Posted on 08/25/2004 11:36:49 AM PDT by GulliverSwift
Former Georgia Senator Max Cleland, left, and former Green Beret Lt. Jim Rassmann, center, approach a Secret Service Agent, right, on station at the check point to the entrance of President Bush (news - web sites)'s ranch Wednesday Aug. 25, 2004 in Crawford, Texas. Cleland tried to deliver a letter protesting ads challenging John Kerry (news - web sites)'s Vietnam service to President Bush at his Texas ranch Wednesday, but the Secret Service stopped Cleland short of his goal. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Then he went to work for John Kerry...
The former Georgia senator, a triple amputee who fought in Vietnam, was carrying a letter from nine Senate Democrats who wrote Bush that "you owe a special duty" to condemn attacks on Kerry's military service.
"The question is where is George Bush (news - web sites)'s honor, the question is where is his shame to attack a fellow veteran who has distinguished himself in combat?" Cleland asked. "Regardless of the political combat involved, it's disgraceful."
Encountering a permanent roadblock to Bush's ranch, Cleland left without turning over the letter to anyone.
"I have a letter signed by nine members of the U.S. Senate, all of whom have served honorably and I'd like to hand it to a responsible officer here on the gate," Cleland said as he tried to deliver it to security personnel at the roadblock.
A Texas state official and Vietnam veteran, Jerry Patterson, offered to accept the letter and offered Cleland one of his own supporting Bush. Cleland left without any exchange taking place.
"I am just going to return the letter and make sure it gets in the mail," Cleland said.
In their letter, the senators said, "This administration must not tacitly comply with unfounded accusations which have suddenly appeared 35 years after the fact, and serve to denigrate the service of a true American patriot."
On Monday, the president said the group's anti-Kerry advertising should stop, but he refused to denounce it.
"The moment of truth came and went for President Bush to condemn these ads, and he still could not bring himself to do the right thing," Cleland said in a statement.
The senators signing the letter included Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Ernest "Fritz" Hollings of South Carolina, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Tom Carper of Delaware and Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, both of New Jersey.
"As veterans of the armed services, we ask that you recognize this blatant attempt at character assassination, and publicly condemn it," the senators said in their letter.
Pity the Bush ranch is on flat ground, isn't it?....(grin)
The internal numbers must be showing Kerry dropping like the Hindenberg.
they are.
it's over for kerry.
his band of brothers... just kicked him to the curb.
I would have had Bob Dole go out to meet him at the gate.
How do we know that Bush is even IN Texas today?
Do you mean Dave Roever?
The Dave Roever Story
Dave Roever grew up in a loving, committed family in South Texas. The last thing on his mind was going to war. At the height of the Vietnam War, he received his draft notice. Having no desire to serve in the infantry, he joined the Navy and served as a river boat gunner in the elite Brown Water Black Beret in Vietnam.
Eight months into his tour of duty in Vietnam, Roever was burned beyond recognition when a phosphorous grenade he was poised to throw exploded in his hand. The ordeal left him hospitalized for fourteen months, where he underwent fifteen major surgeries. His survival and life are miraculous.
McCain was asked, but wasn't available because he and Chrissy Matthews had already planned a romantic picnic lunch together...
That waterhead asshole is apt to drop another grenade.
Un-friggin'believable....
"Grade: F "
Max was going to protest the grade but didn't have a leg to stand on.
(I was told on another thread that this type of thing is NOT funny -- yet, I couldn't resist.)
I think this was President Bush's call. He saw it as a political stunt and was not going to play. If the Pres allowed cleland in, this would not be the end of this crap. We'd have other uninviteds showing up all the time..probably the NAACP, for one. I think GWB did the right thing.
No, Bush did the right thing. These traitors don't deserve respect.
John Kerry shitting on Vietnam Vets for self aggrandizement, even Vietnam Vets that are on his side.
Despicable just doesn't quite describe it.
I think they have a wheelchair tire ripper.
Kerry will be scouring the orphanages next do find the perfect waif to go knocking on doors.
Kerry needs to have some salt poured on him...
So what was the substance of the letter?
"We demand that George W. Bush stop exploiting Vietnam Veterans for political gain!"?
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