Dean Condemns Administration for Failing To Honor Former Prisoners of War

[Eloriel]

Dean Condemns Administration for Failing To Honor Former Prisoners of War
http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/002214.html#more
http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=community_veterans

Mods -- even tho it's not in typical press release form, I am quite sure the campaign would not mind the full piece being quoted.


DES MOINES--Governor Howard Dean, M.D., today reacted to the Administration's effort to block American troops who were tortured in Iraqi prisons during the Persian Gulf war from collecting any of the hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen Iraqi assets they won last summer in a federal court ruling against the government of Saddam Hussein:

"On the eve of Veteran's Day, we have learned that President Bush is blocking troops tortured in the first Gulf War from recovering due compensation for their horrible suffering. As we prepare to commemorate the heroism of the patriotic Americans who have served and sacrificed for our country, I am stunned by the hypocrisy of the Bush Administration and their betrayal of our troops," Governor Dean said.

"Instead of blocking the compensation rightfully owed to these war heroes, the President should freeze the profits of Halliburton and his other cronies who are benefiting most from the $87 billion to rebuild Iraq. I call on Congress to ask: if the recent $87 billion allocation does not provide for our veterans who fought in Iraq--where is this money going?" he added.

According to today's New York Times, administration lawyers have argued that Iraqi assets frozen in bank accounts in the United States are needed for Iraqi reconstruction. They also argue that a judgment won by the former American prisoners should be overturned.

Howard Dean also released the following statement today commemorating America's veterans and outlining his policies (please click continue reading):

"As President, I will ensure that veterans receive the respect and recognition they so greatly deserve for the sacrifices that they have made serving our nation. This is fundamental to the ideal of the American Community, which my campaign seeks to restore,"Governor Dean said. "Those who have sacrificed for our nation deserve not only our admiration, compassion, and respect, they deserve health care and other tangible benefits that ensure that they can live their lives with respect and dignity."

As Governor, Dean took numerous steps to recognize and support the 40,000 veterans living in Vermont. He enacted legislation to protect state-employed veterans‚ retirement benefits and to exempt disabled veterans from property taxes. Dean revived the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs, and dedicated Vermont‚s first veterans' cemetery.

As President, Dean said he will not turn his back on veterans. Dean will:

· support and sign legislation that fully funds the VA health care system, to ensure a level of funding that provides every veteran with quality, timely health care.

· put an end to the Disabled Veterans Tax by supporting and signing legislation authorizing concurrent receipt.

· return the Department of Veterans Affairs to its mission of serving veterans, and educating them about their rights to quality health care rather than hiding their rights from them.

· push for full funding of Veterans Affairs programs that treat mental illness, particularly relating to the lingering stresses of battle.

· provide homeless veterans with the resources and support that they need to regain stability, dignity, and control of their lives.

· support and sign legislation that ensures veterans sufficient G.I. Bill funding to send them not just to, but through, college or vocational school.

· enforce veterans' preference statutes applicable to all executive branch agencies.

Governor Dean dedicated Vermont's first veterans' cemetery in 1993 and revived the Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs. It was comprised of seven member organizations, representing tens of thousands of American veterans. The members of this organization were the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Benefits Association, Persian Gulf Veterans, and Waves National.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

1. But... but...

Confederate flag! George McGovern! I mean... Newt Gingrich... help!

How can I hope to bring him down with simplistic, reductive arguments when he keeps saying things like this, that need to be said? What are you trying to do, counter all the silly negative crap people are shovelling his way because he has the GALL to be the front runner?

[kodi]

2. outstanding, doc!

hammer at bush every day on VA affairs it completely undermines bush's connection as CIC (commander-in-codpiece).

if the doc wins the nomination he could do worse than select a vp who is a veteran so the vp candidate can attack bush hard in this area.

this needs to hit the front pages tomorrow, on VETERANS DAY.

tommrrow i would love to hear the doc say about bush..."while he was honoring and saluting the troops today, his subordinates were attempting to dishonor their sacrifices."

[Gephard]

3. Mr. "Bad Back" speaks

Criminey

[Pastiche423]

5. I take offense at that

People w/imperfect bodies cannot speak?

[Hobarticus]

4. Keep it up, Dean...

...and I may have to end up liking you, if you keep saying things like this. Good show.

[imax2268]

6. give'em hell Doc...

don't let up on these fools...keep going for the throat to expose this corrupt admin...