The Allen Campaign: What's THEIR Military Record?

By: Lowell
Published On: 10/29/2006 2:31:28 PM

The Allen campaign loves to attack.  It loves to smear. And it loves to lie.  As we all know, its latest attack/smear/lie campaign is against the Vietnam War writings of Jim Webb, one of the most decorated and well-respected living Americans, Marines...and yes, authors.

Anyway, this Swiftboat slime got me to wondering, what's the deal with THEIR military records - or lack thereof?  I'm talking about YOU, George Allen, who spent the Vietnam War at a dude ranch and sleeping through history classes at UVA (whose newspaper just endorsed Jim Webb - ha ha ha!). 

I'm talking about YOU, Dick Wad(hams). Frankly, you don't look like you could fight your way out of a wet paper bag, let alone a Viet Cong ambush.

I'm talking about YOU, Scott "Hitler Ads" Howell.  Aside from slandering a hero - former Senator and Captain Max Cleland, who lost three limbs in Vietnam while being awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat - what have YOU ever done to serve your country?  Aside from badmouthing great Americans like Max Cleland and Jim Webb, that is?

Finally, I'm talking about YOU, Chris LaCivita (pictured above), Mr. Swiftboat Man himself.  What on earth are you doing with a bunch of chickenhawks busy sliming one of your fellow Marines, Jim Webb?  What, is your record more heroic than that of Jim Webb, a guy who earned the Navy Cross, the second highest decoration in the Navy and Marine Corps, for his heroism in Vietnam?  I mean, did you do anything like THIS?

The Navy Cross is presented to James H. Webb, Jr., First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 July 1969, while participating in a company-sized search and destroy operation deep in hostile territory, First Lieutenant Webb's platoon discovered a well-camouflaged bunker complex which appeared to be unoccupied. Deploying his men into defensive positions, First Lieutenant Webb was advancing to the first bunker when three enemy soldiers armed with hand grenades jumped out. Reacting instantly, he grabbed the closest man and, brandishing his .45 caliber pistol at the others, apprehended all three of the soldiers. Accompanied by one of his men, he then approached the second bunker and called for the enemy to surrender. When the hostile soldiers failed to answer him and threw a grenade which detonated dangerously close to him, First Lieutenant Webb detonated a claymore mine in the bunker aperture, accounting for two enemy casualties and disclosing the entrance to a tunnel. Despite the smoke and debris from the explosion and the possibility of enemy soldiers hiding in the tunnel, he then conducted a thorough search which yielded several items of equipment and numerous documents containing valuable intelligence data. Continuing the assault, he approached a third bunker and was preparing to fire into it when the enemy threw another grenade. Observing the grenade land dangerously close to his companion, First Lieutenant Webb simultaneously fired his weapon at the enemy, pushed the Marine away from the grenade, and shielded him from the explosion with his own body. Although sustaining painful fragmentation wounds from the explosion, he managed to throw a grenade into the aperture and completely destroy the remaining bunker. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Webb upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Just curious, since you all - George, Dick, Scott and Chris - feel so free to attack Jim Webb's integrity regarding his experiences in Vietnam.  So 'fess up, what's YOUR great military background that makes you so qualified to pass judgment on the observations of a man who experienced the Hell of war firsthand?

Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign.  The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.

Comments



Don't forget. (Kathy Gerber - 10/29/2006 2:46:42 PM)
Though not formally on staff, Allen has swift boater Paul Galanti, for his vet guy.  Though Paul's military record is commendable, if the MSM bothers to find out the real story as to why these web pages differ, they will have a real case of "demeaning towards women" on their hands.

Just saying.

19961111: http://web.archive.o...

19961224: http://web.archive.o...

19970329: http://web.archive.o...



The second link isn't working. Also, I'm confused. (Lowell - 10/29/2006 2:50:31 PM)
Can you give us some hints on this?


The link. (Kathy Gerber - 10/29/2006 3:55:57 PM)
The 1st and 3rd links are MSV before and after Galanti, and list the staff members at the time and the executive board.  The second link which is stubborn, contains an interim blurb by Galanti where he says something about revamping the web site and directs questions to his i2020.net email address.  It is not critical to the point here.

FYI  second link is the Dec 24, 1996, link on this page:
http://web.archive.o...

I am reiterating this comment
http://raisingkaine....

And see these comments for some background.
http://raisingkaine....

Clearly Allen's campaign is following RK quite carefully, else they wouldn't have ejaculated their swift boat attack prematurely.  Hence Allen's campaign people, if not Allen himself, are aware of Galanti's background as are many others.  It's one thing to chatter about what's demeaning to women and quite another to be let go because of such behavior or to knowingly run such a person in one's ads.

The questions are:
1. Is the MSM looking into this?
2. If so is every single person who is aware of the particulars (there must be 100) too afraid to speak up?



Oh, yes. (Kathy Gerber - 10/29/2006 4:08:24 PM)
And for what it's worth, Galanti and Ross MacKenzie are quite good friends, or at least they used to be.


Why didn't Allen go to Vietnam? (Tink - 10/29/2006 4:53:14 PM)
Does anybody know why George Allen was able to avoid the draft - when he graduated from college?  Is that when he got married?  Was law school a deferment?  I'd love to know how he did it.


yes (novalib - 10/29/2006 7:56:46 PM)
Allen graduated college in 1974.  The war was over.


And I'm sure he would have rushed right down (Catzmaw - 10/29/2006 9:22:28 PM)
to the recruiter's office after graduation if that hadn't been the case, right?  Except as I recall, the war wasn't really over until 1975.  Someone let me know -- am I right on this? 


There's a bunch of Allen staffers under 42, no? (PM - 10/29/2006 5:07:52 PM)
If they support the Iraq War that much, they can enlist.


COMMENT HIDDEN (Ben Marchi - 10/29/2006 6:10:08 PM)


Then one would think that... (Loudoun County Dem - 10/29/2006 6:20:52 PM)
LaCivita would have been appalled by the disgraceful display of republicans sporting 'Purple Heart bandaids' at the 2004 National Convention...


Those purple Heart Bandaids were Distributed by an Allen Staffer (Josh - 10/29/2006 7:28:17 PM)


LaCivita is a con artist (PM - 10/29/2006 6:41:57 PM)
And I guess you are one of his aiders and abetters

He lied about John Kerry.

He strategizes lying, as witness his consulting work for the bogus astroturf organizations he consults for (read some of my comments in this blog).

Serving in the military does not immunize one from responsibility for their further actions.  People are expected to serve with honor, then in civilian life live a life of honor.  LcCivita has not done that.

If I was to think of a parallel, I'd rate him with Joe McCarthy, though not as famous or effective.

I'm not paid, bud, by the way.  Most of the people here are doing this for free because they think your type is evil.



LaCivita is no first rate leader! (alex schultes - 10/29/2006 6:52:24 PM)
As a former Officer of Marines and combat Veteran, I respect any individual who has served his or her country - in either peace or combat. To any Veteran who has been wounded in combat, I salute you.

But in the case of LaCivita, he has forfeited any respect by his disgraceful pursuit of personal destruction of any individual who is not of his political persuasion. His relentless sewage of slurs, lies and character assassination directed against Jim Webb, a real hero and leader, have hit a new low even for LaCivita.

Your personal attack on Lowell is not deserving of a reply. You sir, like your friend LaCivita, have no class. Please be so kind as to crawl back under the rock from whence you came.



No..... Patriotism is NOT being questioned. (aes - 10/29/2006 7:24:51 PM)
Ben Marchi -

No one is questioning anyone's patriotism. The only question being asked is why Sgt. LaCivita gets such great pleasure in attacking fellow veterans with much more distinguished records than his own. Perhaps that's his problem! Yes, LaCivita was awarded a Purple Heart. But was he the recipient of any decorations for valor? I believe not.

But this is neither here nor there. He served and that is good enough for me. It is just unfortunate that LaCivita has made a living out of screwing fellow associates and attempting to ruin the reputation of fine and decent people whose records - both military and civilian far outshine his.

A fellow combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient.



Why do you people keep trying to change the subject? (Lowell - 10/29/2006 10:08:44 PM)
The issue is this:  why is the Allen campaign attacking the integrity of Jim Webb, one of the most decorated living U.S. Marines?  And who the hell are people like Allen and Wadhams, who never served in the military, to say ANYTHING at all about the recollections of Jim Webb, who has seen war firsthand?


I see Marchi is afraid of gay people too (PM - 10/29/2006 6:52:51 PM)
There was this one Kaine staffer with a walking stick and a “less than masculine” attempt at a cowboy hat that “screamed, I’m NOT FROM HERE.” It was pretty funny,

http://vaconservativ... [comment]

Oh, yes, he was predicting a Kaine meltdown.  Such an astute observer.



Just to Jog Memories on LaCivita (PM - 10/29/2006 7:04:37 PM)
http://mediamatters....

USA's [United Seniors Association] current incarnation, USA Next, has maintained its Republican ties. As Media Matters for America has noted, the New York Times reported on February 21 that USA Next hired consultants who previously worked with Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (now Swift Vets and POWs for Truth) to "orchestrate attacks" as part of USA Next's $10 million campaign against the AARP. According to the Times, one consultant is Chris LaCivita, who earned more than $30,000 advising the Swift Boat Veterans' media campaign attacking Senator John Kerry. Media Matters has previously detailed how Tom Synhorst, chairman of the political strategy firm DCI Group, for which LaCivita has worked, was connected to a smear campaign against Senator John McCain (R-AZ) during the 2000 South Carolina Republican presidential primary.

Do did LaCivita also work personally on the McCain smear campaign in 2000?  The public would like to know.  If he did, he's three for three on smearing war heroes. 

That campaign included, as I recall, push polls suggesting McCain had an illegitimate black child.  Nice, huh?

And you, Mr. Marchi, question us here?  I openly question Chris LaCivita's patriotism when he libels legitimate American heroes who have the temerity to run for office.  And I question yours, too, for participating in such slime attempts. 



By the way... (Ben Marchi - 10/29/2006 7:41:47 PM)
The person who passed out the purple heart band-aids was a bronze star recipient and his nephew killed in Iraq. I don't have one of those. Do you? I think he's earned the right to pretty much do as he pleases, even if you don't like it.

But then again, maybe you want to question that Allen staffer's patriotism too. Gee wiz, all of a sudden, we're up to two decorated combat veterans on Allen's staff. How'd that happen?

Lowell, I'm glad you're not questioning LaCivita's patriotism. Thank you for clarifying that.



I'll question LaCivita's patriotism (PM - 10/29/2006 7:58:30 PM)
People like LaCivita who distort the political process are attacking the foundation of our democracy.  He's done it consistently.  Serving in the military does not give one carte blanche to do evil afterwards.

You look at the people he's attacked, real American heroes, and the way he's done it.  That's no lover of America.  He's a cheap con artist.

And you, sir, by backing the immoral administration that brought us this needless war, have blood on your own hands.  And try as you might, no amount of washing will take it off.  Almost 3,000 Americans dead, and likely hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and for what?

I suggest you take a few weeks off on a spiritual retreat and ask yourself what you're doing with your life.



Your fear is palpable... (Loudoun County Dem - 10/29/2006 8:02:10 PM)
The only people I EVER see questioning anyone's patriotism is repugs, Project much???

...go peddle your shite elsewhere...



Something very bad happened to the GOP in the 80's (PM - 10/29/2006 8:14:35 PM)
It all started with Reagan saying "you shall not speak ill of any Republican."  But somehow (and I might note I voted for Reagan the first time) it got twisted into "you shall not dissent or you're a traitor."  That is totalitarianism, pure and simple.

And as for that guy throwing in the line about a veteran supporting Allen -- my brother has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and he gets livid at how (a) we were lied to and (b) how badly both wars were managed.  And how we're screwing up in Afghanistan because we ignored it once the Iraq escapade started.

He should be home safely in a few days.



Please thank you brother for his service... (Loudoun County Dem - 10/29/2006 8:20:27 PM)
...for all of us...


I will (PM - 10/29/2006 8:59:51 PM)
But he'll laugh and say something like he did the first time someone called him a hero (he's a bit well known and is sort of a central character in a certain book, but I can reveal no more).  "A hero?  Isn't that some type of sub sandwich?"  I remember him saying that during a patriotic parade where he was one of the people being honored.  He's very self-deprecating.  And he volunteered for what he did in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There's a nice description of how Republicans tried, and failed, to Swiftboat Jack Murtha at http://www.patriotpr...
And they tried the same against Admiral Sestak.

This is not how politics was played after WWII.  I remember all the vets who went into politics.  (My father was in politics and our dining room was literally election central.)  People honored veterans who sought office.  And people spoke highly of their service.  And then, if you didn't like the guy's policies, you voted against him.  And if you were opposing him as a candidate, you said, "I disagree with your stand on ... whatever."  You didn't run ads implying or stating what these scoundrels are doing.



Purple Heart Band-Aids... (alex schultes - 10/29/2006 8:42:18 PM)
Mr. Marchi -

I am surprised that a bronze star recipient would be so clueless as to pass out Purple Heart band-aids. As a Purple Heart recipient myself, I believe I speak for countless other recipients when I say that your "friend" has not "earned the right to pretty much do as he pleases". That is exactly the problem. You Allen followers think that you can do as you please. The slurs, lies, character assassinations and the obvious lack of class, decency and just plain old civility is a disgrace. You would be better served in finding new role models....I suggest Jim Webb, a legitimate hero and leader.



Tim McVeigh was a decorated combat veteran, (Catzmaw - 10/29/2006 8:45:15 PM)
too.  What counts is how you comport yourself once you're back in the world. If you're a lowlife lying creep who actively seeks ways to besmirch and lay low the reputations of those who happen to disagree with you then you're nothing but a jerk.  You could have conducted an honorable campaign (albeit with difficulty because there's nothing positive to say about Allen's time in office), but you chose instead to engage in character assassination. 


As you please...? (libra - 10/29/2006 10:08:09 PM)
The person who passed out the purple heart band-aids was a bronze star recipient and his nephew killed in Iraq. I don't have one of those. Do you? I think he's earned the right to pretty much do as he pleases, even if you don't like it. -- Ben Marchi

Following your logic, you'll *not only* allow Cindy Sheehan the right to object to Bush's "little invasive exercise for no reason at all", but will *applaud it*. Right? Afterall she's lost more than a nephew... And, I'm sure, you've registered strong objections to her being slimed by MSMs (not some little blog, read by fans. Sorry, Lowell, no offence, but you don't yet "rate" the same as the major TV stations ).

And, doubtless, you made yourself heard -- loud and clear -- when Ann Coulter accused the 9/11 widows of "enjoying themselves"? Because, of course, they had also earned the right to say what they think, whether the dark side likes it or not...

"Funny", how the wingnuts always insist on having their cake and eating it too...



I was so pissed I missed this. (Kathy Gerber - 10/29/2006 11:43:00 PM)
My ex-husband has a bronze star. When he acted like a jerk, it really didn't have anything at all to do with his medals.  An asshole is an asshole.  Thank GOD he didn't ever say something like - hey I have a bronze star so I get a pass.  I was blessed and didn't even realize it.


No, you don't earn the right to do whatever you want (Lowell - 10/29/2006 10:09:58 PM)
...no matter what medal you win. You're still bound by the same laws, the same ethics, and the same morality as the rest of us.


That's where you're dead wrong. (Kathy Gerber - 10/29/2006 10:38:41 PM)
This isn't a goddamned dictatorship. No one earns the right to do what they please in a democracy.  Where do you draw the line?  Lying? Slander? Hitting your coworkers? Child abuse? Killing people for the hell of it?

There are thousands upon thousands of men who served their country and came back and didn't expect a free ride and exemption from  common decency and the law.

My dad was just an anonymous private making his way at Guadalcanal and other Pacific Islands - he wasn't alone by any means.  My nephew is in Iraq now.  Uncles in WWII, grandfathers served in WWI, great-great grandfather in the Civil War, etc. etc.

So what. Not a single one of them was such a candy ass that they thought they could come home, hang up a picture of themselves as youthful warrior and prop up their feet for the rest of their lives while everyone bowed down to them.  What kind of shit is this?  Real heroes don't worship themselves and carry around a shitload of hostility because the rest of the world doesn't feel the same way.

Something is dreadfully wrong with your thinking and that of your friends. No wonder this country is so fucked up with that kind of attitude.



You tell him, Kathy! (Lowell - 10/29/2006 10:43:04 PM)
I couldn't agree more.  My great uncles didn't come back from World War II and think they could do whatever they wanted to do, just because they had served or been wounded.  What a crock.  The issue here is that people like Chris LaCivita apparently THINK they can get away with anything, just like Dick "Waterboard" Cheney and George "The Decider" Bush.  People like this will destroy our Democracy if we don't stop them.


The make me sick. (Kathy Gerber - 10/29/2006 10:48:17 PM)
The real heroes came home in a box or were lost forever.

Bastards.

Ken Rowe was shot down in WWII a couple of times and held in a prison camp.  He came and ta-da worked a real job.  And made Virginia a better place.  I never heard about him caving in with this whiny its-all-about-me shit.



What's with the out-sized attitudes of the Allen campaign (bamboo - 10/29/2006 9:01:07 PM)
Cynics who are professional smear merchants can't take seriously the insults and patriotic blather that are their stock in trade. Given what they do for a living, their outrage has gotta be an act, right? I mean, if they believed their own propaganda they'd be too blind to be effective. And too dumb.


The Navy Cross (ViennaVA - 10/29/2006 9:20:50 PM)
"P.S. You don't "WIN" the Navy Cross. You receive it (It's not a race)."

Sorry, Ben, that's wrong.  You EARN the Navy Cross.



Let's See the Medical Records? (Rick O'Dell - 10/29/2006 10:30:55 PM)
I was in the middle of the Kerry sliming by LaCivita and his smut merchants.  They had no class then -- none now -- and it is refreshing to see the tables turn on them.

So here's a challenge for you Chris -- like the one you issued for Kerry in '04 -- where's your medical records? 

Let's see how bad that Desert Storm wound you received was.  Did it take more than a bandaid?  Did it keep you off duty for more than a day?

Did it force your retirement from the military?

Did it permanently disfigure or disable you?

Or, was it perhaps an American bullet or piece of shrapnel from an American grenade?  That's OK if it's fired at the enemy in anger.  However, perhaps it wasn't.  Might it have been fired at you by on of the men you were leading?

We called it fragging in Vietnam and many died that way.  It was a fate reserved for senior NCOs and officers who cared more about their careers than they did about the lives entrusted to them.  You know, the slimeballs who turn against their fellow veterans -- the likes of you and the other vets supporting "dude boy."

Come on hero.  Do your own dirty work -- God knows George Allen is not smart enough to do it for you.  Show you stuff!

 



Here's what Admiral Joe Sestak did when they Swiftboated him (PM - 10/29/2006 10:58:40 PM)
http://www.youtube.c...

It's his reply television ad against Curt Weldon.  Sestak should win.  Weldon has been exposed as a nut and a crook, and he's under serious investigation.

I wish Webb would do an ad like this.



Let's Do It! (Rick O'Dell - 10/30/2006 12:39:05 AM)
I will stand with my fellow veterans and do an ad like this for Jim Webb.

Like most veterans, I'm no hero but I did fight in Vietnam and I've been a life-long advocate for my fellow veterans.  Enough is enough!

Honorably discharged veterans, despite what they did in service, have earned the respect of their fellow veterans and of all citizens.  Sliming them and their experiences is not the stuff that the so-called "A-Team" should take pride in. Let George Bush and George Allen never forget -- it is the veterans of their generation, and of today's generation who do what others won't, can't or are too afraid to do!

It's time to stuff this crap down the lying, crybaby throats of "dude-boy" and his minions.  Let's do an ad and involve veterans who are tired of this by asking them to contribute a dollar a piece to get it on the air.