Mitt Romney's speech: What about the veterans?

[white cloud]

By Juliette Kayyem

Over the course of the last year, I have written a lot about veterans issues, and there are a lot of them. I have argued for the modernization of veteran’s services, why we need a parade for Iraq veterans, and have consistently highlighted the challenge of military suicides. I have worked with the military throughout my career in government and know that service members do not easily talk about their own concerns. With less than 1 percent of our population serving in an all-volunteer force, it's easy for most people to forget about the issues facing the over 2 million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Even then, I was struck last night when Mitt Romney -- the Republican nominee for president, no less -- failed to even give a passing nod to veterans issues, nor even a thanks to the troops. We’ve accepted a collective amnesia about the wars. But the focus on domestic issues has not only silenced most national security discussions; it has also left service members by the wayside.
more
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/blogs/the_angle/2012/08/mitt_romneys_sp.html

[madashelltoo]

1. Yet, he wants to throw stones at Russia.

Why? To start yet another conflict that we don't need. This man DOES NOT CARE about anyone other than his own who will NEVER fight for "this country".

[jody]

2. I'm a veteran and see nothing in Juliette Kayyem's education or career that gives her a unique

insight into the problems facing veterans whose service to the United States span pre WWII to the misadventures of Bush and Obama in Afghanistan.

She writes "the focus on domestic issues has not only silenced most national security discussions" but I disagree.

IMO the silence is caused by essentially identical policies of Bush and Obama and Dem and Rep senators and congresspersons.

No one wants to admit that the only way for the US to deal with Afghanistan is follow the lead of Russia and all other invaders by just leaving.

Now both parties seem intent on invading Syria and attacking Iran, each of which would add hundreds of billions of dollars in future veteran's benefits.

To paraphrase Admiral David Farragut during the Battle of Mobile Bay, "Damn the future cost of veteran benefits, full speed ahead to attack Syria and Iran!"

[WooWooWoo]

3. i think he's taking my mother's words to heart

if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

For instance, don't mention your VP nominee voted against the GI bill.

[era veteran]

4. At war, our longest, and the draft dodger does not mention soldier or veteran.

I wonder if he used the word peasant this week?