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By all means, lets continue a murdurous and unjust war so that our "boys" don't feel disapointed! Poor dears...they might have to come home before they kill everybody....so sad for our boys.

I can not believe any presidential candidate would stoop this low. This day is NOT about him or his politics. There is plenty of time for that. This day is special, set aside to remember our fallen heroes. John Edwards has just made darned sure he will never have my vote. Not for president, not for dog catcher. This man has no idea of the meaning of this day for those of us from military families. A day that should have the same meaning to everyone in this great country, even politicians.

The war that we are currently involved in is neither murderous, nor unjust.

The United States of America is fighting a just war AGAINST murderous, treacherous men who would burn the world and everyone in it for their god.

Your immature display of sarcasm and disdain for those who fight for your right to exercise free speech shows your obvious hatred for anyone who is in the military, and a complete lack of understanding of the current geopolitical situation.

We are fighting the terrorists over THERE so there will be less of an opportunity for them to come HERE and attack the city in which you live.

You should be eternally grateful for these men and women who are not afraid to fight for the rights of those of us living contentedly here at home, continuing about our daily lives; and fighting for your being able to bash the military and your own government without the fear of being killed for your dissent.

My previous comment was in reply to Steven Sanders, btw.

What better day than Memorial Day to end this worthless war led by an incompetent White House.

Indeed, let your voice be heard each and every day until our warriors are safe at home.

Supporting our troops means supporting the responsible use of our military. By all means, Americans should feel free to speak out about the Iraq war on Memorial Day. Getting involved in policy is the best way to pay respect.

The American Legion should be ashamed for its reactionary response and for telling Americans that they shouldn't voice their opinions on Memorial Day.

To everyone here so far all I can say is STOP IT!!!! You are both ignoring what this day is supposed to be about. Please stop the politics, for on this day we should just honor people. Please save the debates for another day.

I agree with you Mr. Morin should be ashamed of himself. I don't ever seem to hear him criticize Bush on this issue, who constantly uses the troops as props to support his war. But I guess that's why sometimes I disagree with so many veterans, on one hand they say they fought for your freedoms as long as you agree with them on the issue, otherwise shut up.

They died because they took an oath to defend this nation and its Constitution. The sacrifice is the same whether it’s for a “popular war” or an unpopular one.

Are they going to come hear on a boat, or when we leave Iraq are they going to the Baghdad airport and purchase tickets on American Airlines. Your Republican talking points are so lame(fight them there or over here) give me a break. Again I guess it's we fought for your freedoms as long as you agree with us or just shut up. You guys should be ashamed of yourselfs.

There was nothing overtly political in what John Edwards said. The American Legion Made it political by using his comments as an excuse to attack him.

Remember what they did to Pat Tillman, it will make you proud. I wonder how many veterans spoke out about this?
http://movies.crooksandliars.com/Countdown-MaryTillman.wmv

As a Veteran, this sort of thing makes me sick. Trying to use memorial day as some sort of political agenda aimed to destabilize the war effort is sickening. Even if somebody doesn't agree with the Iraq war, memorial day is a day to honor and remember those who have served and died in the service of this country.

Gini has said it perfectly. I agree 100 %. Mike M. says, "Supporting our troops means supporting the responsible use of our military," and I agree: Use our military responsibly: Give them every ounce of support in materiel, every dollar of financial support, and our most complete and vocal moral support, so that THEY CAN DO THEIR JOB, which is to KEEP US SAFE and FREE, in the most effective and efficient way possible. What's IRRESPONSIBLE is telling the troops we love 'em madly, and now they should break off their foolish and evil endeavor and come on home with their tails between their legs.

A question for Ryan Evans. How do you destabilize something that is already destabilized?

I bet the veterans loved Pat Tillman when he was Bushies poster boy but I bet they changed their minds about him now. Did anyone know that Pat agreed with the war in Afghanistan but thought the war in Iraq was wrong? I guess his brother Kevin and mother should just shut up. Sounds like alot of Fox News viewers here.
http://movies.crooksandliars.com/Tillman-hearing-Kevin-04-23-07.wmv

The only thing "revolting" is blindly following an unwise leader into an unjust war for profits sake against a country that never did or could harm the mightiest nation on the face of the earth.

Fred Phelps and his Westborons would heartily agree with John Edwards' plan.

In his rebuke of Mr. Edwards, Mr. Morin said memorial day was "consecrated with the blood of American heroes." Those words almost have religious overtones, especially in this nominally Christian nation. Is Mr. Morin a religious leader? If so, his religion is a cult of death. All those who support our troops - anyone on the planet who has a relative or countryman at war - wants them to return home safely. I think the American Legion, and everyone in the world, needs to think about cultivating a perspective that values life, not just death - that consecrates peace, not blood. War should not be a religion. Peace should be our goal.

Memorial Day isn't about politics. It isn't a Democrat Day, Republican Day, Right or Left Day. It is a day set aside to pay honor to all those who have fallen in battle keeping all of us free.

It isn't a day for speeches about supporting the current war or protesting the current war. In fact, the day isn't about this war at all; it is about all those who died so we could be free to take the positions we do.

It is perhaps the one day of the year that all this nonsense should be put aside and everyone just be thankful and appreciative for those who went off to wars and gave their lives, presumably some of whom disagreed with whatever particular war they were in, but went just the same out of a sense of duty.

If you cannot find it in yourself to be thankful and appreciative that others were willing to face dangers and gave their lives so you could be free to take whatever position you do, I can only feel sorry for you as you are wrapped up in yourselves and have selfish attitudes, and no honor.

What Edwards is doing is beyond reprehensible, it is just a cheap political stunt!

I agree with American Legion National Commander Paul Morin. Memorial Day is not a day for politics. It's a day to remember those who served and those who died from North Africa to Normandy and from Midway to Guadicanal and from Viet Nam along with all wars this country has been involved. For those of you who disagree with Commander Morin, I challenge you to this year, forget about your three day weekend and attend a Memorial Day service at your local cemetery, shake the hand of a veteran, American Legion, VFW or DAV and just say, "Thank You for serving to protect my valuable freedoms".

Mr. Morin should be ashamed of his un-American assault on a fellow citizen. As a Viet Nam combat vet, I don't want anyone besmirching the honor of veterans, living or dead, with disgusting, shameful remarks like Mr. Morin's.

I am appalled at Mr. Morin's attack on Senator Edwards. Memorial Day is to remember our veterans and those who died in service. One way to honor them is not to have any more unnecessary deaths caused by the lies of this administration. Most Americans want this war over and want to bring our troops home. The president is not listening to congress nor the people. We need to speak out in visible ways. Memorial Day is such a day. Senator Edwards did not say to use the day to promote his candidacy. He is encouraging us to raise our voice about what we think is right and what should be done.

This appears to be much more of a political attack by Mr. Morin and his neocon viewpoint than it is by Senator Edwards who is rightly helping us speak out. I have know Marines and other military personnel. I have some who have died and some who are injured. When we see the willful disregard of the safety of our men and women in uniform by a rogue president we are obligated to speak out on their behalf. It is un-American to try to silence us as Mr. Morin is doing. I think it is disgusting for Mr. Morin to try to use guilt to silence our opposition to this fiasco and our desire to bring our troops home. I hope many will speak out or pray or in some way let others know that this war needs to end now. That is how we honor our troops.

Perhaps if you were speaking soberly or as a combat veteran you'd not be so outrageous Tom.

Bottom line is Memorial Day is not a day to engage in attacks on national leaders but to pay tribute to our honored dead who were not playing politics as you and Edwards are, but defending the country.

From 1775 to present in all Americas Wars, there were 1.2 million US casualities [KIA]. In just one year 1.3 million aborted babies suffered more. Who are the real killers.

Without wars, we never would have made this far. 1777 and we're out of here.

all the comments made, pro or con ,will never mend soldiers who are handicapped from war.or bring back dead sons or fathers.if we dont support their patriotism, and bravery what are they fighting for. God bless america,and our soldiers . they are the backbone of the american public

Memorial Day is one day; one. That leaves 364 for people who disagree with this President, this war, war in general, or who the President is that takes us to war, to do whatever outrageous antics you want to do. You want to stand up in the middle of a park and scream that the President is a liar? Go ahead; I and my brothers and sisters were glad we could be of service so you could do such a thing. You want to call National Commander Morin every name in the book? Feel free to do so, he appreciates that you have that right, protected by him and every other Veteran. I guess what I'm getting at is this: Whatever you want to do, to show that you are free, do it on another day. Let others know that you have respect, honor, decency, towards those that made the ultimate sacrifice when their Country called. By making a point of attacking those that think it is dishonorable, or a lack of decency and decorum, for asking you not to make political hay at Memorial Day activities, just shows that you have none at all and show that you truely don't believe your own statements about not attacking someone you don't agree with. Leave Memorial Day alone, pick on Earth Day or May Day.

If you've never been to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetary in DC, you should go. If you're unfamiliar with it, let me educate you. It's a tribute to deceased soldiers - those who could not be identified. Soldiers don't forget their dead - they honor the sacrifices they have made in conflict.

So great is this respect for the fallen warrior that the Tomb of the Unknowns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns) in DC has been guarded every minute of every day since 1937, regardless of weather conditions.

The President, regardless of political alignment, has always been at the memorial on Memorial Day to pay tribute.

It should also be noted that there is a constant effort to identify the soldiers. The tomb is symbolic of all soldiers lost in combat who could not be identified, but the military has and always will be dedicated to finding every soldier.

Desire to defend the country is not a political statement. Let me state that again: the desire to defend one’s country is NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT. It should never be regarded as such. It's an act of a person who believes that the country they live (whether America, Britain, Japan, whatever) is worth dying for. On Memorial Day, we honor those that died in the name of the United States, whether the Virginia Militiamen of the Revolutionary War, or the soldiers lost in the Iraq War.

Making a political issue out of a day meant for honoring those so full of honor is akin to remembering your grandmother or grandfather’s death by arguing over the inheritance.

It’s disgusting that people can be so petty as to try to use the deceased for their own means. I don’t care if you’re a Presidential Candidate or my next-door neighbor. These soldiers died defending what they believe in. That takes courage that many will never, ever understand.

Get off your political high horses, you arrogant jerks. Remember the honored soldiers. They died so you could live free.

So here our Commander writes a post about not making Memorial day about politics and the only people here that simply can't do that are who?? why the anti-war crowd. I specifically read Mr. Moran's piece and it said;

"Edwards is hardly the first politician from either political party to exploit this day,"

Remember, the people we are Memorializing really don't care about yours or my politics......just remember them for the sacrifice they made for what THEY believed in.....

an Old Tanker

Very well said, Godzilla. Thank you.

I second Jackie, very well said Godzilla. I got to see the changing of the Guard at the tomb when I was 15, absolutely incredible and tough not to be moved by it.

an Old Tanker

You're getting lazy Sanders. You already posted this drivel. It's not any better the second time.

Yes let's remember why the commander made this statement, to honor our dead and still serving members of the armed forces.

As an American Vet I am appalled that the Legion would take a stand to divide the nation we fought for. The right to protest is what demogracy is about.I will no longer support this organization.

Shame on the American Legion commander! Freedom to speak out is what America is all about. I've been an American Legion member since 1975 and never have I read such an outrageous comment from the Legion. It is unpatriotic not to speak out and what better day to do so than Memorial Day representing freedoms fought and died for.

Jerry Upshaw and William Underwood:

Do you not understand the words of Commander Morin? Are you daft and blind as to the point he's making? This isn't treading on the freedom of speech; this is requesting - nay, demanding that Memorial Day be used for what it was intended - a chance to honor the soldiers lost in combat.

This isn't some trampling of the freedom of speech. This isn't some attempt to "divide the nation." This is an expectation that a Presidential candidate - a man who, should he win, would be named the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces - not use the deaths of soldiers to push his political agenda. You're getting angry for the wrong reasons at the wrong person. As I stated in my previous post, would you want your family members squabbling over an inheritance during a memorial service for one of your loved ones?

Revolutionary war soldiers gave us the right to be free from taxation without representation. Civil war soldiers fought to keep this country together (North) or to maintain state's rights (South). World War I and II vets fought to protect the very ways of freedom and democracy - your very lives and chance to be free. Korean and Vietnam war soldiers fought to end repression and protect citizens. Even today, regardless of your political stance on the war, soldiers are fighting because they believe it's the best thing they can do for this nation. It's their contribution.

In all of these conflicts, soldiers have died protecting principles that they hold dear. Regardless of your political alignment, our men and women lost their lives out there doing what they think is right.

On Memorial day, we honor all of the soldiers above. Regardless of whether you believe they're doing right, wrong, or whether you think they should be there or not, HONOR THEM for believing so firmly in YOUR RIGHT to enjoy your freedom of speech that they put their lives between those who would crush your freedoms and you. They died that you could live, speak and be free.

You want freedom of speech? Morin has expressed his. Soldiers died protecting his as well as yours. Memorial Day is NOT about freedom of speech. It is not about going to the beach. It is not about enjoying a holiday.

Memorial Day is remembering that these soldiers loved YOU, this country and the freedoms of all within. They loved and believed so greatly that they engaged their enemy to protect it.

Honor the lost ones.

My sincere apologies for the double post. My internet fails me at times.

Good for National Commander Paul A. Morin. He is right...Memorial day is for rememberance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice...the ones who make it possible for people like Steven Sanders and the others on these postings to mouth off about war and politics, not realizing without war they would not have the life and freedom they enjoy now. Pampered, ignorant ugly Americans "How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy." You people who would politicize Memorial day are sad excuses for Americans.

If Memorial Day is the one day a year we honor our veterans, then what is Veterans Day in November for?

I stand with John Edwards....Support our Troops....Bring them home from Iraq....(all hateful replies will be laughed at, and posted to my blogs so that folks can see just how selfish people can be)

Signed a military Vet
8 years Active Duty Army

Continuum,
Veterans Day - formally Armistice Day in honor of the ending of World War I, is to honor all veterans - every single one who has honorably served in the U.S. Military. Memorial Day is even more sacred - honoring those who were killed in service to their country. That is what makes Edwards antics so outrageous. Those who died fall across the political spectrum. Some may have supported Edwards, many did not. That is why Memorial Day should remain free of politics.

The legion and espeicaly this political hack, Paul Morin does not speak for me or for my brothers. I feel pitty for the legion, they were once a noble organization looking out for us, now all they care about is political favors to and from the GOP leadership. They allow us to have substandard care back home and seem not have our interst in mind abroad. If you want to do something for Memorial Day Please support the Veterans Organization that really speaks for us. Support VoteVets at http://www.votevets.org/

It

Isn't

About

Politics.

Read the article. Morin wrote: "Edwards is hardly the first politician from either political party to exploit this day, a holiday that was consecrated with the blood of American heroes. ...As national commander of The American Legion, I implore ALL CANDIDATES to refrain from politicking on Memorial Day."

Emphasis mine.

This isn't about the Iraq war. This is about soldiers dying in service to the country. From the Revolutionary war to the present - this is ENTIRELY ABOUT THE SOLDIERS.

You will not see campaign slogans at the Tomb of the Unknowns, nor bumper stickers, nor lobbying. You will see a grave honoring the ultimate sacrifice to protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This grave will be guarded, always.

Iraq War Vet, thank you for serving. But the topic here is Memorial Day, not the quality or service of the American Legion.

Members of the military swear an oath to the constitution of the US. The Bill of Rights and the 1st amendment are are part of that. If our military dead gave their lives for nothing else, surely they made the greatest sacrifice for that. The constitution and its Bill of rights granting the freedom of speech don't take one day a year off for anything, not even Memorial day. Unfortunately, we have in our great country those who wish to make a political statement (commander Morin) by criticising a candidate for president (calling his urging others to protest a war)a political statement. Freedom to speak and freedom to protest are things guaranteed in the US constitution and it is patriotic to do so. ESPECIALLY on Memorial day. Even if you do not agree with John Edwards, be patriotic enough to agree with his right to speak out and to protest even if you prefer he do so on another day.

As the spouse of a former military member and the daughter and grand-daughter and niece of multiple military members, it just breaks my heart to hear and see people politicizing Memorial Day. Whether it is this Iraq War or Viet Nam or Korea, ALL of our families have, at one time or another, been touched by war. Shame on ANYONE who tries to politicize their deaths!

Godzilla - bless you. You said, far clearer and more passionately than I could why this is wrong. Memorial Day should be ALL ABOUT THE SOLDIERS who gave their lives for us. Whether you agree with the policy to go to war or not, the soldiers who gave their lives DESERVE BETTER than they are getting from Senator Edwards AND these commentors who insist on politicizing Memorial Day.

There is no question that Edwards is exercising his right to free speech. There is no doubt that Commander Morin is expressing his right to free speech.

You're still completely missing the point, so let me put this into clearer perspective.

Let's say you believe in and love someone so much that you take a bullet for them. Someone that you wanted to protect so completely that you would gladly die that he/she may be spared.

What if that person then turned around and said to the world, "World, how stupid this person was. How they died in vain. It was a waste of a life!"

How disrespected would you feel?

Similiarly, there's another major point which is larger than a bus and yet you're ignoring it: Memorial Day isn't some new event regarding the Iraq war.

On Memorial Day, I'm lowering my flag as much for the soldiers who have recently died as I am the soldiers who fought against the British to secure the 13 colonies. The same soldiers who fought to uphold the constitution even as the ink was drying on the signatures.

Edwards is using the lives of over a million dead soldiers to push his political agenda for a current event. Morin finds that reprehensible and I can't blame him.

Get your head out of the Iraq War for a minute and look at the whole picture of Memorial Day. Consider the American Revolution. Consider the World Wars. Considering who and WHAT you're honoring before you continue on this mindless free speech drivel. Honor the dead for preserving your rights that you toss around so arrogantly.

I've been a member of the Legion and VFW for a long time. I will be placing flags on veteran graves this Memorial Day to honor their service and sacrifice as I have for many years now. I expect to do the same next year but not as a Legion member. Mr. Morin's comments have soured me and I quit.

Mr. Morin is the one attempting to make a political statement. I can honor and remember all of those who served this country while embracing Mr. Edwards' effort. For me, it is a moral imperative, not a political statement. I can't think of a more appropriate time to act on my own conscience as to what truly is an expression of support for our troops.

I don't mean to demean or offend anyone with my actions. Mr. Morin, however, demeans and degrades my own service by pretending to some right to speak for me. God bless our troops and let their sacrifices, now and in the future, not be in vain.

I can guarantee that Steven Sanders (the guy who wrote that crap above) has never served this country. What an A*&^%. Godzilla you nailed it.

I see a lot of comments about the Legion being an arm of the Administration and how we left Walter Reid victims behind, but may I point to an article on this site.

http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2007/03/the_legion_assists_walter_reed.html

I didn't see anyone from votevets or the Edwards camp doing this much, but I may have missed it in a press cycle. The point is this, if you want to protest the war then express yourself by contacting your Senator (heck it might even be John Edwards - you know he is a Senator right?) but give it a rest on this day that is meant to honor. I don't see how protesting honors the dead, the wounded or the serving. To be quite honest it sounds more like an act of lunacy. You have 363 other days in the year to create your awareness.

Not to mention I don't see how waving a sign around is going to bring our brothers home safe. If you believe in this philosophy then why not just buy a bumper sticker and save your self the trip of driving to the rally.