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Letter from Congressman Pete Stark Criticizing the Military
US Congress ^ | 19 May 08 | Pete Stark

Posted on 05/19/2008 5:50:53 PM PDT by SkyPilot

This isn't a Vanity post. It is real.

Below is an e-mail I received from a friend.

It needs to be posted.

A class of senior Army War College officers (all of whom are either Iraq or Afghanistan combat veterans with multiple deployments) were taking part on a tour of Congress. All of this was officially approved and part of the Army War College curriculum.

The officers observing Congress hold multiple bronze stars between them; and other citations too numerous to mention.

Congressman Pete Stark observed them in the gallery, and below is his official letter of outrage.

If Congressman (D-CA) Pete Stark's office wishes to dispute it, let them.

___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

LETTER FROM REP. STARK TO SECRETARY GATES ABOUT POSSIBLE ABUSE OF MILITARY OFFICERS' TIME

Below is the text of a letter sent today to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates by Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), regarding the possible abuse of military officers' time.

May 16, 2008

The Honorable Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301

Dear Secretary Gates:

Yesterday, while voting on the war supplemental spending bill in the House of Representatives, I couldn't help but notice a contingent of approximately 20 flag rank Army officers sitting in the House Gallery watching the debate and vote for a couple of hours. I was looking from below so I thought they were Army, but there could have been other branches present.

It's possible they were on leave time or vacation. If so, I obviously have no concern. However, if they were doing this on military time, I want an explanation of why they were there.

At a time when our nation is at war, our troops are over-extended, and the Administration is literally asking for emergency military spending, what good to the "war on terror" is having US Generals and other top ranked officers - who were likely accompanied by staff and escorted by their chauffeurs - spending hours sitting in the gallery of the House of Representatives?

Please provide for me the name, rank, branch, and duties of each of these officers, as well as the number of additional staff and drivers that were used to facilitate their attendance yesterday. I would like this information by Monday, May 19th.

If they were here on official duty, this was an abhorrent misallocation of our military resources at a time of war.

Sincerely,

Pete Stark

CC: The Honorable Ike Skelton, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services

CC: The Honorable Jack Murtha, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: 110th; dod; military; murtha; petestark; skelton
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To: SkyPilot

left California some time ago, had no idea Starkraving was still around.


41 posted on 05/19/2008 7:56:45 PM PDT by prov1813man (While the one you despise and ridicule works to protect you, those you embrace work to destroy you)
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To: SkyPilot

This coward is full of shame, which is the only reason the presence of some of our MOST EXCELLENT Military infuriated him so. It gives me great hope and satisfaction to know that no matter how far down this power-trip Stark gets, he’ll ultimately wind up (as will we all) before his Creator and Justice will be served.


42 posted on 05/19/2008 7:57:20 PM PDT by MonicaG (Help Wanted: Conservative leadership '08)
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To: SkyPilot; All

He’s been in Congress since.....1973!!!


43 posted on 05/19/2008 8:09:32 PM PDT by goodnesswins (Liberals learning curves are pretty flat,)
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To: elcid1970

Google their home town and copy the zip code. You can get through that way.


44 posted on 05/19/2008 8:27:25 PM PDT by jch10
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To: SkyPilot

Memo to Pete:

Perhaps the military feels your actions are worth keeping an eye on. Comrade.

With love,
The Pentagon


45 posted on 05/19/2008 8:31:22 PM PDT by KitJ (Shall Not Be Infringed)
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To: reg45

Re a Gates letter to StarkRavingMad:

It would be nice to close the Gates on this nut - the gates of a mental institution.

Maybe Ted Kennedy can share some of his seizure with his leftcoast counterpart.

Anyway, I offered to take Ted home from the hospital. Suggested that we go for a night ride and midnight swim. Would be good physical therapy. Afterall, he did swim for two hours looking for Mary Jo Kopeckhne, before buying off everyone in town.

Hey Ted - Did you ever see “Lady in the Lake”? Hope it haunts you forever, you soul-less SOB.

And take Stark with you on your midnight ride.

Boy, do I feel good. Nothing like a little rant at our traitors to end the day.

Just wait till tomorrow.


46 posted on 05/19/2008 8:50:18 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: Texas Eagle
Excellent letter.

Thank you.

47 posted on 05/20/2008 2:56:39 AM PDT by SkyPilot ("I wasn't in church during the time when the statements were made.")
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To: Eagle Eye

Well.... my rep is Pete Wilson (R-SC) and his site is not blocked, IIRC.

But my senator is Little Lord Fauntleroy Flimsy Graham, and he does not respond to constituents, let alone outsiders. Criticism of his views is regarded as the maunderings of an ignorant peasantry, and he does not deign to reply.

Anyway, I’m going with the Fremont strategy for old Fortney.


48 posted on 05/20/2008 3:19:37 AM PDT by elcid1970 (My cartridges are dipped in pig grease.)
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To: TaMoDee

You’re welcome.


49 posted on 05/20/2008 4:19:32 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
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To: SkyPilot

Please do not post any photos from Getty Images. Free Republic was asked by Getty Images to allow none of their photos to be posted here.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1111944/posts


50 posted on 05/20/2008 4:43:37 AM PDT by Admin Moderator
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To: SkyPilot
HOW DARE HE,Pompous A$$
51 posted on 05/20/2008 6:00:16 AM PDT by oswegodeee (Dee) ( Born in the South and raised in a G_D centered home)
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To: OkeyDokeyOkie

Stark’s an atheist?

He’s spent much of his career trying to limit doctors from practicing medicine, so I’ve thought bad about him for all of my career. (Can you imagine a law preventing a printer from owning an ink or paper company? How about preventing doctors from owning or investing in labs, xray, etc., because we’ll over use them if we can *make money.*)

But, now that I know he’s an atheist, I have to pray for him. It’ll be good for me, too. (Does that violate Stark I or Stark II? God, is indeed, an iron.)

May he be blessed with faith and the knowledge of the grace, mercy and love of the Lord.


52 posted on 05/20/2008 6:07:42 AM PDT by hocndoc (http://www.LifeEthics.org (I have a mustard seed and I'm not afraid to use it.))
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To: SkyPilot; Kathy in Alaska; txradioguy; beachn4fun; StarCMC; Lady Jag; laurenmarlowe; GodBlessUSA; ..

Comment # -- self censored by Arrowhead1952. *&^%$#%^&&^%$#$%^%$%^^


53 posted on 05/20/2008 6:24:19 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Typical white person, bitter, religious, gun owner, who will "Just say No to BO (or HRC).")
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To: SkyPilot
WTF.

This is outrageous.

What an @ss.

54 posted on 05/20/2008 6:55:30 AM PDT by Mrs.Nooseman (Proudly supporting our Troops and Allies!!!!)
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To: kristinn
I found this comment amusing:

"I appreciate the swift response," Stark said in his follow-up statement, without retracting or apologizing for his earlier complaints. "However, if these officers were hoping for a lesson in how Congress ought to work, then perhaps the Iraq supplemental wasn't the best debate for them to witness."

Um, you know what, Pete? If our military officers required a lesson in how Congress really works, they would need to visit any of the gay bath houses that make your home district so colorful. There they might observe people engaged in a sort of "congress" that approximates your party's routine treatment of American taxpayers.

55 posted on 05/20/2008 7:17:24 AM PDT by andy58-in-nh (Peace Is Not The Question.)
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To: SkyPilot

I just fired of my email to Stark


56 posted on 05/20/2008 7:17:29 AM PDT by Mrs.Nooseman (Proudly supporting our Troops and Allies!!!!)
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To: elcid1970

Call 202-225-3121 and ask for this traitor’s office.


57 posted on 05/20/2008 7:37:39 AM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: SkyPilot; Arrowhead1952

Dear Congressman Stark,

The gentlemen who were in the House Gallery yesterday observing you and your compadres in the House of Representatives have given years of their lives to ensure that you have a right to be a world class pr!ck.

Pull your head out of your rectum.

Good day.


58 posted on 05/20/2008 7:59:21 AM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/peoples-information-support-team/ -JOIN US!-We're PIST!)
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To: Jet Jaguar

I missed you in my reply - I am so pi$$ed.


59 posted on 05/20/2008 8:05:20 AM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/peoples-information-support-team/ -JOIN US!-We're PIST!)
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To: StarCMC

The liberals in congress should be tried for treason, and shot or hanged outside the Capitol.


60 posted on 05/20/2008 8:27:34 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Typical white person, bitter, religious, gun owner, who will "Just say No to BO (or HRC).")
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