20 Congressmen Ask Kerry to Apologize for Guard Insult

George W. Bush ^ | September 16, 2004

[RWR8189]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington – Today, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and fellow Congressmen sent a letter to Senator Kerry demanding he immediately apologize for comments attacking the honorable service of those in the National Guard. All of the Congressmen who signed the letter are veterans or current members of the National Guard or Reserves.

“I am honored to be joined by so many proud Members of Congress in demanding that Senator Kerry stop slandering the men and women who have served in the National Guard and Reserves. When Senator Kerry attacks President Bush’s National Guard record as a refusal to serve in the U.S. Military, he is degrading the commitment of all the proud men and women who have served and are serving today. We demand that Senator Kerry cease his attacks and apologize for his comments.”

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time Democrats have demeaned the service of men and women in the Guard. Earlier this year, Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe said that President Bush had never ‘served in our military’. This was an insult to all those in the Guard and Reserve who are part of the American Military. It’s time for the Democrats to apologize and stop insulting the National Guard and Reserves.”

Joining Congressman Wilson in signing the letter sent to Senator Kerry’s Presidential Campaign were Bill Young (R-Fl.), Dave Weldon (R-Fl.), John Shimkus (R-Il.), Butch Otter (R-Id.), Howard Coble (R-N.C.), John Shadegg (R-), Harold Rogers (R-Ky.), Walter Jones (R-), Steve Buyer (R-In.), Virgil Goode (R-Va.), Tom Osbourne (R-Ne.), Todd Akin (R-Mo.), Henry Brown (R-S.C.), Mike Bilirakis (R-Fl.), Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.), Spencer Bachus (R-Al.), Mark Kirk (R-Il.), Peter King (R-N.Y.), and Mac Collins (R-Ga.).

[bpjam]

Why doesn't CBS start stalking Rep Kent Bentsen of Texas about his history in the TX Air Guard back during the W years. He was the son of Lord Lloyd Bentsen and undoubtedly he must have received the same preferential treatment. Of course, Kent denies any special favors but he can't PROVE that he didn't get them so maybe he should resign from the House.

[Ryan Bailey]

The National Guard highly resents being seen as a haven for shirkers and derelicts, not unlike Canada or Oxford, in a time of war.

In reality there is a very important military principle being overlooked here which warrants further comment from our media, but we'll return to this in a moment.

First of all Terry McAuliffe's comment, that neither Bush nor Cheney served 'in the military' is fraught with complex problems.

Technically none of this year's candidates were in the "military" since this pertains solely in the most traditional sense to the Army (this is why we have a military academy and a naval academy in this country)By this logic the Navy and Air Force Reserve are outside of the 'military'.

---more to follow on our primary point which I've promised to comment further upon.

[Chode]

no congRATS were ever in the Guard or just none with the scruples to sign???

[Gucho]

“I am honored to be joined by so many proud Members of Congress in demanding that Senator Kerry stop slandering the men and women who have served in the National Guard and Reserves. When Senator Kerry attacks President Bush’s National Guard record as a refusal to serve in the U.S. Military, he is degrading the commitment of all the proud men and women who have served and are serving today. We demand that Senator Kerry cease his attacks and apologize for his comments.”

Read this Kerry.
http://www.hillnews.com/york/090904.aspx

[mass55th]

Tuh-ray-za's first husband (John Heinz) was a member of the Air National Guard, and apparently she was too stupid to realize that when Kerry slammed Bush's ANG service, he was also talking about her loving dead hubby.

[vpintheak]

My father was in the ANG, his unit got called to active duty, but he did not end up having to go thankfully or there may not have been any of us 6 kids. He is neither a coward, or a draft dodger, or anything else the left wants to say. If there is one thing that pisses me off, it is attacking my family like this, I don't care if it is an election year.

[conshack]

Wonderful. Brit played clips of Kerry's speech today and those folks did not look pleased.



What a laugher. Kerry discredits the guard and veterans over and over again and then takes days out of his "successful" campaign trying to gain their favor. It won't happen, but I for one and happy to see him wasting his time.

[crazyhorse691]

My fathers NG unit got activated just in time for him to meet up with his uncle who was a 20 year Navy man. But according to the Rats only my great-uncle was in the military on Dec.6,1941 even though my father was at the army base that got blasted too. JFK was in the reserves and his unit got activated. Rats logic just escapes me.

[Lizavetta]

Where was the Breck Girl during Vietnam? Clearly if he had served it would be stuck in our face every day like Kerry's service....where was he? What did he do? Why has the press ignored this?

[tioga]

Correct.

[tioga]

First I heard that one. Sad, she sold out to kerry.......

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

Not one DemocRAT.

Once again, party over principles. Party over nation.

[Mrs Zip]

ping

[Ryan Bailey]

---continued from my commentary of yesterday...

The overriding principle of the National Guard's role in our National Defense scheme has been totally overlooked by the Democrats, in this instance.

The National Guard is perhaps the most important line of defense, because it is the primary combat arms asset of the Army and Air Force. Most of the Army's military might is actually within the National Guard. This enables the Guard to be prepared to defend American soil as well as to activate for service and support operations at home and abroad.

George Washington, the highest ranking General in our history, was himself a National Guardsman who never served overseas. I wonder what these ignoramuses would make of his service.

In reality, President Bush's service as a Lieutenant in the National Guard was intrinsically important since his unit was being held in reserve, to fight against an invading Soviet Army. As an interceptor pilot he would have been taking on bombers in the unfortunate event that the Soviets would have attacked. How the democrats can belittle the significance of this mission is beyond me. This all attests to their collective amnesia as to the evils of the Soviet Empire and their assuredness that only America is a threat.