[LANMaster]

Maybe someone should check to see if they all have "battlefiled" experience?
God forbid anyone have an opinion who doesn't.


CINCINNATI (AP) - John Kerry, telling fellow combat veterans he's their "true brother in arms," said Wednesday that President Bush's plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Europe and Asia would weaken U.S. security and embolden nuclear-armed North Korea.

"This is clearly the wrong signal to send at the wrong time," the Democratic presidential candidate said at the Veterans of Foreign Wars' 105th annual convention, borrowing a line Bush has used against him.

Addressing the same crowd two days earlier, the president announced a seven- to 10-year plan to withdraw up to 70,000 U.S. troops from Cold War bases in Europe and Asia. He accused Kerry of sending "the wrong signal" by promising to try to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq within six months of taking office.

Along with the economy, national security has emerged as a major theme in a campaign shadowed by war and terrorism.

The challenger hopes to convince voters he is tough enough to lead the nation against terror. The incumbent, his approval ratings hurt by the war in Iraq, is casting himself as a tested commander in chief who can guide the nation back to peace and prosperity.

Both men call the other lacking on defense, with Kerry now taking aim at Bush's troop-shifting plans.

"Let's be clear: The president's vaguely stated plan does not strengthen our hand in the war against terror, and in no way relieves the strain on our overextended military personnel," Kerry told the crowd after repeatedly reminding the veterans of his own combat experience in the Vietnam War.

"Why are we unilaterally withdrawing 12,000 troops from the Korean Peninsula at the very time we are negotiating with North Korea - a country that really has nuclear weapons?" the Massachusetts senator said. That last phrase was a reference to Iraq, which apparently did not have nuclear weapons when Bush ordered the invasion, with support from Kerry and others in Congress.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Kerry's criticism of the president's troop-shifting plan "shows a lack of understanding of the new threats we face." He noted that Kerry expressed support on Aug. 1 for possible redeployment of U.S. troops throughout the world, including in Korea.

<snip>

On Monday, Bush received a commander-in-chief's welcome from the VFW in this Republican-leaning city, drawing loud cheers of support. The veterans, who tend to vote more Republican than Democratic, gave Kerry a polite welcome.

Large portions of the crowd applauded each of his many promises to protect veterans' benefits. Smaller portions vocally backed his points on Iraq and terrorism. Some veterans sat with arms folded, while others stood and clapped.

One man heckled Kerry, calling him a liar.

"I'll say it myself. He's a liar," said John Ranson of Fort Thomas, Ky., a 57-year-old Vietnam veteran who sat a few feet away from the heckler. He said Kerry had not supported U.S. troops as a senator or three decades ago as a returning Vietnam veteran who protested the war.

More here including photos AP Story

[iltos]

oh, lan....how disappointing ....you've become a spin doctor....what you posted said nothing about a "cold" reception....it said there were hecklers and his reception was "polite", in contast to our commander in chief's.....

[LANMaster]

"spin" iltos?

unspin this ......

War veterans Jere Hill, middle, from Warham, Mass., and Robert Gibson, right, from Lexington, Ky., stand with their backs turned
during Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's speech at the 105th Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004.
Man in foreground is unidentified. Kerry received a polite if not overwhelmingly positive reaction from the VFW.
But there was a clear divide, with scores of veterans sittings with their arms folded while others clapped. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

[iltos]

lan .....your getting colder.....er warmer, with regard to colder
certainly some protestors....but cold is kinda universal, don'tcha think?

my unspinner is working overtime

[sligo]

Hey---some war veterans are morons--these two are major league morons.

[LANMaster]

LOL iltos.

Hey, that'd make a cool avatar!

[sligo]

Lanmaster, who has never served this country once again is attacking Kerry's war record. It really is amazing when you think of it----

[Infidel_Kastro]

Originally Posted by sligo

Hey---some war veterans are morons--these two are major league morons.

Neh, too easy.

[plschwartz]

I guess there are some Vets who like to join VFW march in Memorial day parades etc, while others prefer to let their service fade away.
This seems part of the devide in America I have posted on before which we have come to shorthand red and blue.

There is a book that has had advertising teasers Retro vs Metro which seems to be about this kind of topic.
I found that you can for now download the whole book at http://www.retrovsmetro.org/book/

[Stoner]

Originally Posted by LANMaster

"spin" iltos?

unspin this ......

War veterans Jere Hill, middle, from Warham, Mass., and Robert Gibson, right, from Lexington, Ky., stand with their backs turned
during Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's speech at the 105th Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004.
Man in foreground is unidentified. Kerry received a polite if not overwhelmingly positive reaction from the VFW.
But there was a clear divide, with scores of veterans sittings with their arms folded while others clapped. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

........I only see one person following

That make three................ha ha ha aahaa........LOL
I have seen you spin a lot better than this
prolly drank too much and went to the parking lot for a wizz
Those two do look kinda 'zoned out'

[Stoner]

hmmmm..........I was just thinking, If the air conditioning had gone out in that arena,
would LAN's header have been:

Kerry involved in Heated Discussion



ha ha ha aahaaa!.......LOL!....................

[LANMaster]

Originally Posted by Stoner

hmmmm..........I was just thinking, If the air conditioning had gone out in that arena,
would LAN's header have been:

Kerry involved in Heated Discussion



ha ha ha aahaaa!.......LOL!....................

LOL could been.