Posted on 11/04/2004 5:35:41 PM PST by mindwest
Thanks to the community at Free Republic as we prepare to 'stand down' the 2004 (therefore, last) edition of www.VetsforBush.NET. Forgive us a little toot on our horn, but there is real credit that needs to be given, as well as some 'morals to the story.'
First, we offer great thanks to those who gave our efforts insight and inspiration but prefer no public credit. You know who you are.
Second, enormous thanks to J.W. "Wild Bill" Stealey, LtCol/USAF (ret), who is a legend in the online industry. Patriot, gentleman, businessman, classmate. His listserv, news release, content and moral support were invaluable in driving from 13SEP04 to 3NOV04 to over 700,000 hits from around the world.
Thanks further to the substantive work of Steve Sherman, former Special Forces officer whose mobilization of the SF community and in-depth study of the real history of the Vietnam War continues to play a major role in understanding America's history and security needs.
Third, much overdue thanks to two gentlemen who helped VetsforBush.NET to become a reality four years ago. Neither gentleman played any role in 2004, since they are prohibited from partisan activity, but in 2000 they lent enormous energy to projecting the Bush Campaign into the Veterans, POW and military communities. We were first at the "Internet front line" for Bush/Cheney. I hope they don't mind the mention:
-- John C. Truesdell, a true officer and gentleman, who has been laboring hard in the Pentagon to strengthen America in trying times. In 2000, he birthed this project in Northern Virginia and saw it through to the first Bush/Cheney election.
-- Chip Beck, now working overseas, whose editorial, cartooning and other talents were a keystone of the effort in 2000. Never afraid of controversy, Chip made sure the POW issue was heard loud and clear.
We are extremely grateful for the many contributions of Free Republic 'netizens' and others including our troops around the world.
We were a small fish in a big pond, but we are reminded of the line Spencer Tracy used in a movie when he saw Katherine Hepburn across a lawn: "There ain't much on her, but what there is, is choice!" Our voice was heard and we helped to mobilize Veterans in a greater cause. We thank Free Republic for projecting that voice to a community who really care about America.
Some thoughts for the future:
-- There is a profound disconnect between the media elites in New York, Washington and Los Angeles and the vast map of Bush voters whose voice might otherwise be lost if not for New Media. The marvelous heavy hitters in whose shadows we stand were the Swift Vets & POWs for Truth, the folks at "Stolen Honor" and others. We were not a 527, and except for some bucks from Wild Bill and a few from me, we took no money, cost nothing to the Campaign (from whom we were totally separate), yet shared a voice in our Democracy.
-- We call for serious discussion at high levels about a strategy to ensure a free, responsible press with roots in the vast population of voters who won this election, not just those at various chic addresses in Manhattan, K Street, and Beverly Hills. Our name says it plainly -- VetsforBush.NET is partisan and openly so. But we protest those whose partisanship is disguised in journalistic "lamb's clothing" ... CBS with its fraudulent documents and bungled "October surprise," CNN and its line-up of Clinton flacks, New York Times, Hollywood hobnobbers and others disingenuous about their Liberal bias.
-- We think the moral of the story is this: Even in the most contentious fray, Seek the Truth. We can look for comity in our governance, compassion in our politics, on the foundation of facts essential to enlightened self-government. Yes, let the healing begin -- even the 'polite fictions' by which governance proceeds (like telling Aunt Tilda every Thanksgiving how good her dressing is). But Democracy depends ultimately on not kidding ourselves. In his brilliant book "The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America" Daniel Boorstin warned about how media images can be made more vivid than reality itself. The Communist "special services" excelled at manipulating those images, including during the Vietnam War. Begin with the truth. Let's let by-gones be by-gones as long as we have looked at them honestly ... and they become truly by-gones.
Finally, none of this would matter if Veterans before us, plus service men and women in the field today, were not willing to give the last full measure of devotion for our Nation.
Over and out, www.VetsforBush.NET
MINDWEST Strategic Communications www.mindwest.NET
"Second, enormous thanks to J.W. "Wild Bill" Stealey, LtCol/USAF (ret), who is a legend in the online industry. Patriot, gentleman, businessman, classmate. His listserv, news release, content and moral support were invaluable in driving from 13SEP04 to 3NOV04 to over 700,000 hits from around the world."
WarBirds PING.
Thanks, vets! You made a difference again.
I am writing to Appeal to you NOT to "Stand Down."
We are, again, in a contentious War--a War we CANNOT afford to Lose;--& we face the SAME FORCES who SABOTAGED our Vietnam War (Different Faces--Same Songs!)
We NEED your Expertise to deflect the "Bubbleheads" who exerted SO MUCH influence during the Vietnam War.
YES, you helped get the "Right Man" into the Presidency, but He Needs Our Help--he is Fighting an Unpopular War in a Nation Far Away from us (Sound Familiar??)
He could Use Your Wisdom to help him "Stay the Course!!"
The American People need a "History Course" UNTAINTED BY "Political Correctness!!"
You're RIGHT about "The Truth," but the ENTIRE NATION must see the truth if we are to have a Functional Representative Republic!
'Sorry Guys, I Believe you are STILL "On Duty!!"
Your Nation owes you More than we can repay.
Doc
Salute! You served your country with valor and again you stepped up to the mission and were victorious. Thank you.
Well done, good and faithful servants!
Bumping your 23, Doc.
He makes a good point, mindwest....if at all possible, you might consider belaying your dissolution. God bless you in your deliberations as you consider prolonging your service here on the net.
Yes, Nov 2 was a great battle victory!
But the war is NOT over.
I've seen on TV and heard on the Radio
attacks about Swift Boat Vets AFTER the election.
And what liars they are.
So closure is NOT going to happen for Viet Nam Vets, yet.
Time to expose Hanoi Kerry in the MSM once and for all!
Then Viet Nam Vets will FINALLY be vindicated.
THEN it will be over!
DON'T LET THIS STORY DIE!
THE story that
ABC, AP, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, NBC, NY Times
DON'T WANT AMERICA TO KNOW!
John Kerry's Discharge
He won't sign Form 180
What is he hiding?
Ex-Navy sec to Kerry: Open up your records
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41230
NY Sun 11/01/04
Kerry's Discharge Is Questioned by An Ex-JAG Officer
http://www.nysun.com/article/4040
"There is overwhelming evidence that the Navy gave John Kerry either a dishonorable discharge
or an undesirable discharge – which is the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge
without the felony conviction – and that, as a result of such discharge,
he was stripped of all of his famous but questionable Navy awards and medals.
And the kicker? The evidence is on his website!"
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41200
BUT
ABC, AP, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, NBC, NY Times
made sure you knew about the Bush phony National Guard documents.
Q) Why did
ABC, AP, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, NBC, NY Times
NOT ask Kerry about why he wouldn't sign Form 180?
A) Because they are AFRAID of the REAL story!
Thanks for the service.
Thanks.
LOL. Your're not kidding.
great job all!
Thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU!!!!
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