Conason: Vile Ann Coulter Smears a War Hero

[CatWoman]

Finding the bottom of American politics these days is as easy as looking up the latest column by Ann Coulter. In fact, it’s the same thing. Her act may be wearing thin now that she has accused half of the population of treason, but don’t underestimate the kooky commentator. Just the other day, she again managed to shock the conscience of any decent citizen who happened to read her latest screed.

Her current target is Max Cleland, the former United States Senator who left three limbs in Vietnam. The courageous Mr. Cleland prevailed over his terrible injury, and the depression that followed; he was appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the Clinton administration and then elected to the Senate from his home state of Georgia.

But Ms. Coulter considers him deserving of scorn and denigration—and lies about his service, despite his sacrifice—for one reason alone: Mr. Cleland is a Democrat who dares to speak out against the President.

There was a time when Republicans were the first to defend veterans and the last to attack anyone who had served, regardless of partisan affiliation. That tradition is dead, however, in part because so many of the party’s extremist leaders, who talk loudly about war, managed to avoid military service when their time came. George W. Bush, of course, served far from Vietnam in the Texas Air National Guard’s "champagne unit" at Ellington Air Force Base, apparently thanks to the intervention of his father’s powerful friends.

http://www.observer.com/pages/conason.asp

[CatWoman]

1. I sent her an email. I just HAD to:

You aren't worthy of sniffing his jock strap. So now all you can do is attack triple amputees.

Stick to sniffing Clinton's. I'm quite sure that's more pleasurable for you.

You certainly put the "v" in vile.

You are one sorry excuse for a human being.

I'm overwhelmed at your lack of humanity and common sense.

Karma is a bitch. And so are you.

http://cf.townhall.com/contact/columnists.cfm?ID=18&Post=11378

[waterman]

2. Awesome, catwoman, totally awesome. Both your post and your email.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[thebaghwan]

11. Look out!! Catwoman has got her claws out!! Go get her Catwoman!

n/t

[non sociopath skin]

3. There's a good anti-Coulter piece...

... on the Nation website.

http://www.thenation.com/outrage/index.mhtml?bid=6

The Skin

[CatWoman]

4. Thanks

I just saw it posted in GD.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. "Nazi Sypathizer" Ann Coulter is a Repug Standard Bearer.

Expect DAS RNC to makes these types of assaults on John Kerry
come the fall.

:puke:

[still_one]

6. I just wish this would make our national news

It is such an outrageous claim:

Here is what really happened:

Army General Order 4361, dated June 9, 1968, states that the Silver Star was awarded to U.S. Army Capt. Max Cleland "for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in Vietnam." In 1968, then Capt. Cleland was in action at the battle of Khe Sanh. Below is the language contained in his Silver Star Order:
"Awarded: Silver Star; Date Action: 4 April 1968; Theater: Republic of Vietnam
"Action: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Cleland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 4 April 1968, while serving as communications officer of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Calvary during an enemy attack near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam.
"When the battalion command post came under a heavy enemy rocket and mortar attack, Capt. Cleland, disregarding his own safety, exposed himself to the rocket barrage as he left his covered position to administer first aid to his wounded comrades. He then assisted in moving the injured personnel to covered positions. Continuing to expose himself, Capt. Cleland organized his men into a work party to repair the battalion communications equipment which had been damaged by enemy fire. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
"Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1968."
The action cited occurred on April 4, 1968, four days before the grenade explosion that cost Sen. Cleland both legs and an arm.
As has been widely reported in the Atlanta Constitution beginning in 1968, then-Capt. Cleland, an Army Signal Officer, volunteered for infantry service to relieve the stranded Marines and members of the Army's 1st Cavalry at the battle of Khe Sanh.
While disembarking from a transport helicopter, Capt. Cleland reached for a grenade he believed had become dislodged from his web gear. Later it was discovered that the grenade belonged to a young soldier new to the theater. That soldier had improperly prepared the grenade pin for easy detonation and had dropped it while coming off the helicopter. The grenade exploded and severely injured Capt. Cleland.
The Silver Star is the third-highest valor decoration of the United States. Sen. Cleland also was awarded a Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Parachutist Badge.

[CatWoman]

8. Max did respond to her on local Georgia television

Former Sen. Max Cleland defended his military service record Saturday night in response to comments from columnist and television commenter Ann Coulter that accused him of playing up injuries he suffered in the Vietnam War for political gain.

Coulter, in a column published this week, said that Cleland, who lost both legs and an arm in Vietnam, is no war hero, but rather a victim of a tragic, accidental grenade explosion who plays up his amputations for political gain.

“If Cleland had dropped a grenade on himself at Fort Dix rather than in Vietnam, he would never have been a U.S. Senator in the first place. Maybe he’d be the best pharmacist in Atlanta,” Coulter said in her column, published on February 11.

“He didn’t ‘give his limbs for his country,’ or leave them ‘on the battlefield,” Coulter said. “There was no bravery involved in dropping the grenade on himself with no enemy troops in sight.

In fact, Cleland was wounded picking up a grenade that someone else dropped, during what he says was a combat mission.

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=42979

[Maccagirl]

16. Thanks for the link Midori

But Max Cleland doesn't have to defend himself against anything or anyone-but I'm still glad he did. Will the Flaxen Fascist ever have to defend the indefensible?

[saltpoint]

7. Ann Coulter, Media Medusa.

Her hair a roiling snarl of vipers. Her tongue a lamprey eel. Her soul the bile of Dracula.

It's tough to achieve absolute nihilism in a personality. Coulter, though, comes very close.

Hysterical and inhuman.

[thebaghwan]

9. Out of curiosity, do we know what other privileged son's served in the

Texas ANG Champagne Unit? That might be interesting to know and embarassing to Bush.

[CatWoman]

10. I believe Lloyd Bentsen's son

(a democrat) served in that unit with him.

[jbfam4]

12. Thanks for posting the Conason article

Loved your e mail to Ann.......next time don't hold back! LOL

Ann puts the v in vile....priceless.

[salinen]

13. Our side has no equivalent to

the Annthraxes and Hannitys. It is part of the culture of glorifying the deceiver (as long as he/she deceives for your side) mentality that floats the conservative movement. Yeach.

[donhakman]

14. It pays her rent

[donhakman]

15. Without her make up...

The stories she makes up arent nearly as compelling.