Common Sense

Super reader DH sent this in last night about Rep. John Carter:

When Special (Photo) Ops Turn Oops

By Al Kamen
Wednesday, April 26, 2006; A23

Vast numbers of lawmakers have signed on to the congressional delegation shuttle to Baghdad. And nary a one has failed to ensure that troops from the home district — who, of course, have nothing better to do — are rounded up to have lunch and talk to their representative.

These chats — and the fine photos they produce — pay handsome dividends. Obviously there are the bragging rights: “Well, I’ve been over there talking with our troops, with Jimmy Jones and Sally Smith — whose parents are here today — and with others, and let me tell you . . .”

More ominously, the lawmaker might even return from these forays thinking he or she actually knows what’s going on over there. A truly frightening thought.

But it’s the photos with the brass, Iraqi leaders and especially the troops — suitable for signing, for newsletters and for campaign literature — that are the key benefit, though some photos don’t quite work out.

For example, here’s a very nice shot of Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.), whose district includes Fort Hood and its 4th Infantry Division. As always, some troops from home were selected to meet with the congressman.

Apparently somebody had a sense of humor. Carter found out afterward that this warm “grip ‘n’ grin” shot was with Sgt. 1st Class Rob Harrell, whose mother, Mary Beth Harrell, a lawyer in Killeen, Tex., will be Carter’s Democratic opponent in November. The challenger’s husband, we’re told, is retired military. Another son, also on active duty, is to be deployed in Iraq this summer.

Oh, it hurts to laugh this much.

UPDATED: It seems in my forced blogging hiatus, I missed Eye on Williamson County’s post on this, as well as a few other bloggers who ran with it yesterday. He even has the pic (which is just priceless). Kudos to you sir.