Sen. Scott Brown to serve in Afghanistan

[sinkingfeeling]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/05/scott-brown-senate-afghanistan-/1

GOP Sen. Scott Brown said today he will serve in Afghanistan later this year to fulfill his duties in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Brown, who is up for re-election next year, issued a statement today. He is a lieutenant colonel with the National Guard, and has served for 30 years.

The Massachusetts Senate race is one that could help decide partisan control next year, and Democrats are targeting Brown for defeat. Brown has raised more than $7 million for his re-election and recent polls such as one by Suffolk University show a majority of voters believe he deserves a full term

[ananda]

1. Seriously?

Massachusetts has gone that stupid?

[valerief]

5. That's what our voting machines tell us. nt

[WilliamPitt]

2. Non-MA residents should prepare themselves for the fact

that Brown is almost certainly going to win by ten points next year.

MA ain't as liberal as our reputation would indicate...and to be fair, the guy has been less of a mouth-breather than I expected. I won't vote for him, but a lot of people will.

[LynneSin]

4. I think you're about 50% correct there

Mind you, I don't know if Massachusetts has open or closed primaries. But if it's closed then I suspect the mouth breathers will run a teabagger against him. And I see Massachusetts alot like Delaware - they will vote for moderate republicans in general election but the closed primaries can be tough if someone more conservative runs. You definately have areas of your state that have a 'red-state mentality'.

If Massachusetts has an open primary then you probably are correct.

[Dawson Leery]

6. 18 months is a life time in politics.

[LynneSin]

3. Del AG Beau Biden also served while elected

And trust me, this guy could have gotten out of it, I'm sure the terrorist would love nothing more than to have the VP's son as a hostage (one of the reasons Prince Harry only lasted a few months over there). Biden was part of the JAG so he was not very close to the front line.

My only issue is this - will Massachusetts go without a senator while Brown serves or can they appoint a replacement? I know that there was someone who backfilled for Biden while he served.

[gauguin57]

7. I may disagree with Scott Brown on most issues, but I appreciate his service.

There are so few family members of congresscritters who are willing to serve ... gotta give the guy props for doing his duty.

And Brown has broken with his party to help us out a couple of times (advancing financial reform bill, along with Collins and Snow, for example).

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

8. so, he's going to quit his Senate job??

[Gabi Hayes]

9. put him on the front lines, right here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7870537/In-Sangin-most-dangerous-Afghan-district-British-troops-fear-war-will-last-10-years.html

Anyone flying into the dusty and flyblown Afghan town of Sangin does so in the sobering knowledge that some don't even make it on to the ground. Only 10 days ago, a US Blackhawk medical helicopter was shot down just yards from Jackson, the main British base, killing four Americans on board.

It was the fourth helicopter to be brought down over the town – a former opium bazaar with mud-brick buildings and rutted streets – in the past year. Just 50,000 Afghans live here and in the surrounding district, in Helmand province, yet Sangin has proved the most dangerous spot in the country for the British forces that have been attempting to subdue it for the past four years.

Almost one third of all British deaths in Afghanistan have been in Sangin – 99 out of the 310 fatalities so far.

It is a harsh place, with little room for forgiveness. Stray off the track, fail to spot the glint of the relentless sun off gun metal, and a soldier's life or limbs may be gone in an instant.....