Vets For Freedom Demands Clark Apologize To McCain & All Vets - With Video
So Vets For Freedom has not only demanded that Clark apologize to John McCain, but also to all veterans, everywhere, for his remarks. I’ll let this video clip of Pete Hegseth, President of Vets For Freedom, and the letter Vets For Freedom sent to Wesley Clark, speak for themselves…BTW, I keep looking at that picture there, of John McCain on crutches shaking hands with Nixon, and the more I look at the guy in the background on the right, staring longingly at that meeting, the more it looks like Wesley Clark, although I have no idea if Clark was even around there then.
30 JUNE 2008
Dear General Clark,
Yesterday you appeared on CBS “Face the Nation” and made strong statements regarding Senator John McCain and his military service. Amongst other things, you claimed Sen. McCain “hasn’t held executive responsibility” and you criticized him because he didn’t command a “wartime [Navy] Squadron.”
You then claimed, in reference to war, that Sen. McCain “hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall” and concluded your political hatchet job with “I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President.” Even the show’s host, Bob Schieffer, let out a puzzled “really?” at the conclusion of your assertions.
Frankly General, you should know better. As a previous Commander of U.S. troops in harm’s way, you should take serious pause in disparaging the service record of a fellow decorated veteran. Even worse, your arrogant and careless words undercut the credibility of all those who served and continue to serve, in wartime and peacetime.
First of all, Sen. McCain’s service record is clear. After volunteering for a combat assignment in Vietnam, Sen. McCain was shot down during his twenty-third bombing mission over North Vietnam and spent 5 ｽ years as a Prisoner of War, enduring physical torture and repeatedly turning down preferential treatment and early release. For his service, he received seventeen decorations, including the Silver Star and Legion of Merit.
Most Americans would have ended their military career there, but Sen. McCain continued his service and eventually become the commanding officer of the largest squadron in the U.S. Navy. He turned an undisciplined and untrained squadron into one of the Navy’s best, earning the unit a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
So, let’s review your statements and check them against reality:
Senator McCain “hasn’t held executive responsibility.”
FACT: McCain commanded, and revitalized, the largest squadron in the U.S. Navy.
Senator McCain’s military leadership doesn’t count, because it wasn’t a “wartime Squadron.”
FACT: McCain volunteered to serve in Vietnam and upon his return, endured months of physical rehabilitation in order to continue his military career and command a squadron.
Senator McCain “hasn’t been there [war] and ordered the bombs to fall.”
FACT: McCain flew twenty-three combat missions in Vietnam in order to drop bombs on the enemy. He was also “there” for 5+ years as a Prisoner of War.
“I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President.”
FACT: If serving your country, volunteering for combat, resisting the enemy, and receiving seventeen decorations for service does count for anything, then why are you on television, speaking as an “expert” on national security matters? Your personal attacks came not from a General with respect for the uniform, but from a political operative dispatched to attack the military background of a political adversary.
On behalf of Vets for Freedom—and thousands of veterans and troops still serving—we urge you to apologize to Sen. McCain for your comments. We also urge you to apologize to generations of veterans who served our country in uniform. Service matters—anytime, anywhere. We await and appreciate your response.
Even the candidate you represent has said repeatedly that “[Sen. McCain] deserves admiration for his service to our country.” We will be watching to see if the professionalism you showed once while in uniform will finally shine through in your new-found political role.
Regards,
Pete Hegseth
Chairman, Vets for Freedom
Iraq war veteran
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i wish code pink would apologize
June 30th, 2008 at 1:18 pmin addition to, not trying to take away from this awesome letter. hope Clark is ashamed
June 30th, 2008 at 1:20 pmIt seems to me that holding the rank of Commander (O-5), which is only one step below Captain, is clearly proof of executive experience. In fact, all officers of any rank are “executives” in the sense that they are trained to lead others of lower ranks, specifically the non-commissioned enlisted folks. Even an Ensign in the Navy is an executive, because even the old-timer Master Chiefs (E-9) have to salute the green thumb Ensigns fresh out of college and call them “sir”.
As I recall it (it’s been a while), Commanders in the Navy are the top-level authorities on smaller ships like Destroyers and Frigates. On aircraft carriers, Commanders would certainly carry a heavy load of responsibility, although they would probably not be the most senior officer.
In any case, Wesley Clark’s criticism is clearly baseless and IMO motivated by the desire to “earn” a position in an Obama administration.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:30 pmWes Clark is the Obama of the military. Lots of style, highly educated, and an arogant, “I’m better than you” attitude. Clark and Jon Soltz and the rest of the Vote Vets assholes should be ashamed. Benedict Arnold wasn’t this bad.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:30 pmWes Clark, kiss your remaining credibility good-bye.
And you can kiss my ass while you’re at it.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:45 pmWonder if wes gets off on the the homos who, errrr, “admire” his picture on a fag magazine.
http://www.militarycorruption.com/wesleyclark3.htm
June 30th, 2008 at 1:52 pm““I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be President.””
When will someone in the MSM ask the tool Clarke if JFK’s driving a PT boat, getting blown out of the water and saving the lives of his crew qualifies him for the presidency? Can you imagine if a Republican or conservative talk show host made a statement like that about Kennedy? All hell would break loose on TV and in the papers.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:54 pmgetting crowded under that bus. When will the public realize the number of people under the bus directly relates to the post turtles judgement.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:12 pmWesley Clark is a in the very same category as Murtha & Kerry. He’s a disgrace and a fool.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:23 pmWhat a plan. Clark acts as the attack dog and Yomamma comes in and appears to take the high road. Damage done. Hope stays afloat. What a plan. Watch to see if this pattern doesn’t repeat with other attack dogs.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:35 pmJohn Kerry has lived the values of service and sacrifice. In the Navy, as a prosecutor, as a Senator. He proved his physical courage under fire. He’s proved his moral courage, too. John Kerry fought a war and came home to fight for peace - his combination of physical courage and moral values is my definition of what we need in a commander in chief…
June 30th, 2008 at 4:02 pmWesley Clark July 29,2004.
Clark is every bite the Fool that Murtha, Durbin, Reid, Kerry, Pelosi, Delahunt etc etc etc
This is the best the Democratic party can do. the Left supports commies(Kennedy and the USSR Clinton Arming the Chinese), Radical Islam( Carter and any number of Obama’s buddies, socialists, anti Americans (Ayers), anti military (Obama Murtha Reid), anti decency, Anti God, anti Christ, anti morals, anti laws.
These people have killed millions and turned this nation into crap and they point the finger at anyone else.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:08 pm[[He’s proved his moral courage, too. John Kerry fought a war and came home to fight for peace ]]
Vommit. He came home to fight for the victory of our enemies, and the destruction of our South Vietnamese allies. No wonder clark likes obama, hes a traitor also.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:21 pmwasnt this the goat that the obamamessiah wanted to keep in the administration if he won the POTUS? if so then all the words above are completely irrelevant, The guy is just saving his ass for as new well paid job.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:51 am