Fuck! I'll miss the American Legion.

[11 Bravo]

I've been a member ever since I mustered out of the Army in '72. I always found the Legion a good place to have a beer and send a little time with guys who had shared some of my experiences. Did we agree politically? Hardly ever. But once you've been shot at and missed, shit at and hit, or vice versa; there's an undeniable bond. Now, however, the Legion's national spokesman is calling for some sort of twisted, right-wing, jihad against anti-war protestors. I can't, in good conscience, continue to belong to an organization wherein my dues help to pay that asshole's salary. Fuck.

[greekspeak]

1. Sorry to hear....but good thing you are finding out who your friends are

With freinds like that who needs enemies?

[blm]

5. With friends like that, anyone got a purple band aid?

Just kidding. Seriously, I'm sorry for the loss. Alot of us have been experiencing fractured families and friendships since BushInc took over this nation's business.

[patdem]

2. Maybe there are enough of you to write and object..and you could

force the leader to if not change his stance..at least admit he does not talk for all of the American Legion.

[Fovea]

3. Sorry to hear about that

I hope they get the big ass cuppa joe in the crotch that is the proper wake up call for those (probably a minority) freeps.

[babylonsister]

4. I hope you'll let the powers that be at your legion hall

know how you feel and why you won't be patronizing the place in the future.

[seabeyond]

6. i hope you dont quietly walk off, but allow your fellow al to hear

how you feel. at some point these people have to wake up to how offensive it is, to be a political party, and have the otherside decide who you are in the most offensive of ways. i tell my fellow texans, christians, how dare you say i am not christian. they all say, we didnt say that. but you did i say, and it is offensive. it allows them the opportunity to see what asses they are being

[walldude]

7. Good thing you have a uniter for a President

:eyes: bummer about the place to hang though. What about the VFW? Looks like a few people there aren't fooled...

edit-oops forgot to salute your service :patriot:

[LincolnMcGrath]

8. They flip flopped from when 'the clenis' was in office.

Malloy read a letter they sent clinton in 1999 on air last night. They didn't support the mision then.

[democrank]

9. Must have been a tough decision for you but

sometimes you just have to take a stand. Bravo, 11Bravo !

[orpupilofnature57]

10. You could teach Shrub a thing or two about, Honor, Sacrifice and a ..

genuine love of Our country!

[LincolnMcGrath]

11. I believe this outlines the letter. looking now for the original.

Mr. President, the United States Armed Forces should never be committed to wartime operations unless the following conditions are fulfilled:

• That there be a clear statement by the President of why it is in our vital national interests to be engaged in hostilities;

• Guidelines be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy;

• That there be support of the mission by the U.S. Congress and the American people; and

• That it be made clear that U.S. Forces will be commanded only by U.S. officers which we acknowledge are superior military leaders.

"Our troops are not pawns in a chess game," Miller said in separate remarks. "They are our sons and daughters. If they must be sent into harm’s way, it must be upon careful reflection of their commander in chief, and the consent of Congress and the American people."

[KC21304]

12. But that was then, this is now. Or in other words,

that was Clinton, this is Bush. :silly:

[jedicord]

13. My thoughts too.

I had my husband become a member a few years ago. Pretty much signed him on, he really doesn't get into it. I think right now the memories of Desert Storm are still too tough to talk about (15 years later).

But I felt that we should support a group that helps the veterans who fought for our country. Now I'm rethinking that idea, I know my husband wouldn't mind.

Yet, I have read letters to the editor that were anti-war and anti-*. Maybe a letter "from my husband" is now in order.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

14. I heard that today. How come this one guy thinks he speaks for

everyone in the Legion? Because he is national spokesman? Did every member get a letter with a vote enclosed? Did you get to vote?

[Rebellious Republican]

15. 11 Bravo, he is the National Cmdr., not just a spokesperson....

If you want to know more about him, and where to send an email, check out this post and link here at DU. Maybe you could convince enough fellow Legionnaires to write, get him to back off his stance and not have to give up your camaraderie.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2032860&mesg_id=2032860

In the mean time I will crack open a Sam Adams in your honor!
:toast:

:patriot:

[11 Bravo]

20. Thanks for the link.

I am composing a message as we speak. And here's a Sam right back at ya!

:toast:

[Sgent]

16. Check out

a VfW or VfP in your area if you have one.

My family has been doing mass resignations today as well.

[pnorman]

17. At it's 1919 founding,

the American Leagion was all but explicitly "anti-red" and anti-union --- primarily the IWW. They engaged in violence on occasion, and the intermediaries of the 1935 planned coup on Washington (regarding USMC Gen. Smedley Butler) were high ranking officers of the Legion.

The influx of WW2 veterans, diluted and occasionally swamped such sentiments, but the Legion now seems to be returning to it's roots. I'm not a member of it, but because of it's above history, I've kept an eye on them over the years. I recall that up until the late 50s or perhaps even later, many American Legion posts, particularly in southern California, were openly anti-Semitic. (In many such circles, and up to fairly recent times, "jewcommie" was a single word ... NO hyphen).

pnorman

[Dark]

18. Point out to your fellow veterans that

Their leader is calling for an end to the freedoms THEY fought for.

[jedr]

19. Both the Legion and the VFW can't get it through their heads;

The every war wasn't WWII.....They did nothing for the Nam vets, and are still doing nothing for these guys ( and all those in between) If you want a military funeral or a cheap beer , they serve the purpose..there's and old saying , that those who did the least, brag the most....that's aways been my impression of both organization...if you want a cheap beer , join a an other social club.... Ive been an adopted Ukrainian for years.