Open Letter to President Bush
Submitted by Eric Massa on November 27, 2005 - 2:53pm.
From the Diaries -- Brent
Dear Mr. President,
My name is Eric Massa, I am a 24 year medically retired US Navy Veteran and a candidate to the US House of Representatives, albeit not from your political Party. I have been a voice of moderation in the debates of the day and at times I have even tried to support the policies that your Administration has put forth – often out of deference to you as the President and the Office that you embody. I have also been a voice from the middle on many of the issues that we, as a nation, face today. But, this afternoon I am not writing to you as a political candidate – rather I am addressing this letter to you as a Veteran, the son of a Veteran and the brother of a Veteran.
You see, I held as my life’s goal to attend and graduate from the US Naval Academy, thus following in my father’s Navy footsteps. I come from a family where respect for my parents was something that I learned at a very early age and I held my father’s uniform above all else. I remember at a very early age thinking how important it was to apply a spit shine to my father’s aviation uniform shoes so he would appear up to snuff. My younger brother, who followed me into active duty as a Navy SEAL, nearly gave his life on many occasions and in many actions all over the world. Ours was, and continues to be, the physical embodiment of a traditional military family that has for generations supplied our sons and daughters to the service of this Nation and the civilian leaders who command our military.
I watched as a child when every Veterans day the President of the United States would honor Veterans by speaking to the nation about what it meant to stay for years away from family – I was on a deployment aboard the USS NEW JERSEY that broke all the records and learned first hand what my father had learned during his many deployments during the Korean and Vietnam wars. The President always spoke to the nation about what it meant to lose friends and family members in time of conflict -- something I came to learn when I watched my Naval Academy roommate die in the implosion of the USMC HQs in Beirut. The President also always spoke about how important it is to keep our promises to Veterans. I have since learned that these promises are not being kept under the control of your party’s majority inasmuch as, among other things, many VA centers are closed and the Keep our Promises Act languishes in Congress. Another thing the President always spoke about is the need to support our active duty military. Yet we are every day reminded of the shortages in equipment and benefits for our fighting men and women.
Every President I have grown up under has thus spoken to the Nation on Veterans Day.
On this most recent Veterans Day you chose to break from that tradition. You chose to send the Vice President to Arlington and, instead of honoring Veterans, you spoke of how to find justification in going to war on faulty intelligence because, according to you, your current political challengers then agreed with you. Instead of honoring Veterans, you spoke about how following misinformation was not your fault because, according to you, Senators and Congressman from your rival political Party followed you. Instead of honoring Veterans, you chose to make this most recent Veterans Day a day of political charges and self defense. By choosing to act in this way, you issued such disrespect for the Veterans community… that I could hardly believe what I was hearing on the television.
Mr. President, your actions were totally disrespectful to the service my father gave this nation during his 30 year plus career all over the world You were totally disrespectful of the service my brother gave to this nation in Somalia and throughout the world. And you were totally disrespectful of the ultimate sacrifice given by my friend and brother in arms, my roommate who died in a far away and now largely forgotten land because some politician thought he knew more about the military than the leaders of the military itself. The Office of the President remains as the icon of our Nation but, because of your actions, I can no longer respect you as the leader you try to present yourself to be.
Veteran’s Day was not the first instance of disrespectful behavior. Your Administration talks of supporting Veterans while closing VA centers around the Nation under the cleverly named program: CARES. Your Administration declares the need for a top to bottom benefit review of Veterans receiving medical benefits and backs off only when there is a political outcry from the many organizations working overtime to protect benefits already in place. Your Administration states that honoring Veterans is a National priority and then threatens to veto a budget that allows Retired Veterans to collect disability in the same manner that all other civil servants are allowed. Your Administration so underfunds the VA Administration that it now runs out of money in June.
It has become so bad that the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans has issued a letter calling for the same focus that I am calling for– this from a totally non-partisan organization that prides itself on staying out of politics. The problem is that the politics of your Administration are hurting the very Veterans you claim to stand and honor. All the while your Administration is standing in front of Veterans at every opportunity, you are shaking our right hand and cutting off our left – and frankly we need both to pull the knife out of our backs.
You, Sir, will stand in front of any group of service personnel for a photo-op. But in reality, as indicated by your actions on this most recent Veterans Day and as otherwise mentioned above, you stand behind none of us. As a Veteran who is the son of a Veteran, the brother of a Veteran and the friend of a Veteran who gave his life for his country, I denounce these politics of divisive disrespect, both by you and by those in Congress who rubberstamp your policies, with every fiber of my being. Veterans deserve leaders who will not only work to deserve a photo with the troops but who will also offer true respect and leadership to those who have proudly served and protected this great nation and to those who are in uniform today doing the same. I will work to make sure Veterans get the leaders they deserve.
In the future you might consider reserving Veterans Day for honoring veterans and not for making political speeches while you send your representatives to do what every other President in my lifetime has taken to be a personal responsibility.
My name is Eric Massa and I stand behind these words because I wrote them and believe in them with my entire being.
Sincerely yours,
Eric Massa
http://www.massaforcongress.com
All the Dems need to take the 29th out of Republican hands is for Eric to get some funding! If Eric can match half of what Randy Kuhl spends, he'll win. He's got a great strategy and a great bunch of people up there working with him.
www.clarkbuttons.com (did I mention they're free?)
This President will never admit to his arrogance and misguided policies.
Thank you for all that you and your family has done and continues to do.
Rich Westcott
He has no respect. He flaunted the fact that he was too rich to have to go to VN. It's amazing how so many people have been fooled by him for so long. We can only hope that as he becomes more and more arrogant, it will eventually catch up with him.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
Actually the thanks is all mine to you and the tremendosu supporters of WESPAC who are going to make such a difference in this race. One voice can become ten can become one hundred and a dollar from one hundred is the same a a hundred from one.
I can either sit by on the sidelines or stand and fight and I choose to fight and be a candidate for other 99% of the District.
Thanks,
Eric
from the mother of an Army officer, daughter, daughter-in-law and sister-in-law of Army vets, and sister-in-law of a Navy vet. Let those people know that "supporting our troops" takes more than slapping a magnetic ribbon on their cars.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
I would like to see a Country Western singer write and sing a song along the lines of "It's takes more than a ribbon to support the troops." - Thank you for your thoughts and with your help and the help of folks across the country we can show the so called experts and nay sayers that a little known, non-politician who is scrapping for every campaign contribution can do what was done 230 years ago - fight for the same thing in civilian clothes that he fought for in uniform.
Eric
My "favorite" part of the yellow ribbon crowd is the people that put the damn things on there two and a half years ago and haven't replaced them. Gee, can't even spend another $3 for a fresh ribbon? Have to show your true "colors" by riding around with a sun-bleached Support the Troops magnet, huh? Yep, send em over there, slap the ribbon on the car, and forget about them for 1000 days and 2000 deaths.
and ask Rep. Rahm Emanuel to support Commander Massa in his candidacy. I know they have Eric on their radar but having grassroots supporters write to the DCCC can only impress, right?
430 South Capitol Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
Phone Number
202-863-1500
Email Address
One of their concerns is grassroots support. The other, of course, is money. Ugh! They want Eric to have $100,000 by January. He only has $20,000. His opponent, a DeLay croney, has over $300,000!!
Please dig deep folks!
Donate here to put sails up on Eric's favorite ship, the U.S. Constitution.
http://ericmassa.clark-post.com
If there is more traffic will put it up at MyDD and TPMCafe as well. But they are running slow as usual.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
Noel - thanks for letting people know how very important funding is. The "experts" and political professionals will pay attention to only one thing. Funding. Therefore I am working my tail off in both traditional and non traditional methods asking folks from all over the country to help me help the people of the 29th Congressional District. I like to call the effort "A Candidacy for the other 99%" My opponent does a great job of representing the top 1% - but we need to focus on everyone else. Again, thanks.
Hi Eric,
It's great to see you here! I know that fundraising in your district is very difficult. Relative to your districts economy, I believe that the DCCC should consider or factor this into their expectations. It's alot of money. Collectively individual donors have been significant in your campaign, but many here have expressed interests in fundraising for you (and Wes Clark) in legitimate ways that are more "outside the box. " For example, to broaden your base, are there any national lobbying groups or PACs that we, as members, can write and make appeals to sponsor your candidacy, ... such as Environmental, Labor, Veterans and Military PACs/Organizations, ...etc? Perhaps we can target their constituency?
Perhaps, our appeals at the local, state and national level may help raise interest and awareness in these groups towards the significance of your candidacy to their mission, even in your district. For example, are there groups strongly opposed to Kuhl positions, in particular? Do you know if he's alienated or acted against these interests by his support of programs/issues at the national level? Is this a way we can help broaden your base and eventually generate more support?
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday! Thanks for dropping by CCN, too!
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"Debate, Dialogue, Discussion, Disagreement - that's not wrong -that's not unpatriotic, that's one of the highest forms of patriotism and love of country, and we need to say it!" - Gen. Wesley Clark (US Ret.)
For saying so eloquently what we all feel about Bush's total disrespect for Veterans. He is adept at talking out of both sides of his mouth, at once. Wonder if your great letter can be edited for length and sent to as many newspapers as possible in and around NY State, to print as a letter to the editor? I know you told me in DC that your funding must come from outside your district--perhaps this is one way of getting your name out there to other, more affluent areas of the state.
Here's a contribution to your campaign. I want to see you succeed for all your consituents, and for the Veterans across the country. I'm the daughter of a Navy Veteran, the wife of a Navy Veteran, the sister of an Army Veteran, the neice of five Navy Veterans, and very proud to say so.
Eric Massa -- $100.04
Contributor Information: Debby XXXXXXXXX
http://www.massaforcongress.com
Thank you and as I type a prfessional expert is doing just that - making the piece Letter to the Editor friendly. We'll try to give it legs. And, again, thanks for your encouragement and financial support.
Eric
Eric is running in a poor district, yet the Democratic Party wants him to show his fund raising ability before they will throw their weight behind him. He need 100,000 by the end of December.
We have a fundraising graphic for him based on the famous ship the U.S. Constitution. For every benchmark received a sail goes up, there a cannon salute for as many sails have been raises, and their is a light display, known by ancient mariners as St. Elmo's fire.
Go see the animation and help Eric out as a Christmas gift to NY-29.
http://ericmassa.clark-post.com
Eric's Open Letter to President Bush is here on Massa friendly CCN:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/2737
ICB posted Eric's website above.
Uncle Noel
This is so surreal that our country has come to this. I can't even imagine how it must feel for military families, such as yours to even have to think about writing a letter like this to the leader of the free world... I hope this spreads around the blogosphere and ends up as an op ed piece.
Thank for Eric for your past and continued service to our country. And for coming over and sharing this hard hitting piece with us.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
George Bush's speech was a travesty. No other president has committed such an offense to veterans and their families on Veteran's Day in my entire lifetime.
Thank you for calling him on it. I cannot express how grateful I am on behalf of 'my Vet' and all of those in our family who served before him.
Where in the world is Kevin Shelley?!?
http://www.massaforcongress.com
at how so few realized what he did. No sitting President in my lifetime has walked away from the responsibility of representing all Veterans at Arlington by walking the wreath to the Tomb of the Unknowns. I meant every word I wrote and I hope this letter gets circulation far and wide. Some have been frustrated with me because I have not called for the impeachment of the President other have said that I was too hard on him ... but I believe that calling the Administration what it is can no longer be delayed. The Veteran community should not have to fight their own government after having fought the enemies of that government and that is what is happening.
With your help - the help of your friends and families we can put together the grass roots support needed to show Washington that this race can come to be seen as the Flagship for our efforts to take back "red" Districts in "Middle America". I need to be able to send a wake up call to Washington in the form of cash on hand. We are saving every penny - working out of a loft over the garage (no heat by the way but typing keeps us quite warm) - so that we can stash every cent possible. If money is the deciding factor as to who can be taken seriously and who cannot be then I am not above asking for help. This election is too important to sit on the sidelines.
Thank you for being willing to help spread the word.
Eric Massa
Happy Thanksgiving!
This crowd follows your progress closely, and would like to help in any ways possible.
I suggest that you check out the post below, from Blackie, suggesting putting together a list of what this admin has done. You've probably noticed, by now, that The People are not very well informed about what goes on re: the government, so they should be clearly informed.
Funny you should say that Eric. I was just printing out copies of your letter. I have a friend who 'lives rustic' here in Northern California...no internet connection. I'm sending copies to her which she will share with other Dem dinosaurs "in the woods".. She is a Clark supporter and now too, an Eric Massa supporter. She has contributed to your campaign. She will LOVE this letter. I think you can expect another check in the mail...
...and me? I'm just a regular "pamphleteer" around town.
About Arlington...Our sitting-prez does not much care for Arlington it seems...(I don't understand that...it's an incredibly beautiful place. One cannot visit Arlington without understanding the sanctity of all the sacrifices made by our service men and women over the generations.)
http://www.massaforcongress.com
Thank you for helping to get the word out and we are looking to make a campaign swing through California in the not to distant future and we will make sure to spread the word before hand. By building this campaign we can reinforce WESPAC and the commitment to bring a higher standard of leadership to Washington. Again, my sincerely thanks for all that you have done.
Eric Massa
should make a list of all the programs this administration has come up with and dem's running for office should memorize the list and just slip recitations of the list into as many speeches, letters, memos as possible.
To quote you - "Your Administration talks of supporting Veterans while closing VA centers around the Nation under the cleverly named program: CARES."
I think such a list would be damning just reciting it -
CARES - closing veterans centers
CLEAR SKIES ACT - polluting the air
PATRIOT ACT - destroying freedom.....etc.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
I fully agree and we try to do just that at every opportunity. It never ceases to amaze me how well funded the Republicans are even after they move to destroy the things important to the very people who give them money. One reason is that way that they "package" the [programs that bring so much grief to their contributors. Just look at the prescription Drug bill that is now making life a living hell for so many seniors.
We will act on your suggestions - and thanks.
Eric
Information Dominance. That is, they have delivered the message that they have a Healthy Forests Initiative and the message was received. The fact that they are now moving to cut trees down doesn't matter because the detroying forests part of it never was and never will be part of the message. They control the message. This is what you have to take away from them. That's the ball and they have it. They force you to play this game with them and laugh when they hold the ball over your head. Stop playing the game, make up your own rules and just tell the truth. Keep it it in stark, gritty, honest language that is short and punchy. Stop speaking in paragraphs. No one listens anymore. In advertising there is a rule of thumb, you have about 3 seconds to get people's attention. Failing that they will be gone, on to the next message. Unfortunately that is what we have become. Also, recitations of what dems have done would have an impact. They did clean the water, the skies, look after vets, etc.
by this artful letter written by a patriot.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
The real patriots are the men and women who are currently wearing the uniform. Us "old timers" are only trying to find a way to give them the tools to complete - safely - the missions that they are given. They need an experienced voice in Washington and a voice that will balance out that of the screaming newly elected Ohio Congresswoman - who - never having served a day in her life, had the gall to call Murtha a coward. Shame on her and her supporters. If she had any self esteem she would resign now and if the high jacked Republican Party had any back bone left they would escort her out the door.
I agree – support veterans – elect them to the Congress.
Eric
A friend of hers who I canvassed in Cinci told me that she wasn't voting for her. The voter called her a rubber stamp and said she and her entire family were voting for Hackett. We almost won that district. It can be done. You can do it Eric. You WILL do it.
This is Lisa Duckett's speech at Eric's kickoff fundraiser. Lisa is the chair of the Allegany County Democratic Committee who've endorsed Eric: http://www.raisingkaine.com/732
When I talked to Lisa a few weeks ago, she said again that the property taxes in Allegany County, New York, are the highest in the country. I thought she was being overly dramatic. Then she told me what they were. Taxes on a $150,000 house in Allegany County are $10,000 a year. I'll say that again. Taxes on a $150,000 house in Allegany County are $10,000 a year.
We need to get someone who cares to Congress representing these people. Eric cares. Randy Kuhl doesn't. We need to get Eric in.
www.clarkbuttons.com (did I mention they're free?)
She strongly supports Eric and is his campaign coordinator for Allegany County as well as the Dem Committee chair.
online version of Newsweek, I believe about Lisa Duckett and her role as a leader. She was badly injured in Iraq, lost both legs but now serves as a great motivator and spokesperson for veterans. So glad to hear she spoke for Eric! This article was about the number of veterans who are running as Democrats.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
Thank you for your comments and support and financial contributions. Lisa is dead on - unfortunatly. With jobs departing on a daily basis and unfunded mandates like the "Every Child left Unfunded Act", the Counties in Western New York are being held in a black hole economic death spiral. Now, Kuhl, casts the deciding vote for CAFTA and we see the largest agricultural industry segment in the area being hit by cheap wine imports. It's a vote directly against the very people who elected him. It never seems to stop.
I can and will stop it - and there is nothing that can intimidate me in this mission. God knows I've been up against bigger foes than Randy Kuhl - and we've won those fights so apparently the Good Lord had a different plan for me other than sitting quietly on the sidelines. Besides, what better way to support WESPAC and General Clark than by winning a Congressional seat?
This is going to be a long hard fought battle and I am going to need all the reenforcements that I can get so - again - thank you.
Eric
This war has fallen on the shoulders of our men and women in uniform. Why? Because beyond the hyped intelligence, the rush into a war of choice, and the neglect of equiping those on the frontlines, this administration had no plan for anything. And yes, they also have no plan to care for the veterans. It is all just a photo-opped illusion meant to fool the good-hearted people of our country.
When the war of liberation turned into an occupation, tens of thousands of soldiers who thought they would be home by June saw their rotations out postponed, and then again, and again. They soon became the occcupation's most visible face. Combat engineers trained to blow up minefields sat through meetings of the Baghdad water department; airborne troops used to jumping in and out of missions in a matter of days spent months setting up the Kirkuk police department; soldiers of the Third Infantry Division who spearheaded the invasion passed out textbooks in a Baghdad girls' school...The CPA was months away from from setting up provincial offices...young officers trying to establish government in midsized cities who told him, "I'm doing the best I can but I don't know how to do this. I don't have a manual. You got a manual?"
Assassins' Gate Parker (219-120)
Eric, that is a very fine letter. You are much too kind. What this administration has done to the military is beyond all comprehension. They didn't plan because: "They don't believe in nation building." I could never be so polite; not any more.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
what is your opinion of all the privitization of military functions that this administration is pushing - private guards, private companies serving meals, etc. It seems like a very bad idea to me.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
It's beyond a bad idea. It's military suicide. Anyone who has a background in the military will tell you that the real fighting starts when the food starts getting served. That's a soldier’s way of saying that logistics - the vital support functions behind the lines often determine the outcome of a battle. By "outsourcing" those key functions the military Commander is loosing the ability to react to changing requirement because he or she becomes bound my civilian contracts that enrich a few very wealth large corporations at the expense of the soldiers. Outsourcing military functions also ends up costing one heck of a lot more money because you loose the ability to multi-task the work force. I could go on for pages on this subject because I lived it - on an hour to hour basis. Unfortunatly the folks who are in charge at the Pentagon and in the West Wing have never had to worry about how to get the troops a hot meal or how to get water to a platoon on patrol. They get their military experience from business schools and contract writing classes. It must stop and it must stop now and I dream of the day when I can look some Deputy Under Secretary of Defense in the eye - and call him out.
Only with your help can we make that happen and I thank you for logging in and offering your questions.
Eric Massa
From the Boston Globe - by Bryan Bender
<snip>
''You either have to buy into the rhetoric or stand up. I am standing up."
Lentz, who as a major in the 82d Airborne helped to rebuild the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, is running for Congress. He is one of at least nine veterans vying to become the first soldiers of the post-9/11 military to be elected to the House of Representatives, according to party leaders.
They say their experience makes them well-suited to help successfully extricate the United States from Iraq and to more effectively fight the war on terrorism, which they fear is being lost in the Muslim world's court of public opinion.
****
Eight of the nine are running as Democrats. At least three are lawyers. Most went to the front lines from the Reserves or the National Guard. Some have been recruited for office by party leaders; others say they are trying to get the national parties to pay attention to them.
But they are all running on their wartime experience and against the prevailing political hierarchy in Washington -- both Republican and Democrat.
<snip>
Regardless of political party, most say they are running against the current political order, which they believe has failed to collaborate on a unified strategy.
''Both parties have pursued policies of division, and there is this gaping whole in the middle where I think most Americans reside," said Carney, who until recently served as an adviser to the deputy defense secretary's office, and who now is vying to unseat four-term Republican Don Sherwood.
QUESTION FOR ERIC: Do you feel that Iraq war and other veterans who run for Congress will be able to make their case to the American people and therefore become more electable? Is this the prevailing thought among those who are running? If so, do you feel more support or less from the Democratic establishment as a result?
http://www.massaforcongress.com
There are actually several more veterans who are running but are not Iraq war vets. Some of older folks got our feet wet in places that are largely forgotten now - like Beirut. We all have to make our case individually to our local Districts - win them over to our candidacy - and as a group we can make our case to the leadership in Washington where the only metric is money. And I mean that - from the point of view of the professionals in DC, money is the end all be all of elections and while there is some truth in that what we often see is a self fulfilling prophecy. If we collectively and myself individually can raise the threshold amount of cash on hand we will command attention - not beg for it.
I have reached out to all the Veterans running on the Democratic line and I hope to help organize a National event where in we stand together so that the American people can see the depth and integrity of our National Security credentials, credentials earned not in some Washington think tank but on the oceans, battle fields and in the skies all over the world. Nothing sharpens your talking points like being shot at once in a while and folks with military backgrounds can and will get the support they need from Washington once we raise the levels of funding they demand for legitimacy.
Good question.
Eric
It seems to me that members of the establishment is more interested in maintaining their "position" within the Party than they are in winning elections.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
Well, I know there are a lot of very smart andvery well intentioned prfessionals who have never encountered what is happening today where many Veterans are standign up to run and take back the House and the Senate. In local, state, and federal elections this is something that has not happened in recent political reality and therefore many are not ready to understand what they are seeing.
I will raise the cash - with you help - and we will help to sharpen their eyesight.
Eric
I wish you success.
I have reached out to all the Veterans running on the Democratic line and I hope to help organize a National event where in we stand together so that the American people can see the depth and integrity of our National Security credentials, credentials earned not in some Washington think tank but on the oceans, battle fields and in the skies all over the world.
Bush plans to speak about Iraq next week at Annapolis. He is supposed to do this many more times with backgrounds of people who have been hog tied into attendance. This is for the Iraqi election on Dec. 15th. Of course, he doesn't seem to ever present what actually happens on Dec. 15th and what that has to do with us. From what I can tell, it's a division of power between the Shia and Kurds (again) with maybe the Sunnis being able to keep some of the privileges they had under Saddam. In the end, nobody will be really happy, because the largest "military" functioning, formerly the Badr Brigade, wants the US to let them have bigger and better guns. They are a sovereign nation, so they will get those guns somehow. These are also the folks who were running that prison with the tortured Sunnis (I think I read it was them). It's going to be a very long time to see how Iraq shakes out, but in the meantime, unless it pulls other countries in the region into a protracted conflict, still don't know how we can help them go where they are inevitably going to go.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
I don't know that I can watch him speak at Annapolis and there in is the soul of the problem. Why does he insist on using the military as a photo background? Does he not see how that demeans the very men and women who are in uniform?
Bush goes out to townhall meetings with carefully selected shiny faced Republicans to hear what he has to say about domestic issues like SS piratization. When he's talking about thewaronterra, he gets a backdrop of troops who have to appear respectful if not enthused. It's propaganda. They are props.
What do you think of the Italian film about the use of white phosphorous in Fallujah?
I was devastated when I saw it.
Do you think it's credible? If it is, how do we handle this?
http://www.massaforcongress.com
I have not seen the film nor do I have any direct information about the use of WP in the current conflict. I do know that White Phosphorous - in the Navy context - was a very limited munition.
WP burns and cannot be extinguished once ignited. It is a very deadly weapon and has very limited use in a tactical engagement in that it can be just as dangerous to your own forces as it is to the enemy - for that reason - the double edge sword - it is used for illumination at night by shooting way up in the air.
Again, I have not seen the Italian film and until I do I would be hard pressed to know the details but - and you can take this to the bank - there are no secrets in the US military because the troops ont eh ground are the same kids tha tgrew up next door to you and I and when things go wrong this is the one country where the truth gets out. I'll keep an eye out for the detials on this one and get smart on the issue.
Can I have your permission to post your letter over at democraticunderground.com (DU) with a link to here and to your website?
http://www.massaforcongress.com
Please do and anywhere else potential supports and votersand just "pain folk" might be interested in reading it. I know that there will a lot of flak from the Right on this one but the Power of the Truth is quite a force - and the force is with us.
A marine captain who wrote a book about his time in Iraq was asked about Murtha on Blitzer's show today. The captain said he looked at John Murtha and saw the tear in his eye. He said he is obviously a man who cares. He may not agree with his solution, but he'd gladly follow Murtha into battle, because he cares about the troops. The captain said he resented the people who go about their day and don't ever give a thought to the troops in Iraq. He is glad for the people pro or con Iraq war who care enough to have an opinion and speak out about it.
http://www.massaforcongress.com
I know John Murth personally, and let me say pubically if John Murtha is a coward then we are all going to burn in Hell because in my opinion he is the very essence of an American Hero - in uniform and out, in Peace and in War. Only the high jacked Republican neo con party could call John Murtha a coward and only that Party could call Senator Max Cleland a traitor. Shame and spite on they who do these things and the only weapon I have is get elected an be the voice on the other side of the isle that says on the House Floor what I have said here today. Pubically and for the record. Enough is Enough
Eric
Eric wrote: Why does he insist on using the military as a photo background? Does he not see how that demeans the very men and women who are in uniform?
Uh, in a word: No. At least as far as Dubya is concerned. Invoking military images are what the adminstration has relied on from the beginning. Wrap yourself in the flag, praise God, and grab your gun - we're off to war. That's the image they've been selling and it's beginning to grow older and older as more military families and candidates stand up to the deceit. The American people have finally come to the realization that they've been duped. When the American public speaks out against the war from a majority standpoint...well, bar the door.
QUESTION: When you're elected to the House, what will your first priority be? What bills will you author or support that concern our men and women in uniform?
http://www.massaforcongress.com
I have written several pieces of legislation that I will submit the second day I am in office. The first day I am in office I'm afraid I'll be looking for my office.
Bill One: This will extend COBRA health care benefits for employees who loose their jobs and benefits from the current 18 months to 5 years. It's a small step in the right direction but it is something a Freshman Congressman can do and it will make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of workers who are laid off after their jobs are out sourced overseas.
Bill Two: The Keep out Promises Act. There is in Congress today a bill that will keep the promise of health care for Veterans. Unfortunately only a change in the majority Party can get it out of Committee and since I will be part of a freshman class that will take back the House we will be able to move on this immediately.
Stay tuned to www.massaforcongress.com for the full list of legislative priorities that bring a positive message and real action to the Floor of the House.
Eric
Great legislation! It's all about LEADERSHIP!
Thank you, Eric, for blogging with us today. Keep your head about you and go get 'em! Thank you for your responses and heartfelt message.
It's dinner time at the homestead. Please enjoy the remaining hours of our Thanksgiving holiday. Give thanks for the fact that we care enough to do our very best. For we are Americans and our finest hour is fast approaching.
LOUD APPLAUSE! THANK YOU ERIC MASSA!!!!
this is a wonderful letter. That stunt on Veterans Day was absolutely shameful. My niece's husband to be is redeploying to Iraq (Naval Reserve) for two years in '06-on behalf of his family, thank you!
McCain, Kerry, Pelosi and Reid,... and "W' usually release their statements at this site, which hits most all media outlets.
------------------------------------------------
From Website: CONTACT U.S. NEWSWIRE
http://releases.usnewswire.com/
U.S. Newswire - National Headquarters
National Press Building, Suite 1230
Washington, DC 20045
Phone: 202-347-2770 or 800-544-8995
Email: info at usnewswire dot com
U.S. Newswire - New York
708 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-812-7003
http://www.usnewswire.com/contactusn.html
Look out gang, there are some righ wingers there. Hey, Jai, need some help over there if they start swinging!
http://forums.military.com/groupee/forums/a/frm/f/5291911282
Noel
But came with some funds!
Eric Massa (NY-29) $xx.xx
The astonishing fact that with the current Bush policies, the VA Admin runs out of money by June in the fiscal year is one I'm certain very few Americans are aware of, and could easily translate into a workable soundbite we could all get out there. Simple yet disgraceful facts like this-- that can be easily related to and digested by a numbed down electorate-- and really need to travel on the Internet and by word of mouth.
Sorry I missed the blogathon, but if you check back in, thanks so much for all you're doing and I'm still hoping they're hand counting those good old paper ballots in the 29th -- as you mentioned in Little Rock!
It was a Dem sweep this year. Two Dem mayors replaced Republican ones, one for the first time a Dem made it in 45 years the other in 25 years. Both strongly supported by Eric and beholden to him. He is building the Dem party there from the gound up, just likehe has said.
And if you show up with bucks for our boys, you are triply welcome. lOL!
this is a truly forceful statement about a shameful situation. I hope it gets the wide play it deserves. And I hope that Democrats and other sensible people give you the monetary support you deserve for your fine campaign--and soon. I'll be contributing again today.
The General gets it right. Competence--What a concept!
This is a terrific letter, Eric. As a member of a military family who has 2 loved ones serving in Iraq right now, it is always appreciated when someone of your stature hits "them" right between the eyes with their failures and audacity. Thank you. I thought Knight had some good ideas about fundraising...getting help from some of the interest groups. Blackie and Ellen are spot on with the list of dastardly deeds. So.......how about a list of words with a few descriptions of their deeds? Right here:
www.securingamerica.com/ccn/node/1330
Haven't had time to do much updating and "they" are so busy being a menace, it's hard to keep up. Maybe I can get it updated after the holidays. Please feel free to use it as you wish if it will help with your campaign. Good luck to you!
LOVED IT!
This must be distributed across the blogosphere!
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. ~George Washington
...to all I know and asking for contributions to your campaign
Here's mine (not the first and not the last either):
Eric Massa (NY-29) $44.08
...but wanted to thank you for writing this wonderful letter.
Also, thanks so much for the hand written note thanking me for my contribution. I'll treasure it always.
George Bush has had his day and he's bollixed it up.
he won't have time to write personal thankyou notes. Lol!
It just shows what kind of a person he is. Not only does he appreciate the contribution, he treasures the giver (but of course it is MAD).
