Difference between revisions of "Vets for Freedom"

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{{Navbar-Vets for Freedom}}
 
{{Navbar-Vets for Freedom}}
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{{Front groups}}
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'''Vets for Freedom''' (VFF), which as recently as September 2007 declared itself the "leading voice representing troops and veterans from [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]]."<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/about/ About], Vets for Freedom, accessed September 1, 2007.</ref>, on July 10, 2007, resumed its pro-[[Bush administration]], pro-[[war in Iraq]] political activities by launching its [[Vets for Freedom/"Win the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign|<u>Win</u> the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign]], stating that the "next ten weeks will be absolutely crucial in determining the fate of the Iraq War." <ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/tenweeks/ "10 Weeks to Testimony,"] Vets for Freedom, July 10, 2007.</ref> <ref>[http://dadmanly.blogspot.com/2007/07/call-to-action.html "Call to Action,"] ''Dadmanly'' Blogspot, July 10, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2007/07/vets-for-freedom-win-war.html "Vets for Freedom... Win the War?"], ''SWAC Girl'' Blog, July 12, 2007.</ref>
  
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'''Vets for Freedom''' (VFF), which as recently as September 2007 declared itself the "leading voice representing troops and veterans from [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]]."<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/about/ About], Vets for Freedom, accessed September 1, 2007.</ref>, on July 10, 2007, resumed its pro-[[Bush administration]], pro-[[war in Iraq]] political activities by launching its "<u>Win</u> the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign, stating that the "next ten weeks will be absolutely crucial in determining the fate of the Iraq War."<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/tenweeks/ "10 Weeks to Testimony,"] Vets for Freedom, July 10, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://dadmanly.blogspot.com/2007/07/call-to-action.html "Call to Action,"] ''Dadmanly'' Blogspot, July 10, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2007/07/vets-for-freedom-win-war.html "Vets for Freedom... Win the War?"], ''SWAC Girl'' Blog, July 12, 2007.</ref>
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:Since, in his September 13, 2007, address to the nation, President [[George W. Bush]] appears to have dropped "victory" from his goals for Iraq, and has substituted "success" in its place,<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-assess14sep14,0,133758.story?coll=la-home-center "Bush redefines 'victory',"] ''Los Angeles Times'', September 14, 2007.</ref> will Vets for Freedom now rename its pro-victory in Iraq campaign "<u>Win</u> the War! Success in Iraq"?
  
 
VFF communicates its slogan in military terms: "Mobilizing veterans to communicate America's strategic objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan."<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org Vets for Freedom website.]</ref>
 
VFF communicates its slogan in military terms: "Mobilizing veterans to communicate America's strategic objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan."<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org Vets for Freedom website.]</ref>
  
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In July 2006, VFF&mdash;calling itself the [[Vets for Freedom Action Fund]] (VFF-AF)&mdash;registered<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070208191741/http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/ Archived copy of most recent update to Vets for Freedom Action Fund home page], February 8, 2007.</ref> with the IRS as a [[527 committee]] national [[lobbyist|lobby]]. It was, in essence, a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[front group]] managed by Republican-affiliated [[public relations]]<ref>[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom_Action_Fund#High-Level_Republican_Media_Outlets.E2.80.94Embedded:_Connecting_the_Dots "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Media Outlets&mdash;Embedded: Connecting the Dots,"] SourceWatch.</ref>, [[media]]<ref>[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom_Action_Fund#High-Level_Republican_Media_Reps "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Media Reps,"] SourceWatch.</ref>, legal<ref>[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom_Action_Fund#High-Level_Republican_Legal_Representation "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Legal Representation,"] SourceWatch.</ref>, and political consultants, including former White House spokesman [[Taylor Gross]], to defeat candidates who advocate an end to the US [[occupation of Iraq]].
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In July 2006, VFF&mdash;calling itself the [[Vets for Freedom Action Fund]] (VFF-AF)&mdash;registered<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070208191741/http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/ Archived copy of most recent update to Vets for Freedom Action Fund home page], February 8, 2007.</ref> with the IRS as a [[527 committee]] national [[lobbyist|lobby]]. It was, in essence, a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[front group]] managed by Republican-affiliated [[public relations]]<ref>[https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom_Action_Fund#High-Level_Republican_Media_Outlets.E2.80.94Embedded:_Connecting_the_Dots "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Media Outlets&mdash;Embedded: Connecting the Dots,"] SourceWatch.</ref>, [[media]]<ref>[https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom_Action_Fund#High-Level_Republican_Media_Reps "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Media Reps,"] SourceWatch.</ref>, legal<ref>[https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom_Action_Fund#High-Level_Republican_Legal_Representation "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Legal Representation,"] SourceWatch.</ref>, and political consultants, including former White House spokesman [[Taylor Gross]], to defeat candidates who advocate an end to the US [[occupation of Iraq]].
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=="National Heroes Tour"==
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In March 2008, VFF arranged "a low-key classroom discussion about patriotism and service to country" at Lake Forest High School in Minnesota. Then, VFF "decided to call a press conference at the school and alerted media." In response, "anti-war activists, including [[Iraq Veterans Against the War|veterans of Iraq who oppose the war]]" decided to organize "their own press conference and rally." <ref name="HeroesBus">Nick Coleman, "[http://www.startribune.com/local/17035406.html A political agenda hid behind a talk with heroes]," ''Star Tribune'' (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota), March 26, 2008.</ref>
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The high school canceled the event. Right-wing radio and television began criticizing Principal [[Steve Massey]], and angry conservatives called and emailed him, "calling him a coward, a Communist or a spineless America Hater." Local columnist [[Nick Coleman]] suggested, "Maybe a Minnesota school was just trying to keep its students from becoming pawns in a political game. There would not have been much outrage" if, instead of being billed as the "Vets for Freedom National Heroes Tour," the event had been called the "Republican Tour to Shore Up the Pro-War Vote," he added. <ref name="HeroesBus"/>
  
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==Non-partisan, bi-partisan or neocon [[lobbyist]]s?==
 
==Non-partisan, bi-partisan or neocon [[lobbyist]]s?==
  
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[[Pete Hegseth]], VFF's Executive Director since May 2007, wrote the article "What Would Lincoln Do? Civil War Woes Emblematic Of Those Faced In Iraq," published June 26, 2007, in [[neo-conservative]] [[William Kristol]]'s ''[[The Weekly Standard]]'' magazine. Hegseth addressed statements made by Sen. [[Carl Levin]] (D-Mich.) in a June 21, 2007, ''Washington Post'' op-ed<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/20/AR2007062001870.html "Lincoln's Example for Iraq,"] ''Washington Post'', June 21, 2007.</ref> which "bothered" Hegseth, "all of which run counter to realities on the ground in Iraq," Hegseth wrote.<ref>Pete Hegseth, [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/26/opinion/main2980809.shtml?source=search_story "What Would Lincoln Do? Civil War Woes Emblematic Of Those Faced In Iraq,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', June 26, 2007.</ref>
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===Funded by [[Republican Jewish Coalition]] / [[Freedom's Watch]]===
  
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An Iraq veteran, VFF National Field Director [[Joel A. Arends]] is a U.S. Army Reserve Captain<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/about/ About: National Leadership Team,] Vets for Freedom, accessed August 14, 2007.</ref> who served 2003-2005 as Platoon Leader and Company Commander for the 1st Cavalry Division.<ref>[http://www.kcrw.com/people/news/programs/tp/tp070112can_us_get_out_of_t/arends_joel?role=news_guest Joel Arends,] KCRW.com, accessed August 14, 2007.</ref><ref>Joel A. Arends, [http://publiusforum.blogspot.com/2006/08/help-us-soldier-spread-truth-about.html "Help a US Soldier Spread the TRUTH About Iraq,"] ''Publius' Forum'' Blogspot, August 31, 2006.</ref> He is a member of<ref name="Bret">Bret Hayworth, [http://www.familiesunitedmission.com/cgi-data/news/files/62.shtml "Soldier says Iraq a place of great progress,"] ''Sioux City (Iowa) Journal'' (Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission), April 9, 2006.</ref> and previously worked with [[Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission]], another pro-war in Iraq organization.<ref>Joel A. Arends, [http://publiusforum.blogspot.com/2006/08/help-us-soldier-spread-truth-about.html "Help a US Soldier Spread the TRUTH About Iraq,"] ''Publius' Forum'' Blogspot, August 31, 2006.</ref> In 2000, Arends ran unsuccesfully for the Iowa Statehouse "while living in Sioux City".<ref name="Bret"/> He is listed in May 2007 as a paid staffer for [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[U.S. presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential]] hopeful [[John McCain: U.S. presidential election, 2008|John McCain]]<ref>[http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=95925 "IowaPolitics.com: First quarter Iowa-related spending by presidential candidates,"] ''IowaPolitics.com'', May 15, 2007.</ref> and, when appearing at an August 8, 2007, O'Brien County Republican Summer Gala in Paullina, Iowa, Arends was described as "now a surrogate for Senator McCain's campaign".<ref>Don McDowell, [http://cycloneconservatives.blogspot.com/2007/08/obrien-county-republican-summer-gala.html "O'Brien County Republican Summer Gala,"] ''Cyclone Conservatives'' Blogspot, August 9, 2007.</ref> Also in August 2007, Arends was identified as the replacement for [[Craig Dewey]] as [[Americans for Prosperity]]'s South Dakota Assistant State Director.<ref>PP, [http://dakotawarcollege.com/?p=2758 "I hate when that happens...,"] ''South Dakota War College'' Blog, August 12, 2007.</ref>
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"Working behind the scenes through most of the summer" 2007, Freedom's Watch president [[Bradley A. Blakeman]] "assembled big-dollar donors and quietly helped pro-war groups ranging from the [[American Legion]] to [[Rolling Thunder]] make a case for Bush's war strategy. Freedom's Watch also formed partnerships with other groups backing the war, such as [[Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission|Families United]], '''Vets for Freedom''' and the [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]]," Jim Kuhnhenn reported September 28, 2007, for the Associated Press.<ref>Jim Kuhnhenn, [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/09/28/politics/p105148D06.DTL&type=politics "Outsiders Aim to Frame Political Debate,"] Associated Press (''San Francisco Chronicle''), September 28, 2007.</ref>
  
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VFF member [[Alex Gallo]], a West Point graduate who served in 2004 as an infantry officer in Samarrah, Iraq, wrote a pro-war in Iraq article<ref name="Gallo 7/18/07">Alex Gallo, [http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTk5MDFmZDM0Y2JmOGZjNzRiYTIxZGUwOTVkZjcxODk= "Duty, Honor … Reelection? Conduct unbecoming senators,"] ''National Review Online'', July 18, 2007.</ref> that was published July 18, 2007, by ''National Review Online''.
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===VFF staff and members have extensive ties to George W. Bush, Bill Kristol and Republican Party===
  
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Gallo is currently a "masters in public-policy candidate" at Harvard University's [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]],<ref name="Gallo 7/18/07"/> where he is "course assistant" for Kristol's "Can America be Governed?"<ref>Thomas Park, [http://media.www.ksgcitizen.org/media/storage/paper223/news/2007/02/21/Features/From-North.New.Jersey.To.Iraq-2730663.shtml "From North New Jersey to Iraq,"] ''The Citizen''/Kennedy School of Government, February 21, 2007.</ref> Kristol, whom [[David Corn]] calls<ref>David Corn, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701456.html?hpid=opinionsbox1 "Why Bush Is A Loser,"] ''Washington Post'', July 18, 2007.</ref> "the No. 1 cheerleader for the Iraq war," in 2006 assisted VFF-AF in its pro-war in Iraq campaign support of Sen. [[Joe Lieberman]] (I-Conn.).
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* '''VFF Executive Director wrote article in pro-War ''Weekly Standard'':'''
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**[[Pete Hegseth]], VFF's Executive Director since May 2007, wrote the article "What Would Lincoln Do? Civil War Woes Emblematic Of Those Faced In Iraq," published June 26, 2007, in [[neo-conservative]] [[William Kristol]]'s ''[[The Weekly Standard]]'' magazine. Hegseth addressed statements made by Sen. [[Carl Levin]] (D-Mich.) in a June 21, 2007, ''Washington Post'' op-ed<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/20/AR2007062001870.html "Lincoln's Example for Iraq,"] ''Washington Post'', June 21, 2007.</ref> which "bothered" Hegseth, "all of which run counter to realities on the ground in Iraq," Hegseth wrote.<ref>Pete Hegseth, [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/26/opinion/main2980809.shtml?source=search_story "What Would Lincoln Do? Civil War Woes Emblematic Of Those Faced In Iraq,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', June 26, 2007.</ref>
  
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[[Eric Egland]], another VFF member who is a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve who served on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan<ref>Jason Probst, [http://www.thepresstribune.com/articles/2005/08/10/news/top_stories/01danger.txt "Major Danger. Roseville's Egland has worked on WMDs, drug interdiction, other high-profile jobs with the Air Force; Major returned home recently from tour in Iraq,"] ''The Press-Tribune'', August 10, 2005.</ref>, announced July 31, 2007, that he will challenge Rep. [[John Doolittle]] (R-Calif.) in the 2008 Republican primary.<ref name="Egland declares">David Whitney, [http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/300214.html "Doolittle faces primary fight. As Eric Egland declares he is in the GOP race, incumbent's aide says competitors welcome,"] ''Sacramento Bee'', July 31, 2007.</ref>  
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:*Note: William (Bill) Kristol is an original co-founder of the [[Project for the New American Century]], as well as a member of and an advisor to the [[Foundation for the Defense of Democracies]], with which Vets for Freedom has become associated.<ref>[https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom/%22Win_the_War%21_Victory_in_Iraq%22_campaign#Foundation_for_the_Defense_of_Democracies Vets for Freedom (Foundation for the Defense of Democracies section),] SourceWatch article.</ref>  
  
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Egland helped Doolittle "defeat Democratic challenger [[Charlie Brown]]"<ref>[http://www.politics1.com/ca.htm California Candidates: District 4], ''Politics1.com'', accessed July 18, 2007.</ref> in the [[2006 congressional elections]]. In the fall of 2006, he "organized a group of veterans to oppose Doolittle's Democratic challenger, Brown, a retired Air Force officer who is seriously weighing another run next year."<ref name="Egland declares"/>
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* '''VFF National Field Director has worked for other pro-War groups and works for McCain's presidential campaign:'''
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** An Iraq veteran, VFF National Field Director [[Joel A. Arends]] is a U.S. Army Reserve Captain <ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/about/ About: National Leadership Team,] Vets for Freedom, accessed August 14, 2007.</ref> who served 2003-2005 as Platoon Leader and Company Commander for the 1st Cavalry Division.<ref>[http://www.kcrw.com/people/news/programs/tp/tp070112can_us_get_out_of_t/arends_joel?role=news_guest Joel Arends,] KCRW.com, accessed August 14, 2007.</ref><ref>Joel A. Arends, [http://publiusforum.blogspot.com/2006/08/help-us-soldier-spread-truth-about.html "Help a US Soldier Spread the TRUTH About Iraq,"] ''Publius' Forum'' Blogspot, August 31, 2006.</ref> He is a member of<ref name="Bret">Bret Hayworth, [http://www.familiesunitedmission.com/cgi-data/news/files/62.shtml "Soldier says Iraq a place of great progress,"] ''Sioux City (Iowa) Journal'' (Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission), April 9, 2006.</ref> and previously worked with [[Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission]], another pro-war in Iraq organization.<ref>Joel A. Arends, [http://publiusforum.blogspot.com/2006/08/help-us-soldier-spread-truth-about.html "Help a US Soldier Spread the TRUTH About Iraq,"] ''Publius' Forum'' Blogspot, August 31, 2006.</ref> In 2000, Arends ran unsuccesfully for the Iowa Statehouse "while living in Sioux City".<ref name="Bret"/> He is listed in May 2007 as a paid staffer for [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[U.S. presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential]] hopeful [[John McCain: U.S. presidential election, 2008|John McCain]]<ref>[http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=95925 "IowaPolitics.com: First quarter Iowa-related spending by presidential candidates,"] ''IowaPolitics.com'', May 15, 2007.</ref> and, when appearing at an August 8, 2007, O'Brien County Republican Summer Gala in Paullina, Iowa, Arends was described as "now a surrogate for Senator McCain's campaign".<ref>Don McDowell, [http://cycloneconservatives.blogspot.com/2007/08/obrien-county-republican-summer-gala.html "O'Brien County Republican Summer Gala,"] ''Cyclone Conservatives'' Blogspot, August 9, 2007.</ref> Also in August 2007, Arends was identified as the replacement for [[Craig Dewey]] as [[Americans for Prosperity]]'s South Dakota Assistant State Director.<ref>PP, [http://dakotawarcollege.com/?p=2758 "I hate when that happens...,"] ''South Dakota War College'' Blog, August 12, 2007.</ref>
  
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Egland is the author of March 2007 self-published<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Troops-Need-You-America-Living/dp/0979339405 ''Troops Need You America''], Amazon.com.</ref> ''The Troops Need You, America: Six Ways to Help Them Win'', a book "based on an essay he published"<ref>Eric Egland, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/930jbmte.asp?pg=1 "Six Steps to Victory. The bottom-up plan to defeat the insurgency,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', November 16, 2006.</ref> in Kristol's ''Weekly Standard''. The book "shows average Americans how to help the troops win in Iraq."<ref>[http://www.troopsneedyou.com/eric-egland.php5 Eric Egland], TroopsNeedYou.com, accessed July 18, 2007.</ref>
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* '''VFF member wrote article in pro-War ''National Review'' and is a "course assistant" for William Kristol at Harvard:'''
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**VFF member [[Alex Gallo]], a West Point graduate who served in 2004 as an infantry officer in Samarrah, Iraq, wrote a pro-war in Iraq article<ref name="Gallo 7/18/07">Alex Gallo, [http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTk5MDFmZDM0Y2JmOGZjNzRiYTIxZGUwOTVkZjcxODk= "Duty, Honor … Reelection? Conduct unbecoming senators,"] ''National Review Online'', July 18, 2007.</ref> that was published July 18, 2007, by ''National Review Online''.
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** Gallo is currently a "masters in public-policy candidate" at Harvard University's [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]],<ref name="Gallo 7/18/07"/> where he is "course assistant" for Kristol's "Can America be Governed?"<ref>Thomas Park, [http://media.www.ksgcitizen.org/media/storage/paper223/news/2007/02/21/Features/From-North.New.Jersey.To.Iraq-2730663.shtml "From North New Jersey to Iraq,"] ''The Citizen''/Kennedy School of Government, February 21, 2007.</ref> Kristol, whom [[David Corn]] calls<ref>David Corn, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701456.html?hpid=opinionsbox1 "Why Bush Is A Loser,"] ''Washington Post'', July 18, 2007.</ref> "the No. 1 cheerleader for the Iraq war," in 2006 assisted VFF-AF in its pro-war in Iraq campaign support of Sen. [[Joe Lieberman]] (I-Conn.).
  
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[[Vince Micco]], VFF's New Jersey chapter leader, was recruited by the [[GOP]] in March 2006 to challenge five-term [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] Rep. [[Steve Rothman]] in the [[U.S. congressional elections in 2006|2006 congressional election]].<ref>Wally Edge, [http://nj.politicsnj.com/gop-recruits-iraq-veteran-challenge-rothman "GOP recruits Iraq veteran to challenge Rothman,"] PoliticsNJ.com, March 28, 2006.</ref> Micco was profiled in an October 23, 2006, article in Kristol's ''Weekly Standard'', in which he was described as "unabashedly pro-Bush and hawkish in his political outlook."<ref>Brendan Conway, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=12835&R=112AD509E "A Vet Runs in New Jersey. The longshot effort of a Republican challenger,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', October 23, 2006.</ref>
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* '''VFF member organized against Democratic congressional candidate in 2006, is challenging Republican congressman in 2008 primary, published essay in pro-War, Kristol-owned ''Weekly Standard:'''
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**[[Eric Egland]], another VFF member who is a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve who served on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan<ref>Jason Probst, [http://www.thepresstribune.com/articles/2005/08/10/news/top_stories/01danger.txt "Major Danger. Roseville's Egland has worked on WMDs, drug interdiction, other high-profile jobs with the Air Force; Major returned home recently from tour in Iraq,"] ''The Press-Tribune'', August 10, 2005.</ref>, announced July 31, 2007, that he will challenge Rep. [[John Doolittle]] (R-Calif.) in the 2008 Republican primary.<ref name="Egland declares">David Whitney, [http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/300214.html "Doolittle faces primary fight. As Eric Egland declares he is in the GOP race, incumbent's aide says competitors welcome,"] ''Sacramento Bee'', July 31, 2007.</ref>
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**Egland helped Doolittle "defeat Democratic challenger [[Charlie Brown]]"<ref>[http://www.politics1.com/ca.htm California Candidates: District 4], ''Politics1.com'', accessed July 18, 2007.</ref> in the [[2006 congressional elections]]. In the fall of 2006, he "organized a group of veterans to oppose Doolittle's Democratic challenger, Brown, a retired Air Force officer who is seriously weighing another run next year." <ref name="Egland declares"/>
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** Egland is the author of the March 2007 self-published ''The Troops Need You, America: Six Ways to Help Them Win'', <ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Troops-Need-You-America-Living/dp/0979339405 ''Troops Need You America''], Amazon.com.</ref> a book "based on an essay he published" in Kristol's ''Weekly Standard''.<ref>Eric Egland, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/930jbmte.asp?pg=1 "Six Steps to Victory. The bottom-up plan to defeat the insurgency,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', November 16, 2006.</ref> The book "shows average Americans how to help the troops win in Iraq." <ref>[http://www.troopsneedyou.com/eric-egland.php5 Eric Egland], TroopsNeedYou.com, accessed July 18, 2007.</ref>
  
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The contact person for VFF's press releases is [[Adriel Domenech]],<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/news/Read.aspx?ID=274 "Iraq Veterans Go to Capitol: Don't Declare Defeat,"] Vets for Freedom, July 16, 2007.</ref> VFF's "Field Director"<ref>[http://dadmanly.blogspot.com/2007/07/media-call-to-action.html "Media Call to Action,"] ''Dadmanly'' Blogspot, July 16, 2007.</ref>, who most recently "worked for 13 months"<ref>Anne Flaherty, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6848274,00.html "In the Debate Over Iraq, It's Vet Vs Vet,"] Associated Press (''The Guardian'' (UK)), August 14, 2007.</ref> as a member of the [[U.S. Department of State]] Public Affairs Iraq GO (Global Outreach) Team.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rls/81371.htm "Iraq GO Team Event: Iraq Continues To Move Toward Recovery and Growth,"] U.S. Department of State, March 2, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://iraq.usembassy.gov/iraq/20061107_go_team.html "Prosperity. Global Outreach Team,"] U.S. Department of State, February 12, 2007.</ref> 
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* '''VFF State chapter leader was recruited by GOP to challenge Democratic congressman in 2006 elections; was profiled in ''Weekly Standard:'''
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** [[Vince Micco]], VFF's New Jersey chapter leader, was recruited by the [[GOP]] in March 2006 to challenge five-term [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] Rep. [[Steve Rothman]] in the [[U.S. congressional elections in 2006|2006 congressional election]].<ref>Wally Edge, [http://nj.politicsnj.com/gop-recruits-iraq-veteran-challenge-rothman "GOP recruits Iraq veteran to challenge Rothman,"] PoliticsNJ.com, March 28, 2006.</ref> Micco was profiled in an October 23, 2006, article in Kristol's ''Weekly Standard'', in which he was described as "unabashedly pro-Bush and hawkish in his political outlook."<ref>Brendan Conway, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=12835&R=112AD509E "A Vet Runs in New Jersey. The longshot effort of a Republican challenger,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', October 23, 2006.</ref>
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In Fall 2001, Domenech, a graduate of Texas A&M who interned with the [[Republican National Committee]], had completed the Colorado campaign and was a "72-Hour Director in Arkansas"<ref>[http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/bush/bushorgar.html "President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization, Arkansas,"] George Washington University, 2005/2005; accessed July 17, 2007.</ref> for [[Bush-Cheney '04 Inc.]].<ref>[http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/bush/bushorgco.html "President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization, Colorado,"] George Washington University, 2004/2005, accessed July 17, 2007.</ref>  
 
  
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In August 2004, Domenech's name was found amongst recognized "Republican signatures on petitions to get third-party candidate [[Ralph Nader]] on the presidential ballot in Arkansas." At the time, a "news release from the [[Democratic Party of Arkansas]] said at least two dozen state Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller's chief of staff, had signed the petitions to get Nader included on the state ballot. ... Conventional political wisdom [was] that Nader [would] take votes from the Democratic nominee." <ref>Dennis A. Byrd, [http://www.arwar.org/Nader/Republicans_among_Nader_petition_signees.htm "Republicans among Nader petition signees,"] Arkansas News Bureau, August 20, 2004.</ref>
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* '''VFF media contact is former Bush administration PR flak for Iraq War, interned with the [[Republican National Committee]], worked on Bush 2004 campaign, tried to get Nader on 2004 ballot in AR:'''
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** The contact person for VFF's press releases is [[Adriel Domenech]],<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/news/Read.aspx?ID=274 "Iraq Veterans Go to Capitol: Don't Declare Defeat,"] Vets for Freedom, July 16, 2007.</ref> VFF's "Field Director"<ref>[http://dadmanly.blogspot.com/2007/07/media-call-to-action.html "Media Call to Action,"] ''Dadmanly'' Blogspot, July 16, 2007.</ref>, who most recently "worked for 13 months"<ref>Anne Flaherty, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6848274,00.html "In the Debate Over Iraq, It's Vet Vs Vet,"] Associated Press (''The Guardian'' (UK)), August 14, 2007.</ref> as a member of the [[U.S. Department of State]] Public Affairs Iraq GO (Global Outreach) Team.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rls/81371.htm "Iraq GO Team Event: Iraq Continues To Move Toward Recovery and Growth,"] U.S. Department of State, March 2, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://iraq.usembassy.gov/iraq/20061107_go_team.html "Prosperity. Global Outreach Team,"] U.S. Department of State, February 12, 2007.</ref> 
 +
** In Fall 2001, Domenech, a graduate of Texas A&M who interned with the [[Republican National Committee]], had completed the Colorado campaign and was a "72-Hour Director in Arkansas"<ref>[http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/bush/bushorgar.html "President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization, Arkansas,"] George Washington University, 2005/2005; accessed July 17, 2007.</ref> for [[Bush-Cheney '04 Inc.]].<ref>[http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/bush/bushorgco.html "President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization, Colorado,"] George Washington University, 2004/2005, accessed July 17, 2007.</ref>   
 +
** In August 2004, Domenech's name was found amongst recognized "Republican signatures on petitions to get third-party candidate [[Ralph Nader]] on the presidential ballot in Arkansas." At the time, a "news release from the [[Democratic Party of Arkansas]] said at least two dozen state Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller's chief of staff, had signed the petitions to get Nader included on the state ballot. ... Conventional political wisdom [was] that Nader [would] take votes from the Democratic nominee." <ref>Dennis A. Byrd, [http://www.arwar.org/Nader/Republicans_among_Nader_petition_signees.htm "Republicans among Nader petition signees,"] Arkansas News Bureau, August 20, 2004.</ref>
  
−
In 2006, former White House spokesman Taylor Gross's [[public relations]] firm the [[Herald Group]] helped VFF co-founder [[Wade Zirkle]] and "fellow Iraq veteran [[David Bellavia]] approach mainstream newspapers to offer dispatches from the two as war correspondents [[embedded]] [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom#Embedded:_Connecting_the_Dots with the military.] The two eventually got press credentials<ref>David Bellavia, Owen West, and Wade Zirkle, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/443zhpmy.asp?pg=2 "Birth of an Army. With the Iraqi forces in Ramadi,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', July 24, 2006.</ref> through ''The Weekly Standard'', whose editor, William Kristol, became an informal adviser to the group and helped put it in touch with" Republican strategist [[Dan Senor]], who was "on retainer to help with fundraising."<ref>Julie Kosterlitz,  [http://www.iraqvetsforprogress.org/national_journal.htm "Lobbying & Law - Veterans of Political Wars,"] ''National Journal''/Iraq Vets for Progress, undated 2006.</ref>
+
* '''VFF co-founder was assisted by former Bush White House spokesman's PR firm in attempt to get dispatches published in mainstream newspapers, got credentials from the ''Weekly Standard'', was assisted by Kristol:'''
 +
** In 2006, former White House spokesman Taylor Gross's [[public relations]] firm the [[Herald Group]] helped VFF co-founder [[Wade Zirkle]] and "fellow Iraq veteran [[David Bellavia]] approach mainstream newspapers to offer dispatches from the two as war correspondents [[embedded]] [https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom#Embedded:_Connecting_the_Dots with the military.] The two eventually got press credentials<ref>David Bellavia, Owen West, and Wade Zirkle, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/443zhpmy.asp?pg=2 "Birth of an Army. With the Iraqi forces in Ramadi,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', July 24, 2006.</ref> through ''The Weekly Standard'', whose editor, William Kristol, became an informal adviser to the group and helped put it in touch with" Republican strategist [[Dan Senor]], who was "on retainer to help with fundraising."<ref>Julie Kosterlitz,  [http://www.iraqvetsforprogress.org/national_journal.htm "Lobbying & Law - Veterans of Political Wars,"] ''National Journal''/Iraq Vets for Progress, undated 2006.</ref>
  
 
See the [[Vets for Freedom Action Fund]] article for more details on VFF's Republican connections.
 
See the [[Vets for Freedom Action Fund]] article for more details on VFF's Republican connections.
Line 44: Line 61:
 
"It's time that the rest of America heard the words of soldiers who have served (and been wounded) in Iraq and the stories of families who have lost loved ones there," Hegseth wrote.
 
"It's time that the rest of America heard the words of soldiers who have served (and been wounded) in Iraq and the stories of families who have lost loved ones there," Hegseth wrote.
  
−
===Neoconnected===
+
===VFFers respond to bleak, soldier-authored ''NYT'' op-ed in the ''The Weekly Standard''===
−
====''The Weekly Standard'' op-ed====
 
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−
The VFF "seven", all veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan&mdash;[[David Bellavia]],<ref>Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia served in Iraq in 2004.</ref> [[Pete Hegseth]],<ref>Lt. Pete Hegseth served with the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq 2005-2006.</ref> [[Michael A. Baumann]],<ref>An August 9, 2007, blog posting by Michael Mannske, [http://freedomdogs.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2150&Itemid=2 "Town Hall Meeting: Part II,"] ''FreedomDogs'' Blog, August 9, 2007, cites U.S. Army (Ret.) LTC Michael A. Bauman, ''who retired in October 2005''&mdash;two years ago&mdash;as VFF's Minnesota state chairman. Also see [http://www.revealingiraq.com/ ''RevealingIraq.com''] website.</ref> [[Carl Hartmann]],<ref>U.S. Marine Corporal Carl Hartmann, who served three tours of duty in Iraq (dates unknown), is the local VFF leader for Nebraska.</ref> [[David Thul]],<ref>Army Staff Sergeant David Thul of the Minnesota National Guard returned from Iraq in 2007.</ref> [[Knox Nunnally]],<ref>U.S. Marine Infantry Captain Kevin Knox Nunnally served three tours of duty in Iraq, beginning in 2001.</ref> and [[Joe Dan Worley]]<ref>U.S. Navy Corpsman Joe Dan Worley, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines in Iraq, was wounded September 17, 2004.</ref>&mdash;responded in [[William Kristol]]'s [[conservative]] ''Weekly Standard'' on August 24, 2007,<ref name="VFF7">David Bellavia, Pete Hegseth, Michael Baumann, Carl Hartmann, David Thul, Knox Nunnally, Joe Worley, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/006bzlfl.asp "Iraq Vets Respond ...to the New York Times seven,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', August 24, 2007.</ref> to an August 19, 2007, ''New York Times'' op-ed<ref>Buddhika Jayamaha, Wesley D. Smith, Jeremy Roebuck, Omar Mora, Edward Sandmeier, Yance T. Gray, and Jeremy A. Murphy, [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/opinion/19jayamaha.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin "The War as We Saw It,"] ''New York Times'', August 19, 2007.</ref> by what is being called the ''NYT'' "seven", all "infantrymen and noncommissioned officers with the 82nd Airborne Division soon heading back home" from 15 months duty in Iraq&mdash;Buddhika Jayamaha, Wesley D. Smith, Jeremy Roebuck, Omar Mora, Edward Sandmeier, Yance T. Gray, and Jeremy A. Murphy&mdash;who wrote a less-than-glowing assessment of the conditions on the ground in Iraq.
 
  
−
"Of the almost 3,000 soldiers from the Army's storied 82nd Airborne Division currently serving in the hottest of Iraqi neighborhoods, seven felt confident enough in their misgivings to sign an opinion piece. They should not be surprised that many of their comrades--including the seven undersigned here--find their work to be misguided, ... The portrait these soldiers painted, while surely accurate and honest, is more representative of pre-surge Baghdad: sectarian strife, lawlessness, and indiscriminate slaughter" the VFF "seven" wrote.<ref name="VFF7"/>
+
The VFF "seven", all veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, responded in [[William Kristol]]'s [[conservative]] ''Weekly Standard'' on August 24, 2007,<ref name="VFF7">David Bellavia, Pete Hegseth, Michael Baumann, Carl Hartmann, David Thul, Knox Nunnally, Joe Worley, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/006bzlfl.asp "Iraq Vets Respond ...to the New York Times seven,"] ''The Weekly Standard'', August 24, 2007.</ref> to an August 19, 2007, ''New York Times'' op-ed <ref>Buddhika Jayamaha, Wesley D. Smith, Jeremy Roebuck, Omar Mora, Edward Sandmeier, Yance T. Gray, and Jeremy A. Murphy, [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/opinion/19jayamaha.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin "The War as We Saw It,"] ''New York Times'', August 19, 2007.</ref> by what is being called the ''NYT'' "seven": all "infantrymen and noncommissioned officers with the 82nd Airborne Division soon heading back home" from 15 months duty in Iraq. They wrote a less-than-glowing assessment of the conditions on the ground in Iraq.
  
−
"We understand the frustration our fellow soldiers feel. All of us were in Iraq before the 'surge' and lament never seeing a coherent, security-based counterinsurgency strategy. In truth, we were only clearing--not holding. ... But we also know what's possible when even small portions of counterinsurgency strategy are applied. Insurgents are exposed, leaders stand up, and stability occurs. ... It's unfortunate that soldiers in the 82nd Airborne have not yet benefited from the new strategy, but it will ensure that their actions, and those of their fallen brethren, will not have been in vain," the VFF "seven" wrote.<ref name="VFF7"/>
+
The ''New York Times'' "seven" were Buddhika Jayamaha, Wesley D. Smith, Jeremy Roebuck, Omar Mora, Edward Sandmeier, Yance T. Gray, and Jeremy A. Murphy. (Note: On September 10, 2007, Yance Gray and Omar Mora were among seven American troops killed near Baghdad in vehicle rollover accident.)<ref>[http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou070911_tj_tcsoldier.c4dda8ba.html "Texas City soldier killed outside Baghdad,"] KHOU.com, September 11, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/global/story.asp?s=7060258 "Soldier, Ismay native, dies in vehicle crash in Iraq,"] Associated Press (''MontanaNewsStation.com''), September 11, 2007.</ref><ref>Brandon Friedman, [http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/9/12/0926/28618 "Two of the Seven NYT Op-Ed Soldiers Have Died in Iraq,"] ''The Daily Kos'', September 11, 2007.</ref>
  
−
''<u>Translation</u>'': The VFF "seven" do not have any first-hand knowledge of the current situation on the ground in Iraq. Although the ''NYT'' "seven" do, they are wrong.
+
The VFF "seven" were [[David Bellavia]],<ref>Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia served in Iraq in 2004.</ref> [[Pete Hegseth]],<ref>Lt. Pete Hegseth served with the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq 2005-2006.</ref> [[Michael A. Baumann]],<ref>An August 9, 2007, blog posting by Michael Mannske, [http://freedomdogs.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2150&Itemid=2 "Town Hall Meeting: Part II,"] ''FreedomDogs'' Blog, August 9, 2007, cites U.S. Army (Ret.) LTC Michael A. Bauman, ''who retired in October 2005''&mdash;two years ago&mdash;as VFF's Minnesota state chairman. Also see [http://www.revealingiraq.com/ ''RevealingIraq.com''] website.</ref> [[Carl Hartmann]],<ref>U.S. Marine Corporal Carl Hartmann, who served three tours of duty in Iraq (dates unknown), is the local VFF leader for Nebraska.</ref> [[David Thul]],<ref>Army Staff Sergeant David Thul of the Minnesota National Guard returned from Iraq in 2007.</ref> [[Knox Nunnally]], <ref>U.S. Marine Infantry Captain Kevin Knox Nunnally served three tours of duty in Iraq, beginning in 2001.</ref> and [[Joe Dan Worley]]<ref>U.S. Navy Corpsman Joe Dan Worley, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines in Iraq, was wounded September 17, 2004.</ref>
  
−
'''Note''': VFF's ''Weekly Standard'' op-ed was also published online by the Assyrian International News Agency. The names of the authors are stated, as is the fact that they are all members of VV; however, the op-ed itself lacks a title. The source for the article cited at the bottom of the page is [[News Corporation]]. Additionally, following the names is the following: "This Op-Ed was originally submitted to the New York Times, which declined to publish it."<ref>[http://www.aina.org/news/20070824084844.htm No title,] News Corporation (AINA.org), August 24, 2007.</ref><ref>Also see [http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:wqhEf_XAkzIJ:edschultz.invisionzone.com/index.php%3Fshowtopic%3D31007%26view%3Dgetnewpost+%22Vets+for+Freedom%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=171&gl=us&client=news this (cache file)] discussion on the ''Ed Schultz Show message board about the ''New York Times'' not running VFF's article.</ref>
+
The VFF "seven's" Op-Ed noted that none of the authors had served in Iraq during the "surge," unlike the ''New York Times'' seven:
  
−
====Foundation for the Defense of Democracies====
+
<blockquote>
−
As part of activities for week 7 of its 10-week  "<u>Win</u> the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign, in a viral email posted August 21, 2007, VFF Executive Director [[Pete Hegseth]] directed<ref>Pete Hegseth, [http://wwwwakeupamericans-spree.blogspot.com/2007/08/vets-for-freedom-week-7-spread-word.html "Vets for Freedom: Week 7: Spread the Word - The Surge is Working,"] Vets for Freedom (posted by spree ([[Susan Duclos]]) on ''Wake up America'' Blogspot)/cross-posted at [http://www.israelated.com/node/22252 ''Israelated''], August 21, 2007.</ref> recipients to read three articles "released by" the [[neo-con]]-affiliated, pro-war/pro-[[regime change]] in Iraq [[think tank]] [[Foundation for the Defense of Democracies]] (FDD):
+
"Of the almost 3,000 soldiers from the Army's storied 82nd Airborne Division currently serving in the hottest of Iraqi neighborhoods, seven felt confident enough in their misgivings to sign an opinion piece. They should not be surprised that many of their comrades--including the seven undersigned here--find their work to be misguided, ... The portrait these soldiers painted, while surely accurate and honest, is more representative of pre-surge Baghdad: sectarian strife, lawlessness, and indiscriminate slaughter" the VFF "seven" wrote.<ref name="VFF7"/><br><br>
  
−
*"The Cost of Withdrawal from Iraq" (August 15, 2007)<ref>[[Kyle Dabruzzi]] and [[Joshua Goodman]], [http://www.defenddemocracy.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=515934 "The Cost of Withdrawal from Iraq,"] Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, August 15, 2007.</ref>
+
"We understand the frustration our fellow soldiers feel. All of us were in Iraq before the 'surge' and lament never seeing a coherent, security-based counterinsurgency strategy. In truth, we were only clearing--not holding. ... But we also know what's possible when even small portions of counterinsurgency strategy are applied. Insurgents are exposed, leaders stand up, and stability occurs. ... It's unfortunate that soldiers in the 82nd Airborne have not yet benefited from the new strategy, but it will ensure that their actions, and those of their fallen brethren, will not have been in vain," the VFF "seven" wrote.<ref name="VFF7"/>
−
*"The Progress of the Surge in Iraq" (August 9, 2007)<ref>Kyle Dabruzzi, [http://www.defenddemocracy.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=515039 "The Progress of the Surge in Iraq,"] Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, August 9, 2007.</ref>
+
</blockquote>
−
*"The Links between Al Qaeda and Iraq" (July 31, 2007)<ref>Kyle Dabruzzi and Joshua Goodman, [http://www.defenddemocracy.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=512197 "The Links Between Al-Qaeda in Iraq And Al-Qaeda's Senior Leadership,"] Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, July 31, 2007.</ref> (The correct title is "The Links Between Al-Qaeda in Iraq And Al-Qaeda's Senior Leadership.")
 
−
 
 
−
Unsurprisingly, listed among FDD's board of advisors are [[Bill Kristol]] and Sen. [[Joe Lieberman]] (I-Conn.).
 
−
 
 
−
==Supporting pro-war candidates ... again==
 
−
 
 
−
On August 31, 2007, VFF began sponsoring 60-second TV ads<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/news/Read.aspx?ID=298 News Release: "Vets for Freedom to Unveil Ad Thanking Senator Coleman for Support of Iraq Mission,"] Vets for Freedom, August 31, 2007.</ref>, the first a ''Thank You'' spot as "a counterpoint to recent ads" by the [[Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee]] and [[Americans United for Change]] "targeting Minnesota's Republican senator" [[Norm Coleman]].<ref name="Diaz Coleman">Kevin Diaz, [http://www.startribune.com/587/story/1338166.html "Vets group ad thanks Coleman for war support,"] ''Minneapolis Star Tribune'', August 1, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
"The ad war [came] a year ahead of the [[U.S. congressional elections in 2008|2008 Senate race]], and at a time when Coleman's approval ratings have dropped to a record low of 43 percent, according to a July 16 Survey USA poll."<ref name="Diaz Coleman"/>
 
−
 
 
−
Insight into VFF's political ad campaign comes from a poll released August 15, 2007, that was conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research in seven battleground states&mdash;Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Virginia. The poll found that [[GOP]] senators "would lose to generic Democratic candidates. And the main reason was that the public is upset over the war in Iraq."<ref>Rob Christensen and Ryan Teague Beckwith, [http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/672174.html "Poll says war in Iraq dims Dole's prospects,"] ''The News & Observer'', August 16, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
"A trap is waiting for Republican incumbents and presidential contenders should they continue to back [[George W. Bush|Bush]] on the [[Operation Iraqi Freedom: Year Five|Iraq war]], [[Americans Against Escalation in Iraq]], who commissioned the poll, wrote in a news release. "September might be their last chance to convince voters that they have truly rejected [[troop surge in Iraq|Bush’s strategy]] should he ask for more time based on General [[David Petraeus]]' report on the 15th."<ref>Joe Sudbay, [http://www.americablog.com/2007/08/bush-and-his-iraq-war-are-dragging-down.html "Bush and his Iraq war are dragging down GOP Senators facing re-election in 2008,"] AMERICAblog, August 15, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
==="Stand by the American Mission in Iraq" petition===
 
−
 
 
−
During the week before the Labor Day weekend, VFF executive director [[Pete Hegseth]] posted an appeal on the conservative [[Family Security Matters]] website, where he is a "contributing editor",<ref>Pete Hegseth, [http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/challenges.php?id=1287554 "Stay Active and Sign the Petition,"] Vets for Freedom (Family Security Matters), August 29, 2007.</ref>  and sent out emails<ref>[http://chrisdickson.blogspot.com/2007/08/vets-for-freedom-sign-petition.html "Vets for Freedom - Sign the Petition!"] ''Chris Dickson'' Blogspot, August 29, 2007.</ref><ref>Spree, [http://www.israelated.com/node/22734 "Vets for Freedom: WEEK 8: Stay Active & Sign the Petition,"] ''Israelated'' Blog, August 29, 2007.</ref> linking to a petition posted on the VFF website. The petition is to be presented to members of Congress when "General [[David Petraeus|Petraeus]] and the new U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, [[Ryan Crocker]], will report to Congress in mid-September [2007] on the American effort." It reads in part:<ref name="pet">[http://www.vetsforfreedom.com/tenweeks/petition.aspx Ten Weeks/Petition,] Vets for Freedom, accessed August 29, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
:"Iraq is now the central front in the War on Terrorism - not because Americans want it to be but because America's enemies have said so and made it so. Al-Qaeda and Iranian-backed militias are determined to drive the United States out of Iraq. Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups would then use that country as a safe haven from which they can mount attacks on the U.S., its interests and allies.  
 
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−
:"We recognize that the U.S. involvement in Iraq has divided Americans and that our leaders have made mistakes. We also recognize the cost of this war, not only in financial terms but, more importantly, in the loss of more than 3,000 of our bravest men and women. The issue, however, is not how or why U.S. forces became engaged in Iraq but, rather, what is happening there now and what would happen if we were to leave too soon."
 
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−
Most interesting is a sentence which appears near the end of the petition: "America has a chance to strike a serious blow against terrorism and the ideologies that drive terrorism."<ref name="pet"/> Perspective comes from self-described "[[conservative]] [[liberal]]" Scott Bannon, who wrote the following in the September 4, 2006, ''American Chronicle'':<ref>Scott Bannon, [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=13153 "Winning the War on Terror - Can it be done?"] ''American Chronicle'', September 4, 2006.</ref>
 
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−
:"By it's very nature, the ideology of hatred is fueled and grows with each individual battle we are victorious in. For each enemy combatant killed, a spouse, child, brother, cousin and so on is inspired to elevate their simmering despisal of Western Culture into a boiling rage. With each enemy death, one or more new opponents are created.
 
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−
:"Now, before anyone accuses me of being 'soft' on terrorists or a 'surrender monkey'; let me make clear that in no way do I believe the policies of the past were sufficient--nor that those who commit or attempt to commit acts of terror should be forgiven. I don't.
 
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−
:"However, what I do believe is that a brute force attack against an abstract ideology is doomed to failure. I believe that to combat an ideology you must combat both those who use it to promote acts of terror, and the environment that it grows from. ...
 
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−
:"Fighting the individual fanatics of the ideology in combat operations is treating the symptoms of the problem, but the core problem--the tumor if you will--isn't addressed with this approach and will continue to breed more believers to battle."
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Vets for Freedom chapters]] "fight back"===
 
−
On August 9, 2007, executive director [[Pete Hegseth]] told the <i>Washington Times</i>' Eric Pfeiffer that VFF "will announce 25 state 'captains' — Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans who will lead a grass-roots effort to win back some measure of support for the war. They will recruit fellow veterans to attend town hall meetings hosted by [[U.S. Senate|senators]] during the summer recess."<ref name="Pfeiffer">Eric Pfeiffer, [http://wpherald.com/articles/5630/1/Veterans-campaign-to-continue-Iraq-surge/Polls-show-increased-public-support-for-surge.html "Veterans campaign to continue Iraq surge,"] ''Washington Times'' (''World Peace Herald''), August 9, 2007.</ref>
 
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−
An August 11, 2007, VFF news release stated that<ref name="fight back">Pete Hegseth, [http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/news/Read.aspx?ID=319 "Vets for Freedom fights back against MoveOn.org,"] Vets for Freedom, August 11, 2007.</ref> "Twenty-five state chapters were also stood up to counter the waves of misinformation about Iraq sponsored by [[MoveOn.org]]. ...
 
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"State Captains will fan out across the state recruiting veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to write op-eds and letters to the editor, attend town hall meetings, and meet directly with their Senators and Representatives."<ref name="fight back"/>
 
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−
"Veteran volunteers will stand toe-to-toe with MoveOn.org, [[VoteVets.org]] and [[Code Pink]] over the next two months in a battle over whether America will success or failure in Iraq," the news release stated.<ref name="fight back"/>
 
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"Paid activists from MoveOn.org or Code Pink will scream, chant, and bully members of Congress in August," Hegseth said in an August 8, 2007, news release. "But Vets for Freedom will use our experience-as veterans who have seen this war-to explain how we can win in Iraq and why we cannot afford to fail. No amount of screaming can overwhelm facts."<ref>Pete Hegseth, [http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/news/Read.aspx?ID=315 "Vets for Freedom Launches Ads in Four States, Fights Back Against MoveOn.org,"] Vets for Freedom, August 8, 2007.</ref>
 
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====Writing letters====
 
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In an August 14, 2007, letter posted by the ''Cedar River Salmon'' Blog, VFF National Field Director [[Joel A. Arends]] called for support for Sen. [[Chuck Grassley]] (R-Iowa) because anti-war activists [[MoveOn.org]] "[had] been shadowing him as he criss-crosses Iowa over the August recess."<ref>Joel A. Arends, [http://cedarriversalmon.blogspot.com/2007/08/letter-from-vets-for-freedom.html "Letter from Vets for Freedom,"] ''Cedar River Salmon'' Blog, August 14, 2007.</ref> "Let's show the Senator that we have hometown heroes who support our troops and the mission by showing up [at an August 23 town hall meeting at the Cherokee County Courthouse] and thanking the Senator for his voting record. Let's not allow out of state liberal interest groups to one up us this most important of issues!," Arends wrote.
 
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====Ad wars round three: Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Maine and New Hampshire====
 
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In an August 14, 2007, viral email,<ref>Pete Hegseth,[http://www.israelated.com/node/21808 "Vets for Freedom: WEEK 6: 'Cost of Defeat' Call-in Campaign,"] Vets for Freedom (Israelated.com; aggregated from 'Wake Up America'), August 14, 2007.</ref> VFF executive director Pete Hegseth wrote that VFF "has released television advertisements in 5 states ... and stood up State Chapters in 26 states. We plan to release 5 more TV ads this week, and formally announce 5 additional State Chapters."
 
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−
On Sunday, August 19, 2007, VFF will "[unveil] a television ad that will urge seven senators, including Arkansas' [[Mark Pryor]], not to 'surrender' in Iraq when Congress resumes its debate on the war next month," the ''Arkansas Democrat Gazette'' reported August 17, 2007.<ref name="ADavis">Andy Davis, [http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/198748/ "‘Don’t surrender’ in Iraq, vets urge Pryor in TV ad,"] ''Arkansas Democrat Gazette'' (NWA News (Northwest Arkansas)), August 17, 2007.</ref> "In Arkansas, the ad will run for a week on the Fox, ABC and NBC affiliates in Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Little Rock and the ABC affiliate in Jonesboro."
 
−
 
 
−
"None of the veterans [in the ad] are from Arkansas," Davis wrote.<ref name="ADavis"/>
 
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−
"Pryor is the only [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] targeted. ... The other senators are [[Republican Party|Republican]]: [[Sam Brownback]] and [[Pat Roberts]] of Kansas, [[Judd Gregg]] and [[John Sununu]] of New Hampshire, [[Charles Grassley]] of Iowa and [[Olympia Snowe]] of Maine."<ref name="ADavis"/>
 
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The following link to current VFF ads "Please Do Not Surrender", released August 15, 2007: [http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=45 Sen. Brownback;] [http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=47 Sen. Grassley;] [http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=50 Sen. Gregg;][http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=52 Sen. Pryor;] [http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=48 Sen. Roberts;] [http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=56 Sen. Snowe; and] [http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=51 Sen. Sununu.]
 
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====Ad wars round two: Kentucky, Nebraska, Virginia and Connecticut====
 
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In an August 8, 2007, press release<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/news/Read.aspx?ID=315 "Vets for Freedom Launches Ads in Four States, Fights Back Against MoveOn.org,"] Vets for Freedom, August 8, 2007.</ref>, VFF executive director Pete Hegseth said
 
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−
:"We will not let paid political partisans co-opt the Iraq war debate ... Members of Congress must hear from the silent majority of Iraq veterans-those who have been on the ground, who understand the stakes, and who are confident that under General [[David Petraeus|Petraeus]]' leadership we can defeat [[al-Qaeda]]."
 
−
 
 
−
:"Paid activists from [[MoveOn.org]] or [[CODEPINK: Women for Peace|Code Pink]] will scream, chant, and bully members of Congress in August,... But Vets for Freedom will use our experience-as veterans who have seen this war-to explain how we can win in Iraq and why we cannot afford to fail. No amount of screaming can overwhelm facts." 
 
−
 
 
−
On August 9, 2007, Hegseth told the <i>Washington Times</i>' Eric Pfeiffer that VFF "will begin airing TV ads this weekend in four states: Kentucky, Nebraska, Virginia and Connecticut. The ads will target senators whose support of the war may be wavering. One of the ads, titled 'Thank You,'<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=36 "Thank You Sen. Coleman,"] Vets for Freedom, August 2, 2007.</ref> will commend Sens. Norm Coleman, Minnesota Republican, and Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent, for their support of the war."<ref name="Pfeiffer"/>
 
−
 
 
−
"Another ad, titled 'Don't Surrender,' features veterans asking senators, including [[John W. Warner]], Virginia Republican, and [[Ben Nelson]], Nebraska Democrat, to vote against any legislation that sets a deadline for withdrawing American forces from Iraq," Pfeiffer wrote.<ref name="Pfeiffer"/>
 
−
 
 
−
The ads ask Warner and Nelson, who "are seen as key swing votes in the fall when Congress reconsiders the U.S. mission in Iraq following a progress report by Army Gen. [[David Petraeus]] in September", "not 'to surrender to Al Qaeda,' arguing that Congress should not 'second-guess our commanders on the ground' and not 'sugarcoat retreat by calling it deployment.'"<ref name="O'Connor">Patrick O'Connor, [http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0807/Veterans_group_launches_ads_to_counter_antiwar_organizers.html "Veterans group launches ads to counter anti-war organizers,"] ''The Crypt'' Blog/''The Politico'', August 7, 2007. Note that this [http://digg.com/politics/Politico_Veterans_Group_Launches_Ads_to_Counter_Anti_War_Organizers link] was submitted to ''digg'' by John Boehner.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
"The ads will begin airing over the weekend [of August 11-12, 2007] and will run in most major media markets in each of the four states -- notably excluding New York City in the Connecticut media market and Washington in the Virginia media market, two of the most expensive markets in the country.
 
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−
"'The buy is large enough to get our message in front of key audiences,' a spokesman for the group wrote in response to e-mail questions about the size of the media buy," Patrick O'Connor wrote August 7, 2007, in ''The Politico''.<ref name="O'Connor"/>
 
−
 
 
−
The following link to current VFF ads:
 
−
*"Thank You Sen. Joe Lieberman" for support of the war in Iraq.<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=41 "Thank You Sen. Lieberman,"] Vets for Freedom, August 8, 2007.</ref>
 
−
*"Thank You Sen. [[Mitch McConnell]]" (R-KY) for support of the war in Iraq.<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=42 "Thank You Sen. McConnell. Vets for Freedom’s ad thanking Sen. Mitch McConnell,"] Vets for Freedom, August 8, 2007.</ref><ref>Greg Sargent, [http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/aug/10/new_ads_thank_gop_senate_leader_for_supporting_war "Gee, Thanks! New Ad Thanks GOP Senate Leader For Supporting War,"] ''TPM Cafe'', August 10, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070811/NEWS01/70811015/1008/NEWS01 "Group's ad campaign backs McConnell,"] Associated Press (''The Courier-Journal''), August 11, 2007.</ref><ref>Bruce Schreiner, [http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/147898.html "Veterans group's ad thanks McConnell. TV Spot is Meant to Coun ter Criticism by Anti-War Activists,"] Associated Press (Kentucy.com), August 12, 2007.</ref>
 
−
*"Please Do Not Surrender Sen. Nelson", "ad urging Sen. Ben Nelson not to surrender the War in Iraq."<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=44 "Please Do Not Surrender Sen. Nelson,"] Vets for Freedom, August 8, 2007.</ref>
 
−
*"Please Do Not Surrender Sen. Warner", "ad urging Sen. John Warner to surrender the War in Iraq."<ref>[http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/multimedia/details.aspx?ID=43 "Do Not Surrender Sen. Warner,"] Vets for Freedom, August 8, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
====Ad wars round one: launched in Minnesota====
 
−
The Minnesota campaign was launched in early August 2007 with television ads<ref name="Diaz Coleman"/><ref name="Zde Coleman"/> thanking Sen. Norm Coleman, who supports Gen. [[David Petraeus]]'s&mdash;and the [[Bush administration]]'s&mdash;[[troop surge in Iraq|counterinsurgency strategy]].<ref name="Blogs for Norm">[http://blogsfornorm.com/?p=274 "Press Release: Vets for Freedom to Unveil Ad Thanking Senator Coleman for Support of Iraq Mission, Will Preview Ad, Introduce Minnesota Chairman in Thursday Teleconference,"] ''Blogs for Norm!'', August 1, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
"'Veterans who have served in Iraq can provide a view point that no pundit, paid [[MoveOn.org]] protester, or poll company can compete with,' [[David Thul|Thule]] said. 'We know the exhaustion of keeping watch in our humvees through the early hours of the morning, the joy on children's faces when we drive by, and the exhilaration of a successful project completed. All folks see back home is explosions - we have a much more in-depth perspective.' 
 
−
 
 
−
The ad, Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reported August 2, 2007,<ref name="Zde Coleman">[http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/08/01/colemaniraq/ "Vets group runs ads in support of Coleman,"] Minnesota Public Radio, August 2, 2007.</ref> "features comments from several men dressed in civilian clothes and identified as Iraq war veterans" who thank Coleman, "who's up for re-election next year, for his support of the war."
 
−
 
 
−
:"'We know that you have been under pressure from people who are willing to accept defeat by Al Qaida in Iraq, and force us to leave that country before we complete our mission,' they said in the ad. 'As people who have proudly worn the uniform and seen the enemy first-hand, we would like you to know we believe in this mission and we're proud you do as well.'
 
−
 
 
−
:"The ad concludes with the men saying they know the U.S. can prevail in Iraq, 'unless Congress surrenders first.'"
 
−
 
 
−
[[Pete Hegseth]], VFF executive director, "said his group [had] bought spots on This Week, Fox News Sunday & Meet the Press [for August 5, 2007] ...[but] declined to say how much the group is spending on the ad buys in Minnesota, which will be accompanied by similar spots in at least two other states he wouldn't name -- one supporting a Democrat, one a Republican."<ref name="Diaz Coleman"/> The ad "will run for at least two weeks."<ref name="Zde Coleman"/>  
 
−
 
 
−
Coleman faces stiff competition in Minnesota<ref>[[2008 U.S. congressional elections (Minnesota)]]</ref>, including Republican challenger retired Army officer and Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq war veteran [[Joe Repya]] who "served in Iraq in 2005 with the Screaming Eagles of 101st Airborne Division"<ref>[http://joerepya.blogspot.com/ Joe Repya] Blogspot.</ref>, six members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farm-Labor Party<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Democratic-Farmer-Labor_Party Minnesota Democratic-Farm-Labor Party] in the ''Wikipedia''.</ref>&mdash;among which is radio talk show host and activist [[Al Franken]]&mdash;and one independent.<ref>[http://politics1.com/mn.htm "Ron Gunzberger's Online Guide to Minnesota Politics,"] Politics1.com.</ref>
 
  
−
====Democratic response====
+
'''Note''': VFF's ''Weekly Standard'' op-ed was also published online by the Assyrian International News Agency. The names of the authors are stated, as is the fact that they are all members of VFF; however, the op-ed itself lacks a title. The source for the article cited at the bottom of the page is [[News Corporation]]. Additionally, following the names is the following: "This Op-Ed was originally submitted to the New York Times, which declined to publish it."<ref>[http://www.aina.org/news/20070824084844.htm No title,] News Corporation (AINA.org), August 24, 2007.</ref><ref>Also see [http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:wqhEf_XAkzIJ:edschultz.invisionzone.com/index.php%3Fshowtopic%3D31007%26view%3Dgetnewpost+%22Vets+for+Freedom%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=171&gl=us&client=news this (cache file)] discussion on the ''Ed Schultz Show message board about the ''New York Times'' not running VFF's article.</ref>
−
"Democrats, on the other hand, were happy the ad campaign would reinforce Coleman's support for President [[George W. Bush|Bush]]'s [[troop surge in Iraq|war strategy]]," the Associated Press reported August 2, 2007.<ref name="WC Trib">[http://www.wctrib.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D8QOTS5O0 "Coleman gets ad support for veterans' group,"] Associated Press (''West Central Tribune''), August 2, 2007.</ref>
 
  
−
"'This is what we've been trying to do for a long time,' said Minnesota DFL [Democratic-Farm-Labor Party] Chair Brian Melendez. 'It's an honest ad. I won't say I couldn't have put together a better ad if I'd wanted to, but I almost would have paid for this.'
+
==Catapulting the propaganda==
  
−
"Coleman has opposed Democratic plans for setting a withdrawal timeline. However, he has argued for a new strategy of training and counterinsurgency which he said would allow a large drawdown of U.S. troops by next year," the Associated Press reported.<ref name="WC Trib"/>  
+
VFF's Missouri chairman, [[Brandan Mueller]], has reportedly called on [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] Sen. [[Claire McCaskill]] "to return $16,000 she received from [[MoveOn.org|Moveon.org]] during her election campaign in 2006," according to the September 13, 2007, ''The Source'' Blog.<ref>[http://thesource.typepad.com/thesource/2007/09/give-more-back-.html "Give More Back, Claire,"] ''The Source'' Blog, September 13, 2007.</ref> McCaskill was also asked to "denounce" the MoveOn.org ad "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?" published in the ''New York Times'' September 10, 2007, the first day of [[troop surge in Iraq: The Petraeus Report: Testimony|testimony]] on the progress of the [[troop surge in Iraq|surge]] and [[war in Iraq]] by Lt.Gen. [[David Petraeus]] before Congress,<ref>[http://pol.moveon.org/petraeus.html "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?"] MoveOn.org, accessed September 13, 2007.</ref><ref>Nick Juliano, [http://rawstory.com//news/2007/Republicans_focus_on_attacking_MoveOn.org_Gen._0910.html "Republicans focus on attacking MoveOn.org 'Gen. Betray Us' ad during 'surge' hearing,"] ''The Raw Story'', September 10, 2007.</ref> calling the ad "a disgrace". Mueller "went on to say she [McCaskill] should 'take the lead on this issue and return the money that she has taken from the organization that has libeled an American patriot who has served his country selflessly for many years.'"
  
−
Allahpundit of the conservative ''Hot Air'' Blog wrote August 3, 2007.<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2007/08/03/video-vets-for-freedom-thanks-norm-coleman-for-staying-the-course/ "Video: Vets for Freedom Thanks Norm Coleman for Staying the Course,"] ''Hot Air'' Blog, August 3, 2007.</ref>:
+
It should be noted that, on September 9, 2007, the day before MoveOn.org's controversial ad was published, it was VFF's executive director [[Pete Hegseth]] who accused MoveOn.org in the article "MoveOn.org Calls Petraeus a Traitor" published in the [[right-wing]] publication ''[[The Weekly Standard]]'' of calling Lt.Gen. Petraeus a "traitor".<ref>Pete Hegseth, [http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/091rhesh.asp "MoveOn.org Calls Petraeus a Traitor. Do Democrats in Congress agree?"] ''The Weekly Standard'', September 9, 2007.</ref>
  
−
:"They're counting on the war’s unpopularity next year to help unseat Coleman, who's made noise about switching course but thus far has stuck with Bush on all the important Iraq votes. The left is anxious to advertise that fact. As far as they're concerned, VFF's doing their job for them. ... The irony is, he's going to end up switching anyway, probably in September."
+
As Jeffrey Feldman wrote September 11, 2007, in ''The Daily Kos''<ref>Jeffrey Feldman, [http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/11/8323/75329 "Frameshop: How Rt-Wing Lie About MoveOn Ad Became The Story (update),"] ''The Daily Kos'', September 11, 2007.</ref>
  
−
===VFF or VFF-AF ad buys?===
+
:"The only problem: the word 'traitor' appears nowhere in the MoveOn.org ad nor anywhere on the MoveOn.org page about the ad. It is Hegseth's article that introduced the word 'traitor' into the story--an outright lie intended to silence dissent against the war. Less than 24 hours after the Hegseth piece ran and the MoveOn.org ad appeared, the mainstream media picked up the Weekly Standard's lie and repeated it until it became the story."
  
−
First of all, it should be noted that, in May 2007, [[Vets for Freedom Action Fund]] (VFF-AF) reverted to identifying itself as Vets for Freedom (VFF)&mdash;both publicly and on its website. VFF is <u>not</u> a [[political action committee]].
+
The phrase "catapulting the propaganda" comes from a comment made on May 24, 2005, by President [[George W. Bush]]: "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."<ref>Tom Engelhardt, [http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0829-21.htm "Catapulting the Propaganda. The President, Cindy Sheehan, and How Words Die,"] ''TomDispatch.com'' (''Common Dreams''), May 29, 2005.</ref>
  
−
The August 1, 2007, <i>Minneapolis Star Tribune</i> article<ref name="Diaz Coleman"/> did not state whether VFF's ad buys fall under the rules of "Electioneering Communication". This would be a function of the organization's political action committee&mdash;VFF-AF.
+
==[[Vets for Freedom/ad campaign supporting pro-war candidates|Ad campaign supporting pro-war candidates ... again]]==
  
 
==Rose Garden [[photographic manipulation|photo-op]] [[Bush administration opportunism|props]] with President Bush==
 
==Rose Garden [[photographic manipulation|photo-op]] [[Bush administration opportunism|props]] with President Bush==
Line 188: Line 105:
 
Meeting with Bush on behalf of VFF were executive director [[Pete Hegseth]], "retired Marine Capt. [[Knox Nunnally]], retired Army Sgt. [[Mark Seavey]], and retired Marine Lt. [[Wade Zirkle]]," Miles wrote.
 
Meeting with Bush on behalf of VFF were executive director [[Pete Hegseth]], "retired Marine Capt. [[Knox Nunnally]], retired Army Sgt. [[Mark Seavey]], and retired Marine Lt. [[Wade Zirkle]]," Miles wrote.
  
−
=="<u>Win</u> the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign==
+
==[[Vets for Freedom/"Win the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign|"<u>Win</u> the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign]]==
−
===Call to action===
 
−
Vets for Freedom, according to its new executive director Pete Hegseth, "plans to lead the charge to support General [[David Petraeus|Petraeus]] and stop anti-war radicals and politicians&mdash;[[Democratic Party|Democrats]] (and some [[Republican Party|Republicans]]) on Capitol Hill&mdash;from undermining the troops-and their mission-for the sake of short-term political gain," VFF states.<ref name="SWAC VFF Win">[http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2007/07/vets-for-freedom-win-war.html "Vets for Freedom... Win the War?"], ''SWAC Girl'' Blog, July 12, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
:"Despite the great courage and success of our troops in [[Iraq]], many Senate Republicans are wavering in their support for the mission. And in the past two weeks alone, 3 Republican senators have raised the white flag on Iraq. If just a few more defect, the [[U.S. Senate|Senate]] could over-ride a presidential veto and set a deadline for defeat."
 
−
 
 
−
VFF's call to action states: "If you believe America must defeat radical Islamists in Iraq, we need you to get involved with Vets for Freedom's 'Ten Weeks to Testimony.'
 
−
 
 
−
"For the next ten weeks, you will receive an email every Monday morning, outlining how you can make a difference during that week. This is a call to duty! The time for action is now!"<ref name="SWAC VFF Win"/>
 
−
 
 
−
==="Vets on the Hill" September 17/18, 2007===
 
−
VFF's "Vets on the Hill" campaign, slated for September 17 and 18, 2007, is planned as a follow up&mdash;"on a much larger scale"&mdash;to its [[Vets for Freedom/VFF rally in D.C. July 17, 2007|July 17, 2007, D.C. rally]], where, it states, "Over 40 Vets for Freedom members joined together on Capitol Hill in July and helped stop [[Congress]] from voting to undercut the troops."<ref name="Signup">[http://www.vetsforfreedom.com/tenweeks/signup.aspx "Tenweeks" Signup], Vets for Freedom, accessed August 8, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
VFF is calling for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to sign up so that VFF can "Schedule meetings for you with your Senators and Representative. In July we had to 'walk in'. On September 18th we want participants to have appointments."<ref name="Signup"/>
 
−
 
 
−
According to its call for action, VFF is also looking for "Reserve high-profile speakers to address all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans on Monday night (September 17)." and to "Raise money to support the travel and lodging for ALL veterans. We plan to cover all air and ground travel costs, and lodging for the evening of September 17."<ref name="Signup"/>
 
−
 
 
−
===McCain: Petraeus to report to Congress on 9/11 anniversary===
 
−
 
 
−
Gen. David Petraeus will now testify before Congress on September 11, 2007, the 6th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
 
−
 
 
−
:"The timing of Petraeus' testimony was first revealed by Sen. [[John McCain]] (R-AZ) this morning in a conference call with [[conservative]] bloggers. According to the <i>National Review</i>'s [[Jim Geraghty]], McCain said he had 'been told' Petraeus would testify on the 11th:
 
−
 
 
−
::"The calendar I’ve been told is that Petraeus testify 11th. We’re off September 13 and 14 for Rosh Hoshannah. The [[U.S. Senate|Senate]] debate will begin September 18th.
 
−
 
 
−
:"Geraghty’s account of the conference call has been confirmed by other [[bloggers]] on the call, including the <i>Weekly Standard</i>'s [[Michael Goldfarb]] and the <i>American Spectator</i>'s [[Jennifer Rubin]]."<ref>Matt Corley, [http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/20/petreaus-911-hearing/ "Petraeus To Testify Before Senate On September 11,"] ''Think Progress'', August 20, 2007.</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
*Also see SourceWatch article [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_McCain:_U.S._presidential_election%2C_2008#McCain_to_launch_.22No_Surrender_Tour.22 "McCain to launch "No Surrender Tour."]
 
−
 
 
−
===Move America Forward's "Fight for Victory Tour" September 3-15, 2007===
 
−
 
 
−
VFF will be joining [[Move America Forward]] on its "national, cross-country<ref>[http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/DailyFile/itinerary_for_fight_for_victory_tour/ "Itinerary for 'Fight for Victory Tour',"] Move America Forward, July 15, 2007.</ref> 'Fight for Victory Tour'"<ref>[http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/FullNewsItem/pro_troop_supporters_announce_major_september_push/ "Pro-Troop Supporters Announce Major September Push,"] Move America Forward, July 15, 2007.</ref> September 3-15, 2007, ending in Washington, D.C., where MAF will "have a rally with a collection of pro-troop groups" that includes VFF, [[Gathering of Eagles]] (GOE), [[Military Order of the Purple Heart]]<ref>[http://www.purpleheart.org/ Military Order of the Purple Heart] website; Tom Poulter, National Commander.</ref>, [[Free Republic]], [[Protest Warrior]]<ref>Marty Droney, [http://abolitionofman.com/2007/07/24/our-boys-want-to-win-continued/ "Our Boys Want to Win... Continued,"] ''AbolitionOfMan.com'', July 24, 2007.</ref>, [[Eagles UP!]].<ref>Col. [[Harry G. Riley]], [http://eaglesup.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=4&Itemid=32 Colonel's Corner: "Eagles Landing: A call to stand for freedom, September 15, 2007, Washington, D.C.,"] ''Eagles Up!'', July 24, 2007.</ref>, and [[Center for Vigilant Freedom]] (formerly known as The 910 Group).<ref>D.K. Shideler, [http://www.vigilantfreedom.org/910blog/2007/07/24/help-wantedstate-bloggers-for-pro-surge-push/ "Help Wanted:State Bloggers for Pro-Surge Push,"] ''[[Center for Vigilant Freedom]]'' Blog (The 910 Group Blog), July 24, 2007.</ref>.
 
−
 
 
−
Also see [[September 15 Coalition]] and GOE information on [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Gathering_of_Eagles#Task_Force_EAGLE Task Force EAGLE].
 
  
 
==Vets for Freedom redux==
 
==Vets for Freedom redux==
Line 246: Line 130:
 
On February 19, 2007, the VFF-AF donated $4,227 to Vets for Freedom. The expediture was identified as a "Contribution to non-profit organization."<ref>[http://forms.irs.gov/politicalOrgsSearch/search/Print.action?formId=27106&formType=E72 Form 8872: Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures: Vets for Freedom Action Fund,] January 1-June 30, 2007; filed July 31, 2007.</ref>  
 
On February 19, 2007, the VFF-AF donated $4,227 to Vets for Freedom. The expediture was identified as a "Contribution to non-profit organization."<ref>[http://forms.irs.gov/politicalOrgsSearch/search/Print.action?formId=27106&formType=E72 Form 8872: Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures: Vets for Freedom Action Fund,] January 1-June 30, 2007; filed July 31, 2007.</ref>  
  
−
For more VFF-AF financial information, see "VFF-AF Funding."<ref>[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom_Action_Fund#VFF-AF_Funding Vets for Freedom Action Fund/VFF-AF Funding,] SourceWatch.</ref>
+
For more VFF-AF financial information, see "VFF-AF Funding."<ref>[https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Vets_for_Freedom_Action_Fund#VFF-AF_Funding Vets for Freedom Action Fund/VFF-AF Funding,] SourceWatch.</ref>
  
 
Also see the [[Vets for Freedom Action Fund|VFF-AF]] article for information on VFF's and VFF-AF's donation endeavors, as well as the article on the [[Vets for Freedom/Donatelli Group & the Swift Boat Connection|Donatelli Group & the Swift Boat connection]].
 
Also see the [[Vets for Freedom Action Fund|VFF-AF]] article for information on VFF's and VFF-AF's donation endeavors, as well as the article on the [[Vets for Freedom/Donatelli Group & the Swift Boat Connection|Donatelli Group & the Swift Boat connection]].
Line 268: Line 152:
 
URL: http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/ and http://www.veteransforfreedom.org (redirect)<br>
 
URL: http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/ and http://www.veteransforfreedom.org (redirect)<br>
  
−
Note: The [http://www.pbase.com/woodstock_ec/image/9006180 132 North Main Street], Woodstock, VA, [http://www.prwatch.org/node/4916#comment-1007 address] is the same as that given for Denman Zirkle, contact for [[Sons of Confederate Veterans]] Camp 1657 (Turner Ashby) [http://www.southernmessenger.org/scv_camps.htm], named after Confederate General Turner Ashby.
+
Note: The [http://www.pbase.com/woodstock_ec/image/9006180 132 North Main Street], Woodstock, VA, [https://www.prwatch.org/node/4916#comment-1007 address] is the same as that given for Denman Zirkle, contact for [[Sons of Confederate Veterans]] Camp 1657 (Turner Ashby) [http://www.southernmessenger.org/scv_camps.htm], named after Confederate General Turner Ashby.
  
 
===Weblog===
 
===Weblog===
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[[category:war in Iraq]][[category:elections (U.S.)]][[category:politics (U.S.)]][[category:political dirty tricks]][[category:pro-war in Iraq front groups]][[category:pro-war lobby]]
 
[[category:war in Iraq]][[category:elections (U.S.)]][[category:politics (U.S.)]][[category:political dirty tricks]][[category:pro-war in Iraq front groups]][[category:pro-war lobby]]
 +
[[Category:Front groups]]
 +
[[Category:Web fronts]]

Latest revision as of 21:23, 11 October 2017

This article is part of the SourceWatch coverage of Vets for Freedom (VFF) and
Vets for Freedom Action Fund (VFF-AF).
Sub-articles:
Related articles:
Front groups badge.png

This article is part of the Center for Media & Democracy's spotlight on front groups and corporate spin.

Vets for Freedom (VFF), which as recently as September 2007 declared itself the "leading voice representing troops and veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan."[1], on July 10, 2007, resumed its pro-Bush administration, pro-war in Iraq political activities by launching its Win the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign, stating that the "next ten weeks will be absolutely crucial in determining the fate of the Iraq War." [2] [3][4]

Since, in his September 13, 2007, address to the nation, President George W. Bush appears to have dropped "victory" from his goals for Iraq, and has substituted "success" in its place,[5] will Vets for Freedom now rename its pro-victory in Iraq campaign "Win the War! Success in Iraq"?

VFF communicates its slogan in military terms: "Mobilizing veterans to communicate America's strategic objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan."[6]

In July 2006, VFF—calling itself the Vets for Freedom Action Fund (VFF-AF)—registered[7] with the IRS as a 527 committee national lobby. It was, in essence, a Republican front group managed by Republican-affiliated public relations[8], media[9], legal[10], and political consultants, including former White House spokesman Taylor Gross, to defeat candidates who advocate an end to the US occupation of Iraq.

"National Heroes Tour"

In March 2008, VFF arranged "a low-key classroom discussion about patriotism and service to country" at Lake Forest High School in Minnesota. Then, VFF "decided to call a press conference at the school and alerted media." In response, "anti-war activists, including veterans of Iraq who oppose the war" decided to organize "their own press conference and rally." [11]

The high school canceled the event. Right-wing radio and television began criticizing Principal Steve Massey, and angry conservatives called and emailed him, "calling him a coward, a Communist or a spineless America Hater." Local columnist Nick Coleman suggested, "Maybe a Minnesota school was just trying to keep its students from becoming pawns in a political game. There would not have been much outrage" if, instead of being billed as the "Vets for Freedom National Heroes Tour," the event had been called the "Republican Tour to Shore Up the Pro-War Vote," he added. [11]

Non-partisan, bi-partisan or neocon lobbyists?

Funded by Republican Jewish Coalition / Freedom's Watch

"Working behind the scenes through most of the summer" 2007, Freedom's Watch president Bradley A. Blakeman "assembled big-dollar donors and quietly helped pro-war groups ranging from the American Legion to Rolling Thunder make a case for Bush's war strategy. Freedom's Watch also formed partnerships with other groups backing the war, such as Families United, Vets for Freedom and the Veterans of Foreign Wars," Jim Kuhnhenn reported September 28, 2007, for the Associated Press.[12]

VFF staff and members have extensive ties to George W. Bush, Bill Kristol and Republican Party

  • VFF Executive Director wrote article in pro-War Weekly Standard:
    • Pete Hegseth, VFF's Executive Director since May 2007, wrote the article "What Would Lincoln Do? Civil War Woes Emblematic Of Those Faced In Iraq," published June 26, 2007, in neo-conservative William Kristol's The Weekly Standard magazine. Hegseth addressed statements made by Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) in a June 21, 2007, Washington Post op-ed[13] which "bothered" Hegseth, "all of which run counter to realities on the ground in Iraq," Hegseth wrote.[14]
  • VFF National Field Director has worked for other pro-War groups and works for McCain's presidential campaign:
  • VFF member wrote article in pro-War National Review and is a "course assistant" for William Kristol at Harvard:
    • VFF member Alex Gallo, a West Point graduate who served in 2004 as an infantry officer in Samarrah, Iraq, wrote a pro-war in Iraq article[24] that was published July 18, 2007, by National Review Online.
    • Gallo is currently a "masters in public-policy candidate" at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government,[24] where he is "course assistant" for Kristol's "Can America be Governed?"[25] Kristol, whom David Corn calls[26] "the No. 1 cheerleader for the Iraq war," in 2006 assisted VFF-AF in its pro-war in Iraq campaign support of Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).
  • VFF member organized against Democratic congressional candidate in 2006, is challenging Republican congressman in 2008 primary, published essay in pro-War, Kristol-owned Weekly Standard:
    • Eric Egland, another VFF member who is a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve who served on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan[27], announced July 31, 2007, that he will challenge Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) in the 2008 Republican primary.[28]
    • Egland helped Doolittle "defeat Democratic challenger Charlie Brown"[29] in the 2006 congressional elections. In the fall of 2006, he "organized a group of veterans to oppose Doolittle's Democratic challenger, Brown, a retired Air Force officer who is seriously weighing another run next year." [28]
    • Egland is the author of the March 2007 self-published The Troops Need You, America: Six Ways to Help Them Win, [30] a book "based on an essay he published" in Kristol's Weekly Standard.[31] The book "shows average Americans how to help the troops win in Iraq." [32]
  • VFF State chapter leader was recruited by GOP to challenge Democratic congressman in 2006 elections; was profiled in Weekly Standard:
  • VFF media contact is former Bush administration PR flak for Iraq War, interned with the Republican National Committee, worked on Bush 2004 campaign, tried to get Nader on 2004 ballot in AR:
    • The contact person for VFF's press releases is Adriel Domenech,[35] VFF's "Field Director"[36], who most recently "worked for 13 months"[37] as a member of the U.S. Department of State Public Affairs Iraq GO (Global Outreach) Team.[38][39]
    • In Fall 2001, Domenech, a graduate of Texas A&M who interned with the Republican National Committee, had completed the Colorado campaign and was a "72-Hour Director in Arkansas"[40] for Bush-Cheney '04 Inc..[41]
    • In August 2004, Domenech's name was found amongst recognized "Republican signatures on petitions to get third-party candidate Ralph Nader on the presidential ballot in Arkansas." At the time, a "news release from the Democratic Party of Arkansas said at least two dozen state Republicans, including Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller's chief of staff, had signed the petitions to get Nader included on the state ballot. ... Conventional political wisdom [was] that Nader [would] take votes from the Democratic nominee." [42]
  • VFF co-founder was assisted by former Bush White House spokesman's PR firm in attempt to get dispatches published in mainstream newspapers, got credentials from the Weekly Standard, was assisted by Kristol:
    • In 2006, former White House spokesman Taylor Gross's public relations firm the Herald Group helped VFF co-founder Wade Zirkle and "fellow Iraq veteran David Bellavia approach mainstream newspapers to offer dispatches from the two as war correspondents embedded with the military. The two eventually got press credentials[43] through The Weekly Standard, whose editor, William Kristol, became an informal adviser to the group and helped put it in touch with" Republican strategist Dan Senor, who was "on retainer to help with fundraising."[44]

See the Vets for Freedom Action Fund article for more details on VFF's Republican connections.

Freedom's Watch: the cavalry has arrived

"For the past few months, Vets for Freedom has been on the front lines of the Iraq war debate in America, with only a few allies. But this morning, in a very real sense, the cavalry appeared on the horizon in the form of a new organization called Freedom's Watch," Pete Hegseth, VFF Executive Director, wrote in an August 22, 2007, viral email posted by Free Republic.[45]

"Freedom's Watch has launched a multi-state advertising campaign featuring powerful stories from veterans and families that every household in America should hear.

"It's time that the rest of America heard the words of soldiers who have served (and been wounded) in Iraq and the stories of families who have lost loved ones there," Hegseth wrote.

VFFers respond to bleak, soldier-authored NYT op-ed in the The Weekly Standard

The VFF "seven", all veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, responded in William Kristol's conservative Weekly Standard on August 24, 2007,[46] to an August 19, 2007, New York Times op-ed [47] by what is being called the NYT "seven": all "infantrymen and noncommissioned officers with the 82nd Airborne Division soon heading back home" from 15 months duty in Iraq. They wrote a less-than-glowing assessment of the conditions on the ground in Iraq.

The New York Times "seven" were Buddhika Jayamaha, Wesley D. Smith, Jeremy Roebuck, Omar Mora, Edward Sandmeier, Yance T. Gray, and Jeremy A. Murphy. (Note: On September 10, 2007, Yance Gray and Omar Mora were among seven American troops killed near Baghdad in vehicle rollover accident.)[48][49][50]

The VFF "seven" were David Bellavia,[51] Pete Hegseth,[52] Michael A. Baumann,[53] Carl Hartmann,[54] David Thul,[55] Knox Nunnally, [56] and Joe Dan Worley[57]

The VFF "seven's" Op-Ed noted that none of the authors had served in Iraq during the "surge," unlike the New York Times seven:

"Of the almost 3,000 soldiers from the Army's storied 82nd Airborne Division currently serving in the hottest of Iraqi neighborhoods, seven felt confident enough in their misgivings to sign an opinion piece. They should not be surprised that many of their comrades--including the seven undersigned here--find their work to be misguided, ... The portrait these soldiers painted, while surely accurate and honest, is more representative of pre-surge Baghdad: sectarian strife, lawlessness, and indiscriminate slaughter" the VFF "seven" wrote.[46]

"We understand the frustration our fellow soldiers feel. All of us were in Iraq before the 'surge' and lament never seeing a coherent, security-based counterinsurgency strategy. In truth, we were only clearing--not holding. ... But we also know what's possible when even small portions of counterinsurgency strategy are applied. Insurgents are exposed, leaders stand up, and stability occurs. ... It's unfortunate that soldiers in the 82nd Airborne have not yet benefited from the new strategy, but it will ensure that their actions, and those of their fallen brethren, will not have been in vain," the VFF "seven" wrote.[46]

Note: VFF's Weekly Standard op-ed was also published online by the Assyrian International News Agency. The names of the authors are stated, as is the fact that they are all members of VFF; however, the op-ed itself lacks a title. The source for the article cited at the bottom of the page is News Corporation. Additionally, following the names is the following: "This Op-Ed was originally submitted to the New York Times, which declined to publish it."[58][59]

Catapulting the propaganda

VFF's Missouri chairman, Brandan Mueller, has reportedly called on Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill "to return $16,000 she received from Moveon.org during her election campaign in 2006," according to the September 13, 2007, The Source Blog.[60] McCaskill was also asked to "denounce" the MoveOn.org ad "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?" published in the New York Times September 10, 2007, the first day of testimony on the progress of the surge and war in Iraq by Lt.Gen. David Petraeus before Congress,[61][62] calling the ad "a disgrace". Mueller "went on to say she [McCaskill] should 'take the lead on this issue and return the money that she has taken from the organization that has libeled an American patriot who has served his country selflessly for many years.'"

It should be noted that, on September 9, 2007, the day before MoveOn.org's controversial ad was published, it was VFF's executive director Pete Hegseth who accused MoveOn.org in the article "MoveOn.org Calls Petraeus a Traitor" published in the right-wing publication The Weekly Standard of calling Lt.Gen. Petraeus a "traitor".[63]

As Jeffrey Feldman wrote September 11, 2007, in The Daily Kos[64]

"The only problem: the word 'traitor' appears nowhere in the MoveOn.org ad nor anywhere on the MoveOn.org page about the ad. It is Hegseth's article that introduced the word 'traitor' into the story--an outright lie intended to silence dissent against the war. Less than 24 hours after the Hegseth piece ran and the MoveOn.org ad appeared, the mainstream media picked up the Weekly Standard's lie and repeated it until it became the story."

The phrase "catapulting the propaganda" comes from a comment made on May 24, 2005, by President George W. Bush: "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."[65]

Ad campaign supporting pro-war candidates ... again

Rose Garden photo-op props with President Bush

Pete Hegseth, executive director of Vets for Freedom, left, and others, look on as President Bush, center, speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on July 20, 2007. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian.

On July 20, 2007, President George W. Bush, who "has relied on veterans for support and credibility" since the war in Iraq began, met for an hour in the Oval Office[66] "with members of four organizations that formed since the war began to represent Iraq veterans and military families." The group formed the "backdrop[67] for a Rose Garden speech in which Bush asked Congress to let his 'surge' strategy work and for passage of a defense-spending bill that stalled last week when Senate Republicans blocked an amendment calling for withdrawal," Cory Reiss wrote July 23, 2007, in Lakeland, Florida's The Ledger.[68]

While urging Congress to pass the defense spending bill before its August recess, Bush "repeated the words said to him" by VFF's Eric Egland—"We live in the world's oldest democracy and have been blessed with the strength to protect our freedoms and to help others who seek the same," Donna Miles reported for the American Forces Press Service.[69]

Bush met not only with VFF's Egland, who is also the founder of Troops Need You, but also with members of Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission and Military Families Voice of Victory, Miles wrote.

Meeting with Bush on behalf of VFF were executive director Pete Hegseth, "retired Marine Capt. Knox Nunnally, retired Army Sgt. Mark Seavey, and retired Marine Lt. Wade Zirkle," Miles wrote.

"Win the War! Victory in Iraq" campaign

Vets for Freedom redux

On May 18, 2007, Vets for Freedom reverted to using its original name.[70] Established in January 2006 as a non-profit organization, on July 25, 2006, its founders registered it as the Vets for Freedom Action Fund (VFF-AF)[71], a Section 527 political action committee which functioned as a Republican lobbying front group to promote the re-election of Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).

"The Freedom Update"

VFF added a new section on its website called "The Freedom Update", which is described as "Your daily source for the best Iraq war news and opinion."[72]

Another mission change

VFF, self-described as a "nonpartisan organization" established by Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, now states that its mission is "to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying our first-hand [knowledge] to issues of American strategy and tactics—namely '"the surge" in Iraq" and that it "support[s] policymakers from both sides of the aisle who have stood behind our great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and who have put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain."[73]

VFF states on its new donation page[74] that it "needs your help to communicate America's strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan" and, "Without your support, the war debate will be dominated by defeatists like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, along with powerful anti-war groups. We cannot allow this to happen. Too much is at stake," VFF states. "Please donate today to make your voice heard. Your money will help us fight radical fringe groups who want to steer our country towards defeat in the name of gutter-ball partisan politics."

For background, see the article on VFF's previous mission changes.

Leadership

Funding

A disclaimer on the bottom of each VFF web page states[75] "Vets for Freedom is a nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization. Contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes."

Originally, the organization's precise tax status (501c3, 501c4, 527 committee) was not stated and virtually no information was available on the Vets for Freedom website about the funders and organizations behind Vets for Freedom, making it difficult to evaluate the degree to which the organization might have been part of a war propaganda campaign interacting with the Bush Administration, the Pentagon, the American Legion and/or other ideologically-driven public relations and lobbying efforts that have exploited for political purposes the issues of US war veterans and their families, such as Move America Forward and the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

On February 19, 2007, the VFF-AF donated $4,227 to Vets for Freedom. The expediture was identified as a "Contribution to non-profit organization."[76]

For more VFF-AF financial information, see "VFF-AF Funding."[77]

Also see the VFF-AF article for information on VFF's and VFF-AF's donation endeavors, as well as the article on the Donatelli Group & the Swift Boat connection.

Headquarters

Although the mailing address for VFF is a post office box in Woodstock, VA,[78] in 2006 Julie Kosterlitz wrote[79] in the National Journal that Zirkle ran the 527 group Veterans for Freedom "out of a basement sublet in Washington, D.C."

Contact information

Fundraising / mailing address
Vets for Freedom - Donations[80][81]
P.O. Box 314
132 North Main Street
Woodstock, VA 22664

FEC/IRS filing address
12097 South Middle Road
Edinburg, VA
E-mail: pete AT vetsforfreedom.org[82]
E-mail for Owen West: owen.west AT gs.com

URL: http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/ and http://www.veteransforfreedom.org (redirect)

Note: The 132 North Main Street, Woodstock, VA, address is the same as that given for Denman Zirkle, contact for Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1657 (Turner Ashby) [1], named after Confederate General Turner Ashby.

Weblog

On May 8, 2006, Vets for Freedom established its blogsite "Vets for Freedom's Troop Blog" at http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/blog/, with the first entry by then Executive Director Wade Zirkle.

Resources

References

  1. ↑ About, Vets for Freedom, accessed September 1, 2007.
  2. ↑ "10 Weeks to Testimony," Vets for Freedom, July 10, 2007.
  3. ↑ "Call to Action," Dadmanly Blogspot, July 10, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Vets for Freedom... Win the War?", SWAC Girl Blog, July 12, 2007.
  5. ↑ "Bush redefines 'victory'," Los Angeles Times, September 14, 2007.
  6. ↑ Vets for Freedom website.
  7. ↑ Archived copy of most recent update to Vets for Freedom Action Fund home page, February 8, 2007.
  8. ↑ "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Media Outlets—Embedded: Connecting the Dots," SourceWatch.
  9. ↑ "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Media Reps," SourceWatch.
  10. ↑ "VFF-AF High-Level Republican Legal Representation," SourceWatch.
  11. ↑ Jump up to: 11.0 11.1 Nick Coleman, "A political agenda hid behind a talk with heroes," Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota), March 26, 2008.
  12. ↑ Jim Kuhnhenn, "Outsiders Aim to Frame Political Debate," Associated Press (San Francisco Chronicle), September 28, 2007.
  13. ↑ "Lincoln's Example for Iraq," Washington Post, June 21, 2007.
  14. ↑ Pete Hegseth, "What Would Lincoln Do? Civil War Woes Emblematic Of Those Faced In Iraq," The Weekly Standard, June 26, 2007.
  15. ↑ Vets for Freedom (Foundation for the Defense of Democracies section), SourceWatch article.
  16. ↑ About: National Leadership Team, Vets for Freedom, accessed August 14, 2007.
  17. ↑ Joel Arends, KCRW.com, accessed August 14, 2007.
  18. ↑ Joel A. Arends, "Help a US Soldier Spread the TRUTH About Iraq," Publius' Forum Blogspot, August 31, 2006.
  19. ↑ Jump up to: 19.0 19.1 Bret Hayworth, "Soldier says Iraq a place of great progress," Sioux City (Iowa) Journal (Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission), April 9, 2006.
  20. ↑ Joel A. Arends, "Help a US Soldier Spread the TRUTH About Iraq," Publius' Forum Blogspot, August 31, 2006.
  21. ↑ "IowaPolitics.com: First quarter Iowa-related spending by presidential candidates," IowaPolitics.com, May 15, 2007.
  22. ↑ Don McDowell, "O'Brien County Republican Summer Gala," Cyclone Conservatives Blogspot, August 9, 2007.
  23. ↑ PP, "I hate when that happens...," South Dakota War College Blog, August 12, 2007.
  24. ↑ Jump up to: 24.0 24.1 Alex Gallo, "Duty, Honor … Reelection? Conduct unbecoming senators," National Review Online, July 18, 2007.
  25. ↑ Thomas Park, "From North New Jersey to Iraq," The Citizen/Kennedy School of Government, February 21, 2007.
  26. ↑ David Corn, "Why Bush Is A Loser," Washington Post, July 18, 2007.
  27. ↑ Jason Probst, "Major Danger. Roseville's Egland has worked on WMDs, drug interdiction, other high-profile jobs with the Air Force; Major returned home recently from tour in Iraq," The Press-Tribune, August 10, 2005.
  28. ↑ Jump up to: 28.0 28.1 David Whitney, "Doolittle faces primary fight. As Eric Egland declares he is in the GOP race, incumbent's aide says competitors welcome," Sacramento Bee, July 31, 2007.
  29. ↑ California Candidates: District 4, Politics1.com, accessed July 18, 2007.
  30. ↑ Troops Need You America, Amazon.com.
  31. ↑ Eric Egland, "Six Steps to Victory. The bottom-up plan to defeat the insurgency," The Weekly Standard, November 16, 2006.
  32. ↑ Eric Egland, TroopsNeedYou.com, accessed July 18, 2007.
  33. ↑ Wally Edge, "GOP recruits Iraq veteran to challenge Rothman," PoliticsNJ.com, March 28, 2006.
  34. ↑ Brendan Conway, "A Vet Runs in New Jersey. The longshot effort of a Republican challenger," The Weekly Standard, October 23, 2006.
  35. ↑ "Iraq Veterans Go to Capitol: Don't Declare Defeat," Vets for Freedom, July 16, 2007.
  36. ↑ "Media Call to Action," Dadmanly Blogspot, July 16, 2007.
  37. ↑ Anne Flaherty, "In the Debate Over Iraq, It's Vet Vs Vet," Associated Press (The Guardian (UK)), August 14, 2007.
  38. ↑ "Iraq GO Team Event: Iraq Continues To Move Toward Recovery and Growth," U.S. Department of State, March 2, 2007.
  39. ↑ "Prosperity. Global Outreach Team," U.S. Department of State, February 12, 2007.
  40. ↑ "President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization, Arkansas," George Washington University, 2005/2005; accessed July 17, 2007.
  41. ↑ "President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization, Colorado," George Washington University, 2004/2005, accessed July 17, 2007.
  42. ↑ Dennis A. Byrd, "Republicans among Nader petition signees," Arkansas News Bureau, August 20, 2004.
  43. ↑ David Bellavia, Owen West, and Wade Zirkle, "Birth of an Army. With the Iraqi forces in Ramadi," The Weekly Standard, July 24, 2006.
  44. ↑ Julie Kosterlitz, "Lobbying & Law - Veterans of Political Wars," National Journal/Iraq Vets for Progress, undated 2006.
  45. ↑ Pete Hegseth, "Powerful New Pro-Mission Ads," Vets for Freedom (Free Republic), August 22, 2007.
  46. ↑ Jump up to: 46.0 46.1 46.2 David Bellavia, Pete Hegseth, Michael Baumann, Carl Hartmann, David Thul, Knox Nunnally, Joe Worley, "Iraq Vets Respond ...to the New York Times seven," The Weekly Standard, August 24, 2007.
  47. ↑ Buddhika Jayamaha, Wesley D. Smith, Jeremy Roebuck, Omar Mora, Edward Sandmeier, Yance T. Gray, and Jeremy A. Murphy, "The War as We Saw It," New York Times, August 19, 2007.
  48. ↑ "Texas City soldier killed outside Baghdad," KHOU.com, September 11, 2007.
  49. ↑ "Soldier, Ismay native, dies in vehicle crash in Iraq," Associated Press (MontanaNewsStation.com), September 11, 2007.
  50. ↑ Brandon Friedman, "Two of the Seven NYT Op-Ed Soldiers Have Died in Iraq," The Daily Kos, September 11, 2007.
  51. ↑ Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia served in Iraq in 2004.
  52. ↑ Lt. Pete Hegseth served with the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq 2005-2006.
  53. ↑ An August 9, 2007, blog posting by Michael Mannske, "Town Hall Meeting: Part II," FreedomDogs Blog, August 9, 2007, cites U.S. Army (Ret.) LTC Michael A. Bauman, who retired in October 2005—two years ago—as VFF's Minnesota state chairman. Also see RevealingIraq.com website.
  54. ↑ U.S. Marine Corporal Carl Hartmann, who served three tours of duty in Iraq (dates unknown), is the local VFF leader for Nebraska.
  55. ↑ Army Staff Sergeant David Thul of the Minnesota National Guard returned from Iraq in 2007.
  56. ↑ U.S. Marine Infantry Captain Kevin Knox Nunnally served three tours of duty in Iraq, beginning in 2001.
  57. ↑ U.S. Navy Corpsman Joe Dan Worley, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines in Iraq, was wounded September 17, 2004.
  58. ↑ No title, News Corporation (AINA.org), August 24, 2007.
  59. ↑ Also see this (cache file) discussion on the Ed Schultz Show message board about the New York Times not running VFF's article.
  60. ↑ "Give More Back, Claire," The Source Blog, September 13, 2007.
  61. ↑ "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?" MoveOn.org, accessed September 13, 2007.
  62. ↑ Nick Juliano, "Republicans focus on attacking MoveOn.org 'Gen. Betray Us' ad during 'surge' hearing," The Raw Story, September 10, 2007.
  63. ↑ Pete Hegseth, "MoveOn.org Calls Petraeus a Traitor. Do Democrats in Congress agree?" The Weekly Standard, September 9, 2007.
  64. ↑ Jeffrey Feldman, "Frameshop: How Rt-Wing Lie About MoveOn Ad Became The Story (update)," The Daily Kos, September 11, 2007.
  65. ↑ Tom Engelhardt, "Catapulting the Propaganda. The President, Cindy Sheehan, and How Words Die," TomDispatch.com (Common Dreams), May 29, 2005.
  66. ↑ Scott Johnson, "Lt. H. and Major E. go to the White House," Power Line Blog, July 20, 2007.
  67. ↑ Scott Johnson, "Lt. H. and Major E. go to the White House," Power Line Blog, July 20, 2007: "others in attendance" included Merrilee Carlson, Ron Griffin, Chief Warrant Officer Pat Ivory, USN (Ret.), Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Terri Ivory, USN (Ret.), Becky Davis, Sergeant [Mark] Seavey, USA National Guard (Ret.).
  68. ↑ Cory Reiss, "War Effort Relies on Veterans Groups for Support, Credibility," The Ledger, July 23, 2007.
  69. ↑ "Bush Urges Congress to Pass Defense Spending Bill Before August Recess," American Forces Press Service, July 20, 2007.
  70. ↑ Archived copy of VFF home page showing reversal of Vets for Freedom Action Fund back to Vets for Freedom, May 18, 2007.
  71. ↑ IRS Form 8871: Vets for Freedom Action Fund, July 25, 2006.
  72. ↑ The Freedom Update, Vets for Freedom website, accessed July 16, 2007.
  73. ↑ About, Vets for Freedom, accessed July 5, 2007.
  74. ↑ Vets for Freedom donation page, DonationReport.com, accessed July 5, 2007.
  75. ↑ About, Vets for Freedom, accessed July 17, 2007.
  76. ↑ Form 8872: Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures: Vets for Freedom Action Fund, January 1-June 30, 2007; filed July 31, 2007.
  77. ↑ Vets for Freedom Action Fund/VFF-AF Funding, SourceWatch.
  78. ↑ Contact, Vets for Freedom.
  79. ↑ July Kosterlitz, "Lobbying & Law - Veterans of Political Wars," National Journal (Iraq Vets for Progress), undated 2006.
  80. ↑ The reference to Vets for Freedom Action Fund is no longer listed on the group's donation page. Accessed July 5, 2007.
  81. ↑ Contact, Vets for Freedom, accessed August 14, 2007.
  82. ↑ IRS Forms, Vets for Freedom Action Fund.

External resources/background

  • John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, "The Israel Lobby," London Review of Books (UK), March 23, 2006.
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