Help me rebut this RW e-mail slam on Obama.

[arbusto_baboso]

Got an e-mail from someone who I usually consider a friend, stating the following. I think it's a load of crap, but would like some confirmation:

THE ABSOLUTE MOST UNBELIEVABLE PRESIDENT!!!HERE IS HIS RESPONSE WHEN HE BACKED OFF FROM HIS DECISION TO REQUIRE THE MILITARY PAY FOR THEIR WAR INJURIES:



Bad press, including major mockery of the plan by comedian Jon Stewart, led to President Obama abandoning his proposal to require veterans carry private health insurance to cover the estimated $540 million annual cost to the federal government of treatment for injuries to military personnel received during their tours on active duty. The President admitted that he was puzzled by the magnitude of the opposition to his proposal.

"Look, it's an all volunteer force," Obama complained. "Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice? It doesn't compute.." "I thought these were people who were proud to sacrifice for their country, "Obama continued "I wasn't asking for blood, just money. With the country facing the worst financial crisis in its history, I'd have thought that the patriotic thing to do would be to try to help reduce the nation's deficit.. I guess I underestimated the selfishness of some of my fellow Americans."


Please pass this on to everyone including every vet and their families whom you know. How in the world did a person with this mindset become our leader?

REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT.... "Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?"

[EstimatedProphet]

1. .

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/veteranshealth.asp

You're welcome.

[arbusto_baboso]

2. Just what I needed! Thanks!

[alsame]

3. Immediately ask for a link to the source for the quotes from

the President. Please, not even Bush was stupid enough to say things like that about the military.

[immoderate]

4. Snopes

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/veteranshealth.asp

--imm

[arbusto_baboso]

5. Update!

I replied to my friend by saying, "This is a load of crap and a right-wing smear-job" and linked to Snopes. Haven't heard back from her yet. Wonder if I will???

[gratuitous]

6. The response, if any, will be another smear job

I'm just guessing, but does your friend prize his or her religiosity? You might send a gentle reminder that bearing false witness is considered a big no-no by most major religions. The Christian Testament, in particular the first letter to Timothy, is particularly hard on folks spreading gossip, as well as having a harsh word or two against people eager to hear gossip. Your friend should have a little more considering not only for his or her own soul, but yours as well, before spreading falsehoods.

[arbusto_baboso]

7. This person IS religious, yes, and HAS replied.

She says that he actually said those things, and disputes Snopes. SIGH.

I told her to back up her assertions. We'll see.

[gratuitous]

8. The saga continues

"There is none so blind as he who will not see."
--Ray Stevens

[arbusto_baboso]

9. Ah, yes, now she says Snopes has a liberal bias.

But still no mention of where the original quote actually came from.

[EOTE]

11. Well yes, the truth does have a liberal bias.

Republicans think they can make up shit whenever they want, never have to back up their assertions, and then rely on everyone else to prove them wrong.

[EstimatedProphet]

12. It came from here

http://www.azconservative.org/Semmens188.htm

Show her that

[OneGrassRoot]

18. The right-wing smear of Snopes, saying it's run by Soros....

I encountered that recently myself. Facts really bother these people, so they have to dispute the source of facts.

It's rather futile, but here is evidence to dispute their Soros/Snopes meme:


http://www.snopes.com/info/faq.asp

Advertising and Finances:

Q: Who pays you to maintain this site?

A: Snopes.com is a completely independent entity which is wholly owned by its operators, Barbara and David Mikkelson. We have no sponsors, investors, or partners, nor do we have any affiliation or relationship (financial or otherwise) with any political party, religious group, business organization, government agency, or any other outside group or persons. We pay all the costs of producing and operating this web site ourselves and derive our income from the advertising revenues it provides.

Q: Are you funded by George Soros?

A: We are completely self-supporting; we receive no funding from any person, group, agency, or organization. And we wouldn't recognize George Soros if we sat next to him on a bus.

[arbusto_baboso]

13. Uh oh, I mentioned the false witness thing.....

and now she's outraged. "How DARE you question my beliefs!"

I dare because you are quite clearly hypocritical on this issue.

May cost the friendship at this stage.

Don't think I much care anymore.

[gratuitous]

15. Everyone is entitled to her beliefs

Just not her own version of the facts. I suppose you could apologize for thinking she was a committed bible-believing Christian; seems she's more of the "cafeteria" variety who picks and chooses what she wants to believe when it's convenient for her. No shame in that. She has lots of company.

[arbusto_baboso]

17. I actually used that line.

Althought I mentioned being entitled to opinions and not facts.

She's disputing the facts.

No real point in continuing to talk to her.

[gratuitous]

19. Yeah, no real point in continuing

Unless, of course, you emotionally detach yourself from the conversation and just provoke the living hell out of her. But you're probably too fine a person to do that; not that I am, but it's nice there are some people in the world like that.

[MAcciard]

10. I don't know about the email, but I do

know about the issue, maybe this will help;

Obama Admin Backs Off Making Vets Pay for VA Treatment

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/03/obama-admin-backs-off-making-vets-pay-for-va-treatment.html

Obama Backs Off Plan To Bill Private Insurers For Vets' Care

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/18/obama-backs-off-plan-to-b_n_176590.html

Administration Listens to Vets; Backs Off VA Insurance Plan

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2577

[Steely_Dan]

14. It's Shit Like This...

that just fries my brain. No President would say such things. It is obvious on its face.

-P

[arbusto_baboso]

16. Yeah, no lie. Anyone who would say something like this....

Would have a HISTORY of saying things like this and would never, EVER be elected.

[Bigmack]

20. Politifact says "pants on fire"

Ok.... your dumbshit "friend" doesn't like snopes. How about Politifact?

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/apr/09/chain-email/fiction-touted-fact-anti-obama-e-mail/

[arbusto_baboso]

21. Not a friend anymore. I just blocked her e-mails.

They were growing more and more strident and batshit crazy.

[Bigmack]

22. ... and factcheck.com says....

the same.... please keep us posted about whether the "friend" ever gives up.

http://www.factcheck.org/2009/05/would-obama-have-soldiers-pay-for-own-war-injuries/