2006.11.03: November 3, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Acorn Online: Gian-Carol Peressutti writes: Shays is an outstanding representative
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2006.11.03: November 3, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Acorn Online: Gian-Carol Peressutti writes: Shays is an outstanding representative
Gian-Carol Peressutti writes: Shays is an outstanding representative
"This year's election is centered, quite literally, on issues of life and death. The war in Iraq has dominated the headlines and the attention of our nation. As he has always done, Christopher Shays has worked tirelessly to master every detail of this very complicated struggle half a world away. He has traveled to Iraq 14 times since the war began because he believes it is his duty to provide oversight. So when Christopher Shays speaks of events on the ground, he speaks from direct experience. When the situation warrants it, his words are hopeful and when it doesn't, they are not. The war in Iraq is not a static affair. It changes and shifts but Christopher Shays is always honest, forthright and reasoned." Congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji in the 1960's.
Gian-Carol Peressutti writes: Shays is an outstanding representative
ELECTION: Shays is an outstanding representative, says columnist
By Gian-Carol Peressutti
As residents of Connecticut's Fourth Congressional District, Ridgefielders benefit from having an outstanding representative in Congress. Christopher Shays was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives because of his unshakable integrity, his tireless work ethic and his impressive grasp of public policy. Our district has changed over the years, but Christopher Shays, our voice in Washington, has only gotten stronger.
In nearly every major debate, Christopher Shays has led with an independent minded approach that consistently puts the interests of his constituents first. Christopher Shays continues to do this - he makes difficult choices and takes tough stands for what he believes is best for Connecticut and for America regardless of political pressure from either party. At the end of the day, our Congressman always thinks first about Bridgeport, Stamford, and Ridgefield instead of Republican, Democrat and Independent.
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Predictably, Christopher's opponent is running the same race that's been run against our Congressman for over a decade. The names and faces have changed but the campaign rhetoric is always the same. 'Vote for me because Chris Shays has changed.'
In 1996, Chris was really a man named Newt Gingrich in disguise. In 2004, Chris was joined to the hip with Tom DeLay. And now, anyone with a television or a telephone or a mailbox is subjected to the absurd notion that Chris Shays and George Bush are really just one and the same. Whether the opponent is actually named Bill Finch or Stephanie Sanchez or Diane Farrell, year after year voters are inundated by this same tired refrain. And today it remains as untrue as ever.
This year's election is centered, quite literally, on issues of life and death. The war in Iraq has dominated the headlines and the attention of our nation. As he has always done, Christopher Shays has worked tirelessly to master every detail of this very complicated struggle half a world away. He has traveled to Iraq 14 times since the war began because he believes it is his duty to provide oversight. So when Christopher Shays speaks of events on the ground, he speaks from direct experience. When the situation warrants it, his words are hopeful and when it doesn't, they are not. The war in Iraq is not a static affair. It changes and shifts but Christopher Shays is always honest, forthright and reasoned.
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The value Christopher Shays provides to his constituents is most apparent when he's contrasted with his opponent. Diane Farrell was elected and then reelected as first selectman of Westport. Most voters know this. What many don't know is that Diane dared not run for a third term due to the disastrous property revaluation over which she presided. When real leadership was required in our neighboring town she passed the buck, governed by committee and left Westport with a dubious distinction. By the time Farrell left office, Westport residents became the highest taxed citizens per capita in the entire State of Connecticut. With these credentials, Diane Farrell then became a candidate for Congress.
Now, after 11 face-to-face debates, voters have seen and heard the differences firsthand. Christopher Shays gives direct responses to questions and real solutions to the complex issues of the day. Diane Farrell criticizes, attacks and refers to the old playbook on guilt by association. Especially on Iraq. When Chris Shays speaks it's from that same independent spirit that compels him, time after time, to look into things for himself and attain direct knowledge. Unfortunately, when Diane Farrell speaks it's from the talking points her party has provided her.
People don't always agree with their elected representatives. They often don't agree in their own households. But they respect Christopher Shays for who he is: a man truly dedicated to serving.
Our Congressman is an honorable man and a humble public servant. He loves his district and works for our best interests every day. On Nov. 7, let's stand with Christopher Shays and return him to Congress.
Gian-Carlo Peressutti is corresponding secretary of the Ridgefield Republican Town Committee. This column os part of a series provided by the Republican Town Committee
When this story was posted in November 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Harris Wofford to speak at "PC History" series Senator Harris Wofford will be the speaker at the 4th Annual "Peace Corps History" series on November 16 sponsored by the University of Maryland at Baltimore County (UMBC) and the Maryland Returned Volunteers. Previous speakers in the series have included Jack Vaughn (Second Director of the Peace Corps), Scott Stossel (Biographer of Sargent Shriver), and C. Payne Lucas (President Emeritus of Africare). Details on the time and location of the event are available here. |
| Chris Dodd's Vision for the Peace Corps Senator Chris Dodd (RPCV Dominican Republic) spoke at the ceremony for this year's Shriver Award and elaborated on issues he raised at Ron Tschetter's hearings. Dodd plans to introduce legislation that may include: setting aside a portion of Peace Corps' budget as seed money for demonstration projects and third goal activities (after adjusting the annual budget upward to accommodate the added expense), more volunteer input into Peace Corps operations, removing medical, healthcare and tax impediments that discourage older volunteers, providing more transparency in the medical screening and appeals process, a more comprehensive health safety net for recently-returned volunteers, and authorizing volunteers to accept, under certain circumstances, private donations to support their development projects. He plans to circulate draft legislation for review to members of the Peace Corps community and welcomes RPCV comments. |
| He served with honor One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor. |
| Chris Shays Shifts to Favor an Iraq Timetable In a policy shift, RPCV Congressman Chris Shays, long a staunch advocate of the Bush administration's position in Iraq, is now proposing a timetable for a withdrawal of American troops. How Mr. Shays came to this change of heart is, he says, a matter of a newfound substantive belief that Iraqis need to be prodded into taking greater control of their own destiny under the country’s newly formed government. As Chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on national security, he plans to draft a timetable for a phased withdrawal and then push for its adoption. A conscientious objector during the Vietnam War who said that if drafted he would not serve, Chris Shays has made 14 trips to Iraq and was the first Congressman to enter the country after the war - against the wishes of the Department of Defense. |
| Peace Corps' Screening and Medical Clearance The purpose of Peace Corps' screening and medical clearance process is to ensure safe accommodation for applicants and minimize undue risk exposure for volunteers to allow PCVS to complete their service without compromising their entry health status. To further these goals, PCOL has obtained a copy of the Peace Corps Screening Guidelines Manual through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and has posted it in the "Peace Corps Library." Applicants and Medical Professionals (especially those who have already served as volunteers) are urged to review the guidelines and leave their comments and suggestions. Then read the story of one RPCV's journey through medical screening and his suggestions for changes to the process. |
| The Peace Corps is "fashionable" again The LA Times says that "the Peace Corps is booming again and "It's hard to know exactly what's behind the resurgence." PCOL Comment: Since the founding of the Peace Corps 45 years ago, Americans have answered Kennedy's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." Over 182,000 have served. Another 200,000 have applied and been unable to serve because of lack of Congressional funding. The Peace Corps has never gone out of fashion. It's Congress that hasn't been keeping pace. |
| PCOL readership increases 100% Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come. |
| History of the Peace Corps PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help. |
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Story Source: Acorn Online
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