Does anyone care about our armed forces?

[HBox]

Nothing but Lip Service (http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=0-ARMYPAPER-1954515.php)

This is really shitty. I'm all for increasing military spending if we pay our servicemen more. This is just ridiculous. At a time when the White House has our troops fighting and dying on a daily basis in two different countries, it has the balls to scrimp on pay.

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Yerdaddy]

I'm so looking forward to the rationalizations from the ideologues.

<IMG SRC="http://czm.racknine.net/images/yersig.gif">
CZM productions

FREE ASS!

[reeshy]

As a veteran, I can attest to the miserly conduct that Congress has engaged in- especially in the branch of the service that I was a proud member of. But on the other hand, I didn't enlist in the service to get rich- it was for other reasons for which I would rather not elaborate on at this time.
The members of our armed forces should be given everything that they need to accomplish their mission-including a decent wage and benefits package-and also, our heart-felt thanks!!

<IMG SRC=http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:zu7jHKRZM4sC:www.engr.uaa.alaska.edu/ice/2_9_99/USCG.jpg>

This message was edited by reeshy on 6-27-03 @ 10:33 PM

[ADF]

I didn't enlist in the service to get rich- it was for other reasons for which I would rather not elaborate on at this time.


You know, those warrants are still outstanding.

<center><img src = "http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/adfjet.gif"><br></center>

[ToddEVF]

honestly, Congress and the rest of the government take the military for granted all the time. I'm not a military man, but from what i've seen, they armed forces get fucked more by the government than the presidental interns of Clinton.

This is a stupid move, and to cut military spending would be a retarded move esspecial if we go after Iran for their "ties to Terrorism" near the presidental election.

<marquee behavior=alternate scrolldelay=30>I've been Tromatized!</marquee>
<marquee behavior=alternate scrolldelay=30>http://members.aol.com/TheToddsterLSP/sigpics/evftnn.gif</marquee>
<marquee>I miss my quote marquee :( </marquee>
<a href=http://www.showchoir.com/~justinc79/troma/terror_media/toddster.wav>The Toddster (the soundclip) </a href>

[TheMojoPin]

Weren't veterans' benefits cut recently?

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[HBox]

But on the other hand, I didn't enlist in the service to get rich


But I doubt you expected to live in poverty, either. And, according to what I've read, that's what a lot of military families live in. You obviously have more first hand knowledge than I do, but it is unacceptable for the people who defend our country to live in poverty. Ideally, I'd want our military families and single servicemen and women to live relatively comfortable lives. I think that's what they deserve.

When I think of what our government is cutting right now and what they are cutting it for, it enrages me.

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[mdr55]

I do (but does my voice count?)

DUTY HONOR COUNTRY

[Se7en]

I'm so looking forward to the rationalizations from the ideologues.


Why would they give them?

I personally think military salaries should be increased.

And we should cut welfare in order to pay for it.

<img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/captainamerica.jpg" width="300" height="100">
<br>
<br>
Is the Captain a member of the proud <b>2%</b>?

[Yerdaddy]

Why would they give them?
Because with republican control of the Executive and both houses of the Legislative branches of government, conservatives can't blame Clinton or the democrats for neglecting soldiers. So I want to hear the excuses.

<IMG SRC="http://czm.racknine.net/images/yersig.gif">
CZM productions

FREE ASS!

[Se7en]

Democrats Call for Huge Military Buildup
(2003-06-28) -- Democrats in Congress, frustrated that Republicans stole their thunder by passing a Medicare prescription drug plan, say this week they'll introduce a bill to double the Pentagon's budget for 2003-04.

"We want more troops, more weapons systems and a rapid rollout of the missile defense system," said one unnamed Democrat Congressional aide. "If Republicans can campaign as compassionate conservatives by creating a huge entitlement program, Democrats can run as leatherneck liberals. After all, John Kerry is Vietnam veteran. Many people don't know that."


<img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/captainamerica.jpg" width="300" height="100">
<br>
<br>
Is the Captain a member of the proud <b>2%</b>?

[Yerdaddy]

what's that supposed to tell us?

<IMG SRC="http://czm.racknine.net/images/yersig.gif">
CZM productions

FREE ASS!

[DarkHippie]

Se7en, what is the name of the site where you keep getting these joke news reports.

<IMG SRC=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/darkhippie2.gif>
<marquee>"Last night I went running through the screen door of discression, for I woke up from a nightmare that I could not stand to see. You were a-wandering out on the hills of Iowa and you were not thinking of me." Dar Williams "Traveling III (Iowa)"</marquee>

[HBox]

Bush Visits U.S.S. Truman for Dramatic Veterans'-Benefits-Cutting Ceremony (http://www.theonion.com/onion3921/bush_visits_uss_truman.html)

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Se7en]

what's that supposed to tell us?


It's a joke, see.

All except the part about John Kerry, who is a Vietnam vet.

(Not many people know that, you know.)

BTW, I should have bet money on how long it would have taken for someone like Hbox to post a liberal joke news report to counter my conservative one.

<img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/captainamerica.jpg" width="300" height="100">
<br>
<br>
Is the Captain a member of the proud <b>2%</b>?

[HBox]

BTW, I should have bet money on how long it would have taken for someone like Hbox to post a liberal joke news report to counter my conservative one.


Why must you make everything a confrontation? Did you patent the right to post parody news stories? I was just trying to make a joke!

Can we call a truce or something?

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Bergalad]

Here's a few comments on this article that started this thread.
-including a modest proposal to double the $6,000 gratuity paid to families of troops who die on active duty.
The 6K is to cover funeral expenses; it is not a pay-out for dying or a life insurance policy. The majority of service members pay around $20 a month to have SGLI (life insurance) coverage of $250,000. The government should be expected to cover body transport and funeral costs, but not anything more than that.
Similarly, the administration announced that on Oct. 1 it wants to roll back recent modest increases in monthly imminent-danger pay (from $225 to $150) and family-separation allowance (from $250 to $100) for troops getting shot at in combat zones.
This is misleading, as soldiers can get family sep for any field exercises or deployments in excess of 30 days. If they did roll back the ID pay by $75 a month, that would save $11,250,000 per month from Iraq alone. Add another $2-$3 million for Korea too. I am all for more cash, but I can understand why they are doing it.
While Bush's proposed 2004 defense budget would continue higher targeted raises for some ranks, he also proposed capping raises for E-1s, E-2s and O-1s at 2 percent, well below the average raise of 4.1 percent.
This is fine by me. In the Army, you can make E-3 within 9 months of enlistment. Hell, you can get E-3 before you even leave for BT if you apply yourself even a little bit. I have no problems capping the pay raises for these ranks.

No one should ever come into the military thinking to get rich. That's not going to happen. Soldiers deserve, on the whole, more money. But remember that whatever pay raise the military gets, the government workers want as well. This happened again last year, when the civilians who work for the DoD wanted huge raises in salary saying they were in as much danger as soldiers were. Hah! I certainly want soldiers to get more pay, but it has to be done the right way. If anyone thinks a soldier doesn't get enough pay to live on, I'll be happy to show you my LES and prove you wrong.

[LilLibra]

Unfortunately, this kinda thing is not new. The government hypes up the country and rally support for the troops, then turn around and decrease their *financial* support of the families- all the while raising the American flag and having moments of silence for our fallen soldiers. It's saddening but not surprising.

"Oh, I feel so deliciously white trash. Mummy, I want a mullet!" -Stewie Griffin, Family Guy

[HBox]

Thanks for the clarification Bergalad. Perhaps servicepeople aren't as bad off as I have been led to believe. I still think they should be paid more, and am against the rollbacks outlined in the article, but I am glad to hear another perspective, especially from someone with firsthand knowledge.

Of course no one enters the military to get rich, but I have no problem letting them live a comfortable life.

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[ADF]

Whether or not you can live a "good life" in the military really depends on two things- marital status and if one is enlisted or an officer.

A single, enlisted person in the armed forces might not be rich, but generally makes enough money to buy the things he or she needs as well as the occasional luxury item (TV's, stereo, bike, car, etc.)

An officer, married or single, makes enough money to be considered middle to upper-middle class.

A married, enlisted individual with children, however, often qualifies for food stamps.

<center><img src = "http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/adfjet.gif"><br></center>

[reeshy]

A married, enlisted individual with children, however, often qualifies for food stamps


Ain't that the truth! I had a friend when I was in the service who was married with a kid. I used to buy his wife some groceries every week when he was out to sea. It just wasn't fair.

<IMG SRC=http://www.gss.ucsb.edu/projects/hesse/hesse-cole04.jpg>

[Se7en]

Can we call a truce or something?


What, like the Islamic Jyhad / Hamas truce?

Maybe, but it probably would last just as long.

<img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/captainamerica.jpg" width="300" height="100">
<br>
<br>
Is the Captain a member of the proud <b>2%</b>?

[HBox]

http://www.jafi.org.il/agenda/6-1b.jpg

Wasn't me. I swear to Allah.

http://members.aol.com/joepersico/myhomepage/sig1.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_US

[Bergalad]

I used to buy his wife some groceries every week when he was out to sea.
Nice cover story hehe.

I appreciate your sentiments Hbox concerning better pay for soldiers, and ADF is correct that many service members are on food stamps or right about at that level. More pay for these younger, lower enlisted soldiers might help, but being fiscally responsible would be the best answer. These guys kinda spaz out when they get paid and don't think too far ahead.

[Bergalad]

Weren't veterans' benefits cut recently?

Remembered this question and wanted to give some info on it. The following is from the Secretary of Veterens Affairs, Anthony Principi:
The president's 2004 budget requests a record $63.6 billion for veterans, including a nearly 8 percent increase in discretionary funding from 2003 and a 32 percent increase in overall funding since he took office. The Budget Conference report that the House and Senate agreed to on April 11 raises the suggested levels of discretionary funding for veterans by $1.8 billion.

The budget proposal -- $30.2 billion in discretionary funding and $33.4 billion for Veterans Affairs Department entitlement programs -- reinforces VA's commitment to serve its core constituency: those with service-connected disabilities, low-income veterans and veterans with special medical needs, such as spinal cord injuries, blindness and amputations. The proposal to increase co-payments and create an enrollment fee has no effect on veterans with service-related problems, the indigent or those with special medical needs. The appropriateness of co-payments is long settled; Congress first approved low-priority veterans co-payments in 1986.

If the president's budget is enacted, the VA will treat 4.8 million patients -- 1.2 million more than in 2000, the year before George W. Bush took office. The president understands the importance of veterans' service, and Veterans Affairs will continue to provide veterans with world-class health care.

[canofsoup15]

Now this is the type of shit i dont understand.

Lets examine this further:

Movie Stars:

Read some lines, and on occasion have to do some stunts

Get fame

Get beautiful women/men

Get paid millions upon millions for logos and movies

Soldiers:

Defend the country

fight for the country

risk there lifes

have to do physical activities constantly

Dont get paid even 1/4 of what movie stars make

Now try and explain that.

<img src=http://members.aol.com/canofsoup15/images/rad-45.gif>