"I will go to Washington to do battle against Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Steny Hoyer and the rest of them. They have never seen anything like the Southern fried butt whipping that’s coming at them!” Lt. Col. Allen West (Ret.)
A common complaint we hear about members of Congress is that they have never served in the military. A total of 95 veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the National Guard are current House members (the 96th, John Murtha just died). This represents a mere 20 percent of sitting Members of Congress and is a record low. We can chalk this up as one good reason for Congress’s stunning ignorance regarding military matters.
Among the many encouraging signs for the nation as we head into the 2010 midterm elections is the number of first-time Republican candidates for Congress who are recent military veterans. There is even an organization supporting them: Iraq Veterans for Congress (IVC).
IVC was created in the 2008 election cycle to assist Marine Corps veteran Kieran Lalor in his bid to win New York’s 19th congressional district. While Kieran lost that year, the organization assisted the successful candidacies of Duncan Hunter, Jr. (CA-52) and Mike Coffman (CO-6).This year, IVC is supporting 36 vets. 33 are running for U.S. House seats, one is running for governor, another for lt. governor, and one for U.S. Senate. There are also a number of others running 
independently. If just those 33 House candidates won, it would increase veterans’ representation in the House by over 30 percent. Such a win could provide a backstop against the lunatic, anti-military policies of Congressional Democrats and the White House, and may add some much-needed spine to the House Republican caucus. A list of those running is provided at the end of this article.
These people are exemplary models of the best America can produce, but space considerations prevent me from describing them all in detail. There are a few among them however, whose stories are a bit “more equal,” so I am going to pick out one or two for special focus in the next few columns. Here’s the first:
Nick Popaditch Cigar Marine
“Gunny Pop” Nick Popaditch, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps 1986, a year after graduating high school. He served as a tank commander during the first Gulf War and was honorably discharged in 1992. He re-enlisted in 1995, and from 1998 – 2002, served as a Drill Instructor at MCRD San Diego. In 2003, Nick shipped off to the Gulf to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) again as tank commander. Upon entering Baghdad, his unit became famous the world over for helping to topple Saddam’s statue. The picture of him above, smoking a cigar with Saddam’s statue in the background, earned him the moniker “Cigar Marine.”
Gunnery Sergeant Popaditch returned to Iraq for a second tour in 2004, and participated in the first assault on Fallujah in April. During that battle, Nick was hit in the head by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). This was actually caught on camera by nearby news crews. Nick was blinded by the wound, but due to the tireless efforts of medical staff and his indomitable spirit, his left eye was saved. Nick wrote a book, with co-author Mike Steere, about his experiences, Once a Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander’s Inspirational Memoir of Combat, Courage, and Recovery. The book made the Commandant of the Marine Corps recommended professional reading list for all ranks, won The Military-Writers Book of the Year for 2009, and was a national book club selection. Nick’s unique command tactics and leadership in Iraq earned him the Silver Star.
Nick is running for a seat in the 51st Congressional District of California, a seat currently held by Bob Filner, one of the most liberal Democrats in the House and a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (read socialist). The choice couldn’t be clearer: a patriotic American versus a radical leftist who has been wreaking havoc in Washington, DC since 1992.
Time for regime change once again! And Gunny Pop is the one to topple this slug. Future issues will examine the testimonials of Allen West, Dan Gilyeat, Katherine Jenerette and others. With folks like these on board there may yet be hope for our teetering Republic.
Here is a list of all IVC candidates. Check them out! U.S. House: Justin Bernier (CT-5th) USN, Will Breazeale (NC-7th) USA, Diggs Brown (CO-4th) USA, Kevin Calvey (OK-5th) USA, Dan Gilyeat (KS-3rd) USMC, Tim Griffin (AR-2nd) USA, Wayne Harmon (IN-7th) USMC, Dr. Joe Heck (NV-3rd) USA, Jesse Kelly (AZ-8th) USMC, Adam Kinzinger (IL-11th) USAF, Todd Lally (KY-3rd) USAF, Patrick Murray (VA-8th) USA, Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski (MI-9th) USA, Brian Rooney (MI-7th) USMC, William Russell (PA-12th) USA, Steve Stivers (OH-15th) USA,Scott Taylor (VA-2nd) USN, Vaughn Ward (ID-1st) USMC, Allen West (FL-22nd) USA, Michael Crimmins (CA-53rd) USMC, Dave Evans (TN-6th) USA, Mike Grimm (NY-13th) USMC, Katherine Jenerette (SC-1st) USA, Quang Pham (CA-47th) USMC, Les Phillip (AL-5th) USN, Lang Sias (CO-7th) USN, Rick Barber (AL-2nd) USMC, Rick Crawford (AR-1st) USA, Steve Pearce (NM-2nd) USAF, Mike Pompeo (KS-4th) USA, John Loughlin (RI-1st) USA, Willie Vaden (TX-27th) USMC. U.S. Senate: Conrad Reynolds (AR) USA. Candidates for governor/lt. governor: Allen Weh (NM) USMC, Bill Connor (Lt Gov-SC) USA.
Comments
You missed Frank Ryan PA running for Congress. USMC
Thank you for alerting me to Ryan. This article dealt with IVC member vets only. I was unable to track down others in time for this article. I will include them in a subsequent column. If you have any connection to Ryan, though, you should alert him to this group.
What a great idea Jim, thanks for all your work in this production.
Latest from Trevor Loudon: Obama File 98 Obama Science Czar Holdren's Pro - Soviet Associations: See NewZeal.blogspot.com
Another veteran is Les Phillip-Naval Helicopter during Gulf War-stationed on aircraft carrier (& I forget which one). He is running for Congress in AL05 (which is also historical election-been in Dem hands over 100 yrs & his opponent is the johnny come lately conservative Parker Griffith. www.LesPhillip.com
Les Phillip!!! Alabama district 5 plz. kk thx :)if politics were a western film, Les would be John Wayne.
Just wanted to say thanks for adding Les Phillip from AL05 to your list. He is a constitutionalist, and takes the oath he made in the military seriously even today. He says the oath he took then did not have an expiration date. Being a vet myself, I really respect that.
Les Phillip. District 5, Alabama. Great man, honored veteran,the light at the end of the tunnel for the people of the 5th district.
There is a candidate for Congress in the 5th District of Alabama, Les Phillip. Wh is also a veteran and great American. You should check him out. He is worthy to serve.
Les Phillip, Navy veteran, graduate of U.S.Naval Academy is running for the U.S. House 5th District, Alabama
It's 101 Veterans in Congress, actually. And I don't see the point in this phony patriotism you're waving around. Are you going to start supporting the 43 out 74 Army Veterans in Congress that are Democrat? What about Charlie Rangel, who won a Bronze Star with Valor in the Korean War? What about John McCain, who was a PoW?
Its frankly quite sickening the way some republicans think they can use the armed forces as a hand puppet. Servicemen and women are no more monolithic a political bloc than anyone. Especially on issues outside of the military. Is every serving member of the military who votes Democrat some kind of traitor now in your silly, myopic little fantasy?
People of New Mexico BEWARE,,BEWARE,,BEWARE!!!!! Adam Kokesh is a MARXIST plant…He is NOT a conservative…I know,,I have personally faced him off many times while he was with IVAW,,ANSWER,,Code Pink,,SDS and other Anti-American Communist supported groups……Jim Diehl “Gathering Of Eagles”
Jack:
I wish you would actually read. It was 95 HOUSE members. Go to the CRS report cited. Note that I did not take issue with any sitting members who are veterans, although Charlie Rangel is an awfully bad example to use. No one is above corruption as he has amply proven, yet you should agree that the military's ethic of discipline and service is good preparation for service in Congress. Furthermore, many among this group, Gunny Pop featured in this article for example, have shown exemplary leadership. What is especially encouraging about this crop in terms of their governing philosophy is their professed dedication to LIMITED government. I see little of that in any Democrat, veteran or no. Don't you dare call this "phony" patriotism! The Democrats have been wrecking this country for fifty years, with either active participation from "veterans" like John Kerry, or nary a squeak from the rest. Talk about hypocrisy.
Jim:
I don't disagree that the military is great preparation for politics. Actually, I've noted that the Republicans who've actually served are usually the ones labeled as RINOs by armchair patriots, whether it's George H.W. Bush, McCain, or Colin Powell. They're also usually moderate. Those who have served understand the value of sacrifice and duty, and stand as a valuable polar opposite to the Ayn Rand-worshiping cult of self that seems to be trying to take over the GOP.
However, your piece reads like a hack job written to bolster Tea Party candidates, while ignoring the fact that many Democrats, whom you hilariously blame squarely with plotting the downfall of America, served with honor.
I'll call your patriotism phony so long as it only exists to serve a political end.
Thanks Jim for all your work in giving us this information. I'd like to see veterans and business owners instead of lawyers represent the people. In fact, I'd like to see anyone actually REALLY represent the people and the Constitution.
Jack -
If anyone's myopic, it's you. Veterans that inlist and actually serve are by and large more patriotic and care more about Freedom - they put their life on the line to defend it. Maybe there are some Vets that are Democrats that care about the Constitution - but where in the hell are they now? Charlie Rangel is a crook! If there's any Democratic Vets in Congress that care about Freedom, why are they taking it away from all of us little by little. Let one, just one stand up against the systematic destruction of America by this President, and say "STOP THIS, I LOVE AMERICA"! He'll have my support. I don't hear anything! Hm.
"If anyone's myopic, it's you. Veterans that inlist and actually serve are by and large more patriotic and care more about Freedom - they put their life on the line to defend it."
We sure do. You're welcome. It's spelled "enlist", by the way.
"Maybe there are some Vets that are Democrats that care about the Constitution - but where in the hell are they now? Charlie Rangel is a crook! If there's any Democratic Vets in Congress that care about Freedom, why are they taking it away from all of us little by little."
They're not. Tired maxims and wild arm-flailing don't amount to a coherent political philosophy. If the extend of your understanding of public policy is blind accusations of illegality unbacked by any kind of legal argument, you probably don't know what America actually needs.
"Let one, just one stand up against the systematic destruction of America by this President, and say "STOP THIS, I LOVE AMERICA"!"
False premise. Show that anything being done is harmful to
"They're not. Tired maxims and wild arm-flailing don't amount to a coherent political philosophy. If the extend of your understanding of public policy is blind accusations of illegality unbacked by any kind of legal argument, you probably don't know what America actually needs."
It's spelled "extent" by the way and "unbacked" is not a word - you're welcome.
The rest of your mumbo-jumbo is word garbage that I doubt anyone but you understands, I doubt you understand it either.
I do know one thing, what America needs is not you. But we Freedom loving Patriots are going to save America anyway - and you don't have to say thank you. We wouldn't want you to lift your head from your trough of arrogant stupidity Kool-Aid for too long.
And now, goodnight, I have a life. So feel free to write away to the nobody who is paying attention to you.
www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/unbacked
"I do know one thing, what America needs is not you. But we Freedom loving Patriots are going to save America anyway - and you don't have to say thank you. We wouldn't want you to lift your head from your trough of arrogant stupidity Kool-Aid for too long.
And now, goodnight, I have a life. So feel free to write away to the nobody who is paying attention to you."
Translation:
Besides piling the typical teabag buzzwords onto each other- Patriot, freedom loving, constitution, founding fathers, etc.- you don't actually have an argument.
Jack:
The only hack in this tread is you. Quit with the ad hominem attacks and read up on what I have written on the Crisis Strategy (Posted Nov 24, 2009 on this site.) Few if any Democrats - vet or no - have done anything to stop the Democrat left in Congress from having its way. Name one. In fact, name one who hasn't participated or even raised his voice in objection.
Jim:
Still a false premise. You don't like what Democrats are doing. Okay. It's a Hell of a leap from that to treason, however. You aren't the United States of America. Your personal whims don't get to determine what the government should look like; that's what elections are for.
I'm not reading your thirty thousand word dissertation of a conspiracy theory. Provide a shred of evidence that anything you're complaining about is unconstitutional or ruining the country. Not lizardmen, not protocols of the Elders of Zion: what, if anything, do you actually have to support charges of treason?
I live in an area where a lot of retired military live. I wish more of them would get involved in politics. Generally speaking, they have the training and work ethic we need. If they have the moral compass of Christian faith and a healthy respect and understanding of the economics of our free market system of government, I have and will support them. It will take the team work of strong principled people to turn our government back to the constitution. It's got to happen or this country is gone.
Jack:
Where did I mention treason in this article? It is not my fault that you don't know what you don't know. Yes, get educated and read my 30,000 word tome, although it is not that long and is not a conspiracy theory. Until then you are committing what is all too frequently a practice of the Democrat left: contempt prior to investigation. That is called ignorance.
Your Party is ruining this country, deliberately, to empower and enrich themselves. You will be hurt as much as the rest of us by them so it would serve you to get educated.
Nick Popaditch is an honest, conservative, old-fashioned, pro-American, combat-decorated US Marine. He believes in a strong military, strong borders, low taxes, smaller government. Nick is truly the real deal. To learn more about Nick, read his book, "Once a Marine" (www.onceamarine.com). It is all about his values and character, and will tell you everything you need to know about this courageous man.
For information on his bid for Congress, check www.popaditchforcongress.com. You can add your name to his live endorsement page at www.popaditchforcongress.com/endorsements.html.
As the Target has documented for over a decade, the fbi/cia continue their criminal activity designed as a kind of war against him; this is a progress update of the battle.
The fbi’s campaign to kill this Target (Geral Sosbee, hereinafter referred to as T) continues unabated for over a decade, 24/7 uninterrupted. Home invasions with tampering therein, destruction of personal property (belonging both to T and his ‘amiga’) are a part of the psyops which also include sleep deprivation (via psychoelectronic assaults) as T has documented at
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/hightechassau.html.
Also, 24/7 surveillance in home and car have not stopped for a single minute in the past decade and the terrorists continue to take control of the TV remote and the car’s computer system for the purpose of sending strategically timed notices to T. The goal of such assaults on and control over important parts of T’s life is apparent.
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/statement.html
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/non-consensual.html
All law makers at every level, all police and judges and all lawyers, doctors, etc., have not made any effort to contact T regarding the crimes he records, even though overwhelming evidence is available to substantiate many of the claims presented on T’s websites
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/mystory.html
Other compelling evidence of crimes against T are also found at
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/part19-updatefor.html
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/part19a-updatefo.html
and cover-ups of the crimes by officials are also documented on many pages of T’s site:
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/part19b-updatefo.html
Recently ,T attempts to list the names of some doctors who are witness to some of the felonies committed against T. As T sends the report of witnesses’ names to the webmaster, the fbi hacks the email as T types same; then, as the webmaster tries to post the report, the fbi again repeatedly hacks the webmaster’s computer to cause misspellings, etc., in the text.
http://www.sosbeevfbi.com/tooth14.html
Google does nothing to stop the fbi’s seizures and deletions of some messages, and Google has ignored all of T’s requests for assistance:
http://sosbeevfbi.ning.com/forum/topics/open-memo-to-google
Finally, T has no realistic expectation that the fbi will stop the assaults. The concern now is not so much with a life destroyed as with the threat that the fbi and the cia present to all human beings. Failure to address the atrocities that T documents means in essence that the intel groups of the United States have a green light to continue their criminal conduct at will, with impunity, and with the implied blessing of the nation.
T nevertheless is grateful for the discovery of his destiny (though T would have opted out if he had a choice in the matter), as T recognizes that he is become a mind warrior in a largely invisible intellectual and spiritual war truly worth living and dying for.
http://roma.indymedia.org/printable/taxonomy/term/1549
Thank you kindly.
Geral Sosbee
Harlingen, Texas
(956) 536-3103
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