Walz brings Pelosi to hear local vets

posted by Edward Felker, P-B Washington Bureau

Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato, has won a visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on April 21 for a meeting with 1st Congressional District veterans, but they'll have to drive to the Twin Cities.

Walz's spokeswoman Meredith Salsbery said Pelosi, D-Calif., cannot travel to the district, which stretches along southern Minnesota and includes Rochester, Winona, and Mankato. The place and exact time of the meeting will be announced later, and attendees will be included by invitation. The size of the gathering has yet to be determined, but attendees will include representatives of veterans service organizations, she said.

Walz, who is a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, has held six veterans town hall meetings this year with a seventh planned this weekend, Salsbery said.

She released a letter Walz sent to Pelosi on Feb. 28 praising her handling of veterans issues and outlining southern Minnesota veterans priorities. They include, as one might expect, what's known as "full funding" for veterans benefits and health care. The Veterans Administration is subject to annual appropriations and its budget often falls billions of dollars short of veterans needs as projected by  veterans organizations. Walz said veterans also want more extensive rural services and better mileage reimbursement rates, among other issues.

Normally a national party leader such as Pelosi will help raise money when they visit the rank-and-file in their home states. Earlier today I said in in this blog that the Walz campaign was unsure if a fundraiser could be held given the speaker's schedule; now that's changed. Richard Carlbom, Walz's political director, said this evening that Pelosi will appear at a fundraising event with Walz in the Twin Cities as part of her visit.

Comments

[OdaSilva]

The title of this post is misleading. It makes it look like Pelosi is coming to Minnesota to visit veterans on Walz's request.

The painful truth, however, is that the House Majority Leader is coming to our state for a fundraiser in the Twin Cities. Using veterans as a cover to raise money is shameful.

Let the hatefest begin.

[Ollie Ox]

What are you saying, Othelmo?

That the vets shouldn't get a chance to talk to Nancy Pelosi? Walz asked Pelosi to gather with the vets.

The fundraiser is a separate event. Are you arguing that candidates shouldn't stage fundraisers?

As for what you call a "hate fest": Looks more like you want free speech for thee, but not for me, and that you can't conduct a discussion without name-calling and invective.

[OdaSilva]

Ollie,

I regret that you have misunderstood the nature and true meaning of my post.

Let me try again. The vets are a cover for the fundraiser. Collecting cash is the main event, not the meeting with the veterans.

Moreover, no one wants free speech for thee more than me. That's why I invited the hatefest.

I want you and other Walz lovers to join the discussion. Free speech is a wonderful thing and all points of view should be tolerated, don't you think?

[L D Nelson]

Calling a meeting with veterans a "cover" for a fund raiser is pure nonsense.

And what, exactly, does Mr da Silva mean by "hate fest"? That doesn't sound like the type of discussion reasonable people engage in.

[Kathleen Castrovinci]

From what I comprehend from this article is that Pelosi's visit with Walz to Veterans in the Twin Cities and a fundraising event with him are TWO SEPERATE events!!

To aver that Walz is using Veterans as a cover for fundraising with Pelosi is dishonest. Where is your solid evidence Othelmo???

[OdaSilva]

I'm pretty sure there will be plenty of pictures of Walz and Pelosi meeting with the veterans but no pictures of the two bagging money from fat cat Twin Cities liberals at the white wine fundraiser.

[HFStassen]

I am a local vet and Walz bringing the likes of Nancy Peolosi here to meet with vets if an insult, not an event. Whether Pelosi is here for a fundraiser or not is beside the point. She has no concern for the military and veterans issues are only a campaign issue for her. I suppose Walz' next guest for vets will be Hanoi Jane. Walz is a liberal masquerading as a conservative in a district he has no business representing.

[Ollie Ox]

Another fallacy of distraction. Drop the name of Hanoi Jane, even though it has nothing to do with the actual meeting. You sling the word "insult" but don't tell readers why Pelosi's leadership is one for vets.

Othelmo's "white wine" slam is just more of the same.

If you want to claim the higher ground in civil discourse, you might try using your comments here to get specific about what you think Walz's failings are in his service on the Veterans Affairs committee. Instead, you both provide readers with stereotypes about white wine, cracks about Hanoi Jane and like.

The comment that Walz masquerades as a conservative is also more hollow rhetoric from the Republican Party. The National Journal recently cited him as among the Centrists.

Fact is, the First is a swing district. Both Republican and Democratic candidates must make their case based on specifics, not simply the GOP claim "this district belongs to us." That claim is getting increasingly tenuous, since DFLers represent more Southern Minnesotan districts in the Legislature and Walz has the House seat, while Klobuchar took MN-01 voters' Senate nod. Given the swing nature of the district, Pawlenty won in the 2006 governor's race.

I've also noticed that there are complaints about Walz's meetings with veterans. Question to both Stassen and Othelmo: have either of you been to one? Your objections seem based more on party allegiance than any particular complaint.

[OdaSilva]

I will take the testimony of a local vet like HFStassen over the rantings of pro-Walz party hacks any day.

My reference to white wine was not a slam, but a reference to the elitism of better-than-thou liberals. It seems to have hit a sore spot.

They will condescend to meet with veterans for photo-ops as an appetizer, but he "main dish," the real reason why Pelosi and Walz will be in the Twin Cities, is to rake in cash from liberal fat cats.

The reference to Hanoi Jane is perfectly acceptable. Unless some believe in free speech for them and not for others.

[L D Nelson]

Tim Walz has done more for veterans in his first term than our previous Republican congressman did in his entire 12 residence in DC. No one in congress, Republican or Democrat, doubts his concern for veterans issues. More has been done in this congress on veteran's issues than in the previous congress which was under conservative rule. HFStassen's claims are bogus.

If HFStassen and Mr da Silva took a look at the Bush administration's record on veterans issues, they would find a sorry catalog of heinous neglect. But I am sure an objective review would be close to impossible for someone who invites others to a "hate fest."

[OdaSilva]

The white wine sipping fat cat liberals who are about to line Pelosi's and Walz's pockets with campaign cash after the two are done with their veteran photo-op should be ashamed of using the men and women who served as a backdrop to their hunger for political contributions.

[L D Nelson]

Should readers take seriously the various rantings of a proponent of hate fests?

[OdaSilva]

I am also puzzled as to why anyone would take the alternately hateful and pesudo-intellectual rantings of DFL party hacks seriously as they try to defend or justify Walz's and Pelosi's use of veterans as a cover for a white wine and brie fundraiser with wealthy Twin Cities liberals.

[L D Nelson]

Should readers take seriously the various rantings of a proponent of hate fests?

[Ollie Ox]

Othelmo has such animus against those he deems to be "party hacks." Does this signal an end to his own activism with the Olmsted County Republican Party, or merely another ad hominem attack aimed at those who disagree with him? Sadly it seems the latter.

His comments above contain no discussion on Walz's work on the Veterans Affairs committee or the many meetings with vets in the district. Is there a specific problem?

Instead, he attacks the people posting here and defines two events without knowing any details about either meeting. It's a great tour of the stereotypes populating his mind, but tells readers little about the vets meeting or the fundraiser, two separate events.

Othelmo can only envision this meeting as a "photo op."
That maybe a consequence of his own absence at Walz's many meetings with area vets at local service clubs across the district. He has seen pictures, but never actually sat in the Legions and VFW while veterans and their congressman talk.

He's obsessing about a fundraiser--a separate event--but unable to consider the value for Greater Minnesota's vets to have face time with the Speaker of the House.

[OdaSilva]

I wonder if any of the veterans attending the photo-op meeting with Nancy Pelosi would be welcome to attend the liberal fat cat fundraiser later on. I rather doubt it.

The vets will be riding a bus back to the district while the liberal fat cats and their fat wallets arrive at the white wine and brie fundraiser by stretch limo.

[Othelmo da Silva]

BTW, "face time" with vets doesn't fill campaign coffers, hence the liberal fat cat white wine and brie fundraiser.

[Othelmo da Silva]

The post above says that "attendees will be included by invitation." I wonder if HFStassen will be one of the chosen few.

[Kathleen Castrovinci]

Othelmo!! You whine about the personal attacks on your character. Your words and how you use them invite ridicule.

Ollie!! Phil, a retired Military Veteran himself, was at the Rochester gathering of Veterans at the American Legion in Rochester. He figured of the 100+ veterans in attendance, some he knew, over half were registered Republicans and were applauding Tim's efforts on their behalf.

Tim has done more for Veterans than Gil ever thought to do. Veterans of both parties are rallying behind Tim Walz and that upsets many hard core Conservative Republicans to no end.

[HFStassen]

Oliie and Nelson: Why should anyone take your left-wing, partisan rants seriously. You are both foul windbags who spoout one continuous stream of leftist clpatrap. As Othelmo has pointed out, you are political hacks and to you Nancy Pelosi probably represents a "states-person". I actually would be more likely to listen to a speech from Hanoi Jane as she had the decency at one time to apologize for her actions. That is something slimy politicians on the left like Peeloser never do.

[Ollie Ox]

I rest my case about the inability of Stassen and Othelmo to conduct a discussion without namecalling and invective...and without mentioning a single specific complaint about Walz's service on veterans issues.

As for HFStassen getting an invite, it would be difficult for any congressional office, regardless of party, to contact a pseudonym, even if HFStassen wanted to be there. Judging from the remarks above, that doesn't seem likely.

And once again, Othelmo is simply posting his fantasies about the meeting and the fundraiser. Kathy, on the other hand, tells us of her husband's observations at a real meeting that Walz held.

Othelmo and Stassen spleen is unfortunate, since veterans deserve to be heard--and their needs attended to by a country that owes them so very much.

[Kathleen Castrovinci]

http://www.dglobe.com/articles/index.cfm?id=10571§ion=homepage

An article posted in the Worthington Daily Globe on Tim's advocation for Veterans.

Othelmo and HFStassen will not point out what Tim has done on the behalf of Veterans such as...

1) Increase milage reimbursement for Veterans from 11 cents to 28.5 cents permile traveled to VA Clinics and Hospitals.

2) Tim also supported the Defense Authorization Act, which provides a more seamless transition between active duty and veterans’ status. This became law in January of 2008.

3)In 2007, Walz introduced the Walz Traumatic Brain Injuries Centers Act of 2007, which authorizes five traumatic brain injury research facilities to be constructed throughout the country. This bill passed the House in May 2007 and has not yet passed the Senate.

Modernizing the GI Bill is another of Tim's goals this year.

The good work that Tim Walz is doing on behalf of Veterans and the overall constituency of the 1st CD is not political posturing. It is the work we elected him to do and will re-elect him once again to keep on doing.

http://walz.house.gov/News/DocumentQuery.aspx?CatagoryID=3445

Even Karl Rove learned quite quickly he could not intimidate this Retired Command Sargeant Major.

[Kid]

Elected officials, whether they be Left, Right, or ?????, meeting with our Veterans is outstanding. Turning this story into a partisan political football instead of seeing it as a good thing for our Veterans is just plain old wrong. Kick that around.

[HFStassen]

I certainly won't be attending the Walz photo op with Nancy Pelousy. I failed to turn in the required donation and card to pay for my invitation. I notice that Mrs. C has yet to list any efforts by Walz to balance the budget. Spending is easy, budgeting is not. Walz is an exceptionally adept political posturer and leaves no stones unturned in getting his face in the news. This non-event is a prime example.

[L D Nelson]

Tim Walz has supported the re-institution of PAYGO rules which helped to bring the budget under control in th 1990's. The Republicans abandoned PAYGO when they took over congress and we will be living with the results for many, many years. PAYGO demands discipline on both spending and taxes and is a necessary first step in bring fiscal sanity back to the federal government. If HFStassen is concerned over the budget deficits, then he should take note that it is by and large liberals within and outside of congress who are calling for the fiscally responsible set of rules contained in PAYGO .

Although HFStassen may consider me and others to be "foul windbags" and "political hacks," we have answered with facts and specific legislative acts demonstrating Tim Walz dedication and concern over crucial issues.

But if HFStassen wishes to join Mr da Silva's "hate fest" rather than engage in informed discussion, that is his choice.

[Kid]

Pitiful. Instead of all this political posturing, each of you should come down to the VFW and put some of your money where your mouths "yap" and buy a Vet a pop, beer, coffee, or mixed drink. No? Didn't think so. "Yap" time. There goes my cherry Coke.

[Othelmo da Silva]

Reread the post. It's misleading. At first it makes it seem like Pelosi is coming to Minnesota because Walz invited her to visit with veterans.

Then the post says that Pelosi "cannot" travel to the district. Why is that? There are no planes flying from Minneapolis to Rochester that day? Pelosi can't spend another half hour on a plane to visit the veterans she supposedly cares about so much?

No time and place for the meeting or number of attendees have been determined. It looks like Walz and Pelosi have put a lot of time and planning into this meeting with the veterans they appreciate so much and serve so well. NOT!

The only event associated with Pelosi's visit you can actually pin down after reading the post is the Twin Cities white wine and brie liberal fat cat fundraising event with Walz.

[L D Nelson]

I would recommend Mr da Silva to re-read the post he references. The posting said that earlier, "the Walz campaign was unsure if a fundraiser could be held given the speaker's schedule." That indicates to me that her schedule was tight and her time very limited, and implies that, most likely, she did not have sufficient time to fly down to SE Minnesota, meet with groups, fly back to the Twin Cities, do a fund raiser, and then go on to other places or events within the time available to her. There are, after all, even to the most important people in the world, only 1440 minutes in a day.

But as the writer pointed out, "Rep. Tim Walz, D-Mankato, has won a visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on April 21 for a meeting with 1st Congressional District veterans." And, in addition, will Speaker Pelosi do a fund raiser.

I Think that is wonderful.

If Mr da Silva feels that Speaker Pelosi should not meet Minnesota veterans, he should explain why not, instead of moaning and groaning about wine preferences, cheese and cats.

I wonder if conservative fat cats, who have funded movement conservatives to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars over the years, are genetically related to so-called "liberal" fat cats? It makes a guy wonder.

[Kathleen Castrovinci]

Loyal!!!

We should know by now that Othelmo likes to misconstrew. Thus making mountains out of molehills where no molehills exist.

[OdaSilva]

I concede that dishonestly changing the chronology of events would put Tim and Nancy Pelosi in a less unfavorable light.

By the way, I have been very specific about the wine (white, of course), the cheese (brie) and the cats (fat and liberal) who are going to attend the Walz/Pelosi fundraiser following the veteran photo op.

[Ollie Ox]

Specific about your fantasy fundraiser menu, da Silva. And that's all it is: a catalogue of the stereotypes inhabiting your head.

Meanwhile, you disparage the meeting between the vets and Pelosi without knowing the circumstances there either. Veterans issues are important, since America should keep its promises to those who serve honorably in our military. You still haven't made clear why you think it's shameful for Southern Minnesota's vets to have the ear of the person who is second in line to become President in (God forbid)the event of the inability of the Commander in Chief to lead. The more that people in Congress have the privilege to hear vets, and act on their requests, the better.

[L D Nelson]

Should readers take seriously the various rantings of a proponent of hate fests?

[OdaSilva]

I disparage the use of veterans and their issues as a cover for a fundraising event.

[Ollie Ox]

America owes its veterans for their service, and Nancy Pelosi is going to hear more about their needs. firsthand, from men and women who served our country. Hopefully, the Congress will take their suggestions and do the right thing.

How terribly sad for you that you are unable to understand that neither event is a "cover" for anything.

[OdaSilva]

I am terribly saddened that veterans issues appear secondary to fundraising events as far as Walz and Pelosi are concerned.

[L D Nelson]

I think that the only thing that saddens Mr da Silva is the leadership and effort our congressman has shown on veteran's issues. It is in sharp contrast to the neglect and ineptitude of the Bush administration which he so fervently supports.

In the past election cycle, Bush came to the Twin Cities for a fund raiser which was held at a private home, invitation only; he did not meet with veterans or discuss veteran issues, as far as anyone knows (the press was not invited). He left after raising mega bucks for his party. This apparently does not bother Mr da Silva.

Actually, veterans issues are of little concern to Mr da Silva, judging by his many posts. He has not discussed even one major issues, has not mentioned even one point on which Republicans have a better plan, and has not raised even one point on which he disagrees with the legislation advanced by Tim Walz.

It could be that Mr da Silva is upset by the fact that Democrats have been able to raise so much money and have turned out record numbers of voters in all of the primaries and caucus's. While Republicans have drawn crowds of a couple of hundred, Clinton and Obama draw thousands, even tens of thousands.

Perhaps the Republicans should upgrade their menu from warm milk, leftovers, and processed cheese.

[OdaSilva]

Liberal Democrats want to keep their brie while creating dependence on government cheese.

[OdaSilva]

Hence, the fat cat liberal fundraiser after the photo op with the veterans.

[Kathleen Castrovinci]

Again, Othelmo, your comments draw riducule rather than actual debate.

[Ollie Ox]

It's remarkable that daSilva continues to denigrate the vets meeting as a "photo op." He doesn't have a clue about what's actually happening at the event, who is going to be there, or anything that's happening.

Nor does he seem to have a clue about the issues that veterans are bringing forward to congress.

[OdaSilva]

Details of the photo op with the veterans is still "pending." Meanwhile, preparations for the liberal fat cat fundraising event are going swimingly well.

It's all about priorities, I suppose.

[Ollie Ox]

Still denigrating the vets' interests as a photo op? Poor Othelmo doesn't understand veterans issues enough to ever cite an single instance where he disagreees with Walz's work for and with veterans. Othelmo has yet to cite a single veterans' issue--no wonder why he can do nothing except name-call. Come to think of it, has he ever said anything of substance ever?

[Locust]

I don't seem to remember similar anger when this happened:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3534533.stm

Strange.

[L D Nelson]

Interesting it of news from AP.

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - President Bush thanked some of the Republican Party's biggest spenders Texas-style on Friday, honoring them with a barbecue supper at a ranch next to his.

This year, it drew 500 of the GOP's biggest donors from across the country and was dumping $3.5 million into the Republican National Committee's coffers.

No vets or photo ops with vets. And no brie cheese (Oh, the horror!).

[OdaSilva]

I love it!

No pretense.

No hypocrisy.

And the meat. Real men eat beef, not brie.

[OdaSilva]

Fascinating, though not surprising.

The non-partisan National Taxpayers Union (NTU) recently released its ratings for the 2007 session of Congress. The NTU rates all votes that affect taxes, spending, debt, and regulatory burdens on consumers and taxpayers.

Congressman Tim Walz (MN - 01) scored 3%, earning an F rating, the lowest score amongst the Minnesota Congressional delegation and well below the average of Democrats in Congress.

The Democratic average in the House is 6%, Keith Ellison's score.

Walz is tied with Hillary Clinton.

[L D Nelson]

Random House Dictionary,

Hypocrisy: the pretense of having desirable or publicly approved attitudes and beliefs, principles, ect., that one does not actually possess.

As Mr da Silva says, there is no pretense about Mr Bush's feast for Republican big givers (fat cats). No pretense of having desirable or publicly approved attitudes and beliefs, principles, ect.

[OdaSilva]

There is no need to coin a new term to define Pelosi's pretense of caring for veterans' needs while her true motive for coming to Minnesota is raking in cash for herself, her party or Tim Walz.

[Ollie Ox]

Pelosi's going to be touring the VA hospital, and talking to state-level leaders of vets service organizations, as well as to veterans from Southen Minnesota.

Our veterans have earned this kind of access through their service to our country and by their sacrifice, shared by their families, for our freedoms.

But poor Othelmo can't bring himself to talk about a single veterans' concern here--health care, reintegration, transfer of records, length of establishing a claim, improving the GI bill to meet the needs of today's veterans.

Nope, all he can do is pull flimsy fantasies out of his own head, projecting an imaginary Pelosi in this space. The contents of this world reveal something about the way Othelmo thinks, but nothing about veterans issues, Walz or Pelosi.

And when he changes the subject to the National Taxpayers Union, rather than actually talk about veterans needs, he certainly doesn't tell readers anything about the group (it sounds so cuddly and nonpartisan). Othelmo can do nothing except create a void.

Check it out:

http://charityreports.bbb.org/public/Report.aspx?CharityID=1617&bureauID=9999

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8563

http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipientgrants.php?recipientID=1129

http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=10235

*****
Congressman Walz rated low by a group of extreme ideological conservatives beloved by Othelmo?

And this has what to do with veterans' issues and advocacy?

[Ollie Ox]

Kid--
I missed your request about going down to the local VFW. You're assuming wrong to think that I haven't bought beers for vets (at the Legion, too).

When a local community college was setting up its vets center, I donated a refrigerator, microwave and beanbag chair. Does supplying the frig to keep the pop cold count? (Public school so no beer).

While MnSCU is getting federal funds to help with veterans' re-entry programs, that money is directed for the most pressing needs. The rest of us who are grateful to veterans can help with those--and I for one think vets deserve some extras.

County service officers might also have suggestions for helping vets who aren't in school.

Another suggestion: the Cooties at the VFW do a lot of work in the VA hospitals. See if local chapters have any needs.

Those are some things a person can could on his or her own, from buying a vet a beverage to contributing to projects and fundraisers for things like vans, etc..

But remember, the service groups themselves work to assure that veterans programs are adequately funded. That's why meetings with Walz, Pelosi, Coleman, and Klobuchar are important, too.

[OdaSilva]

Man, the bile, vitriol and personal animosity are flowing strong. That's a hatefest if I have ever seen one.

I regret that my observations about the fact that veterans are about to be used as props preceding a lavish fundraising event for Pelosi and Walz have caused such a virulent reaction from Walz's groupies.

Walz's shameful record
on taxes, spending, debt, and regulatory burdens on consumers and taxpayers is indeed part of the mix. Liberals would love to have Walz's voting record not be a part of the discussion but it must be.

Walz and his fellow liberal ideologues in the Democratic Party controlled House and Senate are killing small business and making it more difficult for individuals on fixed incomes to live independently.

It is not fair to ignore Walz's abusive tax and spending ways while he is posing for photo ops with veterans as a cover for raking in campaign cash for Nancy Pelosi. My opinion. I'm saddened that Walz's minions can't respect my right to express it.

[Kathleen Castrovinci]

The vitriol and bile, Othelmo??? It's coming from you.

List the good things Walz has done for those in the District, as well as Veterans???

[Ollie Ox]

Kathy's right. I'd just posted about things ordinary citizens can do for vets and Othelmo replies with complaints about bile and vitriol. Was it bile or vitriol to suggest ways to help vets?

He's been the one completely avoiding any discussion of Walz's record on veterans' issues.

Now he's confused disagreement his statements with lack of respect for his right to express himself.

Good grief--if this thread isn't an example of the freedom of speech our veterans pledged to defend when they took an oath to defend the Constitution, I don't know what is!!

Thanks every one of you for helping to keep this country free.

[Kid]

Ollie Ox: Thanks for what you have done and will do in the future for our Veterans. Supporting our troops, past and present, should be a top priority and we can start by saying "Welcome home and thank you." Some of us never got that, and we know how important it is to express our gratitude to this new generation of military personnel. If Walz, Pelosi, or Congressperson XYZ meet and discuss issues with veterans, I don't come close to caring about their political party. Attempting to "fog" this meeting with the partisan comments on this topic is wrong. Priorities. Lastly, I agree that OdaSilva is a very divisive "fogger." My opinion.....not "hatefest."

[Kathleen Castrovinci]

You have my deepest gratitude as well Kid!!

Thank You!!!

[Kid]

This was an outstanding day for Veterans. Members of Congress listening to Veteran's concerns is outstanding, and it does not matter if they are D, R, I, or XYZ.

[L D Nelson]

In regard to veterans, the Bush administration is refusing demands from advocates and lawmakers that the Department of Veterans Affairs help hospitalized veterans register to vote.

In March of this year, Senators Feldstein and Kerry in a letter to Veteran Affairs said, "It is an insult to those who have fought to spread democracy and freedom overseas to be denied the right to participate in their own democracy here at home."

"If each facility took a few simple steps to provide voter registration materials, the VA could do its part to guarantee access to voter registration."

Perhaps the Bush people would prefer the injured not vote.

[OdaSilva]

From Wikipedia:

"The term Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS) has been used in the political arena to describe a perceived tendency by some American liberals to blame President George W. Bush for virtually every ill in the world. Another facet is a merely reflexive opposition to any position advocated by Bush for no other reason than that Bush happens to be advocating it.

"[Political columnist Charles] Krauthammer defined BDS as 'the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the presidency — nay — the very existence of George W. Bush'. While Krauthammer's column was somewhat tongue-in-cheek (eg., 'What is worrying epidemiologists about the Dean incident, however, is that heretofore no case had been reported in Vermont, or any other dairy state'), the term reflects a belief that some criticisms of President Bush — for example, a description of him as the greatest current threat to American lives — are of emotional origins rather than based on facts or logic."

From Pagenews.com on December 5, 2003:

"The sad news is that there is no cure. But there is hope. There are many fine researchers seeking that cure. Your donation to the BDS Foundation, no matter how small, can help. Mailing address: Republican National Committee, Washington D.C., Attention: psychiatric department. Just make sure your amount does not exceed $2,000 ($4,000 for a married couple)."

[L D Nelson]

"The term Liberal Derangement Syndrome (LDS) has been used in the political arena to describe a perceived tendency by some American conservatives to blame liberals for virtually every ill in the world. Another facet is a merely reflexive opposition to any position advocated by a liberal for no other reason than that liberals happens to be advocating it."

[OdaSilva]

So maybe there is no hope.

[Kid]

Hope for anyone who does not fully support any dialogue concerning Veterans issues? Shame. Veterans supplied your narrow frame of reference spoutbox.