I need to say something

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

this swift boat business, the more I read about it, the more I think about it, it disturbs me PROFOUNDLY and deeply.

They are essentially questioning EVERY veteran's service and medals. I have read articles on the internet saying a purple heart is awarded when the person is horribly injured, that it almost always involves blood, overnight hospital stay, etc. Not true.

I know veterans who have Purple Hearts who weren't mangled up by the injuries....they were fairly minor. But it met the criteria and it was decided they should have it.

How must they feel right now? It's too raw a subject to even broach with them....even my husband, who has two. He won't talk about it, he is so upset about this. The only thing he has said is that he wants to take his Purple Hearts and throw them in the faces of those guys.

This is honestly the slimiest, most vile thing I have ever seen in politics, and I've seen quite a bit. I never thought I could hold anyone in lower regard than bush, but I do the swifties. I hold them beneath contempt. I am so angry and disturbed I don't know what to do with myself.

I also didn't think I could hate bush more. I was wrong. This just makes me.......think all kinds of things I won't type here.

I think I will punch my pillow a lot tonight. And scream into it.

What the hell ever happened to support the troops? Support the troops, my ASS. I don't EVER want ANY republican who didn't immediately denounce this shit to EVER tell me they support the troops. They don't. They never did.

[pbg]

1. That's a very good point

and should be hammered at.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS--DENOUNCE THE SWIFT BOAT LIARS!

[wryter2000]

2. I hear you

How must they feel right now? It's too raw a subject to even broach with them....even my husband, who has two. He won't talk about it, he is so upset about this. The only thing he has said is that he wants to take his Purple Hearts and throw them in the faces of those guys.

This is honestly the slimiest, most vile thing I have ever seen in politics, and I've seen quite a bit. I never thought I could hold anyone in lower regard than bush, but I do the swifties. I hold them beneath contempt. I am so angry and disturbed I don't know what to do with myself.

I feel for you and your husband. What they're doing is an utter disgrace. I hope some of them can be sued for slander.

We'll get our revenge in November. :mad:

[liberalmuse]

3. I think a lot of people are LIVID about this...

including myself. The thoughts that go through my mind when I think of these puke bags scare me. I've never, ever seen anything this despicable in politics in my lifetime. I think they should be drawn and quartered.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

4. You typed out what I feel

and my feelings on this actually scare me a bit. Thus the pillow punching session tonight. Followed up by The Daily Show and a mug of cocoa.

I am not a veteran, so I don't know why this is so hurtful, but it is....it is extremely hurtful. And not just because my candidate is the target, but it just feels like all vets are.....and they get treated so crappily by the government as it is, to pile this on top of it is just more than I can bear.

[volosong]

5. Does It Disturb You Enough For Your To Do This?

Send letters of protest to your local media and TV stations?

http://congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/


To their discredit most news media continue to pander the Swift Boat malarkey, now reduced to a Sieve Boat of dying and decomposing lies. There are no valid issues here, just stink and smoke. Whether Kerry was in Cambodia at a particular time is irrelevant. The real question has always been, “Why was George hiding?”
Despite being disproved from all sides Smeargate remains Bush’s reply to Kerry’s plea for a positive campaign predicated on the issues. It should be condemned by all patriotic Americans and especially by those with strong Christian and family values.
For G.W. Bush with his reptilian record of military cowardice and desertion, incubating this rotten egg is like embracing a live grenade. But he has no choice since the White House is one of only two groups calculating to benefit from this Borgia Bush Bandwagon. The second group are those heroes fantasizing that defeating Kerry will ease their wounded pride and personal Vietnam demons.
It won’t because the Bush propaganda has led them to the wrong target. A full transcript of Kerry’s remarks reveals that he relates only hearsay recollections of others; he blames the nature of war and its commanders and not individuals for any atrocities; he decries tactics such as search and destroy and free fire zones; and he stridently opposes continuation of an unwinable and morally questionable war (views ultimately embraced by most Americans).
The most important point is that if there had been more like John Kerry, there would be fewer names on the Vietnam Wall. If that is “treason,” then genocide is charity.
True patriots never attack the views and personal military sacrifices of another veteran. To continue to do so is a betrayal of the contributions of all who have worn the uniform, and specifically all of those who have been decorated for heroic service. In response to this outrage, no loyal and patriotic American should be silent.

[Warren DeMontague]

6. Editorial Saying Essentially The Same Thing:

http://www.washingtondispatch.com/article_9851.shtml

[johncory]

7. Support The Troops - Elect A Real Veteran

[heidiho]

8. Did Anyone Question Dole in the 96 Race about his injuries, etc.

NO, WE DID NOT.

We recognized that he was a decorated veteran who lost the use of his arm and, therefore, we didn't question him. I don't think that Clinton would have in any regard.

I agree with you that it takes away from every serviceman's record to question the Armed Forces decisions to distribute medals and ribbons. My father served in post-WWII in Europe and has many medals and ribbons. He didn't see much action and was never close to being injured, yet he served his country and they decided what he deserved - not him.

Makes me furious too.