The American Legion does not support Democrats!

[ProSense]

And it didn't start with Kerry:

Tickets for the airport arrival were distributed by the governor's office and members of Utah's congressional delegation to counter anti-war demonstrations attracting attention elsewhere in the city. The airport crowd was lit with flood lights and given signs that said "Utah Loves President Bush," generating a campaign rally atmosphere.

But not everyone in this conservative state supports the president. Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, a Democrat, led thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators on a march through the city Wednesday. He called Bush a "dishonest, warmongering, human-rights-violating president."

Anderson's protest created waves at the pro-Bush American Legion, which refused to extend the customary invitation to the host city's mayor to deliver the welcoming address. No anti-war speakers or nationally prominent Democrats were scheduled to speak at the Legion's convention, which attracted at least 12,000 veterans. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressed the group earlier this week.

Bush also planned to talk about Iran, which faces a Thursday deadline to freeze uranium enrichment or face sanctions by the U.N. Security Council.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-08-30-bush-war_x.htm?csp=34

The leader sounds like a wingnut:

American Legion to Sen. Kerry: Apologize Now

INDIANAPOLIS, October 31, 2006 - The National Commander of The American Legion called on Sen. John Kerry to apologize for suggesting that American troops in Iraq are uneducated.

“As a constituent of Senator Kerry’s I am disappointed. As leader of The American Legion, I am outraged,” said National Commander Paul A. Morin. “A generation ago, Sen. Kerry slandered his comrades in Vietnam by saying that they were rapists and murderers. It wasn’t true then and his warped view of today’s heroes isn’t true now.”

While addressing a group of college students at a campaign rally in Pasadena, CA., Monday, Kerry suggested that they receive an education or “if you don’t, you’ll get stuck in Iraq.”

“While The American Legion shares the senator’s appreciation for education, the troops in Iraq represent the most sophisticated, technologically superior military that the world has ever seen,” Morin said. “I think there is a thing or two that they could teach most college professors and campus elitists about the way the world works.

“And while we are on the topic of education, why doesn’t the senator and his comrades in Congress improve the GI Bill so all of today’s military members – reserves and guard included – can achieve the educational aspirations that the senator so highly values?” Morin said. “The senator’s false and outrageous attack was over-the-top and he should apologize now.”

The 2.7-million member American Legion, www.legion.org, is the nation’s largest veterans organization.

[Erika]

1. The American Legion is a dinosaur

Too bad they've chosen to applaud chicken hawks rather than actual military men. They want to play for the attention of those in power, rather than those who speak the truth. They like power.

[Bullshot]

10. About all the Legion posts in my area are more worried about

beer sales and tip book sales. Until election time. Then, it's time to support our beloved chickenhawk administration.

[DURHAM D]

2. I wonder what the member's average age is ? 82 n/t

[Old and In the Way]

3. Gee, not too political.

Just like the VFW supporting a non-vet Republican over Duckworth, the double amputee pilot in Iraq. It truly disgusts me that these idiots don't understand who supports the troops. The Republicans have been shorting veterans every step of the way. I want to know what Paul Morin's stake is in his political attack on Kerry and the Democrats? Or are they just terminally stupid?

[sandnsea]

4. Improve the GI Bill? Excuse me??

S.2163 : A bill to amend titles 10 and 38 of the United States Code, to increase and index educational benefits for veterans under the Montgomery GI bill to ensure adequate and equitable benefits for active duty members and members of the selected Reserve, and to include certain servicemembers previously excluded from such benefits.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 12/21/2005) Cosponsors (None)

S.460 : A bill to expand and enhance benefits for members of the Armed Forces and their families, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 2/18/2005) Cosponsors (None)

S.2449 : A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to reduce the age for receipt of military retired pay for nonregular service from 60 years of age to 55 years of age.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 3/16/2006) Cosponsors (7)

S.3691 : A bill to amend the Small Business Act, to reform and reauthorize the National Veterans Business Development Corporation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 7/19/2006) Cosponsors (3)

[ProSense]

5. Upside down!

These people are being influenced by the RW. Strangely, the release goes from spewing RW BS to asking for the Senator to do what he has always done. Yet these hacks throw their support behind the party that screws them daily!

[JI7]

13. notice they say Congress has done nothing on this

well who the fuck has been in control of Congress all this time. are they really that stupid they can't see it or just being jerks.

[The Magistrate]

6. The American Legion, Ma'am

Began as a bunch of Union-busting goons in the twenties, and remains true to its roots....

[JI7]

12. didn't know that

but certainly explains their actions.

[kerrygoddess]

7. They Accepted his Apology & JK spoke at their National Convention in '04 &

FYI, they already accepted his apology - http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=75539


And JK spoke at their convention in '04 -

Senator John F. Kerry delivered the following remarks at the American Legion national convention in Nashiville, Tenn., September 1, 2004.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52746-2004Sep1.html

[ProSense]

8. That's fine and that's how it should be, but

Morin politicized this and his comments proved that. The leadership's actions of late clearly show they are not above politics! Armed with the facts, he should have understood that Senator Kerry, one of the strongest advocates for troops and their families, would never disparage the troops!

[kerrygoddess]

11. I posted a response to the American Legion and noted

Kerry's work for Veteran's including the Education Act - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4648

[Katzenjammer]

9. It's NEVER been anything but a fascist organization.

Read what Smedley Butler had to say about it. He was NOT complimentary.