to be out of context.

Walsh has a particular problem and Duckworth is being very savvy. In todays world, pro-veteran feelings are very, very high, so she is right in being proud of her service. However, Form, given your comments and feelings in regards to the military, would you yourself vote for someone solely based upon their military service? And thats the point that Walsh is trying to dance around, albeit not as carefully as he should.

As to the allegation that Walsh scheduled debates during her military service.....well that makes no sense at all. Wouldnt Duckworth have to accept those dates in order for them to be scheduled? Also, what military service? How can she still be in military service at this point given her injuries and the fact that she is running for congress?

 

[Formaldehyde]

You mean it hasn't appeared on Fox News or any of the other far-right "news sources". Gee, what a surprise.

Whatever you do, don't actually read the OP and watch the video before responding.

 

[MobBoss]

Form, i've already told you plenty of times I only watch Foxnews infrequently, and then only the news with Shep Smith. As summer finally appeared here in the NW this week, i've been outside a lot with my family, so no, I havent heard about this yet.

I'm not surprised by your surprise however. Thats typical. Whats reality when a paranoid allegation will suffice, right?

I did read both the OP and the links, and even additional articles on USA today and CNN. I think my assessment is fair.

Let me ask you an honest question and please answer it: would you vote for a candidate solely upon their military service and being wounded in action?

 

[Formaldehyde]

"Let me ask you an honest question and please answer it." Would you have even responded if you hadn't noticed that I was pointing out the obvious partisan hypocrisy that permeates all these threads?

After all, this thread was posted in this forum 10 hours ago, and no Republicans have seen fit to vilify this human scum. After all, even you didn't do so after it was pointed out.

And why do you insist that Duckworth can't possibly be still serving in the military when it is quite clear she still is?

 

[useless]

would you vote for a candidate solely upon their military service and being wounded in action?

Would you solely refuse to vote for a candidate because of their lack of belief in a god?

 

[MobBoss]

Form, a lack of a post or opinion doesnt indicate hypocrisy. Thats logically false.

As to your other question, i'm fairly sure you cant run for political office while being a member of the military. In looking it up I found this to confirm my thought: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf

4.2.2. A regular member, or a retired regular or Reserve Component member on active duty under a call or order to active duty for more than 270 days, may not be a nominee or candidate for the offices described in subparagraph 4.2.1., except when the Secretary concerned grants permission.

There is also a whole lot of other prohibitions in that policy that she would be violating if still a member of the military. But as I dont have all the information regarding her current status, i'm not sure what applies and what does not.

@Useless. Yup. And i'm not afraid to state so. Still waiting for someone to have the courage to answer my question tho.

 

[Formaldehyde]

Why don't you try googling her name and read the Wiki article that makes it quite clear she is still serving in the Illinois National Guard?

And the partisan hypocrisy is quite obvious. It clearly has nothing to do with your latest pile of straw. Or are you really claiming that you would not have been well-informed and incensed about this matter by now if he had been a Democrat?