DON’T CALL PRESIDENT OBAMA HITLER
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)
GOP Lawmaker Criticizes Nazi Talk
By Molly K. Hooper
The Hill
Washington, D.C.
August 13, 2009
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), a member of the House Republican leadership, offered criticism Thursday to those comparing Democratic leaders to Nazis in the healthcare debate.
“I think the purpose of the town halls is for people to be able to express their views in an orderly and respectful manner, and that needs to take place on both sides,” said McMorris Rodgers, the fifth-ranking Republican in the House.
“I certainly don’t condone violence, I don’t condone calling President Obama Hitler and painting swastikas on signs at town halls,” continued McMorris Rodgers, vice chairwoman of the GOP conference.
McMorris Rodgers is the first member of the House Republican leadership to decry the Nazi comparisons. It follows a week of attacks by the House Democrats’ campaign arm on House Republican leaders, who Democrats say should speak out against Rush Limbaugh’s remarks comparing Democrats to Nazis in the healthcare debate. …
McMorris Rodgers did not mention Limbaugh in her comments to The Hill, but said both sides should express their views in a “respectful manner” in town halls across the country. …
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STANDING UP FOR AMERICA
Marine Sgt. William J. Cahir
Remains of Marine Sgt. Bill Cahir Arrive at Dover Air Force Base
A carry team removes the transfer case containing the remains of Marine Sgt. William J. Cahir from a transport airplane at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del. (Photo credit: Cliff Owen / Associated Press)
Express-Times (Lehigh Valley, Pa.)
August 15, 2009
The remains of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Bill Cahir arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del., this afternoon. Cahir’s family agreed to allow members of the media to photograph and film the arrival.
Cahir, a former Express-Times Washington, D.C., correspondent, was killed Thursday in Afghanistan. The 40-year-old was struck by enemy gunfire in Helmand Province, according to the Department of Defense.
He is survived by his parents, John and Mary Anne Cahir, and his wife, Rene Browne, who is expecting the couple’s first children — twin girls. Cahir will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, but no funeral arrangements have been made.
The Bill Cahir Memorial Fund has been established for the education and care of his children. Learn more about the fund. …
Motivated by the Sept. 11 terror attacks, Cahir joined the Marine Corps at age 34. He wrote about his unique boot camp experience for The Express-Times in a piece published July 4, 2004.
Before making a decision about enlistment in November 2003, Cahir sought the counsel of former Lehigh Valley Congressman and Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul McHale, a retired Marine colonel. McHale recalled that conversation and reflected Friday on his relationship with Cahir.
Cahir served two tours in Iraq from August 2004 to March 2005 then from September 2006 to April 2007. In January 2008, he left behind his journalism career to seek public office.
Below is a video Cahir made during his run for Congress. In it, he explains how to pronounce his last name. His wife and the couple’s dog, Frankenstein, make cameos.
Meet Bill Cahir, candidate for Congress in the Pennsylvania Fifth — and learn how to pronounce his last name.
He sought the 5th Congressional District’s Democratic nomination, but lost to Clearfield County Commissioner Mark McCracken.
Cahir was deployed to Afghanistan in May. He was part of the Selected Reserve Marines assigned to 4th Civil Affairs Group, Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
See slide presentation here (scroll down)
Lock Haven Mayor Rick Vilello displays a banner in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. Bill Cahir, a Bellefonte, Pa., native. (Photo credit: Lock Haven Express)
The Bill Cahir Memorial Fund has been established for the education and care of Cahir’s children with wife, Rene Browne. Browne is pregnant with the couple’s first children — twin girls. Please make checks payable to the “Bill Cahir Memorial Fund.” Checks may be sent to:
Burk and Herbert Bank
c/o Mark Ragland
P.O. Box 268
Alexandria, VA, 22313
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9/3/2009 Update: “A Hero’s Death in Afghanistan”
Bill Cahir joined the Marines after 9/11 to fight in Afghanistan, and he finally got there after two tours in Iraq. He was buried Monday at Arlington. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post)
Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank  comments on the funeral of Bill Cahir at Arlington National Cemetery.
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10/7/2009 Update
Video
Wife remembers compassionate Marine (NBC “Today,” Oct. 7, 2009) — TODAY’s Ann Curry tells the story of Sgt. Bill Cahir, who was killed in Afghanistan after he left his desk job in Washington, D.C., to fight the war on terror. (06:08)
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago Today — August 17, 2008
St. Francis Xavier Church
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September 5th, 2009 at 5:22 am
[…] Marine Sgt. William J. (Bill) Cahir, 40, Washington D.C., died Aug. 13, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 4th Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Washington D.C. […]
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