Free Republic

RICHMOND, Va.—Two Navy SEALs are scheduled to be arraigned Monday in military court on charges that they mistreated an Iraqi suspect in the gory slayings of four U.S. contractors in Fallujah. One of the SEALs is accused of punching the detainee after his September arrest, while the other is accused of lying to investigators. A third SEAL also accused of lying to investigators about the episode will be arraigned later. All three men have men have received an outpouring of support from people who view them as heroes. A Facebook page created to support the SEALs had more than 45,000...

SAN DIEGO — A San Diego area congressman and Iraq war veteran is asking Defense Secretary Robert Gates to look into charges levied against three Navy SEALs in connection with the alleged abuse of a detainee in Iraq in early September, calling the charges an “overreaction.” “It’s just so absurd. I mean, they split his lip. In a boxing situation, that’s legal,” Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Calif., told Navy Times during a telephone interview Thursday. “They punched a terrorist in the face and, boom, we’re going to launch these guys out of the Navy.”

Here is a link to a Navy Times article regarding a letter by Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, a Marine Corps Reservist and Iraq veteran, to SecDef Gates concerning the recent special courts-martial referrals of charges against 3 SEALs for alleged mistreatment of a prisoner. Our prior coverage of the charges is here and here. Here is an excerpt: [I]n September, Special Warfare Operators 2nd Class Matthew McCabe and Jonathan Keefe, and Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Julio Huertas, undertook a mission that resulted in Abed’s capture. Soon after his capture, an investigation was conducted based on reports that Abed...

This interview is the sixth installment of an on going series of conversations with the former Congressman and 2008 presidential candidate. Now home in the San Diego area, Hunter has been keeping busy making appearances on local TV and promoting the campaigns of up and coming, conservative, young military veterans who are attempting to unseat liberal democrats in the 2010 congressional races. Among those Hunter has persuaded to run or has campaigned for are veterans Vaughn Ward in Idaho, Nick ‘Gunny Pop’ Popaditch in California’s 51st District, Jesse Kelly in Arizona and Chris Reed in Iowa. In fact, Hunter has...

Former Presidential Candidate Duncan Hunter Sr will appear at a event to raise funds for 2nd District House of Representatives Candidate Christopher Reed of Marion. The Take Back the House With Christopher Reed event will be December 5th at 11:00 am. It will be at Iowa Hall, on the Kirkwood College Campus in Cedar Rapids, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW in Cedar Rapids. Hunter is a 28 year veteran of The House of Representatives. Hunter was the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee during the 108th and 109th Congress. Hunter sought the Republican Party nomination for President of the United...

WASHINGTON — After several years of fighting the U.S.-Mexico border fence, a coalition of Texas elected officials is working with the Obama administration on ways to improve border ports and facilitate trade while fighting drug smuggling. The Texas Border Coalition's involvement with policymaking comes after a bitter tangle with the federal government over construction of the fence that Congress and the White House approved, but border business leaders and human rights groups opposed. “We've got to work together,” said Chad Foster, Eagle Pass mayor and the coalition's chairman. “But that is where the wheels came off the cart — when...

This interview is the fifth installment of an on going series of conversations with the former Congressman and 2008 presidential candidate. It appears that the extended Idaho retirement vacation is coming to an end. Hunter and his wife Lynne were on the road, driving south through the Beehive State with the ultimate destination of their home in El Cajon, CA. Once again, we used the conference call service that allowed several of us to partake in this unique opportunity to query the man who is perhaps the most solid and consistent conservative legislator to have served our nation in modern...

For the title of rising star and possible vice-presidential candidate in 2012, the GOP should consider Duncan D. Hunter, first-term congressman representing California’s 52nd district (San Diego). He, of course, is the son of Duncan L. Hunter, who held the seat for twenty-eight years and ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. Duncan D., 33 in December (a rating of 91% from the American Conservative Union, 100% from the Eagle Forum and one of Politico’s “up and comers” in the new congressional class) will have served but two terms as of 2012, assuming, of course, he wins 2010. But,...

At no time should we ever compromise ourselves to anyone who is seeking to destroy our God-given freedom and liberty – we either stand up, or fall fighting for it! This, in essence, is the gist of the speeches delivered by former Congressman Duncan L. Hunter, and his son, Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, guest speakers at the celebration of America’s Independence by the Skyline Church of La Mesa. Dubbed “Celebrating Life Together” the Independence Day services/celebration was held Friday afternoon, July 3, 2009. Dr. James L. Garlow, Skyline’s senior pastor, introduced the Hunters with these beautiful words: “These congressmen don’t...

Democrat Bill Owens delivers his victory speech at his headquarters in Plattsburgh last week. Owens declared victory after Conservative nominee Doug Hoffman conceded the 23rd Congressional District race election night. Now recanvassing shows the special election has narrowed to a 3,000-vote difference, and will be decided by a count of absentee ballots. The Associated PressDemocrat Bill Owens delivers his victory speech at his headquarters in Plattsburgh last week. Owens declared victory after Conservative nominee Doug Hoffman conceded the 23rd Congressional District race election night. Now recanvassing shows the special election has narrowed to a 3,000-vote difference, and will be decided...

We finally pulled it off. We managed to have a conference call, as opposed to a randomly timed interview with the former Congressman. Not only that, he was in his hometown of San Diego for a change; if only for a brief stint. Hunter interrupted his weeks long vacation in Idaho to hit Texas last Saturday for a speech celebrating the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. He then traveled back to San Diego to introduce the next Congressman (hopefully) for the 51st Congressional district of California – war hero and staunch conservative Nick Popaditch – to the...

Decorated Marine veteran Nick Popaditch on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 51st Congressional District seat held by Democrat Bob Filner. Nicknamed “Gunny Pop,” Popaditch served two separate stints in the Marines. He was a tank commander during the Persian Gulf war and honorably discharged in 1992 after six years. Tiring of civilian life, he rejoined the Marines in 1995. A widely circulated photograph after the fall of Baghdad in 2003 shows the tank commander and platoon sergeant smoking a cigar in front of the statue of Saddam Hussein just before his unit helped tear it...

Washington DC - Today, U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter returned from a trip to Afghanistan, where he met with civilian and military leadership and service personnel undertaking combat duties. Hunter once again called on President Obama to take decisive action and immediately implement General Stanley McChrystal's counterinsurgency strategy. "This trip to Afghanistan provided a great opportunity to learn more about the challenges facing our combat personnel and the efforts of military and civilian leadership to achieve victory," said Congressman Hunter. "There appears to be unanimous agreement among military commanders and their civilian counterparts that additional combat troops are needed - and...

By now, most everyone following the national health care debate has listened closely to months of daily news reports, discussed reform efforts with family and friends, or taken the time to read proposed legislation. The ongoing effort to reform our health care system has taken several turns over the last couple months, changing numerous times between the House and Senate and, in the process, creating a patchwork of initiatives that will ultimately impact every American household. Health Care Resources and Timeline on House action: June 4, 2009. Hunter discusses need for balanced approach on health care; July 14, 2009. House...

Tomorrow morning — Thursday, November 5 — Afghanistan and Iraq veterans from across the country will be in Washington, D.C. to petition their members of Congress and the White House to fully support mission success in Afghanistan. Our message is simple: Provide our commander in Afghanistan, General Stan McChrystal, and his troops, the manpower, resources, and support they need to defeat America’s enemies. The Afghanistan mission is tough and complicated, and will require continued American sacrifice for years. But as we learned in Iraq from General David Petraeus, “hard is not hopeless;” and with the right combination of strategy, manpower,...

Former Congressman Duncan L. Hunter was kind enough to interrupt his extended Idaho vacation once more to answer a few questions and put his two cents in on the issues of the day. He and Lynne had their daughter-in-law and grandkids join them in Idaho over the Halloween weekend. He also extended his vacation plans for another week or so. After 28 years in the US House, then writing a book, he certainly deserves to enjoy his family, the R&R, and the hunting and fishing opportunities this weeks long vacation has afforded him. Hunter mentioned his son Duncan D. could...

Taiwan says China starts building first aircraft carrier Agence France-Presse First Posted 19:44:00 11/04/2009 Filed Under: Military, Foreign affairs & international relations TAIPEI – Taiwan said Wednesday that its giant neighbor China has started building its first aircraft carrier, a move analysts have said could raise military tensions in the region. The head of Taiwan's National Security Bureau told parliament construction of the carrier had begun, Lin Yu-fang, a legislator of the ruling Kuomintang party, told AFP. However, the security chief, Tsai Teh-sheng said the carrier's construction "has not been smooth" and that the Chinese navy may struggle to put...

U.S. Reps. Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter said they opposed the health care reform legislation unveiled Thursday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, was still reading the nearly 2,000-page bill on Friday and not yet ready to give his opinion, spokesman Fritz Chaleff said. Issa, R-Vista, said the bill that emerged Thursday was "crafted in secrecy" and fails to provide the quality and affordable coverage that had been promised. "Rather than seizing an opportunity to produce a bipartisan health care bill that reduces costs, expands coverage and protects choice, Speaker Pelosi has unveiled a 2,000-page bill...

U.S. military and civilian leaders in Afghanistan told a group of lawmakers visiting that south-central Asian country that more troops are needed to win the war against the anti-government Taliban. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, said he and other members of the House Armed Services Committee spoke with several top military commanders and U.S. aid officials during a whirlwind weekend visit. "What I came back with is, people on the ground there remain extremely confident," said Hunter, a former U.S. Marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. "They say we can do this, we...

"You know the thing I think that makes us different from other people around the world, is I think Americans still have a strong streak of independence. And an even stronger streak of independence from government. And attempts to control things by government, tend to nettle Americans, and to draw resistance. And the liberals and democrats continue to think that the desire for security, and for comfort, and for assurance – all the things that you’re supposed to get from a socialistic system, that those factors are going to outweigh those streaks of independence and self reliance. And I think...

Former Congressman Duncan L. Hunter was kind enough to interrupt his hunting and fishing vacation in Idaho once more to call in and answer a few more questions. Unfortunately, he has been mostly out in the woods and has paid scant attention to the political news of the last couple weeks. He’s actually enjoying that aspect almost as much as bagging elk and landing steelhead. This series will continue, whether he’s on vacation or not, during the weeks ahead. So without further adieu: PA: Hello, Congressman Hunter. What are you up to now? DH: Well, were planning on going up...

As a Marine lieutenant in Iraq in 2004, Duncan Hunter was poised for an assault on Fallujah when the order came down from Washington to pull out instead. It was the kind of top-down military decision — which in this case had to be reversed when security in Fallujah later deteriorated — that Hunter hopes will not be repeated in Afghanistan. Now, five years later and a freshman congressman from California, Hunter is in a much better position to have his voice heard. As an Iraq war veteran, he has been enlisted by the House Republican leadership to help make...

HUMAN INTELLIGENCE IS IMPORTANT The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, it is important, obviously, to have what is called human intelligence. That is, when a group of terrorists are planning to bomb an embassy or do something else that takes life and property, it is good to know ahead of time what is going to happen, because this is not a big military operation where, by national technical means, that means by satellite overheads and other things, we can see...

Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to my colleagues who talked about what they saw as the benefits of universal coverage and, I think, a very eloquent closing by the gentlewoman from Georgia [Ms. McKinney], who spoke of the necessity of this House doing the people's business, and the people not being special interests, not being necessarily corporations or industries, but people. And I think what America has heard, Mr. Speaker I want to speak very strongly against the first President Clinton plan that came out that now apparently is dead, not because of Republican opposition, but because...

Congressmen: get aid to fight guerrillas The Ledger, June 25, 1983 Washington - Nineteen congressmen, eight of them just back from Central America, urged President Reagan on Friday to "hang tough" in his demand for another $110 million from Congress this year to help fight communist guerrillas in El Salvador. Elsewhere, Senate Democratic Whip Alan Cranston of California, a candidate for the 1984 presidential nomination, said he would introduce legislation designed to avert "the danger....that Ronald Reagan will want to send troops to El Salvador." Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., said that the amount should be increased to $300 million and...

This interview is a first in a series of weekly interviews that former Congressman Duncan Lee Hunter will be conducting with bloggers and media types in order to help get his message out to the American people and to his former colleagues in congress. That message is that we must all fight to derail the foolishness, cowardice and socialism that is being pushed by the Obama administration, the democrats, as well as by some republicans; an agenda that threatens to undermine the very foundations of our Republic. Mr. Hunter is currently finishing up a book on Iraq and Afghanistan wars....

Another Hunter that won't let Chrissy walk over him. See video at link

Former GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter was in Boise on Tuesday raising money for 1st District candidate Vaughn Ward. Hunter, who represented a San Diego district for 18 years, had campaigned for former Rep. Bill Sali in the past. Hunter said he phoned Sali to tell him he wants Ward to face Democrat Walt Minnick in 2010. Before the $100 per person event at the Arid Club, the former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and 2008 presidential candidate sat down with the Idaho Statesman. Q: You have supported Bill Sali. Why the change? A: "I explained to Bill that...

Some of you may recall of long shot candidate for president in the 2008 election, Duncan Hunter and how he could never garner the support of Huckabee, Romney or McCain. Many really liked his positions and strong conservative principles, but just wouldn’t get behind a long shot candidate. We ended up with super moderate McCain and in the election, had our clocks cleaned by Democrats playing the race card resulting in the apologizer in chief we now have, Barack Obama. Hunter retired from the House and his son ran for his seat and won, holding it today. Both father and...

Main town USA lurks at every corner in Ramona, California. The neighbors are nosey, the cars remain unlocked and it’s sweltering past the 100 degree mark in this quaint town, but that didn’t stop the locals from packing the Ramona Mainstage venue to capacity leaving many outside hoping to at least shake the young congressman’s hand. They were not disappointed. Duncan Hunter Jr., a self admitted conservative, replaced his father, who made a run for the White House last year, but Hunter Jr. was not given the seat. He had to earn it the old fashion way – beat his...

The libtard who posted this calls it: Hardball - Mashup of Rep. Duncan Hunter's blithering, purposeful dissonance. I call it "Hunter bitchslaps the marxists" See link for video

To the surprise of no one, Rep. Duncan Hunter is following closely in the footsteps of Rep. Duncan Hunter. Like his father, who retired in January after 28 years in Congress, the younger Hunter is a combat veteran whose top legislative priorities are national defense and immigration. They are both avid outdoorsmen who often go hunting and fishing together. And both, of course, are staunch conservative Republicans. “It was a seamless transition from one to the other,” said Mike Cully, president of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. “They're cut from the same cloth.” Seamless indeed. Hunter didn't...

August 25, 2009 (Rancho Sa Diego/El Cajon)—The setting was serene, but the political exchanges were rocky at “Politics in Paradise,” a community legislative forum sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Friday evening at Cuyamaca College’s Water Conservation Garden. “Welcome to East County’s first town hall yelling match on healthcare reform,” emcee Barry Jantz quipped, though the forum covered a broad range of issues. Congressmen Bob Filner D-San Diego) and Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) took center stage (photo, above) in a rare dual appearance, along with Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) and supervisor Diane Jacob. (Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon...

Eight years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq. About 4,000 members of the U.S. military killed in action. More than 34,000 wounded. Just six considered worthy of America's highest military award for battlefield valor. For some veterans and members of Congress, that last number doesn't add up. They question how so few Medals of Honor—all awarded posthumously—could be bestowed for wars of such magnitude and duration. Pentagon officials say the nature of war has changed. Laser-guided missiles destroy enemy positions without putting soldiers in harm's way. Insurgents deploy roadside bombs rather than engage in firefights they're certain to lose. Those...

Americans should pay closer attention to California's ongoing -- albeit temporarily resolved -- fiscal crisis. What is happening in California may well forecast our nation's fiscal future if we don't act to prevent the same effects resulting from the same fiscal irresponsibility. For years, California has overextended itself by spending taxpayer dollars on social service and other state-run programs without exercising any restraint. Now, as a result of this poor budgeting and government excess, California faces -- at best -- an uncertain fiscal future. Everyone who's read a newspaper in the last ten years knows we've been heading in that...

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C., July 27 -- On the second floor of the Lexington Medical Center here, Burrell Best, 37, an electrical engineer, and his wife celebrated the birth of their second daughter and voiced fear about the government-run health-care plan being pushed by leading congressional Democrats: "I've just never been a government-takeover kind of guy." Five floors above him, J.B. Barker, 85, a retired truck driver, sat in a bed recovering from heart and lung congestion problems. Lunching on pepperoni pizza and Pepsi with his wife, Ellen, sitting at his side, Barker said that he does not want Washington meddling...

While construction on the border fence in Cameron County is at a standstill because of pending lawsuits, at least one local landowner is surprised by a California congressman’s introduction of legislation that calls for more fencing construction along the United States-Mexico border. The bill, known as the Unlawful Border Entry Prevention Act and introduced Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California, gives Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano discretionary authority to build 350 miles of additional reinforced fencing where she deems is necessary. More than 650 miles of fence have already been approved along the U.S.-Mexico border. If approved...

It’s bad enough that the Obama administration wants to penalize all Americans for their energy use through the cap-and-tax scheme that will hobble our economy and hike electricity and gas costs, but until now they only proposed to penalize us for our own energy use. With China refusing to join the West in economic suicide, who will pay for their emissions ? Commerce Secretary says that the American consumer is to blame for China’s energy-production emissions — and we’ll pay for that instead of the Chinese :

By Duncan Hunter, U.S. Rep. (ret.) Chairman, Armed Services Committee, 2002-2006 At the height of the Cold War the United States maintained more than 32,000 nuclear weapons and the Soviet Union deployed more than 45,000 such weapons. Ronald Reagan, having rebuilt U.S. military strength during the l980s, initiated, with Mikhail Gorbachev, a reduction regimen which continued through the break-up of the Soviet Empire. Since the Reagan breakthrough, the strategic armories of the U.S. and Russia have fallen to a few more than 2,000 nuclear weapons apiece. Now, five months before the expiration of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (which was...

Over the last seven years of combat operations in the War on Terrorism, more than a million brave servicemen and women have faithfully served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Nearly 5,000 have died; thousands of others bear the scars of war. All of them, regardless of their individual experience or contribution, were exposed to some level of risk. For those soldiers and Marines on the front lines, many of whom carried the brunt of the security responsibility in Iraq or continue to lead the fight in Afghanistan, dangerous confrontations with the enemy are a daily occurrence. While many have been recognized...

Border Patrol officials are celebrating the completion of a controversial border fencing project in a canyon called Smuggler's Gulch. As KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson tells us, Border Patrol agents say the new infrastructure makes their jobs easier. Smuggler's Gulch sits at the westernmost edge of the San Diego Tijuana border. It was a main thoroughfare for illegal crossings. But traffic has dwindled during the last decade. The majority of migrants try their luck further east. Nevertheless, in 2005, Congress allowed the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive any laws that stood in the way of filling in Smuggler's Gulch to...

The folks at Pharyngula have gotten a hold of it and swayed it up to 85%+ in favor.Do you support a government imposed healthcare policy?

Call this coming July Fourth Dependence Day -- the day marking prudent and responsible America's realization that we do indeed depend on the diplomatic power and technological capability of anti-missile defensive systems. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il is threatening to fire a ballistic missile "test shot" at Hawaii on July Fourth. Kim's hyperbolic bombast and paranoid theatrics likely engage Pyongyang's opaque domestic intrigues. Still, the missile and the moment are dangerous -- and instructive. The first decade of the 21st century has made it clear that we are engaged in a global battle between the constructive and the destructive...

HR 2083 IH 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2083 To secure smuggling routes on the U.S.-Mexico border, better prevent the smuggling of narcotics and weapons across the border, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 23, 2009 Mr. HUNTER (for himself, Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. BILBRAY, Mr. MARCHANT, Mr. ROYCE, Mr. CAMPBELL, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. AKIN, Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California, and Mr. FRANKS of Arizona) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security and Education...

Duncan Hunter, a retired Republican who once chaired the Armed Services Committee, has decided that Iraq War veterans are the perfect candidates to revive the Republican Party in 2010. Hunter -- a Vietnam War vet who briefly sought the 2008 Republican presidential nomination -- is already backing two such candidates as they launch challenges to two of the more junior members of the House Democratic majority: Jesse Kelly, who wants to take on two-term incumbent Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona's 8th District, and Vaughn Ward, whose target in Idaho's 1st District is freshman Democrat Walt Minnick. Hunter will be attending a...

Washington DC - Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA) made the following statement in preparation for the unveiling of the Ronald Reagan statue tomorrow in the U.S. Capitol building: "The addition of the Ronald Reagan statue is a fitting tribute to one of America's greatest and most respected leaders. As Governor of California and President of the United States, Ronald Reagan will forever be remembered for his strong leadership and faith in the American spirit. "Over the course of his presidency, Ronald Reagan demonstrated an unwavering commitment to reducing reliance on government and harnessing the intellectual and industrial power of the...

Well it's that time again boys and girls... time to start gearing up for the next presidential election and there is one candidate we need to all pull together and call back into service. Iowa Presidential Campaigning Returns -Breitbart- DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - It's been six months since voters handed Barack Obama the White House, and in the minds of a lot of Iowa activists that means only one thing: It's time to start the campaign again. 2012 already? Yes, 2 1/2 years before Iowans gather for their first-in-the-nation precinct caucuses, early presidential campaigning has begun. "We had a...

The U.S. military appears to have toughened its standards for bestowing the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor in battle, to exclude troops who survive their heroic acts, a California lawmaker charged Thursday. Either troops are "not as brave as they used to be, which I don't believe is true," or the criteria for the award have been amended "so that you have to die" to receive it, Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Calif., told the Army's top civilian and uniformed leaders. Hunter's assertion during a House Armed Services Committee hearing drew a rebuke from Gen. George Casey,...

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the statements written as part of an assessment by the Department of Homeland Security classifying disgruntled veterans as a threat to U.S. security and potential recruits for right-wing extremist groups. The report was distributed among law enforcement agencies throughout the country earlier this week. When I was back home in San Diego, our El Cajon police department had actually gotten this memorandum classifying me. Because I served three tours...

I'm going to try one more time to explain what FR is all about. Free Republic is a conservative site. That does not necessarily mean it is a Republican site. In fact there may be many Republicans we don't support and some Republican issues we cannot agree with. I'll throw in Arlen Specter as a prime example of a Republican we cannot support. Should be obvious to all why not. Should also be just as obvious to all that we cannot support Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, John McCain and his lap dog Lindsay Graham, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, et al....