Media Lizzy on Henry Hager
Here's what Lizzy Blackney of Media Lizzy says about Henry Hager (above, left), whom she knows personally:"The first time I met Henry Hager in the summer of 2000, he was escorting his father John, then the Lt. Governor of Virginia. John Hager, formerly an Assistant Secretary of Education - and current Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, was - and remains - confined to a wheelchair. I was assisting them in navigating the convention venues, from parking to just getting in and out of buildings through the proper security keyhole, during the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Henry's youth was an asset, his strength of mind, body, and spirit was an asset. I was pretty horrified that no one had thought to make proper arrangements for Lt. Gov. Hager and his family but Henry assured me we could handle anything that came. He was a very young man at the time but was a consummate professional, and loving son. I helped fix things for them but it was Henry, whose poise after a life of making things work for the family, who I admire from Philly. The entire Hager family was and remains an inspiration to me. Forget politics, they are just good people - who take care of each other. So when the folks at Operation Yellow Elephant challenge him to be a man, I'll tell you what: Henry Hager already is, has been for a long time. Jenna Bush is one very lucky young lady." -Lizzy Blackney.
OYE Comment:
Operation Yellow Elephant agrees with Media Lizzy that Henry Hager is a fine person, etc., and certainly wishes him and his fiancee Jenna Bush (above, right) a wonderful and happy life together.
However, we continue to believe that as a young man eligible to serve, and a future national leader, whose support of President Bush can be presumed, Henry Hager has a responsibility to set a good example for the rest of us at least by considering volunteering for military service.
We've Asked The Question of Mr. Hager on multiple occasions, including via Media Lizzy, and have yet to receive any response.
If Henry Hager really is a Man, couldn't he at least explain to the American people whether he has considered volunteering for military service, which his future father-in-law has described as an "honorable calling," and to share with America the results of his deliberations?
Labels: Henry Hager
posted by OYE @ 9/20/2007 04:51:00 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
OYE:
Thanks for posting my comment. The Hagers are a remarkable and cohesive family, I admire them all more than words can say. I would argue that Henry will indeed serve our nation in a remarkable way someday. It might not meet the OYE specs but he will make a difference in a respected, substantive, and positive way.
Here's a question, are you guys chasing down all these young Republicans because College Campuses are increasingly hostile to military recruiters???
Seems like colleges are filled with young able-bodied men & women. Unfortunately, Columbia University feels it's appropriate to have Iran's Ahmadinijead as a speaker during his 2-day visit but won't allow recruiters on campus.
I'm sure you guys support everyone having a higher education - and serving - don't you? Don't you suppose that a few folks on campus are willing to "Be a man and enlist."
Media Lizzy-
We agree that college campuses, to include Columbia University, should welcome military recruiters on an equal basis.
Frankly, liberal schools should be encouraging their fair-minded graduates to serve; their attitude hasn't changed a thing re "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," anyway.
On the other hand, if healthy heterosexual pro-war young people, such as the College Republicans, were lining up at recruiting stations to Support Our President, recruiters wouldn't need to seek access to campuses.
Those actively promoting recruiter access to college campuses, the same College Republicans, also have a responsibility to make it worth the recruiters' time. [Unlike, say, YRNC 2007.]
By the way, do you really think that our military is even interested in sending a recruiter to Columbia? For many reasons, I sincerely doubt it.
I think the military recruiters would like to go to Columbia and other campuses but the Ivy League refuses to allow them on campus because they deem the military to be discriminatory...against gays, specifically.
Anonymous has a good point (man, what a prolific writer, with stuff on every site I visit). If the military were to do away with its discriminatory admissions policies, there would be no reason to exclude recruiters from campuses. The ball is in their court.
As for the estimable Mr Hager, no one doubts his devotion to his father, his family, or his country. (That anecdote is really awful, by the way: what a shameful way to treat someone, especially the Lt Governor.) But surely Mr Hager and his many admirers can see why someone in his position would be asked if he had considered serving. I find it hard to take these young men and women seriously if they are aware of the recruiting shortfalls and the real possibility that US forces in Iraq will be withdrawn before the mission is accomplished.
The enemy in the field knows, just as America does, that when the deployed forces hit their 15 month rotations, they'll be leaving. And if the same young men who blog and go to rallies and political meetings manage to avoid visiting their local recruiter, they should consider their political aspirations at an early end.
It's disappointing that someone in a position to make a difference doesn't step up, either in their role in the media, like Media Lizzie, or in the public eye like Mr Hager. Picture him at the wedding in his dress uniform, as we are assustomed to seeing at the various royal weddings in England.
That this should take so much effort to communicate is painful.
Wow Lizzie, Henry sure sounds like a swell guy.
Praise GOD we have such outstanding moral fiber in our future leadership!
Jesus DOES love America, I just KNOW it.
Rumor has it that Henry has already "proved" his manhood by getting Jenna preggers.
anonymous (21 September, 2007 23:35)-
The question I was asking was whether military recruiters really want Columbia students/alumns to serve.
In other words, how do they react when Columbia types come to them in their recruiting offices?
If they're not interested then, what makes you think they would be on campus?
Check out the Army OCS Foundation.
Lizzy is correct, there are many able-bodied young war supporters who would volunteer but for the recruiting shutout in liberal college campuses. They want to enlist, they just don't know how!
That's why I'm going to do my patriotic duty and post recruiting literature outside the offices of young Republican organizations at my school. Imagine their gratitude!!
Come on, people. It's not that hard to find a recruiting station these days. You can go online and check!
Look folks... the Columbia thing demonstrates hypocrisy. They are willing to have Ahmadinjead over for a night, but somehow - the idea of a military recruiter is too scary? Gimme a break.
And yes, of course those bright kids could find a recruiter or a MEPS center if they wanted to enlist. I was not suggesting otherwise.
Finally, having Henry Hager enlist or be a commissioned officer - while it would enable you OYE folks to claim a domestic political coup - would be a disaster. As a Gold Star Wife, I damn sure wouldn't want such a high value target standing next to my man.
As the son of the man who presided over the war, Hager would not only be a target - his presence would compromise the lives of others - lives already hanging in the balance.
There is more at stake than domestic political points folks. Real lives. Not just "republicans" or "democrats" - but real people.
Henry was too busy serving his country in Karl Rove's office to join the military.
I just find it astounding that these young men and women of one politcal affiliation are always too busy with much more important matters to even consider serving in their country's armed forces.
It's not like we are at war. Oh, wait we are. It's not like the armed services are having recruiting shortfalls because it lacks manpower. Oh, wait it does.
As a veteran, it seems to me these young men and women lack the patriotism, the duty to one's country, and the courage to put on the uniform of United States of America in a time of need.
They have no right to live here, in my opinion, if they aren't willing to fight for everything we hold dear.
It may be time to bring back the draft, with NO deferments, no exceptions. It might be the only way to share the burden equally.
media lizzy (27 September, 2007 02:09)-
Look folks... the Columbia thing demonstrates hypocrisy. They are willing to have Ahmadinjead over for a night, but somehow - the idea of a military recruiter is too scary? Gimme a break.
And yes, of course those bright kids could find a recruiter or a MEPS center if they wanted to enlist. I was not suggesting otherwise.
Media Lizzy's clearly a great debater, introducing irrelevant topics [e.g., Ahmadinjead at Columbia] while avoiding the real issue, namely, the obligation of our national elites to set a good example for the rest of us.
Responding to the text above, one of the many reasons why I doubt that our military is interested in sending a recruiter [i.e., an Officer Selection Officer] to Columbia was my own experience with them early in 1982, as supported by VooDoo94's commentary to the Army OCS Foundation, focusing on the Army's indifference to New York City colleges and universities as a potentially worthwhile source of officer candidates:
They weren't interested.
For all those conservative commenters who claim that our military is almost 100% Republican already, one cannot help but wonder why military recruiters would even be interested in wasting their time at a liberal Northeastern school.
Unless, of course, too few conservatives have the courage to Be A Man! Enlist!
media lizzy (27 September, 2007 02:09)-
Finally, having Henry Hager enlist or be a commissioned officer - while it would enable you OYE folks to claim a domestic political coup - would be a disaster. As a Gold Star Wife, I damn sure wouldn't want such a high value target standing next to my man.
As the son of the man who presided over the war, Hager would not only be a target - his presence would compromise the lives of others - lives already hanging in the balance.
There is more at stake than domestic political points folks. Real lives. Not just "republicans" or "democrats" - but real people.
Thanks for your comment.
We'll be doing a posting on this in the coming days; stay tuned.
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