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| Did qualifications or who you know put Billy Long in a leadership position on the Homeland Security Committee? |
"Peter King was looking for people who could take the tough votes," Rep. Long said. "So, for me to be named Vice Chairman—for a freshman, that's a pretty tall honor."
So let's translate that. Early in the Republican primary, Vincent David Jericho met with a few Republican candidates that included Long, Jeff Wisdom, and Dean Moore. Hosting the round table, Jericho asked the candidates if they would vote on free will or based on the establishment's expectations. Wisdom and Moore, being free, intellectual thinkers assured Jericho, they would vote against the Republican establishment if it was in the best interest of our Republic and the district. However, Long's answer was troubling, especially when you consider his "fed up" rhetoric later in the campaign.
Long said he would vote the way the establishment tells him to vote. According to Moore, Jericho pushed the question to confirm Long was sure about he said, and there was no doubt after Long explained himself about how he would vote. This of course explains Long's votes that continue to contradict his "fed up" with Washington rhetoric and his votes for the Patriot Act.
As well, Long hasn't seemed to grasp the idea the Department of Homeland Security really represents the big, oppressive and intrusive government he ran against, especially when you consider he is co-sponsoring bills that increase the powers and the size of DHS like the "If You See Something Say Something Act of 2011."
Getting away from the subject here, and considering Billy Long's history of avoiding the local media, one has to wonder why Congressman Long decided to interview with the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security. One has to question the ethos of an organization that has no shame in using stock photos from iStock without paying the minimal fees for rights to use the picture as evident on their front page.
When it comes to media outlets and organizations Long gives detailed interviews to, he apparently doesn't keep the bar very high. I mean would you pay the American Board of Certification in Homeland Security money for a certification after seeing their illegal use of iStock photos? It really does make you wonder about the ethos of the company as a whole, doesn't it?
The story gets better. Long, who has proven himself a lightweight on issues, knew very little about foreign policy when he took office. During a debate, he was asked about foreign policy and answered the question claiming Wisdom and Michael Wardell were his buddies, and he would consult with them on foreign policy issues--something that has not taken place. So it was a bit strange when Long was named into this new leadership position on the Department of Homeland Security. Then of course we have this American Board of Certification in Homeland Security building up Long as a credible Congressional leader on the Homeland Security Committee.
