Two weeks ago, Jon Soltz posted about the coming smears against my record by John Cornyn and his Republican operatives. I rejected the demand by John Cornyn's surrogates that I turn over my military records to Republican Party operatives. I'm not going to give my records to Karl Rove or to Mr. Cornyn's Republican hatchet men: Instead, I'm releasing them to all Texans today.
Texans want straight shooters. Like so many Texans, I'm proud and honored to have had the opportunity to serve, and I welcome honest scrutiny of my record.
After reviewing my military records, John Cornyn and all Texans will learn the truth: I've served for 27 years, including service in Afghanistan, as "Operation Jumpstart" Laredo sector commander on the Texas-Mexico border and as incident commander of the George R. Brown Convention Center refuge during Hurricane Katrina.
But the truth has never stopped dishonest attacks on veterans.
Texans want elected representatives who are willing to run on their records, who are going to tell you where they stand, and who have a track record of getting things done. Texans deserve transparency and honesty from their elected representatives -- not partisanship and personal attacks -- and they deserve a Senator who will fight to bring change to Washington, D.C.
While I have sacrificed, Cornyn rejected responsible troop deployment limits, twice voted against increased funding for veteran health care, against funding for armored vehicles, and against protecting soldiers' civilian salaries while they're serving in Iraq.
Already, over 2,000 people have signed the petition and sent a message to our opponents that we will not tolerate the dishonoring of military service. But we need more people to show that Texans will not stand for a smear campaign in our great state.
Join with me and stop them before they start. Sign the petition and tell Cornyn and his cronies we will fight back against any distortions or smears on my service to our country.
I also took a 91-yr-old friend to the polls with me when I voted - she'd never voted a full Democratic ticket in her life. Over the past several years I've helped her to see the light. She voted for you, too.
I applaud your actions in making your military records public. From what I've read online, they are most impressive.
No matter what else John Cornyn may have done for - or TO - us here in Texas, his unwavering support of Alberto Gonzales made his ousting a cause of grave importance to me.
Good luck in the primaries and in the general -you will serve us well.
He is a classic example of politics at its worst. He will literally say and do anything to get elected. The word "weasel" comes to mind when thinking of John Cornyn. Rep. Noriega will be a breath of fresh air and infinitely better than Cornyn on his best day.
Sen. Cornyn is a disgrace to texas, and an insult to all of us Texans.
It's about time a Democrat, with strength, guts and honor ran against this man.
I have voted for you, sir; and thank you for your service to our country.
You make us proud !!!!
Oooorah
I applaud your candor with your personal, personnel records (note the use of the first word meaning private, followed by the second meaning employee). I have to say I felt dirty when I reviewed them, not because there was anything wrong with them, but because there is something disturbing about reviewing personnel records of a person written 20 years ago. That and I felt like I was digging through your trash. Still, as a fellow member of the military I felt the general population could benefit from an infromed view (not that informed, as your records start while I was still in grade school). I failed to review them properly because of my emotional reaction, and I apologize for that. You deserve better than me.
V/r
a Junior LT
ALLCON
These are the military records of an above average, possibly stellar performer. There is a bit of "evaluation creep," in any system for determining the qualifications of an officer, but this officer repeatedly scored above average, and that does say something. Also the evaluations were well written, which indicates that Rep Noriega wrote them well, that a superior cared enough about him to re-write them well, or both. I can make no useful evaluation of his opponant.
V/r
a very junior officer
While I never served in the military, I do not hold any ill will towards anyone who has or does. I am a peaceful man who holds life very dear... all life. This is seemingly different than Cornyn and the Bush Administration, which is horrible. They should be fully supporting our military by not sending them to do their dirty work for whatever behind-the-scenes, concocted reason they've agreed upon. Our job as a country should not be to act as the aggressor, but to defend ourselves and others (if they ask for our help) from aggressors. We cannot do everything or be everything to everyone, but we can at least try to prevent genocide, instill peace in war-torn countries and act as peace-keepers and negotiators. And, when members of our military retire, they should be fully protected. Without saying, the wounded and disabled vets need to be completely covered so they won't live in poverty.
It is a sad state of affairs when we have to show our patriotism by producing our military records for all to see. I sure wish Bush could have displayed his for the world to see in 2000. We may not have been saddled with the horrid results of this man's actions. We may have continued to live in peace.
All the best in your efforts.
you and Obama got my primary votes...knock em out of the park in the general !
Mr. Cornyn is obviously afraid of your honorable record and wants to launch a typical GOP swift boat attacks. John Cornyn has no record to stand on other than serving as a rubber stamp for the worst President in recent U.S. history. John Cornyn chose to avoid serving when he could have during the Vietnam War. And yet, like George W. Bush, he has no problem in sending others off to be killed or maimed in a war that was totally unnecessary to begin with. Mr. Cornyn did not do his homework on Iraq. He instead blindly followed George Bush. This is not a role true leaders are supposed to play.
Mr. Noriega, you are a true leader and I have already voted for you.
It is well past the time for these attack dog politics to end. Such serves to harm us more than help us.
We Texas Democrats will not allow the likes of John Cornyn to swift boat you.
This retired military officer was honored to vote for you (early) in the primary and is looking forward to voting for you this fall. Cornyn's days as a Bu$h boot licking Senator are numbered thanks to you.
Just let him bring it regarding your service jacket. Smears and attacks will only expose him as the spineless snake he is, while emphasizing your valor and commitment.
v/r
LT B