Tammy Duckworth is an Iraqi War veteran, she served as a US helicopter pilot and suffered through the loss of both legs and injuring of her right arm in combat. She continues to serve in the Illinois National Guard along with her husband. By all means she is worthy of praise. A capable, able-bodied and intelligent officer and politician.
Among many of her accolades, you will read the account of her being the FIRST first Asian American woman elected to Congress in Illinois, the FIRST member of congress born in Thailand, and the FIRST disabled woman in Congress and to go a bit further, the FIRST female double amputee from the war.
Being the FIRST is very important when you utilize the tool of identity politics. Normally you will find that identity politics will break down or stratify the population by gender, ethnicity, race or sexual orientation. This attitude is always approached with a cynical eye towards the level of “gain” that may be achieved by focusing attention on one particular trait or another. For example, race has been the driving issue during the last five years. A mere mention of "Chicago", "fried chicken", or "bar-b-que" can cause the MSNBC media group to erupt into frenzied cries of “racism” before they spew green vomit and their heads spin around 360 degrees. Hence, the fact that Representative Duckworth is Asian American and the fact that she was “born in Thailand” is important to this racial narrative.
But , let me tell you a bit about Tammy Duckworth, Duckworth moved to Hawaii with her parents as a teenager. After high school, Duckworth earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Hawaii, Master of Arts in international affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and enrolled in a political science Ph.D. program at Northern Illinois University. This is one intelligent woman.
While attending NIU, Duckworth enrolled in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps with the Illinois Army National Guard. Trained as a Blackhawk pilot, in 2004 Duckworth left NIU when she was deployed to Iraq. In Iraq, Duckworth flew Operation Iraqi Freedom combat missions until her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in the autumn of 2004. The explosion took both of Duckworth's legs and robbed her of full function in her right arm. Duckworth stated at the time "I was hurt in service for my country. I was proud to go. It was my duty as a soldier to go. And I would go tomorrow." Following her injuries, Duckworth was promoted to major general and awarded the Purple Heart. During her year's recovery time at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, she became an activist, advocating for better medical care for wounded veterans and their families.
Duckworth presented her impassioned views to Congress, testifying on two separate occasions.
http://www.biography.com/people/tammy-duckworth-21129571#awesm=~oF3j7ik4BjCfuX
So, this is the real Tammy Duckworth, she is not simply the “double amputee” or the “legless vet” that the left blogs and newspapers describe her to be. She is strong, intelligent and she is capable, of both praise and scrutiny. She should NOT be used as anything less than “strong”, “capable” and “equal “. Because anything less serves simply to negate this woman, her accomplishments and her ability. She needs no pity, no faux “finger wagging” ….. this lady does not need to be diminished by those seeking to exploit. Oh, one more thing, I read her account of the time she was at the VA. She indicated that she "was not surprised" at the problems now...... Why did she not speak up then? I guess I should be "ashamed of myself" for asking. I apologize in advance.
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