[NYCFarmboy]

FROM NY POST

DEM'S MARINE MISFIRE
By STEFAN C. FRIEDMAN

July 31, 2004 -- SCRANTON, Pa. — John Kerry's heavily hyped cross-country bus tour stumbled out of the blocks yesterday, as a group of Marines publicly dissed the Vietnam War hero in the middle of a crowded restaurant.

Kerry was treating running mate Sen. John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, to a Wendy's lunch in Newburgh, N.Y., for their 27th wedding anniversary — an Edwards family tradition — when the candidate approached four Marines and asked them questions.

The Marines — two in uniform and two off-duty — were polite but curt while chatting with Kerry, answering most of his questions with a "yes, sir" or "no, sir."

But they turned downright nasty after the Massachusetts senator thanked them "for their service" and left.

"He imposed on us and I disagree with him coming over here shaking our hands," one Marine said, adding, "I'm 100 percent against [him]."

A sergeant with 10 years of service under his belt said, "I speak for all of us. We think that we are doing the right thing in Iraq," before saying he is to be deployed there in a few weeks and is "eager" to go and serve.

The Marines — all of whom serve at nearby Stewart Air Force Base — wouldn't give their names.

It wasn't an auspicious start to the senators' "Believe in America" bus tour — a 22-state, 43-city tour that will cover roughly 3,500 miles over 15 days in an effort to carry some of their momentum out of the Democratic convention.

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/25935.htm

[RAILhead]

[OldManMac]

No big deal. Four marines do not the election make.

[angaq0k]

Originally posted by RAILhead:

hmmm? a boring deserted road?

Are the Marines in our back or way, far away ahead?

[doctorkeyser]

Originally posted by NYCFarmboy:
A sergeant with 10 years of service under his belt said, "I speak for all of us."

Hehe. Suuuuure. He definitely sounds Republican. No surprise here.

[BRussell]

Breaking news! NY Post Headline! John Kerry accidentally spoke with some Republicans!

[OldManMac]

Originally posted by BRussell:
Breaking news! NY Post Headline! John Kerry accidentally spoke with some Republicans!

[LoganCharles]

Originally posted by BRussell:
Breaking news! NY Post Headline! John Kerry accidentally spoke with some Republicans!

The military as a whole are much more loyal to Republicans so its not much of an accident.

You can guarantee that if Michael Moore were to deliver a speech in front of group of marines he'd be lucky to make it out alive.

[Mithras]

Not to mention that unlike some other Democratic candidates, Kerry supported the war (but has criticized its management).

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by KarlG:
No big deal. Four marines do not the election make.

No big deal, but amusing. I'm glad they were polite to him. But it is also good for Kerry to know that he has to do more than throw a sloppy salute to be trusted as a potential commander in chief.

[Saul Goode]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
But it is also good for Kerry to know that he has to do more than throw a sloppy salute to be trusted as a potential commander in chief.

Maybe it was the salute itself that triggered it!

[LoganCharles]

Originally posted by Saul Goode:
Maybe it was the salute itself that triggered it!

There's something ghoulish about Kerry's face. He has that Scooby Doo 'who dunnit' facial mask you could pull off.

[OldManMac]

Originally posted by LoganCharles:
The military as a whole are much more loyal to Republicans so its not much of an accident.

You can guarantee that if Michael Moore were to deliver a speech in front of group of marines he'd be lucky to make it out alive.

Support those guesses, please.

[LoganCharles]

Originally posted by KarlG:
Support those guesses, please.

Support my guesses, eh?

Clinton cut the military budget. Would you like it if the place you worked at cut their budget in half? Republicans also tend to better reflect the values of military personal. They're just a better, more natural fit. Kerry might have served but his post vietnam persona is one of anti-military. The peaceniks really burned their bridges with the armed forces back in the 60's. Simey here can probably better elaborate.

[LoganCharles]

Originally posted by KarlG:
Support those guesses, please.

Regarding Michael Moore: In the immortal words of R. Lee Ermy, "He's a fat body". He's everything that is the oposite of a Marine.

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by LoganCharles:
The peaceniks really burned their bridges with the armed forces back in the 60's. Simey here can probably better elaborate.

Not really. I can only say that in my experience, most active duty military are moderately conservative. Either Republicans, or Zell Millerish Democrats. That didn't so much take effect because of the 60s so much as the 1970s, when the pro-defense wing of the Democratic party (the so-called Scoop Jackson Democrats) lost out to the likes of McGovern, Carter, Mondale, et al.

However, my direct experience of the military is getting on for 10 years old. I hear stuff from my Air Force nephew that doesn't sound different from what I knew. My gut tells me that most military won't favor the Democrats' cut and run and pretend 9/11 never happened approach. But I could be out of date.

[angaq0k]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
(...) My gut tells me that most military won't favor the Democrats' cut and run and pretend 9/11 never happened approach. But I could be out of date.

Cutting quite large aren't we?

[mo]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
No big deal, but amusing. I'm glad they were polite to him. But it is also good for Kerry to know that he has to do more than throw a sloppy salute to be trusted as a potential commander in chief.

Yeah, you gotta wear a flight suit and do it on an aircraft carrier.

[tie]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
No big deal, but amusing. I'm glad they were polite to him. But it is also good for Kerry to know that he has to do more than throw a sloppy salute to be trusted as a potential commander in chief.

Bush's Vietnam service gives him much more credibility.

[BlackGriffen]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
My gut tells me that most military won't favor the Democrats' cut and run and pretend 9/11 never happened approach. But I could be out of date.

How would sticking to getting OBL and devoting more resources to Afghanistan be cutting and running?

Cut and run is what some have suggested for Iraq (kookoo Kucinich and the like), but none of the candidates who had a shot every suggested pulling out of Iraq prematurely.

Not to mention the fact that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

It's a common misconception that Democrats advocate pulling out of Iraq (most don't), and that Iraq had something to do with 9/11 and the war on terror (it didn't, until Bush invaded).

But, then, the military folks could still be smarting from pay cuts, overly long tours of duty, etc. Not to mention the incredibly stupid idea of sending the National Guard abroad.

It's obvious why the military would love Bush.

BlackGriffen

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
No big deal, but amusing. I'm glad they were polite to him. But it is also good for Kerry to know that he has to do more than throw a sloppy salute to be trusted as a potential commander in chief.

so...what you're suggesting is that if Kerry gets elected, he cannot count on soldiers respecting the chain of command...right?

so, in other words, its okay to dissent as long as you are a republican.

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by LoganCharles:
Support my guesses, eh?

Clinton cut the military budget. Would you like it if the place you worked at cut their budget in half? Republicans also tend to better reflect the values of military personal. They're just a better, more natural fit. Kerry might have served but his post vietnam persona is one of anti-military. The peaceniks really burned their bridges with the armed forces back in the 60's. Simey here can probably better elaborate.

but yet, wasn't Clinton the commander in chief at the time? are you suggesting its ok not to support the current president?

Odd, because when I don't support the policies of the current president, I'm labeled a traitor.

double standard or bald hypocrisy? you decide.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally posted by BlackGriffen:
Not to mention the incredibly stupid idea of sending the National Guard abroad.

Mobilizing the National Guard to fight overseas is nothing new. National Guard units have been called up to fight in every overseas war since WWI.

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by Lerkfish:
so...what you're suggesting is that if Kerry gets elected, he cannot count on soldiers respecting the chain of command...right?

so, in other words, its okay to dissent as long as you are a republican.

From the account we have, they were respectful. They were polite, they called him sir. I have no doubt that if Kerry is elected, the military will follow his orders just like they followed those of other Democrats that the military by and large didn't vote for (e.g. Carter, and Clinton).

As you so often demonstrate, Americans aren't required to pretend to like thier leaders. That goes for Americans in uniform as well.

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE:
Mobilizing the National Guard to fight overseas is nothing new. National Guard units have been called up to fight in every overseas war since WWI.

It's also deliberately built in to the structure of the all volunteer force to make sure that no president can do an LBJ and go to war without activating the Guard. That's why most of the vital support and service units are in the Guard and Reserves. For example, all of the water purification units. If you want your troops to drink water, you have to send the reserves overseas.

[OreoCookie]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
...

As you so often demonstrate, Americans aren't required to pretend to like thier leaders. That goes for Americans in uniform as well.

Isn't Lerk an American, too?

To get back on topic, of course, I think these soldiers can and should be able to criticize politicians (publicly) as long it is off-duty. Despite the formality, it sure wasn't polite to interrupt and tell the Kerrys and the Edwards their opinion.

[OreoCookie]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
...

As you so often demonstrate, Americans aren't required to pretend to like thier leaders. That goes for Americans in uniform as well.

Isn't Lerk an American, too?

To get back on topic, of course, I think these soldiers can and should be able to criticize politicians (publicly) as long it is off-duty. Despite the formality, it sure wasn't polite to interrupt and tell the Kerrys and the Edwards their opinion.

[BRussell]

Originally posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE:
Mobilizing the National Guard to fight overseas is nothing new. National Guard units have been called up to fight in every overseas war since WWI.

Then why did GWB join the National Guard 30 years ago?

[BRussell]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
As you so often demonstrate, Americans aren't required to pretend to like thier leaders. That goes for Americans in uniform as well.

Some Democrats seeking Cheney tickets had to sign oath.

(too early for anything but snarky one-liners this morning)

[OldManMac]

Originally posted by tie:
Bush's Vietnam service gives him much more credibility.

Did I miss something? When was Bush in Vietnam?

[saab95]

Originally posted by NYCFarmboy:
[B]FROM NY POST
Kerry was treating running mate Sen. John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, to a Wendy's lunch in Newburgh, N.Y., for their 27th wedding anniversary — an Edwards family tradition — when the candidate approached four Marines and asked them questions.

What a cheapskate Kerry is.

[typoon]

Originally posted by OreoCookie:

To get back on topic, of course, I think these soldiers can and should be able to criticize politicians (publicly) as long it is off-duty. Despite the formality, it sure wasn't polite to interrupt and tell the Kerrys and the Edwards their opinion.

Why not? These soldiers are free to speak there minds. It's not like the man is the President yet. If he were then it would be a different story.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally posted by BRussell:
Then why did GWB join the National Guard 30 years ago?

35 years ago. Apparently because he wanted to fly – the same as his father, and that was a way to do it.

As for why his unit was never called to active duty- ask the Johnson and Nixon Administrations.

The Air guard was mobilized twice during the Vietnam War. Apparently Bush's unit wasn't because it didn't fly the type of aircraft needed for combat in Vietnam, but other units that did, went.

Democrats acting all holier-than-thou over Vietnam War duty are just laughable. It was a complete non-issue for them in 1992 of course, when it was a decorated WWII fighter-pilot vs. a draft dodger. Hey, that’s fine, but now this complete bullcrap of acting like GW Bush’s service wasn’t enough by comparison is just downright typical of Democrat ‘any which way the winds blows’ dishonesty.

I’m far less impressed personally with Kerry’s WAY overplayed and over-hyped four months in Vietnam (marred by a number of questionable actions) than I am Bush’s multi-year stint in the National Guard. Combined with Kerry’s atrocious behavior and admitted war-criminal status after his four months, I’d say it’s an issue Kerry is a complete hypocrite to constantly harp on.

[BRussell]

Oh lighten up crash. You didn't see the "razz" smiley? Have you ever made a post that didn't talk about "dishonest leftists" or some such? The fact is, joining the national guard was a well-known way to get out of going to vietnam during the period. Bush himself said he did it rather than going to Canada. I said in a recent thread that I'm sick of Kerry's vietnam line. But compare the incredible coverage of Clinton's supposed draft-dodging when he first came on the scene to the almost complete lack of press questions about Bush's until just last year. That's some kind of double standard.

[zigzag]

Originally posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE:
35 years ago. Apparently because he wanted to fly – the same as his father, and that was a way to do it.

As for why his unit was never called to active duty- ask the Johnson and Nixon Administrations.

The Air guard was mobilized twice during the Vietnam War. Apparently Bush's unit wasn't because it didn't fly the type of aircraft needed for combat in Vietnam, but other units that did, went.

Democrats acting all holier-than-thou over Vietnam War duty are just laughable. It was a complete non-issue for them in 1992 of course, when it was a decorated WWII fighter-pilot vs. a draft dodger. Hey, that’s fine, but now this complete bullcrap of acting like GW Bush’s service wasn’t enough by comparison is just downright typical of Democrat ‘any which way the winds blows’ dishonesty.

I’m far less impressed personally with Kerry’s WAY overplayed and over-hyped four months in Vietnam (marred by a number of questionable actions) than I am Bush’s multi-year stint in the National Guard. Combined with Kerry’s atrocious behavior and admitted war-criminal status after his four months, I’d say it’s an issue Kerry is a complete hypocrite to constantly harp on.

"I am angry that so many of the sons of the powerful and well-placed... managed to wangle slots in Reserve and National Guard units...Of the many tragedies of Vietnam, this raw class discrimination strikes me as the most damaging to the ideal that all Americans are created equal and owe equal allegiance to their country." Colin Powell, famous liberal, My American Journey, p. 148.

Personally, I don't condemn Bush or Clinton, and I don't mind people objecting to Kerry's anti-war activities, but I get irate when people suggest that Bush wasn't trying to avoid combat when he joined the Guard.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally posted by BRussell:
Oh lighten up crash. You didn't see the "razz" smiley? Have you ever made a post that didn't talk about "dishonest leftists" or some such?

Has there ever been a point (certainly since 9/11) when the left wasn’t engaged in one form of blatant shameless dishonesty or another?

The fact is, joining the national guard was a well-known way to get out of going to vietnam during the period.

But one non-partisan source that disagrees with you and (unlike you) bases it on established fact:

It is a common misconception that the Air National Guard was a safe place for military duty during the Vietnam War. In actuality, pilots from the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group, as it was called at the time, were actually conducting combat missions in Vietnam at the very time Bush enlisted. In fact, F-102 squadrons had been stationed in South Vietnam since March 1962.

Nevertheless, we have established that the F-102 was serving in combat in Vietnam at the time Bush enlisted to become an F-102 pilot. In fact, pilots from the 147th FIG of the Texas ANG were routinely rotated to Vietnam for combat duty under a program called "Palace Alert" from 1968 to 1970. Palace Alert was an Air Force program that sent qualified F-102 pilots from the ANG to bases in Europe or southeast Asia for periods of three to six months for frontline duty. Fred Bradley, a friend of Bush's who was also serving in the Texas ANG, reported that he and Bush inquired about participating in the Palace Alert program. However, the two were told by a superior, MAJ Maurice Udell, that they were not yet qualified since they were still in training and did not have the 500 hours of flight experience required. Furthermore, ANG veteran COL William Campenni, who was a fellow pilot in the 111th FIS at the time, told the Washington Times that Palace Alert was winding down and not accepting new applicants.

But compare the incredible coverage of Clinton's supposed draft-dodging when he first came on the scene to the almost complete lack of press questions about Bush's until just last year. That's some kind of double standard.

Bush having actually served his country (just in a role your type keeps trying to downplay as not being service, when clearly it is) doesn’t compare in any way to Clinton not having served at all. If there’s any double standard, it’s that people like you harp on Bush who did serve, compared to floating Clinton a free pass when he didn’t.

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by OreoCookie:
Isn't Lerk an American, too?

To get back on topic, of course, I think these soldiers can and should be able to criticize politicians (publicly) as long it is off-duty. Despite the formality, it sure wasn't polite to interrupt and tell the Kerrys and the Edwards their opinion.

Actually, they said he "imposed" on them while they were eating a quiet lunch. That's apparently what ticked them off. Regardless, they had the right to tell reporters they didn't support him. It's unclear from the report whether they said the same to him directly. If they did, they had the right, and there is no indication that they were anything but polite to Senator Kerry. The report says that they mostly restricted their answers to yes sir, and no sir. It's pretty hard to construe "yes sir" as impolite.

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by typoon:
Why not? These soldiers are free to speak there minds. It's not like the man is the President yet. If he were then it would be a different story.

No, it wouldn't be any different if he was the President. As long as you obey his lawful orders and treat the commander in chief with the respect the office deserves, you are OK. Nobody in uniform has to show political loyalty to the officeholder.

[BRussell]

Originally posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE:
But one non-partisan source that disagrees with you and (unlike you) bases it on established fact:

You're looking for authoritative information about using the Guard to dodge the draft? If Powell's statement from ziggy isn't good enough for you, how about the frickin Air National Guard web site?

The Reserves and the Guard acquired reputations as draft havens for relatively affluent young white men.

[Stradlater]

Originally posted by RAILhead:
[damnstraight]

Stick with designing

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by BRussell:
You're looking for authoritative information about using the Guard to dodge the draft? If Powell's statement from ziggy isn't good enough for you, how about the frickin Air National Guard web site?

I don't think that there is any doubt that the Air National Guard "aquired a reputation" for being a haven for draft dogers. That's not the issue. The issue is whether that reputation is deserved -- especially in the case of one particular unit out of many.

By the way, the Navy doesn't exactly have the reputation as the most likely billet to see you in ground combat either. In fact, during the Vietnam era, many people joined the Navy to avoid being drafted into the Marines or the Army precisely because by enlisting in the Navy they could avoid going to Vietnam as a grunt.

Yet despite this, Kerry ended up in ground combat. The reptations of the branch you are in doesn't determine the way that branch will use you. A lot of it for better or worse is dumb luck.

[BRussell]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
I don't think that there is any doubt that the Air National Guard "aquired a reputation" for being a haven for draft dogers. That's not the issue. The issue is whether that reputation is deserved -- especially in the case of one particular unit out of many.

If you read a little above that line I quoted on their web page, it says LBJ didn't call up the reserves except for a token call-up. History suggests it was deserved.

By the way, the Navy doesn't exactly have the reputation as the most likely billet to see you in ground combat either. In fact, during the Vietnam era, many people joined the Navy to avoid being drafted into the Marines or the Army precisely because by enlisting in the Navy they could avoid going to Vietnam as a grunt.

Yet despite this, Kerry ended up in ground combat. The reptations of the branch you are in doesn't determine the way that branch will use you. A lot of it for better or worse is dumb luck.

In Kerry's case, he requested service (pdf file) in Vietnam on a swift boat, so it wasn't exactly dumb luck.

On the other hand, Bush reportedly said this:

I was not prepared to shoot my eardrum out with a shotgun in order to get a deferment, nor was I willing to go to Canada, so I chose to better myself by learning how to fly airplanes.

He sure makes it sound like he was trying to do what it took to avoid Vietnam.

[OreoCookie]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
Actually, they said he "imposed" on them while they were eating a quiet lunch. That's apparently what ticked them off. Regardless, they had the right to tell reporters they didn't support him. It's unclear from the report whether they said the same to him directly. If they did, they had the right, and there is no indication that they were anything but polite to Senator Kerry. The report says that they mostly restricted their answers to yes sir, and no sir. It's pretty hard to construe "yes sir" as impolite.

Your words can be polite whereas your behavior still is impolite. Go to Japan, they are really good at this sometimes
Other than that, there is no argument here.

[SimeyTheLimey]

Originally posted by BRussell:
If you read a little above that line I quoted on their web page, it says LBJ didn't call up the reserves except for a token call-up. History suggests it was deserved.

In Kerry's case, he requested service (pdf file) in Vietnam on a swift boat, so it wasn't exactly dumb luck.

On the other hand, Bush reportedly said this: He sure makes it sound like he was trying to do what it took to avoid Vietnam.

LBJ didn't call up the reserves, and in hindsight, that made it a relatively safe assignment. But how did anyone in 1968 know that the incoming Nixon Administration wouldn't call up the reserves? You read too much into hindsight. No doubt there are some people in today's reserves who are surprised to find themselves deployed to a combat zone. They didn't know where the military would send them once they volunteered. Nobody does.

I know that many who were in the reserves when I was in it (just before the first Gulf War) were deeply shocked to find themselves icalled up to combat. As a matter of fact, that was part of the reason I wasn't sent to the Gulf even thought I volunteered to go. After I volunteered to go active duty from the reserves and was re-trained as a infantryman, I was sent to the 5th Infantry Division, the next division slated for deployment. Our round out brigade, the 256th Infantry Brigade, Louisiana National Guard, had a mini rebellion of people unhappy about being called up. Because of their poor discipline and lack of readiness, the whole division's deployment was delayed -- ultimately to a point where the war ended a day before we were due to deploy.

There is no question that Kerry volunteered for a more dangerous assignment than many Navy jobs. Then he voluteered for a very safe (but good ticket punch) assignment as an Admirals aide. But even piloting a swift boat is less hazardous duty than being an infantry grunt, or a Navy Seal, or any number of other jobs. The point isn't that only those who volunteer for ground combat are qualified to be president. Every job in the military is important, and lots of jobs are dangerous whether or not you come under fire. Piloting a jet fighter isn't by any means the safest activity in the world even outside of a combat zone.

And finally, real heroes don't have to call attention to their heroism. Honestly, did Bob Dole or John McCain constantly talk about their service and make it their primary qualification for the presidency? Lawrence Kaplan put it well. hear Kerry talk, you'd think that his 4 months in Vietnam was all he did in his life. How much of Kerry's speech last week did he spend talking about his real record of public service -- his years in the Senate and as Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor? I heard it clocked as 26 seconds out of a 45 minute speech. Is he ashamed of something? Like maybe his voting record?

[Randman]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
Actually, they said he "imposed" on them while they were eating a quiet lunch. That's apparently what ticked them off. Regardless, they had the right to tell reporters they didn't support him.

Thank you for mentioning that again for all of those on their high horse, be it Republican, Democrat or non-American.

[RAILhead]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
And finally, real heroes don't have to call attention to their heroism. Honestly, did Bob Dole or John McCain constantly talk about their service and make it their primary qualification for the presidency? Lawrence Kaplan put it well. hear Kerry talk, you'd think that his 4 months in Vietnam was all he did in his life. How much of Kerry's speech last week did he spend talking about his real record of public service -- his years in the Senate and as Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor? I heard it clocked as 26 seconds out of a 45 minute speech. Is he ashamed of something? Like maybe his voting record?

D'oh! Once again, Simey has smacked the proverbial nail on the head. You'd better watch our Simey, Kerry-lovers don't like it much when people bring up his voting — or lack thereof — record...

Maury

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by saab95:
What a cheapskate Kerry is.

Do you understand the meaning of the phrase "family tradition"?

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by KarlG:
Did I miss something? When was Bush in Vietnam?

Exactly.

[mo]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
... How much of Kerry's speech last week did he spend talking about his real record of public service -- his years in the Senate and as Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor? I heard it clocked as 26 seconds out of a 45 minute speech. Is he ashamed of something? Like maybe his voting record?

Would it really have made any difference to you?

How about if he said this:

"While I was serving as an officer in the United States Navy, leading men in a shooting war and winning an armful of medals in the process, my opponent was a male cheerleader and fraternity president at Yale. He later went on to use family connections to land a spot in the Air National Guard, duty from which he took ample time off to run losing political campaigns. I became a leader in the antiwar movement, a candidate for office, a successful prosecutor, the Lieutenant Governor of a medium-sized state, and then a U.S. senator during a period when my opponent was letting alcoholism nearly wreck his marriage, doing something with drugs he refuses to answer questions about, and running a variety of businesses into the ground, losing his dad's friends a bundle of money in the process."

That enough background for you? I mean, I assume you want the same information about Bush as you're asking from Kerry. (Strangely, Bush doesn't seem to dwell on the past as much as you do.)

[MacNStein]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Do you understand the meaning of the phrase "family tradition"?

Wendy's, an anniversary tradition? What a lie, that's such bull****.