Democrat Tammy Duckworth fired back at Republican Rep. Joe Walsh, who has suggested earlier this week that Duckworth — an Iraq war veteran who lost both her legs as a helicopter pilot and who is challenging him in Illinois’s 8th District — wasn’t a “true” hero because she talks about her military service.
Duckworth told CNN Friday that veterans of the Iraq War generation should be able to openly discuss their military service — doing so demonstrates the skills they have learned, and helps them deal with the personal problems they face, she said.
“It’s very irresponsible of Mr. Walsh, as a sitting congressman, to try to muzzle war veterans, and to keep them from talking about their service, by trying to insinuate that you’re not a hero if you talk about your service,” said Duckworth.
“Our veterans should be talking about their service. It will help us better understand why they make better employees so that they can find those jobs. It will also help us address the issues of post-traumatic stress, increasing veteran suicides, the need for access for health care for veterans and also the need to end homelessness among veterans.”
Duckworth said Walsh represents “an example of what is wrong with Washington.” She also took a jab at Walsh as an extreme partisan. “He’s been there for two years, and all he does is use belligerent words and belligerent, actions, and he doesn’t want to compromise or work with anyone. Instead he disagrees, and argues with anyone who disagrees with him and doesn’t see things his way. That’s simply not acceptable in a sitting congressman.”
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