Free Republic

WASHINGTON -- After researching the Iraq war in depth for the last few years, former House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter has a simple message for the American public: We won. Hunter, an Army veteran and a California Republican who served in the House of Representatives for 28 years, is releasing his book, “Victory in Iraq: How America Won,” later this month. The goal, he said, is to highlight the heroics of troops who served in the combat zone (the book includes interviews with more than 100 Silver Star recipients) but also to “set the record straight” on the legacy...

The true and detailed account of America's victory in Iraq. "As the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee in the House of Representatives for most of the Iraq War, Duncan Hunter not only participated in the major debates in Congress concerning the war. . .he led them. . .His work to provide equipment and force protection to our troops was unequaled. Hunter knows the story of the Iraq War from the inside like no one else. He provides a clear, accurate portrayal of the War, well researched and documented--superb, exciting reading. His detailed accounts of heroism bring to the front...

The United States Military has performed superbly in Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrating unprecedented courage and ingenuity in the war against islamic terrorists. A major characteristic of America's military is the bedrock of Judeo-Christian beliefs and heritage, which maintains unit cohesiveness, which in turn translates into combat effectiveness. Now, liberal extremists, backed by a single activist judge, a Clinton appointee, are trying to inject homosexuals into the ranks of America's fighting forces. This is something that our troops strongly object to. This is the same homosexual lobby which is attempting, through a judicial fiat, to undo what 31 States (out of...

In a shift in tactics, the U.S. military in Afghanistan plans to rely more on old-fashioned surveillance, as compared with new-age technology, to stop the biggest killer of American service members in the field. Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, said he was informed by the Pentagon in recent weeks that the command is building up a special task force to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Task Force ODIN (Observe, Detect, Identify, Neutralize) is designed to constantly watch troop and convoy routes to catch the enemy planting IEDs, which account for more than 50 percent...

A call to end automatic citizenship for the children of illegal immigrant parents is gaining momentum among leading Republicans in Congress, who recently called for hearings on the subject. Some North County congressional representatives, who are among the most vocal against illegal immigration, have pushed for the public debate, but the issue seldom received much attention from the party's leadership. Then last month, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he wanted to have hearings, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he would like to propose a constitutional amendment to prevent illegal immigrants' children from being declared citizens. With a...

President Obama addressed America on August 3l, 20l0, as the 4th Stryker Brigade is making its way home from Iraq. The President marked the occasion by praising the troops, tossing a bouquet to former President George W. Bush, and announcing that he was "ending" the war. The President omitted an important word that describes the 7 year U.S. operation. The word is victory. We won. More than one million Americans have served in Iraq since the 1st Marine Division and 3rd Army Division breached the tank traps at the Iraq/Kuwait border in 2003. Victory in Iraq is undeniable. The Sunni...

This interview is part of an ongoing 2010 series of conversations with former Congressman and conservative icon Duncan Lee Hunter. Though he is in the final days of editing his new book on the Iraq War, he has been involved in a number of campaigns for conservative congressional candidates and is still keenly interested in getting his views out to the public. With any luck, Hunter will toss his hat back in the ring for the 2012 presidency, but for now he’s trying to reinvigorate the GOP with a return to Reaganism. AJM: Today is primary day for a couple...

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Pork Parade has another member, and he’s a chip off the ol’ block. Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA-52) has picked up where his father, former Congressman Duncan L. Hunter, left off. The freshman member is doing his best to bring home the bacon for some of his biggest campaign donors, one of which is a company founded by his uncle. At the same time, Congressman Hunter touts his commitment to cutting government spending on his own website. It seems the best way to maintain government funding is to donate to Mr. Hunter’s campaign. “The rotten apple doesn’t fall...

Oh, good grief!! This little piece of news gave me a nice laugh this morning. Two California Democrat candidates, Mike Benoit and Ray Lutz, have decided to starve themselves until Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) agrees to a debate with them! Politico reports: “My hope is that he holds out and doesn’t expire before October because that’s when we’re going to debate him, and we’ve told him that several times,” said Dave Gilliard, a spokesman for Hunter. So far, Lutz has had a rough ride: He’s missed 17 meals, lost 14 pounds, taken an enema to avoid toxic shock, talked to...

....two congressional hopefuls have gone on hunger strike to demand a debate with Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.). "The hunger has almost disappeared except when there's food around and TV ads and stuff. The Hometown Buffet commercial is one of the worst. They are an all-you-can-eat buffet," said Mike Benoit, the libertarian candidate in the three-way race. The strike started with Democrat Ray Lutz, who said he got the idea from former California Rep. Jim Bates. Benoit immediately joined in. The pair are on their fifth day of a hunger strike they started at sundown on Aug. 12. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41193.html#ixzz0wxccdx3P

August 12, 2010 (El Cajon) – In the 52nd Congressional District, Democratic candidate Ray Lutz is dishing up a new campaign tactic: a hunger strike. He hopes to convince Rep. Duncan D. Hunter to participate in a series of debates before absentee voting by mail begins. “Until Hunter steps up to the plate, I’ll be stepping away from the dinner plate,” Lutz said in a press release. He added, “Starting this Thursday, August 12, I will refuse to eat until he agrees to debate. I hope my sacrifice will make him realize the community expects him to take their issues...

AJM: Got time for a couple of questions, Congressman? DH: Sure, go ahead. I’m just writing away, trying to finish up this book. AJM: I’m glad you’re writing it. I’m looking forward to reading it. Did you find that 2007 Odierno press briefing you were looking for? DH: Yeah, on June 15th, 2007 is when we really went after al Qaeda, and the kill rate, or the attack rate in Iraq dropped off the cliff. And that’s why when Petraeus testified on September 7th, the Dems were out of ammo. I mean, if you look at the statements made by...

Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today highlighted a report by the bipartisan Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) Independent Panel, which calls for increasing the Navy to a 346-ship fleet and expanding America’s focus to prepare for threats in the Western Pacific. “The message from the independent QDR panel about the strength and size of our naval fleet must be taken seriously,” said Congressman Hunter." He added, “There are some in Congress and the Administration who believe that cutting defense spending is a good idea amid ongoing engagements and the resurgence of conventional...

AJM: Today the Judge in the California Proposition 8 court case, just now, overturned the will of the people on prop 8. DH: You have GOT to be kidding. AJM: No, I’m not, though I’m sure it will be appealed. DH: What on earth was his basis? We amended the darn constitution! First, we vote that it is only one man – one woman. Then they say, “no, the state constitution overrules you”. Then we say fine, we’ll amend the constitution! AJM: Yep. Let me see if I can find it real quick what his reasoning was. Here it is....

Under what circumstance would a normal law abiding citizen intentionally defy federal law? Recently a grandfather went to the post office with a care package for his grandson serving with the Marines in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. When he went to the counter with the box, the clerk looked over the form that lists the contents and saw a carton of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as contents. The clerk then gave the man back his package and informed him that the US Postal Service, by law, could no longer mail packages containing those items. Not even to troops serving in war...

Letters, cookies, chocolate and other goodies are staples of care packages sent to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. For some, so is a carton of smokes or a few cans of chewing tobacco. But a recently adopted postal regulation limits the mailing of tobacco products to 10 ounces or less, a restriction that has made it difficult for family members to send the items to their loved ones in combat zones. So Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, has introduced a bill that would provide an exemption to the regulation. A carton of cigarettes weighs more than 20 ounces and a...

This is another installment of the Duncan Hunter interview series in which the former congressman and conservative stalwart discusses the issues of the day and offers his Reaganesque approach to solving the problems currently vexing our nation. With some luck, perhaps Hunter will throw his hat into the ring for the 2012 presidency. Either way, he certainly is not through serving this country as he pushes to re-ignite and finish the Reagan Revolution. AJM: There you are, you sound much better than on the cell? DH: Hey, how you doing there? AJM: Not too shabby. You’re not out doing a...

As the Department of Justice goes to court today to block the implementation of Arizona’s immigration law, Congressman Hunter has introduced legislation to deny DOJ any funding to continue challenging the Arizona law until action is taken against sanctuary cities. The legislation – the Sanctuary City Prevention Act – follows a recent report that DOJ is unwilling to force sanctuary cities into compliance with immigration law, despite filing a lawsuit against Arizona on the basis that the state law interferes with federal enforcement duties. “It’s ironic that the basis of the Obama Administration’s lawsuit against Arizona is that immigration enforcement...

Frustrated at the Justice Department's lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration law, a Republican congressman introduced a bill demanding that the attorney general also take action against so-called "sanctuary cities," which discourage immigration enforcement. Rep. Duncan Hunter's bill is the latest step as lawmakers seek to inject themselves into the debate and force their colleagues to take a stand on the contentious Arizona law. One of those moves failed Wednesday when Republicans tried, but failed, to have the Senate vote on blocking the government's lawsuit against Arizona. Mr. Hunter's bill, for which he started soliciting co-sponsors Wednesday, would stop the Justice...

LOS ANGELES – Levi Johnston will make his music video debut as a lover whose romance is thwarted by his girlfriend's disapproving mother, according to a Universal Music Group record label and Johnston's attorney. Johnston, 20, who is Bristol Palin's fiance, has agreed to appear in the video with singer-songwriter Brittani Senser next month in Los Angeles. The project is based on the song "After Love" by Senser, 26, a sultry-looking R&B and pop performer from Minneapolis. "He's looking forward to doing it," Rex Butler, Johnston's attorney in Anchorage, Alaska, said Friday. "It will give him an opportunity to act...