Democratic candidate misspoke on military service

[Jim]

From today's Washington Post:

Why would anyone need to lie about having been in Vietnam?
By Henry Allen
Thursday, May 20, 2010; A21

O,the stained souls, the small-hours doubts, the troubled manhood of so many American men who didn't go to Vietnam when they could have -- the strange guilt they seem to feel when they confront Vietnam veterans.

Strange: There were some cheaters and liars, but all that most of them did was exercise their legal rights, in the manner of Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut attorney general and Democratic Senate candidate -- five deferments, then a safe stateside slot in the Marine reserves.

They had a right to avoid the draft with academic deferments, occupational deferments and medical deferments obtained from doctors noted for their artistry in taking X-rays of dangerous deformities.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 04679.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ranger Bill]

Nice article, Jim. As I recall, according to the last cennsus, there were more than 10 million men claiming Vietnam Veteran status, about twice as many than actually served there. So whenever you meet a man who says he's a Vietnam Vet, chances are 50-50 he's lying.

[bandycpa]

Ranger Jim,

Excellent article. Thank you for posting it.

I can't help but wonder: In this age of instant information, when news is transmitted 24/7 via the internet, and verification is much faster and more accurate than it has ever been, why would anyone take the chance of lying about their service? To become AG, Mr. Blumenthal must have a modicum of intelligence. Why would he (and others) take the risk of making such a statement, knowing that their political career could be ruined by a Google search or FOIA request?

[Ranger Ron]

Very nice article Jim, Thanks for posting it. I hope he gets what is coming to him. Stupid of him to do it and even stupider of him to think he can lie his way out of it.

[colt1rgr]

John Kerry put himself in for medals he didn't deserve, Al Gore portrayed himself as a Viet Nam Vet although he ran a newspaper in the rear with the gear, Hillary said she was ducking intense sniper fire on the runway in Bosnia, on and on and on. They are ALL liars. Left = Liar. Right's record ain't too good either. Nov 2010 will be time to clean house.

[K.Ingraham]

What makes me even sicker is the photo of a group of "marines" from the MCL posing on a podium with him as he made his "apology".

Okelley - you nailed it.

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Nice article, I have read others similar to this one describing a guilt syndrome for those that protested, dodged, deferred or just got plain lucky. This has been occurring more often since our victory in the First Gulf War. With the country as a whole standing up for our victors and showing pride in our military that had last been felt at the end of WWII. The continuing successes of our military has caused the nation as a whole to feel guilt over the treatment of those who served in Viet Nam and the fact that they pretty much ignored the Korean War vets.

Bottom line is it is now an asset to be a combat vet from Viet Nam. They use it as another prop trying to boost their personal and public esteem and a tool for their own gain.

It used to piss me off, I still don't like it, but I do laugh at how pathetic they must be to take on a false mantle of respect.

[dbmtrman]

What is with those 'Marines' in the red jackets backing him up and clapping when the POS was talking? How can ANY vet back someone up, who fucking posed being a wartime soldier. He insults all who were there, and who sacrificed.

[RangerX]

I have to come clean.

I "misspoke" when I said I poked Kathy Ireland in the pooper all those years ago.

What I meant was that I wanted to poke Kathy Ireland in the pooper......

Applause not necessary.

[Slowpoke]

It wasn't only the experiences we shared in that shithole that binds all the RVN Vets, but also the ones we shared when we got "Home". Our reception Stateside left many Vets denying their service to avoid the "BABYKILLER" stares from the people they'd meet. Now, every limp dicked draftdodger over fifty is regaling everyone with his tales of "COMBAT IN THE NAM"! Not only do they dishonor our Brothers who came home in a bag, they really do an injustice to the poor addled fuckers who hang out down at the VA....because they don't know where else to go....the thousands who were never allowed to heal.

The thing that pisses me off the most is the limpwristed ACLU types who say they have a Constitutional right to lie if they want to.....not now they don't...not about this!

[Jim]

Just to follow up. The Washington Compost carried this story (and video) -- Says Blumnenthal still has the lead. We will see.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix ... etnam.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;