The neocons who want to continue the never ending war in Iraq are running a multi-million dollar ad campaign focused on staying the "course" and "winning the war" against Al Qaeda in Iraq.
The group claims to have 24,000 members here at Vets for Freedom my question is where did they get millions of dollars to run television ads? Karl Rove and his friends Ari Fleischer and their few hundred million to play with maybe? They can be found at Freedoms Watch their goal to keep President Bush's wars going even after he leaves office.
The spokesperson for Vets for Freedom is Pete Hegseth, most of the cable shows like to pair him up against John Soltz of Vote Vets.org for the sparks to fly and John usually leaves Pete looking silly.
In the most recent attempt of Vets for Freedom to attack a credible military officer, here is a copy of an open letter to General Wesley Clark:
Dear General Clark,
Yesterday you appeared on CBS "Face the Nation" and made strong statements regarding Senator John McCain and his
military service. Amongst other things, you claimed Sen. McCain "hasn’t held executive responsibility" and you
criticized him because he didn’t command a "wartime [Navy] Squadron."
You then claimed, in reference to war, that Sen. McCain "hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall" and
concluded your political hatchet job with "I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President." Even the show’s host, Bob Schieffer, let out a puzzled "really?" at the conclusion of your assertions.
Frankly General, you should know better. As a previous Commander of U.S. troops in harm’s way, you should take
serious pause in disparaging the service record of a fellow decorated veteran. Even worse, your arrogant and careless
words undercut the credibility of all those who served and continue to serve, in wartime and peacetime.
First of all, Sen. McCain’s service record is clear. After volunteering for a combat assignment in Vietnam, Sen. McCain
was shot down during his twenty-third bombing mission over North Vietnam and spent 5 ½ years as a Prisoner of War,
enduring physical torture and repeatedly turning down preferential treatment and early release. For his service, he
received seventeen decorations, including the Silver Star and Legion of Merit.
Most Americans would have ended their military career there, but Sen. McCain continued his service and eventually
become the commanding officer of the largest squadron in the U.S. Navy. He turned an undisciplined and untrained
squadron into one of the Navy’s best, earning the unit a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
So, let’s review your statements and check them against reality:
Senator McCain "hasn’t held executive responsibility."
FACT: McCain commanded, and revitalized, the largest squadron in the U.S. Navy.
Senator McCain’s military leadership doesn’t count, because it wasn’t a "wartime Squadron."
FACT: McCain volunteered to serve in Vietnam and upon his return, endured months of physical rehabilitation in order
to continue his military career and command a squadron.
Senator McCain "hasn’t been there [war] and ordered the bombs to fall"
FACT: McCain flew twenty-three combat missions in Vietnam in order to drop bombs on the enemy. He was also
"there" for 5 ½ years as a Prisoner of War.
"I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President."
FACT: If serving your country, volunteering for combat, resisting the enemy, and receiving seventeen decorations for
service does count for anything, then why are you on television, speaking as an "expert" on national security matters?
Your personal attacks came not from a General with respect for the uniform, but from a political operative dispatched to
attack the military background of a political adversary.
On behalf of Vets for Freedom—and thousands of veterans and troops still serving—we urge you to apologize to Sen.
McCain for your comments. We also urge you to apologize to generations of veterans who served our country in uniform. Service matters—anytime, anywhere. We await and appreciate your response.
Even the candidate you represent has said repeatedly that "[Sen. McCain] deserves admiration for his service to ourcountry." We will be watching to see if the professionalism you showed once while in uniform will finally shine through in your new-found political role.
Regards,
Pete Hegseth
/signed
Chairman, Vets for Freedom
Iraq war veteran
As usual Pete Hegseth twists things as he has done here. I hope he waits for it to snow in hell before he expects an apology.
Now Pete Hegseth has taken the lead to spend millions of other people's money on why we need to stay and spend billions a month more in Iraq....Veterans plan ads touting Iraq buildup
Vets for Freedom is spending $1.5 million on ads that will run on national cable television and in five states —the first set of ads in a multimillion-dollar campaign in coming months touting the troop buildup, Pete Hegseth, the group's chairman, said in a phone interview Saturday.
Aimed at "informing the American people about the truth regarding progress in Iraq and Afghanistan," the ads will feature veterans describing accomplishments they've seen since the buildup began in early 2007.
Then from the Washington Post there is this article about it
Veteransgroup plans ad campaign touting Iraq war
"We need to finish the job no matter who is president," the ads say, according to Hegseth. The five states being initially targeted are Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Virginia.
Vets for Freedom also said it would send its members to about a dozen swing states as part of a four-month education campaign that will "call for victory in Iraq and Afghanistan." The group planned to formally launch their campaign and unveil the first ads at a news conference on Wednesday.
In late May, Vets for Freedom released ads praising some of the troop buildup's successes and criticizing expected Democratic nominee Barack Obama for not visiting Iraq since 2006. After McCain echoed the criticism, Obama soon after said he would visit Iraq later this summer
Here is the final kicker to show the war is being won in Iraq, my guess it was the real reason after all
Cheer up. We're winning this War on Terror
<From The TimesJune 27, 2008</p>
Cheer up. We're winning this War on Terror
Al-Qaeda and the Taleban are in retreat, the surge has worked in Iraq and Islamism is discredited. Not a bad haul
"My centre is giving way. My right is in retreat. Situation excellent. I shall attack!"
The "surge", despite all the doubts and derision at the time, has been a triumph of US military planning and execution. Political progress was slower in coming but is now evident too. The Iraqi leadership has shown great courage and dispatch in extirpating extremists and a growing willingness even to turn on Shia militias. Basra is more peaceful and safer than it has been since before the British moved in. Despite setbacks such as yesterday's bombings, the streets of Iraq's cities are calmer and safer than they have been in years. Seventy companies have bid for oil contracts from the Iraqi Government. There are signs of a real political reconciliation that may reach fruition in the election later this year
So we have success in Iraq at last the oil companies have gotten their contracts, was it worth it? I don't think so.
I am a 100% disabled veteran Army Infantry so I have as much right to my opinion as Pete Hegseth has to his.