In
1998 Robert Francis O'Rourke, (@BetoORourke) then age 26, was charged with a DWI.
This was no ordinary
DWI. It wasn't because a keen police officer noticed he crossed the center line
or as a result of a holiday safety check, not even close.
At the age of
twenty-six, an age where one should know better, he overserved himself on his
birthday, was driving at least 75 mph, lost control of his Volvo, hit a truck,
crossed the median into oncoming traffic before he came to a stop.
It was another
citizen who called the police. When they
responded 'ol Robert was arrested and his Volvo was impounded.
Since the incident
Mr. O'Rourke has lived an example life. The incident was adjudicated and he has
apologized over-and-over. He has served his community as a part of their City
Council and now represents his area of El Paso Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.
His apology has been
accepted.
But now he is
running for the U.S. Senate, this is a game changer.
First, if Mr.
O'Rouke wanted to server in the military he would be rejected. He could apply
for a waiver however considering his age at the time and the fact that he put
other lives at stake the waiver would be denied.
Now he wants a job
where he can oversee the activities of the military.
Just a few weeks ago
(August 17, 2017) the commander of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (a
unit I use to be a part of) at Fort Bliss (El Paso, TX) was relived of her command after receiving a DWI. The
reason you see military leaders, both senior enlisted and officers, relieved of
command after a DWI is because they loose their security clearances. Even if they are not convicted their
clearance is suspended.
Let's say for a
moment that Mr. O'Rourke does get elected.
He will be one of
the two individuals representing the State of Texas in Congress. Unlike what
the talking heads on late night TV want you to believe about the U.S. Senate
and how it is unfair that each state gets equal representation regardless of
the size of the population that sent them, the Senate is designed to uphold the
rights of the State and not the people (the whole 10th Amendment thing comes
into play).
Because of the
decisions he made at the age of 26 he will never have a security clearance
above Public Use or Confidential. You may think this not to be true but as our
friends on The Young Turks (
@TheYoungTurks) might advise, "Goggle
It".
Mr. O'Rourke as a
representative of the State of Texas will never be able to serve on committee
of any consequence.
In a state with the
largest military installation in the world (Fort Hood), air bases still
operating B-52s and A-10s, the largest military hospital state-side he will
never be in a position to make sure those installations and resources (and
civilian support jobs) are secure.
My final reason is
maybe splitting hairs a little, but it bothers me just the same.
His nick-name is
"Beto".
Advertisements to
the English speaking audience it is pronounced "Bee' - to". To Spanish speaking: "Bay'
to". Most of those with the
"Beto" yard signs don't know who Robert O'Rourke even is. He is
playing to the lowest common dominator and treating people as if they are
uneducated and stupid. If you can't run for office using your name then don't
run.
My two cents….
