U.S. Fights Verdict Backing Ex-P.O.W.'s (anti-veteran hypocrisy)

[FlashHarry]

NY Times story here.

<snip>
When 21 freed American P.O.W.'s returned home from the Persian Gulf war in March 1991, Dick Cheney, then secretary of defense, welcomed them at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

"Every man and woman who cares for freedom," Mr. Cheney said, "owes you a very special measure of gratitude."

Of those 21 former prisoners of war, 17, who had been tortured by their Iraqi captors, would like something more tangible. This month they won a court award of almost $1 billion against Iraq, and a federal law says they may be paid from frozen Iraqi funds.

The Bush administration has expressed sympathy for the plaintiffs over what they endured but is fighting them about the money, saying it is urgently needed to rebuild Iraq.
</snip>

Gee, why am I not surprised.

[FlashHarry]

1. Kick

I think the veteran issue is a big one. I think we should run ads highlighting the betrayal of veterans by BushCo. Thoughts?

[DarkPhenyx]

2. No real legs to it.

Too many people never served a day in their lives, adn many that did would never vote against the Republicans. They would see it as un-American.

[NNN0LHI]

3. They are worried about law suits against America for the same thing n/t

[Dhalgren]

4. Support the troops!

As long as it doesn't get in the way of our blood-money.

Which is more important to this administration, our soldiers or loot? Ya gotta know it's the cash!

[mumon]

5. Why not just pay thim in kind?

With Haliburton stock?

Dilute "Big Time"'s share!

[atreides1]

6. My Sympathy and Gratitude

I sympathize with these men and women, but becoming a POW is part of
wearing the uniform. I have no idea what they went through, I would guess it's the same thing that Iraqi POWs and civilians are going
through right now, but I don't hear these former POWs speaking out against it.

I'm a Desert Storm vet myself, and I can remember watching some of these people on TV being made to make statements.

This is a reality that all who wear the uniform have to accept, if you are captured you might be tortured, threatened, even killed, but
unfortunately it's part of the package.

[FlashHarry]

7. Punt!

:kick:

[jamesinca]

10. I agree in part with you

They put on the uniform and it is part of the job. I job I personally don't want. They sued Iraq and won, they should get paid. If it was not a case that was viable it should have lost in court. Iraq now has a debt to pay, Iraq should pay it. I don't think they are suing them because they were POW's, I think it is because of the treatment they received as POW's. But my biggest problem is with the U.S. using Iraq money to rebuild Iraq. We broke it we need to fix it. As much as that may hurt financially it is still our responsibility. If the neighbor is out in the street playing baseball and hits a ball thru my window what is the proper thing to do 1) tell me I need to pay for and fix my window that he broke or 2) fix it themselves, or offer to reimburse me for the cost of fixing it. This is what I see the U.S. doing, telling Iraq that option 1 is the answer. Iraq has a debt to these 17 people and it needs to be paid, not held in trust for Bush to somehow use.

[JohnKleeb]

8. Dick you mean that money for your place in the Carribean

Poor guys that captavity must have changed them forever would have doen the same to me.

[hang a left]

9. Those Greedy Bastards!