Frank Buckles Controversy Part II
It seems that Congress is still not going to allow last World War I veteran Frank Buckles to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, according to the Washington Times. Senators and Democrats, both,Rockefeller and Manchin, from West Virginia, Mr. Buckles home state, blame the Republican Speaker of the House, John Boehner (like I do), but they’re overlooking their own Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid who has equal say in the matter;
Mr. Boehner and Mr. Reid instead said they will ask Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to allow Mr. Buckles‘ family to hold a memorial service at the amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, where he will be buried.
But neither leader explained his position not to allow the body of the longtime West Virginia resident to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, an honor reserved — though not exclusively — for presidents.
“Like everyone else, Sen. Reid honors Mr. Buckles for his service to our country,” said Reid spokesman Jon Summers.
It seems to me that the two Senators from West Virginia would put pressure on their own party’s senior member in the Senate, where they weild some measure of clout, instead of just plinking across the aisle and across the Capitol Building…that is if their primary intention is to get Buckles in the Rotunda.
Rosa Parks was awarded the honor, certainly a soldier in the first world war and a prisoner in the second should get some measure of respect in this regard.
Call Boehner’s office at;
H-232 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-0600
Fax: (202) 225-5117
Reid at;
522 Hart Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-2803
Phone: (202) 224-3542
Fax: (202) 224-7327
ADDED: More from Laughing Wolf at Blackfive.
Category: Shitbags, Veterans Issues
I am so pissed about this that I can’t even see straight. BP up about 100 points.
The Rotundra is their own special place to honor themselves. Wouldn’t want some old doughboy stinking up the place. It’s a place of honor for people like Byrd and Ted Kennedy. True American heroes.
When I calm down, I’ll call his office. Take a good look young veterans….this is how we honor our veterans in this country.
It is pretty bad. But you know something? I find some comfort believing that in all likelihood Mr. Buckles would have just shook his head over all this controversy, smiled knowingly, and may have even asked the question “What makes you think I would have wanted to lie out in that drafty old building?”
It’s really simple. The people who are refusing this honor to this veteran are the ones we put into office.
Get out the pink slips, folks. 2012, she is a-comin’!
Unfortunately, PN, Reid is here for another 5 years, since the people of Nevada sent him back last year. Congress is another story. That they are refusing to this point diminishes any future agreement to allow him to lie in honor. This is why I’m sick of politicians. None of them (except for some of the new crop like West) have any honor. They are money and power whores and those are their most redeeming qualities.
You made a good point, Old Trooper. I would say, however, that the honor paid him comes from us, not the politicians who can’t be bothered. There are many places in this nation that he would be welcomed to be so honored. And I very heartily agree with your assessment of politicians!
What really scares me about this fiasco, is that this *should* be a no brainer. Just like “spending more than we take in will lead to a crisis”
I keep remembering lines from our founding document, the following seems to apply:
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
I will defend this Government till my dying day, but it needs to change. Not in five years, not in ten NOW. this shit has got to STOP
I have to say that I really don’t see a need for all that. He simply did his duty over there. Let his family bury him and be done with it. I assure you all he don’t give a shit now. If you honor someone, DO IT WHEN THEY ARE ALIVE. Otherwise don’t bother. It is too late.
And by the way FUCK CONGRESS in general, particularly the party of treason (Democrats).
Strictly, Frank Buckles isn’t entitled to lie in state. He is, however, more than deserving to lay in honor as Rosa Parks did. Semantics? Yeah, sure. But let’s not forget this is the government we’re dealing with. They take semantics seriously.