October Surprises.......

Pepe Escobar Commentary: Al Gore campaigns for Obama in Florida; Bin Laden still not heard from

For months there has been relentless talk of an October surprise capable of swaying the US presidential election - just as the Osama bin Laden video "Message to the American people" released in late October 2004. Possible October surprises include former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsing Senator Barack Obama and former vice-president Al Gore campaigning for Obama in Florida - the state that cost him the election in 2000. Meanwhile, al-Qaeda has vaguely endorsed Senator John McCain. But many - including top US government officials - are still waiting for an Osama bin Laden video.

Taking on the military-industrial complex



The Real News Network

OK, I Got A Couple Of Important Thingies Here...........

First off it's October 6th, and most days bring with them a history of the past, much forgotten quickly and lessons not learned.


Here's just one for today which I'll call The bush Families & GOP's Favorite Terrorist Pal, and no it's not the one nobody thinks about anymore, especially the little bush:

Today in History: October 6, 1976

An airliner, Cubana Airlines Flight 455, exploded in midair, killing 73 mostly young passengers including the entire Cuban youth fencing team. The plot was engineered by Orlando Bosch and Luis Posada Carriles, a Cuban former CIA agent, who was based in Venezuela at the time.

The Posada Carriles file from the National Security Archive

Update - May 18, 2005 - Documents featured on May 17, 2005 edition of ABC's Nightline

Washington D.C. May 18, 2005 - The National Security Archive today posted additional documents that show that the CIA had concrete advance intelligence, as early as June 1976, on plans by Cuban exile terrorist groups to bomb a Cubana airliner. The Archive also posted another document that shows that the FBI's attache in Caracas had multiple contacts with one of the Venezuelans who placed the bomb on the plane, and provided him with a visa to the U.S. five days before the bombing, despite suspicions that he was engaged in terrorist activities at the direction of Luis Posada Carriles.

Both documents were featured last night on ABC Nightline's program on Luis Posada Carriles, who was detained in Miami yesterday by Homeland Security.

In addition, the Archive posted the first report to Secretary of State Kissinger from the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research on the bombing of Cubana flight 455. The report noted that a CIA source had overheard Posada prior to the bombing in late September 1976 stating that, "We are going to hit a Cuban airliner." This information was apparently not passed to the CIA until after the plane went down.
There is no indication in the declassified files that indicates that the CIA alerted Cuban government authorities to the terrorist threat against Cubana planes. Still classified CIA records indicate that the informant might actually have been Posada himself who at that time was in periodic contact with both CIA and FBI agents in Venezuela.

SNIP Files can be found at above link

Our Government has been protecting and hiding in plain site the Terrorist Luis Posada Carriles for Decades, a Mass Murderer, and apparently keeping hidden any more information about other actions by Carriles and Friends!


Now if you're curious, and little bush, his father and the group that were dealing with him, seem not to be, 60min had a pretty good report on last night about the failed leadership at the top in this so called War on Terror.


Elite Officer Recalls Bin Laden Hunt
Delta Force Commander Says The Best Plan To Kill The Al Qaeda Leader In 2001 Was Nixed





After watching or reading ask yourself the same questions this Delta Force leader has been asking himself, Why were their plans Nixed, and while thinking about those questions remember that good ole binny was a pal of the CIA, daddy bush and company, characters known by many now, think cheney, rummy and more!!!


Oh and ask yourself where was the 'Maverick' all these years, as to Both subjects above!


Took a visit over to After Downing Street and found that Dave had a post up with just a title and a link to a PDFile, opened it and found the Vetting of one Vice Presidential Candidate that the GOP nor the McCain Camp felt a need to do even before her name popped into someones empty head:


The Palin Papers yes 63 pages of all you might want to know about Sarah, all in one place.


Download the PDF Vetting and find out All About Sarah, wink wink there hockey mom, from the friends of Alaska growing in numbers as they themselves find out more and more about you and your leadership.


Mac seems to want to allow his Campaign to run her as not only the Attack Dog, with lipstick and fake folksy , but as seemingly the Tickets Top not Second, and Mac apparently approves!!


My guess would be if she stays on the National Stage much longer they will be adding many pages to the above and I would say her Political Careerer days are numbered, even the GOP wil shun her after their through with her!


Now I know that many now know about the following, just wanted to add this reminder:

At noon Eastern on Monday, October 6th, we're releasing a 13-minute documentary about the scandal called "Keating Economics: John McCain and the Making of a Financial Crisis"

Here's the snippet of what's to come:





This look like it'll be real good and for many bring back the memories, by the way, anyone heard about Neal Bush lately!!

Debate: Foreign Policy & Security {Or No Debate} Video's

Everyone knows that the first Presidential Debate is supposed to take place tonight, but once again we have a member of the GOP trying to put the skids on Democracy, read the 2000 election and the supreme's, by refusing to show because, admitted himself he understands little about economics, he's going to save Wall Street Bankers and the Country from Collapse. Now he's coming to the rescue some 10 or so days after all the bad economic news started survicing, but for Our Savior "Better late than never, Not!".


My guess is that if there is a Debate tonight it won't be on the main subject lines it was to cover: Foreign Policy and National Security. It will be covering the economy or at least much of it will be because of the News that has sucked the air out of everything else.


But wether it covers the intended subject matter, tonight or in another, or not, just in case there are extremely important things to be brought to the Debate about our now lack of a Foreign Policy especially as to our National Security.


The debate will, or will not, take place at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, known colloquially as Ole Miss. NPR has a very good writeup as a leadin: Site Of Presidential Debate Has Come Far From Past for this historic event in more ways than one.


We are a Nation and People that seem to like to use 'God' an awful lot, we say we are a Tolerant Nation, and a Peaceful Nation, we Condemn others for not being so and for practicing Inhumane Treatment of others.


But instead of following what we preach we have many, some elected and large portions of the population, that think we can go and Destroy and Occupy other Countries and somehow be Secure in the fact that we've Killed and Maimed others, instead of leading by example and word and making friends of others we Enhance the Hatreds and Create Enemies than call ourselves Secure. Through our actions even those that allie with us have Little Respect for us, not just our government but Us.


Lets look at the why our National Security is now in jeapordy for possibly decades to come and why the World has lost any remnants of Respect they once gave us:


Introducing Iraqi Refugee Stories:


Voices Missing From Media Describe Life in Exile


Watch "Hiba's Story," one in a powerful new series of video accounts by Iraqis who have had to flee their home.

Beyond the violence and instability of Iraq is the largely untold story of Iraqi displacement and exile and its enormous human consequences. A new website, Iraqi Refugee Stories, is now giving voice to the growing crisis and providing concerned individuals viable avenues to take action.

"The silent story of Iraq has been that of the millions who've been displaced within their country or who have fled to neighboring countries and are now living in limbo. In countries like Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, Iraqi refugees can't work legally and are often hiding at home for fear of deportation because they're unable to renew their visas," said Jennifer Utz, a video journalist, founder and creator of Iraqi Refugee Stories. "The media coverage of the issue has largely focused on the plight of military interpreters, while countless other vulnerable individuals have virtually gone unnoticed, such as single mothers, members of minority religions, the elderly and those in need of serious medical assistance."

In this video clip, a young woman named Hiba, whose family fled Iraq in 2003 only to be denied entrance to Jordan, describes the four years they spent living in a tent in Ruwayshed, a refugee camp on the border, saying that she often thinks about her classmates and wonders whether they lived or died.

To learn more, visit Iraqi Refugee Stories.

Or how about one of the main reasons the violence has dropped, even though Iraqi's and Soldiers are still being killed and maimed:


After Siege, Wall Sadr City’s New Oppression - 09.22.2008

Iraq, Baghdad/Sadr City – After the failure of many security plans proposed by the Iraqi government and US military strategists, a recent plan, hand-in-hand with the so-called “Surge,” was designed. It was a desperate attempt by the US and Iraqi military forces to control the Sunni-Shia militia. At the suggestion of military leaders, the Iraqi and US governments decided to build walls to separate neighborhoods and to control militias and insurgents from entering or exiting any neighborhood without passing a checkpoint. The first wall was built in Adhamiya, in April 2007. Despite protests and opposition, United States military and Iraqi National Guard forces began to erect a wall surrounding the neighborhood of Adhamiya. The people living in the neighborhood engaged in several demonstrations against building the wall, and even Prime Minister Maliki, a Shi’a critical of the neighborhood, publicly protested the plan. Despite his intervention and public discontent, the wall was built and finished by late April 2007.

These walls tend to be approximately 3 meters in height and made from concrete. In some areas the top of the wall is covered with concertina wire to prevent intruders from climbing over the wall. There are patrols set to guard the wall and they are present around the wall daily, and at all hours, to protract the wall from being attacked or bombed by insurgents.

Another wall built at end of April 2007, but this time in Ameriya, this wall is approximately 10 kilometers in length and again 3 meters high. In September 2007 yet another wall was built in the Saidiya neighborhood. The wall surrounding that district was 23 kilometers, and by the end of 2007 there were over 50 different walls built around different neighborhoods across Baghdad.

In May 2008 a wall was built in Sadr City after battles between the US military and the Mahdi Army. There are approximately two million citizens living inside the area now known as Sadr City, probably the largest single group impacted by one of Baghdad’s walls. Previously they could come and go via nine major entrances. Many shops were force to close because of the wall, the shop owners found they could not complete there work anymore due to the wall sitting just in front of their shops.

Or how about Getting to School in Iraq





Would you want to live like this, Would you want your children to live like this, Would you want to live in a Destroyed and Occupied Country, Would you develop growing Hatred for being forced to live like this in your destroyed country, Would you search for retribution for the loved ones, friends, and killed and maimed, and your country destroyed, in an occupation by an outside military force, What Would You Do??


And what happens in Wars of Occupation and Wars of Choice, the Soldiers know:


Winter Soldier: OIF and OEF Soldiers the Book


Back in March of this year History repeated itself. A history many of us Vietnam Veterans felt would never be repeated for we swore we wouldn't allow the country we served to ever allow itself to be led into another debacle of human destruction, a War Of Choice, an Occupation Of Innocent Others!! The country, back than, even seemed to grasp the huge mistake we had made in the policies set forth by those we elect to lead, they themselves said "We will learn from the mistakes made!", we didn't, and others don't neither!


Book Exposes Iraq Occupation Through US Soldiers' Eyes

Aside from the Iraqi people, nobody knows what the U.S. military is doing in Iraq better than the soldiers themselves. A new book gives readers vivid and detailed accounts of the devastation the U.S. occupation has brought to Iraq, in the soldiers' own words.

Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations, published by Haymarket Books Tuesday, is a gut-wrenching, historic chronicle of what the U.S. military has done to Iraq, as well as its own soldiers.

Authored by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and journalist Aaron Glantz, the book is a reader for hearings that took place in Silver Spring, Maryland between Mar. 13-16, 2008 at the National Labour College.

"I remember one woman walking by," said Jason Washburn, a corporal in the U.S. Marines who served three tours in Iraq. "She was carrying a huge bag, and she looked like she was heading toward us, so we lit her up with the Mark 19, which is an automatic grenade launcher, and when the dust settled, we realized that the bag was full of groceries. She had been trying to bring us food and we blew her to pieces."

Glantz admits that it would be difficult for the average U.S. citizen to read the book, and believes it is important to keep in mind while doing so what it took for the veterans to give this historic testimony.

"They could have been heroes, but what they are doing here is even more heroic -- which is telling the truth," Glantz told IPS. "They didn't have to come forward. They chose to come forward."

Few are Sacrificing yet there are still many, who aren't, that support our aggressive actions towards others and seem to relish in making the tens of thousands of enemies that will only take a few to destroy any feeling of a strong national security, for the country or the citizens wherever they travel.


The Brave New Foundation, for the past thirteen weeks, have had a series of very important online inner active Video Shows called "In Their Boots".


The last three weeks have covered a group who have Sacrificed Everything, their Spouses, but are coming together to move on with their lives and give meaning to the loss of their loved ones.


You can watch the video's here, they are about a half hour each, or at the site, where you can catch the previous important episodes and sign up to be notified prior to the wednesday evening coming episodes, But These Three Are Extremely Important, Especially For Those Not Sacrificing Anything!!


Topic: The American Widow Project We Regret to Inform You Chapter 1
Originally aired on September 10th, 2008


Led by Taryn Davis, a group of young military widows band together in a new peer support network called the American Widow Project.


Taryn Davis
War Widow


James Sheeler
Author
Final Salute Site: A Story of Unfinished Lives
Jim's Book: Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives

Taryn Davis
Last year, 22-year-old Taryn Davis' world crumbled. On May 21, 2007, Taryn was told her husband, Army Cpl. Michael W. Davis, had died from wounds sustained from an IED explosion in Iraq. She was crushed. Unable to find the peer support she needed from other recently widowed military spouses, Taryn founded the American Widow Project four months later to help her cope with the loss of the love of her life. Using the power of the internet, Taryn has been able to reach out to over 100 young military widows (the majority of which are under 30), offering them peer support and help with whatever they might need.

Nicole Hart
Nicole Hart, found her soul mate when she was 16-years-old and married him three years later. Then, this past winter she lost him. On January 8, 2008, Army Sgt. David J. Hart was killed while trying to help one of his wounded men. Nicole, now a 23-year-old widow, didn't know life could go on without David, and sometimes she still doesn't understand how the earth continues to rotate. But, with the peer support from her new friends at the American Widow Project, she's realizing that if she gets into her wedding dress on her anniversary and flips through wedding photos, she's not weird, and she's not alone.

Windy Link
Windy's husband Sgt. Joey Link died while serving in Quatar as Air Support for the war in Iraq. Not only did he leave behind his wife Windy, but he also left behind two sons, and their baby daughter, Rylee. This summer, Windy left Rylee for the first time to travel to Austin, Texas to hang out with, and lean on, her new friends with the American Widow Project.

Topic: The American Widow Project ***** We Regret to Inform You Chapter 2


Originally aired on September 17th, 2008


Nicole Hart

Ami Neiberger-Miller
Communications & Public Affairs Officer
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)






Topic: The American Widow Project**** We Regret to Inform You Chapter 3


The Women of the American Widow Project


Originally aired on September 24th, 2008





We Regret to Inform You Chapter 3


The Women of the American Widow Project


And a short clip of these young widows moving on together.


American Widow Project--A Light-Hearted Video Clip‏


In Their Boots: We Regret To Inform You - Surfing



Visit their site and show your support to these Military Widows and their families

Senator McCain, This is Walter Reed

It's no wonder the 109th GOP Congress and Administration, in their rush to War with the Drums beating Louder and Louder, didn't take Military Care and once again the Veterans Care, Wars Makes, into consideration and Pass Legislation and Funding, They Couldn't Find The Facilities, and still can't!!

John McCain may not be able to find the right Walter Reed, but we sure can. Watch this new video from Americans United for Change.



*** Media Advisory for Saturday, September 6th @ 11AM EDT at Walter Reed Army Medical Center ***

IRAQ WAR VETERANS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE OF WALTER REED TO REMIND JOHN MCCAIN WHERE IT IS, CALL MCCAIN OUT FOR TURNING HIS BACK ON AMERICA'S VETERANS

McCain Campaign Gaffe Involving Walter Reed Underscores McCain's Shameful Veterans Record

Washington, DC – Veterans will meet outside of Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Saturday, September 6th at 11 a.m. to discuss John McCain's shameful record on veterans health care, the GI bill, his suggestion to ration care to only the combat wounded, and other veterans issues. The press conference comes just two days after John McCain's campaign mistakenly used an image of Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood, CA instead of an image of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The gaffe symbolizes how McCain, like President Bush, has not provided America's veterans and service members at Walter Reed and around the world the attention and care they need and deserve.

WHO: Brian McGough, a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division

Kayla Williams a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Iraq and is the Author of "Love My Rifle More Than You:Young and Female in the US Army"

Other veterans - TBA

WHAT: Press Conference in front of Walter Reed Army Medical Center


WHEN: Tomorrow, Saturday, September 6 at 11 a.m. EDT


WHERE: Main Gate of Walter Reed

Intersection of Georgia Avenue NW and Elder Street NW

Washington, DC

-30-

McCain’s Disappointing Record on Veterans’ Issues



McCain Record Opposing Healthcare for Veterans



McCain Has Voted To Cut, Eliminate, or Gut Veterans Health Care Funding At Least 27 Times. [HR 4939, Vote #98, 4/26/06; SCR 83, Vote #70, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #67, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #63, 3/16/06; SCR 83, Vote #41, 3/14/06; HR 4297, Vote #15, 2/13/06; HR 4297, Vote #7, 2/2/06; S 2020, Vote #343, 11/17/05; HR 2863, Vote #251, 10/5/05; HR 2528, Vote #242, 9/22/05; HR 2361, Vote # 165, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 166, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 168, 6/29/05; HR 1268, Vote #90, 4/12/05; HR 1268, Vote #89, 4/12/05; SCR 95, Vote #40, 3/10/04; S 1689, Vote #379, 10/14/03; SCR 23, Vote #81, 3/25/03; S 2168, Vote #185, 7/7/98; S 936, Vote #168, 7/10/97; HR 3666, Vote #276, 9/5/96; HR 3666, Vote # 275, 9/5/96; HR 2099, Vote #466, 9/27/95; HR 4624, Vote #256, 8/4/94; HR 1335, Vote #97, 4/1/93; S 2884, Vote #226, 8/4/90; HR 2519, Vote #132, 7/17/91]



· McCain Was One of 13 Senators To Vote Against Increase In Veterans’ Healthcare. In 2006, McCain was one of 13 senators to vote against an amendment to add $430 million for outpatient and inpatient health care and treatment for veterans. Amendment passed 84-13. [HR 4939, Vote #98, 4/26/06]



· McCain Voted To Cut Funding For Veterans’ Healthcare. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment to strike a provision in the 2007 Budget that will hold farm programs, veterans, Social Security, and Medicaid hostage to rising health care costs by creating automatic cuts once an arbitrary level of spending is reached in the Medicare program. The amendment failed 50-50. [SCR 83, Vote #70, 3/16/06]



· McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans’ Funding By $10 Billion. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment to eliminate a tripling of fees for veterans in the TRICARE health care program by raising the discretionary spending limit by approximately $10 billion. The provisions would have been fully offset by eliminating certain corporate tax breaks. The amendment failed 46-53. [SCR 83, Vote #67, 3/16/06]



· McCain Voted Against Veteran’s Healthcare Program. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment to make veterans’ health benefits a mandatory program, spending $104 billion over five years. The funding would have been offset by closing corporate tax loopholes and rolling back the Bush tax cuts for millionaires. Amendment rejected 46-54. [SCR 83, Vote #63, 3/16/06]



· McCain Voted Against A $1.5 Billion Increase In Healthcare For Veterans. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment that increased the discretionary spending limit by $1.5 billion to $874.5 billion to provide an increase in funding for veterans’ medical services. It would be offset by ending certain corporate tax breaks. Amendment rejected 46-54. [SCR 83, Vote #41, 3/14/06]



· McCain Failed To Vote To Support Healthcare For Veterans In Lieu of Tax Breaks For Millionaires. In 2006, McCain failed to vote on a motion to instruct conferees to insist that the tax reconciliation conference report includes funding to support health needs of veterans and military personnel in lieu of an extension of capital gains or dividends tax breaks for individuals with incomes of more than $1 million. Motion failed 40-53. [HR 4297, Vote #15, 2/13/06]



· McCain Voted Against $19 billion For Military And Veterans’ Hospitals. In 2006, McCain voted against an amendment that provided $19 billion for military and veterans’ hospitals, offset by limiting the dividend and capital-gains tax rates to individuals earning less than $1 million. Amendment failed 44-53. [HR 4297, Vote #7, 2/2/06]



· McCain Voted Against Mental Healthcare For Veterans. In 2005, McCain Voted against an amendment that provided an additional $500 million per year for the next five years for mental health services for veterans. The funding would be offset by deferring tax cuts for those making $1 million per year. Amendment rejected 43-55. [S 2020, Vote #343, 11/17/05]



· McCain Voted Against Considering Inflation In Veterans Funding Formula. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would establish a future funding formula for health care for former members of the Armed Forces takes into account changes in population and inflation. Amendment failed 48-51. [HR 2863, Vote #251, 10/5/05]



· McCain Voted Against A $10 Million Increase In Readjustment Counseling for Veterans. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would provide an additional $10 million for the Readjustment Counseling Service, offset with a $10 million reduction in the HealthVet account. The amendment failed 48-50. [HR 2528, Vote #242, 9/22/05]



· McCain Failed To Vote For A $1.5 Billion Increase In Veterans’ Healthcare. In 2005, McCain failed to vote for an amendment that would add $1.5 billion of funding to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for medical services provided by the Veterans Health Administration. Amendment passed 96-0. [HR 2361, Vote # 165, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 166, 6/29/05; HR 2361, Vote # 168, 6/29/05]



· McCain Voted Against $1.9 Billion In Emergency Funding For Veterans’ Hospitals. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that designated $1.9 billion in emergency funding for veterans’ hospitals. The $1.9 billion provided for the VA by the underlying amendment will help the VA to cover the costs of caring for these new veterans, and ensure that the VA is able to provide them with the care they deserve. The amendment failed 46-54. [HR 1268, Vote #90, 4/12/05]



· McCain Voted Against A $2 Billion Increase In Veterans’ Funding. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would increase funding for the Veterans Affairs Department by $1.98 billion and designate it as emergency spending. It would stipulate that $840 million be used for veterans’ regional health networks; $610 million be used to address the needs of service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan; and $525 million be used to provide mental health care and treatment. Amendment failed 46-54. [HR 1268, Vote #89, 4/12/05]



· McCain Voted Against Creating A Reserve Fund For Veterans’ Health Care. In 2004, McCain voted against an amendment that would create a reserve fund to allow for an increase in veterans medical care by $1.8 billion, the amount determined by Veterans’ Affairs Committee to meet existing needs; and is fully offset by closing tax loopholes. Amendment rejected 46-51. [SCR 95, Vote #40, 3/10/04]



· McCain Voted Against A $1.3 billion Increase In Veterans’ Health Benefits. In 2003, McCain voted to table an amendment that included a $1. Billion increase in funding for health benefits. The amendment would reduce the amount provided for Iraqi reconstruction by $5.03 billion, and redirect that funding for domestic programs, including $1.8 billion for veterans’ health benefits, $1 billion for school reconstruction, renovation and repair and class size reduction, and $1.5 billion for capital improvements for federal highways. It also would express the sense of the Senate that Congress should consider an additional $5.03 billion in funding for Iraqi reconstruction during the fiscal 2005 budget and appropriations process. The motion to table passed 59-35. [S 1689, Vote #379, 10/14/03]



· McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans’ Health Care Program. In 2003, McCain voted against an amendment that would increase spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts. Amendment rejected 46-51. [SCR 23, Vote #81, 3/25/03]



· McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans’ Health Administration By $1 Billion. In 1998, McCain voted against an amendment that would add $1 billion for Veterans’ Health Administration Medical Care. The funding would budget neutral and would come from the termination of the space station program. The amendment failed 33-66. [S 2168, Vote #185, 7/7/98]



· McCain Voted Against $400 Million In Veterans’ Funding. In 1997, McCain voted to table an amendment that would permit $400 million in DOD funds to be transferred to Department of Veterans’ Affairs to provide health benefits under laws administered by Secretary. Motion to table agreed to 58-41. [S 936, Vote #168, 7/10/97]



· McCain Voted Against Covering Spina Bifida For The Children of Veterans. In 1996, McCain voted against the germaneness of an amendment that would extend veterans health care and related benefits to the children of Vietnam Veterans suffering from spina bifida, a spinal cord birth defect that causes neurological damage. The amendment was judged germane 62-35. [HR 3666, Vote #276, 9/5/96]



· McCain Voted Against Preventing Cuts In Veterans’ Healthcare Funding. In 1996, McCain voted to table an amendment that would prohibit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs from reducing funds to any state for health care facilities in fiscal 1997 below the fiscal 1996 funding level. Motion to table passed. [HR 3666, Vote # 275, 9/5/96]



· McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans’ Healthcare Funding By $511 Million. In 1995, McCain voted against an amendment which would increase the funding for veterans’ medical care by $511 million; and offsets the cost of this amendment by limiting any tax cut to families with incomes of less than $100,000. Amendment failed 51-49. [HR 2099, Vote #466, 9/27/95]



· McCain Voted To Restrict Funding For Veterans’ Care Facilities. In 1994, McCain voted against tabling an amendment that the amendment would prohibit the construction of three inpatient facilities, located in Hawaii, California, and Tennessee. The projects in Hawaii and California will provide access to acute care for large numbers of veterans in the areas to be served, without which they would not have access to VA inpatient services. The project in Tennessee involves the correction of serious seismic deficiencies in the Memphis VA facility, which is located in a dangerous earthquake area. Motion to table passed 62-36. [HR 4624, Vote #256, 8/4/94]



· McCain Voted To Cut $25 Million From Veterans’ Health Programs. In 1993, McCain not to table an amendment that transferred $25 million of veterans’ health funding to programs for the Veterans Department to occupation conversion and employment training programs for veterans. Motion to table passed 57-43. [HR 1335, Vote #97, 4/1/93]



· McCain Voted Against Increasing Veterans’ Healthcare & Research Funding By $431 Million. In 1991, McCain voted against an amendment to increase veterans’ program funding by $378 million for medical care and $53 million for medical and prosthetic research. Amendment failed 35-64. [HR 2519, Vote #132, 7/17/91]



· McCain Voted Against $200 Million For Veterans’ Healthcare. In 1990, McCain voted to table an amendment that transferred $200 million to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs medical account. The money would be transferred from the Strategic Defense Initiative. Motion to table passed 54-43. [S 2884, Vote #226, 8/4/90]



McCain Record Opposing Funding for Veterans’ Programs



McCain Voted To Gut, Eliminate, or Cut Funding for Veterans Programs At Least 18 Times. [SCR 21, Vote #114, 3/23/07][SCR 18, Vote #55, 3/16/05][HR 2673, Vote #3, 1/22/04][SCR 23, Vote #74, 3/21/03][S 2400, Vote #136, 6/23/04][HR 2861, Vote #449, 11/12/03][SCR 23, Vote #83, 3/25/03][HR 2620, Vote $334, 11/8/01][HR 2620, Vote #269, 8/2/01][HR 4635, Vote #272, 10/12/00][HR 2684, Vote #328, 10/15/99][SCR 57, Vote #115, 5/16/96][HR 2099, Vote #470, 9/27/95][HR 2099, Vote #465, 9/27/95][SCR 13, Vote #226, 5/25/95] [S 1, Vote #76, 2/22/95][S 869, Vote #259, 11/20/91][HR 4624, Vote #306, 9/27/94]



· McCain Voted Against A $3.5 Billion Funding Increase For Veterans’ Healthcare. In 2007, McCain voted against the 2008 Budget Resolution that included at $3.5 billion increase in funding for veterans’ healthcare programs. The bill passed 52-47. [SCR 21, Vote #114, 3/23/07]



· McCain Voted Against Increasing FY 2006 Veterans’ Health Care Funding By $2.8 Billion. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment that would increase funding for veterans health care by $2.8 billion for fiscal 2006 and reduce the deficit by $2.8 billion. Amendment rejected 47-53. [SCR 18, Vote #55, 3/16/05]



· McCain Voted Against $62 Billion In Funding For Veterans Affairs. In 2004, McCain voted against an appropriations bill that would provide $62 billion for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The bill passed 65-28. [HR 2673, Vote #3, 1/22/04]



· Two Days After Iraq Invasion, McCain Voted Against A $1 Billion Increase In Veterans’ Programs. Two days after the invasion of Iraq in 2003, McCain voted against an amendment that would increase spending on veterans’ programs by approximately $1 billion and put the same amount toward deficit reduction. The amount would be offset by a decrease in tax cuts. The amendment failed 49-51. [SCR 23, Vote #74, 3/21/03]



· McCain Voted Against Modernizing Retirement Packages For National Guardsmen And Army Reservists. In 2004, McCain voted against an amendment that would reduce from 60 to 55 the age at which certain members of the National Guard and Army Reserves could receive retirement benefits. Motion rejected 49-49. [S 2400, Vote #136, 6/23/04]



· McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion For Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In 2003, McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included 122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. The motion failed 44-49. [HR 2861, Vote #449, 11/12/03]



· McCain Voted Against A $13 Billion Funding Increase For Veterans’ Programs. In 2003, McCain voted against an amendment that would provide an additional $13 billion for veterans’ programs. The substitute amendment would reduce all tax cuts in the resolution by $1.24 trillion, fund President Bush’s proposed $75 billion war supplemental bill, and increase homeland security spending by $80 billion, spending for a Medicare prescription drug benefit by $194 billion, spending on veterans’ programs by $13 billion and spending on transportation and infrastructure by $71 billion. The amendment failed 43-56. [SCR 23, Vote #83, 3/25/03]



· McCain Voted Against $51 Billion In Veterans’ Funding. In 2001, McCain was one of seven senators to vote against the adoption of the conference report to provide 51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; $30.1 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development; $7.9 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency; $3.1 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and $14.8 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The conference report was approved 87-7. [HR 2620, Vote $334, 11/8/01]



· McCain Voted Against $51 Billion For The Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In 2001, McCain was one of five senators to vote against approval of a bill including $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; $31.0 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development; $7.8 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency; $14.6 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and $3.2 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The bill passed 94-5. [HR 2620, Vote #269, 8/2/01]



· McCain Failed To Vote For $47 Billion In Veterans’ Funding. In 2000, McCain failed to vote for a bill that would appropriate $47 billion to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as well as $23.6 billion for the Energy Department and Army Corps of Engineers, and other independent agencies. The bill passed 85-8. [HR 4635, Vote #278, 10/19/00]



· McCain Voted Against $47 Billion In Funding For Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In 2000, McCain was one of eight senators to vote against an appropriating bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. It included $453 million for new rental assistance vouchers and language that incorporates a slightly amended version of the fiscal 2001 energy and water appropriations bill. The bill passed 87-8. [HR 4635, Vote #272, 10/12/00]



· McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion For Veterans’ Programs. In 1999, McCain was one of five senators to vote against an appropriations bill that provided $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, $26.0 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, $7.6 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, $3.4 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and $13.7 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The bill passed 93-5. [HR 2684, Vote #328, 10/15/99]



· McCain Voted Against A $13 Billion Increase In Funding For Veterans’ Programs. In 1996, McCain voted against an amendment to increase veterans’ spending by $13 billion in fiscal 1997-2002 to be offset by closing corporate tax preferences and reinstating expired taxes. Amendment Rejected 45-53. [SCR 57, Vote #115, 5/16/96]



· McCain Voted To Underfund Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In 1995, McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs & Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 Billion. The bill passed 55-45. [HR 2099, Vote #470, 9/27/95]



· McCain Voted To Withhold Benefits From Mentally Disabled Veterans. In 1995, McCain voted against an amendment striking the provision that withholds benefits to mentally incompetent veteran who does not have spouse, children, or dependent parents, and has estate valued in excess of $25,000. Amendment failed 47-53. [HR 2099, Vote #465, 9/27/95]



· McCain Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes To Increase Veterans’ Funding By $74 Million. In 1995, McCain voted against an amendment eliminating tax breaks and closing tax loopholes in order to provide revenue to restore some of the proposed cuts in Veterans’ Affairs spending. Amendment failed 45-55. [SCR 13, Vote #226, 5/25/95]



· McCain Voted Against Protecting Veterans’ Benefits From Budget Cuts. In 1995, McCain voted to table an amendment to exempt current veterans’ benefits from cuts required by the balanced-budget amendment. Motion to table passed 62-33. [S 1, Vote #76, 2/22/95]



· McCain Voted Against Funding The Department of Veterans’ Affairs. In 1994, McCain was one of nine senators to vote against appropriating $90,118,186,061 in budget authority for the Veterans’ Affairs and the Housing and Urban Development departments. The bill passed 90-9. [HR 4624, Vote #306, 9/27/94]



· McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost of Living Adjustments To Veterans. In 1991, McCain voted against an amendment to provide automatic annual cost of living adjustments (COLA) for certain veterans’ benefits. Amendment failed 24-71. [S 869, Vote #259, 11/20/91]



McCain Has Failed To Support Expanded Benefits For GIs



McCain Has Refused to Endorse Webb’s GI Education Bill. According to the Politico, “Yet the former Navy pilot and Vietnam POW makes himself a target by refusing to endorse Webb’s new GI education bill and instead signing on to a Republican alternative that focuses more on career soldiers than on the great majority who leave after their first four years.” [Politico, 4/30/08]



· Webb’s GI Bill The Top Legislative Priority For Veterans Groups. According to The Hill, “Webb’s bill is the top legislative priority for several veterans’ groups, including the nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Its projected cost to the federal treasury is about $4 billion per year.Webb has argued his bill is necessary because the current GI bill cannot pay for today’s cost of higher education. [The Hill, 4/22/08]



· Current GI Benefit Woefully Inadequate to Meet Educational Needs of GI’s. “The most a veteran can receive now is approximately $9,600 per year for four years. Those who served combat tours with the National Guard or Reserves are eligible for even less — typically just $440 per month, or $5,280 a year. By contrast, the College Board reports that the average four-year public college costs more than $65,000, or about $16,250 a year, for an in-state student. A private university costs on average about $133,000 for four years.” [The Hill, 4/22/08]



· McCain Missed Vote Passing Webb’s GI Bill. The Iowa Independent reported that Webb’s version of the GI Bill passed 75-22. Despite his “concerns that Webb’s bill would persuade service members to leave the military early and pursue higher education,” McCain “was AWOL on the day of the vote, reportedly raising money in California for his presidential bid.” [Iowa Independent, 6/20/08]



RHETORIC: McCain Favored Troop Retention Over Benefits For Veterans. In response to the CBO analysis of S. 22, Senators Graham and McCain released a joint statement in which McCain commented: “Congress must enact legislation that will increase education benefits, aid in recruitment and, importantly, encourage continued service in the military… As our armed forces fight a war on two fronts, we must do everything we can to maintain and encourage reenlistment…Unfortunately, S. 22 could greatly harm retention rates in our All Volunteer Force.” [McCain Press Release, via States News Service, 6/17/08]



· McCain Against GI Bill Based On Fears Of Retention Loss. CNN reported: “McCain has defended his opposition to the bill that would expand education benefits for veterans, saying it would hurt the military that he hopes to lead… McCain, a former Navy officer and prisoner of war during Vietnam, says the bill would hurt military retention by 16 percent and be a disincentive for service members to become noncommissioned officers, which he called ‘the backbone of all the services.’" [CNN, 6/10/08]



REALITY: CBO Found That Benefits Would Increase Recruiting 16 Percent. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that “while the better benefits [of the GI Bill] might lure 16 percent of experienced soldiers out of the service…it would be so attractive to civilians that it would increase recruiting by 16 percent” completely offsetting the loss in retention. [U.S. News & World Report, 6/23/08]

The above Media Advisor is brought by Americans United for Change

More Will Be Coming

From Vote Vets I would guess as the two Veterans listed above to speak, with more to be added, are members of Vote Vets.

Brian McGough presently has a Front Page post over at Vet Voice you might want to read, covering the same extreme misstep by the GOP but not the McCain Record, Brian was cared for at Walter Reed.

They, Vote Vets, also don't have anything up at their site as yet that I could find, but I'm sure more Vids will be coming and possibly ads as well.

Anyone wanting to use the information in the Advisor, on the bills etc., feel free to do so.

The DC Press Conferance, Walter Reed

Washington, DC – Despite terrible weather, Iraq War Veterans gathered outside of Walter Reed Army Medical Center today to discuss John McCain's shameful record on veterans health care, the GI bill, his suggestion to ration care to only the combat wounded, and other veterans issues. Participants included: Brian McGough, a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division; Kayla Williams a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Iraq, the Author of "Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the US Army” and wife to Brian McGough; and Neil Riley, Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran and Va. State Captain for VoteVets.org. *See full remarks below.



The event came just two days after John McCain's campaign mistakenly used an image of Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood, CA instead of an image of Walter Reed Army Medical Center while the Senator delivered his acceptance speech at the National Republican Convention. The gaffe symbolizes how McCain, like President Bush, has not provided America's veterans and service members at Walter Reed and around the world the attention and care they need and deserve. *See below for John McCain’s disappointing record of turning his back on veterans, having voted at least 27 times to gut Veterans Health Care Funding. More on the gaffe: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/213806.php

Remarks from Brian McGough, a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division:

In October of 2003 I was wounded by an IED in Iraq. I was sent to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for care for my wounds, the same Walter Reed Army Medical that you can see behind me. Two days ago John McCain accepted his parties nomination in front of A Walter Reed, but it was not this one. It was Walter Reed Junior High School in North Hollywood, CA. This mistake shocked and outraged me. As shocked and outraged as I was, I was not surprised. This is just another example of Sen. McCain's lackluster record when it comes to Veterans issues.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has given McCain a 'D' on his voting record. Disabled American Veterans has given McCain a 20% approval rating. These are not grades that reflect a great compassion for his fellow veterans.

Sen McCain has voted 29 times against veterans benefits. In April of 2006 Sen. McCain joined only 13 other senators in voting against an amendment that would increase funding for the dept of veterans affairs in order to provide outpatient care and treatment. Earlier that year in February, Sen McCain voted against a bill that would increase funding to military AND veterans hospitals. That would have been money that could have been spent here at Walter Reed. These are just 2 examples out of 29.

Sen McCain has suggested that he would like to ration health care to only those soldiers that were wounded in combat. He said and I quote" We need to concentrate our efforts to handle those wounds and disabilities that are directly the result of combat." That is not an acceptable solution, in fact it is trying to solve a problem by cutting corners. This would shortchange countless numbers of veterans, including combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans who were injured in the line of duty, but did not happen to be in a combat zone at the time. This plan would break the promise that our government makes to those who put on the uniform by denying care to soldiers not injured in combat. This hospital behind me treats all military personnel, regardless of where they were located when they got sick or hurt, the VA needs to do the same once their active service is complete.

Sen. Webb introduced a new gi Bill earlier this year. This bill passed both the house and the senate and is now a law. This law will ensure that thousands of veterans can afford to go to college without worrying about the skyrocketing cost of education. Sen McCain called this bill too generous and tried to introduce his own bill, a bill that would have made a small increase to the woefully outdated Montgomery GI BIll. McCain's bill was quickly voted down in the Senate because the majority of the people in this country and their representatives agreed that the Webb-Hagel was the best. When the Webb-Hagel bill came to the floor for its final vote Sen. McCain did not even bother to show up for the vote, but that didn't stop him from trying to take credit for the bill once it was signed by the president, who also opposed the bill till the end and claimed credit on passing a bill that he promised to veto.

I'm standing out in front of this Walter Reed because THIS IS THE Walter Reed we need to concentrate on. The people inside are people we need to care for; from the servicemembers inside inured in Iraq or Afghanistan to the servicemembers inured or fallen ill stateside to the families standing by the beds of their loved ones and the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to ensure that their patients recover.

Kayla Williams a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Iraq and is the Author of "Love My Rifle More Than You:Young and Female in the US Army":

When I saw the poor care my husband received after being released from Walter Reed initially, I was shocked and appalled. He was still recovering from the Traumatic Brain Injury he received in Mosul, Iraq, and had only begun the long journey of recovering from his psychological wounds. However, the Army had no system in place to help him, and I had no idea what to do. We foundered for nearly a year before he was sent back to Walter Reed - where I was horrified to see him in put up in a shabby, under-equipped apartment with holes in the walls. Still active duty myself, I did not know how to help him and was myself trying to cope with the aftereffects of war.
Over the past three years, we have tried to forge a new life together. Sadly, repeated news stories have shown that our own struggle was not unique, and that my husband's experience was representative of larger systemic problems: the military was simply unprepared to deal with the volume, severity, and complexity of injuries in its wounded warriors. Thankfully, the Army has made great strides in rectifying these problems, though improvements still need to be made.
However, I have been deeply dismayed by the lack of support that John McCain has shown to the problems we and others like us have faced. Although he may feel some degree of personal compassion rooted in his own experiences, John McCain's voting record on veteran's issues has been abysmal. Senator McCain has repeatedly voted against increased funding for veterans' healthcare needs, even as those needs have increased dramatically as a result of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
My family struggled to cope in the face of inadequate care and support. We are willing to speak out to ensure that others receive the care and treatment they need. It is wrong to assume that all veterans support Senator McCain merely because of his military service. While I respect McCain's service and sacrifice, I feel betrayed by his history of voting against increased funding for the care that my husband and our fellow veterans need.

GOP Gimmicks

This:



Or This:



As a 'Nam Vet and Consumer who needs a vehicle to carry my tools, I'll take a tire pressure gage, to check inflation and save fuel, called 'Common Sense', rather than a 'Purple Heart Bandage' the GOP Enjoyed Laughing About, While Spitting On All Purple Heart Recipients, thus Spitting on All Who Serve!!!!!

Want more to read on this Visit Avenging Angel's Diary over at DKOS.

The photo's Speak all the Words I need!!