Posted on 12/18/2007 2:39:48 PM PST by Doctor Raoul
The Philadelphia Daily News publishhed an op-ed by local anti-war vet John Bruhns. The basics of that op-ed was that Bruhns worked as a front for a number of well funded and prominent anti-war groups and quit them as a matter conscience when he discovered that they were not really anti-war. Bruhn's op-ed can found here, The anti-war phonies By JOHN BRUHNS, Nov. 19, 2007 ...but the groups I worked for wouldn't spend one dime to promote legislation considered out of the mainstream of the Democratic Party.
IN JOHN Bruhns' "The Anti-war Phonies," he asserts, "If any candidate wants my vote, they first and foremost need to convince me that they will end the war in Iraq." Hey, Bruhns, check the newswires. President Bush is ending the war in Iraq, no thanks to you. The surge is working. Peace is coming to Iraq. Vote peace. Vote Republican. Raoul Deming IFOUND it interesting that John Bruhns' op-ed was titled "The anti-war phonies," considering that he served honorably in Iraq during the earliest stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom, then opposed the war immediately upon redeployment ("aligned" with high-profile lobbying groups). It is naive to believe that you can fully support the troops without supporting the war effort, as our troops are the greatest resource of this campaign. As one who has served multiple tours in Iraq, I wouldn't dream of using this editorial page to discredit the war (in effect, saying that regardless of how well soldiers are performing their specific mission, it is ideologically wrong and illegal). What message would that send to soldiers who just want to read their hometown newspaper? Staff Sgt. Kevin M. Kenny
Randolph Husava, Philadelphia
If Congress were serious in bringing our troops home and ending the war, it would bring articles of impeachment against Bush and Cheney rather than sending Bush $50 billion for combat operations on the condition that he begins withdrawing troops from Iraq. Here we are four years later mourning close to 4,000 of our troops while hundreds of thousand of Iraqis lost their lives. Monique Frugier, Ardmore Note that both are ARMY CAPTAINS.... STAFF SGT. Kevin Kenny, in his response to John Bruhns' op-ed on disillusionment with some anti-war groups, said you can't be against the war and for the troops. But that assumes an infallibility in our leadership that has not only been proven false, but is undemocratic. If it weren't for those like John Bruhns putting pressure on the administration, we might still have Donald Rumsfeld as SecDef, and "search and destroy" tactics instead of the "clear and hold" doctrine now practiced in Iraq. The bottom line is dissent and the competition of ideas improves our efforts in the War on Terror, just like it does everything else in a free society. John Bruhns could have quietly walked away from his lobbying position with plenty of political favors stored up. Instead, he threw that advantage away for the same reason he became a soldier, because there are some things that are simply more important than self. I sincerely hope that if Staff Sgt. Kenny ever runs into his fellow NCO John Bruhns, he'll have enough perspective to say, "John, thanks for helping to knock some sense into the chain of command." Former Capt. Jason Blinduer
Some people are attacking his character and convictions. Although John and I do not always see eye-to-eye, his convictions are pure and his opinions fair. People sometimes get so lost in their own beliefs that they forget about what makes this country great and allows freedom to truly ring. It's not one man's beliefs or op-eds that put our soldiers in danger or jeopardize our chances to win the war, it's our country's lack of action that paralyzes our military successes. The fact that John believes that this war is not just or legal is irrelevant to his resolve and conduct. John served honorably under my leadership and was an exemplary soldier. Although his views might have been against the war, his actions would never have been considered counter productive to winning it. I understand that some might find his words harmful, or his actions not patriotic, but condemning a man for his opinions and beliefs is as unpatriotic as communism itself. Instead of attacking Sgt. Bruhns' valor and opinions, I think we should acknowledge his resolve and commitment. Former Capt. William Murphy Looking at the article, you'll see some familar names. Seems they beat the odds to get published the same day, on the same Old News without the Philadelphia Daily News informing its readership about their background. And Monique Frugier, well she's a Veterans For Peace groupie. According to the local VFP Chapter President, John Bruhns is a member of Vetreans For Peace. But then again so are a number of prominent Vietnam veterans Against the War who called their comrades in arms village burning, baby killing, psychotic war criminals in their testimony at the "Winter Soldier Investigation". To John Bruhns I say, "Tell me who your frinds are and I'll tell you who you are." Will John Bruhns have the courage of his convictions to condemn the "Winter Soldier Investigation" currently being planned to smear this generation of military as war criminals? Will Captains Murphy and Blinduer? I seriously doubt it. Read the Philadelphia Daily News, it's a Shill A Minute if you know what I mean.I traded my convictions for "special interest" groups who sometimes seem to be in place simply to smear those who disagree with their political agenda. But the agenda is not anti-war. The war is used by these organizations as ammunition against political foes - primarily Republicans.
On Nov. 30, 2007 the Philadelphia Daily News publish my Letter to the Editor labellled as "Rant of the Week" under the disparaging title, "Stealth Victory". Letters | Stealth victory in Iraq
Philadelphia Daily News
Chester Springs
On Dec. 3, 2007, the Daily News posted two more letters on the subject, two pro Bruhns and one con. Letters | 'THE ANTI-WAR PHONIES,' PRO & CON
Philadelphia Daily News
NCO Academy, Fort Sill, Okla.
John Bruhns lays the problem with Congress at the feet of the Democrats. Yes, they did get into office with the promise of bringing an end to the war, but it is still the Republicans who are the problem. Even if every Democrat voted to end the war, there would still not be enough votes to override a presidential veto, even though they are in the majority. Maybe after the next election, Democrats will gain enough to make a difference.
John Bruhns is not alone to have been deceived by the so-called "anti-war" politicians and their promises.
As a follow up after two rounds of letters, the Philadelphia Daily News publishes two more LTEs Letters | ON IRAQ, THIS MESSENGER IS HONORABLE on Dec. 18, 2007 Letters | ON IRAQ, THIS MESSENGER IS HONORABLE
Philadelphia Daily News
U.S. Army Infantry, Dallas, Texas
I was John Bruhns' platoon leader in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom I.
New Milford, Conn.
Former Capt. William Murphy? Former Capt. Jason Blinduer? Do you think that the editorial staff at the Daily News is that ill informed that they missed out on The Real Iraq We Knew By 12 former Army captains, Washington Post, Tuesday, October 16, 2007? This column was written by 12 former Army captains: Jason Blindauer served in Babil and Baghdad in 2003 and 2005. Elizabeth Bostwick served in Salah Ad Din and An Najaf in 2004. Jeffrey Bouldin served in Al Anbar, Baghdad and Ninevah in 2006. Jason Bugajski served in Diyala in 2004. Anton Kemps served in Babil and Baghdad in 2003 and 2005. Kristy (Luken) McCormick served in Ninevah in 2003. Luis Carlos Montalván served in Anbar, Baghdad and Nineveh in 2003 and 2005. William Murphy served in Babil and Baghdad in 2003 and 2005. Josh Rizzo served in Baghdad in 2006. William "Jamie" Ruehl served in Nineveh in 2004. Gregg Tharp served in Babil and Baghdad in 2003 and 2005. Gary Williams served in Baghdad in 2003.
How were these 12 brought together for the op-ed?
A military adviser to the Iraqi Army, U.S. Army Captain Jason Blindauer of Sidney, Ohio, listens to Iraqi Brigadier General Najin al-Ekabi during Operation Lightning in the Latifiyah District of Southern Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, June 4, 2005. Now in its seventh day, Operation Lightning is meant to secure Baghdad by deploying 40,000 Iraqi security personnel. (AP Photo/Jacob Silberberg)
Will they be the next John Kerry Swift Boat crew and campaign like Kerry's "crew".
I remember the "Reverand" in that bunch making an EARLY exit because he wasn't with Kerry very long at all.
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