Earlier this week, AP released a story of Willard's time during the Vietnam era.
Romney's (non) military record faces new scrutiny
By STEVE PEOPLES
On a stage crowded with war heroes, Mitt Romney recently praised the sacrifice "of the great men and women of every generation who serve in our armed services."
It is a sacrifice the Republican presidential candidate did not make.
Though an early supporter of the Vietnam War, Romney avoided military service at the height of the fighting after high school by seeking and receiving four draft deferments, according to Selective Service records. They included college deferments and a 31-month stretch as a "minister of religion" in France, a classification for Mormon missionaries that the church at the time feared was being overused. The country was cutting troop levels by the time he became eligible for the draft, and his lottery number was not called.
President Barack Obama, Romney's opponent in this year's campaign, did not serve in the military either. The Democrat, 50, was a child during the Vietnam conflict and did not enlist when he was older.
But because Romney, now 65, was of draft age during Vietnam, his military background — or, rather, his lack of one — is facing new scrutiny as he courts veterans and makes his case to the nation to be commander in chief. He's also intensified his criticism lately of Obama's plans to scale back the nation's military commitments abroad, suggesting that Romney would pursue an aggressive foreign policy as president that could involve U.S. troops.
A look at Romney's relationship with Vietnam offers a window into a 1960s world that allowed him to avoid combat as fighting peaked. His story also demonstrates his commitment to the Mormon Church, which he rarely discusses publicly but which helped shape his life.
Romney's recollection of his Vietnam-era decisions has evolved in the decades since, particularly as his presidential ambitions became clear.
He said in 2007 — his first White House bid under way — that he had "longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam." But his actions, Selective Service records and previous statements show little interest in joining a conflict that ultimately claimed more than 58,000 American lives.
How does one LONG to be in Vietnam, when one did whatever they could to AVOID serving in Vietnam. The religious deferments that Willard received were not automatic. Not every Mormon received one. He got one, of course, because of WHO is family is.
"He didn't have the courage to go. He didn't feel it was important enough to him to serve his country at a time of war," said Jon Soltz, who served two Army tours in Iraq and is the chairman of the left-leaning veterans group VoteVets.org.Critics note that the candidate is among three generations of Romneys — including his father, former Michigan Gov. George Romney, and five sons — who were of military age during armed conflicts but did not serve.
I'll be honest, I still don't get it.....Pappy Bush and John F. Kennedy served.....how the heck did George Romney get out of serving in WWII?
When Willard tried to talk snidely about former President Jimmy Carter, James Fallows of the Atlantic Monthly blogs, wrote a piece defending Carter.
My favorite part of the Willard slapdown was:
Jimmy Carter is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who spent ten years in the uniformed service of his country. As far as I can tell, this is ten years more than the cumulative service of all members of the Romney clan. Obviously you don't have to be a veteran to have judgments about military policy or criticisms of others' views. But when it comes to casual slurs about someone else's strength or resolve, you want to be careful, as a guy on the sidelines, sounding this way about people who have served.
And, when asked, during the campaign in 2008, about why NONE of his sons have served in the military, here was Willard's response:
A woman at an Ask Mitt Anything forum earlier today in Iowa raised the question again, asking whether any of Mr. Romney’s five sons are serving in the military, adding pointedly, “If none of them are, how do they plan to support this war on terrorism by enlisting in our U.S. military?”
Although his campaign said his remarks were taken out of context, Mr. Romney’s response is drawing criticism, because he said, in part, “one of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping to get me elected.”
I love how when the remarks come out of WILLARD'S MOUTH, somehow, it's taken out of context. No, his remarks are symptomatic of Willard's sense of entitlement that reeks from the man at every pore.
So, Willard Romney, who hid out in France when it was his possible time to go serve this country in the military.
Who, has, at every turn during this campaign, been for nothing but more WAR...
He criticized the President for bringing home the troops in Iraq....
He's criticized the President for winding down the War in Afghanistan...
He's criticized the President for Libya...
He wants to put American troops in Syria...
And, his foreign policy team is stocked to the rims with neo-cons that want WAR WITH IRAN.
But, when given the chance to serve, Willard did all he could to NOT serve this country.
So, will the MSM call him on his LIES.
He's presented two different scenarios: first, he was against the war, then he longed to serve.
If can actual military hero can be skewered, surely the MSM can bring forth the chickenshytness of Willard Romney.
Three Videos on this topic:
First, from Rachel Maddow.
Then, from Lawrence O'Donnell.
From Rev. Al
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2 comments:
Yes.
IOKIYAR.
It doesn't surprise me that Mitt ducked and dodged his way out of the Vietnam war.
Most of those who are the most vocal about invading another country haven't. And that goes for their children also. Yet they're quick to send you and yours to face bullets and bombs.
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