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Release: Veterans Call on Beauprez to Apologize
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Veterans Call on Beauprez to Apologize

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 2, 2006
CONTACT: Michael Huttner
(303) 991-1900

Denver - Veterans called on Congressman Bob Beauprez to apologize for publicly parading in a military-issued uniform when selective service records revealed that Beauprez avoided ever serving.

"We are calling on Mr. Beauprez to apologize for misleading us,"  stated retired Sergeant Jim Hudson, a Vietnam Veteran.

This photo of Congressman Bob Beauprez was taken at the Front Range Airport in Watkins, Colorado in June, 2004.

The Selective Service Classification History for Robert Louis Beauprez indicates that he requested and received three different student deferments.

The records also indicate that Beauprez came up for the draft based on his lottery drawing for 1970 of #160.

Yet on August 6, 1970 the records indicate that Beauprez was "excused" because of a "physical reason."

"Mr. Beauprez appears to want it both ways: he publicly parades in a military-issued uniform, and yet the records show he never served," stated retired Staff Sergeant Michael D. Collins, a veteran who served in Vietnam with the 1st Air Calvary Division.

"While Beauprez claims he's for veterans, he has the worst voting record on veterans' issues of any of the Colorado members of Congress," noted Collins.

According to the Disabled American Veterans, Beauprez has the worst voting record of any member of the Colorado congressional delegation, as he voted against them on every one of their key votes for both 2004 and 2005. (www.dav.org)

Hudson and Collins joined other veterans today in their call for Beauprez to apologize.  They also launched a new group "Veterans for Progress", Link, and asked other veterans to join them to hold elected officials accountable.

# # #

For sources,  interviews or additional information call Michael Huttner at 303-991-1900.

ProgressNowAction.Org is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(4) whose mission is to be a strong credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community problems.


Reader Comments

Comments are closed for this post.

  
GREAT find
By Jackie-O Feb 2nd 2006 at 1:24 pm EST
Just another chickenhawk!! Thanks for posting this.
Re: GREAT find
By TOO GOOD Feb 2nd 2006 at 1:56 pm EST
Bye Bye Both-Ways!

Best one yet, PN!
Re: GREAT find
By Pat Feb 2nd 2006 at 3:40 pm EST
We have one just like him in the southerntier of NYS. And the same political party. They are all the same breed of chickenhawks.
sign me Nam 68/69
  
Front-paged on Daily Kos
By em dash Feb 2nd 2006 at 2:27 pm EST
Good work, everyone!

Link to DailyKos.com story.

Bawk. Bawk. Bawk. Bob's a Chickenhawk!
  
Makes sense
By What's the big deal? Feb 2nd 2006 at 2:37 pm EST
Relax folks. There's pictures like this of every Member of Congress who's ever been invited to fly in an Air Force fighter, and the AF tries to invite everyone. Beauprez's been invited to Buckley a couple of times to experience first-hand the maneuverability of an F-16. Just makes sense that they'd lend him a flight suit (and a barf bag) first...

Either way, sure beats that Teletubbies outfit John Kerry put on last summer!
Re: Makes sense
By yndy Feb 2nd 2006 at 3:18 pm EST
The big deal is that he's an elected official, allowing himself to be photographed in official military garb, when he NEVER FUCKING SERVED.

That's an insult to every veteran out there.

Any other Congressional or elected idiot who has done the same is just as disgustingly foul.

Just because "others have done it" doesn't make it right -- it just means there's more than one classless, tactless, dishonorable idiot sitting in office.
Re: Makes sense
By No big deal Feb 2nd 2006 at 4:52 pm EST
That's not an official uniform. I see no rank, unit insignia, or wings on the uniform. Army navy surplus sells that kind of shit in all their stores. For those of you that have been in the military you should know that. But then again what would you expect from a bunch of hacks like ProgressNow.
Re: Makes sense
By Brian Webber Feb 2nd 2006 at 10:21 pm EST
Eisenhower NEVER put his uniform on while he was President. Never. And he was a general who atcually saw combat!
Re: Makes sense
By Annie Feb 2nd 2006 at 11:14 pm EST
This doesn't make sense. First he is wearing the uniform improperly, he's got command pilot wings on and he appears in parades with military uniforms. This aint OK
  
chickenhawks
By peleg Feb 2nd 2006 at 3:36 pm EST
Robert Heinlein had the right idea, "unless you serve, you are not a citizen" (Starship Troopers)
  
WOW
By JW Feb 2nd 2006 at 3:46 pm EST
This is my Congressman, and I have already talked to the Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera to make sure that this information is seen by the citizens of Colorado, especially since he is planning to run for Governor of Colorado.
  
And The JCS are worried about Cartoons
By T Soprano Feb 2nd 2006 at 4:21 pm EST
Peter Pace and Rumsfeld have their panties in a wad over a 1st Amendment Protected Cartoon in the WaPo, while this charlatan jackass parades around in his flightsuit. AND he votes against VETS! Unbelievable.
  
Take it off Chickenhawk!
By Wicked Witch Feb 2nd 2006 at 4:50 pm EST
Remember when this champion of free speech was calling on Professor Churchill, a decorated Vietnam Veteran, to apologize and resign for daring to call things by their right name?

Link

We do: Link
  
a
By a Feb 2nd 2006 at 5:03 pm EST
Link

"The Airport opened in 1984 with a vision that included cargo and general aviation"
  
The perfect hypocrite
By Beauprezsucks Feb 2nd 2006 at 5:13 pm EST
Beauprez actually CO-SPONSORED John Salazar's Stolen Valor Act of 2005. Singular irony. Singular hypocrite.

Link

And yes, how about that PE major who needed a medical deferment? Beauprez shills? Anyone?
  
It's A Pattern
By jacob Feb 2nd 2006 at 7:51 pm EST
Here's a link to photos of Beauprez at ANOTHER event playing flyboy. This seems to be a pattern with Beauprez.

Link
Re: It's A Pattern
By Karl Olson Feb 4th 2006 at 11:51 am EST
I don't see any patches on that flight suit, and it appears the photo was taken just before or just after the flight itself, so I don't see him representing himself as a veteran in this photo.

The main one, with the microphone and patches [and white-on-blue name patch], yes. Even though I can't see any rank, or notice its absence, etc., by appearing in public, at a rally or something, in a flight suit with patches that certainly looks a lot like a military uniform, he's giving the wrong impression.

And don't let him deny it, either. It was not a mistake.

Operation Yellow Elephant

Link
-
  
GET OUT OF OUR CONGRESS, FRAUD
By Pro-Veteran Feb 2nd 2006 at 11:04 pm EST
How dare you, Republican Rep. Beauprez? How dare you fraudulently parade your privileged self in a military uniform when you were too much of a CHICKEN to ever serve?

How dare you pretend to service you never did, while simultaneously helping to send real veterans to DIE??

GET OUT.

This message is from someone who voted republican for president from 1972 through 2000. All chickenhawks, get out of THE PEOPLE'S government.
  
I sent the weasel's campaign a note
By OldVet Feb 3rd 2006 at 5:51 am EST
I was outraged by this weasel and sent his campaign headquarters, and the press, the following note (after cribbing a quote from Kos's comments). Beyond that, there's a Chickenhawk database in New Hampshire. If you learn of any chickenhawks masquerading as patriots in Tennessee, please let me know:

"Dear Cong. Beauprez,

I see you’re running for Governor of Colorado. I saw a picture of you dressed in a military uniform with your sleeves rolled up.

What’s a fake soldier doing dressed up in a military uniform? You are nothing more than a phony Chickenhawk and everybody in Colorado is going to know it in due course, every single voter. You’ll be lucky if the people of Colorado don’t dump your ass before your term is up in Washington.

You got three draft deferments and never did serve in the military, but you go around playing soldier and wrapping yourself in the flag. Like most Republicans these days, you run away when it counts and refuse to do the dangerous duties of a citizen. How do you look yourself in the mirror? You must not have any soul, you miserable cowardly prick.

You remind me of something I read by Kurt Vonnegut in “Breakfast of Champions in 1973:”

"[Kilgore Trout, the science fiction writer] wrote a story one time about an optimistic chimpanzee who became President of the United States. He called it 'Hail to the Chief.'

The chimpanzee wore a little blue blazer with brass buttons, and with the seal of the President of the United States sewed to the breast pocket....Everywhere he went, bands would play 'Hail to the Chief.' The chimpanzee loved it. He would bounce up and down."
  
Beauprez' Beau Jest
By Democommie Feb 3rd 2006 at 12:52 pm EST
Some bonehead said that Beauprez looked better in his flight suit than Kerry. Typical Reptilicoward response when faced with an unpleasant truth (your hero is a paper tiger--and a Yellow Elephant), blame someone else and try to shift the spotlight.

Whether the flight suit is US military issue is hardly the point. Beaprez intent was clear. Being that he's in Dolphie Coors' backyard he probably has no problem raising money (it may be a bit tougher to explain where it came from if there's an investigation down the road). Coloradans, do yourselves a favor and dump this disingenous, duplicitous piece of shit before he gets real power. I know it's almost impossible to find a democrat you can live with, so I'll settle for an honest, genuine conservative.

Perhaps Mr. Bush can team up with Congressman Beauprez when they both get sent home in their respective elections. They could start a flying circus.
  
Are you Kiddng me , Talk about over-reacting
By A VETERAN PILOT Feb 3rd 2006 at 5:18 pm EST
Would you like us to stop having Fly Ins open to the public. I mean , only Pilots should wear flight suits right. Military or not. I was in the military and I wouldnt feel appropriate walking around the base in a flight suit. ( My boss the pilot might see )

Perhaps the flight museums should stop selling those patches for flight suits to anyone without an Active Duty military card and a flight line pass. AND QUICK >>> SHUT DOWN ALL MILITARY SURPLUS STORES ...

There goes my kids next Halloween costume.

And what will I wear when I fly the 2 MILLION dollar restored WWII aircraft I bought whenI attend Air Shows , now that the VETs , most of whom NEVER FLEW THEMSELVES are mad.

FLIGHT SUITS WERE MADE FOR CIVILIANS long prior to being utilized by the military.

Perhaps we should arrest the Village People. One of them wears a cop uniform. ANd there must be a charge for impersenating a gay indian. Round up every male stripper as well. WE know they have a security guards outfit.

I suppose anyone who is not from the renesaince should not wear their costume to the Ren Fair either. They might upset the people who used to wear those clothes. Not fair to the English Civil War Vets to wear Armour and mock joust if you have never been to england. And whats with the guys carrying swords. When was the last death by swordfight ?

By the way, you seemed to make a point as to Bobs inability to be drafted. Did either of the writers of these articles serve ?

We are in a time of war, wheres the same merit from yourselves ? I served , as did my Dad, his Dad, and His Dad ( not to mention all of my brothers ). Its ok if you didnt, nobodys perfect, but GLASS HOUSES gentlemen, GLASS HOUSES.

The fact of the matter is that you are not even covering the war from the middle east. You sit at you desk in BOULDER ( which is like a different planet ). You watch the war on CNN, FOX and spend HOURS ALONE on the internet entertaining the opinions of other LAME DUCKS like yourselves.

The fact of the matter is that Mr. Beauprez is at least serving his community in some manner as a public servent. What service does biased, politically motivated journalism without research offer to the average american. Nothing but increased ignorance, as shown by some of the comments here.

I am beginning to question the quality of education they are providing there in Boulder. The property values in no way represent the level of inteligence this editorial has displayed.

THANKS , Your average vet
Re: Are you Kiddng me , Talk about over-reacting
By Yup (x2) Feb 3rd 2006 at 5:58 pm EST
Yeah sure, there's no difference between a military collector buying patches for his wall display and a chickenhawk congressman strutting around in a flight suit years after he dodged the draft. What a load of wasted space your silly comments are.

I'm sorry to hear you don't like Boulder and their crappy education, although I don't understand why Progress Now should care since they're IN DENVER. Get a clue.
Re: Are you Kiddng me??????
By Mike Collins Feb 3rd 2006 at 8:13 pm EST
"By the way, you seemed to make a point as to Bobs inability to be drafted. Did either of the writers of these articles serve ?"

Look mr. veteran, if you had read the article and were not so obsessed with Boulder, you would have noticed that several veterans, Vietnam vets are the ones behind this complaint. The complaint regards a chickenhawk not taking care of veterans even though he sits on the Veterans committee. If you have something to say, say it, don't copy and paste from the Colorado Pols with your weak ass shit.
  
Does he like to rock all night and party every day?
By Andrew Feb 4th 2006 at 2:26 am EST
Maybe he was in the Kiss Army. . . .
Re: Does he like to rock all night and party every day?
By Alan Franklin Feb 4th 2006 at 9:24 am EST
(devil fingers) Can I get a hell yeah?
The power of the "Liberal" MSM........
By Mike Collins Feb 4th 2006 at 10:44 am EST
.......or should I say the power of the 4th estate is not what it once was. They are about to set a record on Colorado Pols, since someone copied and pasted a blurb and a long one from there, I will be brief with mine:

You know, I watch as much C-Span as I can, one day I'm watching, see, and Bob Beauprez gets up with charts and such, not to talk of dairy cows and western wear, Bronco's football, the brown shit stain we call air over the front range, the need to mandate fuel mileage for SUV's and P.U. trucks, but, are you ready for this, anti-torpedo-torpedoes. He had truly arrived at Republican Nirvana, weapons systems, yeehah. No longer all hat and no cattle, Bob can pee just like the big boys.
  
Beauprez Non-Event
By Mike Collins Feb 5th 2006 at 4:36 pm EST
Something I said on Colorado Pols and want to share:

Why this matters and why I don't mind saying what I do. After all, I'm one of the few that use my own name, anonyminity is a tool of deceit and not discourse at all. Being a great politician does not require a military background, but I will contend that veterans can make extremely great citizens and with a little tweaking can become great political leaders.

I know, I know, bleeding heart liberals are not attractive and macho to some, perhaps the majority of Coloradoans, but you know, I think that some sensitivity goes a long way toward defining a man or woman. The reason I found Beauprez's display so offensive was that no one in America seemed to realize that young men and women were dying very horrible deaths for some very questionable reasons. It was almost like the numbers were not large enough to matter. I guess for some, editing events as they happen, changing rationale or blocking out reality, either consciously or by manipulation is acceptable political expediency, but by any other name it is deceit. A man that will think nothing of wearing the perceived suit of a warrior during a time of war, while not attending his responsibilities towards veterans nor his message to people about the seriousness and consequence of war, definitely shows a gross lack of maturity, not to mention at least a little sensitivity. One only needs to think of the outrage that might be shown if Hillary Clinton, John Edwards or even Wesley Clark pulled the same stunt. Strong leaders lead, they are a step ahead, they look for trouble, discern a need for intercession, do not ALWAYS vote in lock step with party, can be counted on to set examples that teach and inspire future leaders and write new chapters on the road less traveled. In the case of Bob Beauprez, the best that can be said about his tenure in congress, he used a strong party position, got himself elected and played it safe. That's not leadership, it's mediocrity. He did nothing to promote the strength or repair the weakness of his party, his state nor himself. Some people can say I could have been a contender and blame this or that, Bob was a contender and chose either by choice or ability to be less. He wants to be governor in a state where he has party advantage, I say if Bob were an honest man, he would realize that he's not up to that task, not in ability, not in vision, not in past accomplishments. It is not a shameful thing, Bob is a very successful banker. The best analogy I know is that even if a man can afford to buy a plane, it does not mean he can fly it. Great leadership for the state means turning diversity into strengths, not into distinctions that divide and polarize.
  
Give Bopez a chance to redeem himself
By Holton wolcott usmcr Feb 6th 2006 at 1:20 pm EST
Let the man prove himself. Let him dress in his uniform (blue suit,white shirt,red tie, all made overseas) givbe him a water pistol and let him leed the troops in the situation over seas.You want to get rid of the man. Get out ond vote.
Re: Give Bopez a chance to redeem himself
By MrHandy2001 Feb 18th 2006 at 1:05 pm EST
Let's see. First, Bob Beauprez receives three deferments to avoid going to Vietnam. Second, Bob Beauprez dawns a flight suit to give us the impression that he is strong on the military. Same scheme used by Congressman Joel Hefley in 1986. Hefley, who is not seeking re-election, was granted a deferment from Korea. He actively recruited a bunch of military types by creating a military affairs committee. The sole purpose of this committee was to add credibality where non existed. So now he is endorsing Bob Beauprez. Is there a club for these non-military types? What are the annual dues?
Re: Give Bopez a chance to redeem himself
By US Naval Aviator Mar 2nd 2006 at 6:08 pm EST
As a current naval aviator on flight status I find your cries of foul most insincere. I just stumbled on this website but its obvious stance..er...lean to the left is apparent. I'm not sure what all the carping is about but the man just got finished flying in an F-16, as inferior as that machine is. What should he have done? Changed into a suit and tie before stepping to the mike? And what CO is going to let a congressional guest make a public appearance in a flight suit with no glitter? Of course they are going to put patches on it.

I feel for you. I'm sorry you have so little to do now that you are retired, but writing hatemail to the congressman because he "impersonated a military officer" seems like a genuine waste of your time.

For me, I'll gladly take any tax wasting rep out for a spin and see what he had for dinner....two days ago.

Keep 'em in the air.
Fly Navy
  
disgrace
By Joan C Hearl Mar 20th 2006 at 9:53 pm EST
I thought it was against the law to wear a uniform of any Service if you were not a military person. Why then is he allowed to get away with it.

He is a disgrace to all veterans not only the disabled ones but to all who fought and gave their life for their country. SHAME ON HIM
  
Posers
By Monkeyman May 6th 2006 at 5:35 pm EDT
When somebody poses as x military they need to be called on it.You guys rock Veterans For Progress IL.
  
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