Now you would think that a guy like Culver, who has insisted that his Iraq trip was not a photo op, would have then realized that it would be stupid to send out a campaign email entitled, “Pictures from Iraq.” But as we all know, Chet’s not the sharpest crayon in the box and he sent the email anyway.

Culver has said that he was using the trip to build support for the ten bills the Department of Defense is lobbying for, like a bill that would offer unemployment benefits to people who must quit their jobs when a spouse is deployed by the military. Now, last I checked, Culver was the Governor and Democrats had huge majorities in the Iowa House and Senate, so what’s the hold up?

In his campaign email, Culver said, “Those that are silent need to speak. Those that value a few cents instead of helping military families need to re-think their priorities. And those that would play politics and try and stop this legislation need to get out of the way and let us lead.”

What are the names of the Democrats that are holding this up, Governor?

While I don’t think that Culver and the U.S. Military are in cahoots to get the beleaguered Governor some good press, I do think that Culver is using this trip to help him politically. I think that’s just obnoxious.

Our brave guardsmen and women should not be used as political pawns to help get anyone elected. If Culver really wanted to show them that he supports them he could have pushed for these bills in his condition of the state speech, he could have demanded that the legislature pass them. Instead when he returns from his trip, his campaign sends an email about the trip.

Folks that is the definition of a photo-op.

Troops - Thought I would say Turkey didn’t you.  I am thankful for our troops across the globe. I thank God for them, their sacrifice and for the sacrifice their families give.  Thank you American military troops this Thanksgiving.  America loves you and thanks you.

Another T word is tyranny.  I am certainly thankful we are not under more tyranny compared to other countries than we are, but I’m also continually challenged, perplexed and stressed from the tyranny we do face with our government. We can also be thankful for the legacy of our founding fathers, who overcame tyranny and set future generations up with our constitution.  Now if we could just stop the dismantling of the constitution, that would be great.

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Hope – Hope is such a great word.  I really wish Barack Obama wouldn’t have watered it down like he has.  Hope really has so much more going for it than Barack has branded. I encourage you to do a word study on it.  I am thankful for the true meaning of hope that the bible explains and portrays in Jesus. Bottom line is that hope in Jesus does not disappoint.  Hope in man, eventually yes.

My favorite verse on hope… Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Answers – I am thankful that despite all the problems in our country and state that many issues can indeed be solved.  Still other situations will never be completely solved, but many of them can with strong conservative solutions based on the constitution and common sense also found in God’s word.

NewsBusters.org – I am thankful for a refreshing dose of honesty and integrity. If you have never been to NewsBusters.org just remember you heard it from TEApublican.  It’s the type of website a TEApublican should check at least weekly.  If you already visit then you know what I mean. Thanks NewsBusters!  Keep up the good work uncovering liberal bias in the media.

Knowledge - I am thankful to have a blog and to read other blogs. I am thankful the power of the elite liberal press is weakening day by day. Even though I am a capitalist I am thankful some newspaper are no longer in print! I am thankful for a grassroots groundswell of informed Americans from all political walks of the spectrum who are dispelling wisdom and truth more often. I’m not saying all blogs are true, but it seems they may trying to be more honest than established newspapers.

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Stimulus – I am thankful we may have a 2nd chance to end this problem. Please America do not support a congressional candidate who is not interested in repealing the stimulus package that was forced down America’s throat. You can add the entire health care debacle too.

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Government - I am thankful for our government, but I have to choose to be. I am thankful that despite its flaws it is better than most. Now if only we can keep it from ruining America.

Income Tax - I’m thankful for youtube. Before you file your next income tax form… Before you rent your next Hollywood blockbuster… Take some time and watch this entire informative documentary about the absence of a law for Americans to pay their income tax.  It will make you a more informed Republican, TEApublican, patriot or disgruntled taxpayer.  It will also save you a buck at redbox for the movie rental. It will make you think for sure! Notice I’m not telling you what to do or not to do other than watch and think.

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Vote – Thank God we get to vote in America!  I’ll never forget seeing the images from South Africa during Nelson Mandela election. I proudly have saved Susan B. Anthony coins and wish they were more prevalent.  And I cannot for the life of me understand why some Americans do not take the time to vote.

Iowa – We obviously have an important role to play in national elections.  Iowa voters need to get it right and vote for the very best candidates in all primaries as the rest of the country watches. I also pray that we will elect the best republican candidate for the primary and general gubernatorial election. The men who are running are fine men and we should be thankful we can choose from such a good selection.

Nausea – Thank God I do not feel like this every day, but I truly was sick to my stomach today when I thought about the debt Obama has run up since he has been in office.  I am wondering if America will wake up to this or just be more interested in getting a cheaper wide screen t.v. to watch Dr. Phil, Spongebob and John and Kate filled with hate.

God – I thank God that He is sovereign through all this mess.  I thank God that Jesus is the hope of hopes and King of kings.  I thank God for the blessings of our country and for the blessings of family.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Well enjoy the turkey, the cranberry and pumpkin pie. Survive black Friday, annoying relatives you love and new Christmas sweaters.  Don’t forget to send out cards quick for the holiday season… But before you do that please add in the comment section what you are thankful for too. And it doesn’t have to start with the letters found in the word Thanksgiving.  Happy Thanksgiving!

The following post was written by State Rep. Jodi Tymeson and sent out on Veteran’s Day… Pass it on! – Dave

Dear Friends,

Today is a sacred day for our nation.

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson established November 11 as Armistice Day because World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. As momentous as that day was, it has taken on even more meaning over the years. In 1921, on November 11, an American soldier known but to God was buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Armistice Day was officially named by Congress in 1926 and became a legal national holiday in 1938.

Unfortunately, World War I was not the war to end all wars. We endured World War II and Korea, and in 1954, Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. With the new name, the observance was given broader scope: To honor all American veterans, living and dead, in whatever war or period of peace they served. Today we honor all veterans for their service in the military in the defense of freedom.

You might think the American military began when America became a country. But the Massachusetts militia (the early National Guard) began mustering in 1636. These were farmers, hunters, shopkeepers who banded together to protect their families.  It wasn’t until 1775 on Lexington Green when Captain Jonas Parker and 75 armed minutemen stood up to more than 600 British regulars. As the British raised their weapons, Captain Parker ordered, “Don’t fire unless you are fired on, but if they want a war, let it begin here.”

Those first colonial fighters who died in Lexington sacrificed their lives for the idea they could form their own country. We owe them all our gratitude and we honor them today.

Today we honor veterans like those who fought in the Civil War. Iowans like Private George Healey of Company E, 5th Iowa Cavalry who was awarded America’s highest military honor, The Medal of Honor, presented to individuals for exceptional valor, in recognition of their individual acts of courage.  Private Healey was from Dubuque.

We honor veterans like those who fought at the Battle of the Bulge during WWII and at Chosin Reservoir during the Korean Conflict.

We honor veterans like Colonel George Day, an Air Force officer and F-100 pilot from Sioux City, Iowa who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War. Despite being shot down, seriously injured and tortured cruelly, Colonel Day offered maximum resistance and his bravery in the face of deadly enemy pressure was significant in saving the lives of fellow aviators who were still flying against the enemy.

Today we honor veterans like Sergeant Major Bradley Kasal, whose hometown is Afton, Iowa. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery under fire.  SGM Kasal was attempting to rescue Marines in Fallujah, Iraq when the enemy threw a grenade at them. Kasal rolled on top of a fellow Marine to absorb the shrapnel with his own body. SGM Kasal was shot seven times, wounded by 40 pieces of shrapnel and lost 60 percent of his blood. He refused medical attention until all of the other Marines had been treated. I had the honor of meeting SGM Kasal recently when he was back in Iowa.  There is not doubt how much he loves our country and his fellow Marines.

We should all be truly inspired by these heroes. They have and continue today to defend our freedom.

Many of us have long family histories of military service.  From time to time on the campaign trail, Bob has shared the compelling story of his late dad John’s service in some of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific during World War II. I am also blessed to come from a family of veterans. My grandfather, father, husband, and brother all served or are currently serving in the military. My grandfather was an infantry soldier in the trenches of WWI. My husband flew a medivac helicopter in Vietnam. I recently retired as a brigadier general in the Iowa National Guard.

On behalf of Bob and the entire Vander Plaats campaign team – including state co-chair Dick Johnson, who himself has had a long, distinguished career in the Iowa National Guard – I say thank you to all our veterans.  And we thank their family members, too, because they also make many sacrifices. We know they are the heroes at home who wait nervously and patiently until their loved ones return.

While today is a special day, we can honor our veterans every day by doing a few simple things:

Proudly fly the flag of the United States.  Stand and put your hand over your heart when the flag is marched by. Never desecrate the flag. Flying the flag shows respect to our veterans as it is our symbol of freedom.

• Proudly sing our national anthem with your hand over your heart.
• Proudly say our Pledge of Allegiance.
• Support the troops with a yard sign, a yellow ribbon, or attend a troop support rally.
• Send a note to a hospitalized veteran.
• Send a note to a veteran in a veterans home.
• Help a local veterans organization with one of their projects.
• Donate blood.
• Listen to a veteran tell their story.

Take time to say thank you to a veteran – it will mean more to them than a medal or ribbon.

We’ve all been inspired by past generations of veterans and today’s new generation of veterans – those returning today from fighting the global war on terrorism. It’s impossible to say which generation is the greatest because they have each done what was asked of them – they defended our freedom.

May you always remember that you live in freedom today because of the service and sacrifice of veterans willing to fight for freedom, willing to die for freedom. May you always cherish your freedom and never take it for granted. May God bless our men and women serving in harm’s way around the world today.

Jodi Tymeson
State Chair

photo by Dave Davidson