April 26, 2010
Character assassination
Will Breazeale and Ilario Pantano are two Republicans running for the 7th District Congressional seat. Breazeale has been attacking Pantano’s character along with Pantano’s past military record and involvement with Defend the Defenders.org. Pantano’s honorable discharge from the Marine Corps speaks for itself.
Defend the Defenders organization was started by Pantano’s mother and after Pantano was exonerated of all charges of his Article 32 hearing, Defend the Defenders.org went on to help other veterans around the country that needed legal assistance. This also speaks for itself.
I was the commander of our local American Legion Post 10 when Pantano was preparing for his hearing. We of Post 10 called him and offered our assistance, not to judge guilt or innocence, but help raise money for his legal fees. … Letters and donations were unbelievable. …
Pantano could have made a deal with the prosecutors, but would not give an inch. His determination to prove his complete innocence was not for sale, and nonnegotiable, that’s called “character and integrity,” that’s what Marines of Pantano’s caliber are made of.
Stick to the issues of the serious political matters at hand instead of trying to assassinate your opponent’s character.
I know Pantano will have that same character and integrity serving us in Congress as he did serving his country.
Mike Gregorio, Hampstead
April 24, 2010
Why I Support Ilario Pantano for Congress
I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Pantano just a few days after he announced his candidacy to become our next U.S. congressman right here in the 7th district. A friend was interviewing him for UNCW's Conservative Hawk newspaper, which I have written for on occasion, so I sat in on the interview.
I was immediately impressed by Mr. Pantano's sincere interest in our efforts to spread conservatism across UNCW's campus. Ironically, Mr. Pantano ended up asking us more questions than we asked him during the interview.
As time began to run short, I will never forget something that he said. In a unassuming voice, looking us straight in the eyes with a piercing stare, he said, my God, my family, and my country is the basis for all that I do. He then went on to say, I don't know where you gentlemen stand with your God, or how strong your faith is, but I would encourage you to seek God's council.
Mr. Pantano sharing his faith with us was a true testament to the character of a man who had been through a lot and become whole once more. He could have just as easily spent the entire time talking about himself, his politics, his endorsements, his fundraising, his awards, and his connections, but he didn't. No, he didn't, instead he stood humbly before us and shared his faith.
Cameron W. Spencer
There was much discussion here.