Bryan Lentz Receives Endorsement from Council for a Livable WorldDREXEL HILL, PA – Yesterday, Bryan Lentz embraced an endorsement from the Council for a Livable World, a liberal organization that opposes the V-22 Osprey. “For weeks now, Bryan Lentz has suggested that Pat Meehan must share all the beliefs of those who support him.  Under the Lentz standard, it’s safe to assume that Bryan Lentz now opposes the V-22 Osprey because he’s supported by a group that adamantly opposes the program,” said Bryan Kendro, campaign manager for Pat Meehan for Congress. On Bryan Lentz’s Facebook page, he embraces the endorsement from the Council for a Livable World writing, “Thanks to the Council for a Livable World for their endorsement. I share their belief in the efficacy of progressive national security policies.” Bryan Lentz Says that if You Take an Organization’s Endorsement, You Must Subscribe to all of their Ideas:
During the first debate between Meehan and Lentz, Lentz stated, “…That’s a Tea Party plank; well you can’t take the Tea Party’s endorsement and say you don’t agree with the Tea Party’s ideas.” (Larry Kane, host; Voice of Reason Debate, The Comcast Network, August 19, 2010) The Council for a Livable World Opposes V-22 Osprey: John Isaac, Executive Director of the Council for a Livable World, classified on their sister organization’s website, that the V-22 Osprey was ‘Bad,’ writing, “Congress continues to fund Cold War-era weapons systems, such as the F-22 Raptor and V-22 Osprey that have little purpose in the current security environment.” (http://www.armscontrolcenter.org/policy/nuclearweapons/articles/011509/#contact)  On their website, Council for a Livable World cites a speech from New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson stating, “As we reform training and selection, we must reorder our budget priorities. I have produced a plan that includes $57 billion in specific cuts to unnecessary Pentagon spending, such as the V-22 Osprey, freeing up resources for essential needs. We need to invest less in planes and more in people – less in outdated missiles and more in state-of-the-art troops.” (http://www.livableworld.org/elections/2008/presidential/speech_bill_richardson_october_fourth/index.html) In a 2001 article entitled “It’s time to eliminate the Osprey,” written by the media director of the Council for a Livable World Education Fund, Luke Warren wrote, “…A good place to start would be with the cancellation of the controversial V-22 Osprey aircraft project… The Bush administration needs to terminate Cold War-era weapons programs in order to pay for what it sees as more pressing military needs. The courageous and correct action to address both these needs is the cancellation of the V-22 Osprey program.” (Luke Warren, “It’s time to eliminate the Osprey,” http://www.bu.edu/globalbeat/syndicate/Warren011601.html, January 16, 2001) In a 2001 news release, the Council for a Livable World calls for cancellation of the V-22 Osprey stating, “In response to a Pentagon panel report recommending further delays in the Marine’s V-22 Osprey program, Council for a Livable World today called for the program’s cancellation.” (Press Release, V-22 Osprey: Technical Flaws Should Call for Cancellation, not Delay, Council for a Livable World, April 18, 2001) The V-22 Osprey is Critical to this Region: “Bob Carrese, executive director of business development for the Bell Boeing V-22 program, said 112 V-22s are operational….  He said the Osprey has clocked 75,000 flight hours, 50 percent of which were recorded in the last two years, mostly in Iraq and Afghanistan…[T]he aircraft made its first combat deployment in October 2007 in the western Al Anbar province of Iraq. In November, the aircraft was sent to the Helmand province of Afghanistan with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261…The current aircraft, he said, is a fourth generation from a project that formulated in the 1950s. Carrying 24 troops, the Osprey takes off, lands and hovers like a helicopter and can reach speeds of 285 knots and a range of a jet…[Carrese] said the Marines have ordered 360 of the aircraft and the Air Force Special Operations Command wants 50, while the U.S. Navy is considering 48…The V-22’s success directly impacts jobs here in Delaware County.  About 1,820 employees at Boeing’s Ridley plant are dedicated to building the Osprey’s fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydration systems and empennage system.” (Kathleen E. Carey, “Boeing’s V-22 Osprey starting to show its mettle,” Delaware County Daily Times, May 13, 2010)About Pat Meehan
A former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the former District Attorney of Delaware County, Pat Meehan has a proven record of rooting out government waste and corruption, prosecuting tough criminal cases, and implementing innovative new programs to make our communities safer.  As U.S. Attorney, Meehan helped coordinate the region’s terrorism preparedness and response, held manufacturers responsible for illegally discharging hazardous materials into the region’s waters, and established a group to crackdown on predatory lending.  Pat, his wife Carolyn and their three sons Patrick, Jack and Colin, reside in Drexel Hill, Delaware County.  For more information, please visit www.meehanforcongress.com.