On a day when six more U.S. troops were killed in Iraq, another Republican member of Congress has decided to show how little he respects our troops in the field. In a Washington Post article entitled Democrats To Widen Conflict With Bush, Representative Jack Kingston (R-GA) had this to say:
It's going to be like the government shutdowns [of 1995 and 1996]. The Democrats' honeymoon is fixing to end. It's going to explode like an IED.
How’s that, Jack? Like an IED, huh? I’m sure you would know, since you’ve already served two tours in Ira—oh wait, that’s right. You’ve never served a day in the military in your life, much less a day in combat.
Perhaps Kingston, a chickenhawk of the highest order, would like to know then, just what an IED explosion is like. For Kingston, that could actually be pretty easy: He could ask some people who live in his own district—a district which serves as the home to the Army’s 1st Ranger Battalion and the 2nd and 3rd Brigades of the 3rd Infantry Division. I’m sure there are a large number of blinded and disfigured soldiers, amputees, and soldiers with TBI who would be willing to explain to Congressman Kingston just what, exactly, an IED explosion is like.
I have to wonder what Congressman Kingston was thinking. Did he think he was being patriotic? Did he think it would make him sound as though he could "relate" to the troops? What kind of a man makes such a flippant remark?
I’ll tell you: A disconnected man—a man who knows nothing of the gravity of combat and killing. A little, pompous man who thinks he knows the military simply because there are a handful of bases in his district.
Make no mistake about a man who says this:
The Democrats' honeymoon is fixing to end. It's going to explode like an IED.
This man is the enemy.
Update
3:15 pm CDT
This is a press release just issued by VoteVets: (Sorry, no link yet.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GEORGIA VETERAN OF IRAQ, VOTEVETS.ORG CALLS ON KINGSTON TO
APOLOGIZE
"In words and actions, Jack Kingston has done nothing but undermine our troops and veterans."
ATLANTA - A Georgia veteran of the Iraq war, speaking for the leading political group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, VoteVets.org, called on Rep. Jack Kingston to apologize for insensitive comments made regarding the legislative process and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Kevin Rae, the veteran from Atlanta, said:
"Jack Kingston owes our troops, veterans, and families of the fallen a deep apology for his comments. On a day when six more Americans died in Iraq, Rep. Kingston chose to equate the legislative process with one of the top killers of Americans in Iraq.
"Jack Kingston knows nothing about IEDs. He's never served in Iraq; he's never even worn the uniform. So it's no surprise that like the rest of the chickenhawks in Congress, he throws around terms he knows nothing about and makes offensive statements like this.
"This isn't the first time this guy stood against the troops. He's voted against Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, quality of life enhancement and pay bonuses for the troops, and even equipment repair for the troops.
"In words and actions, Jack Kingston has done nothing but undermine our troops and veterans. He owes all of us an apology."
Yesterday, when talking about a bill that would fund troops in Iraq and hold the President accountable on the war in Iraq, Jack Kingston was quoted as saying, "The Democrats' honeymoon is fixing to end. It's going to explode like an IED." He has not apologized.
Kevin Rae, 34, served in Iraq as a SGT with the 724th Military Police Battalion in 2003 from the initial March '03 invasion through Feb of '04, in Basra. He was a Military Policeman. He currently lives in Henry County GA with his wife and two daughters.
VoteVets.org is a pro-military organization committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world, with force when necessary. It represents the Voice of America's 21 Century Patriots - those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. It primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf of troops, veterans and their families.