September 20, 2007

Why won't Hall defend Petraeus?

Gen. David Petraeus is a product of New York's 19th Congressional District. He was born and raised in Cornwall. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and dedicated his life to protecting Americans. His reputation is beyond reproach. However, as he was about to testify before Congress regarding the Iraq war, the anti-military group MoveOn.org ran a full page advertisement in The New York Times referring to Gen. Petraeus as "General Betray Us."

The slander of Gen. Petraeus was a calculated tactic by Congressional Democrats. The Hill Newspaper quoted an anonymous Democratic senator who said, "No one wants to call (Petraeus) a liar on national TV. The expectation is that the outside groups will do this for us."

It is clear that Rep. John Hall is against the war and devoted to a U.S. defeat in Iraq. Regardless, he should have defended the integrity of an honorable man and capable soldier who hails from his district. But for MoveOn.org, John Hall would not have been elected last fall. Evidently Hall is desperate to again get the money and support that MoveOn.org provides anti-military candidates.

I call on Rep. John Hall to do the right thing and defend Gen. Petraeus and promise not to take money or support from MoveOn.org or its affiliates because of their despicable slander of an American hero from the 19th Congressional District.

Kieran Michael Lalor, Peekskill

The writer, a Marine Corps veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, is exploring a challenge to Rep. Hall in 2008.