Bush and the Republican congress continue to screw veterans.

[Cyrano]

I can't understand how current and past members of the military and their families can continue to support any Republican. For the past few years, I've been seeing articles on how veterans benefits are being cut. The most recent one concerns the the number of vets who have suffered brain damage from exposure to explosions, yet are not being treated upon returning home.

I'm always hearing how absentee military ballots always favor Republicans. If true, too many members of the military have been eating too much plastic turkey, hand delivered by AWOL George.

What I'm getting at here is, where's the rage from the men and women who have made sacrifices? (Regarding those on active service, I was in the military back when, and I know it's virtually impossible to speak out while on active duty.)

But where the hell are the VFW and other veteran's groups? Why aren't they screaming at the tops of their lungs about how our veterans are getting screwed? Not to mention how our active service personnel are undermanned, under supplied, used, abused, and getting maimed or killed for no useful purpose in Iraq.

[nam78_two]

1. God only knows what they are doing with the absentee ballots

No reason to assume these days that all is above board with those :-/

[cyberpj]

5. And I've noticed most of those stolen computers contained vet info -

I'm betting those SS numbers come up in elections very soon!

[Ezlivin]

2. The Disabled American Veterans association is screaming

Every time I get my newsletter they talk of trying to convince these bastards to improve veterans services. I've noticed them growing increasingly strident over the past 5 years. The DAV gave us good information on what bills to support, who to call and other good stuff.

Even the normally even-keeled PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) is starting to get hot.

But the Administration simply ignores them.

[Cyrano]

6. What's most disheartening is the "super-patriot" Bush backers

who can't see what's happening. They're quick to shout "Support Our Troops." But they're brain dead when it comes to recognizing the reality of what's being done to our troops and veterans.

Newsletters from the DAV and outrage from the PVA isn't good enough. They must (somehow) make the media pay attention. I believe if the people of this country were fully aware of what's taking place, Bush, Cheney, and every other Republican would have to spend the rest of their lives hiding in "undisclosed locations."

[cyberpj]

3. Site for Veterans with many links to Veterans groups:

http://www.politicalamazon.com/vet-links.html


I've wondered the same thing myself though - is it because these groups - like anti-war groups - can't get media attention?

[babylonsister]

4. "...absentee military ballots always favor Republicans." You've

heard that, as have I, but I have yet to see proof that is true. I never did see any figures after the 2004 selection, and that makes me skeptical right off the bat.

[BOSSHOG]

7. I'm a member of VFW

I earned it and they can't get rid of me. I'm 52 so I'm just a kid there, but I truly believe they don't care about the plight of our Servicemembers today. By gawd we gotta fight a war and war is hell and people get shot, god bless America. My wife and I are both vets and a republican will never, ever get a vote from us. I'm happy to say that the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), the advocate group for sea service members in Washington goes about a very businesslike manner supporting the causes of servicemembers, retirees and their families.

Republicans are fucking veteran's widows relative to their survivor benefit plan (paid by the member) and benefits associated with their spouses dying due to service connected disabilities. Republicans are concerned about the costs (9 billion dollars over 10 years.) These fuckers give bush that much in less then 2 months so he can be a war president.

[Cyrano]

8. I've hung out in VFW halls/bars, and have seen the same attitude.

It's one of the reasons I never joined. (That, and to quote Groucho Marx, "I'd never join any organization that would have me as a member.")

Nonetheless, I still keep in contact with many friends and acquaintances from the Vietnam era and most of them feel as I do regarding Iraq and our Criminal-in-Chief.

I've written to congressmen and senators and talked to people till I'm blue in the face trying to make them see reality. I find it amazing that the entire world sees what a sizable number of Americans can't see: that our country has lost it's reputation for fairness and plain common decency. And they also see that we are losing the freedoms that are the bedrock of our democracy.

But what's most infuriating is that most Americans seem to be unaware of how our veteran's have been used, and then ignored and discarded like so much trash.