Posted on 08/23/2004 6:35:15 AM PDT by VisualizeSmallerGovernment
Let's not hear any more talk about how high-minded the left was about Bob Dole and his medals eight years ago. The Nation argued that Bob Dole got his first Purple Heart for a self-inflicted wound. Robert Ellis, who, like Dole 10th Mountain Division in World War II, sought to debunk the "myth" of Dole's heroism:
The truth about Dole's war record is considerably less than awe-inspiring. Yet the myth endures, and with the candidate running on the contrast between his and Clinton's military record, his campaign isn't eager to give a more accurate account. Dole, at the behest of his handlers, is less reticent about his service than in the past, but he mainly speaks about his wound and rehabilitation. He has passed up several opportunities to correct the exaggerated versions in biographies, and in the case of his self-wounding has even approved a sanitized account in which his maladroitly hurled grenade goes unnoted. Journalists continue to portray him as a hero, winner of two Bronze Stars. Joe Klein, for example, writes in Newsweek that Dole knows "what guns do. He also knows what politicians do, which is rarely anything quite so dramatic as leading an army into battle." Such attempts to make political capital out of Dole's war service go beyond the respect due him for the role he played as a soldier with the 10th Mountain Division.
A presidential candidate's fellow veteran makes claims, charging the candidate wasn't the hero his party says he was? Unprecedented!
You forgot: Kerry and Hitler both tried to burn books that were unfavorable to them and/or their philsophies and/or their ambitions.
After attaining my political maturity during the election of 1964, I no longer expect ANY noble behavior on the part of the American media, electronic or press. Subsequent elections have only confirmed this opinion. A reporter/journalist is an "Enemy of the People".
The truely great reporters never went to the Journalism schools of today. The education system has spawned a pathetic group of sychophants spouting anti-American swill.
Speaking of the Distinguished Service Medal, the DSM, how many people even know that it is not considered by the US military to be a combat related citation?
The Swift VETS have standing to report their observations and opinions on their fellow vet, Kerry.
True. I don't know about H.L. Menken's education, but his writings express opinions that pre-date the socialist invasion of university "journalism" (spit!) schools.
Are you being thi way deliberately? The poster wasn't talking about the navy - they were talking about the VVAW - a Radical Anti-War organization.
But, for some reason I think you knew that.
Good call.....
HC Ping. ---
The fact that Bob Dole is the absolute definition of a mild and agreeable temperment makes his statements have that much more power. He is not known for emotional responses and hyperbole. He gives people the benefit of the doubt even when they do not deserve it. He is what most people call a very nice guy. That made him a political sucker at times. He never wanted to believe the worst even when he probably should have. (My take on everything.) So he has earned the right to be taken seriously on this subject. The left will not easily smear him since they have so often used and manipulated his nice guy ways to their advantage.
Although the nation was founded in the 1800's for the explicit purpose of promoting Marxism and has hued to the Marxist line ever since, it is never referred to in the lamestream as "left-wing," "extremist," or "Marxist." It's authors and editors frequently appear on cable and are never tagged accurately as personnel of a long time Marxist mag. Discuss among yourselves and explain.
bump
Think the problem with Dole was that he was spending too much time in the Senate, not enough campaigning... clearly not a problem with Kerry!
bump.
If Dole showed the same guts and fire as he showed yesterday in 1996, he may have gotten elected.
And they attacked Bush 41's military service in WW2, also...
The reason this is noteworthy is not to give a blank check to vile vet-bashing tactics.
However, it debunks several things that the Democrats have been asserting in recent days. Several Democrats have asserted that they have NEVER EVER EVER questioned anyone's honorable military service and HOW DARE BUSH (the lying draft dodging awol commander in thief who kills babies for Halliburton) stand back and not condemn the Swift Boat Veterans For Truth.
This isn't any more arcane than the alleged "whisper campaign" against John McCain in the 2000 South Carolina GOP primary. Yet, the "whisper campaign" (unproven if it ever existed, and certainly not widespread enough to have any effect on the outcome) has Kerry's panties in a bunch.
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