I was handed a press release last week from Richard Glasgow, founder and Chair of Dear American Hero. It reads as follows:
GOP Party Member, In a Leadership Role, Trashes Veterans and is Rewarded.
ST Paul, MN – A Minnesota Republican Party member, in a leadership role, trashed veterans in a letter to the St Paul Pioneer Press. This member proclaimed to be one of the newer anti-war Republican activists who proclaimed veterans to be communists.
Repeated attempts to resolve this matter with the current Minnesota GOP administration, to censor and/or remove the member, has resulted in the member being placed into a highly visible position within the GOP.
In response to this disparaging letter, veterans and other concerned citizens will be protesting as the Minnesota GOP Convention October 3, 2009, at the River Center in downtown St Paul, Minnesota. The protest will last until Noon.
The history of the situation, as I know it, started just after Minnesota GOP Chair Tony Sutton was elected at the State Central Convention. Lt. Col (ret.) Joe Repya, whose relationship with Sutton is rocky at best, wrote this op-ed column for the St Paul Pioneer Press announcing his displeasure and subsequent reasons for leaving the party. Nathan Hanson, Deputy Chair of Minnesota GOP’s 4th Congressional District, responded with a scalding letter to Repya, which you may read about here, complete with response from Hansen. (EDIT: I’ve been called out an a detail: Hansen’s response was an online reply to the op-ed, posted at twincities.com. The actual column and response have been removed from the online archive, thus the links to other blogs with the details.)
Now, I truly hate it when my brothers fight. Hansen is a good conservative who wishes nothing more than smaller government and greater liberty, even at the cost of smaller military (for better or worse). Glasgow is a thankful patriot who has nothing but the respect and pride for our soldiers and their families.
When Hansen labeled Repya a Trotskite Communist filled with bloodlust, perhaps he was only referring to Repya, and not to warriors/veterans everywere. Unfortunately, most of us felt the sting of insult anyway. And this is the heart of the problem.
Hansen has apologized to Sutton, which has saved his position as chair of the Constitution Committee.
“Where I come from, when someone apologizes, you accept it and move on,” Sutton told me last week. And Sutton is right, we should all be willing to accept earnest apology. Unfortunately, I don’t believe Hansen has apologized to Repya, or to the 26 million other veterans he offended.
I’ll be there Saturday, for three purposes. First, as a veteran. The situation is unresolved, and I will stand with my fellow warriors. Secondly, as a delegate. I have a vote at the state convention, ad will use it appropriately. And thirdly, as a blogger and journalist. There is a story here that will surely be interesting.
7 Responses to “Veterans group is preparing to protest Minnesota GOP convention”
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Thank you Chris for posting this. I will be there for the same three purposes. I hope it’s resolved amicably, because the rift is growing and it’s not helping the candidates in Hansen’s district. We need each other to win.
Dittos a big thank you Chris for posting this. I have been following this and am amazed that NO candidate for governor has had the gonads to stand up for the Veterans. I believe that to be because anyone who stands up to mngop gets personally attacked instead of being able to discuss the issue. Lassie mentions that it is hurting candidates in hanson district. I will tell you it is hurting candidates statewide. I am 200 miles from hanson’s district and many of us will not work for or contribute to any republican candidate until this is resolved.
How exactly does one get the authority to speak for 26 million veterans? I served and you don’t speak for me. Any veteran who is out protesting in the rain because of what a mid level party official said on an internet post has an overactive victim complex. Quit crying. You look weak.
Jens – when reading your reply, I kept thinking “Faithful are the wounds of a Friend, but the kiss of an enemy is deceitful.” (proverbs 27-6.) Your criticism is fair. I did not intend to sound like I spoke for everyone, but as one of that group. I apologize for making you feel that I put words in your mouth. I should have been more clear. But far more of the vets I have spoken with agree with me, than are apathetic.
However, a little bit of rain should not stop anyone from doing what they think is right. Yes, may be much ado about nothing. I haven’t lost any sleep over it.
It’s kind of like being camping and being bothered by the flies. They’re mostly harmless, but their bite is annoying and painful, and they need to be swatted away.
Thanks for the constructive criticism. Fair winds and following seas.
Me and some of my fellow veterans tried to go to this protest. It was over by 9 AM, that is if it even started. I drove in all the way from WI and everyone had already hidden from the rain by the time I got there. I am glad you guys weren’t in the trenches with me. I wouldn’t have come home alive if that were the case.
Next time you stand up for something don’t p*ss out the moment things get tough.
Semper Fi.
I’m a veteran. I saw the button that you fools made up. I’m insulted that you made up a button suggesting Nathan Hansen could hold the United States Military up by the ankle.
I’ve been to Iraq twice. There’s nothing Nathan could do to diminish the glory of the veterans and our struggle for freedom.
I was also disappointed that the protest ended early. There were about 25 or so outside between 7 and 9 am. Many of them, including myself, were also delegates and had business inside once the convention began.
I do need to clean something up in my defense. I did not organize the protest, make-up buttons, or make any motions from the floor. I wrote about the coming event and stood outside, however briefly it was.
Allow me update a bit or those who were unable to get inside the convention. The protest did earn a bit of a victory: Nathan Hansen surprised most by started his committee report with an apology or his offensive comments. A movement from the floor of the convention resulted in a formal affirmation of support or military members and families.
It isn’t quite over yet, but it was a good first first step toward toward resolving the situation. The battle is a bit larger than just the protest outside the Rivercenter. There are other “trenches”, if you will, and there are still people fighting in them. This isn’t quite over yet.
And Anthony: I agree with you. The button gives him too much credit. I’ve been insulted before and will be again, I can deal with that. buttons like that one of comparing Hansen to Hanoi Jane is over the top, and I’ve privately called them out for that.