Hagel the right choice
I have to disagree with Jim Inhofe’s Other Opinion piece in the Jan. 30 paper. I have been disappointed in the senators, congressmen and outside groups who have been attacking a man with the highest level of integrity I have ever witnessed in the U.S. Senate.
When I came out against the unnecessary war in Iraq, a man I did not know contacted me to offer his support of my position and to offer any assistance in my quest for the truth.
That man was Sen. Chuck Hagel.
Inhofe even stated that it was hard to question Hagel’s integrity. He honorably served in Vietnam, earning two Purple Hearts, served on the Senate Committee on Intelligence and Committee on Foreign Relations as well as the president’s Intelligence Advisory Board and the secretary of Defense’s Policy Board. No one can argue Hagel’s experience.
As defense secretary, Hagel will be working to rebuild our military to the strength necessary for the defense of our great country. Very few can match Hagel’s wealth of knowledge and experience as a businessman who knows we need to do more with less. As a man of strength, integrity and courage, Hagel is clearly the right choice
The blatant distortion of facts about this man is unacceptable. In this time of economic chaos, I stand confident that Hagel would be the right person to lead the Department of Defense.
U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones
Washington
The writer represents North Carolina’s 3rd District.
