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This morning, at 5 a.m. ET, the Iraq War came to an abrupt end. Devoid of the shock and awe of the initial invasion, this time I was able to view the historic event from the comfort of my living room. When President Bush announced the beginning of the Operation Iraqi Freedom, I was in the eighth week of training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Indeed, today I sit here filled with mixed emotions and the solemn realization that Iraq will likely be remembered as my generation’s Vietnam. There will be no ticker tape parades. No surrender on a U.S. warship. No signing of an armistice in Paris. Certainly, there will be no preservation of a Union. I find slight but fleeting solace that the President of the United States said “We need you” and some of us said, “I’ll go.” And we went, and some of us came back. It is irrelevant whether the name following President is Obama, Bush, Nixon, Johnson, Truman, Roosevelt, Wilson, or Lincoln. Our friends died there, and part of us died there, too. While over in the political and media sense, for us it will never be over.
For us, we are keenly aware 60% of the American public said it was a “bad war.” We know it cost the American taxpayer $800 billion. We know there were 4,500 dead and 35,000 wounded. We know this because we dressed their many wounds, and we recovered their bodies as if they were our own family member. The sacrifice I personally witnessed from my fellow Marines will never be erased from my memory.
There were Marines like Lcpl. Peter Sora. We became friends during temporary recruiting duty in 2004. Sora volunteered to go on an optional deployment to Iraq, but he never made it there. He was killed in a training accident in 29 Palms, CA. Then there were other Marines like Sgt. Chris Hrbek. Hrbek slept in the top bunk next to my rack in recruit training. We spent many nights talking and sharing stories out of the drill instructor’s earshot. Hrbek was killed in January, 2010 by an IED while on a dismounted foot patrol. One month earlier, on Christmas Eve 2009, Hrbek saved his Battalion Sgt. Major who had lost both of his legs in an IED strike. Hrbek was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star.
Any story of unselfish sacrifice would be incomplete without mentioning Lcpl. Michael Glover and Capt. John McKenna. Mike was a second-year law student at Pace University when he volunteered to go to Iraq . John was Mike’s platoon commander and loved by all of his Marines. On August 16, 2006, Mike was mortally wounded by a sniper in Fallujah. Knowing his Marine was hit, John unselfishly braved a barrage of small-arms fire to recover his fallen Marine and was killed in the process. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his courage. Weeks earlier, John and Mike had responded to a call of another wounded Marine. That Marine was me.
Then there are other stories for which medals were never presented but nevertheless demonstrated selfless devotion and love for their fellow Marines. Stories like Sgt. Jeffrey Dube, who stood on a rooftop alone after a fellow Marine was wounded to ward off a counterattack. Others like Sgt. Alex Alabachian, who pulled fellow Marines from a burning vehicle and then used his body as a human shield. These are only a few of the many stories I witnessed, and are counted among thousands of other stories of Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen of the Iraq War. As long as those who were there carry breath in our lungs, these stories and their memories will never be forgotten. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he who shed his blood with me, will always be my brother.
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Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he would insist on certain conditions and set limits on what American and NATO troops could and could not do in his country on Wednesday in an apparent appeasement speech to a grand council of Afghan elders, officials and dignitaries, known as a loya jirga.
“America is powerful, has more money, but we are lions here. Lions have the habit of not liking strangers getting into their house.”
Hamid Karzai
There is an old saying that the “old lion” Karzai needs to become familiar with, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Americans are sick and tired of this miscreant Afghan leader. I have never seen a country more deserving of Taliban control than Afghanistan. These people were living in squalor when we got there and will continue to do so long after we are gone. America has lost treasure and valuable lives to this moonscape of a country. After all troops are gone it will be back to the Taliban “good old days” of lopping off heads and generalized terror keeping the leaders and people in line with their demented philosophy.
What’s really aggravating is our political leaders continually trying to convince us that this country is our friend when it couldn’t be further from the truth. Friends have a genuine appreciation and respect for the help that they receive from friends. This cozying up to Karzai and his cave-dwelling thugs is repugnant and needs to stop. Afghanistan appears to be content with remaining in the days of yesteryear foregoing modern civilization in the 21st century.
One more old saying that Hamid Karzai might want to familiarize himself with, “be careful what you wish for…”
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After counting out Herman Cain after the first Republican Presidential debate, the non-politician from Atlanta has me eating a huge helping of crow. Two weeks ago, the “Hurri-Cain” stunned the presidential field by beating paper tiger front-runner Rick Perry in the Florida straw poll. All of the political pundits had the Texas governor winning the day handily. In the end, it was Cain that would carry the day. Cain followed up his impressive upset by winning both the Illinois Straw Poll and National Federation of Republican Women’s Convention Straw Poll.
The Tea Party darling’s 9-9-9 tax plan and straight talk is taking the field by storm. In an age where career politicians are taking an early retirement at the polls, Cain leans upon his private sector entrepreneurial experience and non-public service record to fuel the Cain Train. Cain also benefits from the infighting between his rivals, Perry and Mitt and Romney. It also did not hurt Cain that Perry used to spend his free time hunting Texas game at “Camp Niggerhead.” I really wish that was a joke, but no, it’s the sad truth.
The question that remains for Cain is if straw votes will translate to real votes. Psychologically, it seems easier to take straw and place it in a jar in a mock vote that really counts for nothing, then to actually pull the lever or check a box for a particular candidate in a primary or general election. Don’t take my word for it. A month ago, Bachmann surprised everyone by winning the Iowa Straw Poll. It was enough to scare Tim Pawlenty from the race, but then again, a seven-year-old Girl Scout with an attitude could frighten him. Since then, Bachmann has plummeted in all polls, and her chances for the Presidency are all but lost.
Will the same fate befall Cain? He may be the biggest beneficiary to the first-in-the-nation primary war. If he can carry his momentum for another two months (all indications show New Hampshire will hold its primary in December), Cain may win enough delegates to secure the Republican nod. It would make for a very interesting general election, as the first time in our history an incumbent black President would face a black Presidential contender.
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The only thing I like better than being right, is…nothing. Many scoffed at my article about the New Hampshire Primary and the war over first-in-the-nation status. Just as Iowans nurse their New Year’s hangovers, they will be heading to local high school gymnasiums and meeting halls to pick their President. The Iowa Republican State Central Committee set its Republican caucus for January 3rd on Thursday, pushing the New Hampshire primary to late December at the latest. Sources say Iowan representatives will meet with their New Hampshire Republican colleagues to coordinate the first-in-the-nation events. As of this writing, no word from New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner on an exact New Hampshire Primary date.
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Well, folks. It’s official – for real this time. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said today he will not be seeking the Presidency in 2012. Tuesday’s announcement by Christie likely sets the Republican field for the 2012 election in stone. Christie was the last remaining potential candidate with the ability to win, and an unknown wild card contender likely does not exist. What is not in stone is who will win the Republican nod. Romney? Perry? Cain? Now it is anyone’s guess. Even the political soothsayers are having trouble reading these electoral tealeaves.
I am disappointed that Christie has decided not to run. This disappointment is not a guarantee that I would have voted for Christie, or even support him. I believe Christie would have added substance and spice to the debate and fire to a Republican base that is increasingly losing interest in its bland choices. Christie seems to be the first, and likely only, victim to the ridiculous war for the first in the nation primary.
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What I am about to say is the equivalent of political blasphemy in my home state: the New Hampshire Presidential Primary is no longer relevant in U.S. politics. For those of you not aware, the New Hampshire Constitution has a provision that states New Hampshire shall hold its Presidential primary at least seven days before another state holds a similar event. In other words, New Hampshire’s fathers have mandated they will hold their primary before any other state – come hell or high water.
In theory, it was a good idea. New Hampshire is an Electoral College lightweight, with only four electoral votes. A Presidential candidate requires 270 votes to win the Presidency. Four measly votes are unlikely to garner much attention in the grand scheme of a Presidential political campaign. Unless, of course, that state’s voters pass first judgment over the Presidential field. New Hampshire has had this distinction and privilege since 1952. For forty years, from 1952-1992, the person elected President had always won the New Hampshire primary. Then, in 1992, Paul Tsongas won the New Hampshire primary. Who the hell is that? Exactly! In 2000, John McCain won. How did that work out for him? In 2008, Hillary Clinton beat Barack Obama. Unfortunately, we all know who eventually won the general election.
My beef is not with New Hampshire citizens losing their ability to pick the winner. It is primarily with Bill Gardner and the New Hampshire legislature. Bill Gardner, New Hampshire’s Secretary of State since the Stone Age (not really, but you get the point), has been a staunch steward of the New Hampshire primary during his almost forty-year tenure. Every election year he seems to fight other states who try to usurp New Hampshire’s first in the nation status. I appreciate that. However, this year, the silliness has reached astronomical levels. Since Florida and other states have adjusted their primary calendar, it is now possible that New Hampshire residents are going to have to schedule their Christmas dinner around going to the polls. And for what? Tradition? To tell other states, “Nanny, nanny, poo, poo, we vote first!”?
The madness has to stop. We are beginning to lose the forest for the trees. The idea behind the Presidential primary is to properly assess, vet, and decide who is the best candidate to lead the free world. It is possible that the Republicans have lost a valuable and experienced candidate because the states want to fight over the first in the nation primary. Yes, I am referring to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. He should have gotten in the race earlier, you say? The election is a YEAR away. Believe it or not, this four-year campaign cycle is relatively new in U.S. politics. I am not going to teach you, but I suggest cracking open an American history book.
Look, I love having the Presidential candidates coming to New Hampshire. As a New Hampshire citizen, I feel blessed to have this opportunity. I also love the fact that campaigns come and spend money in the New Hampshire economy. But does having a Presidential candidate hold ten town hall meetings in the Berlin, N.H. VFW hall in the course of a three-month period really add value to the political process? I think not.
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“I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.” Forty-three years have passed since the 37th U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson made this announcement that stunned his supporters and shocked the nation. It is rare for any incumbent to bow out before the voters pass judgment. Today, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch announced in front of fourth graders (yes, fourth graders!) at a Manchester elementary school that he will not seek a record fifth term. Unlike Johnson, Lynch did not assume office under a grieving nation, nor is he leaving mired in a controversial war. Believe it or not, he is actually leaving as one of the most popular governors ever in American history!
What will be Lynch’s legacy? Despite our political differences, Lynch is a likeable individual. A physically unintimidating man, Lynch skated through his governorship by avoiding controversy. From all appearances, he is a loving family man, seemingly even-keeled, and soft-spoken voice for the liberal cause. Lynch gained the nickname “Governor Flynch” for his many flip-flops on issues such as gay marriage. Vowing that he would uphold heterosexual marriage in the Granite State, New Hampshire became the fifth state to usher in gay marriage in 2010. Lynch also angered many liberals by refusing to legalize medical marijuana. Both sides of the aisle praised Lynch’s work to reform school funding in New Hampshire.
Lynch’s narrowest margin of victory was his first campaign, beating unpopular incumbent Craig Benson by only 2 points. In the subsequent three elections Lynch trounced his opponents and in 2006 by as much as 50 percentage points! I believe, however, that Lynch foresaw the writing on the wall for all Democrats in 2012. As they say, it is better to leave on top. I highly doubt this will be the last time we hear John Lynch’s name associated with political office. While Lynch remains coy about a possible run for the U.S. Senate, I suspect a career politician such as he will enter the foray again, and soon!
Who will succeed Lynch? The news of Lynch’s resignation is not even cool from the presses and the rumor mills are already firing on all cylinders. On the Democratic side, names such as Portsmouth, NH Mayor Steve Marchand may enter the field, as well as U.S. Attorney John Kacavas. The Republican field is wide open, with politicians such as Rep. Jeb Bradley and Manchester Attorney Ovide Lamontagne likely making a bid for the governorship. It should make for a very interesting political primary season in New Hampshire!
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Recently, Republican Presidential hopeful and Texas Governor Rick Perry has drawn fire from all sides over his executive order mandating the human papillomavirus (HPV) Gardasil vaccine for all sixth grade girls in Texas. In fairness, the executive order included an opt-out for parents that did not want their child to receive the vaccine. The outrage reached fever pitch during Monday night’s Republican debate, when fellow hopeful Rep. Michelle Bachmann accused Perry of mandating the drug for political gain. Bachmann alleged Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, made significant monetary contributions to Perry’s gubernatorial campaign. Bachmann is right; Merck did contribute $30,000 to Perry’s campaign. But did Perry really sell Texas girls to Merck for a measly $30,000? Let’s explore this debate.
One cannot begin to understand this fight if one does not understand the political ideologies and science that fuel it – in this case, the two are inextricably linked. HPV, a sexually transmitted disease, causes cervical and anal cancer in women, as well as genital warts in both sexes. Some studies have also linked HPV to throat cancer in men. It is also the most proliferated sexually transmitted disease in the world. Eighty-five percent of all women will have HPV by age 50. Over 6,000,000 women in the United States alone will be diagnosed with HPV this year and 12,000 will get cervical cancer. One-third of these women will die from HPV-linked cancers. Most infected with HPV will never know it because only six strains out of seventy-five produce visible symptoms. Yes, that means you, and I, may be infected, not know it, and pass it on to our spouse or significant others. This is particularly true for men as there is no known test to diagnose HPV in men.
OK, I know what you are thinking. “I thought this is a political website, not a science class.” I am getting there. Gardasil, a series of three vaccines over six months, is proven to prevent HPV in women. The vaccine is most effective between puberty and age 26, or before one has their first sexual encounter. It is now recommended for boys to prevent genital warts. Despite rumors, there is no data linking Gardasil with mental retardation in the nearly 35,000,000 doses already administered.
This sounds great! Protect our girls (and boys) with a cancer preventing vaccine! So, why all of the fuss? This is where politics enter our discussion. The Republican Party has long believed in “abstinence only” sex education. Some opponents of Gardasil believe that inoculating young girls with the vaccine will be giving young women carte blanche or encouragement to participate in pre-marital sex in the false believe that Gardisil will protect them from STDs. Even more ludicrous is the notion that the shot is unnecessary because “my daughter will be a virgin until marriage.” Assuming this statement is true in 2011 (which is a gross stretch of the imagination), will her partner be abstinent until marriage? Studies have shown that HPV can be transmitted with one sexual encounter with one partner! Abstinence only education is wrong, dangerous, deadly, and an anachronistic approach. Even Pope Benedict XVI himself has approved condom use for African sex workers. Does this mean that the Pope is blessing prostitution? No! He recognizes the evil of prostitution, but also understands the proliferation of HIV/AIDS throughout the continent and is trying to prevent it.
Other Gardasil opponents argue that Perry stripped parents of their rights to decide what is right for their child. In this case, I do sympathize with Texan parents. All parents should have the right to make medical decisions for the children. However, this is why Perry included the opt-out for leery parents. Should the Gardasil mandate have been an executive order? No. Should have the state legislature decided the issue? Yes. Even Perry himself now admits his mistake. I do believe, if not clear from my comments above, that Perry’s heart was in the right place. HPV is a deadly, and now preventable, disease. Can you imagine if Jonas Salk faced such scrutiny? The difference you ask? Unlike polio, HPV is a sexual disease, and some Republicans live in a Pilgrim utopia when it comes to sex. If I were a parent, I would give my child the vaccine.
TwoPolitics wants to know what you think. Do you agree with Bachmann, Perry or somewhere in between? Let us know!
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Last night, MSNBC/Politico hosted the first Republican debate which featured front-runner Texas Governor Rick Perry. The highly anticipated event located at the “conservative Mecca” Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was littered with one-liners, but short on substance. If you missed it, not to worry. TwoPolitics.com is proud to bring you its Republican Debate Report Card, and the results just may surprise you.
Rick Perry: C
I wanted him to do well. I really, really did! However, he didn’t. Rick Perry, who announced his Presidential bid two short weeks ago, had the most to prove entering the debate. Perry’s jump to frontrunner in the Republican presidential field is akin to Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize – what did he do to deserve it and how is he going make himself worthy of such accolades? In the debate’s beginning, Perry fumbled over his words and seemed visibly nervous. He was often repetitive and his repeated rhetoric seemed to come straight from the right-wing playbook. To his defense, his colleagues attacked him all night and at one point he referred to himself as a “piñata”. But what did he expect as the front runner? Romney and Bachmann have spent thousands, if not millions, on their summer campaigns to watch a newcomer trounce them in the polls. Perry did have his bright moments, particularly on job creation and illegal immigration gained from his experience in Texas. It is highly unlikely he gained any swing or independent voters in his corner last night. His uncanny Bush mannerisms in speech and actions are sure to turn off staunch Bush haters. But let’s be honest, would he win them anyway? Perry has a long road ahead. He must become intimately familiar with New Hampshire’s Interstate 93 and Route 16 if he expects to beat Romney in March.
Mitt Romney: A-
If there can be any winner out of last night’s debate, it has to be Mitt Romney. If Romney has learned anything in his nearly four years of campaigning for President, it is how to debate. He looked polished, refreshed, comfortable and, most importantly, presidential, on stage. He had an answer for every jab dished by Perry without damaging his armor. Coming off his release of an actual job creation plan this past weekend, Romney is sure to take a bounce in the polls from this debate. The prevailing cloud looming over the Romney campaign is his faith. Is the evangelical right willing to turn a blind eye and elect a man of Mormon roots?
Newt Gingrich: B+
Surprisingly, Speaker Gingrich had the second strongest night. He looked less like a man running for President than a shepherd tending his flock. As the candidate with the closest relationship to Reagan of any on-stage debater, Gingrich called on his fellow Republicans to circle the wagons in opposition to Barack Obama. Gingrich lashed out at the media for their attempts to cause distribution within the Republican field and accused them of being Obama’s propaganda machine. In fairness, what did Gingrich expect at a MSNBC-hosted debate? Whether it was the aura of the surroundings, or emanating nostalgic feelings of 1980s Republican dominance, Gingrich seemed to evoke the spirit of Reagan throughout the night. I have to admit, at one point, I almost gushed in pride at being Republican. It was a feeling I have not experienced in quite some time.
Michelle Bachmann: D
I will be shocked if Bachmann stays in the campaign until the March primary elections. Every time she prefaces her sentences with “In a President Bachmann administration…”, I slightly vomit in my mouth. She will never appeal to moderates, independents, or swing voters. As long as conceit exists as a human characteristic trait, there will continue to be individuals running for President who have no business doing so. That is as nice as I can put it.
Ron Paul: C
I am a huge supporter of Ron Paul’s libertarian message. The fact is Ron Paul will never appeal to old conservatives like my father. Whether it is the older Republican demographics’ unwillingness to change, unwillingness to listen to a new, fresh message, or otherwise, Ron Paul’s message continues to fall on deaf ears. The grade is not so much a reflection of the debate, but reality. Mr. Paul, while I do believe you are the right man for the job, we have to beat Barack Obama, and you just cannot do it.
Rick Santorum: B
The sad fact is in the United States we have a two-party system, and within each party, there are usually two contenders for that party’s nomination. In this case, it is Romney and Perry. Santorum last night fell victim to this cruel system. Santorum seemed as presidentially polished as Romney, and his message and record is conservatively sound. However, with his poll numbers in the single digits, Santorum should face the writing on the wall.
Herman Cain: B-
I admire Herman Cain. Many Republicans do not understand the ridicule and ostracizing a Republican African-American like Cain faces in the black community – particularly, when his community is Atlanta, Georgia. Cain is a true American success story of humble beginnings and cancer survivor. Some feel that having a black candidate facing a black incumbent President is just the ticket to a 2012 victory. I believe that voting for someone because of their race is just as racist as voting against someone because of their race. Mr. Cain, while I do admire you, you are not the right man for the job this time.
John Huntsman: B-
John Huntsman, similar to Santorum, seemed above the fray last night. His foreign service in China and abroad makes him well-versed in world politics. However, Huntsman lacks the presidential punch to win a general election. In today’s Internet/Hollywood society, I am sad to say, such pizzazz is necessary to win over an increasingly technological society. His repeated compliment of his rivals signals the possibility that Huntsman may bow out sooner than later.
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America has always been known as the land of plenty – but there is no longer plenty of money. After decades of frivolous and wanton spending by fiscally irresponsible politicians who needed to placate their campaign donors while building a personal political treasure chest the money is gone and horrendous debt has taken its place. Gone are the days of carefree living when money just seemed to flow in from the heavens and Uncle “Sugar-Daddy” Sam’s pockets were filled with cash. The money is gone and Uncle Sam is pulling out nothing but pocket lint. What is it that some people don’t understand? Once again, there is no surplus money.
How did we get to the economic situation we are faced with today? Before passing blame it’s important to understand that we are all complicit. Politicians did not vote themselves into office. We the voters put them in there and in some cases continue voting into office the same irresponsible and incompetent spendthrifts that have gotten us to this point in time. Americans must do their homework before heading off to the voting booth during elections and not make “blind” choices. It’s very easy to research candidates in this age of internet access with a plethora of resources that can help voters make an educated vote.
Earmarks that funnel money back to pet projects in home districts, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debacle, stifling government regulation over businesses, no oversight on entitlement programs, bailouts to corporations and an out-of-control tax system are just a sampling of how politicians have systematically broken the financial back of America. This insatiable desire to spend the taxpayers money permeates throughout local, state and federal government in America. After decades of wasteful spending the country is broke. No amount of taxpayer money is going to fix the problem until the spending is under control.
There are many struggling to come to terms with the concept of America being in debt and refuse to accept that they can no longer have their slice of entitlement pie. Now is the time to tighten the financial belt and if you are not willing to support this then you are part of the problem.
