Contributed by: filbert Wednesday, September 30 2009 @ 08:25 PM CST
Although Votevets claims[*2] to be the “leading progressive, pro-military organization of veterans” they are not actually a veterans organization as defined by Congress and set forth by the IRS. Even VoteVets themselves have admitted that only about 5 percent of their members are veterans of the GWOT[*3] . And even those are somewhat suspect. In fact, as Mothax discussed in his stolen valor piece, at least two VoteVets spokespeople used in television commercials have been proven to have either made up their military records entirely (Rick Duncan/ Strandlof[*4] ) or vastly inflated their experiences (Josh Lansdale[*5] .) While every organization is capable of being infiltrated by phonies, it is unconscionable that an organization would use a guy in TV commercials who claimed to have had a finger shot off and a plate in his head[*6] when simple visual inspection revealed no scars.
Unlike The American Legion which operates from a resolution format[*7] where the priorities and positions of the organization are dictated by grassroots’ members, no one knows how VoteVets determines their positions. Take for instance their current campaign on behalf of the “Card Check” bill[*8] which would do away with secret balloting in Union votes. What is the basis for taking a position on this bill which seemingly doesn’t actually deal with veterans issues[*9] ?
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