Vets For Freedom: Difference between revisions
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'''Vets For Freedom''' is a |
'''Vets For Freedom''' is a non-profit [[United States|American]] organization whose stated purpose is to give voice to America's veterans and active duty troops who support the [[War on Terrorism|Global War on Terror]], [[United States war in Afghanistan|War in Afghanistan]], and [[Iraq War|War in Iraq]]. The founders of the organization have all seen combat in Afghanistan or Iraq. |
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== Organizational work == |
== Organizational work == |
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Revision as of 01:50, 6 October 2006
Template:Cleanupdate Vets For Freedom is a non-profit American organization whose stated purpose is to give voice to America's veterans and active duty troops who support the Global War on Terror, War in Afghanistan, and War in Iraq. The founders of the organization have all seen combat in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Organizational work
Spokesmen for VFF appear on televised news shows and write op-ed pieces for newspapers. The organization has also issued a number of press releases. One claiming recent military recruitment numbers. Two have criticized Representative John Murtha (D-PA), citing what VFF calls "irresponsible remarks" regarding alleged war crimes. The group has not issued any other press releases attacking politicians.[1]
The VFF website contained a troop blogs the yclaim describes the observations, thoughts and morale of the troops.[1] The blog has been extremely supportive of the Global War on Terror, but has been critical of the Bush Administartions's handling of it. [2] [3]
Since its creation though all servicemen in Iraq and Afganistan have been barred from blogging.
Vets for Freedom has also sponsored a full-page political ad in the Hartford Courant on August 14, 2006. They endorsed Democratic US Senator Joe Lieberman
Political connections
VFF political ties have been cited by those concerned about its political goals:
- The VFF website is hosted in a server owned by Campaign Solutions, a subsidiary of the Donatelli Group, a firm that previously worked for the 2004 Bush-Cheney re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee. [2] One critic of the VFF said that VFF's privacy notice on its website included, at one point, the following: "We may from time to time share the information our visitors provide with other Republican candidates and other like-minded organizations."[3]
- Zirkle was a regional field director for Republican Jerry Kilgore's unsuccessful 2005 campaign for governor of Virginia.[4]
- "The Bull Moose" a blog sponsored by the Democratic Leadership Council, claims Zirkle as a "friend," in an April 2006 posting.
- A "key Vets for Freedom adviser is Bill Andresen, a Democrat and former chief of staff to embattled Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut." [4]
Funding
VFF has applied for status as a tax-exempt charity, but donations are not tax-deductible as of June 2006 because the application is pending. Zirkle said that "Initial funding came from family members and friends."[4]
Vets for Freedom says on their homepage "We depend on small donations from our thousands of supporters across America."
References
Vets for Freedom A Rose By Another Name May 30, 2006
David Bellavia, American Hero Flopping Aces July 17, 2006
Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia Cotillion June 13, 2006
Vets for Freedom Dean's World April 25, 2006
- ^ Justin Rood, "Is 'Non-Partisan' Vets for Freedom a GOP Operation?"TMPMuckracker.com, June 27, 2006
- ^ John Stauber, "Pro-War "Vets For Freedom" Tied to Bush's PR Team", Common Dreams, June 26, 2006
- ^ John Stauber, "Is "Vets for Freedom" A Republican Front Group?", Center for Media and Democracy, June 7, 2006
- ^ a b Jerry Zremski, "Former vets with GOP ties boost war effort in blogs", Buffalo News, June 25, 2006
External links
- Vets For Freedom official site
- Vets For Freedom arrives on the scene Radio interview with Wade Zirkle, with audio and transcript.
- Mackubin Thomas Owens "Press-ing On Against The Military: Our Troops Deserve Better Than Vietnam-Era Journalism", National Review Online, July 5, 2006
- Congressman John Murtha Fires Back at Wade Zirkle on The Huffington Post Blog
- SourceWatch article on Vets for Freedom
- Kill The Messenger? Pro-War Advocates Should Blame Themselves for the Mess in Iraq PR Watch article by John Stauber.
- Articles written by VFF cofounders
- The View from the Chow Hall Op-Ed by Wade Zirkle and Josh Clark in the Wall Street Journal.
- Victory in Fallujah Article by Bing and Owen West: Marines in Fallujah used new technology and old adaptations to win an incredible urban victory in Fallujah (Popular Mechanics).
- Birth of an Army Embedded Reporting from Iraq by David Bellavia, Owen West and Wade Zirkle (The Weekly Standard)
- In Ramadi, a Test of Iraqi Forces Embedded Reporting from Iraq by David Bellavia, Owen West and Wade Zirkle (Philadelpia Enquirer)
- Troops in Support Of the War op-ed piece by Wade Zirkle (Washington Post).
- The Troops Have Moved On op-ed piece by Owen West (New York Times).
- Celebrating Those Who Gave Chase to Evil, Safe Harbor to Liberty op-ed piece by Wade Zirkle (Contra Costa Times).
- When Media Pull Back, Coverage is a Casualty op-ed piece by Wade Zirkle (Philadelphia Enquirer)
- Our Soldiers Are Warriors Not Victims Op-Ed by Bing and Owen West (National Review)
- Postings by Zirkle and Bellavia to Small Wars Journal, June 2006.