Malignant, and Myopic Narcissism 
By John Gilligan

Veterans Day '07 in Central Vermont was one of great pride for me as a veteran, other veterans, and Americans. It was also an occasion of great sadness and disgust with other entities who chose to demean it.

The long holiday began on Friday with a Medals Ceremony at the Statehouse where Governor Douglas, Lt. Governor Dubie, Adj. General Dubie, State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding and several members of the legislature were present. Over 60 Vermont Veterans and their families were there for the award of the VT Veterans and the VT Distinguished Service medals to them or deceased loved ones, it was a proud day for me to accept them for my deceased brother Mike and myself. Republican Representative Valliere worked hard to get a good turnout of Barre area Vets to be there and was complimented by Governor Douglas for his efforts.

But also a shame that no one from the Liberal left Television or Print Media could be bothered to cover the story. Needless to say I saw no story in the Times Argus the following day.

Then on 11 November, the most sacred of days, the good citizens of Barre were subjected to the antics of the Hate America First Crowd at the Aldrich Library. They had gathered to castigate one of their anti-war heroes for stepping out of line after winning their support in the last election. They put on a performance that only kindergarten teacher at a 
school riot could love. Also present was the Argus and TV media. Despite the Argus' attempt to spin and ameliorate the debacle; i.e., their first report had the mob numbered at about 70. Susan Allen jacked it to about 100 in a follow-up piece but both stories failed to note that most in the mob were not from Barre.

Who invited them to Barre and what in God’s name was Representative Welch, a Democrat, thinking when he scheduled this on Veterans Day and in Barre? Why not Brattleboro, Burlington, Montpelier, or some other bastion of left-wing lunacy? Then to add insult to injury Rep Welch was chosen by the Legion as the keynote speaker for the 12 November ceremony. As a legion member myself I’m still bemused at that. Although 
I and many of my veteran friends were upset by his anti-war posturing, he was afforded a civil reception both at the parade ceremony and luncheon at Barre Post 10.

I hope these events served as an eye opener, to Rep Welch and Conservative Vermonters, of the Malicious, Malignant, and Myopic Narcissism of many Progressives & Democrats here. We all had a good look at their not so pretty faces on Saturday night.

John R Gilligan
Captain USAF, Ret-Res.
122 Batchelder ST #6
Barre, VT 05641

Editors Note: This was an earlier submission that got misplaced.