CNN and ABC Aghast Over Purple Heart...(mocking Kerry with bandages)

[RedEarth]

CNN reporters, and George Stephanopoulos on the limited distribution ABC News Now network, acted aghast Monday night over how some delegates wore band-aids displaying a heart shape in the color purple, meant to make light of John Kerry earning purple hearts in Vietnam for superficial wounds. Just before 9pm EDT, CNN's Candy Crowley confronted one woman: "This is a man who went and served his country. Do you feel as though you're making fun of him?" She reminded the delegate of those serving in Iraq and asked: "Is this defaming of them?" A couple of hours later, Dan Lothian identified the culprit who created the band-aids, Virginian Morton Blackwell who, he emphasized, "is not a veteran." In between, Stephanopoulos lectured a veteran about how John McCain has called the attacks on Kerry "‘dishonest and dishonorable.' Why do you think it's okay to wear a bandage like that?" Stephanopoulos couldn't believe anyone would doubt Kerry: "Do you really believe he didn't earn his medals or his purple hearts?" Peter Jennings turned to Newt Gingrich: "Did you squirm a little when you saw the guy wearing the purple heart?" Gingrich: "No. I think it's funny."

-- CNN. Back from an ad break at 8:55pm EDT, Wolf Blitzer went right to Candy Crowley on the floor with delegate. As she held up the woman's arm to show the purple heart on a band-aid, Crowley explained: "This is Donna Cain, she's a delegate from Oregon wearing a, as you can see, a band-aid with a purple heart on it which begs the question, we know this is about John Kerry. Any hesitation about putting this on?"

Cain said "none at all," leading Crowley to demand: "And where did you get it?" Cain simply said they were being handed out. Crowley wondered: "Well, what are they symbolic of to you? I mean is this, this is a man who went and served his country. Do you feel as though you're making fun of him." Cain rejected the idea, noting how Kerry made the Vietnam war more important than his own record.

Crowley next asked: "One of the things that the criticism of this is, that there are, you know, kids over in Iraq right now, some of them getting purple hearts. Is this defaming of them?"
Cain: "No it is not in any way defaming them, because I know people who have received purple hearts and I know that they're not boasting about their war record, they're proud of their serving their country and I mean I just met a woman who lost her husband yesterday in Iraq, and that's a whole entirely different mood."







http://www.mrc.org/cyberalerts/2004/cyb20040831am.asp#1

[Mara Steele]

1. un-fucking-believable!!

[Zorra]

45. Yes. This is a blatant mockery of every vet. These people support AWOL

Bu$h, yet question John Kerry's service without valid reason. John Kerry actually had the stones to volunteer for duty in a war zone. Bu$h ran. He is a deserter.

Republicans are second only to the Nazis for the dishonor of being the most disgusting, souless, hypocritical creatures that have ever walked this planet.

[Mara Steele]

49. It is heartbreaking to see this happening. <nt>

[Sequoia]

51. Right on, brother!

I think W secretly likes being compared to those WWII fiends. He and Ahnold both just delight in dictators.

[slojim240]

146. Shows the true colors of the opposition. BTW, did Newt serve?

Just wondering why he thought those band-aids were funny?

[GRLMGC]

185. Because

He's a total bastard. These delegates are total bastards. Can't people see this?

[MagickMuffin]

197. Check out this Link for GOP Chick-hawks

http://www.nhgazette.com/cgi-bin/NHGstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=CH_Gingrich,%20Newt


Rep. Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich (R-GA)

A virtuoso in the art of hypocrisy, the former Speaker of the House now claims the Vietnam War was a splendid idea, but at the time he opposed going himself. Newtie also speaks highly of morality, but as a serial adulterer he doesn’t want to get too close to it himself.

[President Jesus]

72. band-aid 'mastermind': Morton Blackwell campaign donations

hack.

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=VA&last=Blackwell&first=Morton

[Zorra]

166. Morton Blackwell runs fascist training and propaganda programs.

What a surprise.


Get the Knowledge You Need
to Win and Succeed

The Leadership Institute, founded in 1979 by Morton C. Blackwell, is the oldest and most-respected training organization for conservative leaders at the local, state and national levels. Over the years, more than 31,000 of today's conservative "movers and shakers" have turned to the Leadership Institute for their training needs.

You have the opportunity to get the same training as many of today's most recognized and respected conservative leaders:

United States Senator Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
Former Governor Jim Gilmore, Virginia
Congressman David McIntosh, Indiana
Congressman Mark Souder, Indiana
Congresswoman JoAnn Davis, Virginia
Congressman Joe Wilson, South Carolina
Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform
Ralph Reed, Former Executive Director, Christian Coalition
Rob Anders, Member of Parliament, Canada

If you don't think you get your money's worth, then we'll refund your tuition in full...no questions asked.

http://leadershipinstitute.org/02TRAINING/training.htm

Youth Leadership School

The "boot-camp of politics" shows conservative students how to launch a political career

http://leadershipinstitute.org/02TRAINING/012YLS/012YLS.cfm

In other words, he teaches people how to lie effectively.

[Puglover]

201. Why is it

that GOP men always look so pinched? This is the face of a man I would definately NOT want to leave a minor child with alone.

[llmart]

202. Do you really want an answer to that question??

Because they're all sexually repressed (and don't forget the women are pinch-faced too - just look at Laura.)

[booksenkatz]

2. Newtie! Have I got a web page for you!

http://www.thememoryhole.org/war/wounded/gallery.htm

You think that the band-aids are funny, wait until you take a gander at the knee-slappers on this page!
:mad:

[Rainbowreflect]

40. Damn them! I am so sickened by these people

I just want to scream. I am so angry I feel like I'm going to explode. I see the pictures of the young men that these pigs have sent to die or have their lives destroyed forever & I cannot believe they would stoop so low. No respect, no compassion, no heart.
I am a non violent person, but I don't know what I would do if I saw someone wearing one of those.

[Tsiyu]

78. Newt is a Pig

With apologies to hogs of the non-human ilk. There is no way he would want HIS personal history spewed all over. Why else did he step down as Speaker? Why is anyone asking HIS opinion, anyway?

His head looks like somebody played baseball with it when he was in the formative years. All wobbly and grotesque. Like the mask covering his lizard face doesn't quite fit....or the horns keep trying to poke out

[Trajan]

127. Newtie ....

Just another of an endless stream of GOP members who feel it is always better when someone else serves in the military, so they themselves can stay safe and secure enough to insult those who do serve in their stead ...

Fucking Chickenhawk ....

Despicable ...

[donkeyotay]

128. you can't get rid of the newtie

The evil f* slunk off rather than own up to his advanced case of hypocrisy, doesn't hold an elected office, but shows up in the OFFICE OF SPECIAL PLANS helping to plan the war!

[Tsiyu]

198. Yeah, what the hell is that all about?

Anyone who gets kicked out, loses an election or resigns in scandal is free to wander in and out of this White House, What the people think is irrelevant.
Newt should be in treatment, not making plans for the rest of us.

[wackywill]

102. I've had it

with these fucking ugly repugs. I have been calling for the peaceful division of the US into 2 or 3 seperate countries.....no more. I can't say more,

[RedEarth]

Hey Newt and the radical right like to mock these people too!!!!!!!!!!!

Read their stories here....

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2004/03/03_100.html

[SOS]

167. They mock Vietnam veterans -

the fellows in these photos are ignored.

[Zynx]

3. It's disgusting, shameful, and disrespectful to our military.

Everyone who wore that thing deserves a slow, horrible death.

[Renew Deal]

4. I called Morton at his hotel room last night.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=698053&mesg_id=698766

I think anyone can call him.

[sniffa]

68. do you wanna share his number?

and/or hoteL room?

[Renew Deal]

186. I mentioned where he was staying,

You have to find the number for the Helmsley at the address I mentioned.

[dennis4868]

5. Disgusting!

This what we are dealing with here people....

[kwolf68]

6. Choad

"and I know that they're not boasting about their war record"

Drive thru Virginia and you will see hundreds of license plates with Silver Star, Bronze Star and YES even Purple Heart on them. Generally I have the urge to thank that person for their service, but not that I know they are "boasting" I can just yell profane things at them and say they didn't earn it. GHOULS these people are as someone said last night.

[LiberalEconomist]

36. Is that behin choad? n/t

[northzax]

74. right, obviously, if the Purple Heart license plate

is not accompanied by a 'disabled' plate, the person didn't earn their purple heart!

hey, freepers! that was sarcasm!

[wackywill]

104. When I see these plates on cars in parking lots I leave a "thank you" note

under their windshield wiper.

[billybob537]

7. Coming from a veteran

this is hienous. Anyone wearing one of these deserves to be wounded.

[Nancy Waterman]

11. Note that they were given out at the GOP convention

Be sure this goes up at the vet boards. This could cause a major backlash. It is truly shameless and shows just how deranged they are.

[krkaufman]

26. Especially since they were created by someone who didn't serve. n/t

[calimary]

193. AND on the day when they'd plastered the inside of Madison Square

Garden with these pathetic signs reading "People of Compassion"! Who do they think they're kidding?

[Supersedeas]

76. IMPLICIT coordinated CONNECTION TO SWIFTIES

If the political smear looks like a coordinated effort lead by Republican Party officials, and it smell like something that Karl Rove has been rummaging through, then....

[lostnfound]

160. Can you ever imagine the Democrats doing the same thing?

They would have confronted an angry mob, I suspect..and lost every election ever after.

[Raster]

8. I would be willing to bet that NOT ONE American Vet, no matter

who he or she supports for President, finds this demeaning bullshit funny. It is an outright slam to every woman and man who has served or is serving now in the military. It is fine example of EXTREME BAD TASTE.

gee-dubya was and is a deserter. Put a band-aid on that. Assholes.

[JHB]

9. Is anyone surprised at Newt's response?

Peter Jennings turned to Newt Gingrich: "Did you squirm a little when you saw the guy wearing the purple heart?" Gingrich: "No. I think it's funny."

Of course, since the aptly-named Newt avoided military service like a pro, he's hardly an expert on the significance of having a PH.

Why is he even on? (rhetorical question, I don't really need to be told).

Newt is one of the most loathesome creatures ever to slither across the American political system. If there were any justice in the world, the only "service" he'd render for the rest of his life would be cleaning the toilets at an Antarctic research station.

[clydefrand]

16. Could we change that location from Antarctica to somewhere on the

EQUATOR..I want his ass to burn as he works...not to be cold.

[JHB]

20. There's a reason they call it frostBITE...

...in Antarctica, cold burns too.

[0007]

70. Newt is the most loathesome creature

ever to slither across the American political system, along with junior and his thugs.....these pricks gotta go down!!

[LuminousX]

122. Did Newt serve in a military branch?

[JHB]

206. No, he got college deferments, avoiding service n/y

[donkeyotay]

130. "the aptly-named Newt..."

Yes, isn't he a slimy creature that lives in damp places and hides under rocks?

[yellowcanine]

139. Hey! I resent that on behalf of one of my favorite animals the salamander

First of all thy are not slimy, they have moist skins but no slime. Second they live in damp places because they are amphibians. To do otherwise would be foolish, as Newtie would say. Third, ditto for hiding under rocks. No way of defending yourself, you either hide or get eaten. As for Newt bearing the same name, that is just an unfortunate coincidence.

[donkeyotay]

145. I newt! I newt that I'd offend somebody!

My deepest apologies to all amphibians everywhere.
:)

[lebkuchen]

162. That's what Lyndie England said about torturing Iraqis: it's funny

I think I see a little Lyndie in Newt.

These GOP folks are so goddamned frightening.

[Citizen Daryl]

184. You're probably right ...

... after all, between the two of them, I'm banking that she's the one with a penis.

[realFedUp]

10. Forgive them

They know not what they are doing....

[SaveElmer]

12. Screw Shitenopolous

His pandering to O'Neil on "This Week with George Shitenopolous" helped cause some of this. Traitorous little twerp.

[gratuitous]

13. Oh, NOW CNN and ABC are aghast?

What did they think was going to come from their spurious coverage of such scurrilous charges? We've gotten to this point ONLY because clueless assholes like George Stephanopoulos and Candy Crowley lent such credence to the Swift Boat liars. Tell a bunch of lies about events you weren't present for? Get a half hour untrammeled on CNN or ABC to spout off!

And now George and Candy have their respective panties in a bunch because the inevitable happened? I have an idea where the next purple heart band-aids should go.

[Carni]

22. They are only aghast because they know how much this will hurt bush

The bushbots would be dangerous if they had a half a brain...these band-aids were a VERY stupid move on the part of his goonie delegates and the whore media knows it.

The only people who are going to find the band aid situation funny are die hard bushies.

Normal voters of either party will find this appalling.

[flordehinojos]

31. What could possibly have gotten under Candy Trolley's skin.

She, along with Judy Woof-Woof, Leslie the wolf Blitzer, and others have stoked the fires against Kerry daily with their words in each one of their reporting and each one of their programs.

What has them aghast about a visual mocking of Kerry's purple heart that they have equally been a part of with their words in their reporting on the television, innocent little mediawhores that they are? I wonder if there is more that has gotten under their skin at the republican convention than the band aids with the purple hearts on them that they were so honorably being so indignant about last night. Why is Candy the Trolley pushing John Kerry's honorable service now?

1)Have the protesters that the mediawhores come face-to-face with in New York driven their message home to the mediawhores?

2)Have they realized that the majority of Americans loathe Bush?

3)Did Rudy Giuliani's speech (which from the two seconds that I listened to it on the Democracy Now! program) have such a nationalistic, possibly militaristic flavor to it that the mediawhores are beginning to see bush as the boogie man?

4)Are the mediawhores beginning to make the connections between the Bush Administration and the similarities of the rise to power by Hitler and his fascist regime in Germany?

5)I remember an interview back when Gingrich became the Speaker of the House in which he was asked what his favorite books were. He said "The Bible" and "Mien Kamp" (spelling?). That should have raised a red flag for any American listening. It didn't.

6)Are the mediawhores on board a ship they now realize it is headed in the wrong direction?

7)Do they realize that they have been drifting along, passengers in a SHIP OF FOOLS?

I can't buy the mediawhores aghastness. They have to be aghast about a whole lot much more for me to buy their sudden aghastness.

}(

[yardwork]

142. I think they are aghast that people might start blaming the media

People like Candy are good at stoking the fires in secret, but they get nervous when the trouble they cause breaks out into the open, as it did on the floor of the convention.

They're hypocrites and instigators. That's what our "free press" has become on TV.

[louis-t]

149. somebody probably already got this but...

it's "Mein Kampf". I have been keenly aware lately of the similarities. History Channel showing lots of WWII stuff. Boggles the mind.

It seems I have reached the 1,000 post milestone. Getting choked up.

[callous taoboy]

164. Congrats, louis-t....

hope to join you some day.

[The Stranger]

14. This is going to hurt them.

(Even) the sheeple don't like mean-spiritedness -- and it is here being exposed on a level that defies comprehension. But that is what the Republican Party is all about.

[librechik]

15. clueless amoral children playing games

Why don't people note that the only reason Kerry brought up Nam is because the Repukkkes accused us of being soft on defense. Kerry's voluntary service is the ultimate response to that lie.

They just can't take it when we're right--they warned us their weapon would be ridicule. Here it is.

Do they think they are immune from ridicule themselves? They can't take a joke AT ALL.

I think they should take that idiot who's leading them back to the village he came from!

[berry]

163. Thank you for saying that!

You said: "the only reason Kerry brought up Nam is because the Repukkkes accused us of being soft on defense"

I am sick of the pukes sneering that Kerry brags about his service as if he wasn't forced to highlight it to counter their constant refrain about Dems being "soft" on national defense! And I have never heard a Democratic spokesperson reply as you did (though I continued to hope). I suppose it's possible that normally Dems don't want to say this because they'd have to repeat the charge in order to defend against it.

It's interesting--the pukes claim that only they can protect America. If a Dem tries to claim such ability, he is accused of puffing himself up. One would think this would only work if nobody noticed the arrogant, strutting, self-advertising of *Bush. But it's all fleeting moments of spin. Labelling is the game. The cognitive dissonance is crazy-making!

[Carni]

17. Let these A-holes run with it

The Kerry campaign should BROADCAST loudly that these PIGS are doing this but they should NOT demand that they stop.

THIS is the kind of ill publicity for the GOP that we cannot beg, borrow, buy, or steal.

The more they are allowed to show their true character the more it benefits Kerry.

[dumpster_baby]

18. This could be a MAJOR faux pas!

Man, I hope the dems can somehow roll with this....

[skypilot]

19. You know what's good about this?

The Republican convention just started and already there is this scandalous behavior. Frankly, I hope it all goes downhill from here for them. They just COULDN'T WAIT to make asses of themselves.

[JI7]

21. Steph you fucking whore

you contributed to this shit .

[MidwestTransplant]

23. WE HAVE TO KEEP THIS STORY ALIVE

[mrbill]

25. fifteen minutes of fame for pat

just like the "moran"?

[Justitia]

24. I thought this was satire, they were "aghast"?

Hard to believe they didn't chuckle along with "the joke".

Yeah, Republicans really know how to "Support the Troops" don't they?

That chickenshit Newt and his gang of thieves wouldn't know jack shit about earning a Purple Heart, as they are both chicken-hearted and lily livered scum.

How any veteran can support this group that debases them and their service over, and over, and over again is beyond me completely.

I think the Republican party waves the flag, puts them on the lines, and then tells our military to go fuck themselves.

[DrDan]

27. I would be very upset about this except . . .

Most of the military continue to support these felons.

[GingerSnaps]

28. She needs the band aid to hold her false teeth in

Or to cover up her ugly republican face :puke:

[Justitia]

29. I think this would be an EXCELLENT time to hear from Gen Wes Clark

Get him in front of the cameras telling us what he thinks of the Republicans treatment of Purple Heart Vets.

How can John McCain (sellout) be in the same room with this scum?
He must not have a single bone of integrity in his body.

[DeepModem Mom]

33. And how about time for some AWOL aimed at the worthess coward Bush!

[indie_voter]

37. Yes, he should be out there front and center

Every cable news channel.

The dems have to speak out against this dishonorable behavior loudly.

[Rose Siding]

30. America, let me introduce you to the GOP

Kerry needs a headline grabbing, Spielburg/Twain/Lincoln/MLK quality response to this. Or else what good is a staff at all?!

[ezekiel333]

32. They better be more than aghast

It is so on.

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2286847&mesg_id=2286847>

Chickenhawk Morty Links: Send him a love note today.

<http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/01ABOUTUS/02MCBlackwell.htm>

<http://www.seekgod.ca/cnp.be.htm#blackwell>


~Gunny C

<http://floridapatriots.com/purpleheartbandaids.htm>

[indie_voter]

34. Dang.

Ooops, my bad. Thought this was an AP article, mocking the networks for taking this seriously.

[DeepModem Mom]

35. The media's giving credibility to the Swift Boat Liars made...

these miscreants think this would be all right. They are in bed with these people -- I hope they enjoy lying with them.

[Cocoa]

38. this is a right-wing media "watchdog"

I think the fact that they put this at #1 is a sign they're terrified of this story.

[ellie]

39. Yeah, I'm aghast too

I wonder what my repuke, ex-military brothers think about it. What a fucking disgrace! I'll remember it next time some freeper tells me I am being unpatriotic because I am not "supporting the troops." Whatever the fuck that means.

[Beetwasher]

41. Really? Then I Expect Them To Beat It To Death Ala Wellstone Memorial

When that happens, I'll believe they're aghast...

[donkeyotay]

132. talk is cheap

I'm with you. If they're really aghast they could make as big a deal out of this as they did over the Wellstone Memorial.

Holding breath now.

[Dawgs]

42. It's okay to attack a PH winner if...

they boast about there war record. Excuse me!! WTF is she talking about.

I really hope this bites them in the ass.

Crowley next asked: "One of the things that the criticism of this is, that there are, you know, kids over in Iraq right now, some of them getting purple hearts. Is this defaming of them?"
Cain: "No it is not in any way defaming them, because I know people who have received purple hearts and I know that they're not boasting about their war record, they're proud of their serving their country and I mean I just met a woman who lost her husband yesterday in Iraq, and that's a whole entirely different mood."

[AFSCME girl]

43. Kick!

These people are freaks! :mad:

[LibDemAlways]

44. Mocking war wounds while

coronating a team that has sent young Americans to die or suffer severe wounds in Afghanistan and Iraq is stupid and cruel beyond belief.

This is the face and mentality of the repuke party --- useless, clueless, brainless, arrogant assholes.

[saigon68]

47. THE BUSH CRIMINALS have no Shame

And neither does DRAFT DODGER CHENEY

[noiretextatique]

161. not to mention...neither awol george or heartless dick

served a single day in vietnam. more orwellian b.s. from these horrible people.

[Tommy_Douglas]

46. Honestly though...

Can any of us be surprised that shit stinks?

[carolinayellowdog]

48. Surprised the media whores don't say it smells like roses

and call it an "unidentified brown substance"

[donkeyotay]

133. LOL, Wouldn't surprise me if they did. n/t

[Rockholm]

50. Ah, Way to go, ASSHOLES

[Strawman]

52. Maybe Bush can wear one while doing his "looking for the WMD" comedy bit

"Some people call you the 'extra chromosome crowd.' I call you my base."

Just a big joke right? People don't really get hurt in wars do they? Isn't it just a TV show or a pro wrestling match between Bush and Saddam that we "won."

I don't recall delegates at the 1996 Democratic Convention holding Bob Dole pens and mocking his war injury.

[Mad_Dem_X]

131. W can wear one after he falls...

after choking on a pretzel.

[SOS]

169. Good idea!

Where can we get band-aids with a little picture of a pretzel on them?
Since the Republicans think injuries are so funny...

[Myrina]

53. Absolutely Sick

I cannot believe these bullies and small minded GOP asswads think shit like this is funny.

They are so shallow, so evil-spirited, so petty. Unfortunately, so is most of the rest of America. :(

America makes me nauseous today.

[bluedeminredstate]

54. I hope this becomes a "Pat Buchannan"

moment for the convention. He is still getting credit for fucking up the convention in '92 by exposing the nasty underbelly of the GOP and setting Daddy Bush on the road to defeat.
If people like McCain, Dole, Hagel, Bush, Sr., and other military guys stay silent about this it will be damaging to their personal integrity and terrible for the party. Who's got the balls to denounce this despicable display?

[PatriotGames]

55. These people act like Kerry is the only one who should be questioned on

his service. If they are digging into him, why not every other vet from the war? Most of them don't even know what it takes to get a PH. They think they just gave them out to everybody.

I am so pissed right now.

[yelladawg]

56. I am so pissed off

I am really pissed off.

Nam 70-71-72

[PatriotGames]

58. Thank you for your service. God bless you. n/t

[Pachamama]

64. I hope you and other Vets speak out to the media...write or call!

The country for which you fought needs to hear from you!

:hi:

[DeepModem Mom]

79. A daughter's friend's Dad -- a Nam vet, and a Republican...

has had a life-changing moment because of the Swift Boat ads. It's like his eyes were opened to these people, and the whole family is now supportive of Kerry. I hope this will open the eyes of more people.

I also thank you for your service.

[wackywill]

108. Thank you

for your service. I was US Army 72-75 but spent the entire hitch in the US, still thanking my lucky stars. I'm very afraid today that the next time I'm forced to take up arms it will be against other Americans.

[gasperc]

57. here's the letter I sent to NPR and crossfire

write your own or use mine, get to work folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I was very troubled and disturbed this morning to learn that many delegates at the GOP convention are wearing purple bandages with purple hearts on them. Nearly 7000 soldiers have been wounded in Iraq and over 1000 have died. This band-aid mocking the purple heart is the most appalling show of disrespect I have ever seen in my lifetime. How can anyone hold up a sign stating "We support our troops" while simultaneously mocking those soldiers that have been killed or wounded in Iraq? The soldiers in Iraq are brave simply by having the courage to be in Iraq. Dozens of attacks occur on a daily basis and more than two Americans, on average, are dying per day. Americans are coming home wounded or dead, and whether they got their arm blown off by an RPG or scratched by the shrapnel that killed their buddy, no American should mock their bravery or courage. Political expediency does not justify the mockery of our nation's soldiers. The ends do not justify the means. No weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq. No factories or labs that may have made WMDs have been found. No trucks or barrels which would need to number in the thousands(to equal the claim in Mr. Bush's SOTU speech) have been found buried someplace in Iraq and no evidence of where thousands of trucks or barrels are buried have been found, despite the inhumane torture of thousands of Iraqis. Our neighbors, our sons, our daughters, our friends, our souls are in Iraq. They are surviving in unbearable heat, they are being wounded and killed on a daily basis and they are fighting for the cause of democracy, or so we're told, in the Middle East. They were sent to forcibly topple the government of Saddam Hussein and recover and secure WMDs so that they do not get into the hands of terrorists. It has been over 18 months since the invasion, the old government has been dissolved, no WMD's have been recovered and yet our soldiers continue to fight and die in Iraq. These are very brave men, all of the wounded deserve a Purple Heart and to those that feel compelled to mock the medal, one question, Have you no shame?

Regards,
Gasper

[Pachamama]

59. I'm speechless & sickened...I want every American Soldier, Veteran &

citizen to see what these people think is so funny...Lets see if our soldiers, vets and citizens for whom these soldiers have fought, been maimed, injured, lost eyes, limbs & LIVES, would be laughing like that image of the Texas Dubya bitch pictured above!

:grr:

[saigon68]

61. She's cute in a " Lynndie " sort of way

Yikes

[Pachamama]

71. My thoughts exactly...

Hi Saigon 68! :hi:

I just finished writing a letter to the editor of my local paper about this....

:grr:

[saigon68]

175. You Go !!!!

Thanks :-)

[dqueue]

60. the culprit... Morton C. Blackwell

The article lists Morton Blackwell of Virginia as having created this disrespectful display. Seems he likes to contribute, and has been active with the Repubs a long time.

Of course, he blindly supports an AWOL deserter, and pokes fun of someone who actually served. Typical.

[Pachamama]

85. Anyone got pics of Morton & names of his local newspaper in Arlington,VA?

I think we should post his picture everywhere and bombard his local newspapers in protest...

:kick:

[dqueue]

87. Arlington...

Alrington is just outside DC, so most notably serviced by Washington Post and Washington Times. I'm sure there is a local Arlington rag; however, I don't know it off-the-top. I'll try to find out. Of course, I don't know how willing they'd be to do a "shame" story on a local nuthatch. Worth a try, though!

[peacemeal]

94. Link to local Arlington paper

http://www.sun-weekly.com/

Knowing the paper, though, they might be proud of him :-(.

[faithnotgreed]

100. hi peacemeal - welcome to du. thank you for your work for change

[Pachamama]

106. Thanks! I'll write to them anyway! And the WA Times & Post....

:grr:

Welcome by the way to the DU Peacemeal! :hi:

We love freethinking Newbies to join our party here on the DU! :toast:

So how long have you been lurking and thinking of joining? How did you find us? Did the sickening events in the media finally drive you like so many others of us to the light? :)

Thanks for the link....

[RedEarth]

134. Pachamama, when you write them you might want to include these pictures

at this link...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2290698

[peacemeal]

156. Thank you for the warm welcome!

I've been lurking for a while - I just didn't want my first post to be a big, long primal scream - I'll save that for my 3rd post ;-).

(And I did find my car's bumper sticker here: "If you're not completely appalled, then you haven't been paying attention" - thank you to whoever first posted that.)

[Pachamama]

192. How funny about the bumper sticker - that's my Father-in-laws favorite too

I'll be looking for your big, long primal scream..... :hi:

I'll join you!

:kick:

[loudsue]

138. Don't let this focus on ONE MAN...IT'S NOT JUST MORTON...

It's the whole phucking convention that is guilty of this!! Don't try to make it "one bad apple" Morton. It's not. It's the whole party!!

Don't let the repukes spin this to be "one bad apple". Let the whole party take the flak for this...they deserve the blame, not just morton.

:kick::kick::kick:

[AP]

62. Be sure to email these pictures to all your friends serving in Iraq.

[DemWitch]

63. Band-Aid action

This is the e-mail I sent to everyone on my mailing list. I would guess it's about 70/30 Kerry/Bush... I was infuriated over this band-aid bullshit, and I figure I'm one little guy with a big ass address book, maybe I can some of the repugs on the list to sit up and take notice...

Hey...

The RNC in NYC is handing out band-aids with a purple heart on it, mocking the injuries Senator Kerry recieved in Viet Nam. No matter what your polical views, it is a fact that Senator Kerry was injured and was in combat. For the RNC, to mock injuries by a war veteran is beyond contempt. What message is being sent to our men and women in harms way at this moment. Risk your life for our country, and 30 years from now, plan on being ridiculed for it, should you wish to serve in public office.

The RNC should be sent a loud and clear message that trashing the reputation of our veterans is not acceptable. They did it to Senator John McCain, they did it to Senator Max Cleland, who lost 3 limbs in combat in Viet Nam, the most dastardly thing being said by a Republican talkinghead was that he got drunk and fell on his grenade. Disgusting. And now they're doing it to Senator Kerry.

Good people can have dissagreements, but the callousness shown and the slime thrown by the Republican National Convention towards our Vets is unforgiveable. If you're for Bush, fine, I don't expect you to change your mind or vote, but I do hope that you'll hold the leadership of the Republican Party to a higher standard than they have been showing latey.

At the bottom was attached the pic of the woman with the band aid on her chin.

Like I said, I dunno if it'll do any good, but it's my tiny shot accross the bow of the RNC.

[callous taoboy]

165. Right on, bro!

[saigon68]

65. Nice set of false teeth on this piece of CRAP

[llmart]

203. What an ugly, wench.......

Let's plaster her ugly mugshot all over the web and newspapers, etc. so people can see what Republicans are really like. Oh,yeah, isn't she just sooooo compassionate?

BTW, how many chins does this fat broad have?????

[ignatius 2]

66. Don't forget to write your papers and senators about this. The way

the GOP uses this as a big joke is sickening and defames those whose blood and tears were shed in all the wars and the 6000 plus who are wounded in Iraq and the 974 soldiers who have died and will never even see their purple hearts but whose parents,spouses and children will revere them.

A soldier and a vet to the gop is cannon fodder only to be used for political power and personal wealth.

Do NOT LET RHIS GO AWAY. These people are grotesque, they cannot hide behind some group and lay blame, this is on the floor of THEIR convention.

[liberalcanuck]

67. I keep telling myself not to be surprised by the $hit these guys

pull and then they pull a stunt like this. Have you no sense of decency sir?

The gloves really need to come off. Running a classy campaign will only have us crying in November. I hope from here on in that Kerry's campaign responds much faster to things like the Swift Liars and stunts like this bandaid shit.

I'm joining the email brigade and spamming all these repuke outlets asap.

[TheDonkey]

69. if Crowlety is pissed then you know this is gonna backfire

what dumbasses for doing such an insulting thing.

Support the Troops huh?

[bloom]

73. "Gingrich: "No. I think it's funny".. yeah -.like Rush Limbaugh is "funny"

Hell of sense of humor - these people.

[ignatius 2]

84. What can we expect from a guy who serves divorce papers on

his wife who is in the hospiatl for cancer treatment? Haha,,she couldn't hide..ha,ha another one died

Barbarians!!!

[bahrbearian]

176. Stop slandering Barbarians , I take that personal.

[llmart]

204. Also, ole' Newtie thought........

sending children to orphanages was hilarious. What a royal class asshole!

[CBHagman]

75. What perfectly disgusting people.

What perfectly nasty, snotty, low, mean, vicious, sleazy, unpatriotic THINGS they are.

Do we want the likes of them running this country?

[West Coast Democrat]

77. Is this what Patriotism is all about?

[Gloria]

80. I saw the Crowley bit and this woman started off with : We have a

president who is SO BRAVE and strong.......something to that effect.

I nearly gagged.

[tblue37]

81. Tell Vetwife!

She will get on CNN or some other media outlet and fry them! Seriously, alert Vetwife.

(I can't do it myself. DU won't let me send PM because I don't have enough posts, and in fact I no longer can even find the link to "my account," so I wouldn't even have a place to send PM from.)

[Pachamama]

107. I'm on it...Vetwife is great....

:hi:

Pachamama and Vetwife will start with CNN very quickly...thanks...

[Ganja Ninja]

82. If this is how much the GOP appreciates combat wounded vets ...

imagine what they think of those that are killed in the line of duty.

This is outrageous. It's a mockery of every vet that has ever won a Purple Heart. If the GOP gets a pass on this then there is no honor left in this country.

Imagine you or your loved one being drafted to fight in a war run by these laughing hyenas!

[Name removed]

178. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Occulus]

83. my LTTE

"Support the Troops?"

The mean-spiritedness of the Republican party at its national level reached a shocking new low at their convention in New York recently when delegates were seen to be wearing purple heart band-aids- some right on their chins- on the convention floor.

(an example can be found at as of this writing.)

While out of one side of their mouths claiming slogans such as "support our troops", they are with this disgusting display of contempt openly denigrating all of those who volunteered (as Bush did not) to go to Vietnam, as well as our soldiers currently serving in Iraq.

This is not a new tactic for the Republicans; they also did much of the same to both Max Cleland and John McCain. Their hypocrisy is particularly stunning when one considers how important the Republican Party finds military service to be in a Presidential candidate, the fact that theirs cannot prove he served honorably notwithstanding.

I shouldn't be shocked. I should have expected this from them. However, to do this at all, especially "during a time of war" (to co-opt another of their slogans), when our young men and women are receiving the very same purple hearts as John Kerry did, ought to be beneath them.

I for one am saddened that it is not.

[WillyT]

86. Here Is The YAHOO Version, Vote It Up Folks !!!

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040831/ts_alt_afp/us_vote_republicans_040831153755

:kick:

[jefferson_dem]

88. The Rove Link!?

"The Democrats issued a statement blaming the send-up on longtime Republican activist Morton Blackwell, who has been associated with Karl Rove, the top political strategist for President George W. Bush (news - web sites)."


I like this! Not that we need a *direct* link because we know they are in the same sleazy cabal, but do we have one confirmed.

[dqueue]

117. History of Rove links...

New Yorker profile of Karl Rove
Bates College Youth Leadership School (check out the list of graduates)
Conservative Political Action Conference 2001 (where both Rove & Blackwell spoke)
OpEd piece by Christopher Manion (claims Rove was "ably trained by Morton Blackwell")
Mailing list archive for Senate Races of 2004 (search for Morton)

Lots of interesting links searching for "Morton Blackwell" "Karl Rove"...

[donkeyotay]

136. very interesting link dqueue

from http://www.bates.edu/x48219.xml

"Founded in 1979 by conservative activist Morton Blackwell, the organization uses quick-paced multimedia presentations and experienced instructors to share with students the organizational and campaign techniques necessary to effective leadership...

Famous graduates of the Youth Leadership School include Karl Rove, senior strategist to President George W. Bush; James S. Gilmore, former Republican National Committee chair and Virginia governor; Sen. Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky; and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist."

Fine job y'all have done.

[yardwork]

140. Youth Leadership School....where have I heard something like that

Oh yeah. The Nazi Youth.

[RedEarth]

143. yep, The American Bund "recreational camps" for American Nazi's

Youth Leadership School sounds similar, doesn't it.

The Bund soon began to hold rallies filled with swastikas, Nazi salutes and the singing of German songs. The Bund created recreational camps such as Camp Siegfried in New York and Camp Nordland in New Jersey. It also established Camp Hindenburg in Wisconsin and the group met frequently in Milwaukee and Chicago beer halls.

The Bund created an American version of the Hitler Youth that educated children in the German language, German history and Nazi philosophy. Although this organization tried to differentiate itself from the previously unsuccessful Friends of New Germany, the German Foreign Ministry commented that “In reality...they are the same people, with the same principles, and the same appearance

http://www.traces.org/americanbund.html

[DeepModem Mom]

141. What CANNOT be traced back to Rove???

Blackwell=Rove.

[Happy Eddie]

137. Rated 3.51 at 4:00 pm Eastern n/t

[davsand]

89. See the NEW GOP Veterans' Benefit Here:

That's right--soon this will be the ONLY thing the GOP will give YOU for your service and for putting your ass on the line for our country.

-----------

They don't want to fund VA's, they can't even make sure our troops have adequate protection or even food when they send them into battle, and THIS is how they honor the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

Compassionate Conservatives? I think not.


Laura

[AFSCME girl]

90. I'm kicking again, fellow DUer's.....

I'm SO PISSED I think my head is gonna explode! :nuke:

[EST]

105. I have avoided posting because there are no words

to adequately describe the revolting, insidious horror these mental pygmies are capable of, and my own limitless disgust and grief at the behavior of people who claim to be compassionate and moral. Damn them, please, forever and ever.

[74dodgedart]

91. Mocking the "Symbols" of our country...The SBVT's will be mad

Mocking the "symbols" of heroism..Isn't that what the new SBVT ad accuses Kerry of doing ?

[RivetJoint]

92. OMG I can NOT believe this

Never did I think they would stoop this low.

[noamnety]

93. Come on people, where's your sense of humor?

There's nothing funnier than putting your life on the line for a lie!

Next on the agenda for the convention - convincing the Abu Ghraib prisoners that they need to quit being so angry, and just learn to laugh at themselves occasionally. Um ... I guess the GOP already used that approach, actually.

Maybe we could mock people about to get executed? Oops, already been done by Bush.

I'm curious to see what's left for tonight's comedy relief. Perhaps genocide in Sudan?

[AFSCME girl]

115. Hi lwfern!

It's AFSCME girl from the Kerry Meetups :hi: Is this not unbelievable or what?! They think this is funny?! I'm so utterly speechless.....

[noamnety]

119. Hey there!

Fancy meeting you in a place like this! :hi:

It would be nice if they at least made a pretense of appreciating what others go through to defend their freedom while they are taking deferments.

[AFSCME girl]

120. Exactly!

The audacity of these twits is amazing. Most of the upper-echelon of this "administration" got out of going to Vietnam, but yet they mock a man that VOLUNTEERED.........
:hi:

[slojim240]

148. Oh, you mean like election 2000: "Just get over it" and "move on"

You are so right about mocking people getting ready to be executed, I had forgotten about that.

These heartless, lying bastards. How can anyone with a heart and mind support them?

[SoCalDem]

95. Of course the media does not see their complicity in this act of vulgarity

THEY set the stage by giving credence to all the bogus stories.. If they had been real reporters, they would have dug up information on the swifie liars BEFORE they gave them a minute of airtime..

CNN.ABC.MSRNC.FOX.NBC.CBS...all of them picked up this turdlet of misinformation and smeared it all over themselves.. They gleefully reported every little snarky comment.. they made media darlings of these swiftie liars..and NOW they are aghast about the logical outflow of the lies...

These are GOPers here, folks.. they do not think for themselves.. they are petty, vindictive,juvenile, and alarmingly vulgar people..They are emboldened by their "leaders" on the radio & tv..the ones who give them all these wonderful ideas.. They do what they are told..

They see "cute"...or "funny" , where most people see obnoxious vulgarity.. These are the same people who will blush and feign indignance over a four-letter word or a boobie, yet they see nothing wrong with spreading vicious lies and mocking wounded soldiers of every era...every war....

They disgust me...

[Isere]

174. You hit it out of the park here!

The media is complicit in the calamity we are experiencing. As each day wears on, I assign more and more of the blame to them. They whitewashed Bush's record during the 2000 primaries and nibbled Gore to death with their asinine jabs and sneers. When the Supreme Court selected Bush, the press just fell into step behind the Boy King. After 9-11 they anointed him with holy water, aided and abetted by a formerly professional journalist named Bob Woodward.

We are now living another of their fabricated nightmares in the form of the Swift Boat bullshit. They seem to love creating a stir and then reporting on it.

I have no respect whatsoever for this coterie of whores. Off with their heads!

[killbotfactory]

96. Teeheeeheee, soldiers is stupid, teeheehee

We can lie to their faces, send them off to bullshit wars again and again... and they just keep coming back for more... teeheehee

[devinsgram]

97. It's really starting to backfire and it will hurt them.

A young woman called in to Al Franken on Air America and she was in tears about this. Her husband received a Purple Heart and had other family members in the service. She was just beside herself.

This just goes to show the level of stupidity they have at that convention.

[LisaL]

123. Exactly.

John Kerry is not the only person who received the purple hearts, obviously.
There is war in Iraq going on right now. People are getting wounded, some loose their limbs. And republicans think it's funny to mock the wounded soldiers during their national convention?
Stupid is as stupid does.

[HereSince1628]

98. _Every_ evil minded tactic is in the repertoire of Karl Rove

If our candidate had been Wes Clark, it would have been the same issue with Kosovo thrown in as a condiment.

The message is plain enough, if you can't compete, then ridicule. It works for repukes every F'ing time.

They love things simple, they love authority, they see patriotism as good but have no idea what sacrifices it requires and how such sacrifice obliges those of us still at home.

If the band aids had a swastika or other offensive symbol on them (an elephant turd?), I fear many delegates would wear them without question.

[Mandate My Ass]

99. Maybe the amputees recovering at Walter Reed

should see these. I'm sure in their condition they could use a good belly laugh. :puke:

I nominate Morton and Pat to personally walk through the wards spreading GOP cheer by handing these out to the Iraq vets and their families.

[Keirsey]

101. C'mon, show some guts and resign over this disgraceful behavior

Above message directed to Colin Powell, General and former Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.

Aren't you embarrased by these chickenhaw chickenshits?

[msanthrope]

114. That's what I suggested to Mr. Blackwell--see below

[spanone]

103. America should be ashamed of these people

[msanthrope]

109. Get this--he heads a 501 (c)(3)

The Leadership Institute, a 501 (3)(c) is claiming that this fucktard is on vacation, and allowed to do what he wants. I called them and asked if he was conducting official business while in NYC on behalf of the Institute--and all I got was an ambivalent 'maybe'.

Might be time to request their financials, and file a complaint withthe IRS--this is definitely political activity.

Here is a post I cribbed from the Freeper Fucktards--BTW--thanks, morons,

"ACTION ALERT
Morton Blackwell, the delegate from Virginia who passed out the Purple Heart BandAids, is also the President of the Leadership Institute in Arlington, VA. The Institute is getting HAMMERED with negative calls about this witty protest against Kerry's inflated (fairy tale) war record. I just called them and at this point I was the ONLY positive comment.
My comment was, "Tell Morton Blackwell to put the Purple Heart BandAid back on. Then he should go tell Ed Gillespie to stick it!".

You can reach the Leadership Institute at [phone] or [phone]. You can email Morton Blackwell directly at [email protected]

And, just because the leftist openly Kerry campaigning media (CNN, etc) wants to distract from the message of the convention with this trumped up story about a bunch of silly freakin' bandaids doesn't mean that anyone - not any delegates nor that pipsqueak Ed Gillespie - should play their game and back down.

Now, where can I go to buy some Purple Heart bandaids? Maybe we should make our own and send them to CNN, the DNC, Terry McAulliffe, and John Kerry and tell them to stick it!"

[msanthrope]

113. This my email to this shithead----

Dear Mr. Blackwell--

When I first saw your band-aids, I thought, "Damn, I am really glad that gay people are staging their own protest on the convention floor." After all, you are from Virginia, and I am sure you have heard about Rep. Schrock and his outing. I thought "Gee, this guy's from Virginia and is supporting his gay congressman, how great!"

But then I saw CNN, and I realized that you weren't supporting gay rights, you were trying to make fun of a veteran who won a Purple Heart.

I'm sure that each and every single soldier sitting in Walter Reed Hospital got a real kick out of seeing your band-aids. They are a real knee-slapper. Do you think you could print them up really big, so that they could be used for burn victims, and amputees? That would be a great way to get your message across.

Stephanie S.

[calimary]

207. Here's what I just emailed him:

Understand you were the mastermind of the purple heart bandaid caper at the COP convention yesterday.
To: Morton Blackwell - re: those GREAT purple heart bandaids


WOW!!!! STELLAR job!!!!!

I commend your exquisite timing!!!! What a great idea!!!!!

I am so stoked that you engineered that campaign for yesterday (Tuesday 8/31) - the VERY SAME DAY that the inside of Madison Square Garden was plastered with posters proclaiming "PEOPLE OF COMPASSION"!

Absolutely CAPITAL timing, sir!

Now ALL of America knows what ungodly hypocrites you guys are.

Here's to your eventual redemption...

(signed)
A Democratic activist who deeply appreciates your making yourselves look so bad so we don't have to work so hard to point it out.

I also phoned that message in to the "Leadership Institute." As in "Leadership straight down the garden path."


By the way - the switchboard operator there offered to transfer me to Blackwell's voicemail so I could leave that message (after attempting, somewhat weakly, to disavow that their organization had anything to do with it). I accepted. Then, I found myself in a black hole for a few moments. I suspect perhaps they've been advised to take these calls and transfer them to no-man's-land to keep you on the line - either to trace them or to run up your phone bill. These ARE dirty trickster operatives, after all... Just a heads-up.

[yardwork]

144. I think we should report the 501(cc)(3) to the Solicitor General

It's clearly an illegal use of their not-for-profit status. They should get their status yanked and have to pay taxes like the rest of us.

[masshole]

110. Pic of Morty

Prune-faced prick.

[jmowreader]

111. This is the best thing that could ever happen to us!

Easy TV commercial to create:

Background music: any martial air.

Picture of delegate wearing a purple-heart bandage.

Picture of an Iraq war veteran with only one arm. (You can get pictures of people like this every day--just come to any store in Fayetteville and watch the aisles for an hour or so.)

Picture of delegate wearing a purple-heart bandage.

Picture of an Afghanistan veteran with only one leg.

Picture of delegate wearing a purple-heart bandage.

Picture of Max Cleland.

Picture of delegate wearing a purple-heart bandage.

Picture of a military funeral.

Last frame: a black screen with the words "Why do Republicans hate our brave veterans' sacrifice?"

[calimary]

210. Call it the "Bandaid Boobs" spot.

Because that's what they are.

[psychopomp]

112. dum6@5535

Sympathy for misled bushbots down to close to nil.

[tblue37]

116. Vetwife is ON THE JOB!

I chimpmailed her from Smirking chimp, and she is already out there kicking butt--she was on top of it long before she heard from me.

That woman is simply amazing. Thank goodness she is on our side!

[Rebellious Republican]

173. I second that emotion, she is a Vet's Mother Teresa!

:toast:

[soleft]

118. Maybe the bandaids will be the Pat Buchanan speech of this convention

[underpants]

124. The day I became a Democrat

Pat's speech in '92. I sat in Germany watching on AFN TV thinking "this isn't America" (Rev. Jackson echoed that later) and saw that they were drunk with power and misplaced priorities.

[auburngrad82]

121. This is the Republican version of burning the flag.

The same people would get livid if you burned an American flag. The will tell you they support our troops but they are the first to call Kerry a baby killer and to belittle all vets by belittling his medals.

[underpants]

125. My brother:"Low and cheap. My Gradfather earned a purple heart"

Without going into the long story about my grandfather-if my Goldwater brother sees how bad that is.....it's bad.

[calimary]

209. They don't burn the flag. They burn the PEOPLE who fight in the name

of that flag.

[llmart]

126. I'm speechless...

Now I truly can't believe that ANY veteran in his/her right mind would vote Repuglican. These people have stooped to new lows in my opinion. I want to cry at what they are doing to our country.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

129. There's the bottom of the barrel

and then there's these folks. This is an insult to everyone whoever placed themselves in harms way. They have no idea what it's like to be in the middle of 'the shit'.........unreal :(

[cthrumatrix]

171. spread the word...this is the work of Rove...they mock veterans

[calimary]

208. YES SPREAD THE WORD - we've GOT to get a campaign commercial

out of this!!! Now And Forevermore, AMEN!

[tomfodw]

135. I really don't understand...

...what these stupid Republican delegates think they're doing with these bandaids. I mean - okay, they want to dispute that Kerry deserved his Purple Hearts - by demeaning the very award they claim he didn't deserve? How in any possible universe does that make sense? Now, pictures of Kerry wearing purple heart bandaids would at least be in the right solar system.

Another thing I don't understand is why so many veterans and serving military support Bush. He's gotten them killed and wounded for no good reason, he's cut all kinds of support for military and veterans families, he himself is a draft-dodger and deserter (as is most of his administration) - are our military so blind that they line up behind the guy simply because he talks tough and postures like a poor man's action hero?

This should be the last straw for anyone short of a true believer wingnut, but given the way the press has been kissing Dubya's butt for 4 years, it'll probably be a non-story by about 8 p.m. tonight.

[LincolnMcGrath]

147. Kick for making me sick

[independentpiney]

150. Even without proving AWOL

Pukes have 2 draft dodgers on the ticket. The gloves need to come off, and soon.

[Rebellious Republican]

151. I thank god I do not have a purple heart in my collection.......

I am totally speechless, the only thing I can think of to say would not be very appropriate on these forums. It sounds something like "What a bunch of Forking Cork Suckers"!

[lebkuchen]

152. I just called my reps office,"Duke" Cunningham, and his aide was VERY rude

and dismissive of the event. In fact, he was very argumentative!!

I told him I couldn't believe that he would be argumentative with me over such a sensitive issue, considering that he knows I work on a military base that is the home of a division that is currently deployed to Iraq, and that the base has a hospital that takes in our injured.

Was Rep. Cunningham telling me that our injured don't deserve the Purple Heart? The aide said that the rep. was busy working on issues to help our soldiers and didn't have time for this discussion!

I asked him if Rep. Cunningham will denounce this behavior. The aide said only one person was involved. I said it was NOT one individual! It was at least two hundred delegates!

He argued with me for four minutes!! I finally had to say that I was shocked that he would go head to head with me over the GOP's mocking our soldiers during a time of war, that if anything, this should be behavior we would both agree to abhor! I ended it with "I'll let me co-workers know how the congressman feels. Have a good day!"


I cannot believe the aggressiveness of this party!! It is frightening!

[lebkuchen]

157. To test a theory about the GOP's aggression, I called "Buck" McKeon

my parents' representative, and that aide, too, was very aggressive and argumentative! She refused to say that McKeon would or should denounce such behavior and she dismissed it out of hand, not shocked at all despite my telling her that I'm overseas on a military base with troops deployed to Iraq!!

I know that service has really gone downhill in the U.S., but the GOP aides did not utter one word of shock or regret over this convention mockery of our injured troops.

I am so angry!

[PatGund]

170. It's Duke Cunningham....

Neither he or fellow San Diego soul-mate Duncan Hunter gives a rats ass about the men and women in the military, except when they want to wrap themselves in the flag.

[Mr_Spock]

182. I want this to be an image these fools are reminded of - over and over

again. This a Dubya saying "we must win this war" one day, "We can't win this war" the next, then "we will win this war" the next day. Keep showing us who you really are - bloodthirsty heartless mass murderers. No wonder people call this current batch of a-holes Nazi's!

[gatlingforme]

153. Yeah, the media are aghast> PAHLEASE, give me a break.

the media have been harboring the swift boat ads and saying free speech , yet they are so flabbergasted at this? :puffpiece:

[0rganism]

154. Tell them what you think of their antics

NB: THESE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN OUT FOR DAYS. THEY ARE NOW, AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

Republican National Convention Staff
All numbers follow the 212-356-xxxx scheme.
Selected numbers:
Keith Hensley, Asst to COO: 2051
COO's office: 2012 and 2013
Wes Foster, Dir of Administration: 2050
Bill Harris, CEO: 2030 Jan McBride, Asst to CEO: 2029

Karen Keller: Deputy CEO: 2024
Manning McPhillips, CEO's office 2023
COAVP Hotline: 2028 Lauren Kane,
CEO's office: 2038
Jim DiEleuterio, Bigshot consultant: 2019
David Norcross, Head of COA: 2017 (Outside offices at 202-772-5874, 609-278-2320)
Mark Acton, Deputy head of COA: 2016
Laura Person, Asst to Head of COA: 2053
Elizabeth Apisson, Lead Counsel: 2015

Kelly Ganzberger, Asst Dir of Logistics: 2109
COA Help Desk: 2111
Saleem Cheeks, Deputy Dir of Trans: 2137
Eric Terrell, Delegate Svcs: 2141
Denise Dick, Dir of Delegate Svcs: 2150
Hotels & Venues: 2151
Brooke Douglas, Media Housing: 2158
Laura Herrera, Asst. Dir of Venues: 2157

Mike Miller, Dir. of Operations: 2200
Gordon Pennoyer, Asst to Dir of Ops: 2201
Lawrence Smith, Asst to Dir of Ops: 2202
Jonna Turner, Deputy of Venue Ops: 2214
Frank Breeden, Dir of Entertainment: 2215
Mark Pfeifle, Dir of Communications: 2303
Lenny Alcivar, Main Spokesman: 2312
Rori Smith, Token Black spokesperson: 2330
Lynn Harrels, IBM consultant: 2353

Russ Schriefer, Dir of Messaging: 2377 (DC office 202-659-8714)
Brian Noyes, Dir of Caucus: 2415
Harold Blakely, Special Projects Dir: 2501
John Meyers, Dir of Special Events: 2503
Sergeant-at-Arms: 2559
Transportation Dept: 2600
CEO's office: 2027
Assistant to Lead Counsel: 2014
Chad Madden, COO's office: 2011

Delegate Svcs & Caucus: 2082-2097

[lebkuchen]

159. Hensley's number is voice mail...

I left a message of outrage.

"Karen Keller will not be checking her voice mail from now on." Fucking coward.

Jim DiEleuterio's number, repeatedly busy.

Lauren Kane, got her to answer. I told her who I was, that I worked on an army base in Germany, the division was deployed, couldn't believe what I was seeing on CNNI, that delegates were making a mockery of the Purple Heart. Would President Bush denounce this behavior?

Long pause...for 20 seconds, finally, I hear Lauren ask someone, "What time is it?" and then someone says, "You'd better hang up." And she did.

Mark Pfeifle, Dir of Communications: voice mail, so I left my message...gave my background and said that since Mark was the Communications Director, I hoped he would be communicating to President Bush my displeasure with the GOP delegates and to advise the president that making a mockery of the Purple Heart is an insult to our soldiers.

Lenny Alcivar, Main Spokesman: voice mail. I left a message, saying that since he was the Main Spokesman, I hoped he would speak to President Bush about denouncing the mocking behavior of our soldiers taking place on the convention floor.

[Rockholm]

155. My Emial to CNN...

Good Afternoon Carlos:
On the CNN home page, the comment "Compassionate Conservative is Back" referring to George W. Bush. How do you and those of you at CNN feel that Bush is compassionate? Is he compassionate towards gays and lesbians with this so called Marriage Amendment? IS he comapssionate towards women in his desire to ban all abortions via the US Constitution? Is he compassionate towards children when cutting funding to poor school districts in his "no child left behind." AND FINALLY, where is the compassion with the Republican delegates and their "Purple Heart" bandaids? I find thier actions repugnant. As an American, so should you and so should CNN.

[SKKY]

158. Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much...

...I say thank you because, if I were a member of the much coveted "undecided" vote, there's no way in hell I'd ever want my vote to be associated with these clowns. I believe they may have just handed us a good number of undecided votes. So, thank you very much.

[callous taoboy]

168. Too bad they weren't LSD laced...

Can you imagine the confusion on the floor when thousands of band-aid wearing morons start to come on? There'd be massive freaking out as it dawns on them like never before that their party SUCKS!

[highnooner]

172. It is crap like this....

That will eventually cost them the election. Vets are starting to get pissed off at these shenanegans.

[MisterP]

177. reminds me of the Ronald Reagan blotter paper from "Flirting With Danger"!

[callous taoboy]

181. Never heard of it. Please fill me in.

Reagan acid? Sounds scarey.

[MisterP]

183. Ben Stiller movie; Stiller's character goes around looking for his parents

they turn out to be unstable "ex"-weedheads. It's...curious.

[Norbert]

179. What more can I say. These people are f*cking ass holes.

Please Americans wake up and make this nightmare stop.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

180. Well, in fairness to the gal on the bottom, I think she was trying to use

it to hide her triple chins.

Didn't work.

[Tight_rope]

187. What a disgrace to American Veterans....It will certainly backfire!

[porkrind]

188. This is disgusting.

This should be an epiphany for any undecided or RW veterans. This shows perfectly who the republicans are: shameless haters. They will even turn their ravenous hatred on veterans and mainstream Americans, and then ask them for their vote.

[daleo]

189. Shameless haters - you have something there

At one time nobody would have dared to demonstrate this type of behavior publicly. But, the well has been progressively poisoned, and now people that have some truly twisted personality traits are not ashamed to show them, in a political context. Many may not even care about politics - it is just the arena through which hate can be exercised. I think these sorts would have been in the crowd of lynchings, pogroms, etc in the past.

[Cha]

190. Gingrich: "No. I think it's funny"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN HE SPELL BACKFIRE??!!

Course, he's already dead but this will reflect on the pukes.

Kinda surprised that the reporters are standing up to this, though!

[Cha]

191. It is only right that Kerry showcased his service record..

and the Generals who were there for him. We are Occuppying a Country for God's sake..

These jackels are so Jealous they can't see straight..and they are Dissing all the Soldiers not just Kerry!

They make No Logic!!

[savistocate]

195. Kerry "boasting"??!--unlike

the costumed "pilot" entrance into that performance in "Mission Accomplished" --to the world?

[Kimber Scott]

194. KEEP WEARING THEM - So we can tell who you REALLY are - you

fucking unpatriotic, chichen-hawk bastards. I wonder if any of YOUR kids are over in Iraq earning Purple Hearts right now. One of mine is! (My daughter-in-law and thank God she hasn't gotten a Purple Heart and I hope to God she never gets one.) Everyone of you mother-fuckers need to have some shrapnel shoved up your ass! Fucking bastards.

[ezekiel333]

205. YES!

Here are a few names of the guilty fucks:

<http://floridapatriots.com/purpleheartbandaids.htm>

[Sivafae]

196. despicable

funny, in my dictionary, despicable and desperate are not that far away from each other. Maybe, just maybe, this is a clue! (different Latin roots tho, for you word nerds out there)

[jean]

199. DUer Myrina said this could be trademark infringement so I called

the Johnson & Johnson Trademark department - they have about 300 lawyers on the job. Here is the thread describing what happened:

Purple Heart Bandages: the Trademark Dept at J&J took my info
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=703293&mesg_id=703293

[Norquist Nemesis]

200. One question

Is Crowley shilling for a job to replace Scotty as WH press spokesperson? :mad: