Question about "phony soldiers."

[JohnnyLib2]

I'm confused. Are there documented cases of "phony soldiers," for real,
who have had widespread publicity on anti-war views? If so, who or how many?

[Crabby Appleton]

1. Jese Macbeth

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003739269_fakeranger08m0.html

[JohnnyLib2]

2. Thanks. That's a total of one.

If others on DU know specific cases, that will be appreciated.

[BrotherBuzz]

6. The national commander of the American Legion lied about serving in vietnam

'Boston Globe': Head of American Legion Lies About Being Vietnam Veteran



Published: December 03, 2006 6:05 PM ET

BOSTON The national commander of the American Legion never served in Vietnam although he describes himself as a "Vietnam veteran," a newspaper reported Sunday.

Paul A. Morin, who was elected Aug. 31 to a one-year term as commander of the nation's largest veterans organization, spent his time in the Army from 1972 to 1974 at Fort Dix, N.J., The Boston Sunday Globe reported.

Neither the federal government nor the 2.7 million-member American Legion makes a formal distinction between veterans who served in Vietnam and those known as "Vietnam-era" veterans.

"I am a Vietnam veteran," Morin, of Chicopee in western Massachusetts, told the newspaper. His biography on the Legion's Web site also describes Morin as a "Vietnam veteran of the US Army."

The Legion's top spokesman, Joe March, backed Morin's position. He said any current service member stationed in the United States at present could claim to be an Iraq war veteran.

But former Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia said Morin's claim may undercut the credibility of veterans groups that fight for Congressional funding of veterans' programs.

"For the national commander of the American Legion, who never even served in the Vietnam theater, to call himself a Vietnam veteran is a lie," said Cleland, who lost both legs and an arm during combat in Vietnam, and who has been a Legion member since 1969.

Thomas G. Kelley, the Massachusetts secretary of veterans affairs and also a Vietnam veteran, said Morin is misleading people.

"When someone says he is a Vietnam veteran, it means he served in the theater of the war," Kelley said.

Before his national campaign, Morin was a ranking member of the Legion's state office and was described on its Web site as a Vietnam-era veteran who was stationed in New Jersey.

Morin is the superintendent of the Soldier's Home, a state-run facility in Holyoke for needy veterans. He took an unpaid leave to serve as leader of the American Legion.

Morin did not return two calls from The Associated Press seeking additional comment Sunday. March, the Legion's spokesman, also did not return a call Sunday.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003467772

[JohnnyLib2]

8. Disgusting. I could describe my Army time the same way--and know

it was a gross exaggeration, aka lie.

[TheDoorbellRang]

3. I believe they're outnumbered by the phony soldiers with pro-war views.eom

[Canuckistanian]

4. Rush called ALL anti-war soldiers "phony"

Plain as day. NO qualifiers.

And he can't deny it because of the magic of microphones and recording devices.

[JohnnyLib2]

5. I think so, too.

Just doing some fact checking.

It's tempting to post my question on some RW sites and see if the total goes above one (1) (uno).

[Swamp Rat]

7. I heard him say it on the Daily Show, Countdown, Crooks and Liars, read it in various articles, and

read the transcript.



Limbaugh: Service members who support U.S. withdrawal are "phony soldiers" (audio clip):
http://mediamatters.org/items/200709270010
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/09/27/limbaugh-troops-supporting-us-withdrawal-phony-soldiers/

Countdown: Veteran Responds To Limbaugh Comparing Him To Suicide Bomber:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/10/03/countdown-veteran-responds-to-limbaugh-comparing-him-to-suicide-bomber/

Wesley Clark: “Take Rush Limbaugh Off Armed Forces Radio!”:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gen-wesley-clark/take-rush-limbaugh-off-ar_b_66826.html

Harry Reid slams Limbaugh over “Phony Soldiers” remarks:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/10/01/harry-reid-slams-limbaugh-over-phony-soldiers-remarks-with-updates/

Senate Democratic Leaders Demand Apology For Limbaugh’s ‘Outrageous,’ ‘Unconscionable’ Remark:
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/28/senate-dems-limbaugh-letter/

Limbaugh Outrage Amplified! Limbaugh’s response is to name Jack Murtha!:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/09/28/limbaugh-outrage-amplified-troop-and-dems-responses/

Audio: Limbaugh Calls Iraq Vet "Staff Puke," Claims He Volunteered For War "To Pad (His) Resume":
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/09/28/audio-limbaugh-calls-ira_n_66333.html