Vets Demand an Apology From Swiftboaster Blumenthal

[darrels joy]

Vets Demand an Apology From Swiftboaster Blumenthal

Posted by Jim Hoft on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 12:02 PM

The truth came out about Dem phony Richard Blumenthal this week. He never served in Vietnam. He never was captain of the Harvard Swim Team. He never even was a member of the Harvard Swim Team.



After he was caught lying about serving in Vietnam, Blumenthal held a press conference with several veterans standing by his side including another phony.

Following his thorough swiftboating, veterans groups yesterday demanded that the fraud lib Richard Blumenthal apologize.
The VFW released this statement yesterday:

“Those who served in Vietnam or offshore or in neighboring countries rightfully earned all the belated thanks and appreciation our nation can muster. Those who served in uniform during the Vietnam era also deserve our gratitude, which makes Mr. Blumenthal’s claim to be something he is not so outrageous. It diminishes the service of all who served and sacrificed, most especially those whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Wall. Mr. Blumenthal was considered one of the best friends a veteran could have in Connecticut. It is a true shame that he let a false claim of Vietnam service change that.”

And, Vets for Freedom director Pete Hegseth released a statement saying Blumenthal “never set foot in a combat zone—even though he gladly perpetuated the politically-expedient perception that he had—and should apologize to real Vietnam combat veterans for this gross violation of honor.”

http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com...-swiftboating/

[darrels joy]

Breaking: Blumenthal’s Soldier Supporter On Stage Today Is a Phony, Too

Posted by Jim Hoft on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 8:42 PM

Oh my.

Democratic Senatorial Candidate Richard Blumenthal held a presser today after it was discovered that he lied about serving in Vietnam. (He also lied about being captain of the Harvard Swim Team.) So, Blumenthal went before the press along with some former military men and supporters. It was a great show. Maybe tomorrow the swim team will join him on stage?

Unfortunately, one of the democratic supporters on stage with him lied about his military service, too.

Free Republic reported–

Blumenthal’s military buddy on stage is William Joseph Trumpower, aka Elliott Storm, a POW HALL OF SHAME

Here’s a photo:



The POW HALL OF SHAME winner, William Joseph Trumpower, is second from the right.

POW Network.org reported on Trumpower earlier:

WILLIAM JOSEPH TRUMPOWER
aka Elliott Storm
* CLAIMING BRONZE STAR w/VALOR device.
* Claims 2nd Lt, Claims
* Wears 3 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars w/V.
The jacket in EARLIER pictures boasted 8 ribbons.
This NEW pic has more and includes V device on Bronze Star and 2nd Lt bars..
* Claims he worked with Ollie North.

The New Haven Independent reported that Blumenthal called supporter Storm who helped him out today.

Elliott Storm is a Blumenthal supporter. The campaign called him and asked him to show up; he called up his friends in the “Vet Pack” to join him, friends who, like him, travel around the country talking about ex-soldiers who contend with post traumatic stress syndrome.

Why is this not surprising?





http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com...s-a-phony-too/

[darrels joy]

WILLIAM JOSEPH TRUMPOWER aka Elliott Storm CLAIMING BRONZE STAR w/VALOR device. Claims 2nd Lt, Claims Wears 3 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars w/V. The jacket in EARLIER pictures boasted 8 ribbons. This NEW pic has more and includes V device on Bronze Star and 2nd Lt bars. Claims he worked with Ollie North. Reported to have an officer's ID card for 100% disability. Noted as a Disabled American Veteran, commissioned officer 01, Marine Corps.

ACTUAL - National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Purple Heart w/1*. Served 11 Oct 1968 to 30 Jan 1970 as a USMC rifleman (MOS 0311). Has enlisted service number (not officer's). Most likely discharged an E-2 or E-3. http://pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies293.htm

[darrels joy]

YouTube- Blumenthal Exaggerates Vietnam Record

[Gimpy]

Been thinking about this a lot the last few days.

I've read several articles about this situtaion and have accumulated some thoughts from many of them I feel like I should speak out about.

The incidence of Richard Blumenthal and his depiction or explanation of his military service are indicative of a much more insidious and broader disease within our current society.

The issues of integrity in business and politics that plague us today----the way many "elites" are no longer trusted by most Americans----are rooted in the dishonesty that surrounded the Vietnam-era draft and/or call to service.

The Vietnam War drove many members of "our" generation in many different directions. Some served our country because they either believed in the War or at least a committment to serve their country. Others didn't believe in the war and/or may have protested it, but when they were "drafted" felt and obilgation to go and do their duty to serve. Others were simply drafted with no apparent feelings either way. Some "refused" to serve out of their so-called "principles", others out of nothing except "fear", and still others because they felt that taking the time and committment to go to Vietnam would interfere or slow their future careers.

Many of those who didn't serve were assisted by an inherently unfair draft. I find it difficult to find "fault" with anyone for taking advantage of some of those "inherent" discrepancies within that law. However------I DO find fault among those individuals who claim they were avoiding the draft because they supposedly were idealisticly opposed to the war----when, in fact, they mostly didn't want to make the sacrifice that many others felt obligated to do.

The problem then became----that for every person who "dodged" that committment by winning a "deferment" (or as many as 5 or 6!) or a spot in a special National Guard unit----caused someone of a less fortunate social, educational or occupational status to take their place in that hell hole many of us "chose" to serve.

It was during this time that many of "our" generation knew very well that they were using a nearly "broken" (but legal) system to shirk their duty to this great country! They simply cloaked themselves in their so-called "idealism" while deep down they knew without a doubt they were engaging in a charade of the most insidious kind.

Hell, I was against the War in the beginning myself, and felt very strongly that if others felt it was appropiate to "protest" (peacefully)---they should do so----but NOT dodge or shirk their responsibility to serve their nation when called upon.

This intellectual "justification" continues to rear it's ugly head to this day, only NOW-----these men are (or were) among our nations leaders in Government and the business community.

I had a unique opportunity to not only serve with, but to observe and associate with the best and brightest of my generation while in military service and attending Georgia Tech before and after my military service. Among many of my classmates at Georgia Tech were some who used elaborate steps and/or schemes to avoid the draft. During many conversations with some very bright individuals, I was told over and over again that they didn't want to serve in the military because it would hold up or interfere with their business "careers".

But, to those outside of this little academic "society" they would profess and proclaim they weren't going because they were "opposed" to the "war" and all war should be stopped. Eventually they began to believe their own misguided "idealism" was far "superior" to that of those who DID serve. They claimed it was "courageous" to resist the "draft"----something that may have been true----if ONLY they had become conscientous objectors and gone to prison for their so called "beliefs".


Way too many in "our" generation did a deeply insidious and unforgivable thing, and many got away with it. Like I said before, many of the less "fortunate" went off to war in THEIR place. While these men who didn't were able to get their head start to power positions within the Government and business communities.

What we have seen in the past twenty-some-odd years or so is that "flawed" thinking has been carried forward. Many of these men who evaded service but "claimed" their so-called "idealism" are leading (or HAVE led) our elite insitutions, Government and business positions.

Their misguided concept using slighty flawed legal "technicalities" to evade their responsibility has now been carried over to Wall Street derivatives, to shortchange shareholders and/or to saying ONE thing while actually believing another. Once "our" generation became accustomed to this behavior, it seems they have been unable (or unwilling) to stop it.

The overwhelming evidence that this behavior has reared it's ugly head in the world of "politics" is also quite evident. Many of those who "avoided" the war, or military service in a war zone, have since become "Hawks" themselves when it comes to foreign policy. There have been far too many Republicans and Democrats who did NOT "serve" in the war when they had their chance, who now have overcompensated for their unease or reluctance by sending "others" into harms way. Bill Clinton comes to mind in Bosnia and Somalia, while George Bush and Dick Cheney come to mind in Iraq. This is NOT a "partisan" character defect----it occurs on BOTH sides of the political spectrum.

In the near future I'm sure we'll learn more details of Blumenthals sad story. What we DO know though, is much more troubling.

Way too many of "our" generation learned to believe that they could "game" the system and work within the law (flawed as it may have been) in order to evade or ignore their basic responsiblities to this nations citizens by cloaking their actions in their so-called "idealism". This type thinking is coming home to "roost" and scars us still today.

Hopefully Blumenthal and others who chose this "behavior" will get their just dues.

Gimp

[darrels joy]

Gimpy,

That is why I always thank those who choose to join our military. I thanked another one today.



Joy

[SuperScout]

Irrespective of his staements of alleged contrition, "I am sorry," does not translate into "I lied" very well at all. "I am sorry" is more of "I got caught lyiing, and now I'm trying to cover my very exposed ass" than a genuine apology. A genuine apology also asks for forgiveness. ust another worthless, lying politician.

[Boats]

You've touched on an issue that has always been a factor. I have to agree with you on your insite.

[revwardoc]

Limit all U.S. politicians to two terms.

One in office; One in prison

Detroit and Chicago already do this.

[darrels joy]

Blumenthal bows out of Memorial Day event with McMahon

Neil Vigdor And Brian Lockhart, Staff Writers

Published: 10:15 p.m., Wednesday, May 26, 2010

• Connecticut state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal gives his acceptance speech at the Democratic State Convention in Hartford, Conn., Friday, May 21, 2010, after he received the nomination to run for the U.S. Senate. (AP Photo/Bob Child) Photo: AP, Bob Child / FR170410 AP
• Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei. Photo: File Photo / Greenwich Time File Photo
• U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon stands in the center of the media as she waits to hear the results of the nomination proccess at the GOP convention in downtown Hartford, Conn. on Friday May 21, 2010. Photo: ST, Christian Abraham / Connecticut Post | Buy This Photo
  
  

Richard Blumenthal is seeking another deferment.

Invited by the Greenwich American Legion Post 29 to be a guest speaker at its dockside service in his hometown on Memorial Day, Blumenthal abruptly cancelled his appearance Wednesday at that event and other military tributes.

The Democratic Senate nominee now avoids the media frenzy and potential distraction that his presence could have created. The Greenwich ceremony would have brought him face-to-face with Linda McMahon for the first time since the firestorm over Blumenthal's statements that he served in Vietnam when he did not.

"He's just committed to keeping the focus on veterans," said Maura Downes, a spokeswoman for Blumenthal. "He thinks Memorial Day weekend is a solemn occasion and the focus should be squarely and solely on honoring our service men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect their freedoms." Blumenthal will be spending the weekend privately with his family, according to Downes, who left the door open that Blumenthal may visit some veterans memorials, albeit in a low-key manner.

A spokesman for McMahon, a fellow Greenwich resident whose campaign took credit for feeding the story about Blumenthal's exaggerated military service to The New York Times, confirmed that the Republican was invited to and plans to attend the service at Indian Harbor Yacht Club.

Earlier, Greenwich's chief elected official had openly questioned the choice of Blumenthal to speak.

"I think it's inappropriate for a political candidate to be the keynote speaker," First Selectman Peter Tesei said. "I just think it takes away from the meaning of the day." A Republican who is backing McMahon's candidacy, Tesei said he wasn't singling out Blumenthal because of the recent controversy or because the state attorney general is a Democrat.

"Given that Memorial Day is a solemn occasion, any invited speaker should be devoid of being a candidate for office," Tesei said. "I'm not saying they cannot attend." When it was pointed out to him that then-U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., was the guest speaker two years ago and was running for re-election, Tesei, who did not complain at the time, said his views applied to Republican candidates as well.

"So if Shays was endorsed for re-election at that point, again, I think it would be best if they were nonpartisan," Tesei said. "I think it would be best not to have someone perceived to be using it for political purposes."

A message seeking comment was left for Christopher Hughes, a retired Marine corporal and organizer of the American Legion event.

In an interview last week with the Advocate's sister newspaper, Greenwich Time, Hughes said he had no reservations about the selection of Blumenthal, a Marine reservist who was quoted multiple times claiming to have served in Vietnam but received five deferments that allowed him to avoid combat.

"We stand behind him 100 percent," Hughes said last week.

Blumenthal was a guest speaker at the same event in 2006.

Pat Battinelli, chairman of Stamford's Patriotic and Special Events Commission, said Blumenthal "seldom misses" marching in that city's Memorial Day Parade and he had expected him to appear this year.

"But with this dirt that's going around, I don't blame him," said Battinelli, who was one of the veterans who stood behind Blumenthal last week during a press conference in West Hartford addressing the Vietnam flap. "I think he's noble for doing that. He's probably thinking ... people are going to heckle him on the road. That's not necessary. That's not the time it should be done. I give him a lot of credit." State Rep. Lile Gibbons, R-150th District, who supported Rob Simmons over McMahon at last week's state GOP convention won by McMahon, also questioned the choice of Blumenthal.

"I think, in general, to ask a candidate for a major office for what is a nonpartisan event is not the best choice," Gibbons said.

Selectman Drew Marzullo, the highest elected Democrat in Greenwich, has no qualms about Blumenthal headlining the 8 a.m. service, which traditionally includes the playing of "taps," a three-volley rifle salute and placement of a memorial wreath in the water.

"He's the sitting attorney general who has been a loud and supportive voice for the men and women who serve in the military," Marzullo said.

"As long as partisan politics or campaign rhetoric doesn't enter into Dick's speech, I'm OK with it. Memorial Day should not be about Dick or Linda. It should be about honoring heroes, period."

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news...ith-501607.php