If we did, we would have ample justification. How many of you remember all the times that Republican Representatives and Senators falsely claimed that Democrats hate the troops, when we held out for such things as demanding an end to Republican torture policy. So even though I don’t think it’s true, I can’t really blame anyone for saying it, just to rub their noses in it. The truth is that Republicans don’t really care about the troops. They love to proclaim support when they want to use our troops as cannon fodder for their aggressive wars of conquest or spend money to transfer wealth from the poor and middle classes to the rich, but that isn’t support. When it comes to making sure they have the equipment they need, giving them raises, giving them health care, increasing veterans’ benefits and caring for their families, Democrats have provided it over Republican opposition. That’s support. Republican obstruction of the Defense Authorization Bill has nothing to do with the troops, except for the gay and Latino ones.
Republicans and two Democrats on Tuesday blocked a defense bill in the Senate that would have paved the way for the repeal of the military’s "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy for gay service members.
The Senate came up three shy of the 60 votes needed to begin debating a $725 billion defense authorization bill that included a provision lifting the ban. Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, both Arkansas Democrats, voted against the measure, as did Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both moderate Republicans who the Democratic leadership had hoped would back the bill.
The legislation’s defeat also dashed the hopes of some immigration reform proponents because the bill was to serve as a vehicle for an amendment providing a path to citizenship for children living in the United States illegally… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <San Francisco Examiner>
First, I think that, if Lincoln and Pryor won’t even support bring this to the floor for debate, our DNC and DSCC money should be invested elsewhere.
Frankly, I think the establishment Republicans hate the idea of depriving military contractors of the rich rewards this budget offers, even for a short time, but they have a problem. The Theocons and InsaniTEA wings, who make up nearly all of the Republican base, hate gay and Latino Americans so very much that the establishment types are afraid to cross to cross them, even though they love corporate greed more than they hate gays and Latinos. They had lots of excuses to explain why. All of them were lies, which Rachel Maddow completely debunked.
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Then Rachel and Lawrence O’Donnell discussed how Republicans are trampling the traditions of the Senate.
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If Democrats retain the majority in the Senate, that had better end the filibuster and private hold rules. Believe it that Republicans will, if they get control.
Finally, it’s apparent that the Obama administration made a deal with Senate Republicans, and as usual, the Republicans lied. At this point, Obama should issue a ban on enforcement, pending the report due in December. He could resolve this issue now.
14 Responses to “Should We Say Republicans Hate the Troops?”
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There are a lot of poor people and minorities in the Armed Forces, aren’t there? I believe I have just answered your first question.
Good point, JR.
How can the gay soldiers lose with Lady Gaga now publicly supporting them?
The mind, uh, Gaggles.
Or at least it Gagas
I think you just hit the nail on the head, TC. Obama could issue a presidential decree banning enforcement of this law today. After all, he is the ‘enforcer’ of the laws…. But will he do it, I doubt it. 🙄
I doubt it too. He seems to fear the lies of accusation it would bring. A mistake when 80% of Americans favor repeal.
Republicans hate gays, the troops in the field, minorities, intellectuals, the poor, workers, teachers, immigrants (other than their personal house servants)—they hate everybody. (ooops—I forgot about the wealthy and military contractors—they LOVE them)!
Except those few wealthy with a conscience, like Soros.
I was going to say what Jolly Roger said.
I do think there is an attitude of disdain for the Troops from republicans though. If they could outsource our soldiers to China they would in a second. If they could shut down the VA and gut any program that served our Veterans they would.
The almighty dollar and the rich and powerful who pull the strings, such as the Koch brothers are what matters to republicans. And sadly some Democrats.
I think they might prefer insourcing DoD to Xe (aka Blackwater): the GOP SS.
I’d wonder if at the bottom of all this, the Republicans are just afraid some gay enlistee or officer might make a pass at their own kid. Oh, but I forgot, their kids don’t join the military to serve their country. Bring back the draft.
Even if it is a draft limited to the relatives of the richest 2%n and of Senators and Representatives. Things would get peaceful fast.
Perhaps a little levity is needed now.
An old SNL skit on the eve of Mr. Obama’s nomination.
A Message from the Speaker-Elect of the U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Nancy Pelosi…
[ open on Seal of the speaker ]
Announcer: The following is a message from the Speaker-Elect of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
[ dissolve to Nancy Pelosi sitting stern and proper at the desk in her office ]
[ the audience applauds enthusiastically ]
Rep. Nancy Pelosi:
Good evening. I’m Nancy Pelosi. For the past nineteen years, I’ve been a member of Congress in the eighth District of California, proudly representing the citizens of San Francisco.
As of this January, however, I will, in a sense, represent all Americans, when I am sworn in as speaker of the House.
[ the audience cheers ]
Despite the efforts of this administration to frighten Americans about the Democratic Party, and its alleged [ makes quotes signs with her finger ] “San Francisco values”, last Tuesday you went to the polls in record numbers, and you sent this White house a message:
that “stay the course in Iraq” is not a plan; that our health care system should serve ordinary citizens, not pharmaceutical companies;
that so-called rough sex can be a necessary and fulfilling adjunct to a better sex life – partiularly when it involves fantasy role-play scenarios, such as kidnapping or forced interrogation, provided, of course, that both participants are willing and disease-free, and have agreed on what we call a “safe word” – for example: “Palomino”;
that an increase in minimum wage is long overdue; and, finally, that U.S. citizens do not surrender their Constitutional rights, the moment they engage in multiple partner or group sex, provided, once again, that all participants are willing, at least twelve years of age, and no peanuts, or peanut products, are used.
We Americans have always been a religious people, a member of my staff tells me.
And whatever you may have heard, the Democratic Party is not anti-religion.
Whether you’re a Wiccan priestess, a Druid, tantric Buddhist, Servant of Moloch, Lord of Fire, Presbyterian, or a member of the Cult of Collie – your faith will be respected, so long as no animals are harmed during your ceremonies – except, of course, gerbils.
And when the new Democratic majority Congress convenes in January, it will truly be a Congress as diverse as the nation it serves.
[ show photo of each individual as she names them ]…They are mostly black.
Chairing the Judiciary Committee: John Conyers;
at Ways and Means: Charles Rangel;
at Homeland Secueity: Benny Thompson;
at Government Reform: Ernesto Guevara, Jr.;
and Agriculture: this naked hippie.. and his old lady;
and Small Business: yet another black dude;
and Finance: the drummer from Rage Against the Machine;
and, at Intelligence: al-Qaeda number-two man, Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Truly, a Congress that looks like America.
[ Nancy nervously looks offscreen, as a leather-clad S&M enthusiast enters ]
What is it?
Dana: Nancy, uh, you need to okay this. [ hands her a memo ]
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: [ to the audience ] Excuse me. [ turns to her aide ]
Uh, Dana – I’m kind of in the middle of something.
Dana: I’ll come back.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: And, Dana, about your outfit – it’s alright now, but, as of Jauary, you might have to go with more of a business look for the office.
Dana: [ slightly embarrassed ]
Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: No, no – it’s fine for now, but, you know, but after the transition —
Dana: Sure. No problem.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: [ glances offscreen ]
Who’s your friend?
Dana: Oh, uh, this is my slave – his name is “Filth” —
[ an S&M bondage slave, with a chokehold covering his mouth, enters the scene ] He’s, uh, a human ash tray.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi:
Dana, this office is non-smoking.
Dana: Just pot.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi:
Oh. Okay! [ extends her hand to “Filth” ] How do you do?
“Filth”: [ muffled ] It’s a real honor to meet you, Congresswoman. Congratulations on becoming House Speaker, that’s so great!
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: Thank you, I appreciate that.
“Filth”: [ muffled ] You are great.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi:
Thank you.
“Filth”: [ muffled ] You are great.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: Dana, I’d better get back to this. [ points to the camera ]
Dana: Oh! Absolutely. Sure. [ drags “Filth” offscreen with him ]
[ Nancy returns her attention to the camera ]
Rep. Nancy Pelosi:
With your votes last Tuesday, you have offered us your trust. I promise you, we will not betray it.
[ buzzsaw sound effects suddenly blare from offscreen, as Nancy holds a nervous pose in front of the camera ]
Dana’s Voice: Palomino! Palomino!
Rep. Nancy Pelosi: [ glances offscreen ]
Palomino!
[ to the camera ] Excuse me, I-I have to take care of something — [ rushes offscreen ]
Palomino! He’s not breathing! [ runs back onto camera, with a panicked expression on her face ]
“Live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” [ ducks back offscreen ]
SNL Transcripts
—I am still peeing my pants laughing over this. Palomino!
Ivan, only you…… 😉