[Bruce H]

Congressmen ask for probe into light punishment for Missouri politician
By DAVID A. LIEB
The Associated Press







Three Democratic congressmen on Thursday asked for a Defense Department investigation into why a Republican Missouri lawmaker received only a light punishment for violating military rules by voting while on active duty.

State Sen. Jon Dolan, a major in the Army National Guard, returned on leave from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, last September to cast the deciding vote overriding Democratic Gov. Bob Holden's veto of concealed guns legislation.

After an investigation, Army officials determined Dolan violated a Defense Department rule against carrying out the functions of a government office while on a tour of duty over 270 days.

The officer who investigated Dolan's actions recommended he be relieved of his command and sent home immediately.

But Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller, commander of the joint task force at Guantanamo Bay, concluded Dolan did not knowingly violate the rule and so issued him only a letter of admonition.

Dolan also was directed to either cease all senatorial duties, including regular contact with his office, or end his tour of duty.

At his request, Dolan was released from active duty and returned to the Senate on Jan. 20. But he remains a major in the Guard.

U.S. Reps. William Lacy Clay and Dick Gephardt, both Missouri Democrats, and California Rep. Henry Waxman wrote a letter Thursday requesting Defense Department Inspector General Joseph Schmitz investigate whether Dolan received special treatment.

Specifically, they questioned whether any political pressure was applied to the Defense Department, the U.S. Southern Command or the Guantanamo Bay command to grant Dolan leave shortly after being deployed and to impose a lighter punishment than recommended.

Dolan said there was "absolutely no" politics involved in his leave or punishment.

"The only politics left in this sad debacle is their shameless action," Dolan said in a telephone interview.

The congressmen note that Dolan voted despite being told by Brig. Gen. Dennis Shull, the head of the Missouri National Guard, that his action would violate military rules.

According to military records, Shull was asked to study the issue by Holden's office.

Dolan said that because he was on active duty, Shull was not his commander at the time, and that Shull's words were only advice.

Dolan said he chose to rely instead on the advice of a lawyer and a military magazine article in interpreting -- incorrectly -- that the rule applied only after someone had actually served 270 days of duty, as opposed to applying to anyone called to duty for a period at least that long.

According to military records, the investigating officer determined that Dolan's superiors at Cuba did not fully understand the rule against engaging in politics.

And the investigator's report found "no evidence of any outside pressure or influence" to grant Dolan leave.

Clay, who represents St. Louis constituents generally opposed to the concealed guns law Dolan helped pass, also requested a Defense Department investigation into Dolan's actions immediately after the Sept. 11 vote.

Gephardt's district also covers part of St. Louis. Dolan is from suburban Lake St. Louis.



I can think of several fitting solutions to people like the named politicians. Decorum prevents actual thoughts. All of them should be ran out of office. We better all get busy.

[HankB]

I can think of several fitting solutions to people like the named politicians. Tar and feathers?

I guess democRATS simply don't like to see men & women in uniform voting.

[Jonesy9]

but if he broke the rules and came back to cast the deciding vote against the measure then a investigation would be warranted right? riiiight.

[BigG]

The honorable Mr. Waxnose wouldn't know the truth if it was up his nose. :uhoh:http://famousidiot.com/images/waxman.jpg :neener:

[scbair]

If that's your opinion, Jonesy9, you're entitled to it . . .
Regardless of whether he voted for or against, this seems like pretty weak stuff to seek some special investigation to resolve.

[Jonesy9]

don't get me wrong, I'm glad for MO that it passed. BUT, he knowingly dismissed his superior officer and broke the rules. If he got off with a slap on the wrist it's reasonable for Gephardt to want it investigated as he represents that state and if memory serves this was a hotly contested issue in the state.

I would expect that if he came back to vote against the measure against the rules and got let off with a slap on the wrist under a Dem admin that we would all be screaming bloody murder for an investigation and rightly so. Thus I see no problem with the Dems doing exactly what I would do if the roles were reversed.

If you wouldn't complain or seek an investigation yourself under that scenario then your views are justified. But then you would have been against the CCW law from the get go and likely not have started this thread ;)

[Bruce H]

Dick Gephardt has real concern for his constituents. His mothers house is his mailing address to remain elegable for his house seat. He has lived in D.C. for so long it is a wonder he knows where Mo. is. William Lacy Clay is a good deal the same way. He grew up in D.C. he did his fathers deal and first ran for state office. Then he went to D.C. and is afraid of some of his constituents assuming room temprature with a CCW law. Waxman hates anything to do with firearms. He can always be found on the grabber side.

When you are assigned to a different command you are no longer under your previous commander. This is just a little St. Louis click that won't ascept defeat. It also keeps their name in the headlines. Too bad they can't do constructive work like pulling targets for flamethrowers.

[Jeff White]

Jonsey9 asked;

but if he broke the rules and came back to cast the deciding vote against the measure then a investigation would be warranted right? riiiight.

An investigation was done. Dolan was issued a letter of adomination. What they aren't telling you is that DOD had issued vague and sometimes conflicting guidance about what constituted improper political activity for activated reservists.

The solution is for DOD to require office holders to put their part time military careers on hold while they are in office.

The MO Lt. Governor is a Naval Reservist and did much of his work via e-mail while he was mobilized and deployed to the UK. A Florida politician is a First Sergeant with the Brigade that help liberate Baghdad and he also performed many of his political duties while deployed.

I'm sure these three would like to see Dolan put in a cage at Gitmo for having come home and cast the deciding vote for CCW, but it's not going to happen. There are too many other instances where mobilized politicians have performed their political duties while on active duty.

The Army is not part of the vast right wing conspiracy. :scrutiny:

Jeff