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Political Hay
Richard Blumenthal’s Recovered Memory
The curious lies of public figures.
Comedian Bob Newhart performed a skit a few years ago in which he reminisced about his stateside service as a “clerk-typist” at the “height of the Korean War.” In the skit, his memory is prompted by a paper cut as he struggles to open a DVD while talking to himself and his half-listening granddaughter. “Enough war stories,” he says before moving to another subject.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s service at the height of the Vietnam War appears just as glorious. It turns out that he may have helped organize a Toys for Tots drive as a member of the Marine Corps Reserve, according to the New York Times. This task, among other stateside ones, became in Blumenthal’s telling over the years “service in Vietnam.” He says now that he simply misspoke — that he meant to say he served “during” the Vietnam war, not “in” the Vietnam war.
Perhaps this marks a weird form of progress for Democrats: they have gone from spitting on Vietnam War veterans to impersonating them. John Kerry watched approvingly as disgruntled Vietnam War veterans hurled their medals at the White House in the 1970s (though his own medals were neatly tucked away for later use), and most liberal politicians speak about Vietnam as an immoral war. But in recent years they have wanted in on it. It has gone from a deleted memory to a recovered one. Blumenthal numbered himself among the spat upon — “I remember the taunts, the insults, sometimes even physical abuse.”
Historian Joseph Ellis, a darling of the East Coast liberal elite, hoaxed his students for a time as a veteran of the Vietnam War. He had seen action on the front lines, he regaled them. It was all bogus. But after he got nabbed, he just trotted off to a write a bestselling book about a president known for his honesty, George Washington, and these days appears on Charlie Rose to gush about the probity of this or that historical figure. There are no second acts in public life? At this point there are only second acts. Hoaxsters become George Washington biographers; plagiarists like Dolores Kearns Goodwin become Honest Abe scholars.
Some in the media, trying to explain Blumenthal’s lie, resort to mumbo jumbo about “generational guilt.” (Ellis tried that ludicrously self-important tack too, explaining his concocted service as a form of anguish for having let others die in his place.) Generational guilt? Try generational egotism. Blumenthal is just another creepy narcissist in American politics who couldn’t bear attending military service ceremonies without bragging about his own “service.”
A liberal generation that “loathed” the military (as Bill Clinton put it in his draft-dodging letter) now loves it and doesn’t want to be cut out of the glory. For Blumenthal to have spelled out the nature of his service specifically would have left his ego ungratified and his audiences less than impressed. Even in his non-apology apology on Tuesday, he couldn’t resist more pointless bragging, patting himself on the back for having looked up the Marine Corps Reserve all by himself “in a phone book” and having left for training “at midnight.”
Blumenthal took “full responsibility” for his lie while in reality taking none. Besides, who takes “full responsibility” for (what he calls) an innocent misstatement? Why would you need to? So even in that tiresomely shabby and grandiose formulation he gives himself away. He says that he didn’t correct multiple news stories that said he served in Vietnam because he never saw the stories — one more deception to add into the mix since he is the one who launched this misinformation through his vague and dishonest references to his “service.”
One of the last Democrats to pull this trick was Bill Richardson, though on a far less important matter: for years, he let people think he was drafted by the Kansas City A’s, a lie that he got started and then watched contentedly course its way through various news stories about himself. After he got popped, he promised to do some research into the matter and “came to the conclusion that I was not drafted by the A’s,” then used previous material he had introduced the false information into as a kind of defense.
When asked why he lied, he came up with a barrage of curious excuses: he said that scouts wanted to draft him, that his name had appeared on a “draft list of some kind,” and that a program for an amateur league in which he played listed him as drafted (the media pointed out that the information from the program in question came from either Richardson or his coach).
Perhaps the ambitious Richard Blumenthal can take heart from this episode. Richardson just shrugged it all off and ran for president.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (100) | Leave a comment
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Ret. Marine| 5.20.10 @ 6:41AM
In the Corps we have a name for these types, it called a poser. But what really concerns this Veteran, and now citizen in denim, is his dis-honesty, outright lies and the way in which he tried to justify his lies. He is not to be trusted, either as a senator, or even now current AG.
It seems as though as I have read, that it has become a badge of honor of some sort to lie about ones real life to gain some sort of respect from others in hopes of being impressive enough to obtain those votes for the continueation of a better career. But all it amounts to is having to remember the lie that got it started and continueing with the lie just brings out another lie, so goes the process. I kinda feel sorry for this person because he must consider himself a failure of some sort. Maybe he should have considered the fact that if one lyes down with the dogs, you are bound to get up with a case of fleas. Yeah just can't scratch that itch enough. As it is with most anyone I have had the misfortune of running across with the D after their name it is par for the course. I guess their mommy didn't tell them they loved them enough and failed to prepare them for the harsh treatement one will recieve when others consider them to be a liability becaus they simply cannot be trusted enough to warrent a friendship of any kind.
This man should be ashamed enough to drop out of the race and resign his position as the head law enforcement officer of his state. I know the good citizens deserve better and he should know it too.
drudge ette obama| 5.20.10 @ 7:03AM
I would like to see Blumenthal do a back flip-flop or a jerk-knife dive.
You know, like the ones he did when he was on the dive team in Vietnam during the Cold War after the sinking of the Maine.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 5:33PM
"the dive team in Vietnam during the Cold War after the sinking of the Maine."
Blumenthal was also with the soldier from F Troop at the Alamo:
"there we were, Davy Crockett and I, shoulder to shoulder and backs to the wall..."
1FreeMan| 5.20.10 @ 8:15AM
I saw the video and read the transcript. Obviously he said exactly what he intended. He didn't misspeak anything. Stolen valor, an imposter, a poser... nnothing more.
For those of us who have served, are still serving... this is an insult. The guy can't be trusted. He should resign and seek non-government employment. DO you think they have lawyers in Kenya?
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 5:57PM
You should have seen Blumenthal charging San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt.
Or at Little Big Horn.
BozObammy| 5.21.10 @ 2:56AM
He's one of you, stupid.
2Anglico| 5.20.10 @ 8:51AM
He was just trying to hide the embarrasing fact that he was the Skipper of the USS Pee Wee Herman.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 6:04PM
Alan Hale was his skipper on Gilligan's Island.
Forever Marine| 5.20.10 @ 12:35PM
I too was a Marine reservist. 1969 to 1975. MOS 2531. 2nd Batt., 24th Marines, 4th Marine Div. I too had one student deferment for each year for of my 5 years of college (mandatory). I too enlisted to avoid being drafted. The only connection I had to Vietnam was the honor of being trained by Vietnam vets. I too did the Toys for Tots duty. Indeed, it took me a number of years to even have an adverse life experience that required discipline, and aggressiveness to adapt and overcome using some of my training. My experience in the Marine Corps turned out to be a blessing in my life that I would not trade for anything. It was a privilege to even be subject to those men who trained me. It is an honor even without ever hearing a shot fired in anger. And that is, indeed, enough. Do I wish I had done more? You bet. Now it's history.
However, to even in some wild egocentric, delusion place myself in Vietnam next to Gunny Reed, Staff Sgt. Poteet or Sgt. Butler would be a blasphemy beyond comprehension. It would dishonor them and the Marine Reserves which have, since then, served with valor in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, foremost, it would dishonor the Corps and every Marine since Tun Tavern.
I can't justify what is going on in Blumenthal's mind, especially with a son who is a Marine Lt. Because, yes, my son Matt became a Marine and served in combat.
Ned| 5.20.10 @ 2:39PM
I served in 1/5 1st Marine Division from 1976-79.
The war was over and once President Carter was elected I now can see there wasn't much chance of our country being at war for any reason. We did not think of this at the time and would have done our duty if required.
I too served with and was trained by veterans of war and am proud to have done so.
I remember an incident in Boot Camp. It must have been the second or third day. We were still in processing and hadn't been assigned our DIs.
A corporal was in charge of moving our herd from one station to another and seeing we made it to the chow hall on time. I will never forget him talking to about ten of us gathered outside the Quonset huts we were housed in. He had been at Khe-Sanh. He told us the unit he served in had been wiped out. I can't remember the exact numbers but out of many he said he was one of the few who survived. When telling us it was obvious his mind had taken him back there, he was reliving it.
Soon he came back and seeing some of us were standing on the grass chewed us out and told us grass was for Marines and we were only boots. We became the herd again and he the shepherd.
I now have a son, son-in-law, and stepson in the military. Army dogs and a flyboy. Two of them have served in Iraq and I am very proud of all of them.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 7:07PM
"When telling us it was obvious his mind had taken him back there, he was reliving it."
Could it be it was all in his mind?
BozObammy| 5.21.10 @ 2:59AM
Alan, you're so screwed up you don't even know what a big asshole you are.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 5:23PM
Maybe Blumenthal meant he was "in Vietnam" for a vacation? Or perhaps he was at The Tet restaurant?
"I was there for Tet", said Blumenthal.
That means he ordered a spicy chicken dish.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 5:37PM
... the chicken was so spicy hot he thought of it as a firefight.
"I was in a firefight at Tet",
said Blumenthal, savoring an after-dinner mint.
Rocky| 5.21.10 @ 10:21AM
You know ......... there could be a Vietnam in Texas? He was there, perhaps? Getting spat on for stumbling on drunks?
Appleby| 5.20.10 @ 7:02AM
Get ready for a generation who believe they have done military service because they have played wargames on WII in the basement of the family home.....
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 5:53PM
The older kids received Purple Heart decorations for playing SuperMario.
Retired Sailor| 5.20.10 @ 7:24AM
Aw come-on! Blumenthal has been a great Attorney General and just because he mispoke doesn't mean that he won't be a great Senator for our state. All politicians "talk through their seabags" once in a while. Afterall, they are politicians. Give the guy a break! His heart is in the right place and he always has supported veterans! And, he's a buddy of John Kerry (who served in Vietnam) so again, cut the guy some slack. Everyone forgets things sometimes.
Robbins Mitchell| 5.20.10 @ 7:33AM
One presumes you are being facetious....if not,then you are one dumb squid
John G.| 5.20.10 @ 8:23AM
"talk through their seabags" Hmm, never heard that one before. Don't you mean "tell sea stories" or "this is a no-s**tter"
Ric| 5.20.10 @ 2:08PM
Exactly right John G. Maybe this guy was in the Canadian Navy.
Alan Brooks| 5.20.10 @ 5:29PM
Ward Churchill (the "little Eichmanns at WTC" guy) said he was in combat in 'Nam,
but it was discovered that he had been a medic, and never fought at all.
Rocky| 5.21.10 @ 10:25AM
Combat........dreaming about that?
Swimming Coach............dreaming about that too?
No worries, there are other tall stories out there, I can't wait.
J. Kelley| 5.20.10 @ 7:38AM
That black powder was almost sure to cause infection in the Cival War. And we did not have modern medical care back then. But I served on both sides.The South during the Winter, and the North during the warm months. What you ask, I would have to 130 years old to have done that. O.K. I misplaced some words. Why make a big deal out of it?
drudge ette obama| 5.20.10 @ 7:49AM
J. Kelley, I hate to tell you this, but you must be older than 130 years - more like 150-160 years, unless you were a member of the Infant Brigade which served with valor during the Civil War. I know this because I had three infants who served in the Infant Brigade during the Civil War. They are all doing well, thank you for asking.
J. Kelley| 5.20.10 @ 7:57AM
My math was off. And it was World War 1. More misplaced words.
The Bishop| 5.20.10 @ 8:59AM
We thank you for your service, however it happened.
Ned| 5.20.10 @ 2:45PM
I served with General Patton in the long cold bitter retreat from Moscow. We had to throw everything in handcarts or something like that, anyway they keep showing up in my dreams.
Nick| 5.20.10 @ 4:34PM
When I was sweating it out at Valley Forge, I remember telling Blackjack Pershing, "These Spaniards with be the death of us, someday."
Boy, was I prescient or what?
Winfield Scott and Audie Murphy disagreed.They thought, after the Battle of Vicksburg, the Spanish would be defeated by the Canadians within 30 years.
Nick| 5.20.10 @ 6:17PM
Oops! That should be: "These Spaniards WILL be the death [...]"
Bram| 5.20.10 @ 7:50AM
Blumenthal must have also erased all memory of actively avoiding service in Vietnam with college deferments until he could get himself into the Marine Reserve. (Back then Johnson had decided to use almost no Reserve or National Guard troops in Vietnam.)
Where are all the Bush haters who bashed him for joining the Air National Guard? Maybe we can pull Blumenthal's drill attendance records to make sure he never missed one. I'm sure Dan Rather is on the case.
Rocky| 5.21.10 @ 10:31AM
Let's face it, Blumenthal is creepy. Going from actively avoiding Vietnam in reality to actively fighting in Vietnam in fantasy. He wanted false praise. Fake membership. Thank yous for nothing. The dude is a piss ant. Other Senators would crucify him. Time to retire and hide.
Maxwell| 5.20.10 @ 8:00AM
Yes, I remember back in '67 Princeton needed a bow man to row in the heavy weight class. Even tho I was just 98 lbs. and 5'10" the coach thought with just my ego alone I could make up the difference of those already on the team who were 190 lbs. and 6'2" like Mike Teti.
The older I get the better I was.
Back to reality, Blumenthal is lower than whale droppings.
R Martin| 5.20.10 @ 8:28AM
Neumayr's words of creepy narcissisistic egotism ring true and apply equally to Blumenthal and his apparent role model, Eliot Spitzer. Such people present themselves as truly loathsome hypocrits, unworthy of respect, who should never be allowed to get anywhere near political office.
Stephie| 5.20.10 @ 9:11AM
But R, it seems that those are exactly the ones who get into office. It's so disheartening sometimes.
Jim O'Brien| 5.20.10 @ 8:32AM
Lying about being in combat in order to win votes should be a federal crime, with a minimum 10 years in jail. It's the same as spitting on the graves of those who died, or were severely wounded defending freedom.
Irving Marsh| 5.23.10 @ 10:39PM
Politicians aren't subject to our laws,healthcare or taxes! You silly American
Evelyn| 5.20.10 @ 8:41AM
In addition to the egos, there is a creepy physical resemblance between Richard Blumenthall and Eliot Spitzer. 'Nuff said.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.20.10 @ 8:43AM
Here's the generosity with which Blumenthal treated his victims in Connecticut, tweaking them on even the very slightest approbation.
http://www.slate.com/toolbar.a.....id=2254214
Today, Blumenthal rebutted the Times story. Let's look at the rules he has enforced on others over the last year or so and see how his rebuttals compare.
1. Beware those who exploit veterans. Last year, Blumenthal denounced "exploitive, poorly managed or even fraudulent fundraisers" who raise money in the name of veterans. He warned the public to donate only "to well-known organizations with a history of helping veterans."
Today, to dispel the allegations against him, Blumenthal stood in front of veterans at a press conference and boasted: "They've heard me again and again and again stand up for justice and fairness to our veterans."
2. Blurring is lying. Last fall, Blumenthal launched an investigation of food companies that put a "Smart Choices" logo on their products. He called the labels "potentially misleading" and decried marketing gimmicks that "blur or block the truth." Though the labels made no explicit claims, he protested that they "misguided" the public and sowed "confusion." He pledged to teach companies, through his investigation, that "labeling must be completely truthful and accurate without hype or spin." And he depicted the industry in the harshest terms: "Big Food has been feeding big lies to consumers about nutritional value."
Today, Blumenthal said he merely "misspoke" about his service, using the wrong preposition in a small and "unintentional" oversight.
3. Fudging is cheating. Two months ago, Blumenthal announced "a crackdown on companies that illegally misclassify employees as independent contractors." This wasn't a debatable distinction, he argued: It was an outrage and a crime. "Misclassification is cheating—plain and simple," he preached. "I will fight to stop companies from falsely claiming their employees are independent contractors. …"
Today, Blumenthal proudly declared, "I will not allow anyone to take a few misplaced words and impugn my record of service to our country."
4. Failure to state the truth clearly is trickery. Last summer, Blumenthal won a $50,000 fine against a company that collected goods for charity. He blasted it for "prominently displaying charitable and service organization logos on its boxes while failing to state clearly that it keeps most of the proceeds." He called the firm an "imposter" and condemned its behavior as "reprehensible trickery."
In another case, Blumenthal sued a charity telemarketer for "failing to clearly and conspicuously state its name and its paid solicitor status." He argued that the firm had "listed its true name and solicitor status in barely legible print on the back of its mailing, effectively concealing its identity and purpose."
Today Blumenthal brushed away his inaccurate remarks about Vietnam as "a few occasions" compared with "hundreds" (including this one) in which he had told the truth.
5. Good faith is no defense. In March, a court agreed with Blumenthal that R.J. Reynolds had run misleading ads about a new tobacco product. The court concluded:
At bottom, although Reynolds' marketing of the Eclipse cigarette was ultimately misleading and deceptive because the support relied on was scientifically and medically insufficient, there was no "bad intent" and in fact a deliberate, indeed considerable effort to develop and sell a tobacco product which might potentially do some good for some smokers, and more likely than not do no additional, or different harm.
Did Blumenthal cut the company any slack for its good intentions and efforts? Not a bit. "The court rightly found RJR's ads deceptive and disingenuous, falsely stating that Eclipse is safer than other cigarettes," he charged. "I will continue fighting Big Tobacco's snake oil sales strategies that mislead consumers about the dangers of smoking. We will seek strong and significant sanctions against RJR in the upcoming penalty phase."
Now, in defense of his statements about Vietnam, Blumenthal argues, "My intention has always been to be completely clear and accurate."
6. No misrepresentation is too small to prosecute. Last fall, Blumenthal threatened legal action against a hotel and a musical performance company for calling their tribute show "An Evening With the Platters." He said it was "unclear" whether the company owned the rights to the Platters' name. After the hotel backed down and renamed its show "A Tribute to the Platters," Blumenthal declared victory but warned, "I will continue fighting to enforce Connecticut's truth-in-music law."
Today, Blumenthal accused his critics of nitpicking his record and missing the big picture.
7. You're responsible for monitoring things written by others that serve your interests. For more than a year, Blumenthal has hounded Craigslist to "scrub" and "rid" its site of porn and sex ads posted by users. Brushing aside the company's pleas that it can't police everything, he has subpoenaed documents and instructed the company to "immediately hire staff to screen for" offensive ads and images. Two weeks ago, he demanded: "Describe in detail the manual review process craigslist has created to screen posts in the adult services section, including … the number of individuals assigned to review postings and the name of any company craigslist has or will contract with to perform this function."
Today, when Blumenthal was asked why he had failed to correct erroneous reports that he had served in Vietnam, he replied: "I can't be held responsible for all the mistakes in all the articles—thousands of them—that are written about me."
8. Claims of virtue deserve investigation. In February, Blumenthal urged Connecticut authorities to "investigate the validity of claims by electric suppliers and generators about their reliance on renewable energy sources." Some companies, he observed, claimed to exceed (not just meet) the state's renewable-energy requirements, "and they advertise these claims in order to lure environmentally conscious consumers." While offering no evidence of deception, Blumenthal called on regulators to "investigate when companies claim to exceed these standards."
9. Hand over all your records. In his probe of the "Smart Choices" program, Blumenthal demanded "details about the consumer research and selection criteria," the "process and fees involved in administering the program," and any "role that major food manufacturers might have provided for the program." His subpoena to Craigslist was even more thorough, encompassing everything but the kitchen sink.
Will Blumenthal call for an investigation of himself? Will he hand over all records of his public statements about Vietnam? Will he show himself as little mercy as he has shown others?
Matt| 5.20.10 @ 9:15AM
So many Vietnam Vets still carry the physical and emotional scars of that war, and Blumenthal stole that from them. Blumenthal's service was 'honorable', it would have been enough without references to Vietnam. As it is, Blumenthal is not qualified to represent thousands of true Vietnam Vets.
KyMouse| 5.20.10 @ 9:25AM
Little Green Footballs had threads about Souder and Blumenthal on Tuesday. Souder, the Republican, was raked over the coals for being a God-worshipping, hypocritical creationist. Blumenthal, the Democrat, is just a politician who told a whopper, as all politicians do.
I commented that Souder had the decency to punish himself by resigning from job that he enjoyed and had fought hard to win. Blumenthal is hanging on to his no matter what.
Both are skunks, in my opinion, but at least Souder has taken his punishment.
Bruce | 5.20.10 @ 2:36PM
Well if nothing else, that'll teach you for going to LGF - the Arlen Specter of blogs.
KyMouse| 5.21.10 @ 9:29AM
Bruce, I post comments on LGF, so I have the opportunity to add a perspective that they don't hear often enough.
Anthony| 5.20.10 @ 9:36AM
Blumenthal is an enigma and a very cold fish, who nobody in Connecticut can figure out, even his fellow Ds. As one prominent D put it " he's popular, but nobody knows why".
Blumenthal, like John Kerry, suffers from more than just guilt; they, like Bill Clinton, have sociopathic personalities.
Blumenthal was not content with his perfectly acceptable Marine Corp reserve status, albeit, his 5 deferments deserve more media scrutiny, which the hopelessly liberal Hartford Courant will not do. No, Blumenthal needed more, he needed to be in the thick of the action, when he was nowhere near it, by careful design on his part.
Kerry was worse; he actually served in Viet Nam, but even that wasn't enough, he needed to be a hero. He need dubious injuries, in addition, he needed to video himself in Army fatigues, prowling the jungle like Rambo. Then, he comes back, becomes a "Winter Soldier", undermines the war effort, and 4 decades later, runs for president by "reporting for duty".
George is right, this is "generational egotism" with an additional twist; these Ds are delusional and feel no constraint, morally or legally, in creating images they wish to foister on the public.
This weekend, Blumenthal will get the nod from the CT Ds for Dodd's seat. Blumenthal will be a worthy successor to Chris Dodd. He has all the D traits.
John3| 5.20.10 @ 10:16AM
I just hope America survives all these Ds.
Dustoff| 5.20.10 @ 10:06AM
KyMouse
+++++++++++++++++++
Hope you don't mind, but I would stay away from Charles/ LGF.
He's a nut and many of his followers are too.
PS.. Nam vet 1972.
john Dietrich| 5.20.10 @ 10:21AM
This man served in the front lines of the Toys for Tots drive. He was spat upon. Give him a break. After his election he will never "misspeak" about any legislation he supports.
loulou| 5.20.10 @ 10:45AM
Blumenthal resembles Eliot Spitzer--both physically and chracterologically.
SPO101 | 5.20.10 @ 11:04AM
This whole Blumenthal story has screwed up my perceptions about Vietnam Vets. This not to say I’ve lost my belief that the Vietnam War was a travesty against God, Country, a HUGE waste of human life/national wealth and another example in a long string of Neo-Con, Chicken Hawk, War Profiteering conflicts that are ruining this Great Nation.
Funny thing, but if one really thinks about it… Jane Fonda was in Vietnam longer than Blumenthal, lol.
But I couldn’t help but think is THIS story REALLY important during this time of mass Tribulation and oily corruption.
My problem is caused by those silver spoon so-called journalists presenting this story… Did Blumenthal say “I served IN Vietnam” or did he say “I served DURING Vietnam”? This whole thing presents a problem for me personally.
There’s this homeless guy on the streets I’ve been giving money to for years. Has HE been misrepresenting himself? He has a cap and cardboard sign that identifies him as a Vietnam Vet… (PLEASE HELP) I’m buying him a black Sharpie marker so he can clarify his position IN or DURING.
Of course the REALLY sad, disturbing part of this story is this man is obviously mentally ill, smells like pee and is probably using my coin donations to buy cheap fortified Wine products. If Blumenthal wants to REPENT for misleading his constituency maybe he should go out and use his Family wealth to help his fellow Vietnam Era Association members who are down and out!
concerncitizens.blogspot.com
FeralCat| 5.20.10 @ 1:56PM
You are aware that Vietnam was LBJ's war and that Afghanistan has now become BHO's war as he is doubling the number of troops there?
Feralcat| 5.20.10 @ 1:59PM
Blumenthal didn't mislead. He flat out lied and is now lying still more by saying he didn't lie, but only "misspoke".
ZerObammy| 5.21.10 @ 3:04AM
Vietnam was JFK's and LBJ's war, dumbass.
J.P. Travis | 5.20.10 @ 11:35AM
Is there any doubt in anybody's mind that this fabrication about military service would end a Republican's career? For some reason, liberals have no shame, and have no problem voting for scum. He'll probably still win the election.
Glen H.| 5.20.10 @ 12:01PM
It is Doris Kearns Goodwin, not Dolores Kearns Goodwin.
Stella| 5.21.10 @ 3:05AM
Who cares? She's a liberal cheat.
Ms. Jones| 5.20.10 @ 12:07PM
Last night, B. G. Burkett, author of "Stolen Valor" compared posers to those who "would steal from the dead. It's a sacrilege." It's always important to expose dishonesty and hypocrisy in those who would serve in Congress--on either side of the aisle. If a man lies about something as important as military service, can anyone trust him? Seems he's been pretty harsh in exposing/punishing deception in Connecticut. Souder is another example of lies and hypocrisy If his own wife can't trust him, can we? At least he stepped down.
FeralCat| 5.20.10 @ 1:53PM
I think the best thing that Blumenthal can do now is to hold a press conference and announce that sometime in the late sixties or after he was abducted by aliens and they implanted all sorts of false memories in his mind so that now he doesn't know what he did and what he didn't do any longer. I think I saw an episode of Stargate SG-1 where that happened. I think this is his best shot.
Rocky| 5.21.10 @ 10:38AM
Yes....yes, indeed.
It's not his fault. The Aliens did it. No apologies needed. He didn't do anything intentionally wrong. However, now that he is aware of his infliction, he may need a transplant or therapy or some crap.
DW| 5.20.10 @ 1:53PM
B H O briliant work
There was a time when someone who did what Blumingidiot has done would have no chance at maintaining his candidacy let alone make it to the actual election. Even his own supporters would not have been able to stomach this kind of deceit and "scummary". Now the robots will do and say anything to rationalize, manipulate and propagate his lie until they can convince themselves and any other availible lemmings that one mans truth is another mans misunderstanding.
They have no shame in their pursuit of ego enhancing power.
Obama, Holder, Napolitano, and Obama's state department have railed against the Arizona immigration law, inciting personal and property damage by rioting illegals in the process, without even reading the 10 page law. I really hate to say this but this is an affirmative action regime rift with incompetence and communist.
As I say there was a time when this kind of activity would result in the almost immediate changing of personnel. The outlash to Blummingidiot would have been so disrupting that he would have had no choice but to quit the race.
FeralCat| 5.20.10 @ 2:06PM
People hardly ever have anything nice to say about Neville Chamberlain, but at least he never had Adolf Hitler damning England from Buckingham Palace.
All this siding with foreigners illegally in the U.S.A (and their serf master employers and campaign contributors) against Arizonians by Obama, and his Brown Shirts, and by proxy against most Americans, as according to polls most Americans support Arizona, will, if anything, only fuel resentment of illegals and encourage illegals to commit violence.
If Obama does not realize this then he is a moron. If he does realize this then he is a psychopath.
It is hard to believe that Barack Hussein Obama is that much of a moron so the presumptive diagnosis must be that he is a psychopath. More specifically his pathology is that of a pyromaniac.
Obama is a President who will live in infamy. He is at war with his own country. Siding with a foreign nation, Mexico, and it's invading nationals, against his own nation which he swore an oath to.
Ms. Jones| 5.20.10 @ 2:14PM
And our out-of-touch Congress--both sides--either applauded or stood by and did nothing. It's time to send the bums--ALL of them--home. 166 days until November 2!
Ret. Marine| 5.20.10 @ 8:42PM
Indeed, high crimes and misdemeanors, an impeachable offense.
Humprey Dumfries| 5.20.10 @ 2:23PM
Here's a YouTube link for the Bob Newhart piece mentioned above:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....._embedded#!
Kris Lepine| 5.20.10 @ 2:46PM
I read the latest report of another of Blumenthal's "so called" gaffs in one of his hometown papers. Here's how they described what he's done: "he has supposedly EMBELLISHED his military record".
My next step was to look up the word embellished. Here's what my dictionary says that word means: to make beautiful, as by ornamentation; adorn; to add fanciful or ornamental details to.
I agree, it's a beautiful thing when a lib gets caught up in their own lies.
Bruce | 5.20.10 @ 2:47PM
Blumenthal's problem is compounded by the fact that he is a lawyer - presumably a good one or he would likely have gotten to be the chief law enforcement officer of the state of CT. Lawyer - at least the good ones - make their living by being very selective about the words and phrasing they use during questioning and final arguments. They are trained to carefully weave their words to best achieve the point they want to get across to a jury. That is not an easy task, and it presents a problem for Blumy. His are not "misstatements" - lawyers don't misspeak - his words were intended to present an image of himself he wanted presented. He flat out LIED, when it wasn't necessary. He WAS a Marine - that should have been good enough for him, but it wasn't - he had to be in the thick of it to enhance that image. Words mean something, and using false words for no other reason than to man up is beyond despicable. It demeans any man who served honorably in any capacity - combat or not.
Faffnir| 5.20.10 @ 4:15PM
I served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 to 1980. I was stationed on Taiwan as the war was winding down, so the only action I saw was several recon missions to various bars in Saigon, UTapao and Takhli. Blumenthal and Murtha, by their own words have dishonored all those who served and the United States Marine Corps in particular. Murtha is answering for his sins. Blumenthal should take what shards of honor and dignity remain to him and resign immediately.
To all true Marines I proudly raise a glass and toast: Semper Fi!!!
jwmatney| 5.20.10 @ 4:28PM
I served in the Navy from 1974-1978 as a Radarman. I too have come across posers. It's not too hard to figure them out. When I'm asked if I served, my answer is always, "Yes, I was a radarman and on a good day, I was average." This is the truth, I see no point in being either ashamed or proud of my service. I did my job and came home.
Norm Worrell| 5.20.10 @ 9:57PM
To all Marines living and dead,
Semper Fidelis.
Gr0w1er| 5.20.10 @ 10:16PM
With his hair slicked back AG Blumenthal really does look like Gordon Gecko.
Vociferous| 5.20.10 @ 11:16PM
KYmouse had to go to little green footballs to read about Souder?
Odd. Tyrrell had such a good time with Bill and Monica and doesn't see the humor of how Mark Souder - who looks like the guy who passes the collection basket at the First Uprighteous Church in Pascagoula - could sit opposite his paramour a.k.a "mistress" to discuss Abstinence on a video.
All of these staffers, a.k.a "easy lays", are giving the time honored trade of "mistress" a bad name. Used to be a mistress was a kept woman, as in apartment, furs, diamonds, champagne. Picture Mark Souder's stolen moments of passion in a Motel Six. Picture Souder and passion if you can.
Does it ever occur to anyone the propitious revealing of these "affairs"? George Soros and Larry Flynt probably got together and compiled dossiers on every pathetic lonely guy in Congress.
Wasn't Calista Gingrich Newt's staffer leading to the dumping of the dour Marianne?
This may account for the really weak perfomance in office, what little testosterone these guys possess is squandered elsewhere.
Oh, but the subject was Blumenthal. I would have believed it if he had said he had been napalmed in Vietnam. But I guess a face peel gone wrong an make you look like that, too.
aelfgyva| 5.21.10 @ 1:28AM
Please, please, people... please learn that anyone with a (d) after their name is, by chosen agenda, a prevarictor and a fraud when they claim allegiance to the Constitution of this country. As soon as they open their mouthes and produce larynx vibrations, they do three things: 1 Raise taxes; 2 Limit an individual's right of freedom in regards to common sense and the opportunity to express it; 3 Insist on governing every aspect of your's, and everyone else's, life.
Stop these (as Rush said) bastards. We are on the edge and about to topple over into Marxism. That toady malfeasant and incompetent in the WH should not only be disgraced, but officially deemed the most dangerous enemy that this country has ever had. There were, before this, enemies threatening the very soul of this country and the patriots were able, with supreme sacricife, to deal with them. Now we have an enemy, (which tragically we voted into power) embedded in the very fibers of the Republic and we are behaving as if we are impotent to do anything about it. Political Correctness has now raped us into bowing to the mainstream insanity. I would love to see someone with the balls to do something about it! We are, I fear, running out of time. PEOPLE: CAN WE TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK ? ADAMS, JEFFERSON, WASHINGTON, FRANKLIN.... THEY'RE FLIPPING OVER 360* !!!!
FTM| 5.21.10 @ 3:40AM
I got a war story!
I was in the Navy during the Carter administration. I was in FT-A school at Great Mistakes and some day care children playing on the parade ground stuffed the barrel of a 3" Mk-50 gun that they used to fire after colors with rocks.
The day care kids would get to play on the parade ground in front of the headquaters building on nice days. Down both sides of the parade ground were old, antique Naval guns and at the end of the field pointing at the headquarters building was the 3" Mk-50 gun. After colors a couple of GMs would fore a blank black powder charge through the gun. The kids would play on the guns and apparently nobody thought anything about it.
One Friday afternoon we were at the mess hall and word came that somebody stuffed the barrel of the 3" gun full of rocks and they shot some glass out of the front of the headquarters building after colors. Saturday morning a couple of guys and myself scooted over to HQ to review the carnage for ourselves. They had some plywood up over some panes of broken glass and that was about it. Nobody got hurt and we all lived happily ever after.
That was the hallmark event of my Navy career. I can't even begin to tell you how impossible screwed up the military or at least the Navy was when Carter was the C in C.
D-Man| 5.21.10 @ 3:08PM
Blumenthal is an attorney. Every attorney knows full well that words have meanings and that not only is what one says important, but how something is said and in what context it is said, is just as important. Blumenthal knows that he was being dishonest on all of those occasions when he referred to his purported Vietnam service, and none of his non-apologies will ever change that. Hopefully, the voters of Connecticut will give this dishonest self-aggrandizing phoney the treatment he so rightfully deserves.
glassfinger| 5.21.10 @ 5:47PM
The best line out of all of these posts is this one: Dems have gone from spitting on Vietnam vets to impersonating them. Damn, how times have changed for us 'Nam vets.
U.S. Army, 1967-1971; Charlie Company, 1st/32nf Inf. Brigade, 7th Div. 1968; MACV, Mat 38, Phu Nhon, II CORPS, Central Highlands, 1969-1970.
Welcome home, brothers...
Semper Fi 65-69| 5.21.10 @ 7:48PM
I served with Echo 2/3 Marine Corps in an infantry platoon at the Khe Sahn hill fights, May, 1967. I had the HONOR of serving with a lot of BRAVE marines who gave their life for our wonderful country. It makes me SICK to see our politicians, who 95 % never put on a uniform, lie to us about their service in Vietnam or any conflict. Most of the losers running our country, like Clinton, Blumenthal, and the like, want to feel important because they NOW have a GUILT COMPLEX after our their college deferments, because when their number was called ,they CHICKENED out!! Semper Fi and God Bless our country!
Jeffry Pages| 5.23.10 @ 3:09AM
Attorney General Blumenthal WILL be the next Senator from Connecticut! Despite his mispoken words, the people of his state know and love him as a man of the people! All of you "proud" Vietnam Vets can thump your collective chests all you want, but it will make no difference in the end. The fact is, people LIKE the Progressive Brand. Your "Swiftboating" tactics will no longer work against people dedicated to serve their constituents. AG Blumenthal has a long and clear record of service to Connecticut. The people of that state fully realize that the MUST elect a Progressive to the Senate and will step up to the plate and do what's required to save our nation.
Steve| 5.23.10 @ 7:26AM
AG Blumenthal WILL be the next etc, etc, etc? If so, he will join the distinguished company of creeps elected to office in this country by idiots like you. '
This guy is "dedicated to serving" his constituents. Like follow-travelers John Kerry, John Murtha, Wm J Clinton, he is dedicated to serving himself.
Semper Fi 65-69| 5.23.10 @ 11:43AM
To Jeffrey Pages, Please tell us all how brave you are and your military outfit???? I bet my paycheck, you have NEVER served our great country!! You're a liberal!! Most liberals are COWARDS!! There are NO MISPOKEN WORDS, ONLY LIES!! Liberals/progressives call it misspoken, AMERICANS CALL IT LIKE IT IS, LIES!!Blumenthal LIED about BEING IN VIETNAM many times!!, not just once . He is a lawyer who is very careful when he speaks, and knows exactly what he says and MEANS! When you have put your life on the line, THEN you have permission to open that SOCIALISTIC/PROGRESSIVE/COMMUNIST MOUTH OF YOURS!! Until then, sit in your cowardly liberal corner and shut up!!
Johnno| 5.24.10 @ 7:05PM
The disgraced democrat liar, Blumenthal, 'swiftboated' the courageous young Americans who fought in the Vietnam war. He should be tarred and feathered for his treachery.
Just more proof that democrats are lying sacks of crap weasels.
jdu| 7.1.10 @ 3:21AM
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