Monday, March 31, 2008
Greensburg Daily News
The Greensburg Daily News has an article on Congressman Pence as their lead story today:
While the economy is looking bleak, he said, the war in Iraq has taken a positive turn. Despite the violent headlines of the last week, with the Iraqi government taking on insurgents on the frontlines, Pence said it was one of the most positive steps taken in the last few years. It shows, he said, that the Iraqi government is stepping up and diminishing its reliance on an American presence.
“Clearly the political progress (in Iraq) has been too slow,” Pence said. “Now, things have changed. It’s a much different place than last year. We’ve actually made significant progress.”
Pence is no stranger to the conflict. He has visited the country six times since it began. Each time is different, he said. The first time, they drove into Baghdad. As violence escalated, they flew via helicopter the next few times into the green or safe zone. When he and Sen. John McCain visited last year, they drove again. On that visit, which included the typical stops in safe places, the two ventured farther
than ever - to an Iraqi open air market.
“I’ll always be proud of that visit,” Pence said. “Now, whenever a politician visits Iraq, they go to a market.” You can read the entire article HERE.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Trancript of Dr. Dobson's Radio Broadcast
Below is the transcript from Dr. James Dobson's radio broadcast on the so-called "Fairness Doctrine." The audio of this show is available here.
John Fuller: Welcome to the Wednesday edition of "Focus on the Family” hosted by psychologist and author Dr. James Dobson. [JCD] I'm John Fuller, and if you're tuning in to hear Julie Ann Barnhill, I promise we'll come back to our conversation with her in the near future. Today, we'll be tackling some current events and I know you'll be interested in what we have for you. Dr. Dobson, you have been out. You've been traveling, you been in California, and hither and yon; it's good to have you back here in the studio.
JCD: Well, thank you, John. You know, the last week here has been a whirlwind of activity for Shirley and me. We went to Nashville, Tenn., to attend the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. You were there as well.
John: I was, indeed, and we were privileged to have you present the keynote speech at the closing banquet. That was great.
JCD: That was a very special time. I knew a lot of the people there after 31 years in radio, and it was a little reunion for me and many people. So I enjoyed it. Now I spoke on the final evening, as you said, and President George Bush, spoke to a very large and enthusiastic crowd that morning.
John: They were so enthusiastic, standing ovations and whistles of appreciation for the president.
JCD: You can get the notion listening to ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC and CNN that the whole world hates George Bush. I'll tell you that the people at that convention don't feel that way; they appreciated him being there and responded very graciously to his remarks.
During his address, especially in the opening moments,, he made some important comments about freedom of speech and the effort by Democrats and even some Republicans to limit the ability of people like us to talk about controversial issues. He was referring to the possible return of the Fairness Doctrine -- I'll explain what that is a little later. He made reference to it because he knew we all are concerned about that possibility. The President was right on target, and I want to let our listeners hear what he had to say.
I'm asking our listeners to really pay attention to what we're going to say here because this issue of the Fairness Doctrine is going to come back. There's going to be a struggle to preserve religious liberty and conservative thought and speech from people like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Hugh Hewitt and others. The Democrats in Congress are going to try to squelch these voices, and that's why we need to hear what the President has to say.
John: Let's go ahead and listen to about an 8-minute excerpt from that speech. Here's President George W. Bush speaking to members of the National Religious Broadcasters Association last Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn.
BODY
Announcer: Join me in welcoming the President of the United States, George W. Bush.
Audience: (Extended Applause and Cheers)
President George W. Bush: Thank you all. (Applause and Cheers) Thank you all. Please be seated. Thank you for the warm welcome. Nothin' better than bein' introduced by a fellow Texan. (Laughter and Cheers) …and it's good to see some of my Texas buddies here.
Thanks … thanks for lettin' me come by. Uh … this is kind of a rambunctious crowd. (Laughter) I um … I really am pleased to be with you. For 64 years this association has brought together some of the most memorable voices of the … our Christian community here in America. You have preached the blessings of grace and understanding and patience. I've needed all three during my time as President. (Laughter)
I … you know, I was very young when I first learned about obedience to Higher Power and my mother sends her best to ya. (Chuckling) (Laughter) I uh … I am surrounded by strong women and have been all my wife [sic] and speaking about a strong (Laughter) strong and gracious woman, Laura sends her love and best. (Applause and Whistles)
Uh … we have something else in common. Each of us has had doors opened to us by the same man. He led the way for America's religious broadcasters. He brought the gospel to millions and many years ago, he helped me change my life. And today, this good man is recovering from surgery in NC and please join me in sending our love and prayers to Billy Graham. (Applause)
Love … Americans love Billy Graham and I'm one. So, Billy, we're thinkin' about you. He has led countless of Americans to … to the grace and goodness of the Almighty and each of you performs the same mission every day. You renew the poor in spirit, you bring comfort to those in anguish and you show millions the path to salvation and the peace of God.
I thank you for guiding the faithful. I thank you for strengthening America's families. I thank you for standing up for our values, including the right to life. (Applause) And I appreciate your firm belief in the universality of freedom. I believe and I know most of you, if not all of you, believe that every man, woman and child on the face of the earth has been given the great gift of liberty by an Almighty God.
This organization has had many important missions, but none more important that assuring our airwaves—America's airwaves—stay open to those who preach the Good News. (Applause and Cheers and Whistles) The very first amendment to our Constitution includes the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion. The Founders believed these unalienable rights were endowed to us by our Creator. They are vital to a healthy democracy and we must never let anyone take those freedoms away. (Applause)
I mention this, because there's an effort afoot that would jeopardize your right to express your views on public airways. Some members of Congress want to reinstate a regulation that was repealed 20 years ago. It has the Orwellian name called "The Fairness Doctrine." Supporters of this regulation say we need to mandate that any discussion of so-called "controversial issues" on the public airways includes equal time for all sides.
This means that many programs wanting to stay on the air would have to meet Washington's definition of "balance." Of course, for some in Washington, the only option … opinions that require balancing are the ones they don't like. (Murmurs) We know (Applause) … we know who these advocates of so-called "balance" really have in their sights--shows hosted by people like Rush Limbaugh or James Dobson [JCD] or many of you here today.
By insisting on so-called "balance," they want to silence those they don't agree with. The truth of the matter is, they know they cannot prevail in the public debate of ideas. They don't acknowledge that you are the balance, that you give voice (Applause) … The country should not be afraid of the diversity of opinions. After all, we're strengthened by diversity of opinions.
If Congress truly supports the free and open exchange of ideas, then there is a way they can demonstrate that right now. Republicans have drafted legislation that would ban reinstatement of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine." Unfortunately, Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives have blocked action on this bill. So, in response, nearly every Republican in the House has signed onto what's called a "Discharge Petition" that will require Congress to hold an up or down vote on the ban. Supporters of this petition are only 24 signatures away.
But I'll tell you this. If Congress should ever pass any legislation that stifles your right to express your views, I'm gonna veto it. (Extended Applause and Cheers and Whistles)
We love freedom in America and we're the leader of the world, not because we try to limit freedom, but because we have helped to spread it. You and I know that freedom has the power to transform lives. You and I know that free societies are more peaceful and more prosperous. You and I know that, if given the chance, men and women and children in every society on earth will choose a life of freedom, just given a chance. Unless of course, you don't believe freedom is a gift from the Almighty.
The liberty we value is not ours alone. Freedom is not America's gift to the world. It is God's gift to all humanity. (Applause)
CLOSING WRAP
John: And that's just a portion of a speech by President George W. Bush at last week's National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tenn. He spoke about a variety of subjects during the course of this speech, but, Dr. Dobson, he's very passionate about protecting our freedom of speech.
JCD: That's one of the reasons he was so wonderfully received by that large audience, John. We're all concerned about freedom of speech, and that's why this was such an important statement. The far left and especially the Democratic leadership in Congress, is maneuvering to bring back this Fairness Doctrine, which was in effect from 1949 to 1987. It was a miserable failure. It stifled speech, which is guaranteed in the Constitution. And yet, because talk radio tends to be conservative, those who come from the leftist end of the political continuum want to do what they can to muzzle it and stifle it. So I appreciated so much the President's promise to veto the Fairness Doctrine if it does get out of Congress and come to him for a signature.
John: And, of course, we're in the last year of his administration, so some questions remain about what's coming down the pike. Obviously, what happens this fall could very well determine the types of battles that we'll have over this issue in the coming years.
JCD: The election in November is going to have a whole lot to do with the issue of freedom of speech and our ability to even do what we're doing here today. Can you imagine? We are talking about the Fairness Doctrine. It's of importance to American people on a variety of issues and yet we might not be able to even tell people what the concerns are if this would occur.
You know I write a monthly letter and it goes to over a million people. We send one every 30 days, and I changed my mind about the subject after preparing something on Fairness Doctrine; I instead devoted the letter to Easter and to some of the writings of theologians about Jesus and the Resurrection.. But I want to read what I initially wrote about this threat to our freedom of speech.
Here’s a snippet of what I wrote: Dear friends, have you noticed that in recent years, liberals have tried to silence the voices of conservatives in every way possible? It began with an ill-fated attempt to compete with conservative talk radio by creating a liberal radio network called Air America. A huge amount of money was infused into the new broadcasting venture, which was built around a well-known individual whose views are far, far to the left. I can't identify him because he is currently running for public office and the restrictions on free speech imposed by the IRS prohibit me from even mentioning his name.
It doesn't matter, anyway, because Air America collapsed like an old building blasted to bits by a demolition team. When that effort went up in smoke, liberals in the Senate regrouped and proposed Senate Bill 1, which would have required organizations such as Focus on the Family to report to the Senate anytime we told the American people what their representatives in Washington were doing. Do you remember when we talked about this?
John: Oh, I remember the discussions we had about that -- and our listeners really reacted strongly to what we told them.
JCD: There's significance in it being Senate Bill 1, because this was the first piece of legislation that the Democrats introduced in the Senate after having won the majority in the election of '06. So it tells you what their priorities are and they wanted to prohibit us from even reporting what our very representatives are doing. How is that for logic? Abraham Lincoln said that ours is a government by the people, of the people and for the people, but according to Senate Bill 1, the people are not entitled to know what's going on in the nation's capital. The penalty for violating that bill would have been $200,000 per incident. And we went on the radio and asked our listeners, our friends, to oppose its passage, and they did so in enormous numbers. And liberals in the Senate ran for the tall grass. But they will be back, I guarantee you.
Then came what we've been talking about, what the President mentioned today, an outrageous effort to re-impose the so-called Fairness Doctrine–a grossly flawed regulation that would require radio stations to "balance" every conservative broadcast with one featuring liberal voices. Again the Congress was whacked for even considering such a scheme. Nevertheless, we're told that the Fairness Doctrine will be brought back after the next election, depending on which party wins. Stay tuned and be prepared for a fight.
Now I went on from there –but John, you, have another concern on your heart that came up at NRB having to do with religious liberty.
John: Well, that's right. Our religious freedoms are threatened not only by the possible re-emergence of the Fairness Doctrine, but during the NRB convention there was a lot of discussion about hate-speech legislation. It's my understanding that Congress came very, very close to passing hate-speech legislation which could be used to silence religious speech – not only on TV and radio, but also in the pulpits in our churches.
JCD: John, that one is coming back. I promise you it is a certainty depending on who has control of the House and Senate, and the White House.
John: And I hope our listeners will pay attention to the news stories they see about these pieces of legislation and these efforts by the Congress to try to shut us down. It's really a disturbing trend.
JCD: What is so disturbing about this, John, is that it contradicts the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution. I just don't understand how they can get away with assaulting us in that way. The McCain-Feingold bill did it, the IRS does is with the backing of Congress. One of the very first things that our Founding Fathers did after they ratified the Constitution was to pass the Bill of Rights, which included in it guarantees for freedom of religion and freedom of speech – among other personal freedoms. And yet here we are, more than 200 years later, still fighting to defend those freedoms.
Now there are some members of the House and Senate who see this issue the way we do, and some of them are already fighting our battles for us. And one of them is Mike Pence, a representative from Indiana. He’s a Republican, a very good friend of mine.
John: A good man, yes.
JCD: He’s a man that I respect very, very much. And in the Senate, Norm Coleman has joined with Rep. Pence and they have introduced something they're calling the Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007. It's House Resolution 2905 and Senate Resolution 1742. The bill would prevent the Federal Communications Commission from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. By the way, I need to insert something here: When a new president takes office, as will occur on Jan. 20 of next year, that day the FCC chairman automatically resigns and the president nominates a new FCC chairman. So you can see how what happens in November will greatly influence what happens with regard to religious liberty.
The House leadership, under the democratic majority, particularly Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is holding up Congressman Pence's bill, keeping it from moving to the floor for a vote. It will pass, we feel, if it gets to the floor. But the majority is able to keep legislation coming for a vote. So, Congressman Pence has filed what is known as a discharge petition to move the bill directly to the floor. To get that done the petition needs 218 signatures, and right now it has 194. In other words, 194 members of the House of Representatives have signed on to this petition. They need only 24 more congressmen to sign on to the Broadcaster Freedom Act to get a vote in the House. So there's a list on our website, at www.citizenlink.com, where our listeners can find out which members of Congress have not yet signed the petition and find out how to contact their own member of Congress.
This would solve the problem regarding The Fairness Doctrine, because if it passes in the House and Senate it would prevent that legislation from coming and we would not have to fight this battle in 2009. We're very, very close to getting it done, and we need a massive outpouring from our listeners to urge 24 more members of the House to sign on to the petition.
And there's no reason why it should not occur. On June 30th last year, Congressman Pence filed an amendment to the Financial Services Appropriations Bill prohibiting any funds in that bill being used to impose the Fairness Doctrine on broadcasters. So it was a step in that direction and the amendment passed overwhelmingly: 309-115. A hundred and thirteen Democrats joined 106 republicans in favor of banning the funding for the Fairness Doctrine. And yet this time, with this petition, not one single Democrat has signed on. The 194 that have are all Republicans.
So we really do need to put pressure on those Democrats and the Republicans who have not signed on. We need The Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007 in order to protect us from the Fairness Doctrine–not only now, but in the future.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Focus on the Family on the Fairness Doctrine
Last Wednesday, March 19, Dr. James Dobson devoted an entire radio show to the issue of the Fairness Doctrine. You can listen here.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Fifth Anniversary of the Start of the War in Iraq
Today marks the five year mark of the beginning of the war in Iraq. There have been a lot of ink spilled to commemorate the occasion, but this article in the Wall Street Journal by Fouad Ajami stands out.
Wars have never been easy to defend. Even in "heroic" cultures, men and women applauded wars then grew weary of them. This Iraq war, too, was once a popular war. It was authorized and launched in the shadow of 9/11. During the five long years that America has been on the ground in Iraq, the war was increasingly forced to stand alone...
In the five years that America has been in Iraq, this drawn-out war has seemed like a fight between American power and the laws of gravity. Sectarianism tested our souls and our patience; the fury of the region around Iraq was bottomless. Its misfits found their way onto Iraqi soil. We wanted a new life for that country, and there were sectarian hatreds beyond our comprehension...
In Iraq, America was surrounded by enemies who were sure from the start that the great foreign power was destined to fail. They could not be given the satisfaction of a hasty American retreat. The stakes had grown: We were
under the gaze of populations with a keen eye for the weakness of strangers. It was apt and proper that the leader who launched this war did not give up on it...
In the five years that America has been in Iraq, this drawn-out war has seemed like a fight between American power and the laws of gravity. Sectarianism tested our souls and our patience; the fury of the region around Iraq was bottomless. Its misfits found their way onto Iraqi soil. We wanted a new life for that country, and there were sectarian hatreds beyond our comprehension...
Still, five years on, this endeavor in Iraq is taking hold. The U.S. military was invariably the great corrector. In their stoic acceptance of the mission given them and in the tender mercies they showed Iraqis on a daily basis, our soldiers held out the example of benevolent rule. (In extended travel in and out of Iraq over the last five years, I heard little talk of Abu Ghraib. The people of Iraq understood that Charles Graner and Lynndie England were psychopaths at odds with American military norms.)...
In those five years, the scaffolding of the war came under steady assault. People said that there was no connection between al Qaeda and Saddam, that no "smoking gun" had been discovered, and that the invasion of Iraq had turned that country into a breeding ground of jihadists. But those looking for that smoking gun did not understand that the distinction between secular and religious terror in that Arab landscape was a distinction without a difference. The impulse that took America from Kabul to Baghdad was a correct one. Radical Arabs attacked America on 9/11, and a war of deterrence had to be waged against Arab radicalism...
So we did not turn Baghdad into a democratic city on a hill, and we learned that the dismantling of Sunni tyranny would leave the Arab world's Shiite stepchildren with primacy in Iraq. A better country has nonetheless risen, midwifed by this American war. It is not a flawless democracy. But compare it to the prison it was under Saddam, the tyranny next door in Damascus and the norms of the region, and we can have a measure of pride in what America has brought forth in Baghdad...
There has been design and skill in recent American endeavors. The Sunnis had all, but wrecked their chances in the new order. The American strategy in the year behind us worked to cushion the Sunni defeat. The U.S. now sustains a large force of "volunteers," the Sons of Iraq, drawn mainly from the Sunni community. This has not met with the approval of the Shiite-led government, but the attempt to create a balance between the two communities has been both deliberate and wise...
In the past five years, the passion has drained out of the war's defenders and critics alike. Our soldiers and envoys are there, but the public at home has moved onto other concerns. Still, the public is willing to grant this expedition time, and that's for the good. There is no taste in this country for imperial burdens and acquisitions in distant lands. But Americans also know that the lands and sea lanes of the Persian Gulf are too vital to be left to mayhem and petty tyrants...
Monday, March 17, 2008
Indianapolis Star
The Indianapolis Star had coverage over the weekend of the Congressman's recent decision to not seek earmarks in Fiscal Year 2009.
The Columbus Republican said he does not think all earmarks are bad, but that too many projects are not being funded fairly and responsibly, and a timeout is needed.
Project funding does not go through a competitive review but is distributed based largely on clout -- including a lawmaker's committee assignment or leadership position, whether his party is in the majority or whether he faces re-election.
Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., supported the moratorium because Congress needs to rein in federal spending, and a break on pork-barrel projects is a good place to start, according to his spokesman.
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., voted against it because he thinks the process should have more transparency but not be eliminated.
Sunshine Week is upon us
In case you missed it, Congressman Rick Boucher and Congressman Pence co-authored an op-ed pertaining to the stalled media shield law in conjunction with Sunshine Week.
During the past several years, more than 30 reporters have been subpoenaed or questioned in federal court proceedings about confidential sources.
Federal prosecutors are attempting to force journalists to reveal their sources rather than finding the wrongdoers through their own investigations into reported activities. They have used the threat of jail to pressure reporters into violating the promises of confidentiality they made to their sources as a condition of receiving the information at the core of their stories and at the core of the criminal investigation. In some instances, reporters have in fact been jailed for keeping their promises not to divulge the identity of sources. These actions inevitably have a chilling effect on the willingness of reporters to rely on confidential sources and the willingness of sources to speak with reporters.
Action is needed to protect thepromise of confidentiality between reporters and their sources from this unprecedented series of federal government challenges. The public's right to know hangs in the balance because if the identity of sources is not protected, many matters of public importance will not become known. Public corruption and corporate misdeeds will go uncorrected.
By protecting reporters and their confidential sources, the Free Flow of Information Act will encourage whistleblowers to talk to journalists and expose wrongdoing. It will ensure that journalists can continue to do what they have done since our nation's founding - to exercise the freedom of the press to bring to light information on the most important issues of the day. As Thomas Jefferson recognized, our liberty and our democracy are dependent on a free and fully functioning press. Our bill will help underpin this nation's tradition of honoring press freedom as a hallmark of our open and informed society.
You can read the entire op-ed HERE.
In related news, Congressman Pence was mentioned in the New York Times because of his role in championing a federal media shield law.
Representative Mike Pence, Republican of Indiana and the author of the House bill, lately has cited Ms. Locy’s plight as proof that a shield law is needed. Her case “is the biggest bullet in the gun,” said Matt Lloyd, a spokesman for the congressman.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Broadcaster Freedom!
Focus on the Family's Action Citizen Link has an article posted today regarding the President's ardent defense of Broadcaster Freedom.
President Bush assured members of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) on Tuesday he will not let Congress take away their freedom to use the airwaves to spread the truth.
Congressional Democrats have threatened to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, which was put in place by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1949 and later repealed. It required the nation's TV and radio broadcasters to make time for voices on both sides of controversial issues. For example, pro-life stories would need to include comments from Planned Parenthood or another pro-abortion group, if the Fairness Doctrine is reinstated. Bush told the NRB conference it won't happen on his watch.
"The very First Amendment to our Constitution includes the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion," he said. "The Founders believed these inalienable rights were endowed to us by our Creator. They are vital to a healthy democracy, and we must never let anyone take those freedoms away.
"Some members of Congress want to reinstate a regulation that was repealed 20 years ago. It has the Orwellian name called the Fairness Doctrine. … Many programs wanting to stay on the air would have to meet Washington's definition of balance.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
President's Remarks Today
President George W. Bush spoke today at the 2008 National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, TN. Congressman Mike Pence attended the speech at the invitation of the President.
Below is the portion of the speech pertaining to the so-called “Fairness Doctrine,” as well as acknowledgment of Congressman Pence’s work in bringing the Broadcaster Freedom Act before Congress.
Congressman Pence’s release can be found HERE.
“This organization has had many important missions, but none more important than ensuring our airways -- America's airways -- stay open to those who preach the Good News. (Applause.) The very first amendment to our Constitution includes the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion. Founders believed these unalienable rights were endowed to us by our Creator. They are vital to a healthy democracy, and we must never let anyone take those freedoms away. (Applause.)
“I mention this because there's an effort afoot that would jeopardize your right to express your views on public airways. Some members of Congress want to reinstate a regulation that was repealed 20 years ago. It has the Orwellian name called the Fairness Doctrine. Supporters of this regulation say we need to mandate that any discussion of so-called controversial issues on the public airwaves includes equal time for all sides. This means that many programs wanting to stay on the air would have to meet Washington's definition of balance. Of course, for some in Washington, the only opinions that require balancing are the ones they don't like. (Laughter and applause.)
“We know who these advocates of so-called balance really have in their sights: shows hosted by people like Rush Limbaugh or James Dobson, or many of you here today. By insisting on so-called balance, they want to silence those they don't agree with. The truth of the matter is, they know they cannot prevail in the public debate of ideas. They don't acknowledge that you are the balance; that you give voice -- (applause.) The country should not be afraid of the diversity of opinions. After all, we're strengthened by diversity of opinions.
“If Congress truly supports the free and open exchange of ideas,
then there is a way they can demonstrate that right now. Republicans have drafted legislation that would ban reinstatement of the so-called Fairness Doctrine. Unfortunately, Democratic leaders in the House of
Representatives have blocked action on this bill. So in response, nearly every Republican in the House has signed onto what's called a "discharge petition," that would require Congress to hold an up or down vote on the ban. Supporters of this petition are only 24 signatures away.
“I do want to thank Mike Pence, who is with us today, and
Congressman Greg Walden, for pressing this effort and defending the right for people to express themselves freely. And I urge other members to join in this discharge petition. But I'll tell you this: If Congress should ever pass any legislation that stifles your right to express your views, I'm going to veto it. (Applause.) The full text of the President's remarks is available HERE.
Monday, March 10, 2008
FOX News Sunday
Congressman Pence appeared on FOX News Sunday this past weekend to discuss his most recent trip to Iraq and Afghanistan.
HUME: Let me ask you first about Iraq. From what I've read of your trip, it sounds like your account is similar to others about there being progress on the military front in particular, correct?
PENCE: Well, I think there's been significant progress on the ground, but the fight is far from over.
I was part of a six-member bipartisan delegation that began in the northern region, the Kurdish region of Iraq. We met with officials there, saw the situation on the ground, spent time in Baghdad, and then got out to al-Anbar province, walked the streets of Haditha.
And I have to tell you, I was there a year ago in Anbar province and in Baghdad, and you can see both in the statistics and you can feel among Iraqis and among our own soldiers that there has been significant, if fragile, progress toward security and stability in Iraq, thanks to the surge and thanks, Brit, to extraordinary cooperation by Sunnis in the last year.
HUME: Well, let me ask, everyone says this about progress having been clear and demonstrable but fragile. Now, you've had a change of heart on the part of a lot of Sunnis. You noted that particularly in Anbar. You see that elsewhere as well.
And you see, as others have, an increasing ability of the Iraqis to fend for themselves. Why, then, is the progress said to be so fragile?
PENCE: Well, I think it's fragile — as the Kurdish prime minister told me over lunch, I think it's seen as fragile because while the enemy has been in many respects largely beaten back in the center part of the country and in al-Anbar province, as we saw in grim detail in the car bombing and suicide bombing in Baghdad this week, this is still a lethal enemy that will use deadly force to upend the progress of stability and democracy in this country.
And I have to tell you, I did run into anxiety among many Iraqi officials about talk of a precipitous American withdrawal from Iraq. Several Iraqi leaders with whom we spoke with and, frankly, regular Iraqis on the street see the vital and critical importance of a durable American presence, at least in the near term.
And people understand the American soldier, combined with the cooperation of Sunni and Shia Arabs in this country, is the pathway toward stability and a successful free and democratic Iraq.
The full transcript is available HERE.
Media Shield
The Austin-American Statesman's The Secrecy File blog is running this article on the federal media shield law, of which Congressman Pence has been an ardent supporter.
The House passed a reporter shield bill by a veto-proof 398-21 vote last fall. But the Senate version has been stalled since October because of objections from the administration and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
But pressure is now building for swift passage of the measure. Why? Former USA Today reporter Toni Locy (pictured) was found in contempt of court last month for refusing to comply with a court order from U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton to name government sources who supplied information about a former Army scientist’s possible role in the 2001 anthrax attacks. Locy could personally
face fines up to $5,000 per day unless she reveals her sources.
Friday, March 07, 2008
NEW: Video from Iraq!
Congressman Pence's YouTube site has video from the Haditha market in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. This is unedited footage taken March 2, 2008, during the congressman's most recent trip.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
RETURN TO IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN
 [Congressional delegation to Iraq and Afghanistan]
February 28-March 4, 2008, I participated in a bipartisan congressional delegation to Iraq and Afghanistan. In four days, we took off and landed twenty different times in four different types of aircraft. We flew to Kuwait in a military jet, flew into Iraq on a cargo plane, flew around Iraq and Afghanistan in helicopters and Ospreys. We convoyed in military vehicles throughout both countries. It was a rare opportunity to meet with leaders and locals in both theaters of combat and I am grateful to the people of Indiana and our military leaders for making it possible.
Our visit took place before a backdrop of several major events. The Iraqi government announced that Ali Hassan al-Majid, better known as “Chemical Ali,” a brutal military henchman of Saddam Hussein, will be executed later this month. We arrived in the Kurdish Region in Northern Iraq just as Turkish forces announced their withdrawal from military operations within that region. And our second day in Iraq coincided with the first official state visit to Iraq by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It was a time of great significance to the people of Iraq in several respects.
During our time in Iraq and Afghanistan, one inescapable conclusion emerged. After years of difficulty and setback in varying degrees, freedom is making progress in Iraq and Afghanistan. In northern Iraq, known as the Kurdish Region, there is security, political progress and economic growth. In central Iraq, following the military surge, Al Qaeda and insurgent violence are in steep decline and political progress is beginning to take hold.
As we saw firsthand in Baghdad and Al Anbar Province, the military surge and Sunni cooperation have resulted in extraordinary progress in security, but those gains are fragile. Violence in Iraq has declined more than 60 percent since the beginning of the surge and has remained at relatively low levels since November of last year. The Iraqi Parliament has passed legislation that may make further political progress possible. Our visit was characterized by a cautious optimism from American military leaders to ordinary Iraqis on the street.
Afghanistan was equally encouraging. In President Hamid Karzai, we saw the determination of a leader devoted to his people and to defeating a resurgent Taliban effort to overturn their progress with terrorist violence. In Kuna Province, we witnessed the greatest threat to the terrorists who operate on the border with Pakistan: a bridge being built by local Afghanis. Seeing locals waving at our convoy and greeting laborers at this remote construction site showed me the depth of American generosity and the resilience of their proud people.
What follows is a summary of each of our stops for your review. If the prose seems a bit disjointed at times, please forgive me. I wrote many of the passages thumbing my Blackberry on military aircraft. I hope my firsthand impressions can convey the experience and enrich your understanding of the importance of American involvement in both countries.--Mike Pence
Day One: Kurdish Region of Iraq and Baghdad
We rose at 4:45 a.m. to witness a crescent moon over the Persian Gulf. The leader of our delegation, Congressman Jim Costa of California, asked if I might "continue a tradition" we had established on previous trips into this war zone and offer a word of prayer. Remembering our troops and our families back home, I asked especially that we might be an encouragement to the soldiers and Iraqis we would meet, and we were on our way.
This day we would visit a part of Iraq that is seemingly free of Al Qaeda terrorism and is attracting foreign investment…we would visit the Kurdish Regional Government.
Driving to our waiting aircraft, a C-130 operated by the Air National Guard, we received a briefing about the politics of the Kurdish Region of Northern Iraq and the trials through which ethnic Kurds passed under the rule of Saddam Hussein. Hussein’s violence against the Kurds was among the worst in modern history. In 1988, Hussein used chemical weapons against this population and killed thousands in a single night.
We boarded the huge C-130 cargo aircraft and took our seats on the canvas benches that line the interior wall. In all my trips to Iraq, I always begin in the belly of these cargo planes, surrounded by men and women in uniform, inbound to the front lines of the War on Terror. It is a great privilege to enter a war zone alongside those who are carrying the burden of this battle.
 [ Pence on C130 With Hoosier soldier, Staff Sgt. William J. Smith]After landing in Irbil, our motorcade made its way from the developed streets of this Kurdish city through the winding roads in the foothills of the mountains that divide Iraq and Turkey.
We arrived at the remote mountain compound of the president of the Kurdish Region of Northern Iraq.
President Massoud Barzani greeted us outside his ornate office and ushered us in. The president was dressed in traditional Kurdish apparel, head-dress and open-collared suit with the color and appearance of a military officer.
The regional president began our discussion expressing his appreciation for the sacrifices of American soldiers. He also thanked us for taking time to visit the Kurdish area. I believe we are only the fourth delegation of American congressmen to visit this area of Iraq in the past four years.
I told President Barzani of my longstanding admiration for his people, given how difficult a trial they endured under Saddam Hussein. The president seemed most moved when I mentioned our nation's enduring sadness at the tragedy visited upon his people in the chemical attack on the city of Halabja by Saddam Hussein in 1988.  [ Congressman Pence with President Barzani, Kurdish Region of Iraq]
His eyes narrowed and he nodded slowly as I spoke of the justice that will be served on Ali Hassan al-Majid, better known as "Chemical Ali". Hours before we arrived, it was announced that the man who organized that attack on defenseless Kurds would be executed before the end of the month.
When I asked him why Iraqi Kurdistan had been almost entirely free of insurgent or Al Qaeda violence, he responded, "the culture is the difference.” He alluded to a long tradition among Kurdish people of respecting religious and ethnic differences.
In the end, our time with this sturdy regional president was telling. His quiet confidence and success in achieving stability in this region is a model for all of Iraq now and in the future.
Back in Irbil, our next meeting was with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, the prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan.
The prime minister greeted us at his personal residence in the heart of the city. Educated in Iran, the youthful prime minister spoke fluent English and had a distinctly western air about him. During our formal discussions, he spoke of his gratitude for our visit to the region and demonstrated a strong knowledge about each member of the delegation.
He repeatedly described the progress in central Iraq as a "ceasefire" but urged patience by the United States. He summed up the tension among ethnic groups in Iraq more succinctly than I had ever heard. He said, "Sunnis fear the future, Shiites fear the past, and Kurds fear the past, present and future."
Sitting next to the prime minister over lunch, I asked what he thought about talk that American forces should begin withdrawing from Iraq 60 days into the next administration. He replied, without hesitation, "that would be a disaster for the Iraqi people and for the United States."
 [Pence speaking with Kurdish Prime Minister Barzani over dinner] The most poignant moment of our conversation was when I asked, "Where were you when Saddam attacked Halabja with chemical weapons?" He became reflective and spoke of having been a young man in the Kurdish military at the time. He said, "We heard only that something had happened at Halabja but we did not know what."
Kurdish officials estimate that tens of thousands of men, women and children were asphyxiated or have suffered lasting health problems as a result of on that day of horror in 1988.
The Kurdish people have endured much and prevailed. My visit to the north renews my confidence that, with justice and the rule of law, Iraq can and will prevail as well.
Our return trip to Baghdad aboard another C-130 went quickly and we were soon helicoptering our way to the Green Zone in the heart of the capital city.
As we overflew Baghdad, I was again struck by the sheer dimensions of this city of 6 million. Despite its immense population, Baghdad contains very few buildings taller than 10 stories. The streets below us were teeming with everyday life, foot traffic and cars. This weekend, Baghdad plays host to a soccer tournament. Despite the ravages of decades of repression and war, thanks to the sacrifices of American and Iraqi soldiers, this city is coming back.
Our first meeting in Baghdad was with the author of that comeback, General David Petraeus. 
[Congressman Pence with General David Petraeus] I first met General Petraeus during his initial tour here with the 101st Airborne. I last saw him when he testified about the progress of the military surge before Congress. My impression of Petraeus has always been the same- he is a soldier’s soldier. Unpretentious and seemingly unimpressed with his vaunted position, General Petraeus always reflects a humble respect for civilian control of the military. His servant attitude comes across in a clear presentation of facts and absolute candor. As we entered the briefing room in the coalition headquarters, General Petraeus greeted me warmly saying, "Welcome back to Baghdad!" Over the course of the next hour, he detailed the progress and challenges our troops are facing one year after the surge. The message was clear: the surge is working but the battle is far from over. Violence is down significantly in the past year. The enemies’ abilities have been degraded in both degree and type of attack. U.S. forces have made measurable progress against terrorist elements in both Baghdad and Al Anbar Province due to both the surge and expanded cooperation among the civilian population. While the military surge is working, the Iraqi Parliament seems to have gone to work too. The adoption of a budget, the passage of a law permitting former Baath Party members to work for the government and the plan for provincial elections this fall represent exactly the kind of progress many in our diplomatic team had hoped to see. Later that evening, we dined with Ambassador Ryan Crocker, at his personal residence. But Ambassador Crocker was also very clear on the need to see more significant political reforms, especially an agreement on sharing oil revenues.  [Congressman Pence at dinner with U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker] As I sat next to Ambassador Crocker over dinner, I thought of the way that he and General Petraeus were of similar quality. Both are men of forceful intellect but gentle demeanor. Both men are deeply devoted to the cause of freedom but realistic about the limits of American power. If our progress in Iraq continues, history may well attribute much of the credit to these talented and humble public servants. The General and the American Ambassador may be remembered as two men whose professionalism and diplomacy brought this nascent democracy back from the brink. Day Two: From Al Anbar Province, Camp Fallujah and the Streets of Haditha Today, we flew through the skies of Iraq to meet with American and Iraqi leaders at the center of this conflict. Tomorrow, we will travel to the province of Al Anbar and walk among the good people of this young democracy. Two years ago, Al Anbar was so riddled with Al Qaeda and insurgent violence, U.S. authorities had literally considered "writing off" the entire area. As I was to see with my own eyes, Al Anbar is a very different place today. We spent the night in Baghdad in military quarters inside the Green Zone. Another early morning began by boarding helicopters to Camp Fallujah. Years ago, two separate battles in Fallujah and painful U.S. losses attested to the dominance of Al Qaeda and Sunni insurgents in western Iraq. Today, things in Al Anbar and Fallujah are very different.  [Pence with Troops in Iraq]
Meeting with the senior American leadership in this sector, we learned that the enemy has been virtually driven from this province. Effective military action, combined with strong cooperation by Sunni Arabs, have turned this region from anarchy to success. And we were about to see it for ourselves. After being briefed by Major General John Kelly, the Marine Corps Commander of Multil-National Forces in Al Anbar Province, we boarded a pair of Marine Corps Osprey aircraft for a high velocity trip to Haditha, a city of 100,000 in northern Anbar.
 [Congressman Pence arrives via Osprey in Haditha] The Osprey is an airplane that takes off like a helicopter and has only been in use in Iraq for about six months. After a near vertical ascent and landing, our Ospreys touched down gently on an athletic field that had been the sight of horrific Al Qaeda violence. Just one year ago on this very site, Al Qaeda beheaded several townspeople who had been cooperating with our military. Friends and neighbors were forced to watch from the stands.
Today the city is, as the Arab mayor of Haditha told me, "100 percent secure.” The “Anbar Awakening” among Sunnis has given rise to a "sons of Iraq" movement. Now more than 90,000 young Iraqi men participate in supporting police and military efforts against terrorism. The change has been substantial, and I could see it on the faces of Iraqi's at the outdoor market in Haditha.
 [Congressman Pence on the streets of Haditha] After a warm greeting from local Iraqi officials and military personnel, we boarded a convoy of military vehicles and made our way to the downtown market street of Haditha. Despite a large contingent of military security, as we exited our convoy, hundreds of adults and children lined the street for a glimpse, a handshake or a hello. The people of Haditha greeted our group of officials and the soldiers with genuine warmth.
I never lost sight of the fact that we were in a war zone. After all, it is impossible to feel that you are in a fully safe environment when you are wearing a flak jacket and surrounded by security. But it was more important for me to find out what the Iraqi people were saying about the security situation in Al Anbar. What do the citizens who walk the streets each day think of the progress made? So, with an interpreter present, I asked one Iraqi after another, "What about the terrorists?" Time and again, the answer was the same, "The terrorists are gone.” "The city is safe,” I heard again and again. It was quite remarkable.
Often, after dismissing my concern about terrorism, they would tell me, "We need money for infrastructure.” Many specifically referred to the need for road repair. While they understand the reality of violence, they are focused upon a future of peace, stability and growth.  [Congressman Pence greets a young Iraqi on the streets of Haditha]
My favorite part of the market this time was the same as last year: the kids. In the midst of poverty and years of war and terror, these shining faces possess the timeless resilience of youth
I took to passing out tin coins with a picture of the U.S. Capitol on the back. The kids loved the coins. One little boy felt so indebted that he and his father insisted on giving me a handful of pistachio nuts from a bag he was holding in his hand. I kept two as a keepsake. Several of the children followed me down the street. Maybe out of curiosity, maybe looking for another coin, but they followed nonetheless.
Thanks to the American soldier, the Iraqi soldier and the support of thousands of ordinary Iraqis who have supported our efforts, Al Qaeda, terrorism and fear is being driven from Haditha.  [Congressman Pence talks to Iraqi’s on the streets of Haditha]
As our aircraft lurched into the skies of Haditha, I thought of the sacrifices our soldiers and their families have made to bring us to this day. I thought of heroic Iraqis who died in the fight. And I thought of those boys of Haditha in whose shining eyes I saw a glimpse of a boundless future for the good people of Iraq.
If God permits, I will return to this place someday. The military escorts and armor will be gone, and I will walk this market again. I hope I will see a city fully healed from the ravages of tyranny and terror. And I hope I will see those boys again, especially the boy with the bag of pistachios.  [Congressman Pence greeting children in Haditha]
Day Three: Kabul, Afghanistan After an extraordinary weekend in Iraq, we boarded our military jet and flew 2,000 miles to the other battlefield in the War on Terror: Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In less than 24 hours, we met with local officials including President Hamid Karzai, visited the American base at Camp Phoenix and flew to Asadabad in the Kuna Province. The Kuna Province borders Pakistan in southeastern Afghanistan and has been the sight of some of the toughest fighting against the Taliban in recent days. It is also the site of some of the most hopeful progress in winning the hearts and minds of the Afghani people. Our morning began in Kabul, Afghanistan, with a military briefing on the state of the conflict in Afghanistan. The terrorist groups, Taliban and Al Qaeda, have been attempting a comeback in Afghanistan and this spring could prove to be some of the toughest fighting in this country in some time. But our military will not be caught off guard. The majority of terrorist activity in Afghanistan is taking place in roughly ten percent of the country. Our military and our NATO allies are aware of this and are already focusing resources and tactics in these areas. From our briefing, we were driven through Kabul to the presidential palace of President Hamid Karzai. I first met with President Karzai when I visited Afghanistan about three years ago.  [Congressional delegation with Afghani President Hamid Karzai (Congressman Pence is third from left)]
President Karzai is an approachable and well-spoken Muslim leader. We met in his personal office and the topics ranged from the battle against the Taliban to the drug trade. When it was my turn to speak, I told the president that I was pleased to be invited back to his office. I said, “I believe that God has protected and preserved you in this position ‘for such a time as this’ for the people of Afghanistan.” He replied immediately with, “Yes, yes, this must be said, you are right to say it.” I suggested strongly that, with the possibility of a spring offensive by the Taliban and Al Qaeda, he might consider coming to America to update the American people on the progress of democratic Afghanistan. He assured me he would give the matter serious consideration. After a brief stop by a meeting of his Cabinet, we bade the president a fond farewell. May God continue to protect this good man and true friend of America. 
[Congressman Pence with Afghani President Hamid Karzai] Return To Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan Several years ago, I visited thousands of Hoosier soldiers at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, so I thought I would return to encourage soldiers in 2008. Accompanied by several of my colleagues, we journeyed through the crowded streets of Kabul to this base where the Army National Guard trains Afghani soldiers and police. We met with more than 100 soldiers from National Guard units from South Carolina and around the country. It was great to see that the work the Indiana Army National Guard began is being continued by such talented and enthusiastic men and women.  [Congressman Pence with soldiers at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan] Asadabad, Afghanistan After our time with the soldiers, we boarded Blackhawk helicopters to fly through the mountains to one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan, the Kuna Province. Surrounded by towering mountains, this province borders Pakistan and has been a beehive of Taliban and Al Qaeda attacks in recent days. Upon arriving in Asadabad, we made our way to a heavily armed convoy to see for ourselves how U.S. forces are winning the hearts and minds of the people of this region  [Congressman Pence in Asadabad, Afghanistan] For centuries, a large percent of the local population has been closer to the people and influences of Pakistan due to the presence of a large river that can only be forded by rafts and barges. The Provisional Reconstruction Team in Asadabad is bringing that isolation to an end. We are building a bridge. Climbing into the armored vehicles of our waiting convey, we traveled a half hour north of this base camp to see the project for ourselves. Along the way, thousands of Afghani men, women and children lined the road waving and smiling as we passed. Judging from the warm reaction our large convoy got from the crowd, it’s pretty obvious that the American soldier is a hero around here. Arriving at the construction site, we hiked down to the river bed and saw dozens of Afghanis splitting rocks and hauling stone to lay the foundation for the bridge. I spoke to the project manager, an Afghani, through an interpreter.  [Congressman Pence at a Provisional Reconstruction Team construction site in Afghanistan] He spoke glowingly of the generosity of the American people and his enthusiasm for the region after the bridge is finished. The humorous part came when I asked at the end of our conversation, “Are you going to finish on time?” and he replied, before the interpreter translated, smiling and saying, “On time! Yes, on time!” Contractors are the same the world over. As we drove back to the camp, again the people waved and cheered, especially the children. We are doing something very special in Afghanistan. These are tough people in a hard land but you can sense the hope in the air. You would be proud if you saw what I saw: proud of the American soldier, proud of our diplomats and proud of yourself for being a part of the kind of nation that can build bridges for people without hope. I am proud to serve you all. Day Four: Ramstein Air Force Base and Landstuhl Medical Center, Germany Before the day was over, we would fly thousands of miles to Germany where we would end our journey visiting soldiers at the Landstuhl Medical Center. Soldiers injured in Afghanistan and Iraq are brought to this facility, usually within 24 hours of their injuries. I can think of no more fitting end to our journey. Happily, there were far fewer injured soldiers at Landstuhl than at any time I have visited. But I had a few encounters I will never forget. The Bible says, “The Lord orders the steps of the righteous.” Well, I don’t know if I qualify, but He sure ordered my steps this morning! The first hospital room I entered, I said, “Where you from, son?” Kyle Lindsey replied, “Indiana, sir.” I was taken aback. Kyle is with the Air Force at Ramstein and hales from Corydon, Indiana. His dad, Steve, served in the Army but Kyle chose the Air Force. Kyle became ill during regular duty on the base and is expected to make a full recovery. It was such a privilege to feel like somebody made sure that Hoosier got to see a friendly Indiana face while he was feeling poorly. Next I met a Marine named Travis McGrath who was recovering from serious injuries incurred in Fallujah on the very day we visited the camp. Travis was being prepped for the flight home but he still sat up bravely and accepted our attention and praise. This brave Marine from Vermont is going to take some time to heal physically, but from the light in his eyes you could see the enemy hadn’t laid a finger on his heart. Before leaving the base, we took time for a lunch with local troops. I was delighted to break bread with three Hoosiers in the Air Force, including two with ties to Indiana’s 6th District. Captain Scott Thomas is from Fort Wayne and Bluffton. He and his family have been in the military for almost 20 years, and the confidence and the bars on this captain’s collar proved that he is only getting started on a great American life. Staff Sgt. Scott Humphries is from Fountain City and is a constituent. Also, Air Force, Staff Sgt. Humphries is preparing to leave at the end of his tour next year. Trained in the technical area of heating and cooling, this guy is going to be beating back job offers with a stick. Tech. Sgt. Charles Roberts is from Elkhart and provides leadership training for rising officers. After his tour of duty, he wants to come back to Indiana and teach. This quiet and confident man would be a credit to any school in the state. An hour for lunch, easy conversation, a few pictures and we were on our way back to Washington, D.C. What a joy it was to be with these four fine Hoosiers. Closing Thoughts This year, with the deployment of the 76th Brigade of the Indiana Army National Guard, our state will have more soldiers in Iraq than any other state in the union. At the deployment ceremony in the RCA Dome, I told the 76th, “You and your families deserve to know you are entering a widening American success.” From what I saw on the ground in Irbil, Baghdad, Fallujah and Haditha, I believe that now more than ever. The Bible tells how King Solomon prayed for wisdom concluding, “for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” Having the opportunity serve in Congress is a great privilege but the opportunity to see what I saw this weekend is greater still. Seeing your generosity in action among the children of Haditha, Iraq, and Asadabad, Afghanistan, seeing the courage and determination of your sons and daughters who carry the lamp of freedom into this dark place giving hope to millions, I am more convinced than ever the people of America are, indeed, a great people. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.  [Congressman Pence in the air over Afghanistan]
Monday, March 03, 2008
Ball Memorial Hospital
The Muncie Star Press has this out today about Ball Memorial Hospital's difficulties with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursments.
Ball Memorial Hospital is losing $7 million a year due to low Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements and has turned to Indiana's Congressional delegation for help.
Rep. Mike Pence and Sen. Richard Lugar have appealed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for some type of administrative relief, and Pence said he's "cautiously optimistic" a change will be made to the reimbursement.
"Ultimately, it's working a hardship on the institution of Ball Memorial Hospital, but also to the citizens of the East Central Indiana community who rely on that hospital," Pence told The Star Press.
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