McCain and the new GI Bill.

I found it odd, that as a vet, McCain would oppose Webb’s update of the GI Bill:

A Vietnam veteran himself, McCain has opposed Webb’s bill as overly generous to veterans at the expense of career military officers and NCOs.

So be it. I suppose as McCain sees it, the more soldiers, the better to fight 100 years with.

I also found this amusing (from the same article)

There was a late scramble of Republicans switching their votes as the outcome became clear on the 75-22 roll call, which would add the spending to a larger wartime appropriations bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yeah!! Them GOPs loves them some troops as long as it’s politically convenient. Like say when a pro-troops bill is guaranteed to pass. Other than that, it’s pretty much a big fuck you unless it’s election time. I mean it’s not like it’s new. Did you know the defense of marriage act is back? In an election year? I’m shocked!!…actually what I found shocking was that Craig and Vitter were sponsors. Actually that doesn’t shock me at all….they obviously are craven politicians who will do or say anything to get re-elected. What really bugs me is that “value voters” don’t wise up. Why don’t they ask themselves why their issues only get aired out in election season? Why don’t they have legs after that?

Answer: because they are fucking stupid. If you are voting because some politician says they’ll get the “gay out” of the country, you seriously are an idiot. But…I digress.

So here we have McCain…a distinguished vet. Coming out against other vets making their life better…then when Webb’s bill passes all of a sudden:

McCain, campaigning in Ohio, told voters, “I’m happy to tell you that we probably agreed to an increase in educational benefits for our veterans that not only gives them increase in their educational benefits, but if they stay in for a certain period of time than they can transfer those educational benefits to their spouses and or children. That’s a very important aspect I think of incentivizing people of staying in the military.”

Benen has the video

Seriously?

McCain has been absent from the Senate since he started running, was actively against the bill, but now “We got it done”

Wow.

Now I know McCain got his ass beat in 2000 not running right enough. I actually used to respect McCain even though we didn’t agree on much, however his capitulation in the last couple of months, ending in this, shows what a craven coward he’s become.

h/t again to Benen here and here

I f’n love Obama.

I do.

I think he is the most inspirational politician in my generation.

I do believe he will change Washington for the better.

I am really pissed about his capitulation on FISA.

Here’s the kicker, Obama, whatever I want to read into him (and it’s easy to do) is not the Obama I fell in love with. He is, after all, a politician. More so, he’s a politician that wants to unify the country. He’s a politician that calls out the GOP defections to him….the Obamicans. He’s a politician that wants to compromise.

As a liberal, I know that Obama isn’t going to give me everything I want. Even if we have majorities in both houses (you think the GOP is being obstructionist now…) there is going to be a subtile shift, not a earth-shattering shift…to the left. Out government was designed thusly. As much as the GOP tried to shut it down…the minority always…and should always have vote.

Obama is not a progressive, but a uniter, and really…I’m ok with that.

Guns…a liberal’s response.

I’m a liberal. I personally don’t own a gun, and in years gone by, I was completely anti gun. I don’t think, (and still don’t think) that the second amendment gives anyone outside of a “militia” the right to carry arms. Granted what the term militia means is up for grabs and far be it from me to define it. And what defines “well regulated”? While I haven’t read the decisions and frankly couldn’t decipher the legalese anyway, from what I’ve read about the decisions, none of that was decided today. All that was affirmed was that people living in the US can own a gun. Fine.

I do know that the intent of the 2nd amendment (regardless of the language) was to meant to allow the public to over throw the government. Remember the Constitution and Bill of Rights were written in response to the rule of King George and England. Of course nobody brings that up, since that would mean context and in the days of yor the people might have been able to take on a governmental military, I doubt a few people with a couple of pistols would be able to take an M1 Abrams tank. Having to deal with context in an argument is such a drag. Lord forbid! I have to think, but rather parrot NRA talking points.

So here it goes. The “liberals” response to today’s ruling.

It changes nothing.

Nothing!!! That’s right. People who hate guns will still not buy them, people who like guns will, criminals will still be able to get them….and the world moves on.

Guns and drugs have a lot in common, although it’s interesting to watch the groups try and ban each of them. Think about it, if guns were completely banned, they’d still be as easy to get as heroin.

Prohibition DOES NOT WORK

Let me repeat that:

PROHIBITION DOES NOT WORK

It didn’t work for booze, doesn’t work for drugs and would not work for guns.

America is violent country. When we can deal with THAT then we’ll see the murder rate go down, just as we dealt with cigarette smoking: education. Smoking rates have dropped 25% in a generation.

Prohibition (on either side) does not, has not and will never work.

Of course that doesn’t make a good political issue, and is not good sound bite, so basically we’re screwed. I suppose if no one is shooting me, I’m ok.

Where were the candidates (and Bush) today.

Hmm…

Bush was in Europe on his good riddence last tour of Europe. Trying to shore up what might remain of his tattered legacy.

Priminister Brown said of Bush:

We both share a great love of history

Yeah…sure says he of the most incurious president of modern times. Of course Brown is thought of by the British as we think of Bush here apparently.

Bush’s approval rating is the lowest since polls began measuring this yardstick. Britain‘s prime minister, Gordon Brown, is in the same deep hole.

So while Bush is trotting around Europe playing nicey nice, trying somehow to resurrect the shit hole that is his legacy, the midwest is underwater.

Here’s your legacy Bush

…and a fitting end. People suffer; you’re our playing hoops with some Irish kids.

Yet you’re old news. A lame duck. Where were the future presidents today?

McCain was in Arlington, VA and issued a two sentence statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the flooding throughout the Midwest. Cindy and I would like to extend our sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones, and stand ready to help those in the Midwest to recover and rebuild.

Obama?

Since he’s been running for president, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the presumptive Democratic nominee, has not spent much time in Illinois. On Saturday, Obama visits Quincy, Ill. to inspect Illinois flood damage and help load sandbags– realizing that dealing with the flood stricken Midwest is a national issue

…and using his website to help flood victims.

Now I’m not stupid enough not to notice this was a photo-op, on Obama’s part. However photo-ops say a ton in my book as to where the priorities lie for the candidates and the former “commander in chief”

I Am Aware of All Internet Traditions.

…a meme in the making. In addition to the meme madness overtaking Balloon Juice at the moment (my first submission). I thought’d I’d do something a bit more topical as well (and I also needed a place to stash the picture so I could link to it over there.