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Thursday, July 05, 2007

VFW Post Refuses To March In Parade With Clintons

Because they won’t be allowed to carry/fire their weapons.

MASON CITY — Mason City VFW members are refusing to march in the Clear Lake Fourth of July parade Wednesday because they are not being allowed to fire their rifles.

The Secret Service, in Clear Lake to provide protection for former president Bill Clinton and his wife, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, will not allow firearms in the parade, said Jim Kantaris, quartermaster of VFW Post 733 in Mason City.

Best part of the whole article:

“There’s too much political stuff. They’re making us change 50 years of tradition because of two people,” said Kantaris. “And one of them is a draft dodger who turned the White House into a whorehouse.”

Ouch.

Comments

Avatar for Robert Perry

Yup, a spiked M1 firing blanks is a real danger.  One would figure the highly qualified guys in the Secret Service would be able to figure that out, and maybe even post one of their men with a real weapon in case the inspection turned bad. 

Nah.  No sense from gummint folks, I guess.

Robert Perry on July 5, 2007 at 07:39 am
Avatar for Tanzfleck

The democrats aer getting us ready for post 2008, when we will no longer be a nation and the 4th of July will be another day on the calendar.  I do not know how much longer we will have an indepence day, given the politicial climate and the cut & run.

Tanzfleck on July 5, 2007 at 10:43 am
Avatar for Puzzlefeet

Would the secret service do the same thing for Pres Bush, I think so.  And would the VFW comply, I think so.  Oh it is the political funny season. It was a secret service request/demand.

Puzzlefeet on July 5, 2007 at 11:42 am

Puzzle,

You may be Right… as far as you’ve gone with this.  But you haven’t yet managed to rationalize the “White House to whorehouse” part yet, have you?

Besides, Mr. Bush would have been welcomed with open arms by just about any VFW chapter in the country, something that simply couldn’t be said of Bill Clinton, whose contempt for the military he commanded is well known by all who’ve served.


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on July 5, 2007 at 11:58 am
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Would the secret service do the same thing for Pres Bush, I think so. 

Would Pres Bush try to turn a small town Iowa parade into a political photo op for his next campaign against the wishes of the VFW? I think not!


For any voter trying to choose between the two candidates for commander in chief, there is no better test than this: When American strategy in a critical theater was up for grabs, John McCain proposed a highly unpopular and risky path, which he accurately predicted could lead to success. Barack Obama proposed a popular and politically safe route that would have led to an unnecessary and debilitating American defeat at the hands of al Qaeda.

Frederick W. Kagan

Proof on July 5, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Avatar for Puzzlefeet

Was it the VFW’s parade, Poofy? What 4th of July parade isn’t full of political candidates and officials.  Name me one, Poofy. Oh and Poofy, Bush has used the VFW and soldiers for photo ops numerous times. 

thanks for agreeing with me B1 that the VFW would have complied with the Secret Service request on the guns if it were Bush so it was political.  And yes, Clinton was wrong for misusing the White House.

Puzzlefeet on July 5, 2007 at 12:28 pm

thanks for agreeing with me B1 that the VFW would have complied with the Secret Service request on the guns if it were Bush so it was political.

The military’s dislike of Bill Clinton goes far beyond “political”. After all, Clinton has shown a great disdain towards our military men and women and took many steps towards decimating the U.S. military.

likwidshoe on July 5, 2007 at 03:03 pm
Avatar for Robert Perry

Puzzlefeet, I think you’re right that the SS would do this for Bush, too, but it still doesn’t change the fact that a group of guys firing blanks does not pose a hazard to the President.  The Secret Service needs to get some perspective and respect for our country here and decide to chaperone these guys, not trash their traditions.

Anyone wants to hurt the President can choose a far better tactical position than marching in a parade, IMO.  This is absurd.

Robert Perry on July 5, 2007 at 03:12 pm

...thanks for agreeing with me B1 that the VFW would have complied with the Secret Service request on the guns if it were Bush so it was political.

And thank you, Puzzle, for studiously ignoring the rest of my comment.  The fact that the nation’s veterans overwhelmingly regard Mr. Clinton as a disreputable slug, while embracing his successor, speaks volumes to those who choose not to cover their ears.


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on July 5, 2007 at 03:27 pm

Robert Perry - Puzzlefeet, I think you’re right that the SS would do this for Bush, too, but it still doesn’t change the fact that a group of guys firing blanks does not pose a hazard to the President.  The Secret Service needs to get some perspective and respect for our country here and decide to chaperone these guys, not trash their traditions.

The sound of blanks makes a great sound diversion to the sound of real bullets being fired.

The Secret Service detail would be remiss in their duties if they allowed such a thing.

likwidshoe on July 5, 2007 at 03:29 pm

The VFW/AmerLegion in the 70’s disliked Vietnam veterans.
As time went by they realized that Vietnam vets were the only game in town as the WW2 and Korean vets were largely deceased.
Vietnam veterans were demonized a great deal.

Sorry your 2nd amendment rights end near a President.

They probably disarmed most of the troops near Bush when he slipped into Iraq for Thanksgiving dinner.

WOOF on July 5, 2007 at 03:34 pm
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Was it the VFW’s parade,

Irrelevant (like so many of your posts!)
You, Stinkyfeet, offered an opinion:

Would the secret service do the same thing for Pres Bush, I think so.  And would the VFW comply, I think so.

I countered with my opinion:

Would Pres Bush try to turn a small town Iowa parade into a political photo op for his next campaign against the wishes of the VFW? I think not

The operative word being: ”think”.
What part of “think” don’t you understand? (I know...ALL of it!)

What 4th of July parade isn’t full of political candidates and officials

Irrelevant! A better question is What 4th of July parade isn’t full of political candidates and officials who require Secret Service Protection? (Answer: Much smaller number!)
It is still my opinion that if the VFW asked Bush not to participate in a parade that would disrupt their tradition, I believe he would comply. I also believe that if the VFW was not confronted with a former Commander-in-chief that loathed the military, they might have been more willing to compromise.

Any time you’re willing to meet us in the real world where we can tell the difference between opinion and fact, join in the discussion!



For any voter trying to choose between the two candidates for commander in chief, there is no better test than this: When American strategy in a critical theater was up for grabs, John McCain proposed a highly unpopular and risky path, which he accurately predicted could lead to success. Barack Obama proposed a popular and politically safe route that would have led to an unnecessary and debilitating American defeat at the hands of al Qaeda.

Frederick W. Kagan

Proof on July 5, 2007 at 03:49 pm
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They probably disarmed most of the troops near Bush when he slipped into Iraq for Thanksgiving dinner.

Wouldn’t have anything remotely factual to back that up would you? Didn’t think so!



For any voter trying to choose between the two candidates for commander in chief, there is no better test than this: When American strategy in a critical theater was up for grabs, John McCain proposed a highly unpopular and risky path, which he accurately predicted could lead to success. Barack Obama proposed a popular and politically safe route that would have led to an unnecessary and debilitating American defeat at the hands of al Qaeda.

Frederick W. Kagan

Proof on July 5, 2007 at 03:57 pm

WOOF - They probably disarmed most of the troops near Bush when he slipped into Iraq for Thanksgiving dinner.

Doubt it. A lot of the troops didn’t even know about Bush’s visit until it happened. Some of them had an inkling that someone important was about to visit.

The military has done a lot of stupid politically correct liberal disarming recently (soldiers walking around with empty guns), but no reports of them doing such a thing on a battlefield in a war.

likwidshoe on July 5, 2007 at 04:01 pm

had an inkling that someone important was about to visit.

Wait a minute, I thought we were talking about the Clintons .... did someone else show up that I didn’t read about?
smile


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Anna on July 5, 2007 at 05:11 pm

And you Poofy, think the 4th of July parade belongs to only one group, the VFW.

I dare say that the VFW would never ask any President of the US not to march in a parade just so they could keep their traditions Poofy.  Just so laughable. Again, tho it is your belief as wrong as it is.  But Poofy, you keep wearing those poofy rose colored glasses.

Puzzlefeet on July 5, 2007 at 05:19 pm
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And you… think the 4th of July parade belongs to only one group, the VFW.

And you, Puzzlefart, are delusional! I said no such thing. No rational human being could deduce that from what I said. But then, that is what defines you as uniquely Puzzled and uniquely clueless!



For any voter trying to choose between the two candidates for commander in chief, there is no better test than this: When American strategy in a critical theater was up for grabs, John McCain proposed a highly unpopular and risky path, which he accurately predicted could lead to success. Barack Obama proposed a popular and politically safe route that would have led to an unnecessary and debilitating American defeat at the hands of al Qaeda.

Frederick W. Kagan

Proof on July 5, 2007 at 05:46 pm

I dare say that the VFW would never ask any President of the US not to march in a parade ...

I daresay, Puzzle, you really don’t know squat about Vietnam vets, do you?


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on July 5, 2007 at 05:58 pm
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I think so -Puzzlefffffffft

Am I going MAD, or did the word “think” escape your lips?

Couldn’t have said it better myself!



For any voter trying to choose between the two candidates for commander in chief, there is no better test than this: When American strategy in a critical theater was up for grabs, John McCain proposed a highly unpopular and risky path, which he accurately predicted could lead to success. Barack Obama proposed a popular and politically safe route that would have led to an unnecessary and debilitating American defeat at the hands of al Qaeda.

Frederick W. Kagan

Proof on July 5, 2007 at 06:10 pm

Clinton made no bones about his dislike for our military.  He had them ‘toting’ food in Somalia, then left our GIs out to dry with no ammo and ROEs that did not include defending themselves.


Communism is evil

Chief RZ on July 5, 2007 at 06:19 pm

but no reports of them doing such a thing on a battlefield in a war.

Was a mess hall.
SSvc is real touchy about guns around
Presidents.
Kennedy
Ford (they missed a couple of times)
Reagan

WOOF on July 5, 2007 at 06:22 pm

Do presidents attend funerals?  17/19/21 gun salutes?


Communism is evil

Chief RZ on July 5, 2007 at 06:32 pm
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Do presidents attend funerals?  17/19/21 gun salutes?

I suspect that President Bush was safer in Iraq surrounded by men with loaded weapons than Bill Clinton is alone, in a room full of crockery, with Hillary!


For any voter trying to choose between the two candidates for commander in chief, there is no better test than this: When American strategy in a critical theater was up for grabs, John McCain proposed a highly unpopular and risky path, which he accurately predicted could lead to success. Barack Obama proposed a popular and politically safe route that would have led to an unnecessary and debilitating American defeat at the hands of al Qaeda.

Frederick W. Kagan

Proof on July 5, 2007 at 06:36 pm
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Clinton made no bones about his dislike for our military.  He had them ‘toting’ food in Somalia

And serving hors d’oeuvres at White House functions like house servants.



For any voter trying to choose between the two candidates for commander in chief, there is no better test than this: When American strategy in a critical theater was up for grabs, John McCain proposed a highly unpopular and risky path, which he accurately predicted could lead to success. Barack Obama proposed a popular and politically safe route that would have led to an unnecessary and debilitating American defeat at the hands of al Qaeda.

Frederick W. Kagan

Proof on July 5, 2007 at 06:44 pm

Proof.  Thanks for the added bits of sarcasm.  Let’s not forget the push to discourage aggressiveness in the military by his political operatives.  More later, but this is enough truth for now!


Communism is evil

Chief RZ on July 5, 2007 at 07:03 pm

Kudos to the VFW!!  Personally I wouldn’t like to be in the same parade as the Clintons or any other place as well.


You don’t have to be a moron to be a liberal Democrat but it sure helps.

docdave on July 5, 2007 at 07:44 pm
Avatar for Robert Perry

No, Puzzlefeet, they wouldn’t have been remiss in allowing someone to fire blanks in a parade.  Have you ever heard of “shotspotter”?  Do you think that the Secret Service would fail to have this?

Sorry, but this is asinine.  Yes, current and former presidents sadly need this kind of protection.  However, the protection of Presidents should not run roughshod over the lives of everyone else.

Robert Perry on July 6, 2007 at 07:29 am
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