Conffederate
Confederate

April 04, 2008

Rep. McHenry Calls Green Zone Security Guard "Two-bit"

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has referred to a "two-bit security guard" in the Green Zone in Baghdad who would not let him into the gym without having the proper ID.

What a jerk.

His political opponent Lance Sigmon is capitalizing on the statement, as he should, but I think those who are claiming that McHenry belittled a soldier are probably not accurate, or are at least jumping the gun.

The Green Zone certainly has American personnel, but many are Iraqis or foreign security personnel.

Somehow, I don't think the liberals at Think Progress who have built a reputation lately of getting the facts wrong would care nearly as much if McHenry had uttered his comments to a security guard contracted through Blackwater, even though they face many of the same risks.

Update: Yep, Amanda at Think Progress screwed up again. The guard in question was not a soldier, but instead was what liberals like to refer to as a "hired killer," or as the rest of us call them, a security contractor.

Amanda either needs a break, a new fact-checker, or a new career.

Posted by Confederate Yankee at April 4, 2008 01:59 PM
Comments

I took a quick perusal of the lefties covering this, and none of them have updated to reflect the proper information.

Just barking moonbat insanity.

Posted by: William Teach at April 4, 2008 03:12 PM

McHenry showed a total lack of class, and I'll be telling his office how I feel about that.

Contractors- "two-bit security guards"- are working hard, at risk in a foreign land, just as soldiers are. Many of them ARE ex-soldiers.

What was McHenry trying to prove with this story, anyway? That there are people in Iraq who don't recognize his thunderous political glory?

Posted by: DaveP. at April 4, 2008 03:15 PM

Look, this guy is from my district, and I don't really like him, but he has a good voting record, and this is a spin distortion of what his whole message was.

It is my understanding that the "two bit security guard" line was ironic reflection embedded in actual praise for the system, that apparently includes self deprecation by my representative.

Believe me, I was totally ready to flame this guy when I saw the first reports. But don't fly off too fast based on an MSM report, that's just what they want you to do.

Disdain the man if you want, but make sure of your target before you squeeze the trigger.

Posted by: Gus Bailey at April 4, 2008 03:42 PM

Yeah, it isn't quite so bad since the guy actually IS a security guard but these elitist tendencies in our elected scrum are to be denounced when they arise. You won't get consistency from the other side, ever. The transgressions in this field by the Clintons, Kerry and other Dem bigwigs are lengthy and nauseating. Let's keep the fire under our own guys feet as well. But this guy is a bench warmer at best. Try again, TP.

Posted by: megapotamus at April 4, 2008 03:44 PM

As his story about the "two-bit security guard" [not a soldier] unfolds we learn that McHenry was denied entrance to the gym and escorted back to his room. Shortly thereafter, the gym was hit in a rocket attack.

Only goes to prove that it's the "little" "two-bit" people out there that make your life worth living.

Posted by: Neo at April 4, 2008 04:01 PM

So the whole point of McHenry's story was that this "two-bit security guard" that he looked down upon actually saved his life.

Out of context, anyone?

Posted by: Roy Mustang at April 4, 2008 06:05 PM

For some people, there are human beings who, by virtue of their occupations, can be disregarded as "two bit."

Posted by: Dennis M at April 4, 2008 07:32 PM

I am ashamed to have such an arrogant, pompous individual represent those of us here in Hickory, NC that respect the military and civilian contractors.

Posted by: Mary Schuerkamp at April 4, 2008 08:56 PM

You know, it doesn't matter who it is. Patrick McHenry insulted someone- even if it's the smallest child in Baghdad, it matters because it shows how McHenry sees the world.

The important thing here is to remember that this isn't about hating on Republicans, it's about realizing that his competitor, Lance Sigmon, is trying to show flaws in the system that can be made better, voting record or not. See his press release and video (Sigmon was the one that released the video in the first place):

http://sigmonforcongress.com/pressrelease/mchenry-calls-sentry-two-bit-lies-about-death.html

Posted by: Kurt Melloncamp at April 4, 2008 11:29 PM

Please remember - his opponent is also a Republican. - and a military veteran. Sigmon clearly stated that McHenry was "belittling a security guard" - as in - it doesn't matter if the guard is active duty or not - he was doing his job and McHenry thought that because he was a Congressman, he didn't have to follow the rules. Yes, he may vote the "right" way in some peoples opinions - but does he really deserve the respect he believes he is entitled to?

Posted by: joyfulrunner at April 5, 2008 05:27 AM

I didn't know the guy was from Hickory. I live in Monroe, about an hour and a half from Hickory. Don't think the people there will take too kindly to McHenry's comments.

Oh, and is it any surprise that a left wing nut site is wrong again?

Posted by: Capitalist Infidel at April 5, 2008 07:19 AM

McHenry's "Two-Bit Security Guard" Remark

LT Nixon blogs from the IZ.

Posted by: Cannoneer No. 4 at April 5, 2008 09:08 AM