I have nothing to do with the race you are talking about. But look what Pombo is mailing to his constituents in a race I am involved in. This letter is from Duncan Hunter and is being distributed by the Pombo campaign. It is just pathetic.
"Dear Fellow American,
As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, the safety and security of our men and women in the service is vitally important to me.
And thats why I appreciate so much the work your Congressman Richard Pombo is doing.
Recently the Deputy Secretary of Defense Gorden England stated that Congressman Pombo's work had reduced Amercian casutalites and saved lives.
Let me just tell you what was going on at Camp Pendleton, the Marine training camp in California, and the last stop for our Marines before they head overseas.
Marines practicing beach assaults were met, in one case, by 13 bureaucrats with clipboards sitting in lounge chairs. Thirteen!
As the Marines hit the beach, they were told to stand down and wait for buese to takem across the beach, which had been deemed habitat for the gnatcatcher.
In other cases, Marines were required to walk single-file across the beach.
Instead of actually digging foxholes which one day might dave their lives, they were given yellow masking tape and told to mark off on the sand where they would dig their foxhole...had they been allowed to do so.
They were transported across rough terrain, again in buses, because marching was deemed to intrusive on the environment.
Now remember, this is a Marine training base, and the last stop for a Marine before he ships out to combat.
And it was as bad, or worse, at other bases across the country.
Nearly 57% of Camp Pendleton was restricted for maneuvers, leaving only a patchwork of training ground left.
Major General Bowden, at Camp Pendleton, said training was reduced to nly 68% of acceptable standards. And that just plain wrong.
Richard Pombo led the fight to restore common sense and to let our Marines have their base back. A compromise was worked out to protect endangered species, but also let the Marines do their job.
All it took was a little common sense, and a willingness to work for what's right, regardless of who gets the credit.
I am proud to work with your congressman, not only as a fellow Republican, but as a fellow American, because Richard Pombo does what he believes is right, regardless of the political consequences.
Thats the kind of leadership we need today.
And that's why I urge you to join me in helping to re-elect Richard Pombo as your congressman. He is doing a great job, and we need him.
Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter, Chairman
Armed Services Committee
US House of Representatives."
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