American Soldier= 82nd ABN DIV in Baghdad, 03 to 04:
http://www.johnnyproctor.com/wjgallery/falconshow1.exe

i won’t be back.

“old guys who actually fought in a war” … I think we all think of them first…social conditioning.

To be honest I didn’t really think of myself as a ‘wartime’ veteran until OEF/OIF, though I served during the gulf war in ’91. I wasn’t actively involved in the combat zone during that one, support mission only.

Like you said, those who can should…I can so I do.

I’m not eloquent with words, so forgive my short post.

Anyhow, I was in the Air Force starting in 1990 and got out to have babies when Clinton was reducing numbers so drastically. Got to see the P.I. and Florida.

As to the funding for veterans services and other such things, it would be nice if we could look at the issues with an eye to necessary services and the best use of available funds instead of distortions and cries of “Bush hates Veterans.” It confuses the issue besides not being true. It should be about making sure that those injured during their service have the care they need.

As to military service in general. It’s a worthwhile thing. Not everyone has the option to serve and some few people are entirely unsuited to it (and nothing against them, we are each different) but for those who *can* you really should. Call it an opportunity window… if you’re tempted but not sure… do it now. Later, you won’t have the choice to make because life will make it for you. Heck, even if you hate it you’ll have had the experience. That’s more than a lot of people can say.

Well, it seems to me that Mr. Bush did a good job of that himself. He left the traditional laying of the wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier to his superior…oops….vice president. Bush chose instead to make a politically charged speech denouncing anyone who dares suggest that his leadership into war and during war is anything but stellar.

Say something nice about America (and our troops)? How about this: I commend the men and women who’ve gone into service and go into war at the discretion of the government. These people have lived through horror and hardships, both past and present, that most of us can’t comprehend. I pray that my brother who is in Iraq will come home safely, along with the others there. I hope beyond hope that people will realize the ideals and constituion of our country are really what’s important, not the leaders du jour (whether they be democrat, republican, independent or other).

Thank you

Signed,

A gay (yet liberal) patriot.

You are listening to the silent cluck.

Actually, given that there is no means test for veterans’ benefits……or in other words, it doesn’t matter whether you could afford other health care or not…..

Whoever you may be.

and V’K, is necessary health care somehow the equivalent to a Lexus in your book. I would assume that these are people that rely heavily on the VA system because they can’t afford other options. These are people who bravely served our country and now you’re too stingy to afford them basic health care?

A lesson, GCB….always be suspicious of organizations that quote “inflation” without stipulating when, where, and what type.

You wanna know why spending is running amok? It’s because politican A says “I think all (teachers, veterans, farmers, whatever) should be entitled to a free Lexus (or some other taxpayer-funded goody, a Lexus works as good as anything).” Politician B says, “But that will cost billions.” And Politician A says, “Well, I guess Politician B doesn’t care about (teachers, farmers, veterans, whatever).” Then, the group that was supposed to get the Lexuses organizes to lobby for the Lexus bill, and the media paints Politician B as a greedy a-hole who doesn’t care. And finally, the moderates of Politician B’s party cave because they can’t stand bad press.

And that, not tax cuts, is the reason we have massive deficits and out of control spending.

I think they’re making the point that spending has not remained consistent with cost of living increases. That’s their contention.

Since Gay Patriot posted Toby Keith’s American Soldier, I thought I’d repost my favorite, the Taliban Song.
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