Americablog nails the American Legion for its hypocrisy

[Bleacher Creature]

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2007/02/american-legion-silent-on-abuse-of.html

American Legion silent on new reports of abuse of America's veterans
by John in DC · 2/20/2007 12:05:00 PM ET

The American Legion's Web site home page is very telling for what it doesn't say.

The most prominent thing on the Web site is a statement castigating Democratic House leaders for expressing disapproval of Bush's new "surge" plan for Iraq. And I quote:

“Congress can talk all it wants to about how it supports the troops. But its actions set the table. The message they sent today to the frontline is that America is preparing to cut and run. We essentially told our fighting men and women that ‘we have taken step one in the plan to cut reinforcements, to cut armaments, and to withdraw any support you need to complete your mission.’"

Tough talk about supporting the troops. So you'd expect the American Legion to have something to say about the fact that 600,000 veteran disability claims are backlogged and going nowhere at Walter Reed. And about the fact that our troops are routinely treated like dogs while living at Walter Reed and after they're discharged. Or about the fact that the top guy at Walter Reed in charge of helping funnel private donations to help our troops is now being investigated for wrongdoing. You'd really expect that the American Legion home page might have something to say about this gross injustice to America's war veterans.

[cal04]

1. more at Americablog

These people need to be called out by Murtha and the rest of the Dems

Walter Reed statement: Washington Post article is a lie

We've just received a copy of a letter sent by the general running Walter Reed to the entire staf. He needs to be fired, now.

Bush to injured Iraq vets at Walter Reed: Don't talk to us about it

Outrageous. Just when you thought the Walter Reed veterans abuse scandal can't get any worse, it does. Today the Bush Administration disavowed any responsibility for what's happening to wounded soldiers at the army hospital, which is basically a straight shot up 16th Street from the White House.

more
http://americablog.blogspot.com/

[sarge43]

2. So much for being Commander-in-Chief

Just when I think I can't loathe them any more .... they never disappoint.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. isn't that the case? I keep on thinking this is the worst, until

and then, I am shocked even more.

that means i am really stupid and gullible. I hate that.

[zbdent]

3. Aren't these the guys who threatened to beat up all those "protestors"

at military funerals?

Did they ever "confront" the "God Hates F*gs" crowd yet?

[htuttle]

4. No, those were bikers

The American Legion did get it's start many years ago beating up union strikers, though. Before Pearl Harbor, they used to proudly call themselves "America's Blackshirts" and compare themselves to the Italian Fasciti.

[MH1]

5. k&r

[Elwood P Dowd]

7. I left the American Legion in 1973

Nothing but a bunch of fucking old drunks who worshiped Nixon, George Wallace (my governor, sad to say), and Joe McCarthy. They treated us Vietnam-era vets like crap. Think Archie Bunker.

[Kolesar]

12. Any comment on the VFW?

I really don't know. I was a preteenager then.

[hvn_nbr_2]

8. American Legion priorities: 1. More wars. 2,3,4.... Last: Veterans.

The American Legion doesn't give a crap for veterans. All they care about is waging more war, more war, more war.

Edited to add:
And I might add: I'm a veteran. I've been getting mailings from the Legion and also the VFW for 30+ years inviting me to join. I've never done anything with them but throw them in the trash.

[mitchum]

9. C'mon, cut those drunks a break!

[walldude]

10. Funny how the "message" plays out depending on

how much of a partisan hack loser you are.

"The message they sent today to the frontline is that America is preparing to cut and run. We essentially told our fighting men and women that ‘we have taken step one in the plan to cut reinforcements, to cut armaments, and to withdraw any support you need to complete your mission.’"

Funny, the message I see the Democrats sending is, "sorry these morons got you stuck in the middle of this mess, we are trying our best to get you home ASAP."
I guess I could be wrong, it is possible that all the soldiers in Iraq are more worried about their mission to stop an Iraqi civil war than about getting home to their families alive. :eyes:

[file83]

11. ...or as I like to call them: The American Lesion

;)