Tue 2 Aug 2005
Cincinnati News debunks the final attempt by the Schmidt campaign to discredit Hackett. I can see why they’d save that for the last minute.
UDPATE: Atrios delves into the details of what the Schmidt campaign is doing.
Tue 2 Aug 2005
Cincinnati News debunks the final attempt by the Schmidt campaign to discredit Hackett. I can see why they’d save that for the last minute.
UDPATE: Atrios delves into the details of what the Schmidt campaign is doing.
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:02 am
Congressman Kirk’s Bio says he flew over Iraq. I guarantee you that qualifies as being an Iraqi Freedom veteran if it was during the OIF period which is still ongoing of course.
I do not know when he did this though. Since Iraqi Freedom is still going on, the Congressman may have done that since the special election started. It could have been last week. No way to tell from the bio.
Anyone who is in the theater and does anything in direct support of operations will be an Iraqi Freedom veteran. One can fly from Missouri in a B-2 bomber, bomb Baghdad and return to Missouri and that counts.
Intelligence officers fly (as a passenger not the pilot)over areas to gather data. He could have flown from almost anywhere to get over Iraq. He could have done it for his two weeks annual duty without being called up. He could have done it on a drill weekend. There are no details.
I have to say though that asking questions about Congressman Kirk’s service might be interpreted by OH2 and MyDD as “swiftboating” the Congressman. Just joking, kinda. Shall be run a blog saying “Democratic opinion leader smears Congressman Kirk”?
This situation illustrates why the details can matter, although the Congressman makes no claims other than flying over Iraq.
Josh Nelson I believe was one criticized me for “questioning” Hackett’s record.
He speculates “how could, etc.” based upon the job to which the Congressman was assigned. Sound familiar. However, the difference is that the exact same source used by Nelson for his points gives the answer. The Congressman flew over Iraq and as I said that counts to qualify him as a OIF vet.
Now let me be clear. I will not accuse Nelson or OH2 of trying to smear the Congressman. He posed a question, which is now answered. It is in the same blog. If he wants to check out what I am saying he can consult the requirements to receive hazardous duty pay, which is the best source for what duty is considered part of OIF.
I am wondering why the double standard here, OH2? I assure you I am interested as you are about the details of Congressman Kirk’s duty.
I also understand that flying over Iraq in an intelligence mission is not the same as being in Fallujah by a long shot. I flew over Iraq too. However, OIF includes intelligence overflights and thus the Congressman Kirk bio entry appears to be valid. I think you have a right to post whatever you want about it.
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:30 am
Eric,
WTF? I thought you said you were done until the election is over. Couldn’t stay away, could you?
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:45 am
I was directed to Congressman Kirk’s detailed bio and found the following:
“Kirk is the only member of Congress to serve stateside during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was an air crewman over Iraq protecting the northern no-fly zone as part of Operation Northern Watch. Commander Kirk continues to serve one weekend a month in the Pentagon.”
This does NOT qualify as being an OIF veteran. Therefore, the Schmidt press release is wrong.
For those of you who considered me an “advisor” or “spokesperson” for Schmidt, be advised, be advised. I would not have made this mistake. I know the difference between duty in the pentagon on weekends and OIF status.
In fairness to Congressman Kirk he, like I, clearly stated where he was and what he was doing. Anyone can then judge for themselves what his service means. Anyone supporting the war on terrorism in uniform deserves credit. Let’s not forget the Pentagon was one of three targets selected by the 9/11 terrorists.
I corrected my opinion about Hackett’s record. I think Schmidt should retract her press release, unless there is some other information I am not aware of.
As for my not posting on my website, I posted no more articles, which is what I meant.
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:56 am
I reflect upon this a bit more.
I think there is an implication in Congressman Kirk’s bio that his duty in the Pentagon is related to OIF. It may well be but if it is not the bio implies something untrue.
It is not unfair to ask Congressman Kirk exactly what his duties are, who he reports to, what unit he is in, and whether he is involved in OIF. I could say I attended drills during OIF, but that is not saying much. I also attended drills during every operation from 1983 when I first got off active duty until November 2004 when i retired.
I have no different standard for Republican Kirk than I do for Democrat Hackett. Details matter to me either way.
I still believe based upon the information at hand that the Schmidt press release should not have been published. It should be withdrawn.
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:02 am
Eric,
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your willingness to speak out on this.
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:16 am
The Schmidt campaign should have never put this press release. You would think people would realize that if this was true, Schmidt’s campaign would have attacked Hackett over this from day one.
This is just a miserable spin job by the Schmidt campaign.