Ind. Lawmaker to See War from Front Row

Washington Pest ^ | 3.22.2003 | Juliet Eilperin

[NYC GOP Chick]

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) reached Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) on his cell phone Thursday night, aware that his colleague was shipping out to the Persian Gulf within days.

"Is this Colonel Buyer?" Pence asked.

"Yes, how can I help you, sir?" replied Buyer, a six-term House member and lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves.

"Are you really being called up?" Pence asked.

"As soon as you heard me call you 'sir,' you should know I'm activated military," Buyer said.

This week, Buyer (pronounced BOO-yer) informed House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and a few other colleagues that he was heading to the Persian Gulf, where he served more than a decade ago during the first Gulf War. He will serve as an operational law judge advocate in a POW camp with a forward-deployed unit.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Since I am unfortunate enough to live in Jerry Nadler's district, a while back I "adopted" Buyer as my congressman -- and this just confirms how right I was when I chose to "adopt" him.

Like the rest of our military, he's a good man and I can't wait until they're all home, safe and sound.

[bucephalus]

That is so damn sad that you're in the (former?) Waddler's district. Didn't he have that radical stomach-tying surgery? If so, how much has he lost?

I really like the idea of "adopt a congressman." Surely no one has selected Tom "the Hammer" Delay, so he's mine. Or, if I'm allowed to pick one out of the archives, I'll take the young, thin anti-Sandanistan Newt Gingrich.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

Not that it really matters, 'cause I think it's kinda cool that a congress critter can be called up to active duty, but I have a question.

Um, does he still gets to receive his regular salary from the Hill? Or will he have to survive on mere 0-5 pay?

Curious Pago Pago ping...

[GreyFriar]

Back when I was still in the Army and registered to vote in Congressman Buyer's district I had the pleasure of helping elect him. I too still consider him my Congressman, epecially since I now live in a solidly Socialist voting county in Maryland.

[MaryFromMichigan]

I remember listening to Mike Pence's radio program.
Seemed like a good man.

[NYC GOP Chick]

I don't really see much of a difference in Nadler's girth, to be honest. Months ago, some NY Slimes puff-piece said that he lost like 60 pounds from the surgery.

You can adopt whomever you wish -- no rules! :D But, for me, adopting someone who's in office, truly deserving and doesn't have a high profile is the way to go.

I also love DeLay, but he's very well-known and gets lots of support, so I give mine to someone whose voting record is almost perfect (for me) and who doesn't have the same high profile and therefore doesn't get lots of campaign $. I don't give big amounts, but I do feel like I'm doing my small part to keep one of the good guys in there.

[Living Free in NH]

does he still gets to receive his regular salary from the Hill? Or will he have to survive on mere 0-5 pay

I have a friend who's a GS-13 and also in the Navy Reserve. When she does her two week each year, she gets a full paycheck from both (the same) employers. That always pissed me off.

[NYC GOP Chick]

He seems like a great guy. I usually send a short note with my campaign contributions and get back personally signed letters, but last time I got a very nice note from him.

[Octar]

Why wasn't Nadler called to serve? (snort)

[NYC GOP Chick]

Actually, it's a top military secret, but the Defense Department is planning to drop him as a MOAB over part of Baghdad.

[raisincane]

You can bet Mike Pence is a good man. And, don't forget that Rep. Steve Buyer was a grand house impeachment manager, too. I'm proud to say both these conservative leaders are from my Hoosier state!

[MaryFromMichigan]

".......I'm proud to say both these conservative leaders are from my Hoosier state!....."

Just so you know, we're ashamed Michael Moore is from Michigan.....!

[em2vn]

"I have a friend who's a GS-13 and also in the Navy Reserve. When she does her two week each year, she gets a full paycheck from both (the same) employers. That always pissed me off."
Why? Is she doing something that you didn't have the opportunity to do e.g.enlist in a reserve unit?
My employer pays full pay when a reservist is on a two week training cycle and makes up the difference between company pay and military pay for a full year in case of activation. Full benefits are maintained for the duration of the activation.

[Dan from Michigan]

Just so you know, we're ashamed Michael Moore is from Michigan.....!

But he don't live here no more. Good.

[Living Free in NH]

Why? Is she doing something that you didn't have the opportunity to do e.g.enlist in a reserve unit?

Actually, I'm retired from the military. Why are you so snippy about it?

I could've said something quite disrespectful, but due to the war, I'll just say "thank you" for your service. Then again, since you're in the reserves, how about a part-time "thanks." Just kidding, thanks and stay safe.

[Congressman Billybob]

Nothing but death separates a sitting Congressman from his paycheck. Of course he will continue to receive his unjustified salary.

Billybob