http://bravenewfilms.org/topics/gi-bill 2008-10-30T03:32:23Z http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/52356-iava-director-faux-walter-reed-background-was-as-close-as-mccain-got-to-veterans-issues-at-rnc 2008-10-30T03:32:23Z Brave New Films <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G-i1SKl62cY&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G-i1SKl62cY&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/52356-iava-director-faux-walter-reed-background-was-as-close-as-mccain-got-to-veterans-issues-at-rnc"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/63520" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>From Ali at <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/06/mccain-veterans-rnc/">Think Progress</a>: </p><p>On Thursday night, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) formally accepted his party&rsquo;s nomination for president at the Republican National Convention. During his speech, a mysterious image of a building appeared on the screen behind him, which TalkingPointsMemo <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/213806.php">identified as Walter Reed Middle School</a>, in North Hollywood, CA. (The school <a href="http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/school_raps_mccain_for_using_i.php">did not grant permission</a> to use its image.) Some suspect McCain had intended to show a photo of Walter Reed Medical Center; the McCain campaign has offered <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/214219.php">conflicting</a> <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/214219.php">explanations</a> for the bizarre use of the photo. </p> <p>Appearing on MSNBC&rsquo;s Countdown last night, Paul Riekhoff, director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, slammed McCain for completely ignoring Iraq and Afghanistan veterans during his speech, saying the mistaken background was &ldquo;about as close as Sen. McCain got to veterans issues&rdquo;:</p> <blockquote><p>RIECKHOFF:<strong> I think honestly that backdrop, whether it was Walter Reed medical center or Walter Reed middle school &mdash; that&rsquo;s about as close as Sen. McCain got to veterans issues last night.</strong> He didn&rsquo;t mention the word veteran once during his entire speech, didn&rsquo;t talk about post-traumatic stress disorder, didn&rsquo;t talk about veterans funding. I think he really forgot where he came from last night.</p></blockquote></p> </div> <a href="/blog/52356-iava-director-faux-walter-reed-background-was-as-close-as-mccain-got-to-veterans-issues-at-rnc">Continue reading</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/51567-paul-rieckhoff-on-mccain-s-hypocrisy-toward-vets 2008-10-27T14:52:53Z tpmtv <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PP9OG2HbzLA&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PP9OG2HbzLA&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/51567-paul-rieckhoff-on-mccain-s-hypocrisy-toward-vets"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/62601" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>At the RNC, David Kurtz spoke with Paul Rieckhoff of <a href="http://www.iava.org/">Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America</a> about McCain&#39;s hypocrisy when it comes to caring for our country&#39;s veterans.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/51567-paul-rieckhoff-on-mccain-s-hypocrisy-toward-vets">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/49501-john-mccain-speech-08-18-08 2008-10-29T09:38:15Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5oHM1gTzu44&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5oHM1gTzu44&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/49501-john-mccain-speech-08-18-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/60031" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Speech <br />Orlando, FL 08/18/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPT: <br />JOHN MCCAIN: Public money should serve the public good. If it's me sitting in the Oval Office, at the Resolute desk, those wasteful spending bills are going the way of all earmarks, straight back to the Congress with a veto. You'll know their names. I'll make them famous, we'll stop this earmark pork barrel spending and we'll make it clear. [applause] And we'll make it clear that no earmark bill will be signed into law. And that will save many billions of dollars that can be applied to essential priorities, and above all to the care of our veterans.</p> <p>LABEL: JM FL 08-18 (EW#14) ACUZZ - ClipC</p> </div> <a href="/blog/49501-john-mccain-speech-08-18-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/49276-john-mccain-speech-08-18-08 2008-10-29T03:30:37Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P_MRaOrGfiA&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P_MRaOrGfiA&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/49276-john-mccain-speech-08-18-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/59741" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Speech <br />Orlando, FL 08/18/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPT: <br />JOHN MCCAIN: I suppose from my opponent's vantage point, veterans concerns are just one more issue to be spun or worked to advantage. This would explain why he has also taken liberties with my position on the GI Bill. In its initial version, that bill failed to address the number one education request that I've heard from career service members and their families -- the freedom to transfer their benefits to a spouse or a child. The bill also did nothing to retain the young officer and enlisted leaders who form the backbone of our all-volunteer force.</p> <p>As a political proposition, it would have much easier for me to have just signed on to what I considered flawed legislation. But the people of Arizona, and of all America, expect more from their representatives than that, and instead I sought a better bill. I'm proud to say that the result is a law that better serves our military, better serves military families, and better serves the interests of our country. </p> <p>LABEL: JM FL 08-18 (EW#14) ACUZZ - ClipA</p> </div> <a href="/blog/49276-john-mccain-speech-08-18-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/48210-mccain-town-hall-07-15-08 2008-10-28T21:30:15Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YqJ0wBa77Uw&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YqJ0wBa77Uw&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/48210-mccain-town-hall-07-15-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/58037" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Town Hall Meeting <br />Albuquerque, NM 07/15/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPTION <br />QUESTIONER: I'm going to school on the GI bill right now, and, as you mentioned, Senator Jim Webb wanted to institute a new GI bill. I'm halfway through my bachelor's program and my GI bill's about to run out. I've been hearing third-hand information from CNN and everybody why you oppose it. So I want to hear it from the Straight Talk Express. Why do you not support the new GI bill and what reassurance can you give me and all the other veterans in this country that you're gonna give us your un-ending support?</p> <p>MCCAIN: Well thank you for your service to our country. We did resolve the issue, which I said was incentives for people to remain in because, after now, thanks to our negotiations, we will now be able to have those individuals who remain in the military, after a period of time, transfer those educational benefits to their family members.</p> <p>The initial studies for the original bill said that retention would drop by as much as 16%. As we discussed earlier, we need to retain high quality men and women to make a career in the military. We have reached an agreement on this issue. </p> <p>There's only one thing that I disagree on the transferability and I'll keep workin' on it. They would not agree to have this transferability apply prior to 2001 [...]. I think it ought to be retroactive for everybody who has served this country and I'll continue to work on that. </p> <p>I think, if you talk, to one of our senior enlisted people today, one of their challenges is not just their own education, but how are they gonna provide education to their family members, their children, and their spouses? [...] We are now gonna give them the ability to transfer those educational benefits to their spouse or family member. I just want it to apply to everybody, unfortunately, they would not agree except back to 2001. We'll try and fix that as well.</p> <p>CLIP LABEL: JM NM 7-15 GI Bill</p> <p>To download a high resolution version of this clip, visit: <a href="http://issuealliance.box.net/shared/2pzubcn8k8">issuealliance.box.net</a> </p> <p>To download the full event, visit: <a href="http://issuealliance.box.net/shared/jfjzxfmgc8">issuealliance.box.net</a> </p> </div> <a href="/blog/48210-mccain-town-hall-07-15-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/44644-john-mccain-rally-05-22-08 2008-10-27T15:30:53Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J5_Tg4lrdRc&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J5_Tg4lrdRc&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/44644-john-mccain-rally-05-22-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/51063" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Rally <br />Stockton, CA 05/22/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPT: <br />JOHN MCCAIN: "And my friends, I understand our veterans' needs, but I also understand the needs of the active duty military. And we just had a bill on veterans' educational benefits. And I am in favor of increasing, dramatically, the benefits that our veterans have earned for educational benefits. But I also want to tell you that I want to encourage people to stay in the military and make careers of it. That's very important. And someone who has never served may not understand the absolute vital importance of an NCO. The great strength of our military is our noncommissioned officers. The ones I know best and have learned the most about leadership was our noncommissioned officers. Those brave men and women who decided to make a career out of the military. And I want to encourage people to do that. I want to give them additional benefits as they serve longer. And I want them to be able to transfer those educational benefits to their family members... and we can honor them best by increasing their educational benefits, taking care of their healthcare, but also, encouraging retention and my friends I don't need anyone to tell me about what veterans needs. I know them. And I understand them. And I understand them very well and so do you."</p> <p>LABEL: JM CA 5-22 (EW#9) ABSU - Clip E</p> <p>To download a high res version of this clip, VISIT: <a href="http://issuealliance.box.net/shared/e0avo834sw">issuealliance.box.net</a> <br />To download the full campaign event, VISIT: <br />http://issuealliance.box.net/shared/0hy8mdykgw</p> </div> <a href="/blog/44644-john-mccain-rally-05-22-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/44239-webb-bush-blew-it-on-the-gi-bill 2008-10-27T03:29:55Z ZP Heller <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Udp4ZUYjNbU&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Udp4ZUYjNbU&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/44239-webb-bush-blew-it-on-the-gi-bill"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/50613" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>A couple of days ago, <a href="../blog/43524-bush-and-mccain-take-credit-for-the-gi-bill-they-opposed">I wrote about how appalling it was</a> for President Bush to credit himself, John McCain, and Lindsey Graham for the GI Bill, considering how they did everything they could to block its passage.&nbsp; Well, Jim Webb shared that sentiment on Countdown with Keith Olbermann.&nbsp; </p><p>Webb laughed, &quot;I think it&rsquo;s safe to say there was a good deal of cooperation between Republicans and Democrats.&nbsp; It just didn&rsquo;t include the administration.&rdquo;&nbsp; He then added that Bush, who didn&#39;t even thank Sen. Chuck Hagel as one of the GI Bill&#39;s <em>actual</em> proponents, &quot;made a real bad mistake in terms of our trying to show full respect for military service.&nbsp; I think he blew it.&quot;</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/44239-webb-bush-blew-it-on-the-gi-bill">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/44167-headzup-flip-flop-or-senior-moment 2008-10-29T15:31:01Z headzup <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u1R5MXbFqvI&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u1R5MXbFqvI&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/44167-headzup-flip-flop-or-senior-moment"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/50517" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Hey everyone! It's time to play... Flip Flop or Senior Moment!?!?</p> <p>Watch the video & enter your answer in the comment section below.</p> <p>Not sure of the answer? Then read more about it here-- <br />http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/27/141036/548/141/542955</p> <p>Download daily Catch and Release Comedy™ political cartoons to your mobile phone or iPod at <a href="http://www.headzup.tv">www.headzup.tv</a> </p> </div> <a href="/blog/44167-headzup-flip-flop-or-senior-moment">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/43759-john-mccain-speech-05-26-08 2008-10-26T21:30:05Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TuOAeziY3YQ&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TuOAeziY3YQ&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/43759-john-mccain-speech-05-26-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/50098" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Speech <br />Albuquerque, NM 05/26/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPT: <br />JOHN MCCAIN: "The most important difference between our two approaches is that Senator Webb offers veterans who served one enlistment the same benefits as those offered veterans who have re-enlisted several times. Our bill has a sliding scale that offers generous benefits to all veterans, but increases those benefits according to the veteran's length of service. It is important to do that because, otherwise, we will encourage more people to leave the military after they have completed one enlistment. At a time when the United States military is fighting in two wars, and we're finally are beginning the long overdue and very urgent necessity of increasing the size of the Army and Marine Corps, one study estimates that Senator Webb's bill will reduce retention rates by 16 percent. Most worrying to me . . . is that by hurting retention we will reduce the numbers of men and women who we train to become the backbone of all the services, the noncommissioned officer."</p> <p>LABEL: JM NM 5-26 (GR#84) UABCZZ - Clip D</p> <p>To download the full campaign event, VISIT: <br />TAPE#1: https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/byb5yhao8w <br />TAPE#2: https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/i91ckp9nok</p> </div> <a href="/blog/43759-john-mccain-speech-05-26-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/43758-john-mccain-speech-05-26-08 2008-10-26T21:30:04Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uUVJsPaCXwg&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uUVJsPaCXwg&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/43758-john-mccain-speech-05-26-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/50097" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Speech <br />Albuquerque, NM 05/26/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPT: <br />JOHN MCCAIN: "I also believe we should provide veterans with a substantial increase in educational benefits. I have joined with colleagues to offer legislation that will do just that. The bill we have sponsored would increase monthly education benefits to $1500; eliminate the $1200 enrollment fee; and offer $1000 annually for books and supplies. Importantly, very importantly, we would allow veterans to transfer those benefits to their spouses or dependent children or use a part of them to pay down existing student loans. We also increase benefits to the Guard and Reserve, and even more generously to those who serve in the Selected Reserve. I know that my friend and fellow veteran, Senator Jim Webb, an honorable man who takes his responsibility to veterans very seriously, has also offered legislation that would provide more generous benefits . . . Both Senator Webb and I are united in our deep appreciation for them . . ."</p> <p>LABEL: JM NM 5-26 (GR#84) UABCZZ - Clip C</p> <p>To download the full campaign event, VISIT: <br />TAPE#1: https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/byb5yhao8w <br />TAPE#2: https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/i91ckp9nok</p> </div> <a href="/blog/43758-john-mccain-speech-05-26-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/43729-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-05-07-08 2008-10-26T21:29:57Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fu6fVi55uZQ&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fu6fVi55uZQ&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/43729-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-05-07-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/50068" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Town Hall <br />Rochester, MI 05/07/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPT: <br />QUESTIONER: ...Senator I'd like to start out by saying as a previously registered Democratic voter who voted for you in the primaries, thank you for your service to our country I truly do appreciate it. I'm currently a sergeant in the US Marine Corp reserves. Coming up on the end of my contract, six years. In that time I was activated for several months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I also attend Wayne State University for my Doctorate of Pharmacy curriculum, and when it's all said and done next to me I'm going to owe over 70,000 dollars in student loans.</p> <p>[...]</p> <p>So I'm going to owe 7,000 dollars in student loans and my GI Bill benefits will be exhausted at that point. As you know Senator Jim Webb has introduced the post 911 veterans educational assistance Act to help negate this. Once your bill was brought to your attention, you had a, at a VFW hall meeting, you had stated you hadn't had time to review it yet. And two to four weeks later you had introduced your own legislation because you thought it would hurt retention. Now, I've done some research, and in 2000 the average payment to an active duty GI Bill was 650 dollars in 2005 that value was increased to 1,034 dollars almost 100%. I've looked at data on retention and in 2005 fiscal year the army air force and Marine Corps reported no reduction in retention, and again in 2006 there was no reduction in retention. In 2007 the department of Defense stated, "retention remains extremely strong in the active force with all services having met or exceeded their aggregate year to date target". Based on averages from the College Board, they say that the average cost of attendance is 17,000 dollars per year at a public university. Under your Bill it will provide, for that same time, 12,000 dollars leaving that veteran $5,000 in student loans. And over the course of a four-year degree, $20,000 in student loans still. Here at Oakland University it mimics that. Its $17,000 and this is the average university. At the VFW, [McCain motions for speaker to wrap it up] ok. You stated how veterans of previous wars are treated, is treated is directly related to our ability to recruit the finest of Americans to serve in our Nations military. Yes, 79% of members of our military don't have diplomas right now and 15% have criminal waivers. Senator, my question is, when are we going to start rewarding our veterans for their service by providing them adequate college education instead of punishing them with college loans?</p> <p>MCCAIN: . . . We don't have a big enough Army and Marine Corps today, and you know that probably far better than I do. . .Including the strain on our guard and reserve is probably greater than it's been at anytime, in certainly, probably since World War II by any measurement. I worry about recruitment, and that means added incentives for educational benefits, pay, ect. I worry about retention. A lot of young officers at the rank of captain, as you know, that have reached the end of their obligated service, we're having some difficulty in that retention. The non-commissioned officer. All these things, I'm not telling you, but I'm trying to tell our participants here who might not be as familiar as you are. First of all let me say that I am proud to have received the highest award from every veterans organization in America. Not because of any reason but for my many years of dedication to the veterans and the care and affection and appreciation that I have for them. . . I also want to increase educational benefits, and do whatever it takes to both recruit and retain men and women in the military. I have some differences in that view. Senator Lindsey Graham, who is a reserve and has remained in the Air Force reserve and serves his active duty in Iraq, is the major sponsor of this legislation. He shares that same dedication. . .We will, I hope, be able to work out any differences that we have. But I want to, of course, reward the person who stays in the military longer with greater incentives to stay in as opposed to someone who only staying a few years, because I also want Americans to serve, but I also want dedicated Americans to serve as long as possible. And I will do what ever is necessary for what I've done my entire life, and my family for generations before me and generations after me, to do everything I can to help the veterans of this nation, and the men and women who are serving, to get the educational benefits that they need and deserve. [...]</p> <p>LABEL: JM MI 5-7 (EW#8) CHIPR -- Clip H <br /> <br />To download the full campaign event, VISIT:https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/vs658g3s4g</p> </div> <a href="/blog/43729-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-05-07-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/43698-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-06-04-08 2008-10-26T21:29:50Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iTcttWvXjGc&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iTcttWvXjGc&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/43698-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-06-04-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/50036" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Town Hall <br />Baton Rouge, LA 06/04/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPT: <br />QUESTIONER: There's a new GI Bill that's being proposed, I wondered what your opposition was to it.</p> <p>JOHN MCCAIN: There's a, there's, first of all, we need to increase the educational benefits for a veterans. We all know that. The educational benefits have not kept up with the costs of education in America. And so we're going to have to dramatically increase it. There's some people in this room that recall, and know, that the GI Bill, following World War II was probably one of the most beneficial programs, not only for the veterans that took advantage of it, but also for America because we educated an entire generation of Americans. I want two things to happen. One, is that once a person has remained in the military for a period of time, then that person can transfer those educational benefits to a spouse or family member. Because, as you know, a lot of military people, most of them now have families. And they want to educate their children and their spouses and their families may seek education. So we want to have a point where they can transfer those benefits to family members and to their children. The other thing is, I think my fellow veterans would agree, the great strength of the American military is not so much our officer corps, of which we are proud, but the great strength of the American military is our noncommissioned officer. [applause] They're the ones that—they're the leaders and the ones that do the sacrificing and I'll say it with all due respect ot the officer corps but it's the noncommissioned officer that almost makes the British military and the American military unique in the world because they're the true leadership and background. So I want to increase those educational benefits as the members of the military stay in and remain in the military so we will retain this core of vital leadership. And right now, the legislation has no incentive to do so. You get the same benefits after like three years as you do after twelve years or more. Um, I respect Sen. Webb a great deal, he is a combat veteran and a person who sacrificed a lot for our country. I believe we can sit down together and give transferability of these educational benefits and also increase retention of these very, let's be very clear, it's very expensive these days to train a member of the military with the equipment and the technology that we have to train them in and so that we can keep more people in. There's a study that shows that retention would drop by 16% if we didn't put incentives for people remain in the military. I want to work on, I've offered to sit down with Sen. Webb and others and there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to work this out. And I hope that you will support our position on both transferability of educational benefits as well as incentives to retain people in the military so they can make a career out of an honorable profession.</p> <p>LABEL: JM LA 6-4 (EW#12) SUF -- Clip C</p> <p>To download a high res version of this clip, VISIT: https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/87chkm9csk <br />To download the full campaign event, VISIT: https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/vfrr2498oc</p> </div> <a href="/blog/43698-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-06-04-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/43666-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-05-22-08 2008-10-26T21:29:43Z IssueAlliance <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2RRePpME7w&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2RRePpME7w&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/43666-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-05-22-08"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/50004" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>John McCain <br />Town Hall <br />Stockton, CA 05/22/08</p> <p>TRANSCRIPT: <br />REPORTER: Quickly, obviously you are aware today of what Sen. Obama said on the Senate floor in regard to the GI Bill. I wanted you to react to that, you put out a written statement today, making light of his lack of military experience. First of all, is that an issue in this campaign and how do you react to the statement on the floor? And second, what about your weekend plans, it's been called a Veepstakes, survivor, what are you up to this weekend?</p> <p>JOHN MCCAIN: Thank you. First of all, I believe that I have earned the right to speak out on veterans' issues. As a matter of fact, I've received the highest ward from every veteran's organization in America. I don't know if the American people will judge Sen. Obama on whether or he has military experience or not. But I know they will judge him as to whether he has experience and knowledge to make the kind of judgment necessary to care for our veterans. Sen. Obama voted against funding the troops in combat in the field. Veterans care about that. And I care about it. I'm not willing to cut off the funding of our brave young Americans serving in uniform in combat. And finally, I also want to raise the benefits and help our veterans receive a quality education. But I also understand from my years in the military, the absolute vital importance of the NCO, which is the heart and soul of the American military. There is no one more respected in any military unit than the senior NCO. And we need to p-provide incentives for some of these outstanding Americans to not only remain in the military but after they've served for a period of time to be able to transfer those benefits to their family members. So, um, I worry about the educational side and am committed to raising the educational benefits. But I also understand the importance of retention and when Sen. Obama said, we can just recruit more, then he really doesn't understand how the military works and the importance of the NCO and the absolute vitality of these highest quality men and women who have decided to dedicate their entire careers to service to their country and the importance of keeping them and giving them the benefits necessary that would accrue as they remain in the military.</p> <p>LABEL: JM CA 5-22 (EW#9) ABSU -- Clip H</p> <p>To download a high res version of this clip, VISIT: https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/k1ikrp64ow</p> <p>To download the full campaign event, VISIT: https://issuealliance.box.net/shared/0hy8mdykgw</p> </div> <a href="/blog/43666-john-mccain-town-hall-meeting-05-22-08">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/43524-bush-and-mccain-take-credit-for-the-gi-bill-they-opposed 2008-10-26T21:29:23Z ZP Heller <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rZmGxKjOPdI&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rZmGxKjOPdI&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/43524-bush-and-mccain-take-credit-for-the-gi-bill-they-opposed"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/49861" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>Well, it&#39;s taken me seven years, but I think I have finally figured out President Bush.&nbsp; All this time I thought he was just shamelessly lying to us, but as it turns out, he&#39;s just using a different dictionary than we are&mdash;one in which the words mean the opposite of what we know them to mean. </p><p>For example, today <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/30/bush-mccain-credit-gi/">Bush had this to say</a> about the passage of the GI Bill for the 21st Century:</p><blockquote><p> The bill is a result of close collaboration between my administration and members of both parties on Capitol Hill. &hellip; <strong>I want to thank members who worked hard for the GI Bill expansion, especially Senators Webb and Warner, Graham, Burr, McCain.</strong> This bill shows that even in an election year, Democrats and Republicans can come together to stand behind our troops.</p></blockquote><p>Now, I would define &quot;close collaboration&quot; as the coming together of multiple parties who put aside differences for a common goal.&nbsp; Bush, on the other hand, thinks &quot;close collaboration&quot; means that the White House and Pentagon should do everything in their power to scare people into thinking Jim Webb&#39;s bipartisan plan to expand educational benefits for returning veterans <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/06/pentagon-webb-gi-harm/">would &quot;harm&quot; our country&#39;s troop retention rate</a>. </p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/43524-bush-and-mccain-take-credit-for-the-gi-bill-they-opposed">Continue reading</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/43326-mccain-flip-flops-on-the-gi-bill 2008-10-27T09:31:14Z youngturks <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hR3FjHIbe_s&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hR3FjHIbe_s&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/43326-mccain-flip-flops-on-the-gi-bill"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/49555" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Watch more political clips at <a href="http://www.theyoungturks.com.">www.theyoungturks.com.</a> </p> </div> <a href="/blog/43326-mccain-flip-flops-on-the-gi-bill">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/40119-headzup-bush-s-memorial-day 2008-10-28T03:30:54Z headzup <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CRnDdLBkBhA&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CRnDdLBkBhA&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/40119-headzup-bush-s-memorial-day"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/45274" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>President Bush celebrates Memorial Day by threatening to veto the G.I. Bill and opposing a pay raise for soldiers.</p> <p>Read more about it here-- <br />http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/23/military-pay-cut/</p> <p>Download daily Catch and Release Comedy™ political cartoons to your mobile phone or iPod at <a href="http://www.headzup.tv">www.headzup.tv</a> </p> </div> <a href="/blog/40119-headzup-bush-s-memorial-day">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39821-an-historic-vote-for-america-s-vets 2008-10-17T06:14:49Z ZP Heller <div id="flashcontent"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> var so = new SWFObject("http://gobnf.org/bnf/javascripts/flvplayer.swf", "mymovie", "375", "292", "8", "#FFFFFF"); so.addVariable("file","http://democrats.senate.gov/multimedia/052308_gibill.flv"); so.addVariable("autostart",false); so.write("flashcontent"); </script> <a href="/blog/39821-an-historic-vote-for-america-s-vets"><img src="http://gobnf.org/bnf/images/empty_vid.gif" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left"></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>From the <a href="http://democrats.senate.gov/multimedia/">Democratic Policy Committee</a>: </p><p>This week the U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century G.I. Bill by a bipartisan and veto-proof 75-22 vote. The bipartisan G.I. Bill - cosponsored by more than half of the Senate, more than half of the House, and most of our nation&#39;s leading veterans&#39; organizations - will give this newest generation of veterans the same opportunities enjoyed by World War II veterans. &quot;This is an historic victory for America&#39;s veterans. It further strengthens the finest military in world and enhances America&#39;s security and economy. It is also a testament to what we can accomplish when we drop the futile and fruitless fight over which party supports our troops more and we work as partners in a bipartisan way,&quot; said <a href="http://www.democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=298255&amp;amp;">Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid</a>. </p><p>Senator Reid added, &quot;I hope President Bush watches closely what happened here today, and I hope he heeds the call of a bipartisan, veto-proof majority of Congress and the thousands of veterans who know we owe our veterans the support they deserve.&quot; <a href="http://democrats.senate.gov/multimedia/"><strong>Click here</strong></a> to watch a video released by the Senate Democratic Communication Center entitled, &quot;<a href="http://democrats.senate.gov/multimedia/"><strong>Supporting Our Troops: Delivering a GI Bill for the 21st Century</strong></a>,&quot; which highlights how Democrats remains committed to providing this new generation of troops and veterans with the gratitude they deserve: a change of course in Iraq that makes America and its service-members safer, and the care and benefits our veterans need.</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/39821-an-historic-vote-for-america-s-vets">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39806-mccain-s-vet-hypocrisy-continues 2008-10-24T21:31:22Z ZP Heller <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fBz41Wl2BwI&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fBz41Wl2BwI&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/39806-mccain-s-vet-hypocrisy-continues"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/44932" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>We&#39;ve known for a while now that McCain&#39;s opposition to Jim Webb&#39;s <a href="http://www.americanprogressaction.org/progressreport/2008/02/pr20080229">GI Bill for the 21st century</a> is a blatant hypocrisy since this bi-partisan legislation would award our troops the educational benefits they rightly deserve.&nbsp; But yesterday, when many Republicans broke ranks with McCain and Bush to <a href="../blog/39661-gi-bill-passes-senate-in-a-major-blow-to-mccain">pass the bill in the Senate 75-22</a>, McCain didn&#39;t even have the courtesy to show up and vote.&nbsp; Instead of doing his duty in Congress, McCain <a href="http://votevets.org/news?id=0142">attended a football fundraiser</a> in California.&nbsp; </p><p>Of course, the fact that McCain skipped yesterday&#39;s vote is nothing new.&nbsp; He&#39;s missed a <a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/senate/vote-missers/">whopping 60% of the votes</a> in this session, which is more than even Sen. Tim Johnson who suffered a brain hemorrhage and has spent several months recovering.&nbsp; </p><p>But what is particularly galling here is that McCain had the nerve to attack Obama yesterday, when Obama criticized him for opposing the GI Bill.&nbsp; McCain said he has received &quot;the highest award from literally every veteran&#39;s organization in America.&quot;&nbsp; As <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/23/mccain-vet-awards/">Think Progress reveals</a>, that ain&#39;t the truth:</p><p>In fact, his stance against the GI bill not only places him squarely in the minority of the Senate, but puts him in opposition to the <a href="http://www.iava.org/component/option,com_/Itemid,67/option,content/task,view/id,2746/">Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America</a>, the <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/12/american-legion-webb/">American Legion</a>, and the national commander of the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/washington/22soldiers.html?_r=1&amp;amp;adxnnl=1&amp;amp;oref=slogin&amp;amp;ref=todayspaper&amp;amp;adxnnlx=1211458482-HlSIlJFgtc6uNUP+/0Tj3g">Veterans of Foreign Wars</a>.</p> <p>The recognition McCain has received from veterans groups is not &ldquo;high awards&rdquo; but <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&amp;amp;address=132x5403535">failing grades</a>:</p> <blockquote><p> &mdash; <strong>Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America</strong> gave McCain <a href="http://www.iava.org/full-ratings-list">a grade of D</a> for his record of voting against veterans. (By contrast, Obama got a B+.)</p> <p>&ndash; <strong>Disabled Veterans of America</strong> noted McCain&rsquo;s <a href="http://capwiz.com/dav/scorecard.xc">dismal 20 percent voting record</a> on veterans&rsquo; issues. (Obama had an 80 percent.) </p> <p>&ndash; In a list of &ldquo;Key Votes,&rdquo; <strong>Vietnam Veterans of America</strong> (VVA) notes McCain <a href="http://capwiz.com/vva/e4/cinfo/?id=157301">&ldquo;Voted Against Us&rdquo; 15 times</a> and &ldquo;Voted For Us&rdquo; only 8. (Obama voted for VVA 12 times, and <a href="http://capwiz.com/vva/e4/cinfo/?id=157311">against only once</a>.)</p></blockquote> <p>McCain frequently <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080520/pl_bloomberg/aydpmsumrly_1">cites his own experience as a POW</a> in Vietnam as the ultimate evidence of his dedication to his fellow veterans. Unfortunately, his <a href="http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080602/beutler">record</a> belies his <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/07/mccain-against-va-funding/">rhetoric</a>.</p><p>&nbsp; <strong><br /></strong></p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/39806-mccain-s-vet-hypocrisy-continues">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39774-an-unexpected-overwhelming-win-in-congress 2008-10-25T03:30:29Z youngturks <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wd1wCWPmGwM&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wd1wCWPmGwM&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/39774-an-unexpected-overwhelming-win-in-congress"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/44899" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>Congressional Democrats score a big win for our troops against the Bush Administration.</p> <p>Watch the entire show at <a href="http://www.theyoungturks.com">www.theyoungturks.com</a> </p> </div> <a href="/blog/39774-an-unexpected-overwhelming-win-in-congress">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39661-gi-bill-passes-senate-in-a-major-blow-to-mccain 2008-10-27T21:29:26Z ZP Heller <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pK_9sI7hzAc&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pK_9sI7hzAc&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/39661-gi-bill-passes-senate-in-a-major-blow-to-mccain"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/44765" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>All our hard work in pushing for the passage of the <a href="http://www.americanprogressaction.org/progressreport/2008/02/pr20080229">GI Bill for the 21st Century</a> has finally paid off!&nbsp; Today, the GI Bill passed the Senate with an overwhelming majority, <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&amp;amp;session=2&amp;amp;vote=00137">75-22</a>. This means that Congress saw past all of the <a href="../blog/38816-the-return-of-the-toe-tapping-vet-bashing-larry-craig">hypocritical, unfounded objections</a> from John McCain (not to mention all the <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/22/graham-reward/">whining</a> from Lindsey Graham) in order to provide our vets the educational benefits they deserve. </p><p>Jim Webb&#39;s GI Bill has had immense bi-partisan support all along, including the backing of Republicans Chuck Hagel and Mark Warner.&nbsp; The bill would effectively provide full tuition and housing costs for vets who have joined the service since September 11, 2001 and have served three years of active duty.&nbsp; </p><p>Still, McCain refused to co-sponsor the GI Bill in what has been one of <a href="http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1808161,00.html">the biggest hypocrises of his campaign</a>.&nbsp; McCain falsely claimed that the GI Bill would lower the military&#39;s retention rate, and joined Graham, Larry Craig, John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, and others to offer a watered-down alternative that would only offer a modest increase in benefits to vets until they have served 12 years. &nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p>We&#39;re proud that our efforts with <a href="http://securingamerica.com/splashpage/">WesPAC</a> and <a href="http://www.votevets.org/">VoteVets.org</a> to pressure Congress have succeeded.&nbsp; But our work is far from over.&nbsp; Since the GI Bill passed in the House last week, it now will go to President Bush who <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/18/webb-gi-bill-veto/">has already vowed to veto it</a>, despite the fact that it would make him the first president in history to deny benefits to vets.</p><p>We have to urge the President to support our vets.&nbsp; <a href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/436/t/4262/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=2850">Join IAVA</a> today and please <a href="https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/552/p/10040/bravenewpac">donate</a> to the Brave New PAC so that we can keep this fight going.</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/39661-gi-bill-passes-senate-in-a-major-blow-to-mccain">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39404-when-will-mccain-start-supporting-our-troops 2008-11-15T04:36:15Z ZP Heller <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kcDMD0B7r88&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kcDMD0B7r88&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/39404-when-will-mccain-start-supporting-our-troops"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/44481" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p><a href="http://votevets.org/index_html">VoteVets.org</a> has launched a new ad today, in which veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan implore Senator McCain to vote for the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/will-mccain-cornyn-suppor_b_102605.html">bi-partisan Webb-Hagel GI Bill</a>.</p><p>We need to <a href="http://votevets.org/pages/?id=0009">keep the pressure up</a> on McCain to <a href="../blog/34701-why-won-t-mccain-support-our-vets">support our vets</a>.&nbsp; It&#39;s one of the biggest hypocrisies of his campaign. &nbsp; </p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/39404-when-will-mccain-start-supporting-our-troops">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39385-nancy-boyda-supports-new-gi-bill 2008-11-23T10:28:21Z alicescheshirecat <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sLQfZl6LwbU&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sLQfZl6LwbU&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/39385-nancy-boyda-supports-new-gi-bill"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/44460" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>The KTKA 49 News report about Nancy Boyda's support for the new GI Bill.</p> </div> <a href="/blog/39385-nancy-boyda-supports-new-gi-bill">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39287-bush-would-be-first-president-to-veto-vet-benefits 2008-10-20T15:30:24Z Brave New Films <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/thF8KwZ-htA&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/thF8KwZ-htA&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/39287-bush-would-be-first-president-to-veto-vet-benefits"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/44353" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p>From <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/18/webb-gi-bill-veto/">Think Progress:</a>&nbsp;</p><p>On NBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Meet the Press&rdquo; yesterday morning, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) discussed his <a href="http://www.americanprogressaction.org/progressreport/2008/02/pr20080229">21st Century GI Bill</a>, which would dramatically expand educational benefits for returning veterans. President Bush, however, has <a href="http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-newgibill.0515,0,6054465.story">vowed to veto</a> the bill. Webb blasted Bush for this unprecedented action:</p> <blockquote><p><strong>No president in history has vetoed a benefits bill for those who served</strong>. &hellip; The Republican party is on the block here, to clearly demonstrate that they value military service or suffer the consequences of losing the support of people who&rsquo;ve served. &hellip; <strong>The president has a choice here to show how much he values military service.</strong> </p></blockquote></p> </div> <a href="/blog/39287-bush-would-be-first-president-to-veto-vet-benefits">Continue reading</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39028-iraq-vet-my-one-hope-and-dream-of-going-to-college 2008-10-29T21:14:39Z ZP Heller <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i8Hzq7PzLpM&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i8Hzq7PzLpM&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/39028-iraq-vet-my-one-hope-and-dream-of-going-to-college"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/44055" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p><p><a href="http://ivaw.org/wintersoldier/on_the_hill/testifiers">Kristofer Goldsmith</a> testified before the Congressional Progressive Caucus:&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>I was stop-lossed. My one hope and dream in the military was to go to college after I went through Iraq. <strong>I attempted suicide. I never deployed a second time.</strong> Because of that I received a general discharge. I lost my college benefits, the $40,000 promised to me in the Montgomery GI Bill, I will not be eligible to receive. <strong>And currently there is a Senator in Congress currently running for president, who is fighting to kill our Webb GI bill. And I&rsquo;m one of the soldiers who will never get that money.</strong></p></blockquote><p><a href="../blog/38816-the-return-of-the-toe-tapping-vet-bashing-larry-craig">Why won&#39;t John McCain support our vets</a> like Goldsmith and sign <a href="http://www.gibill2008.org/">Jim Webb&#39;s bi-partisan GI Bill?</a>&nbsp;</p></p> </div> <a href="/blog/39028-iraq-vet-my-one-hope-and-dream-of-going-to-college">Watch the video</a> http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/38813-headzup-treating-our-soldiers-like-dogs 2008-10-27T15:29:41Z headzup <object width="375" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vP7jq5oBac8&border=0&rel=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vP7jq5oBac8&border=0&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="375" height="308"></embed></object> <a href="/blog/38813-headzup-treating-our-soldiers-like-dogs"><img src="http://bravenewfilms.org/pictures/medium/43815" width="140" height="105" border="0" align="left" style="border: solid 1px black;" /></a> <div class="post_content"> <p>President Bush is asked about deploying unfit soldiers, not paying for soldiers' college, and the fact that some deceased soldiers were cremated at a pet crematorium.</p> <p>Call your Congressman now 202-224-3121</p> <p>Read more about it here-- <br />http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/10/fallen-us-troops-cremated-at-friends-forever-pet-cremation-service/ <br />and here-- <br />http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080508/1a_lede08_dom.art.htm</p> <p>Download daily Catch and Release Comedy™ political cartoons to your mobile phone or iPod at <a href="http://www.headzup.tv">www.headzup.tv</a> </p> </div> <a href="/blog/38813-headzup-treating-our-soldiers-like-dogs">Watch the video</a>