corrente

Isn't wrapping one's self in the flag banned by yet another amendment the wingers always try to get the rubes to fall for round election time?

One 30-second spot, "Safer, Stronger," features a series of images fading in and out including one of the World Trade Center wreckage with an American flag waving in front and then a shot of firefighters apparently at Ground Zero carrying a flag-draped stretcher. The ad touts Bush's "steady leadership in times of change."

It's also angered the nation's largest firefighters union, which yesterday delivered a letter to the suburban Washington headquarters of Bush-Cheney '04 demanding the ad be pulled - a request the campaign rejected. "That's absolutely disgraceful," said Harold Schaitberger, president of the 260,000-member International Association of Fire Fighters, which is supporting Kerry. He said the flag draped on the stretcher being carried by firefighters in the ad "means that's one of our own." He said the Bush administration has not adequately supported firefighters with money to improve service and increase staffing.

Some Sept. 11 survivors were particularly angered that Bush would use the event politically after he has fought with the independent commission investigating the attacks.

"It's mind-boggling to me that he can see this event as a positive reflection on his administration," said Mary Fetchet of New Canaan, Conn., whose son Brad died in the trade center. She criticized Bush's insistence on limiting to one hour his testimony before the federally mandated commission, which rejected the terms.

"We've had such challenges with this administration on all the issues that impact the families - to then in turn use the death of our loved ones as a political platform, I think is disgusting," Fetchet said.
(via Newsday

Steady, my AUnt Fanny. "I'm a hypertense, death-dealing fiasco!"