McCain and the New GI Bill

As I've said before, the least we can do for our returning vets is to give them the opportunity to go to college and realize dreams that they may have thought unreachable. Most of the Senate and House agree with me. Unfortunately, the presumptive Republican nominee, a Vietnam vet and POW, doesn't agree. He's more concerned that our current military doesn't start leaving the service in order to go to college. As Cynthia Tucker, of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, points out,

Now, Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), joined by his colleagues John Warner (R-Va.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), wants to give veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan a similar package of benefits, since those young men and women, like the vets of the Greatest Generation, have made enormous sacrifices for their country. But their proposal has met stiff opposition from the White House and from Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

McCain claims the proposal is too expensive; he has offered a scaled-down version of the plan. Webb's new GI Bill, which covers the entire cost for a veteran attending a public college, would require about $5 billion a year. The continued U.S. troop presence in Iraq costs much, much more — about $144 billion a year. Surely the nation can afford to give a fraction of that to the troops.

Perhaps the real reason for McCain's refusal to support more generous college benefits lies in a letter Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wrote to Congress a few weeks ago: The Pentagon fears the plan would lure soldiers away from re-enlistment and back into civilian life. With the Republican establishment lined up behind an open-ended commitment to Iraq — and with some chicken hawks screaming for military action against Iran — they need cannon fodder. They don't want enlisted men and women to have the alternative of a college education paid for by a grateful nation.

Revelations like that always give me a shudder — a momentary feeling of disorientation. Is this still America? Aren't we the nation that claims we absolutely support the troops, that we will never dishonor their service again, that we all should be wearing flag pins to show our pride and patriotism?

Applause . . . A Tribute to the Troops

This weekend, as we all take a three day holiday, the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are still working their jobs and carrying their weapons without the possibility of having even one day off. They voluntarily wear the uniform and serve their country. Let's take a minute to pause and think of them - male and female, gay and straight, black and white, citizen and immigrant - all of those who wear the uniform.

Thank you!

Hillary and the Super Delegates

I know, I know - I said in an earlier post that Hillary should do the honorable thing and step away from the primary. Let Obama have the nomination that he has already won. Well - has he won it?

It's my understanding that the super delegates were first put into place for just this type of situation. They are supposed to ensure that the emotions of the people don't sweep into the nomination the wrong candidate. They exist to make sure that the interests of the party are upheld no matter what the people say. In essence, all those super delegates are supposed to make sure that Hillary wins the nomination. After all, she has won the states with largest electorate college votes. And she has primaries, which are open, as opposed to caucuses which Obama has won.

The only problem is that the democratic rules don't allow for winner take all. So Hillary has had to share her delegates in California and Ohio and other large states. Something she wouldn't have to do in the general election.

So, lets sit back and take a breath. Maybe Hillary has something here. Maybe the super delegates should do their job and make sure the best candidate gets the nomination. Keep playing Hillary, the fat lady hasn't sang yet.

Update on the New GI BIll

Last week the House voted to expand education benefits for today's veterans by a vote of 256-166. Today, the Senate joined them by approving the bill with a vote of 75-22. The two versions will be reconciled in committee and the final versions will be sent to President Bush's desk for approval. Unfortunately, President Bush has threatened to veto the bill because he is afraid more soldiers will leave the service and go to college. Did he ever stop to think that signing the bill could actually increase recruitment? Or does he even realize that our men and women in uniform can attend school for free while they are still on active duty?

Don't Ask, Don't Tell - Beginning of the End?

In a ruling that may signal the beginning of the end for the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy on gays in the military, A California appeals court reinstate the case of Air Force Major Margaret Witt.  Witt served as a military nurse and was honored for her service in Oman by President Bush.  After being discharged with only two years left until retirement, Witt sued.  The court ruled that rather than apply on the rationale that gays in the military disrupt morale and interfere with unit cohesion, there must also be evidence, for each individual case, that dismissal of the person serves an important government interest.

Currently, there are thousands of gays and lesbians in our nations military, many of them in harms way in Iraq or Afghanistan, some for the second or third tour of duty.  These men and women are loyal US citizens, willing to give the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.  Many of them serve openly within their units with no backlash from their fellow soldiers.  It's time for our country to end this policy.  We need these dedicated people just as we need all military personnel.

There are those in our country who will say, there goes that court in California again.  I, for one, say thank you.  It's about time reason and logic stood up and said Enough!

For more information on Major Witt's case,  go to the stories on MSNBC or  The New York Times.

McCain Speaks for Himself

Mildred Loving's Take on Equal Marriage

Mildred Loving supported us -

“I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.”

Mildred Loving, who with her husband won the 1967 Supreme Court case that overturned laws against interracial marriage, in a June 2007 statement about the case. Loving, 68, died May 2; her husband preceded her in death. (New York Times, May 3)

The Bells are Gonna Chime

They did it. The High Court of California overturned the state statutes that ban gay marriage. It may only last until November, when there will be a state constitutional amendment on the ballot to ban gay marriage. But until then, let the wedding bells ring.

Full Faith and Credit

I've been saying all along that any laws or state constitutional amendments banning gay marriage would eventually be deemed unconstitutional under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Federal Constitution.  The clause is short and basically states that any state must recognize the contracts and judicial proceedings of any other state.  It is the, in essence, the glue holding our nation together.  It makes legal in this state what is legal in another.

Loving v. the State of Virginia was decided on the basis of the Full Faith and Credit clause.  Today, the California Supreme Court will issue its ruling in a landmark gay marriage case, just as it did in an inter-racial marriage case 19 years prior to Loving v. the State of Virginia.  The arguments presented to the court included the reference to the Loving case.  Lets hope that California does the right thing.  Because it seems that as California goes, so goes the rest of the nation.  Eventually.

The Bidding of the Leaders

My cousin brought this quote to my attention. No commentary here, just let it speak for itself.

“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

Hermann Goering
Hitler's Reich Marshall
At the Nuremberg Trials after WWII

And Now - For a Commercial Break . . .

In this highly charged political we are living in, it is sometimes nice to sit back and take a breath. Every now and then, even watch a commercial that you might forward through on your TIVO. For a bit of a laugh, I've found this spoof of the Bud Light Hello guy. This one happens to have a gay theme to it. Enjoy!



Disclaimer: This parody is not a production of Anheuser-Busch.

New GI Education Bill

Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, himself a veteran of Vietnam, has sponsored a new GI Education Bill to increase the educational assistance for our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Basically, the bill would cover the entire cost of tuition and books as well as room and board. It would also offer a monthly stipend of $1,000 over and above the costs associate with school to ensure that the veterans would not have to work and could concentrate on their studies.

The bill has large bi-partisan support in both houses of Congress. But guess who isn't supporting the GI Bill for the 21st Century. Neither President Bush nor Republican Presidential hopeful (and Vietnam POW) Senator John McCain. They say it would cost too much. They contend that it would hurt retention efforts. Well Mr. President and Honorable Senator, this bill can't possibly cost as much as the wars we are currently fighting. And I imagine that recruitment numbers just might increase as a result of knowing that education benefits would actually cover the cost of higher education.

We made benefits like this available to veterans of WWII. It is the least we can do for this generation of veterans.

Time to Go

I love Hillary.  I think she'd be the best president, given our choices.  But after last night, she needs to recognize reality and step down gracefully.  At this point, a graceful exit, followed by an endorsement of Obama, would gain respect.  If she stays in, she will be seen as a sore loser.  I love you Hillary - but it's time to go.

The Last Lecture

Almost all of us have childhood dreams; for example, being an astronaut, or making movies or video games for a living. Sadly, most people don’t achieve theirs, and I think that’s a shame. I had several specific childhood dreams, and I’ve actually achieved most of them. More importantly, I have found ways, in particular the creation (with Don Marinelli), of CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center of helping many young people actually *achieve* their childhood dreams." - Randy Pausch

If you knew you had only a few months to live, how would you spend those months? Who would you talk to to? What would you say to them? Would you take the chance to give a final lecture? Carnegie Mellon a has lecture series in which professors give their Final Lecture. It is supposed to represent what they would say if the lecture they were giving was their final one.

Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon actually got the chance. Several months ago, Randy was diagnosed with terminal cancer. A month later he delivered his final lecture. It was on realizing your childhood dreams. Carnegie Mellon has made the lecture available for all of us who didn't get to see it.



The Wall Street Journal also published an article, A Final Farewell, that gives some insight into the man, his family, and his beliefs. Randy has also written a book called The Last Lecture. Check out the video and the article. Randy is an inspiration to us all.

Small Group of Citizens

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

As a nation we should remember this. What smaller group of citizens has the authority to make changes to our world than the Supreme Court. The fight between Obama and Clinton, the two leading contenders for the Democratic nomination, has started to look like a school yard brawl. Both candidates are throwing barbs and trading punches. Whatever the outcome though, we need to remember that they are both Democrats. Either of them would make an excellent president. And either of them would guard against a continued shift of the Supreme Court to the right.

After the convention, when one or the other has been chosen, we Democrats must come together and ensure that a Democrat wins the presidency. If we are Obama supporters and Clinton wins or if we are Clinton supporters and Obama wins, we have to stop insisting that our candidate would have been better. We've got to rally around the cause and make sure that a Democrat is seated in the White House. Otherwise, we could find ourselves facing a Supreme Court that becomes untenably tilted to the right. And with it, we would see many of our hard won freedoms, and freedoms yet to come, left on the pages of the history books.

Balding Penguin!

Pierre, a 25 year old penguin, found himself with a problem facing many men in their twilight years. Pierre was going bald. But unlike balding men, losing his feathers meant that Pierre couldn't stay warm enough to swim with his penguin buddies. The solution - a wetsuit to keep him warm. And as an added bonus, he started to grow his feathers back!

America . . . at Gate 14

Anyone who knows me knows that I would never be mistaken for a conservative. I'm not so far left that I'd tip the boat over, but I am definitely a liberal. But I believe in the saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer. So I read the Wall Street Journal. I read Peggy Noonan fairly regularly, and I rarely agree with her. But this time around, I think she has a point.

Peggy is sitting in AnyAirport, America at Gate 14. She's tuning out Wolf Blitzer as he talks of the Pennsylvania primaries. And she's looking around realizing who Barak Obama's real enemy is. It's not Clinton or McCain. It's the average American who understands, truely feels, what patriotism is. The people of middle America who see the understanding in McCain's patriotism and in Clinton's time in Arkansas. The America that realizes Bush wasn't the president they could sit down and have a beer with. Peggy sees what Barak is missing, she sees the America that is beginning to get a whiff of Barak's elitism.

Hillary in 2012?

I admit I voted for Hillary in the primaries. I think that she is the best candidate overall to make the changes we need in Washington. But I'm coming to terms with the very real possibility that Obama will take the Democratic nomination. So I ask myself, with the race going this way, why is Hillary staying? Is she staying so that a dialog will remain open in the Democratic party? Is she hoping that some miracle will happen and all the super delegates will swing her way? (Which, by the way, I'm praying for!) Or is she laying the groundwork for her next run in 2012?