Read Carefully Next Time...

Matt Glazer of BurntOrangeReport successfully displays his inability to comprehend the needs of the US military. In his piece “Cornyn Responds to VoteVets” he attacks Senator Cornyn and argues in favor of the Webb-Hagel GI Bill. Contributor for RUF Aaron Schwitters, outlined the Webb-Hagel Bill perfectly in his piece "The Democrat Poison - Pill for the Military".


Kevin McLaughlin, spokesman for the Cornyn campaign responded to the ad released by VoteVets.org. McLaughlin states: “The anti-war crowd is determined to use our men and women in uniform for their political advantage, even if our nation security is jeopardized in the process”. This drew criticism from both VoteVets and BurntOrangeReport. Perhaps McLaughlin was referring to the fact that the VoteVets PAC was created for the purpose of electing vets with the same mentality as their board members into public office. And for the record: YES you can be in the military or served in the military and be against the war. ::Coughs:: John Kerry ::Coughs:: This statement remains obviously true regardless of the “NUH-UH!” logic used by the writers at BurntOrangeReport.

Although VoteVets, BurntOrangeReport, and Cornyn challenger Rick Noriega would like you to believe that the Webb-Hagel Bill would benefit our servicemen and the military it’s easy to see how it would actually do more harm than good.

In a press release dated 05/14/2008 VetsforFreedom.org, a nonpartisan organization compromised of combat veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, came out in support of the revised GI Bill, the McCain-Graham Bill. They accurately state: “The McCain-Graham Bill substantially increases monthly educational benefits and could be implemented immediately; while the Webb Bill would take over a year to implement and would require a new layer of Pentagon bureaucracy. The McCain-Graham Bill also rewards troops who remain in the military providing strong incentives for our best and brightest to continue their service and support a growing force.”


Both Schwitters and VetsforFreedom accurately depict the advantages of the McCain-Graham bill. You’d think the retired and active military individuals from VoteVets and Noriega himself would understand the strategy behind the bills and see that the one that makes the most sense for our military, servicemen, and our country is the one that rewards those individuals for their commitment rather than giving an incentive to leave which would inherently cripple our military. Perhaps they are trying to get back to the downscaled version of the military that Clinton ingeniously (note sarcasm) instituted in the 90’s. Assuming the Webb-Hagel Bill does not make it, it is not the end of the line for our servicemen. The disability benefits provided by the VA allow them, and their children to receive a monthly allowance and pays for College and Continued Education tuition for them and their dependants up to 100% after they have been given their 100% disability status. President Bush recently demanded that they loosen the restrictions on declaring 100% disability allowing more of our servicemen and women to attain this.

Although this bill is important I firmly it is equally important to recognize The VA budget boost approved by President Bush of $3.7 million. This will help to increase the number of facilities available and expand numerous other benefits available. Additionally, his decision to expedite the process for those servicemen who have applied for combat related disability benefits has had a profound impact on those who have applied for disability through the Office of VA. Now when applying for disability your claim will be reviewed and determined within a six month period allowing you to get the help you need when you need it the most. And for all the complaining we hear from the wacky left they fail to mention the fact that the number of homeless vets has gone down 21% in the last two years as a result of the policies and practices implemented under the current Administration according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

With this being said it’s easy to see why Cornyn backs the McCain-Graham bill…because it actually helps our military and our servicemen.