To Our Troops We Must Remain Faithful.

February 16, 2007
To Our Troops We Must Remain Always Faithful
By Rep. Sam Johnson

(Note: The following is the text of remarks delivered by Rep. Johnson on the floor of the House of Representatives Feb. 16, 2007)

You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down.

I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things.

I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War.

Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life - and my freedom from prison in Hanoi.

I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War - weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow - 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas - a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom.

While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims... for 72 days....

As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn't walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons... for 2 ½ years. That's when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle - with a foot-long bar connecting the legs.

I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand... and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity.

But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back.

Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way ... I'm living a dream...a hope I had for the future. "From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973 - I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly...

And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when - not if - we returned home.

We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America.

We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it... We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all.

So - little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth... I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm's way....and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt.

We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground.

Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home...tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home... and worse.

We must never, ever let that happen again.

The pain inflicted by your country's indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors.

Our troops - and their families - want, need and deserve the full support of the country - and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm's way without support.

Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections.

There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It's alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq - maybe to Iran. And Iraq's closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan ...we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success.

Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy.

The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops...Just ask John Murtha about his 'slow-bleed' plan that hamstrings our troops in harm's way.

Now it's time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home - and those who fought and died in Iraq - so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it...and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us.

Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past... instead learn from them.

We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way...To our troops we must remain...always faithful.

God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you.

Page Printed from: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/02/to_our_troops_we_must_remain_a.html at February 17, 2007 - 06:59:53 AM CST

Mrs. Clinton is not President!

One sunny day in 2008, an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue , where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Hillary Clinton."

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The Marine replied, "Sir, Mrs. Clinton is not President and doesn't reside here."

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The old man said, "Okay," and walked away.

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The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President HillaryClinton ".

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The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mrs. Clinton is not President and doesn't reside here."

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The man thanked him and again walked away .

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The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Hillary Clinton."

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The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mrs. Clinton. I've told you already several times that Mrs. Clinton is not the President and doesn't reside here. Don't you understand?"

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The old man answered, "Oh, I understand you fine, I just love hearing your answer!"

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The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow."

Size Does Matter!!

Speaker Pelosi wants a big one!

Click here (left) and here (right) for the story.

Click here for a big one.

NEVER ASK A MEXICAN GRANDMA A QUESTION

LAWYERS SHOULD NEVER ASK A MEXICAN GRANDMA A QUESTION IF THEY AREN'T PREPARED FOR THE ANSWER:

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IN A TRIAL, IN A SMALL TOWN in TEXAS , A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY CALLED HIS FIRST WITNESS, A MEXICAN GRANDMOTHER, AN ELDERLY WOMAN TO THE STAND. HE APPROACHED HER AND ASKED, MRS. SANCHEZ,"DO YOU KNOW ME?"

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SHE RESPONDED, "SI, I MEAN, JESS I KNOW YOU MR. WILLIAMS. I KNOWN YOU SINCE YOU WERE A CHAVALITO AND FRANKLY YOU'VE BEEN A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME. YOU LIE, YOU CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE, AND YOU MANIPULATE PEOPLE AND TALK ABOUT THEM BEHIND THEIR BACKS. YOU THINK YOU'RE A BIG SHOT WHEN YOU HAVEN'T THE BRAINS TO REALIZE YOU WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO NOTHIN' BUT A TWO BIT PAPERPUSHER. YES I KNOW YOU."

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THE LAWYER WAS STUNNED. NOT KNOWING WHAT ELSE TO DO, HE POINTED ACROSS THE ROOM AND ASKED, MRS. SANCHEZ, DO YOU KNOW THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY?

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SHE AGAIN REPLIED, "WHY JESS I DO. I'VE KNOWN MR. RODRIGUEZ SINCE HE WAS A CHAVALITO TOO. HE'S LAZY, GORDO, AND HE HAS A DRINKING PROBLEM. HE CAN'T HAVE A NORMAL RELATIONSHIP WITH NOBODY AND HE HAS THE WORST LAW PRACTICE IN THE STATE. HA! AND NOT TO MENTION HE CHEATED ON HIS WIFE WITH THREE DIFFERENT PUTAS. ONE OF THEM WAS YOUR WIFE. YOU MEMBER? I KNOW MR. RODRIGUEZ, HIS MAMA IS NOT PROUD OF HIM."

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THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY ALMOST DIED. THE JUDGE ASKED BOTH COUNSELORS TO APPROACH THE BENCH AND IN A VERY QUIET VOICE SAID, "IF EITHER OF YOU PENDEJO'S ASK HER IF SHE KNOWS ME, I"LL SEND YOU TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR."

Soldiers, kids share storytime

This story is from the Dallas Morning News. It is a great program, that is offered at DFW Airport, where I work. I have heard the USO volunteers offering the program to soldiers. The DFW USO does a wonderful job in supporting and helping our troops in every way.

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Click on the Video link in the rest of the story. It is worth watching.

Soldiers, kids share storytime
11:58 AM CST on Sunday, February 4, 2007

By KATHY A. GOOLSBY / The Dallas Morning News
kgoolsby@dallasnews.com

In the final minutes before his deployment to Iraq last month, Army Pvt. Larry Levy sat down for some quality time with his 5-year-old son, Sterling. He first read his son a book, chuckling as he turned the pages and talked about the pictures.
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But when he closed the book, Pvt. Levy's voice turned serious.
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"You know where Daddy's going, Bubba," Pvt. Levy said. "You know Daddy's got to go to Baghdad to fight the bad guys."
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The father paused and took a ragged breath. When he spoke again, his voice choked with emotion.
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"I need you to do good in school," the Arlington native said. "Take care of your mom and sissy."
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There was no response from Sterling. Pvt. Levy would be in Iraq before his son heard that heartfelt message, recorded as part of the United Service Organization's United Through Reading program at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
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Since August, more than 400 troops passing through the airport on their way to war have paused to record books for their children. The recordings, punctuated with special messages and occasional tears, are shipped to each child along with the books that are read.

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The Rest of the Story

Saddam Morgue Video

This new video of Saddam in a morgue has recently popped up on Baathist web sites.

Warning!!

Not for the faint of heart!

Click here to view video.