Senators Who Still Refuse to Support the Troops

by: Brandon Friedman

Fri Jun 27, 2008 at 11:56:27 AM EDT


Six U.S. Senators maintained their refusal to support the troops by voting against the new GI Bill yesterday.  One refused to support the troops by simply not voting.

Here's the list of those who voted against the bill--all of whom are Republicans who support a radical anti-troop, anti-veteran agenda:

Kyl (R-AZ)
Allard (R-CO)
Craig (R-ID)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Coburn (R-OK)
DeMint (R-SC)

John McCain did not vote on the bill, thus proving, once again, that he is unwilling to support America's troops and veterans when they need it most.  It's ironic that McCain would skip this vote, considering that just over a month ago, he said this:

Unlike Senator Obama, my admiration, respect and deep gratitude for America's veterans is something more than a convenient campaign pledge. I think I have earned the right to make that claim.

I guess that "admiration, respect and deep gratitude" doesn't extend to providing troops with an education once they've served out their commitment on the battlefield.

Brandon Friedman :: Senators Who Still Refuse to Support the Troops
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No Vote. (0.00 / 0)

The only other no vote was Sen. Kennedy in Mass, who is recovering from brain surgery.

What is Sen. McCain's excuse?


McCain hasn't voted since April (4.00 / 2)
McCain has missed the most votes of any senator

How often has John McCain been away from the Senate? Well, let's put it this way: At this point, he has missed more votes than even South Dakota Democrat Tim Johnson, who couldn't work for almost a year after suffering a brain hemorrhage in late 2006.


"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

Craig (4.00 / 2)
Out here in Idaho, Craig has always had significant Vet support, even though he has consistently voted against their interests. Thankfully he won't be around much longer due to his sexual orientation revelation, misdemeanor conviction and general hypocrisy. 2009 cannot come soon enough.

The other George (4.00 / 1)
 I am deeply disappointed in my state's senator, Ohio Senator George Voinovich (R). I have heard him speak and at times he seems as though he wants to support veterans, but when it comes time to step up and help vets and the Country by allowing us to get a good, quality education he falters. On what grounds do these select few senators refuse to support our veterans; the same veterans who chose to defend the Great Nation that employs these  legislators? This nay vote is something that I will remember for the rest of my life.....   to hold a grudge is unhealthy, but to forget is ignorant.  

Ahhhh, Brandon (4.00 / 2)
McCain is taking Credit for the G.I. Bill

This is on the Front Page over at KOS:



'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson


Time (4.00 / 1)
For a Vote Vet Ad?????

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

[ Parent ]
Definitely! (4.00 / 2)
McCain is taking credit for something he actively faught against and Obama voted for.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

[ Parent ]
Absolutely time for an ad! (4.00 / 1)
Do the ad. Nail this f*cker! I'm headed over to the VoteVets page right now to make a donation right now. Please, make the ad! This is outrageous!

[ Parent ]
McCain (4.00 / 4)
I cannot be more pissed off about Sen. McCain's refusal to support his fellow veterans.  I can happily say that as a current Staff Sergeant and veteran of Iraq twice and Afghanistan once I can now afford to go to college and I intend to. I believe veterans like myself have beyond earned this fair oppurtunity to better themselves. Shame on you Senator McCain- you let down your own today. And although you have the advantage of shaking your finger at your opponents on this issue for not being veterans, you DO NOT have that advantage with us.

"Now here this", Senators McCain, Kyl, Allard, Craig, Voinovich, Coburn, (4.00 / 1)
DeMint:  "No more casualties of a bureaucratic war."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...


For Those Who Haven't Met Tom (4.00 / 1)
Here's the Song and Video from above:

Veteran

And visit his site Toms Songs for more Great Songs and Video's from him.

He's an ex-Medic with a Heart of Gold towards his brother and sister Soldiers and Vets. Many of us met him online, many have than met him personally. You won't be disappointed in your visit.

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson


[ Parent ]
"Support the Troops" Counter-battery (4.00 / 2)
We really need to drive this point home to Americans. The hawks told America that if they wanted to support the troops, they should categorically support war. As we vets know, this is illogical in every regard.

Then they tried to derail Webb/Hagel/Warner and the GI Bill overhaul- what is indisputably the most "support the troops" action and opportunity we've had in years.

I'm glad to see some of them are coming around, but this is an opportunity that really has to be leveraged - us vets need to tell America what is and what isn't "supporting the troops" and if possible, completely deflate the rhetorical power of these 3 words. It's simply an exploitation of our sacrifices, ladies and gents.

Glad to see Vetvoice leading the charge. Let's get the word out.


Warning: Incoming rant from one hostile MilMommaBear. Listen up McCentury (4.00 / 1)
Ok, I've been ready to explode for a long time. What lit the fuse. Another casualty of war did it. A victim of stop loss. Another son asked to carry more of a burden than he could. Sgt Benjamin Miller.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_9...

You can find my "Thoughts about AQ"...response to FredUSMC's diary here.
http://www.dailykos.com/showDi...

Where we blew it was by not heeding the real symbolism of 9-11.
And our leaders, including Sen. John McCain mounted the wrong horses to lead us into the wrong battle.

The World Trade Center..."It's the economy stupid"...the neo-cons got their program on steroids after that one and did OBL job for him. [OBL is used simply as a symbol of the terrorist enemy]

The Pentagon...yup, the US Military is now totally in disarray. Who was supposed to be minding the store?

The Capitol...The "Let's Roll" heroes saved the Capitol, but the Federal Government is still in total disarray.

Looks to me like the terrorists' body count makes no friggin' difference. Looks to me like no matter how good a job our Professional Military/Individual heroic warrior do they can not win the real war.

And John McCain with his corps of neo-con advisors and Congressionalcritters are still totally clueless. We need somebody, a bunch of somebodies who have a totally different view.

McCain you were a war hero. We've got millions of those. I stand in awe of them all. Your political trade mark "NO pork" is nothing but a flash-bang. We don't have time for off-shore  drilling and a perfect battery to save our sorry arzes. Our troops, our vets have real needs. Now and in the future.

The bears are running things and the airlines are severely cutting back. The green back a dollar is not looking so healthy.

In the meantime we have both Vets and Citizens needing real health care, housing and food to eat. Oh ya', they need gas to get to work.  

My friend, you and your friends have proved you are not up to the task. Please, FADE or SAIL AWAY.


Hot Shit. Clark said on Sunday what I said about McCain on Saturday (0.00 / 0)
on he got to say it on "Face the Nation". And ole "Snuffy" is upset. Hey, Snuff, Clark didn't 'Swift Boat', he stood up and gave a good analysis of McCain service-experience.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITI...


[ Parent ]
Service Isn't About YOU (0.00 / 0)
In this post I've read a lot of bitching from people who have spent less time in the military than I spent in the PX during my career.

Do you truly believe that the former $39,000 wasn't enough for you education?  You want more?  You think you deserve more when you only served for 4 years?  

Some of you are certainly representative of the "Me First" generation that serves today.

Basing benefits on length of service is absolutely the right thing to do.  You serve more, you benefit more.  You serve less, then STFU; you got no say in this, poser.

Vote for Vets --
John McCain is a vet, Obama is not.


I served 8 years (4.00 / 1)
And all I ask for is what the GI Bill gave to my grandfather after WWII.  Although he only served four years, that included Normandy.  All the Webb GI Bill does is restore the GI Bill back to its original state as it was in 1945.  It was co-sponsored by two vets, Jim Webb (former Sec. of the Navy) and Hagel (enlisted Marine in Vietnam).  I've already used my GI Bill, so this does nothing for me.  I'm just trying to make things better for those who come after me.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

[ Parent ]
No it is not (4.00 / 2)
the right thing to do for the simple fact that there are those who will stay in longer but work the system so that they will never see a combat tour. Not saying that the majority of those in the service will do such a thing, but it happens.  

[ Parent ]
Hi Rogue. Welcome to the site. (4.00 / 2)
I'm not sure what kind of combat experience you have (if any), but I'd be willing to bet a steak dinner that most of the people in this thread have more than you.  So keep that in mind when you're running your mouth about the Iraq and Afghanistan vets here "bitching."  Thanks.

[ Parent ]
"Bitching" (4.00 / 1)

It sounds like you are the only one doing it.

[ Parent ]
OK Rogue...The Webb GI Bill is signed, it is law, get use to it, (4.00 / 1)
get over it.

The rest of us will celebrate a little. Then get ready for the next battle.

The way that the VA has been on CNN spreading their propaganda leading up to the 4th of July, I'd guess it's going to be a long battle.

Need to wheel out "Born on the 4th of July" to run next week end.  


[ Parent ]
I'm sure you did spend alot of time at the PX in the rear, tough guy. n/t (0.00 / 0)


[ Parent ]
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