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Subscribe to RSSIn a new ad, Connecticut Republican Linda McMahon is directly attacking her Senate opponent for incorrectly implying that he served in the Vietnam War.
The new spot comes just hours before the first debate between McMahon and Democratic candidate Richard Blumenthal, whose statements about his service in the war were first reported by The New York Times in May.
The spot includes a video clip of Blumenthal discussing the national reception that troops received “when we returned,” from Vietnam, suggesting that he had served overseas. It also replays a clip revealed earlier this year in which Blumenthal spoke about changes in American attitudes about war “since the days that I served in Vietnam.”
“Would you lie about serving in a war?" a narrator asks. "Dick Blumenthal did again and again. He covered one lie with another. He lied about Vietnam. What else is he lying about?"
According to the Times, Blumenthal received five military deferments between 1965-1970 and ultimately served in a Marine Reserve unit based in the United States. He has said that he has “misspoken” about his military record but that his "intention has always been to be completely clear and accurate and straightforward, out of respect to the veterans who served in Vietnam.”
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I am not going to defend this man's conduct, but I would point out that he volunteered for the Marine Corps reserves during wartime and passed through some grueling training at either Parris Island or Quantico. And he was exposed to activation. He isn't a hero but neither is he a coward.
John Howell. Going through training is not, or even close to combat. Yes he was exposed to activation however slight. The question is not if he was a coward. It was that he lied about serving in combat. I don't question his courage, even though he did get 5 deferments, I question his character. Please see my earlier post as to why I feel the way I do.
After 5 deferments,and they still and the draft,so he got defered so he would not get drafted, and a position opened up in the reserve.
I'd be more interested in what he said after "When we returned from Vietnam"? Did he claim to have been spit upon? I was in college during most of the war. I doubt that many Vietnam vets were spit upon, but don't doubt that many veteran politicians might claim they were for political reasons. The people I knew in college had no disrespect for the people serving in Vietnam. We maybe felt the war was a mistake, but didn't take it out on people we knew in High School that had to go over there and get shot at. When I got out of college, I joined the Navy entering Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School which I promptly washed out of. When people ask me if I'm a veteran, I can honestly tell them according to the Federal governments definition I'm not, according to the local county's hiring preferences, I am. The only question the county asks are "Were you in the military during wartime (Yes Vietnam) and did you receive and honorable discharge (again yes). The feds add on "Were you in for 6 months or longer, but the county don't ask that question.
ludvig,
That's not true. They ask if you're an OIF/OEF Vet. and it's on your DD214.
If a woman can lie about running from gunfire as she was getting off the plane in Bosnia and then became Secretary of State, I don’t see what the big deal is.
Road Warrior..Actually it was sniper fire, but a great point Road Warrior
She is a Democrat,they all lie.
At first, I thought maybe he was making a reference to "we" the team. I mean my dad wrote me a letter before I ever existed telling me what he did in WWII. In it he uses words like "We landed in Normandy", but didn't mean that he did. He landed at Oran, was a Kasserine Pass when they first met the Germans and got licked, landed at Salerno and I'm not sure if he was at Anzio or not because of his collective "We" sometimes meaning the U.S. or not. He was at Monte Cassino and when this German played the saxophone in a cave got told "Hey Mule, you used to play saxophone back at Camp Claiborne, didn't you?" He got the nickname Mule from a USO entertainer, my mom says it was Marlene Dietrich. Anyway the guy brought the German's saxophone back a few weeks later giving it to dad and telling him to play "In the Mood", a command performance. After listening to the tape above, though, I guess he did overstate it saying that he had served in Vietnam. Not at all proper. He should have been proud of what he had done for the country in uniform rather than exaggerating his service.
Well, plaster me with dog hair and call me Spot! I've read through this entire forum without finding a single comment blaming Obama for the problem.
A red-letter day - alert the media!
Well, Kaviva, I have been through Parris Island and Vietnam in 1967. If I had to choose I would rather go back to Vietnam for 13 weeks than go through 13 weeks with those madman DI's whacking me all over the place.
I suspect that Blumenthal's exaggerations will cost him the election.
John Howell you did make me laugh with the madman DI's wacking you all over the place. There no different then Army DI's...8 weeks basic, 12 weeks AIT, then over to paradise. 1965
Lies are not exaggerations,they are lies,and he told them again,and again,and again.
Well, plaster me with dog hair and call me Spot! I've read through this entire forum without finding a single comment blaming Obama for the problem.
A red-letter day - alert the media!
If it's a crime to impersonate a peace officer, it should similarly be a crime to misrepresent one's military service - especially from someone seeking public office. I absolutely would not vote for any politician, regardless of political affiliation, who lies about military service. In fact, such a lie should be grounds for disqualifying that individual from running for office.
Blumenthal lied about his service again,and again,and again. That makes him a lying politican. Just like jerry Brown in California,he has been attorney General so what did he do about the santuary cities and their illegal immigrants? Nothing.
There are many things that people find disgraceful and offensive... and one that I believe anyone with any understanding of what military veterans endure, is LYING about serving in war.
What is actually WORSE is for a "public official" to do so.
In the case of Blumenthal... there is absolutely NO excuse... NONE!
Yeah sure... I always get confused about "whether or not I was actually IN Vietnam" or if I never saw any action??? Duh???
Of course, since he is such a "classic political slug" Blumenthal took his lies to an entirely new level by "lamely attempting to make pathetic excuses" and suggest that he "simply misspoke?"
What "voters" SHOULD grasp is that any politician attempting to "sugar coat" is PROOF of just "how gullible" politicians believe the voters truly are.
What a BUM!
I wouldn't vote for her if she paid me.
I wouldn't vote for her if she paid me.
(Tried to post this earlier, but it may have hiccupped? Forgive me if this is a duplicate.)
Blumenthal's (ahem) overstatement about his military record may not be the only candidate caught by deep research in this election season.
May I please ask Ms Dunn -- or anyone on the FirstRead team -- to take a look into Alaska GOP Senate candidate Joe Miller's military experience pronouncements? There appear to be holes in his purported record? Anything to these allegations as posted by an Anchorage reader of the Alaska Daily News on 9/23/10 ?
Link: http://www.adn.com/2010/09/22/1467396/letters-to-the-editor-92310.html
"Question Miller's service
I would like to ask Joe Miller about his military service. His website says he graduated from West Point in 1989 and left active duty in 1992 and then served in the Reserve.
I have more than 30 years of active and Army Reserve service and I know it is highly unusual for a West Point graduate to serve less than the statutory minimum of five years -- 10 U.S.C. Sec. 4348 -- for you lawyers out there. Those five years of service are supposed to repay the taxpayer for the cost of the cadet's education.
The only time I have ever heard of this obligation being waived is when the officer had a medical condition which precluded him from military service. But if that were the case, then Mr. Miller would not have been eligible to serve in the Reserve for five more years.
Mr. Miller, how did you "get out" after only three years? I want to know.
-- Elizabeth Fleming"
Thanks!
bluez------You bring up an interesting point. I was a "lifer", however this is the way I remember it.
The commitment is for a total of 8 years, 5 of which are on active duty and 3 in the Reserves if you choose not to finish active duty. I posted a link below. The only exceptions that I am certain of are medical as you stated and the few that have gone on to follow a career in Professional Sports. If, in fact, they have not served their five years of active duty, I believe they actually must PAY BACK the cost of what the particular academy's amount is. I guess, if your signing a professional sports contract, what a few hundred thousand dollars mean.
Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/life-after-west-point-military-school-94448.html#ixzz11R4r272r
THIS IS HORRIBLE ! ! !
I'm a 33 year old living in my parents basement. I work as a Produce Spritzer at Walmart. As a proud Vietnam Vet, this makes me SICK! !
...Before Nam' I served along side some true heros in World War II as well. I saved several lives, and was on the Enola Gay as we dropped the Atom Bomb. I just wish true heros like myself will SOME DAY get recognozed.
I will now turn off my Mothers PC, borrow $10 from her, ride my bike to 7-11, buy a copy of BOY SCOUT TIMES, YOUNG BOY WEEKLY, and a jar of Hand Creme.... return home, go to the basement, and be the....
...."TROOPER" I KNOW I AM ! ! !
McMahon's opinion about serving in war would carry more weight if she had ever been involved in any arena more threatening than organizing a Fake Wrestling show.
Sorry, but to me this is not about one's politics anymore. It is a dishonor to those that gave their lives serving in " real " battles. Regardless of which party you prefer, Blumenthal could pick lots of things to help his chances, but not on the backs of those who did serve.
Thank you to those that have expressed outrage at this. Many men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice in REAL battle, and to have it so belittled just to advance a career of another "one that wants to serve the people" is despicable. If in fact, Blumenthal is claiming he mis-spoke, I am sorry. In my opinion he is a liar. No second chance. WHY? Because someone does not ever for a one moment have a clouded memory when it comes to being in a war.
Amen! Let's stop this nonsense and look at her record. Do you really want a senator that fired numerous people to beef up her profits. Besides that, consider the steriod issues of the WWF. Still think she's squeaky clean? No, she doesn't lie, she just spent most of her life sacrificing the middle class for her own profit.
This guy, cheney, mitch mcconnell, and others found ways to keep out of Nam while us guys answered the call when the @!$%# hit the fan in the mid sixties. half my platoon was wounded or killed. I'd of loved to have taken Mitch on a bnight ambush patrol with me...he'd a @!$%# his damn pants..same goes for the rest of the asswipes who hid under mommys apron
He lied and isn't that who we elect in America today. Politicians who can lie and never get caught. He got caught, now he should resign. He just isn't a good enough liar. He should take a trip to the WALL and apologive to everyone who did serve.
He lied and isn't that who we elect in America today. Politicians who can lie and never get caught. He got caught, now he should resign. He just isn't a good enough liar. He should take a trip to the WALL and apologive to everyone who did serve.
So what you are saying is that soldiers that do a support role in the miltary is not as important as the front line troops? It is a team effort to make America safe! They are all important!!!
Georgia-Jim----Just checked in for a second. If your referring to any of my posts above, that is not at all what I said. If that is what I implied, I apologize. ALL troops, no matter what role they play are essential and are to be commended equally. A Military cannot run properly, especially " in Country " as he implied, without every member, from the secretaries, to maintenance, to the Generals.
But LYING about what one did, which appears to be the case here, is reprehensible to all. Supposedly, his remarks included something to the effect, " when WE returned form Vietnam ". If he was not there, in any sense, then he is lying. That is all that I am concerned with.
We get what we vote for in America. Liars and cheaters on their spouses. This man got caught in a lie. He should walk down to The Wall and apologize to those who's names are there, then apologize to those 3000,000 who were wounded in Vietnam and then to the thousands who are live today with PTSD and Agent Orange. Never party in this country has anyone whom deserves to serve in our government.
Okay, if anyone gets down the blog roll this far...please consider this.
While embellishment is troubling, it is the case that this was done months ago, it was a mistake, Mr. Blumenthal apologized and moved on. Now it was saved to be used as the unforgiving weapon by Republican candidate McMahon. Fine. This is typical. However, according to the news, it has been stated that there are just as many speeches and occasions when Blumenthal discussed the role he was in openly and clearly, including a fuller explanation where he was serving and what he was doing.
Keep in mind that this is an emotional knee jerk "got you" ad. These two statements were picked out specifically, and were his worst and one did use the first person "I", but the other was a questionable sound bite that could have been taken out of context before further qualifying statements. He did go overboard and was embellishing. It was wrong to over hype himself and he moved on admitting the mistake months ago. NOW, voters -think what is really at stake and get outside your Viet Nam emotions for a moment. This Viet Nam statement is an issue that has absolutely nothing to do with what will be affecting YOU and your pocket books from who serves you in this current post! In other words, this Viet Nam issue is superfluous - it has nothing to do with YOU and now, the future post they are campaigning for, and the decisions your representative will make for you.
Get back to what you are voting for. I would be much more concerned about putting in a representative that wants to cut down the minimum wage in your state! This is really what you need to consider when you decide your vote! If you go to find a job do you want to be protected by a minimum wage??? Or do you wish to go work part time with no benefits and make something like 4 dollars an hour? Check out more about McMahon's anti minimum wage stance on Hardball with Chris Matthews at:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#39508496
Then, you decide what you want making a living to be like after this election. Clearly, if you do not want the past to ruin the future for your best interests, Blumenthal is the better choice when we get back to the concerns of this campaign and it's duties NOW!
yea libs. let all the tax evaders and blatant liars run this country. all libs are socialists and should just admit it, you have lots of company in the democraps party. go tea party.
More on the minimum wage issues...and more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann/#39510610
Let's see? Someone who lies about being in the war or a Republican that lies to the American people on everything. Which would be the better decision?
oblamer is the greatest liar of all time.
Please tell me!! How has Obama lied? I really want to know your logic on this one. It should be good!!!
thats oblamer not obama, he can't take responsibility for anything. Always everyone elses fault. hes never even had a job. you guys would vote for anyone, even osama who agrees with global warming. time to take our country back from socialists.
Nope. It was Tricky Dicky. Now we have Nixonomics and the smiling tiger.
pass the health bill and your ins premiums will go down, pass the stimulus and unemployment won' t go above 8%, ill be the most transparent president in history, ill be the uniter of people, i'll have the summer of recovery in 2010, i could do this all year.
McMahon's bosses work for the smiling tiger. They owe so off to work we go so that we can contribute to paying off "our" debt by letting them take half our wages. Our bills will go up and we will pay fees for our privatized everything and if the firefighters don't get paid, our houses burn down like happened to this poor man in TN. No healthcare, no social security. But ofcourse she won't be telling you that now will she.
Lies??? And O'Donnell went to Oxford U. as states on her resume, sure she did on a flying online Phoenix course. Cute. Embellishment? Check her out on linked in. Hmmm. So what is the definition of Socialist anyway? What is the definition of Liberal? Is it really this big boogie man??? Hmmm
I'm with Georgia Jim. A sound bite out of context and an exaggeration is not lying about the whole state of economics. Perhaps you could read a good text book on the basic mechanics of economic production in Capitalist society called 'Das Capital'.