November is a long ways to go. Obama's candidacy is far from set, and he'll have to break some historical precedents to get elected.
Plus the fact that his legislation does increase benefits to veterans also Anyway an interesting view into the general. I like the fact that Obama took it to McCain and shows he can play rough but McCain's response was first rate and I think if not a homerun he hit Obama's pitch a ways. This is going to be an interesting and close election.
That's politics. And way, way higher than the concerted effort Repubs are putting into their stealth email campaign to label Obama a Muslim and anti-American. It of course is not the case that McCain does not care about Vets, but using recent frames started by Repubs: it raises questions as to his judgment.
Yeah, his days of cross-overs are long since past, we need some youth on this team. Oh, wait.......wrong topic.
And yet 25 Republican senators voted for a "cheap tactics Veterans bill." The party's presidential nominee didn't even bother to show up. When you consider this war was based on lies and soldiers put through the ringer for nothing close to the national interest, I think it's only fair we do something like this. McCain's argument about retention holds no water because the army studies show that the increased benefits would draw the equivalent of those that leave. McCain's bill would have required 12 years of service before a very modest increase in tuition benefits would take place. That's a craven position to take because not many soldiers would then take advantage of it. Let's say you're 18 yo when you sign up. You do your duty, you don't killed, and you get to go to college at age 22. Still young enough for it to make a difference in your life. Under McCain, you're 30 yo when you would get out with better tuition benefits. What 30 yo is in a position to go to college? By that age, a soldier probably has a young family or is too far removed from formal education to want to go back. Passing the Webb bill was the right thing for our Vets and our country. McCain was trapped into supporting the Bush position and he got burned.
Good post. McCain is voting against the GI's and is basically chiefly concerned with keeping folks in the military now in his rigid attempt to have a "victory" in Iraq. McCain is showing that he is more pro-Iraqi War than he is pro-vet. Ask the vets who are in if they want the newly proposed benefits or what McCain is pushing. It is great for much older vets like McCain to give their opinion, but they are not the ones who will or will not receive these benefits. I bet current vets want the better benefits and the option to stay or leave with better benefits. I bet the costs of these increased benefits is nothing compared to the Iraq War.
I call it low. That, of course, is not the topic of this thread. Thanks for the red herring though. I would have to take a very long look at the proposed benefits (particularly to vets who served a relatively short enlistment) and have the economists calculate out the cost of administering the program to thousands of people and their children. Well...there is that. I actually studied with two guys that fit that exact description when I was an undergrad. Objection, relevance. I bet that a Winnebago costs more than my sedan. I already have my car, so that does not matter when I consider whether or not to buy a Winnebago. Ask ANYBODY whether they want more benefits. Gee...I wonder what their answer would be? Geez.
Objection, relevance. I bet that a Winnebago costs more than my sedan. I already have my car, so that does not matter when I consider whether or not to buy a Winnebago BTW if money is a concern (you raised the issue of cost)it might be necessary to sell the sedan to help fund the Winnebago. At that point you would hope that the value of the car is enough to buy the Winnebago. The issue you raised was how we could afford to pay for the increased benefits. The continuing spending on the war is very relevant as if stopped it would provide the money from the defense budget to pay for increased veterans' benefits. Of course you seem to assume that the war must continue indefinitely.
Did anyone catch obama's speech on foreign policy? He kept saying "todos somos americanos", which is the favourite quote used by the new latin american left. His speech was inspiring. However, I don't think Miami was the best place to use the quote. =/ As for Mccain, the guy keeps throwing his years in captivity as an ineffective punch. This man has only one punch. "And I will not accept from Senator Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did." I'm sure Obama will counter with a blowing combo, to the body and head to finally TKO MCcain. But for now, the great obama has other things in mind, like blessing puerto rico.
Where he will get blown out. Your point again? Obama would be horrible for the Latino community. Just horrible. And they know that.
Joking in this but I never understood why serving in the military where you get caught means you'd make a good president. You mean your leadership skills that are so much better than any other candidates will cause all of our troops to be caught as POWs based on your experience? Niiiiiiice.
There is a missle ground between the war continuing indefinitely and pulling up the tent stakes and leaving immediately, to hell with the consequences. The fact that you don't seem to understand that explains a lot.
So it's repulsive/disagreeable when Republicans do it but OK when people you agree with do it? Gotcha.
This is where McCain has to be careful and not wave his military flag too much. He should just leave the issue out there for consideration. The more people actually start debating whether his military experience would make him a better president than Obama, the less of an advantage it is. He should have just popped back at Obama with factual reasons for his positions instead of showing outrage.
Is McCain implying that anyone who hasn't served in the military is unfit to debate such things? I'm not sure that's the message he should be sending to all those who support him, and campaign for him, and have voted for him, who have too not served. OP, how do you feel about McCain insinuating that you are not patriotic enough.
If you can't distinguish the two in degrees of severity, then accusations against other people's biases aren't your only concern. Also, soldier benefits should be part of the sunken costs from buying the lemon.
quick question? is the actual war, not planes/tanks/guns, etc., part of the defense budget. i don't believe it is
