Posted on May 7, 2015
CW3 Network Architect
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I just saw that Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary under the 2nd President Bush, is now on RallyPoint. Why? She has never served, and the open-ended question format is for other avenues. This was sold to me as a military site, and it just seems wrong. I'm also tagging an admin in the hopes of admin response.
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Responses: 22
Nick Petros
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RallyPoint is and will remain exclusive to those who served. Part of our mission is to connect service members and veterans with those who have and can influence their lives. This could mean other service members, veterans, employers, educational institutions, government organizations, and many more. Dana Perino was in the White House while many of our members were over seas. She is as close to our former commander and chief (someone who influenced all of our lives) as we could get for our first question and answer session. There will be more. The next has an impressive military background. I hope members get the chance to take advantage of these opportunities to speak with people who would be inaccessible otherwise.
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SGT Kevin Gardner
SGT Kevin Gardner
9 y
I saw most of the questions asked focused around her time serving under Bush, or the glowing congratulations for her success. The hard questions that were asked got ignored.

I had hoped being able to get someone's attention and focus the question on a real issue for all of us. So got to say I was verry disappointed in the whole Q,n,A
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
9 y
Thanks for the response Nick Petros --- I am quite comfortable knowing that and will certainly be supportive of future events like this.
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SSG Gerhard S.
SSG Gerhard S.
9 y
Though I did not participate in the Q&A, I did read the entire post, and thought it was well done. I look forward to more such interactions in the future that are helpful in that RallyPoint members can gain insight we would otherwise not have regarding the workings of our government. As to those who have made accusations of "dodging" questions regarding both Dana Perino, and General McChrystal, I would suggest this. A. They can't be expected to answer any and all questions offered.
B. Given a choice ANY person in a voluntary forum will answer the questions that fit into their comfort zone, and ignore those questions that require overly complicated or negative responses.
C. In the case of Dana Perino, I've seen complaints of her being one sided in her statements..... What would one expect from a Republican Press Secretary? Also, do some, here really expect people to NOT express an opinion?

Regarding these issues, I hope all of us on RP will be able to adapt, adjust fire, and overcome our prejudices and accept reality as it stands, understanding there is more than one perspective to every issue, which we are all free to engage in, accept, decline, or ignore.
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CPT Pedro Meza
CPT Pedro Meza
9 y
Nick Petros (RP Staff), along the lines of "someone who influenced all of our lives) as we could get for our first question and answer session" have you considered permitting License Professional Counselors that work with PTSD Veterans join or serve as guest speakers? Because their input can help those seeking help more when there are issues with VA help.
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CW5 Desk Officer
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Dana
The RallyPoint staff answered this question, so that is that. And MAJ (Join to see) noted that there are many civilians on RallyPoint. The Civilian Supporter group has over 9,000 members. Most are not verified. In fact, the verified civilian (who can see everything other verified members can see) is the exception. Even Dana Perino is not verified. Note the gray "C" in her profile.

Since my wife is one of the many civilians on this site - also not verified, but she is, indeed, a civilian supporter - I'm not complaining about that policy. I'm glad it's in place.

And my "vote" on bringing on Dana Perino is a big thumbs up. I like the idea. Kudos to the RP staff for making this happen!
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Capt Richard I P.
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I get the question, and the intent behind it. I myself was a little concerned by some of the security implications of this under this location: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-your-opinion-on-civilians-on-rallypoint

I will also point out that I can provide one anecdote of a benefit beyond the obvious to this live Q&A. A Major that I respect just today said he saw the announcement of Dana Perrino's Q&A on RP in an add on FB and it convinced him to join RP. He has yet to verify, but if the intent is to raise the profile of the platform, this is one specific instance of it working.

So Nick Petros and Kanika Misra and LTC Yinon Weiss among the rest of the RallyPoint team may be glad to hear that.
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