VOTEVETS.ORG AD ON LIMBAUGH GAINS NATIONAL ATTENTION

Iraq and Afghanistan veterans hit back when Rush Limbaugh attacked them, calling them “phony soldiers” for opposing the President’s failed policy on the war, and when he later compared VoteVets.org’s Brian McGough to a suicide bomber.  Above, Brian McGough, who was in the ad, appears on Countdown to do an interview, as Rush Limbaugh continues to refuse to have him on his show.  Some other clips on our ad...

Articles: 

• New York Times
• Los Angeles Times
• Chicago Tribune
• USA Today
• CNN
• FOX News
• ABC News
• Christian Science Monitor
• The Hill

Video:

• Today Show on ad, Interview with retired General Wesley Clark
• Brandon Friedman on MSNBC
• Brandon Friedman on MSNBC again
• Brandon Friedman on MSNBC again

View Our New Television Ad on Rush Limbaugh

Maybe Rush Limbaugh hasn't heard, but there's a new sheriff in town - America's troops and veterans, who are not going to sit idle while he and his ilk demean the service of those who oppose the President's failed policy in Iraq.

Today, we're unveiling a new television and radio ad, taking Rush head on, for his contention that we're "phony soldiers."

VIEW OUR NEW AD HERE

 

Click here to hear the radio version of the ad 

The ad features Brian McGough, an Iraq war veteran who received the Purple Heart for a traumatic brain injury as a result of shrapnel he took to the head, in Iraq. In the ad, Brian makes it clear: "Rush, the shrapnel I took to my head was real. My traumatic brain injury was real. And, my belief that we are on the wrong course in Iraq is real. Until you have the guts to call me a "phony soldier" to my face, stop telling lies about my service."

Maybe Rush was able to get away with such smears in the past, but those days are over. No one - especially someone who never had the courage to wear the uniform - is going to pass judgment on us and go unchallenged. He, and others, can expect that VoteVets.org will be right there to represent and defend the voice of America's troops and veterans.

MSNBC - Major General (Ret.) John Batiste on Rush Limbaugh

Major General (Ret.) John Batiste, a 31-year Army veteran, former commander in Iraq, and critic of the President's failed policy in Iraq, responds to Rush Limbaugh's charge that those who oppose the President on Iraq are "phony soldiers"

IRAQ VETERANS RESPOND TO RUSH LIMBAUGH

Rush, who is the real phony, here?

VOTEVETS.ORG LAUNCHES "I DON'T KNOW" WEB AD

YouTube Video Captures Moment Petraeus Concedes He Doesn't Know if Iraq Plan Makes America Safer; Quotes Three Republican Senators
VoteVets.org has unveiled a new internet ad on YouTube, which captures the moment that General David Petraeus admits during an exchange with Senator John Warner, that he doesn't know if the White House plan for Iraq will make America safer, and hasn't put much thought into it. It also captures similar moments of frustration from Republican Senators Chuck Hagel and Richard Lugar.

Of all days, on September 11, Americans were reminded that we need to be vigilant against real threats to America, and how our military is used will either help or hurt security. But, General Petraeus has a very limited area of concern - the US military in Iraq. With three words, he confirmed yesterday that his responsibility isn't to worry about the world outside of Iraq, or our global commitments, or the overall war on terror.

This is not a knock on General Petraeus. It is the duty of the commander in chief to listen to those whose job it is to worry about such things. From Admiral Fallon to Admiral Mullen to Secretary Gates, the president is ignoring the people who are telling him this war is not sustainable, or advisable for our security; instead hiding behind General Petraeus to justify his failure as commander in chief.

VoteVets.org On Petraeus Testimony

Jon Soltz, Iraq war veteran, and chairman of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans group, VoteVets.org, released the following statement today:

"The president is hiding behind General Petraeus, and that was abundantly clear today. General Petraeus was given an order - find a military solution for Iraq where there is none, and without concern for troop overextension or the larger war on terror. General Petraeus followed his orders, giving the president what he wanted to hear, and now the president will hide behind that to justify his failure as a commander in chief."

"General Petraeus has a very limited area of concern - the US military in Iraq - and his testimony today reflected that."

"When one looks at the grander scale, past just the military in Iraq, the picture is dismal, and becoming a critical danger. From the Government Accounting Office report to Congressional Research Service report to the report by General Jones, it is clear that there has been no political reconciliation overall in Iraq or increased security, despite our military's strongest efforts. From Admiral Fallon to Admiral Mullen, those above General Petraeus in the chain of command are telling the president that this war is hurting our military and our global security. The president has chosen to ignore all of this, in favor of a report based on a false premise with faulty findings, signed by a General with a very limited scope of concern. Call it denial, or call it stubbornness, or whatever you want; it all boils down to the same thing - this president still refuses to listen to those he needs to listen to, in favor of those who tell him what he wants to hear."

HELP US SEND IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS TO WASHINGTON, DC!

As you know, the next month is critical in terms of where we go on the war in Iraq. Next week, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker will be testifying about the White House report on Iraq, and shortly after, Congress will again vote on whether we change course, redeploy troops from Iraq and take the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan, or if we're going to just do more of the same.

We are going to take our message directly to politicians and pundits in Washington, but we need your help.

Donate to send an Iraq veteran to Washington, DC.Click here to learn more about the project

NEW VOTEVETS.ORG AD!

A new VoteVets.org ad will begin airing soon in Maine, and then in 10 other states and districts, calling on those still protecting George Bush to do the right thing and put country over party when it comes to Iraq. Watch the video above! And be sure to check the facts by clicking the “Did You Get The Memo”icon on the right hand side. VoteVets.org is speaking for the troops!

VoteVets.org appears on Dayside

VoteVets.org's Vice Chairman Brandon Friedman, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran and author of The War I Always Wanted, appears on MSNBC dayside to discuss the war in Iraq.

VoteVets.org appears on Hannity and Colmes

Jon Soltz, Iraq war veteran and Chair of VoteVets.org, appears on Hannity and Colmes to talk about the lack of progress in Iraq, and an ad that some networks are refusing to air

LA TIMES ARTICLE ON JON SOLTZ

Soldier answers a new call to battle: Since starting VoteVets.org, Jon Soltz has shaken up the war debate, became a MSNBC regular and challenged the GOP on military issues.
LA Times, August 30, 2007

NEW VOTEVETS.ORG RADIO ADS COMMEND THREE REPUBLICANS

Major General (Ret.) John Batiste, former 1st Infantry Division commander in Iraq, life-long Republican, and advisor to VoteVets.org, is featured in a new radio ad campaign being launched today, that praises Senator Chuck Hagel and Representatives Walter Jones and Wayne Gilchrest for standing up for the troops.

The ads can be listed to here:

• HAGEL
• GILCHREST
• JONES 

Senator Hagel and Representatives Jones and Gilchrest have consistently voted with the troops, on bills that would begin a responsible redeployment from Iraq, and would give troops as much time on the homefront as spent in theater.

VoteVets.org appears on Hardball to discuss Abu Ghraib

Maj Gen (Ret) Paul Eaton on Countdown and Tavis Smiley

VOTEVETS.ORG TALKS WITH RANDY RHODES ABOUT THE COURSE OF THE WAR IN IRAQ

Click here to listen (requires RealPlayer) 

Write a Letter to the Editor Urging President to Come Clean on Tillman

Those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and are part of VoteVets.org are sending a clear message to the White House - for the good of the military, the nation, and the family of Pat Tillman, the President must comply with Republican and Democratic requests for information on his death. Despite swirling questions and changing stories regarding the death of former NFL star and Army Ranger, Pat Tillman, the President still refuses to release documents about his death, citing executive privilege.

Do your part, and write a letter to the editor of your local paper to amplify that call, now!

Click here to read the letter to the President and sign the petition.

Read Veterans Letter to the NFL and NFL Players Association

VoteVets.org Quoted in Philadelpia Daily News Editoria on New Army Suicide Report

Worst Army Deaths of All: Worrisome Stats on Military Suicides
Philadelpia Daily News, August 23, 2007

VoteVets.org on Hardball to Discuss New York Times Editorial

VoteVets.org on Dan Abrams to Discuss Army Suicides

VoteVets.org on Countdown to Discuss Army Suicides

VoteVets.org on Hardball to Discuss Iran

 

VoteVets.org appears on Countdown to discuss the draft

Could the draft return? VoteVets.org discusses that question with Keith Olbermann, and why the issue is even being discussed

Associated Press Profiles VoteVets.org

In the Debate Over Iraq, It's Vets vs. Vet
Associated Press, August 14, 2007

VoteVets.org’s Brandon Friedman Blogs About Yearly Kos and Ridiculous Right-Wing Attacks

Click here to read Brandon's post on DailyKos

Jon Soltz introduces VoteVets.org advisory board chair, retired General Wesley Clark, and the General’s speech at the Yearly Kos Convention

Click here to watch the video

Think Progress - Jon Soltz on Pat Tillman

The worst way you can further exacerbate the pain survivors of a fallen soldier feel, is to keep them wondering why and how their loved one died. Now past three years since former NFL star Pat Tillman died in Afghanistan, his mother, Mary Tillman, and her family do not have answers. Unfortunately, documents meant to put the investigation into his death to rest are only bringing up more painful questions, rather than calming them. What’s worse is that the case could start to have serious repercussions with internal confidence in the Armed Forces.