Stolen Honor

It seems appropriate on this day when the nation salutes and thanks its veterans to remind ourselves of this scurrilous bastard who claimed the honor. Written in 2010 by my radio show producer Dave “Thirdwavedave” Logan, let us never forget that Connecticut’s US Senator Richard Blumenthal who stole the uniform for his political gain.

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RICHARD BLUMENTHAL AND NEIL CAVUTO

Last week I posted about Neil Cavuto’s defense of Richard Blumenthal. I couldn’t believe that Neil pieced together such a convoluted excuse for Blumenthal’s actions, and then took aim at those of us who were making an issue of Blumenthal’s Stolen Valor. Neil said our criticisms were “silly,” “nonsense,” and “didn’t matter.” I attempted to enlighten Neil as I didn’t think he understood the issue since he never served in the military. (I assume he hasn’t served.)

As the week wore on, I expected Blumenthal to finally buckle under the pressure and apologize. Well, he made an attempt but I don’t think it was a real apology, nor do I think he really cares. Because if he did, he would’ve pulled out of the senate race, and he certainly wouldn’t have EMAILED his so-called apology to a Hartford newspaper, either. Anyone guilty of Stolen Valor does not deserve to be seated in the US Senate, the US House, White House or any other public office.

I also expected Neil to revisit his own remarks on Blumenthal, possibly clarifying them or even apologizing for being so wrong on such an important issue both inside and outside the military community. If Neil did this, I missed it. I looked for his comments until Wednesday, found none and decided to discontinue looking for them. Neil, for me, used to be appointment tv. I will continue to watch but will no longer plan my day around his telecast. If I see his show, fine. If not, oh well. Stolen Valor is a deal breaker for me. Might not be for you, but it is for me.

This whole Blumenthal Stolen Valor issue has made me wonder why Neil was so quick to defend him. Are they friends, neighbors, live in the same state, wives hang out together, or did Blumenthal once bring Neil a dozen donut holes? Anyone have an idea?

Defending someone who’s guilty of Stolen Valor is risky business, I would think. At the very least, it shows one’s true character. I don’t think Neil’s a bad guy, never did. And that’s why I’m so confused by his defense of Blumenthal’s Stolen Valor. There is no defense for such an act, especially from someone in Blumenthal’s high profile position within the state of Connecticut.

Again, I will attempt to help Neil with this issue. Most importantly, Blumenthal is a lawyer and a politician. But let’s just stick with the lawyer part for now.

All good lawyers must be able to communicate. Words are their tools, both written and spoken. Lawyers use words with the same precision a doctor uses a scalpel. Exacting. Blumenthal is not just your everyday, run-of-the-mill lawyer, either. He has a resume that arrives before he does. A legal pedigree most lawyers would kill for.

From Blumenthal’s bio: He’s serving his fifth term as Connecticut’s AG. Unprecedented. Early in his career, he was an aide to Sens Moynihan and Ribicoff. And he clerked for Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun. He served as a United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, later becoming the Chief Federal Prosecutor for Connecticut. Blumenthal also was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives. And he has argued before the United States Supreme Court. The list goes on and on.

Blumenthal’s schooling: Graduate of Harvard (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude.) Graduate of Yale Law School, and Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law Journal. Impressive.

I think we can all agree that a man with this background gets his message or point across in a very effective way. Words are tools, either written or spoken; they have precise meaning. Whether Blumenthal is communicating to you, a jury or the Supreme Court of the United States, he makes his point clearly. A man like this knows exactly what he means to say when he says it.

Men with this background, training and experience, do not make a habit of talking off-the-cuff in a reckless manner, especially about service in Vietnam. Blumenthal, I would say, doesn’t even speak off-the-cuff when ordering his breakfast at Denny’s! And he certainly wouldn’t mistake “during Vietnam” with “in Vietnam.” Ever. The subject of Vietnam is much too important and sensitive a topic for a man of his abilities to all of a sudden become sloppy when communicating about it.

Neil, your boy Blumenthal is worse than a liar–he’s guilty of Stolen Valor. He’s admitted as much, albeit rather weakly:

“At times when I have sought to honor veterans, I have not been as clear or precise as I should have been about my service in the Marine Corps Reserves,”

Clear or precise? Give me a break. Stolen Valor is Stolen Valor. Neil, I look forward to your follow up on this issue. If you’re man enough, you will. If not, well… 

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And let us not forget John Kerry, who lied that he’d been shot three times while piloting a Swiftboat, and refused to release his Standard Form 180 when challenged about it.