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Obama to American's Veterans - A Must Read

baldwinparkdemocrat.blogspot.c… — Our Veterans deserve not only our respect - but also our action in their behalf. John McCain has shown that he may be a war hero but he is no hero to this generation of American Veterans. Read what Barack Obama has just said on this this subject. It's a call to action to the American people on behalf of their Veterans.

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  • preneel, on 05/13/2008, -10/+50I watched this live. It was inspiring.
    • JJ2K1, on 05/13/2008, -25/+7I'm a Veteran of the US Army, OIF 2003, and I'd really wish Barack Obama would not ever speak of veterans ever again to use to his advantage. Too bad he never had the balls to actually enlist into any of the armed forces when he was younger instead of spending his days doing drugs.
      • StarlessKnight, on 05/13/2008, -1/+12Yeah, better if we never talk about veterans; "keep 'em in the dark and treat 'em like *****," just like IT Pros, right? Work better that way. /s
        • chevyorange, on 05/13/2008, -1/+7You seriously are so polarized against a political party that you'd twist Obama's sincere and intelligent comments on treating your own (veterans) with the respect and service they deserve? Sickening.
      • jgzman, on 05/13/2008, -1/+10The Military is not for everyone. I enlisted, and served my term. I would have served more, but I drew the short straw. My Brother enlisted, and when his term was over, he jumped for the next boat for shore. My sister never served.
        Obama never served. He doesn't have to. We're an all volunteer force. Now, if he pulled a dirty trick like Bush or Cheney, wherein he was obligated to serve, but did not, I would agree with what you say. But as far as I know, this is not the case. Please advise me if I am wrong.
      • CaptMonkey, on 05/13/2008, -1/+5I'm a veteran too and I appreciate the fact that Obama, unlike McCain and many other Republicans, supports the GI Bill 2008 act. When I got out, I thought maybe I could just go to college full-time using the GI Bill and not have to work. Sadly, after a year of digging in to my savings to pay for rent and food, I realized this wasn't the case. So, now I work full-time and take classes when I have the chance. McCain thinks this is the way it should be, because if we gave veterans too much education incentive, people might not reenlist. But it's okay, because McCain already got his free ride from the government in exchange for serving when he went to the US Naval Academy.

        ***** him.

        http://www.gibill2008.org/state.html
        • kreneskyp, on 05/13/2008, -1/+2every one of my friends who went into the service to get "on the job training" and free school was screwed over. The spent years of their lives and got nothing for it in return.
    • sfcal, on 05/13/2008, -3/+17Why would you have him do that? Obama has a well-established track record (long before his campaign for president) of advocating for veterans. Do you always treat people trying to help you with disdain?

      --Mike
      (disabled vet, USN Combat SAR, 1983-1991)
    • momsshizzle, on 05/13/2008, -11/+6Crapping in the toilet. Now that reminds me of Obama.
    • OwdenBowden, on 05/13/2008, -7/+6Funny. Obama does not wear an American flag pin, nor does he salute the flag because "To some people is it a symbol of Oppression;" Yet he feels the need to drape himself in flags when he is doing his best to refute his association and long time kinship to his former spiritual leader (who is not a fan of America). Now he is all for the veterans and taking care of them.
      Well , would someone PLEASE TELL ME how a person who feels that one of the most important Symbols of our great nation (that, Men, Women and children not only have died for, but were proud to raise high so all could see that WE THE PEOPLE Declare our Independence over oppression and let freedom ring for all - The Symbols that helped to Create this great nation during the Revolution - The Red, The White and The Blue ) Is this symbol of Oppression. Further, why do I, as a red blooded American want to support anyone for President of the United States of America that believes and has publicly desecrated these symbols of freedom along with a very long list of Men, Women and Children that gave their lives for them and are now rolling over in their graves hearing this from a person who is now in a position to (not that he deserves it or has the experience to do so) lead this Nation? Obama - Shame on you! Shame! Shame! Shame! As the President of the United States you are required to UPHOLD values that are AMERICAN. You should be wrapping yourself in our flag. You should be honored to have this flag as YOUR COLORS and you should defend it and all other symbol's of this great nation with your last breath! Instead you Choose to Dishonor your Country, and all that have Served so that the RED WHITE AND BLUE FLYS HIGH.
      SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

      O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
      What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
      Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
      O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
      And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
      Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
      Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
      O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
      • iamnobody8614, on 05/13/2008, -1/+5Pretentious much? He doesn't always wear a flag pin because he saw that they were just being used to score political points, which cheapens the symbol that it is (and he said as much). He does wear one on American holidays such as Memorial Day. You say that Rev. Wright is not a fan of America because he criticizes its past actions. The right to criticize the government is an inherent American ideal. People didn't fight for some symbol they fought for the freedom to live and speak as they wish. This so-called non-fan of America served for 6 years in the military, passing up student deferment. Obama has done no such thing as desecrate the flag and it is an ignorant statement or a downright lie to say that he has done so. Empty adoration for a symbol isn't good for anything. How about you actually listen to his vision for what America should be before you call him Un-American.
        • OwdenBowden, on 05/13/2008, -2/+3"How about you actually listen to his vision for what America should be before you call him Un-American." I have had enough of the "I have a Dream, You have a dream - we all Change" BS to last a lifetime. This man just talks but never answers the question? Around and around he goes and when he stops no one knows. You want to keep believing in the "Obama Dream" that is fine and dandy but when all of you are rudely awoken out of this slumber and dream and you realize what a ***** nightmare he has created by doing absolutely nothing to "CHANGE" anything as he has NO RESOURCES TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN - then I will be the first to kick you in the ass and say - "TOLD YOU SO".

          Obama is a User
          Obama is an Abuser
          Obama is a Lier

          PS - If it is Pretentious to Love your country and all its symbols the I am 100% Red Blooded PRETENTIOUS!
          • asspants, on 05/14/2008, -1/+2Another Digger living up to his UserID.

            And by the way - you are the reason for Birth Control. Too bad your parents were too lazy to run out to the quickie mark and spend some of their cash so as to do their Patriotic duty and not allow you to be born (and thus become an oxygen grabbing douche tool).

            Thank you - Come again!
      • Djerrid, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3On April 16, 2008 ABC hosted the 20th Democratic debate in Philadelphia where the infamous “pin question” came up. In an alternative reality, this was Obama’s response.
        _____________
        NASH MCCABE (Latrobe, Pennsylvania): (From videotape.) Senator Obama, I have a question, and I want to know if you believe in the American flag. I am not questioning your patriotism, but all our servicemen, policemen and EMS wear the flag. I want to know why you don’t.
        MR. GIBSON: Just to add to that, I noticed you put one on yesterday. But — you’ve talked about this before, but it comes up again and again when we talk to voters. And as you may know, it is all over the Internet. And it’s something of a theme that Senators Clinton and McCain’s advisers agree could give you a major vulnerability if you’re the candidate in November. How do you convince Democrats that this would not be a vulnerability?
        SENATOR OBAMA: Everyone here; I’d like to see a show of hands. Everyone in the audience, and even on this stage, please raise your hand if you are wearing a flag pin.
        [A few hands go up]
        There’s a couple over there, and one over there. OK, for those of you who are raising your hands, are those people who aren’t wearing flag pins any less patriotic than you are? What if everyone else in the room was dressed head to foot in the red, white and blue - you know with slacks made out of the stars and stripes and an Old Glory bandanna to tie back their hair - and you were only wearing a flag pin? Would you think they are more patriotic than you?
        OK, you can put your hands down. Now, can I see a show of hands for those of you who hung a flag off your front balcony right after 9/11? Or put a bumper sticker or little flag on the antenna of your car? [Looking to Clinton and the two moderators] You can raise your hand, too. [Pausing to look at everyone raising their hands] So did I.
        Now keep your hands up if you still have that flag raised in front of your house or on your car. [Pause while most put their hands down] Do you think you love your country any less now than you did then?
        Now I don’t remember the last time I saw Senator McCain wear a flag pin. Should we question his patriotism? While he was a prisoner of war the Viet Cong heard that his father, an admiral, was named commander of all the forces in Vietnam. So they offered to immediately release him. But he refused. He said that all others held longer at the “Hanoi Hilton” should be released first. Now, you can question his policies, his record in the senate and even his ideology, but don’t question his patriotism because he doesn’t wear a flag pin.
        Patriotism is defined by our actions - serving in the military, organizing in the poorest areas of Chicago to build a better community, dedicating your life to public service in order to create a better America. Patriotism is not defined by the pins that we wear.
        http://www.scholarsandrogues.com/2008/05/06/the-pi ...
      • asspants, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3Holy *****, shut the ***** up.
        You think anyone actually read your whole comment after the fifth round of "SHAME SHAME"?
        • OwdenBowden, on 05/13/2008, -4/+3Another Digger living up to his UserID.

          And by the way - you are the reason for Birth Control. Too bad your parents were too lazy to run out to the quickie mark and spend some of their cash so as to do their Patriotic duty and not allow you to be born (and thus become an oxygen grabbing douche tool).

          Thank you - Come again!
          • asspants, on 05/13/2008, -1/+1Ouch megaburn! You showed me. (and got dugg down in the process)
    • cathode, on 05/13/2008, -9/+4Yeah, Obama is inspiring- It's inspirational how he's a hollow, empty suit with no experience, how he campaigns on buzzwords that catch the ear of the weak-minded, it's inspiring how he's going to take everyone's wealth and re-distribute it around by force... Hello, Lenin
      • iamnobody8614, on 05/13/2008, -1/+5Education:
        BA in political science (with a specialization in international relations) from Columbia University.
        JD Graduate of Harvard Law School (Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude).
        President of the Harvard Law Review (the first ever African American).
        Experience:
        Civil rights attorney (turned down a prestigious judicial clerkship)
        Constitutional law professor.
        Community organizer.
        State Senator.
        Chairman of the Illinois State Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
        US Senator.
        Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Environment and Public Works Committee, and Veterans ’ Affairs Committee.
        Author.
        Husband and father of two daughters.
        Board member of the Joyce Foundation, the Woods Fund of Chicago, and the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.
        Honors:
        Grammy award winner (Spoken Word category).
        Honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (for narration of one of his books).
        Honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston (for among other things, "advancing and protecting the interests of the less fortunate")
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obama#Senate_career
        Not experienced?
    • normalkid0615, on 05/13/2008, -2/+2you guys are all losers!! LA HOO SA HERS!
    • mitchellk, on 05/13/2008, -2/+2Obama is establishing quite a record as either a liar or an idiot. He is approaching Bill Clinton's record as most dishonest candidate ever, and that is either it or he is the dumbest candidate ever. There is an alternative bill that does all that the Webb bill does and does it better.
  • SheilaNoya, on 05/13/2008, -15/+74This is partly why Obama has received more donations from military personnel than any other candidate (yes - he even got more donations from them than Ron Paul did).

    http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3601542&pa ...
    • BigPapasan, on 05/13/2008, -1/+8that article is from Sept. 2007 with, I think, Q2 fund-raising stats. A more recent post (Feb.2008) on abc: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/mi ...
    • DSPoh, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1I know I'm hijacking a bit and expect to be dugg down, but unfortunately I am fairly new on Digg and am having a hard time spreading the word about an important Veteran issue.

      Please Digg: http://digg.com/politics/New_GI_Bill_voting_delaye ...

      The troops really need help! Please help spread the word. I am a Veteran and I can truthfully say this is how you can really support the troops! That, and voting for Obama of course =).
      • KLBP, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1I dugg and replied to your Digg post. While there may need to be some refinement of when and how one qualifies for GI bill funded college education (e.g. three years might be too short) certainly it is an opportunity that should be given to those who are willing to serve our country, especially after they have gone to war for us.
    • DSPoh, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1Ugh, I really wish the new comment system would come out already, so I can edit. Sorry for the broken link.

      http://tinyurl.com/5h4exx
  • Macrophage, on 05/13/2008, -13/+65He does not..nor does anyone..ADDRESS the Fact that the Loan his Grandfather received was one of the "Rights" stolen away in the "New" GI bill.
    I want the same right his Grandfather had,,,RESTORED..Retroactively...so every VEt..can come home..and buy a Home in the Land they Served..a loan..Gov Backed...No money Down, no Credit Check...a loan simply based on if your income can support the House Payment on the Home your trying to buy for yourself and your Family..the Family who made many many many sacrifices..in income..in an empty chair at the table..in constantly moving from State to State...School to School..never able to set down Roots...That's what i want...NO!..Thats what WE earned! and WE deserve!!!
    Peace
    John From Cape Cod, Ma
    • nova912, on 05/13/2008, -22/+4You know; I already knew you were a complete moron three words into your post. However, when you use non-existent punctuation ( ",,," or ".." ) or severely misuse it, (full caps on words; random capitalization of words in mid sentence; ellipses used, I guess, in place of commas and periods; run-on sentences) any point you were attempting to make is drowned out by the awesome lack of eduction you have displayed to the reader.

      What's sad is that your grandfather fought for the people of America, and look at how you have repaid his sacrifice -- you whistled for a cab and when it came near the license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror, if anything you could say that cab was rare, but you must of thought -- 'Now forget it' - 'Yo homes to Bel Air'. You, pulled, up to the house about 7 or 8 and you yelled to the cabbie, 'Yo homes smell ya later.' You looked at your kingdom, you were finally there, to sit on your throne as the Prince of "Cape Cod, Ma."
      • RonBurgundy76, on 05/13/2008, -1/+4wtf is eduction? Reminds me of what they say about people that live in glass houses... Your post is just as filled with errors, good sir.
        Subject nova912, you fail.
    • jforjools, on 05/13/2008, -0/+6It's a legitimate point. I think we have to fight for it a piece at a time--and this legislation is a fabulous start.
    • smotpoker, on 05/13/2008, -6/+490% of military jobs are the same as any other job 90% of the time when we are not in war (no, you don't have to point out the stats were made up on the spot, it is obvious and intended as an implication, not verified fact). Not to mention a large majority of people who enlist do so because they have few or no other options for college or support their families, so don't give me this "the Family who made many many many sacrifices..in income..in an empty chair at the table..in constantly moving from State to State...School to School..never able to set down Roots" bs because that ***** is only the case in the few who choose military as a permanent career AND happen to be in a branch/occupation that might require transfers (which are often still optional). Many, if not most, actual families never have their head deported for more than a week or so every 6 months for training in the field and such, which is not indifferent from any other family.

      Granted most of my knowledge of military life is limited to Army soldiers/families and I don't know exactly how the new or old GI bills worked, but I know my mother was able to take advantage of it for college and a home loan after only 4 years and she, like most others, never even came close to combat. Similar situation with two of my cousins and an uncle - nearly all of whom joined as an act of near desperation (much like most of the enlisted people I knew when I lived on/near bases)


      Combat-related service probably usually deserves extra credit, but I don't see how the ***** running around getting free training and being some COs bitch for 4 years during peacetime deserves tax payers to pay for a full education and subsidize loans that would take anyone else a decade or more of slaving and saving to achieve.

      HIS grandfather fought in a war and deserved it more than the millions of others who got the same for filing paperwork and going to target practice a few years. If he is trying to make it less tempting to those people who would try to get a free/easy ride stealing gear and hocking it on ebay (as many do) or make sure the military gets OUR money's worth (loans/subsidies) for OUR investment, more power to him.
      • f3rr3r, on 05/13/2008, -2/+6So you say that Combat related services deserve extra credit? Who's going to decide which one of our soldiers deserves what? With a name like smotpoker I'm sure you're not up to the task. I'm sure you probably did some time in the military at one time or another simply because you know some of the terms (or maybe knew someone who was) but im also sure you are one of the soldiers that either got kicked out or hit the ground running never looking back as soon as your term was over. judging by your comments you probably got out pre 9/11 because yes back then thats what most soldiers did but guess what? It's not like that anymore. I've been in 12 years I've been stationed stateside in Arizona, Maryland, Hawaii (trust me not as fun as it sounds Light Infantry Division) Where's my hometown? Miami... Sounds uprooted to me that was mostly pre 9/11. Oveseas I spent a year in Uzbekistan, been to Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Africa and a list of other "not so happy" places and I'm currently on my third month in Korea with 9 months to go while my wife and 3 yo child are living without a husband or father in texas because i cant have them here with me. (hardship tour) Have I been uprooted my entire career? Yes was I uprooted from the time when i first came in not just after i became a career soldier? Yes oh and guess what I'm in the Military Intelligence field. On paper it doesn't sound too combat related does it? I hate it when some ass thinks he knows something about a topic and just sounds completely ignorant yet to the untrained eye you might actually sound legit Oh yeah I didn't even read your whole comment I just started skimming once i realized you were full of *****. Nice upside down flag by the way.... tool

        SFC Ferrer
        • smotpoker, on 05/13/2008, -1/+8I said they deserve "extra credit" as in GI bill (education grant and loans). If you are not in combat, you do not deserve anymore benefits than what you already get while enlisted. You know, the free medical for your immediate family, free dental for your immediate family, free food, free housing for your immediate family, no taxes for your immediate family, free equipment, free [inter]national trips (I know they are not always ideal but many are still decent experiences and not combat related), travel discounts, retail discounts, hotel discounts, etc when you are off post (we end up having to cover the cost of those discounts in many cases, btw)

          No, I was never enlisted, my only military training was 3 months at a juvenile bootcamp when I was a teen but as I stated in my comment (I guess you skimmed over that part) I come from a big family which had several enlisted members at different times and I spent much of my life living on/around military bases (which is why I still remember some of the terms and how a lot of ***** works). Luckily, I also met enough military people, both good and bad to learn enlistment was not exactly a wise choice pretty early. Everyone who seemed remotely decent swore it was horrible and warned against it while most of the people who thought it was actually *good* were ***** dicks.

          If you joined 12 yrs ago why did you get shipped off so far for so long? Must have to do with the nature of your job or you were mislead by a recruiter I guess. Anyway, in the comment you're replying to, I was not trying to suggest *noone* *ever* gets stationed away from family for extended periods but we both know that during peacetime, which it usually is (or should be), for most positions (most of which are fairly mundane and not normally dangerous) and especially if you have dependents or have been enlisted for a while, you get some say in where/when/whether you are transferred or deployed long-term.


          It sucks you are stuck away from your family and all that and seeing you are actually stationed out of country for extended periods away from family (and I take it your at some higher-than-average risk if you're overseas *and* mil intel), I would not oppose people in such situations get some sort of extra credit or whatever.

          If you read my entire comment, you see my point is that during peacetime, there are a LOT of people who get a lot of extra benefits, face little/no danger, cause more trouble than benefit while they are enlisted and just like anyone else you meet on the street anywhere, there are a sizable chunk of pricks who end up [trying to] exploit the system and WE have to pay for that ***** for decades at a time for millions of people.


          While we are having to spend $5k per year on taxes while juggling bills, you guys are set and most of your income is (or could be) profit or expendable. During your last 12 years probably half of my tax money (around $15k) went to your families' medical/dental and once you get out, the other half will goto help put you through college or get you a home loan - while I have been unable to afford a doctor in 10 years or a dentist in nearly 15. This ***** could be somewhat acceptable for some cases, but not all.


          For instance, IF you are not working as hard as I am (as is the deal with many military positions) and IF you are not literally protecting our country or IF you are engaged in behaviors/activities I find morally reprehensible (as I know many of our military actions right now), I take issue with having my money benefit your advancement when I can barely maintain necessities.
          • h3lx, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2Instead of getting all worked up over which vets are receiving what benefit, a quick glance over at the Gov't hiring out contractors to do the same labor for $1000% more and you'll quickly note that your 'hard earned tax dollars' aren't going to provide dental and medical services to some dead vets family, but to Pvt Contractor paid handsomely to wash clothes, not provide noon-meals, and to not provide security for construction convoys. The fleecing is rampant and your outrage is justified though your targeting system is misdirected.

            You serve, whether it a combat, medical, aviation, transport... even a low deck squid gets the benefit. It's a good gig and I never regretted a day of it. On the downside, too many of us are coming home completely changed and the current system in it's present state is not designed to provide the support necessary to return us to normal. Too many of us will never be normal having left hands, pieces of our skulls, fingers and feet, arms legs... maimed for life. The assistance required to maintained the quality of life for these troops is grossly underfunded, misrepresented, and the problem is exacerbated by continued bickering over the numbers when in all actuality, it's relatively inexpensive when compare to the costs of the continued operation at the current level of mismanagement and waste. $51 billion , *****, we've lost that much just through shotty accounting practices. So don't preach to me about how goddamn sick and tired you about how our ***** veterans are bilking the system. The ***** 'system' is starved and troops are pretty much taking whatever they're giving and a little something is better than nothing. It's our ***** war, it's our ***** representation that put us there... it's our ***** responsibility to get them back to whatever semblance of normalcy we can provide.

        • f3rr3r, on 05/13/2008, -1/+5free medical? free dental? free food? free housing? no taxes for your immediate family? (Dude I pay taxes), free equipment? You mean the Ruck sack I have to carry on my back? Nothing in life is free. I have a degree in IT I worked for the NSA for 5 years while in the military as one of their "Special Deployers" and I have a topsecret clearance what does that mean? Highly marketable in DOD. I turned down a job at the agency that paid over 100,000.00 annual (as a contractor doing the same thing) to reenlist for a job that pays me about 37,000.00 annual.(I'm a Senior NCO which is why my pay sounds decent. privates get *****) Why? because I want to support my country and what it stands for. I work daily more than 12 hours a day. It is 3:16 PM here I started at 5:00 AM. I'm on my "late" lunch break I'm not going home until about 6:30. and that's early But I'm happy because I'm not in Iraq getting shot at (currently) while my family spends "your" Tax money. When you say free realize the price we have to pay for "free" They've got finance clerks, cooks, paper pushers, Desk jockeys in Iraq they can catch a mortar just like any other soldier. so when you say maybe you but not him might be in danger thats crap. and let me repeat myself WE ARE AT WAR IT IS NOT PEACE TIME not for like 5 years so what are you talking about?
          • smotpoker, on 05/13/2008, -1/+4"free medical? free dental? free food? free housing? no taxes for your immediate family? (Dude I pay taxes), free equipment? You mean the Ruck sack I have to carry on my back?"

            Are you suggesting you do not receive these benefits or that you simply choose not to use them? Once again, I must concede you are an exception to the majority of enlisted military then. Everyone in the military, and their spouse/kids, are eligible for free healthcare (kids until they are 19), on-base housing or a monthly alottment to cover off-base housing if they choose (or until a unit on base becomes available). Their households also do not pay federal taxes (i thought state taxes either) and all good bought on base at the commissary, shopette or PX are not charged sales tax. MRE's (food packets for the uninformed) are routinely distributed for free and messhall is free for the soldiers themselves at least (or so I thought). As for the equipment, I'm not exactly sure what is and isn't supposed to be free. I don't recall the contexts (been like a decade since I was around enlisted military routinely). I'm pretty sure they were issued a lot of stuff for free whenever they requested, I just don't remember what completely legit or know what had to be returned...

            Perhaps because of where you are deployed or where your family live and your branch, you can not enjoy these benefits or you choose not to, but in most military homes, many or all of these benefits are routinely enjoyed.

            "and let me repeat myself WE ARE AT WAR IT IS NOT PEACE TIME not for like 5 years so what are you talking about?"

            I am talking about the fact that not everyone enlisted was, is or will be deployed to combat or perform duties actually defending our country and it is my understanding that people are (or were) still eligible for VA/GI even when it WAS peacetime. EVERYONE who enlisted, applied and made it through their contracted time can receive the benefits (ie my mother who was enlisted 75-79 and got her college paid and like $30k for her first house in '93, IIRC).


            I have never thoroughly read up on the semantics so I could be mistaken about eligibility requirements, or it could vary by branch, but I know my mother was eligible for both without combat during peace time and she was basically a supply clerk. My cousins (one army and one af) both got VA (can't remember if they were in 2 or 4 years) in '97 and around '00 I think


            Anyway, since Army and AF are the majority of our military (AF have it even better from what I heard, though I only heard messhall chow and quarters mentioned specifically :P), and I know much of what I just said is pretty accurate unless a lot of ***** changed in the last 9 years. Given that, it is not illogical to assume all branches enjoy similar benefits and when not stationed in hostile territory, those benefits (which would amount to like $10-15k/yr, rent and med inclusive) are more than adequate compensation for being on call 24/7 and performing menial tasks.
          • erasedgod, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1@poker: I don't know where you get your information, but you're way off. I get free medical (military docs), but I pay for my wife's healthcare including extra for limited dental coverage. I get an allotment for my home (a 600 sq ft, 1 bedroom apartment) because no one could afford to be stationed in California otherwise. Bases would have to be gigantic (more so than they currently are) to house everyone on base. Both my wife and I pay federal and state taxes. The only time I don't pay federal taxes is when I'm in Iraq. Even then, I pay Medicare, Social Security, and state taxes. Commissaries don't charge tax, but charge an equivalent surcharge so they can afford to keep the place open. MRE's almost always come out of a troop's sustenance allowance. The messhall costs troops their entire sustenance allowance per month. People who don't rate the allowance can eat there for $3-5 per meal (I think. I never eat there). Any equipment that can be cleaned and reissued must be turned in, otherwise, it comes out of the troop's pay unless they have a good reason (destroyed in combat, etc). That's just your first paragraph, I didn't bother reading the rest.
          • smotpoker, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1@erase -

            "I don't know where you get your information, but you're way off. I get free medical (military docs), but I pay for my wife's healthcare including extra for limited dental coverage. "
            I am basing it on my experience/knowledge living on bases and coming from a military family. I was off about med/dental benefits though you are right. Instead of universal healthcare I thought their families enjoyed while enlisted, they have a similar system to the general public. It does cost substantially less than anyone else pays though.

            "I get an allotment for my home (a 600 sq ft, 1 bedroom apartment) because no one could afford to be stationed in California otherwise."
            Not only Californians get an allotment, anyone who chooses or cannot live on base does, in any state, to my knowledge (mostly restricted to GA, SC and CA).

            "Both my wife and I pay federal and state taxes"
            I could have been mistaken about the federal taxes. I don't remember where I learned it but I was certain that all military income was exempt from taxing. Perhaps it is a more recent change, varies or I was just completely mistaken. Apologies for dispersing outdated/inaccurate info - especially if I was way off

            "Commissaries don't charge tax, but charge an equivalent surcharge so they can afford to keep the place open."
            If this is true, I do not understand it. With most stores they purchase in wholesale and inflate their cost to sell to pay overhead and get profit. Why would an establishment that does not have to make as much profit or pay as many taxes charge the same amount as one who does?
            In my experience, most goods were around 10-20% cheaper on base. It was explained to me that the facilities were reduced price because they didn't operate for profit and were exempt from taxes.


            "MRE's almost always come out of a troop's sustenance allowance. The messhall costs troops their entire sustenance allowance per month."
            I guess most of the MRE's I always saw tossed around like candy and given away for free were stolen or acquired fraudulently. I may have been off about the free mess-hall food, but it is still substantially cheaper than most people can eat for.


            "Any equipment that can be cleaned and reissued must be turned in, otherwise, it comes out of the troop's pay unless they have a good reason (destroyed in combat, etc)."
            You mean *should* be turned in. If this is and always has been the case, equipment theft/fraud is (or was) a lot more common than I imagined. I suppose they would say it was lost/damaged in the field or just steal it and report it missing. (Perhaps it is/was similar with the MREs?)
      • erasedgod, on 05/13/2008, -0/+5The pen-pushers and desk jockeys do an important job whether you think so or not. They are responsible for the admin, logistics, and other support that keeps combat troops in the fight.

        The SFC is absolutely right, you're a tool.

        Semper Fi
        Sgt M, USMC
        • smotpoker, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1I did not say their jobs were unimportant but they are not valuable enough to deserve people who are worse off pay for them to go to college and get a house later on.


          Military training alone is enough to get most people on whatever career path they want and their benefits are compensation enough for their work, IMO. A person digging ditches and foregoing medical care for 10 years to save for college should not have to pay for the education/defaulted loans of a person who was only making copies for 4, period.
      • truthhammer, on 05/13/2008, -1/+2"Granted most of my knowledge of military life is limited to Army soldiers/families and I don't know exactly how the new or old GI bills worked." In your own words...you don't know what you're talking about. Go smoke a doob, loser.
        • smotpoker, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1In my own words, I do not know the intricacies/semantics associated with eligibility/exclusion/allotment with every branch. Please do not paraphrase if you are incapable of grasping meaning. Go try to hammer truths into whatever form meets your agenda elsewhere, loser.
    • sfcal, on 05/13/2008, -0/+15You are confusing the GI Bill with a VA home loan. The two are two separate VA benefits...both of which have been whittled away over the years. The GI Bill is for education; a VA home loan is for buying a house.

      With the respect to VA education benefits, the people who were really screwed were those who joined the military between 1977-1985. They don't get the Old GI Bill (Chapter 34) which people who entered prior to 1977 get; and they don't get the new GI Bill (AKA Montgomery GI Bill [Chapter 30]) which people who entered after 1985 get. Instead they get the lousy VEAP (Chapter 32).

      Chapter 34 (aka Vietnam Era GI Bill) 1955-1977: no contribution necessary. Vet receives $1,289/month (plus approx. $35 extra for each dependent they have)

      Chapter 32 (VEAP) 1977-1985: Contributory program. For every dollar a servicemember pays into the program, the VA matches it with two dollars. The maximum one could contribute was $2,700. The $8,100 (1/3 of which the vet paid into) is disbursed into $270 (for full-time higher education) over 36 months. Net benefit: $5,400

      Chapter 30 (New "Montgomery GI Bill) 1985-present: Contributory program. Servicemember contributes $1,200 into the program. The VA then gives $1,101.00/month for 36 months ($39,636) of full-time higher education. Net benefit: $38,436

      As you can see, people who entered between 1977-1985 had to pay almost three times as much and get more than six times less money than those who entered after 1985. It's great that some politicians want to shower Ch. 30 recipients with even more money...but the people who really need it are the Ch. 32 vets.

      --Mike
      (disabled vet, USN Combat SAR, 1983-1991)
      • truthhammer, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1I knew about Chapter 30, but not the others, good info!
    • jforjools, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1You make a great point. But I think we have to approach this one piece at a time. And if we can get this piece through now, great. And NO, it absolutely does NOT address all parts of this very broken system.

      Best wishes.
      • sfcal, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0If your approaching it one piece at a time, doesn't it make sense to address the piece that has been broken the longest and which is by far the most broken first?
    • smotpoker, on 05/14/2008, -1/+1I would like to apologize to those who were mislead or offended by some of my previous assertions which turned out to be untrue or inaccurate. Though most of the enlisted benefits I cited do exist, at least to some degree, not all are completely legitimate or as comprehensive/complete as I had thought.


      I was not trying to be disingenuous or misleading. I believe time blurred the line between assumption and fact to some degree. I do not believe the inaccuracies are bad enough to mitigate the accuracies though and feel my conclusion is still sound (that the government should not subsidize loans or pay education for everyone who makes it through their enlistment term without regard for their position/role)
  • NoDrama, on 05/13/2008, -11/+61Obama, the grandson of a World War II veteran who went to college on the G.I. Bill who now sits on the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee, has a commitment to the men and women who serve in our military that is unsurpassed.
    http://www.barackobama.com/issues/veterans/
    • vivaobama, on 05/13/2008, -0/+4Obama will win the nomination.
      • LordVance, on 05/13/2008, -0/+5Obama has won the nomination. Obama will win the general election.
    • momsshizzle, on 05/13/2008, -4/+4Yea, that automatically means he has more military experience than McCain. What a tard.
      • jgzman, on 05/13/2008, -0/+3You know, I didn't see anyone claiming he had any millitary experience at all. Let me check again.

        Nope. Didn't see it.
    • bentl1, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1You gotta be kiddin' .... are you referring to "God damn America!" Obama??
      The choice of Osama for president? The crook who commits fraud?
      The racist who even hates his white grandmother?
      I can only assume you're being facetious or you're smokin' something truly evil .....
    • poam27, on 05/14/2008, -0/+0"has a commitment to the men and women who serve in our military that is unsurpassed." - if you're looking for a definition of hyperbole, you can find it here.
  • bhod, on 05/13/2008, -18/+35not only is he gonna pull all the troops out of iraq immidiately, he's gonna make sure they are treated right when they return. i have hope that we can change. gobama!
    • mbauer14, on 05/13/2008, -5/+19immediately pulling the troops out would be a disaster. you can't just do that.
      *awaits slew of buries*
      • zephyear, on 05/13/2008, -3/+6i don't know why you'd get buried, pulling out RIGHT AWAY would be bad, really bad.

        slowly pulling out over the course of 12 months is the best option
      • pcghost, on 05/13/2008, -2/+4I would agree that it would be disastrous for the Iraqis, but how pray tell would it be bad for our service members?
        • themonkman, on 05/13/2008, -0/+4These people that say "It would be a disaster" likely don't give a ***** about the Iraqis anyways. They probably don't know a single person from Iraq, either. These people, who most haven't even served a day of service for their nation, are worried about saving face. They want a win for no other reason to say "We won!" Well guess what? My friends coming back with PTSD, blown off limbs and a whole slew of other problems don't care anymore. They want to come home, and they no longer find any purpose or true mission in Iraq other than securing oil fields.
      • themonkman, on 05/13/2008, -1/+10You know what? At this point I don't care if it causes a disaster in Iraq. The Iraqi's have had well over 5 years to train their Army and police to deal with the violence there. The Iraqi government has had more than enough time to form a solid base. My buddies are coming back from Iraq telling me how the Iraqi soldiers they fight with turn heel and run when the bullets start flying, leaving our boys in the firefight with no extra support. Sometimes they've even been turned on by the Iraqi police and Army and shot. Look, they don't want us there. They don't want to help us help them, and at this point we aren't helping them anymore. It's time to get the ***** out. Ask any veteran that has done more than one tour in Iraq. It's time to bring our boys home and worry about protecting our borders. If we need to strike inside of Iraq we have plenty of Predators in the skies to take care of business. Slowly pulling out will never work. As soon as you slowly reduce troop levels they'll get tied right back into fierce battles and extend them even longer.

        It's time for Iraq to stand on it's own two legs. We rid them of a tyrant. It's time for them to make the best of it.
        • jgzman, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2I concur with this statement. If the Iraq people showed the slightest hint of TRYING, I would say stay, help them.
        • truthhammer, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2Couldn't agree more. I've seen/read several combat vets who echo what you wrote. The Iraqi military and police have large components that are either corrupt, cowardly, or both. We gave them several years, and they still let our boys do the dirty work. Enough. We need to get out in way that minimizes AMERICAN loss of life.
          • themonkman, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1I guarantee the people that are digging you down have never been in Iraq or served in any branch of the Armed Services. Our men are over there dying for no reason. There is no freedom gained by America by being there. We went there for the oil, and it's apparent because my Marine buddies who come back tell me about how the commanders biggest missions and concerns were protecting the oil fields. We've already reached the equivalent amount of lives we lost in 9/11, and statistically for each troop that dies in combat, another dies by suicide because of the lack of care and the constant deployments. I've had two friends who have blown their brains out after their third and fourth tour in Iraq. If we were fighting for a reason, I might feel different about this, but we aren't, and I don't.

      • coyote1284, on 05/13/2008, -1/+2Pulling out is never the best method. At this point, we might as well just blow our load all up in Iraq and hope she doesn't ask for child support in 9 months.
    • smotpoker, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3Neither one of you know what would or would not be feasible with any degree of accuracy. Neither does anyone in our government or military, really. It is all guestimates and political maneuvering.

      Regardless, I'm pretty sure everyone knows it will not happen overnight and in likelihood would take at least a couple of months even if all of the insurgents disappeared permanently. bhod is just being a facetious douchemiester
    • rootfiend, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2When and where did Obama say he would pull the troops out immediately? If he has I may give him another look... Otherwise ***** off with the spam.
    • eleete, on 05/13/2008, -0/+0"i have hope that we can change." that is classic. Concentrate on changing yourself instead of looking upward to obama/govenrment with tears in your eyes.

      eleete
    • akamurph, on 05/13/2008, -1/+2All I hear about is this "change" that Obama speaks about... Has he actually given details on how he is going to make this "change" and if it's actually feasible or just propaganda? You 'gobama' people sound like robots.
      And yes, he did say he plans on pulling the troops out as fast as he can. Bury away!
  • ErikHarrison, on 05/13/2008, -11/+16What is a "heart laugh"? :) Obama is awe-inspiring. I am always amazed at his depth of character and just how much of an American he truly is. He is truly what we all strive and hope for in a President.
  • Infidelcastr0, on 05/13/2008, -14/+12Damn straight.
  • rentmitchum, on 05/13/2008, -17/+44I for one welcome our new chocolatey overlord.
  • Turbojugend27, on 05/13/2008, -50/+10I still find it funny that digg users think he'll be the next president
    • bcrussett, on 05/13/2008, -6/+31I find it funny that the only two stories you've dugg are "How to "Not Be Seen" in WoW" and "The 8 Houses of Bling: Hip-Hop Cribs on Sale". Clearly a winner.
      • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -13/+5I find it odd you have been a member since 2005 yet have only commented 13 times.
        • chevyorange, on 05/13/2008, -0/+7Well, if his 13 comments are as good as this one (bcrussett's) then I'm fine with that!
          • RonBurgundy76, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2Sometimes less is more... perhaps I should follow his lead and comment less, as I usually let my urge to post get the better of me. Often to my embarrassment :P
    • zephyear, on 05/13/2008, -5/+14what, you think john mccain actually has a chance?

      massive infighting is happening in the republican party because they won't recognize ron paul, lots of "true" conservatives are consdiering voting libertarian

      not to mention since this race started the media has given mccain a freeride, when hillary is completely done he's going to get THRASHED
      • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -10/+6What's going on in the republican party isn't nearly as bad as the war going on over at socialstland.
        I love it when liberals eat their own.
        • OoO3xOoO, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2socialist land! Quick everybody, run for the hills. He used the S word!
        • RonBurgundy76, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2We'll see how that works out for you come November when Obama destroys Bush III.
      • akamurph, on 05/13/2008, -2/+1You are joking right? "massive infighting" in the republican party?! You mean the democratic party right??
  • pintomp3, on 05/13/2008, -8/+29they won't be needing tuition assistance if mccain keeps them in iraq for the next 100 years.
    • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -9/+4When did he say he'd do that?
      • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -5/+4Anybody? Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?
      • barnett25, on 05/13/2008, -1/+2I believe the term you are looking for is exaggeration.
        However we still cannot ignore what the effect would be on this country if we continue to have such a large number of troops deployed in combat for the foreseeable future. The percentage of people in this country with mental issues would likely go up a significant amount, and the effect on the soldiers families needs to be considered as well.
  • darkfires, on 05/13/2008, -7/+27Obama understands that our veterans fight and die for us and in return we owe them. Vets (deceased and otherwise) are responsible for the freedoms we have today. At present, we doubly owe them for serving in Iraq because we voted in the administration that forced them on a fool's errand.
    • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -13/+4I'm sure they love being told that. While you're at it, why don't you rehash that old 1,000,000 dead Iraqis fallacy?
      • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -8/+6Boy, you libtards don't like being reminded of your true hatred of our soldiers.
        • zephyear, on 05/13/2008, -4/+6you neocons send them to die in vain

          i would say you're the ones who hate them
          • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -4/+4Yea, we're the ones calling then deranged psychopaths year after year.
            You can shut up now.
        • chevyorange, on 05/13/2008, -4/+7keymanjim2, you people keep saying some "hate the troops" for calling out the administration on their idiotic move to invade Iraq. Keep on saying it, it won't make it true. In fact, it might be one of the most stupid phrases ever. "What do you hate the troops?"
          • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -3/+4How many of you believed the soros funded hit piece that called out troops mass murderers?
            No one from the right believed it. Only from the left.
    • Anonchrist, on 05/13/2008, -4/+1Other than WW2 veterans, there is not a veteran alive that has fought for our freedoms in any place other than Afghanistan... Maybe they served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or in liberating Vietnam, but that was a paid "career."
      People have died for freedom, but not everyone with a uniform and a kill count is a hero. Maybe one day American's will realize that the difference between heroism and terrorism is the justification for your the death of you victims.
      • darkfires, on 05/16/2008, -1/+1To go with your line of thinking, we'd be perfectly fine (and free) if we had ditched our military after WW2.
      • KLBP, on 05/17/2008, -0/+1I think some Korean War veterans would disagree with you on this as ostensibly the Korean War was about stopping the spread of communism to protect our freedoms. Vietnam was also supposed to be about stopping the spread of communism only our politicians lost that war.
  • johnnyfistfight, on 05/13/2008, -32/+14Boys, thank Obama's speech writer Jon Favreau for getting your panties wet. Obama hides his hatred for American troops well but he's not fooling the boots on the ground. Those boots are the boots I wear and I would love nothing more than to put one in his ass..
    • ironhide, on 05/13/2008, -5/+18Really, do you have anything at all to back that up with? Yeah, that's what I thought.
      • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -14/+2Um his wife has to explain a paper she wrote about her hatred of America, and he attended an America hating church for a bunch of years, so while there is no proof that Obama is an America hater, there certainly is a lot of circumstantial evidence.
    • Drogoganor, on 05/13/2008, -4/+20Oh you mean those troops that are donating to Obama's campaign more than any other candidate?

      Those troops?

      Try being informed.
      • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -13/+3Actually, they are all small donations and there is no FEC requirement to report who the donations from. So Obama may have claimed that, but there is no evidence to support it. Maybe he should post his list of campaign contributors on the Internet so we can verify that what he says is true?
        • Lyk4n, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3When you donate you have to state your job..
      • johnnyfistfight, on 05/13/2008, -9/+3More troops support Ron Paul than any other. We'll talk after Obama is finish cutting his own throat regarding his Oprah like defense strategy and Ron Paul endorses McCain . Ironside I can back up anything I say. I'm sure you can too after your parents give you permission.
        http://youtube.com/watch?v=M0du8wMLzEY&feature=rel ...
        • CaymanCarpediem, on 05/13/2008, -0/+0Ron Paul does have the most military contributions, however Obama isn't far behind and is ahead of McCain (http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/05/army_mil ... Also, Ron Paul does NOT endorse McCain :-) Not sure where you heard that one, but McCain is the last he would endorse and sounds more likely to endorse Obama (he himself proposes what you ever so cleverly call the "Oprah like defense strategy"). Here is a link of Dr. Paul speaking about who he likes of remaining candidates (not counting himself) and thier positions: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/02/pa ...
    • Mejari, on 05/13/2008, -2/+16I'm sad to hear that you are a person representing America to the rest of the world. The majority of America's soldiers are wonderful people doing their part to defend America, but it's asshats like you that give people bad impressions of our fighting men and women. America is awesome, America's soldiers are awesome, America's next president Barack Obama is awesome, and you sir are a douche.
      • johnnyfistfight, on 05/13/2008, -12/+2I'm sad to see you think people in W.V. are ignorant Hillbillies. That seem to be a common denominator among Obama and his snobby supporters.
        • Mejari, on 05/13/2008, -0/+13... And how did I even kindof insinuate that? I was only talking about YOU. I don't even know if you live in W.V. Do you? Does it matter? No, because There are douches in every state of the union, and you seem to do a good job of representing them. Giving a ***** about people who are different than you is not snobbery. Just because I think you're a douche and an asshat doesn't say anything about how I feel about other people.
          • johnnyfistfight, on 05/13/2008, -8/+1Being that you're a flighty fan of Obama (photos of kittens cry out insane mental cat lady) you're guilt of being a snob. Digging every story about your boy is a sure sign of your wackiness and preaching to your "social inferiors" about how stupid we are only adds to your snobbery. Also don't make claims about loving the troops but hating the war. Sorry to inform you sister but you can't separate the two because it makes YOU feel good. I get paid to kill people and ***** things up. That's what I do. You don't join a VOLUNTEER military to
            make nice with the bad people. I've killed them and I enjoyed it. It's the same pleasure you get you as you stroke your ugly ***** cats.
            So now if you excuse me I must go on watch to ensure the safety of my friends as they chow. You hippy ! :)
          • Mejari, on 05/13/2008, -0/+7Wow, now I am really disappointed that you represent our military. No, I don't have any cats (the cat in my profile is from an internet meme). I digg stories that I find interesting, and I find stories about Obama interesting, among other things. I don't see how that makes me a snob. (P.S. just an FYI, calling a full-grown black male like Obama 'boy' kinda makes you seem racist. Probably an accident on your part, just letting you know) And the only one I'm calling a 'social inferior' is you, but you've given me plenty of evidence to back up that claim. And yes, I can separate the soldiers from the war. I feel sorry for the soldiers that are forced to fight this war, I don't see why that's impossible. I think it's very disturbing that you so thoroughly enjoy killing and in all seriousness think it might be time for a psych eval. People, for the most part, join a VOLUNTEER military to help protect and serve their country, along with benefits such as help with tuition, not just for the thrill of the kill. I hope you are successful in protecting your fellow soldiers, and I also hope that your kill-lust doesn't put them in danger. Oh, and I'm a man, so calling me sister and a crazy cat lady just because I have a cat as my profile pic is rather stupid. And it's also rather stupid to try and use hippy as an epithet. You really shouldn't be living in the vietnam-era hippy-hating days. There aren't even any hippies left so you have to resort to calling anyone who doesn't kill people and enjoy it a hippy.
          • MammasMilk, on 05/13/2008, -0/+3"Being that you're a flighty fan of Obama (photos of kittens cry out insane mental cat lady) ..."
            Being that you have a Reservoir dogs Dog pic for your icon so you can feel manly since your pencil thin dick doesn't do that for you.
          • johnnyfistfight, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1I suggest that you start on some testosterone injections ASAP my friend. unless you're a 8 year old boy or a girl posting photos of kittens on your profile is not cool. I call my friends "boy" or "dude" or whatever. I respect Obama for ***** morons such as yourself and 80% of the ***** who post here. More power to him for that. I'm a lifer in the Marines. That's my choice. After 2 years at USC I realized I didn't want a 9-5. So here I am. Why would you think it's bad for me to gain some satisfaction out of killing people trying to do the same to me? I can't wrap my head around that. Oh and by the way no one here is being forced to fight. Your confusing the draft with a volunteer military. You'll never find a Marine stating he's being forced to fight. Also hippies are alive and well living in my old stomping grounds of Topanga canyon.
            sincerely,
            CWO2 KILL-LUST
    • franksalvo, on 05/13/2008, -5/+4Very funny. Put your boot in his ass. It won't even fit. Your boot is too big.
      • johnnyfistfight, on 05/13/2008, -8/+2Only a size 13. I'll make it for God and country.
        • Mejari, on 05/13/2008, -1/+4You mean the God that Bush thinks told him to invade Iraq or the country that told him to stay the ***** out? Which did he listen to, again?
    • jjrs, on 05/13/2008, -1/+12You ***** halfwit- this man tries to give you decent benefits, and you say you want to put a foot up his ass? You going to vote for McCain, who thinks those benefits are too generous, and who will　keep you in iraq for 100 years?

      People like you are too stupid to help. You're ***** yourself over, and proud of it. what a loser you are.
      • johnnyfistfight, on 05/14/2008, -1/+1 I'm having too much fun over here for this to end any time soon. Benefits? You think I do this for the benefits?
    • CeeAyy, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3You're not a soldier. POIDH.
      • johnnyfistfight, on 05/14/2008, -0/+1You're right jackass I am ***** Marine. How about I show you a picture of your mom blowing me.
      • CeeAyy, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1You're not a Marine either. A moron... but not a Marine. It's funny how such a simple comment about how you are not a soldier got you so upset. You're a child. Marines are much more disciplined than you are. You'd get someone hurt if you were truly a Marine. You're a troll. I know a few Marines, NONE of them talk like you (maybe in the field, but not at home). You're over the top for effect. I truly feel sorry for you. Something is wrong with you.
    • RogueGenius, on 05/13/2008, -1/+1Yes, you strike me as the type to like things up there.
  • mooseontheloose, on 05/13/2008, -20/+4Obama to people who drive Volvos: ***** you
    Obama to people who eat vegetables: ***** you, too
  • patpl22391, on 05/13/2008, -4/+9We always complain about government spending, but when it comes to finding what areas we should reduce spending we have interests groups saying, "don't let government abandon so-and-so, we need this funding because people will lose their jobs, or this group won't get benefits." When are we going to cut spending across the board, not spend more like all these politicians want?
    • TinternAbbot, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1Spending across the board will never be cut, because any vote to cut can be spun as "not caring" about people.
    • StrangeFamous, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3Reducing the American Military presence in Iraq would be a good start to reducing the expenses. That, and an actual attempt at stopping corruption and incompetence in regards to American contractors working on Iraq's infrastructure.
  • ZeroIce, on 05/13/2008, -2/+8American's Veterans?
    • ShempRider, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2No, "American Veterans".

      I think.

      Semper Fidelis,

      ShempRider
      • kdawg1012, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1Thanks - I made the correction. Semper Fi!
    • theghoul, on 05/13/2008, -0/+3Airline company's former employees.

      Get over it, he's rollin.
  • bcrussett, on 05/13/2008, -6/+19Another great speech by Obama. It probably won't get through to most of the roughneck Hilldog fans but it goes a long way to opening to dialog on what it really means to support our troops.

    "Our Veterans deserve not only our respect - but also our action in their behalf. John McCain has shown that he may be a war hero but he is no hero to this generation of American Veterans."

    Well said.
  • ironpirate, on 05/13/2008, -19/+8Only thing Obama knows about the military is how to get rid of it.
    • haylel, on 05/13/2008, -0/+5I would think pulling them out of an endless war would actually be a way to preserve it...
      you know, with them not all being dead and whatnot
  • stubear, on 05/13/2008, -10/+31It will be a ***** crime if this guy isn't elected President of the United States of America in the coming election. It will be even more of a ***** crime if the Senate opposes his actions to rectify the problems like this that we here in the U.S. face. We have a HUGE opportunity here to effect REAL change and get this country going in the right direction again.
    • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -8/+3No, that's called common sense.
    • OC73, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1http://youtube.com/watch?v=QF3IpNU1Yu8
    • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -4/+3Wow there is that McGovern like delusion again. Now that the GE has started, Obama is behind and losing ground in the only count that matters, the electoral college vote.

      http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Obama/Maps/M ...

      Michigan used to be a blue state, and it looks like from current trends PA is gonna go red too. So until Obama has proved that he has any chance at all in the GE, I think it is premature to start thinking it is a crime if he is not elected.
      • stubear, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3Yeah, and Hillary was supposed to waltz her way to the White House a few short months ago. How has that worked out for her so far?!?
        • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -2/+1Look at the Hillary vs McCain matchup also on that site, now suck on it.
      • jayzer, on 05/13/2008, -2/+3Have you taken for granted how Obama has gotten this far?

        I think it's only just begun. I have a feeling McCain is going to be obliterated in the GE.
        • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -3/+1Better get started soon, because currently he is trending down, that is, he is becoming more unelectable. So yeah, other that all of the evidence contradicting your claims, you might be onto something.

          Oh and to answer your question, he does very well in red states, not the states he needs to win in the GE.
  • FuckXboxx, on 05/13/2008, -17/+4If people voted for Ron Paul, we wouldn't need veterans.
    • Mejari, on 05/13/2008, -5/+7cause no one would sign up for the military to be led by an idiot like Ron Paul?
      • FuckXboxx, on 05/13/2008, -7/+5No...because we'd be a peaceful nation rather than a war-mongering empire.
        • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -5/+11And there would be butterflys and rainbows and chocolate streams...
          And then you woke up from you libtard induced coma and realized that all the wars in the world ARE NOT started by the US. But the rest of the world sure loves to drag us into their conflicts.
          • FuckXboxx, on 05/13/2008, -5/+6We wouldn't be in the Middle East if we hadn't started Al-Queida to fight Russia.
          • nblsavage, on 05/13/2008, -3/+3Um, you do realize that Ron Paul isn't a liberal right?
          • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -3/+4Well now, that's very helpful. When you invent a time machine you can go back and tell them not to do that.
            Until then they are still trying to kill us TODAY. I hope you don't mind if we put up a little resistance.
          • FuckXboxx, on 05/13/2008, -7/+2They've never tried to kill us. 9/11 was carried out by globalists and key elements of the US government. The same people that own, Hillary, Obama, and McCain.

            All terrorism is funded by rich governments who have populations to control.
          • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -0/+4Alcoa is making a fortune off of you alone.
          • Mejari, on 05/13/2008, -2/+4@*****: lol, as insane as your posts were, I'm sure you had a few Ron Paul supporters agreeing with you, then you started spewing the conspiracy ***** and lost everything. You really think a government that has had one president that couldn't even keep a blowjob secret and another that almost got taken out by a pretzel could pull off the most intricate and elaborate conspiracy ever conceived and keep it quiet for almost 7 years?
    • RogueGenius, on 05/13/2008, -1/+0If people voted for Ron Paul we wouldn't need HISTORY. We could just make up whatever crap we want like he does.
  • NorseKilla, on 05/13/2008, -6/+7Here's the video of the speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NpP5zgc6qo&feature ...
  • crazyjake, on 05/13/2008, -9/+15i really hope that Obama gets elected and pulls us out of Iraq. i would much rather get sent to Afghanistan than get sent to Iraq on my next deployment!
  • ironpirate, on 05/13/2008, -17/+5A non veteran that doesnt respect our veterans. Oh the irony
  • jaxs1984, on 05/13/2008, -15/+7I stopped reading after "My grandmother worked on a bomber assembly line". Is this the same racist grandmother?
    • bmorlok, on 05/13/2008, -2/+3Yeah racist people usually like to have babies with the races they hate. You make sense.
  • Drogoganor, on 05/13/2008, -9/+4Gonna lose hey Republicans?
  • mrfunktastic, on 05/13/2008, -10/+11Ron Paul's not even a blip anymore, ok? Let's just try to get the right person who CAN be elected, elected. MOVE ON.
  • OC73, on 05/13/2008, -15/+7"Our Veterans deserve not only our respect..."

    Is it disrespectful to bring them home in defeat? Especially when it's against an enemy they've successfully expressed to 'paradise' by the tens of thousands since 9/11?
    • haylel, on 05/13/2008, -1/+4what?
      • OC73, on 05/13/2008, -3/+2Do you think bringing troops home in shame, as though they took part in a war crime, is a way of being respectful to them?
        • haylel, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2as opposed to continuation of the war crimes and continuously putting them in harm's way and facing their possible death for nothing?
          the troops didn't choose to go to war, it isn't their shame to bear.
    • RogueGenius, on 05/13/2008, -1/+1They have already been defeated. Rumsfield defeated them and the war is over. Try to keep up.
    • RickHavoc, on 05/13/2008, -0/+3"Is it disrespectful to bring them home in defeat?"

      You don't want our troops home until they've achieved victory, yet you have no definition for victory.
    • Vindicoth, on 05/13/2008, -0/+3How do you defeat an idea? Terrorism is an idea, and this is a war on Terror, and you can't defeat terror, because killing terrorists only brings rise to more terrorists because their father/brother/uncle/family died from an american.
  • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -19/+12Here's the transcript of his speech:

    Look into my eyes, what do you see?
    Cult of personality
    I know your anger, I know your dreams
    Ive been everything you want to be
    Im the cult of personality
    Like mussolini and kennedy
    Im the cult of personality
    Cult of personality
    Cult of personality

    Neon lights, a nobel prize
    The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
    You dont have to follow me
    Only you can set me free
    I sell the things you need to be
    Im the smiling face on your t.v.
    Im the cult of personality
    I exploit you still you love me

    I tell you one and one makes three
    Im the cult of personality
    Like joseph stalin and gandi
    Im the cult of personality
    Cult of personality
    Cult of personality

    Neon lights a nobel prize
    A leader speaks, that leader dies
    You dont have to follow me
    Only you can set you free

    You gave me fortune
    You gave me fame
    You me power in your gods name
    Im every person you need to be
    Im the cult of personality
    Look into my eyes, what do you see?
    Cult of personality
    I know your anger, I know your dreams
    Ive been everything you want to be
    Im the cult of personality
    Like mussolini and kennedy
    Im the cult of personality
    Cult of personality
    Cult of personality

    Neon lights, a nobel prize
    The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
    You dont have to follow me
    Only you can set me free
    I sell the things you need to be
    Im the smiling face on your t.v.
    Im the cult of personality
    I exploit you still you love me

    I tell you one and one makes three
    Im the cult of personality
    Like joseph stalin and gandi
    Im the cult of personality
    Cult of personality
    Cult of personality

    Neon lights a nobel prize
    A leader speaks, that leader dies
    You dont have to follow me
    Only you can set you free

    You gave me fortune
    You gave me fame
    You me power in your gods name
    Im every person you need to be
    Im the cult of personality
    • moolaismyfriend, on 05/13/2008, -12/+4Copyright infringement *****.
      • keymanjim2, on 05/13/2008, -4/+9Cry me a river douche bag.
        • Wakkyweed, on 05/13/2008, -3/+4Hmmm...I thought that was a lot of effort for for what was essentially a pretty weak joke. It would have been funnier if you had only used the first paragraph of the song.

          Sorry to be critical - you can bury me now. :-Þ
  • ProKid, on 05/13/2008, -10/+4G08ama.
  • jholden42, on 05/13/2008, -9/+9If I could digg this twice, I would.
  • knumbknuts, on 05/13/2008, -9/+4This veteran (service related disability) needs cliff notes.

    I really like Obama... his policies... mebbe not.
    • knumbknuts, on 05/13/2008, -3/+4Oh yea, and I got ***** outta the GI bill under the Clinton era drawdown... wasn't applicable to grad school under my separation.

      That's why I'm an ABH voter. (Anybody But...)
      • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -0/+4Huckabee?
        • chevyorange, on 05/13/2008, -0/+3I got screwed out of veteran's benefits under Reagan. Imagine that.
    • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -7/+2Whats not to like about his policies??? He wants to negotiate with terrorists as national security policy and wants to raise taxes ONE TRILLION DOLLARS as his domestic policy. WHATS NOT TO LIKE???
      • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -2/+6Were you the ***** who was claiming the other day that Obama wants to raise taxes on everyone making over $50k, or was that some other *****?
        • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -5/+1Actually, I have modified it. But Obama really needs to clarify it, but no one in the MSM will ask him the question.

          Obama will let the Bush tax cuts expire. That will increase taxes on people making as little as 32k a year. It also represents an actual tax increase because the legislation has not been modified to account for inflation.

          Anyhow... Obama wants to increase spending 680 billion dollars and the deficit is already 400 billion dollars. Please explain how he is gonna pay for that if not by a TRILLION DOLLAR TAX increase?
        • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -0/+12"Please explain how he is gonna pay for that if not by a TRILLION DOLLAR TAX increase?"

          Maybe by getting us out of a $2 trillion war?
          • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -4/+1War is only a 100 billion dollars a year, and despite your fantasy, it has not yet cost even ONE TRILLION DOLLARS. Also, we now know that Obama will allow the war to persist for at least two more years.
          • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2"we now know that Obama will allow the war to persist for at least two more years."

            Not at nearly the same level of operating expense though. In any case, the $2 trillion figure was given by Joesph Stiglitz and is amortized over the next few years of the occupation. It includes things like health care for soldiers, the long term costs of which can be brought down by an immediate drawdown (if not outright withdrawal). The trillion dollar budget increase you refer to is also not annual, but is expected to be incurred over four years (unless you're relying on some wackjob source for your figures.

            There are a bazillion other areas where Bush has needlessly increased government spending. These costs can all be minimized by an administration that puts efficiency first and political patronage last.
          • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -4/+1Ok you still havent explained where he is going to get the 680 billion dollars for his new spending.
          • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3I'm sure he'll raise taxes on corporations and the very wealthy. I don't like his capital gains tax plan, but I'm sure it can be tweaked so that low-middle income investors don't get *****. I'm sure he'd institute some form of carbon tax as well. It won't be painless, but it will be far less painful (and far less costly) than the projected effects of climate change if we take a business as usual approach.

            And I think you're underestimating the amount of wasteful spending that goes into defense appropriations. A lot of nonsense programs like SDI can be gotten rid of. If you know anything about defense contracting you know it's a horrendous source of corruption. We blow massive sums of cash on homeland security and the war on drugs and other useless intiatives.

            As is always the case, there is a balance to be struck between the tax burden inflicted on society and the return generated by the government doing the taxing. I don't think Obama is going to throw everything out of whack, but maybe that's because I know quite a bit about his background and his intellectual underpinnings. He's still a UofC guy. You don't teach con law at that law school for 12 years and not understand where Richard Epstein is coming from.
          • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -3/+1Well that and he has already promised to let the bush tax cuts expire and raise taxes on people earning as little as 32k a year. You do you want to try and argue that is not a tax hike?
          • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2He claims he'll cut taxes for anyone making less than $75k/yr though.
          • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1.
        • B1663r, on 05/13/2008, -4/+2Also... The total defense budget is ~550 billion dollars. So now obama wants to eliminate 100% of the defense budget... Gotcha, making McCain look better all the time.
          • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_th ...

            "Altogether, military-related expenses totaled approximately $626.1 billion"

            All he has to do is shave off a few hundred billion/yr here and there. Shouldn't be hard to do. Why do you insist on making the ridiculous, unfounded assertion that he plans to eliminate the entire defense budget, B1663r? Do you acually believe any of the things you say?
        • chevyorange, on 05/13/2008, -1/+5B1663r, you make the most sweeping, leap of logic, uninformed comments and accusations I've had the displeasure of reading on Digg.
    • sfcal, on 05/13/2008, -2/+1I don't see how that could be. The GI Bill (Ch. 30) can be used for undergraduate and graduate education (as well as vocational training). The only ways you wouldn't be qualified to use it would be: a) you didn't pay into it, b) you did not serve at least three years, or c) you didn't get an Honorable Discharge.

      Are you saying you were forced out under honorable conditions after less than three years service? I find that very hard to believe.
      • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1You also have to score top 50th percentile on the ASVAB (seems like you'd have to be brick dumb not to be able to do this, but by definition 50% of test takers will not qualify) and accept the ***** assignments that no one else wants and offer on transferable skills. All for $70k max. That's a pretty ***** ***** deal.
  • lexdigg, on 05/13/2008, -5/+16"Barack Obama has finally crossed the line!!!!!!!!! Obama has gone too far!!! He has insulted every Vietnam Vet’s in West Virginia and Kentucky. Obama has no right to finally stick on his flag pin now"

    From one of the comments on that blog.. these guys are hilarious!! Obama has gone too far because he's wearing a pin? With voters like that, the US is in for many more years of Bush style government.

    And the abortion/gay-marriage junk hasn't even started yet (I figure they're saving that till Sept?)
  • anizzle, on 05/13/2008, -15/+6Dude Obama's gonna make me pay taxes to the poor. ***** THAT ***** POOR. Kindly get a job, and stop moochin'. I don't mind paying to help kids or the elderly, but it's the people who don't work hard at all, and think they deserve some kind of compensation for there worthlessness that makes me angry.
    • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -5/+5I agree. We're already set to spend billions of dollars in health care for wounded Iraq veterans, and I don't see why we should have to spend a nickel more. These folks should have known what they were getting into when the signed up to fight. It's their own damn fault they keep driving over IEDs.
    • Wakkyweed, on 05/13/2008, -3/+6Have you ever gone without eating because a full-time minimum wage job wasn't enough to put proper food on the table? I have. Sometimes you can work your ass off and always be behind, no matter what you do. Being poor sucks, and you've obviously never experienced it. So stop crying like a whiny little bitch over having to pay your fair share of taxes.
      • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -3/+2Maybe you should lay off the wakkyweed and get some education or some skills so you don't have to work at taco bell.
        • Wakkyweed, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3Hey, I was poor when I was young. That was 24 years ago. I toughed it out, educated myself, and became a success. But now that I'm doing well I sure as hell don't mind spending some money to help those less fortunate than I am.

          And Wakkyweed's just my gaming nickname. LOL!
          • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -2/+2OK, all is foregiven. To be fair, I agree that goverment has some responsibilty toward poors. I just want it to be supporting the right kind of poors and not the social deritus who have no chance of ever doing anything productive with their lives.

            Personally, I think we ought to send massive sterilization teams into America's ghettos ASAP. If you don't know who your baby daddy is, you get shot in the womb. Time to neutron bomb those places and start over.
          • Wakkyweed, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1Well, here's a solution for you. It's a fact that the more highly educated a woman is, the less children she will have. Therefore, let's do our best to educate the poor. That way they will have less children, and will also be able to get a good job and become productive members of society.
          • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1That might work for future generations, but we're already carrying substantial deadweight. These people are hopeless and need to be thrown in a ditch.
  • Jeveran, on 05/13/2008, -4/+14"Bush expected to veto expansion of the GI Bill because it would cost $51 billion over the next 10 years. In other news, we continue to spend $100 billion plus a year in Iraq..."
  • bill1237, on 05/13/2008, -17/+6Anyone else note that Obama sounds a little like an old time Soviet communist? Or are you people to young to know what they sounded like?
    • nblsavage, on 05/13/2008, -2/+2actually I'm not too young to remember, and no he doesn't.
  • moolaismyfriend, on 05/13/2008, -13/+11Republicans hate our troops. Every policy they pass works against the troops best interests.
  • petrodollar, on 05/13/2008, -7/+1"When he returned, it was to a country that gave him the chance to college on the GI Bill"

    Should read "to go to college"

    "a fresh-faced man of twenty-three, with a heart laugh and an easy smile."

    Should that be "hearty?"
  • AtlanticVortex, on 05/13/2008, -16/+6I admit he is a great speaker, but still too liberal to me... Look at his track record people, the only thing he is going to do is expand the government.
    • alenox, on 05/13/2008, -1/+4yes...our small government that polices the world and spies on its own citizens should not be changed /s
  • Jamihabs, on 05/13/2008, -16/+6Obama is a shallow man. Please keep him away from the deep end of the pool.
  • nastronomical, on 05/13/2008, -12/+3Fodder pure and simply. Liberals claim they "support" the troops. If it seems to be good to be true..usually it isnt. Of course the blind drooling hordes will swallow his bile with glee.
    • CeeAyy, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1What is this fascination with name calling? If you don't know, ALL Americans support the troops morally. The problem is that FEW people support them financially and through action. What have YOU done to support the troops? Most of the people I have met who talk like you do have done nothing more than talk. That's it. What organizations are you active in? What actions have you taken?
  • Sundowner, on 05/13/2008, -6/+12Ugh not entirely referring to this article but I'm getting really sick of every time Obama takes a piss its on digg's front page. It's not that I don't like him either hes not my first choice lesser of three evils.
    • invasi0n, on 05/13/2008, -1/+3Unfortunately no one cares.
      It's the Presidential Campaign which means that everybody must accept all the *****. As long as there's enough money, the internet propaganda will never stop.
      Digg is a very visited site which makes it a good place to promote a person/product/service. I'm NOT saying that EVERYTHING we see on Digg is manipulated but when you see thousands and thousands of stories, about the same person/product/service, desperately trying to hit the "magical front page", it makes me believe that there's something organized. The problem is that if all this Obama promotion will stop, Mr X or Y will take place immediately.

      P.S.: Probably some will say that I'm hallucinating because Digg has a system that can detect and do this and that.... Well, a private proxy/socks provider (that means like $30/month) + a bit of work to create multiple account > ANY system that Digg will ever create (unless of course they have access to absolutely any service mentioned above).
      • barnett25, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2Or it could just be because so many of Obama's supporters (just like Ron Paul's supporters) are college students, who also happen to make up a large part of the digg community.
      • KLBP, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1Articles are not getting posted to Digg and voted up because the Obama campaign is paying people to do this, rather it is because there are a lot of Obama supporters who use or know about Digg and are posting and voting up articles here.
    • Darkside2984, on 05/13/2008, -3/+1Don't worry, it was Ron Paul then Obama. All we have to wait for now is something new a shiny...
    • Sundowner, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2I love how it went from Ron Paul and Obama totally different views some similar but they are way different
    • KLBP, on 05/18/2008, -0/+1I am an Obama supporter, but I would agree too many articles are getting voted up. I also find it annoying how the MSM will publish an article and a dozen half-lazy bloggers will write a one or two paragraph summary of the article and then link their Digg post to their own blog post that adds nothing to the subject rather than linking their Digg post directly to the MSM article.

      I've personally taken to either ignoring or burying some posts (even pro-Obama posts) that do not provide substantive contribution to the subject.

      With that said, I'd recommend any Digg user who doesn't want to see their front page filled with Obama articles to uncheck "20008 U.S. Election from their list of subscribed topics.
  • wonderlandpr, on 05/13/2008, -5/+10Only the man who was against the war from the start can truly be FOR the troops. How can anyone be PRO soldier or veteran..sending them, and re-sending them to a war without cause, and a war without end..IF we elect McCain. Obama can do it with honor because he never meant for 4,000 to die for a lie.
    • Darkside2984, on 05/13/2008, -3/+3he voted for it. You are sheep. Baaah sheep baaaah.
      • caleb4mj, on 05/13/2008, -1/+2Did you listen to this speech? Okay, so I'm a sheep for Obama, because I trust him.
      • barnett25, on 05/13/2008, -0/+2I don't care enough about you to bother to look it up, but I believe that Obama voted for some vague kind of reaction, which then morphed into invading Iraq. Regardless; I love the highly intellectual conversations we have on digg.
        "Baaah sheep baaaah."
        wow
  • thyblindedbeast, on 05/13/2008, -9/+3**Hopenosis**
  • rootfiend, on 05/13/2008, -9/+6All of digg now understands Obama can walk on water. Can we move on?
    • CeeAyy, on 05/13/2008, -1/+1Apparently you still don't get it. It's not really about Sen. Obama, it's about ending the war and fixing the economy. I will never get tired of talking about that. If there was another candidate who represented that, he would be all over the front page as well. What would you rather see on the front page? The next President is a BIG deal. It's a shame that you find that tiring.
  • Darkside2984, on 05/13/2008, -8/+3Obamatruth.org BURIED
  • eleete, on 05/13/2008, -9/+5Ahhhhh patriotism as it is taught by the man who will not pledge allegiance. Great Stuff !!
    • txtphile, on 05/13/2008, -2/+2"My country, right or wrong" is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying: "My mother, drunk or sober."

      G.K. Chesterton
    • Anonchrist, on 05/13/2008, -1/+1Pledge your allegiance to an ideal not those that claim to represent it
    • CeeAyy, on 05/13/2008, -0/+1You are uninformed and misled. Do your research. None of the candidates refuse to pledge allegiance.
  • thatguyfred, on 05/13/2008, -9/+3FAIL this just got buried. Obama FTL
  • reyalp, on 05/13/2008, -3/+5I'm glad he ran for office, otherwise he wouldn't have found this new mountain of compassion for the troops.
  • gibbwake, on 05/13/2008, -8/+2Dont be idiots tricked into supporting a war hawk when you yourself are anti war.
    Dont support the establishment war hawk Obama or the anti freedom Hitlery Clinton. He is more pro war than Bush - he said he would bomb and invade Pakistan, he wants to leave the nuclear bomb option on the table with Iran, hes spoke in favor of the SPP to merge the USA, Mexico And Canada into a regional government, making ours obsolete. So much for that constitution and bill of rights.
    He is pure establishment - his wife is a director of the chicago CFR, hes adopted the foreign policy of the anti russian, anti american Zbigniew Brzezinski, whos said that Americans have had it good for too long. Via operation cyclone, Zbig is also the creator of Al Qaeda - the enemy Obama will chase and invade whatever country they go in, Bush style, just like the plan was all along. Read more about the Anglo American Establishment that Obama is a part of here: http://www.bravenewbookstore.com/product_info.php? ...
    Hillary, Obama, Huckabee, McCain are ALL connected to this group. Dont vote for the establishment demagogue.
    Listen to this for a true analysis of Obamas objectives. http://nw0.info/files/Radio/World%20Crisis%20Radio ...
  • BohicaTwentyTwo, on 05/13/2008, -2/+4The reason that McCain has not endorsed the Webb/Hagel GI Bill enhancement is because he has authored his own bill with Lindsey Graham and Richard Burr.

    http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAct ...

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Burr (R-NC), and John McCain (R-AZ) today unveiled the Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment through Education Act.

    The Graham-Burr-McCain bill enhances the existing Montgomery G.I. Bill by improving education benefits for servicemembers, veterans, and members of the Guard and Reserve. The legislation will help more military personnel attend college debt-free, and allow them to transfer their education benefits to their spouse or children. It also bolsters recruitment and retention efforts, encouraging servicemembers to continue their military careers.
  • h3lx, on 05/13/2008, -2/+1This whole Veteran's Issue isn't new, all the pandering ***** coming out of DC and everywhere else is just that. In this case actions speak louder than words. Not a single ***** can open his/ her mouth touting some grand new veterans triumph. They've all failed and the proof is in the headlines strewn across our papers and TV screens every hour of every day for the last 6 ***** years.

    S.1315 as Amended; Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007: Not voting.
    (An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance veterans' insurance and housing benefits, to improve benefits and services for transitioning servicemembers, and for other purposes)(http://obama.senate.gov/votes/)
    ...just recently.

    The fact is, veterans do not have competent representation in Washington. Otherwise, this goddamn war would be over.