Stephen F. Kislock, III – 9/8/08

This page was last updated on September 8, 2008.

Repeal VA’s ban on voter registration; Stephen Kislock, III; Beaver County Times; September 8, 2008.

Most of Mr. Kislock’s 30+ letters over the last four years have been Republican-bashing exercises.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“On May 5, VHA Directive 2008-025 was issued. It bars voter registration drives in VA facilities until 2013.”

[RWC] This is another misleading letter from Mr. Kislock. Above Mr. Kislock refers to “voter registration drives,” then below morphs that into not allowing veterans to register to vote. For your reference, here are links to VHA Directives 2008-025 and 2008-053 (They are PDF files.). Directive 2008-053 is an update/clarification of 2008-025. Mr. Kislock would probably prefer you not read them.

“How can President Bush’s Veteran Affairs Secretary James Peake deny our wounded and homeless veterans their basic constitutional right — that of registering and voting? Federal courts agreed with the VA.”

[RWC] So despite Mr. Kislock’s allegation, so far the courts have ruled no constitutional rights were denied. The reason is because Mr. Kislock misrepresents the contents of 2008-025. Since the date on 2008-053 is 9/8/08, it’s unlikely Mr. Kislock saw it before he wrote this letter. It’s also unlikely the update would have changed Mr. Kislock’s position.

Here’s paragraph three of 2008-053: “It is VHA policy to assist patients who seek to exercise their right to register and vote. In particular, this policy aims to assist residents of our community living centers, domiciliaries, and patients with limited access to other voter registration and information resources. Help from state and local election officials, as well as nonpartisan groups, is also welcome; however, all assistance must be coordinated with the facility to avoid disruptions and ensure consistency with 38 CFR 1.218(a)(14).” Perhaps Mr. Kislock can explain how this “denies our wounded and homeless veterans their basic constitutional right — that of registering and voting.”

“Congress now must address this situation. There are more than 200,000 wounded and homeless veterans in VA facilities and hospitals. Our wounded veterans cannot just go to the local courthouse and register like you and I.

“Congress has proposed the Veterans Voting Support Act to allow those who want to vote the opportunity to do so. The Senate bill had 44 Democratic co-sponsors and zero Republican co-sponsors as of Aug. 18.”

[RWC] I have no idea what’s in the VVSA but it started out as a Democrat political stunt based on the misrepresentation of Directive 2008-025. Since Mr. Kislock brought politics into this, let’s remember that it was Democrat candidate for President Al Gore who sought and succeeded in having specified military absentee ballots disallowed on a technicality. Why? Because Mr. Gore anticipated military votes would favor Bush, and they did, nearly two to one. Eventually a U.S. District Court judge ruled the ballots were illegally excluded, but the ruling came too late for the excluded ballots to be included in the certified count.

Since the VVSA began life as a Democrat stunt, it’s no surprise no Republicans chose to be cosponsors. That said, given that both the active military and veterans tend to lean more toward the Republican Party than the Democrat, Republicans would likely vote for the VVSA as long as it’s responsible and doesn’t contain a “poison pill.”

“The VA directive trashed the Constitution, specifically the 15th and 19th amendments, and the rights of our wounded veterans.”

[RWC] In case you haven’t noticed, at least five of his 2008 letters indicate Mr. Kislock appears to believe he’s a constitutional lawyer.

“Please, call your congressman and senators and ask them to support the Veterans Voting Support Act.”

[RWC] If you do, keep in mind the VVSA appears to be based on a faulty premise.