We need more politicians like this guy

[Smoothie104]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-04-06-buyer-no-iraq_x.htm

[yellowking]

My thought was that if he wants to serve so badly, why doesn't he resign his political office and ship out? It seems to me that he's just capitalizing on the situation for political gain.

[hood]

Then he would have done that in the first place. Most people don't want to be in the military for their whole lives, they just want to use it as a stepping off point for a more important career because of the college education or training they receive during/after their service. He's not going to give up his accomplishments that got him to where he is to join the fight if they say they don't want him. Concerning the publicity, he's a congressman. Being in the public spotlight is what he does. I'd much rather see a guy like this in the news, than that Marine weasel who refused to serve because he was against the war.

[yellowking]

I'm not criticising him for not making a career out the military. If he wants to go badly enough, he can, he just has to resign. He can run again when the conflict is over. If he doesn't want to go, he can stay in office, just like he's doing, in which case, who cares about him?

[Duke]

In the Second World War a congressman resigned from office and went buck private combat. Also, fellow Congressman Lyndon Johnson took a leave of absence with the blessing of Speaker Rayburn and recieved a commission in the Navy during the war. He was Naval inspector. I dont see why Speaker Haskert could not do the same for the guy, that is give him a leave of absence.

[papabear]

Yes, he would have an obligation to serve his constituents first, as their elected representative. Either he doesn't understand that this duty comes first, and is more important than serving the country in a different capacity, i.e. as a member of the military (and therefore he is ignorant of some of the fundamentals of morality), or he is using the opportunity to get publicity and to criticize other members of congress and the government--unfortunately, his criticism is without foundation, and the military is justified in turning him down for the reason given above. Either way, it detracts from any positive evaluation one might have of him as a political leader. He would have done better not saying anything in the first place.

[Smoothie104]

Somewhat Related:

How about Pat Tillman (?) the NFL Player, after sept 11. he quit his million dollar job and went to join the Army. Wants to be a Ranger.

How many of us would do that?

[hood]

You can't blow stuff up in football...