Korean War vet survived behind enemy lines

Saturday's Veterans Day parade in downtown Staunton, Va, saw many families lining the streets to wave American flags and cheer as floats passed by filled with local veterans. The community honored past and present military members including many who vividly remember the details of war.
One of those local veterans is a quiet, unassuming gentleman, slightly stooped with graying hair.

Until last year, few people knew that he had suffered life-threatening injuries during the Korean War.

Now in his 70s, Tom LaBarge (pronounced La-BARGE) does not like to bring attention to himself. That was very evident as he reluctantly gave in to my persistent prodding to talk about his military service after a surprise presentation in 2009 of war-time medals that had been long overdue. Four of his seven grown children had flown from Minnesota to Virginia for the event, and I had been invited by his wife Millicent to join them.... (continue reading here)

ND senator has townhall "by invitation only"

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) has decided to hold a townhall event in Harvey, ND ... but it is "by invitation only."

Say what?

Rob at Say Anything Blog is following the story, alerting readers that a townhall meeting had been set up by Ken Conrad but a follow-up email from a staffer went out saying it would be an "invitation only" event:

This meeting is by invite only…Please do not share this as asked in email below.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Shelly KleinStaff
Assistant/Caseworker for U.S. Senator Kent Conrad
104 Ronald N. Davies Federal Building and Courthouse
102 North 4th St
Grand Forks ND 58203
(701)775-9601
Shelly_Klein@Conrad.senate.gov

Rob adds:

So if you want Senator Conrad to listen to what you have to say about health care…you have to be invited.

And they wonder why people are angry.

A reader called Sen. Conrad's Fargo office only to be told no townhalls were planned for that location.

Rob comes to the same conclusion as many others across the nation:

The reason they’re being so difficult about this, I think, is because Dorgan and Conrad and Pomeroy don’t really want to hear from their constituents.

If there are no townhalls planned in your area, please make a phone call or write to let your elected representatives know how you feel about the proposed nationalized health care bill.