Vet: “What was the mission, Dr. Rice? Where is your plan for my friends?"

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Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran on Condoleezza Rice’s Campaigning

Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran Paul Friedman released the following statement today in response to reports of Condoleezza Rice’s travel to battleground states:

“As an Iraq veteran, I know something about how this president and his advisors mix his politics and protecting the nation. Still, it was disturbing to read in today's Washington Post how much time President Bush's National Security Advisor, Condi Rice, has been spending making political speeches in battleground states as the election approaches. America's national security advisor shouldn't be so focused on partisan politics, especially given the troubling situation in Iraq and the ground we've lost in the war on terror.

“On May 1st, 2003, I was an Operations Specialist 2nd Class, stationed aboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), when President George Bush landed on our flight deck to announce ‘Mission Accomplished.’

“The mission, as it turns out, was far from accomplished, as evidenced by the monthly increases in American and Coalition soldier deaths in Iraq. The fact is painfully clear that we went to war on a whim and without a plan. Today, terrorists and their sympathizers flood through Iraq’s unsecured borders daily.

“What was the mission, Dr. Rice? Where is your plan for my friends who are still serving out this fight in Iraq? Please stop the political stump speeches and get back to doing the national security job you were appointed by President Bush to do.”

Paul Friedman served in the Navy for over 6 years. Most recently, he served on the USS Lincoln in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and he was on board when the President announced “Mission Accomplished.” He and his ship provided support both in Afghanistan and Iraq for a total of 10 months from August 2002 to May 2003. He was honorably discharged so that he could return to school and pursue his second Bachelors degree. He is now at Florida International University.

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_1020d.html