McCain Slams Obama for Impugning His Motives on G.I. Bill While Not Having Served in Military

Obama is such a disgusting jerk. I thought George W. Bush was bad, but Obama makes him look like an amateur.
I am so glad that Senator McCain is not going to be taking any of that Axelrod/Patrick/Obama garbage.

Obama is low life.
He has ran a dirty campaign from day one.
He has used and abused the public to get votes.
He knows nothing of running a country. He is just a speech.

I am really starting to dislike Obama. He constantly cries “foul” when others dare to disagree with his policies but then lobs dirty attacks at his opponents. McCain is completely correct with his own less comprehensive GI bill b/c it will better enable military retention.

Obama does not have a women problem, hispanic problem, or Jewish problem. I believe he has a working class problem which can easily be solved once McCain opens his mouth and sets his economic plans to the floor.
The Jewish vote has been split between Obama and Hillary.
Women and Hispanics prefer Hillary to Obama.
Come November they will prefer Obama to McCain.
And I also disagree with the comment
“If you think Bush swept the floor during debates with John Kerry wait til Obama debates McCain”
Obama will easily win these debates b/c there is no way McCain can defend Bush policies b/c that exactly what he has done. He’s adopted the Bush policies to win the GOP nomination.
I believe Obama will mop the floor McCain b/c after these debates people will question the differences between Bush and McCain.

Obama is another inexperience like Bush. Nobody believe him saying McCain is Bush.

McCain is truly SENILE, he is trying anything. Obama was never in the Army; And what does that have to do with anything ,
I think someone John McCain should be calling out is President George Bush, he USE his special connections to AVOID going and SERVE.
What is John MC_Bush talking about!!!,
Not everyone who became President was in the ARMY.
Would he have said the same thing about HIllary .
He is trying to change the TOPIC ONCE again to HIDE his DEFICIENCY to serve as Commander in Chief.
This guy is NOT EDUCATED to run for any office.. much less the Oval office ,
His marks was a JOKE at the Academy college.
he think the WHITEHOUSE is some kind Army barracks.

Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo) voted AGAINST benefits for our troops. As a constituent of Sen. Allard, I hang my head in shame that he would place loyalty to Bush over the education of our men and women in uniform. Call Sen. Allard and let him know you”re glad he”s chosen not to run for a third term he”d likely lose. Go Congressman Mark Udall for Senate!!!

I find it comical, if not offensive, that this pipsqueak Obama has the audacity to criticize McCain on anything having to do with military service. McCain literally risked his life for our country, and even though I am Dem, I will always have gratitude for that. What has Obama done for this country? NOTHING. He has barely done anything for Illionois. The nerve of this man! and after he unfairly attacks McCain, and mcCain defends himself, Obama cries foul, “that’s unfair, boohoo!” Obama can dish it, can’t take it, what a pitiful wimp. I would love to see these two side by side in a debate….McCain the military hero; Obama, the little little man who sat in an antiAmerican church for 20 years, and associated with Ayers, who bombed US military bases. Every American family with veterans should be insulted by the liar Obama.

Since when does serving or not serving in the military become the criteria for whether one has the right to disagree on a bill or piece of legislation.
McCain, I served 27 years in the military, so I can be as righteously indignant as you about having served this country, but, and that’s a big BUT, Obama’s disagreement with you on the GI Bill did not give you the right to slam him because he didn’t serve in the military! How many of the people around you serve in the military? Is that even a criteria for expressing an opinion.
This is exactly why McCain is unfit to be president. Instead of him speaking to the facts, he – with that patented temper of his – launches into a personal diatribe. I fear a day with an angry John McCain with his finger on the nuclear button. Help us God!

So, doublestandard, McCain gets a pass on all things military because of his (truly heroic) military service? Sorry, that doesn’t cut it for me. I want my Commander-in-Chief to be someone I can trust to make smart, informed decisions about what to do with our military. Carelessly getting them into a war in Iraq does not suggest he is fit to be CIC. Suggesting that he might keep them involved in another country’s civil war for 100 years does not suggest that he is fit to be CIC. Carelessly suggesting he might “bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran” does not suggest that he is fit to be CIC. And not even bothering to show up to vote, and have the (ahem) to vote “no” on the GI benefits bil – but instead fundraise for his campaign – certainly does not suggest that he even cares enough to be fit to be CIC.

In any debate, the first person to lunch a personal attack is the one that ran out of ideas.

He must have forgotten than the Bush family influenced the military to keep G.W. Bush out of Vietnam. I admire McCain for his POW honor; he refused to get special treatment because his dad was the admiral in charge of the seas over there. But McCain must have forgot that Bush opted out of serving with honor in Vietnam.

McWar McBush whatever we call him is taking the low road.
McCain is starting from a particularly strong position on intellectual fortitude and stamina. He graduated near the very bottom of his class at the Naval Academy (5th from last , or 894th of 899). McCain might attribute that poor performance to being a partier and goof-off, and there are no doubt many intelligent and capable citizens who did not fare well in academia. But for a candidate who’s trying to distinguish himself from the current President, a highly lackluster report card is a reminder that no matter the bookish advisers with whom he surrounds himself, he is running to be the next Decider, and the Decider has to make informed, intelligent judgments on whom to listen to in the first place.

McCain has zero understanding of war because he voted for the Iraq War, which was a complete mistake. Also, 53,000 American soldiers died in Vietnam, for nothing. For nothing. You don’t have to be a soldier to understand that. Obama will go to war when it’s the best choice; Obama won’t send our soldiers into a stupid, complete mistake of a war.

“Vietnam veterans agaist McCain”, I’ll take their word over his any day. He makes Jane Fonda look like honest Abe by comparison. What’s the penalty for treason… (Oh right, the White House) I’ll take a martian over this shamless excuse for a man, any day. He’s trash for leaving our men BEHIND! Absolute scum.

Len, if giving our soldiers what they deserve (health care, education) is “typical elitist crap” then count me in.

If Hillary is McCain’s opponent in fall, I imagine McCain will slam her husband, Bill, for not only dodging military service, but also Vietnam which both Clintons considered an unjust war. McCain is a “war hero,” but the most significant thing he did during Vietnam was get caught. He was hardly an Audie Murphy of WWII or Alvin York, WWI

“Bush served” (hahaha) but nobody seems to have seen him.
I can’t understand why anyone would oppose this bill, presented by both Dems and Reps and approved more than 3-to-1 by the Senate. Why do we worry that giving soldiers better benefits will make them leave? A little thing called Stop Loss prevents that!
Maybe if we offer better benefits, more will enlist. We are spread dangerously thin these days….

Yes, McCain is a war hero but his service to this country does not mean that he should be excluded from criticism for his bad policy towards GIs. On this block you can sense the uninformed McCain’s supporters who are disrespecting Obama…Please people this man is poised to become the next President of the USA so put your hatred aside and embrace change. McCain is of the past his time was 2000 and Bush/Rove took it from him. McCain you are not above criticism and if you plan to use your war hero tactics to belittle Obama, it is not going to work, not this time and not this year. McCain must have run out of ideas to say such low life things to the future President of the USA. McCain, in case you did not know, people do not have to serve in the Millitary to be a true hero. We have many heroes who have not served in the military but have given to this country in other ways. Such as not taking a high paying job on Wall Street to help poor people to find jobs and inspire them to move on – that is what Obama did and for that he is in a position to criticise you for joining with Bush to beat down the GI bill.

John McCain is good at belittling people… I think he’d make a great commander in grief.

Was Obama of military service age during a conflict or war? He was too young to have served in Vietnam. Too old for the first Iraq war. Conclusion: McCain takes a cheap shot. Conclusion 2: McCain is going to get his ass kicked by this guy in November.

Didn’t he serve in the black liberation Army under General Wright?

Mr. McCain, I served also and would like this new GI BILL. I think the sacrifice I made is enough to justify getting more benefits for my education. You think different? I know you served sir, but this is a bunch of bull. BTW, just cause you served doesn’t make you right all the time…I know from experience.

All you BHO people wake up this man is hollow and will say anything to get your vote. He doesn’t stand for anything I doubt that he knows where Iran is he sure as hell doesn’t know where the Great Lakes are when he told the people of Oregon that he was going to clean them up for them. Never heard of the Hanford Washington Nuclear facility. Come on people this man is a weak sister of Carter (talks to terrorists). I think that he has said some very offensive thing about Americans and so has his wife. Beware of what you wish for, you might get it.

“I respect Sen. John McCain’s service to our country, He is one of those heroes of which I speak. But I can’t understand why he would line up behind the president in opposition to this GI Bill.”
How is this statement disrespectful??

It would be a real breath of fresh air to have a coward in office. Afraid to take a stand, and afraid to stand up to anyone at anytime. No more wars!

Where was McCain outrage over Bush and Cheney dodging the draft? As McCain and Bush and Cheney continuously point out, it’s a volunteer army, remember.

People, let’s get one thing straight. Just because you’ve been in the military doesn’t make it right for you to slam people that have not. I’ve been in and I don’t slam people’s opinion because they haven’t. McCain is wrong for this and most of my military buddies agree that he is wrong with opposing this bill. Most of them are downright mad. I don’t know what else you could say about this…he is wrong!

“I think what McCain and the Republican party wants is for someone else to sacrifice. Not their boys, not their people, ”
McCain’s son is in the military and does serve in IRaq..
all of McCains sons have served in the military.
why didn’t obama enlist after 911?

He’s already pledged his allegiance to Africa, organized communities, and ran for office. What more do you want of the guy.

“barack obama acts as if America owes him something”..Andrea, no, I think Obama is saying that America owes veterans something, or didn’t you get that.

This is the precisely the reason why the Republicans prefer to run against Hillary. America hates Hillary, so if McCain leveled this cheap shot that does not address the policy differences, most would side with McCain. Obama’s a different beast entirely, he has a reputation for honesty,integrity and forging bipartisan legislation. He does not condemn his opponents with school yard taunts. When Obama gets done fleecing this poor old man America is going to come to see JOHN MCCAIN–”THE RIGHT WING TROJAN HORSE” for what he is, a little man with a small brain, supported by his wife who got into the Naval Academy as a legacy candidate, spent most of his time drunk, being irreverent to authority, nearly flunked out, crashing many planes before his incompetence lead to him getting shot down. WAR HERO? This guy drapes himself in that flag as a way to shield himself from attacks for his incompetence.

Pleae give me a break-Clinton didn’t serve in the military and Bush -we will say left rather quickly- and many other people didn’t including myself.Some of us chose another career direction since I thought this was America- Anybody can give an opinion about my career decision and I can give my opinion about a good idea for soldiers(i do know a few)- John McCain is the biggest loser I’ve seen-is he a real person. The GOP already knows they are in trouble.

It’s amazing that McCain would stand against his fellow veterans. This tells us how he will stand against his fellow citizens.

i am not even worry about Mccain being the next president of the united states, the man is too old, he won’t make the election.

Posted by: trettin | May 22, 2008 6:41:22 PM
why didn’t obama enlist after 911?
——————————
Clearly he didn’t enlist because he was a family man with children and a state senator. Not only that he was already 40 years old too old for The Armed Forces.
Why didn’t you enlist? Or is it another case of the pot calling the kettle?

Obama is dangerous.
Dangerous.
What a dangerous time we’re living in.

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel Mr McCain. Either debate the merits of your position or put a sock in it!

First Obama says, “But I can’t understand why he would line up behind the president in opposition to this GI Bill. I can’t believe why he believes it is too generous to our veterans,” and then, when McCain responds, he says HE’S “launching yet another lengthy personal, political attack.”
Give me a break. If Obama wasn’t so busy running for president and instead had served as a U.S. Senator, he might have had the opportunity to read and thoughtfully consider the alternative bill.
In this case, it’s OBAMA who’s “lining up behind the president” (Bush) by throwing money America doesn’t have at every issue (Obama’s proposal to pay college students $20 a hour to do volunteer work come to mind) without thinking about the ramifications first.
BO will promise ANYTHING to ANYBODY to get elected – and it was proven when his aide told the prime minister of Canada “Aw, don’t worry about what Obama’s saying about NAFTA. He’s just saying that to the American citizens to get elected. He doesn’t mean it.”
Fortunately, people serving – or who have served – in the U.S. military and their families are not stupid. They know that every bill ultimately has to be paid – and that they’re usually the ones doing the paying!

McCain isobsessed with War. He eats, sleeps,breaths and vacations with War. Have you ever heard he talk for more than a minute about anything tother than war. He should be in the basement of a VA hospital chained to his bed so that he can’t hurt himself or anybody else.

Wow…Some of the things I have read are just downright ridiculous. Why isnt anyone looking at the bigger picture??? WHO cares that Mccain served this country, or was a POW…Thousands of men and woman serve everyday. Does that make them eligible to run this country??? WHO cares whos pastor said what about that!!!! The great jibber jabber of politics….Behind all the fancy talk are the real issues i;e this war, our economy….America use to be a great country…A strong country…And now we are laughed at…..This war is killing us, and I can bet both of my baby makers that if we elect SEN MCCAIN, we, as an American people are going to suffer….and I MEAN SUFFER……I take my hat off to those brave enough to fight in any war let alone a pointless one, but I think we need someone not brainwashed during bootcamp to run this country….Hell,. how many men have run this counrty prior with military background, and it appears we are still fighting….It seems to me that its that experience that gets us into trouble….Neither Bush or Mccain have no business running this country!!!!

I DON’T EXPECT WORLD PEACE with Obama as president.
I do expect a new dialogue.
My Vietnam Pappy agrees with Obama.
I’m not looking for a saviour, I’m just looking for something new.
My Grandpappy agrees with Obama- and on war issues and anything to do with military- I back my grandfather. He served and has the wounds to prove it. He also can spot pompas aholes when he sees them.
We’re both still voting Obama, not one blog yet by jpt has changed our minds. Truthfully, the more sconed women reply and ignorant racists, the more firm in our beliefs we become.
Obama 08

He doesn’t need military experience to run the country, although he needs more experience than just community organizing and running for office.

I have to laugh at folks like Seah, who for months has been promoting the tired line that Senator Obama has been the one providing a dirty campaign, when the opposite was the truth, and exit polls have confirmed that most folks see through the “blaming the victim” tactics of Clinton and McBush.
All McBush is able to do is spit back stupid, personal attacks while avoiding the issue. His stance on returning veterans is horrendous. McBush and Dubya would rather recycle the troops — sending them back fo more and more tours — rather than providing benefits that MIGHT help recruiting (at least for a real, honest war against a real enemy).
I can’t wait to watch the Obama/McBush debates. Senator Obama will wipe the floor with the sputtering “where am I, and who are the Sunnis” McCain. It’ll be priceless!!!
Obama 2008 — Yes, WE CAN!!!

That was imprudent for McCain to insult Obama for not having served in the military. Why didn’t McCain insult Bush and Cheney for their dodging the Vietnam drafts? Even, I am not qualified for serving in the military because I am a disability (hearing impaired since I was born and I am blind in one eye). Even, I am not qualified for G.I. Bill because the military never allow disability to serve in the military. Life to be disability without serving in the military is a nightmare, especially for a civilian life without any financial assistance nor supports. Disability without serving in the military will never be a hero. Military disabilities like McCain are qualified for G.I. bill and financial assistances. Also, the government and mass media recognize them to be heroes while they suppressed disabilities without military serving. Obviously, that is utter discrimination and notorious corruptions toward disabilities. Don’t insult us because US government and military never permit our disabilities to serve in the military. Shame on you!

Jaker
You and I disagree on the best candidate but I salute your reasoned and calm discourse. No matter who the CIC is there will be only one and He or she is the one we should all support when the election is done.
I am taking the pledge. No ugly hatefull sniping.*
another vet
* unless someone takes another cheap shot at my family. Then its cage match

I served in Vietnam and endured personal attacks by the public to those who served in that unjust war.
We have an unjust war in Iraq and this man wants to ignore the sacrafices they made, for the Bush, McCain, Clinton War.
No not this time!
No not this year!
Obama08

GPM and all you Mccaine pple. My guess is you don’t even know that Mccaine was not even in the senate to express his view. Why is that? Mccaine voted for the war, that has not made us safer, Why is that? Do you remember the Walter Reed issue, a veterans issue, do you know what if anything that Mccaine did or said? Being a war veteran does not entitle Mccaine to suggest that anybody who is not a vet, doe not have the knowledge and art most desire to ensure that when our vets come back they have a nation waiting to serve them in return

Obama co sponsored the GI Bill.
75 Senators voted for the bill.
That includes Republicans.
Do you agree or disagree with the bill?

Imagine a world where:
- Only war veterans should run for office. How about women? Women too should run only if they actually served!
- No need to discuss real issues. Instead, the candidates should just shout at each other and call each other names. That would be the most accurate reflection of how the candidate would run the country thus standing strong for his ideas. That is what strength and manhood is all about. Oh wait, Hillary is running too.. womenhood?
- Once one makes it to office, destroy and eradicate who ever doesn’t share our thoughts. Let’s just leave the factories that are making our goods since nothing is made here anymore.
- Obama supports the bill providing for our veterans?? Perfect reason not to support the bill. Obama didn’t serve so how would he know that such bill is good for the veterans. Naah hell with the bill. Now that I m voting against it let’s reverse engineer and come up with a satisfactory reason for voting against.
Such world would be disastrous. But again, we would have voted & chose such world so no one to blame but us. We proudly did 4 yrs ago.

Wow, looking over some of these comments, I become rather afraid for the future of America. A lot of hatefulness is expressed, but no discussion of the issues themselves.
Do we as a nation believe that veteran’s are entitled to a college education benefit to repay them for their service in the military?
I don’t think military service itself is a better qualifier of opinion in this particular issue. I do believe that we owe our veterans this debit of gratitude (and much, much more).
Since the article states that McCain opposes the passage of the bill because it will hurt the military’s retention rate, his interest is not to facilitate the lives of our service people. His interest is in retaining troops to serve in a continued war effort.
Plain and simple, we should be focusing on addressing these issues that affect us all.
Do we believe that we owe our service people benefits for their service?
Do we believe that the war should continue indefinitely?
Personally, I say– yes and no and I will vote that way.

My comment directed at John McCain. Hey old man (I can say that since I am older than he)the majority of people in the USA have not served in the military.
Did you forget that conscription is gone?
Your behavior related the new GI Bill is disgraceful.
By the way I enlisted in the US Navy and served honorably as an officer in the Medical Service Corps in Norfolk, VA and with the Third Marine Division on Okinawa.

I’m a first Gulf War veteran and I’m totally annoyed by John McCain. He trying to win the GE by boasting about having been a POW for five years (while Kerry, Webb and others did the FIGHTING, nad thousands of others did the DYING) and he’s NOT supportive of this bill… shame on him!!!
I’m not looking for ex-soldiers to be President BTW, I’m looking forward to the Presidency of a truly great man, Senator Barack Obama who is changing the face of America.
Obama’s America is the America I fought for and I’ll fight for any time. Praise to Webb and Obama, praise to this GI Bill.

I served in the US Army, 1st Cavalry Division, Infantry in Vietnam from 1968-1969. I slept on the ground for a year, I carried my own weapons, my own food, my own socks, and my own bedroll and an Instamatic camera. Hundreds of thousands of other guys just like me stared down a few North Vietman Regular troops and ducked for cover every day.
I was unfortunate enough to have lost my student deferment and was drafted. I was fortunate enough to make it back and not get shot, wounded, or having become a heroin addict. Most of us got a few service medals, a Combat Infantry Badge, and a Discharge Form. Most of us were destined for some blue collar job, or a teacher’s certificate, or maybe a prison cell if we were unfortunate enough to have come from a bad neighborhood.
John McCain was the son of an Admiral and he flew in the Air Force. He slept in a soft bed every night and ate hot food. He looked down on Vietmam from his bombsite from 50,000 feet and dropped bombs indescriminately enough and killed Vietnamese men, women and children.
He was unlucky enough to have been shot down, captured, and imprisoned for a god-awful long time, and I appreciate how difficult that must have been.
But …. I most honestly resent the fact that everyone (Senator Obama included) prefaces every single mention of Senator McCain with the words “and I respect John McCain for his military service …” because, by saying those words, it denigrates the forced service that hundreds of far less recognized, but no less honorable, servicemen and women gave to this country in Vietnam and other conflicts.
For Senator McCain to have taken exception to the criticism of his vote on this bill by Senator Obama BASED ON the fact that Senator Obama had not servied in the military simply underscores how far Senator McCain has fallen and illustrates that he has learned little about what makes service worthwhile.
Surely Senator McCain must have been taught that it is an honor to have served one’s country in a time of war – serving so that others do not have to serve or die. To take such a cheap shot at Seanator Obama is beneath even the lowest Republican.

Cindy in NC-
Where on earth you draw that comparison is besides me.
If you would elect Hillary and mcCain, but exclude Obama- I fear for my son who will turn 18 under the next president, and I fear that you are being hateful, not observant.
Obama 08

Why didn’t McCain show up for vote? Is it because he does not want his record to show a vote against, but only an absence? It makes sense why he would pick this fight in the press instead — he did not take a position he could be held accountable for. I think McCain’s advisors are impetuously relying on the short news cycle.

McCain’s position reflects clearly that he is a 3rd term WBush. Shame on him by failing to honor the veterans like Bush-Cheney have done for so many years. God bless America and God bless Obama for standing and fighting for the veterans. OBAMA08.

election season or not, dem,rep,ind.
man, woman, boy, girl,clinton supporter,
obama supporter. no matter who, or what.
Mccain maybe a war monger
BUT
anyone who will say John Mccain is an
embarassment to the Armred Forces is a fool,and so blind with bias,should have their voting rights suspended and decision making skills examined.
I doubt if anyone in the military who has studied modern day military history would agree with that assessment.

The only thing McBush seems to have going for him is that he is a vet and a former POW. What has he accomplished in his 50 years in the Senate? Can anyone tell me?

Geeze..people, McCain is not Bush. They have had public disputes and one is not the other. Since the media has only been focused on Hillary and Osama, McCain has slipped by fairly unnoticed. He was in Calif. today with Arnold getting more Calif. support. It will be interesting to see future debates…I know what a great debator Obama is. What will he do without Hillary to say “I agree with Hillary”.

You may want a new thread; threee FL delegates have filed suit in federal court against the DNC.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This will be thrown out. There is no federal law that gurantees you the right to vote in a primary. There is no law that requires a state to even have an election. Each individual states parties in conjunction with the state’s governbment determine how they will choose a candidate. Some choose to have a caucus, some don’t. If there is no primary election the federal government could care less. Federal laws only require states who do decide to have elections must not descriminate in establishing voters lists. If the DNC refuses to seat Michigan and Florida the federal governmnet could care less.

This is to Lia from Texas….Really?? I mean really?? “Obviously wasn’t poor growing up” “thats why he went to the colleges he went too!” Haha, come on, I was very poor growing up, and yet went to Oxford for 2 years, and then finished my Masters at Stanford. Its called hard work, and dedication for educational excellence…….

I’m a Vet (20 years) that supports McCain, but this one is a bit off. Not supporting this Bill because your worried that Soldiers will go to the Private sector is wrong. Soldiers gave 2-4 years of their life for their Country, if they want to go Private that is their right. O’Bama is right on this one, but he still doesn’t impress me.

Typical GOP response – name call anyone who opposes you. I’ve seen this tatic on many, many blogs. There is no willingness to debate the position (apparently because they can’t defend it), so they name call.
Sen Webb introduced this bill when he first became a Senator. It has taken this long to get enough people on board to get it passed. According to Webb yesterday, if McCain would have sat down and discussed it with him, he felt he would have supported it…but he’s been too busy [campaigning].
Apparently, that is more important to him.
The GI bill after WWII was one of the biggest boons to establishing a middle class in this country by providing education and VA home loans to those who have served their country. Those people provided the economic base that has helped this country grow.
And I don’t give a rip how much it costs, it is the least we can do for our military for what this country has done (and is doing) to them.

Why are you not reporting the latest QUINNIPIAC poll? Let me guess… You won’t or can’t do that because that poll clearly indicates who the best candidate is! SEN CLINTON!
****************************************
And this has what bearing on this issue? Does the poll mean he is wrong on this issue?

I’m confused. George W. Bush insisted on a war. In Iraq, that is. 4,000+ American bodies, 25,000+ wounded, at least 100,000 Iraqi dead, hundreds of thousands of American and Iraqi lives disrupted — when was the last time anyone reminded Mr. McCain, Mr. Cheney or any other Iraq war supporter that Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney clearly avoided service themselves and had other “priorities.” Should Mr. Bush not be taken to task long before Mr. Obama? I once respected McCain. Now I see plainly that, like so much of the current Republican crowd, he has also caught the disease of hypocrisy. It is certainly contagious, and we all should be very careful not to become infected as well. Mr. McCain’s statement is one of the least sensible or honest comments I have ever heard a politician make — and that really takes a bit of doing.

“No one is drafting these young Patriots that enlist…these young men and women volunteer their courage.”
That’s somewhat debatable too… we have a back door draft– stop-loss. And of course, many people go into the military for economic reasons. No one chooses to be economically disadvantaged.

“No one is drafting these young Patriots that enlist…these young men and women volunteer their courage.”
And we should be grateful for their service, enabling the military to do it’s job without a draft.

McCain’s attack on Obama is offensive. I’m a veteran of the same war McCain wears so proudly on his sleeve, and I remember coming home to chants of ‘baby killer’ and other slurs from the American people. Hardly a hero’s welcome – and now McCain aligns with idjit Bush against the military veteran.
It was several years before I could even speak of the war – and here McCain is trying to claim some personal ‘better-than-thou’ attitude because he was there too. The bill Obama is supporting provides more generous benefits to war veterans – and McCain opposes it, wanting to ‘cheapen’ the soldiers returning from the conflict. How can McCain claim to be a champion of the war veteran, and then restrict the benefits to the soldiers?
Looking through the record of McCain’s voting on veteran benefits since 2001, and he has repeatedly voted against the veteran. So, if he is elected, will he follow the indignation he shows now, or will he return to the intolerable view that veterans are ‘disposable’?

I wonder why we Americans have decided to hate each other over our differences, instead of celebrating our diversity?
We legislate against physical in-breeding because it leads to genetic defects. So wouldn’t the stagnation of ideas also lead to defective thinking? Shouldn’t we seek diversity of opinion as actively as we seek genetic diversity?

Why didn’t Obama enlist?
Because he was too busy associating with black nationalists, socialists, and other radical left-wingers talking smack about America.
Now Rookie U.S. Senator Obama wants to run America into the ground.
That change Obama supporters are hoping for is Socialism.
Most Obama supporters are not even aware about Obama’s sponsored “Global Poverty Act”, which will send redistribute part of America’s wealth by sending $845 billion dollars to Africa and third world countries.
Obama has also promised to start 20 “promise neighborhoods” in African-American, inner-city neighborhoods, which is just another example of how Obama plans to redistribute America’s wealth by taxation.
The difference between a socialist and a communist is that a socialist wants to redistribute the wealth between the classes through peaceful means, while a communist wants to do the same by violent revolution.
Both are opposed to capitalism, and both vow to transform America into a socialist state.
Obama’s mother and father were socialists, and Obama has associated with socialists his entire life.
Obama became a democrat, because he knew that he would not get elected as a socialist, but if Obama gets elected, he will do everything in his power to push through his socialist political agenda.

Obama needs to go to his mama. I think education is important but give them only what is needed. If you think they need money for education, then why stop at $52 billion?? Are you trying to put a number on our soldiers worth?? Why not give them a free hand instead??
Because, a line has to be drawn somewhere. McCain is not trying to put our veterans to a disadvantage. He is just doing the right thing. Who doesn’t want better benefits. Would you think anyone could say no to additional benefits?? So, the Veterans who are saying they need it are saying it out of greed alone. Someone needs to stand up and stop this folly.

Socialists used to be the enemy.
Now millions of Obama supporters want to elect a socialist president.
Wake up, Obama supporters!
It is not too late to correct your mistake!!!

USmarine0331, what are your thoughts on the issues that the article raises?
Do we believe that we owe our service people benefits for their service?
Do we believe that the war should continue indefinitely?

Now McCain has a problem because Obama wants to treat veterans like heros and give them all the help we can for their return to civilian life. You can’t have an opinion on the military in this country if you didn’t serve yourself? Is McCain running for president or dictator? Should any of us that did not serve in the military even be allowed to vote under Dr. Johns new rules? Gee, all this time that that I have been working hard and paying taxes and not breaking any laws, well I thought that made me a good american. Thanks for straightening me out Mr McCain. I’ll crawl back into my hole now sir.

If barack would have served in the army mccain would slam him not have been captured. If barack would have been captured mccain would slam him not have been tortured. If barack would have been tortured mccain would slam him not…..and so on and so on.

No MikeKing. You are not alone in this process. You are with many other stupid Obama supporters. Running the white house is not the same as giving speeches. People of America need to understand that the war in Iraq will not go waste. The economic turmoil we are facing is because of greedy people who took huge housing loans they couldn’t afford to payback. Why blame Bush for it?? Or maybe you are one of those greedy people…

“(MORE government, more control over your money, let me give you eveything you ever wanted by taxing everyone more!!)”
That’s debatable too. We have never had more government intervention in our everyday lives than what we now. And in effect, we average Americans pay more in taxes because of lower tax rates for corporations and tax cuts for families making over $250,000.
We are, in effect, providing welfare for the wealtiest of the wealthy. And we gave our freedoms away for a false sense of security.

Hey MK, if you truly believe that, then why vote for MORE government? Our congress is controlled by Democrats now. Put an extreme LEFT dem in office, you haven’t seen nothing yet when it comes to taxing. I am from a large poor family, educated myself, and make a decent living. Our family business is taxed beyond belief. Some think we are rich….NOT! We give free health and dental to our employees, pay almost twice what the average pay for what they do….and the dems keep taking more! We have given our employees raises every year, and haven’t taken one ourselves in years. Nothing is enough! Dems want more! Saw a great bumper sticke: “Work harder. People on welfare are counting on it”. Wow does that hit home.

Everyone needs to understand something; the fact that McCain was a POW means absolutely nothing to the presidential election. I served t tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan and I am offended that he decided to take the time to attack Obama instead of explain why he opposes the bill. What does that say about him that he does not want the military to have the best chances because he is afraid they wont have as many soldiers the sacrifice and get killed since as he says is Hamas worst enemy. He was a POW a long time ago and since that time he traded down his wife for a wealthy women and has lived a life of privilege since then. He is owed by lobbyists who owns Washington, he is not a hero people, he is corrupted.

FAIR WARNING
The world is using 85 mill barrels of oil a day it needs a 100 mill by 2010. And its not there. From manufacturing to deliver to the market, every item in our lifestyle has oil in it.
America uses 9.4 mill a day (over 10 percent).
The world population is over 6 bill , America 300 mill (less than 5 percent) We will be hit the hardest.
As the supply dwindles the price will increase. With 6 to 7 dollars a gallon by next year and 15 dollars a gallon in the future means America will have to change it lifestyle. Other countries will fair better because their lifestyle is not geared around it like ours is.
We just past a Farm bill That pays farmers for not growing crops that can be turned into ethanol and imposing tariffs on ethanol product from other countries, Obama sign it, Mcain did not.
It is a world market and we do not have inclusive rights to the world supply.
NO president or leader of any country can control the prices only reduces the effect it has on its country.
It is a very critical time in Americas history so think long and hard on who you vote for.
By the way I am 4th generation independent oilman from Texas.

MikeKing I dont know if you have been to Iraq as a solider but the contractors there are the ones who make that place bearable. The military is not able to sustain their self and a war, just cant happen. Contractors can be fired for doing a poor job so they work for the military and they work hard. As long as military is there they will need contractors to make their life easy.

MK, I think the article raises no issue. It asks a question rather. The question is, should we just say yes to a bill which asks for $52 billion because it will benefit a few people? Or should we say that people should take serving in the military as an honor and service to their nation rather than asking for monetary benefits. Then it would be no service. it makes them missionaries.

MK, I think the article raises no issue. It asks a question rather. The question is, should we just say yes to a bill which asks for $52 billion because it will benefit a few people? Or should we say that people should take serving in the military as an honor and service to their nation rather than asking for monetary benefits. Then it would be no service. it makes them ***mercenaries***.

To julescator—It is so wonderful that you know exactly what Senator McCain did or did not do in Viet Nam. Did you become a songbird? Were you tortured? How long did you spend as a POW. People like you make me sick. You have no idea what you are talking about. You are simply another stupid Obama supporter.
My husband was in Viet Nam too recusing down flyers. It was hell. Where were you?

Then it would be no service. it makes them missionaries.
**************************************
America has had a time honored tradition off supporting the men and women who have served in the military. My self included. Who the hell are you to call me a Mercenary?
Get off the coach and serve if you think it is such an honor.

Well Pat, it’s an interesting equation to make since we’ve had 5 republican presidents and only 2 democratic ones in the last 39 years.
Our current democratic majority of congress has only been for a couple of years. During Clinton’s term, he had a republican controlled congress.
And what is your opinion on educational benefits for veterans? Do you endorse an endless war?

..Osama Bin Laden??? have you met the man???? how do you know he even exists??? Ohh, because our government tells you, or because you watched 60 Minutes and saw one of his so-called videos??? To hell with someone, who in my opinion is NOT at all the reason we are in Iraq…..and with all do respect, to sit there and write that war is what keeps me safe, and able to post blogs on the internet shows just how ignorant America really is….War is the very reason our world is falling….soon man will cease to exist, all over petty differences…oil…money….power…..these are the REAL reasons we go to war, and no other reason……I am born and raised RED WHITE AND BLUE, and its sad I want to pack my family up and live abroad……When our leaders stop trying to get rich off the lives its people….then……….then we will be a great nation again…..But please….save me the B.S about a man or a figmant of Bushs’ imagination…

Well Pat, it’s an interesting equation to make since we’ve had 5 republican presidents and only 2 democratic ones in the last 39 years.
Our current democratic majority of congress has only been for a couple of years. During Clinton’s term, he had a republican controlled congress.
And what is your opinion on educational benefits for veterans? Do you endorse an endless war?
################################
No MK I do not endorse an endless war. However, what tune will you sing when the terrorists bomb us again? This time the empire state building? How about the Sears tower? Have you noticed that nothing has happened since 9/11 in our country? We are doing something right. The terrorist heart was in Irag and Afghanistan.
Veterans are priceless…I think they deserve our gratitude along with a a decent living and lifetime support if they are permanently injured during duty. We also need to incent people to stay in the military so that we ALWAYS have the right to live our lives as we see fit, including this blog site. All these people who think “all we need to do is say we don’t want war anymore” are crazy. You have the right to say that and live your simple lives because of our military.

As a Catholic I would like to know what took mc-more-war so long to denounce hagee’s endorsement. I do not see mc-more-war being anything but a bush-3. This country can NOT afford another bush term. Obama 2004!!!

Well Pat,
You associating IRAQ with what happened to us on 9/11 tells how little you understand and how gullible you are.
You think attacking a nation unprovoked, destroying peoples lives and then telling them what to do makes you safe?
Why don’t you put yourself in someones shoes who’s house was destroyed or a family member shot in collateral damage. – I don’t mean to offend you but didn’t know how to best convey my point – If I walk into your house – start breaking things around and then start telling you what to do and not do just because I think I am right and you are wrong – will you be my best friend or will you have animosity towards me?
regards,

So because I am not afraid to speak the truths of this country doesnt make me an American???? Haha, again, ignorance…..I dont feel safe….nor do I have faith in this economy….so, um…yeah….I will go and so just that……See, Europe isnt as bad as our country makes them out to be….its just your ignorance, mixed with your absolute gullible state that has you thinking that way……..I know my citizenship…….Thanks for helping though……

Brad there are alot of issues in the US. We are definately not perfect. But we do live in the greatest country in the world. We have the freedom to say and do what we want, and live our lives to the fullest extent. I don’t agree with everything going on….I am one of the independent voters that goes with the person I feel is right. I voted for Clinton once, I voted for Bush once. I feel in my gut that Obama is wrong…powerful communitst/terrorists countries will see through his inexperience and take advantage (iran, argentina are two examples). I do know that cutting down our country, our troops, our spirit, does no good. We are suppose to be a family, no matter color/race/creed. Obama is a decent person….just does not have the experience.
And throwing money at domestic problems does no good. Our government has many flaws…so do you think EXPANDING it as the democrat agenda calls for is the right answer? I say LESS government is the right answer.

USED…We used to be the greatest country….Now we are struggling to keep our heads above water…Other countries would rather take the currency from that of Brazil, than the US….I do agree with you that no one country is perfect, but surely you remember a time when we are the forefront…When we were powerful, when our economy surged….now we are living in yet another recession, which will far worse than that of the past….No I dont think throwing money around solves all the problems, I simply think the money wasted on a pointless war, would have done better good here at home…….

Worldcitizen, are you saying that its a PRIVILEGE putting your life on the line so other’s thousands of miles away can be free? I don’t think so.

Brad:
Those people who fought and those who died for this country, to preserve our liberty would be APPALLED at the entitlement mentality (free, free, free, for me, me, me) so apparent in our society today.
Our forebears survived ON THEIR OWN MERITS through worse time than we are in now. And still our country rose, through hard work and sacrifice.
The only thing they asked this country to do for them was to allow them to do for themselves. THAT is the true nature of the American spirit.
I want and expect no less in my life.

LMAO. McCain owned Obama in this debate and exposed Obama as a fraud.

Man of 100 year war denies veterans GI Bill headline should read. John McCain is perfectly happy to send our children to war but damned if he’ll pay for their education. Oh but he’s a “war hero” himself, so above reproach. Kind of let’s you know what his attitude is towards veterans doesn’t it. Stop gap loss– stay in the military for 100 years, we can’t offer benefits because you’ll want out. Education would give you other options. Suckers!

I think we’re forgetting that the GOP has lost the voter’s trust on every issue. The war, economy, national security–you name it. Obama is going to destroy McCain in the Presidential debates in the fall, he’s going to make McCain look like an infant. McCain’s out of control temper and failure to even support the veterans are many of his flaws.

Oh and by the way
ABOUT THE BLACKWATER SIGN
We can give Haliburton and Kellogg Brown and Root a $10 million dollar cost plus no bid contract to get the sign done.
This should create at least a 100 jobs at minimum wage for “working class Americans”
The fact that this is even an issue to debate is enough to make a normal person PUKE!

McShame’s problem is not the press. It is the Republican George W. Bush facts that were used in the 2000 election.
Fact- McCain lived a life style as a silver spoon ADMIRAL’s son.
Fact- His conduct at the Naval Acadamy was so poor that any other cadet would have been thrown out but McShames daddy had the stroke to keep him there.
Fact- All the other prisoners that were held in the same compound as McSHAME were not tortured and have also stated that McSHAME was not tortured.
Fact- McShame received none of the normal promotions that other prisoners received while being held captive and would have been court martialed for collaborating with the enemy except for the fact McShame’s daddy was a big ADMIRAL.
John McSHAME on the war hero scale is about a 2 out on a scale of 10.
A far cry better than his draft dodging Republican buddies that he is in bed with.
Google and find the facts about MC SHAME our GREAT JESUS CHRIST WAR HERO!!
Vote for who you want I could care less!
But to say our Veterans want a hand out is pathetic.
God forbid we give those veterans anything extra to show our appreciation for their sacrifice. The were stupid enough to serve our country and therefore they dont deserve anything but a bullet in the head or a minimum wage job when they come home.

The double standard of the democrats is unreal. They put big oil on notice for making a 10 percent profit yet vote for a farm bill that will reduce the output of ethanol crops in America and tax ethanol products being imported into America. Which will drive up prices so they can blame the oil companies.
Obama was for it, Mcain was not.
Quit voting with your heart use your brain check the facts become an informed voter.

A lot of you missed the point. Put your hatred of Sen. Obama aside. McCain did not vote to pass the bill. Why? Who has a relative serving in the military? Can he or she afford a college education at the current amount offered? Bush can spend billions to fight a war that should have never happened but he can’t help our men and women serving in the military get a good education. See, by putting on this Sen. Obama he takes it off himself. I see the game.

I am a veteran of the Iraq war and I am still a soldier… 20 years and counting. I can tell you that those benefits are the last thing that I am thinking of… We already get educational benefits, it is called the GI Bill. I went to school using it. They also have other educational benefits out there for soldiers too. If want to help us tell you congressman to spend the money on better equipment to keep my soldiers and I alive during battle. Tell your congressman to earmark more money for better personal equipment, living quarters, healthcare, mental health, armored vehicles,and training that will keep us alive. Those benefits would be nice but we don’t need it. We also don’t need those high flying jet fighters and fancy submarines that cost billions … they’re so useless to us who are doing the fighting. My men are tired of combat. Are any of you ready to volunteer and fill their boots or are you like Senator Obama, “who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform”?

Matt
i thank you for your service and those that you lead.
I will go one better than you ask.
I will vote only for candidates that will either bring you home or send you to afganistan to fight the TRUE ENEMY.
Since your a career soldier i can appreciate your lack of concern for benefits of those who do not choose to serve for a lifetime.
I do appreciate you admitting that the present admistration is not managing the funds available to you and your troops in the war effort your waging.. Maybe just maybe you can steal some of the good equipment from BLACKWATER.
again i sincerly thank you for your service and your courage!
as with all our troops you and your command will remain in my prayers.
In a day of bridges to nowhere the small amount of money for GI Benefits will be well spent.

Just wanted to let Matt know that it was the GI Bill that was voted on. So McCain doesn’t want you to have that education and perks. There is no valid reason to not vote on this Bill. If McCain really cared about you he would have voted for the Bill. Reguardless of what else was on the Bill. But he would rather put himself before you….. Just something for you to think about.

God and the soldier, all men adore
In time of trouble, and no more.
For when the battle’s over
And all things righted,
God is forgotten, the soldier slighted.
How can McCain be against this bill, then lash out at Obama for not serving in the military? (I guess McCain will fault Hillary for not serving, either). Why not start with Cheney the draft-dodger and Bush the duty-dodger? And BTW, it was Bush who sent the troops to Iraq w/o the proper gear. As a Vietnam vet, I’ll never forgive him for that.

Here’s an early example of impugning the motives of the opponent, from 2002, instead of debating an honest policy difference:
“What I am opposed to is the attempt by political hacks like Karl Rove to distract us from a rise in the uninsured, a rise in the poverty rate, a drop in the median income – to distract us from corporate scandals and a stock market that has just gone through the worst month since the Great Depression. That’s what I’m opposed to. A dumb war. A rash war. A war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics.”
Overthrowing Saddam = distraction from a drop in the median income
Overthrowing Saddam = distraction from a rise in the uninsured
Overthrowing Saddam = distraction from corporate scandals
According to Barack “New Politics” Obama.

Matt writes’ “”who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform”?”
===============================
Actually Matt I do NOT feel it’s my responsibility to serve our country. Serving in the military is a CHOICE just like any other and FRANKLY I find it disingenuous for men like yourself to suggest or imply that the REASON men/women are serving today is because they LOVE their country more than those who CHOOSE to not serve.
UNLIKE you and many of those you praise I worked HARD to have OTHER opportunities; OTHER career opportunties Matt.
It’s clear you weren’t paying attention to the REASON the White House rejected the bill because IF YOU DID you would have noted that there is absolutely NO GOOD REASON to not approve it.
Speaking as the son of a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, I know for a fact that UNLIKE you, he wouldn’t put a LIMIT on what the men and women who serve should get when it comes to EDUCATION. After all, they do deserve it RIGHT?
Next time…don’t let your politics render you mentally sterile.

HooserSue writes, “Veterans like McCain have proven by their service how much they love America and the veterans who served her.”
===================================
You would have to be extremely naive to believe serving in the military actually EQUATES to loving America. It’s beyond FOOLISH to make an assumption like that but it really shouldn’t come as a surprise.
It’s ludicrous to try to defend McCain’s assertions when and I quote, “The White House has expressed opposition to the bill because of concern that the benefits will lure soldiers and sailors into the civilian world and hurt military retention. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has expressed similar fears.”
This where HONEST men (and women) take a look at what ACTUALLY HAPPENED instead of spending hours trying to force a square into a circle. He REJECTED the bill because he was FAR MORE concerned about military retention. Simply put, if he had a choice between REWARDING those who he claims to understand and praise for their service and military rentention he would choose the latter.
Personally I think he was wrong but at least I, unlike you pretenders, can understand his LOGIC.
What I have is a problem is his BOLD assumption that he can’t be challenged by folks who haven’t served. Guess what…If you don’t want to be challenged by those who HAVE NOT served you shouldn’t BE in a PUBLIC OFFICE because the last time I checked the MAJORITY of Americans have NOT worn a uniform. Oh yes…He WILL ANSWER.

Mr. Obama will lose debates relating to military service. The GI Bill was a good deal for those leaving the service ater VN. It did nothing for those who wanted to make a career of it. That’s why it went away when the army became “all volunteer”. There are many programs available for veterans to attend college already in place. Mr. McCain knows what he’s talking about.

After Rev Wright was all over the news, how come there is virtually nothing about McCain’s withdrawn acceptance “endorsement” of that nutcase preacher who has openly encouraged WWIII?

Anytime you try to equate Obama with Lincoln you just look like a fool. A great leader and an empty suit. Give me a break.

McCain should have showed up to vote on the bill instead of fundraising.

Wow, you must be one of the intellectual elite. Too bad you make no sense. Abe was agnostic. He wasn’t influenced by a narrow-minded religious bigot. Abe was an autodidact. He wasn’t gifted with an education through Affirmative Action and other government programs.

he broke his arms in the crash, they didn’t treat them, and when they healed on their own over time.
they broke them again.

Senator Obama has never done anything in his life that was for the benfit of other people. He is the most self-centered egoistical jerk to run for office in the last 100 years. His claims are baseless, he is a con man. When will people understand that he can not think on his feet, all his ideas are someone else’s and that he just wants the power, as if he deserve it because of his name. Senator McCain has more intergity and judgment in his little finger than Obama has in his whole body. Obama is an pathatic, little man. He will never win over McCain.

Russ writes, “a question for you. who is going to defend this country when hussein is president and gets us in a war?
========================
Our military will CONTINUE to be staffed by individuals who CHOOSE to be soldiers. As far as Barack Obama? (You should at a minimum TRY to use his correct name as to not be painted as an illiterate, racist, buffoon.) Remember..he will INHERIT two wars when he takes office so I think it’s a little premature and foolish to talk about any “wars” he could potentially create. Right?
Russ writes, “You’r going to see a mass migration out of the service because who wants to serve when their commander in chief refuses to say the pledge, refuses to wear a lapel flag pin and plays with himself during the nation athem.
===============================
Surely you jest. For YEARS we’ve seen a DECREASE in enlisted men and women in our arm forces. I think it’s pretty clear when we use the brain the good Lord gave us. The numbers are down because those who would CONSIDER volunteering for the military don’t WANT to fight fabricated war. I’d bet dollars to donuts that when Obama ENDS this fiasco, you will see a INCREASE in enlistments amongst ALL branches of service.
Russ writes, “Being a son of a naval academy graduate means nothing. I respect the graduate, not you.”
================================
You clearly have me mistaken for somebody who actually gives a hoot about some nameless, faceless, person in cyberspace. What you fail to realize is that I do not SEEK or REQUIRE your respect. You see, I already have the respect of the individual YOU RESPECT. Figure it out.
Russ writes, “I am a 20yr. combat vet and a proud MARINE a branch that you couldn’t even get into. Don’t believe the racist minister was one also.”
==============================
Clearly you’re living in a fantasy world Russ. All you need to JOIN the Marines is a GED or High School Diploma. While I respect each and every branch of the service, I won’t let my emotions rule common sense. Kudos to you for serving 20 years. While I am well aware of the requirements maybe you would like to tell OTHERS what the prerequisites are considering you feel I could have never “met” them.

I find it hard to believe that people are upset with Sen. Obama because he had the nerve to question Sen. McCain position on the G.I. bill. Having served and retired from the U.S. Army I take offense in someone (regardless of their military service) who would keep our brave Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors in harms way for 100 years but not have the decency to vote to approve a bill that will help them further their education upon leaving the service. The costs of tuition and books are not getting any cheaper. Not everyone who VOLUNTEERS to serve wants to retire from the Armed Services. If a service member serves honorably for three years and then wants leave the service then so be it. At least they served. To deny them a quality education because they didn’t serve longer is reprehensible.

As a Vietnam Veteran and Republican I am dismayed by the no show vote by John McCain on this GI Bill which had the support of nearly 20 Republican Senators. McCain talks like he supports the troops but like Bush it is all talk. Reluctantly, I am switching my support from McCain to either former Congressman Bob Barr who is running as a Libertarian candidate or to Ron Paul if he chooses to make a third party bid.