Houston lawmaker called to active duty

[JayS]

June 8, 2004, 6:51AM
Houston lawmaker called to active duty
Headed to Afghanistan, Noriega ready to serve
By SALATHEIA BRYANT
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2614896



State Rep. Rick Noriega had planned a quiet, uneventful summer.

For him that meant some swimming, attending a couple of conferences and seeing the new Harry Potter movie.

But as many others in the military have seen lately, world events can force some sudden, dramatic changes in a person's agenda.

Noriega, a major in the Army National Guard, now is making plans to head off to a war zone. From a camp near Kabul, Afghanistan, he will train Afghans in basic Army skills.

*SNIP*

[cmf]

1. I hope he comes back safely. n/t

[molly]

2. Next....

"Rep. Carl Isett, R-Lubbock, is a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve who has not been called to active duty. Rep. Frank Corte Jr., R- San Antonio, a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, also is awaiting possible activation."

[papau]

3. Is the Guard call up of lawmakers a warning re the involuntary DRAFT of

40,000 by Bush to date via stop loss orders?

The good news being under a single stop loss order the draft is for a max 1.25 years.

Were those lawmakers making noise about the draft or Bush that might be not appreciated by the Whitehouse?

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Any excuse to get rid of a Dem down there.

Do hope he and his family fare well. :(

[markdd]

5. Their callup probably won't last

Last summer Missouri had one of it's state legislators called up for "critical" duty with a PR unit in Cuba. A Kansas City Republican group paid for his ticket back to MO to cast a vote to override the Governor's veto of concealed carry. Of course they lied about who paid for it. Probably a violation of state law.

His return to the US to pursue business related to his civilian employment violated several military codes. His penalty: released from duty with an honorable discharge before he completed his obligation.

GIVE ME A BREAK!

[JayS]

6. "override the Governor's veto"

At least they brought him back for a good cause. hehe :)