'You Want to Go To War?': A New York legislator fights for his ideals--and his country

Opinion Journal ^ | 07/22/03 | BRENDAN MINITER

[Pokey78]

A few months before the Gulf War, Dan Hooker was a second lieutenant fresh out of the Marine Corps. But he was looking to get back in, because--as he told me over dinner recently--if there was going to be a fight, he wanted in on it. The Marines had too many volunteers; they couldn't find a spot for him. Two days before his battalion was to mobilize in North Carolina without him, Mr. Hooker was tipped off by a late-night phone call. "You want to go to war?" his buddy asked, before telling him just to show up in uniform and pretend he'd been activated.

[thegreatbeast]

I hope this man can serve and get out of politics before it pollutes him. He seems to be the real deal but if you lie down with dogs...

[OldFriend]

On the contrary, this is the kind of person who gives us hope that one person can make a difference in politics.

I pray for his safety.

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP