ProgressOhio

Pro-War Veterans and Military Family group Veterans for Freedom to launch MILLION dollar McCain campaign ad. By Major Robert L. Hanafin, U.S. Air Force-Retired

Our military family was thrilled to note that progressive PACs have beat this effort to the punch in battleground states by launching counter campaign ads focusing on that which American Voters can relate to - HOW MUCH THE WAR IN IRAQ COST IN $$$$$$$$$$

Stay on that theme, and as the economy worsens, and it will the longer we Stay in Iraq, that RELATIONSHIP will checkmate anything that PRO-WAR Veterans and Military Families have to say. Also, remember that those 20,000 or so mention below VOLUNTEERED to go to Iraqnam, and VOLUNTEER to stay. If that is true then 20,000 is just about the right number to garrison Iraq and Afghanistan as we pull out. SEND THOSE 20,000 back to or keep them in Iraq and Afghanistan then allow those who volunteer not to stay LEAVE.

Why do WE THE PEOPLE have to make everything so complicated. Oh, the icing on the cake. If 20,000 Veterans can afford a Million bucks to pay for PRO-WAR campaigns, they sure can raise the funds needed to PAY FOR THE WAR. There should be a tax cut for any American who does not want to pay for the War in Iraq. That way those Americans (regardless of party) who passionately want to commit to the War on Terror can do so. HAVE AT IT!!!

20,000 Veterans and Supporters VOLUNTEER to return to Iraq, Stay there, AND pay for the War.
By Robert L. Hanafin, Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired.

SOURCES: VARIOUS 1,480 GOOGLE hits for the exact phrase: McCain to get air cover from Vets. McCain to Get Air Cover from pro-war Veterans for Freedom Veterans for Freedom – Four Months, For Victory Campaign Veterans for Freedom, Four Months, For Victory Campaign

Going to a few of the 1,480 sources, including to Veterans for Freedom, I’ve noted responses that are about as partisan and ill-informed as this Million Dollar political campaign ad is well putting it mildly, if VETERANS can raise a Million Dollars for TV campaign ads, then they can afford to pay co-pays and related health insurance that most other American’s pay.

Even those who served a military career have to pay for federal subsidized health insurance, we do not get it free, and we pay medical co-pays just like most Americans, IF you even have health coverage.

What makes Veterans so different from career military people (lifers)? POINT: There should be little to know difference given the fact that the rest of America prefers (or more to the point refuse to perform military service, even if they are FIT)

You non-Veterans out there, I’m talking about a group of say 20,000 Veterans, Military Families, and mostly non-Veteran supporters who can raise a Million bucks for a TV ad campaign – WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

Let us have a show of hands, how many voters see this potentially hurting ALL VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES when THE COLLECTIVE WE VETERANS lobby Congress (and by extension the American people – voters) for adequate (discretionary), let alone "mandatory" funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make it on par with the Social Security System?

Eventually, politicians (and more so the American people) are going to say, “Hold the phone: If Veterans can raise a Million dollars for political activism that supports foreign policy issues that in no way relate to Veterans Issues that benefit ALL VETERANS, then Veterans can certainly afford to pay for access to the VA.” I personally have a problem with that direction, but IT IS the message that these Veterans and their non-Veteran supporters are sending not only to our own (Veterans and Military Families but more so to YOU the American Voter. THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING!!!

Lastly, my personal response to this political ad campaign IS NOT to deride or question the military service of these few gallant Vets ( anyone can join Veterans for Freedom, so the actual number of REAL Iraq Vets IS questionable), what really concerns me is regardless what justification these Veterans and right-wing supporters come up with for Staying the Course in Iraq, they DO confirm that aspect of the War on Terror that will End the War in Iraq.

That is the overall monetary COST. If it costing VETERANS (we are talking about Veterans here, evidently wealthy Veterans) a MILLION dollars to run TV ads with the sole purpose of keeping the war in Iraq going, folks that is a lot of $$$ that could have been spent on America’s Veterans.

I frankly see the priority of these Vets the same as most old fashion, nationalist Veterans Organizations like the American Legion, VFW, and now to a large part the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) as HAVING AND SETTING THE WRONG PRIORITIES for their membership let alone ALL VETERANS. Meaning MANDATORY FUNDING of the VA once again takes last, the lowest priority to Flag Waving, Amendments to the U.S. Constitution to protect Old Glory on July the 4th, and supporting political candidates.

McCain to get air cover from vets
By: Mike Allen
July 6, 2008 11:15 AM EST

For the first time, the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is about to get a substantial hand from advertisements by an outside group. Conservative and Republican groups have been largely quiet, leaving McCain heavily outmatched by Sen. Barack Obama's campaign fund raising juggernaut.

Note: Keep in mind that Obama DOES NOT get significant campaign contributions for what the media wants YOU to believe is the base of the Democratic Party - LEFTISTS and the ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT (not exactly leftists but left of center, Independents, Libertarians, Constitutionalist, Fiscal Conservatives defecting from the Republican Party enmasse, you name it).

Next week, Vets for Freedom — a 20,000-member [includes mostly non-Veteran pro-war supporters], a nonpartisan organization [because it endorses ONE Dumbocrat in Georgia,] established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — plans to begin spending more than $1 million on a TV campaign that will include Ohio, Virginia and New Mexico.

The group plans to spend millions more and to add other states to the roster over the next four months. [Again, I refer back to exactly what are THE PRIORITIES of this small group of Veterans and their non-Veteran right-wing supporters? It obviously IS NOT ensuring that ALL Veterans are welcomed home when they return. It will DEPEND on your partisan political views!!!]

The ad, the largest independent expenditure on a national-security theme REST OUR CASE - WHAT ARE THESE VETS thinking??] in the general election so far, features a number of vets speaking about the success of the surge and the need to finish the job.

The buy is part of what the group is calling the "Four Months, For Victory" media and grass-roots campaign that focuses on a dozen key swing states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Here are excerpts of the advisory Vets for Freedom will be sending the media: "WHO/WHAT: On July 9, Vets for Freedom will hold a press conference featuring over a dozen Iraq war veterans to launch a national "Four Months, For Victory" media and grass-roots campaign.

The effort will culminate on Veterans Day (November 11) and is intended to inform the American public and key lawmakers about the phenomenal success that our troops have achieved as a result of the surge and the importance of ensuring victory in Iraq, Afghanistan and the overall Global war on Terrorism. Remember in previous posts, I talked about THE REALITY of what it would realistically COST American voters to pursue a Global War. Folks we are talking about a World War. If YOU are not prepared to COMMIT IT ALL, I mean food rationing (it has already begun and WE call it an economic necessity - RIGHT), gas rationing, then will come rationing of everying the gas relates too. I'm talking $$$$$$$$ here from YOUR pocket, not those who can afford a Million dollar pro-war campaign ad with their TAX CUTS.

"The launch includes a multimillion-dollar television-advertising buy in target markets and on national cable that will air this week and run throughout July and August.

SUGGESTION AND RECOMMENDATION: Some folks say that Elephants never forget, however this strategy is going to hopefully force them to go broke by August. The most effective and damaging months to John Kerry's campaign, was those last few when the right-wing Veterans and non-Veteran supporters laid it on heavy. The anti-Iraqnam War elements, even those who are not part of the Democratic Base (Moveon, True Majority, etc) should hold off and let the Obama campaign respond to there attacks and talking points. If anyone opposed to the Iraq War intends to donate to campaign ads or candidates, I strongly and passionately recommend you do so during September, October, and especially early November. That is the timeframe that these smear ads will be FRESH in the memory of the AVERAGE AMERICAN VOTER not paying attention. Swing Voters are not going to tune in until late in the election, because WE will be exhausted from being bombarded with political campaigns ads, the last few months is about all WE can handle.

The first television ad will be released at the press conference featuring the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans appearing in the ad. These pointed ads are aimed at informing the American people about the truth regarding progress in Iraq.

Note: Progress in Iraq, Afghanistan, or even on the Global War does NOT in anyway equate to American citizen commitment to a long term war. Major Hanafin

"Simultaneously, Vets for Freedom will mobilize our grass-roots veteran membership throughout the country to spread the "ground truth" about progress in Iraq. The "Four Months, For Victory" campaign is a national grass-roots effort taking place in all 50 states, but will aggressively focus on 12 key states that are home to key lawmakers: MN, IA, WI, MI, PA, NV, NM, MO, CO, OH, FL and VA. "The Vets for Freedom State Captains from these states will have grass-roots staff and resources available to mobilize local veteran volunteers.

Vets in these states will call for victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by hitting the airwaves and pounding the pavement during the four months between now and Veterans Day, spreading the truth about the facts on the ground by drawing up their first-hand combat experiences. … "Veterans featured in the ads as well as the State Captains from the 12 target states will be in attendance and available for interviews at the conclusion of the event. …

Vets for Freedom is [QUESTIONABLY - GIVEN MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO NON-VETERANS] the largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans organization in America."

MAJOR HANAFIN’S COMMENTARY: Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. As real Veterans Service Organizations including Veterans for America (VFA), Veterans for Common Sense (VCS), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and heck I’ll even go as far as to give credit to the DAV, Legion, and VFW are lobbying Congress for MANDATORY FUNDING of the VA.

1. While these truly Veterans Service Organizations are under scrutiny from Congress and Charity Watchdog organizations (selected by Congress) looking closely at where donations to Veterans Service Organizations are really going: to the mission of VSOs (to Veterans, Military Families, and Troops) or to administrative overhead, or worse yet, political campaigns.

2. Just when most legitimate Veterans organizations and groups are focused on not only the Iraq War, but give priority to returning Veterans (nope I refuse to say Support the Troops), because focusing on Veterans makes several assumptions that just may not pan out.

One is that a significant number of active duty troops are going to GET OUT and become what America understands as VETERANS, the few who do, most VOLUNTEERS that support the view of Veterans for Freedom are going to make the military a career anyway. It will be a long time coming before THEY are what American's conceive of VETERANS!

Two, an assumption that most are going to want let alone need the Department of Veterans Affairs.

3. We are entering an economic downturn that will have a negative impact on ALL CHARITABLE organizations, so along comes an Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans pro-war group (Veterans for Freedom) with a MILLION dollars to WASTE on politics instead of returning VETERANS.

There are several questionable issues about Veterans for Freedom (VFF), but that's the BIGGIE. Topping the list is if readers (voters) look around you note the price of gas, the cost of everything related to it going higher than the National Debt on the GLOBAL WAR (WORLD WAR) on Terror.

Now, ask yourselves. Where in the heck did any group of young Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans [NOTE THE AGE RANGE OF THE VETS IN THE ADS] get a MILLION dollar donation, let alone multi-million dollar donations that DO NOT benefit ALL AMERICA'S VETERANS?

Now, those of you who are not Veterans (that includes MOST Voters) go to your nearest Legion, VFW, VVA, or what have you post or hall and ask their leadership at city, county, state, and national level, if they could use a MILLION dollar donation, better yet a multi-million dollar donation from ANYONE, and what would they do with it if they got it.

This politicization of the Veterans’ movement is going to do more harm than good for the credibility of non-profit Veterans organizations. Put another way, for the sake of the Congressional charters of most VSOs, you better hope and pray the Republicans win the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court to make Nationalism the official rule of law in America headed by these so-called Veterans for Freedom.

The other issue I have with them is credibility and membership numbers claimed, and I do mean claimed. Just because some left or right-wing Veterans groups can manage to come up with a Million dollars (no multi-million dollars) to waste on political ads (something BTW if I were a leadership ad adviser to any VSO, I would NEVER advise bragging about how much $$$ a Veterans Organization can raise - DAH) does not mean they really have 20,000 members.

Don’t take my word for it. They may have 20,000 members or more, but very few are Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans. Check it out for yourself. Here is the link to the membership sign-up for Veterans for Freedom.

JOIN VETERANS FOR FREEDOM - SEE CATAGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP

*Non veterans can also be members of Vets for Freedom

POINT: Ultra0Conservative Non-Veterans [Rush Limbaugh, Shaun Hannity, anyone at FOX News] can join Veterans for Freedom, and thus are used in formulating their overall tally of several thousand members. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE THEY GET THEIR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT DO NOT BENEFIT ALL VETERANS???

Impartially going to the right of center or moderated leaning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) one finds that their official membership is limited and restricted to ONLY Iraq and Afghanistan Era Veterans. Only Veterans of their war can officially join. ALL others can sign up for email updates by providing email addy, but cannot formally be considered members of IAVA.

PRO-WAR CANDIDATES ENDORSED BY VETERANS FOR FREEDOM

PRO-WAR CANDIDATES ENDORSED BY VETERANS FOR FREEDOM

NOTE ONE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES THAT VETERANS FOR FREEDOM SUPPORTS MAKING THEM A NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION - RIGHT?

Democrat Congressman Jim Marshal of Georgia comes to mind. Marshal (a Joe Lieberman almost a Republican-Dumbocrat) is one of the few Democrats who stood behind the Bush/General David Petraeus’ strategy in Iraq in 2007 and 2008, even when it was politically unpopular. Evidently, that means that it is NOW politically popular to support THE WAR. Then, why the need to spend multi-millions to keep SELLING IT???

For our Ohio readers, there is Republican Steve Stivers for United States Congress in the 15th District of Ohio.

Republican Mike Rocque for United States Congress in the 20th District of New York.

Republican Allen West for United States Congress in the 22nd District of Florida.

Republican Mark Ellmore for United States Congress in the 8th District of Virginia.

Republican Jeff Beatty for United States Senate in Massachusetts.

Republican Tom Manion for United States Congress in the 8th District of Pennsylvania will challenge Iraq Veteran Democrat Patrick Murphy for Pat’s seat in Congress.

Republican Lee Zeldin for United States Congress in the 1st District of New York.

Republican Duane Sand for United States Congress in North Dakota.

Republican Tom Rooney for United States Congress in the 16th District of Florida.

Republican John Cornyn for United States Senate in Texas.

Republican Duncan Hunter (son of the other war profiteer Duncan Hunter) for United States Congress in the 52nd District of California.

Republican Vince Micco for United States Congress in the 9th District of New Jersey.

Republican Kent Greenough for United States Congress in the 4th District of Tennessee

Republican Dean Andal for United States Congress in the 11th District of California.