VFW Endorses Illinois GOP Candidate Over Iraq War Veteran

[brooklynite]

CHICAGO (AP)--The Veterans of Foreign Wars' political action committee Friday endorsed a Republican congressional candidate with no military experience over a Democrat who lost her legs in combat in Iraq.

The endorsement of GOP state Sen. Peter Roskam over Tammy Duckworth angered some Illinois veterans, as well as national figures such as former Sen. Bob Kerrey, a veteran who lost a leg in Vietnam.

"They should be ashamed of themselves," he said. "They have some explaining to do to their members."

Duckworth is a former Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the Army who lost her legs when her aircraft was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Flanked by more than 20 veterans at a news conference, Duckworth said she was never contacted by the organization or asked to fill out a questionnaire, as typically happens when organizations are deciding which candidates to endorse.

http://www.amtddj.inlumen.com/bin/djstory?StoryId=CruRm0aebqLqWmdC5md

[Tempest]

1. Disgraceful

Hopefully VFW members will take out a full page ad denouncing the political action committee's decision.

[wholetruth00]

22. 'they a re almost as hypocritical as the RW gay bashers.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

23. Ding, ding, ding, ding..the John Birch wing of veterans' organizations.

Kinda like log cabin repubs. MKJ

[Zynx]

2. The VFW has become a Republican organ.

It's shameful.

[saigon68]

12. The guys who run the VFW are War Criminal Abettors

The VFW is a homophobic Repuke right wing hate organization.

They have the mentality of Hitler's Brown shirts


They Wave the amerikan flag like Rohm and his hoodlums waved the swastika.

THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THEIR THUGGERY

[Monkeyman]

3. Wake up and heads up here

The Vice Commander of The VFW there is a Republican who works for Roskam. The two of us went at when we where at Navy Pier for Veterans . He supports Bush 110 percent. Report him VFW is not a political Org. by laws do not let you become political. He is a puke being nice when I say that Mods would not like it if I said what I want to.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. The backlash will cometh.............stupid move, VFW.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

5. Attention FEC and IRS!

We have a Political Action Committee that seems to have escaped your notice...

I believe that this organization is posing as a veterans group to skirt campaign finance laws. They clearly do not represent actual veterans.

[Monkeyman]

7. Jeff no they are real old Marines with no minds

You cannot talk to these people. We where there talking about a veterans homeless shelter when they refused to let Tammy even talk to them. This guy is one hard corp Re[publican who does not care about veterans. They sit in the club bashing Democrats and do not believe the proof showed to them that DAV failed every Republican on veterans issues since 2004. Read for yourself the grades . Look under vote vet http://www.vawatchdog.org

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

16. That's all right...

A year or two playing "pick up the soap" in a federal prison is probably just the thing for them.

Don't get me wrong, here. Of the many reasons that I despise the Bush Administration (and it's a long list), perhaps the worst is their treatment of veterans. From slashing medical benefits to putting our current troops in harm's way for no damn good reason, this President should rot in hell.

That being said, any veteran who can't or won't see the light -- and who facilites the ongoing carnage in Iraq -- deserves to rot in hell alongside their Commander in Chief.

[jdadd]

6. Thats it for me....

I'm dropping out of both the Veterans of Foreign Whores and the American legion!

[mailman82]

8. VFW, American Legion

Quit them both years ago,they didn't treat Vietnam Vets well in the early seventy's. At least in my little place in Ohio!

[saigon68]

14. Yes they fucking treated us like SHIT and then they support Draft Dodgers

Like Bush and Cheney and put on purple bandaids to disrespect Kerry, a true war hero



THEY ARE SLIME.

Pat Peale is the woman in the photo wearing a "purple heart" band-aid, mocking John Kerry's war wounds. She's also mocking every soldier, sailor, airman or marine ever injured in battle, for whatever reason.

If you think she's just another mindless twit who happened to slap a joke on her chin on her way into the Republican National Convention, think again:

She's known Karl Rove since he was "a youngster."

She's fixed dinner for George W. Bush.

[wellst0nev0ter]

26. Support The Troops My Ass

They wanna know who spat on the Vietnam troops? It sure wasn't the hippies.

[tblue]

49. I really have not ever followed the VFW, didn't realize they were dyed in the wool Reublicans

Racist V-Effing-W bastards

[mitchum]

9. Damn, there goes the alcoholic endorsement

[OnionPatch]

18. LOL

Had to smile at that one. My father practically lived at the VFW for many years before his death. He was a WWII vet, a rabid right-winger and an extreme alcoholic. In the end, it was the guys at the VFW who "buried" him; He had alienated everyone else in his life. They threw his ashes in the canal behind the building!

[TexasLawyer]

10. Publicity

Look at how Tammy Duckworth's combat experience (and her opponent's lack of military background) have hit the press in just a few minutes.

Good job VFW!!!

http://news.google.com/nwshp?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wn&ncl=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/03/AR2006110301038.html

VFW Passes Over Veteran in Illinois
Washington Post, United States - 1 hour ago
By DON BABWIN. AP. CHICAGO -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars' political action committee Friday endorsed a Republican congressional ...

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VFW committee endorses congressional candidate, angering some vets
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Chicago Daily Herald (subscription), IL - 1 hour ago
By Eric Krol. Democratic congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth gave both legs in sacrifice to her country, but that apparently ...

VFW endorsement of congressional candidate angers some vets
Belleville News-Democrat, IL - 2 hours ago
AP. CHICAGO - Rejecting a Democratic veteran who lost her legs in Iraq in favor of a candidate with no military experience, the Veterans ...

Roskam Endorsed By Veterans Of Foreign Wars
CBS2 Chicago, IL - 2 hours ago
(CBS) CHICAGO Congressional candidate Peter Roskam picked up a key endorsement on Friday from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The ...

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By David Brody. CBNNews.com- Tammy Duckworth walks with a noticeable limp. You do that when you have two artificial legs. She lost ...

Veterans' group passes over wounded Iraq veteran in endorsing ...
International Herald Tribune, France - 53 minutes ago
AP. CHICAGO: The Veterans of Foreign Wars' political action committee Friday endorsed a Republican congressional candidate with no ...

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Guardian Unlimited, UK - 1 hour ago
From AP. By DON BABWIN. AP Writer. CHICAGO (AP) - The Veterans of Foreign Wars' political action committee Friday endorsed a Republican ...

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ABC News - 1 hour ago
By DON BABWIN. CHICAGO Nov 3, 2006 (AP)— The Veterans of Foreign Wars' political action committee Friday endorsed a Republican ...

VFW passes over veteran in Illinois
White Rock Reviewer, SD - 1 hour ago
By DON BABWIN, AP Writer 3 minutes ago. CHICAGO - The Veterans of Foreign Wars‘ political action committee Friday endorsed a Republican ...

VFW Passes Over Veteran in Illinois
Town Hall, DC - 1 hour ago
The Veterans of Foreign Wars' political action committee Friday endorsed a Republican congressional candidate with no military experience over a Democrat who ...

[mom cat]

19. Nice compilation!

[otohara]

11. Un fucking Believable Like Everything Else

in Bush's America.

This is a fucking nightmare!

[Megahurtz]

13. What's the Age Bracket of These Guys?

:shrug: I'm just wondering because for some warped reason a lot of the older Vets
(World War II for example) are Reaganites.

They are so brainwashed because they come from an entirely different era.
I see this all the time.
It's as if they are obedient Zombies in complete denial.

Shit!:banghead:

[Monkeyman]

15. No the action group is Gulf War 1

Not Combat troops back up

[OnionPatch]

17. What were you all expecting?

Some of the most rabid right-wingers I know hang out at the VFW. I always thought of it as the RVFW: Republican Veterans of Foreign Wars. :) Note the R comes first.

[Doctor_J]

20. VFW is a partisan propaganda outlet

as evidenced by this outrage.

[chaumont58]

21. I had an email run-in with the Georgia VFW, four years ago

I thought they were tilting against Max Cleland, and wrote them. They replied that by Georgia ;aw, they could not endorse either, but they thought they could do what was best for their people, I thought that was implying they supported Saxby Chambliss.
Max Cleland left an arm and two legs in VietNam. Saxby Chambliss couldn't be bothered to go. I wouldn't piss down the throat of a VFWer, if his stomach was on fire. The VFW can die with its secret.

[MODemocrat]

24. Republicans hate war veterans, and prove it every day

The republicans are, collectively, just a despicable bunch of asses. :+ :+ :+ :spank: :spank: :spank:

[farmboxer]

25. VFW Endorsed Allen in Virginia! They do not speak for all

vets. Endorsing Allen over Webb?! Webb saw combat, former marine and Navy Cross. No, they do not speak for the majority of Vets.

[City Lights]

27. I am sick over this.

Next time they try and sell me one of their poppies, I'm going to tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine.

[tabasco]

28. The VFW and Legion are being run by right-wing stooges.

They will damage their organizations just as much as GW Bush is damaging the Nation.

[tritsofme]

29. VFW snubs Duckworth, backs Roskam (Shameful)

Democratic congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth was severely injured serving her country in Iraq, but that apparently wasn’t what it takes for the national Veterans of Foreign Wars to endorse her.

Instead, the national VFW relied on the word of former Republican state Sen. Ray Soden of Wood Dale to back Republican Peter Roskam in the down-to-the-wire 6th Congressional District contest.

Roskam billed the endorsement as a “great boost” to his campaign in the final days but admitted he sat on the endorsement until a few days before Tuesday’s election to have “the biggest possible influence.”

World War II veteran Joe Buttice, a Wood Dale resident speaking for the national VFW’s political action committee, was unable to explain much about the endorsement other than to say Roskam “supports a strong defense for our country but also he took care of our local veterans at the same time.”

<SNIP>
http://www.dailyherald.com/story.asp?id=246579

This really is a disgusting display.

[LA lady]

30. Didn't the same thing happen in Virginia?

My ex lives in Chesapeake and he said his VFW endorsed Allen over Webb!

CRAZY!

[NOLADEM]

31. SHAMEFUL

Old age must really rot your brain.

"...also he took care of our local veterans at the same time.”

Really, Buttice, if that is your real name? HOW in the fuck did a Repuke help the local veterans? HOW!?
By closing vet hospitals? By asking soldiers to reimburse the government for their meals when they are injured? By sending your local reserves to Iraq three times in three years?

I am not sure what country or freedoms you fought for, but you disgust me by not standing by a fellow vet who is one of you and who is fighting for you.

Mr. Buttice, I fear that this Repuke has appealed to a more base instinct in your character, one you would never admit. Bloodlust and racism.

Mr Buttice, go fuck yourself.

[tblue]

32. Disgraceful and DUMB

[Riddler]

39. Roskam "took care of our local veterans at the same time.”

He probably provided them with the liquor to sit around on a Friday night and get boozed up. I remember years and years ago I asked my dad why he didn't join the VFW since he was a vet of WWII. He said he had enough of the war when he was fighting it to sit around and get drunk and reminisce about it with people he didn't care to be around. Ever since then, I've never given a tinker's damn about the VFW and their pro-war pro-right-wing jingoistic attitudes. This just shows that they're nothing but a bunch of bitter old men who think might is right, regardless of the circumstances.

[benddem]

33. they are getting

a nasty gram from me. I wouldn't join the VFW because so many guys who were on emergency leave or other leave from Vietnam tried to go to the VFW to have a beer and were treated badly. Then they didn't treat women vets as members. We had to be auxillary. That has changed...but this last insult is beyond belief.
I know Ray Snoden he is a jerk.

[DemoTex]

40. The VFW is getting a zinger from me, too.

I will peel their paint.

[Monkeyman]

34. Veterans For Progress has just backed Tammy

Other veterans from across the Country are doing the same. VFW is not allowed to endorse anyone due to the act of Congress that formed them. We are calling for their charter to be revoked. VFW has broke the code never leave a veteran behind.

[lumpy]

37. Good, their time is up. All they have been good for

is reminiscing their heroic exploits, flag etiquette, drinking like fish, and selling plastic poppies.

[Monkeyman]

35. One more thing has just happen

The Major from Veterans For America has put a hard hitting article out calling for the VFW and American Legions who endorsed against their charters to lose their charters now.

[Vinca]

36. Not backing Tammy is truly a shameful thing.

Maybe if she'd given an arm as well as both legs? The VFW disgusts me.

[NVMojo]

38. what the fuck is going on with these veterans groups? They want more

deaths to feel good about themselves?

[Monkeyman]

43. VFW is dying on the vine need new blood

[jaysunb]

41. 40 years ago, I declined to join

VFW, and they continue to justify that decision. :evilfrown:

[badgervan]

46. Despicable

Same here. The VFW continues to marginalize itself as a repub organization, while most enlisted vets become dems after they realize which party actually does the most to preserve veteran's benefits.

[MasonJar]

42. It is shameful that the VFW does not back a vet who lost her legs.

[lumpy]

44. The 'patriotic' members I have known in the past

glorify war, the highlight of their lives.

[IndianaGreen]

45. The VFW and American Legion are GOP-front organizations

The VFW and American Legion are GOP-front organizations just as the National Association of Evangelicals is a GOP-front.

Democrats are the ones that historically have protected and fought for veterans' benefits, while it is the GOP and Bush's regime that have cut benefits. Despite that, the VFW and the American Legion have supported Bush and GOP candidates.

Even more disgusting was to see John McCain endorse Roskam, a chicken hawk, over a war hero like Tammy Duckworth. Par for the course for a man that participated in the sliming of John Kerry and supported Bush's torture bill.

[rcdean]

47. Check out these pics of Captain Duckworth. Had to send her a few bucks.

Put together these pics from her site and an old WaPo article. They literally bring tears to my eyes.



Captain Duckworth is running for the retiring Henry Hyde's seat. She is genuinely on the verge of victory.

Please join me in helping this fine young lady kick some right wing ass (and send a message to the VFW in the process) !

The web address for contributions to Tammy Duckworth's campaign is: http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/

[against all enemies]

48. That's what happens to your brain after years of $2 beers.

Too stupid to think. keep supporting the Republicans and watch your VA benefits shrink. You deserve it.

[saigon68]

50. Happy Hour SHOTS 2 for the price of 1

A Bunch of drunken slobs who piss in their pants.