I wasn’t disagreeing with you, I was only showing what VoteVets appears to be doing, and also that a commitment to not be like them takes a top down decision from the board. I haven’t checked their board, but if they have Gen Clark (who I respect) speaking for them, it would appear their motives are clearly partisan –being that he has attempted to run for the democratic ticket in the past (boy what a dumb decision). They’re drawing from an obvious pool of people who think and act like them, rather than casting a wider net. The problems with this is that a group ends up not representing the broad interests of veterans and to become a mouthpiece for politics.

I think that the AL’s reputation is conservative and Republican, however their track record belies this perception. The AL has worked on national issues that effect Veterans. Period. If there is any perception created about political affiliation, by all means it’s been created along the local levels –often to the detriment of posts that see their numbers dwindling, & their membership growing grayer.

Mind you, this is not a problem unique to organizations. A lot of organizations are facing the same issue: how to attract new members. And the problem is if the perceptions don’t match up with the truth, what ends up happening is rather than joining the AL (and using their history, experiences, and resources), they decide to set up VV –and then both sets of veterans end up losing.

So I think it’s incumbent upon the AL to find out why people dropped out. One of those has already said when they got their newsletter it was too “right wing.”

I think AL does a lot of great work. I know they need to get younger members. I hope your blog will do just that –but remember it will take a top down decision from the board of directors to bring a diverse plank aboard –at every level –local, state and national.

Good luck with your efforts. You are making a GREAT START with the blog. Just remember that what you have on your side is the history of RESULTS of the Legion, and much to draw upon.

To which I’ll add:
The value of local AL Posts cannot be emphasized enough. They’re the backbone of the organization. Their efforts make it possible to carry out such operations as this blog, and also the website. The challenge is –as it is with all august organizations, is how to attract and retain members. As for membership –it’s a no brainer. Just look at what the AL has accomplished! I can’t imagine why anyone would *not* try to be involved at some level –whether national, local or virtual.

March 16, 2009 http://www.legion.org/pressrelease/2548/american-legion-strongly-opposed-presidents-plan-charge-wounded-heroes-treatment

March 19, 2009 http://www.legion.org/pressrelease/2550/legion-commander-praises-obamas-change-plan

March 27, 2009 http://www.legion.org/pressrelease/2586/american-legion-supports-obama-plan-afghanistan

April 14, 2009 http://www.legion.org/pressrelease/2626/american-legion-very-pleased-presidents-va-initiatives

April 24, 2009 http://www.legion.org/pressrelease/2652/contrite-homeland-security-secretary-offers-sincere-apology-veterans

June 15, 2009 http://www.legion.org/pressrelease/2729/american-legion-lauds-congress-and-president-action-wartime-spending-bill

July 7, 2009 http://www.legion.org/pressrelease/2773/missile-defense-stakes-couldnt-be-higher

Sept 24, 2009 http://www.legion.org/pressrelease/2930/legion-white-house-we-must-not-lose-afghanistan

I defy anyone to identify a partisan or ideological political agenda in that group. I know that the claim can be made that I have picked and chosen among the press releases to make my point. If someone wishes they can go to

http://www.legion.org/national/divisions/pr

and read every press release issued by the Legion since January 1, 2009. Our positions are public and formed by resolutions from our members.

As regards the claim that we have been involved in politics since our founding. We certainly have. Everyone that works with our elected officials on veterans’ issues is involved in politics, like it or not. The distinction that must be drawn however is between being political and being partisan. They are not the same. It is partisanship that the Legion avoids as should all veterans organizations if they truly have veterans’ issues as their sole purpose as many claim, a claim that some don’t live up to.

So, other than the Check Card disagreement on what it does, which I can see an argument being made on, is there anything specific that Seventh Son (who’s identity is openly disclosed in another post) that is incorrect factually?

The idea of the blog here is to discuss these things openly. I hope we can do it with a bit less rancor, but I do understand people feeling strongly in one way or another.