Edwards’s Memorial Day plans rile some vets

Former Sen. John Edwards’ (D-N.C.) call for Americans to “get vocal” and “get active” in opposing the Iraq war on Memorial Day has some veterans groups livid.

Edwards’s campaign has circulated an e-mail from supportthetroopsendthewar.com, an anti-Iraq war campaign within a
campaign that suggests 10 things Americans should do on Memorial Day.

{mosads}While the list includes suggestions like holding prayer vigils and sending care packages to troops, the calls to action like circulating anti-war petitions and carrying anti-war signs at parades has sparked a fury with some veterans groups.

Paul Morin, national commander of the American Legion, posted an open letter of the group’s website blasting Edwards for what Morin says is an inappropriate political calculation that “blatantly violated the sanctity of this most special day.”

“Revolting is a kind word for it,” Morin wrote. “It’s as inappropriate as a political bumper sticker on an Arlington headstone.”

Steve Robertson, legislative director for the American Legion, compared Edwards’s move to the Westboro Baptist Church’s controversial protests at the funerals of fallen Iraq war veterans.

“The only people I know who are doing what Sen. Edwards is advocating is that wacko group,” Robertson said.

The Edwards e-mail is specific in what people should do to voice their displeasure with the war.

“Buy a bunch of poster-board and markers,” the website says. “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.”

Joe Davis, spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), said his group is also planning to pen an open letter denouncing Edwards’s call to protest.

“Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to remember the service and sacrifice of more than 1 million American servicemen and -women who gave their lives to create our nation, to save our union, and to help free the world from tyranny,” Davis said. “It is not a time to call people to protest the war under the guise of supporting the troops.”

Other veterans, however, said they support what Edwards is suggesting, saying the best way to honor the troops is to protest the war.

Tim Goodrich, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who isn’t currently aligned with any of the presidential campaigns, said
Memorial Day is the perfect day to show respect for American soldiers by protesting their deployment in Iraq.

“It’s not really a day to protest, but I think it can be included in the messaging,” Goodrich said. “It’s really not about politics. It’s about doing what’s morally right.”

Edwards spokesman Eric Schultz said the senator is advocating patriotism on a day designed for doing so.

“John Edwards called on Americans to spend Memorial Day weekend honoring our fallen soldiers and supporting our troops currently serving overseas by urging our government to end this war and bring them home,” Schultz said. “Edwards believes we must reclaim what patriotism means — the best way to support our troops is not doing whatever President Bush says to prolong the war, but rather ending the war and bringing our troops home to the hero’s welcome they deserve.”

Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) campaign declined to comment on Edwards’s call to action, but it did say it would engage in more traditional campaign activities over the holiday weekend.

Phil Singer, spokesman for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) campaign, said, “Sen. Clinton will be honoring our nation’s veterans.”

Dodd eyes Internet gambling bill buddy opposes

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) is considering introducing a companion measure to Rep. Barney Frank’s (D-Mass.) bill on Internet gambling, according to sources.

Dodd’s possible move to repeal last year’s crackdown on Web gambling could play well in Nevada, which holds its Democratic presidential primary on Jan. 19, 2008.

But it would not sit well with Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Bud Selig, who is very close friends with Dodd. Selig earlier this year contributed to Dodd’s presidential campaign.

MLB, along with other professional sports leagues, is strongly opposed to any effort to legalize Internet gambling.
Another problem for Dodd should he follow in Frank’s footsteps: He has previously voted in support of cracking down on Internet gambling.

A source close to the senator said Dodd “is currently not planning on introducing any companion legislation to Frank’s bill.”

The source added, “He is looking into the matter, and is following the Treasury Department’s efforts to implement the statute.”

MLB did not comment.

— Bob Cusack