American Legion accepts Kerry's apology

[JI7]

their letter is below. notice they also talk about things they hope he does such as expand the GI Bill. if they only knew that has always been one of Kerry's biggest issues. in fact his speech at the American Legion in 2004 talked about this and he got a lot of applause when he talked of benefits and helping the soldiers and veterans. the only time he didn't get a good response was when he started to become critical of the war in Iraq.




<Michigan American Legion State Commander Roger Webster echoes the national American Legion's acceptance of an apology by Sen. John Kerry for his remark suggesting that American troops in Iraq are uneducated.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Kerry issued a statement which said, "I personally apologize to any servicemember, family member or American who was offended" by comments he made about being "stuck in Iraq."

Webster shares the sentiments of National American Legion Commander Paul A. Morin who states, "On behalf of The American Legion, we accept the senator's apology for his intemperate remark." Webster notes the timing of the senator's apology is most appropriate as it comes on the eve of Veterans Day, a national holiday that he calls on all Michigan residents to celebrate. "It's the least we can do for veterans," he concludes.

Commander Morin further stated that, "We hope the senator will use this opportunity to join with his colleagues in both houses to pass a GI Bill that gives members of the National Guard and Reserves educational benefits equal to those received by their regular Army counterparts." Noting that Michigan has a significant deployment of Guard and Reserve troops in Iraq and elsewhere today, Webster repeats the call to improve today's GI Bill.

Morin explained, "Both are standing in Harm's Way and both deserve educational benefits sufficient to pay for a first class education in a decent college. To date the Congress has been unwilling to give guardsmen and reservists the same benefits given to other servicemembers and, compounding the error, the Congress has not seen fit to award any servicemember a level of benefits sufficient to pursue an education full time. It's time to correct this error.">

[beachmom]

1. Oh, isn't that special

I am highly turned off by the leaders of these organizations (VFW, too). Without getting the facts, they DEMAND an apology and trash the senator. Then he does what they want, and then they issue a laundry list of demands. No. grace. whatsoever.

[ProSense]

2. You nailed the key point:

"Without getting the facts, they DEMAND an apology...," not to mention including that wingnut statement about Kerry's 1971 testimony.

[_dynamicdems]

9. They never believed Senator Kerry was insulting veterans, but by

asking for an apology it gave them a platform. And notice how they used that platform when the senator apologized. A bit of blackmail in the mix there too. The people who give the most never get thanks, they just get demands for more.

[Democrafty]

3. This is a potential positive

because it's a pattern we keep seeing.

These are people who have been writing off JK, probably since the 70s. Thanks to his gaffe, now they're paying attention, wondering what he's going to do now.

Do we have nay doubts that JK is going to totally outclass these guys?

[Dr Ron]

4. Kerry's position?

Anyone know if Kerry has taken a position on this? If the Vets want to make this a litmus test for who supports the troops it might be a good time for Kerry to take a leadership position pushing for this. Let Republicans claim Kerry hates the troops based upon twisting comments. It won't mean anything compared to Kerry pushing the legislation they want.

This could be the perfect opportunity for Kerry to turn this into a positive.

[sandnsea]

5. S.2163

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)

I don't know if anybody else introduced similar legislation, but he sure has. What a bunch of pigs for either not knowing or pretending they didn't know, if they did.

[Dr Ron]

6. Thanks for the reference

I hope Kerry's office makes a big deal out of this.

[Dr Ron]

7. Post up at Liberal Values

http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=554

[kerrygoddess]

8. They are quick to forget JK's speech to them in '04

and all he has done for them. Also they don't get that the Congressional Republicans are the one's who didn't put through Kerry's bill - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4648 (the link to his speech is in the post with some other useful links)

Found a great an OP/ED last night too about a Vet who is working on a "two-year plan to earn an accelerated master’s degree in management on the weekends" who totally get's JK's point! http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4643