He established a website enlisting volunteers to join him in protesting the war in Iraq and "reclaim patriotism."
I wrote about this just after his site came online, so I have the information as it first appeared.
As it turns out, after being criticized by the American Legion, vets, politicians, and other citizens for his shameless attempt to hijack Memorial Day and politicize what should be an apolitical solemn day to remember the fallen, Edwards has altered some of his original suggestions.
I'm sorry I didn't take screen caps of the page, but I do have the exact copy of the original text. Compare that with the new version and note Edwards' effort to undo his disgusting politicization of Memorial Day.
Original:
--Gather in public. On Memorial Day, get your friends, kids, co-workers, neighbors, aunts, uncles, grandfathers, grandmothers, and anyone and everyone you know together to publicly support the troops and end the war. Be sure to check with your local authority for any permits you need for public gatherings. Contact local media to publicize your event. Make sure you conduct yourself respectfully—both for those serving in Iraq and the memory of the brave servicemen and women that Memorial Day honors. Share your plans here.
New version:
--Gather in public. On Memorial Day weekend, get your friends, kids, co-workers, neighbors, aunts, uncles, grandfathers, grandmothers, and anyone and everyone you know together to publicly support the troops and end the war. If you hold an event on Memorial Day itself, please make sure that everyone you gather knows it is a day for honoring the fallen only. Be sure to check with your local authority for any permits you need for public gatherings. Contact local media to publicize your event. Before you get started, please take a moment of silence to honor the fallen. And during your event, make sure you conduct yourself respectfully—both for those serving in Iraq and the memory of the brave servicemen and women that Memorial Day honors. Share your plans here.
Here's another example.
Original:
--Get vocal. Buy a bunch of poster-board and markers. At a picnic or with family and friends, make signs that say “SUPPORT THE TROOPS - END THE WAR.” Bring them to your local Memorial Day parade. Then take a digital photo of yourself and your family or friends holding up the poster and tell us about it. We’ll include it in a “Democracy Photo Album” on our site.
New version:
--Get vocal.Buy a bunch of poster-board and markers. At a picnic or with family and friends, make signs that say “SUPPORT THE TROOPS - END THE WAR.” Bring them to your local Memorial Day parade. Many parades are held on Saturday or Sunday. If your parade is on Monday, however, we ask that you choose another action to honor the fallen. Then take a digital photo of yourself and your family or friends holding up the poster and tell us about it. We’ll include it in a “Democracy Photo Album” on our site.
Edwards can't cover his tracks.
He can't pretend that he didn't intend to use Memorial Day to advance his own political fortune.
The reality is Edwards encouraged people to engage in activities on Memorial Day that clearly would be disrespectful to the memory of the fallen and to their survivors.
To further deflect from his plan to hijack Memorial Day, Edwards has unveiled his plan to support the troops.
FORT MADISON, Iowa -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Friday unveiled a new policy to support veterans, service members and military families, a popular move for many presidential candidates leading into the Memorial Day weekend.
The recent scandal over substandard treatment at the Walter Reed military hospital is only a small fraction of problems facing U.S. troops, the former North Carolina senator said as he began a weekend trip through southeastern Iowa. His wife, Elizabeth, planned to join him later in the day.
Extended tours of duty are putting pressure on military families, troops are being sent to war underequipped, and the GI bill is failing to adequately provide education to returning soldiers, Edwards told about 100 people gathered in a hotel conference room.
If elected, "I will do everything to support our troops that is not being done today," he said.
Edwards' plan, which he called a "sacred contract," includes:
_Fully funding veterans' health care.
_Providing a plan for coming home, including screening for post-traumatic stress disorder.
_Enacting a new Total Force GI bill, giving Guard and Reserve members benefits proportionate to the service they perform. It would expand benefits for college or technical school tuition and fees for service members coming off of active duty.
_Creating a Military Families Advisory Board to allow families a voice at the U.S. Department of Defense.
_Closing the gap between military and civilian pay.
"Sacred contract" -- This coming from a man that saw no shame in completely dismissing the sacredness of the observance of Memorial Day.
Compare this plan with the original plans on his "SUPPORT THE TROOPS. END THE WAR" website.
There's a definite disconnect.
Edwards strikes me as incredibly insincere.
He's a poser, a say anything self-absorbed fake.
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