Alaskan National Guard Reaches A Crisis Point
By Nicole Belle Wednesday Oct 01, 2008 4:30pmWait, wasn't being commander of the Alaska National Guard part of Palin's executive experience the McCain camp has been touting? I guess that means she runs things about as well as the rest of the Republican Party.
The post-deployment challenges facing Alaska's Army National Guard are more daunting and widespread than any seen by Veterans for America (VFA).
VFA's National Guard Program just completed a week in the state reviewing the needs of Alaska's citizen-Soldiers and the resources in place to meet them. The needs of Alaska's Guard members and their families far outstrip the available help.
Many of the Alaska's Guard members have been deployed, and redeployed, despite the shortage of care and treatment available upon their return. With more than one-quarter of Alaska's Guard members living 60 miles or more from a Veterans Affairs facility, many rarely if ever get treatment they need. Travel to Anchorage alone can cost more than $1,500 for each Guard member - an upfront cost too burdensome for many to shoulder, even if they are eventually reimbursed. With the economy worsening, the costs to Guard families for their own healthcare will mount and even fewer will receive treatment.
We owe our citizen-Soldiers better than this.
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This is McCain's choice and McCain has probably the worst record on Veteran's Affairs of any politician out there. Certainly the worst one of a Presidential candidate.
Frist
Member of Alaska National Guard Also Slams Sarah Palin
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=3205
$1500 ?
A reader from Ohio reminds us of a very important point:
"$700 billion could completely rebuild the US passenger system. All the way to complete electrification and to the same standards the French enjoy with their TGVs."
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/16/22153928_86f6ab210c.jpg?v=0
Its enough money to bring service to every town of 5000 and up.
Can they ask Caribou Barbie about this when she's flaunting her mental ta-tas at us tonight?
Please Joe. Ask her about the Alaskan National Guard or at least call her on it. These patriotic-only-for-the-camera thugs have to be shown for what they are and what the consequences are to the men and women who serve this country.
Please Joe, find a way to mention this. I bet if you ask a specific question about what she's proposed to remedy the severe situation for returning Alaskan Guardsmen, she won't have a clue. I hope the main stream catches on to this, too. Maybe Katie Couric can do another interview? The blatant and callous hypocrisy of Repubican when it comes to veterans' needs is sickening. If McCain really cared, he would have co-sponsored Webb's G.I. Bill instead of playing politics with it. If Palin had a clue and gave a damn, her National Guardsmen wouldn't be suffering.
dejah @ 4:
It's Caribou Gidget
You put on the uniform, you pick up a weapon, you do what you are told.
No sympathy for soldiers. You wanna kill? Go kill?
Because that's what your saying you want to do. Kill. Legally sanctioned killing.
Guess what, killing isn't a 9-5 weekends off job.
Suck it up, go AWOL, or wait for your ETS.
some of you may remember this shining example of american companies putting "our warriors" first:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-bags_13bus.St...
ontheleftcoast @ 5:
Cool coincidence!
This is s job for MechnaPalin!
L.A. Confidential @ 3:
Down with the bailout - until they have taken every penny from the Wal Street CEO parasites who put us in this situation!
As far as railin" Palin goes, she watches at least one war movie a week, so she's keepin' an eye on that defensive defense thinggy for us. mmmmmmmk?
Besides, in Alaska they get all the war movies, and she watches them ALL. Even though she doesn't now of any channels they might be on. but "oh yeah, she definitely watches them all!"
Leadership @ 8:
Bullshit, and you know better. Most recruits go the military route because they don't have other options. And the Nat'l Guard, for chrissakes, recruits on the basis of helping the community in the event of natural disasters. You want to scorn people who served honorably and honestly, I really and truly pity you and other narrow minded, hateful people in your pod.
Please suspend your campaign. PLEEEEEEAAAAAASSSEE.
Leadership @ 8:
Wow, is that what leadership means? Blame the troops?
Leadership @ 8:
Are you on Dick Cheney's staff?
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 16:
hehehehehe he said "staff"
Patrick @ 17:
Hehehehehhe he also said "Dick"
Dale @ 14:
They already did in Michigan. I just caught a local news bit that said McCain's campaign decided last night to "give MI up". No TV ads have been delivered or ordered for MI media for the coming week and McCain abruptly cancelled an appearance here next week without explanation.
I'm so happy I think I'll start the celebratory drinking now.
Putting your country first? HA right, the country doesn't even make the top 10.
I wonder if Blackwater employees have the same kind of trouble?
I hear they make $100,000 a year.
votingvet @ 13:
"served honorably and honestly"? wtf does that mean..."when I honorable lit up that hut and I honestly didn't expect to kill
those kids, and their parents, and their grandparents!" Honor. A word made by aristocrats to justify killing each other and their
peasants. Their is no honor in aggressive war. None. Ask Col. Westhusing. Oh and PLEASE justify invading "the stan". The FBI doesn't have the evidence
to indict bin laden for 911, but the Pentagon does?
If you raise your hand and swear allegiance to the Plutocracy, your gonna pay.
miss_kitty @ 18:
hehehehehehehhe he also said, ....on Dick Cheney's staff
Leadership @ 22:
You have to change your moniker.
pissed off patricia @ 23:
Look at you girls...encouraging this adolescent behavior. Uggh, if you don't simmer down, we're gonna send you off to Sarah Palin's office.
Leadership--When you sign up, a covenant is made: You put your life and health on the line for this country, and it will take care of you in return (assuming you don't come home with a toe-tag). That covenant is being violated by a gang of slimy, sneering money-grubbers. Military folks have every right to be pissed. I think that both Gulf Wars were complete shams, but until the entire human race kicks this nasty little habit of war and find a way to protect itself from disasters, we will have armies, and in the case of the US we will have a National Guard. And in the meantime that covenant should be inviolable.
Leadership @ 8:
I agree. Anyone that joins ANY military branch knows damned well they may have to kill people. The national guard has done it in damned near every war this country has fought. Shit, they killed students at Ohio State. You wanted to join? Did it willingly? The only time I would feel sorry for anyone is if they were drafted against their will and FORCED to kill. Otherwise, you signed up, welcome to the party.....
Leadership @ 22:
Believe it or not, Leadership, not every Alaskan 19 and 20 year old has had a chance to be as critical of the Administration and the Bush War(s) as you and I. They were conned by some relatively heavy propaganda and many of them learned way too late that they were lied to. You can criticize the Bush Administration -- well, OK, the fucking lying BUsh Admionistration, the murderous, sociopathic, oligarchic, corporate fascist Bush Administration -- and I'm right there with you. But, Jesus Christ, to heap scorn on psychologically and physically maimed kids who never had a chance to learn the truth . . .I'm sorry, man, I hope I never get that callous or cold.
Ron @ 24:
You praise the war makers but curse the peacemakers.
An assault rifle is a weapon with a worker on either end.
Leadership is action not position.
Leading the way to peace, love and understanding since 1992 when I left the service. After years of torturing and murdering
poor people on 3 continents. So I went through it and ANYONE signing after Vietnam, the Reagan wars, and Desert Storm should
know they are a tool of the Plutocracy. Don't tell me I'm insensitive or callous. I got played once and didn't go back for
seconds. Anyone in the service now is either too stupid to know they are getting played OR they want to kill.
Sarah Palin isn't responsible for the Alaska National Guard.
Even if she said she was.
You are all just being sexist poopies.
Even the women.
Liberal AND Proud @ 25:
Fixed it.
cubiclegrrl @ 26:
Really? It says that were? In their brochure? I think if you ask most VV's they would pretty much laugh at that. Maybe after WWII things worked for the troops like that, for awhile, but now, not so much....
fwacbar @ 27:
So in both of your analogies, if I'm a truck driver and I get into an accident because of my error and I kill someone and become severely injured myself, I don't deserve the care that someone else deserves. Leadership should change his moniker to Butthead and frackbar should cange his to Beavis.
Leadership @ 29:
Callous is as callous does, sir.
Ron @ 33:
No dipshit. Because when you signed up to be a truck driver you DID NOT sign up to go out and run people over, on purpose. If that was the case, then you would get no sympathy from me or most people I would be willing to bet....
Just like the war itself, the treatment of returning Vets is another purposefully hidden-from-view disgrace of the Bush administration and their Republican enablers. I hope Biden brings this up tonight in his debate with Spiro Quayle.
Leadership @ 29:
You admit that you were played and now you critisize that are played now. Hypocrite.
Gretchen the aspiring elitist @ 19:
As a proud Michiganian and a man who truly loves our Great Lakes, I am delighted to hear the McCain-Palin freak show is headin' on down the road. Yippeeee-yahoo and a high five!! Oh yeah baby, oh yeah!!
fwacbar @ 27:
I think it was Kent State.
fwacbar @ 35:
Well dipshit, some of these soldiers signed up to get training that wouldn't be available otherwise. They didn't sign up to kill people. Some just wanted to be a truck driver.
I think it was Kent State.
Kent State it was, my bad...
pissed off patricia @ 23:
POP....The Winner!
Ron @ 40:
Maybe so. But the fact of the matter is they joined an organization that, when called upon to do it, kills other human beings.
fwacbar @ 43:
O.K. Beavis, tell that to the vets to their face coward.
Ron @ 37:
In 1982 no one was telling me that Vietnam was a corporately sponsored genocide. I was getting told that Vietnam vets were
getting a raw deal and thet the NEW Army took care of it's own and that we had learned from Vietnam and would NEVER commit
troops unless it was crucial. So I went in. And compared to working for my dad on the farm, boot camp was kind of a break. My
more advanced training was the most challenging thing I have ever experienced. After they had turned the lighthearted farm boy
into a killing machine I was let loose to kill and maim central americans that wanted to be as free as we in the States are.
So kids today don't know that the government wants to use them as cannon fodder? This ain't WW2.
@ leadership and all of your ilk
This flawed logic of they signed up to "kill" people, therefore, they get what they deserve is beyond me. It is people like "leadership" (what a joke) who make me think that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea if everyone had to do a couple of years of mandatory military service. People feel entitled to look down on soldiers and it's bullshit. Most of the people I know that have served have done it because it was the only way out of their dead end towns, the one way to get a college education so you didn't end up working in the factory. So, go ahead, look down on people you self righteous ass. Bet mommy and daddy paid for your education.
Leadership @ 8:
we are talking vets
please dont tell me you are serious
these people are giving service to their country...they deserve better
On second thought leadership, maybe you need some treatment for PTSD......
Leadership @ 45:
and we dont blame you for how bush used you
dont blame today's vets for how his sone has used them
you deserve your benefits and so do they
you have given to your country...and so have they
Uncle Joe Mccarthy @ 47:
They are serving Exxon Mobil, Chevron and BP, not their country.
Fanon @ 48:
ya, but the va has been told to cut down on the number of ptsd cases
he wont get any treatment
fwacbar @ 43:
Just wondering, what would you be willing to do if another country were to invade the U.S. and start killing American citizens?
Or if Chimpy went totally off his nut, named himself emperor - and backed it up with force from Blackwater?
Leadership @ 50:
but that isnt their fault....why are you blaming them?
did you have a choice after you signed up?
you really arent being fair
Fanon @ 46:
Uncle Sam paid. Which means you paid. I don't look down on the troops, I just don't feel sorry for them. Attack me personally,
it's a sign of your weakness. Your thesis of service for education is valid, but as my drill said as we got on the cattle truck...
"you signed up, you wanted it, were gonna give it to you". They want college but didn't have the grades for scholarships, fine,
sounds like me back then. So I traded my soul for tution and so did they. A deal is a deal.
Mick Piobr @ 30:
Yup... if Palin was a guy, nobody would question the attacks.
This "woman" dodges question better (worse?) than McBush does. She either has the experience (in which case, she sucks) or she doesn't (in which case, she's deceiving her constituents). Take your pick.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 52:
I would love to lead other veterans in an armed revolution against the forces of tyranny...but all those vets are
watching the Cubs, drinking Bud, and squeezing their old ladies ass in their soon to be foreclosed house.
Liberal AND Proud @ 25:
Hehehehehe....what's this about Sarah Palin's orifice?
Mick Piobr @ 31:
Shoula known with this crowd that I'd be WAY late with that crack (Ooh! Didn't realize THAT pun until I wrote it. Heheheheheh.)
Leadership @ 56:
LOL! Isn't age a beautiful thing? Metaphorically speaking of course.
Try finding a job by writing National Guard on your resume.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 59:
Please don't edit my comments out and place some asshat's comments in my place
Leadership, you see the world for the ugly pus-heap it is, but I think that vision has hardened your heart and soul. I think you're speaking coldly about the suffering of veterans because you feel so damned guilty for what you let happen to you. They get you when your young and naive and send you off to fight for their wealth and their luxury -- and you see things and do things (maybe indirectly) that make your stomach turn. You see your buddies get killed, maybe hear them scream; and you see civilians get slaughtered, and maybe you took a hand in it, or maybe you just had a beer or two with guys who did.
It's all fucked up, Leadership. You're bitterness isn't unique; neither is your sense of betrayal. But if we don't stand together, we'll hang separately. If we turn our backs on veterans who were jobbed the way we were, we're missing a chance to fight the bastards who did it to us -- and we're letting the suffering continue, we're assisting it, in fact.
Just saying.
Ron @ 61:
You wanna tell me what the hell your talking about? I didn't editr anything.
I clicked on QTC and started typing. I have no idea what your point is or what your ticked off about.
Go easy big fella, ain't doing nothing but having a discussion here.
I don't like that in which you insinuate of Gov Palin. That she would allow her son (going to Iraq) to return with little or no VA care, whether if she was Gov. or Vice President. She would use her position to ensure her veteran son's care.
Say what you will, I don't feel sorry for any vets. And I have said that 'to their face'. They go to war and come back with problems, thats too bad. If they need care they should get it. Never said care should be denied. I just will never 'feel sorry' for them. I don't feel sorry for anyone that partakes in an activity that results in their injury be it auto racing, sky diving, scuba diving, football, baseball, hockey, hunting, motorcycling, whatever. There is inherent risk in everything you do, and if you get 'hurt' well, tuff luck for you.... I have heart disease, had a heart attack. Went and had a stent put in, got my treatment. Do you feel sorry for me?
ontheleftcoast @ 5:
You folks need to figure out what Palin is to blame for. Her state being large and hard to get around in isn't her fault. You might also like to know that veterans can use civilian doctors at government expense if traveling to a VA Medical Center is impossible. You need to stop bsing folks
theWalrus @ 36:
The Veterans Administration's performance has been somewhat uneven for years, through both Republican and Democrat administrations. So to zero in on Bush, only exposes you as a misinformed fool.
Airborneranger @ 67:
Good Morning.
You would be correct on the ups and downs of the VA. But it was the Bush Admin who wanted to cut funding to the VA.
In fact, He did just that. And McCain voted against the new GI Bill written and sponsored by Sen Webb.
I just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth.
All of sudden McCain's become part of the discussion? Well McCain voted against Webb's bill because implementing this bill will cause the most valuable of the military to leave for a better deal, the seasoned combat veteran.. Webb knows this because it happened during the Vietnam war where seasoned NCO were leaving to take advantage of a liberalized GI bill. Like it or no not Webb is trying to influence the departure from Iraq by rendering the military less effective. As soon as the conflict is over the Webb bill will go away. Learn your history, it has happened during every war since WW2. A prime example of power being more important then the welfare of the country.
As for the Bush administrations cutting the VA budget, you've been lied to.
http://www.factcheck.org/funding_for_veterans_up_27_but_democrats.html
Airborneranger @ 69:
Nice link, thanks for that. But what you don't take into account if the devaluing of the dollar. The dollar is worth less now than it was 8 years ago. I won't even go back to what it was worth in 92. If the VA was slotted to get say 10 million(random figure) receiving anything less is a cut. If the figure was signed in to a package or bill, and received anything less, it's still a cut. Call it what you want. That won't change anything.
As for veterans leaving the military. When their contract is up. It's up. They can decide if they want to reup or not.
If someone doesn't want to reup right now, it's because they're fully aware of how this "war" in Iraq is just a pack of lies.
And that is what causes lack of confidence or morale in the ranks. Not a GI Bill. Nice try though.
I have to say, you must own stock in the koolaide business. You must guzzle it like it's going out of style.
The fact is that we here respect and admire our troops and veterans. We want them home. Where it's safe, and not off on some mission that was all started on a pack of lies.
But you're a good NCO, just following orders right?
Every Vet I know thinks this is fubar bud. You're from a different time. Perhaps from Rome circa 200AD.
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