McHenry Endangers Troops; Tries to Hide Evidence

by: Brandon Friedman

Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 19:07:03 PM EDT


In a post earlier this morning, I detailed how 32-year-old Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) had not only violated OPSEC procedures while in Iraq, but also endangered American troops located in the Green Zone.  McHenry--a fervent war supporter who has never served in the military--was apparently content to promote his Baghdad adventures at the expense of U.S. troops on his Congressional website, during public appearances, and on YouTube.  

He did this until he got called out today.  

Once the video started appearing on sites like VetVoice, The Huffington Post, and AlterNet, McHenry's office immediately removed the video from both YouTube and his website, leaving the sites above with dead links.  It's unclear as to whether McHenry had the video pulled out of a sense of new-found responsibility to America's Armed Forces, or whether he just thinks he can sweep the fact under the rug that he got caught trying to burnish his own foreign policy credentials at the expense of troops serving in combat.  Calls to his office requesting information on the reason were not answered, as none were attempted until after close of business this afternoon.

I'd like to think that Congressman McHenry realized what he did wrong and that he feels genuine remorse.  However, if that were the case, I would have expected an apology to have been issued in conjunction with the removal of the video--though none was.  That leads me to believe that McHenry pulled the video because he's more worried about the damage this could do to him politically--not because he's concerned about how his actions could affect the troops or their families.

Either way, here at VetVoice, we're not going to forget: In a bumbling attempt to make himself look braver and tougher than he really is, Congressman McHenry put U.S. troops at further risk by publicly revealing details about the success of an enemy rocket attack.  And we're not going to let him forget that, either.  Below is the screen shot of the now-removed video on McHenry's Congressional website entitled "Congressman McHenry Responds to Easter Green Zone Attack."  We also have the video.  

As one who has demanded that others be "held accountable" for "the releasing of sensitive information" in the past year, I would hope that McHenry would hold himself to that same standard.  
Brandon Friedman :: McHenry Endangers Troops; Tries to Hide Evidence
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McHenry Endangers Troops; Tries to Hide Evidence | 10 comments
Just Passed Around (4.00 / 1)
Both of your posts links, I'm in NC!

This twit isn't mine, but there will be followup from North Caolinians in his District!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

Where in NC? (4.00 / 2)
Just curious...I used to live in Wilmington. Am in Maine now.  
[ Parent ]
In (4.00 / 1)
The little town, they like to call City, Kannapolis, home of the Dale's.

Moved down here some 12 to 14yrs. back, originally from Syracuse.

And you're up in Maine, picked a great state, but you went in the wrong direction, everyone is coming down not going up.;c}

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

[ Parent ]
All ya gotta say... (4.00 / 1)
is Earnhardt-ville, and I know it's Kannapolis.

Was in NC for about 12 years (4 at Bragg, almost 8 in Wilmington). Take away some of that time for Iraq, of course.  

[ Parent ]
Genuine Remorse? (4.00 / 2)
Apology?  No I don't think that will do it.

I know an Army recruiter and I'm certain we can get him an obesity waiver. The desert diet will suit him just fine?


We should call his office... (4.00 / 2)
...again on Tuesday to see if anyone will ascertain the actual reason for McHenry's removal of the vid.

 I may assume my well-practiced NCARNG standard-issue drawl and plead for the return of the video in mah nahcest Norwth Carolahna voice, in the name of Gawd and NASCAR and guns and all other things that are good.

 Man, what a piece of work this guy is.

 Perhaps he will be voted out and he can join the Army to help out things in Iraq. He cares that much, no?

 I know he can handle it. He's 32 now. I was 31 in Iraq, and it wasn't too bad.  

You Forgot (4.00 / 1)
J*E*S*U*S!!

Or at least the one everyone says they follow!

Not the one I was brought up on, we still remember that three letter word, S*I*N!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

[ Parent ]
JAY-ZUZ EFFIN' KEERYST ON A SPOON! (4.00 / 1)
How can we get this POS put in jail?

I had a TS clearance and was responsible for CMS (crypto). Had I released this kind of info, any opsec stuff, I would still be smokin' cigs in Leavenworth.

I feel more like I do now than when I first got here!

Why do you hate America Congressman McHenry? (4.00 / 1)

so sad (4.00 / 2)
Since Congressman McHenry is my rep here in Conover, I am sending this info to our Charlotte TV station and anyone else who will listen. People need to know this. I wish there was a copy of that video still available so we can run him out of office. He needs to go back to the war zone until all of our troops come home.

Barbara

McHenry Endangers Troops; Tries to Hide Evidence | 10 comments
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