Task Force Smith

I wish I could say "Now What?"

SSG_Dan — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:46:04 EST

I'm sitting at home, drinking the last of the 18-year old Single Malt Scotch, and smoking my last Cuban cigar. I'm filled with pride and accomplishment, having worked hard to elect Senator Obama for President. And in that, I know that some worked harder than me, sacrificed more, and are rejoycing more than I.

I do pause at the the memories of some of the vile and hateful things that people have told me. That I'm a traitor. That I'm going to help destroy America. That I hate my country.

I will not lie - I hated everyone who dared insult me. In one case, I had to work hard and not beat another American into a bloody pulp. I'm still astounded that a total stranger, someone who doesn't know all I've lost and sacrificed, would dare insult me so deeply.

But of all the things that has me believing again my country, it was the gracious speech of Sen. McCain. I watched and listened to his speech, and I hung on his every word. This was a man who used a flawed approach to try and win the Presidency, but he was more a leader in the loss that he ever was in his campaign.

If this had been the man who campaigned, I might have voted for him. I know he has redeemed my respect for him.

Now, we have to move forward as a county. If we wanted, the Democrats in charge can simply move forward, and do whatever we want for two years. I know that will fail. If the idea is "payback," then we fall back into the last eight years, and we are no better than we were. We will be far worse.

So, I'm willing to embrace my metaphysical past and present, and forgive. I want to find a way to work with the same people who would call me a traitor, and find the common ground. And if there is none now, I will work to make it.

I am tired of "My Way or the Highway." I want a consensus when we do things, so that it doesn't "fixed" later. I am willing to ignore the slings and arrows of the past, provided there's not a armory of new ones waiting.

Is it that hard to do?

I want to do an ad on "Dan the Iraq Vet"

SSG_Dan — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:31:34 EDT

In response to Senator McCain's latest round of inscrutable advertising, I've decided that I would like to do an ad in the same vein as "Joe the Plumber." I'd call it "Dan the Iraq Vet."

I met Dan the Iraq Vet at the Stand Down for Homeless Vets in Colorado Springs last week. Dan was an Army Infantryman from Fort Carson, and had 7 years of service, which included deployments to Iraq and other countries in the Middle and Far East, as well as some time at West Point, carefully herding clueless Army Cadets thru weapons instruction.

Dan the Vet wanted an Army Career, but he was wounded in Iraq, and suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his head and neck. The Army patched him up, but wasted no time hustling him out with crappy transition classes, no Purple Heart and no mentorship to transition him to civilian life. That was 2005 or 2006...Dan has trouble remembering.

Dan the Iraq Vet lives in a tiny apartment now in Colorado Springs, but he only recently managed to land a minimum wage job that could help pay for that. Before that, he was either living on his buddies' couches, or out of his car. Dan the Iraq Vet drinks a lot - before he goes to work, when he tries to sleep, and when he's with his friends. It's the only way he can keep going day-to-day.

He finally has a disability rating from the VA, but he still hasn't managed to get an ID card for treatment, or attend any therapy sessions....they're during the day, which would force him to choose between attending his session and getting fired, or missing his session and keeping his job.

In sort, Dan the Iraq Vet got f*cked over by his country. When he answered the call to defend our nation, our Constitution and our way of life, he did not hesitate. He took the toughest and most dangerous job the Army had for him, and he very nearly paid the ultimate price for his patriotism.

In my ad, I tell Dan the Iraq Vet's story, and I would tell them what Senator Obama would do for him. Senator Obama will make sure the VA takes care of Dan the Vet, including PTSD therapy and proper medical attention for his wounds.

Senator McCain would tell him to go see a private doctor who might figure out what's wrong, and he'd use a "plastic card" to pay for it - IF the Doctor takes the card.

And if the Doctor doesn't want to take the "Plastic Card", then he can wait in line for the limited service the VA would have under McCain's idea of a budget. See, Senator McCain always votes for the least amount of money for the VA, like he has every year since 2004. Dan the Iraq Vet wouldn't get extra counseling for his mental illnesses, because Senator McCain fought against funding that program.

In sort, Senator McCain, the 100% disabled vet from his Vietnam service and his torture as a POW, will not help vets from Iraq and Afghanistan. Because he wouldn't help vets from ANY conflict his entire term in Congress. It his record, and it is shameful.

Senator Obama, if you or your people are monitoring this blog, will you make a commercial called "Dan the Iraq Vet?" Because the whole nation needs to know how we treated this patriotic young man, and they need to know how Senator McCain would treat him if he was President.

We can be the "Force Multiplier" that Wins this for Obama

SSG_Dan — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:08:39 EDT

My fellow Vets:

Today we vets are campaigning door-to-door in Colorado to get those undecided voters to choose Barack Obama for President. Depending on the neighborhood, I know that this will be a tough challenge - not only to convince some hard-core Republicans that we have the better candidate, but for the things you might have shot at you by some of the less tactful members of the electorate.

I've heard the comments they make - that you're a traitor, that you're not really a vet, or an American. They get angry, indignant and insulting. They probably are not going to change their mind, and they're more than willing to degrade and demean you.

You have every reason to fire back at them - but don't.

The way we can win this election is to reach down and embrace the military discipline that all of us have ingrained within ourselves. The more insulting and angry they get, the more calm and reasoned we must be. Because they expect us to answer their insults in kind, if we stay calm and reasoned, THAT plants the doubt we need to change their minds.

Normally, veterans treat each other with dignity and respect, even if we have opposing political viewpoints. That's because of our shared experiences and sacrifices. Most of the citizens of this state recognize this, and will give us a moment to listen to what we have to say.

When we go door-to-door or phone bank, that opening statement of "hi, I'm with Veterans for Obama" will normally give you an edge, for a moment, with most voters in Colorado. You can take advantage of that moment by being calm and reasoned, even in the face of skepticism and anger.

THAT's the Force Multiplier we give the Obama campaign, and we need to make sure we use it every chance we get.

Why are the Vets for Obama people such a bunch of Candyasses?

SSG_Dan — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:13:44 EDT

Folks, we need to get General Wesley Clark out on the campaign trail, and beat the crap out of John McCain on everything from his Foreign Policy to his veteran voting record. Because when he was on the talk shows for just a day, he got the entire McCain campaign off-message and screaming and hooting about how unfair it was.

The Obama people threw GEN Clark under the bus as gently as they could, but they NEVER should have. He said what EVERY Democratic Vet I know is saying already...using a multimillion dollar jet to take down a 1000 missile is NOT a qualification to be President. And using your POW status on everything from owning houses to getting a parking ticket is the sorriest thing I've heard in my life.

Phil Carter (head of Vets for Obama) if you're out there in cyberspace, I don't care if you have to kiss GEN Clark's ass until it's white as a soda cracker - get him back on your side, and get him out in front of the media!!!

Colorado Republicans Hate the Troops

SSG_Dan — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:22:40 EDT

It may be preaching to the choir, but it's simple - Colorado Republicans love The War, and Hate the Warrior. They can sign off on endless amounts of money, without oversight to any GOP Crony, but will not spend a time for the troops who fought.

I'm a member of the DAV, and here's the numbers for 2006:

COU.S. House1Diana DeGetteDemocratic100COU.S. House2Mark UdallDemocratic100COU.S. House3John SalazarDemocratic100COU.S. House4Marilyn MusgraveRepublican66COU.S. House6Tom TancredoRepublican66COU.S. SenateSrWayne AllardRepublican60COU.S. SenateJrKen SalazarDemocratic80

Senator Salazar is the only Democratic legislator with less than 100%. And all those "We Support the Troops" Republicans? They all get a "D."

And the GOP nominee for President? He rates a "20" below an "F". As a matter of fact, he's ranked 459th out of 462 members of Congress. Senator McCain, the son of and Admiral, a disabled vet himself, is 3rd from the BOTTOM in helping Veterans.

This is all before the vote on the New G.I. Bill....which Senator McCain refused to vote for (he had fundraising to do.) All Colorado Democrats voted for the GI Bill (except Rep DeGette who had to see her kid graduate) and all Colorado Republicans Voted NO>.

Since the Democrats took power in the Congress, they've passed 63 bills DIRECTLY relating to Veteran or Military benefits...and there's a few weeks left on this session. And last year when the GOP was running the show? - 21.

If you know someone who thinks Republicans take care of the troops, please pass this on.

The last shred of respect for Sen. McCain is now gone...

SSG_Dan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:22:26 EDT

I make my living by doing production, post-production and marketing. I understand positioning, "perception of quality" and a number of other tools to make a product or person seem appealing to a majority of a demographic. So, I was surprised when the McCain campaign and his handlers choose Gov. Palin. On the surface, it seemed to be a shrill and superficial pick designed to scoop up the shrill and superficial Hillary supporters who were still hooting and screeching like petulant teenagers who were told they couldn't go to the Mall. On that level, I gave the McCain folks some credit. But not, it seems the idea wasn't even his - the Australian News Network ABC is now reporting that McCain had picked a different VP, but was forced to chose Palin. It seems that McCain was going to continue to play a moderate to the American People, and choose "Turncoat Joe" Liebermann has his VP. Partisan Politics aside, Turncoat Joe knows the Senate, is Pro-Choice and very independent, and would've scooped up a bunch of Independent Voters this fall, and possibly helped McCain win. According to Aussie ABC News: "After weeks of vetting his potential vice-presidential picks, Senator McCain was set on his old friend and Al Gore's running mate in 2000, Senator Lieberman. But 10 days ago Senator McCain was called into a meeting by several of his most senior and trusted campaign advisers. He was told if he proceeded to nominate Senator Lieberman, who is pro-choice on the issue of abortion, the conservative Christian base of the party would take the issue to the floor of the convention and try to overturn the selection. Senator McCain was told that without the base he would certainly lose the election." Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/03/2353903.htm So, when Senator McCain was called on to make a choice - a tough choice, one that would decide the fate of his campaign, a presidential-quality choice...he sold out. He caved. He showed he does not deserve to be President. If Sen. McCain wants to run a campaign based on judgement and experience, then this was the deciding factor on who the American People should vote for. Because, if he folds this easily under pressure, then we are assured that this will be the way he handles ALL crises under his watch. If every time there's a tough decision to make, this means he'll fold up like a Transformer in a effort to appease a tiny part of the electorate. If all it takes is the threat of difficulty to make Sen. McCain change his mind, then he'll be incapable of making a decision of any substance once he's in charge. Beware, my friends...while we get this fact, there are many other who will not. We need to bust our asses the next few weeks, and deliver this Presidential Election to Sen. Obama. We have a chance, if we can get off our collective Progessive asses and DO SOMETHING other than forward Keith Obermann's latest special comment.

Go to work...

The stick that needs to be beaten over John McCain's Head.

SSG_Dan — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:33:39 EDT

Folks, this is simple. John McCain Hates Vets.

I wish I had another explanation - but tit's the only one that fits his years of voting in the Senate. A man that was shot down, captured, tortured and released after 5 1/2 years seems intent on belittling his Brothers in Arms, rather than helping them.

I am a Disabled Vet - I've struggled with the label, but I'm finally at peace with it. After they helped me, I decided to join Disabled American Veterans, and try and give back something to my Brothers in Arms, be they from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War I or OIF/OEF.

One valuable thing you get as a member of the DAV is a legislative report. And when the nominees were selected, I compared the ratings...and it's not good for McCain.

Despite his Old Man Rantings to the Contrary, Sen. McCain has one of the WORST records in the Senate of anyone. The best rating he ever attained from the DAV was 66%, which was 1999. That's the best - a D if you convert it.

But ever since the Deserter President took office, his rating have slide down each session of Congress. In 2004 it had sunk to 50%, and in 2005 25%, down to 20% in 2006.

Think about that - a man who was wounded in combat in Vietnam, who suffered at the hands of his captors, who needed significant care once he got back to The World...votes against fellow disabled Vets.

I think about it often...and the only thing I can conclude is that instead of feeling closer to his fellow wounded vets, he now hates them... he is repulsed by them. He would rather use the immense wealth he married into to shield himself from the Wounded Warriors of our time. He would rather take away from their care and reward his newfound wealthy friends.

If the people of Arizona want to keep him as their Senator, that's their defect. But this man should NEVER be President.

Make sure that doesn't happen...work HARD for Sen. Obama.