Campaign News

"As a Republican local elected official, I pride myself in working across party lines to get things done. Mike Thompson always puts his constituents first ahead of petty partisan games. I am proud to endorse Mike Thompson for re-election to Congress." - Bill Dodd, Napa County Supervisor

"Supporting Mike Thompson for reelection in the first Congressional district is truly an honor. I cannot think of a public servant that has been a better advocate or provided better representation for the constituency he serves than Mike Thompson. We are truly blessed to have him in Washington during these times of unprecedented challenge and opportunity." - Marty Lombardi, Savings Bank of Mendocino County

"Mike is keenly aware of the challenges facing rural communities and is able to advance our local priorities in a very challenging environment. He understands our resource issues, impediments as well as incentives to job development and the importance of health care delivery in rural areas." - Kendall Smith, Mendocino County Supervisor

"We endorse Mike Thompson because we believe he will best represent Mendocino County in all its diversity. His continued support of equal rights is crucial as California's LGBT citizens continue their struggle for equality under the law." - Jody and Katharine Cole

"Mike has supported the City of Fort Bragg in its efforts to improve our local economy through investments in redevelopment of the mill site. His support deserves our collective support for his re-election." - Jere Melo, Fort Bragg City Council Member

“I am grateful to Mike Thompson for his ongoing presence to Lake County's needs and concerns. Congressman Thompson listens and works with us on the issues that are important to our local community. I have always been able to count on Mike to respond quickly and effectively when I call him and I very much appreciate his advice and counsel. Thank you, Mike, for caring so much about Lake County-- we are lucky to have you as our congressman and I am pleased to endorse you for re-election." -Denise Rushing, Lake County Supervisor

"Personally and as a representative for the Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, we support Mike Thompson. Mike Thompson has been a constant supporter of the Lighthouse, is keenly attentive to environmental issues such as the adjacent Stornetta Public Lands, which is about to have its status upgraded to a National Outstanding Natural Area and he works on behalf of us on the South Coast whether it's for health care or peace. Mike has always been there to listen to us and lend support whenever he can. Thanks to Mike Thompson." - Rae Radtkey, Executive Director of Point Arena Light Station

Mike understands the needs of local government and has been a full partner in our energy efficiency program. By inserting solar tax credits into the federal stimulus bill, Mike was able to make our efforts even more beneficial for homeowners and businesses." - Valerie Brown, Chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

"Having spent a lot of time in Washington over the past year, it is clear that Mike Thompson is the kind of representative every district wishes it had. Pragmatic rather than dogmatic, Mike rejects easy answers, choosing instead to get at, and solve, real problems. He is deeply respected -- and listened to -- on both sides of the aisle, making him unusually effective at getting things done. His appreciation for the actual needs of small business owners is unmatched, as is his commitment to finding answers. I only wish there were more like him." - Ridgely Evers, Sonoma County farmer and small business owner

"In my experience Congressman Thompson has clearly demonstrated his support for public safety and for the communities in his district. He’s a man of his word. When I think of integrity, I think of Mike Thompson."- Ed Prieto, Yolo County Sheriff

"Congressman Thompson understands that access to health care is a challenge for rural children. Because of his support for SCHIP, more Yolo County children are enrolled in health insurance."

- Helen Thompson, Yolo County Supervisor

"Congressman Thompson is a tireless advocate for the communities he represents. He continually seeks input from his constituents and their local governments, including the City of Woodland. We appreciate his work on our behalf."- Artemio Pimentel, Woodland Vice Mayor

Clearlake American*Observer and Lake County Record-Bee

"Thompson's work for veterans is praiseworthy"

By Gary Dickson
May 24, 2008
                                                      

Congressman Mike Thompson paid a visit to the Observer*American office recently. Being new to this newspaper and to California, I did some reading about Representative Thompson before he arrived, so I would know more about him.

One of the items that caught my eye was the fact that the Congressman was instrumental in getting a full General Accounting Office investigation of the Department of Defense (DoD) for the chemical and biological testing that was secretly administered to armed forces members from 1962-1974. The testing took place under programs known as SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense) and Project 112.
A Congressman who goes to bat for veterans automatically has a check mark on the plus side with me. Not only did Congressman Thompson help initiate the investigation, he also introduced legislation to make the findings public and t o provide long term care to those who were affected. We should all appreciate what the Congressman did for our veterans.
How could employees working for an agency under the auspices of the DoD actually use members of the U.S. Armed Forces for guinea pigs? To me, it is incomprehensible.
I can remember my high school history studies concerning World War II. Germany used Jews and prisoners of other ethnicities for a variety of ghastly medical research. Their excuse was "the end justifies the means."
I have always placed the Germans of the Hitler reign, who perpetrated one horrible atrocity after another, as some of the most evil people to ever inhabit the Earth. And, I have generally found most Americans agree with me. Unfortunately, there is a dark American history when it comes to using our own people like lab rats. A close inspe ction of our own government backed scientific programs illustrates that we have had some monsters on our side, too.
SHAD was implemented to "determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to chemical and biological attacks." The DoD, until forced to reveal the truth, said that animals, less than human, were used for the tests. Sadly, that was not the case. Nearly 6,000 military personnel and about 350 civilians have been identified as impacted by the secret tests.
SHAD and Project 112 really only scratch the surface when it comes to all of the secret chemical and biological tests administered to American soldiers and civilians. I suppose the idea was that the knowledge gained would be of benefit for future generations, once again, "the end justifies the means."
The list of events in which American citizens' rights were violated du ring secret research studies is long. In 1940, 400 Chicago prisoners were infected with malaria to test experimental drugs against the disease. During the Nuremberg trials against Nazi war criminals, German scientists used the Chicago study and other American scientific studies in defense of their actions. It's disturbing that the Nazis could use American horrors to defend their own monstrous activities.
The use of American soldiers to study the effects of atomic bombs on humans is now widely known. In addition, many civilians were impacted too, by wind patterns, which turned out not to be an error, but a built-in element of the research.
In the 1950s and '60s, LSD experiments were performed on American soldiers. In Vietnam, our soldiers came in frequent contact with Agent Orange. In Desert Storm, after thousands of our soldiers became ill, it was finally revealed that it was due to chemical agents made and used by the U.S.
All of these travesties against Americans were planned and implemented by Americans. In most cases, it took years of investigating before the responsible government agency would confess to the wrong doing. For me, the fact that one event like this could happen in America is shocking. The fact that they just keep on occurring disturbs me to the core of my being.
Gary Dickson is publisher of the Observer*American. He may be reached at 263-5636, ext. 24, or e-mail at gdickson@reco rd-bee.com.