GOP official angers father By C.W. Randolph On Sunday, Aug. 14, my wife and I took our son to Austin to report for duty as one of the 3,000 Texas National Guard members called up for active service for operation “Iraqi Freedom.” He reported for duty as ordered at 0800 at the Armory on E. 51st Street in Austin.While my son and my views are about the same on this war, he understands that he does have an obligation to fulfill his contract with the National Guard. He will serve with pride with his unit wherever they are sent in the Middle East.I have and will support the troops now and in the future who are stationed throughout the Middle East.So, what am I so steamed up about? Simply this:Families of the departing soldiers were invited to a ceremony and dinner in honor of those called up for duty. At 4 p.m., 81 soldiers and approximately 300 members of their families gathered in a large hangar. The ceremonies began. Various commanders and military leaders were introduced, as well as several local government official. But the last “dignitary” introduced was an official of the Republican Party for Travis County.I was absolutely appalled that the Republicans of Texas would dare to use such an occasion to politicize the ceremony – or that the leaders in the Texas National Guard would even allow this. By placing this person at a head table, it was an endorsement of an outright blatant display of partisan politics.You couldn’t miss this person. She was wearing a red, white and blue blouse with a cowboy hat that had red, white and blue ribbons hanging off the back of the hat, which was weighted down with campaign buttons of the Bush-Cheney campaign.I wanted to throw up.It was tactless, disgusting and repugnant. Shame on the leadership of the Texas National Guard. Shame on the Travis County Republicans. My son, who has been in the Army for eight years and in the Guard for two years, said that if this is the type of leadership they have going over to Iraq, then he is already worried. Now he wonders if it is good for what needs to be done or is it good for somebody’s political agenda.I have only one questions for this person from the Travis County Republican Party: If my son comes home in a flag-draped coffin, will she be at that ceremony also?
Originally posted by Ripsnort Looks like we have a new Cut-n-paste king! Welcome brother!
Originally posted by SOB You'll always be the c-n-p King, Rip, but perhaps RPM can be your queen!
Originally posted by SOB RPM...if he asks you to squeel like a pig...run, run like the wind!
Originally posted by slimm50 If this story is all it appears to be, then yeah, that was tasteless opportunism, at best, and shameful, at worst.
