Relying on bogus argument, McCain opposes new GI Bill
By Steve Benen Monday Apr 14, 2008 8:32pm
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Just a few days ago, appearing on ABC’s “The View,” John McCain talked about the importance of increasing the size of the U.S. military. To entice more volunteers, he said, the government should focus on incentives: “[O]ne of the things we ought to do is provide [the troops with] significant educational benefits in return for serving.”
Naturally, then, McCain indicated a few days later that he’ll withhold support for a bipartisan measure to renew and expand the GI Bill for a new generation of veterans.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, seemed to give a thumbs down to bipartisan legislation that would greatly expand educational benefits for members of the military returning from Iraq and Afghanistan under the GI Bill.
The reason for the opposition -- fears about retention -- is completely absurd.
This should be a no-brainer. Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) unveiled a GI Bill modernization bill over a year ago, which would increase troop benefits to pay for their education. From a patriotic perspective, this is showing real support for the troops. From a military perspective, it might make recruiting easier if young people know they can go to college after their service for free. From an economic perspective, the country benefits when thousands of educated young people enter the workforce with degrees, as opposed to the alternative. (Even Joe Lieberman supports the bill, and he never wavers from Bush’s position on matters relating to the military.)
And yet, there’s John McCain. Typical.
UPDATE (SilentPatriot): Once again, John McCain reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what's going on in Iraq. This is what Hendrik Hertzberg, a "New Yorker" reporter who was present during the infamous exchange, says:
But what the context shows, I think, is that yanking that sound bite out of context isn't really all that unfair. McCain's wants to stay in Iraq until no more Americans are getting killed, no matter how long it takes and how many Americans get killed achieving that goal—that is, the goal of not getting any more Americans killed. And once that goal is achieved, we'll stay.
That about sums it up perfectly. McCain doesn't seem to realize that what fuels the violence is not some abstract concept of chaos. Iraq is volatile and unstable almost entirely because of our presence; not despite it. The NIE puts it most succinctly:
"The Iraq conflict has become the 'cause celebre' for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of U.S. involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement.
In short, they hate us because we're there. No "surge" or "100 years" presence will change that. In fact, it will only exacerbate it. But McCain doesn't get that. Or he just refuses to.
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His operators didn't input the proper data yet. He'll agree to it when they tell him he should.
"Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, speaks to economic adviser and Republican National Committee official Carly Fiorina."
Carly Fiorina. . .same Fiorina who was given the boot from HP after destroying the company.
Great, thats all we need.
L.A. Confidential @ 2:
Well the Repig party isn't goona be doin' good by that assumption as well
Saad @ 3:
Fiorina has been touted as a potential Vice President in a McCain administration.
L.A. Confidential @ 4:
Leaves me with wondering if the Cons are, quite literally, insane; or, if they are the most power-hungry, control fanatics who relish in the absolute denigration and pain of the American people.
Sinc last April 1 838 members of the American military have been killed in Iraq, which does not include those who died from their injuries after being airlifted out. Right now deaths are actually on the rise again.
If this guy wore a George Bush mask when he spoke people would merely wonder if Bush had a cold or was hoarse.
But he does support special privileges for those who stay in Iraq.
No disrespect to soldiers intended, but we ought to be subsidizing college for ALL qualified students. It would be a great investment in our country's future.
I should add the link.
Not to sound like a broken record, but let's not forget that one of McCain's chief foreign policy advisers is Henry Kissinger. The same Henry Kissinger who said this:
“Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy”.
I'm just waiting for ANYONE in the MSM to hit McCain with a question regarding this statement. Kissinger is like a Rev. Wright to McCain.
"Sen. McCain, we have ample evidence that Henry Kissinger said (the above), will you denounce that statement and remove Henry Kissinger from your campaign?"
Crickets.....
me @ 8:
I totally agree. We should have free education, free healthcare and free [and efficient] mass transit.
Can you imagine how advanced this country would be if we had that?
They have been given some mysterious BushWorship drug. Now, McCain is old and possibly demented. But, really, these people are clearly delusional. Supporting the troops means voting AGAINST any bill that will update their benefits for today's realities. I am torn between wanting to ignore McCain and shouting to the rafters that he is BushIII. McSame. All you need to know.
Abbybwood @ 10:
It is not just what he has said it is what he has done. He prolonged Vietnam to get Nixon relected. He overthrew a democratically elected President of Chile and had him killed. He was the architect of the invasion of Cambodia which led to Pol Pot. He is a wanted War Criminal in Europe.
http://www.gibill2008.org/
YOU can support the new G.I. Bill.
Go ahead. Click it.
If any military person or anybody in this country for that matter thinks that this administration is on their side, you need to wake up. From what I can see, republicans will give you the opportunity to put your life on the line for this country. But if something happens to you, whether you die or are injured, don't expect them to take care of you. How can you put your faith in a party that uses you like that? Republicans in power are evil.
Yup. McCain sure has a way of Straight Talkin'
Straight into political OBLIVION... I'll bet.
McLame
ya know @ 15:
Not sure i like the word "evil" the way it has been used over the millenia to burn withes at the stake, invade nations and bomb civilian populations. These particular Republicans have no empathy, no morals, no foresight or farsight. They care not for you and not for me. Only for their ideologies, their pocket books and their power.
McCain is what we in Nam used to call a "buddie fucker", takes care of himself and fucks his buddies - against torture when he was held, now "OK" open season on any GI captured (U.S. does it, can't complain), got 100% VA and Senate family health care (do you?), dumped/cheated on a poor wife who stuck through the military lean times for a $200 Million Trust Beer Baroness junkie, has 8 houses (so what's the "housing problem"?), doesn't pay for gas or transportation (free lobby flights and meals), lifetime VA and Senate Retirement tax free with unlimited care - AND has the NERVE to OPPOSE the Hagle/Webb Bill to give VETERANS BENEFITS!!!!!
Yea, McSame is what this Failed Administration NEEDS - 8 more years of a headlong stupid dash to Third World Status, with a super wealthy class and broke ass peasants. . . . 100 more years.
I was watching The View the day McCain was on. I was so mad when he said he supported the military in Iraq and he said they needed more benefits. I was hoping Joy and Whoopi would point out that he doesn't vote his talk. But they didn't. Today he says he opposes the GI Bill. McCain goes on Letterman, Leno, Stewart, all the talk shows and laughs and jokes and so many buy his stories. They never look at how he actually votes.
Does anyone know how to email Whoopi and Joy? I tried to find email addresses but couldn't and I think writing to Bill Geddes is probably a waste of time.
McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush is McCain is Bush
QuakerDave @ 14:
I'm not going to click it. I don't trust Quakers. ;)
mcLIAR uses the media venue that will bring him the largest
audience and tells his lie to those sheeple he wants to confuse.
then, to those small venues where he can contest that they
probably did not listen correctly or he was misquoted, he will
let out what he actually means.
flip-flop flip-flop
This country is run by corporations. Just about the only thing we build anymore are products to conduct war. Corporate Amerika is only concerned with the bottom line, not the lives of men and women who serve. IMHO they are against the educated citizen.
McShame may be senile but he is the go to guy to ensure more war profiteering.
It won't be long before some country hits us back with a vengence. This will escalate war and make more profits for the war machine.
helga @ 20:
Try this.
me @ 8:
Please, do this! I am very fortunate to have help from my parents and to have received academic scholarships, but it is sad to think that students just as qualified as me are not able to go to college or not the college of their choice. There is no rational answer why I had to stay in Ohio for instate tuition while George W. Bush was able to go to Yale.
xoites defends Constitution @ 6:
Absolutely.
Do the reslugs think that's some kind of advantage?
Seeing them side by side [as in the previously posted ad] is frightening. In fact it made me abandon any hope of a fair election. The powers that be, whatever they are, have already installed mcstain as their new spokeswhore. Do the dems get that 'the position has been filled' ? They need not apply. The public hasn't really noticed it yet but let's face it, if shrub farted mcstain would excuse himself.
xoites defends Constitution @ 6:
Xoites,
There are over 4,000 American soldiers officially killed and probably a lot more than that because let's face it, the government lies. And if you consider Blackwater employees, there's thousands more added to the list, then consider the astronomical rate of suicides commited by American troops, and the death toll is way high.
Total American casualties are listed at 29,628 but I would count among the casualties their family members whose lives have irrevocably been changed forever.
Also, check this out. A report by CBS blows the roof off the suicide statistics on our soldiers. They are astronomical.
15,000 or More US Deaths in Iraq War?
Pentagon Cover Up
http://www.counterpunch.org/whitney11172007.html
JD @ 28:
??
;-}
McCain should be "brought to justice" along with anyone who voted for the Genocide in Iraq. The World will be better off!
Mc100yearwar, another troop hating reich-winger....no big surprise.
Reich-wingers only support troops when they are dying for their perverse causes.
McCain was on Hardball in front of a Villanova college crowd today. I thought Matthews was going to dry-hump him. When a student booed at one point, Tweety called the kid a "cro-magnon" . Right comment, wrong target.
http://tinyurl.com/3neaex
I wonder if Whoopi was told to keep quiet. She didn't say a word in this video!
This nation is in deeeep shit!
McShame and that right wing dumb blonde bimbo proves it!
Since John McShame seems content to throw Iraq vets under the bus, I would hope they would team up to return the favor, and work like hell to see that this fraud doesn't make it to the WH. He would only be a BushCo redo anyway. Who knows there may develop such a thing as a McInsane Crime family that would rival the Bush crime family. Mc what ever has a head start with a wife who steals other people's work product in the form of recipes and puts her name on them. The richer they are the bigger thieves they are.
You know, when I joined the military it was the G.I. Bill that was a big incentive for me but it wasn't the only one. Many of the people that I served with felt the same way. I don't recall hearing anyone say that they were there only for that reason. In fact, when their enlistments were up some re-enlisted eventhough they could have got out and went to college. That was simply their choice. They liked what they found in military and it suited them.
McCain, the war hero, indirectly makes it seem like the military itself is a crappy career unless one enlists simply to get the G.I. Bill. Therefore, he concludes they should not increase the G.I. Bill incentive. At least, that is the conclusion that I have drawn. For a guy that is being touted as being for the military he sure makes it look bad with his anti-incentive arguement.
McCain is still not on board with this new GI Bill?
From 2/7/08 Radio Factor inteview with John Kerry (audio heard in below TV Factor link)
BOR: "So what we're going to do is that you, and King, and Webb, and everybody...you're going to sit down. And then we'll handle - we being The Factor - any kind of opposition."
Just a moment later in the video, BOR goes on to say that "The Factor's role is to keep us informed as to how the new GI Bill is progressing and to monitor any opposition to it".
At the end of the video, BOR tells King, "I've got to tell you one thing. You need to tell us if there's somebody blocking you or somebody not doing the right thing because Colonel Hunt and I are going to their house. We're going to show up. And nobody wants that. We saw what happened in New Hampshire. "
Yeah, we saw what happened - BOR lost his temper then cursed at and shoved an Obama aide.
BOR said any opposition but, since he hasn't said a word about McCain's opposition, it looks as though his word does not apply when the opposition comes from the GOP Presidential candidate.
Why the hell not, BOR? Are you going to shove a McCain aide too? Make sure and have one of your interns get it all on tape for us to see.
http://tinyurl.com/4qwtx5
-
You have to be one dumb ass moron to believe that this old codger has any idea what he is talking about. Ramble, ramble, ramble. I can hardly wait for the national debates. This guy is an empty suit.
No hero...only a survivor. He's sucked up more than his share of gratitude from this country. Now, let's chose what's best for America, and to hell with these blind ass neocon fascists.
We're still only one heartbeat (or bullet) away from Ron Paul being the Republican candidate!
The fundamental question in Iraq, and in every other country we've intervened into in the past 50 years is this; can a foreign military impose a political situation on another country, or can it even broker a half-way decent stalemate? And the answer is, irrevocably, no. Armies may be able to halt, or impede armed conflict in a region by virtue of their superior force to belligerents in an area. But as indicated by the increased tensions in the Balkans, by the continued back and forth between North and South Korea, it cannot impose something that the individuals in the area have refused to accept.
And this presumes, of course, that the American military is involved for these wholly altruistic reasons; thats generally not the case. As indicated by our involvement in Viet Nam after managing to kick the Japanese out of the country, often times we manage to liberate only to end up becoming the colonizers ourselves. Generally, the more we scale back, the better things will be.
Seems like 5 years of training ain't working out so good:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/16/africa/16sadr.php
McHundredyears: "This war has been handled and by handled badly". By who McHundredyears has the war been handled badly? If Bush were a Democrat McHundredyears would have named names, so restate McHundredyears, "This war has been handled and handled badly by George Bush a fellow Republican". "George Bush, a fellow Republican, has not only fucked up this war he has fucked up our reputation and our economy"
What, did the cat get Whoopie's tounge? Why didn't Whoopie or Joy slap that little blonde conservative hack bimbo down? That shrill Republican shill bitch ain't fighting in this war and she don't have any kids fighting in this war so she should put up or shut up by quiting The View and joining the military to go fight or send a child of hers to go fight. I am sick of these chickenhawk lowlifes supporting somebody else or somebody else's kids to go fight while they sit on their cowardly asses "supporting the troops". I need to take Whoopie's place because I would have called that bitch out!
I think we should apply John McCain measure of success to our country. He talks about establishing "rule of law" in Iraq, and since we took occupation of Iraq, there has been less regard to rule of law at the Capital of our nation and we can start with John lack of respect to his own Campaign bill that he wrote and pass.
I am so sick of republicans bringing up the good things democrats have done in the past and associating it with themselves. "I want everyone to serve this country...through the Peace Corps, teaching in inner cities..."
That's Kennedy's legacy! Our troops in Japan and South Korea is Truman's legacy!
Failed wars, corruption, tax cuts for the rich, torture, unconstitutional surveilance is your legacy, mccain. STFU!
McCain does not understand that the reason American soldiers are being killed in Ireq is because the Iraqi citizens (with a very few actual terrorists mixed in) want the U.S. to get the hell out of Iraq.
Elisabeth Husselbuck is the only under-30 year old Depends wearing liver spot victim on the planet. I start to smell rotten eggs whenever she opens her mouth.
me @ 8:
No disrespect to you, but I believe you should do something to get something. It doesn't have to be military service; it could be some other kind of public service, but nothing should be given for free.
McCain said at the end we have a base in Kuwait as a result of Desert Storm.
Excuse me but I believe the U.N. Sanction (Resolution 224 I believe) and enforcement after that war is the reasonable pupose to have U.S. forces enforcing the sanctions and the NO Fly Zones that were patrolled.
I don't think they see these veterans as part of their "base". First rule of the GOP is spend on the base, not what is good for America.
John McCain is a 'war hero' for his courage and strength as a POW taken by the North Vietnames during the Viet Nam War 40 years ago. In the 4 decades since he has proven himself as a politician to be a marshmallow for the GOP. A liberal position there, an enlightened position there on the 'campaign trail', just like Dubya in 1999-2000 on the campaign trail~ but behind the war hero, principled 'maverick' lurks the ugliest monster yet in the cellar, chomping at the bit to ravage whatever is remaining following the pillage wrought by the sociopathic duo and fellow destroyers of all that had once been good about America...and marshmallow, war hero mccain on the campaign trail, just like dubya i can hear it already...is saying the things that sound reasonable to draw in naive or desparate voters or those who really want to believe he is the real thing....but lord have mercy is he is the 'winner' in this election.
The mere fact that James Baker III made a cameo appearance in support of McCain speaks volumes....
one must ask mccain the question:
what is so near and dear to him to be willing to toss our military, national guard, reserve, daddies, mommies, grandma, grandpas, kids, every last one for the sake of "Iraq"? Anyone who votes for this candidate who displays irrational judgement about an issue such as this demonstrates just how unfit and weak a person he is to be President of the United States. Perhaps he opposes the GI bill because he thinks there won't be any left or in condition to apply.....or he'd rather spend it on weapons deals for weapons that will be used against our own fighting troops in far away lands...
These repuke bastards can always justify screwing the average guy who does all the work. Just like they can always justify tax breaks for the greedheads who are already swimming in cash. The make me sick!
Add to the mix that the majority of military retirees won't collect any pension till they hit 60 years old. Most 20 year letters go to the Guard and Reserve. This administration also resists changing that because of "retention". Its taken decades to reduce that wait for troops deployed to war zones and only from this year going forward.
In my 20+ years I have never heard needing to stay alive till 60 that as a reason that anyone stayed in.
BTW a Republican who never served, Doug Lamborn, is holding up a house bill to expand PTSD treatment and diagnosis. Some SOB who would not serve himself considers troops with multiple deployments malingerers.
Will McCain actually run against his own party's long-standing contempt for troops? Some of us remember that Marines died because of Reagan's stupidity and anti-semitism.
To paraphrase: McCentury wants to stay in Iraq until every last American soldier is killed?
Whose side is he on?
It really is time for all of us to realize that it's NOT that McCain and the republican war pigs DON'T get the fact that our presence in Iraq exacerbates the killing and attacks on American soldiers and fosters Al Qaida recruitment; They DO get it! This is EXACTLY what McCain and Bush et al want! A never ending war to pour our poorest, least educated young people into, a never ending supply of military contracts to make themselves rich, and a never ending threat to use as a tool to implement the social and religious society they so desperately want. THEY GET IT.
more at my blog...
Ideally this would be like John Kerry being for a bill before he was against it. The Devil's in the details. But methinks this is more about who gets the credit.
Every dime spent on veterans or on any other provision of the general welfare or the common good is a dime that can't be spent to reward wealthy Republican political investors.
I wonder if the yentas on "The View" would have been kissing McSame's ass (or even had him on as a guest) if they knew he called his wife a c**t. why this story isn't getting ANY coverage in the MSM, I have no idea. Yeah, it happened a long while ago, but it leads me to question his judgement, because he said it in front of a room of reporters. McNasty the dumbass!!!
Did Whoopy turn on her stoned out surfer, Valley Guy Voice and say, "Like, that's totally bogus...duuuuude"?
My wet dream:
A presidential debate between McCain and Obama moderated by Keith Olbermann.
Ah, I think I need to change my underpants...
It seems to me that this group of peoples end goal is the total downfall of america.At each and every turn bush has choosen the path that helps big corps or industry and to hell with any one it hurts or hinders. He has fucked up our schools,airlines,medical care. Our food is not safe, Our kids an't learnen, Airline safty is a joke, Our bridges are falling on our heads,He stood by and let untold numbers of people die in new orleans and then allowed investors to grag the land for themselves. The whole world hates our guts.HOW MUCH MORE ARE WE GOING TO TAKE? I have a bad feeling blood will be spilled before its all over, after all these people like killing, as long as its not their blood. Die on your feet,don't live on your knees! And now we all stand by and watch the goverment haul off all the peoples kids in texas because they don't live the way the goverment thinks they should! Those folks are no more criminals than the men,women and children in waco that the federal goverment killed in cold blood, don't believe it? do your homework! Iam all for law and order 100%, I think we all agree on that, however the law(unlike the bible) can not be pick and choose ,which people and which laws. I saw those children getting on the bus and I saw well dressed,clean well fed and polite kids! How many of those kids have been arrested for drunk driving(GW) how many for drinking underage(gws kids)! I would bet the farm that none of them have been in any trouble what so ever. Any takers? I think we should all be watching what is going on there. How long before they don't like the way YOU are bringing up your kids!
xoites defends Constitution @ 11:
I won't say entirely *free*, because people being the way they are, a lot of it would get completely wasted. We have get some participation from the recipients, to ensure their active participation.
I really DO think of it as an investment in the country. Like any other investment, you have to invest wisely and watch your wallet.
bajasteve @ 50:
I didn't say free, I said subsidized. Free means that people won't respect it, and it will be wasted.
But you forget that the student is not by any means the only beneficiary of education.
We ALL benefit from the increased economic output and taxes paid by educated citizens. Publicly subsidized education has proven its enormous value to society many, many times.
xoites defends Constitution @ 11:
You want a free ride to attend Mass?
katie @ 63:
You could sell them online you know.
Why does John McCain hate the troops?
It's shameful that he pride himself on his military service, yet he's comes across as anti-veteran at this point.
We also had a base in Saudi Arabia. Guess why 9/11 happened ?dumbass
I was unaware education required an investment, other than showing up and doing the work assigned. Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure we need more people with education, as long as there motivated to do it.
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