Today, VoteVets.org released a double barrel ad campaign on a subject near and dear to me, reformed education benefits for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The two adds plead with two key Republicans to sign onto Senator Webb's GI Bill, Senator Cornyn from Texas (my senator), and Senator McCain.
Senator Cornyn
Senator McCain
This really should have not been a political issue, but allegiances to parties before soldiers and veterans forced it to be.
AH
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
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7 comments:
Hey fool, are you looking to increase the size of your penis with an all natural pill? Just kidding. This isn't spam. I just wanted to say it looks like you found a new topic to talk about. One that probably will never die. Veterans benefits and getting things that were promised to us. Later.
From what I heard Obama and Clinton voted for the bill (they took the time to fly back to DC) while McCain didn't bother to vote. Now you know who your real friends are.
"Your real friends" in the Senate larded up the veteran's bill with all kinds of other crap and earmarks rather than letting the bill stand on its own. They've been pulling this con on the American people for decades and everyone just lets it slide on by. So after a presidential veto because of all the waste and pork added on by "your real friends," they will puff out their skinny chests and huff that "they" stood up for veterans while the dastardly President would not. McCain isn't the greatest guy in the world and probably will not get my vote, but the idea that McCain doesn't care about veterans is ludicrous.
If Congress really gave a damn about our military, both active and veterans, they would have sliced that ridiculously bloated farm bill in half and given it to the veterans instead. Look at the numbers of the farm bill and the veteran's bill side by side and you'll know who Congress REALLY cares about: those who will be caucusing in Iowa in January 2012.
Dude's Dad
Dad,
While I agree that the bill should have been on its own and not attached to other superfluous spending, I disagree with your notion that this is why Republican senators (and the Pentagon) have staunchly denounced it. They simply fall in line with Bush in opposition, despite every veteran's group in America supporting this bill and 3/4 of the Senate as well. The Republican stance: too expensive, too good. John McCain is simply on the wrong side of this issue, as he was on the Dwell Time Amendment. He cares about veterans but not before courting conservative votes. He was too busy raising money in California to even vote on it. This so called maverick didn't want the stigma of fucking veterans if he voted against it, and he didn't want to piss off the conservatives he is trying to win if he voted for it. Simply put, he's too gutless to take a stand on something that would greatly benefit combat veterans because of his damaged reputation to the right. He may be a veteran, but he lost my respect when he stepped on my back to put slick politics on a pedestal.
I've just finished reading Army of Dude from beginning to now--and I want to thank you. Your writing is terrific and it helped me--just your average-but-wanting-to-know-more citizen--get more of a picture of this war our government (the one that the 51% I'm not a part of elected) sent you to fight. With a son in the Navy (who is planning to volunteer as an IA) and a daughter who will join the Army Nurse Corps when her nurse's training is finished in December, I want to be as informed as possible--and you've played a big role in that. Thank you--and good luck in all you do in the future.
I don't know who wrote the following, but it is a fitting tribute to all of our fallen. It appeared in the Dallas Morning News in memory of SGT Anthony Adams, who lost his life a year ago tomorrow. And to name just two more: SPC Brian Chevalier and SGT Jesse Williams of the 5/20 Strykers, who gave their lives in Iraq in the spring of 2007. I never met either man but their memories will live on in my heart as long as I live.
Dude's Dad
"I was a soldier. I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing. I reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness should I fail. I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of fear and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love. I have cried, pained and hoped, and I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. But most of all, I am able to say that I am proud of what I was: a soldier."
Dude's Dad
"I was a soldier. I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing. I reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness should I fail. I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of fear and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love. I have cried, pained and hoped, and I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. But most of all, I am able to say that I am proud of what I was: a soldier."
I don't know who wrote it either, but I first read that poem/statement back in 1984...It's all over the Army and surfaces all the time.
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