A major war of words has erupted today between Rep. Jack Kingston (R – GA) and professional race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., with the well-known driver of a car railing at the Congressmen, accusing him of having never attended one of his races.
This might require some backstory. Rep. Kingston is the co-sponsor of an amendment, passed today in a voice vote in the House, which ended all military subsidies for Earnhardt’s occupation, banning the Pentagon from sponsoring any professional or semi-professional events, including NASCAR, fishing and professional wrestling.
Earnhardt is a surprisingly large recipient of such largesse, having received over $136 million for his car and his jacket to carry a National Guard logo on them for the last five years. Kingston insisted that the Pentagon had failed to make the case for while seeing the logo would convince anyone to join the military.
NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp insisted car races were “proven to be a very effective recruiting tool,” while driver Jeff Burton insisted that the program’s justification was self-evident, adding “why would they be spending the money if it wasn’t effective.” Earnhardt himself said that the National Guard was eternally grateful for his driving ability and that “they can’t stress to me enough about how much this program helps their recruiting.”
Apparently they didn’t provide Earnhardt with the complete data. According to the bill’s author, Rep. Betty McCollum (D – MN), the $26.5 million the National Guard gave Dale Jr. last year resulted in 24,800 individuals expressing “interest” in the guard. Maj. Brian Creech said that of those people only 20 were actually found to be qualified candidates. Of those 20, none of them actually joined, so the cash netted zero new recruits.
As one that races on the amatuer level without any sponsor, I understand how the drivers may view this but, too bad…maybe if "Little E" would actually WIN a race the sponsors might get something back. They should also apply this to the jet flyovers at other sporting events, the huge military presence at pre-game festivities and all other involvement…up to and including the insipid playing of The National Anthem before events. Why must we always sing praise and glory to the State before we play? However, the idea that the U.S. military would sponsor Pro Rasslin' is more that appropois
Whuuuuuuut? Not enough violence for them in NASCAR?
This is just fidding while Rome burns. What difference does it make if Ryan Newman or Earnhardt are sponsored by the National Guard or the Army? Yeah, focus on this but try to bury the fact that our 'allies' are turning their guns on us in Afghanistan. The whole thing is too absurd. You really could not make this stuff up.
Our government is filled with fraudulent hucksters. We're constantly warned about smoking. Now there are road blocks on weekend nights checking (without warrant) for intoxicated drivers.
Why don't they have warning on TV commercials that advertise for Marine recruits that say:
WARNING: joining the Marines may cause premature death, loss of limbs, sleeplessness, permanent disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder, and irreversible brain injury.