Props to California's LA/Valley Pride: Welcome, Marines!

Operation Yellow Elephant salutes LA/Valley Pride in California.

Now that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is history, organizers invited all military branches to recruit at San Gabriel Valley Pride in Pasadena. Unfortunately, while the Marines were interested, they had no money. From the LA Times:

Marine recruiters reach out at gay pride event in Pasadena

[ . . . ]

Alan Chan, San Gabriel Valley Pride's secretary, invited military personnel in the Pasadena recruitment office across from the college to set up booths at the event. The Navy, he said, did not have adequate staffing. The Army had previously committed to another event. The Air Force did not respond. And the Marines, who alone expressed interest, nearly had to plead poverty because the branch had exhausted its funds for the fiscal year and did not have $150 for the exhibitor fee. LA/Valley Pride covered the fee, said Executive Director Paul Waters. [ . . . ]

OYE Comment:

If the Marines' participation at this event results in the eventual enlistment of one qualified recruit, we'll consider it a success.

We salute not only the Marine Corps Pasadena recruiting office but also the GLBTQ community in the area, who realize that, if more Americans personally knew someone wearing the uniform, especially enlisted servicemembers and junior officers - those most at risk in combat, our country would be a better place.

How about you, Ben Quayle? Would you encourage the GLBTQ community in your district to invite military recruiters to their event?

Hat tip to AmericaBlog Gay.

It's "Our Military" now, not "The Military" any more

Thanks to principled leadership in the Executive and Legislative Branches of Our Government, with a timely assist from the Judicial Branch, the policy decision has been made by the American people, through their elected representatives in Congress, that otherwise qualified Americans are eligible for military service without regard to sexual orientation.

That means that all Americans can embrace the military, beginning by calling it "Our Military." It's Our Military because We are the society which it serves, from which it recruits, and to which Our Veterans, Our Wounded Warriors, and Our Heroes who have made the Supreme Sacrifice, return, all of whom, including surviving family members and caregivers, deserve the full support of every one of us.

With "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on the way out, it's time for Harvard and Columbia and other elite institutions to welcome the return of ROTC to campus, to embrace Our Military by encouraging and supporting the desires of their students - all of their students - to Serve America in uniform.

No more excuses.

While our All-Volunteer Force will never have exact proportional representation, it is possible for more Americans to personally know enlisted servicemembers and junior officers, those most at risk in combat, if more or all Americans, from all parts of our society, would either volunteer to serve themselves [if healthy and 41-or-under], or, if not personally eligible, encourage their eligible relatives and friends, their circles of influence, to consider serving, even if they have other options.

This would help to unite Our Country.

Don't worry. We haven't forgotten the Yellow Elephants. With the Republican party poised to take over the House of Representatives next month, they still have a national leadership responsibility, shared with the Democratic party, to set a good example for the rest of us.

First Yellow Elephant Elected to Congress!

Voters in Arizona's Phoenix-area Third Congressional District just chose Yellow Elephant Ben Quayle as their new Congressman, with 53% of the vote. Democratic candidate John Hulburd got 47%.

We congratulate Ben Quayle on his victory and wish him, and Arizona, all the best.

Meanwhile, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy, an Iraq War Veteran, lost his seat with 46% of the vote.

There's still time for Congress to do the right thing and repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the post-election session.

We'll see what happens.

Update: Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick [R-PA-08], who replaced Patrick Murphy, missed his swearing-in. He later apologized.

As of January 8, 2011, Rep. Fitzpatrick's official website does not include his bio. It says, in toto, "For a copy of my full biography, please contact my Washington DC office." Hel-lo!

Our Question for Ben Quayle, AZ3 Republican Nominee

To Duke University Graduate Ben Quayle:

What do you think of Secretary of Defense Gates' September 29 speech at Duke University, your alma mater?

And, if you're such a wimp that you can't/won't answer this simple question, why do you think the voters of AZ3 in the Phoenix area will elect you to Congress?

FALL DADT Lobby Day 16SEP: The Final Assault

Servicemembers United invites active-duty servicemembers, veterans and supporters to its "Fall 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Lobby Day: The Final Assault," Thursday, September 16, 2010. Register here.

If the College and Young Republicans, and Republican Congressional candidates like Ben Quayle, really want to Support Our Troops, they will at least issue press statements urging the Senate to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" this year.

Dan Savage on Ben Quayle

from Savage Love:

Is everyone in the Republican Party a closeted homosexual?

—Ken Mehlman's Out Now


Everyone except Ken Mehlman and Ben Quayle.

AZ3: It´s Ben Quayle

It´s official: Republicans in Arizona´s Third Congressional District have selected Yellow Elephant Ben Quayle as their nominee. Ben took 23% of the vote in a nine-way primary. Although that means 77% of voters rejected him, he´s still the winner.

We congratulate both Ben and Arizona Republicans and look forward to robust, uninhibited debate in a campaign to give Third District voters a choice.

The Democratic Party nominated Jon Hurlburd, 50, who, like Ben, has not served in our military but who, unlike Ben, was already too old to serve on 9/11/2001. We certainly hope that the good people of Arizona´s Third District, and their media, finally Ask Ben The Question and insist that he respond. If Daddy´s Girl is really a leader, he´ll answer it.

Richard Blumenthal: Reflections on Yellow Elephants [Democrats as well as Republicans]

The media is swarming with commentary, observations and interpretations of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal [D], now running for Senate, who, on numerous occasions, falsely claimed in public to have served in Vietnam. [He served in the Marine Corps Reserve, exclusively in the U.S., during the Vietnam era and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.] Since he's too old to serve now, our topic does not concern him, except as follows:

Our Message to the Yellow Elephants:

This applies to politically ambitious young men [especially if single and childless] with Democratic or Republican political ambitions: Don't become Richard Blumenthal. Be A Man! Enlist!

If you are in your twenties or early thirties, you're still young enough to serve in our military, including as an officer. [The "maximum age" to enlist in the Army Reserve without prior service is still 41-or-under, and age waivers remain available, but only based on service need.]

You are at a stage of life where you can take a chance, try something different, and be a part of something greater than yourself.

Think a few years down the road, when you're seeking public office or even running for Congress: Did you Man Up? Did you at least try to, by contacting a recruiter? Did you seek to give of yourself first, before asking people to do the same for you?

In the end, and looking back, if our military did not want you, at least you gave them the opportunity, and let them decide. You can move on with your life, hold your head high, and be proud of your future accomplishments, whatever they may be. There are many ways to serve our country, including in war zones, even if you can't wear the uniform yourself.

And if you are accepted by our military, it will change your life, and you will be proud that you served. And nobody can call you Daddy's Girl or Mommy's Girl, because you did it yourself.

Be A Man! Enlist!

Ben Quayle: Daddy 'War'bucks comes through

We're not surprised that Ben Quayle, 33, healthy and heterosexual, and son of the former Vice President, has raised a lot of money seeking the Republican nomination for Arizona's Third Congressional District in the Phoenix area.

Why? Because he didn't raise it. Daddy did. From all his friends from the Bush "41" Administration.

Of note: Former SecDef Donald Rumsfeld donated $1,000 to Ben Quayle, the same amount he donated to Daddy's Girl, Ethan Hastert. We recall SecDef Rumsfeld's statement to a U.S. soldier in Kuwait, that "you go to war with the army you have."

Well, we know now that that army did not include two prominent healthy heterosexual young men, Ethan Hastert and Ben Quayle. We conclude that Mr. Rumsfeld probably gave less than half the legal maximum [$2,400] just to be polite.

OYE Comment:

Are we impressed with Ben Quayle's campaign account? No, because it's really not his own accomplishment.

Ben Quayle on Fox News March 31

Note: We think this was broadcast March 31, 2010. The Ben Quayle segment is the first 2:35 only; the rest is ads.

Ben Quayle Speaks for Himself

Ben Quayle Announces Run for Congress

Over six weeks after his father, the former Vice President, spilled the beans, 33-year-old healthy heterosexual Ben Quayle is announcing his candidacy for the House of Representatives in Arizona's Third District in the Phoenix area. The Republican Primary is August 24.

Here's Operation Yellow Elephant's comments on our topic in his statement:

Why I'm Running for Congress

Now more then ever a new generation of leadership is needed in Washington and I hear that call. I’m running for Congress because I can’t sit back and watch from the sidelines while the country I know and love is taken down an unsustainable path – a path where government takes more control of our everyday lives and the burden of out of control spending and irresponsibility puts our nation at risk. [Emphasis added]

OYE Comment:

Ben, haven't you been "watching from the sidelines" of the Global War on Terror [GWOT] for, like, seven years under a President of your own party, which also controlled Congress for most of that time? Why the change of heart?

And that’s why I’m stepping up now and running for Congress – Because I will fight to restore accountability and fiscally conservative values in Washington.

OYE Comment:

Ben, while the Federal budget deficit is off-topic for this blog, if you sat out the GWOT, how can your future constituents be assured that you will "fight"?

For the past month, I’ve spoken to hundreds of people in the 3rd Congressional District that worry about the future of their family, our state and our nation. I understand their fear and pessimism because it’s rooted in the fact that our current leaders ignore our voice and instead take our nation in the direction of big government. But we can’t let this fear and pessimism cause inaction. Now is NOT the time for inaction. Now is the time to keep the faith, that we the people, must join together and restore the American way. It’s the optimism and faith of the American people which has always determined our resolve. It has enabled us to overcome many obstacles in the past, and I believe that by keeping the faith and sending a message to the establishment this November, we will prevail. We must reclaim the belief that our country’s greatness comes from its people, not from the government.

OYE Comment:

Ben, while most of the above is off-topic for this blog, we cannot help but note that "fear and pessimism" caused your "inaction" during George W. Bush's leadership of the GWOT. At least, that's the conclusion we have drawn, since you never responded to our questions.

I’m the fourth generation in my family to live and work in Arizona. I have deep ties within this state and within this district. Arizona has always embodied the western Ideal of hard work and freedom. I’m fortunate to live in a state that, on a daily basis, reminds me of America’s freedom and potential. My great grandparents, grandparents, parents and siblings have all lived in the third congressional district. I’m getting married here in next week and will start a family soon. I want to be sure that our our children will have the same opportunities that our parents and grandparents had and that they grow up in the same America that I did. As Congressman from the third Congressional District, I promise you I’ll fight to make this country and state great again. Our children and grandchildren deserve that America.

OYE Comment:

Ben, while we congratulate you on your upcoming marriage to Tiffany, your promise that you will "fight" frankly rings hollow.

But I can’t undertake this restoration alone – because this campaign isn’t about me. It’s about all of us and what we can do to reclaim our country and put us back on the right track. It won’t be easy — nothing our country has resolved to do ever was –but it’s time for us to join together and restore this great nation. It’s the only way our country’s future looks brighter than the past. I hope you’ll all join and support me in this journey.

OYE Comment:

Ben, what can and will put our country back on the right track is credible national leadership. But we do wish you and Tiffany well in your future life together.

OYE Update: Photo tip to Phoenix New Times, the only media outlet that bothered to show up for the actual announcement.

Ben Quayle Ducks the Question

Well, Ben Quayle's Campaign for Congress has had well over a week to Answer Our Questions; the Republican Primary is August 24. Here's what we sent to Ben Quayle:

Subject: A few questions for Congressional Candidate Ben Quayle

12MAR2010: Greetings to the Ben Quayle for Congress Campaign:

Getting straight to the point, Operation Yellow Elephant, which began in 2005 as a nonpartisan grass roots citizens initiative to Support Our President by encouraging his strongest supporters, if qualified, to consider military service, has some questions for candidate Ben Quayle.

We welcome your response for publication on our blog. [If anything is not for publication, please include it in brackets as I am doing with this sentence. We can discuss by phone if needed.]

1. Your bio on your new campaign website does not mention military service. Please confirm that you have not served in our military, or provide any other information that you consider relevant that you may wish to share.

2. We note that you are 33 years old and, therefore, young enough to serve in our military. Are you eligible to serve [healthy and heterosexual, basically]? If you are not eligible to serve, please just let us know that fact (no details, please) and we will not bother you again.

3. Assuming at this point that you are eligible to serve, have you considered volunteering for military service? If you did not do so before 9/11/2001, did you reconsider after the terrorist attacks against the U.S.? If not, why not? If so, what resulted from your deliberations?

4. Do you personally know any enlisted servicemembers or junior officers [O-3 and below], those who are most at risk in combat? How about recent veterans of any rank?

5. We welcome any other information related to this topic that you may wish to share with readers of our blog.

Thank you very much for considering our questions. Please let us know if any further information is necessary.

Sincerely,

Operation Yellow Elephant

And the first follow-up:

14MAR2010: Follow-up: A few questions for Congressional Candidate Ben Quayle [sent Friday 12MAR]:

Greetings-

We just wanted to let you know that we very much welcome the Quayle for Congress campaign's responses to our questions. If you decide you would not like to respond, if you could please just let us know that fact, we won't have to keep following-up.

We have received an e-mail from the candidate's fiancee, Tiffany, but it is not clearly for public posting on our blog [we've asked] and does not address the questions about our topic. Nor have we seen anything new on the website.

Thank you very much for your help.

Operation Yellow Elephant

And the second follow-up:

19MAR2010: Second follow-up: A few questions for the Ben Quayle Congressional Campaign:

Greetings to the Quayle for Congress campaign-

We still haven't heard from you. If you will not respond to our questions, could you please just let us know that fact, so we don't have to keep sending to you, and you don't have to keep receiving, our e-mails?

If we don't hear from you soon, we'll just go with what we have, and note your lack of response. We do not think that this will reflect well on a campaign for a position of national leadership, and would prefer that the campaign engage - once - in a polite, civilized discussion of a relevant issue. That said, it's your choice.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Operation Yellow Elephant

OYE Comment:

Wow! He'll let his fiancee Tiffany defend him, but isn't man enough to speak for himself. But we did give them over a week just to let us know that they were working on it, and we never heard from them.

Ben Quayle update: Still waiting . . .

We established contact with the Ben Quayle Campaign over the weekend, and Asked The Question. We have received indications that they received our questions, but have yet to advise whether they plan to respond.

We noted that whether to respond is, of course, their decision, and politely requested that they at least please tell us if their response will be silence, so that nobody would waste anyone's time. We haven't heard anything yet.

We've also received an e-mail from someone in the Quayle camp commenting on our blog. We've taken the comments into account; we've also requested permission to post those comments directly related to our topic.

We wanted to assure our readers that we are very much interested in Asking The Question of Ben Quayle, and in providing him, through his campaign, the fullest possible opportunity to respond.

We hope Ben Quayle is man enough to respond to a tough but fair question all by himself. Stay tuned.

Ben Quayle and AZ3 in the New York Times

The New York Times has taken official notice of the Republican primary contest for a rare open seat in Arizona's Third District in the Phoenix area, no doubt because Ben Quayle, above, a son of the former Vice President, is one of eight candidates. Here's what Ben Quayle said to the Times:

“I think a lot of people can see themselves in me,” he added, “having gone through a period in their lives when they were focused on building their careers and were not as involved as they should be.”

“The honor of public service was instilled in me at a young age,” he said.

OYE Comment: Wow.

At least Ben Quayle's admitted having been "not as involved as [he] should be" in, say, the Global War on Terrorism [under the leadership for many years of then-President George W. Bush], while he was "focused on building [his] career."

Although off-topic for this blog, we note that not many of those he aspires to represent, Ben Quayle's future constituents, had even heard of him. Other Republicans, including Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker, the only other candidate profiled in the article, have records of public service at the state and local level going back years.

Ben Quayle seems like a nice guy, but does that mean he has the national leadership gravitas to serve effectively in Congress?

Ben Quayle update: He has a website!

Arizona businessman Ben Quayle, a candidate for the Republican nomination for the Third Congressional District in the Phoenix area, and son of the former Vice President, has made some progress. He [finally] has a website!

In "About Ben," here's what he has to say on our topic:

Ben Quayle believes in America’s position as the role model for the world.

Ben Quayle commits to:

-- Vote for a strong national security policy that takes real steps to protect our nation
-- Support a dramatic enhancement in our border security [sort of related to our topic]

Throughout his life, Ben’s family has instilled in him the importance of public service.

[Note: We've just included info on our topic.]

OYE Comment:

We've asked The Question to the Ben Quayle campaign, and we'll let you know if Ben [himself!] responds.

Why Ben Quayle is a Pussy

It's bad enough that Daddy stole his thunder by telling Fox News of Ben Quayle's [apparent] intention to run for Congress in Arizona.

But now, more than two weeks later, one cannot help but wonder whether he is really serious about running.

Why?

Because we have yet to locate an Internet site for the Ben Quayle Congressional campaign, nor a publicly available telephone number for his campaign office, to which we can direct The Question to him. Hel-lo!

Why does this mean he's a pussy?

Because there are other things that a man has to do on his own if he is to call himself a man and, more importantly, expect that those whom he hopes to lead will think of him with respect.

One of them is raising at least some of his campaign money by himself. The other is reaching out to real people, not only in the Third Congressional District in the Phoenix area, but also elsewhere in Arizona and, indeed, all over America.

An official campaign Internet site makes it easy for real American citizens, and lawful permanent resident aliens, to show their support by legally donating their own personal funds to his campaign. Donations under $200 do not need to be reported publicly; the limit per person is approximately $2300 or $2400 or thereabouts.

Yes, we know that Daddy will help with fundraising by contacting his major donor buddies, and this can be important.

But Ben Quayle needs to know that the so-called "little people" also want a voice in the future of our nation. If he doesn't care enough to reach out to them, why does his Daddy, if not Ben Quayle himself, think they will support him in the election?

Daddy's Girl, Part II: Ben Quayle in AZ3

Former Vice President Dan Quayle announced February 12 that his son, Ben Quayle, 33, an attorney in Scottsdale, Arizona, will be running for the Republican nomination for the Third Congressional District, one of several in the Phoenix area.

In the eight+ years since 09/11/2001, we had never even heard that Vice President Quayle had a son who, we assume, is healthy and heterosexual and, therefore, eligible to serve in our military in the Global War on Terror under the leadership of then-President George W. Bush. There is no mention of military service in news accounts, and his campaign website has yet to be established. We will be asking him whether he has considered volunteering for military service, and the results of his deliberations.

However, we can draw some tentative conclusions right now: Ben Quayle has never even considered wearing the uniform, or serving the people of his community and state, and our nation, in any way, shape or form. How do we know this? Because his father announced that he was running for Congress! That's like asking Daddy to help pay for your honeymoon.

There are some things a man must do on his own, by himself, if he is to call himself a man. Announcing his intention to seek a position of national leadership is one of them. Daddy's Girl, Part II, indeed!