If I was in the U.S. Senate, my votes would not be in agreement with Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel. At least not very often.
But I’ve saluted him him before and I’m going to do so again.
Why am I saluting a Republican?
Because he deserves it and respect is not bound by political affiliation.
Hagel is a Vietnam War veteran, in fact he was wounded there. He doesn’t have a tolerance for those who wrap themselves in the flag and plays childish games with patriotism, especially those who did their utmost to let others enter the military in their stead. Others who experienced death and dismemberment.
Hagel is someone who knows by life experience that you don’t just send off soldiers, then prolifically use them as political props, and finally abandon them upon their return home. That is, the ones who do return.
I ask you this: can you see Chuck Hagel, as President, appearing in the amateurish political production aboard the ‘Mission Accomplished’ airdraft carrier outside of San Diego? Of course not. Service to one’s country is a sacred trust. To some.
Leaders lead–it’s apparent. They have no need for thespianism.
The faux executives must always rely on a ‘production’ and then attempt to influence the reviews.
We deserve better. This country deserves better.
Even more so, our men and women in the armed services absolutely deserve better.
Check out this Glenn Kessler-written article in today’s Washington Post. I’ve provided some excerpts:
Hagel Defends Criticisms of Iraq Policy
Administration Calls Statements by Democrats Harmful to War Effort, Troops
By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 16, 2005; Page A06
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) strongly criticized yesterday the White House’s new line of attack against critics of its Iraq policy, saying that “the Bush administration must understand that each American has a right to question our policies in Iraq and should not be demonized for disagreeing with them…”
…Hagel, a Vietnam War veteran and a potential presidential candidate in 2008, countered in a speech to the Council of Foreign Relations that the Vietnam War “was a national tragedy partly because members of Congress failed their country, remained silent and lacked the courage to challenge the administrations in power until it was too late.”
“To question your government is not unpatriotic — to not question your government is unpatriotic,” Hagel said, arguing that 58,000 troops died in Vietnam because of silence by political leaders. “America owes its men and women in uniform a policy worthy of their sacrifices.”
Hagel said Democrats have an obligation to be constructive in their criticism, but he accused the administration of “dividing the country” with its rhetorical tactics…
…At one point, while answering a question from the audience about Syria, Hagel suggested that the Middle East was worse off after the invasion because the administration failed to anticipate the consequences of removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. “You could probably argue it is worse in many ways in the Middle East because of consequences and ripple effects,” he said
