I got drunk for the first time in 20 years last night.

[11 Bravo]

I wear 2 Purple Hearts (one scratch, the second earned me a ticket home.) As I watched the Republican convention and saw two of my proudest possessions mocked, I was reduced to an almost helpless rage. I wept for the first time in my life in front of my children. My 11 year old was embarrassed for me, and my 8 year old crawled up in my lap and asked, "What's wrong Daddy?" I told him Daddy was having a bad day, tucked both boys into bed, and kissed them goodnight. My dear wife gave me a hug and said she understood. She doesn't, but God bless her anyway. I awoke this morning with a hangover and an undiminished desire to physically hurt someone. For the love of God, how could they do that?

[bigwillq]

1. Ok, why haven't you drank in 20 years?

I hope you weren't a recovering alcoholic.

[MrSlayer]

2. They have no heart and no soul.

Pretty easy for those bastards. And the worst part is there will be no voice of outrage in the national news for this repugnant bullshit.

Thank you for serving.

[proud patriot]

3. I don't know how they could of done that

I wish the media was as outraged by it as I am though .

:hugs: I'm so glad you have family there with you
to give you hugs and be there for you .

[Catch22Dem]

4. They're pieces of shit

That's how they can do it. They're souless, steaming, festering, pieces of fucking shit! They have ZERO conscience. I bet you just loooved their little purple heart band-aids.

You have young children. Were you a Gulf War I vet, or Vietnam? Now, if you are a WWII or Korea vet with kids that age, well....my goodness. ;)

From one (peacetime) vet to another, thanks for this post. Hope you feel better soon.

[11 Bravo]

8. Nam, I just didn't meet the right woman until I was 40.

n/t

[Catch22Dem]

15. Sure ain't nothing wrong with that.

Sounds like you have a great family there. They really support you, even if there's no way for them to understand.

Little word of advice. Change the channel, NOW! I wouldn't subject my worst enemy to that swirling cesspool of a convention.

[Sequoia]

5. I'm sorry.

I truly hope all Vets show the Repubs just how they feel come election day. I know I will.

[Old and In the Way]

6. Things are totally screwed up guy.....

The good news is that these Republicans are being exposed for what they are - anti-American warmongers who are willing to sacrifice us for the profits of their corporations they front for. This greed party is losing their moderate base and they are on the way to oblivion.

Hang in there bud!

[TeeYiYi]

7. Did you quit . . .

. . . drinking or quit getting drunk 20 years ago? IOW, did you have your first drink or your first 'drunk' in 20 years last night?

TYY

[11 Bravo]

20. This isn't an AA thread. I'm not much of a drinker.

I got faced when Reagan got re-elected and again last night.

[Junkdrawer]

22. Whew. This crew isn't worth it.

For an Alky, that would be like saying "They made me so mad I shoved red hot pokers in my eyes".... :(

[TeeYiYi]

26. Good . . .

. . . because I don't know much about AA. Not faced since Reagan? Sounds like you were due to tie one on.

Try not to let this dirty campaign affect you so personally. It's all low down politics with a sheeple following and it's going to backfire on the pukes. Hang in there. You're not alone in your pain and there are plenty of people who love and respect you. You need to stay stong for yourself and your family.:hug:

You can get drunk again in 2008. :7

TYY

[Bo]

28. Ive been drinking more since evil took over....

the USA

[Plaid Adder]

9. They can do it because either a) they're not thinking or b)

they don't care who they hurt. Or c), both.

If it's any consolation to you, I do think that this particular piece of lowness is going to cost them big time, because I just have to believe that most Americans will be as appalled by this as I was. I wrote about it at some length here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/plaidder/04/28.html

Like I said: I hate war, I don't hate soldiers. I have been lucky enough never to have to be in combat and I would never belittle the experiences of someone who has been through it. Apparently, in the Republican party, they want you to love war and hate soldiers--especially if the soldiers don't love the war in which they were wounded quite as much as the Republicans do.

To most of the country, a Purple Heart is still a Purple Heart. The number of people engaged in this unbelievable display of cruelty, callousness, and bad taste is a small minority that unfortunately has access to a big, big megaphone.

Some people in this country are just as dumb and mean as Rove thinks they are; but most of us aren't. And those of us who aren't still recognize the sacrifices you made and understand why they matter.

HOpe you have a better day tomorrow,

The Plaid Adder

[ronnykmarshall]

10. Take some asprin and right a letter to the paper.

I sent one to the LA Times and it's getting published.

Put your anger into words.

[calimary]

11. Dear God, this is bad.

I'm strictly civilian, but I am mortified by this.

The only good that may come of it is the likelihood that more vets will feel as slapped in the face as you understandably have. This is a new low. A SHAMEFUL episode in this nation's history.

I am starting to hate these people. What I despise most is the angry, negative, hostile feelings they stir up in me. I go to places, mentally, where I'd rather not go.

Shit, this is as bad a time as I can EVER remember in this country, as long as I've been cogent. I am so sorry for your grief. If I saw your Purple Hearts, I'd want to look at them for a long time. They're objects of reverence - NOT derision - as far as I'm concerned.

Perhaps you could write this testimony to your local paper - or email it to CNN and/or MSNBC. More of the media should hear this.

[TeeYiYi]

14. I agree calimary . . .

. . . I'm meeting or hearing about a lot of veterans who have been emotionally impacted by the new RW attack on Purple Hearts and war medals in general. This can't have a good ending. Being a veteran of a war is psychologically challenging and for some vets, their medals, honor and patriotism are how they cope. I don't think people understand the devastation this might be creating for veterans out there who are now questioning their own reality. Reliving the nightmares of war with fear and shame rather than their usual fierce pride. I know some are taking down their medals and putting them in a drawer or throwing them away. This worries me. I think this is bigger than we know.:(

TYY

[shance]

33. Thats a great idea Calimary

n/t

[Gregorian]

12. Not long to wait.

That's really tough, man. I know how you feel. We all do, here. I don't have a Purple Heart. But I have a heart. Don't worry. You are a big man to show your true emotions. Your kids will understand. It was not weakness. Remember, these people will do anything to keep power. They are going against what they believe in. You cannot let that get to you. It's not real. We all have stories about what we've been through in these republican administrations. Even if we don't understand what it's like to be in battle, we have our own battle stories. You have company. Damnit, I'm sorry.

Ignore me if I sound preachy, but avoid drinking when unhappy.

[Journeyman]

13. Put the plug in the jug. . .

place pen to paper and write yourself out of your funk. Let the world know your anger. All getting drunk does is mute the muse. Use your anger or it will surely (as it did last night) use you.

[Clinton Crusader]

18. right on target, write it out

it really helps to write it all out, even if you dont send it anywhere, write to all media outlets, your local paper, USA Today, NY Times, anyone. Even if you delete it, get it all out.

Heartless, souless bastards they are. How can ANY military person support this scum?

Feel better, please.
:kick:

[WilliamPitt]

16. I don't know if it'll make you feel any better

but read the link in my sig. It's for you.

[11 Bravo]

21. I have envied few men ...

but I covet your eloquence. Reading you almost always makes me feel better, but this particular offering came at a really good time for me. Thanks.

[ezekiel333]

23. Outstanding!

Thank you for helping.

~Gunny C

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

[coalition_unwilling]

17. Who will be our generation's Joseph Welch?

Who will stand up and say to the Repukes, "Have you no sense of shame, have you no sense of decency?"

I am really sorry it has come to this. My father got shot in the chest in Korea in 1949 (during the Inchon landing with the USMC). He's very reticent about that time, but no one has ever questioned his medals. Unbelieveable.

My sympathies go to you and your comrades, fallen or otherwise.

[ignatius 2]

19. These swine, with their disgusting, heartless behaviour have opened a

lot of old wounds and have crapped on the very people who have protected our country so that they can have the right to vote and attend a convention.

I am sorry that they have hurt you..know that you are not alone,,now don;t get mad, get even..tell all your friends, family, co-workers and co-vets about this and make them be accountable for their slimy behaviour.

Mr. Dole, sir, how much blood do our children in Iraq have to spill to deserve a purple heart?

[GreenPartyVoter]

24. I am so sorry. *hugs*

[mzmolly]

25. I am sorry. They are ripping open alot of wounds with their smear and

their lack of grace.

:(

Remember, be proud of your service. Bob Kerrey said "F-them," when speaking of the Swifties, there are many who are angry right along with you.

There is a yahoo group you may want to consider called Veterans For Kerry. PM me if you want more details.

:hug:

[David Zephyr]

27. It Must Be Painful to Millions of Vets.

I am still beyond belief. I mean I know how hateful these people are and yet they still surprise me.

Newt said he thought the "purple hearts" were "funny".

What assholes.

Sorry you had to deal with this. you should still be proud.

[in_cog_ni_to]

29. How could they do that?

Because it's not them or their children who have spilled their blood for those medals! That's how. They don't give a shit about me, you, the soldiers, the Veterans, the homeless, the downtrodden, the unemployed, the employed working 2-3 jobs to make ends meet, the elderly or the sick. They just don't care and by what they did at the convention...they put it all out there in the open for the world to see. They are a bunch of religious zealots who are HATEFUL, MEAN and SELF SERVING ASSHOLES! They are NOT compassionate conservatives...quite the opposite. :grr:

I'm so sorry for your pain. I'm so sorry there are people in this country who could or would do that to you and all Veteran. :hug:

[ezekiel333]

30. I'm Sorry

Everyone here honors your service and salutes you.

We will all work together to make them pay for what they did to you. The band aid wearing chickhawks shame will be known.

~Gunny C

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

[Tsiyu]

31. These are arrogant fools

down to the last man and woman. I caught some of Phil Valentine's show while I was waiting for Kerry's speech ( amazed that WTN had the gall to broadcast his words - they are all about Bootzy, O'Liely, Savage and Loopy Liddy).
Apparently the guy passing out the bandaids was SELLING them. He has been asked to stop. The person Piece of Shit Valentine was interviewing said "I think he should sell as many as he wants. They're funny. Support the cause. It's tragic that they were told to stop selling and wearing them." TRAGIC???????????? :wtf:
Anyhoo, I sat in the parking lot of Dem headquarters and listened to Kerry's speech and I felt better.

[shance]

32. I wish there was something to say except, thank you and Im sorry

we have these moronic pricks in the White House who have NEVER seen a hangnail, much less any war time.

I wish I could protect you and other vets from these horrible people who are cruel, sadistic and hateful.

Im sorry and Im glad you had an undiminished desire to hurt someone today. That sounds good to me.