Complaints from the Right

Here's a letter to the editor authored by "Oak Leaf," via the southern blog Byrd Droppings. Apparently Edwards got it wrong about taxes and the military:

I am a reservist currently supporting the “global war on terror.” I listened to the Vice Presidential debate with my fellow soldiers. Vice President Cheney has confirmed that he is 110% qualified and ready toassume the Presidency and serve as my Commander in Chief. SenatorEdwards is not ready to serve at this time. Maybe in 2008 but not in2004.

As a Senator from North Carolina, representing the soldiers of the18th Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and The John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, I expected Senator Edwards to have some knowledge of military matters.

During the debate, Senator Edwards made certain comments concerning the actions at Tora Bora. The military action at Tora Bora was a special forces operation which Senator Edwards should be familiar with having served on the Intelligence Committee. Compared to Senator Edwards, a second year ROTC Cadet is better versed on such military
operations This lack of understanding of such special forces operations, vital to the Global War on Terror, by Senator Edwards, is extremely troubling.

On the domestic side of the debate, Senator Edwards stated that, “the tax rate on someone receiving dividends is lower than the wages of men and women fighting in Iraq.” Senator Edwards should know that income earned in a combat zone is tax free. Thanks to the Bush administration, this now applies equally to officers and enlisted personnel.

Prior to the debate, we learned that Senator Edwards publicly stated that “anyone voting for Bush would be mad.” Senator Edwards is well aware that President Bush has earned the support of a great majority of the military. Senator Edwards public remarks made earlier however, show that he lacks the leadership skills to serve as commander in chief.

The Tuesday debate has unfortunately shown that Senators Edwards and Kerry will not have the respect of a vast majority of members of the military. You can not lead the military without respect of the soldiers you command.

[Byrd Droppings]