I am so outraged at this moment I could explode!

[lonestarnot]

Veterans Day Outrage: Conservatives End 55-Year-Old Practice of Hearings for Vet Groups
On Tuesday — three days before Veterans Day — House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer (R-IN) announced that for the first time in at least 55 years, “veterans service organizations will no longer have the opportunity to present testimony before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees.”

Remember that Buyer was handpicked by criminally-indicted Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) to replace former veterans committee chairman Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who had been extremely vocal about the consistent underfunding of veterans causes.

The Disabled American Veterans, the “official voice of America’s service-connected disabled veterans,” just issued a scathing release calling the move “an insult to all who have fought, sacrificed and died to defend the Constitution.” The timing, they said, “could not have been worse.”

Read the full release here. (More from The Hill.)


http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=56522

[BrklynLiberal]

1. oops. You forgot the link.

[lonestarnot]

3. I cannot get it to paste, trying.

[lonestarnot]

6. finally!

[wryter2000]

2. Jesus on a trailer hitch

What bastards. What fucking morons. This can't stand. Take names. All of them go down in flames in 2006 :mad:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

4. I am no longer shocked by any of this.

[AuntiBush]

35. You Were Reading my Mind...

Isn't is just plain, down-right sad & disgusting. Like you, I'm no longer shocked either - but, not complacent either. That's what they're hoping for.

[Lindsay]

5. I long ago stopped believing they couldn't go

any lower - but this is positively obscene.

They have got to go.

[AuntiBush]

36. They Sure Do, Like Yesterday!

Makes one wonder how much lower they can & will go.

Shutter that thought. This is bad enough! To do this to our disabled vets. Sickening. Just plain sickening!

[Pirate Smile]

7. I know. It is crazy. I posted a thread on that info from Think Progress

and included the articles it links to - it is up on the Greatest Page.

I hope everybody sees what they are doing.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5323376

[lonestarnot]

9. Thanks Pirate Smile!

[PDJane]

8. That's really......

"supporting the troops," isn't it.

I'm almost speechless.

[cdsilv]

11. Hmm - there goes the Vets vote - GOP just lost that one.....n/t

[Lasher]

52. I hope you're right

but most vets vote for repugs. It didn't seem to make much difference, even when Dubya cut VA benefits.

[xchrom]

10. perhaps this will get to the boots on the ground in iraq

and perhaps they will begin to get an idea of WHO it is that really supports them.

[No Exit]

12. Republicans: The Anti-Veteran Party

In addition to this post, just look at how they treat veterans who dare to run against their own hand-picked candidates: Max Cleland, John Kerry, Al Gore, John McCain...

[nickyt]

13. I posted this earlier, from the Veterans' Affairs site:

(Nov. 8)

Chairman Buyer holds Veterans Summit
announcing new hearing schedule

Hearing reform gives veterans’ groups a greater voice

Washington, DC – House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), announced that he will hold full committee hearings starting in February during which veterans’ groups can present their priorities and offer guidance earlier in the budget process. Calling on veterans’ groups to play a more influential role in developing the annual Department of Veterans Affairs budget, Buyer presented his plan to engage them early in the annual budget process.

Chairman Buyer discussed veterans issues with leaders of national veterans’ service organizations and military associations at the Army War College, located at the Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Participants also included Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Henry Brown (R-S.C.).

“Moving these hearings forward will bring more accountability to the budget process and ensure that veterans have greater input in the process,” Buyer said.

After a discussion of the 2006 schedule, Chairman Buyer recommended moving the testimony earlier in the legislative process. The recommendation was received favorably by those in attendance. As a result, he has made the decision to move the veterans and military organizations testimony early in February.

“Now, veterans organizations are more relevant and material to the budget fight,” he told those in attendance.

In past years, VSOs have come to Capitol Hill to offer their views in joint hearings of both the House and Senate Veterans Committees. The impact of these hearings has been limited because they have occurred weeks after Congress developed its “views and estimates” response to the President’s budget request, which it does by March each year.

Under the new schedule, the VSOs will be asked to present their views on the budget and their legislative priorities in early February at the same time the President sends his budget to Capitol Hill. In addition, the VSOs will also be asked to testify in February at a series of full committee and subcommittee hearings on a variety of legislative proposals directly affecting veterans.

http://veterans.house.gov/news/109/11-8-05.html

...and I'm still totally confused...

[Bouncy Ball]

17. They do the opposite of what they say.

This is just another way to sweep veterans under the carpet.

[AuntiBush]

37. Often Wonder...

What makes "any American" support these ba$tards!?! I just don't get it.

[mandyky]

14. If Ed Schultz is on AF Radio, he needs

to talk about this a few times a week.

[jean]

50. Ed talked about this today and said repubs delayed the vote until

reps from the West coast had to leave to catch planes in order to get home in time for Veteran's Day commitments in their home towns.

When enough people left, they finally allowed the vote and pushed it through.

[Bouncy Ball]

15. Excuse me, but...

THOSE FUCKERS BETTER NEVER AGAIN SAY THEY SUPPORT THE TROOPS.

THEY DON'T. They don't support veterans, they don't support the troops and anyone who ACTUALLY believes they do is so far gone all the meds in the WORLD won't bring them back to reality.

ASSHOLES, ASSHOLES, ASSHOLES.

Veterans SERVED their country, unlike about 90% of the repuke elected officials nowdays.

Oh hell, what do they care about some old washed-up vets, right? Just let 'em go to hell, right?

Purple Hearts don't matter, wartime service doesn't matter, right? Everything's a joke to these people, soldiers are just fodder.

There's a particularly warm spot in hell reserved for these people.

[lonestarnot]

28. Absodamnlutely!

[ClintonTyree]

16. "Support the troops"; until they become veterans.

"Right to life"; only within the womb, after that :shrug:
"Read your Bible"; but only the parts that support our agenda.
"Honor your elders"; but cut their health benefits

Feel free to add your own, there's a million of them. The Republicans are the party of stone cold hypocrites.

[Bouncy Ball]

18. Hell they don't even support the troops!

They send them off ill-equipped and under-manned to die in a war we shouldn't have started!!!

[Amonester]

51. "to die in a war THEY shouldn't have started!!!"

Sorry. WE did not start that unnecessary war that never was a last resort. THEY started it based on lies, hate, and forgeries, for oil and endless greed.

Sorry again, but I just couldn't resist to type the truth. ;)

[Bouncy Ball]

60. By "we" I meant the United States.

Of course you and I didn't start it.

[dennisnyc]

24. this seems ripe for the research forum? no?

a list of repug bromides--but completed with honesty?

[Bouncy Ball]

41. Yes, this needs to be documented, documented, documented.

DON'T let this be forgotten. This is a total slap in the face.

And to a group they traditionally COUNT ON for votes.

[opihimoimoi]

19. It went and gone contagious...the Pubs are shooting themselves in the ass

They are revealing themselves arrogant and insensitive in how they govern.

These guys are Reckless and Ignortant, Unfit to COMMAND, Unable to COMMAND....

[progressoid]

20. This needs to be seen at the local level

Local papers. Local radio. Local TV.

This is the kind of thing that hits home. The true nature of the RW needs to be exposed.

[B Calm]

21. Fuck you Steve Buyer!

[Bouncy Ball]

22. DUers: Memorize this sentence and say it to everyone:

"In 2005, Congressional republicans ended the 55 year old practice of holding hearings for veteran's groups on Veteran's Day.

Memorize that fact. Tell every single damn republican and veteran and republican veteran that you know.

They are killing themselves, but we HAVE to get this information out. It won't be on the evening news.

[lonestarnot]

I'm marching with the Veterans for Peace group in the parade tomorrow.

Going to flier this and distribute.

[Bouncy Ball]

39. GOOD ON YOU!!!

What branch did you serve in?

I think that's awesome, Veterans for Peace. Who better for this country to listen to about issues of war and peace than veterans?

[lonestarnot]

57. USAF- ANG Air Tactical Control - Scope Dope

[Kurovski]

23. K&R. Let's give this 100 votes

and keep it up top for the weekend.

It's as though the Republican's don't care anymore, and It's got me feeling a bit nervous these days. They're trouncing on everything and everyone without shame.

[blue neen]

25. Veteran's Day Kick

Those damn arrogant, lying, thieving SOB's.

Veterans all over the country should be made aware of this travesty. VFW's should be contacted. American Legions should be contacted.

I wonder if the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth are proud of themselves now? :grr:

[lonestarnot]

30. Those dumb fucks don't have a clue.

[Straight Shooter]

26. Enlistment problems? Well, there's one more reason NOT to join the Army.

My neighbor was a vet, a very proud Marine who served two tours in Vietnam. He thought it was his duty. He died because the care he received wasn't quite adequate.

Now the Repubs are making it even worse for our vets. The Repubs have no shame. There's no way to disguise their contempt for the troops. They have no shame.

[katinmn]

27. Republicans have little use for veterans

I hope every veteran contacts their legislators and lets them know how they feel.

I can't think of any reason for this slam except that they don't want to be bothered. Bastids.

[Robert Cooper]

72. They know

They know that they are going to get an earful about how poorly they take care of veterans. It would be more bad publicity for them, and they must figure that cutting the hearings will cut their losses.

Now they can parade around about how great they are for vets, without ever giving vets a forum to say otherwise.

"Bastids" doesn't quite cut it for those who play such games with veterans.

[SillyGoose]

29. Nominated. nt

[Laelth]

31. Supporting the troops ...

and all who serve America.

Recommended and kicked.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Octafish]

32. One Fodder Unit

From David Icke:

OFU is George Bush Senior’s term to describe the average American citizen. It stands for “One Fodder Unit.”

These people have zero respect for any American, including those men and women whose service and sacrifice have kept our country free for almost 230 years. How else to explain their starting illegal wars, enabling other wars, and using death as a family business -- besides calling them NAZIs.

Thanks for the heads-up, lonestarnot!

[FreedomAngel82]

33. Support the troops my ass

It is an outrage. :mad: They gave their lives and now they should really honor them. Ugh!

[spanone]

34. This shameless administration is an abomination to humanity.

[AuntiBush]

38. It sure is, Spanone. It sure the Hell is! Worse Ever!

One's worse nightmare. Who would have thought we'd be where we are w/these slime-balls.

[rosesaylavee]

40. Shooting themselves in the proverbial foot guaranteeing

that all voters who are veterans, married to veterans, children of veterans will certainly vote Democrat next year. Hmmmmm, I would think that that is a sizeable group of Americans, don't you think?

[Zambero]

42. Actually the Swift Boat Vets were invited to offer testimony this year

But they couldn't make it, since they had a previous commitment in Vermont, slandering Bernie Saunders.

[Bouncy Ball]

43. Kicked for veterans.

[tabasco]

44. I am a vet and it enrages me how these idiots in charge of VFW

and the Legion endorse republicans. I stopped sending in dues a long time ago to VFW and the Legion. Fuck them if they are too fucking stupid to see how the republicans consider the military as expendable.

MORE WAR FOR CORPORATE PROFITS !! YAYY SAYS THE LEADER OF THE VFW !!

:wtf:

I hope other vets are dropping out of these groups in droves.

[Bouncy Ball]

45. The problem is, veterans NEED an organization who will speak for

them and NOT for corporate profits, the repuke party, etc.

Is there a veteran's group like that?

How is Disabled Veterans of America? Are they pretty much like the VFW and the American Legion?

[tabasco]

46. I am a member of Veterans For Peace.

I'm not sure about the others.

[kestrel91316]

47. Look on the bright side: the GOP just LOST the veterans' vote in 2006.

[Bouncy Ball]

49. IF they hear about this!

Spread it far and wide, everyone.

[Rainscents]

48. This is so sick... Republicans talk both side of their mouth.

Their actions shows how much they hates "We The People" Next time when I hear out of Republicans mouth about how they support troops and we don't, I am going to shove this paper down their throat! I hate these basters!

[TacticalPeek]

53. Kick night.

:kick:

[walldude]

54. There they go supporting the troops again.

IN another thread on this subject I pondered the idea of starting a "Don't support the troops" movement. Since black is white and up is down with these people maybe we can fool them into doing something right for a change.

[Bouncy Ball]

61. That picture tears me up.

Thanks for your family's service. And ultimate sacrifice.

:-(

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

55. The Neocon agenda: one unconscionable act...

...followed by the next. No ballot box, no revolution, no relief.

[Carla in Ca]

56. I heard about this on Ed Schultz's show today.

I can't believe they have been able to find a still-lower place in the gutter, but this is proof.
I told my husband (veteran) when he got home and he is so upset about this. What can we do?

[lonestarnot]

58. Write letters! Do a media blast, find the blaster here at DU. Letters to

Congressman, Editors, make flyers to distribute to educate people especially vets re this issue and what they have done just for starters. Buy a bullhorn and blast your neighborhood! This is totally totally an over-the-top-disgrace.

[Bouncy Ball]

62. I told my veteran husband and he said

"republicans---what do you expect?"

He fully thinks they would stab their own grandmothers in the back if it benefitted them. I believe him.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

71. Your husband is fully correct. nt.

[nonconformist]

59. Nominated and writing a LTTE about this.

Fucking unbelievable.

[Bouncy Ball]

63. I am, too.

The level of assholery continues to astound me, though it shouldn't.

Also, people should email this around to every veteran you know or people who might even know veterans.

[lonestarnot]

65. Thank you nonconformist!

[Bouncy Ball]

64. Kicked again for veterans.

[atommom]

66. And we're supposed to believe that it's the Rs who support the troops!

:kick:

[Joey Liberal]

67. The Republicans are anti-Veteran

Bush is the most anti-Veteran President ever.

[insane_cratic_gal]

68. From Buyer's web page

I know it's spin but they make it seem like nothing is amiss.

http://veterans.house.gov/news/109/11-8-05.html

(snip)

In past years, VSOs have come to Capitol Hill to offer their views in joint hearings of both the House and Senate Veterans Committees. The impact of these hearings has been limited because they have occurred weeks after Congress developed its “views and estimates” response to the President’s budget request, which it does by March each year.

Under the new schedule, the VSOs will be asked to present their views on the budget and their legislative priorities in early February at the same time the President sends his budget to Capitol Hill. In addition, the VSOs will also be asked to testify in February at a series of full committee and subcommittee hearings on a variety of legislative proposals directly affecting veterans.

[Arianrhod]

69. I don't find this surprising.

These legislators who never served have nothing but contempt for those of us who did. Their "support the troops" rhetoric is nothing but political distraction.

[MrScorpio]

70. Anyone who ever equates support for repugs as support for the troops

Should read this

[BiggJawn]

73. That's my CongressCritter!

Oh, Steve buyer is SUCH the perfect one to head up the VAC!

Why, he was a KEY interogator for the JAG in Dessert Storm (maybe his thumb fit in a 7.62 NATO hole really well?) and when Operation Oil-Grab got going, he told everyone he had been called up, and was sitting on his duffel in uniform in his garage, eatin' MRE's and waiting for his orders to come through...Pompous Ass! All the way from RAMF to ChickenHawk!

We have an ALTERNATIVE next year!
Rick Cornstuble.


Anti-Iraq war, Pro-Labor (he is an Organizer and was arrested for tresspassing during a teacher's strike) and a Veteran.

www.rickcornstuble.com

Intersting sidenote: I met Rick last weekend. We both were seeing "Good Night, and Good Luck".