Military families turning against Bush (The Independent - UK)

[kentuck]

This has to be something the WH is very concerned about. One comment from an active military member is that they are "destroying the military from the inside, especially our Army." They are not happy with Bush. We can expect anyday for him to ask for more money for them, to try to buy their fading loyalties.


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http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=445128
<snip>
More considered analysis is also available online, such as this reflection from a 23-year-old serving in the US Air Force, who wonders what the Iraq mess is going to do to the future of the US military: "The powers that be are destroying our military from the inside, especially our Army.

"How many of these people that are 'stranded' (for lack of a better term) in Iraq are going to re-enlist? How many that haven't deployed are going to re-enlist ... how many families are going to be destroyed?" he asked.

One big rallying point for the critics is the Pentagon's budget plan, which proposes cutting $1.8 billion (£1.1bn) from veterans' health benefits and reducing combat pay from the current $225 a month to $150, which is where it stood until the Iraq war began in the spring. The budget will not be finalised until later this month, and the White House - embarrassed by editorials in the Army Times and by news stories in the mainstream press throughout America - says it won't insist on the combat pay cutback.

Another rallying point is the lack of official explanation for more than 100 cases of respiratory illness in the Middle East. According to the Pentagon, 19 soldiers have required mechanical ventilation and two have died. Military personnel believe the use of depleted uranium may have played a part in this mystery illness.

[oasis]

1. When Johnny comes marching home, Chimpy will go sliding out.

[Brucey]

2. This is fantastic.

I was always disappointed, even during the 2000 campaign, that military people liked Chimpy and thought he was on their side. Why did they think that? Because during a debate with Gore he was so full of glee about killing some criminals in Texas? His proposed budget that he offered during the campaign was less than what Gore proposed. Gore had served in the military, Chimp was AWOL. I couldn't understand why people thought Chimpy was the tough, military candidate. Now some are starting to understand that he supports the troops in only the most illogical, senseless use of that term.

[kentuck]

3. Headline: Bush is Weakening Our Military

Democrats, do you see what is happening? Do you dare to take political advantage of this? The military will be shorter of manpower 6 months from now because they do not agree with Bush's military policies. We know the myth is that Repubs are for a strong defense but this man in the WH is making our nation weaker militarily. Tell the people!

[Don_G]

4. The Best Indicator

Is reading the letters to the editor in the "Stars & Stripes." They're publishing some disheartning letters from the troops and their families and I wish I could read some of the ones they dare not print.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I see it now every day

Bush has managed to rolyally piss off the military.

And I also mean the whole community, active, reserve, guard and retired.

And yes, the poser in chief is stamping many new Democrats.

[DemoVet]

6. Great quote concerning Bush and the military

I saw a quote recently to the effect that Bush cares about soldiers the way Tyson cares about its chickens. This from the father of a soldier, himself a Vietnam vet.

[Pastiche423]

7. Every day that whistle ass

keeps them there, will only hurt him (and sadly them) more.

[cliss]

8. Once again, a case of

misguided principles. We're spending $3.9 billion per month, and the soldiers who are risking their lives, are only receiving $225 per month? Where is the rest going? Oh, that's right. Senator Kennedy informed us that the rest is being used to bribe other countries into jumping in and being a part of the action.

So where are they? We've been at this for, what? six months? We've spent $24 billion, and they are still holding out on us?

I also read that US soldiers are getting really crappy food rations, while Marriott Sodexho is charging the government $175 per day to provide them with food. A soldier's 'last supper' might consist of a stale, preservative filled MRE dinner in a plastic pouch.

Stan Goff wrote, "this man is risking alienating the very people who would carry out his plans".