From Arizona: Arizona Lawmaker to Serve in Iraq:

An Arizona lawmaker who serves as an intelligence officer in the Army Reserves will begin a five- to six-month tour of duty in Iraq in late August.

Republican Rep. Jonathan Paton, a freshman legislator noted as the top advocate for a new state immigrant smuggling law, said the Army told him Saturday that he was going to Iraq to work in military intelligence.

The 35-year-old Tucson native said he volunteered for the duty last year because he needed to back up his support of the war with action. “You should kind of put your money where you mouth is,” he said.

There was a time when most men in this country served in our armed services. In fact, if you had any hope of being elected to a political office, you almost had to have served. But times are a changin’.

Sadly, in today’s ugly political arena, you’re more likely to get elected attacking your opponent’s military service, rather than standing on your own.

Paton, who is running for re-election, will miss the primary and general elections while he is serving in Iraq. This guy deserves to win this election.

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h/t to Uzzman (make sure to also check out his moving tribute — in words and pictures — to the memory of SSG Eric Caban)

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 | Trackback |