A vet speaks out about Bush (CHB)

[CatWoman]

Tim Abbott is a Vietnam veteran who lives in the Southwestern Virginia town of Hillsville, a conservative, blue-collar community that tends to vote Republican and bleed red, white and blue.

But, like an increasing number of veterans, Abbott is fed up with President George W. Bush.

“Bush talks a lot about freedom, courage, transparent government and the rule of law. He talks,” Abbott says. “His speeches are carefully choreographed before audiences of his faithful -- often Christian fundamentalists or, to paraphrase Bush, Christian-fascists -- and they must sign loyalty oaths to Bush. He speaks before audience after audience of soldiers and sailors who cannot speak except as directed by the White House.”

Normally, such comments would be risky in a mountain town where Patriotism rules supreme but Abbott expressed his views this week in an op ed article for The Roanoke Times and found many people agreeing with him.

“When I think of Bush, I do not think of liberty and courage, compassion and justice. No, I think of arrogance, greed and lies,” Abbott wrote. “He is a thug, a buffoon and a coward. Not only is he incompetent, he is corrupt.”

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_7919.shtml

[Oceansaway]

1. great article...thanks...n/t

[demnan]

2. Mountain people are very independent

When I went one year to a branch of UVA in SW VA, the Democrats were big and the people knew that the Republicans were for the rich. This was in the late 70's. Of course these are the communities who most often, like the ghettos and working class neighborhoods, send their children to die in useless wars.

Where are the Dems who would go into West Virginia like Kennedy did and win the hearts of the Appalachian poor?

[Clark2008]

3. They're ignored by the corporate media for fear that they'll

be populist and actually HELP the little people while making corporation have to do something good for this country and their workers.

[lpbk2713]

4. Not only are the speeches usually before Army & Navy audiences .....

But any Q&A sessions are carefully rehearsed and choreographed before they go "live".

This veteran (Navy, 65 - 69) has no use for this cowardly AWOL asshole. Never have, never will.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Conservative republicans don't bleed red, white and blue

they just convince each other that such occurs. Patriotism ruling supreme in a conservative enclave?? I have to chuckle. Conservatives in America today know nothing of Patriotism. They are sad posers who believe the constitution only applies to some Americans. bush is a buffoon and a coward for sure. I wouldn't describe him as a thug, as a thug would not be afraid to face a crowd of Americans on any given day. Such a shame that telling the truth about a president is "risky" anwhere in America today. Rant On CHB.