Answer from the Medal of Honor Society (re: Endorsement of Shrub)

[UTUSN]

This was fast.

From: Admin
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2004 8:38 AM
Subject: RE: CMoH Being Used for Partisan Politics

Dear Mr. ,

We have received the press release. The line near the end states clearly that they are endorsing Bush/Gore as individuals and not as representatives of the Society or as spokespeople of the Society. The Society remains non-partisan.

Sincerely,
Carol Cepregi
CMOHS
*************UNQUOTE***********

----------My response to Ms CEPREGI------
I understand that your Society is non-partisan, and I saw the disclaimer at the website. However, I disagree that it "clearly states" they are endorsing as individuals. Whether or not they are endorsing as individuals, they are trading on the decoration for purposes quite apart from what it represents for itself.

Also, while the website carries the disclaimer, the e-mail that went out to subcribers did NOT carry the disclaimer.

I realize you have no control over what individuals might do with their personal property, which their decorations are, but my point is that the decoration is being demeaned by using it for partisan purposes. It is likely that gathering medal holders from far and wide and across generations is an organized political activity by somebody somewhere.

But, thanks anyway, and lastly, it was "Bush/Cheney" not "Bush/Gore".


--------My initial e-mail----------
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 8:09 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: CMoH Being Used for Partisan Politics
I am an individual veteran speaking only for myself, not for any veterans’ organization or political party.

During the election crisis of 2000, a group of Medal of Honor recipients participated in a highly partisan media event, standing on a Republican stage, wearing their medals and, as I remember, their VFW or American Legion caps, endorsing candidate Bush. Now, the official Bush-Cheney website is carrying a letter of endorsement by some 20 MoH recipients.

(This recent e-letter can be found here: http://www.georgebush.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=2971 )


One of the rockbed principles that we are educated about from an early age in our country is that the military is NON-POLITICAL, belonging to ALL of us, like the flag and the country itself. While my own and any veteran’s rights to whatever political beliefs are beyond being questioned, I find it personally outrageous that military decorations and veterans’ organization’s emblems be used for partisan endorsements.

I am submitting this concern to the Congressional MoH Society, the CMoH Foundation for preservation of the significance of the Medal, and the Bush-Cheney website.

[SoCalDem]

1. Bush/Gore????

Is that an old memo, or are the ones supporting Bush:

1. Living in the past?
2. Too old to remember who is running?
3. The MOH winners with head wounds?

[UTUSN]

2. The Society's Answer: Non-caring

And the implication is that Carol is a Shrub Repuke, too.

[UTUSN]

3. Here's the Original DU Thread by VocanoJen

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2012581

There's still an answer to come from the CMoH Foundation, which is by snail mail. As for a response from the Shrub-CHEENEE campaign, I'll be expecting a knock at my door and ASSCRACK chopping my hands off (for starters).

[VolcanoJen]

4. Kick!

I hope a few of us can stay on top of this... thanks for your work, UTUSN!