Thursday, November 08, 2007

They gave their all; U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock,

They gave their all

BY ROBERT L. BAKER, Wyoming County Press Examiner 11/07/2007

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It was a day that U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock, says he will never forget.

Back in 1969, his dad, then a school teacher and football coach, called the 10-year-old Chris and his brother aside.

There, his father wept.

"It was the first time I had ever seen my dad cry," Carney said Friday as he reflected on his most stark memory of the Vietnam conflict. He recalled that at the time his dad had just received word that one of his former football players, Randy Shackelford, then a 20-year-old Marine, had been killed in a cross fire.

The first term Congressman and member of the U.S. Naval Reserve has had time in his 10 months of congressional service in Washington to reflect on the continuing sacrifice that soldiers make on behalf of the United States around the world.

And, he says he is humbled to be allowed to read the names Thursday of persons identified on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Originally dedicated 25 years ago this weekend, Carney said he vividly remembers first seeing the massive monument right after it was unveiled in the nation's capital back in 1982.

"Of course, the first thing I did was looked for Randy's name," Carney said. "I found it and touched the etched name and felt a real connection."

"What a spectacular tribute the wall has been," Carney added. "You can trace the outline of a name and feel a real spirit in your fingers."

Now, with 58,253 names of those servicemen and women who gave their all during Vietnam, it is arguably "the most visited memorial in the country," according to the Website, www.virtualwall.org

Carney acknowledged, however, that as spectacular a monument as the wall is, "it was "quite a travesty a generation ago" when returning soldiers were treated by many with anything but respect.

"Acknowledgment of their sacrifice has helped us mature as a people, and if you look at the way they were treated compared to our soldiers returning from Iraq today, you can see we have really grown up," Carney said.

"You can never underestimate the importance of a strong military and what it means to peace and security in the world," he said.

"I never understood why people would not honor the service and sacrifice of another," he said, noting that his uncles, father, and brothers have all served at some point in the military.

"It is our tradition, and something we most certainly respect in others," he said

The Tunkhannock Area High School marching band is one of six nationally that has been invited to play during the Saturday festivities marking the 25th anniversary of the wall, and band director Ryan Zellner says the Tigers' performance will consist of a respectful 'You're a Grand Old Flag' and the 'Liberty Bell March.'

Saturday festivities in Washington will focus on a rededication of the Wall at 10 a.m.

At 11 a.m., a parade will start at Constitution Avenue and continue for about 1.5 miles.

Zellner anticipated as many as 100,000 people may be on hand.

For those who cannot get to Washington, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Wall is traveling to Northeast Pennsylvania and will be on display 24 hours a day, at Nay Aug Park in Scranton, from Thursday through Sunday.


©The New Age Examiner 2007

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Chris Hackett the Un-Patriotic Coward

VETERANS FOR CARNEY DENOUNCE HACKETT'S COMMENTS
Defend Carney while he is serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy Reserves

Towanda, PA At a small gathering in Bradford County on September 18th,
potential candidate Chris Hackett chose to attack Congressman Carney
while he is serving his country on active duty in the U.S. Navy
Reserve.

Veterans for Carney have come out to defend Congressman Carney's
record while he is serving on active duty and unavailable for comment.
Responding to Hackett's criticisms in the Towanda Daily Review, two
decorated veterans and registered Republicans responded.

"It's really disappointing that rather than use the opportunity to
indroduce himself to the voters, Chris Hackett chose instead to attack
someone while he is serving our country." said John Visci, a former
U.S. Marine and current veterans advocate. "Chris Hackett, someone who
has never worn the uniform, is quick to insult those of us that do, by
implying that Lieutenant Commander Carney was responsible for the
failure of US strategy in Iraq. Attacking a serving officer and then
demand that the Congressman refute attacks on other officers not even
made by him smacks of hypocrisy."

Mr. Visci was responding to Hackett's claim that "It is critical for
my generation to step up and really start to recognize what is
important for this country." (Towanda Daily Review, 9/19/07).

"Mr. Hackett is 44 years old and neither a member of the National
Guard nor the Military Reserve. Joining the guard or Reserve would be
stepping up Mr. Hackett, giving speeches attacking military officers
would not. As a long time Republican and veterans advocate, I believe
character is high on the list of qualities desired of our elected
officials. If Mr. Hackett wishes to be considered he can correct his
error. He should apologize to Congressman Carney and military
personnel past and present."

Gary Morgan, another Veteran for Carney, also criticized Hackett's
remarks. "This is a time of great stress for our country. Good men and
women serving in the United States Congress are as rare as lightening
bugs in December, so it doesn't serve us well to decide that simply
because someone is of the opposite party, we need to attack them.
Chris Carney is a deeply honorable man, and I'm sure that Mr. Hackett
didn't mean to impugn his honor simply to score political points. But
we must remember that Chris Carney's one of the men wearing the
uniform and serving in these times of crisis to keep our country safe
and the people he serves, and indeed all Americans, as safe as
possible."

Mr. Morgan concluded, "I'm a disabled combat veteran who is proud to
have voted for Chris Carney, and even though I am a Republican, I
intend to vote for him again!"

Congressman Carney is serving on Active Duty for two weeks and will
return on Monday, September 24th. While on Active Duty, he is
prohibited from commenting on political matters.

Veterans for Carney Respond to Hackett Attacks - 9/20/2007

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2007
POC: Rebecca Gale, 202 441 6057 (cell)
rebecca@carneyforcongress.com

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Chris Hackett and support for abortion

Chris Hackett belongs to a church that supports abortion. In fact he was the treasurer of that church. Does the Hack support his church or does he support the Bible? If he supports the Biblical understanding of “Thou Shalt Not Kill” in regards to Abortion then why did he serve as an officer of a Pro-Abortion Church? If he does not care enough to know what his church teaches, preaches and confesses then can we trust him in Congress?

Dan Meuser linked to 5 deaths

Wheelchair Executive About To Run Against Dem Chris Carney — Despite Settling Explosive Lawsuit Alleging Defective Product Dan Meuser, CEO of wheelchair manufacturer Pride Mobility USA, is poised to run for Congress as a Republican against freshman Democrat Chris Carney, who won a GOP-leaning district last year. One potential problem: Meuser's company has settled a contentious lawsuit over the death of an elderly man using their wheelchair, in which plaintiffs alleged that a defective battery caused a fire. From the Monterey County Herald, January 9, 2007: "Had the case gone to trial, according to court records and statements in court, jurors may have heard evidence that Pride Mobility was aware of at least 18 other fires in its wheelchairs and scooters with identical battery packs since 2002. Ten of those fires destroyed dwellings and five were fatal." (From Nexis)

Meuser the King of Exploding Wheelchairs Lives Outside the District

Dan Meuser, one of the leading Republican contenders for the 10th Congressional District seat in next year's election, doesn't live in the district.

A resident of Jackson Township in Luzerne County, Mr. Meuser lives in the 11th Congressional District, but his home is close to Kingston Township, which is in the 10th.The U.S. Constitution doesn't require congressmen to live in the districts they represent, but political opponents could make an issue of it.Mr. Meuser will try to head them off. He plans to move into the 10th before he files nomination petitions next spring to run for Congress, he said. He has not found a new home. http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18827300&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416046&rfi=6

Hackett declares Support for War in Iraq

Hackett blasts Carney, announces candidacy
By James Loewenstein, Staff Writer
09/19/2007
In a speech in Towanda on Tuesday, Chris Hackett, who is running for Congress in the 10th District, said he would be a strong, conservative voice in the House of Representatives, and he blasted his Democratic opponent, incumbent Chris Carney.
"This district needs the right representation," said Hackett, a Republican who is lives in Shavertown in Luzerne County. "It doesn't have it now."Approximately 25 people - including local Republican officials, supporters, and people interested in finding out about Hackett - heard his speech, which he made on the front steps of the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda.While the next congressional election in the 10th District will not occur until 2008, the race is already heating up and is expected to draw national attention.Hackett owns four businesses. He owns an insurance brokerage, called OneSource Benefit Solutions; a temporary staffing agency, called OneSource Staffing Solutions; a professional recruiting firm, called SHS Tech Staffing; and an administrative services firm, called OneSource HR Solutions. The four businesses have a total of 25 offices, Hackett said.Hackett was introduced to the audience in front of the courthouse by Republican Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko."We as Republicans believe that the government is too big, too intrusive, takes too much of our money, and wastes it," said McLinko, who added that Hackett would work in Congress to address those problems.In his speech, Hackett said the United States needs to "continue to have persistence" in Iraq."We have a moral obligation to do what we can to make the best of the situation (in Iraq)," Hackett said. "If we pull out today, there will be genocide in that country, and there will be a safe haven for terrorists to attack us in the future, and it will not be safe for our military to exit the country.""It's a very, very difficult set of circumstances (in Iraq)," Hackett said. "So we do need to continue to have persistence in dealing with this."I think this is the challenge of my generation," said the 44-year-old Hackett, referring to the war in Iraq."Generations before us have had the fortitude to follow through in these types of conflicts," such as World War II and the Cold War, Hackett said. "It is critical for my generation to step up and really start to recognize what is important for this country."Hackett, who has never held or run for public office before, said Carney was "involved in a lot of the ... research that was done to decide if we should go into Iraq. He (Carney) was part of the intelligence community that provided that information to the president."
http://www.thedailyreview.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18830524&BRD=2276&PAG=461&dept_id=465049&rfi=6

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Congressman Carney Bucks Pelosi and Votes His District

Other Notable House Democrats
11. Christopher Carney, Pennsylvania’s 10th (81.4 percent). Carney has one of the more Republican-leaning districts among first-term Democrats, and was greatly aided in 2006 by the fact that Republican incumbent Don Sherwood was badly damaged by a sex scandal. There is a long list of potential GOP candidates, though Democrats took note recently that the Republican field will not include U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Marino — a top prospect who recently said that he will not challenge Carney. http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/07/us_house_2008_who_has_got_the_5.html


Congressman Carney Bucks Pelosi and Votes His District
Congressional Quarterly recently cited Congressman Carney as one of a group of Conservative Congressmen who breaks with the House Leadership to best represent his district. His ability to raise money while representing his constituents is scaring off potential challengers. U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Marino recently backed out despite a great deal of pressure to run. While Marino is not saying why key observers think he saw the writing on the wall. JBOC

Congressman Chris Carney Starting to look Unbeatable

Pennsylvania’s 10th District (Northeast — Central Susquehanna Valley). As a raft of Republicans plot to unseat Democratic Rep. Chris Carney from the normally Republican-leaning 10th District, Carney has been raising money to prepare for a vigorous re-election bid. He took in $276,000 in the second quarter and $536,000 since the beginning of this year, and had $445,000 on hand. http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/07/us_house_2008_who_has_got_the_5.html


Congressman Chris Carney Starting to look Unbeatable
In the Tenth an incumbent who is Pro-God, Pro-Gun, Pro-Life, fiscally conservative and can raise money is about as safe as it gets. There is only two ways Carney leaves the seat: One if he starts running around with South American boo-boos like his predecessor Republican Don Sherwood or Two when he runs for Senate for Arlen Specter's soon to be vacant seat. (Word is that this is Specter's Last Hurrah). JBOC

Democrat mayoral candidate William F. McConnell

City mayoral candidate shares some of his ideas
By MARK MARONEY mmaroney@sungazette.com
William F. McConnell
He’s slung steaks on a grill at a restaurant and was an environmental consultant for the nuclear power industry.City Democrat mayoral candidate William F. McConnell has a tapestry of diversity on his employment resume.On Monday, the 64-year-old, who has an Internet Web site sharing his ideas, told Williamsport Rotarians his media campaign — to be in full swing in coming weeks — will give potential voters a choice and better demonstrate his visions for the city’s future.A city resident since 1989, McConnell, owner of Cuts Fitness for Men, 135 W. Fourth St., a franchise devoted to men’s health, touched on the ideas he believes will be “dynamic proposals.”Among them will be the creation of an office building downtown for business development, retention and residential housing needs.“I call it Williamsport Office Park,” McConnell said following address to Rotary Club members, describing his plan as able to work because of market research done on corporate needs.“I believe there is a market for back office operations to provide services to major corporations,” he said.Back offices are smaller offices affiliated with large corporations based in bigger cities that can and do conduct business in the region, according to Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer Vincent Matteo, who was at the meeting.Asked to further explain his idea, McConnell said, “I believe we can use creative financing to bring a Class A commercial-residential building to downtown to recruit back office professionals.”Corporations based in nearby large cities could have smaller affiliated business branches here. These companies would pay livable wages and provide incentive for future growth, he said.McConnell said funding sources for the building, which he envisions could encompass eight to 10 floors, would be private-public partnerships using state and federal money. In terms of retaining a professional work force, McConnell touched on how vital it is to capture the college-educated and skilled-labor market, which is increasingly fleeing the region for better paying jobs elsewhere.Although educated and holding numerous educational degrees, McConnell said he is not among those in ivory towers unaccustomed to the travails of the working American family.He gave Rotarians a brief history of his father’s life and work ethic and how he ended up working in factories but never quit pursuing his education and better paying and more substantial jobs.“I know what it is like to have success and to be faced with defeat,” said McConnell, who has a science and library science background.“I know what it’s like to struggle for money,” he said, likening the city to a struggling individual looking for a better position in life.McConnell’s employment history includes working at the Hahnemann Hospital Medical School library in Philadelphia.In terms of city operations, McConnell already has gone on record saying he favors continuation of the position of Public Safety Director Michael Hudak Jr.McConnell also expressed no need for a bigger police force as a cure-all to the city’s crime issues, especially drug-related violence and criminal activities.After the meeting, McConnell steered conversation toward promoting the city’s positive images.He cited a 2006 survey indicating the city ranks 25th in safety among 380 its size in the U.S.McConnell said another proposal he would employ, if elected, is upgrading degraded and blighted housing and making codes inspection procedures more user-friendly.Although a Democrat, he acknowledged Mayor Mary B. Wolf’s efforts and how he could build on the platform that she established for the city’s future.“Williamsport is the heart of the northcentral Pennsylvania region and for the region to be strong the heart has to be strong,” he said.
Section: Posted: 7/24/2007