SGT Ed Koch passes at 88 years old
Probably the most famous recent mayor of New York City, Democrat Ed Koch passed in the early hours today. Koch was drafted out of college in 1943, he served as an infantryman with the 104th Infantry Division, landing in Cherbourg, France in September 1944, earning two campaign stars before he was discharged after the war as a sergeant.
What you won’t read about or see on the news today was that he was one of the few Democrats who supported the war against terror in the last decade. From The Villager, Sept 24, 2003;
On Sept. 12 on Fox News’ “Hannity & Colmes,” on a segment on 9/11, Koch said, “I think [Bush has] been terrific. And I have never voted in the past for a Republican president…. But I am voting for George Bush this time around. And I will tell you why. He has created what is now known as the Bush Doctrine, equal to the Monroe Doctrine. And what is the Bush Doctrine? That we will go after the terrorists and the countries that harbor them. And he’s kept his commitment, unlike anybody else in the world. And certainly unlike any of the nine or so Democratic candidates for president. And the worst one is Howard Dean. I mean, that’s McGovern II.”
In an interview with The Villager last week, Koch elaborated on why he’s endorsing Bush. Again, Koch stressed it’s because of the so-called Bush Doctrine — that the U.S. has the right to proactively attack any country perceived to be a threat.
“We have gone after two of them, Afghanistan and Iraq, so he means what he says,” said Koch. “I can’t imagine a Democrat doing that.”
From Boston.com August 29, 2004;
Koch was surprised and impressed by Bush’s resolve after Sept. 11. “He announced the Bush Doctrine — he said we would go after the terrorists and the countries that harbor them. And he’s kept his word.” Koch doubts that the leadership of his own party could have mustered the grit to topple the Taliban or drive Saddam Hussein from power, let alone to press on in what is going to be a long and grinding conflict.
“Already, most of the world is caving. If you didn’t have Bush standing there, you’d have everybody following Spain and the Philippines” in retreat, he says, trying to appease the terrorists instead of fighting them.
Category: Blue Skies, Terror War
RIP!
Being Mayor of basketcase NYC in late 70s to mid 80s was not for faint of heart…had to be one of the toughest jobs in the country. In 104th ID, Ed served under the legendary MG Terry De La Mesa Allen. Farewell Ed.
They make very few Democrats like him these days.
#3 Twist
They make NO Democrats like him today.
I grew up on the east coast during the era of pre-80s Democrats, when they represented Teh People, not libtard special interest groups.
RIP, Sgt Koch. You had a good run.
Back then Democrats loved their country. Few like SGT Ed Koch these days. He will be missed.
Feisty, brash, open yet very intelligent, Sargeant Koch of the 104th ID was a helluva guy. He didn’t mollycoddle the enemy, be they Nazis, Nazi collaborators, Soviets and certainly not the terrorists.He was combative, plain talking and pretty darn fair and empathetic as a human being. God rest his soul.