tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post4895013604286176932..comments2024-03-28T14:52:13.218-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Why McCain is not getting my vote (updated x2)Jim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-77447940004206643982008-05-14T09:30:00.000-05:002008-05-14T09:30:00.000-05:00John E.Do you even know who Jim Webb is? The propo...John E.<BR/><BR/>Do you even know who Jim Webb <I>is?</I> The proposed bill is a great deal more than a political 'ploy.' When it comes to veterans, I'd trust Webb over McCain any day.<BR/><BR/>And for the record - I said in the post that McCain served honorably and admirably. He may have been an outstanding officer twenty years ago, that doesn't mean however, that as a vet I'm automatically going to agree with his politics - simply because he is a vet too, and a POW.<BR/><BR/>Frankly, I've listened to him very carefully - and he is not a CinC I'd want to serve under.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-27078756424081573522008-05-14T02:53:00.000-05:002008-05-14T02:53:00.000-05:00As a vet, McCain is getting my vote. I like his pr...As a vet, McCain is getting my vote. I like his proposed eduction bill for vets, which rewards length of service with more benefits -- and unlike the current bill, has a way to pay for it. I would vote against the current proposal, as it has no way to pay for it. I'm tired of empty promises to vets -- which the current bill is. <BR/>The current proposed bill is nothing more than a political ploy with no substance. McCain is the only candidate I can support. As a point of disclosure I work with a gentleman who spent 5 and half years as a POW with McCain and his view of John McCain is enough for me. I am a contemporary of these men, I have a son on active duty and McCain is the only CiC of the present crop I'd feel comfortable with my son serving under. Why? Because I feel McCain is the only candidate who would look out for him.John Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02093616974843593025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-41262548036654215022008-05-14T00:20:00.000-05:002008-05-14T00:20:00.000-05:00What killed McCain for me is how he waffled on tor...What killed McCain for me is how he waffled on torture and made nice to Bob Jones University. Anything else since then won't surprise me.<BR/><BR/>You'd think Uncle Ted would be understanding of vets, but he's not. Lisa, she's a daughter of privilege just like McCain. I feel like recruits are offered a bait and switch when it comes to the benefits they are offered.Taniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18142380580388373496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-11351793815589363012008-05-13T20:11:00.000-05:002008-05-13T20:11:00.000-05:00It's been a long time since there was any real cha...It's been a long time since there was any real chance I'd vote for McCain, so this doesn't change anything for me. And while I totally understand your reasons for being so particularly incensed, I have another reaction to the whole thing.<BR/><BR/>Why the fuck hasn't our hypocritical, lying sack-o-shit President been putting the power of his office behind this bill? He wouldn't even be around to have to pay for the thing. Maybe he could do something more than paying lip service to "supporting our troops".<BR/><BR/>And forget about what one B-2 costs...what does one day of this war cost? (And BTW, during Fleet Week in 2000 which was combined with OpSail 2000, GF and I went to Battery Park to watch the ships come up the harbor and head up the Hudson River. At one point they did a B-2 flyover at about 1000 feet. You could barely see it and you couldn't hear a thing until it flew directly overhead. Then it was truly LOUD and full of AWESOME. Irrelevant, but I like cool planes.)Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00648438549121320566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-49148991569070923182008-05-13T19:46:00.000-05:002008-05-13T19:46:00.000-05:00Yeah, I've already sent letters to my senators and...Yeah, I've already sent letters to my senators and rep, for all the good it'll do - they're republicans too.<BR/><BR/>And I'll admit up front that I'm biased on this issue - I would directly benefit from it should I choose to continue my education, and so would a large number of vets. My son would benefit, it means a lot to me and frankly I think I earned it, and so did the men and women I served with. <BR/><BR/>I have no problem adding some conditions, say 5 years of service OR one combat tour OR a purple heart. Honorable discharge. and etc. But, Goddamn, the current bill pays a lousy $300 a month, if you qualify, which most of us don't - what the fuck is that? $300 a month might have bought you a medical degree in 1947, but today it won't even buy fucking gas to get to class. AND most vets are married, they have families - meaning they'd need to have either a very well employed spouse, or a large trust fund in order to pay tuition, living expenses, and support their families. It's a trap.<BR/><BR/>John McCain got one of the best educations in the world - and not a dime out of his pocket. Admittedly he paid that back, with interest, while interred in Hanoi and during the rest of his career - but I have to wonder about those enlisted folks who were interred with him, what did they get? Didn't they pay the same bill he did? Where's their all expense paid trip to the University? And McCain's education led directly to his current worth of $23+ million and his position as US Senator and Presidential candidate. I seriously doubt he'd be where he is today if he had to earn that education one lousy credit at a time in community college. <BR/><BR/>He's an asshole. A rich, privileged, entitled asshole - and he want to keep it that way.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-56970783197039529652008-05-13T18:35:00.000-05:002008-05-13T18:35:00.000-05:00I just don't get it. I would pay good money to und...I just don't get it. I would pay good money to understand why so many of our so-called leaders who are more than happy to put our troops in harms way can find so many excuses for not making sure they're taken care of.<BR/><BR/>And cost? Fuck the cost! How about what it's cost our men and women in the military, men and women who are there because they CHOSE to be there. Who have given so much to their country. We can't give them proper health care, make sure their families are taken care of, allow those of them who are injured and confined to hospitals vote, give them access to a good education?<BR/><BR/>These asshats need to be slapped repeatedly until they get a clue.<BR/><BR/>Assholes.<BR/><BR/>Yeah, I'm pissed. And it may not make a huge difference, but I WILL be contacting MY elected officials and let them know how I feel about the bill.<BR/><BR/>Pass the damn thing!!!vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16955307244053931069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-55986422261238081042008-05-13T17:03:00.000-05:002008-05-13T17:03:00.000-05:00Thank you for that Jim.I am where I am because my ...Thank you for that Jim.<BR/><BR/>I am where I am because my father was eligible for the GI Bill. No, he never had to fight, and we all know precisely how lucky he was for that. Yet the GI bill paid for him to move to WV to continue his education.<BR/><BR/>It astounds me that those who have put their lives on the line by serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and everywhere else, would not be afforded the same benefits we gave the soldiers after WWII, after Korea, after Vietnam.<BR/><BR/>Those of us who remain safe are indebted to those in the military--a debt that a paltry $2,5 million does not even begin to cover.<BR/><BR/>The GI Bill was a benefit when it was created after WWII, something to give the soldiers to do until the economy was ready to support their sudden influx.<BR/><BR/>Today, however, a college degree is a requirement for getting ahead. Unless you are very very good, or very very lucky, you can't advanced without a a college degree. That such advancement would be denied those who have served their country in a time of war is unfathomable. These men and women have placed the health, their sanity, and their lives at risk for us.<BR/><BR/>It is shameful that we would treat them in so cavalier a manner.Random Michelle Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13817444379694818074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-7549424114491095092008-05-13T15:03:00.000-05:002008-05-13T15:03:00.000-05:00I could get behind Jim Webb.I could get behind Jim Webb.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-29899046863917400022008-05-13T14:24:00.000-05:002008-05-13T14:24:00.000-05:00Mine neither.This is the most depressing thing I'v...Mine neither.<BR/><BR/>This is the most depressing thing I've read in weeks. <BR/><BR/>I wish Senator Webb would run for President...Janiecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190655869710465713noreply@blogger.com