GOP Freshman Allen West Slams Republicans For Exploiting Troops in Shutdown Fight

[meegbear]

Rep. Allen West (R-FL), a veteran who left the military after admitting to abusing an Iraqi policeman, is now slamming the GOP for exploiting the troops in the government shutdown fight.

The House passed a bill on Thursday funding the military for the next six months and keeping the government open another week, but Democratic leaders rejected the measure over its inclusion of $12 billion of additional cuts. Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has accused Democrats of hurting troops, but West said in a statement to CBS on Thursday that he was "disgusted at the perception that Leaders in my own Party...are now using the men and women in uniform" even as he voted for the measure himself.

"The House Majority has now placed the funding for the Department of Defense and the funding for the troops down as a bargaining chip," West said. "In the last 100 days, the House Majority could have passed at any point in time a separate stand alone Appropriations for the Department of Defense and the funding for our men and women in uniform."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/gop-freshman-allen-west-slams-republicans-for-exploiting-troops-in-shutdown-fight.php?ref=fpblg

:wow:

[titaniumsalute]

1. Holy shit

I live in Boca Raton and can't stand this jerkoff. However he did just gain a little respect from me on this.

[jillan]

2. How dare you cause me to rec a thread about Allen West!

;)

[KeepItReal]

3. Maybe that's because his military pension is at risk

Disability and pension checks and GI Bill benefits are paid at the start of the month, so a March 4 shutdown would not have an immediate effect on those payments. But a shutdown would close veterans’ benefits offices, including claims processing and people answering questions, and could lead to delays in non-emergency medical appointments.

Of the 1995 situation, Murray said, “Across the board, veterans who were counting on our government to be there for them, just as they were there for us, were left in the dust. They’re thinking about that now when they hear the hot political rhetoric back here.”

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/02/military-veterans-hurt-by-government-shutdown-patty-murray-says-020311w/

[provis99]

4. yer still a piece of shit, West.

[KeepItReal]

5. "We hold these truths to be self evident"

eom