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Iraq War Veteran Gives Democratic Radio Address Criticizing Bush
AP via San Diego Union-Tribune ^
| May 1, 2004
| Pete Yost
Posted on 05/01/2004 12:26:53 PM PDT by an amused spectator
WASHINGTON An Iraq war veteran expressed disappointment with President Bush on Saturday, saying the nation's leaders refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of continuing violence in Iraq.
"I don't expect our leaders to be free of mistakes. I expect our leaders to own up to them," said Army National Guard 1st Lt. Paul Rieckhoff, who was a platoon leader in Iraq.
Rieckhoff's comments, distributed by Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, were the Democratic response to the president's weekly radio address. Usually, a public official gives the response.
"Our troops are still waiting for more body armor. They are still waiting for better equipment. They are still waiting for a policy that brings in the rest of the world and relieves their burden," said Rieckhoff.
Rieckhoff called his comrades in Iraq "men and women of extraordinary courage and incredible capability. But it's time we had leadership in Washington to match that courage and match that capability."
In advance of Rieckhoff's remarks, Republicans circulated televised comments he made last year in Iraq in which he gave a brighter picture of U.S. prospects.
"I think we've made incredible strides," Rieckhoff said in a CBS "60 Minutes II" segment broadcast last October.
In a brief interview Saturday with The Associated Press, Rieckhoff said he had not been free to speak out in the TV interview because he had been on active duty.
Rieckhoff said he is not working for the Kerry campaign or for the Democratic Party. He contacted Kerry staffers who deal with veterans issues when he returned from Iraq three months ago, and they "provided me with the forum. I wrote every word."
Rieckhoff is an Amherst College graduate who spent two years on Wall Street as an investment banking analyst before joining the National Guard. He said he plans now to return to university.
TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: article88ucmj; bush; demis; iraq; kerry; oifveterans; radioaddress; rieckhoff
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I see Rieckhoff, a Demi from Amherst, has got the DNC "mistake" talking points down pat.
Mr. Rieckhoff has an interesting history on the Net.
To: an amused spectator
2
posted on
05/01/2004 12:29:17 PM PDT
by
an amused spectator
(Kristen Breitweiser didn't want to learn how to land the 9/11 Commission; she only wanted to steer)
To: an amused spectator
Rieckhoff said he is not working for the Kerry campaign..." It sounds like he's starting his own, "Kerry campaign." I wonder how many purple hearts he, "earned," and how far he can throw them...
3
posted on
05/01/2004 12:29:42 PM PDT
by
Joe 6-pack
("We deal in hard calibers and hot lead." - Roland Deschaines)
To: Joe 6-pack
How like the Demis to recruit a lieutenant to gainsay the commander-in-chief.
Of course, when Rieckhoff was at Amherst, free speech was only to be countenanced for the Left, not the conservatives. ;-)
4
posted on
05/01/2004 12:32:45 PM PDT
by
an amused spectator
(Kristen Breitweiser didn't want to learn how to land the 9/11 Commission; she only wanted to steer)
To: an amused spectator
Amazing that a political party would stoop to crticizing our president, and using our troops as poltical pawns to boot. Oh wait. No it's not. Not when a forum that represents the base of that party shamelessly lists the war dead on it's front page to smear said president.
5
posted on
05/01/2004 12:33:08 PM PDT
by
WinOne4TheGipper
(Whoopi, God gave us free will, but he spent much of the Old Testament smiting those who chose wrong.)
To: an amused spectator
They are still waiting for a policy that brings in the rest of the world and relieves their burden," said Rieckhoff. "Their" burden? Jeez, this is so Kerryesque. The only thing that would satisfy "the rest of the world" is a return to Food for Oil.
6
posted on
05/01/2004 12:37:47 PM PDT
by
Shermy
To: Joe 6-pack
I was gonna say we should remember the name, cuz I see him running for Congress in the near future...
7
posted on
05/01/2004 12:37:52 PM PDT
by
GoLightly
To: an amused spectator
"Mr. Rieckhoff has an interesting history on the Net."
What do you mean?
And, btw, what are the dems recommendations? What is this Lt's recommendation? Because if it's not escalation, they are all wrong.
I know the commies wanted the North to win in Vietnam, and I know the anti-war movement was just a front for the commies, although I acknowledge that there may have been many "anti-war" persons who did not know that. Not Kerry, of course, he was too high up and he is too smart not to have known that. However, do these folks not get the difference between the North Vietnamese and the Islamo-fascists? The Islamo-fascists actually want to KILL US.
8
posted on
05/01/2004 12:38:42 PM PDT
by
jocon307
(The dems don't get it, the American people do.)
To: an amused spectator
"Rieckhoff is an Amherst College graduate....."
That's all you need to know.
One has to wonder why a nice little Amherst liberal like him would join the NG.
Extra money? Not if he worked on Wall Street.
Love of the military? Puhleeeze!!
Love of the country? Maybe Amherst, but after that......
A Dem mole? Maybe. The "I wasn't free to speak while on active duty" begs the question why he spoke at all.
I bet he knows the infamous Rene Gonzales.
To: an amused spectator
>>..."Our troops are still waiting for more body armor. ..." said Rieckhoff....<<
Didn't Kerry vote against funding for body armor?
10
posted on
05/01/2004 12:39:42 PM PDT
by
FReepaholic
(War On Terror: If not us, who? If not now, when?)
To: an amused spectator
He appears to flip-flop as much as Kerry...
I think theres a small percentage of people here who dont want us here, but I think by in large, most of the people here, as youll see on this patrol, are welcoming of our presence, says Rieckhoff.
But by the next day, kids trailed his patrol down the block. Rieckhoffs men fixed up a stadium that was once an Iraqi army shooting range, and the community relations is paying off. The neighbors are now telling his patrols about hidden weapons and guerillas.
Rieckhoff was president of his class at Amherst College, went to Wall Street, and joined the National Guard for a challenge. He says he found it: I dont think the American public understands that theres much more going on here besides IED attacks. Those are horrible and we all mourn the loss of life. But every day theres an incredible amount of stuff going that doesnt get reported because its not sensational. The fact that school supplies are delivered or there are hospitals open - that stuff is incredibly important for every member of this local community.
What does Rieckhoff now think of the war?
I think weve made incredible strides. This is the hard part. This is the road nobody has gone down before and the U.S. is breaking some new ground here, says Rieckhoff. Its going to be a difficult struggle. Germany wasnt repaired in four months. Japan wasnt repaired in four months. Its gonna take time to reestablish this entire government, this entire country. But i think it has enormous potential. And i think the skys the limit for the people of Iraq.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/01/60II/main576073.shtml
11
posted on
05/01/2004 12:39:53 PM PDT
by
Tamzee
(Kerry's just a gigolo, and everywhere he goes, people know the part he's playing...)
To: an amused spectator
I am mystified my the Democratic tactics. If they think they can convince the public that the president doesn't care about the troops, they're insane. No one is going to believe it.
12
posted on
05/01/2004 12:40:05 PM PDT
by
68skylark
(.)
To: an amused spectator
...said Army National Guard 1st Lt. Paul Rieckhoff, who was a platoon leader in Iraq.Pay no attention to what he has to say. He's not a real soldier..../sarc
FMCDH
13
posted on
05/01/2004 12:40:40 PM PDT
by
nothingnew
(KERRY: "If at first you don't deceive, lie, lie again!")
To: an amused spectator
You mean they are waiting for the body armor that Kerry voted against? How would Kerry be any better in this perspective?
14
posted on
05/01/2004 12:42:55 PM PDT
by
jps098
To: an amused spectator
But...but...according to Kerry and DNC honcho McAuliffe people who serve in the Guard ain't really part of the military. I mean didn't they trash Bush's honorable Guard service but now they have a Guardsman spewing their talking points.
To: an amused spectator
Looks like the Left is trying to replay the glory days of Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
Hey, it's not like they have any new ideas...
To: SpinyNorman
Another John Fonda Kerry in the works.
17
posted on
05/01/2004 12:46:24 PM PDT
by
MEG33
(John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)
To: an amused spectator
I am getting extremely ticked off with the politicization of the military by the Kerry campaign.
Here's a thought. How about I go to the next Kerry public meeting and throw my ribbons at him.
I'll follow him around doing that at every meeting until I get arrested.
Perhaps another vet can pick up the mission for me from there?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the UCMJ ban on military political action or attacking certain elected officials by commissioned officers does not make a distinction between active and Guard/Reserve.
18
posted on
05/01/2004 12:58:00 PM PDT
by
optimistically_conservative
(If consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, John F. Kerry’s mind must be freaking enormous. T.B.)
To: tscislaw
Didn't Kerry vote against funding for body armor?
I heard a short audio clip on radio of the fellow's talk.
It centered on the lack of waterbottles for troops on patrol (in the 120 deg F. heat)
and the use of "Vietnam-era flak jackets" due to lack of modern body armor.
He sounded reasonable, then I woke up and said...
"Shortage of goods for the grunts in the field? Thank John Kerry, more than likely!"
20
posted on
05/01/2004 1:00:10 PM PDT
by
VOA
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