The patriots at the The Lone Star Times want to thank Lt. Col Rick Noriega for his service.....as long as he doesn't mention it ever again.
Noriega, who is one of several Texas Democrats running against John Cornyn for U.S. Senate, has served in the military since 1979, including a stint in Afghanistan. He also distinguished himself in the National Guard during the Katrina disaster. And now, as his campaign notes, he is preparing for a two week stint in the National Guard.
But mention any of this, and Republicans cry foul.
Is it a proper way to advance your political career by shouting about your service every chance you get? The reason I ask is because when I see advertisements like this, it makes me question the person’s motivation for his service. Is it really for the country, for duty, for honor? Or is it to have another feather in your cap to attack a political
opponent?
Okay, this is going to be a long slog of a campaign, so let's make sure we understand the rules of engagement (sticking with the war metaphor.) If Democrats call for an end to the Iraq war they are "cut and run cowards." If they tout their own military experiences as proof that they have the leadership qualities necessary to lead our country, they are crass manipulators. If they offer even modest proposals to provide some relief to our suicidal troops, they are undercutting our leaders.
Mr. Noriega is not the right man for Texas. In Mr. Noriega’s campaign email, he derided current Texas Sen. John Cornyn for voting against a bill requiring the military to keep soldiers on leave longer. Sen. Cornyn thinks that should be a military decision.
It's ironic that the gist of the LST post is to excoriate a fan of Noriega's for overstepping the line and insulting the family of a deceased military serviceman. Yet this post is insulting to our servicemen and women on so many levels.
The writer ends with a plug for Cornyn, who never served a day of military service, for standing up for American values, like torture.
Also in Mr. Noriega’s email, he lashed out at Sen. Cornyn for voting against a bill banning the use of torture on terrorists detained in the field. Sen. Cornyn recognizes that putting women’s underwear on the heads of terrorists isn’t life threatening.
Frankly, I'd be willing to forgo the call for an apology to Noriega, if Cornyn would personally put that theory to the test.
