More of the same from Washington

by: ThisDudesArmy

Wed May 21, 2008 at 16:00:00 PM EDT


It's more of the same coming out of Senator Cornyn's (R-TX) office. I called them just now to ask them how he stands on S. 22's vote tomorrow in the Senate. An aide fielded my questions.

On the issue of troop retention:

"Senator Webb's bill encourages soldiers to leave the service."

Wrong! I let her know 75% of people who enlist in the military get out after their first obligation ends. How much of a hike do they expect, 2%? 3%? What about the recruiting potential?

On the issue of fixed payments (a feature of Senator Graham's bill) versus fluid payments (Senator Webb's bill):

".............That's a good point. I'll have to bring that up to Senator Cornyn"

Cornyn's aide didn't have an answer to my question: what does Senator Cornyn aim to do about Senator Graham's fixed payment of up to $2000? Amend it every year as tuition goes up? I put it in simple terms: Senator Webb's bill is written in a way that pays the maximum tuition by state, meaning it covers the cost today and covers the cost ten years from now. With Senator Graham's bill, we will be in the same boat we are now a few years down the line. Inadequate payment in the face of skyrocketing tuition.

On the subject of Senator Cornyn's expertise on the military:

"Senator Cornyn supports the troops. His father was in the military."

My rebuttal:

"While I respect Senator Cornyn's position as a United States senator, I have to wonder why he elects to know more about potential rentention issues Webb's bill would allegedly create. Senator Webb was a Vietnam vet and Secretary of the Navy. His bill has strong bipartisan support, namely from Senator Warner, former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. They have no problems with this bill and retention woes. Why does Senator Cornyn think differently than two veterans?"

And her reply?

"Thanks for calling Senator Cornyn's office. I'll let him know about your points."

After taking down my ZIP code, she was eager to get off the phone with me. I gave Senator Cornyn fifteen months in Iraq, and his aide couldn't give me fifteen minutes. I squeezed in the last question:

"Why does Senator Cornyn endorse a bill that has only around ten cosponsors? Why not Webb's, who has 58, with both Democrats and Republicans on as cosponsors?"

"Thanks for calling."

Well, he got my vote!

ThisDudesArmy :: More of the same from Washington
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I'm surprised... (0.00 / 0)
...you got that much time with his staffer.

 I'm also surprised you weren't asked why you hate America.  


Me too (0.00 / 0)
After all, she kept trying to get me off the phone.

[ Parent ]
I love it! (0.00 / 0)
Good Work.

JS

Iraq War Veteran

Chairman, VoteVets.org


"thanks for all them tours don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out." (0.00 / 0)

Chicken hawks like Cornyn utterly disgust me.

Don't let the door hit ya... (0.00 / 0)

...where the good lord split ya.

[ Parent ]
They have no shame. (0.00 / 0)
Truly unbelieveable!   We can't question Petraues cause he is an expert, but its ok to question a Former Secretary of the Navy!

I wonder if ... (4.00 / 1)
this will ever make it to the mainstream press.  They seem to ignore the hypocrisy of this whole thing.

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