View Full Version : Shame on Mass. Politicians
DawnCt
08-20-2002, 11:19 AM
My brother's Special Forces unit was deployed last week and families, along with Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, along with Governor Jane Swift were invited to the farewell luncheon. Due to the nature of the unit, the press was barred from attending and not allowed on the base. Since the press could not come, all three invitees, who committed to attend, suddenly had last minute excuses and CANCELLED. Shame on them!
s&k'smom
08-20-2002, 11:22 AM
Couldn't agree with you more.
mooses41
08-20-2002, 11:33 AM
Yeah, Ed Markey sucks too
caitycaity
08-20-2002, 11:37 AM
i'm not taking on side or the other, but how do you know that all three of them did so b/c of no media?
Why am I not suprised....that none showed up is pretty scuzzy...but then again what does anyone expect of that bunch.
DawnCt
08-20-2002, 11:49 AM
Originally posted by caitycaity
i'm not taking on side or the other, but how do you know that all three of them did so b/c of no media?
It was told on good authority. I was frankly disappointed because I was going to suggest that Teddy drive Jane back to Boston.
Typical....if there's no chance of publicity most politicians won't take the time :rolleyes:
jipsy
08-20-2002, 01:02 PM
It was told on good authority.
What does that mean? :confused:
DawnCt
08-20-2002, 01:47 PM
Originally posted by jipsy
What does that mean? :confused:
The plans of the politicians changed immediately after their offices called and were informed of the ban on the press. Now I am sure that it was ONLY A COINCIDENCE that they all had family emergencies, emergencies of state, etc. Certainly none of those fine people would use the deployment of our soldiers as a photo op and then not show up when they found that there was not to be a photo op. Canceling at the last minute was not only rude but inconsiderate to the soldiers and their families who arrived at 10 am in order to listen to the guest speakers and have to wait around until 11:30 am for lunch to be served. That couple of hours could have been better spent with their families who won't see them for a year.
Krisu
08-20-2002, 02:03 PM
Have to wonder what all of them found more important than supporting sevicemen and women. Don't know much about Jane Swift, but not too surprised about the others.
jipsy
08-20-2002, 02:12 PM
Dawn :rolleyes: I understood what you were saying. My question was obviously not clear enough so let me try again.
caitycaity asked you how you knew that these politicians cancelled only because there was no media coverage. Your reply was "It was told on good authority."
What does that reply mean? Who told you? Did you personally talk to these politician's offices? Or are you just making an assumption that they cancelled for this reason? Where did you get this fact? What's your source?
In other words:
The plans of the politicians changed immediately after their offices called and were informed of the ban on the press. Now I am sure that it was ONLY A COINCIDENCE that they all had family emergencies, emergencies of state, etc.
You're stating this as a fact. Where did you get the fact?
How do you know
A kid at heart
08-20-2002, 02:19 PM
The enquirer. oops the national enquirer.
DawnCt
08-20-2002, 02:20 PM
Originally posted by jipsy
Dawn :rolleyes: I understood what you were saying. My question was obviously not clear enough so let me try again.
caitycaity asked you how you knew that these politicians cancelled only because there was no media coverage. Your reply was "It was told on good authority."
What does that reply mean? Who told you? Did you personally talk to these politician's offices? Or are you just making an assumption that they cancelled for this reason? Where did you get this fact? What's your source?
In other words:
You're stating this as a fact. Where did you get the fact?
How do you know
I am not stupid, I understood what you and Caity were asking. If you can't read between the lines then let me be more clear. I cannot reveal the source. You can choose to believe me or not. It doesn't matter to me. If you think that this is a partisan issue, it is not. Jane Swift, or Helicoptor Jane as she is known in Mass, is a Republican.
DawnCt
08-20-2002, 02:34 PM
Originally posted by A kid at heart
The enquirer. oops the national enquirer.
Whatever...:rolleyes:
caitycaity
08-20-2002, 02:35 PM
"The plans of the politicians changed immediately after their offices called and were informed of the ban on the press. "
why were they called to inform them of such a ban? who called them?
that just doesn't make any sense, sorry. first of all, the ban would have been in effect since the beginning. that's not the kind of thing that you just suddenly decide "oh let's have a press ban." secondly, why would someone call the politicians offices just to say "oh, btw, since it's a private luncheon there won't be any press there"?
as for not being able to reveal the source....? this is hardly national security we're talking about here, LOL.
Mermaid02
08-20-2002, 02:42 PM
I'm not surprised they didn't attend...... and I agree it was most likely due to lack of photo opportunity.....
jjskribs
08-20-2002, 03:04 PM
I have to agree with caitycaity that this doesn't make sense. I had my husband read the thread as well. He has just come off of active duty with the Air Force. He is employed on our local Air Force Base here on the Cape. He agreed that this just doesn't sound right. Why was the press not allowed to attend ? If it was so hush- hush why was there a luncheon and why were families allowed in and how did you know about it ?
:confused: :confused:
Also, just for the record..... Ted Kennedy has been extremely supportive of the base and has visited many times with and without the press.
Kteacher
08-20-2002, 03:40 PM
Gotta love Ma. politics..... :rolleyes:
If it was so hush- hush why was there a luncheon and why were families allowed in
Because not all SpecOps units deploy in the dead of night while we are all asleep. They have families, and deserve to be able to say goodbye to them as well. While the families know thier loved ones are deploying, the Army probably doesn't want the press making a big deal out of it.
wdw4us2
08-20-2002, 04:12 PM
originally posted by DawnCt
I was frankly disappointed because I was going to suggest that Teddy drive Jane back to Boston.
Would that be by way of Edgartown?;)
Lisa:cool:
jjskribs
08-20-2002, 06:26 PM
Grog...
I certainly didn't mean to imply that those deployed shouldn't have the right to say goodbye. My husband has been deployed many times and I have said goodbye from many hangars.
You said that they probably didn't want the press to "make a big deal of it." My question is then why would they have a luncheon and invite two high profile Senators and the Governor of the state. To me, that's not the way to keep something "low key."
captin fink
08-20-2002, 06:54 PM
I am sure that it wasn't coincidence, What really happened is the CFR dispatched the black helocopters to warn them not to show up.
Yep must be a Conspiracy:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
You said that they probably didn't want the press to "make a big deal of it." My question is then why would they have a luncheon and invite two high profile Senators and the Governor of the state. To me, that's not the way to keep something "low key."
Most SpecOps units try to keep news of thier movements to a minimum. Inviting politicians was probably so they could say a few words of encouragement to the troops and thier families. The press does not need to be present for that. Are politicians incapable of talking unless a camera is running??? Why couldn't they have just dropped in, shook a few hands, wished the soldiers well, reassured the families, and left? I say again, the press did not HAVE to be there for that to happen.
I certainly didn't mean to imply that those deployed shouldn't have the right to say goodbye.
I didn't take it that way. Sorry if it sounded like I did.:)
DawnCt
08-21-2002, 07:41 AM
Originally posted by Grog
Most SpecOps units try to keep news of thier movements to a minimum. Inviting politicians was probably so they could say a few words of encouragement to the troops and thier families. The press does not need to be present for that. Are politicians incapable of talking unless a camera is running??? Why couldn't they have just dropped in, shook a few hands, wished the soldiers well, reassured the families, and left? I say again, the press did not HAVE to be there for that to happen.
Grog, you have it exactly right. Because it is a Special Ops Unit, the press was never notified, nor invited. When word was leaked to the press that the politicians were going to be on base, the press was then barred from coming on the base. The word got back to the politicians and they cancelled. The destination, mission and families of Special Forces are as you said, not something they want advertized.
I didn't take it that way. Sorry if it sounded like I did.:)
DawnCt
08-21-2002, 07:46 AM
Originally posted by caitycaity
"
as for not being able to reveal the source....? this is hardly national security we're talking about here, LOL.
Perhaps not national security caity, just discretion. he press is usually always banned from Special Forces deployments. In this case, word was leaked to the press.
caitycaity
08-21-2002, 08:42 AM
no dawn, i wasn't refering to the press. i was refering to your statement about "not being able to reveal your sources."
and who told you that the politicians weren't coming due to no press has absolutely nothing to do with national interests. LOL :p
lil mermaid
08-21-2002, 05:01 PM
So, what were the reasons that they gave for not coming?
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