Nearly One in Five Delegates to 2004 Republican National Convention is a V

[southernleftylady]

NEW YORK, Aug. 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Nearly one in five delegates to the 2004 Republican National Convention is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or an active member of the military, the 2004 Republican National Convention announced today.

Veterans will make up 15 percent of the Republican delegation and active military personnel will make up 3 percent of the delegates traveling to New York City this month to re-nominate George W. Bush. In comparison, when the Democrats gathered in Boston last month, veterans made up only 11.5 percent of the delegates.

"We're proud to announce that nearly one in five delegates to the Republican National Convention is a veteran or is currently serving this country in our nation's Armed Forces. From the veterans who have fought to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today to the men and women who are protecting us now as we fight the war on terror, they deserve our thanks and gratitude. We appreciate their sacrifice and are grateful for their service, both to their country and to our democratic process," said Ed Gillespie, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=669&ncid=669&e=3&u=/usnw/20040816/pl_usnw/nearly_one_in_five_delegates_to_2004_republican_national_convention_is_a_veteran_or_active_miltiary_personnel142_xml

[swag]

1. I knew the "v" coudn't mean "virgin," because that's gotta be 3 in 5

[ThomWV]

2. So You're Saying that 80% Of Them Did Not Serve?

That's what I hear.

[ComerPerro]

3. GREAT point

[MichiganVote]

4. Bush relatives, you know it.

[KamaAina]

5. How many of those served in the Texas Air National Guard

training on obsolete planes they knew would never, ever be used in the 'Nam, or something else just as cushy?

[TrueAmerican]

6. I'm active duty and I can't see how

3 percent Active Duty Military can be delegates. I think we need to see what the hell is going on. And they all should be on "Leave" if true.

[ItsMyParty]

7. These people are a disgrace

How can they sit there and cheer a bastard who mocks them with his actions of going AWOL because his drunken, coke ridden, privileged ass just didn't feel like showing up for duty. How can they turn on a fellow vet who served with honor?? They wouldn't know honor, service, or patriotism if they fell over it (or fell off their barstool onto it). Dumb bastards.

[Catt03]

8. How can they be active military?

see:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x627225

4. POLICY

It is DoD policy to encourage members of the Armed Forces (hereafter referred to as "members") to carry out the obligations of citizenship. While on active duty, however, members are prohibited from engaging in certain political activities. The following DoD policy shall apply:

4.1. General

4.1.1. A member on active duty may:

4.1.1.1. Register, vote, and express his or her personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces.

4.1.1.2. Make monetary contributions to a political organization.

4.1.1.3. Attend partisan and nonpartisan political meetings, rallies, or conventions as a spectator when not in uniform.

4.1.2. A member on active duty shall not:

4.1.2.1. Use his or her official authority or influence for interfering with an election; affecting the course or outcome of an election; soliciting votes for a particular candidate or issue; or requiring or soliciting political contributions from others.

4.1.2.2. Be a candidate for, hold, or exercise the functions of civil office except as authorized in paragraphs 4.2. and 4.3., below.

4.1.2.3. Participate in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions (unless attending a convention as a spectator when not in uniform).

4.1.2.4. Make campaign contributions to another member of the Armed Forces or an employee of the Federal Government.

[southernleftylady]

9. whoa! very good ! thanks for adding this! :) nt

[TrueAmerican]

14. Very Good!

4.1.2.3. Participate in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions (unless attending a convention as a spectator when not in uniform).

[WilliamPitt]

10. I'll bet you $1000

they'll bring in a few hundred Operation Iraqi Freedom troopers - under orders - to wave the flag. That will skew the numbers to one in five.

[teryang]

11. Whoa, 860 whole veterans!

As compared to the millions who are going to vote against AWOL.

One can't expect to keep revolving door colonels and generals from going where their bread is buttered with the military contractors and war mongers. This is their nature.

Anyone who makes less than 100K a year and votes repuke is dumber than dirt.

Anyone who makes 100K a year to go to Iraq is also dumber than dirt.

[SoCalDem]

12. For a minute, I thought you meant this V.. they ARE reptilian, after all

[Ducks In A Row]

13. I thought it was going to be victim.

I was wondering of what?

[southernleftylady]

15. kick