Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

The reason you are here is you know the fine men and women of Fran O’Brien’s, who have given so much to so many, are being evicted by their landlord Hilton Hotel Corporation.

The example set by the owners and staff of Fran O'Brien's Steak House has moved everyone who hears of it.  That is the establishment in Washington DC where every Friday Night soldiers and marines recuperating from serious wounds at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval are treated to a free steak dinner with all the trimmings.  For more details, go here after you finish reading the material below.  

People all across the political spectrum have embraced the cause of Marty O'Brien, Hal Koster, and the men and women who graciously donate their time to serve these fine young men and women.   We all support our troops because they are our brothers, our sisters, our sons, our daughters, our fathers, our brothers, our neighbors, and our friends.  They do not belong to the government, to any political party, or to any class.  They were not given away, they were provided on a temporary basis as a precious gift.  Many have now been returned to us damaged and broken.  Those who willingly took them are happy to abandon them, to return them to us so they will not be burdened in their pursuit of fresh fodder.  

The better angels of our nature are personified by the men and women at Fran O'brien's.  When called, they stand and deliver.  They open their hearts and their wallets to provide aid and comfort to those who have given so much.  Now is the time to take a stand.  It's time to do something concrete.  Time to stand on the side of the angels.

Time to join Operation Perish Hilton.  -- Tip o' the hat to Chris Dickson for the name: Operation Perish Hilton.

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STEP ONE: Every journey begins with a single step.   There is nothing says that journey has to wind up at a Hilton property. Here is a list of properties we need to boycott:

Conrad Hotels
Doubletree
Embassy Suites
Hampton Inn
Hampton Inn & Suites
Hilton Garden Inn
Homewood Suites
Scandic

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STEP TWO: If you travel, pick up the stationary from their hotel room and write a letter to Hilton corporate headquarters, the local newspapers, TV and radio stations saying:

"I'm sending you this note from [non Hilton property] to let you know I think the way Hilton Hotel Corp. is treating the people and patrons at Fran O'Brien's Steak House in Washington DC is wrong. I chose to stay at [non Hilton property] because I support our troops. I simply can't get a good night's sleep at a Hilton property as long as they turn their back on severely wounded soldiers."

Mail it to:
Thomas Keltner,
Executive Vice President,
Hilton Hotel Corporation,
9336 Civic Center Drive
Beverly Hills, California 90210
FAX: 310-205-4599

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STEP THREE: Sign the Petition. If you haven't done it yet, now is the time.

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STEP FOUR: If you are from the left, go to the blogs on the right where they have embraced this cause and post your appreciation.  If you are from the right, go to the blogs on the left and post your appreciation.   Semper Fi does not mean "always faithful" to a party, a class or a clique.  It is a pledge of fealty to one another and the Constitution which binds us.   If I missed someone, drop me a line at backgr0und.n015e@yahoo.com and I will include them.

I cannot improve upon Lincoln's message from his first inaugural -- let it be your guide.

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

For too long we have allowed those who profit from us to divide us.  Our airwaves and public squares are filled with an incessant barrage of hateful, divisive, and misleading messages.  They poison our minds and steal our souls.  If they can't scare us into submission, they co-opt us with false promises.  They turn us against ourselves.  They want to reduce me to a number?  Fine.  My number is 720... what's your's brother?

Blogs supporting our troops and the good people of Fran O'Brien's

Sign the Petition. If you haven't done it yet, now is the time.
Chris Dickson -- Tip o' the hat for the name: Operation Perish Hilton.
The Jawa Report
Black Five
Andi's World
Mudville Gazette
Proud Army Mom
A Soldier's Dad
Random Thoughts of Yet Another Military Member
Political Cortex
The Daily Kos
Talking Points Memo Cafe

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STEP FIVE: It would be ideal to find a way to make Paris share the cost of this Hilton fiasco. Why should she be getting a new Bentley while service men and women who have given so much can’t even an escalator fixed so they can enjoy a well-earned meal?  Suggestions welcome.

Let’s Roll!