Obama Stands By Hagel For Defense Secretary, White House Says

[Purveyor]

Reuters
10:11 a.m. CST, February 14, 2013

WASHINGTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama stands
behind his nominee for defense secretary, former Republican
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Senator Chuck Hagel, and Senate delays in Hagel's confirmation
are "unconscionable," a White House spokesman said on Thursday.

Delays in Hagel's nomination do not send a good signal to
U.S. allies or troops, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

MORE...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-rt-usa-obamahagel-urgentl1n0be446-20130214,0,402319.story

[riverbendviewgal]

1. I never wrote to a senator of the USA before

but I wrote to Senator McCain. and I told him that he and his party should be very ashamed.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

3. Do you live in AZ? n/t

[riverbendviewgal]

5. no in Canada

but what happens in the USA effects us.

Hagel is a war hero...and what that Cruz is doing is a Joe Mcarthy stunt. and dangerous

[Sekhmets Daughter]

6. I was hoping...

Until he hears from many of his own constituents he will feel empowered to continue behaving like the bitter old man he is. I often wondered why the GOP allowed him to take the nomination in 2008. I used to think it was something as innocuous as "It's McCain's turn and we're going to lose anyhow, so why not?" I now realize it was a very sinister strategy. After losing the 2000 nomination to GW Bush, McCain devoted himself to being a thorn in the administration's side. The GOP knew they could count on him to do the same to Obama. He has, times 1000. It's pitiful.

[riverbendviewgal]

7. Jealously and revenge kills the one who has it.

Poor Fortunate son who was not as Fortunate as the other one....W.

I read Hagel's Wiki...It is awesome.

Hagel is a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the United States Army infantry from 1967 to 1968. Holding the rank of Sergeant (E-5), he served as an infantry squad leader in the 9th Infantry Division.[8]Hagel served in the same infantry squad as his younger brother Tom, and they are believed to be the only American siblings to do so during the Vietnam War.[9] They also ended up saving each other's lives on separate occasions.[9] While serving during the war, he received the the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, two Purple Hearts, Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.[10]

[Sekhmets Daughter]

8. McCain is constructing his own coffin of

irrelevance.

After Vietnam Chuck Hagel was still a supporter of that miserable mess, it was his brother Tom who came back opposed to the war. Eventually Chuck saw the light. My younger brother died in Binh Long Province in June of 1969... I am for anyone who will stand up to the generals. Those clowns boxed in Obama in the exact same way they boxed in JFK. Enough. I'd dismantle the entire military and become like Switzerland, if it was up to me. I can hear the MIC heads exploding.

[riverbendviewgal]

9. I knew a few dodgers and deserters

up here in the late 60s and 70s. They had friends and family k illed in Nam.


Trudeau was a saint and allowed them in.

One deserter went the whole route..Conscientious objector, dodger, jail, basic and AIT. He wanted to serve not carrying a gun and killing..He was against that. He had orders for Viet nam His AIT Master Sgt who had just come back from Nam told him not to go but to go to Canada.
After it was over he went through Carter's pardon. and then went to the Pentagon for a review of his other than honorable discharge.. They denied him any change.

He was no Ted Nugent.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

11. I've always had respect

for those who had both the good sense and nerve to get out. However, I never reviled those who did serve, that was shameful on the part of so many Americans. My brother chose to serve and was killed during his second tour.

I think it is criminal to throw away the lives of so many fine men and women on wars fought to protect profits and nothing more. In 1944 CEO of GM, who would become SecDef under Eisenhower, Charles Erwin Wilson said we needed a permanent war based economy in the US.... For all the praise Eisenhower is given for warning about the MIC, he's the president who enabled it and allowed it to grow out of all proportion to actual need.

[riverbendviewgal]

12. I agree with you completely

My cousin's fiancee died when a mine blew him up and his jeep.

Many others died there and others came back and had to fight for VA benefits to take care of their wounds.

I met one ex marine Viet Nam vet up here at a truck rally . He was using a walker...He said he was fighting for benefits from his illness which was caused by agent orange. He still was waiting for a couple years for the approval.


so sad that they are sent to fight for those rich corporations who hold the strings on the likes of Cruz from Texas to start profitable wars but vets don't get taken care of when they come back. They have to fight to be taken care of...and it could take years.

I know a nurse in Columbus who works at a VA hospital on a help line. An veteran was calling for help to get to them. he was hundreds of miles away. He could not get local help. He finally had enough and said he had a gas container and a lighter and was ready to douse himself. She called the local police and they came in time.

If you can send them, you must take care of them when they come back.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

13. Absolutely! n/t

[Sekhmets Daughter]

2. Good...

If Hagel were the worst nominee possible I would still say good. This president has accepted too many of his nominees being so abused.
It's time to cram Hagel and all others right down their freakin' throats.

[TwilightGardener]

4. He'd better.

[leftynyc]

10. He better be worth the trouble

I don't think any republicans should be part of his cabinet.