Paul Galanti: Swiftboater for Allen

Paul Galanti has earned the nation+óGé¼Gäós respect. He graduated the U.S. Naval Academy in 1962 and entered Naval flight training, where he became an instructor. In 1965 he was assigned to the USS Hancock, a carrier off Vietnam, and flew 97 combat missions before being shot down on June 17, 1966.  He was captured and kept as a POW for almost seven years, released February 12, 1973. There are good write-ups describing some of his time as a POW and later career available online here, here and here, and the text of a Virginia Senate and Assembly Joint Resolution commending him is available here.

Following post-POW rehabilitation Galanti completed a Masters degree and went on to complete a distinguished career, retiring as Commander in 1983. His military decorations include the Silver Star, Two Legions of Merit for combat, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star for combat, nine Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal for combat and two Purple Hearts. He was on the cover of Life Magazine in October, 1967 and Newsweek, February, 1973. His bio at the Vietnam POW site also notes that he:

"is a recipient of the Liberty Bell Award, the Outstanding Virginian Award and numerous other awards and citations for civic service. He is Past President of the Science Museum of Virginia Foundation, Past President of Nam-POWs, the national Vietnam POW Fraternity, a River Rat, POW Coordinator for the Skyhawk Association and an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, he was President of his class at Annapolis."

Paul Galanti served with honor and endured a great sacrifice for this country. He stands as a model for overcoming the worst that can be thrown at a person, and honors all of us as Americans. Like his fellow veterans Paul Galanti has earned the respect of every American. (author's emphasis)

Mr Johnson goes on to ask many questions and raises many good points. To avoid copyright infringment, I am not posting the entire article. I suggest you go read it for yourself.

Join me after the break.
One of the questions that he asks is "How did Galanti respond to attacks on a fellow POW? (John McCain) This is a good question. Although Mr. Galanti endorsed Mark Warner in the 2001 Governor's race, he had previously been Chair of the McCain For President Committee in Virginia. As such, he most assuredly was aware of the attacks made on McCain in South Carolina.

He was later appointed to the VA Advisory Panel by the Bush Administration. He was also appointed to the Department of Veterans Services by then-Governor Mark Warner.

Another question Mr. Johnson asks, and I have been asking this myself, "Why?"

Why would veterans of note and sterling careers want to attack fellow veterans and POW's? Mr. Johnson asks, is it for position? Is is for money?

A quote from Mr. Galanti about Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill):

  "Your remarks comparing Guantanamo to the regimes of Stalin, Hitler and Pol Pot are outrageous. I tried to think of why a rational human being could make such an outlandish statement but I keep coming up short. I thought I'd seen it all when Howard Dean performed his infamous scream in Iowa but your diatribe yesterday eclipsed Dean's moment of Hannibal Lecter lunacy. And your moment of pique will be infinitely more damaging to members of our Armed Forces serving in harm's way.

  +óGé¼-ª You, sir, for having aided and abetted the enemy in time of war, have been relegated in my mind to the status of Jane Fonda and your colleague, John Kerry as contemptible traitors."

These remarks were seen far and wide on the World News Daily's and the Hannity's of the world.

So I come here to ask also. Why do you work for Senator George "Macaca" Allen? Is it because of your experience with Chris LaCivita last year in Jerry Kilgore's failed bid for Governor?

I am a veteran, and this type of behavior really steams me. Does George Allen and Paul Galanti think that insulting the large population of veterans in Virginia will gain any traction? Why attack Jim Webb, an American hero in his own right when he asks the citizens of Virginia to do better for themselves? Mr Galanti has praised Jim Webb in the past, since Mr. Webb was Naval Secretary at the time Mr. Galanti was leaving the Navy. What has changed?

These types of attacks are what we can expect from Chris LaCivita and Paul Galanti. As a veteran, I am embarrased to associate myself with them. I want to just shake them by the collar and ask them what the hell they think they are doing?

Members of the Armed Forces of America should not have to listen and read a few veterans trashing others in the name of political expediancy and gain.

Isn't it time that we ask these questions of the Allen camapign?

Any answers people can provide are most welcome. Let's really debate this, because it is coming whether we like it or not. I know I, for one, am disgusted.

In a related article, James Boyce of HuffPo asks more questions, and reveals more information about Mr. Galanti. Like whether he is a Tailhook apologist and a sexist person.

Comments