A politician saying Memorial Day shouldn't be politicized . . .

[bigtree]

weird.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/05/28/politics/p071521D81.DTL&type=politics

[William769]

1. And your point?

I for one applaud Obama for what he said.

[bigtree]

3. for saying the day shouldn't be politicized

while politicizing it? Maybe it was a comment like, 'It shouldn't be politicized, but . . . ?

What he said *about the vets was fine.

[Inspired]

2. Is this not politicizing?

I'm sick of hearing this. I don't see any huge anti-war rallies across the country today anyway so what is the problem?

If there were, so what? I think the best way to support our troops right now is to bring them home. What is so wrong with saying that? How does that dishonor anyone?

[bigtree]

4. did I say all that?

I happen to like and respect politics. The statement struck me as strange, though.

[Inspired]

6. Sorry, my comment wasn't directed at you.

It was more of a statement that I am tired of hearing about how we shouldn't politicize our feelings about the war today. Everyone is politicizing it. It is politics and it doesn't stop for one day out of the year.

[bigtree]

7. I'm not a fan of Memorial Day speeches - I like the tributes though

but it amazes me how politicians always try and distance themselves from their obvious politicking.

That said, Obama hit the right note, at least in the statements reported. I guess I'd rather he, and Bush and others as well, weren't making speeches today. I'm rather ashamed of us all (humans) on occasions like this. Silence and reflection seems to me to me the best tribute to those who serve.

[Forkboy]

5. As soon as a politician says that they politicizing it.

On the other hand,they'll be asked about it anyways,and they'll be damned if they do,damned if they don't.Myself,I would have waited until asked.

Having a politician lay a wreath is itself a political act,so it's already too late even before the candidate says anything.

This is one those no-win situations politicians find themselves in often.

[NoPasaran]

8. It should be kept sacred for shopping

Just like Christmas is.

:sarcasm:

[bigtree]

9. and wet t-shirt contests

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. Considering that most wars are started by politicians...it's not weird, it's ridiculous.

"The welfare of the people, in particular, has always been the alibi of tyrants." - Albert Camus

"War is a quarrel between two thieves too cowardly to fight their own battle; therefore they take boys from one village and another village, stick them into uniforms, equip them with guns, and let them loose like wild beasts against each other." - Thomas Carlyle

[Kagemusha]

11. Health care for veterans is **political**!!?? Oh how far we've fallen.

Health care for veterans is a partisan issue!! God!!

[bigtree]

12. a presidential candidate on campaign, after laying a wreath and giving a speech

. . . says the day is not for politics.

[Kagemusha]

13. I repeat. My god, now veteran health care is a partisan political issue.

How far have we fallen.

[bigtree]

14. every thing's partisan

every thing's political, with politicians.

If you look at the sponsors and co-sponsors of legislation supporting veterans' needs and care before 1991, you will find a bipartisan mix of regulars among the few who bothered. These days there's more attention from many new sponsors, I imagine, in response to events and the increased needs and concerns arising from the dual occupations. Frankly, any attention, partisan or political, is welcomed. The breakdown is when these issues get caught up in the middle of controversial legislation. I think a lot more could be achieved by introducing these spending measures on their own, but there's usually an effort to put them into legislation as a poison pill or as a political maneuver to get votes for the overall bill.

There's too much talk and not enough action. Why can't they just make it happen? The first thing I would do is build and staff more VA Hospitals and satellite centers. Lay it all out there by itself, force votes. If it has to come from one side, so be it. Sad, but inevitable given the landscape in Congress.

[Kagemusha]

15. ...With all due respect, Congress has nothing to do with it.

It's not happening because Bush personally and his administration broadly opposes it. Money for veterans means money not going to war, defense contractors and so on.

But when Bush opposes veteran's health care, it's somehow not partisan. It's heroic patriotism, opposing wasteful spending that interferes with the war on terror. What a world.

[bigtree]

16. I would hope that Congress finds a way to do something with it.

Certainly his republican congressional enablers aren't blameless. They've been the ones putting the budgets together for him.