This isn’t about who served and who didn’t. It is about McCain’s hypocrisy and lack of principle. This is a man that supports the military, but not better benefits. A man who ADAMANTLY denounced torture and specifically said that the CIA should be bound to the Army field manual, but when given the chance to vote for that EXACT POLICY voted against it. At the VERY LEAST, I would have thought he would stick to his principles on torture. Now he hp nx6300 battery,hp nc6100 battery is backing off of them. That is a man that, even though I respect his service, I do not respect as a citizen. He may have served honorably, but has not been an honorable citizen.

I will try one more time because you OBVIOUSLY DON’T understand the argument. It is not about having to serve to be able to support military force. It is about being willing to sacrifice. Whether that is paying more taxes, having a victory garden, conserving, whatever it takes to support the “war” effort. If our country is at “war” then it shouldn’t fall solely on 1% of the population to fight it.

Now, there are occasions when Military force is acceptable, as well as fully capable to be handled with our wonderfully trained and very experienced Military; however, those are not “wars”. When the Military is in dire need, like it is now, it rings hollow for the people who most support this occupation to do everything possible to keep it out of the public consciousness. They (including the President) say, “go shopping”, or deliberately keep it out of public view. Meanwhile, they increase tours from 12 months to 15 months, then from 15 – 18 months. Reserve units are called in less than 2 years after serving. Many individuals are on their 5th and some on 6th or more tours. 5 years at “war” and Bush is clamoring for tax cuts. Many have spent their children first few YEARS of life in daily combat far away – while you and many others sit comfortably and tell them they don’t deserve more benefits because they might choose to get out.

Standing up for what you believe in does not always mean putting on a uniform. I would no more respect the opinion of someone who adamantly condemns all those who don’t speak out, but refuses to speak out. This isn’t about serving or not serving, it is about integrity, honesty, and leadership. EVERYONE SACRIFICED FOR WWII. Most didn’t mind doing it because they thought (correctly) that it was worth it. People had a problem sacrificing for Vietnam, because many did not feel it was worth it and worked to end it. War is not a game or sport, but this administration not only treats it as such, it turned it into a spectator sport as our CIC sits on the sidelines and has the nerve to tell those fighting that he “envies them” and that it must be “romantic” out there. He had his chance in Vietnam.

Now back to the real point. This bill has nothing to do with home loans, business loans, or any other benefit. Those would be great additions. This is about education. One benefit it sounds like even you feel the veterans earned. Then the answer is simple give it to them. Work to add more benefits later. I don’t know if you can see it, but your arguments ring more dishonest than ever because it seems like you are grasping at straws as to why this bill shouldn’t be passed.

First, you say they shouldn’t get this benefit because people might choose to get out of the Military (the whole reason we got into a discussion of community/country sacrifice). I argue that is not a valid reason not to give our veterans what they deserve. In addition, people like me didn’t join for benefits. I took a pay cut when I got activated. We join because we believe in the ideals and principles this country stands for. Your argument is just as ludicrous as arguing that we should decrease their pay or eliminate it completely so they don’t want to leave the military.

Then, you have the audacity to bring up some stupid argument about what the bill DOES NOT HAVE, like you actually give a crap about veterans. You obviously don’t care about the veterans because all the veterans’ organizations are for this bill – unless of course you think that we are just too stupid to know what is good for us, so we need you to tell us how bad it would be to get more money for education.

Try to honestly look at the arguments. Things might look different.

Dan,
Well said.

GiGi,
Go get laid!

.

Good_golly says:

O.k. Sgt., I get it. IOKIYAD and don’t enlist (e.g. Clinton, Obama), but if you are a Republican, STFU. There, I saved you time.

Ok, missed it again – it’s about credibility and fighting for principles.

Don’t tell me “We are all going to die YOU SHOULD GO FIGHT” – it sounds disingenuous, although you have every right to say it.

It is ok to say “We are all going to die unless you help me fight – and I will be by your side and watching your back.

It is also ok to say “This does not help our country so I will bring you home and work to make our country better” – still sticking to principle.

Is that concise – didn’t mention Republican or Democrat, I was talking principles. You should open a scarecrow factory with all your straw men. You made the argument that those that have fought shouldn’t get benefits because they might choose something else. Why should they get the same choice you have – it isn’t like they already risked their life or anything — errrr?

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=810

“The new G.I. Bill has been endorsed by the VFW, IAVA and every major Veterans’ organization in America. One organization, however, that does not endorse the bill is the Department of Defense.

Senator McCain has been mum on why he doesn’t support legislation that has broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, and is even co-sponsored by Senator John Warner, ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee and avid McCain campaigner.”

You rock.

Thank you, and welcome home.

-Crazy Hussein Cat Lady

Give ‘er hell Dan.

Thank you Dan. I hope you don’t mind if I send your comments to a few friends. Actually, I’ll send it out, with credit, anyway, LOL.

First of all, don’t thank me for my service. This is the first time I have said that, but it means nothing coming from you.

Second, this is the education bill. If you want to propose other bills that give other benefits, I am all for it. This is for eduction and to increase benefits of an already instituted and very popular program. In fact, it is only asking for similar benefits given after WWII. It was a valiant effort to make it sound as if you really care. Ask any veteran if they are against this bill, instead of making up nonsense reasons why it is bad. The fact is that we should give all of them the OPPORTUNITY to go to college IF they choose – PERIOD.

I never said you don’t have a right to your viewpoint. This is not a 1st Amendment issue. I never said you couldn’t talk, just that you have ZERO credibility. My point is simply that the government has reserved the right to institute a draft when NECESSARY. When this country needs more “manpower” (as you put it) than the volunteer force can provide, the correct way to fix it is not to enslave those that chose to sacrifice for their country, but spread the burden and sacrifice to the rest of the country who have a common goal in its success. The volunteer military is a luxury – not a right. You have every right to disagree, and I will and have fought for that right; however, you have absolutely no credibility when you spout rhetoric about how important this occupation is for our survival out of one side of your mouth, but shout that you don’t have to fight for it out of the other side. You are telling me one of two things: either you are not willing to fight for your survival (in which case, why should I?) or that you really don’t believe this is for our survival and just don’t give a crap because you don’t have to serve. It is all worth it as long as someone else fights it for you, right? I am perfectly willing to fight for your rights as well as mine, but I am not willing to fight and die for your cause,and so that contractors can rob this country blind while my friends are giving up their lives. I am NOT willing to stand idly by while the country I hoped would be the shining light of this world becomes everything we tried to fight against.

This isn’t about who served and who didn’t. It is about McCain’s hypocrisy and lack of principle. This is a man that supports the military, but not better benefits. A man who ADAMANTLY denounced torture and specifically said that the CIA should be bound to the Army field manual, but when given the chance to vote for that EXACT POLICY voted against it. At the VERY LEAST, I would have thought he would stick to his principles on torture. Now he is backing off of them. That is a man that, even though I respect his service, I do not respect as a citizen. He may have served honorably, but has not been an honorable citizen.

Barack Obama has spoke out against this occupation. He believes it to be wrong and a great waste of our resources. I agree. This isn’t about military service or not – it is about standing up for what you believe is right whether you might get elected or not. Something you obviously don’t understand.

Second, you have problems with those who do not go to college receiving less benefits. Well, provide for education in other trade or professional schools. You are just looking for an excuse to deny any benefit for those brave US citizens who place their lives on the line to protect your worthless ***. I am sick an tired of your sanctimonious, narrow minded little turds. I hear your constant lame defenses of a Republican party and president who have nearly destroyed this country. You are no patriot. Now go to hell.

~A

I got another idea, along the same logic as your argument. Why don’t we just stop paying the Military? I mean they get free food and shelter. If we don’t pay them, they wouldn’t be able to have a family, and have less distractions to convince them to get out. It would also save us a TON of money. They would also NEVER have enough saved up to retire. They would be in the military for LIFE.

I think you are on to something. Great idea. Let’s just take away EVERYTHING we GIVE those ungrateful veterans. All they do is want more. I mean after giving them food, water, clothing, and shelter, they have the nerve to ask for things like health care and education.

Good_Golly, I really don’t anger easily, but you do a great job of ticking me off. Congratulations.

Your two arguments have both been used and aren’t even proper straw men. First, if you don’t want to pursue higher education, you don’t have to. That is the way the GI bill has always been. The new bill is just providing more since many vets can not afford college that do want to go – even with the GI Bill.

Second, using the fact that some people may choose college over re-enlistment is infuriating at best. If this occupation is essential then institute a draft. If it is necessary to our survival, that is what the draft is for. Keeping benefits because you are worried those that EARNED THEM might USE them is wrong and ignorant.

As you said, “Given the current manpower needs of the military,” we should be forcing more than 1% of the population to sacrifice for the good of the nation. I don’t hear you clamoring for a draft. I hate to tell you, but not a single Veteran gives two Sh_ts whether you have a “support the troops” bumper sticker. You could have supported us by signing up so we could get some combat replacements (which we never saw) when our company was working at 74% (considered combat ineffective by the books).

Since cowards like you and the rest of the college republicans can’t stand up and fight for something that ONLY YOU feel is this important, then sign up or get the hell out of the way. While the real patriots attempt to fix this country, you and all the “we are right because we are the USA” crowd close their eyes grab the wheel and shout “full speed ahead” as they drive this bus right off a cliff.

WTF is wrong with you morons? Down is up, right? War is peace, right? Freedom is slavery, right?

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH, right?

STFU.