Bush Was Against Troop Pay Raises Before He Was For It

It's really ridiculous the Bizarro-world in which we live. This same bill that Bush threatened to veto back in May he is now using to slam his critics

The Gavel

President Bush, (Friday morning):

I'm joined by veterans and military families here to express support to our troops and their mission in Iraq. I want to thank you all for being here today. We've just finished a really good meeting. In our discussions, these folks had a message that all of us in Washington need to hear. It is time to rise above partisanship, stand behind our troops in the field, and give them everything they need to succeed. In February I submitted to Congress a Defense Department spending bill for the upcoming fiscal year that will provide funds to upgrade our equipment for our troops in Iraq and provides a pay raise for our military - a comprehensive spending request - that Congress has failed to act on.

President Bush, May 16, 2007:

Military Pay: The Administration strongly opposes sections 601 and 606. The additional 0.5 percent increase above the President's proposed 3.0 percent across-the-board pay increase is unnecessary.

Bob Geiger:

I would ask how George W. Bush sleeps at night but, knowing that he's not much of a deep thinker and doesn't possess much in the way of conscience, I would bet he sleeps more soundly than Rush Limbaugh on an Oxycontin bender.

The latest bit of reality-defying hypocrisy from Bush comes in the form of a speech he gave yesterday morning, in which he bashed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Democrats for yanking the Defense Authorization bill from consideration -- after Republicans filibustered yet another Iraq vote -- and implied that Democrats are against a military pay raise.

"It is time to rise above partisanship, stand behind our troops in the field, and give them everything they need to succeed," said Bush. "Even members of Congress who no longer support our effort in Iraq should at least be able to provide an increase in pay for our troops fighting there."

Argh...Must. Resist. Temptation. To. Throw. Something. Think Progress has the video and Reid's response to Bush's underhanded and hypocritical jabs.

UPDATE: Taylor Marsh rightfully slaps down the Washington Post for their White House stenography of the debate. Maha and Booman weigh in as well.



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59 comments

Just wait for the Fox take on this.

Who does the President think he is talking to? Does he and the entire Republican elect think the American voter is so out of step with the news and what is going on in this country. No it is Bush and the Republicans who are out of step! Bush cares more for his dogs than he does the American soldiers!

knowing this site and response area does not like any kind of violence, i just want this bastard removed from office. he is not stable, he is an enemy combattant to the entire nation and the us constitution and he is a fucking moron.

it's time that all rational americans go to the streets and DEMAND this bastard bush and cheney be impeached and then sent to gitmo forever.

...and still he sits, unopposed.
Impeach them, already.

Lawdy, chimpy is talking to his brain dead 29%ers. Nobody in their right mind believes his flip-flopping all over the place.

He gets all the money he wants for his war yet it leaves our finest dead and mutilated.

Chimpy has lost his mind. He will do anything and everything to discredit the dems.

repugs are the filth under a slug.

Must. Resist. Temptation. To. Listen. To. The. Irrelevant. Lying. Asshole. President. Whose. Words. Bear. No. Relationship. To. Reality. And. Who. Has. No. Concept. Of. Reason.

dadams @ 3:

knowing this site and response area does not like any kind of violence, i just want this bastard removed from office. he is not stable, he is an enemy combattant to the entire nation and the us constitution and he is a fucking moron.

it's time that all rational americans go to the streets and DEMAND this bastard bush and cheney be impeached and then sent to gitmo forever.

I'm all for this. If the people can't make it to DC then they should protest in front of city hall in their state.

bob bruman @ 2:

Who does the President think he is talking to? Does he and the entire Republican elect think the American voter is so out of step with the news and what is going on in this country. No it is Bush and the Republicans who are out of step! Bush cares more for his dogs than he does the American soldiers!

He's talkin' to the same people BillO is talkin' to: the people who won't question their leaders, the people who call JetBlue and threaten boycotts. These followers are lazy(read stupid) and insecure, they will buy anything they are bein' sold, as long as the pitch even remotely addresses their narrow worldview.

http://costofwar.com/

Here's a web site with a running total of the Iraq war cost. It's pretty cool but I can't believe how fast it is moving. Reminds me of the Deficit tote board under Reagan.

With all the money that's spent on the War, one would think a few dollars (0.5%=$2.2 bil. over 5 yrs.) more would be insignificant. In fact that's only $440 mil. a year.

The way I see it they should ask Haliburton, or its flunky KBR since they have over billed the taxpayers Billions of dollars so far...oh wait a minute...never mind. That's Dick Cheney's money.

/assholes always stink

bob bruman @ 2:

Who does the President think he is talking to? Does he and the entire Republican elect think the American voter is so out of step with the news and what is going on in this country. No it is Bush and the Republicans who are out of step! Bush cares more for his dogs than he does the American soldiers!

I agree that the Republicans are out of step with what the majority of Americans need. However, the American voter is out of step (not intentionally) if they try to make sense of all this mess by watching TV or listening to radio or reading newspapers to get their political "news". How many people are going to remember what was said from one week to another while trying to juggle jobs, children, bills, insurance, etc.?

I guess I just don't have as much faith in the American voter, knowing the reality of just trying to make ends meet.

Did this happen today? If so, I'm glad to see that Chimpy made it through his brain examination...

All hail The Colossus of the CodPiece and then go check out Mitt Romney's latest 'conservative' smear if you think that this will end when Bush is finally driven from office. Nope the 'conservative' ReichWing will never quit.

Unless we drive them into the sea and drown them in the surf.

I'm ready.

How about you?

Jo @ 11:

bob bruman @ 2:

Who does the President think he is talking to? Does he and the entire Republican elect think the American voter is so out of step with the news and what is going on in this country. No it is Bush and the Republicans who are out of step! Bush cares more for his dogs than he does the American soldiers!

I agree that the Republicans are out of step with what the majority of Americans need. However, the American voter is out of step (not intentionally) if they try to make sense of all this mess by watching TV or listening to radio or reading newspapers to get their political "news". How many people are going to remember what was said from one week to another while trying to juggle jobs, children, bills, insurance, etc.?

I guess I just don't have as much faith in the American voter, knowing the reality of just trying to make ends meet.

You need to realize that the American citizenry is far out in front of even folks here in the blogosphere in terms of what they want from their government. It is a ReThuglican meme to say that the citizenry doesn't care or know what's going on. Please go to the blackboard and write:

Why I am an Idiot!

One thousand times.

So if the dems come up with anything that Georgie doesn't like in the next funding bill, he will say they do not want a raise for the troops.

Sorry Georgie, we pay attention.

And on the same day Bush lied about his opposition to a larger pay increase for our troops, he said this of an Iraq veteran - and double-amputee:
"He's a Good Man. We're Gonna Get Him Some New Legs."

Angry One @ 17:

And on the same day Bush lied about his opposition to a larger pay increase for our troops, he said this of an Iraq veteran - and double-amputee:
"He's a Good Man. We're Gonna Get Him Some New Legs."

Well golly maybe the benefactor's of that poor guys efforts could pitch in a few bucks.

Southampton days and nights
http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/2066

And us poor saps get the shaft

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1949

Those are the rich and "privileged"

OT:
Legendary doctor Norman Finkelstein "bitchslapping" pseudo american Wolf Blitzer, From
The 1989 Intifada within the American, Israeli, Islamic Triangle debate. University of Pennsylvania

So what do you expect?

He has done it on ever issue he was against until it passed. That was true when he was governor, too.

A.Citizen @ 14:

Jo @ 11:

bob bruman @ 2:

Who does the President think he is talking to? Does he and the entire Republican elect think the American voter is so out of step with the news and what is going on in this country. No it is Bush and the Republicans who are out of step! Bush cares more for his dogs than he does the American soldiers!

I agree that the Republicans are out of step with what the majority of Americans need. However, the American voter is out of step (not intentionally) if they try to make sense of all this mess by watching TV or listening to radio or reading newspapers to get their political "news". How many people are going to remember what was said from one week to another while trying to juggle jobs, children, bills, insurance, etc.?

I guess I just don't have as much faith in the American voter, knowing the reality of just trying to make ends meet.

You need to realize that the American citizenry is far out in front of even folks here in the blogosphere in terms of what they want from their government. It is a ReThuglican meme to say that the citizenry doesn't care or know what's going on. Please go to the blackboard and write:

Why I am an Idiot!

One thousand times.

We all have a right to express an opinion here on C&L without being called an idiot. You and I may come from different backgrounds. I can only speak from experience and what I see every day. Life is a struggle for most folks trying to make ends meet.

From what I have read, this sounds like typical Rovian politics. One has to wonder how George Bush can surround himself with such partisan hacks and feel he is getting sound advice. C'mon, they have been wrong on nearly everything they have come up with. They will continue to be wrong, but they just don't know it yet.

Historically, this administration will go down in history as the most corrupt and inept ever. Thanks, Karl. Everyone is always saying Karl Rove is a genius. Actually, he has proven himself to have a case of terminal dumb-ass. Time will show this.

He knows that nobody in the EXTREME RIGHT WING MAIN STREAM MEDIA (ERWMSM) will challenge him on this. He can say anything he wants and most people won't hear it anyway. Most right wingers don't really care about the troops. What congress should do is send a bill for pay raises with no amendments attached and call his bluff.

Ron @ 25:

He knows that nobody in the EXTREME RIGHT WING MAIN STREAM MEDIA (ERWMSM) will challenge him on this. He can say anything he wants and most people won't hear it anyway. Most right wingers don't really care about the troops. What congress should do is send a bill for pay raises with no amendments attached and call his bluff.

Exactly the point I was trying to make above when I was attacked by A.Citizen and called an idiot. "Most people won't hear it anyway."

I've been kickin azz on the conservative blog townhall.com all day over this. Not one of those Bush lovers over there could defend what Bush has done. You know what they did instead? Started talking about Bill Clinton. I was laffin my azz off. Not one could come up wit a rational defense for their Chimp in chief.

in other news,, three gerbils named Jeffy,Karl and Lil Dicky were found inside of Bushes ass during his colonoscopy today. Doctors also were puzzled as to where to start. Hes all asshole !!

He's let the troops down and betrayed them on every level consistently for the last 4 years the troops are past excitement with their trembling psyches. They don't have the strength to get excited about this first fish he's thrown them, and probably doubt he'll actually come through (waking up tomorrow denying he said it at all).

The troops aren't fooled by his latest posturing and remember far more clearly how they've had to chase their paychecks to different countries for months on end while their families went desperate.
And that's just for openers.

Who does the President think he is talking to? Last year about this time my daughter and grandson were living with me...she had a couple friends visit over the Forth. These were a couple of twenty something year old boys from Michigan. That is where my daughter and I are originally from. We live in the SF/Oakland Bay Area now. One was gay 'n' well the other was a bit lost to say the least. They confessed to me they both voted for Bush twice. I sort of verbally bitched slapped them from one end of the house to the other, nose to nose with my intense eyes and voice screaming 'DON'T YOU THINK?'

As a well-known gay grandpa, I have educated a lot of youths and that is what gives me hope! I think this horrific war in our faces has awakened many to the dangers of apathy and stupidity. We are all learning and teaching, we are waking up and waking up others...this affects all...we cannot escape the dangers of a foreign policy that turns our friends and neighbors into enemies or one that will steal our children and children's children away with a draft somewhere in the near future. I do believe America is waking up from a very deep apathetic sleep and is being bitch slapped by the harsh reality that we can no longer fear FEAR for fear’s sake, or believe in our leaders because they say so. We must be very careful who we give our trust and votes to. Too much is at stake, our safety and that of our children...if we are going to fear anything or any one let it be the politician who lies to us, who would instill fear our hearts by feeling in his or her guts. We are waking up - DAMN STRAIGHT!

Did I just say that? haha

Ron @ 25:

He knows that nobody in the EXTREME RIGHT WING MAIN STREAM MEDIA (ERWMSM) will challenge him on this. He can say anything he wants and most people won't hear it anyway. Most right wingers don't really care about the troops. What congress should do is send a bill for pay raises with no amendments attached and call his bluff.

Great idea! We should contact our elected representatives!

A PAY RAISE BILL WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED!

You all know Bush will Veto it and turn around and say it's our fault, don't ya?

I think he is starting to believe his own bull. That is very dangerous. I wonder how many ammendments to support Halliburton were added to the bill?

Reid has every reason to lead a charge for impeachment.
These comments by bush should spur Reid into doing it.

WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

E Z Rider @ 34:

Reid has every reason to lead a charge for impeachment.
These comments by bush should spur Reid into doing it.

WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

It's an issue for the dems, but it is mostly the repugs.

Perhaps Reid could pull out the pay raise and submit it to the Senate & President as a stand-alone bill. Let them put their money where their BIG BIG mouths are!

DEFUND!

[...] Clark Link to Article george w bush Bush Was Against Troop Pay Raises Before He Was For It » Posted [...]

Thia is classic Bush. When he was gov. of Texas he would oppose legislation until he saw he was going to lose and then would come out and take credit for it. Nothing new.

Go back and look at the "Hate Crimes" legislation that was passed here after the dragging death of a middle aged black man in Jasper. Bush opposed it with all his might until it was clear that the bill would pass and most of the state was for it. He imediatly went in front of the cameras and took credit.

The mans a bum.

If the God-Chosen Boy King says it, it must be true. Ask Rupert Murdoch, he'll verify for you.

Did you expect anything different from this lying sonofabitch? Bush & his administration are a fucking disgrace!
Anybody who voted for this moron needs a lobotomy!

my soul is clean , clean thank god if i believed in one never never in my 72 yrs did i ever lower myself to vote for any repig never never ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[...] Court Link to Article white house Bush Was Against Troop Pay Raises Before He Was For It » Posted at [...]

tyree @ 41:

my soul is clean , clean thank god if i believed in one never never in my 72 yrs did i ever lower myself to vote for any repig never never ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never thought you would, tyree.

Global warming, health care, education, etc. aren't the biggest issues facing the USA, ignorance is!

I can't wait to get this asshat out of office. The sooner he's out the better. Add prosecution to that and I will finally be able to smile once more when my country is mentioned. Rather than cringing.

Bob Geiger:

I would ask how George W. Bush sleeps at night

Either in a Coffin or hanging upside down from the rafters I would suspect.

I have no doubt whatsoever that George W bush, the 43rd President of the United States, is a Liar, a Hypocrite, a Coward and an immoral corrupt arse.
But I really loathe Cheney!

If I were a Christian I would also have no doubt that Bush and more to the point, his Master Dick Cheney are working for Satan.

Yoda-

The Force is cloudy in this one Obi. I cannot see his future...

Dick Cheney-

Welcome to the Dark side George. We will cause mayhemn across the globe and destroy as many lives as possible. My plan is becoming complete.

George Bush-

I'm a deciderer!! One day, my Master let me decided, so I decideed. Have you read "My Pet Goat" ? I like to look at the pictures in the book. I wanted to kill the goat, have you killed any goats? I want to kill more people, do you like to kill people like me?

...And goodness shall prevail, right everybody, right, tyree! goonery consumes itself every time!!

I can not for the life of me understand why this piece of human excrement that had the white house stolen for him can stand before real Americans and constantly and everlastingly spew the lies he does. WHO IN THE S.O.B. HELL does he think still believes him. Even tho the MSM always gives bush's version of everything that happened, they did report that bush was going to veto a bill that gave the military a raise. They can't take it back. So will they try to spin and spin that it was bush the toush's idea to give the military a raise. Bet they do.

why can't the media stop being a PR firm for the junta for 5 minutes?

"President Bush had polyps removed during a routine colonoscopy yesterday. Though the president was diagnosed as being anything but benign, the polyps are expected to make a full recovery."

Senk yu, I'll be here all ze veek.

Argh. Bush: "My way or the highway."
Dems: "My way or the highway."
Bush: "You want it my way or the highway, shame on you!!"
Us: "?!?!?!?!"

What an incredible rich boy frat house dickless wonder.
Gee I wonder if the Sunday morning talking heads show will bring this up. Nah probably not. Tweety will probably say that George really smelled good when he said this incredible LIE. This President has no shame. I have nothing else to say. Fight the good fight C&L.
JB
(USAF Ret.)

jaybea44: please help me out.
You're retired Air Force, yes? May I ask: what's the consensus opinion of our present situation, as far as you can tell? I have USAF and Navy family members, but am frankly not on politically-sufficient terms with them to dare ask candid opinions about it. (twice-removed; why light that match?)
Frankly, I'd like to know. Your perspective on the Iraq invasion (concept, execution, etc.) would be greatly welcome. Thanks in adv.

The Bush budget fails to include $21 billion in requested military needs – the largest amount denied since 9/11. The President’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget fails to include requested equipment totaling more than $7 billion for the Army, $4.5 billion for the Navy, $5.6 billion for the Air Force, $2.5 billion for the Marine Corps, and $1.61 billion for the National Guard. The Army is requesting $450 million for unmet depot maintenance needs to repair the equipment broken during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Rep. Skelton press release, 3/3/06)

Patriot Scholar @ 24:

Thanks, Karl. Everyone is always saying Karl Rove is a genius. Actually, he has proven himself to have a case of terminal dumb-ass. Time will show this.

It seems you are confusing genius with ruthlessness. Bad move.

This sort of doublespeak would be the subject of 527 ads, editorials andbumper stickers were the politician a Democrat.

But he isn't.

He's our good old Pres - George W. Bush.

So nary a stenographer - er, journalist - in the WH press pool, nary a talking head on Sunday morning television, nary a Democratic politician will utter the obvious, "WTF is that moron saying, just yesterday he said the opposite?"

OH NOOOO Mr. Bill - that would immediatwely bring shrieks of "treason," "unpatriotic," and "hater of America" from the Dittoheads and Coultergeist sniffers.

Which is why journalists have become the laughing stock and Democrats are increasingly becoming irrelevant.

Re: Rove:

How could anyone known as 'Bush's Brain' be anything other than a Dumb-Ass?

Bush hates and spits on our troops.

Argh...just a written response?

Why wasn't Reid on TV with pieces of paper directly exposing that Bush got on a stump and basically lied in everyone's faces?

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