Jim Webb is the Democratic Senator from Virginia. He was formerly appointed by Ronald Reagan as the Secretary of the Navy, and has a son currently serving in Iraq. So he knows a little something about military matters. Chuck Hagel is the Republican Senator from Nebraska. Senator Hagel has been intently focused on the military strategies in Iraq, and he seems to truly be concerned abou the welfare of our strained troops.
These two honorable men are offering an amendment that EVERYONE should support--Both Democrats and Republicans.
It requires our troops to have a 1:1 deployment-to-dwell ratio for active units and members. This amendment is vital to the continued morale and effectiveness of our Armed Forces, which are breaking under the strain of unprecedented long deployments in combat zones.
Unfortunatley, some Dems are opposed because the bill attached to the amendment won't include a timetable (which is IMPOSSIBLE given the makeup of the Senate--you need 60 votes to overcome a GOP filibuster; and 67 votes to override a Veto. That AIN'T gonna happen folks!!! We have only 51 Dem Senators--and you can count Lieberman out.)
Some Rs are opposed because they don't want to oppose the president. They figure they have followed him lockstep so far, so there has to be a payoff somewhere.
Go right now to this website: http://ga6.org/campaign/webbhagel, and tell your Senator to SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT!!!
PS--these are the GOP Senators that are currently wavering. If "SUPPORT THE TROOPS" is really what you believe, and not just a magnet on your car, then please--if you have a moment, give them a call:
Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
DC: 202-224-6665
Anchorage: 907-271-3735
George Voinovich (R-Ohio)
DC: (202) 224-3353
Cleveland: (216) 522-7095
Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina)
DC: 202-224-6342
Raleigh: 866-420-6083
John Warner (R-Virginia)
DC: (202) 224-2023
Roanoke: (540) 857-2676
Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky)
DC: 202-224-2541
Louisville: 502-82-6304
Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)
DC: 202-224-4254
Harrisburg: (717) 782-3951
No, I just emailed to tell the Senators to oppose it. When the military says one thing and Congress another, I'm gonna go with the military.
ReplyDeletehttp://preview.tinyurl.com/37kogo
(Link to a US News story)
Webb is and has been out of the military knowledge loop for several decades now. Just because he was an active duty Marine 35 years ago and the Secretary of the Navy almost 20 years ago (and he didn't hold that post long enough to even unpack his office supplies), does NOT make him a military expert.
And Hagel's military service includes the same military service time frame, but he's had even longer to screw over the vets as he was a Deputy in the VA and has allowed the extraordinarily crappy VA medical service to continue for decades.
Neither one of these two has the military's interest at heart. This sound more like a great sound bite though.
How the hell are you supporting the troops? You are screwing them over. The Department of Defense's historic policy and current goal is a ratio of 1:2.
ReplyDeleteThis amendment simply requires our troops have a 1:1 deployment-to-dwell ratio for active units and members as a MINIMUM floor. Currently, Army units are deployed for 15 months with 12 months at home. It is not unusual for Marines also to have less time at home than the length of their last deployment.
This isn't what the "military" is asking for, just as they are not asking to patrol in 130 degree heat to moderate a civil war just to prop up an inept and thankless government. And this is not what Generals Shinseki, Abazaid, nor Casey are recommending. This is what BUSH, CHENEY, and his minions are asking--
What kills me is that under this administration, the troops have outrageous tours, didn't have proper body armor, and had their benefits cut to save rich folks tax breaks. This is a small thing you could do to support them--but I guess its too much to ask. You should be ashamed.
It's disgusting how right-wingers cry over Petraeus yet slam heroes like webb + hagel
ReplyDeleteYeah, Just because he ACTUALLY SERVED and was, like, Secretary of the Navy....
ReplyDeleteYeah, Webb's no military expert.
And what are Lieberman's military credentials?
Did he grow up playing with G.I. Joe dolls?
You all forget. "Support the Troops" means "Support the PENTAGON"
ReplyDelete