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Skriven 2006-01-16 08:29:02 av BOB SAKOWSKI (1:123/140)
Ärende: comments
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The Party of 'Patriotism and the Military' Smears the Service of Another
Military Patriot

Isn't it awesome that Republican Party operatives can get away with
smearing the patriotism and service records of one combat veteran after
another, all the while painting themselves as the more patriotic,
pro-military faction? It's the perfect illustration of how the
Bush/Cheney/Rove era has fostered an atmosphere of non-reality-based
deception and propaganda.
Politics over all else.

This weekend, the swift-boating of John Murtha's service record began in an
article which questions, amongst other things, Murtha's Purple Heart
commendations. I would link to the ridiculous GOP propaganda "news" source
which posted the first volley, but refuse to dignify their legitimacy. The
same goes for the popular right-wing blog that dittos these claims. Suffice
to say, the article fits perfectly into the template used against other
combat veterans who at one time opposed the president and his policies.

And pundits dare to ask, "Why don't the congressional Democrats stand up?"
The answer to this question is remarkably simple. If the patriotism and
service records of Max Cleland and John Murtha are fair game, how can any
non-veteran Democrats possibly stand up without suffering a far more brutal
fate?

Meanwhile, the Republicans will continue to be labeled the party of
patriotism, the military, and national security. For the life of me, I
can't figure this one out.

They've completely bungled and botched the first large-scale war since
Vietnam. They bungled, botched, and have since all but ignored the first
major national disaster since 9/11. As a matter of course, they engage in
covert plots to take down "unfriendlies" who have served meritoriously
while very few of the GOP power players have ever served in a combat zone.
They refuse to properly equip the soldiers serving in Iraq, leading to
casualty figures close to -- if not beyond -- the 20,000 mark.

Furthermore, if it's not clear to you right now, it will be soon: they will
scapegoat the military commanders and soldiers fighting the Iraq War just
as shamelessly as they have the others. President Bush, via the calculated
strategy of his Round Table, likes to say from the comfort of his bubble
that he's leaving military decisions up to the commanders on the ground.
Clearly and conveniently, this allows him to dodge accountability, which
can easily be shifted to those soldiers. Abu Ghraib and Al-Qaqaa, for
example -- both of which were blamed, not on policies of the
administration, but on the soldiers on the ground...
[snip]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/the-party-of-patriotism-_b_13866.html?view=print


A comment to this:

"I am a Marine currently serving at 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in New
Orleans. Right now my fellow Marines and I are watching as we slowly slouch
towards war with Iran. If deployed to the area, I promise you this: we will
fight together, and we will fight valiantly. We will fight for those we do
not know and for a cause we might not share. But we will fight. And when we
come home, we may continue our fight, in the halls of power, the state
capitols, and DC, if we so choose. We have earned it in blood and sweat. No
one, and I mean no one, has the right to impugn our service, or our
credentials without expecting a defense. I am defending Mr. Murtha because
he did in Vietnam what others would not do. And I thank God for giving me
the chance to make my mark as he has. And when I come home, will you be
there to slander me too?"

---

Worthless bastards... Worthless, COWARDLY bastards.

The Republican Party, criminals, liars and unamerican cowards, willing
accomplices to the destruction of the American republic.
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