[alloysteel]

I leave it to others to carry out the obligatory duty of posting a picture of Ann to go with this latest missive....

[Fledermaus]

Cleland did more that just "pick up a grenade". He was playing with that same grenade and made it live and then realized he was a doofus and jumped on it. He should have been discharged.

Also, at the time Bush "got out" of the National Guard, as Ann points out, the war was over and the Guard and Reserves were trying like mad to cut people from their rolls that weren't soldiers because of budget concerns among other reasons.

[Lancey Howard]

This was already posted, but your headline is better.
Any Ann thread should always have her name in the title, IMO.

Regards,
LH

[rebel_yell2]

OUCH!!! Don't pull any punches, Ann!

[optimistically_conservative]

OK, Anne's correct about how he lost his Senate seat, but let's set the story straight on his service:

Army General Order 4361, dated June 9, 1968, states that the Silver Star was awarded to U.S. Army Capt. Max Cleland "for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in Vietnam." In 1968, then Capt. Cleland was in action at the battle of Khe Sanh. Below is the language contained in his Silver Star Order:

"Awarded: Silver Star; Date Action: 4 April 1968; Theater: Republic of Vietnam

"Action: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Cleland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 4 April 1968, while serving as communications officer of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Calvary during an enemy attack near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam.

"When the battalion command post came under a heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack, Capt. Cleland, disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the rocket barrage as he left his covered position to administer first aid to his wounded comrades. He then assisted in moving the injured personnel to covered positions. Continuing to expose himself, Capt. Cleland organized his men into a work party to repair the battalion communications equipment which had been damaged by enemy fire. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

"Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1968."

The action cited occurred on April 4, 1968, four days before the grenade explosion that cost Sen. Cleland both legs and an arm.

As has been widely reported in the Atlanta Constitution beginning in 1968, then-Capt. Cleland, an Army Signal Officer, volunteered for infantry service to relieve the stranded Marines and members of the Army's 1st Cavalry at the battle of Khe Sanh.

While disembarking from a transport helicopter, Capt. Cleland reached for a grenade he believed had become dislodged from his web gear. Later it was discovered that the grenade belonged to a young soldier new to the theater. That soldier had improperly prepared the grenade pin for easy detonation and had dropped it while coming off the helicopter. The grenade exploded and severely injured Capt. Cleland.

The Silver Star is the third-highest valor decoration of the United States. Sen. Cleland also was awarded a Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Parachutist Badge.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" Cleland also expressed outrage that Bush left the National Guard nine months early in 1973 to go to Harvard Business School. On "Hardball," Cleland testily remarked: "I just know a whole lot of veterans who would have loved to have worked things out with the military and adjusted their tour of duty." (Cleland already knows one – Al Gore!)"

The 1972 graduating class at West Point was told they could not volunteer for Vietnam,because no more combat troops were being sent over.This was almost a year before George Bush left for Harvard. Kerry served 120 days in Vietnam and after 3 very minor wounds,had his ticket punched early so he could do political work. Maybe Cleland ought to direct his anger at Ho Chi Kerry.

[LdSentinal]

How is "Mad" Max Cleland a "war hero?" If the media continues to insist that Cleland is a "war hero," then they should designate Jessica Lynch as one as well.

[alloysteel]

Max Cleland, left a triple amputee from injuries suffered in a war zone....

But NOT from engagement with enemy forces.

The VA will certainly cover this sort of injury, through their medical facilities, which qualifies for long-term rehabilitation and training, and it is more than enough for establishing the right to Specially Adapted Housing, GI life insurance, and a disability pension.

But did he earn a Purple Heart for the injuries involved? Kerry got three, AND retained all his limbs.

Non-combat injuries in and out of war zones account for more than half of all of compensation paid to veterans by VA. Active duty service is itself far more dangerous than most civilian occupations, even in the absence of combat.

[Texas_Jarhead]

I passed over this article earlier today not realizing it was a Coulter piece. Glad it was posted again while I was paying attention. I didn't know the background surrounding Cleland's loss of limbs. I just presumed it was the result of combat. Learn somethin new everyday.

[Ruth A.]

All available evidence keeps confirming Bush's honorable service with the Guard, which leads liberals to conclude ... further investigation is needed! No evidence will ever be enough evidence. That Bush skipped out on his National Guard service is one of liberals' many nondisprovable beliefs, like global warming.

Or that Al Gore won Florida or the whole election.

[Tall_Texan]

I'm surprised that no pundit yet has come up with the real reason the Dems are making such a big dog-n-pony show about Bush's military service.

It's called the flight suit. They know the image Bush secured when he landed on that aircraft carrier and jumped out in that flight suit. And the Democrats, who understand symbolism even more than they understand substance, knew the Bush campaign was sure to revisit that image at re-election time.

Many of the sucker moms and arousal gappers that swooned over Clinton because they believed he was somehow understanding of their needs and protecting them, have a new heartthrob in George W. Bush - someone who actually is protecting them (in a tangible sense) more than Clinton.

Face it, more women than will ever admit (most FReepers excepted, of course), vote according to which candidate makes the cutest couple and which guy looks like he's the more attractive provider.

The Democrats are trying desperately to deflate the massive visceral effects of the flight suit by charging Bush with desertion and dereliction of duty (i.e. the cheating husband). They figure they need the time to build this into a crescendo so that their image of Bush (rich frat boy who skipped out on his military commitment) offsets the one the Republicans will portray (proud husband and father who can land a fighter plane and look good doing it - mission accomplished!).

That's what this whole AWOL mess is about and why the Dems and the media are suddenly smitten with Kerry. They think he's their best answer to the flight suit (proving they don't understand women - Edwards is the one they'd swoon over only Edwards doesn't have a military record).

[My Dog Likes Me]

I'll bet Ann has more severe bedsores than Max.

For different reasons.

[Prodigal Son]

There was no bravery involved in dropping a grenade on himself with no enemy troops in sight.

Ann Coulter goes where I would surely not. I would not like to have every aspect of my military career under her microscope. She has a point. I'm not arguing that. But I draw a series of distinctions when criticizing one's service. Once they have passed the release point and are in a combat situation, I'm uncomfortable with how closely civilians should examine each thing that the soldiers do.

Case in point: the CNN video of the US Marine shooting the unarmed wounded Iraqi and his buddies cheering about it. Taken from the civilian perspective, that looks very terrible. But.... I would prefer not to try to judge that Marine too much on that. He's somewhere doing something that the rest of us are not. Hard to judge him rationally.

[Clinton Is Scum]

Max Cleland volunteered to serve in Vietnam. For that alone, he deserves respect. Let's face it--most people who served in the Guard at that time did so to avoid seeing combat. I like Ann a lot, but this column misses the mark.

[samtheman]

That Bush skipped out on his National Guard service is one of liberals' many nondisprovable beliefs, like global warming.

Yup.

[memaw]

I am so happy to see this again about Cleand & the way he lost his limbs. I had always heard that he was drunk & playing with a gernade when he was injured. People needs to know the truth about him & how he was injured. Not in War but due to him being drunk & his careless behavior....... Thank you for printing this report again...

[Democratshavenobrains]

You guys should see the DU thread about this. Death threats for Ann galore! The truth hurts the DUmmies.

[ZULU]

Cleland lost the wrong appendage.

The hypocracy of the liberal left in making an issue of ANYONE'S war record after their defense of draft-dodging, commie-suck-up Bill Clinton is beyond laughable.

[BSunday]

weekend warrior

I'm not in the guard, but if I were, I would be highly insulted by this term and I would let Mr. Cleland know it. Anybody have his email ??

[Publius6961]

Cleland lost three limbs in an accident during a routine noncombat mission where he was about to drink beer with friends. He saw a grenade on the ground and picked it up.

Hey! This guy is a moron, let's make him a congresscritter!

Better yet, he's a handicapped moron, he should be bulletproof!

[familyofman]

"...posting a picture of Ann..."

Please spare me - Annie is a wasted looking wench. I want Janet or Anna K, real women of substance.