Rostra Editorial
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Since 1934, sacred ground.
Yet, to 52nd District Congressional candidate John Stahl, that ground is a mere political prop, a venue for a good camera shot, a place for the dead who served our nation so valiantly to now be served up for the sake of political opportunism. A Hollywood backdrop from which to rail on opponents Brian Bilbray, Scott Peters and Lori Saldaña.
For shame.
Excerpts from the Fort Rosecrans website…
Interments date to the early years of the California Territory, including the remains of the casualties of the battle of San Pasqual … In 1922, the San Diego chapter of the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West had a large boulder brought from the battlefield and placed at the gravesite with a plaque affixed that lists the names of the dead.
Another notable monument commemorates the deaths of 62 sailors in a boiler explosion aboard the USS Bennington. The Bennington, which had just returned from maneuvers in the Pacific, was anchored in San Diego Harbor. On July 21, 1905, the crew was ordered to depart in search for the USS Wyoming, which had lost a propeller at sea. At approximately 10:30 a.m., an explosion in the boiler room ripped through the ship, killing and wounding the majority of the crew. Two days later the remains of soldiers and sailors were brought to the post cemetery and interred in an area known as Bennington Plot.
Monuments and memorials at Fort Rosecrans include:
- The granite and bronze USS Wasp CV-7 memorial commemorates the loss of fellow shipmates during Battle of Guadalcanal on Sept. 15, 1942.
- The Ommaney Bay CVE-79 monument is an etched granite memorial to the men lost in action when the ship was bombed in January 1945.
- The granite Taffy 3 monument was dedicated on Oct. 24, 1996, in memory of the men who died during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines) and in subsequent battles of the Pacific.
- The granite USS Gambier Bay monument was dedicated on Oct. 25, 1996, in memory of the men who lost their lives during the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines) and in subsequent battles of the Pacific. Family members and survivors donated the monument.
- The USS Hoel, USS Johnston, and USS Samuel B. Roberts monument is a large granite memorial dedicated in 1995 to the men who died on those ships in the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines).
- The USS St. Lo, CVE-63, and Composite Squadron VC-65 was erected in1994 to the memory of the men who died on those ships in the 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines).
- A monument dedicated to the Mormon Battalion was erected in 1998.
- The Patriots of America memorial was dedicated in 1999 by the California State Society of the Founders and Patriots of America to honor all Americans who answered the call to arms.
- The 3rd Infantry Division monument was dedicated on Feb. 16, 2002. The granite memorial is dedicated to their fallen comrades.
No political campaign could ever be as significant as those brief citations or the ground they consecrate.
The federal government believes that as well, apparently, right there in black and white on the Veterans Affairs website:
“Political activities, including filming of campaign ads, are not permitted on cemetery grounds.”
Mr. Stahl, your own service to our country as a naval aviator is truly appreciated. Yet, you of all people should know better.
Rostra urges you to take down your shameful ad.
Comments 29
Considering Stahl isn’t a political expert, and clearly not making politically calculated moves to gain votes (a la Fletcher) I don’t think it’s fair to say it’s a political prop. His question is legitimate, “is our current country, filled with debt, spending, and continuing to move away from the constitution, what these men and women died for?”
He’s just running a campaign fueled by his passion, likely without any political advisers. If he violated a campaign rule, which it looks he did, he ought to apologize, but I don’t think the ad warrants trashing Stahl’s character.
Mr. Stahl appears to have an impressive resume and has bravely served his country in uniform. That said, Rostra is correct in this video is offensive and shameful. Who is Stahl to assume the brave men and women buried at Fort Rosecrans would agree with his (or, for that matter) anyone else’s politics?
Author
Who said the question wasn’t legitimate? He could ask it anywhere. Not there. Trashing his character? No. Just urging him to do the right thing.
According to the 1996 “Almanac of American Politics” John K. Stahl ran for
Congress 2,500 miles from here – In FLORIDA – back in 1994. And that was
against an incumbent conservative Republican too! (Clay Shaw). So this is
apparently not a beginner/first time candidate.
Fort Rosecrans is truly sacred ground to the Tens of Thousands of San Diego
families who regularly visit there to decorate the graves of their loved
ones.
The establishment wants to protect a weak incumbent who has a C+ rating from the National Taxpayers Union and is the lowest rated in the state by the Heritage Foundation and Club for Growth.
We have not even been a country for a trillion seconds and the Congress keeps raising the debt on a daily basis.
Bilbray is ducking all debates and needs to have his record examined in a fair and honest discussion
Ronald Reagan said that “status quo” was Latin for preserving the mess we are in. If you protect the status quo, you, not me dishonor the legacy of Ronald Reagan and the Veterans who fought and died for the freedoms and liberties you enjoy in the country.
All legitimate points, John. But what does any of that have to do with you using a national cemetery for your TV spot? You are ignoring the point.
Is this the same John K. Stahl who ran for Congress against a Republican Incumbent in Florida, 2,500 miles from here?
The easy solution for Political campaigns and civic groups is to use the public’s Free Public Speech area in the parking lot of the nearby Cabrillo National Monument. Permits have to be approved by the Park Superintendent.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laplayaheritage/2313719258/in/set-72157604047137237
“Political activities, including filming of campaign ads, are not permitted on cemetery grounds.”
I guess I’ll be the lone dissenter here (on this point) with a nod towards our civil liberties–the VA doesn’t get to make rules about speech.
“No political campaign could ever be as significant as those brief citations or the ground they consecrate.”
In fact, Congressmen Filner and Bilbray have used speeches, at Fort Rosecrans (2008), to make political points:
Filner made a very public Mea Culpa there, about the way he treated Vietnam vets, when he was younger, while expressing his dissent for the Bush/Obama foreign policy. I applaud him for both proclamations.
Bilbray took a swipe at the media’s portrayal of “victims and heroes”. I applaud Bilbray’s point as well.
Make no mistake about it, sitting Congressmen use that hallowed ground to make political points, when they are asked to speak. Mr Stahl is likely trying to leverage his service, with Ft. Rosecrans as a backdrop, to “level the playing field”.
In a free society, we celebrate the right to free speech. I”m glad I live in a country which permits those idiots from Westboro Baptist Church to pull its stunts. I’m even more proud to live in a country where the Patriot Guard riders drown out their distortion of the Word.
I don’t want to live in a country, where an unelected agency restricts citizens’ speech. I prefer a country where I can say, to Mr. Stahl, with the same freedom which allowed him to make that commercial:
“John, you look like a horse’s ass”
We are checking with Cox Cable for a clarification. They approved the ad and we will comply with their finding. I love how the establishment will go to all lengths to circle the wagons around a weak incumbent, but continue to sell their kids future down the tubes. When have you ever questioned Bilbray’s ducking and dodging and lack of Conservative credentials?
I agree about Rep. Bilbray. He is very shaky on issues that I care about. However, is Mr. Stahl electable in that district, or, would a person voting for Stahl in the primary merely be helping to assure that a Dem will get the seat? I do not know because I have not analyzed the district and, anyway, it is new after redistricting. Sometimes we have to settle for a glass that is half full. Ideological purity is fine, but a seat is a seat and Republicans do not have that many in California to begin with.
Author
In our original post above, Bilbray, Peters and Saldana were mentioned equally. Just as Mr. Stahl does in his ad. He is now making it about our defense of one of them. It’s about our defense of deceased veterans. Whether the prohibition on filming is appropriate is not the issue. It is the law, however. That aside, law or not, this is about desecrating the memory of the dead for political purposes. If others have done it, shame on them as well. Last point: Does Cox Communications regulate use of national cemeteries? Mr. Stahl’s response to this will drive our view of him.
The 2012 Almanac of American Politics shows these “vote scores” for Brian Bilbray from CONSERVATIVE groups….93% Family Research Council…85% American Conservative Union…78% National Taxpayers Union….77% Club for Growth….100% Chamber of Commerce. Those are all on page 270 of the current Almanac.
LIBERAL Group scores…7% American Civil Liberties Union, 15% Americans for Democratic Action….13%, AFSCME labor Union
In 1994, when “John K. Stahl” was running for Congress in FLORIDA [per 1996 Almanac of American Politics] hundreds of activists here in San Diego were helping Brian Bilbray topple Democratic incumbent Rep. Lynn Schenk in a classic race (90,000 Bilbray, 85,000 Schenk).
The Vote Scores Brian Bilbray compiles in Washington DC confirm San Diego conservatives were CORRECT in helping to elect him.
Author
Marine Veteran John Dadian tells Rostra, “It is disgusting to have a candidate literally walk on the graves of veterans.”
As an aside, we view Stahl as a conservative and a patriot. Again, that’s NOT the issue.
Mr. Stahl, do the right thing. It’s not up to Cox Communications, it’s up to you.
Author
Just about 12 hours after Rostra calls Stahl out on the matter, the U-T San Diego posts a story…
“Campaign ad filmed at cemetery despite VA rule”
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/22/campaign-ad-filmed-cemetery-despite-va-rule/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
We will reshoot the ad and replace it as quickly as we can. John McCain had the same issue when running and he took the same course of action. The issues of the Federal Debt, Jobs and the Economy will continue to be the focus of my campaign.
When your kids come to you in 10 years and ask, “Mom/Dad did you not see what was going on?” Will your answer be “I supported the status quo?”
Bilbray has pulled out of all forums and debates as he cannot defend his record. I am willing to allow any of you to come on my radio show on KCBQ and defend him as he will not. Veterans know the issues and they are on my side. Easy enough to blog here under some pen name, much tougher to enter the arena and fight for this country by challenging the status quo.
Author
Thank you for doing the right thing, Mr. Stahl.
Notice how Stahl can’t just address the issue at hand? Simple question and answer: Are you aware you are violating VA regulations and what will you do about it? Instead of accepting responsibility, he starts pointing fingers and deflecting. Typical politician.
JIm Sills is factually incorrect. Bilbray is rated 70% from FRC, 18th out of 19 for Rep Congressmen. Go to http://www.frcaction.org and see the ratings for yourself. There are other distortions, as he is 19th out of 19 by the Club for Growth.
Jim, stop spewing the establishment KoolAid and start thinking about your grandkids.
“We will reshoot the ad and replace it as quickly as we can.”
Wise move.
“The issues of the Federal Debt, Jobs and the Economy will continue to be the focus of my campaign.”
As they should be. Unfortunately John, that message got drowned out months ago. I certainly hope you can revive it in the next two weeks.
The 2012 Almanac of American Politics accurately lists Brian Bilbray’s correct voting score with the Family Research Council as 93%, on page 270. Readers can decide for themselves who is more credible, Almanac author Michael Barone, or this other individual.
When “John K. Stahl” was running against conservative Florida GOP congressman Clay Shaw in 1994, I was one of those helping Brian Bilbray win a close victory over a formidable San Diego Democratic incumbent at the time.
My family has been in California since the 1850s. We don’t need any lectures about the future. We proudly helped our neighbors to build California the past 160 years.
It is jaw dropping to see this buffoon, John Stahl, ignorantly walk Across-the-Graves of Veterans at Fort Rosecrans. Even small kids know enough to walk-behind-the-headstones, as a sign of respect.
That is the second most offensive thing anyone can do at a military cemetery. The most-offensive thing is to use their graves as a Political Prop. Worst TV spot ever.
Watch him incredibly walk across those graves here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgOwv_dqYa0&feature=youtu.be
The ad was reshot yesterday and begins airing today.
http://youtu.be/Z2gPwquJgCs
The offer still goes to any Bilbray supporter to come on my radio show and defend his C+ rating from NTU and the fact that he is the lowest rated Republican of the 19 Congressmen in the state delegation by Heritage Foundation, Family Research Council and Club for Growth.
As Ronald Reagan said “Status quo is Latin for preserving the mess we are in.”
With a 15 trillion debt on autopilot to 23 trillion, Bilbray is part of the problem and not part of the solution
“Unfortunately John, that message got drowned out months ago. I certainly hope you can revive it in the next two weeks.”
For what it’s worth, you did a nice job yesterday at the DMSRWF. I think you articulated your plan for the future well, John and, although the question might have been confusing, you made it clear that your spending cuts could avoid future debt limit hike votes.
Brian,
Thanks and good to see you yesterday
anyone interested in running a pool to see how much Mr. Stahl’s campaign cost per vote (his vote total divided by how much money he spent)? I’m betting $10.50 per vote. Anyone else venture a guess?
I don’t begrudge anyone who runs for public office, Mike and I’m certainly not interested in dissuading Republicans from making that commitment. Stahl made a mistake, he corrected it, and he got back on point.
FYI– Meg Whitman spent just over $29/vote..
“Are you aware you are violating VA regulations and what will you do about it? ”
Kirk – the right to free speech under the First Amendment trumps even the most well-intentioned federal regulation. Whether the ad was offensive or in poor taste is a fair point, but even assuming he acted with intentional and willful disobedience of this regulation (and I don’t think that happened), Stahl did nothing unlawful, not by a longshot.
IMHO, the question should really be:
“Are you aware that unelected federal bureaucrats are writing regulations which abridge the freedom of speech, and what will you do about it?”
“Are you aware that unelected federal bureaucrats are writing regulations which abridge the freedom of speech, and what will you do about it?”
Amen. The author didn’t intend for it to be the point of this post but since the post’s objective was met (with a hearty thanks to Mr. Stahl), I think the issue is worthy of discussion.
Fort Rosecrans should be hallowed ground and conservatives should do everything they can to raise money, purchase it form the government, and ensure that it stays that way.