What is Digg?Sponsored by Dragon Age: Origins
See the new YouTube feature trailer for Dragon Age: Origins view!
youtube.com/DragonAge - EA presents BioWare's new dark fantasy epic Dragon Age: Origins. '9/10' from Game Informer.
113 Comments
- voxlisa999, on 09/30/2008, -3/+96There is something missing in McCain- something I can't really explain. It's a strange disconnect- we've seen for months now the erratic behavior that most chalk up to campaign stuff- anything to win, etc. But what explains the 26 years of consistently voting against our active military and Veterans? What could possibly explain it? If people knew the truth, they would realize there is a part of his brain/soul/heart missing. It is utterly disgraceful. He voted over and over against that body armour to save a few bucks and that's just the beginning of his disgraceful record from the actual Veterans themselves. This has nothing to do with Obama. Other than Obama supported them.
- JenniferInMO, on 09/30/2008, -3/+77If you have a yellow ribbon magnet on your SUV and you vote for McCain, you are either willfully ignorant, a hypocrite who cares nothing about our soldiers and vets or you lack the intellect to see past a campaign slogan.
- macdoodle, on 09/30/2008, -3/+74FROM VETERANSFORAMERICA.ORG and
VETERANS TODAY NEWSLETTER
Open Letter to Senator John McCain
by Jere Beery
Senator McCain, I watched the 1st Presidential debate with great interest. One particular comment made by you caught my attention. You stated “the veterans know you will take care of them’ if you are elected President. I’m one of the veterans you were apparently speaking of/for, and I take issue with your assumption. Your voting record in the Senate on veteran’s issues has been nothing less than deplorable. Most recently, you opposed the new GI Bill on the basis it was too generous. Your record speaks for itself. Why should the veterans believe you now?
As I said, I am one of the veterans you were addressing. I am the recipient of 1 Bronze Star and 3 Purple Hearts for service in Vietnam. I have been a veteran’s advocate for over 25 years now and I am more than qualified to criticize you and your comment. I have personally been fighting for increased funding for veterans’ healthcare for three decades. I am currently involved in the nationwide movement for full mandatory funding of the VA healthcare system.
To date, our resolution for full funding has been adopted by several Presidential candidates, to include; Senator Barack Obama, Senator Hilary Clinton, Senator John Edwards, and Governor Bill Richardson. You have been approached on several occasions by members of our organization for your endorsement of the full funding concept, just to be snubbed. You have been quoted to say that you do not support fully funding veteran’s healthcare, so much for the idea that you will take care of our veterans.
Senator McCain, the simple truth is; I don’t believe you, and I’m certain that many of our veterans don’t believe you either. Pandering to the veteran community at this late date is only going to backfire on you. The veterans aren’t as dumb as you apparently think they are. - VCubed, on 09/30/2008, -1/+65This is only his dismal record since 2004. Is this how he appeases his corporate buddies to win this campaign? This is "Country First"?
- johnnr2, on 09/30/2008, -2/+39FTA: Why would a Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war, a man who is personally acquainted with the difficulties vets can face in returning to civilian life, join President Bush in opposing a popular bipartisan bill to support the troops? Isn't fixing the education benefit in the bill -- one that has shortchanged far too many veterans for years -- a political no-brainer in an election year? The 75 senators who recently voted for it certainly thought so. Over the Memorial Day weekend, Sen. Barack Obama expressed some well-timed astonishment at McCain’s opposition, and the two have been feuding about it ever since. The media and pundits seem perplexed, collectively suggesting: That's not the John McCain we know.
Which is true: It is the John McCain they don't know. If the media weren't so mesmerized by the McCain image they have long promoted and instead got to know the McCain record, they would realize that there is nothing surprising or inconsistent about his position on the GI Bill. For years he has opposed legislation that veterans and their advocates deem vital. In doing so, he is simply being true to the contemporary conservative wing of the GOP and its leader, George W. Bush, in opposing social programs and benefits for individuals, even if those individuals happen to be veterans. The only surprise is that anyone finds this surprising. - neognostic, on 09/30/2008, -3/+34The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country’s largest Iraq veterans’ group, looked at 155 Senate votes since Sept. 11, 2001, on legislation that “affected troops, veterans or military families.” It then awarded each senator a grade by comparing his or her votes to IAVA’s view of what constitutes effective support for active troops, veterans and their families.
No senator received an “A” grade. Thirteen senators — all Democrats — received an “A-.” The worst grade received by a Senate Democrat was higher than the best grade granted to a Republican. Obama, for his part, got a B+.
McCain received a “D.”
In fact, IAVA founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff says that “there has been no bigger obstacle to passage of the GI Bill than Senator McCain. Even though he’d now like to claim credit for it, he didn’t even show up. He thought it was more important to be in California for a fundraiser.”
In 2007, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), after surveying McCain’s votes on healthcare issues for its 1.3 million members, gave him only 20 percent. By contrast, DAV gave 194 Democrats and 7 Republicans a perfect 100 percent. Even by GOP standards, McCain’s performance suffers.
Often times, his is a faithful vote for party above principle. This party-line voting pattern suggests that McCain is a legislative follower — if he bothers to show up at all.
In a 2006 Washington Post column by David Ignatius, McCain described his loyalty to Bush as being so profound that he said he wouldn’t rule out giving up his Senate seat to become secretary of defense if Donald Rumsfeld were to leave.
“I would have to assess where I can be most effective,” said McCain. “It’s awfully hard to say no to the president of the United States.”
McCain’s record makes that abundantly clear. - inactive, on 09/30/2008, -2/+28What's missing? It's called a soul.
- JenniferInMO, on 09/30/2008, -1/+26in fairness there is another word between the two in his slogan. It is just written in very small type. It says "Country Clubs First"
- Hillsfar, on 09/30/2008, -2/+27It is so sick for McCain to get the lowest scores "D" or 20%" from veterans groups - while Obama gets "A" and "80%" or "100%" - and yet McCain says "I'll take care of our veterans" in a voice that sounds so earnest as if he takes it personally that people accuse him of being against veterans. This is a MAJOR disconnect.
McCain votes consistently against benefits for veterans even when the amount of money is in the "mere" hundreds of millions of dollars per year - chump change compared to what we spend in Iraq every month, or the Fed spends on bailing out a single Wall Street bank. And yet McCain waves the flag. No wonder so many veterans are against McCain and some are literally crying tears of gratitude FOR what Obama has done. When you're a disabled veteran in pain and need benefits and Obama not only demonstrates that he's worked for you to get those benefits but that he'll continue tow ork for you to get you those benefits, that's a life-changing thing. - sullivanst, on 09/30/2008, -1/+23What's missing is any connection to reality.
- sfgamergirl, on 09/30/2008, -1/+21Isn't in the best interest of our National Security to take care of our vets? WTF? They risk their lives for us, we should thank them properly.
- inactive, on 09/30/2008, -3/+22Mccain thinks to support the veterans all you have to do is tell everyone you do.
This is starting to catch up to him. - algaeturd, on 09/30/2008, -2/+20But, but...he LOVES them. He said so during the debate. He used that word: "Love."
This guy is low. He would step on top of wounded soldiers if it meant him getting what he wanted. - GoneGreen, on 09/30/2008, -5/+22I am a service disabled U.S. Marine, and I will be voting for Obama/Biden. {period}
- Homerr, on 09/30/2008, -2/+19Q: Why does McCain hate veterans so much?
A: Because McCain hates himself. - cadmiumpaint, on 09/30/2008, -2/+19the problem with the Republican party, McCain included is that they consider members of the armed services to be expendable little toy soldiers. Once they come home and put on civillian clothes, they are no longer useful to the Republicans and are forgotten about just as fast as a kid tosses a broken old toy in a junk drawer.
- Sakinah, on 09/30/2008, -2/+16I am a white, female, 52 year old Disabled Navy Veteran...
I am a woman and will not vote for a McCain/Palin ticket. How dare this demented man put just any woman in and think we were stupid enough to vote for her just because she has two x chromosomes.
I will be voting for Obama/Biden
Please study how McCain can't seem to understand the true needs of us veterans even though he himself was a veteran. Look at the FACTS!!! He is nothing but a LIAR LIAR LIAR !!! - jodimcmullen, on 09/30/2008, -0/+13Willfully ignorant, aka denial.
- jotate, on 09/30/2008, -3/+13McCain's response: "Those bills were laden with pork spending."
If he says anything at all in response to these allegations, I'll bet you $20 it's that. - booyahbitch, on 09/30/2008, -1/+11I will see your period and raise you a bang sign ! ! ! I am a service disabled Navy Corpsman.
- nemrel, on 09/30/2008, -3/+13Come on people - Can we just please stop this "Gotcha Journalism"? It isn't fair to hold politicians to their words and actions.
- ironhide, on 09/30/2008, -0/+9Then why the hell did you digg up the story?
- p9s50W5k4GUD2c6, on 09/30/2008, -0/+9Tomchei: McCain voted against the larger interests of our troops and vets because he has an even larger aversion against pork? That is an interesting observation - and it may very well be true.
That would be in line with Obama's remarks in response to McCain's $18 billion earmark obsession while doling out $300 Billion to fat cat Oil companies in tax breaks.
We also know of his position on fixed cost military contracts.
The problem with both is that he voted against bills in support of our troops and vets KNOWING the impact on our troops and vets. KNOWING the effect of his vote.
McCain simply does not add up - and Americans are sick and tired of trying to do the math.
He is simply not fit to lead - even on matters that he claims are closest to his heart. - homercles337, on 09/30/2008, -0/+8Thats standard repug operating procedure. Lie, wash, rinse, repeat. If they say a lie enough times people do start to believe it.
- inactive, on 09/30/2008, -1/+9 Comical things...
1- People who think Palin is even remotely qualified for V.P.
2- The wholesale swallowing of fear by the ''right wing'' to allow any illogical decisions by Mr.Bush and crew
3- The ''right wingers'' not realizing that the Republicans have driven up the debt when in power, which in the long run is destructive to the American dollar/economy - inactive, on 09/30/2008, -0/+8 Libies want free stuff? Maybe they want services for their tax money. I know it's foreign to some, to have services from tax money, not sure why. I guess the programming has gone so well, that some think that paying taxes and getting no service in return is acceptable.
- tucsonsun13, on 09/30/2008, -0/+8awesome
- vinod1978, on 09/30/2008, -0/+8They are out there, but they are full of lies. If a negative article had some truth in it, you can bet Diggers would get it up here.
- Bolin100, on 09/30/2008, -0/+7I am a female also and it makes me sick that McCain intentionally set out to have a female for a running mate. You're either qualified or you aren't. And Palin just isn't qualified at all. It's condescending to women to stick this half-wit on his ticket and think we just may not notice. She's the proverbial (spelling?) elephant in the middle of the room.
- metaliq, on 09/30/2008, -1/+8The sad this is that this will never be brought to light, and, if it is, McCain will just smirk and shrug it off.
Blatant lying gets by. Even when people question it, nothing happens.
This is what is so frustrating with this race. There is so much of this type of lying going around and no one is there to immediately refute it. It then goes on to be believed that McCain cares about veterans, that Obama is a Muslim, and that Obama wants to raise taxes.
How is this America? - HumanNouveau, on 10/01/2008, -0/+72006. Stuggling to keep my job, my safety and my sanity as combat-related PTSD started to explode into my life.
I called my health insurance company for behavioral health providers. Got a list and started calling. Openings available for new clients in 6-8 weeks. Went to the VA in desperation. Someone has got to help me. A very kind and very empathetic woman behind an intake computer monitor tells me that she's sorry. A 2003 law prevents the VA from treating vets who have moderate income. *****. I'm about one more screw up away from losing my job because my mind is going. Then I can get help?! W T F!
Back to the phone. More calls. A friend who backed me up and gave me strength. Made it the three weeks that it finally took to get into care, and started the tough work of getting things under control. Yes. PTSD can be controlled. If you're feeling it or know someone who is. Get the help you need and deserve. But it takes help. You didn't go solo in combat, don't fight this alone.
I was lucky. Not every vet will hold it together. Not everyone will have the friend that it takes. The VA should never turn a vet in crisis away. NEVER.
Senator Obama has stated his intention to overturn the law that closed those doors to me. He gets it.
Obama/Biden 2008. - sicknight, on 09/30/2008, -0/+7I am voting for Obama myself and I am a US Vet also. The only thing I wanted to ask, why is this brought up now? The article was written in May of 08. Are there any updates to this? Just curious.
- Dimbleby, on 09/30/2008, -0/+6I had a former animator friend. Fun, intelligent, creative, a virgin, not sure if she ever had a boyfriend. I don't see her for 1,5 years and all of a sudden she is married to this Navy dude, living in North FL and voting Republican.
She quit her job as an illustrator at a large, national publication, tends to her dog, doesnt do anything creative any more, doesn't leave the base and when I asked her (incredulously) why she would vote for McCain is because "he knows whats best for the nation and in a time of war he just knows wat to do and protect us". She didnt know about McCain's appalling stance on his very own veterans.
After 5 years of friendship, she now no longer responds to my emails.
I guess living on a Navy base and never leaving it is the opposite of living on Digg. - Wryly, on 10/01/2008, -0/+6If he loves the veterans so much, he should try supporting them.
- FarOutGrace, on 09/30/2008, -0/+690 days!! WTF is wrong with you?? You go and get fired at for 90 days and THEN say that. I'll bet you change your mind.
- tonymancan, on 09/30/2008, -1/+7Yet, he is still going to get a lot of votes from veterans. I just don't get it. It seems to me that facts have little to do with anything these days.
- cmootoo, on 10/01/2008, -0/+6Free stuff? Is it too much to take care of our vets for serving their country when they get back home?
People like you are sickening. You probably never wore the uniform of your country or served any cause greater than your own.
In case you were wondering, I did both. I support officials that support the fighting men and women. McCain does not. - Anomaly100, on 09/30/2008, -2/+8Somehow this doesn't shock me. I just hope that some of our men and women that have fought for our country know that for all of McCain's attempts at seeming heartfelt, it's just his way of rounding up more votes. McCain tries so hard to look sincere it's pathetic. He seems to blink several times before answering each question with that shocked look when he's accused of anything that he's voted against/for that would be against the best interest of....voters! His reasons for running for president the last time were---ambition. I just wish he had the same ambition to take care of our veterans. They deserve at least that.
- amoirae, on 09/30/2008, -0/+6As a disabled vet, you're fine with McCain's lies about supporting vets and the VA?
Why are you voting against adequate care for you and your fellow vets? - roofview, on 09/30/2008, -0/+5Well the way I see it, if only a fraction of all this was true McCain looks like an ass. I hope some child of a veteran is assigned to look after him when he is in the old folks home. Anybody who puts their life on the line for their country deserves to be taken care of. Now if you don't believe we should then we should stop trying to be the police force for the world.
- HumanNouveau, on 10/01/2008, -0/+5I'll give him that. As a company commander, I disciplined my former section sergeant for sexual harassment. Tough issue.
However, yours is only one of many issues in McCain's record. Please consider the full record, in which he seems to pick and choose (wrongly more often than not). Also, please recognize that Obama would do as much as McCain in that particular instance. If you want to thank McCain, please consider thanking him in another way. Senator Obama deserves the trust, confidence and votes of veterans. McCain treats us like a punchline. - wilsondus, on 09/30/2008, -0/+5Well, if you serve 3 years active duty right now, the latest change to the GI Bill (to be enforced in 2009) allows three years of full time school at the rate of the highest cost public school in the state attending school. In addition, we will now get money (roughly 5k) every year for books, etc. This is a lot better than 90 days service... barely enough to finish basic training and absolutely not long enough to finish any technical training to learn your job. As an active duty member, I agree that 90 days is not long enough, but I fully support and am VERY thankful for the increased benefit of the changes that actually got approved.
I currently have a great friend who separated last year to attend full time school and was forced to quit because he simply could not afford it on the old and currently active GI Bill benefits. - BossKey, on 10/01/2008, -0/+5Drove past one of those big-ass 4x4 pickup trucks on the highway today. The kind you might normally associate with a redneck conservative.
The bumper sticker?
VETERANS FOR OBAMA - Dimbleby, on 09/30/2008, -0/+5Disable "US Politics" in your preferences or be quiet,
- arcangelgabriel, on 10/01/2008, -0/+5Semper ***** Fi brother.
- TriTech, on 09/30/2008, -1/+6What would ever cause you to think that any politician gives a crap about veterans when the barely care about the welfare soldiers currently serving?
- Dimbleby, on 09/30/2008, -0/+5thank you!
- noupsell, on 09/30/2008, -1/+5What's missing was shielding for his inhibitor chip and when he was electrocuted by the magnetism of the fusion reactor and the chip was destroyed all bets were off - a classic comic book blunder if there ever was one
- jakereilly, on 09/30/2008, -7/+11flagged as inaccurate by selfish ignorant stupid neocons in 5...4....3...
- reconsldr74d, on 09/30/2008, -0/+4I was just thinking that myself. This story seems to have played somewhat of a backseat in this year's election even though (I at least think) it should be a major concern. If nothing else it reflects the hippocracy behind much of what the man has to say.
Perhaps it's seeing renewed interest after the debate since McCain apparently thought that if he just kept saying the word veteran he wouldn't have to talk about what he's actually done for or against them. -
Show 51 - 100 of 116 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is