HEY DICK! LAST TIME I CHECKED, VOTERS ARE FULL GROWN ADULTS!

I am a Vietnam era veteran, who never served in a combat zone.  I have this to say to this Dick Blumenthal character, "Dick, you are despicable!  You are a disgrace to ANYONE who ever put on a United States of America Armed Forces uniform.  You should not be involved in any form of government, much less running for office and holding a position of attorney general, of all things.  The only thing you did, which was even more despicable then your LIE, was to LIE again and say, that you "misspoke."  Misspoke?  Are you kidding me?  MISSPOKE?  Really?  You do know, that voters are full grown adults, right?  We know the difference between misspeaking and outright LYING!  Your are the epitome of the kind of politician we DESPISE!  I pity the lost souls, who vote for a thing such as you.  --  John L Sulak

Here is a message, which was sent to me by a true veteran.  He does not have to, nor feel compelled to, misspeak:  From Rev.peter A Tressider  --  May 18 at 6:29pm (Photo to left) 

AG Richard Blumenthal, (D)-CT  --  May 18, 2010Share  --  Today at 7:27pm  --  Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 05:19 PM EST

OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO PUBLIC STATEMENTS MADE BY A PERSON OR PERSONS APPEARING TO REPRESENT THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE IN SUPPORT OF CONNECTICUT ATTORNEY GENERAL BLUMENTHAL:

The Marine Corps League categorically disassociates itself from any comments made by a person who spoke at a press conference today in defense of Connecticut Attorney General Blumenthal and referred to himself as a member of the Marine Corps League several times, giving the impression that his statements were representative of the Marine Corps League’s position on the matter.

The National Bylaws of the Marine Corps League clearly state, in part: “The Marine Corps League shall never take part in any labor or management dispute or issue, and it shall be ever non-sectarian, non-political, and non-partisan; nor shall it be used as a medium of political ambition or preferment”.

Whether or not the politician misspoke or distorted his military background is a matter for the citizens of his state to decide. The Marine Corps League has not authorized any of its members to make a public statement on this issue in that doing so would violate our covenants.

Michael A. Blum
National Executive Director
The Marine Corps League

The Marine Corps League is the only federally chartered United States Marine Corps-related veterans organization in the United States. Its Federal Charter was approved by the 75th U.S. Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The organization its founding — in 1923 — to legendary Marine Corps Commandant John A. Lejeune.

The group holds a congressional charter under Title 36 of the United States Code.  Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.[1](Wikepedia)

Updated May 18, 2010

Blumenthal Claims He Misspoke About Vietnam Military Record, Defends Service  --  FOXNews.com

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal -- faced with allegations that he misled voters about his military service during the Vietnam War -- on Tuesday acknowledged that he has "misspoken" about his record but described those instances as few and far between.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is shown at a Democratic debate at the Lincoln Theater on the University of Hartford campus in West Hartford, Conn., March 1. 

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, faced with allegations that he misled voters about his military service during the Vietnam War, on Tuesday acknowledged that he has "misspoken" about his record but described those instances as few and far between.

The New York Times reported that Blumenthal, the front-running candidate for U.S. Senate in his state, has on several occasions suggested -- and in at least one instance, flat-out claimed -- that he served in Vietnam even though he did not.

"On a few occasions, I have misspoken about my service and I regret that and I take full responsibility," Blumenthal said Tuesday. But he described those remarks as "absolutely unintentional," and said the mistake has only happened a few times out of "hundreds" of addresses he's given.

He said he was "proud" of his service in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

"Unlike many of my peers, I chose to join the military and serve my country," he said. "I will not allow anyone to take a few misplaced words and impugn my record of service."

Senate Hopeful Under Fire Conn. AG's military service questioned Blumenthal Comments on Military Service

Blumenthal, a Democrat, is in a battle for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Chris Dodd. Linda McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment fame, former Rep. Rob Simmons and financial analyst Peter Schiff are competing for the Republican nomination. Both McMahon and Simmons called the allegations in the Times report troubling.

Simmons, who is a Vietnam veteran, told Fox News the issue could put Blumenthal's campaign in "serious jeopardy."

He said he was also offended that Blumenthal chose to hold his press conference at a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Blumenthal, who was invited to appear at the VFW, was surrounded by veterans who applauded and cheered him as he spoke and loudly scolded reporters who asked critical questions.

One reporter who asked whether Blumenthal thinks he should apologize was shouted down.

The New York Times report delivered a sudden jolt to the Connecticut race. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, called it a "blockbuster revelation."

The newspaper reported that on several occasions, Blumenthal has referred to his service in Vietnam though he never actually served there.

"We have learned something important since the days I served in Vietnam," Blumenthal, a Democrat, told a veterans group in March 2008, according to the article.

But the Times found that Blumenthal received five deferments from 1965 to 1970 while studying at Harvard and pursuing other educational and career opportunities. He finally landed a spot in the Marine Reserve that nearly guaranteed him that he wouldn't be sent to the war zone.

The New York Times reported that Blumenthal has on several occasions left the impression that he served in Vietnam. At a 2003 rally, Blumenthal reportedly told military families gathering to show support for U.S. troops that, "When we returned, we saw nothing like this."

In 2008, he talked about his service during the "Vietnam era" and said he remembered "the taunts, the insults, sometimes even the physical abuse."

A number of local newspapers in Connecticut have claimed, incorrectly, that Blumenthal served in Vietnam. According to the Times report, Blumenthal did not appear to make an effort to correct those reports.

Blumenthal said Tuesday that he can't be held responsible for mistakes in newspapers.

But the issue has fed his opponents' campaigns. McMahon spokesman Ed Patru said the article "has raised a litany of very troubling questions, and they are questions that cannot be dismissed or easily answered." Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Eric Schultz said McMahon is in no position to swing at Blumenthal.

"It's no surprise Republicans would want to smear Dick Blumenthal, considering all of the debauchery at the WWF under Linda McMahon's watch," Schultz said.

There is nothing stated in the Marine Corps League that they had to have seen Combat. There definitely is a clause in the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), that to be eligible to join you must have been in a Combat Zone.

I am a Life Member of the VFW, Post 885.
You can rent a VFW Hall for a nominal fee and not even be a member.

Peter A Tressider; SSgt, Retired USAF
Bien Hoa AB, RVN 66-69
Danang AB, RVN 71-72
Air/ Security Police