VoteVets Candidate in MO-08
Contrary to what some would have you believe, I am not the dogmatic Republican that some keep accusing me of. I have been very careful to spread my campaign contributions around, with equal amounts going to GOP, DEM and Ind (Liebermann.) To save you the looking it up, I kept each of my donations under $200 so that no dumbass would do a FEC search on me and start sending me shit. I am no longer burdened by that though as I am no longer a registered lobbyist.
Anyway, got a missive from Wesley Clark and VoteVets today about a guy running in MO-08 against Jo Ann Emerson. I am pretty neutral on her, and this guy’s bio intrigued me. His name is Tommy Sowers:
A fourth-generation Missourian, Tommy was born and raised in Rolla where his family has lived since his grandfather started the local newspaper. Educated in the public school system, he graduated Rolla High School.
After attending Duke on an Army ROTC scholarship, Tommy began his 11 year career in the U.S. Army, commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger and Belgian Commando Schools. Tommy led a combat engineering platoon in Kosovo and represented the 1st Infantry Division in the Best Ranger Competition.
From there it actually gets better:
Following graduate studies at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar for Missouri District 6080, Tommy attended the Special Forces Qualification Course graduating 1st in his class. At 10th Special Forces Group, Tommy led a team of Green Berets. In two deployments to Iraq, he conducted a wide range of counterinsurgency operations and was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and two Bronze Stars.
OK, so dude is clearly a stud. If VoteVets is endorsing him though, I pretty much already don’t like him. So, I went to his website to snoop around and see why he is a loathesome degenerate, which is to say why Soltz and his miscreants like him. After a semi-exhaustive search, I can officially state: Damned if I can tell. Dude doesn’t have a position on anything. Go read his issues page. Or, I could save you the time, there isn’t shit on it. He seems entirely focused on the economy, and in that he seems largely focused on limited government, not exactly the hallmark of his Democratic Party.
The only thing I found that pissed me off was this assinine article in Huffpo comparing Sowers to Rush Limbaugh. That piece repeatedly brings up Rush’s infamous boil on his ass that he used to get out of the draft. Now, why Limbaugh matters to this discussion, whether he is from the district or not is completely beneath me. Sowers isn’t running against Limbaugh, and Rush doesn’t live in the district. But Paul Begala wrote this piece of effluvium so, I guess it is to be expected.
(On a side note, this whole Limbaugh thing is so ridiculous. Limbaugh never served, so the libs malign him. Meanwhile, they support every limp dicked retard that signs up and runs off to Canada. Where is the logic there?)
Anyway, I’ll keep an eye on Sowers, and see if he actually puts out some positions. Right now he looks pretty decent, but that VoteVets endorsement is enough to keep my checkbook sealed, that’s for damn sure.
(Although, the picture above from Sowers’ website was labelled “Sowers with machine gun” which doesn’t exactly instill me with confidence that his campaign knows much about the military.)
Category: Politics
On the side note, the Limbaugh logic is the same as when someone who is anti-war and hasn’t served is denigrated but someone who hasn’t served and is pro-war is applauded. It just depends on your politics.
Limpy is willing to send anyone of us who serve/have served off to war while he sat at home on a butt donut (maybe, if he was telling the truth, he seems to be able to sit just fine now). That is why you are considering liking this candidate, he at least put his money where his mouth is and served. Now we get to wait and see if he can do that with his political positions.
How on earth is that the same thing? I don’t care if someone serves or doesn’t, although I generally do give extra credit to those that did. Frankly, I can’t imagine why I would want someone anti-war to serve. That’s like wanting a hooker to be my minister.
For me, serving wasn’t something I did for others, I just appreciated the opportunity that others gave me. As for limbaugh wanting to send us off, um, we do have civilian leadership and all, and until we go to some Starship Troopers thing where you only get citizenship through service, it seems like that is his right.
I’m not grasping the connection here at all.
Hey Jen; are you off your meds again? There have been plenty of people who have not served, yet sent others off to fight. Bill Clinton comes to mind. That isn’t the point, although I’m still trying to figure out wtf you are getting at in your post (hence the meds comment) since Rush isn’t a politician, isn’t elected to any office and has as much power as you or I to send anyone off to war.
Please go take your meds and come back with a lucid statement.
OT, I agree, sounds like Jen is off the meds again. Reading Sowers “Issues” page, he does not sound like a dem at all, WTF is up with that?
But, if he’s endorsed by VoteVets, what’s wrong with him, is the question that pops into mind. Equally troubling is him being anywhere close to Wesley The Weasel Clark philosophically or politically.
His position on doing things in the open in DC makes him diametrically opposed to SanFranNan right from the get-go. So, no committees for him, if he gets elected. Or, is what’s on his issues page what the dems think they have to say to get elected?
I would assume he actually believes the “less gov’t” mantra he seems to be backing there, but again, he’s a democrat for a reason, and I can’t see what it is. If he’s a Dem for some reason that has little to do with the war or gov’t spending, he’ll get my cash, but I just don’t know if I can buy it yet.
On another note, take a swing by VoteVets Operation whatever it is about energy, and find out exactly what it is they support (other than just the Cap and Trade bill) and more importantly, why. That is the worst website I have ever seen because it is like a cheerleader page with nothing of substance. I keep toying with doing a post on that effort, but there isn’t enough on the website to sink teeth into.
the democrates gained many seats by running “conservative blue dogs” in conservative districts such as the one Sower is located in.
Hmmm, nice resume but…….
“Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” -George Washington
Keep an eye on this one.
He may be a democrat in the form my grandfather was a democrat. For the most part my grandfather had really conservative values, but he called himself a democrat. A democrat from Missouri (except Clay and Cleaver) is a hell of a lot different than one from New York or California. Up untill recently Ike Skeleton pretty much voted conservatively. I have lost a lot of respect for him over the last year, he really needs to retire. Claire McCaskill was viewed as a proveteran moderate, but her blind devotion to Obama has made her lose a lot of respect. After all that said this Sowers guy may be a really good candidate, but he is tainted by the vets vote endorsement. They repeatedly talk about special interests and lobbyists…isn’t that exactly what they are?
dang….This aint hell can’t figure out how to call Sowers a phony soldier so they’ll just have to attack his relationship with votevets and an article written by Begela. That’s all they got today.
Shoot, If Patton or MacArthur were registered Democrats would Mark or Jonn beat them up too?
Only a fucking imbecile like you could read “OK, so dude is clearly a stud” and translate it as “can’t figure out how to call Sowers a phony soldier.”
You really are a sad, pathetic little assclown.
ASH: It doesn’t matter whether a person was in the military, because John Murtha was a Marine and he’s still a POS. Jim Webb was a Marine and is a democrat and I don’t have any real problems with him. Wesley Clark is a moron, politically, yet he ticket punched up to General. Whether someone was in the military isn’t the story, it’s what they stand for that’s the issue, once they cross into politics. I don’t agree with John McCain on much, even though by your standards everyone should since he was a military guy.
Knowing the type of people at VoteVets, it makes a person more cautious on supporting someone they endorse. That doesn’t mean that many of us won’t support him, but it does give pause to look closer at the candidate.
ASH,
Speaking of meds and being off them.
BTW, in Virginia you don’t register by Party, so I have no idea of Patton’s party affiliation. And neither do you, assclown.
The last 10 years I voted only in the Dem primary, does that make me a dem?
TSO: You bleeding heart, whining maggot, commie democrat scum!!!!
I am also a closet environmentalist, so be sure to get me on that as well.
Limbaugh being willing to “send us off to war” refers to the capacity he has to do such- as a civilian supporting the war in a very public manner. Should I read into the fact that you two jumped to conclusions about his having government power…?? Hmmm. 🙂
Come on guys, you can’t see the logical connection that differs only on which political side you are on? It’s not a critique of the right or you TSO, it’s a critique of politics.
The whole idea of “maligning” Limbaugh is that he has a strong opinion (of support) for something he isn’t willing to partake in (war).
Some right minded individuals “malign” those who have a strong opinion (of opposition) for something they aren’t willing to partake in (war). (I am not saying TSO does/did this)
It usually goes “you didn’t serve, you don’t have a right to say…”. You just have to insert your “didn’t serve target” which in the exact same sentence could be a lefty or a righty. If you are a lefty it could be Limbaugh.
One is willing to “malign” based on politics. Both sides have the same crappy logic that having not served somehow makes one incapable of having a correct opinion – if we disagree with their politics (where having served makes one’s opinion somehow “better” {a frequent critique of Winter Soldier}- I’d argue service just makes you an original source).
I’ll make an lefty critical example. Some leftys say Limbaugh didn’t serve, so why is he blowing hard on the war. The next minute they will applaud the anti-war opinion of some speaker, let’s say David Swanson, even though he has never served. I believe this is a trait the right also shares.
As far as the original comment TSO made the logic is politics as usual and both “sides” do it.
Ok, TSO, I always figured you for one of those tree hugging hippies!! Next thing I know, you’ll tell me you voted for McGovern, ya dirty bastard!!!!
ASH-
I don’t have to hold anyone to a standard if they are assholes, plain and simple. This guy Sowers really seems to be straight up, a go getter with a great education background. I don’t have a problem with that. If, say someone like you comes here to spew, well, with nothing other than your emotions and the chest-puffing *I served* meme, it does not mean you garner an ounce of respect. Get it? Arm yourself with facts for discussions. Spew and get shit on for behaving like an idiot. And, certainly don’t expect apologies if it’s not backed up.
What is being said here, is that something doesn’t add up…a potentially conservative guy, and support of VoteVets, an anti-war veterans support group with a less than stellar cast of characters.
OT- When I was growing up my family lived in a tent one summer in Maine. We rented out our house and lived in the tent so my dad could finish up some graduate degree. Anyway, the tent had a bumper sticker I didn’t understand until YEARS later, it read “Don’t blame us, we voted McGovern.”
My dad was a Mass delegate for Kennedy.
The only time Sowers has taken a side on any issue is when he sided with the liberals on the massively expensive Pelosicare bill that barely passed the House. Here is the link with Sowers endorsement of the huge government expansion:
http://www.semissourian.com/story/1585381.html
You guys/gals are too funny. Making fun of people who take meds (which I don’t).
Mark, so you put one line into your hit piece that applauds this veteran….wow assclown!
Huh. Kinda hard to reconcile that with the limited Gov’t stuff he has on his website. Oh well, keep us updated if he makes any other policy statements.
“….he seems largely focused on limited government, not exactly the hallmark of his Democratic Party.”
(from Sowers’ page,)
“Members of the U.S. Congress have a sacred and primary responsibility to our Constitution, and to serve the people who send them to Washington DC. Fundamental to our Constitution is the idea that each one of us has an equal voice in Congress. I believe that too many in Washington have forgotten for whom they work.”
From Sowers’ linkedin page,
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tommysowers
Council on Foreign Relations, Term Member (2008-2012)
OK, “limited government”, and “responsibility to the Constitution”, then he’s running as a democrat and is a member of the CFR!??
Not to mention that a lot of military types from outside Missouri’s 8th district seem to really want this guy in congress?
Does anyone else see what’s wrong with this picture?
Be afraid,,, be very afraid.
I’m not really following. I get the whole CFR fear thing, I don’t subscribe to it, but I get it. But, I’m unclear what to be afraid about this guy being elected. Is the CFR trying to stack the deck or something?
As for being Dem and Limited Gov’t and responsibility to the Constitution, Jim Marshall has pulled off both of those, and he’s a Dem. I’m not sure I find them entirely incompatible.
Being a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and being a Democrat isn’t odd…..ummm Joe Biden!
Maybe they meant a “machine” and “a gun”?
Usually, I consider stuff like this to be a pitch in the dirt. But what the hay. I’ll swing.
The connection between Limbaugh (and Richard “the Dickhead” Cheney for that matter) and people who went to Canada (or jail) is this: The draft resistors took a personal stand on an important issue of the day. Limaugh/Dickhead supported the war as long as others had to fight it. That’s sort of like living in a house but not wanting to pay the rent.
There is a big difference between gaming the system and taking a stand on one side or the other.
Okay guys, fire when ready.
So in your opinion, the illegal method is morally superior to the legal one? I take it we are assuming that the boil on his ass was fake, which I don’t actually concede, since I know nothing about it.
And I wasn’t referring to the draft resistors, who I actually (duck) don’t have such a negative opinion of. What I despise is the ones who joined of their own volition and then ran away. So your hypothetical is slightly off from the one I was positing, but i will play by yours.
In my opinion, violating a law that you believe to be immoral is morally superior to gaming the system. I belive Rush’s anal sex, er…cyst is bogus for several reasons. I assisted in and performed several removals of such cysts from active duty sailors and marines. I have more of an issue with people like Cheney who “had other priorities.” Defending our nation, and one’s principles, is a sacred trust. I’m am sure both you and I had other priorities, yet we made the time.
The draft came up because of the Rush reference. However, when one finds that there is a conflict of conscience I believe taht we are honor bound to follow. When one weighs the evidence and reaches the conclusion that in good conscience he or she cannot go to war (the war or any war) and took appropriate action before simply running away, I have no problem. The decision is very personal. I view the opposite to be true as well, those who go despite reservations should not be judged negatively either. It is a complicated and difficult decision that cannot be made lightly.
OK, but if one looks at their conscience and decides they simply can not go, should they not take ownership of that? For instance, as I have stated before, I think INCREDIBLY highly of Logan Laituri because he faced just such a decision, and as far as i can tell (assuming the story is correct which I believe it to be) he volunteered to go over there with no weapon and do what he could to help people. That takes GREAT courage. Even going to jail takes courage. As much as I loathe Watada, and think he joined for the express purpose of being a martyr, he at least took responsibility for it. It’s the guys who run, or piss hot to get out of something they are honor bound to do (a promise I think is made in stone) and then try to escape all repercussions that are the worst.
BTW- Tried to send you an email HM2, assuming that email doesn’t work since it got returned. But, wanted to praise your argument skills, which always seem on target, even when i disagree.
I too have little sympathy/patience with guys who do the hot urine thing. Seeking exhile in a foreign country on the other hand is an extreme sacrifice. WHile I do not agree with the tactic, giving up your entire life and being barred from your homeland for life is a radical course of action. Though, the Logan Laturie’s, Erin Watadas and even the Camilio Mejeias or Kevin Bendermans of the world command much more respect.
James Webb is a pretty good writer, Has pretty big stones from what I see of his decorations, and was indeed in the Marine Corps, but I dislike him intensely. He is disrespectful of authority, when he disapproves of it (President Bush), which is not even the mark of a well mannered adult, let alone a Marine officer. And he is his quitter when things don’t go his way. He bailed out of the Asst. Secnav position because he disagreed with Reagan about the decommissioning of some older ships. From what I read about it, Reagan was right and Webb was wrong, but in any event, he threw a hissy fit and quit. He decided to be a democrat first and an American second. Damned shame, but I lump him with Madmouth Murtha.
HM2, and TSO, some general responses to some or your stuff. It is CANADA they run off to, now Zimbabwe or Russia. They aren’t suffering all that much other than their lives aren’t quite as cushy as they would like. Draft resisters and people who have run to Canada over the latest wars are simply moral and physical cowards. I reserve special hatred and enmity towards the serving ones who broke their oaths though. In my dad’s day, CO’s became medics or corpsmen and went into harm’s way unarmed. But most of these current crop of turds haven’t even said they were CO’s, simply that they don’t agree with their government’s decision to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And I may assume then that at HM2 hates and disregards almost all of congress and the current administration, since almost none of them were ever near, let alone in, the military, and further that they have no right to make policy decisions since they have not served. Rush Limbaugh has as much right to state his opinion as the Dixie Twits or any on the left. We have just as much right to ignore it. I don’t pay much attention to him.
Chil a bit fellows.
The Sandinista turd Camilio Mejeia wasn’t on his first enlistment,he was an NCO and he ABANDONED his troops in combat and deserves nothing but scorn. If he would have completed his tour of duty, brought his Troops home and then became a true anti war activist and not a communist stooge, I could respect him. communist sob should pay every dime & G.I. Bill check cut to his sorry ass, deport his red ass back to Nicaragua….
USMC Steve:
Thanks for joining the discussion. It’s always good to have an alternate point of view.
I disagree with you about Jim Webb. Skepticism of authority is a character trait that we should all have. We also have a moral obligation to give our employers and thhose whom we serve not only our industry, but also our judgement and we do both a great dis-service to sacrifice that judgement based on outhers’ opinion. Having met with both him and his staff, I find him to be honest, heartfelt and certainly not a “yes man.”
if you look at my statement above, I would prefer that those who object, persued the legal remedies for their decision like Watada and others. However, the decision to go to Canada is still a sacrifice. We are not talking about people of means who move to Canada and buy a house, get a job etc. They leave everything they have and take up the status of refugee. It is not easy. But my point was that they took a stand rather than faking a medical or other form of obfuscation.
As to your second. I have no problem with people of either party who chose not serve. I do have a problem with those who had an obligation to serve and walked away only to say later, “oh yeah. That was a good thing as long as my life wasn’t on the line.”
TSO_ Email is fixed. Thanks for your kind words.
I checked out his web site and found that the only events he is scheduled to attend are Democrat Party events; therefore, he must be a low-down, dirty-dog (probably “Blue Dog” if elected) Democrat who should be kept out of office at all cost! Or perhaps he’s suffering from traumatic brain injuries that might explain his decision to run as a Dem. Either way, keep him out of office. — Bob McCarty, Capt, USAF (1985-91)
sowers sucks and rush rules. rush is the finest republican on this earth. we will survive and win.
signed
a former veteran 1963-1967