Friday, March 07, 2014

Veterans' Party of America?

Got an invite from an old National Guard buddy yesterday to Like this Veterans' Party of America Facebook page. Not sure how serious of an idea this is but I'm not going to bite.

What is it about veterans that makes them more knowledgeable than anyone else in regards politics? Sure, I can think of some veterans that seem pretty sharp. I can also think of some, like Senator John McCain, that I loathe.

I can't imagine Liking, or supporting, a group just because they call themselves veterans. They'd need to have some specific stands on issues I support.

14 Comments:

At 10:14 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If someone serves, thats great, and they deserve to be commended....IF they served well.

But- Like being a cop or a priest, you dont become any better a person just because you take some oath.

Too many people start giving respect and accolades to other people just because they belong to a certain organization. We need to start judging individuals, not groups.

 
At 10:22 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

Agreed. And anybody who has been in the military or reserves knows the military has its fair share of s- birds and slackers.

Another thing that gets me is people who advertise their military service every time they refer to themselves. Like the guy who runs a certain conservative blog I stop by each day. In his bio, or almost whenever he refers to his past, he'll include "Veteran, 4 years U.S. Navy".

So? What did he do with his four years? Run a ship's commissary?

While it is of at least some small interest, it doesn't mean all that much to me. Why include it every time you refer to yourself. It's like he uses it as some sort of crutch to build himself up.

 
At 10:02 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

very disappointing comments Fred. you do realize especially in the Vietnam era the majority of the soldiers sent overseas were made to do so against their will literally at gunpoint. I know there are a lot of soldiers especially higher up in the brass that abuse the system but I would argue that most soldiers have a unique perspective on the world becouse they have actually been outside of America and seen what goes on in other countries first hand they also have first hand knowledge on how corrupt our government is and a large portion of them have risked their lives to do what they perceive as their patriotic duty for their country ideology wise I would submit that anybody who put his life on the line for the freedoms of others should be respected and the majority of the soldiers returning home from theater are treated very badly not only by the people but also by the government they put their life on the line for... it's hardly their fault we have a corrupt government that uses them as a Tools for their own greedy corporate interests. I am much more likely to help out a veteran on the side of the street in need then I am the local wineo or Tweaker
THC

 
At 10:15 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

also as a side note if you were a doctor would you not refer to yourself as such or would you ignore the title that you worked hard to earn?

 
At 10:22 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

A doctor, who has been through years of training and has a skill level beyond that of the average person, has every right to label himself as such. Someone who might have spent four years in the Army or Navy, doing who knows what, can't really claim that same right.

Most don't. Some just won't let it go. Most likely because that's the one accomplishment they can claim in their life.

I don't have too much of a beef with guys that have those VietNam vet bumper stickers on their trucks, or the guys with those blue hats saying they served on a certain ship or war, but there's also a fine line between bragging and just being proud.

 
At 8:42 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fred you're absolutely right spending four years in some plush college is not nearly as educational as traveling halfway across the world and being shot at for 4 years of course there's users and abusers of any system including doctors but would you dare to call the families of the 60000 plus soldiers that died in Vietnam and tell them their children died simply so they can collect benefits and mooch off the system while you enjoy your tax subsidized health care personally I would much rather see a combat veteran who worked his whole life before they join the military in the White House versus a constitutional lawyer with a Chicago university education we know what that gets us and no I don't think John McCain would have made a good president I actually voted for Obama in that election if McCain has been voted in we would be in the middle of World War 3 right now but McCain is just a f****** idiot you can't compare every veteran to him
THC

 
At 3:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have you even read what they stand for? Or are you just judging them by what you think they stand for? I wonder if you would feel the same about military service if it was you who put your life on the line. Or your child who came home in a box. I think it is funny that you think you have the right to judge them. It is ok for people like sports stars, movie stars, Olympic competitors to be associated with their accomplishments, but heaven forbid the men and women who put their lives on the line. For you.... I hope someday you are all touched by this issue, and you remember your words.... U.S. ARMY, DESERT STORM VETERAN AND DAMN PROUD OF IT!!!!!

 
At 4:12 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Veterans are a group that have done something with their lives, something bigger than themselves. Try that, perhaps you can understand it.

As far as the party, having read their platform, they make more sense than the Republican or Democratic parties. You should read up on them and not judge them by their name, www.veteranspartyofamerica.org

 
At 6:42 PM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

Nonsense. I've met any number of "veterans". If they've done something with their lives, why are they are latest, and biggest, new entitlement group?

 
At 7:45 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fred have you ever done anything for this nation let alone put your life on the line to defend it yet you have no problem mooching off taxpayer subsidized benefits and you call yourself a (libertarian) I believe the only people that should qualify for federal benefits are the people that put their life on the line for the Republic with that being said I agree that the last several wars were not our fight but that is hardly the soldiers fault this country is very young and it's been a long time since we've been invaded by foreign invaders someday you're going to be protected by the soldiers you have no respect 4 and hopefully that will change your mind there is also a strong possibility that the soldiers might be the only thing standing between us and a very out of control federal government

 
At 8:10 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

I spent 15 years in the Army National Guard- 17, if you count my IRR time between enlistments. I don't know I'd call any of that doing something for the nation, with the exception of time down at the L.A. riots.

 
At 6:37 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

You sound like you are basing your whole opinion on the name of the party. You mentioned you can not support a group just because they call themselves Veterans. Well there is more to it than the name. Everything has to have a name and there are more than Veterans involved and the party is for America, not Veterans. Do some research before you jump to conclusions. Read the Party Platform at least. It is not people that feel entitled to anything except getting our Country back.

 
At 7:00 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

My name is Joseph Fortenberry, and I am the California Vice Chair Pro Temp for Veterans Party of America - California. The Veterans Party of America, as stated on our website, face book page, ect, is a Political Party Founded by Veterans, For ALL Americans.

Our mission is to place solution oriented leaders, that will not forget their oath to the Constitution, into political office so America can once again be the nation it has always been-Strong, Fair, Just. We believe in Liberty, Justice and Freedom.

Even though our name is the Veterans' Party of America, as with any other legitimate political party in the United States, there is no requirement for any member of this party to have served in the military or currently be serving on active duty, nor is there any requirement for members of this party to be associated with any military organization or facility.

We are NOT career politicians, but Veteran soldiers, doctors, lawyers, bakers, chefs, housewives and AMERICANS from ALL walks of life. We are Constitutional based, Solution Oriented. We don't just have talking points or speeches, but bring to the table REAL, PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS. We offer Americans a NEW CHOICE, and a NEW VOICE !! We don't think we are better than anyone else. We want EVERYONE to join, and help restore America to the Glory it once was.

I would encourage EVERYONE, to NOT jump to conclusions based on ignorance and uneducated information. Please visit www.VeteransPartyofAmerica.org ,and see for yourself. Read our Platform, and see why WE ARE DIFFERENT !!

 
At 7:11 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fred I encourage you to go read the VPA platform at http://www.veteranspartyofamerica.org/#!platform/c1ffx the other parties are what is wrong with this country. Noone in the VPA is an entitlement group.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home