WASHINGTON, June 28, 2008
Obama Quietly Visits Wounded War Vets
Says Those Returning Injured From Iraq, Afghanistan Endure Substandard Care From Bush Admin.
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Photo
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gets in the car after leaving the campaign charter plane at Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Va., Friday, June 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Barack Obama
The junior senator from Illinois is making his name known.
The presumed Democratic nominee, who was in Washington to speak to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, slipped into the facility shortly after 9 a.m. without stopping to speak to the small group of reporters who follow him. The visit wasn't on his public schedule.
Obama has criticized the Bush administration for its treatment of veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and has suggested Republican rival John McCain would continue Bush policies if elected.
The administration was roundly criticized last year after it was revealed that veterans at Walter Reed were housed in rundown accommodations and suffered neglectful care.
Obama has said the country has failed its veterans by allowing such "second-rate conditions," by not giving troops enough time at home and not doing enough to support military families.
In a speech at a rally with his former Democratic opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday, Obama said voters have a choice about whether to continue spending billions of dollars every month in Iraq, and leave troops there for 20 years, 50 years or 100 years - a line that elicited boos from the crowd.
"It is time to rebuild our military and take care of our veterans," he said.
On veterans issues, McCain is seen by his supporters as having the advantage of military experience - the Arizona senator was a Navy pilot, and spent nearly six years as a Vietnam prisoner of war after he was shot down.
Obama, who serves on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, often notes that his grandfather served in World War II.
He criticizes McCain for opposing an expansion of the GI bill to guarantee full college scholarships for those who serve in the military for three years. McCain and Pentagon officials say they oppose the bill because they fear it would encourage people to leave after only one enlistment during a war.
Obama To Visit Europe, Mideast This Summer
Obama plans to visit the Middle East and Europe this summer, taking time off from campaigning in the United States in an effort to boost his foreign policy credentials.
Obama's campaign told The Associated Press the likely nominee will travel to Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The Illinois senator also has said he intends to visit Iraq and Afghanistan this summer; his campaign would not say whether those stops would be part of the trip to the Mideast and Europe.
"This trip will be an important opportunity for me to assess the situation in countries that are critical to American national security, and to consult with some of our closest friends and allies about the common challenges we face," Obama said in a statement.
"This will be an important opportunity to have an exchange of views with leaders in these countries about these and other issues that are critical to American national security — and global security — in the 21st century."
The campaign also would not disclose the dates of any of the plans in an attempt to protect Obama's security. Obama's campaign manager said this past week that Iraq and Afghanistan would be part of an official congressional trip. The other stops are part of a campaign-funded visit.
Obama foreign policy adviser Denis McDonough said the senator wants to consult with leaders of some important U.S. allies about common challenges, including terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran.
"He obviously wants to consult with the leaders of those countries but also find an opportunity to speak to the people of those countries about our shared values and goals," McDonough said in an interview Saturday.
An Associated Press-Yahoo News poll taken this month found that 61 percent of those surveyed see McCain as a good military leader, compared with 27 percent for Obama. But they see Obama as more likely to improve America's standing in the world, 43 percent to 33 percent who said the same about McCain.
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Posted by AGT-R at 12:15 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Vewy, vewy, vewy quietly...shhhhhhhhhhhh, don''t tell anybody!
and choke him.
"Obama, who serves on the Senate Committee on Veterans'' Affairs, often notes that his grandfather served in World War II.
"He criticizes McCain for opposing an expansion of the GI bill to guarantee full college scholarships for those who serve in the military for three years. McCain and Pentagon officials say they oppose the bill because they fear it would encourage people to leave after only one enlistment during a war."
Wicca?
why bother flapping your lips here. go cast a spell or something. that ougha keep Obama from winning the election
if that doesnt work, try "RowdyVoodoo"
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Posted by ainttaken at 12:29 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Oh good idea, I''ll try that next! Reckon it will work?
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Posted by closethippy1 at 12:42 PM : Jun 28, 2008
They get books and tuition paid for serving one stint! Why shouldn''t they have to serve a little longer to get the whole shebang!
McCain need not complain about our troops getting anything. He got a free admission (undeserved) to the U.S. Naval Academy just by being born...and took the place of somebody who deserved it more than him. He has the nerve.
Rowdy is being paid by the GOP to post here daily. She plans to purchase pins for her assorted doll collection with the proceeds.
McCain need not complain about our troops getting anything. He got a free admission (undeserved) to the U.S. Naval Academy just by being born...and took the place of somebody who deserved it more than him. He has the nerve.
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Posted by whatithink at 12:59 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Oh really? Who decided that? YOU?
Seems like John McCain''s family has served the military for a very long time. Is it too much for your assss to have one of their sons supported?
How many of your family members dedicated their lives to the service of this country?
Rowdy is being paid by the GOP to post here daily. She plans to purchase pins for her assorted doll collection with the proceeds.
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Posted by whatithink at 01:01 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Nahhhhhhh, but know where I can any dolls cheap!
The Taliban has regrouped after its initial fall from power in Afghanistan and the pace of its attacks is likely to increase this year, according to a Pentagon report that offers a dim view of progress in the nearly seven-year-old war.
Bush/McCain 08 never.
Posted by RowdyWicca at 01:04 PM : Jun 28, 2008
My family has more motivation than eat at the Federal trough for 71 years at the cost to the taxpayer...
Posted by RowdyWicca at 12:54 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Why not - ROTC does...
And what is the military obligation for NROTC/ROTC and 4 years of college ?
Obligation length is based upon the career path you chose. Typically it is 4 or 5 years, however exceptions, such as Naval Aviation, may mean a commitment of up to 8 years from the time you complete Flight School.
Oh Ye who preach on living in a meritocracy. Since when does getting something on YOUR merit involve the history of your family members? Who gives a flying .... what his family did? He didn''t have the grades to get admitted rightfully to the U.S. Naval Academy and that should have been it. He also didn''t have the ranking (894th of 899 in his class) to get into the prestigious flight school. Nobody has control over what their family did or did not do and if you people want to preach about "getting things on your own merit" you''d better do it ALL THE TIME. Frankly, between Bush and McCain, you sure can pick some idiots as symbols.
Not only did John McCain miss the vote on Webb''s GI bill, he (along with his surogate, Rowdy) actively opposed it as OVERLY GENEROUS.
And he has the nerve to say this: I''m happy to tell you that we probably agreed to an increase in educational benefits for our veterans that not only gives them increase in their educational benefits, but if they stay in for a certain period of time than they can transfer those educational benefits to their spouses and or children.
WE, he says. He opposed it, he didn''t bother to vote on it, but he has the nerve to include himself in on its passage. Senile or liar, take your pick.
Oh Ye who preach on living in a meritocracy. Since when does getting something on YOUR merit involve the history of your family members? Who gives a flying .... what his family did? He didn''t do it and didn''t have the grades to get admitted rightfully to the U.S. Naval Academy and that should have been it. He also didn''t have the ranking (894th of 899 in his class) to get into the prestigious flight school. Nobody has control over what their family did or did not do and if you people want to preach about "getting things on your own merit" you''d better do it ALL THE TIME. Frankly, between Bush and McCain, you sure can pick some idiots as symbols of living in a meritocracy.
Harvard University accepted unabomber Ted Kacysnski as a student and rejected Warren Buffet.
Exactly what was your rank at the US Naval Academy...oh wait, you are just another Obamabot?
LOL - Obama''s a bit younger than Pappy McBush. There wasn''t a war going on when he went to law school at Harvard. Amazing how rowdy can turn going to law school, and being the first black president of the law review, into a bad thing.
Posted by nanc12 at 01:51 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Oh wow, really? I bet Rezko (in jail), Auchi, Khalidi, Said, Alsamearre, all of Obama''s financial supporters are really proud of Obama for sponsoring more benefits for the infidels!!!
Strange, isn''t it...he proposed the exact bill requiring soldiers to serve a little longer to get the whole shebang...has continuously worked on making the bill viable instead of unrealistic...he opposed it when it it was full of krap, which definitely made them go back take another look at it...but I guess he doesn''t get credit for having worked on it too! Seems like he wasn''t senile enough to forget the work he put into it also.
That figures...keep spinning Obamabots...keep spinning. Oh well!
LOL - Obama''''s a bit younger than Pappy McBush. There wasn''''t a war going on when he went to law school at Harvard. Amazing how rowdy can turn going to law school, and being the first black president of the law review, into a bad thing.
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Posted by nanc12 at 02:12 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Oh, what happened to Bonia and Desert Storm?? Did Obama just write that out of history too? Seems like my son made it to those wars! But oh well, Obama wouldn''t make it through the first PT training! lol
Opposing the bill and working on a competing bill with fewer benefits doesn''t qualify as "working on this bill." They didn''t go back and look at these benefits and change them because of McLame''s tireless work. They didn''t change the benefits he thought were OVERLY GENEROUS to our troops at all. The only change they made to accomodate Bush''s threatened veto, was to take out any way of paying for this bill. Bush wanted it added to the deficit, and that''s what he got.
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Posted by nanc12 at 02:30 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Keep spinning Nanc12, he certainly worked on getting benefits for veterans...and sponsored a bill to do it! He wasn''t opposed to veterans getting more benefits, he just asked that they serve longer to get the whole shebang (again!).
But of course YOU being an Obamabot...will spin it that he totally opposed it, when he didn''t, he wrote the same damned bill...except for longer service...and of course the democrats totally opposed his bill...guess you could say they weren''t for giving veterns benefits also! OMG! The democrats opposed giving benefits to the veterans!!!!
And of course your lamebrain will believe this *****, because that''s the way it works!
Then why is it in the newspaper. More Obama hype. Politics as usual.
The DEMOCRATS were AGAINST giving veterans benefits! They opposed John McCain''s veteran''s benefits bill!!!
(tongue in cheek--but that''s how Nanc12''s lamebrane works)
DEMOCRATS:
Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; Vietnam
1971 as an army journalist in 20th Engineer
Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g Navy 1966-69 Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-47; WWII.
John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; ,
Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52;
Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68;
Vietnam. Paraplegic from war injuries.
Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.
Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67;,
Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979
Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII;
Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76
DFCs, Bronze Stars,and Soldier''s Medal.
Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain,
Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne,
Bill McBride:. Marine: Vietnam;
Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam,
Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
Chuck Robb: Vietnam
Howell Heflin: Silver Star
George McGovern: WWII.
Bill Clinton: Did not serve.
Jimmy Carter: Navy.
Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
John Glenn: WWII and Korea;
Tom Lantos: Served in WWII.
The DEMOCRATS were OPPOSED to giving our veterans more benefits!!! They voted AGAINST John McCain''s veterans bill!!!!
(tongue in cheek--but that''s how Nanc12''s lamebrain thinks)
*** Cheney: did not serve. Dennis Hastert: did not serve.
Tom Delay: did not serve.
Roy Blunt: did not serve.
Bill Frist: did not serve.
Mitch McConnell: did not serve.
Rick Santorum: did not serve.
Trent Lott: did not serve.
John Ashcroft: did not serve.
Jeb Bush: did not serve.
Karl Rove: did not serve.
Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. who attacked Max Cleland''s patriotism.
Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.
Vin Weber: did not serve.
Richard Perle: did not serve.
Douglas Feith: did not serve.
Eliot Abrams: did not serve.
Richard Shelby: did not serve.
Jon! Kyl: did not serve.
Tim Hutchison: did not serve.
Christopher Cox: did not serve.
Newt Gingrich: did not serve.
Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.
George W. Bush: failed to complete his six-year National Guard; got assigned to Alabama so he could campaign for family friend running for U.S. Senate..
Ronald Reagan: , served in a
non- combat role making movies.
Bob Dornan: Consciously enlisted after fighting was over in Korea.
Phil Gramm: did not serve.
John McCain: Vietnam POW, Dana Rohrabacher: did not serve.
John M. McHugh: did not serve.
JC Watts: did not serve.
Jack Kemp: did not serve. "Knee problem, " although
continued in NFL for 8 years as quarterback.
Dan Quayle: Journalism unit of the Indiana National Guard.
Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.
George Pataki: did not serve.
Spencer Abraham: did not serve.
John Engler: did not serve.
Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.
Arnold Schwarzenegger: AWOL from Austrian army base.
Sean Hannity: did not serve.
Rush Limbaugh: did not
Bill O''Reilly: did not serve.
Michael Savage: did not serve.
George Will: did not serve.
Chris Matthews: did not serve.
Paul Gigot: did not serve.
Bill Bennett: did not serve.
Pat Buchanan: did not serve.
John Wayne: did not serve.
Bill Kristol: did not serve.
Kenneth Starr: did not serve.
Antonin Scalia: did not serve.
Clarence Thomas: did not serve.
Ralph Reed: did not serve.
Michael Medved: did not serve.
Charlie Daniels: did not serve.
Ted Nugent: did not serve. (He only shoots at things that don''t shoot back.)
George w.Bush is the biggest coward that we have ever had as President.
CBS got wind........
Well founded war, subjective open for debate.
Voters need guts to gripe about why our country sustains a war without having to demonstrate political fortitude to spin up a draft via Selective Service System.
How much tax money is annually depleted to maintain, operate, and staff a dust collecting Selective Service System?
Who has political chutzpah to activate this war support and troop bolstering resource?
Instead US cowardly and ingeniously shackle military volunteers and then burn them out legally. Land of the free?
STOP LOSS, In Lieu of Taskings (ILO), 8 year minimum service obligations for advertised 2,3,4,6, enlistment options, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) call ups, Army recruiting 17-41 years olds, and felony waivers all contribute to hazy smoke screen sham, a US government shanghai subterfuge to maintain war fighting troop numbers.
Would citizens support a formal Selective Service System draft call up for this war?
If answer is no, then why do citizens allow government manipulation to legally abuse loopholes to exploit and press gang those already proudly serving in a supposed All Volunteer Force to serve at perpetual pleasure of Commander in Chief?
Why does American public allow President as Commander in Chief backed by Congress to shamefully get away with a read the fine print, covert war conscription ploys, and unofficial backdoor draft by stealth?
And then the children will lose their rights to the Sodomites! Please save the children from the night of two Sodomites!
Michelle Obama will make this a right of every Sodomite!
The children will cry every night!
Obamas pass word is? You guessed it!
Sodomites! The Sodomites will give him his victory for the night of the sodomite taking away the childs rights! Youll see!
Liberals, Homosexuals, Terrorist Apologists.
Unity of the Oppressed. Join the Pride Parade.
OBAMA 08!
Posted by DemsUnity
****************************************
ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE THE REPRESSED HOMOSEXUAL CONSERVATIVES JOIN US ON THE BLOG. WE DON''T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE MENTALLY AND MORALLY RETARDED.
WHAT BROUGHT ALL THE REPRESSED HOMOSEXUAL CONSERVATIVES OUT?
Posted by truthmatterz at 03:28 PM : Jun 28, 2008
Michelle Obama for the night of the Sodomite to take away the childs right at night!
Well founded war, subjective open for debate.
Voters need guts to gripe about why our country sustains a war without having to demonstrate political fortitude to spin up a draft via Selective Service System.
How much tax money is annually depleted to maintain, operate, and staff a dust collecting Selective Service System?
Who has political chutzpah to activate this war support and troop bolstering resource?
Instead US cowardly and ingeniously shackle military volunteers and then burn them out legally. Land of the free?
STOP LOSS, In Lieu of Taskings (ILO), 8 year minimum service obligations for advertised 2,3,4,6, enlistment options, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) call ups, Army recruiting 17-41 years olds, and felony waivers all contribute to hazy smoke screen sham, a US government shanghai subterfuge to maintain war fighting troop numbers.
Would citizens support a formal Selective Service System draft call up for this war?
If answer is no, then why do citizens allow government manipulation to legally abuse loopholes to exploit and press gang those already proudly serving in a supposed All Volunteer Force to serve at perpetual pleasure of Commander in Chief?
Why does American public allow President as Commander in Chief backed by Congress to shamefully get away with a read the fine print, covert war conscription ploys, and unofficial backdoor draft by stealth?
The children will cry every night!
Sodomites will get their rights with Obamanites!
And then the children will lose their rights to the Sodomites! Please save the children from the night of two Sodomites!
Obamas pass word is? You guessed it!
Sodomites! The Sodomites will give him his victory for the night of the sodomite taking away the childs rights! Youll see!
Will you take the place of a child to spend two nights with two Sodomites who got their rights by the Obamanites?
Michelle Obama will give the childs rights to the Sodomites to spend every night!
Certainly his own military experience makes him an expert in these thing. snark
"Quiet visit", my @ss. They knew it would be all over the media. CBS, you swallowed the bait.
Is there some reason you believe that only ''experts'' can tell if veterans are treated fairly?
I''m not sure that insisting on flying after you have had crashed 4 U.S. Plans makes you an expert in veteran affairs either.
Not to insult you, but I think psychiatry might help you with your problems.
Is there some reason you believe that only ''''experts'''' can tell if veterans are treated fairly?
I''''m not sure that insisting on flying after you have had crashed 4 U.S. Plans makes you an expert in veteran affairs either.
Posted by truthmatterz at 04:12 PM : Jun 28, 2008
I would answer your question if I could make sense of it. I did not refer to "experts" anywhere in my post.
My point was that this is classic Barack Obama...pretty words with nothing in back of them.
Which Mr. Obama most definitely is not...at least in matters military.
I can only imagine what he''s promising them. Good lord, they''ve suffered enough.
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