A Lump of Coal for Our Nation's Veterans From GE's John Krenicki

Today is Veteran's Day and I salute my family members, friends and colleagues who have served our country. I have always been inspired by them, from my grandfather who fought in the trenches of World War I, to my father who served in the South Pacific in the Navy, to so many people from the Kerry Campaign who served, to my younger veteran friends, Powers, Soltz, Rieckhoff, Murphy and many many more.

Above all, my veteran inspiration is Max Cleland, whom I wish I was with today to get one of his famous hugs.

Unfortunately, in this country for reasons I don't understand, time and time again, we see Americans who believe not in honoring the service of those that wear the uniform but use it to take advantage of it. Wave the flag and talk the talk, but don't walk the walk.

President Bush is the President Emeritus of this group. Famous for talking about our military and our veterans but dramatically underfunding the VA and our troops. Republican Senators, many of whom have quite rightly faced the wrath of Votevets.org, are top of the charts as well.

One other core issue and practice that happens in our country is during times of political debate on key issues, health care, global warming, businesses and other outside groups pour millions of dollars into the debates through front groups - distorting the debate and muddying the waters of progress.

The people who fund these groups never actually get called to table because of the actions of their groups and they should. For example, call me bitter because I am, but T. Boone Pickens has the blood of the dead from Iraq on his hands because he funded the Swift Boat Veterans. Without them, I think John Kerry wins. And I know John Kerry. We would have less tombstones in Arlington from Iraq if John had won in 2004.

Today, these two unattractive qualities have merged.

We have a front group, ACCCE, their members are here, a group that is pouring millions into the fight against clean energy because their members are old energy companies, but today on Veterans Day, ACCCE is using the good work of two veterans groups without their permission, stealing it and misrepresenting it.

Now, read this, from Votevets.org, about how upset they are. The title says it all. "Coal Front Group Hijacks Veterans, Dishonors Veteran's Day."

But go back to the list of members. Don't be mad at this front group because it's just that, there's nothing there.

Be mad at the despicable CEO's who don't have the guts to stand up and dishonor veterans on their own but instead pour money into another group and let that group do it for them.

John Krenicki at GE Power for example.

I wonder how John feels about veterans. Clearly, he doesn't honor their service and thinks that protecting their work is important.

Clearly, John thinks that misrepresenting what our veterans want is fair game.

Clearly, John is not someone who thinks Veteran's Day matters.

Now, to be fair to John, every CEO on the list of ACCCE members should be ashamed and embarrassed.

The veterans who served and are working for clean energy to save lives of those still in uniform are hurt and mad.

You listening John?

 

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Comments

[normathumb]

You can disagree on climate change and domestic energy policy all day but that entirely misses the point of this article. ACCCE is using the name of a couple of veteran's groups diametrically opposed to their agenda and implying the exact oposite of what those groups are working for. The article is about the honesty and integrity of ACCCE and the people who back it.

[JBVT]

It might be best if American troops continue to fight.

With practice, they might again, someday win.

[gabemill]

I agree with your assessment of Pickens, James.....­..
He was instrumental in portraying a decorated war hero as a traitor...­..how despicable does it get? The atrocities continue, however. Today, Sen Coburn (R), celebrates Veterans Day by, single-handedly, holding back S. 1963, "The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009." While he waves the flag of hypocrisy, our men and women attempt to endure the onslaught of those who self righteously proclaim "support for the troops," while legislating for their warped political ideology. As Vets represent the highest percentage of suicides and homelessness, by category, in our nation....­.....isn't it time we do something for those who've given so much? As the party who overwhelmingly voted against the New GI Bill, the republicans have a long way to go in showing the support that our Vets deserve...­..in action, not rhetoric.

[realitytrumpsbull]

I second ElmCreekSmith's observation, I think climate change and 'peak oil' are both B.S., for that matter, if we ever master the process of electrolys­is(defense researchers are no doubt working feverishly deep into the night, no doubt), we can then start producing hydrogen from either the Atlantic ocean, the Pacific ocean, or, if need be, from both oceans at once. The theory is there, all we have to do is catch up with the Malaysians in terms of product developmen­t...

[ElmCreekSmith]

Dig here, dig now. We have more coal than anyone else has oil. For that matter, we have more oil than just about anyone else if we could just drill for it off the west coast, the east coast, and around Florida.

I'm not convinced "climate change" is the issue you believe it to be.

ECS
Captain, Armor
United States Army (Ret.)

[gabemill]

And your assessment would trump the overwhelming consensus of the world scientific community, how?

[Carl Caroli]

Any CEO or corporation that uses a front group to perpetrate their lies should be exposed for what they are and ridiculed by the press until they step down from whatever position they hold. It's equivalent to slander, and you should either be man enough to take ownership or pay the price for it.

[NICELYDONE]

I took the time to read the articles linked and the comments from the vets,,, The vets on a whole seem to disagree with the climate fixers completely and realize that coal can and should be a big part of the equation

[schatsie]

We need people like you to keep the fire and lights on the Repugs and their years of corruption and spending..­. and trying to cut the grunts pay...

That is the only way we are going to be able to pull anything out of the 2010 elections because the people in the Obama administration do not get it at all.....