Paul Evans heading to Afghanistan combat zone
Kari Chisholm
One of the closest State Senate races in Oregon is the one between Paul Evans (D) and Senator Jackie Winters (R). It's also the best shot Democrats have at winning a Senate seat now held by a Republican.
As BlueOregon readers know, Paul is a great candidate - elected to the Monmouth city council at age 18, two terms as Mayor, a teacher at Western Oregon... He also served in the US Air Force, and now serves in the Oregon Air National Guard. He's going to be a great state senator.
Here's the big news today: Paul's been called up, and he'll be deployed to a combat zone in Afghanistan - before the election.
Basically, his job is to be an air battle commander; watching the big board, helping our pilots accomplish their missions, and most importantly, watching out for threats and keeping them out of harm's way. There aren't many people in this country who can do what Paul does, and when the National Guard asked him to go, he decided to go.
This is his EIGHTH trip into a combat zone, and he's in a tough political campaign, but that's the kind of guy that Paul is. As he told the Statesman Journal, "When my commander said I was needed, there was no question of whether or not I would go. Duty calls."
In a statement, Brigadier General Mike Caldwell, deputy director of the Oregon National Guard, said:
Major Evans has unique skills that are critical to the safety of our troops. I’m grateful that he is willing to ship out to Afghanistan, even in the last few days of a close campaign. He understands the true meaning of service. And as it stands right now, we see no reason why Paul cannot get back in time to serve in the Oregon Legislature as a civilian leader.
Here's what we need to do: Stand with Paul Evans. This campaign was always going to be tough; but Paul's departure, just a few days before election day, is going to be a tough hit. Let's help Paul Evans. Make a small donation. Sign up to volunteer.
Stand with Paul Evans.
[Full disclosure: The Evans campaign uses my company's MandateMail email broadcasting service, but I don't speak for Paul Evans or his campaign.]
 |
More Recent Posts | |
Albert Kaufman |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
Kari Chisholm |
Final pre-census estimate: Oregon's getting a sixth congressional seat |
Albert Kaufman |
Polluted by Money - How corporate cash corrupted one of the greenest states in America |
Guest Column |
|
Albert Kaufman |
Our Democrat Representatives in Action - What's on your wish list? |
Kari Chisholm |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
connect with blueoregon
Oct 17, '06
Well, this confirms the high opinion of Paul that I already had. I made a donation to Paul's campaign today, and I hope everyone else will.
Oct 17, '06
I'm sorry but I missed something. Helping to kill people with brown skin helps Oregon how?
Stop the war now.
Oct 17, '06
BlueNote, I think you miss the point. While it's clear that our defense resources are being badly misused in many ways, the OFFER of service to our country by our citizens is honorable. For this reason, Paul and others who sincerely offer to serve are totally deserving of our respect. Let's all work to insure that they aren't misused anymore, by electing progressive candidates.
Oct 17, '06
Thanks, Mike.
I think Blue Note reflects the attitude almost 40 years ago of people so angry at the Vietnam War they made life miserable for returning troops.
I don't see what that solves. I was opposed to the Vietnam War but when a college friend came home from Vietnam and passed through our town on his way home from Ft. Lewis, I made sure he had a warm welcome. And I have been active for many years in the cause of better treatment for veterans.
Oct 17, '06
I've know Paul since before he was born. When he was five years old he loved politics. At that young age he actually understood what happened with Watergate and could talk about it with adults intelligently! His family was not surprised with his path in life
Paul loves God, his family and his country, you go Paul! We're proud of you!
10:28 p.m.
Oct 17, '06
I think Blue Note reflects the attitude almost 40 years ago of people so angry at the Vietnam War they made life miserable for returning troops.
Sorry, that's baloney. What made life miserable for returning troops was post-traumatic stress syndrome, inadequate V.A. facilities, and dealing with horrendous disfigurements, disease and disabilities.
I spent several years in the anti-war movement and never, once, met someone who targeted the returning troops as the enemy. That's why Vietnam Vets provided our security at demonstrations, and were proud to march with us, and we with them.
4:53 p.m.
Oct 18, '06
Welp Frank,
You're correct on the point that you make. In fact there's good evidence that all of the spitting on the troops etcetera was mostly made up by Republican operatives to drive a wedge.
Lt's point though should be well taken.
When Jane Fonda jumped up and sat in the seat of a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun, she just handed a huge advantage to the Dogs of War.
So in propaganda terms, we need to get some distance from people like Hugo Chavez, Cynthia McKinney, and (in this case) BlueNote. The boys at the coffee shop don't know that Right Wingers have spent the last several years trying to subvert the Venezuelan election process, but they damned well know what he said at the UN two weeks ago.
We claim to be the smart ones........
Oct 19, '06
Lest we digress...I've met Paul Evans, and I think I can understand where his intentions and loyalties stand. He is honoring his committment and doing what he believes is right -- serving out his sworn duty. We should be lucky to get such a lawmaker in Salem serving us. While this duty also interferes with his campaign, it is currently a larger calling and demands his time. I strongly hope that we support Paul and do what we can to get his skills into the Oregon Senate working for us.
Nov 3, '06
"A candidate of the strong moral values and invaluable expertise such as Paul Evans comes along once in a lifetime. He will bring to Oregon the intelligence, experience and passion that will serve our country well in the days we face ahead. Paul's life experiences as a solider, public servant, teacher and man of faith give Paul a perspective that is very much needed today in government," Gen. Wesley Clark
<h2>That says it all! Paul is a man of great integrity.</h2>