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Thomas B.
14 years ago
I thought Democrats were all about “recycling”? I guess that’s the limousine liberal creed. Do as I say, not as I do.
Reaching
14 years ago
Yea, every flag ever used at a Republican convention is pristinely stored in glass cases at houses throught the US.
Give me a break, are you kidding me? The whole Republican “ONLY WE LOVE THE USA, NO ONE ELSE DOES” is so lame and tired. It just makes you look like fools.
I can’t believe people are so stupid to believe that ONLY Democrats would throw away a flag. Like the original post said, what were they supposed to do with them? These aren’t flags flying outside capitol buildings or houses.
Oh wait, what about all those flags the Republicans were flying on their cars after 9/11? Where did all those go?
Let’s stick to the issues and policy and enough of this partisan rhetoric. In other words, grow up.
Nate
14 years ago
Well, I still have a flag that I got at a McCain event in 2000. I displayed it at my desk at work, and now in my den since I don’t have a desk with cube walls anymore.
I think the point is that you definitely CAN say that those who attend Republican events in general have a greater respect for our flag than those who attend the events of other parties. Granted there are exceptions… I’m talking about the average level of respect here.
bigpapa
14 years ago
I can’t speak for everyone “Reaching” but I have 3 flags in a cabinet that have been retired from the flag pole in my front yard…
It’s interesting that you say only the Republicans were flying flags after 911,… you’re bias is showing… LOL
If you can convince the libtards to “grow up” and quit their attacks on Palins family… I’ll never question the libtard patriotism again… freaking socialst, commie, tree hugging idiots…
Reaching is reaching all right. Reaching for a way to try and change the subject.
And it’s just what I would expect from a flag trasher: more trash talk.
As I said, I have been to A LOT of GOP events and don’t ever recall flags being discarded. Perhaps some have been, but as Nate says, in general there can be no doubt that Republicans have greater respect for the flag and love of country than the Dems do.
And that IS a valid campaign issue. It is the foundation for understanding the differences between Dems and Republicans on nearly every issue from social policy to national security.
Here’s one flag the Dems would never let touch the ground or toss in the trash:
According to AmericanFlags.com:
When a U.S. flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. Most American Legion Posts, VFW Chapters and Boy Scout Troops regularly conduct dignified flag burning ceremonies, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Contact your local American Legion Hall, VFW Chapter or Boy Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service. NEVER THROW A FLAG IN THE GARBAGE!
I’ve read several comments about this both here and other sites and there are two obvious perspectives. The republicans revere the flag as a symbol of the country and as such deserves respect. Democrats ridicule the “friggin” thing as just a piece of paper or plastic that’s a mere “party favor.” As my 17 year old son just observed: If that’s all it is, then why have it there in the first place? Obviously the flag to them is nothing more than a prop/toy/tool or some other meaningless object hypocritically displayed to pander to mainstream America.
“The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America. So I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first. ”
-Barack Obama 2008 Presidential nomination acceptance speech/hours before his party threw their American flags into the trash.
EDIT:
I wonder if people kept their Obama signs?
Still Waiting
14 years ago
Great, some flags were lost. How about peoples’ jobs? Pensions? Health care?
passerby
14 years ago
hmmm…interesing
google
Democrats Trash the Flag at Denver
Milan
14 years ago
Reaching wrote:
“Oh wait, what about all those flags the Republicans were flying on their cars after 9/11? Where did all those go?”
I can tell you exactly were my flag did go. Read on.
I bought small American flag just after 9/11, couldn’t get hold of a bigger one at that time. This was the flag which was proudly displayed near the entrance to the house we lived in. I packed it carefully and took it with me when we moved back to Europe.
I still have it, still keep it as a memory of those almost five years I had the honor to live and work in the USA.
I’m not an American officially (I was born and raised in a small country in the central Europe behind iron curtain). For me, American flag has been a symbol of freedom ever since I can remember. For me it’s not just a flag, it is a symbol of the principles upon which United States were founded and build.
Seeing American flags lying on the floor in a trash bag is just beyond belief. Very sad indeed.
Jim
14 years ago
Still Waiting; I have a solution for unemployment, lets tax corporations so they can’t invest and create new jobs. Lets increase the minimun wage, driving teens and newcomers from even beginning work. Lets have a Govt. healthcare system that works so well in Canada, England and France. And lets screw up the system so bad that individuals feel no responsibility to take care of themselves. I love the bumper sticker “REPUBLICAN, BECAUSE EVERYBODY CAN’T BE ON WELEFARE”. As for the flags (to get back on topic), the “ONE” claims it is the little things, community organizing, running a campaign, that informs us he is ready for the biggie, running the country. Yeah, the flags, in the great scheme of things, might be a little thing. But he set the standards for judging.
Insensitive
14 years ago
Dear Still Waiting…
Spare me the gloom and doom. You are nothing more than the liberal version of fear and smear. Oh no, jobs, pensions, social security…those evil republicans. Thats right, None of us work nor care about our future.
And you know what? The little things like this do matter.
Go think of something to bash Sarah Palin’s head in. You will feel better. Or go spit on Bush’s picture. That should make your day.
I’m not an American officially (I was born and raised in a small country in the central Europe behind iron curtain). For me, American flag has been a symbol of freedom ever since I can remember. For me it’s not just a flag, it is a symbol of the principles upon which United States were founded and build.
Thanks Milan. You understand the point and you were not even born here. Today’s Democrats take that freedom and opportunity for granted and won’t realize how precious it is until they have lost it, or until they are locked in a 4 x 6 foot cell and tortured by signatories to the Geneva Conventions.
And “still waiting” ought to realize that if we can’t trust Dems to respect the flag as a symbol of what it represents how can we trust them on anything else?
Still Waiting
14 years ago
I’m a Republican, thank you. A GOLDWATER republican.
Bush and the current Repubs are as liberal as they come. Spending money like it grows on trees.
Letting faith enter government. The founder of the Republican party is rolling in his grave.
“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion.”—-Abraham Lincoln, founder of the Republican Party.
Still Waiting: Perhaps you were not aware, but the GOP just nominated two candidates with a RECORD, not just a speech, about taking on the big spending, big government crowd.
Oh, and for the record, I’m a REAGAN Republican. Even though I stood just off the stage as Barry Goldwater addressed the GOP Convention in 1980!
Still Waiting
14 years ago
“Do not associate my name with anything you do. You are extremists, and you’ve hurt the Republican party much more than the Democrats have.”—Barry Goldwater on the Faux Republicans
Philly_NJ
14 years ago
I guess those discarded American flags could be donated or reused but,….
…what if those discarded American Flags get offered for sale ? …
…maybe auctioned one at a time even… proceeds going to veterans (DAV for instance)
.
chuck in austin
14 years ago
Scott (#8) quoted from Obama’s acceptance speech: “So I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first.”
Let’s look at some FOOs (Friends Of Obama’s). Birds of a feather flock together.
His pastor for over twenty years said, “Nuh uh, not God bless America. God DAMN America!” His fellow congregants, some presumably for over twenty years, cheered that. Enthusiastically.
Damning is *not* putting our country first. Neither is cheering for windbags who would say that. Neither is defending a windbag until it starts to show up in the polls.
Another of his friends is Bill Ayers. Bill Ayers bombed the Capital. Bill Ayers bombed police cars. Bill Ayers didn’t think they did enough to bring down America. Their worst act of carnage was, fittingly enough, against themselves. Ayers girlfriend and cronies died when the nail bomb they intended to deliver to Fort Dix exploded.
Blowing up American institutions isn’t putting America first. Neither is building and/or taking nail bombs to Army posts. Neither is befriending those who do that, let alone seeking their political patronage.
Finally, I take exception to Obama himself (whether Senator McCain will stoop to my level or not) — he doesn’t put this country first. At least not its people, and it’s the American people and their ideals that make this nation great. Anyone who talks out of both sides of his mouth puts himself above country. His condescending remarks about how the great unwashed cling to their guns and religion indicate he’s the one who’s really out of touch. It also shows contempt for those who really do put our country first.
You know a man by the people he chooses to surround himself with. Obama’s friends don’t put country first. They damn it, they want to bring it down. I don’t think he puts American first, either.
chuck in austin
14 years ago
Still Waiting: You’re no more Republican than Obama is. Jobs are a function of free markets and economic liberty, so how do you Democrats seek to expand either when you’re attempting to restrict economic liberty and strangle the free market with excessive regulation? Pensions are a function of investments, like in the stock markets, so how does Obama seek to improve pensions by punishing workers with higher income taxes (less to invest in their retirement plans off the bat) and higher taxes on capital gains, on distribution of retirement funds, and even on estates? Finally, why do you liberals find it enticing to screw up the best health care system in the world by socializing a seventh of our GDP to cover a relatively small part of the population who are uninsured periodically or completely?
While you’re working on the last one, please explain why you leftists always make a rule out of the exception. For example, you’re unwilling to support any legislation that restricts abortion access (including parental consent laws, etc.). Any time you can think of an exception to any law, you oppose the law rather than working exemptions into reasonable legislation. And any time you come up with an example of want or poverty, you see it as a cause to take over an entire sector of the economy.
“Still Waiting” I don’t have that Goldwater quote in my files. Perhaps you can verify it by providing a source. It’s no secret that Goldwater didn’t always like every element of the Republican Party in his later years.
But he was also a man of wisdom:
“We cannot allow the American flag to be shot at anywhere on earth if we are to retain our respect and prestige”
“To insist on strength is not war-mongering. It is peace-mongering.”
“The time has come to recognize the United Nations for the anti-American, anti-freedom organization that it has become. The time has come for us to cut off all financial help, withdraw as a member, and ask the United Nations to find headquarters location outside the United States that is more in keeping with the philosophy of the majority of voting members, someplace like Moscow or Peking.”
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
–Barry Goldwater
Still Waiting
14 years ago
Jim—I couldn’t agree more. We need less government. I am embarassed that Bush and these phony Republicans have agreed with the Fannie/Freddie bailout. And the housing bill.
Since when has it been the government’s duty to bail out citizens who make poor decisions.
We need to put some real Republicans back in the White House!
Since when has it been the government’s duty to bail out citizens who make poor decisions.
Since when is it the duty of government to ensure health care insurance for all? Same can be said for pensions and jobs.
The Constitution says:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Life, Liberty, and the PURSUIT of happiness.
No where does it say they must be responsible for good pensions, health care for all, and jobs for all.
David Sullivan
14 years ago
D. CLEANING OR DISPOSAL OF THE NATIONAL FLAG
When the United States flag has become soiled, it may be either hand washed or dry cleaned, depending upon the material from which the flag is constructed. When the flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed as a whole, privately, preferably by burning. http://www.vpfa.fsu.edu/policies/bmanual/flag.html
Still Waiting…I live in Ohio. Lost jobs? Man, don’t even START w me about lost jobs. That so-called Clinton economic greatness NEVER appeared here in Ohio. 6%? Oooooo, that’d be a drop for us. And my wife has a chronic disease which made me give up my job so I could stay home w the kids instead of lose her medical coverage (provided by the corporation she works for). Healthcare costs…Ooooo
So which is more upsetting? Lost jobs, expensive healthcare, housing market, a few thousand flags tossed in the trash by those seeking to control the American government?
For me, I say the flags. They’re not just rags, cloth, colors, fabric, and sticks. Those flags are the physical symbols of our nation, hour history, our values, and our freedoms. That’s damn important to me. It’s apprently not important to the Democratic Party which literally threw away the symbols of America, Americans past and present, symbols that represent the love of country (and don’t tell me that isn’t what the flag at Iwo jima or any other battlefield meant). No. The flags are our nation, and they tossed it away.
Lose a job-it sucks, but I’ll find another one.
Expensive healthcare-scary, but we’ll find a way
Housing crisis-one thing there is in this nation right now…is affordable homes.
Flag in the trash? A patriot would raise it rather than trash it.
What makes this even more important is that it’s not 2nd grade kids that tossed away the flags, but people who are supposed to know more than most what it means. These people take oaths to defend them, they pledge their allegience to them at every rally…then toss em in the trash?!
It’s not a party of patriots anymore. It’s a party of pissed off misled twits who care more about the 5 colors required in every DNC plate of food more than they do a 12000 American flags that they pledged allegience to.
Curious, Still Waiting, do you KNOW the words to the pledge? Do Democrats?
Curt: Great point! How can one claim to be a Goldwater Republican with his emphasis on smaller government and less spending while demanding expansion of government and increased spending?
“Still Waiting” expression’s of concern for jobs, healthcare and pensions is little more than the thinly veiled code language the left uses to support big government solutions to those very same problems.
Again, McCain and Palin have stood up for less government waste while addressing the issues S.W. claims to care about with more workable solutions than the tried and failed big government liberal/socialst model.
I’m beginning to wonder whether S.W. isn’t just pulling our legs by claiming to be a real Republican?
On 6-27-06, Obama AND Biden voted ‘NO’ for an amendment to the US Constitution that would “prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.” Of course McCain voted ‘YES.’
Obama and Biden are running true to form.
Doug
14 years ago
You may not like all the forms it takes but, its called the First Amendment. We don’t need more nanny laws.
bigpapa
14 years ago
Doug,
“You may not like all the forms it takes but, its called the First Amendment. We don’t need more nanny laws.”
Remember that when it comes to the second amendment…
The DNC speaketh… According to an update on the Denver blog Mike’s A linked above, this is what they had to say… they were *stolen!* LOL
“Stories circulating about flags at the Democratic National Convention are false. We distributed more than 125,000 American made flags at the Convention – the flags removed from Invesco field were intended for other events and taken without permission. It’s disappointing that someone would take American flags without authorization and then falsely describe how they were being used. We have the utmost respect for the American flag, and it’s sad to see them being used for a cheap political stunt.”
– Democratic National Convention Committee
Okie doke. The attendees (as well as David Harsanyi , the Denver blog post author) either don’t know sheeeeet about flag etiquette, consider them toss aways, or they are thieves.
Personally, I love Philly NJ’s #19 post…
I guess those discarded American flags could be donated or reused but,….
…what if those discarded American Flags get offered for sale ? …
…maybe auctioned one at a time even… proceeds going to veterans (DAV for instance)
MataH: I’ve got an update to this story in the works, but suffice it to say that it’s not stealing if the stuff is in trash bags next to a dumpster.
And besides, I already posted the link to the Red State article. Are these flags photographed amongst the trash at the Pepsi Center earlier in that week about to be picked up and resused?
Don’t hurt me, Mikey! LOL I was just pointing out the defense spin the DNC gave, ya know. Rather reminds me of the public relations clean up they had to do after parking “honey pots” on the police memorial in Portland, OR.
They called these flags the victims of thieves. Pretty weak when you consider the alternatives. Like I said, if they weren’t stolen, the attendees are either ignorant to flag etiquette, or just plain consider Old Glory a disposable piece of garbage.
Not one of the explanations goes down the gullet well. Glad to hear Old Glory was treated better at the conventions you witnessed. I’m such a maniac about this stuff that when my flags that I fly on my m’cycle get damaged, I save them all and take them to my local Fire Dept, where they give them the proper ceremonial disposal.
Don’t worry MataH. You’re safe on this side of the fence. I’ll get the new post up later tonight.
One of my military correspondents mentioned that the Dems could have donated the flags to be used to decorate military graves:
But of course that would never have occurred to these Dems now would it?
BarbaraS
14 years ago
I have a flag flying on my house. I have found it in the yard on two occassions. Someone came and took it down and threw it on the ground. There was no way it could have come down on its own or been blown down. I put it back up each time. I will not let anyone stop me from flying my flag.
Also I found a small flag that was once on a car’s antenna in my yard. It must have come loose. I could not bring myself to throw that tiny little plastic flag in the garbage. I put it away in a chest. When I was a child we were taught to revere the flag and our country. That is not taught today. I get tears in my eyes when I see Old Glory or hear the national anthem and my heart feels like it is bursting. It’s a shame that young people today do not have this feeling of pride and joy. There is nothing like it.
Eric
14 years ago
What the Democrats did is awful. But it looks like Sarah Palin is no better. Look at the research that I just completed. First time in my life I have been so angry:
Are you kidding me? When you look at the number of actual veterans that have served this country the “chicken hawk” right has little if any leg to stand on. Look at the record.
Democrats:
* President Jimmy Carter-US Naval Academy
* John Kennedy-decorated WWII veteran
* Sen. John Kerry: Lt., U.S. Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat.
* President-elect Al Gore: enlisted August 1969; sent to Vietnam January 1971 as an army journalist, assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade headquartered at Bien Hoa, an airbase twenty miles northeast of Saigon.
* House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt: Missouri Air National Guard, 1965-71.
* Rep. David Bonior: Staff Sgt., United States Air Force 1968-72
* Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., U.S. Air Force SAC 1969-72
* Sen. Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g., U.S. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam
* Sen. Daniel Inouye, US Army 1943-’47: Medal of Honor, World War Two
* Rep. Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., U.S. Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea
* Sen. Max Cleland*: Captain, U.S. Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam. Lost both legs and one arm.
* Sen. George McGovern*: one of the elite few Air Force bomber pilots to fly the maximum 35 successful bombing missions in WW II. Stephen Ambrose, who wrote a book about him, called him “one of the greatest patriots I know.”
* Sen. Ted Kennedy: U.S. Army, 1951-1953.
* Sen. Tom Harkin: Lt., U.S. Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Sen. Jack Reed: U.S. Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91
* Sen. Fritz Hollings: served as a U.S. Army officer in World War II, receiving the Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons.
* Rep. Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., U.S. Army 1956-76; two tours in Vietnam, two Distinguished Flying Crosses as a helicopter pilot, two Bronze Stars, and the Soldier’s Medal.
* Rep. Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW, Ambassador to Viet Nam, and recipient of the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit.
* Rep. Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant/platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army; was wounded and received a Purple Heart.
* Candidate for Governor Bill McBride: volunteered and served as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam; awarded Bronze Star with a combat “V.”
* Gov. Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam; received Bronze Star.
* Rep. Pete Stark: served in the Air Force 1955-57.
Republicans:
* President George W. Bush: used his family connections to get into the Air National Guard. He then deserted his post and received an Honorable Discharge two months early. (For more info, see http://www.awolbush.com).
* Vice President Dick Cheney: sought graduate school deferment.
* House Speaker Newt Gingrich: sought graduate school deferment, did not serve.
* House Majority Leader Dick Armey: avoided the draft, did not serve.
* House Majority Leader Tom Delay: avoided the draft, did not serve.
* Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott: avoided the draft, did not serve.
* Convicted Iran-Contra liar Elliott Abrams: sought deferment (for bad back).
* Drug Czar Bill Bennett: sought graduate school deferment.
* Drug addict Rush Limbaugh: sought deferment (because of a cyst on his tail end).
* Blowhard Patrick Buchanan: sought deferment (for bad knee).
* Sen. Phil Gramm: sought marriage deferment.
* Rep. & VP Candidate Jack Kemp: sought medical deferment (while playing in the NFL).
* Vice President Dan Quayle: Family got him into the Reserves.
* Pat Robertson: his father, a US Senator, got him out of Korea as soon as the shooting began.
* Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr: sought deferment (for psoriasis!).
* Actor John Wayne: sought deferment (to further his acting career).
* Rep. Vin Weber: sought deferment (for asthma).
* Journalist George Will: sought graduate school deferment.
Rofl….a perfect example of a selective list. You forgot:
Secretary of State Colin Powell – US Army. Vietnam War. 4-Star General (Ret.). Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993). Awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Solder’s Medal, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge – US Army. Vietnam War. Awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld – US Navy. Naval aviator. Served from 1954-1957.
Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) – US Air Force. World War II. Awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, and the Yuan Hai Medal awarded by the Republic of China.
Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) (Ret.) – US Army. World War II. Awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.
President Gerald Ford – US Navy. World War II. Served from 1942-1946.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) – US Navy. Vietnam War. Awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) – US Army. Vietnam War. Awarded two Purple Hearts and several other decorations.
Congressman Duke Cunningham (R-CA) – US Navy. Vietnam War. Nominated for the Medal of Honor. Awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air Medals, the Purple Heart, and several other decorations.
Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) – US Marine Corps. Vietnam War. Awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation Medal.
Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) – US Air Force. Korean and Vietnam War. POW in Hanoi from April 1966 to February 1973.
Oliver North – LTCol, USMC, Vietnam Veteran
Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) – US Army Reserves. Served from 1973-1986.
Congressman Mark Steven Kirk – Congressman Kirk is a Naval Reserve intelligence officer who served during conflicts with Iraq, Haiti, and Bosnia. He served four tours at sea and three in Panama. The U.S. Navy named Kirk ‘Intelligence Officer of the Year’ in 1999 for his combat service in Kosovo. Kirk flew on missions over Iraq and continues to serve one weekend a month in the Pentagon. Kirk is the only member of Congress to serve stateside during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was an air crewman over Iraq during Operation Northern Watch.
Hell….lets go by State shall we? Here’s a list put together in 2002:
Alabama
Senator Jeff Sessions R USAR, 1973-86, CPT
Sonny Callahan R-1 USN, 1952-54, enlisted
Terry Everett R-2 USAF, 1955-59, enlisted
Robert E. ‘Bud’ Cramer Jr. D-5 USAR, 1976-1978, CPT
Spencer Thomas Bachus III R-6 National Guard, 1969-1971
Alaska
Senator Ted Stevens R USAF, 1943-1946, 1LT
Senator Frank H. Murkowski R Coast Guard, 1955-1956
Donald E. ‘Don’ Young R-1 USA, 1955-1957
Arizona
Senator John S. McCain R National War College, Wash, DC, 1973-1974
BS, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, 1958
Senate Navy Liaison, 1977-1981
Pilot & Captain, United States Navy, 1958-1981,
received Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart,
and the
Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War in Vietnam, 1967-1973
Bob Stump R-3 USN, 1943-1946
John B. Shadegg R-4 Air National Guard, 1969-1975
James T. ‘Jim’ Kolbe R-5 USN, 1968-1969, Vietnam
USNR, 1970-1977
Arkansas
DR. Victor F. ‘Vic’ Snyder, MD R-2 USMC, 1967-1969, CPL, Thailand
California
Stephen ‘Steve’ Horn R-38 USAR, 1954-1962, SPC-7
Gary G. Miller R-41 USA, 1967-1968
Duncan L. Hunter R-52 USA, 1969-1971, LT
Colorado
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell R USAF, 1951-1953, enlisted
(Cpt of 1964 US Olypmic Judo Tm)
Connecticut
Robert Ruhl ‘Rob’ Simmons R-2 USA, 1965-1968
USAR, 1969-1995, COL
CIA, 1969-1979, Operations Off.
Florida
Clifford B. ‘Cliff’ Stearns R-6 USAF, 1963-67, CPT
Michael Bilirakis R-9 USAF, 1951-55
C. W. Bill Young R-10 National Guard, 1948-57
Porter J. Goss R-14 USA, 1960-1966
CIA, 1962-1971
Clandestine Services Officer
Dr David J. ‘Dave’ Weldon Jr., MD R-15 USA, 1981-1987, MAJ
USAR, 1987-1994
Georgia
Michael Allen ‘Mac’ Collins R-3 National Guard, 1964-1970 E-4
John H. ‘Johnny’ Isakson R-6 National Guard, 1966-1972, SSG
Bob Barr R-7 CIA, 1971-1978, Analyst
Nathan Deal R-9 USA, 1966-1968, CPT
Dr Charles W. Norwood Jr., DDS R-10 USA, 1968-1969, CPT, Vietnam
Idaho
Senator Larry E. Craig R National Guard, 1971-1973,E-3
C.L. ‘Butch’ Otter R-1 National Guard, 1968-1973, enlisted
Illinois
Henry John Hyde R-6 USN, 1942-1946, ENSIGN
USNR, 1946-1976, CMDR
Dr Philip M. Crane, Ph.d R-8 USA, 1954-56, CPL
Mark Steven Kirk R-10 USNR, LCmdr, present
John M. Shimkus R-20 USA, 1980-1985, CPT
USAR, 1985-Present, MAJ
USA Academy Grad 1980
Indiana
Senator Richard G. Lugar R USN, 1957-1960, LTJG
Stephen E. ‘Steve’ Buyer R-5 USAR, 1980-present, LTC
USA, 1984-1987, CPT
USA, 1990-1991, MAJ (Gulf War)
The Citadel, 1980, grad
Dan L. Burton R-6 USA, 1957-1958
USAR, 1958-1962
Iowa
John ‘Greg’ Ganske R-4 USAR, 1986-present, LTC
Kansas
Senator Pat Roberts R USMC, 1958-62, LT
Kentucky
Edward ‘Ed’ Whitfield R-1 USAR, 1967-1973, 100th DIV, 1LT
Ron Lewis R-2 USN, 1972
Dr Ernest Lee ‘Ernie’ Fletcher , MD R-6 USAF, 1974-1980
Louisiana
William J. Jefferson D-2 USA, 1969-1975, CPT
Dr John C. Cooksey, MD R-5 USAF, 1967-1969
USAFR, 1969-1972
Maryland
Wayne T. Gilchrest R-1 USMC, 1964-1968, SGT, Vietnam
Michigan
Nick Smith R-7 USAF, 1959-61, CPT
Intelligence Officer
Mike Rogers R-8 USA, CPT
FBI, Special Agent, Chicago
Joseph K. ‘Joe’ Knollenberg R-11 USA, 1955-57, CPL
Minnesota
James M. ‘Jim’ Ramstad R-3 USAR, 1968-74, LT
Mississipp
Senator Thad Cochran R USN, 1959-61, LTJG
Roger F. Wicker R-1 USAF, 1976-1980, CPT
USAFR, 1980-Present, LTC
Missouri
W. Todd Akin R-2 USA, 1973-1983
Nebraska
Senator Charles T. ‘Chuck’ Hagel R USA, 1967-68, SGT
Douglas K. ‘Doug’ Bereuter R-1 USA, 1963-1965, 1LT
Dr Thomas W Osborne, Ph.d R-3 USAR, 1960-1968
Wash. Redskins, 1960-1968
49ers 1959
Nevada
James A. ‘Jim’ Gibbons R-2 USAF, 1967-1971, CPT
Air Nat Guard, 1975-1991, COL
New Hampshir
Senator Robert C. ‘Bob’ Smith R USN, 1965-1967, Vietnam, ENSIGN
USNR, 1962-1965, 1967-1969
New Jersey
Rodney P. Frelinghuysen R-11 USA, 1969-1971, PRIVATE
93rd Eng. BN, VIETNAM
New Mexico
Dr Heather A. Wilson , Ph.d R-1 USAF, 1978-1989
BS, USAF Academy, 1982.
Rhodes Scholar, 1985, Ph.d
Joseph R. ‘Joe’ Skeen R-2 USN, 1945-1946, enlisted
USAFR, 1945-1946
New York
Peter T. King R-3 USAR, 1968-73
Benjamin A. Gilman R-20 National Guard, 1981-Present, COL
USA, 1943-1945, PRIVATE
Sherwood L. ‘Sherry’ Boehlert R-23 USA, 1956-1958
Amory ‘Amo’ Houghton Jr. R-31 USMC, 1944-1946, PFC
North Carolina
Senator Jesse Helms R USN, 1942-45
John Howard Coble R-6 Coast Guard, 1952-1956, 1977-1978
Coast Guard Res, 1960-1981, O-6
Ohio
Paul E. Gillmor R-5 USAF, 1965-1966, CPT
David Lee ‘Dave’ Hobson R-7 Air National Guard, 1958-1963
Ralph Regula R-16 USN, 1944-1946
Oklahoma
Senator Don Nickles R National Guard, 1970-76;
Senator James M. Inhofe R USA, 1954-1956
Wesley ‘Wes’ Watkins R-3 Air National Guard, 1960-1967, 2LT
Pennsylvania
Senator Arlen Specter R USAF, 1951-53, 1LT
John E. Peterson R-5 USA, 1957, SPC
USAR, 1958-1964
Donald L. ‘Don’ Sherwood R-10 USA, 1964-1966, 1LT
Joseph R. Pitts R-16 USAF SAC, 1963-1969, CPT
George W. Gekas R-17 USA, 1953-1955, CPL
South Carolina
Senator Strom Thurmond R USA, 1942-46, LTC
USAR, 1924-41, 1947-65; Maj Gen
Henry Edward Brown Jr. R-1 NAT. GUARD, 1953- 1962
Floyd Davidson Spence R-2 USNR, 1952-1988, CAPTAIN
(Korean Conflict, 1952-1954)
Lindsey O. Graham R-3 Air Nat Guard, 1989-present, MAJ
Tennessee 11: 4R, 2D
William Lewis ‘Bill’ Jenkins R-1 USA, 1960-1962, LT MPs
John James ‘Jimmy’ Duncan Jr. R-2 USAR, 1970-1987, CPT
William V. ‘Van’ Hilleary R-4 USAF, 1982-1984, CPT
USAFR, 1984-present, MAJ
Edward G. ‘Ed’ Bryant R-7 USA, 1970-1978, CPT
Texas
Samuel Robert ‘Sam’ Johnson R-3 USAF, 1951-1979, COL
Utah
Senator Robert F. Bennett R National Guard, 1957-61, 1LT
James V. Hansen R-1 USN, 1951-1955
Virginia
Senator John W. Warner USN, 1944-1946
USMC, 1950-1952
Edward L. ‘Ed’ Schrock USN, 1964-1988, CAPTAIN
Frank Rudolph Wolf USA, 1962-1963, USAR, 1963-1967
Thomas M. ‘Tom’ Davis III R-11 USA, 1971-1972, 2LT
National Guard, 1972-1979
USAR, 1972-1979
Washington
Doc Hastings R-4 USAR, 1963-1969, SPC
Wyoming
Senator Craig Thomas R USMC, 1955-1959, LT
Senator Michael B. Enzi R Air National Guard, 1968-1973
Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM) – US Air Force. Served from 1978-1989.
You can spin your crap anyway you want to but the fact is that the majority of those who serve this country in our armed forces almost always turn out to be Republicans. They want a strong country, not a weak (hope everyone loves us) country as many Democrats want.
When you look at the number of actual veterans that have served this country the “chicken hawk” right has little if any leg to stand on. Look at the record.
Must be why the majority of those in the military consistently vote Republican.
Republicans with military service: 13.1%
Democrats with military service: 10.5%
Independants with military service: 0%
Are you going to pull the asinine chickenhawk screed on McCain-Palin? Accuse them of not having a personal stake in sending our servicemen and women off to war?
Sunday, August 24, 2008
OBAMA-BIDEN: FIRST TIME IN 68 YEARS A TICKET WITH NO MILITARY EXPERIENCE
Posted by: Michael Medved at 2:18 AM
THE OBAMA-BIDEN TICKET IS THE FIRST TICKET OF EITHER MAJOR PARTY IN SIXTY-EIGHT YEARS IN WHICH NEITHER THE CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT EVER SERVED IN THE MILITARY!
At a time of war, the Democrats give us something the nation hasn’t seen in more than two generations: a ticket where neither of the the running mates ever wore a uniform of any kind.
Shouldn’t Republicans make a big deal of this?
Consider the history–
2004 — GOP — Bush served in National Guard/ DEMS- Kerry served in the Navy
2000—GOP — Bush served in National Guard/ Al Gore served in the Army
1996 —GOP — Dole served in the Army/ Gore (Clinton’s running mate) served in the Army
1992— GOP — Bush Sr. served in the Navy/ Gore served in the Army
1988 — GOP– Bush Sr. served in Navy, Quayle served in National Guard/DEMS –Dukakis served in the Army and Bentsen served in the Army Air Corps
1984– GOP — Reagan, Army Reserves and active duty (Capt. Rank), Bush Sr. served in Navy/Mondale served in Army
1980–GOP — Reagan, Army, Bush Sr. served in Navy/Carter served as Naval Officer, Mondale in Army
1976–GOP –Ford servd in Navy, Dole in Army/ Carter, Navy, Mondale Army
1972–GOP — Nixon served in Navy, and Spiro Agnew in Army/ McGovern, Army Air Corps
1968– GOP– Nixon, Navy, Agnew Army/DEMS– Ed Muskie, Navy (Humphrey twied twice to enlist, turned down because of Hernia)
1964 — GOP — Goldwater, Major General in Air Force/ LBJ — Navy
1960 — GOP — Nixon, Navy, H.C. Lodge – Lt. Col in Army/ JFK and LBJ both Naval officers
1956– GOP— Eisenhower (are you kidding?), and Nixon, Navy/DEMS –Stevesnon, Navy
1952– GOP — Eisenhower (five star general) and Nixon, NAvy/ Dems, Stevenson, Navy
1948– GOP — Earl Warren (Dewey’s running mate). Army/ DEMS, Harry Truman, Army
1944–GOP — John Bricker (Dewey’s Running mate), Army Lt./ Harry Truman (FDR’s running mate), Army artillery officer
finally, you have to go all the way back to 1940 to find a ticket with no military experience: FDR and the pro-Stalin Henry Wallace (though FDR had been Assistant Secretary of the Navy during WW I). His opponent, Wendell Wilkie, by the way, served in the army in WWI.
In other words, in the last 68 years of American history we’ve had 32 tickets representing the two major parties. Every single one of those tickets featured at least one candidate — often both of them — with military experience. Obviously, the GOP ticket for 2008 will again feature a heroic veteran in one of its slots.
But the Democrats, at a time of war, offer us a modern first: a national ticket with two candidates who never served a day in uniform in any capacity.
And why didn’t Joe Biden serve? He’s a year younger than Dick Cheney, so even more subject to the Vietnam draft. Remember how Democrats reamed Cheney for his “five deferments” during the height of the war as he pursued his education.
So what about Biden? He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965, just as the war began to escalate intensively and he would have been exposed to the draft. Instead, he attended law school (at Syracuse University) graduating in 1968– the very height of the war and the Vietnam draft.
And why didn’t Biden go to war — instead beginning the practice of law and his political career?
If he were a Republican, the press would be all over this one… remember what they did to Dan Quayle because he served “only” in the National Guard.
Meanwhile, whatever Biden’s story of draft avoidance (I’ve told my own tale in that regard, very candidly, in RIGHT TURNS), you know that if he were running on a GOP ticket the press would be grilling him already on his lack of service.
The sad fact remains that for the first time in 68 years we see a national ticket for a major party where neither the Presidential nominee nor the Vice Presidential nominee spent time in military service of any kind.
McCain served and sacrificed for his country while wearing the uniform. That’s something Obama can never say.
I realize you’d rather play your little chickenshit game, but in doing so you merely highlight once again how little your “community organizer” has done to serve his country. Like most Dems, he’s more interested in serving himself.
That’s why the flag story is so important. To you goofballs the flag is a prop. To us it represents the service and sacrifice of good men like Senator McCain.
Unlike you we don’t take the flag, or the blessings it represents, for granted.
Independent
14 years ago
We have 3 flag poles in our yard flying the US Flag, Marine Corps Flag and the Texas Flag. Each have worn out over time. The old ones have been folded up nicely until they are disposed of properly. These are just flying in my plain old suburb yard, no place special, but they are important flags and should be treated as such. I thought 911 kind of drove that point back home for most folks. We raised several Boy Scouts and that point was drilled into them and they’re just kids! It would seem adults should know better. To be the devil’s advocate I’m sure they all left the convention and some cleaning crew came in, however, they should have left specific instructions about the flags. Considering how much the event cost what else did they throw out? Waste not, want not…recycle, recycle, recycle…make Al Gore happy, after all he’s a Dem. 🙂
prouddemocrat
14 years ago
I can’t believe how stupid (coming from Republicans) some of these comments are. First off, a person who wished to remain “anonymous” dropped off the flags to be distributed to the RNC. How do you know this person did not just grab these flags and throw them in a bag? Secondly, if the flags were to be discarded, why would they be folded as neatly as they were? Thirdly, the only flags that are to be burned are the flags that are used for display and ceremonies (I know this from military experience), not miniature paper flags or flag stickers…
Before you go flinging that “stupid” label around, you might want to study the issue more carefully.
Are you saying some guy grabbed 12,000 flags and shoved them in a bag?
And perhaps you are unaware that the Boy Scouts sorted and bundled the flags that were found AFTER A WEEK still sitting at Invesco Field.
I realize you are a bit defensive on this issue. But you might want to get a better grip on the facts before making such silly charges.
Johnny
14 years ago
For years I wondered why folks were so secretive about the political affilations. Now I understand why. I have seen more none sense this year that ever before. It was reported that those flags were not thrown away they were unused.
Johnny
14 years ago
For years I wondered why people were so secretive about the political affilations. Now I understand why. I have seen more none sense this year than ever before. It was reported that those flags were not thrown away… they were unused. People of all parties, races, genders, ages, and income levels love the United States. Were all proud to call ourselves Americans. Why are you publishing such ridiculous articles.
I thought Democrats were all about “recycling”? I guess that’s the limousine liberal creed. Do as I say, not as I do.
Yea, every flag ever used at a Republican convention is pristinely stored in glass cases at houses throught the US.
Give me a break, are you kidding me? The whole Republican “ONLY WE LOVE THE USA, NO ONE ELSE DOES” is so lame and tired. It just makes you look like fools.
I can’t believe people are so stupid to believe that ONLY Democrats would throw away a flag. Like the original post said, what were they supposed to do with them? These aren’t flags flying outside capitol buildings or houses.
Oh wait, what about all those flags the Republicans were flying on their cars after 9/11? Where did all those go?
Let’s stick to the issues and policy and enough of this partisan rhetoric. In other words, grow up.
Well, I still have a flag that I got at a McCain event in 2000. I displayed it at my desk at work, and now in my den since I don’t have a desk with cube walls anymore.
I think the point is that you definitely CAN say that those who attend Republican events in general have a greater respect for our flag than those who attend the events of other parties. Granted there are exceptions… I’m talking about the average level of respect here.
I can’t speak for everyone “Reaching” but I have 3 flags in a cabinet that have been retired from the flag pole in my front yard…
It’s interesting that you say only the Republicans were flying flags after 911,… you’re bias is showing… LOL
If you can convince the libtards to “grow up” and quit their attacks on Palins family… I’ll never question the libtard patriotism again… freaking socialst, commie, tree hugging idiots…
Just for reference.. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
Yes, he’s reaching all right.
As Mata has said, the straws are in the kitchen drawer on the right.
Grab as many as you need.
Reaching is reaching all right. Reaching for a way to try and change the subject.
And it’s just what I would expect from a flag trasher: more trash talk.
As I said, I have been to A LOT of GOP events and don’t ever recall flags being discarded. Perhaps some have been, but as Nate says, in general there can be no doubt that Republicans have greater respect for the flag and love of country than the Dems do.
And that IS a valid campaign issue. It is the foundation for understanding the differences between Dems and Republicans on nearly every issue from social policy to national security.
Here’s one flag the Dems would never let touch the ground or toss in the trash:
According to AmericanFlags.com:
When a U.S. flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. Most American Legion Posts, VFW Chapters and Boy Scout Troops regularly conduct dignified flag burning ceremonies, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Contact your local American Legion Hall, VFW Chapter or Boy Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service. NEVER THROW A FLAG IN THE GARBAGE!
More on flag etiquette at http://americanflags.com
I’ve read several comments about this both here and other sites and there are two obvious perspectives. The republicans revere the flag as a symbol of the country and as such deserves respect. Democrats ridicule the “friggin” thing as just a piece of paper or plastic that’s a mere “party favor.” As my 17 year old son just observed: If that’s all it is, then why have it there in the first place? Obviously the flag to them is nothing more than a prop/toy/tool or some other meaningless object hypocritically displayed to pander to mainstream America.
Caption for the picture:
“The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America. So I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first. ”
-Barack Obama 2008 Presidential nomination acceptance speech/hours before his party threw their American flags into the trash.
EDIT:
I wonder if people kept their Obama signs?
Great, some flags were lost. How about peoples’ jobs? Pensions? Health care?
hmmm…interesing
google
Democrats Trash the Flag at Denver
Reaching wrote:
“Oh wait, what about all those flags the Republicans were flying on their cars after 9/11? Where did all those go?”
I can tell you exactly were my flag did go. Read on.
I bought small American flag just after 9/11, couldn’t get hold of a bigger one at that time. This was the flag which was proudly displayed near the entrance to the house we lived in. I packed it carefully and took it with me when we moved back to Europe.
I still have it, still keep it as a memory of those almost five years I had the honor to live and work in the USA.
I’m not an American officially (I was born and raised in a small country in the central Europe behind iron curtain). For me, American flag has been a symbol of freedom ever since I can remember. For me it’s not just a flag, it is a symbol of the principles upon which United States were founded and build.
Seeing American flags lying on the floor in a trash bag is just beyond belief. Very sad indeed.
Still Waiting; I have a solution for unemployment, lets tax corporations so they can’t invest and create new jobs. Lets increase the minimun wage, driving teens and newcomers from even beginning work. Lets have a Govt. healthcare system that works so well in Canada, England and France. And lets screw up the system so bad that individuals feel no responsibility to take care of themselves. I love the bumper sticker “REPUBLICAN, BECAUSE EVERYBODY CAN’T BE ON WELEFARE”. As for the flags (to get back on topic), the “ONE” claims it is the little things, community organizing, running a campaign, that informs us he is ready for the biggie, running the country. Yeah, the flags, in the great scheme of things, might be a little thing. But he set the standards for judging.
Dear Still Waiting…
Spare me the gloom and doom. You are nothing more than the liberal version of fear and smear. Oh no, jobs, pensions, social security…those evil republicans. Thats right, None of us work nor care about our future.
And you know what? The little things like this do matter.
Go think of something to bash Sarah Palin’s head in. You will feel better. Or go spit on Bush’s picture. That should make your day.
ARGH.
From “Milan:”
Thanks Milan. You understand the point and you were not even born here. Today’s Democrats take that freedom and opportunity for granted and won’t realize how precious it is until they have lost it, or until they are locked in a 4 x 6 foot cell and tortured by signatories to the Geneva Conventions.
And “still waiting” ought to realize that if we can’t trust Dems to respect the flag as a symbol of what it represents how can we trust them on anything else?
I’m a Republican, thank you. A GOLDWATER republican.
Bush and the current Repubs are as liberal as they come. Spending money like it grows on trees.
Letting faith enter government. The founder of the Republican party is rolling in his grave.
“When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion.”—-Abraham Lincoln, founder of the Republican Party.
Still Waiting: Perhaps you were not aware, but the GOP just nominated two candidates with a RECORD, not just a speech, about taking on the big spending, big government crowd.
Oh, and for the record, I’m a REAGAN Republican. Even though I stood just off the stage as Barry Goldwater addressed the GOP Convention in 1980!
“Do not associate my name with anything you do. You are extremists, and you’ve hurt the Republican party much more than the Democrats have.”—Barry Goldwater on the Faux Republicans
I guess those discarded American flags could be donated or reused but,….
…what if those discarded American Flags get offered for sale ? …
…maybe auctioned one at a time even… proceeds going to veterans (DAV for instance)
.
Scott (#8) quoted from Obama’s acceptance speech: “So I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first.”
Let’s look at some FOOs (Friends Of Obama’s). Birds of a feather flock together.
His pastor for over twenty years said, “Nuh uh, not God bless America. God DAMN America!” His fellow congregants, some presumably for over twenty years, cheered that. Enthusiastically.
Damning is *not* putting our country first. Neither is cheering for windbags who would say that. Neither is defending a windbag until it starts to show up in the polls.
Another of his friends is Bill Ayers. Bill Ayers bombed the Capital. Bill Ayers bombed police cars. Bill Ayers didn’t think they did enough to bring down America. Their worst act of carnage was, fittingly enough, against themselves. Ayers girlfriend and cronies died when the nail bomb they intended to deliver to Fort Dix exploded.
Blowing up American institutions isn’t putting America first. Neither is building and/or taking nail bombs to Army posts. Neither is befriending those who do that, let alone seeking their political patronage.
Finally, I take exception to Obama himself (whether Senator McCain will stoop to my level or not) — he doesn’t put this country first. At least not its people, and it’s the American people and their ideals that make this nation great. Anyone who talks out of both sides of his mouth puts himself above country. His condescending remarks about how the great unwashed cling to their guns and religion indicate he’s the one who’s really out of touch. It also shows contempt for those who really do put our country first.
You know a man by the people he chooses to surround himself with. Obama’s friends don’t put country first. They damn it, they want to bring it down. I don’t think he puts American first, either.
Still Waiting: You’re no more Republican than Obama is. Jobs are a function of free markets and economic liberty, so how do you Democrats seek to expand either when you’re attempting to restrict economic liberty and strangle the free market with excessive regulation? Pensions are a function of investments, like in the stock markets, so how does Obama seek to improve pensions by punishing workers with higher income taxes (less to invest in their retirement plans off the bat) and higher taxes on capital gains, on distribution of retirement funds, and even on estates? Finally, why do you liberals find it enticing to screw up the best health care system in the world by socializing a seventh of our GDP to cover a relatively small part of the population who are uninsured periodically or completely?
While you’re working on the last one, please explain why you leftists always make a rule out of the exception. For example, you’re unwilling to support any legislation that restricts abortion access (including parental consent laws, etc.). Any time you can think of an exception to any law, you oppose the law rather than working exemptions into reasonable legislation. And any time you come up with an example of want or poverty, you see it as a cause to take over an entire sector of the economy.
“Still Waiting” I don’t have that Goldwater quote in my files. Perhaps you can verify it by providing a source. It’s no secret that Goldwater didn’t always like every element of the Republican Party in his later years.
But he was also a man of wisdom:
Jim—I couldn’t agree more. We need less government. I am embarassed that Bush and these phony Republicans have agreed with the Fannie/Freddie bailout. And the housing bill.
Since when has it been the government’s duty to bail out citizens who make poor decisions.
We need to put some real Republicans back in the White House!
And those “real Republicans” would be McCain-Palin!
Reconcile this Still Waiting comment:
With this one:
Since when is it the duty of government to ensure health care insurance for all? Same can be said for pensions and jobs.
The Constitution says:
Life, Liberty, and the PURSUIT of happiness.
No where does it say they must be responsible for good pensions, health care for all, and jobs for all.
D. CLEANING OR DISPOSAL OF THE NATIONAL FLAG
When the United States flag has become soiled, it may be either hand washed or dry cleaned, depending upon the material from which the flag is constructed. When the flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed as a whole, privately, preferably by burning.
http://www.vpfa.fsu.edu/policies/bmanual/flag.html
Still Waiting…I live in Ohio. Lost jobs? Man, don’t even START w me about lost jobs. That so-called Clinton economic greatness NEVER appeared here in Ohio. 6%? Oooooo, that’d be a drop for us. And my wife has a chronic disease which made me give up my job so I could stay home w the kids instead of lose her medical coverage (provided by the corporation she works for). Healthcare costs…Ooooo
So which is more upsetting? Lost jobs, expensive healthcare, housing market, a few thousand flags tossed in the trash by those seeking to control the American government?
For me, I say the flags. They’re not just rags, cloth, colors, fabric, and sticks. Those flags are the physical symbols of our nation, hour history, our values, and our freedoms. That’s damn important to me. It’s apprently not important to the Democratic Party which literally threw away the symbols of America, Americans past and present, symbols that represent the love of country (and don’t tell me that isn’t what the flag at Iwo jima or any other battlefield meant). No. The flags are our nation, and they tossed it away.
Lose a job-it sucks, but I’ll find another one.
Expensive healthcare-scary, but we’ll find a way
Housing crisis-one thing there is in this nation right now…is affordable homes.
Flag in the trash? A patriot would raise it rather than trash it.
What makes this even more important is that it’s not 2nd grade kids that tossed away the flags, but people who are supposed to know more than most what it means. These people take oaths to defend them, they pledge their allegience to them at every rally…then toss em in the trash?!
It’s not a party of patriots anymore. It’s a party of pissed off misled twits who care more about the 5 colors required in every DNC plate of food more than they do a 12000 American flags that they pledged allegience to.
Curious, Still Waiting, do you KNOW the words to the pledge? Do Democrats?
Curt: Great point! How can one claim to be a Goldwater Republican with his emphasis on smaller government and less spending while demanding expansion of government and increased spending?
“Still Waiting” expression’s of concern for jobs, healthcare and pensions is little more than the thinly veiled code language the left uses to support big government solutions to those very same problems.
Again, McCain and Palin have stood up for less government waste while addressing the issues S.W. claims to care about with more workable solutions than the tried and failed big government liberal/socialst model.
I’m beginning to wonder whether S.W. isn’t just pulling our legs by claiming to be a real Republican?
On 6-27-06, Obama AND Biden voted ‘NO’ for an amendment to the US Constitution that would “prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.” Of course McCain voted ‘YES.’
Obama and Biden are running true to form.
You may not like all the forms it takes but, its called the First Amendment. We don’t need more nanny laws.
Doug,
“You may not like all the forms it takes but, its called the First Amendment. We don’t need more nanny laws.”
Remember that when it comes to the second amendment…
The DNC speaketh… According to an update on the Denver blog Mike’s A linked above, this is what they had to say… they were *stolen!* LOL
Okie doke. The attendees (as well as David Harsanyi , the Denver blog post author) either don’t know sheeeeet about flag etiquette, consider them toss aways, or they are thieves.
Personally, I love Philly NJ’s #19 post…
MataH: I’ve got an update to this story in the works, but suffice it to say that it’s not stealing if the stuff is in trash bags next to a dumpster.
And besides, I already posted the link to the Red State article. Are these flags photographed amongst the trash at the Pepsi Center earlier in that week about to be picked up and resused?
Don’t hurt me, Mikey! LOL I was just pointing out the defense spin the DNC gave, ya know. Rather reminds me of the public relations clean up they had to do after parking “honey pots” on the police memorial in Portland, OR.
They called these flags the victims of thieves. Pretty weak when you consider the alternatives. Like I said, if they weren’t stolen, the attendees are either ignorant to flag etiquette, or just plain consider Old Glory a disposable piece of garbage.
Not one of the explanations goes down the gullet well. Glad to hear Old Glory was treated better at the conventions you witnessed. I’m such a maniac about this stuff that when my flags that I fly on my m’cycle get damaged, I save them all and take them to my local Fire Dept, where they give them the proper ceremonial disposal.
Don’t worry MataH. You’re safe on this side of the fence. I’ll get the new post up later tonight.
One of my military correspondents mentioned that the Dems could have donated the flags to be used to decorate military graves:
But of course that would never have occurred to these Dems now would it?
I have a flag flying on my house. I have found it in the yard on two occassions. Someone came and took it down and threw it on the ground. There was no way it could have come down on its own or been blown down. I put it back up each time. I will not let anyone stop me from flying my flag.
Also I found a small flag that was once on a car’s antenna in my yard. It must have come loose. I could not bring myself to throw that tiny little plastic flag in the garbage. I put it away in a chest. When I was a child we were taught to revere the flag and our country. That is not taught today. I get tears in my eyes when I see Old Glory or hear the national anthem and my heart feels like it is bursting. It’s a shame that young people today do not have this feeling of pride and joy. There is nothing like it.
What the Democrats did is awful. But it looks like Sarah Palin is no better. Look at the research that I just completed. First time in my life I have been so angry:
http://palinflag.110mb.com/
Are you kidding me? When you look at the number of actual veterans that have served this country the “chicken hawk” right has little if any leg to stand on. Look at the record.
Democrats:
* President Jimmy Carter-US Naval Academy
* John Kennedy-decorated WWII veteran
* Sen. John Kerry: Lt., U.S. Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat.
* President-elect Al Gore: enlisted August 1969; sent to Vietnam January 1971 as an army journalist, assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade headquartered at Bien Hoa, an airbase twenty miles northeast of Saigon.
* House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt: Missouri Air National Guard, 1965-71.
* Rep. David Bonior: Staff Sgt., United States Air Force 1968-72
* Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., U.S. Air Force SAC 1969-72
* Sen. Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g., U.S. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam
* Sen. Daniel Inouye, US Army 1943-’47: Medal of Honor, World War Two
* Rep. Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., U.S. Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea
* Sen. Max Cleland*: Captain, U.S. Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam. Lost both legs and one arm.
* Sen. George McGovern*: one of the elite few Air Force bomber pilots to fly the maximum 35 successful bombing missions in WW II. Stephen Ambrose, who wrote a book about him, called him “one of the greatest patriots I know.”
* Sen. Ted Kennedy: U.S. Army, 1951-1953.
* Sen. Tom Harkin: Lt., U.S. Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
* Sen. Jack Reed: U.S. Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91
* Sen. Fritz Hollings: served as a U.S. Army officer in World War II, receiving the Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons.
* Rep. Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., U.S. Army 1956-76; two tours in Vietnam, two Distinguished Flying Crosses as a helicopter pilot, two Bronze Stars, and the Soldier’s Medal.
* Rep. Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW, Ambassador to Viet Nam, and recipient of the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit.
* Rep. Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant/platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army; was wounded and received a Purple Heart.
* Candidate for Governor Bill McBride: volunteered and served as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam; awarded Bronze Star with a combat “V.”
* Gov. Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam; received Bronze Star.
* Rep. Pete Stark: served in the Air Force 1955-57.
Republicans:
* President George W. Bush: used his family connections to get into the Air National Guard. He then deserted his post and received an Honorable Discharge two months early. (For more info, see http://www.awolbush.com).
* Vice President Dick Cheney: sought graduate school deferment.
* House Speaker Newt Gingrich: sought graduate school deferment, did not serve.
* House Majority Leader Dick Armey: avoided the draft, did not serve.
* House Majority Leader Tom Delay: avoided the draft, did not serve.
* Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott: avoided the draft, did not serve.
* Convicted Iran-Contra liar Elliott Abrams: sought deferment (for bad back).
* Drug Czar Bill Bennett: sought graduate school deferment.
* Drug addict Rush Limbaugh: sought deferment (because of a cyst on his tail end).
* Blowhard Patrick Buchanan: sought deferment (for bad knee).
* Sen. Phil Gramm: sought marriage deferment.
* Rep. & VP Candidate Jack Kemp: sought medical deferment (while playing in the NFL).
* Vice President Dan Quayle: Family got him into the Reserves.
* Pat Robertson: his father, a US Senator, got him out of Korea as soon as the shooting began.
* Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr: sought deferment (for psoriasis!).
* Actor John Wayne: sought deferment (to further his acting career).
* Rep. Vin Weber: sought deferment (for asthma).
* Journalist George Will: sought graduate school deferment.
More patriotic, give me a break…
Rofl….a perfect example of a selective list. You forgot:
Secretary of State Colin Powell – US Army. Vietnam War. 4-Star General (Ret.). Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993). Awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Solder’s Medal, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge – US Army. Vietnam War. Awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld – US Navy. Naval aviator. Served from 1954-1957.
Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) – US Air Force. World War II. Awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals, and the Yuan Hai Medal awarded by the Republic of China.
Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) (Ret.) – US Army. World War II. Awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.
President Gerald Ford – US Navy. World War II. Served from 1942-1946.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) – US Navy. Vietnam War. Awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) – US Army. Vietnam War. Awarded two Purple Hearts and several other decorations.
Congressman Duke Cunningham (R-CA) – US Navy. Vietnam War. Nominated for the Medal of Honor. Awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, fifteen Air Medals, the Purple Heart, and several other decorations.
Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) – US Marine Corps. Vietnam War. Awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation Medal.
Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) – US Air Force. Korean and Vietnam War. POW in Hanoi from April 1966 to February 1973.
Oliver North – LTCol, USMC, Vietnam Veteran
Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) – US Army Reserves. Served from 1973-1986.
Congressman Mark Steven Kirk – Congressman Kirk is a Naval Reserve intelligence officer who served during conflicts with Iraq, Haiti, and Bosnia. He served four tours at sea and three in Panama. The U.S. Navy named Kirk ‘Intelligence Officer of the Year’ in 1999 for his combat service in Kosovo. Kirk flew on missions over Iraq and continues to serve one weekend a month in the Pentagon. Kirk is the only member of Congress to serve stateside during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was an air crewman over Iraq during Operation Northern Watch.
Hell….lets go by State shall we? Here’s a list put together in 2002:
You can spin your crap anyway you want to but the fact is that the majority of those who serve this country in our armed forces almost always turn out to be Republicans. They want a strong country, not a weak (hope everyone loves us) country as many Democrats want.
Face it, the days of the JFK Democrat are done.
Must be why the majority of those in the military consistently vote Republican.
Currently,
Military Service in the Congress by Party
(Combined House of Representatives and Senate):
Are you going to pull the asinine chickenhawk screed on McCain-Palin? Accuse them of not having a personal stake in sending our servicemen and women off to war?
Consider also:
Norm: Curt’s list is pretty impressive.
But I’d boil down the issue to this:
McCain served and sacrificed for his country while wearing the uniform. That’s something Obama can never say.
I realize you’d rather play your little chickenshit game, but in doing so you merely highlight once again how little your “community organizer” has done to serve his country. Like most Dems, he’s more interested in serving himself.
That’s why the flag story is so important. To you goofballs the flag is a prop. To us it represents the service and sacrifice of good men like Senator McCain.
Unlike you we don’t take the flag, or the blessings it represents, for granted.
We have 3 flag poles in our yard flying the US Flag, Marine Corps Flag and the Texas Flag. Each have worn out over time. The old ones have been folded up nicely until they are disposed of properly. These are just flying in my plain old suburb yard, no place special, but they are important flags and should be treated as such. I thought 911 kind of drove that point back home for most folks. We raised several Boy Scouts and that point was drilled into them and they’re just kids! It would seem adults should know better. To be the devil’s advocate I’m sure they all left the convention and some cleaning crew came in, however, they should have left specific instructions about the flags. Considering how much the event cost what else did they throw out? Waste not, want not…recycle, recycle, recycle…make Al Gore happy, after all he’s a Dem. 🙂
I can’t believe how stupid (coming from Republicans) some of these comments are. First off, a person who wished to remain “anonymous” dropped off the flags to be distributed to the RNC. How do you know this person did not just grab these flags and throw them in a bag? Secondly, if the flags were to be discarded, why would they be folded as neatly as they were? Thirdly, the only flags that are to be burned are the flags that are used for display and ceremonies (I know this from military experience), not miniature paper flags or flag stickers…
prouddemocrat:
Before you go flinging that “stupid” label around, you might want to study the issue more carefully.
Are you saying some guy grabbed 12,000 flags and shoved them in a bag?
And perhaps you are unaware that the Boy Scouts sorted and bundled the flags that were found AFTER A WEEK still sitting at Invesco Field.
I realize you are a bit defensive on this issue. But you might want to get a better grip on the facts before making such silly charges.
For years I wondered why folks were so secretive about the political affilations. Now I understand why. I have seen more none sense this year that ever before. It was reported that those flags were not thrown away they were unused.
For years I wondered why people were so secretive about the political affilations. Now I understand why. I have seen more none sense this year than ever before. It was reported that those flags were not thrown away… they were unused. People of all parties, races, genders, ages, and income levels love the United States. Were all proud to call ourselves Americans. Why are you publishing such ridiculous articles.