Phil Hicks

OldSarge · Joined: 23 Aug 2008 09:15 pm Posts: 6

Please allow me to expand on LTC Noriega's military service. LTC Noriega has actually put boots on the ground in Afghanistan. He played a critical role with the Afghan National Army Training Assistance Group. When he talks about military issues, it is from experience and not just some senate briefing.

Even more importantly, LTC Noriega has always been an officer that takes care of his soldiers and is respected by subordinates, superiors, and peers alike. As a now-retired non-commissioned officer, I can't say that about every officer I have encountered.

Rick Noriega is an officer we would follow to hell and back. The choice is clear. Either vote for a professional politician who will give you more of the same, or vote for decorated veteran who puts the needs of Texans above political gain.

Johnnie R. Vaughn
SSG, Infantry/Cavalry
Retired

Can't seem to get any additional posts in... so I'll try adding to this one:

| Yeh, but Noriega is a libral Democrat so he that would be a "NO" in my book.

Now that, Ms. Lockridge, is an honest answer, and I respect that.

I may not agree with the concept of a lock-step party vote, but that is everyone’s right should they so choose. Of course, it isn’t a new phenomenon. Texas used to be a Yellow-Dog Democrat state long before it was known as a Republican stronghold. When it came to local politics, the Republican Party usually had about the same level of representation as the Libertarians enjoy today※ they were there, but never serious contenders. If you wanted a voice in local elections, you voted in the Democratic primary. Many of the current Texas Republican stalwarts such as Rick Perry were Democrats long before they switched to the Republican Party.

Personally, I’ve always believed in evaluating the individual rather than relying on party affiliation. I’ve voted for more Republicans in my lifetime than Democrats, but I’ve even thrown a few Libertarians up on my ballot. Sometime my candidates win; sometime they lose. The best man or woman isn’t always the one that gets elected. That’s our system, for better or worse. However, we can still argue about the merits of our favorite candidates without getting yanked out of our homes in the middle of the night and shot because we support the “wrong” candidate. There are many countries where that is a real threat※ and many where the people don’t even get to participate in the illusion of an election. Everyone talks about the “right to vote” but it really is more of a privilege. Anything that is granted by men or governments can also be taken away.

Everyone who pulls that lever has a reason for how they vote. I have a bigger problem with people who do not vote than I do with people who hold views in opposition to mine.

It is obvious that most of the people here have already formed their opinions, and know who they will vote for. That being said, we express our opinions in hope that some undecided voter will view our supporting arguments as more convincing than our opposition. Isn’t it great that we have that option?

I’ll let someone else argue the merits of McCain versus Obama or vice versa. My initial post wasn’t intended to imply that military service alone is a qualification for any political office. It was intended to testify to my personal knowledge of LTC Noriega’s leadership, professionalism, and service. Now if you know very much about the military, you’ll know that we sergeants don’t just throw those terms out there with any officer. You have some military officers out there that are the equivalent of professional politicians; their purpose in life is to move up the ranks regardless of moral cost.

I’m not voting for Rick Noriega because he’s a soldier or because I happened to serve in one of his previous units. I’m voting for him because I know he is the best man for the job. I guess we’ll cancel each other’s votes out, each for our own reasons.

OldSarge

We now return you to our regularly scheduled political discourse:

Rick Noriega: Has proven, hands-on experience with Disaster Assistance Operations.
John Cornyn: Has asked people to donate money for disaster assistance.

Rick Noriega: Has proven, hands-on experience with Border Control Operations.
John Cornyn: Has served on subcommittees and read about the problems. Has also visited the border area to film a commercial.

Rick Noriega: As a military officer, spent over a year deployed in Afghanistan.
John Cornyn: Toured both Afghanistan and Iraq. (in only 3 days)

Rick Noriega: Is a veteran who supports veterans
John Cornyn: Actions speak louder than words. Ask the Disabled American Veterans about his record on key votes; Voted against GI Bill and other legislation supporting vets.

Rick Noriega: A proven leader
John Cornyn: A professional politician

NORIEGA FOR SENATOR

Marvin Crain · Joined: 15 Jun 2008 04:57 pm Posts: 241

Old Sarge,

I have said many times on this site, "God Bless our Veterans." I wish God's blessings on anyone who serves his country. Now, that being said, being a veteran does not automatically make someone qualified to serve in the Senate or House. Why is it that Noriega's service makes him qualified but McCain's does not? The old saw, "you must have served in the military to make decisions concerning the military" just does not fly when you consider that the majority of our Senators and Reps. have not served in the military. Sens. and Reps. and Executive Branch members make myriads of decisions that do not have anything to do with the military. Noriega's service, while laudible, does not make him qualified to make decisions on the many other issues that come before the Senate. The top of the Dem. ticket, Lord Barack Obama has not served in the military, so, is he not qualified to be Commander in Chief? I already know the answer to that question, but I thought it was worth posing, anyway.

M. H. Bookout · Joined: 18 Jul 2008 10:55 am Posts: 82

Marvin your correct when you state that most Republican members of Congress & the Senate have not served as well as virtualy all of your of your conservative radio and TV talk show hosts haven't either.

Bill Pelland · Joined: 25 Feb 2008 07:34 am Posts: 425

I had the great opportunity of meeting with and working with Mr. and Mrs. Noriega in Canton of Friday and Saturday. These are Rick's parents. Rick Noriega's chief of staff was there also.

The meeting gave me the chance to get to understand what Rick Noriega is all about, where he came from, and where he wants to lead us.

Rick has been in the Texas House for 10 years. According to Linda, his chief of staff, Rick is not like the other politicians she has served. She describes Rick as a TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT rather than a politician. To Rick, no problem from his district is too small.

And so Marvin, you crow about experience and here is a man that has proven his worth again and again, both serving Texas citizens in Galveston when hurricane Ike hit, in Afghanistan, and in the Texas house. Rick is also a former educator and is very big on education.

Rick Noriega is what we need in Washington and the sooner the better.

Noriega for US Senate
Obama for President

Bill Pelland
Murchison, TX

HEIDI LOCKRIDGE · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 01:24 pm Posts: 450

Guys:

Serving in the military is admirable. No one is disputing that fact. However, it does not automatically qualify anyone to be President.

I personally think that it is a huge asset if you are going to be the Commander In Chief to have some military experience. McCain has that experience and is therefore more qualified to be President.

I am sure Noriega is one heck of a guy however he is a Democrat and some of us think that the Democrats are not fit to be elected.

P.S. - Old Sarge - thank you for your service. I am completely sincere when I say that. I come from a miliary family and have long admired the military.

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