The Republican War Against Vietnam Veterans

[CatWoman]

Mods -- trying my best to keep this to four paragraphs

First John McCain, then Max Cleland, now John Kerry: the Republican attack machine says Vietnam veterans are crazy and are frauds.

By Stewart Nusbaumer

First they assaulted a U.S. Navy pilot shot down over North Vietnam who was imprisoned and tortured for five long years. Shadowy Republican groups whispered he was mentally unfit to be President of the United States because he had been a POW in Vietnam. The rumor spread and spread. They said he had a Black baby and he was morally unfit to hold political office. The propaganda was sneaky and relentless, eventually undermining John McCain’s credibility and his bid to be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee. The winner was George W. Bush.

Then they went after a man who lost three limbs--two legs and one arm--on the bloody battlefield of South Vietnam. First in Georgia and then nationally--highlighted by Ann Coulter, a volcano of hate toward veterans--the machine proclaimed that Max Cleland made no sacrifices for America and should not be respected. The man lost three limbs in Vietnam! And Cleland lost his Senate seat to a tough Republican patriot who somehow missed the fighting in Vietnam. Those Republicans sure know how to fight a war.

Among veterans, the smearing and defeat of Max Cleland is referred to as the “Shame of George.” As for John McCain, the dirty tricks that brought him down still burn strong inside his soul. They burn on top of the torture scars from Vietnam.

In both campaigns, Republicans sought not to educate the public but to create doubt in voters, not to discuss the issues, but to undermine the character and reputation of two honorable men. Republicans twisted John McCain's and then Max Cleland's heroic service in Vietnam into a political liability here in America and rendered both men ineffective politically. Two combat veterans defeated by men who supported the Vietnam War--George Bush and Saxby Chambliss--yet hid behind deferments so they would not have to fight in the war. Two honorable American veterans defeated by a ruthless, effective Republican propaganda machine of political dirt.

http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=840

[the Kelly Gang]

1. a great article..I'm emailing it now to some freepers

[azmesa207]

2. The Republican war against Vietnam vets

I find it hard to feel sorry for McCain when he still supports Bush and gives him big Hugs on stage after what they did to him

[peacetalksforall]

3. All hail and praise to Republican vets!

[eagler]

4. Don't forget that Bob Kerrey

was the first in the senate to comment on Bush's AWOL and he was trashed 2 months later.

[CatWoman]

5. don't forget to read the readers' comments

http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=844

[sonias]

6. thanks for the link CatWoman

That was a fine article. I thank Stewart for his service to his country then and now.

Sonia

[PE]

7. Don't Forget Bob Smith (R-NH)

There are only a handful of Vietnam Veterans in Congress. Allies to the Bush campaign smeared John McCain in 2000. Then, in 2002, Bush supported the son of his father's friend Sununu over the incumbant Republican Senator Bob Smith of New Hampshire. Smith was a hardline conservative on many issues, but, despite their differences, he did work with John Kerry and McCain on the opening up of Vietnam before he was defeated by a fellow Republican in the 2002 primary after 18 years in the Congress.