Sunday, April 06, 2003

Kerry on supporting troops. Senator John Kerry describes the Bush administration's one-sided approach to "supporting troops," which seems to consist of lambasting anyone who decries the war as unsound policy while simultaneously slashing veteran's benefits and education for military families. Unfortunately, this administration has failed to honor the service of citizens who are doing what's right. After Sept. 11, Americans wanted to contribute and to serve. This administration told them to go shopping. They have cut AmeriCorps when we should be expanding it so every young person has the opportunity to perform national service. But nothing flies in the face of the values of duty and service more than what this administration is doing when it comes to fulfilling our obligation to our troops, our veterans, and their families. We can do better -- and our soldiers deserve no less... And at the same time that American soldiers are engaged in battle at home, this administration is proposing substantial cuts in federal school aid to children of military families. As we learned the hard way after Vietnam, our duty to our troops doesn't end when the battle is won. Those that put their lives on the line have earned a lifetime of support. And America must live up to that commitment. Yet, two months ago, this administration announced it would suspend enrollment in the healthcare system of at least 160,000 qualified veterans. And now they want to deny another 230,000 veterans the healthcare they deserve. Link Discuss [Boing Boing Blog] 9:48:47 PM

Mary Riddell: A morally hollow victory. Iraq comment: No amount of PR will disguise the fact that this war is an outrage against humanity, says Mary Riddell. [Guardian Unlimited] 3:31:11 PM

© Copyright 2003 Ted Ritzer. Last update: 4/10/2003; 6:37:26 PM.