The Governor Of Missouri Can't Afford To Send A State Flag To A Soldier?

Sources: Fired Up! Missouri and Paul Harris Online

The story begins with a soldier doing a second tour in Iraq who writes the Missouri Governor's office, and he has one simple request: a full-sized state flag to fly so he can remember home. Shouldn't be a difficult request for someone risking his life for George Bush's idea of freedom, right? (Shame the government who sent him there, don't shame the soldier...you know what I mean.)

Wrong.

His reply? "We'd love to honor this request, but you see, it's like this...we're broke right now, but we can offer you some websites where you can purchase (an overpriced) one with your own money!"

Never fear--the soldier got his flag, but it didn't come from Governor Blunt's office. Oh yes, and Gov. Blunt's people did some major backpedalling, too.

I also heard from Spence Jackson, Governor Blunt's communications director:

Heard about yesterday's show. This was a mistake on our part. We should have referred the soldier to the Missouri House of Representatives which has a program in place to get Missouri Flags for people who request them.

I pointed out to Spence that instead of "referring" Spc. Studdard to the House, the Governor's office should have just taken care of it themselves.

I also asked if Joseph Taylor, the Constituent Services Liaison who had initially denied Spc. Studdard's request, had been fired. Jackson said no, but Taylor's supervisor has made sure that he and everyone else in the office knows what to do the next time they get a request like this.

I suppose Joseph Taylor mistakenly thought that Spc. Studdard was caring his American Express card in his briefcase right next to his laptop, so he should have had no problems ordering himself a damn flag!

Simply amazing.

Just like with Vietnam, the government orders these people to fight in wars that are impossible to completely win and treats them like crap when they ask for a little something in return.

Tags: [Joseph Taylor], [Governor Blunt], [Missouri], [Spc. Studdard], [soldier's request for state flag denied]