Charlie Dent Honors Pa. National Guard

Last month, members of the Pennsylvania National Guard serving in the LV-based 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team returned home after a year long deployment to Iraq:

LV Congressman Charlie Dent recently made this speech in support of a House Resolution honoring these citizen soldiers.

“The United States National Guard is the oldest component of our armed forces, dating back to pre-Revolutionary War times. Over the past eight years, we have witnessed thousands of Guard members answer the call as they are asked to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Approximately 4,000 members of the Pennsylvania Guard were deployed to Iraq last fall – the largest deployment of the Pennsylvania National Guard since the Korean War. Prior to the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team’s deployment to Iraq, I visited them in Louisiana as they prepared to mobilize overseas. In June 2009, I travelled to Iraq to meet with the Pennsylvania National Guard 56th Stryker Brigade and other Pennsylvania troops.

“During my visit to Iraq, I saw a significant improvement in the security conditions on the ground. The fact we were able to safely drive through the bustling streets of Baghdad was an encouraging and welcome development. I know – without a doubt – it is the sacrifice, perseverance and bravery of these young men and women that has enabled such progress.

“I am pleased that just one year later, the 56th Stryker is returning home. As of late September, most of the Brigade has returned home. I am honored to be standing here today to pay tribute to these heroes. Our military families demonstrate tremendous bravery as they watch their loved ones go overseas to fight in harms way for the freedoms we experience every day in this great nation. Thank you to the entire Pennsylvania National Guard for protecting the families and communities of our great Commonwealth and standing at the ready to defend our homeland."

Congressman Dent Spends Weekend in Iraq

Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent is a student of foreign policy. His undergrad degree from PSU is in Foreign Service and International Politics. In January '08, he actually called me from Islamabad. He was in the midst of a visit to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. He spent at least fifteen minutes describing the people of each country. His keen interest in foreign affairs is one of the strengths he brings to Congress.

For the third time since being elected to Congress, Congressman Dent has visited Iraq. Last weekend, he joined a bipartisan delegation of four Pennsylvania Congressmen to meet the Pennsylvania National Guard 56th Stryker Brigade and other Pennsylvania troops at Camp Liberty, located outside of Baghdad and in Taji, Iraq. He was briefed by Deputy Mission Chief Robert Ford and General Raymond Odierno, commander of the Multinational Force in Iraq (MNF-I).

The 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, deployed to Iraq late last year, is one of six elite rapid-mobilization brigades in the Army, and the only one in the reserve component. Stryker Brigades assist in covering the Army's near term capabilities gap between heavy and light units in a range of environments from combat to humanitarian assistance.

Congressman Dent was joined by Rep. Tim Holden (D-17), Rep. Bill Shuster (R-9), and Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3).

“Pennsylvania’s fighting men and women have made great sacrifices in Iraq, and it was a great honor to spend time with them and thank them for their tremendous efforts,” said Congressman Dent. “The fact we were able to drive through the streets of Baghdad is a welcome development, and the briefings from General Odierno and Ambassador Ford suggest that the security situation has improved considerably. I was reassured that troop reductions will continue as planned.”

VI. Bennett Falsely Claims Authorship of Iraq Withdrawal Plan

If you could only read one part of the Bennett-Dent debate, this is the part I'd recommend. Nowhere is the difference between these two candidates so striking. One is knowledgeable while the other was ill-informed and deceptive.

When she discussed Israel, Sam Bennett betrayed a serious weakness on matters of foreign policy. That weakness was magnified even more when the subject turned to Iraq. I was shocked when she claimed, falsely, to have written "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq." According to Arianna Huffington, that document is actually the work of "national security experts and retired military generals such as Major Gen. Paul Eaton, the officer in charge of training the Iraqi military immediately after the invasion."

Bennett certainly has endorsed this plan, but it was wrong for her to claim authorship.

Congressman Dent, in contrast, demonstrated a surprisingly commanding knowledge of foreign affairs. Often called an "empty suit," he displays keen insight into our relationships around the world.

Question: Please describe your position and any evolution thereof towards the conduct of the Iraq-Afghanistan operation.

Sam Bennett: [Initial comment included a complaint about Dent's campaign, covered here.] "By the way, Charlie, if you voted one way on bills, it would be very simple. But everything we have said about your voting record is true, and we have the documentation for it.

"But onto Iraq. I've said this before. I'm from a military family. I lived in Saigon. I'm grateful to the men and women that have served this nation. With fourteen hundred casualties coming from Pennsylvania alone, this is a serious matter.

"My opponent went to Washington knowing there were no weapons of mass destruction and still voted with George Bush 100% of the time on the war in Iraq. A hundred billion tax dollars later, and he votes against mandatory rest periods for veterans. When those veterans come home, he votes against health care and job training for those same veterans.

"So what is my plan?

"Well, I believe actions speak louder than words and I wrote A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq and now, fifty-three other challengers have joined me.

"We need to get out of Iraq immediately with a phased drawdown of troops. Those troops that we leave behind in order to fight terrorism and help the Iraqi forces there, they need to be given adequate body armor and adequate rest periods.

"9/11 showed us that we faced a threat without borders and post-Iraq shows us that we cannot go it alone. "

Charlie Dent: "A few things again. My opponent has a hard time with facts. She just said she wrote a book about how to get out of Iraq. Well, when she was asked by a local blogger who the President of Syria was, she couldn't name Mr. Assad. She couldn't name the President of Afghanistan, President Karzai, with whom we deal quite a bit. So I really don't believe you wrote a book on how to get out of Iraq.

"I have read a book - the Iraq Study Group, written by [Democrat] Lee Hamilton, with whom I talk on a fairly regular basis, and James Baker, a Republican. That actually provided a blueprint to get out of Iraq.

"You said you supported it, too, but you support the polls that completely contradict what's in that document, whether it is arbitrarily legislated timelines for withdrawal. You talk about rest periods for our troops. It's not for our veterans, it's for our troops. To impose that kind of a rest period - twelve months - at that time, would have extended the deployment of men and women currently serving in Iraq. That's not fair to them. It would have treated men and women serving in Afghanistan differently than in Iraq.

"A few other things I need to add. We need to draw down that presence in Iraq, the combatant presence, and we will. The question is the pace.

"I met with General Petraeus for an hour and a half in Baghdad. I've been to Iraq twice. We are making gains in the security front. We are seeing some political reconciliation there. i was there the day they passed the debathification law, which was absolutely essential. Iran and Syria continue to be a problem in Iraq, particularly Iran.

"With respect to Afghanistan, I've been to Afghanistan and I'll tell you very clearly that we need more help from NATO. NATO is an alliance; it is a collective defense organization. If we fail in Afghanistan, NATO will fail. That would be disaster.

"I believe in NATO, I believe in it so strongly. My opponent likes placing operational controls on our troops. That's what she wanted to do in Iraq. Well, that's what NATO governments do to their troops operating in Afghanistan, whether it be the Germans or the Spaniards. We can't let the Americans and the Canadians and the Australians and the Polish and the British and the Dutch do all the fighting. We need to have less operational controls on our troops in Afghanistan, not more from NATO governments. It is time that we put more pressure on some of our friends in NATO to pick up the slack. We're going to have to add more troops and so will they.

"We can win this thing, and I believe we will."

IV. Bennett: Charlie Dent Votes 100% With Bush on Iraq

Bernie O'Hare: One quick question about Iraq, since nobody discussed it. You indicated that congressman Dent has voted with George Bush 100% or something like that. When I interviewed him, he said he was in favor of a responsible drawdown under a Status of Forces agreement with the sovereign government of Iraq. Do you disagree with that, and what's your view on mandatory rest periods?

"Well, since you mention mandatory rest periods, Congressman Dent voted against mandatory rest periods.

"Quite frankly, Congressman Dent can say whatever he'd like about his position, but the truth of matter is, my job as challenger is to point out his voting record. His voting record is that he has voted 100% with Bush on Iraq. Nothing can change those votes.

"He voted with George Bush for the war in Iraq after everybody knew there were no weapons of mass destruction.

"It's my job to challenge and hold him accountable for the day, the hour and the time that he voted on issues like the war in Iraq. That's my job and that's what I do."

Blogger's Note: You can compare Bennett's statements concerning Iraq with those made by Congressman Dent here and here.

Congressman Dent Favors "Responsible Drawdown" in Iraq

LVRamblings: How do you see America responsibly handling the War in Iraq and America's growing debt at the same time? What condition are we going to leave the country in for our children? This question is posed by one of your supporters.

Congressman Dent: "It's a reasonable question. As we all know, the war began before I arrived in Congress. I was briefed recently in the situation room on the Status of Forces Agreement. The Status of Forces Agreement is something that I urged well over a year ago. There are over 70 Status of Forces Agreements around the world. We have them in Germany, Korea, Iceland. They state the terms and conditions under which our troops maintain a presence. We have one in the Philippines. They don't want us to be there so we're gone. The same thing is happening in Iraq. We are very close to initialling a Status of Forces Agreement.

"I believe you will see a significant drawdown of our troops, based on conditions on the ground, and that is a good thing. The Iraqi government has talked about time horizons and that is being discussed as part of a Status of Forces Agreement that will be flexible. The good thing about that is that the Iraqi government now feels that they have enough control of the security situation and political situation to basically encourage a lessening of our combatant presence. That is a good thing. That is a very good thing.

"Remember, if the state of Iraq fails, the people who are negotiating this Agreement will be the first ones who will be lined up against a wall and shot. And they know that.

"The problem with Congress on Iraq is we've always talked about congressionally legislated timelines. If we had adopted the timelines that Siobhan Bennett had advocated, she would have in effect have legislated defeat."

LVRamblings: And possibly genocide?

Congressman Dent: "And possibly genocide and unspeakable atrocities. Had we done what we wanted to do, we would be having a very different conversation today about a Status of Forces agreement and a time horizon agreed to by both governments. This is being driven by the Iraqis and that's a good thing. it means the security situation has improved as has the political situation. That is encouraging.

"The problem in Congress is that the debate has always been very narrow. We've been debating very narrow aspects. Pro-surge or anti-surge. Timelines. Mandatory rest periods. By the way, if we had done what Bennett wanted to do on the rest period, she would have in effect extended the deployment of troops currently serving in Iraq and treated people serving in Iraq differently than people serving in Afghanistan. That's what she wanted to do. She would have extended their deployments because if you couldn't move people in, you wouldn't be able to move people out. She would have extended them."

LVRamblings: You mean, my daughter would have stayed there a little longer?

Congressman Dent: "Yes, that is correct. If we had done it the way Bennett wanted to do it, your daughter would be staying there longer. She would have had a much longer deployment than she would have liked.

"The goal is to go to one year rest for one year deployment, but the way she proposed it . . .

LVRamblings: It would have been inequitable . . .

Congressman Dent: "It would have been inequitable and it would have extended deployment of our men and women serving in Iraq. It would have been a fiasco.

"By the way, I was one of the guys - there were a handful of us on both sides of the aisle - who always, when these Iraq votes came up, said we have this bi-partisan document, the Iraq Study Group. We wanted to present it as a comprehensive policy. The truth is, the Bush administration wasn't thrilled about it, Speaker Pelosi didn't like it, Speaker Pelosi refused to allow it to be considered. I went to the Rules Committee on two separate occasions, trying to present this to the whole House for a vote. They said No. I think that was in February of 2007. I went back again three months later - I think it was in the summer of 2007 - and they told me I should have brought it up months ago. I said, well I did, but you said no then. Remember? They said No."

LVRamblings: I think I remember blogging about that . . .

Congressman Dent: "But that';s the way i tried to work. Sestak was there . . ."

LVRamblings: Sestak is a Democratic Congressman . . .

Congressman Dent: "He was there. He sat in the Rules meeting with me . . ."

LVRamblings: He is the first one to announce candidly that "immediate withdrawal" means 18 to 24 months . . . that there's no way you can withdraw troops any quicker without exposing them to danger . . .

Congressman Dent: "And Joe Sestak, who served in the Clinton administration, said it took six months to move 10,000 people out of Somalia. You can't move 160,000 people out of Iraq in six months. It's just impossible."

"That's the problem with Siobhan Bennett's timelines. They would have legislated defeat, would have led to enormous safety problems for our troops, many of whom would have died in that kind of ignominious retreat. That's really what she would have prescribed. I think that's the reality.

"I've always voted to fund our troops. I believe Senator McCain always has, and Senator Obama has on most occasions. There's one occasion when he did not. But Siobham does not support funding our troops. She has been in opposition to any funds going to our troops, who are in harm's way.

"All she ever wanted to do is establish operational controls on our troops. I've been to Afghanistan, I've been to Iraq. What really disturbs me about Bennett's position is what I see with NATO allies who impose very strict operational controls on their troops. I've seen this. That puts very heavy pressure on other NATO forces, especially us, to do what they are unable to do because of the controls placed on them. That's what Siobhan wants to do to our troops and commanders in Iraq - place operational controls so they cannot do what they need to do.

"It's one of the challenges and this gets back to the Russia-Georgia issue. I am very concerned about NATO. I believe in NATO, but NATO is not a club. It is a collective defense organization. If this collective defense organization fails, we'll all be the worse for it. So we have to be very careful when we talk about admitting new nations into NATO, whether it be Georgia and that obligates us to their . . ."

LVRamblings: It obligates us to defend them . . .

Congressman Dent: "That's correct. Or the Ukraine or whoever.

"We have to have a very sober conversation about what membership means. Our nation spends nearly 4% of its GDP on defense. Many of our good friends in Europe spend about 1%. So this defense obligation will fall most heavily on The United States of America. So we have to think about this. We have to consider or revisit the membership criterion of NATO. Maybe nations should be required to invest more in their own security. This is an American guarantee for their defense. At the end of the day, we are providing so much of the leadership in NATO, whether it be in Afghanistan or Europe, that this is something we have to think very hard about.

"Last night, I wrote up my feelings about Iraq. You can have this if you want."

LVRamblings: Sure, I'll load it up on my blog. (Congressman Dent's condensed views about Iraq are portrayed in the blog below).

Congressman Dent's Written Views Concerning Iraq

"The war was authorized before I arrived in Congress. I have always voted to fund the troops, just as both McCain and Obama did. Bennett opposes funding our troops who are in harm's way just to please dailykos and moveon.

"Time horizons should be negotiated as part of SOFA. They should be flexible and conditions based. It is a good sign that the Iraqis are confident enough about the security and political situation to engage in this important discussion.

"Inflexible, rigid Timelines should not be legislated by Congress. Bennett's timeline would have legislated defeat.

"There has not been a vote in Congress to deal with a broad comprehensive policy in Iraq. Just narrow measures — anti-surge, timelines, operational controls like the one Bennett would have imposed that would have had the effect of extending troop deployments of troops currently serving in Iraq and established different rules for troops serving in Iraq vs. Afghanistan. I and a few others presented the ISG as a serious bipartisan strategy to deal with Iraq. The Democrat controlled leadership refused to allow for consideration of this proposal on 2 separate occasions. I support a responsible drawdown of our combatant forces on a schedule that is conditioned based, honors the sacrifice of those who served, and leads to a successful outcome."

Charlie Dent Part of BiPartisan Majority Voting to Extend G.I. Benefits

One chilly morning a few months ago, I was walking the dog along a lonely trail at Jacobsburg State Park. A fleet-footed runner flew past me, but suddenly stopped after passing me. My dog had broken off the leash and wanted to meet this fellow. The runner stopped, enjoying his new canine pal. I caught up a few minutes later.

"Are you Ramblings?"

I couldn't believe this young man actually spends his time reading my blog. Maybe he was a hit man, but I had a fierce five pound dog with me, so I fessed up.

"God bless your daughter."

He had read about my daughter being sent to Iraq and told me he had been there himself. His brother was going for the third time, volunteering to take the place of a fellow soldier whose wife just had a baby. He told me this very quietly, like it was nothing.

Self-absorbed person that I am, I forgot to thank this quiet hero until he was gone. Fortunately, the U.S. Congress is showing some of the gratitude that I should have displayed.

Better yet, Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent (R Pa. 15) is one of them. He is among the 256 members of congress who voted yesterday to expand G.I. benefits for active-duty soldiers. He joins 32 House Republicans to restore educational assistance once extended to returning WWII vets.

This legislation has the support of left-leaning organizations like The American Legion.

Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is concerned this measure might hurt military retention because benefits accrue after only three years of service, but American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser counters this will actually lead to an increase in recruitment.

President Bush has also belly-ached that the $2 billion per year cost is too expensive, but Commander Conatser has an answer for that, too. "Visit Walter Reed. War is expensive indeed and the bulk of that cost is paid for by the men and women who wear the uniform. Benefits are just a small, small cost of war."

Of the eight Republican members of the Pennsylvania House delegation, Dent is joined by Philip English (R Pa 3), Timothy Murphy (R Pa 18) and Todd Platts (R Pa 19) in voting for the soldiers instead of their party.

Main Obstacle to New G.I. Bill? - W

Did you know that college education benefits under the G.I Bill today are not as expansive as they were after World War II? Veterans of that little war, including my dad, received full tuition, fees, books, a monthly stipend and reimbursements for training expenses.

These days, former active-duty soldiers get around $10,000 to cover tuition, books and housing. "It’s definitely not enough money,” says a PSU student who served in Iraq. “If I didn’t have those scholarships, I would be a lot more in debt, and it’d be hard to make those ends meet.”

Today, the US House may vote to expand those benefits back to where they were at the end of WWII. They would kick in for anyone who served for three years, but presumptive Republican nominee John McCain is concerned that the military will lose too many soldiers unless the time period is six or possibly even twelve years.

Bush has threatened to veto the measure, claiming the $2 billion per year cost is too high. If he's so concerned about cost, why are we fighting a war that costs $341.4 million per day?

In Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District alone, we will be paying $1.2 billion for the total Iraq war funding to date. That sum of money would have paid for 25,000 police officers or free health care for half of the district.

And really, the cost of that war is not being paid with dollars and cents, but by the soldiers who've lost their lives.

The least we can do is send them to school.

Sam Bennett Interview: Iraq and Foreign Affairs

On her campaign web page, congressional challenger Sam Bennett claims "Bush Republicans" present us with two false choices in Iraq - "keep a force of more than 100,000 troops there, or pull out suddenly and leave the country in chaos." She endorses a third choice, "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq." That report notes that the "further destabilization of the Middle East is also a growing threat to U.S. national security. Al-Qaeda’s strength is growing in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Iran’s power is growing." With that report in mind, I asked Bennett a few questions about our foreign policy.

Question: What is your time table on withdrawal from Iraq? What will you do if Iran continues its nuclear program or if peace fails in Iraq? How will we prevent another Cambodia or South Vietnam if we leave? What's your understanding of "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq."

"The greater question is how can we position ourselves to prevent WWIII? We have to knock off the lone ranger act. By admitting we screwed up, we can engender support from the international community. The Middle East is the powder keg of the globe. We can't do it alone. We need a Tonto. We need a couple of Tontos."

Question: How well-versed are you in foreign affairs?

"Fairly well-versed."

Question: Who is the President of China? France's Prime Minister? Germany's Chancellor? India's Prime Minister? Afghanistan's President? Syria's President? Sudan's President?

"I've got to work on that. I'll research it today."

Me: Is that an unfair question? I don't know most world leaders by name myself. I came up with that question myself.

"No, it's a fair question. But I'm running for Congress, not President."

(Blogger's Note: Some of my friends claim that world leaders question is unfair. Perhaps they are right. But we do have 34,000 U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan. Shouldn't a member of Congress be familiar enough with at least that country to know its President is Hamid Karzai? Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent, whose college major was International Politics, was actually there in January. He knows all about Karzai's "divide and conquer" strategy of appealing to moderate chieftains to weaken hard-liners with ties to al-Qaeda fighters.

When it comes to Foreign Affairs, Dent is simply far more knowledgeable than Bennett. My daughter is currently in Iraq. Do you think I want to send a person to Congress who has no idea who the leaders are in that region? I like Sam Bennett, but not that much.)

My Daughter is in Iraq

This is a picture of my daughter, Katie, when she first started high school. In my mind's eye, she's actaully just a little girl with a pixie hair cut and dress, sitting on a bench at the airport. After a lengthy absence in the Army, she was the first person I saw after getting off the plane. It happened centuries ago. It still seems like yesterday.

She gave me a big hug. I was home.

That little pixie is now in Iraq with the U.S. Army. I never had a chance to say good-bye. I won't see her for a year.

They never grow up. I'll miss her.

Junior Pee Wee Lorenzo Scores TD For Dad in Iraq!

When we talk about Iraq, we often focus the number of lives it has claimed, or its economic cost. But we don't think too much about how difficult it must be for kids who are separated from their moms and dads. Lorenzo, number 64, is a junior pee wee with Allentown's east side Lil' Huskies. His helmet makes it hard for you to see his cheerful face. His dad wears a different kind of helmet, and has missed Lorenzo's games this year. Like 700,000 other kids, Lorenzo's dad is deployed in Iraq. Yesterday, coaches and refs allowed me onto the field to film a short clip of Lorenzo tearing down the sidelines to score a touchdown for his dad. Thanks to the Internet, his dad should see it soon.

Nazareth Collects $5,700 for Military Families, and is Looking for Some More $

On Sunday, after returning from watching Allentown's East Side Huskies annihalate Moore Township's Redhawks on the gridiron, the road to my estate atop the Nazareth Army Navy store was blocked off.

Road block!

Maybe I had another unpaid parking ticket. I can never be sure. I parked my jeep and made my way home on foot.

Instead of a swat team, there was a big piece of masking tape, making its way from the circle in a southerly direction right down the middle of Main Street. Then I remembered. This was Nazareth's unusual way of collecting money for military families. People were placing quarters on that tape, and it just kept extending and extending and extending its way south. I think they finally stopped in Hellertown. In the meantime, guys wearing Fezes drove up and down the street in miniature cars, terrorizing everyone. I hope they weren't Masons.

"Quarters for Military Families" raised $5,700 for the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council and Blue Star Mothers.

Donations are still being accepted. Unfortunately, I failed to blog about this earlier, and have been taken to the woodshed by an anonymous commenter.

Make your donation to:

First Star Bank
14 South Main St.
Nazareth, PA 18064
(Designate "Quarters for Military Families")

Dent's Stands on Children's Health Care and Iraq

A Sam Bennett sycophant posted the following comment at LVPoliblog yesterday: I am not interested in why [Dent] voted against SCHIP initially or why he changed. It might be politics! Shocking! I know where he stands now but I believe he will shift with the wind on this as he did on Iraq.

I think you should know Charlie Dent feels, both about our children's health care and Iraq. But instead of hearing it from a Bennett sympathizer, let's hear what Charlie himself has said.

Children's Health Care

One of the major issues facing Congress this Fall has been the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). As you may know, the federal SCHIP was created in 1997, building on the success of state Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), such as Pennsylvania's. These programs provide access to health care coverage for targeted low-income children with no health insurance in families with income that is above Medicaid eligibility levels. Over the past few months, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have been debating measures to strengthen, improve, and extend SCHIP.

In July, I voted against a bill which would have expanded SCHIP but paid for the expansion by drastically cutting Medicare benefits. This was an irresponsible proposal that would have pitted grandparents against grandchildren. On September 25th, I supported a compromise measure - HR 976, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 - which would have reauthorized and improved SCHIP without jeopardizing Medicare.

Unfortunately, despite broad bipartisan support, the President vetoed the bill. The House is expected to vote on overriding the President's veto on Thursday, although it is unlikely that there will be the required two-thirds support to overturn the President. I have called on Democratic Leadership to work in a bipartisan spirit to forge an agreement that will be signed into law.

SCHIP is currently providing nearly 164,500 children living in hard-working, low-income Pennsylvania families with access to affordable, comprehensive health-care coverage. I am hopeful and committed to working with my colleagues in Congress and the White House to develop a compromise that allows SCHIP to meet the needs of uninsured low-income children.

Iraq

I was one of 28 Republicans and Democrats endorsing the “Bipartisan Compact on Iraq Debate,” a series of eight principles to help guide the House of Representatives away from political infighting and toward a bipartisan solution on Iraq.

Congress committed our troops to Iraq on a bipartisan basis, and I think the American people and our brave service men and women expect us to work together now. These principles, many of which emanate from the Iraq Study Group report, represent thoughts from both sides of the aisle and can help us form consensus for a way forward on Iraq.

Operation Troop Aid Car Wash This Sunday in South Allentown

It's become an American tradition. Nearly every weekend, teen aged girls with signs risk their lives near some shopping center or strip mall, trying to wave down traffic for a car wash fundraiser. It's usually to benefit some youth activity like cheer leading or volleyball.

Tomorrow, four Dieruff High School students have something different in mind. Here's what they say.

"We are Operation Troop Aid! and are raising money to send care packages to the U.S. troops who are stationed over seas. We are doing this as a graduation project for Dieruff High School and we would like to ask you to support us by coming to the car wash we are having and keeping in mind what our soldiers go through everyday. Being able to help make their lives a little easier is a privilege to us and it would be very satisfying to be able to send a good amount of supplies to them. Thank you for your support."

When: Sunday, September 23

Where: Auto Zone, 1871 S. 5th St. on the south side of Allentown

Who: Operation Troop Aid!

How Much: cars - $5.00, trucks & SUVs - $8.00

The team: Chelsea Farling, Ashlie Boyer, Kelsey Gallagher & Keelia Mailander

Congressman Dent Opposes "Precipitous" Withdrawal From Iraq

Congressman Charlie Dent, who supports the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, has been persuaded by General David Petraeus' argument against a precipitous withdrawal. Here's what he tells Bill Cahir at Newhouse News Service.

"The general and the ambassador made a strong case that an ill-advised withdrawal, or I should say a precipitous withdrawal, would be devastating. They were very clear about that."

"I think they were pretty clear that, if we don't go about the withdrawal properly, the security forces of Iraq would disintegrate, the local security would also fall apart, al Qaeda would also be resurgent, we'd have sectarian violence, and the Iranians, their hand in the country would be strengthened."

As Cahir notes, Dent is cosidered a swing vote on the Iraq issue.

Stoffa Veto Stands: Council Prez Grube Calls Veterans' Rebate a "Half Baked Deal"

Two weeks ago, Northampton County Council was in no mood to listen. It defied its own solicitor, former judge Leonard Zito, when he told them their tax break for Iraqi veterans needed a little work.

Rather than listen to their own consigliere and do the work suggested, Team Dertinger decided to shove this premature legislation down our throats. Charles Dertinger argued that council could simply amend the language later. "We can do that after the fact," he mistakenly assured everyone. If an ordinance is legally flawed, a legal challenge will kill it. It makes no difference how much tweaking is done once the cows have left the barn.

After a motion to table narrowly failed, Council unanimously adopted the American Heroes Grant - a property tax rebate for veterans deployed this or next year.

End of story, right?

Wrong.

That's because county executive John Stoffa, in perhaps his most courageous move yet as the top elected Northampton County official, vetoed this politically popular, if meaningless, ordinance. For any normal pol, this is tantamount to political suicide. But Stoffa pays no attention to the political winds.

"When I ran for county executive, I promised voters I'd raise their taxes, and they elected me anyway."

And he did, with a comprehensive "pay as you go" open space plan. Who gets elected by promising a tax increase? John Stoffa.

In his veto message to council on August 28th, Stoffa actually praised their intentions.

While I applaud the attempt on the part of Council to recognize those who have participated in the military, I nonetheless intend to veto the Ordinance at this time. I have consulted at length with the County Solicitor and have reviewed the opinion of the Council's own Solicitor. It is my belief that the Ordinance as currently drafted will invite litigation and that the better course would be to introduce a new ordinance consistent in intent that addresses the stated legal concerns. Frankly, I see no difference among someone who served in Iwo Jima, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan or Iraq: all are deserving.

Council members Dertinger and McClure both told Morning Call reporter Joe Nixon they had intended to introduce an amendment at the very next council meeting to address legal pitfalls.

That meeting occurred last night. And neither Dertinger nor McClure made any attempt to introduce a new ordinance that addressed their own lawyer's concerns. Instead, they played power politics and tried to override Stoffa's veto.

For his part, Dertinger scoffed at the notion of listening to county lawyers. "If you have four lawyers in a room, you can have five different opinions." He also complained that Stoffa failed to warn him he intended to veto the grant. At least three times, he bemoaned the "lack of communication" with the administration. "Rather than talking to anyone involved, it was simply vetoed. It's just another example of the lack of communication." After being prodded by Ron Angle, Dertinger conceded that he himself never communicated his intention to introduce the ordinance. "I had a hard time, sitting back [and] waiting."

After finishing his speech, Dertinger introduced a Bethlehemite who had come to complain about the veto. Vanessa Santiago, accompanied by her two adorable children, told council that her husband is on his second tour in Iraq, and that an absent husband means she must hire someone to cut her grass. More importantly, there is also a loss in income.

After she made her plea, Lamont McClure chimed in to say that the ordinance may not be perfect, but it is good. "People who oppose it oppose it on other grounds, but won't say so. Let's vote with the Santiagos tonight."

Whether McClure knows it or not, and he probably doesn't, Santiago actually proved that the ordinance is a bad law. Here's why. She owns title jointly with her husband. But the way the ordinance is drafted, her husband gets a rebate only if he owns that property individually.

So if Stoffa had done the popular thing and signed that ordinance, Santiago would get diddly. But McClure would still be able to give election speeches about our "brave warriors" overseas and take credit for meaningless legislation.

Only four members of council - Charles Dertinger, Lamont McClure, Diane Neiper and Tony Branco - voted to override the veto. The magic number is six. So the attempt to override Stoffa's veto failed.

And that's good news for Ms. Santiago. Now, Council can draft an ordinance that defines ownership to include jointly held property.

Council Prez Wayne Grube, himself a vet, said it best. "I want something more solid, more concrete. We have no idea how many deserving veterans would qualify. Nobody's ever talked about that. This is something that can't be done on short notice. I don't want a half-baked deal ... ."

So is council willing to sit down and do the hard work of drafting a comprehensive ordinance that really helps families like the Santiago family? Or was it just political grandstanding after all? Grube and Angle both expressed a willingness to sit down and work out the details. It would be nice to see Dertinger and McClure overcome their bitter partisan feelings and work for the good of the county.

But I'm not holding my breath.

For an excellent and objective account of last night's meeting, Joe Nixon's Morning Call report is here. In Lamont McClure's strange little world, county council and county lawyers have conspired with Stoffa to do a "favor" for Ron Angle. What McClure still is unable to figure out is that some foks, especially Stoffa, are more interested in doing the right thing than in partisan politics. He should try it sometime.

LV Independent Press: A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Hours after last Tuesday's "Take a Stand - Bash Charlie Dent" rally had concluded, a report was posted on this blog. A political rally, disguised as a nonpartisan antiwar town hall, offered no meaningful solutions to our involvement in Iraq. About the best that droning facilitator Addison Bross could do, was to suggest we grab a yard sign or bumper sticker.

That's taking a stand?

Get real. These goofy protests just don't cut it anymore. Filmmaker Jeff Gibbs knows this: "I am not going to the protest. I am tired of protests: they don't stop wars. Not protests that are mostly about sign waving and hooking up with friends and strangers and feeling the solidarity and then going back to work or school on Monday. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result."

But the Lehigh Valley Independent Press has sanctimoniously chastised both Congressman Charlie Dent and the mainstream media for their absence from a meaningless nonstory.

"It is time for Charlie Dent to answer to his constituents, not run and hide from them when the questions get difficult. It is time for the local media to cover all the stories about our representative not just those that they deem 'newsworthy.' If we are living in a true Democracy then it is imperative that the press cover and investigate ALL sides’ of an issue like War with equal coverage. Why do Tribune Broadcasting, Pennlive, and Maranatha chose[sic] to ignore a story that would shed a negative light on Charlie Dent? Shame on Charlie Dent for hiding from his constituents. Shame on the Morning Call, the Express Times, and Channel 69 for not doing their job to tell us about it."

Prior to this event, Congressman Dent told organizers - three times - that he had a scheduling conflict, and asked for another date. He made clear he was simply unable to attend last Tuesday's rally. If I demand that Addison Bross meet me at the courthouse tomorrow, and am told three times that Bross is unable to clear his schedule, wouldn't it be just a tad silly for me to accuse Bross of running and hiding from difficult questions?

Amazingly, even the LVIP whines that this little gathering was "sorely lacking in dynamics that one might expect to receive at an anti war event six years into a war that is about to expand into Iran rather than end anytime soon. ... The fact that the organizing groups behind the Iraq Summer program are democratically driven politically says volumes about why this event was lacking in spark and determination toward a true movement of resistance. ... The Democrats who now lead Congress have no intention of REALLY ending this war." But they have every intention of milking it for as many political miles as they can get, as evidenced by congressional wannabe Sam Bennett's presence.

After conceding that the town hall was politically motivated, how can the LVIP complain about Dent's absence or the mainstream media's refusal to be played?

Interestingly, the LVIP's own chronicle is anonymous. And even though Addison Bross told folks to look for a story, nothing was posted until three days after the event. Two blogs had stories the next day. Considering that much of the LVIP website is consumed by the Iraq Summer Campaign, I expected a much more timely report.

Update: After this blog was published, LVIP took a stand and identified the author of its post - Tim Chadwick. Quelle surprise! Chadwick is one of nine Lepoco members who marched into Charlie Dent's office last year and demanded to see him, even though members of this group had already previously met twice with Dent. Although Dent wasn't even in the office that day, they refused to leave. At quitting time, they were eventually charged and convicted of trespass as a summary offense. Chadwick should have disclosed this past association with Dent because it shows his possible bias.

"Take a Stand" Town Hall Bashes Congressman Dent, But Takes No Stand

If you were among the 230 people who attended last night's Dent-bashing rally at Bethlehem's Van Bittner Hall, it's very likely that the first person you saw was our very own smiling Walter R. Garvin, Chairman of the Northampton County Elections Commission. He was wildly waving a "Support the Troops - End the War" sign, and directing people where to park.

Funny thing. When I approached Walt to snap a photograph, he suddenly stopped smiling and quickly put that sign behind his back. He actually seemed ashamed of what he was doing. Was he afraid I'd complain that it's just a tad inappropriate for the chairman of an elections commission to be actively participating in an event aimed at smearing Congressman Charlie Dent? Maybe Bossman Long might think Garvin was taking this peace thing just a bit too far. Who knows?

So much for Take a Stand. When Garvin had the opportunity to do so, he cut and ran. And that's my problem. People were quick to blast Dent's Iraq votes. But no meaningful solutions were offered.

Last night's town hall was not so much a grassroots peace movement as a campaign rally. I saw several Democratic committeemen and candidates, all with name tags emblazoned upon them. Working the room like a champ was none other that Sam Bennett. Everywhere I turned, I saw her. I snapped a few pics, but the room was too dark. I'm a worse photographer than a blogger.

Joining hands with the usual gaggle of septuagenarian peace groups were the Steelworkers' Union, Pa. Social Services Union and the Lehigh Valley Democratic Coalition. So much for nonpartisan.

Of course, there was the obligatory empty chair for Congressman Dent, as well as several pointed references to his absence. "We are gathered to deliver a message to Congressman Dent, whether he's here or not. He can stand with Bush's disastrous war or the overwhelming majority of his constituents."

Following a five minute video that no one could see, we were treated to three speakers. First was a young Iraqi who hasn't been in the country for years. He talked about the terrors of the Persian Gulf War, not the current conflagration. Then a religious studies expert droned on for too long about the "just war" theory. He threw out Latin phrases, like bellum justum, to prove he's pretty smart. Bright as he is, he couldn't take a stand. "I don't pretend to have an answer." Finally, an ex Air Force captain read excerpts from The Nation and New York Times. Incidentally, she's never even been to Iraq. Although she's already met Dent twice, she still wondered aloud why Dent wasn't running the gauntlet at Van Bittner Hall. She demanded to know whether Dent would follow the Iraq Study Group recommendations.

After all the mini-speeches were over and the shocking evidence was in, our humorless facilitator asked this important question: "Where do we go from here? How do we take a stand?"

Incredibly, his answer made him sound just like George Bush on one of his "hard work" tirades. "We have lots of work to do. It will be hard work. But think how hard it will be if we don't do this hard work." He then suggested we could "take a stand" by grabbing a few bumper stickers and yard signs. Huh? That's about as meaningful as those goofy yellow ribbon magnets. I suppose we could also vote for Sam Bennett, like that would accomplish anything.

I didn't stay for cake. Too many people there know me, so I cut and ran myself.

Speaking of taking a stand, Congressman Dent joined Democrat Mark Udall this June in co-sponsoring legislation that calls for implementation of the Iraq Study Group recommendations. An identical bill has been introduced in the Senate by Democrat Ken Salazar, and is co-sponsored by both Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Arlen Specter. Call me crazy, but I think that's a little more meaningful than throwing a bumper sticker on a SUV.

In truth, last night's shindig had little to do with taking a stand, as Walt Garvin proved almost immediately, or meaningful solutions in Iraq. It was simply an opportunity to dump on Dent, quickly seized by Sam Bennett.

Congressional Wannabe Sam Bennett Takes a Stand ... and Bends Nonprofit Rules Again

Take a Stand is a national campaign aimed at a "safe and responsible redeployment" of American troops from Iraq. Today, 670 candlelight vigils and town hall meetings are scheduled, timed right before Congress goes back to work. Bethlehem's Van Bittner Hall (Steelworkers Hall), located at 53 E. Lehigh Street, will host the Lehigh Valley's town hall.

Despite the lofty name, this movement is designed to cajole Congress into withdrawing from an unpopular war. Before we ever invaded Iraq, taking a stand against that war meant something. Now it's just the latest flavor of the month. It doesn't take a hell of a lot of moral courage to agree with popular sentiment.

When 300,000 Persians tell 300 Spartans to surrender their arms, and they respond, "Come and get them," that's taking a stand.

Van Bittner Hall, with its strong union presence, is the proud site of many Democratic rallies. But according to Cammie L. Croft, the national director of today's "Take a Stand," the event is completely nonpartisan. She tells me that turning this into a Dent-bashing affair would threaten the nonprofit status of her group, Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.

"It absolutely is not a partisan campaign," Cammie assured me last night.

Well, guess who's winking at those silly nonprofit rules ... again?

You got it on the first try! It's Sam Bennett. After getting caught financing her congressional campaign with a ridiculously excessive salary at nonprofit Properties of Merit, she's using nonpartisan Americans Against Escalation in Iraq to stage a free campaign rally.

Whoopee!

She was busy today, sending emails on her campaign letterhead to her pals on the Democratic committee, trying to stack the union hall. She's telling them to bring their friends, too. "I look forward to seeing you there." She closes by referring everyone to her campaign web page, where they can give her lots and lots of money.

Several committeemen tell me she's implied that she's even one of the featured speakers. National organizer Croft denies this, and told me late last night we'll be spared a Sam Bennett late night monologue.

Pity. I was looking forward to a few "RoyBoys."

But regardless whether Bennett speaks, this is yet another instance in which she is using a nonpartisan group to advance her personal goal - her quixotic quest for Congress.

Looks like Sam got a little help from local organizer Aaron Swisher. While pretending this event is nonpartisan, he gave Bennett permission to notify her pals on the Democratic committee. In fact, it looks like he drafted most of her letter, or provided a template. He purposely snubbed Congressman Charlie Dent, even though Dent has already met Swisher and has agreed there are no good options in Iraq.

This town hall is supposedly intended "to pressure targeted members of Congress to vote to bring a safe end to the war." You don't persuade people by thumbing your nose at them. Thanks to Aaron Swisher and Sam Bennett, the original purpose of tonight's town hall has been perverted. It will instead be a thinly-veiled campaign rally at a union hall, packed with Democratic committeemen.

I'll be there as a member of the non mainstream media, along with my digital camera. Should I ask Joe Long for permission? I'm sure he won't mind.

Defying Their Solicitor, Northampton County Council Approves American Heroes Grant

Although absent from last night's meeting of Northampton County Council, Ron Angle still managed to cause the biggest ruckus. That's because he insisted on attending by speakerphone from the wilds of Jellystone Park. Solicitor Lenny Zito, a former judge, advised council prez Grube to try and accommodate Angle.

That decision was resented by crybabies Charles Dertinger, Lamont McClure and Diane Neiper. They shook their bobbleheads in disgust at Councilman Speakerphone, before the meeting ever got started.

When it did, McClure demanded that Zito state the legal basis for permitting a council member to attend a meeting by phone.

"The Sunshine Law," Zito quietly answered. That shut McClure up because he knows next to nothing about that.

From the west coast, Angle kept saying things like, "Hey there, Booboo" and "I'm smarter than the average bear!" But he kept getting cut off. In his last call, it sounded like Angle was in a bit of trouble. In fact, I could swear he was being swallowed whole by a grizzly bear who thought Ron was a "pic-a-nic basket." Council made one last try, only to get dead silence on Angle's end. After a quick call to the National Park Service and a sad moment of silence, the meeting resumed.

"We tried," shrugged Ann McHale.

With Angle out of the way, Council unanimously adopted the American Heroes Grant. This provides a property tax rebate to veterans deployed this or next year. Solicitor Zito had suggested tweaking the language so that it could withstand a legal challenge. "We can do that after the fact," explained Dertinger. Lamont McClure smugly dismissed Zito's concerns. "Anytime a legislature acts, it invites judicial interpretation."

Don Cunningham's American Heroes Grant is a good idea. But if your own lawyer has suggestions to improve it, why not listen? Perhaps the grant could have been amended and adopted on the spot. Four members of council (Grube, McHale, Dowd & Cusick) wanted to table the matter for that reason.

Not Team Dertinger. Their unwillingness to listen sounds eerily similar to a presidential administration that refused to listen just a few short years ago.

3,702 American soldiers have paid the ultimate price for Team Bush's refusal to listen. This same stubbornness now could end up hurting returning soldiers in need.

Update: The Morning Call's detailed account of last night's meeting is here. The Express Times has three separate reports - Angle's encounter with ursos horriblus; the military rebate; and even a story about the courthouse cupola repair (on schedule and under budget).
Update #2: The Lehigh Valley Independent Press questions whether Northampton County Council is supporting our troops or just gaining political support without pain. Joe DeRaymond asserts that, if council truly wants to help veterans, "they should do it across the board, with an outright grant to every soldier who was a resident of Northampton County who qualified, not just those who owned real estate."