Republican Legion

by digby

So John Edwards proposed that everyone support the troops and protest the continuation of the war on Memorial Day and the American Legion rushes to the press with a patented Republican hissy fit:

…The national commander of the American Legion isn’t happy about a solemn holiday being used for political purposes. In a posting on the legion’s Web site, Commander Paul A. Morin blasts Edwards’ suggestion that Americans bring anti-war signs to local Memorial Day parades, saying that Edwards “has blatantly violated the sanctity of this most special day.”

“Revolting is a kind word for it,” Morin writes. “It’s as inappropriate as a political bumper sticker on an Arlington headstone.”

Yes, and the American legion also has some very specific ideas about what is “appropriate” free speech and what isn’t.

This is from last year’s meeting, called “Resolution #169”

No one in the Legion family wants to stifle the right to public dissent; how-ever, it is fair to ask those who disagree with this war to do so responsibly. Opponents of the War on Terrorism can voice their dissent in several ways that are not harmful to the troops or helpful to America’s enemies. For example, they can:

Run for political office

Vote and campaign against candidates whose policies they find objec-
tionable

Write newspaper editorials and letters to the editor

Volunteer in election campaigns

Contact their representatives in Congress

This is the sort of dissent that is responsible in a time of war. It also happens to be the sort of political action that has the most impact where it counts – with our elected officials. Indeed, it’s important to note that a majority of U.S. citizens has already expressed support for the War on Terrorism through the political process. The War on Terrorism has been the central issue in one presidential election and two congressional election cycles. Since we live under a representative system of government, these elections have a significant bearing on the nature and extent of our nation’s involvement in this war.

Resolution 169, which clearly states The American Legion’s support for the War on Terrorism, including U.S. military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, is an effort to support the majority of Americans as they support our troops.

Ooops.

This was how E&P reported their meeting, which, if I’m not mistaken, wasn’t held in a congreessman’s office or a voting booth:

The American Legion, which has 2.7 million members, has declared war on antiwar protestors, and the media could be next. Speaking at its national convention in Honolulu, the group’s national commander called for an end to all “public protests” and “media events” against the war, even though they are protected by the Bill of Rights.

“The American Legion will stand against anyone and any group that would demoralize our troops, or worse, endanger their lives by encouraging terrorists to continue their cowardly attacks against freedom-loving peoples,” Thomas Cadmus, national commander, told delegates at the group’s national convention in Honolulu.

The delegates voted to use whatever means necessary to “ensure the united backing of the American people to support our troops and the global war on terrorism.”

I know it doesn’t say explicitly in the First Amendment that citizens are only allowed to publicly support wars but that’s because it’s written between the lines in invisible Republican ink. After all, the Legion had no problem going on television and protesting the war in Kosovo, while troops were still engaged:

JEFFREY KAYE: This speech to an audience of U.S. military veterans, did not convince members of the American Legion who were in attendance. The legion, which is the nation’s largest Vets organization, is opposed to the war. Official Michael Schlee says the Legion believes U.S. forces should pull out unless conditions are met:

MICHAEL SCHLEE: Namely that we verify it’s in the vital national interest; Number two that there be a clear statement of mission that includes an exit strategy.

JEFFREY KAYE: Last week, Schlee together with John Jefferson lobbied members of Congress.Liberal Democrat Cynthia McKinney agreed with their antiwar position

REP. CYNTHIA McKINNEY: Whoever convinced the President to embark upon this particular road ought to be fired.

JEFFREY KAYE: As did conservative Republican Steve Buyer. But Democrat Bob Filner was not so receptive. But Democrat Bob Filner was not so receptive.

REP. BOB FILNER: Everyone has the exact opposite position of Vietnam. It’s very confusing politically.

JEFFREY KAYE: Filner opposed the Vietnam War. The American Legion supported it. Now, heand the legion have switched positions on military intervention.

REP. BOB FILNER: Are you surprised that the American Legion is not supporting an effort a military effort by the US Government, forget who’s the President, this is not what the American Legion does, in my experience.

MICHAEL SHLEE: Traditionally we have supported you know my President right or wrong, this certainly is a break in policy.

Hmm. Odd, don’t you think? And so public, too.

This attack on Edwards is all GOP PR nonsense, of course. The American Legion’s partisan history is obvious to any sentient being: they are just another Republican organization that is on the wrong side of the most important issue of our time. They are certainly not speaking for a majority anymore, if they ever did.

Memorial day is a sacred day. And I can’t think of a better time to honor the deaths of all the soldiers who’ve died in various wars than by exercising your right of free speech and conscience. Here are ten ways you can support the troops and end the war, courtesy of the Edwards campaign.

Oh, and by the way, anyone want to make a bet that the Legion won’t be so impressed with the voting process as a means to end the war come 2008? I didn’t think so.

Update: Jonathan at A Tiny Revolution has more on the rather unpleasant history of the American Legion. (Hint: they might want to soft peddle the “fascist” part of the islamo-fascist moniker. Doesn’t look good.)

Update II: Oh lordy, over at the Big Con Rick Perlstein digs into his Nixonland notes to further fill us in on the Legion.

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