The VFW & American Legions Are Now RW Organizations.

[TheMastersNemesis]

Even though I am a Vietnam vet who actually served in Vietnam I am not a member of either organization. Too many vets hate Obama. Both organizations are GOP bastions and support conservative causes. They support the GOP who has been the party that has cut their benefits. Maybe a lot of Vietnam vets are still mad Johnson sent them to war.

As far as the demonstration in DC goes it is not certain how many protesters were actually vets. It looks like most of the mob were tea baggers. Though I am sure some vets are tea baggers.

I would never think of joining either organization these days because they no longer really support the needs of veterans.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. I'm also a VN vet & never joined either organization

because they always have been RW organizations.

I don't remember the details & a quick Google search didn't help, but in about 1969 or '70, a Madison, WI VFW post voted a resolution opposing the VN war, which got them tossed out of the national org. They reconstituted themselves as "Peace Post xxxx" (whatever the original Post # was). A lot of the members participated in the antiwar demonstrations of the era.

[legcramp]

2. Now?

eom

[atreides1]

3. I did join. Lifetime member

Remained a member at large for several years...decided to join a post and after only a few months went back to being a member at large!

Too many right wing, religious zealots for me to stomach!!!

[geek tragedy]

4. They've been rightwing orgs since at least the 70's. VFW especially nt

[hootinholler]

5. While I'm not eligible

I do agree that they are strongly RW in my experience. They always have been AFAIK.

I am however a life member of AMVETS, which I have found to be far less political.

[maxrandb]

6. "Eff" That!!!

I joined the VFW after serving 28.5 years of active duty. My solution is to smack down that crazy ass right-wing shit that some VFW members spew as soon as I hear it, and as forcefully as I can.

Fuck that surrender shit! It's damn past time that "sane" veterans reclaimed those organizations. Don't fucking hide from the fight and the idiocy of the tea-baggery....confront it and counter it. That's the solution.

[lpbk2713]

7. I served 1965 - 69

When I looked into joining some of the vets organizations several years ago they
all looked like RW jingoistic posers to me so I didn't want to have anything to do
with them. I haven't seen anything since that would make me change my mind.

[Comrade Grumpy]

8. The American Legion helped lynch Wobblies back in the day.

[woofless]

9. I keep my Legion membership current for one reason.

Discounts for Vets. Show the card at Lowe's for example, and it's worth 10%. Never been to the local Legion Hall. They wouldn't like me.

[MineralMan]

10. They have been for a long time.

[NuclearDem]

11. It's why I prefer IAVA.

[Brother Buzz]

12. American Legion for sure, but the VFW no so much in my neck of the woods

American Legion has been overrun with wackadoodle nuts while the VFW tends to be a little more pragmatic.