A-holes at Wendys

[Fed Up]

In Newburgh, NY, Kerry was in a Wendys with John Edwards, and Kerry went up to four marines having lunch and asked them a question, and they cut him off. Later they all said they support the commander in chief 100%, and that they oppose Kerry 100%, and didn't even want to be bothered by him, blah blah.
----
Someone told Mrs. Heinz that Newburgh is heavily Repuke, so I guess that's why.

(Washington Post) it's in Saturday's paper, no link.

I figured the right will play this up, but I couldn't get Drudge for some reason.

You'd think people would have common decency to acknowledge a presidential candidate, but I guess not. Assholes.

[rooboy]

1. If those marines want to support *, it's their funeral...literally. n/t

[bluestateguy]

2. Those Marines can have it their way

George W. Bush will show no compunction about sending them off to Iraq for a boldfaced lie, or into Iran, North Korea or who knows where else. If that's what they want, then, well, they can have it their way. It won't be my problem.

[punpirate]

9. Marine detachment at STAS Newburgh used to be...

... I believe, part of a military airlift group, but Stewart AFB has mostly been transferred to the state of NY.

As of now, any Marines in the area are likely Marine reservists assigned to a reserve refueling squadron servicing four KC-130s, which are not likely to be transferred to the Middle East, since the aircraft is nearly obsolete, as its speed makes it mostly suitable for refueling helicopters.

What one probably has here are a few reservists who are not likely to find themselves in the shit, making a little noise for the cameras and/or the reporters.

Think of them as just simple-minded people with Rush Limbaugh on all the time on the radio in the shop.

[GalleryGod]

46. Roger that, Punpirate! 100%

If these grunts were going anywhere near the shit in the near future they'd be wearing "Attends" under their greens.
Iraq is like 'Nam in 1970...just STAY ALIVE.

GG

[HarveyBriggs]

48. Pissed? Here's who to contact.

Marine Corps Public Affairs Offices
Division of Public Affairs - Community Relations Branch

CMC (PAC)
Headquarters Marine Corps
2 Navy Annex
Pentagon 4A532
Washington, DC 20380-1775

The phone number to overwhelm:

Telephone:
[phone]/1054

Ask them if this is the advance team for the military coup the Marines are planning.

Make it clear, you don't support soliers who attack Americans. By now, these boys (they certainly aren't men) should know who the enemy is.

Frankly, the jerks should be court martialed and given a dishonorable discharge.

John Kerry is not just running for President, he's a US Senator and decorated combat veteran, for crying out loud. Those facts alone ought to mean these rude soldiers should have given him more respect.

Harvey Briggs

[slor]

3. It will be played up but you know what?

It does not matter, Kerry is pulling a large minority of the military vote, last I saw it was in the mid forties. There was a time when the rethugs could count on 90+ of the military vote...those days are over.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

54. The Rethugs usually got 70% + of the Military vote.

Kerry cound get half!

[sushi]

4. When you're running for office

you have to go around meeting people, and you'd be very lucky not to run into very rude ones. I'm sure Bush will also experience it.

[prodigal_green]

5. Yep, it's called New York at convention time.

hee hee

[Dookus]

6. absolutely

it's one of the reasons I love politicians, even the ones I disagree with. It's an incredibly hard thing to do, putting yourself out there every day meeting friends and enemies. It must be exceptionally weird to meet people who thoroughly hate you for bizarre reasons.

[Racenut20]

11. No he won't

Shrub will never approach a stranger that is not set up for him. His mama told him to be afraid of strangers.

[AntiCoup2K4]

29. My theory about Junior and dissenters.

We know Junior's an idiot. We know, through his own admission, that he doesn't read papers, watch TV News, or have any other knowledge of what the hell goes on in the world - except for what is filtered through his criminal neocon cabinet. We know that so-called "free speech zones" are kept a safe distance from all of his public appearances. We have seen that White House "press conferences" have become scripted events where only a select few media whores are ever called on to ask the pResident a question - which he already has a prepared answer for.

Given all these facts, could it be possible that Junior, moron that he is, actually believes that most Americans support him, because he's never seen or heard anything to the contrary?

[Kat45]

44. I was saying the same thing to someone the other day.

[Spiffarino]

26. No he won't

Bush's appearances are all planned in advance to weed out dissenters. They put local operatives on the ground who know the territory and can spot any potentially "troublesome" individuals.

Case in point. Several months ago in Michigan there was a Bush rally at a college stadium. The tickets were free and openly available, so seven college Democrats decided to get some and go to the rally.

They made it through the turnstile and several layers of security. But, when they got to the last checkpoint, a couple of the college's Republicans recognized them, ran over and talked to a security guard, and they were escorted away without being given any reason.

Bush is the greatest coward who ever held our country's highest office. It is shameful.

[wickerwoman]

7. Not to defend them, but some people have a strong negative reaction

to publicity, particularly when it smells of being used.

I would never talk to a politician who came up to me in a restaurant. I would see it as using me for a photo op (especially since they were in military uniforms.)

How would you react if Bush came up to you in a Wendy's? Does that mean you lack common decency?

[Fed Up]

12. If Bush came up to me in Wendys I'd say hello at least.

In fact in 2000 Bush and Cheney walked right past me. There was a rally in my Repuke town, so I went to see a prez candidate and there was nothing to do that day anyhow. (They shook the hand of the guy standing in front of me.) No, I had no intention of voting for them, of course.

It's good these marines are serving their country but to act like that just seems kinda off the wall.

[JVS]

21. I agree

[MikeG]

8. Hope they get sent to Fallujah.

[Bronco69]

10. Kerry could have sent an aide to ask them if they

mind if he talks to them for a minute. That way if they said no, it would be over. They certainly are entitled to their opinion. As for me, if bush* came up to me in a Burger King and ask if he could speak to me I would ask him if he wants to taste my Whopper!

[Fed Up]

13. ur right. that could have defused it. n/t

[JI7]

16. no, i like that Kerry goes up himself, i'm sure this is not the first time

someone has refused to speak to him or have been bothered by him. i remember Kerry wanted to go to bob jones university also because he wanted to use it as a chance to talk about acceptance of different people (Kerry is catholic and they don't accept catholics). one of the things kerry always says is that he enjoys when republicans or those who don't support him and maybe don't even like him attend his events because he sees it as them having a chance to learn something. i remember they were booing him last week during an event but after it was over he was still waving to the fools with the bush signs and even shook some of their hands.

it was so funny because they probably expected him to act like an asshole like the guy they support but instead kerry was very kind and accepting of differences.

[NWHarkness]

14. "Support our troops"

But when Kerry attempted to greet these jerks, they treated him like shit.

I dare anyone to throw that "when they came home, people spit at them" bullshit at me now.

[Jai4WKC08]

39. That's about in the same league

As the veterans who hate all Democrats because a few of us spit on 'em when they came back from Vietnam.

At some point, you just have to realize there are assholes in every group and you can't judge all of the members by the actions of those idiot few.

[NWHarkness]

43. I didn't judge all veterans, I did nothing of the kind

But thanks for advising me on what I have to realize, Dad.

[Gman]

15. Common decency and the right wing

are not compatible.

[RhodaGrits]

17. Here's a much better story about the Newburgh stop from our local

paper -

http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2004/07/31/campaign.htm

'We won't let you down'
Kerry, Edwards make stop, promise

It's worth the read.

[mzmolly]

33. That was a much better *accounting* of the visit. Thanks for the article.

:hi:

[the Kelly Gang]

18. if they ever see action..lets hope they have someone like Kerry

with them..or would they rather George friggin coward Bush.

[WI_DEM]

19. Hmm, I wonder if Kerry got their names

when he becomes commander in chief maybe he can pay them a visit and lets see them cut him off again. :) obviously I'm kidding, but I couldn't help thinking about it.

[JohnKleeb]

34. nah Kerry ain't a vengeful type

He's a nice guy.

[JVS]

20. If Bush were to approach me at Wendy's, I'd tell him to fuck off

I think that most of the people here would do that too.

Sometimes you just want to eat your Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger in peace without some politician getting all up in your face. Is that too much to ask?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

22. Yep... I Always Run Into The President At Wendys....

NT%

[JVS]

24. Ok, never saw the Prez, but Rick Santorum goes to the...

King's Family Restaurant right by where I grew up for his campaigning. I'd definitely tell him to fuck off if he sidled up to the counter next to me while I'm drinking my coffee.

[JI7]

27. instead of telling him to fuck off how about trying to engage in a debate

ask how he can compare two human beings involved on consensual relationship to someone doing a dog. ask why doesn't he support laws that would make divorce harder since that would help "save" marriage. or anything else which would show what an asshole he is without actually having to call him one.

[JVS]

28. Because Rick doesn't play that way. Ok

If you ask a politician a hard question, they ignore it and go over to another table for their photo-op. So I'll just have to settle for the gratification of telling him to fuck off before he goes over to one of the tables nearby to talk to some old bluehairs

[JI7]

30. well, tell him to fuck off after asking the question

but i think rather than telling him to fuck off it would be better to ask him "how can you compare two adult human beings engaging in consensual sex to a person fucking a dog" ? , even if he walks off you would have showed what an asshole he is with the question alone.

[JVS]

31. Most of the people in the restaurant already know he's an asshole

The town is a Democratic area, but Santorum acts as though he's from here (his wife is from here) in order to have some Western Pennsylvania lower-middle/ working class street cred, or something like that. Of course since the town is heavily Catholic there are always a some people who support him based on being against abortion and socially conservative.

[foo_bar]

23. Newburgh's a sad place

Half the town is ghettoes, the other half Corrections Officers. That's what happens in an economic void in America: the cold civil war.

[Selwynn]

25. I bet they have no idea why they think what they think either.

I'd love it if someone would really be able to push them on why, because like so many bush voters, they wouldn't have a single good reason.

[Catt03]

32. My instant reaction is

to search them out, follow them with cameras and expose their backgounds.GRRRRRRRRRR

If there is a man or woman in the military who truly believes that John Kerry is not the more American, heroic, stable, intelligent, compassionate and caring about them, vs George Bush, then they can simply go to Iraq and stay there for all I care.

I am so sick of this ignorance from some of these "defenders of liberty" I could scream.

John Kerry does not feel that way but I do.

[Mr.Green93]

35. they will be dealt with

their careers are likely toast

[Carolina]

51. imagine too

how these ignorant "defenders of liberty" treat the Iraqis?

Their whole world is ignorance, hatred, destruction and death. And when sent overseas, they represent US. No wonder the world hates us.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

36. Washington Post article here.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28114-2004Jul30.html

[VOX]

52. So, when Kerry wins, it's nice to know that these three Marines will say..

"We support our commander in chief 100 percent."

And if they're upstanding, loyal Marines, they'll have to follow his orders, at the very least.

[Bullshot]

55. And if I were Kerry, I'd make those idiots clean toilets

with their tooth brushes in Iraq for the rest of their assignment.

[fujiyama]

37. It's bound to happen

You gotta have a thick skin to run for office.

Some people will love you. Others will hate you. That's politics.

[DrFunkenstein]

41. What If Bush Starting Talking To You?

I'm sure I'd give him a big hug and grab his ass.

[Mad_Dem_X]

38. That is appalling!

I still don't understand how *anyone* can still support W. Those marines could have at least said hello to Kerry. I agree with the poster who said that W wouldn't apporach someone unless they were handpicked. Seriously, when was the last time he went out "among the people." Christ, Clinton did that all the time during *his* presidency, and look how he was treated.

[elperromagico]

40. Aren't members of the military supposed to be non-partisan?

It's one thing to obey the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, but to snub the Democratic candidate and express your support for the Republican candidate? To say that you're 100% against the Democratic candidate, and 100% for the Republican candidate? That sounds like political partisanship to me.

What are these guys going to do if Kerry is their Commander-in-Chief come January? Disobey his orders?

[moondust]

45. Damn right.

CNN showed a clip of them. They were in uniform. Cordiality and simple respect were in order. The Marines have more than their share of dirt bags.

[mbee]

42. That's why Dems are fools to be so respectful of pugs because

most of them re-pay you with the height of rudeness.

[HarveyBriggs]

47. The three Marines don't have 3 Purple Hearts among them.

It's too bad, that "Bush Cowardice" is now rampant in the military. This is very depressing.

Kerry is a bona finde war hero, and for these homebound Marines to treat a war hero this way is an excellent example of the divisiveness that Bush has brought to this nation.

Harvey Briggs

[DemocratSinceBirth]

49. As A Gentleman And An American

I would shake Bush's hand and tell him his policies are bad for the country, have turned us into pariahs, and hope most of what I believe about him is not true....

[AngryLizard]

50. What if Kerry and Edwards walked into your restaurant?

I would probably have a heart attack. Either that, or be unable to stop saying "Oh, My GOD!" Over and over again. I'd like to think I'd have the nerve to go up to them and say something halfway intelligent, but I wouldn't count on it. I know I said something to Clinton when I met him, but I'm sure it was pretty inane, so I've blocked it out.

What can I say? I'm a fangirl.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

53. Military people are supposed to be NON PARTISAN in open!!!

These Marines need to be court marshalled for their actions!!!

[Bullshot]

56. What else can they listen to when on duty?

Armed Forces Radio only airs Limbaugh. There are no other viewpoints.