[Note: I'm a little idiosyncratic in using the word "Koster" rather than "Kossack"; please don't be confused.]
There are Kosters and there are Kosters. Some, like John Kerry and Russ Feingold and Louise Slaughter, were prominent politicians before they arrived here. Some, like Jesselyn Radack and L C Johnson and David Sirota, have been prominent whistleblowers or commentators prior to there arrival. And then there are the rest of us, whom we might call "homegrown" Kosters.
On the Saturday before Memorial Day, this site had what I consider to be a milestone. A homegrown Koster named Elliot Anderson, whom you might know better as DemMarineVet, gave the Democratic response to President Bush's radio address. The transcript can be found here, and is excerpted in full below the fold. A little more about Elliot, and his efforts to bridge the gap between the military and progressives, below.
Note: Timing, they say, is everything. While the basis for the timing of Elliot's address was pretty clearly Memorial Day, so far as Kosters are concerned this is pretty clearly not the best week to be associated with the Democratic leadership. Elliot's radio address was even the subject of a condemnatory diary by David Sirota, which I've decided I can't ignore in writing this, for including Elliot's statement that:
I know I speak for many of my friends overseas when I say that the best way to honor the troops is to responsibly end our involvement in Iraq’s civil war. As long as President Bush stays committed to the same policies that aren’t working, it won’t be easy. But I am proud to see Democrats and now some brave Republicans standing up to him.
Sirota, who apparently didn't know the Vet speaking was a Koster, called the boldfaced last line "Orwellian" in his diary title. Presumably he read the word "all," or something along those lines, into the sentence before the word "Democrats." Given my knowledge of Elliot -- and read his diaries for yourself to form your own opinion -- I expect that he was expressing pride that Democrats (although not nearly enough of them) have been in the forefront of the struggle against Bush's policies, rather than implying that their efforts have been sufficient. I'm proud too that the end of the war will ultimately come -- though unfortunately not this week -- largely because of Democratic opposition. Disappointed as I am in last week's vote, I'm not blinding myself to the larger message in this address -- which is explaining why Vets and those who support them should be on our side of the aisle and making common cause with us to end this war.
Allow me to bask in Elliot Anderson's glory for a moment. I met Elliot through my work for Jack Carter's Senate campaign last fall. When I came to UNLV to seek student volunteers, Elliot was there at the Young Democrats meeting, ready to speak intently and intensely on Veterans' issues. Speaking of intensity, Elliot had a 4.0 in Poli Sci at UNLV while working 40 hours a week, intensive participation in the fall election (where he appeared in a TV ad for Tessa Hafen in NV-3), and helping organize Veterans' groups, including a rally attended by President Jimmy Carter and most prominent Dem candidates in the state.
Elliot has been involved in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and is now Acting Interim Chair of the Nevada Democratic Veterans & Military Families Caucus. Part of what his group is doing is trying to organize Veterans to take the shots that need to be taken against people who spout canards about "supporting the troops" when they mean treating them as cannon fodder and denying them sufficient health care. If we are to strengthen the hand of the Democratic leaders against the recalcitrant members of their caucus, and of Democratic officeholders against their political opponents, the political cover and expertise and veterans of this war can provide will be critical. They have already had 3 Iraq vets step forward recently to join their efforts. That's a good start, but we need more.
Elliot would probably like me to note that checks made out to the Nevada Democratic Veterans & Military Families Caucus can be sent to 1210 S Valley View #114, Las Vegas, NV 89102. On this Memorial Day, I'll give him the last word by including the text of his address:
"Good morning. This is Elliot Anderson. I spent four years on active duty with the Marine Corps, including a seven month deployment to Afghanistan. Now I am a member of the Individual Ready Reserve, living in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am especially proud to deliver the Democratic Radio Address on Memorial Day Weekend.
"Patriotism isn’t a Democratic or a Republican value – it’s an American value. I strongly oppose our involvement in Iraq’s civil war, but I am still proud of my service to my country.
"No matter what any of us thinks about the war in Iraq, we all support our troops on the ground. The Democratic Party has always stood for that, both in words and action.
"This year, the Democratic-controlled Congress passed a budget that included $3.6 billion more for veterans’ health care than the President asked for, and rejected fees that would have driven 200,000 veterans out of the VA health system. For veterans’ medical care, it represents the largest increase in funding ever provided. In the recent supplemental bill for war funding, they gave the troops every penny requested by the Pentagon and more.
"Democrats added more than a billion dollars for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles to protect our troops against roadside bombs – and another $2 billion to make sure that veterans returning home get the quality health care they deserve. Some of these funds will go to fix the awful conditions at Walter Reed Medical Center. No government that truly supports its troops would let the country’s largest veteran’s health facility fall into disrepair. All of these funds will ensure that the men and women in uniform have the equipment and support they need, whether they are deployed abroad or here at home.
"But I know I speak for many of my friends overseas when I say that the best way to honor the troops is to responsibly end our involvement in Iraq’s civil war. As long as President Bush stays committed to the same policies that aren’t working, it won’t be easy. But I am proud to see Democrats and now some brave Republicans standing up to him.
"I said before that patriotism is not about politics. It’s about loving our country. I would like to close by suggesting a way that you can show your patriotism and support for our troops on Memorial Day, and every day after. Visit www.treatsfortroops.com, www.anymarine.com, or www.booksforsoldiers.com. These websites, and others, make it easy for you to send a care package to show your appreciation for our troops, and your support means so much to all of us.
"I am Elliot Anderson. It has been my honor to deliver the weekly Democratic radio address. I’m proud to fight for our freedom, and proud of all of those who serve or have served to keep our nation strong. Semper Fi."