EXCLUSIVE: Vets condemn Walsh for attacking double amputee’s military service, calls for resignation

[Tx4obama]

EXCLUSIVE: Vets group condemns Rep. Walsh for attacking double amputee’s military service, calls for resignation

A leading veterans group has denounced Rep. Joe Walsh’s (R-IL) attack on his opponent’s military service, first highlighted by ThinkProgress this morning, and called on the Illinois Republican to resign.

At a town hall on Sunday, Walsh blasted his Democratic opponent, Tammy Duckworth, for having the temerity to note that she’s spent two decades serving in the military. Walsh dismissed Duckworth, an Iraq War vet who lost both her legs in an RPG attack, as not a “true hero.”

Vote Vets, a non-partisan PAC that supports veterans issues, condemned Walsh’s comments in an exclusive statement to ThinkProgress. The veterans group wrote that “Telling a veteran to shut up on the 4th of July is beyond the pale.” They called on Walsh to “step aside and and stop embarrassing his district and America.”

Their full statement:

Joe Walsh’s disgust for our veterans’ sacrifices knows no bounds. First, he falsely and maliciously claims that Tammy Duckworth, a veteran who lost her legs in Iraq didn’t have much of a record of service. Now, he denigrates that same American hero for talking about how her experience shaped her worldview and strengthened her resolve to serve even more – a conversation that isn’t just legitimate to have, but crucial as America charts its course domestically and internationally. This is a new low for this deadbeat dad. Telling a veteran to shut up on the 4th of July is beyond the pale. We are past the point of calling on Joe Walsh to apologize. He should step aside and and stop embarrassing his district and America.

http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/07/03/510791/vote-vets-joe-walsh/

[Wait Wut]

1. "This is a new low for this deadbeat dad."

[bluestateguy]

2. Still waiting to hear from the VFW

If a Democrat had said what Walsh said, the VFW would waste no time in demanding an apology and resignation.

(tapping my pencil...)

[Tx4obama]

3. Please let us know when ya hear something from the VFW :) n/t

[red dog 1]

20. Don't hold your breath waiting for a VFW comment on this.

To donate to Tammy's Congressional campaign go to:

http://www.tammyduckworth.com/

[atreides1]

31. I'll let you know if I hear anything from the VFW

Decided that as a Life Member, to let the VFW know how I personally felt by their lack of courage and support of Tammy Duckworth.

This is what I e-mailed them:

I am surprised that while the National Commander has made comments regarding the US Supreme Court decision on the Stolen Valor Act, he and the organization have said nothing about the attacks on a combat veteran made by a Congressman mainly known for failure to pay his child support.

Is this how the VFW shows that it stands with veterans, by hiding like scared children in a thunder storm?

Vote Vets has stepped up and shown courage in defending Tammy Duckworth from the verbal attacks of Congressman Joe Walsh, while the VFW has remained silent. And please don't insult my intelligence by saying that the VFW doesn't get involved in politics because that is a lie...and we know that an organization that often speaks of integrity and honor wouldn't lie.

At the moment I do not look upon the VFW with any sense of pride, and personally feel a sense of shame because this organization has failed to do what is right.


Of course I may get kicked out, but I'd rather have that then remain a member of an organization that is nothing but lapdogs for politicians and lacks the guts to defend one of our own!

[barbtries]

32. good letter.

please let us know the response.

[Swede Atlanta]

37. Unfortunately I think the VFW thinks Republicans stand with them....

in reality it was the Republicans that made soldiers buy their own body armor in Iraq, pay for untold expenses themselves. They do not support the troops if it gets in the way of making money.

Further they find wounded or unemployed vets to be a nuisance. They don't want to fund their healthcare or programs to integrate them back into civil society.

Republicans LOVE the military to support their international adventurism in the name of the American oligarchy. But they HATE the military if it means having to spend any money on them. Let them buy their own guns, etc. and health care. Us rich folks don't want to be paying for anything of that.

[Auntie Bush]

4. He'll be voted back in. Rethugs love mean lying people like him.

Notice how many ReThug Senators and Reps are truly mean nasty people.

[WcoastO]

14. I think Duckworth

is leading by 8 pts, so, if true, maybe she can gain even more support. I don't think Walsh is capable of apologizing - he'll probably defiantly double down with another offensive statement of some type.

[EC]

24. His district has been redrawn

I do not remember completely, but I think his district is gone and he's running in a newly drawn district now.

[calimary]

26. Let's hope not. Donate to Tammy!

Asshole CANNOT talk shit about her and get away with it. This one's PERSONAL.

From red dog 1 above:

To donate to Tammy's Congressional campaign go to:

http://www.tammyduckworth.com/

[madashelltoo]

5. THE VETS SHOULD PICKET HIS OFFICE

See where his heart is.

[jaysunb]

10. Not just his office, but, every campaign event

let his voters understand what it is, they are a part of.

[freshwest]

11. +1

[red dog 1]

21. + 2

[mopinko]

6. they should drop a money bomb on her, then.

poster upthread is right- they love mean people in that district. they are a bunch of authoritarian followers and the few sane among them are sick and tired of politics there.
send a few bucks. work the phones. get her elected.

btw, this district was redrawn to bring in more dems. it is winnable.

[freshwest]

12. +1.000

[klook]

15. tammyduckworth.com

Donate here.

[kurtzapril4]

29. I live in that district, and um....

No. But since you live here, I guess you'd know what you're talking about......oh, wait, never mind.

Walsh won this district by less than 300 votes. The only reasons he won were the Democratic Party took the race for granted, and didn't supply much funding. And Melissa Bean, who I have no love for, also took it for granted that she would win, and didn't do much campaigning. In other words...Dems are the reason he won. Period.

[mopinko]

30. i don't live that far away.

and i know that when they redistricted jan schakowsky gave up several dem strongholds in both 8 and 10. and bean earned her fate. people were sick of having a dino in congress. walsh is an accidental congressman, and will not be back.

[Fozzledick]

7. Walsh is a true villain.

Of course he's going to be against a hero.

[frylock]

8. great job working in the deadbeat dad angle..

dems need to step up their game and highlight that at every opportunity. not holding my breath waiting for that.

[calimary]

27. Then that means WE have to do it, if they can't or won't, or somehow don't think it's appropriate.

Well WE do!

And YES, the deadbeat-dad thing needs to be jammed down his throat and up his pompous loud-mouth ass.

from red dog 1, above:

To donate to Tammy's Congressional campaign go to:

http://www.tammyduckworth.com/

[47of74]

9. Be nice if he did but I'm not holding my breath.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

13. I'm not much of a patriot ...

... but he makes me want to puke. I watched the video of him making the comments, and I would just love to lay one on his chin.

[sulphurdunn]

16. Walsh

is just run-o-the mill chickenhawk. For a Republican, he is an above average asshole. By the standards of normal people, he's lower than the slime on a worms belly.

[The Wizard]

17. Methinks Congressman Joe Walsh

is hitting the sauce more than guitar playing Joe Walsh from the James Gang. If the people in that district elect him they will get what they deserve, substandard representation.

[malthaussen]

18. You know what? Vets are as politically irrelevant as union workers

It doesn't matter how legitimate their gripe is. It doesn't matter that an attack on a vet is an attack on all of us (just as attacks on workers are attacks on all of us). Stalin had it nailed a long, long time ago:

When he was told the Pope opposed what he was doing in the USSR, he responded "How many divisions does the Pope have?"

You think the tea baggers and RW scumbags care one little bit about insulting veterans? None of them ever served, none of them ever would serve -- it is against their political philosphy to serve. We can be as angry and indignant as we please, but the bottom line is that Mr Walsh could knock over LCOL Duckworth on the courthouse steps, and all it would probably get him is more votes.

-- Mal

[DeltaLitProf]

36. Oh, I don't think so.

I think Walsh just committed political suicide today.

[Dustlawyer]

19. +1 I will join in that call. He is using the Rupugnant play book of attacking your opponent's

strength. Make him pay and let's put an end to the success of that tactic. They did the same to Kerry.

[Lifelong Protester]

22. Good! That deadbeat dad asshat has to go.

This is just one more nail in his political coffin.

[Tommykun]

23. Walsh is a twit of the highest order.

She sacrificed much in service to her country. Her health, her future, everything to serve in a war that was founded on falsified information. This idiot had the gall to talk down to her. I say, send Walsh over to Iraq to serve for a few months and see how he feels about the legitimacy of her service.

This is a woman that knows what she is talking about. She has witnessed more pain and hardship than many ever have or ever will, but it gave her strength to not just overcome her situation but also the strength to try to ease the pain of others instead of cashing in on the service of others. The GOP has mastered deception and try to use it at every turn. You can always tell who has an evil heart because they're always the one screaming the loudest and are first to point the finger.

Ms. Duckworth is, in my opinion, the embodiment of what a true American leader should be. May this strengthen her resolve and bring even more to her cause.

[longship]

25. I {heart} Tammy Duckworth

She's one of Dems' best Congressional candidates this year. To not support her, is to not recognize our strengths this year.

She's what separates Democrats from the Republicans.

She's a perfect candidate. Go Tammy Duckworth.

[calimary]

28. From red dog 1, above: DONATE!

To donate to Tammy's Congressional campaign go to:

http://www.tammyduckworth.com/

[VPStoltz]

33. Is this a new group?

Where was group of vets like this when Kerry was being "swift boated," or Max Cleland being called a terrorist, or "W" trying to make himself out to be a patriot of some sort.
I'm glad to see someone is finally stepping up.

[Tx4obama]

34. Here's a link with info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VoteVets.org

It's been around since 2006

[efhmc]

35. What a scum. The worse part is that there are many people who

"support our troops" who find this behavior okay.

[KBlagburn]

38. As a vet, I sent this message via his facebook page.......

I was born in Illinois. I am a Veteran, My brother was a veteran, My father is a veteran, My grandfather was a WWII veteran, My uncles were veterans. Based on your flagrant disregard and constant insults of our veterans, I ask that you immediately resign your office. This is not a partisan issue. Regardless of your disagreement on the issues, to denigrate a Veterans service is Un- American, irresponsible and just plain low and shows just how desperate and despicable you are. I suggest you put on the uniform and serve as we have. To do otherwise would show your cowardice.

[ohgeewhiz]

39. Sh*tting on vets is never a winning strategy!

That little POS has just dug his own political grave.

I wonder if Romney will want him at the Republican Convention.

[DearAbby]

40. You wanna know what's different?

GOP pulled this shit before, with Cleland, McCain, Murtha, Kerry..etc. You didn't see the media cover it as they are now...You didn't see anyone on the other side of the aisle demand an immediate apology, and call this behavior out of bounds.

Wanna know what's different this time? She is a woman, as well as a disabled veteran, and OUTSTANDING AMERICAN. The GOP will do as they always do, they'll double down. You won't hear a peep.

But maybe, this is like a splash of cold water. You know shit like this stacks up...we may be near the tipping stage.

[Comet]

41. Not Attacking Service Records

I read the statements made by Mr. Walsh and do not see him attacking this woman's service record or claiming she is not a true or real hero.

Here were his comments:

[quote]WALSH: Understand something about John McCain. His political advisers, day after day, had to take him and almost throw him against a wall and hit him against the head and say, “Senator, you have to let people know you served! You have to talk about what you did!” He didn’t want to do it, wouldn’t do it. Day after day they had to convince him. Finally, he talked a little bit about it, but it was very uncomfortable for him. That’s what’s so noble about our heroes. Now I’m running against a woman who, my God, that’s all she talks about. Our true heroes, it’s the last thing in the world they talk about. That’s why we’re so indebted and in awe of what they’ve done.[/quote]

Certainly would not be the statement I would have made nor do I agree with his views. He is not the sole decider on what constitutes a true hero. Heroes come in all shapes, sizes and demeanors. One size does not fit all.

I thank this woman for her courageous service and wish them both the best of luck in this political race.

[Tx4obama]

42. Reread the part you bolded. He IS implying she is not a true hero. n/t