American Legion Declares War on Protestors -- Media Next?

[im10ashus]

American Legion Declares War on Protestors -- Media Next?

By E&P Staff

Published: August 24, 2005 4:20 PM ET

NEW YORK The American Legion, which has 2.7 million members, has declared war on antiwar protestors, and the media could be next. Speaking at its national convention in Honolulu, the group's national commander called for an end to all “public protests” and “media events” against the war, even though they are protected by the Bill of Rights.

"The American Legion will stand against anyone and any group that would demoralize our troops, or worse, endanger their lives by encouraging terrorists to continue their cowardly attacks against freedom-loving peoples," Thomas Cadmus, national commander, told delegates at the group's national convention in Honolulu.

The delegates voted to use whatever means necessary to "ensure the united backing of the American people to support our troops and the global war on terrorism."

In his speech, Cadmus declared: "It would be tragic if the freedoms our veterans fought so valiantly to protect would be used against their successors today as they battle terrorists bent on our destruction.”


cont'd.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001020671

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. Someone should ask them

WHAT exactly is it you intend to do? Shoot us?

[im10ashus]

2. That's what I was thinking.

They sound very threatenting. All I can say is:

"Bring it on."

[Bob3]

3. To quote the Clash:

"You have the right to free Speech as long as you’re not
Dumb enough to actually try it."

And Obviously the people running the American Legion have absolutely no sense of irony.

[Coventina]

4. American Legion declares war on the Constitution!

Coventina calls them traitors to America!!!

:mad:

Hey you old farts, come and get me!!!!

Man, I wish I had Matcom's "moon" smiley right now!

[im10ashus]

5. What do they think?

That we will back down? Check out their letter to Clinton. Talk about double-standards:

Dear Mr. President:
The American Legion, a wartime veterans organization of nearly three-million members, urges the immediate withdrawal of American troops participating in "Operation Allied Force.''

The National Executive Committee of The American Legion, meeting in Indianapolis today, adopted Resolution 44, titled "The American Legion's Statement on Yugoslavia.'' This resolution was debated and adopted unanimously.

Mr. President, the United States Armed Forces should never be committed to wartime operations unless the following conditions are fulfilled:


That there be a clear statement by the President of why it is in our vital national interests to be engaged in hostilities;

Guidelines be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy;

That there be support of the mission by the U.S. Congress and the American people; and

That it be made clear that U.S. Forces will be commanded only by U.S. officers whom we acknowledge are superior military leaders.
It is the opinion of The American Legion, which I am sure is shared by the majority of Americans, that three of the above listed conditions have not been met in the current joint operation with NATO ("Operation Allied Force'').

In no case should America commit its Armed Forces in the absence of clearly defined objectives agreed upon by the U.S. Congress in accordance with Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution of the United States.

Sincerely,
Harold L. "Butch'' Miller,
National Commander

http://billmon.org/archives/002107.html

[forintegrity]

7. So now I'm really confused

when was that letter written?

[im10ashus]

9. May 5, 1999. n/t

[Coexist]

18. I just emailed them a copy of their flip-flopping

and asked him how he liked his crow.

[im10ashus]

19. LMAO!

They are just a bunch of drunks. ANY excuse to pull their pants up around their chests and walk around all in a huff.

[Jara sang]

55. They are a bunch of alcoholics

Have you ever been to a VFW or an American Legion? It is one of the saddest sites on the planet. They just sit around with all their bitterness and hatred and spew their vitriol at each other. Pathetic indeed.

[im10ashus]

56. When I was but a wee lad, yes.

My grandfather belonged to a VFW and there was an American Legion right by our house. Frankly, both places smelled of booze, cigarettes and venom. I always cringed when my grandpa would be driving me home and say "let's stop at the VFW."

I thought, "great, because I haven't had my daily dose of piss and vinegar."

[Theres-a]

31. SNAP!

[im10ashus]

17. From their website:

Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion For God and Country

We associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

:wtf:

"to make right the master of might"

Sounds like a KKK mantra.

[Wind Dancer]

22. Scary website.

I have also emailed them with 1999 letter attached.

http://www.legion.org/

[TK421]

24. Maybe they plan on trampling the protesters to death with their walkers

:eyes:

[forintegrity]

6. Gee, I didn't realize the Legion was

nothing but a bunch of war-loving morons.

They just lost my respect.

Come and get me, too!

[txaslftist]

8. Only Republican wars, forintegrity.

They oppose Democratic ones.

[im10ashus]

12. They're so transparent.

I love how they state we should have "an exit strategy" before engaging in war. What a bunch of partisans.

[forintegrity]

14. Oh, I get it now

So does that mean that only Repukes fight in Repuke wars and Democrats fight in Democrats wars.

NOT!!!

What a crock!

[zbdent]

10. Will someone point out the protests at the military funerals?

Those aren't lefties protesting them . . .

[acmejack]

11. Screw them!

I just mailed my membership card back to them and told them I regretted that they had decided to spend my dues money on such crap. It amazes me that this is the most pressing action item they could come up with.

On edit: I joined for the cheap drinks & gambling, really!

[im10ashus]

13. WOW acmejack!

That's a commendable thing to do. Which war were you in? I was in the Army but never saw conflict.

[acmejack]

15. I never set foot on a war torn turf (he said thankfully)

Gunfire support doesn't count. We did get the SS Mayaguez back, though. The guys on the ground, they were the ones that took the risks & paid the penalties.

[im10ashus]

16. Still, your service was appreciated.

:patriot:

[Old and In the Way]

20. Someone should shine a little light on Cadmus.

What's the quid pro quo here? He's obviously a Republican hack, but what will he gain personally from this? I suspect that this will end up cleaving this organization, too. There are lots of Democrats who known a political hack when they see one.

[im10ashus]

21. Let's see what we can find. n/t

[TK421]

23. Try standing against me, assholes.....go ahead, just..try it!

What a bunch of fucking zombies!!!!!!:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[MissMillie]

25. Sounds like a DU Activist Corps Activity is called for

Why fight for freedom abroad only to take it away at home?

[im10ashus]

26. Good idea.

Should we ask Skinner?

[MissMillie]

36. consider him asked!

I'll send off an email right now.

[im10ashus]

49. You are incredible, MisMillie!

Thank you!

:yourock:

[wicket]

53. WOO HOO!

:thumbsup:

[im10ashus]

30. Look at what Wikipedia has to say.

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

The American Legion is an organization of veterans of the United States armed forces who served in wartime. The group boasts nearly 3 million members. In addition to organizing commemorative events and volunteer activities, the American Legion is active in US politics. Its primary political activity is lobbying for the interests of veterans, including support for veteran's benefits such as pensions and the VA hospital system; in addition, it promotes other causes such as support for a Flag Burning Amendment. The organization has also recently supported the Boy Scouts of America in their efforts to refuse membership to gays. In addition, the American Legion is a firm supporter of religion and anti-atheism and several members believe it to be unamerican to criticize the US government during any sort of conflict.

The state American Legions run an annual civic training event for high school juniors called Boys State. Two members from each Boys State are selected for Boys Nation. The American Legion Auxiliary runs Girls State and Girls Nation.

The first national convention of the American Legion was held from November 10-12, 1919 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to congressional testomony in the 1930s several of its leaders, including its original bankroller Irenee Du Pont, plotted a fascist coup against the Government of Franklin D. Roosevelt called the Business Plot. The coup was averted thanks to Smedley Butler, who warned Roosevelt of the plan.

At it's national convention in August of 2005 the American Legion voted to target peace activists and the antiwar movement by “whatever means necessary”. The Legion's commander Thomas Cadmus called for an end to all "public protests" against the war in Iraq. He went on to say “The American Legion will stand against anyone and any group that would demoralize our troops, or worse, endanger their lives by encouraging terrorists to continue their cowardly attacks against freedom-loving peoples.”

cont'd.

[cbear70]

37. I agree!!!

[Stirk]

27. Head of the American Legion making terrorist threats?

Aparently he hates us for us our freedoms.

[im10ashus]

29. He apparently has a problem with Freedom of Speech!

What's that about?

[deutsey]

28. I think Legionaires should be rounded up and quarantined

I mean, aren't they responsible for spreading Legionaires Disease? Public health menace, if you ask me.

:sarcasm:

[jonnyblitz]

32. seriously though, they have a history of far right activity

read a few historical books that deal with the rignt wing in America and you will see. they were very active during the McCarthy area with their redbaiting..

[im10ashus]

33. They do indeed.

A lot of them are white supremacists as well. I come from Indiana originally, and you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Legion hall or a KKK rally. It's disgusting.

[jonnyblitz]

34. yep. I am sure many decent members are unaware of this..

they send their dues in every year and don't pay much attention. that's how i was, at first, when I was in the VFW..

[im10ashus]

35. Did you serve too jonnyblitz?

I was Army. Never saw any action, thankfully.

[jonnyblitz]

40. 10 years navy. I was on the USS Missouri during Desert Storm

I was apolitical at the time. I didn't know the difference between leftwing/rightwing,etc...I became "political" shortly after Desert Storm...

even though you never saw action, you could have, so i dont think that makes any difference...:hi:

[im10ashus]

43. Thank you for your service!

:patriot:

I still have a nephew in the Army. He's heading back for his second tour of Iraq. Damn it all.

[jonnyblitz]

47. and thank you...though i don't feel i need to be thanked.

i wasn't in the military for any patriotic reason..

that must be so nerve racking having a family member over there. I can't even imagine. sigh. :(

[oasis]

38. I've seen a lot of those unsmiling, pot-bellied bastards skulking across

the Waikiki landscape.

I'm going to take a stroll down Kalakaua tonight in my Democratic Underground garb.

Freedom isn't free and neither are verbal smackdowns.:spank:

[im10ashus]

41. Rock on oasis!

Smack one for me!

:yourock:

[IrateCitizen]

42. They have been active in violent union-busting as well... (n/t)

[jonnyblitz]

50. they sure have, I have read about that.

:thumbsup:

[deutsey]

54. Oh, I know. I just wanted to apply some rightwing "logic" to them

for a change. :hi:

[wicket]

39. Check out this letter from American Legion to Clinton - hypocrisy alert!

http://billmon.org/archives/002107.html

Dear Mr. President:
The American Legion, a wartime veterans organization of nearly three-million members, urges the immediate withdrawal of American troops participating in "Operation Allied Force.''

The National Executive Committee of The American Legion, meeting in Indianapolis today, adopted Resolution 44, titled "The American Legion's Statement on Yugoslavia.'' This resolution was debated and adopted unanimously.

Mr. President, the United States Armed Forces should never be committed to wartime operations unless the following conditions are fulfilled:


That there be a clear statement by the President of why it is in our vital national interests to be engaged in hostilities;

Guidelines be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy;

That there be support of the mission by the U.S. Congress and the American people; and

That it be made clear that U.S. Forces will be commanded only by U.S. officers whom we acknowledge are superior military leaders.
It is the opinion of The American Legion, which I am sure is shared by the majority of Americans, that three of the above listed conditions have not been met in the current joint operation with NATO ("Operation Allied Force'').

In no case should America commit its Armed Forces in the absence of clearly defined objectives agreed upon by the U.S. Congress in accordance with Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution of the United States.

Sincerely,
Harold L. "Butch'' Miller,
National Commander

American Legion
Letter to President Clinton
May 5, 1999

[im10ashus]

44. Yes.

We posted that up-thread a little.

Isn't their hypocrisy something. Damn partisans.

[wicket]

46. OOPS!

Sorry, I had just read billmon's site when I clicked here and hadn't read all the comments yet, I shall go do that now :) My apologies.

[im10ashus]

48. No apologies necessary.

We are all on the same page here.

:hi:

[jonnyblitz]

51. very interesting! what HYPOCRITES.

:puke:

[Dr Fate]

52. D'OH!!! FLIP-FLOP!!!

n/t

[Corgigal]

45. endanger their lives ???

The only people capable of endangering soldiers lives is this administration. I think they need to read up a bit more on current events.

I knew this vet never gave a flip about them for a good reason.

[Ganja Ninja]

57. This is exactly how I remember the Vietnam war.

Same redneck assholes willing to send others to die because they can't bear to read the handwriting on the wall. This war is lost, GET OVER IT!

[im10ashus]

59. It's the same mentality as Vietnam, yes.

Let's see how far the chicken-hawks run when they bring back the draft. Iran is next on their agenda.

[BlueJac]

58. Declare war on this fools

[Fatima]

60. NOT ANOTHER DIME FROM ME. NOT ONE.

I am ashamed to say I used to belong to this outfit which is little more than a social and drinking club. F them. I have not renewed my membership nor will I ever. We did not serve only to tell other people not to use their rights.

THIS IS NOT WHAT WE SERVED FOR. SHAME ON THE LEGION!

[jonnyblitz]

61. ..

:thumbsup: :hi:

[im10ashus]

62. They have always had right-wing leanings.

It's a shame they have to attempt to silence our freedom of speech.

:hi: