Blumenthals Words on Vietnam Service Differ From History

[Modbert]

Blumenthal?s Words Differ From His History - NYTimes.com

At a ceremony honoring veterans and senior citizens who sent presents to soldiers overseas, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut rose and spoke of an earlier time in his life.

“We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam,” Mr. Blumenthal said to the group gathered in Norwalk in March 2008. “And you exemplify it. Whatever we think about the war, whatever we call it — Afghanistan or Iraq — we owe our military men and women unconditional support.”

There was one problem: Mr. Blumenthal, a Democrat now running for the United States Senate, never served in Vietnam. He obtained at least five military deferments from 1965 to 1970 and took repeated steps that enabled him to avoid going to war, according to records.

The deferments allowed Mr. Blumenthal to complete his studies at Harvard; pursue a graduate fellowship in England; serve as a special assistant to The Washington Post’s publisher, Katharine Graham; and ultimately take a job in the Nixon White House.

In 1970, with his last deferment in jeopardy, he landed a coveted spot in the Marine Reserve, which virtually guaranteed that he would not be sent to Vietnam. He joined a unit in Washington that conducted drills and other exercises and focused on local projects, like fixing a campground and organizing a Toys for Tots drive.

But what is striking about Mr. Blumenthal’s record is the contrast between the many steps he took that allowed him to avoid Vietnam, and the misleading way he often speaks about that period of his life now, especially when he is speaking at veterans’ ceremonies or other patriotic events.

Sometimes his remarks have been plainly untrue, as in his speech to the group in Norwalk. At other times, he has used more ambiguous language, but the impression left on audiences can be similar.

In an interview on Monday, the attorney general said that he had misspoken about his service during the Norwalk event and might have misspoken on other occasions. “My intention has always been to be completely clear and accurate and straightforward, out of respect to the veterans who served in Vietnam,” he said.

What a scumbag. Plain and simple.

 

[Shogun]

yea.. it's quote deplorable to insinuate service in 'nam when you know goddamn well you never went.



flush the toilet, dems.

 

[Modbert]

yea.. it's quote deplorable to insinuate service in 'nam when you know goddamn well you never went.



flush the toilet, dems.

It's even worse when you intentionally took as many steps as possible to avoid going to 'Nam. This guy gets a special place in the book of scummy moves.

 

[EriktheRed]

Looks like another Senate pickup for the GOP.

 

[Old Rocks]

He's a Democrat, but there is no way that I would vote for him. You simply do not claim the mantle of a combat soldier when you were never such, and took every pain to avoid being there. No differant than Pat Robertson.

 

[AquaAthena]

yea.. it's quote deplorable to insinuate service in 'nam when you know goddamn well you never went.



flush the toilet, dems.

Why do they think they will not be discovered when they so blatantly lie? When something is a matter of record. Is it the whole "elitist" attitude??

 

[Wicked Jester]

Viet-not?

The poser is a fucking scumbag!

 

[Oscar Wao]

Looks like another Senate pickup for the GOP.

As long as it's Peter Schiff, I'll be happy.