Stars and Stripes letter: Enough's enough. Vote!

[lebkuchen]

Toe the line, or else

All you so-called “Republican” soldiers out there, pay attention: The latest right-wing attack on a combat vet’s record has this vet saying “Enough.” What is being done to John Kerry is the same thing done to John McCain and Max Cleland — trashing their service with Bush family money and connections, while at the same time pleading innocence.

The Republicans talk the talk of being pro-military, until you differ from their political agenda. So you guys and gals remember they love you as long as you speak the party line, which is that President Bush is some great leader, morally perfect, protector of freedom, righter of wrongs, the second coming, etc.
What makes this sadder and more tragic is it comes from people who for the most part back those who did not serve when they had the chance to do so. President Bush’s daddy got him in the National Guard when the Guard was a way out of going to Vietnam. Dick Cheney did not serve. Paul Wolfowitz did not serve. John Ashcroft did not serve. Funny these same “hawks” are the ones who did not hesitate to put your butt on the line for the mythical weapons of mass destruction.

By the way, before I am dismissed as some anti-American liberal wimp: My butt has been in the line of fire in the uniform of my country. So has my father’s in Vietnam, my brothers’ in the Gulf War and Iraq, and my son’s 15 months in the Sunni Triangle. I don’t toe the line. Enough’s enough. Vote.

Floyd Kizzie Jr.
Würzburg, Germany

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=24320

[acmavm]

1. I would think that this is probably how the men/women in the service

feel rather than supporting a guy that they know is a fraud and a liar.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Just taht while in uniform they cannot state it

you are not allowed to talk ill of your elders

[Qanisqineq]

3. they don't state it to reporters and officers

but the enlisted sure do talk about it with each other!

[DinahMoeHum]

4. Yep, If you want to know how they really feel, visit their latrines.

:evilgrin:

[Qanisqineq]

6. ew! no thanks!

I'll just ask my husband what they are talking about at work! :)

[Kimber Scott]

7. When my son first went to Afghanistan - after Bush had already

bombed Iraq - he and I couldn't even discuss Bush. He's home now and his wife is in Iraq. I went to visit him in New York for a few weeks this summer. I was shocked when he said, "Mom, I don't think he's evil, (Bush), I just don't think he knows what he's doing." I was even more shocked when two of his Air Force buddies dropped by his house on their way to see "F 9/11." Then to top it all off, his wife called from Mosul and wanted him to send her some books on Vietnam.

The times the are a changing.

I will say my son was very affected by the level of poverty and lack of regard for the sanctity of life in Afghanistan. He said the people he met believed this life is hell and for one of them to die was seen almost as a priviledge. He wanted to, and believed he was, helping the people, and especially the children, in Afghanistan. He said the kids begged for books and pencils, more than candy, and walked in the snow with bare feet. They played in mine fields, some forgetting what to "look for" and ending up dead and injured. He helped airlift a three year old out of Afghanistan. His parents had set him on the roof of the cab of their truck, along with their other children. Riding down the road, he fell off and impaled himself on a fence pole. I think a lot of our troops believe they are helping. They want to help. How much more could we accomplish in these countries with kindness and education? It's so sad our troops are not only caught in the middle of flying bullets, but flying politics as well.

[frylock]

10. send your daughter in law ellsberg's book..

[Kimber Scott]

12. Thank you! I will.

nt

[bokanist]

5. Good for you, Floyd!

Great letter.

This smearing of veterans is shameless.

I remember years ago when I was a child my grandmother showed me the two Purple Hearts her son, my uncle, earned in the Battle of the Bulge -- the second from when he was killed. Those medals gave her pride and some bit of comfort. To see those Republicans wearing bandaids with Purple Hearts on them, laughing, for political gain, made me sick.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi bokanist!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[soundfury]

8. Why do you support the terrorists?

Is what they would say.

911 was a lie

[ThomWV]

9. I Served 3 Tours In Viet Nam

I served 3 tours in Viet Nam, '67-70, and I have a Bronze Star to show for it. I agree with every word you said. It is a disgrace to associate the Bush clan with our men and women in uniform, both past and present. You would be hard pressed to find a more ardent supporter of our military than I am and that alone is enough to cause me to detest Bush and the personal murderous crusade he has ordered our military to carry out. Bush must be defeated to preserve the honor of and to insure and safety of our country. I urge every veteran and person in reserve or on active duty to stand up and vote against George Bush in November. It is in your own best self interest and it is in the best interest of your country.