On Saturday, September 12, 2009 news reports surfaced that prisoners being held by the U.S. Military in Afghanistan will be given the right to challenge their detentions. According to the Pentagon, prisoners will be given the opportunity to go before a “Detainee Review Board” to have their cases considered. Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn signed the order creating the review boards in July. Congress was given 60 days to review the new policy according to The Washington Post and New York Times, which reported on the new program late Saturday night on the Web. 

According to reports, the process appears to be similar to the procedure used for detainees at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Unlike GITMO, detainees at Bagram have had no means to challenge their detentions or to hear allegations against them. According to a Fox News report citing an unnamed Pentagon official:

“The initiative is more like a system used in Iraq than in Guantanamo. In Iraq, authorities used review boards to help manage the prisoner population and reduce it by distinguishing which detainees posed the greatest threat and which could be rehabilitated and released.” 

Various Human Rights organizations have consistently argued that the prisoners in Afghanistan should be given the same rights as those at Guantanamo, but the U.S. military argues that Bagram detainees should be treated differently because they are being held in an active theater of war. 

The opinion of the military is the correct one in this case. The detention situations cannot be compared to one another. The U.S. Military should have a process in place to identify both high risk, and high value detainees, and re-locate those detainees outside of the active theater of war. 

Increased Troop Levels in Afghanistan

The United States Congress needs to take the war in Afghanistan more seriously than the leadership appears to be doing at this time. President Obama appears to understand Afghanistan’s importance. According Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations  

"What the American people and members of Congress need to understand is that we have a very crucial stake in Afghanistan , and if you need any reminder of that it comes today, on the anniversary of 9/11," says Rice. "This is a place in which the 9/11 attacks were planned and hatched, and those that committed those atrocities remain active in this very region."

We need to follow through with a troop surge in the spirit of the surge in Iraq in 2008. Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership in the Senate need to support the President’s request to increase our troop levels in Afghanistan. The Democratic leadership would find a fair amount of Republican support on this issue.  The United States cannot afford to be driven out of the country that launched the 9/11 attacks. By stabilizing Afghanistan we also stabilize Pakistan. Both are in the strategic interest of the United States. The Obama Administration understands this to be true and I urge him to stand firm on this issue in the face of pressure from the anti-war far left.   

DONATE  NOW

I have known U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson since he was a South Carolina State Senator and I was a student at the University of South Carolina. While I would have preferred he not have blurted out his now famous phrase during a joint session of Congress, I continue to stand with him. The fact remains that that President Obama was not telling the truth.  

President Obama stated Wednesday night  "There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants.  This, too, is false - the reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally."

 

Nothing in H.R. 3200, or any other Democrat bill, would require individuals to verify their citizenship. While Sec 246 of H.R. 3200 does state that illegal immigrants will not be covered, it fails to define a method requiring the verification of citizenship or an individual’s identity

SEC. 246. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.

Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.

**H.R. 3200 does not create/define a method requiring the verification of citizenship or an individual’s identity. Undocumented Aliens would be covered **

U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson is a great American. He has served this country as member of the United States Military and as a member of the United States Congress. He is a warrior for conservative’s causes and I am proud to stand at his side anytime.   Join me and donate to Congressman Joe Wilson’s re-election campaign. If you another reason just refer to the following email sent out by www.moveon.org this week.

DONATE  NOW

EMAIL FROM MOVEON.ORG

Joe Wilson
From: Nita Chaudhary, MoveOn.org Political Action < moveon-help@list.moveon.orgThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it >
Date: Fri, Sep 11, 2009 1:12 pm
Rep. Joe Wilson heckled President Obama during his big speech on Wednesday. Now progressives are teaming up to fundraise for Wilson's Democratic opponent. Can you chip in $20?
Donate now

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday, ignoring the calls from leaders within his own party, Rep. Joe Wilson refused to apologize on the House floor for shouting out "you lie!" during President Obama's big health care speech.1

In fact, he recorded a new YouTube video defending his attacks on Obama's health care plan and requesting donations for his re-election campaign!2

This is the kind of disrespectful and dishonest behavior we've come to expect from right-wing mobs and talk radio hosts recently—but it's simply unacceptable for a member of the United States Congress.
Fortunately, we've got a great opportunity to replace Joe Wilson in Congress. Rob Miller is a Democrat and an Iraq war veteran, and last year he won 46% of the vote against Wilson despite raising half as much money.

Grassroots progressives are teaming up to help Rob Miller take on Joe Wilson, raising over $750,000 in less than two days. They've set a goal of raising of $1 million—can you chip in $20?

https://pol.moveon.org/give/miller.html?id=17214-16802641-69nJjWx&t=3

While Wilson initially apologized to the White House for his outburst, by yesterday he was already backpedaling. He refused calls from leaders of both parties to apologize on the House floor and claimed that he had been "overwhelmed" with supportive phone calls.3

And the conservative media is defending Wilson. Rush Limbaugh said on his show yesterday that Wison shouldn't have apologized.4 Sean Hannity, who had Wilson as a guest on Fox News, told him, "You're right and the president is wrong," and urged viewers to donate to Wilson's campaign.5

This is mean-spirited right-wing politics at its worst—and we've got to fight back. As President Obama said Wednesday night, "I won't stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what's in this plan, we will call you out."

Let's help Rob Miller take on Joe Wilson. Click here to chip in:

https://pol.moveon.org/give/miller.html?id=17214-16802641-69nJjWx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Michael, Kat, Peter, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Wilson Refuses to Apologize on House Floor," Roll Call, September 10, 2009.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/38373-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
2. "Joe Wilson YouTube: 'I Will Not Be Muzzled'" Talking Points Memo, September 10, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51906&id=17214-16802641-69nJjWx&t=5

3. "Joe Wilson: 'I Have Been Overwhelmed' By Supportive Phone Calls," Talking Points Memo, September 10, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51904&id=17214-16802641-69nJjWx&t=6

4. "Limbaugh Wishes Wilson Had Not Apologized," Media Matters, September 10, 2009.
http://mediamatters.org/limbaughwire/2009/09/10#0044

5. "Rep. Joe Wilson Talks With Sean Hannity, Stands By His Comments," The Washington Independent, September 10, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51905&id=17214-16802641-69nJjWx&t=7

Congressman John Spratt recently announced he would hold a town hall to discuss healthcare. This was a drastic change to his position prior to the Republican sponsored town hall that attracted over 500 concerned citizens.

I applaud Congressman Spratt for choosing to hold a public forum on this critical issue.  I urge him to assure the voters of the 5^th Congressional District that he will oppose a public option/co-ops and any single payer healthcare plan. The chances of him opposing Speaker Pelosi are unlikely but would be best for his constitutes. 

I hope we can have an intelligent debate on this issue in 5^th district. Describing those who oppose this issue as unruly and even violent is not accurate, and I hope the same is not done in the wake of this forum. Government Run Healthcare is becoming more and more unpopular. Zogby International has President Obama’s approval rating at 42% which is a direct result of the debate over healthcare legislation. If you disagree with Government Run Healthcare, voice your opposition at the town hall meeting Thursday in Rock Hill.

When: 5:00PM: Thursday, September 3, 2009
Where: Baxter Hood Center, 452 S. Anderson Road, Rock Hill, S.C.

The Rock Hill Herald/USTREAM plans to webcast the event
www. Heraldonline.com/townhall

As socialized healthcare continues to be the hot issue around the country, Congressman John Spratt (SC- 5^th) continues to dodge the voters here in the district. He appears to have no intention of directly engaging his constitutes in any kind of forum. Personally, I would be eager to defend my position if I were advocating a piece of legislation that would have a profound impact on the lives of all Americans. 

The Obama Administration needs to take a long look in the mirror and decide what they believe. For example, President Obama campaigned on a platform of change and transparency; recent dealings between the pharmaceutical industry and the Administration raise serious questions as to whether the drug lobby is helping to bankroll a multimillion dollar severance package for one of the President's senior advisors.   This is just another issue entangled in the web of healthcare reform. Below are some of the facts.

• Several weeks ago, the President announced an agreement with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to achieve $80 billion in savings as part of health care "reform."  The Congressional Budget Office has previously found that eliminating the Part D "doughnut hole"- one element of the PhRMA "deal"-would cause Medicare premiums to rise by 50 percent.

• As a result of the White House agreement with the drug lobby, press reports indicate that a coalition of interest groups led by PhRMA has committed up to $150 million to generate publicity in support of the President's health "reform."

• On Saturday, Bloomberg News reported that one of the firms hired to spearhead the PhRMA-led advertising campaign is AKPD-the firm that Senior Advisor to the President David Axelrod founded, and where his son continues to work.

• The same news story reported that Axelrod will be paid $2 million from AKPD as part of his severance package-payments which will come due beginning in December.

 
Even the Obama friendly press is beginning to ask questions. I never thought I would see that happen in any way, shape or form. Things can change when the AARP loses 60,000 members in only a few weeks.

We can document that the pharmaceutical industry spends hundreds of millions of dollars supporting a government takeover of health care! A healthcare system which drug companies believe they can, and will increase, profits as they raise Medicare premiums for seniors. Some may wonder whether White House senior advisors, earning millions of dollars, paid for in part by the pharmaceutical industry is ethical. None of the legislation pushed by the democratic leadership can be described as reform under anyone’s definition. It appears that nothing has changed other than the party in control.

We deserve to hear from our Congressional representatives in a town hall format. I ask Congressman Spratt to join us tonight.

EVENT:  4017 Laurel Creek Drive
                Rock Hill, South Carolina
                6:30 pm

Meeting Format:

• Welcome
• Introduction of Panelist
• Panelist given 2-3 minutes to share their views on HR-3200 Bill and potential impact on Health Care in    America
• Listen to attendees concerns and take questions
• Meeting end no later than 8:15 PM
  
  Below is a copy of Congressman Spratt’s most recent Press Release

News from US Rep. John Spratt (D-SC)
Chairman, Committee on the Budget
Senior Member, Committee on Armed Services
US House of Representatives, Washington, DC
spratt.house.gov | budget.house.gov

Thursday, August 13, 2009 – For Immediate Release
Contact: Chuck Fant, 202-226-2651

 Spratt Statement on Health Care Reform, Update on Foot Surgery

 I understand the sentiment of those who are calling us to say that they do not want their medical care delivered from Washington. But I also understand that 50% of all health care in this country is either paid for or provided through the federal government. That includes Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Tricare Standard, Tricare for Life, Veterans Health Care, Military Health Care, Indian Health Care, the Public Health Service, and the Federal Employees Benefit Program.

 “Our health care system is in need of reform, but we need to be wary of the cost and complexity, and we should choose among the best proposals in the House, Senate, and White House. Over the last several weeks, I have supported a slow-down, because I think we need a longer period to search for better, more affordable solutions.

 “We have the best health care in the world, bar none, but it is also the most costly, and access is not assured to the 46 million who lack insurance coverage. I believe we should close that gap, but I recognize the cost and complexity. That’s why I supported not voting until after the August recess. I want to see reform done right.

 “Because of the complexity, neither the House nor the Senate has come forth with a final draft, and major differences separate the two. For instance, the House draft contains an employer mandate, requiring the employer either to pay a percentage of the employee’s premium cost or pay 8% of an employee’s wage into a health insurance fund. In the Senate bill, employer contributions are much smaller. I lean toward a lower-cost alternative.

 “Both bills call for an insurance exchange, where individuals and smaller businesses have the advantage of competition. But the House bill contains a public insurance plan as one option in the insurance exchange. The purpose of the public option is to offer an alternative to private insurance and to have a yardstick to compare cost and coverage. Insurance companies oppose the public plan. They claim that it will be impossible to compete if the government subsidizes the public insurance policy. Sponsors say subsidies will be excluded. A public policy enacted as a backup, which is triggered into being only if the cost of private coverage escalates beyond certain benchmarks, may be a compromise.

 “The Office of Management and Budget has proposed a Super-MedPac with rate-making and regulatory authority over Medicare and Medicaid. One of its purposes is to save money in these programs to pay for coverage of the uninsured. I understand the need for strong administration, and one empowered to hold costs in line when Congress will not, but I think the Super-MedPac may be a bit too powerful.

 “When we wrote the budget resolution for fiscal year 2010, we required that the cost be deficit-neutral, so that every dollar spent is offset by a dollar saved. A little more than half of the House proposal would be offset---paid for by savings in the existing health care program. I want to see more of the cost offset by savings elsewhere in the health care system.

 “Three House committees have jurisdiction over health care, and they have converged on a health care reform bill, but the tri-committee draft could not muster enough votes to be reported to the House floor, until concessions were made. In the Senate, two committees have jurisdiction, and they have yet to reach consensus. So, health care reform is very much a work in progress.

 “At a time like this, nothing is worse than to be on the sidelines, but four months ago, I scheduled surgery for repair of what turned out to be an Achilles tendon, shredded by a big bone spur on my right heel. I could not have the surgery until the August recess because of the weeks required for healing. During this time, I have been directed to stay off my feet as much as possible, and to put no weight on my right foot. I had a town hall meeting, sponsored by the AARP, in July, and over the months, I have met with numerous constituents, the South Carolina Hospital Association, with SC Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and with a wide assortment of physician groups to hear their concerns about a public policy. I need to set up other meetings, especially with individual constituents, and we will do so, as soon as my recovery is completed.”

# # #

Healthcare takes center stage tomorrow night in Rock Hill, South Carolina.   Many of Rep. Spratt’s constituents who were hoping to address their questions directly to 14 year incumbent Congressman John Spratt will be disappointed.

“The Congressman plans to remain at home in York recovering from foot surgery and must stay off his feet” According to Matt Garfield of the Rock Hill Herald “Spratt said he plans to meet with constituents when his health allows him to return to work.” Garfield continues to say “Sen. Jim DeMint, South Carolina's Junior Senator, also was invited but can't attend because of other events on his schedule.”

Regardless, the event will be both successful and informative. Featured panelists will be Norman Taylor, M.D., past President of the York County Medical Society, OB/GYN Department Chairman at Piedmont Medical Center and Chief of staff at PMC in 2004; Robert Lesslie, M.D., an Emergency and Preventive Medicine physician and winner of the Patient Choice Award in 2008; and F. Michael Vasovski, D.O., who practices in Aiken, SC as a solo practitioner and is one of the original founders of the Free Medical Clinic of Aiken as well as the Aiken County School District consulting physician. 

 

Representing the insurance industry is A. Watts Huckabee, Sr. who has been a local independent insurance agent in Rock Hill since 1990 with the Carolinas Insurance & Investment Group. The agency specializes in group health insurance, life insurance, investments and Medicare supplement coverage. 

 

It is extremely disappointing U.S. Congressman Spratt would not make arrangements to participate through a two way video conference. This would have been easy to set up and could still be done tomorrow. Voters want to express their views on H.R. 3200 in a civilized manner and our Congressman has a duty to defend his position. I can only assume he does feel the same sense of duty that he should feel as United States Congressman for South Carolina’s 5^th Congressional District. I am floored that he does not feel an obligation to at least send a surrogate to speak on his behalf.  I suggest Congressman Spratt not ignore the moderates and independents that will attend this meeting. He may not receive the independent vote in 2010. Time will be our judge but support for Socialized Healthcare is waning from sea to shining sea. The AARP lost more than 60,000 members over the last few weeks. We are quickly approaching a point when a majority of Americans oppose this and other bills containing a PUBLIC OPTION. Show your opposition to government run healthcare in a peaceful manner tomorrow in Rock Hill.

EVENT:  4017 Laurel Creek Drive
                Rock Hill, South Carolina
                6:30 pm

Meeting Format:

• Welcome
• Introduction of Panelist
• Panelist given 2-3 minutes to share their views on HR-3200 Bill and potential impact on Health Care in    America
• Listen to attendees concerns and take questions
• Meeting end no later than 8:15 PM

 VOTES BY Congressman Spratt

I found news reports this evening incredibly disturbing. Does anyone else find it astonishing that the White House is asking individuals to report misinformation to the White House on healthcare? The problem is that we are not discussing “misinformation” but a political disagreement with President Obama and the Democratic majority in Congress. The President spent an hour on national television dispensing misinformation concerning the healthcare legislation.

The Obama White House said the following this evening

“There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.”

This is downright un-American behavior and irresponsible behavior for the leader of the free world. I will not be deterred from voicing my opposition to policies I view as disastrous for the United States. South Carolina is will continue to be the shining light for conservatism in America and we will continue to oppose the liberal policies of the Obama administration.

I urge the White House to take a long look in the mirror and remember the United States is a nation of laws and should remember the following moving forward

5 U.S.C. § 552a, “United States agencies, including the Executive Office of the President shall, maintain no record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly authorized by statute or by the individual about whom the record is maintained or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity.”

We are winning the healthcare debate continue the fight we can succeed!