Senator Blocks 850 Air Force Promotions

[Terri]

Senator Blocks 850 Air Force Promotions

Eric Schmitt
New York Times
June 9, 2003

WASHINGTON, June 8 — Senator Larry E. Craig of Idaho is blocking the promotions of more than 850 Air Force officers, including young pilots who fought in Iraq and the general nominated to bail out the scandal-plagued United States Air Force Academy, in a rare clash between the Pentagon and a senior Republican lawmaker.

Mr. Craig's price to free the frozen promotions now awaiting final Senate approval? Four C-130 cargo planes for the Idaho Air National Guard.

Pentagon officials express outrage that for more than a month Mr. Craig has single-handedly delayed the careers of hundreds of officers and stymied important Air Force business for a handful of parochial planes. They are vowing not to give in to his pressure. Calling the move blackmail, one senior military official said, "If we say yes to this, Katie bar the door." The official, like others contacted for this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing retribution from the senator.

The rest (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/09/politics/09GENE.html?th)

This is from the New York Slimes so ................

[Bill Hodges]

If you would like to share your thoughts or concerns with the distinguished gentleman from Idaho, here is his website:

Website For Senator Larry E. Craig (http://www.senate.gov/~craig/webform.html)


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[NWGOPMom]

I'm not shy. I would be happy to tell this person what I think. Thanks for the link Bill.

[stormy]

HOW can he do this http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif * * How can one senator block military promotions?

Is this something new or have I just never known about it before? * *

WHY would the others just sit by and let this happen? * Yes, I'm naive, but it makes me http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

Stormy

[Bill Hodges]

Quote[/b] ]HOW can he do this How can one senator block military promotions?

Is this something new or have I just never known about it before?

Stormy, obviously there is more to the story than we know. I have someone who is supposed to send me detailed information regarding the issue as soon as he is able to get it emailed to me. He may end up posting it in the forum himself. I should know more by tomorrow.


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[hkinney]

Yes Mr. Hodges there is indeed more to the story than the news reports. I am an Air Force retiree and a constituent of Senator Craig. I know the Senator well enough to know that he is an honorable man who has chosen to take drastic measures to get what he believes the Air Force committed to him for the Idaho Air Guard, i.e., the rest of the C-130 fleet to complete the transport squadron at Gowen Field.

I have deep respect for the U.S. Air Force and for Senator Craig. It is too bad that the men and women awaiting promotion have to be caught in the middle regardless, but this time I think the branch where I served with distinction for more than 20 years may very well be in error. http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag4.gif *http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[noPEACEwithoutJUSTICE]

I take everything I read in the NYT with a grain of sand they say the Senator is telling people to "go pound."

I'm anxiously awaiting Bill Hodges' translation... http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/calm.gif

However, if the Air Force made a promise they can't keep (or have no business keeping), the good Senator will have to stand down.

A very influential Senator Grassley lost a much needed insurance equity addition to the budget bill that addressed an imbalance to insurance dollars paid out to Iowans and Iowa hospitals...he took a couple hits from the local Communist news organization, the Des Moines Register. (Useless fact: "Des Moines" is French for "the monks"!)

Senator Craig has to balance the political cost back home of losing the C-130's (apparently promised him) to the political cost of holding up the US Air Force promotions/appointments at a time of war.

Ouch.

Enter the "leaked" press release from the Pentagon to the NYT, further pressuring Sen. Craig.

Don't you just love the smell of political napalm in the morning?
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[anamericanpatriot]

http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag17.gif I have done my Patriotic duty and capitalized on your gracious provision of the gentleman from Idaho's e-mail. I love America and served with the US Army (active 18.5 years) and as a DA civilian for over 32 years, and have never endorsed holdly the lifeblood (John Q. Citizen/Soldier) hostage to meet political goals.

So, respect him if you like BUT holding my fellow Americans hostage--promotions mean recognition, increased responbility and increased income for the family--is not the American thing to do. However, politicians always use "whatever they can" to get what they want, not counting the cost to Americans at large. How dare he!
http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag17.gif God Bless America!!! http://gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag17.gif

[Terri]

Here's some additional thoughts on this from National Review.

The Plane Truth (http://www.nationalreview.c om/geraghty/geraghty061003.asp)

[Bill Hodges]

Quote[/b] ]Here's some additional thoughts on this from National Review.

The Plane Truth

I was going to post what I was told about it but this article very well echoes what I was told. I think Mr.Craig could/should have engaged more diplomatic skills in making his point. This is simply my personal opinion.


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[jonessa2]

military people are not allowed to make public statements like that unless it has been reviewed. did it get the desired results. I would say yes. congress was just a little constipated, but with a little oil everything will turn out just fine.

I am on the side of the senator. sometimes you just have to hang tough. if we were not in a war he would have been left hanging like he has been for the past seven years.

it's like at my job at the hospital, if I felt something needed to be done--well, we don't have the money, we don't have the manpower. but change the focus to: for the patients safety this needs to be done. miracle, its done.
the same with the senator.

[Der Alte]

Mr. Craig has finally relented and the promotions will proceed as usual. He stated that the negotiations for the 4 C-130 aircraft are moving satisfactorily.

[Bill Hodges]

Quote[/b] ]Mr. Craig has finally relented and the promotions will proceed as usual. He stated that the negotiations for the 4 C-130 aircraft are moving satisfactorily.

A happy ending for a "turbulent" story.


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