Monday, July 28, 2008

Time to Become Active in 2008

Vietnam Vets need to sit up and take note of what is going on, we need to become "active" in this critical 2008 election, our nation may well depend on it. We have two candidates, one who has great charisma and communcative skills, and one who has paid the price of being a patriot, soldier and statesman. Here is a recent quote from a Captain in Basra Iraq about the candidate with charisma. Read and heed and then wake as many people up as you can to vote for John McCain.

Email from Iraq -
As you know I am not a very political person. I just > > wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for > > about an hour on his visit to 'The War Zone'. I wanted to share with you > > what happened. > > He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof > > vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is > > the commander here at Bagram. > > > > As the Soldiers were lined up to shake his hand he > > blew them off and didn't say a word as he went into the conference room > > to meet the General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the > > ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play > > basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity > > pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to > > Soldiers to thank them for their service. > > > > So really he was just here to make a showing for the > > American's back home that he is their candidate for President. I think > > that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here > > you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are > > providing for you. > > > > I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball > > Players or the Dallas Cowboy Cheer leaders than from Senator, who wants > > to be the President of the United States . I just don't understand how > > anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Will History Repeat?

Will History Repeat?

Millions of Vietnam Veterans are watching history begin to repeat itself as the debate continues on winning or leaving Iraq. It is a fact that those Vets who served in Vietnam have the first hand experience to address America on the dangers of appeasement and retreat. The fact that after we left Vietnam, it fell very quickly; is that not the danger of leaving Iraq before victory? The reason we left Vietnam was we did not exercise the plans that were in place for a complete victory, and yes we again underestimated the enemy, then came the debate over the war and the American people quit supporting the war effort. That led to a loss of political will and the decision to begin the pull out. It was carefully framed in the context of the Paris Peace Talks, but our enemy had no intent of honoring any agreement, they only wanted US troops out so they could take the country; and they did in a matter of weeks. This history lesson has a familiar theme, Americans need to step back and look at what is happening today, our national debate is being influenced by a press who only reports one side, and by politicians who only want to defeat a sitting President’s party. Public support is declining, it may be followed by a loss of political will, and then retreat. The enemy waits as in 1973, for America to come home, and then we will see history repeat itself in Iraq. We must learn from history before it is too late.

This Veteran wants to say a word of support for our current President. He led when we were attacked, and he continues to lead in spite of the vicious unwarranted and undeserved personal attacks. He has stayed the course, and Americans should look at the facts and give him their support. We have people in our nation that should be ashamed of their words during a time of war. Vietnam Vets will remember the words we heard that were divisive and broke down the unity of our citizen’s support of the national effort in Vietnam. Veterans need to speak out in 2008!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

The Swift Boats of 2008

The Facts were that the Swift Boat guys in 2004 were Vietnam Veterans who cared enough to get active in the election of that year and share their first hand experiences and "facts" on John Kerry. We will never know if their mission might have helped prevent Kerry's election, which would have been a step back in the war on terror. Now in 2008, we need Vietnam Veterans to step forward again and remind the American people that this election needs to focus on facts not rhetoric. We have an extremely well qualified patriot running against someone without experience but with great charisma and communication skills; we dare not go down that road. Here are some facts we can focus on:

1. In recent elections we have had "minority presidents" (less than 50% of the vote), President Clinton had around 43%, and Bush less than 50% the first term. Now realize that 35-40% of the American people support President Bush, that is close to what elected him. He has protected our nation for over 7 years, we have carried the battle to the home of the enemy, the economy is not "in recession", unemployment is good, and only the press tells us how bad it is.

2. With that in mind, Vietnam Veterans need to go on the offensive in 2008, reminding our citizens of the positives, and the dangers of giving up the gains we have fought for over the past seven years. We must continue to achieve victory in Iraq, and take the next steps to defeat radical Islam, the sooner the better.

3. Senator Obama has no plan, very little understanding of the threat, no experience in international diplomacy, and seems to be under the false assumption that he can talk to our enemies who have the stated purpose of killing him along with the rest of us.

4. Vietnam Veterans can join with the 35-40% of Americans who support our President, and counter the media and Senator Obama's worldview which is wrong for America. Americans must be awakened to the threat and become motivated to consider the facts, and make the right choice for our country.

It is not a question of Senator McCain being the perfect candidate, many young people give that label to Senator Obama because of his attraction. The question for Americans is to consider the facts, the qualifications of the candidates, and the serious threat to our nation over the next four years. Vietnam Veterans can make a difference again in 2008, just as the Swift Boaters did in 2004. We must accept the mission and help wake up America before it is too late!