A non-Bush rally for the troops in our area....good story developing.

[madfloridian]

I posted previously about the way the Republicans had totally taken over the tribute to the veterans here, using it as a political gimmick. A couple of our local Dems are fighting back, and they just got credit from the political editor. This is a good write-up.

Troutman is Katherine Harris's cousin.Which does not endear him to us. He also allowed a lobbyist to write his water bill.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2004404260335
SNIP..."State Rep. Baxter Troutman said he started 10 months ago planning his troop salute set for Saturday at the Chain of Lakes Stadium. Gov. Jeb Bush and first lady Laura Bush are scheduled to attend...."

SNIP.."But some Democrats say Troutman, a Winter Haven Republican, is making the event a gimmick for his re-election campaign. They plan to hold a counter-troop salute Friday night at the courthouse in Bartow

SNIP...."Richard Blank was one of the local organizers for the Howard Dean for President campaign and is now organizing the other troop salute, set for 8 p.m. Friday in the parking lot just north of the new courthouse in Bartow.

"I really think it is shameful for Baxter to use this troop salute to help his campaign," Blank said.

Blank and others organizing the opposing event have asked that participants bring flashlights.

"This will be a candlelight vigil honoring all veterans from all of our wars and honoring the troops now fighting," Blank said. "These people (Republicans) have done the most to hurt veterans and now they are clawing to honor them," he said."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

An editorial the next criticized Richard for calling it partisan. (LOL...not partisan with Laura Bush and Jeb Bush there?)
The paper today printed a response from Richard which is just excellent. This is getting wings, and we expect a crowd. It was time to take on this bunch. They think they own it all here.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2004404280316

SNIP..."I am organizing the event as a veteran. I am proud of every man and woman who has ever served this wonderful country. Nobody cares about your politics or party in battle.

The event in Winter Haven is nothing but another example of Republicans wrapping themselves in the flag as though they own it. Taxpayer dollars for the fly-by, the presence of military hardware and transportation of all the highlevel Republican attendees is a waste of public funds.

This administration has failed to honor our vets. It has cut the VA, it has failed to properly equip our reservists, it pays huge sums for mercenaries and, in many other ways, it shows its disrespect for our courageous troops.

Our event will be a dignified, nonpartisan salute by proud veterans and others to all our troops including the wounded and those no longer with us.

RICHARD N. BLANK
Winter Haven

I continue to be very proud of the activism of our local Deaniacs.MY comment.

[LynzM]

1. That's great

I think it's quite sad how the repubs seem to want to 'own' both the milatary and religion. Nice to see a tribute being organized by a decidedly non-repub group, and this is great: "Our event will be a dignified, nonpartisan salute by proud veterans and others to all our troops including the wounded and those no longer with us."

[boobooday]

2. This is good

We have to take back our national symbols from these people who desecrate them!

Like Bush and his hypocritical policy of exploiting the 9/11 dead, and shamefully hiding the dead from Iraq. There is nothing worse you can do to your military but cheapen the cause for which they fight, and then treat the dead as an embarrassment.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[madfloridian]

3. Tampa's CBS 10 and BayNews9 to cover our non-political rally for veterans.

I think this is great, for the Democrats not to take it anymore here.