Curt Weldon at a local gathering

[sffreeways]

Last night I attened a PMRC meeting in ChiChester Delaware County PA. at the memorial gardens for Parents of Murdered Children

Last nights gathering was for National Rememberance Day. I didn't know Curt was attending and so I wasn't prepared emotionally for it. When he got up to speak I became anxious because I was concerned he would use the opportunity to make a political speech for Bush.

He started talking right away about terrorism and 9/11 and he went on about the terror attacks in Russia. This was a local gathering of people that have had a very personal experience with homocide and his words didn't seem appropriate to me but I'm still not sure why.

He mentioned "President Bush" and he related several stories about friends he lost in the WTC and his trip to Russia. The whole time I kept thinking if he says something like "Bush will protect us from terrorism" or something I was going to shout out something like " I can't believe you're here giving a campaign speech on the memories of our murdered children" but he stopped just short of doing it. All I kept thinking was what am I going to do if he says something about Bush. I really couldn't decide how to deal with it. I figured it would be best to write a letter and express my displeasure with the speech. I was thinking abou the other democrats that were there like me that didn't want to hear a republican campaign speech about terror for Bush. It was really a disturbing experience which sucks because those events have a real signifigance to the people that are there.

Would I have been out of line to confront this creep if he did come out and say it ? I felt I would have been. It was so uncomfortable but I still can't exactly say just how he did it but he did. He took advantage of a group of people devestated by personal tragedy. I still can't grip how a speech about terror attacks was appropriate at this event. He never said a word about crime or what he was trying to do to prevent it. In fact he said something like "there will always be murder" The whole event was ruined in my opinion.

Am I being partisan and not getting it or did he do what I think he did and use this opportunity to try and get votes for Bush ?

[AlCzervik]

1. Wow, what the hell?

I'm sorry to hear that you are a member of the group, i can't even begin to imagine that loss. Did Curt Weldon lose a child? Was he there to warn people that if Kerry gets elected there will have to be many more chapters of your group? I think it sound really wrong for him to be there in that setting stumping for Bush and lets face it, thats what it was. This is in such bad form, really, even i didn't think they'd stoop so low.

Did you get any reaction from other people there i wonder?

[sffreeways]

2. You know

I didn't ask anyone but my partner and she thought he was doing what I thought he was doing. It was the way he did it. It left you scratching your head wondering if that's what he did. No he hasn't lost a child.

Thanks for the sentiment. Yes I am unfortunately a member.

[AlCzervik]

4. I really have a problem with this

this is just as bad as * standing at ground zero and campaigning. How dare intrude on your group like that with his bullshit. Who invited him? The more i think about grieving parents these days the angrier i get. These people will never find their rock bottom.

[Catherine Vincent]

3. I'm surprised he didn't blame Clinton for the 9/11 tragedy.

I will never forgive that man for doing this on cspan on 9/11. He didn't say it in so many words but he certainly implied it.

[Merlin]

5. Glad to hear you have a support group, sffreeways

That's got to be one of the most difficult emotional challenges anybody could face, not to mention one of the most devastating personal tragedies.

So sorry to hear the event was tainted. Perhaps making your views known to the organizers would be appropriate.