Obama's speech on Thursday night was amazing of course, even by the standards that he himself has set this campaign season, but I also enjoyed the speeches by the average citizens talking about how the Republicans have failed them and how Obama will help them when he is elected President.
One glaring error that I thought was made in the selection of the speakers was that none of them identified as a veteran, or addressed veteran or military issues. Yes, we had other veterans speak to these issues at other times, but this could have been effective on Thursday night in the face of Republican attacks painting the Democrats as not supporting the troops.
As a proud veteran, here is the speech I would have given if I was invited:
My name is Brian Geving, and I'm a proud veteran of Desert Storm. While in the military I always voted Republican, including for the first George Bush in 1988, but I started voting for Democrats starting with Bill Clinton in 1996. The Republicans have let our soldiers and veterans down, and they don't deserve our vote in November.
George Bush and the Republicans have lied to this country and used our military recklessly by getting involved in Iraq; a war that was not needed and has harmed our national security. John McCain wants to continue George Bush's policies in Iraq, which means only one thing: More of our young soldiers will die. My answer to John McCain?
HELL NO!!
George Bush and the Republicans have called the Geneva Conventions 'quaint' and regularly torture prisoners caught on the battlefields of Afghanistan & Iraq. The United States signed these teaties to protect our soldiers from being mistreated while in enemy hands. George Bush's violation of these treaties will lead to more of our soldiers being tortured, and John McCain will follow these same policies. My answer to John McCain?
HELL NO!!
George Bush and the Republicans have cut the budget for the VA, even as many thousands of soldiers need help when they come back home, leading to long lines and waits of 6 months to get treatment. They even opposed the new GI Bill, which would help our veterans go to school. John McCain will follow these same policies to the detriment of our veterans. My answer to John McCain?
HELL NO!!
George Bush and the Republicans have squandered our international goodwill after 9/11 and conduct foreign policy in a manner that makes use of force more likely instead of less. Those of us who have seen war up close abhore it, and this warmongering is truly disgusting. John McCain has followed George Bush's example, which will lead to more wars and more deaths. My answer to John McCain?
HELL NO!!
George Bush and John McCain are bad for our soldiers, bad for our veterans and bad for our national security. We need a President who will treat our military with respect and honor their service while making sure that war is always a last resort. We need a President that we can believe in, and Barak Obama is that President.