OK,Vets et al.. what does the American Legion have to do with Defense of Marriage Act?

[w8liftinglady]

My Paper...
http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2011/02/28/opinion/doc4d69e80f3e945357224082.txt

To the Editor,

It has been widely reported that the president has directed the Department of Justice to cease defending in court the Defense of Marriage Act, which was passed by overwhelming majorities in both houses of Congress and signed by President Clinton.

The announcement disturbs the American Legion for at least two reasons:

1. The American Legion supports by resolution the proposition that “marriage is inscribed in human nature and centered on the voluntary union of a man and a woman in a lifelong covenant …” and we “oppose all efforts to undermine, alter or otherwise corrupt the institution of marriage …”

2. Also, the American Legion believes in the “separation of powers” prescribed by our Constitution. Hence, the president should not have the constitutional power to declare a law “unconstitutional” and then proceed to ignore it. We understand that it is not without precedent for a president to be disinclined to enforce or defend laws he finds unpalatable and the courts have found that he can do just that under the “rational basis” standard. However, such action clearly contradicts the intent of Congress, which passed DOMA by overwhelming majorities, and it is inconsistent with the powers granted to him by the U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 3, which states: “ shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed …”

Therefore, on behalf of the 2.4 million wartime veterans comprising the American Legion, I respectfully request that the Congress, as a whole and individually, use all means at its disposal to ensure both enforcement and defense of the Defense of Marriage Act, up to and including appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court for a ruling on its constitutionality in whole and in part.

Jimmie L. Foster

National Commander

American Legion

[The Magistrate]

1. That Group, Ma'am, Started Up As A Union-Busting Outfit After World War One

It has always been more devoted to reactionary right politics than veterans' affairs....

[mod mom]

4. Exactly right! They were funded to take down workers & FDR

Butler is General Smedley Butler-a true American hero!


1933
On July 1, 1933, Butler met with MacGuire and Doyle for the first time. Gerald C. MacGuire was a $100 a week bond salesman for Murphy & Company,<25><26> and member of the Connecticut American Legion.<27><28> Bill Doyle was commander of the Massachusetts American Legion.<29> Butler stated he was asked to run for National Commander of the American Legion.<30>

On July 3 or 4, Butler held a second meeting with MacGuire and Doyle. He stated they offered to get hundreds of supporters at the American Legion convention to ask for a speech.<31> MacGuire left a typewritten speech with Butler that they proposed he read at the convention "It urged the American Legion convention to adopt a resolution calling for the United States to return to the gold standard, so that when veterans were paid the bonus promised to them, the money they received would not be worthless paper."<13> The inclusion of this demand further increased Butler's suspicion.

Around August 1 MacGuire visited Butler alone. Butler stated that MacGuire told him Col. Murphy underwrote the formation of the American Legion in New York, and Butler told MacGuire that the American Legion was "nothing but a strike breaking outfit."<32> Butler never saw Doyle again.

-snip

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

[w8liftinglady]

5. Whoa! which would explain the reaction...

from a neighbor who belonged to UAW... and is a member of AL.

He blasted union for "forcing me to belong"..
and yet,has retired comfortably thanks to their hatred of their employees.

[The Magistrate]

9. People Like That, Ma'am, Are The Real Problem Here

Without them, the Republicans would not net twelve percent of the vote in any election....

[Glorfindel]

2. Nothing at all

I'm not a joiner, but even if I were, I'd never have anything to do with the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

[Bigmack]

3. Guy asked me to join the VFW...

I told him too much RW politics and nothing for the vets who need help. When I told him the VA says that 1/4 of our homeless are veterans, he wouldn't believe me.

[arbusto_baboso]

8. Thank You! Glad I'm not the only one.

For years now, the VFW and Legion have been totally useless to veterans.

[gratuitous]

6. Because Commander Jimmie says so

And facts? Pssssh! You can use "facts" to prove anything that's even remotely true. Far better to just wing a few well-worn phrases around, and pretend you've made your argument. That's the American way!

[UTUSN]

7. What does it have to do with it? Wingnuttery, blind religio-fanaticism, fear, hate n/t

[Historic NY]

10. The bar called.........they want us to defend something....