Please look over my LTTE on GOP smears of veterans

[chookie]

Help me do this for Max and John! Before I sent this, I would love to have a few more eyes look it over and make suggestions on how I can improve it. Thanks!

"In the early seventies, when our country was as bitterly divided over issues as it is today, there were disturbing stories circulating about how returning Viet Nam veterans were being taunted and spat upon by peace activists. While these stories are believed to be popular myths disseminated to discredit the antiwar movement , alas, in recent days, vicious attacks on combat veterans are in fact with alarming frequency in the homeland.

The scars of some veterans are being re-examined lately, with charges that they are really not that big or bad after all, inferring that the veterans who bear them are unworthy of the Purple Heart medal they were awarded – as has happened to John Kerry . A veteran who lost both legs and his right arm to the blast of an enemy grenade has been called a traitor and compared to a Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden and even mocked that he received his grave injuries while partying – as happened to Senator Max Cleland. A veteran who spent 5 years of his youth in one of history’s most infamous POW camps, tortured and abused, one day found himself whispered about as having been a "weak-minded coward" driven mad by his ordeal —has happened to Senator John McCain.

Today’s soldiers serving their country in the field should note well that what really matters these days is not the fact that they served honorably – indeed, one can stay stateside voluntarily during a war one fervently supports and only fly training missions over one’s home state and be said to have served "honorably". It doesn’t matter if you served courageously, or with distinction, or that you were maimed, or disabled fighting for your country – what matters these days is that you think as you ought to think. Be aware that your opinions will be monitored for correctness, and that your attitude will be noted…and you better get it right or else.

Many have called for their fellow Americans to "Support Our Troops!", but why aren’t these same individuals or organizations denouncing the defamation of veterans like Kerry, McCain, or Cleland? Where’s the outrage? I don’t think it’s because the Viet Nam war is ancient history, as veterans of the Greatest Generation, like "Flyboy" George HW Bush, are still regularly praised for their bravery in combat service.

Could it be politics? What all the veterans I have named above have in common is having run against GW Bush in an election or having opposed some aspect of his policies.

In the past, it was alleged to be the shameful behavior of the antiwar movement, but who is spitting on veterans now?"

(BTW -- here is a graphic from the website of the "truth-teller" that is all over the media "setting the record straight" about John Kerry's service in Viet Nam. Please note that he in the past called John McCain a Communist agent -- and he also seems to be inferring that he is gay too. )

from
http://www.usvetdsp.com/mccainpg.htm

[MrBenchley]

1. Problem with this sentence...

A veteran who lost both legs and his right arm to the blast of an enemy grenade has been called a traitor and compared to a Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden and even mocked that he received his grave injuries while partying – as happened to Senator Max Cleland.

"mocked" is the wrong verb in that setting; it's active and takes a direct object. (he mocked me). You would be better off breaking it into two sentences...

A veteran who lost both legs and his right arm to the blast of an enemy grenade (Senator Max Cleland) has been called a traitor and compared to Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. Claims were even made that he received his grave injuries while partying.

Also, please check before you send...I seem to recall reading somewhere that Cleland's injuries were the result of a fellow soldier dropping a grenade by accident....

[dogtag]

2. not an 'enemy' grenade

I don't believe that the grenade in question re Max Cleland was lobbed by the enemy. Check it out before sending your letter. As I recall, it was a lose grenade dropped by someone and Max picked it up to throw it out of the area when it exploded. Great letter, otherwise.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi dogtag!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. Damn! Great letter!

What city or state will it be sent to?

[KurtNYC]

4. Good stuff

I would try to re-work this bit though:

It doesn’t matter if you served courageously, or with distinction, or that you were maimed, or disabled fighting for your country – what matters these days is that you think as you ought to think. Be aware that your opinions will be monitored for correctness, and that your attitude will be noted…and you better get it right or else.

People (especially on the right) are easily confused by this sort of semi-sarcasm / speaking-as-the-opponent type of thing. Something more straightforward might be less confusing for the target audience.

Love your closing and would make "Who's spitting on Veterans now?" the Re line or headline.

[KurtNYC]

5. And I loved Teresa HK's bite on the GOP smearing Max Cleland

"I thought it was disgusting," says Heinz Kerry. "All I could think was, 'What does the Republican Party need - a fourth limb to make a person a hero?' And this coming from people who have not served. I was really offended by that. Unscrupulous and disgusting."

[chookie]

6. Thanks to all who responded

Your suggestions were excellent, and I incorporated them all. I am lucky to have had such excellent editors!