Rep. Joe Walsh Blasts Double Amputee’s Military Service, Says She’s Not A ‘True Hero’

[Cigar]

Though he never joined the military himself, Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) disparaged his Democratic opponent’s military service at a town hall on Sunday, saying that she’s not a “true hero.” Walsh is running against Tammy Duckworth, a double amputee who lost both her legs in Iraq when insurgents hit her helicopter with an RPG in 2004.


The Tea Party freshman opened the Elk Grove town hall by arguing that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was reluctant to discuss his own military service in 2008, which made him a “noble hero.” By contrast, “Now I’m running against a woman who, my God, that’s all she talks about,” Walsh said.


WALSH: Understand something about John McCain. His political advisers, day after day, had to take him and almost throw him against a wall and hit him against the head and say, “Senator, you have to let people know you served! You have to talk about what you did!” He didn’t want to do it, wouldn’t do it. Day after day they had to convince him. Finally, he talked a little bit about it, but it was very uncomfortable for him. That’s what’s so noble about our heroes. Now I’m running against a woman who, my God, that’s all she talks about. Our true heroes, it’s the last thing in the world they talk about. That’s why we’re so indebted and in awe of what they’ve done.



http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/07/03/510443/joe-walsh-tammy-duckworth-service/


Real Class ... coming from someone who never served. I wonder what the Chest Beating, Flag Waving, God Bless America Patriots think of their Representative of The Republicans Party?

[coolwalker]

Truthfully heros don't pat themselves on the back. Audie Murphy never ran his mouth about his medals even though he was the most decorated soldier in WWII. Neither did Sgt Alvin York from WWI do that. I personally believe he should not mention what he did and instead let the public realize it on their own.

[Trinnity]

Audie Murphy had night terrors after the war and slept with a gun under his pillow. No kidding.

[birddog]

My wife and I are both Veterans. We both know Tammy. My wife knows her better. She is a wonderful person, and deserves to be thought of as a hero. Certainly, there are different levels or categories of heros, but Tammy fits one.

Her only problem is she's a darned dimocrat! However, she's still a good gal, and I don't blame her for emphasizing her strong points.

[Peter1469]

She is certainly an American hero.

[wingrider]

Walsh may have shot himself in the foot with this one.

[roadmaster]

saying that she’s not a “true hero.

Wow, she seems to be one to me.

[MMC]

Walsh should STFU on this. Also this isnt the same Walsh that Called Obama a liar in front of Congress.

IMO he owes her an apology. If I was around him I would tell him so straight to his face.

[Peter1469]

If it is the same guy who called Obama a liar, he was right that time.

[patrickt]

"This is a perfect example of Old Media "gotcha" reporting. On July 3, the Washington Post attempted to accuse (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/joe-walsh-taking-heat-for-remarks-on-opponents-military-service/2012/07/03/gJQATX7LLW_blog.html) GOP Congressman Joe Walsh (Ill. 8th District) of saying that his Democrat opponent, Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth, is not a hero.

Not only is this perfect as an example of "gotcha" reporting, it also an example of the Washington Post following the left-wing, George Soros controlled Internet group Think Progress...."
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/07/03/WaPost-Accuses-GOP-Congressman-of-Saying-Something-He-Never-Said

[Carygrant]

Truthfully heros don't pat themselves on the back. Audie Murphy never ran his mouth about his medals even though he was the most decorated soldier in .


He was no hero .
So small the enemy could never see him .

[wingrider]

He was no hero .
So small the enemy could never see him .
Audie Mrphy was the most decorated soldier in WWII.

Awards and decorations

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg/60px-Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg.png (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/File:Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg)
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Distinguished Service Cross (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Distinguished_Service_Cross_(United_States))


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Silver Star (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Silver_Star) (with oak leaf cluster (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Oak_leaf_cluster))


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg/60px-Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg.png (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/File:Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg)
Legion of Merit (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Legion_of_Merit)


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Bronze Star (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Bronze_Star_Medal) (with Valor device (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Valor_device) and oak leaf cluster (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Oak_leaf_cluster))


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Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Department_of_the_Army_Outstanding_Civilian_Servic e_Award)


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U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Army_Good_Conduct_Medal)


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg/12px-Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg.png (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/File:Bronze_oakleaf-3d.svg)
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Presidential Unit Citation (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Presidential_Unit_Citation_(United_States)) (with oak leaf cluster (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Oak_leaf_cluster))


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European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_Medal) (with one silver service star (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Service_star) & four bronze service stars (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Service_star), representing nine campaigns, and one bronze arrowhead (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Arrowhead_device), representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France)


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.svg/60px-World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.svg.png (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/File:World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.svg)
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Army of Occupation Medal (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Army_of_Occupation_Medal) (with Germany Clasp (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Army_of_Occupation_Medal#Germany_Clasp))


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Armed Forces Reserve Medal (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Armed_Forces_Reserve_Medal)


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Legion_Honneur_Chevalier_ribbon.svg/60px-Legion_Honneur_Chevalier_ribbon.svg.png (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/File:Legion_Honneur_Chevalier_ribbon.svg)
French Legion of Honor (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/French_Legion_of_Honor) - Grade of Chevalier (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Chevalier_of_the_Legion_of_Honor)


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French Croix de guerre (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Croix_de_guerre_1939%E2%80%931945) (with Silver Star)


[/URL]



(http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/File:Croix_de_guerre_1939-1945_with_palm.jpg)



[URL="http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/File:Oorlogskruis_with_Palm.jpg"]

[wingrider]

see the rest at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy

[wingrider]

He was no hero .
So small the enemy could never see him .
what medals have you won???

[birddog]

Fox News interviewed Joe Walsh this evening on the subject. He stated that he has referred to Tammy many times as a hero. I think his criticism has simply been directed at her tendency to only emphasize her military experiences rather than speaking on solutions she believes in related to the district. I can understand that, and also understand how the MSM would take his statements out of context.

[Peter1469]

Well it certainly isn't above Dems to say any criticism of her is a slap to war heroes.

It is the same as any criticism of the Obama regime is a slap in the face to all blacks. Or half blacks.

[Calypso Jones]

a woman. and naturally she gets away with being the female version of John Kerry. If you're a hero, keep your mouth shut and people will recognize it. If she talks about it, she's running her mouth too much.

democrat women...always playing the system to get what they want.

[Archer0915]

Well here is a question. Why? Why did she join? A hero, I think not. To most these days it is a job and they want the benefits.

[Calypso Jones]

Well it certainly isn't above Dems to say any criticism of her is a slap to war heroes.

It is the same as any criticism of the Obama regime is a slap in the face to all blacks. Or half blacks.

and half whites.

[Calypso Jones]

How did she lose her legs anyway. combat?

[Calypso Jones]

okay. Helicopter pilot. what happened. And i see some of her pix don't show her standing but rather in her wheelchair with her artificial limbs. tugging at the old heart strings there i see.

I don't mean to denigrate the military. But i'm a little jaded after this john kerry thing. And Not to mention the other democrat amputees that took advantage of their wounds to achieve their goals while they sorta embellished their stories.

BIIIIG supporter of Barack Obama. NoTHANKYou.

[MMC]

Her helicopter Crashed. WTF.....She still is in the the Guard active as Lt Col. So is her husband. I don't care that she stands with Obama. Walsh needs to drop this shit, and STFU.....before I put my foot off into his azz. Frickkin azz coward MoFo.

If this is what Walsh has to cry about. Then he don't need to have his azz in politics. I have no sympathy for this EWE whatsoever.

[Calypso Jones]

Yeah. I think it does matter.

http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=23878

"What a load of horseshit. Duckworth’s time at the Department of Veterans Affairs has been about Duckworth, not about veterans. Remember when she defended death panels for veterans (http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=13891)? Remember when she “bravely” went back to school during the time she was supposed to be fixing the new GI Bill (http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=18057)? Remember when she deflected blame for her own incompetence on veterans healthcare (http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=20421)?
The DVA can only improve with her absence – but that boob Shinseki will screw that up, too.
The Sun Times speculates that Duckworth will run for Congress in Illinois and that sounds about right. She realizes that she’s a failure at the VA, so she’ll go to Congress where she doesn’t have to be accountable to taxpayers.
I hope there’s a veteran in Illinois who’ll challenge the brainless twit. I can think of one…hint, hint."

[roadmaster]

Ok, she may have a D in her name but she did join and had an accident. To me both are heroes, somewhat. I admit when McCain talked about his it didn't make me want to vote for him. He was an opportunist and to be honest I couldn't stand the man. I don't know the woman so don't know if she is using this to get votes.

[MMC]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Tammy_Duckworth_wheelchair.jpg/220px-Tammy_Duckworth_wheelchair.jpg

Following in the footsteps of her father whose long military career spanned service from World War II (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/World_War_II) to the Vietnam War (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Vietnam_War), as well as her father's ancestors who fought in every major American conflict since the Revolutionary War (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War), Duckworth joined the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Reserve_Officers'_Training_Corps) (Army ROTC) as a graduate student at George Washington University in 1990. She became a commissioned officer (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Officer_(armed_forces)) in the United States Army Reserve (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/United_States_Army_Reserve) in 1992 and chose to fly helicopters (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Helicopter) because it was one of the few combat jobs open to women. As a member of the Army Reserve, she went to flight school (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Flight_training) and joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1996.

Duckworth lost the lower part of both legs from injuries sustained on November 12, 2004, when the UH-60 Black Hawk (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Sikorsky_UH-60_Black_Hawk) helicopter she was co-piloting was hit by a rocket propelled grenade (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Rocket_propelled_grenade) fired by Iraqi insurgents (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Iraqi_insurgency). This made her the first female double amputee from the Iraq war. The explosion also "almost completely destroyed her right arm, breaking it in three places and tearing tissue from the back side of it." Duckworth received a Purple Heart (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Purple_Heart) on December 3 and was promoted to Major on December 21 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Walter_Reed_Army_Medical_Center), where she was presented with an Air Medal (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Air_Medal) and Army Commendation Medal (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Commendation_Medal).

Former Republican (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States)) Presidential candidate Bob Dole (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Bob_Dole) dedicated his biography One Soldier's Story in part to Duckworth: "And to Major Tammy Duckworth ... a brave woman wounded in Iraq, who represents all of those with their own battles ahead of them, and their own stories to tell." Duckworth credits Dole for inspiring her to pursue public service while she recuperated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Walter_Reed_Army_Medical_Center) in Washington, D.C. (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Washington,_D.C.) In her campaign for congress, Dole endorsed Duckworth's opponent.
In 2007 Duckworth was honored by the non-profit group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Iraq_and_Afghanistan_Veterans_of_America) (IAVA) with the "Veterans Leadership Award", in recognition of her dedication to the nation's newest generation of veterans.

Duckworth considered health care to be one of the most important issues to the voters of the Sixth District. She said, "The fact that there are kids who don't have access to health insurance, we need to be expanding S-CHIP (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/State_Children's_Health_Insurance_Program). The fact that there are 25 percent of Americans between 50 and 64 who don't have access to health insurance, we need to let them buy into the federal employee health care system. And we certainly need to fix the entire mess made out of Medicare Part D (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Medicare_Part_D) by this administration. So that's what I'm worried about."

At the AmVets (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/AMVETS)' National Symposium (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Symposium) for the Needs of Young Veterans (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Veteran), Duckworth called for improvements in veterans health care (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Health_care). She called for mandatory (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mandatory) funding of veterans’ health care, rather than discretionary funding that could change with political winds; she also wants improvements in transition assistance for those returning to civilian life, particularly for those with disabilities (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Disabilities). Duckworth also wanted the Department of Veterans Affairs (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Veterans_Affairs) to hire more veterans as doctors and nurses because they understand what combat veterans face, and she wants the VA to prepare for the possibility of severe respiratory (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Respiratory) problems in the future for Iraq war (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Iraq_war) veterans.....snip~

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth


Hmmmm.....perhaps some when blogging they should include all the facts with their OPINIONS. Guess they don't think her putting Veterans First means anything.

[Archer0915]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Tammy_Duckworth_wheelchair.jpg/220px-Tammy_Duckworth_wheelchair.jpg

Following in the footsteps of her father whose long military career spanned service from World War II (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/World_War_II) to the Vietnam War (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Vietnam_War), as well as her father's ancestors who fought in every major American conflict since the Revolutionary War (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War), Duckworth joined the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Reserve_Officers'_Training_Corps) (Army ROTC) as a graduate student at George Washington University in 1990. She became a commissioned officer (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Officer_(armed_forces)) in the United States Army Reserve (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/United_States_Army_Reserve) in 1992 and chose to fly helicopters (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Helicopter) because it was one of the few combat jobs open to women. As a member of the Army Reserve, she went to flight school (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Flight_training) and joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1996.

Duckworth lost the lower part of both legs from injuries sustained on November 12, 2004, when the UH-60 Black Hawk (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Sikorsky_UH-60_Black_Hawk) helicopter she was co-piloting was hit by a rocket propelled grenade (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Rocket_propelled_grenade) fired by Iraqi insurgents (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Iraqi_insurgency). This made her the first female double amputee from the Iraq war. The explosion also "almost completely destroyed her right arm, breaking it in three places and tearing tissue from the back side of it." Duckworth received a Purple Heart (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Purple_Heart) on December 3 and was promoted to Major on December 21 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Walter_Reed_Army_Medical_Center), where she was presented with an Air Medal (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Air_Medal) and Army Commendation Medal (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Commendation_Medal).

Former Republican (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States)) Presidential candidate Bob Dole (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Bob_Dole) dedicated his biography One Soldier's Story in part to Duckworth: "And to Major Tammy Duckworth ... a brave woman wounded in Iraq, who represents all of those with their own battles ahead of them, and their own stories to tell." Duckworth credits Dole for inspiring her to pursue public service while she recuperated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Walter_Reed_Army_Medical_Center) in Washington, D.C. (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Washington,_D.C.) In her campaign for congress, Dole endorsed Duckworth's opponent.
In 2007 Duckworth was honored by the non-profit group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Iraq_and_Afghanistan_Veterans_of_America) (IAVA) with the "Veterans Leadership Award", in recognition of her dedication to the nation's newest generation of veterans.

Duckworth considered health care to be one of the most important issues to the voters of the Sixth District. She said, "The fact that there are kids who don't have access to health insurance, we need to be expanding S-CHIP (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/State_Children's_Health_Insurance_Program). The fact that there are 25 percent of Americans between 50 and 64 who don't have access to health insurance, we need to let them buy into the federal employee health care system. And we certainly need to fix the entire mess made out of Medicare Part D (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Medicare_Part_D) by this administration. So that's what I'm worried about."

At the AmVets (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/AMVETS)' National Symposium (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Symposium) for the Needs of Young Veterans (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Veteran), Duckworth called for improvements in veterans health care (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Health_care). She called for mandatory (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mandatory) funding of veterans’ health care, rather than discretionary funding that could change with political winds; she also wants improvements in transition assistance for those returning to civilian life, particularly for those with disabilities (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Disabilities). Duckworth also wanted the Department of Veterans Affairs (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Veterans_Affairs) to hire more veterans as doctors and nurses because they understand what combat veterans face, and she wants the VA to prepare for the possibility of severe respiratory (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Respiratory) problems in the future for Iraq war (http://thepoliticalforums.com/wiki/Iraq_war) veterans.....snip~

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth


Hmmmm.....perhaps some when blogging they should include all the facts with their OPINIONS. Guess they don't think her putting Veterans First means anything.

Now I still may not call her a hero but a person who has a family history of military service and ate, slept and lived every day military will generally speak of it because it is all they know and they are proud that they got hurt in the line of duty. So is she playing for pity? Who knows but I do know that (after reading this; if true) that her opponent overstepped his bounds.

[MMC]

It's true.....Dole inspired her into Politics. Then she discovered just like Webb did. How much it costs to try and Run as a Repub. Course those who know her closely say she is more of an Independant that leans to the right. Even if she is in the DNC. Her big deal. Healthcare for Vets, Children and Seniors. In that Order.

You are correct Archer.....when one live an entire life in the military. Then one tends to come from that point of view. As far as her Embellishing her Record. Far From It!!!!!

[Conley]

As far as I am concerned someone who gave that much for her country can talk about it as much as she pleases. People should know about the sacrifices our military has made and the incredible cost of war. She is just one of thousands...if she can speak for and represent all the others so much the better. They should not be forgotten or pushed to the side. Maybe if we had more politicians who were actually willing to serve and die for this country, our elected officials would not be so quick to send our finest into harms way for very questionable reasons.

[roadmaster]

As far as I am concerned someone who gave that much for her country can talk about it as much as she pleases. People should know about the sacrifices our military has made and the incredible cost of war. She is just one of thousands...if she can speak for and represent all the others so much the better. They should not be forgotten or pushed to the side. Maybe if we had more politicians who were actually willing to serve and die for this country, our elected officials would not be so quick to send our finest into harms way for very questionable reasons.

As a person that had many uncles in the service the most decorated was my Dad and he didn't talk about it. In fact I didn't know until he passed. Got to remember all mine were drafted.

[Conley]

As a person that had many uncles in the service the most decorated was my Dad and he didn't talk about it. In fact I didn't know until he passed. Got to remember all mine were drafted.

I am sure for many who saw combat they prefer not to speak of it. I definitely respect whatever choice is made...they have earned that right along with many others. Sounds like you are from good stock. :)

[MMC]

I am sure for many who saw combat they prefer not to speak of it. I definitely respect whatever choice is made...they have earned that right along with many others. Sounds like you are from good stock. :)

Also people should remember that the mindset out of the 40's and 50's.....They didnt talk about the things they did in Combat nor were they encouraged to open up and talk about their experiences.

[roadmaster]

Also people should remember that the mindset out of the 40's and 50's.....They didnt talk about the things they did in Combat nor were they encouraged to open up and talk about their experiences.

Some would tale tales of walking chin deep in swamps with their guns over their heads. I loved to listen to their stories. My Dad jumped out of Air-planes and never joined the discussions.

[roadmaster]

Oh yea, one was a medic on the front lines and he was one of the most interesting to listen to.

[MMC]

Some would tale tales of walking chin deep in swamps with their guns over their heads. I loved to listen to their stories. My Dad jumped out of Air-planes and never joined the discussions.


Airborne.....Huah! :m1helmet: :icon_salut:

[Archer0915]

As far as I am concerned someone who gave that much for her country can talk about it as much as she pleases. People should know about the sacrifices our military has made and the incredible cost of war. She is just one of thousands...if she can speak for and represent all the others so much the better. They should not be forgotten or pushed to the side. Maybe if we had more politicians who were actually willing to serve and die for this country, our elected officials would not be so quick to send our finest into harms way for very questionable reasons.

I am sorry but I have seen too many punks come out getting a check for one thing or another that was not a disability. I knew one who got a check for a bad ankle. Well the punk bragged about it and played ball pretty well. I am sorry but I have little respect (beyond what I have for any normal person) for most of what is in the US military today.

Many go in for the money because they can not find a job. I am just glad they weed many out in basic.

[MMC]

I am sorry but I have seen too many punks come out getting a check for one thing or another that was not a disability. I knew one who got a check for a bad ankle. Well the punk bragged about it and played ball pretty well. I am sorry but I have little respect (beyond what I have for any normal person) for most of what is in the US military today.

Many go in for the money because they can not find a job. I am just glad they weed many out in basic.

While true.....today, many cannot even pass the ASVAB Test. My Son failed it twice. Then decided not to join anyways. He still could have went in due to myself and others in our family.

[Peter1469]

How did she lose her legs anyway. combat?

She was a helicopter co-pilot. Shot down by an RPG-7 in Iraq.

[Peter1469]

Ok, she may have a D in her name but she did join and had an accident. To me both are heroes, somewhat. I admit when McCain talked about his it didn't make me want to vote for him. He was an opportunist and to be honest I couldn't stand the man. I don't know the woman so don't know if she is using this to get votes.

I don't refer to being shot down in combat as an accident.

She is a hero. But her politics suck. Keep the two separate.

[Peter1469]

I am sure for many who saw combat they prefer not to speak of it. I definitely respect whatever choice is made...they have earned that right along with many others. Sounds like you are from good stock. :)

You learn real quick that talking about combat with civilians who never experienced it is like talking to a brick wall. So you don't talk about it.

[Peter1469]

While true.....today, many cannot even pass the ASVAB Test. My Son failed it twice. Then decided not to join anyways. He still could have went in due to myself and others in our family.

They have prep courses for the ASVAB. If he failed it is likely he was just unfamiliar with the methods used.

I took it once and did really well. The funny thing I did best on the electrical section- I know nothing about that.

[MMC]

I hear ya Pete. He decided to not go in and moved back in with his Mother. He was all gung-ho on it until he failed the test the second time. At first he wanted to go Rangers until I showed him Ranger Training School. He liked it.....but then he was thinking MP so that when he got out he could go into Law Enforcement.

[Calypso Jones]

Ask vets how they felt about her work at the DVA.

[Calypso Jones]

Regardless. this isn't about her service. Her SERVICE is not an instant in for politics. She's an obama supporter. You want MORE of that?? I don't. I want ALL these people gone. You can't just sweep them out of the white house. We need a thorough cleaning. It's the philosophy. NOT whether she had an accident. And it WAS an accident. She didn't do it on purpose. It was NOT in her goal.


look at webb. Do you know how he lied in Virginia in favor of this marxist in the WH. And Kerry. please. what a louse. and mccain. Has he served his constituency well. Or has he manipulated them for his own purposes. I'll answer that. yes. he has.

[MMC]

No one said it was.....and yes she has both Conservatives and libs supporting her in the DVA. The only political there was, she was for mandatory spending for Vets not discretionary. Nothing wrong with that.

Walsh is surrounded by Democrats. He knows he has to use every dirty trick in the book to get re-elected. Lets also remember Walsh has never put his azz on the line for anybody else.

As for Webb.....well we got what we wanted. He isn't seeking re-election. Has spoken out against Obama who was touting him back then. So we will win that Senator seat. Plus the Left has left Webb hanging anyways.

Trust me if Walsh wins.....Duckworth will move to another District and then she will run again. If she stays in Illinois that is. Moreover to the redistricting done by the Demos. Next time round Walsh may be running against another Repub. This is How the Demos in Chi-Town play it. Machine Politcs.

[patrickt]

The OP was a lie. If Cigar would show me a quote where Rep. Walsh said this liberal was not a true hero I'll apologize for implying he is a liar. If he finds a quote stating as an opinion, that true heros don't talk about what they've done and this liberal will talk about nothing else, my opinion that the OP was alie stands.

Of course, for liberals, lying is not a sin. For President Obama it's not even his fault. It's President Bush's fault.

[kshRox]

My wife and I are both Veterans. We both know Tammy. My wife knows her better. She is a wonderful person, and deserves to be thought of as a hero. Certainly, there are different levels or categories of heros, but Tammy fits one.

Her only problem is she's a darned dimocrat! However, she's still a good gal, and I don't blame her for emphasizing her strong points.

A hero doesn't need to toot their own horns.
I agree that when someone has to tell you they are a hero it does run counter to the grain.

Not that I am dispariging your friend or the terrible tragedy that befell her but honestly she sounds more unfortunate than heroic.

[birddog]

A hero doesn't need to toot their own horns.
I agree that when someone has to tell you they are a hero it does run counter to the grain.

Not that I am dispariging your friend or the terrible tragedy that befell her but honestly she sounds more unfortunate than heroic.


True, but it depends on what level of "hero" you are talking about. As far as the valor type, I don't think she did anything outstanding when her chopper was hit. Being willing to be in that situation I guess makes her a different type of hero. Some people think that all of us that have served are heroes, so it just depends.

[kshRox]

True, but it depends on what level of "hero" you are talking about. As far as the valor type, I don't think she did anything outstanding when her chopper was hit. Being willing to be in that situation I guess makes her a different type of hero. Some people think that all of us that have served are heroes, so it just depends.

Agreed

[waltky]

Highly advanced battery-powered modular robotic limbs for military amputees...
http://www.politicalforum.com/images/smilies/salute.gif
Military Amputees May Soon Get 'LUKE' Bionic Arms
January 4, 2017 - A couple of U.S. military amputees may soon get a new type of bionic arm developed with funding from the Pentagon's research arm.


The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, better known as DARPA, recently delivered the first two “LUKE” arms to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C., according to an announcement. The name stands for Life Under Kinetic Evolution, according to the release, but also pays homage to the “Stars Wars” character Luke Skywalker, who receives a robotic hand after losing his own in a lightsaber duel. Yet with its clear translucent plastic hand and silver arm, the “LUKE” limb looks more like those from the robots in the “I, Robot” film.


http://www.defensetech.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/luke-arm-777x437.jpg
The Life Under Kinetic Evolution, or LUKE, arm is a highly advanced battery-powered modular robotic limb marketed by Mobius Bionics LLC.

In a presentation ceremony at Walter Reed, Justin Sanchez, director of DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office, described the technology as “the world’s most advanced prosthetic arm system,” according to video of the ceremony. “It’s a remarkable device,” he said. Dr. Jeffrey Bailey, an Army colonel and director of surgery at Walter Reed added, “This is a very important day in delivering this type of technology to support the ability of folks who are injured serving their country to go back to doing what they want to do.” A hospital spokesman said it’s not yet clear which service members or veterans will be the first recipients of the devices or when they might receive them.


http://www.defensetech.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/luke-arm-2-777x437.jpg

The battery-powered prosthetic weighs about the same as a natural arm and features six types of grips that can be controlled by multiple inputs — even wireless signals from sensors worn on a user’s feet, according to the DARPA release. The technology was developed by DEKA Integrated Solutions Corp., of Manchester, New Hampshire, through DARPA’s Revolutionizing Prosthetics program and is being marketed by a company called Mobius Bionics LLC, of the same city. The system, which has already received approval from the Food and Drug Administration, is modular and comes in three configurations, depending on what part of the limb is missing: shoulder, humeral and radial.


http://www.defensetech.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/luke-arm-3-777x437.jpg

Jay Burkholder, a spokesman for Mobius Bionics, didn’t specify how much the technology costs, but said a few dozen have already been built and the manufacturing process is designed to scale. Parts of the devices are built in a facility in Rochester, New York, with final assembly in Manchester, he said during a telephone interview with Military.com. “While the quantity already manufactured is fairly small, the supply chain is established to be able to support growing demand as commercial use increases,” he said in a follow up email. “We are looking forward to providing the most advanced prosthetic arm system to all upper-limb amputees, both military and civilian.”

http://www.defensetech.org/2017/01/04/military-amputees-may-soon-get-luke-bionic-arms/