quote:

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. A few moments ago I signed legislation that funds our troops who are in harm's way. Our nation has no greater responsibility than supporting our men and women in uniform -- especially since we're at war. This is a responsibility all of us in Washington share -- not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans. And I want to thank leaders of the House and Senate for getting this bill to my office.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080630.html 

quote:

I appreciate that Republicans and Democrats in Congress agreed to provide these vital funds without tying the hands of our commanders, and without an artificial timetable of withdrawal from Iraq. Our troops have driven the terrorists and extremists from many strongholds in Iraq; today violence is at the lowest level since March of 2004. As a result of this progress, some of our troops are coming home as result of our policy called "return on success." We welcome them home. And with this legislation we send a clear message to all that are servings [sic] on the front line that our nation continues to support them.

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ORIGINAL: bipolarber
Yep. It passed. and it was somewhat sickening to see Bush and McCain, (both of whom opposed the bill and voted against it) suddenly take credit for it's passage. They thought it was going to be "too expensive"...

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ORIGINAL: DomKen

Merc, do you really think a funding bill not getting passed would actually end the occupation? Are you aware that GWB said he would order the Pentagon to divert funding from elsewhere if the funding wasn't provided? Do you really think the Democrats are so stupid as to do something so easily spun into "not supporting the troops?"

Or is your outrage a false face for your partisan attcks?

quote:

Stop it Merc.
The dems held up Bush`s war funding to make him sign a bill(the GI "Bill of Rights") that he was against.
Your guy was the one  who blinked.
Did you think that congress was going withhold funding from our troops?Nope,but they were going to make Bush play ball,nicey nice.
Who`s surprised that Bush would turn around and take credit for a bill that he didn`t support?That kind of stunt, defines Bush.

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You helped vote this guy in a 2nd time,Merc.Thanks.

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ORIGINAL: Owner59

"Yup I did and considering the alternative - you're welcome."

There was a third.Stay home.
I still don`t understand why folks thought that they ~had~ to vote for Bush.Was there a gun to your head or something?
The poor alternative excuse is just a lame cop-out for voting for the worst president in American history,again.
Again,thanks
And anybody,I mean anybody ,would have done better that Bush has.

quote:

ORIGINAL: bipolarber

Yep. It passed. and it was somewhat sickening to see Bush and McCain, (both of whom opposed the bill and voted against it) suddenly take credit for it's passage. They thought it was going to be "too expensive"...

quote:

Celebrating the passage of this Bill, celebrates the continuing war in Iraq. Hypocrisy or spin; what is the appropriate politically correct term?

Yeah, all those bi-partisan votes. Bi-Partisan to a political party perhaps; but VERY partisan to the paying pack the PAC's and industries funding re-election campaigns. The fact that there are some who want to make political hay out of this from either side of the aisle speaks to the naiveté, (I really wanted to use stupidity there) of the electorate.

There have been a dozen  headlines about this bill. Pick and choose the one representing the cut of pork that suits your 'representative's' reelection campaign best and I'm sure you can find a local headline about it. But the attention given to the 'GI Bill' is the most ironic. Especially this part: 

quote:

Providing Veterans with the benefits they have earned and deserve

• Ends the Disabled Veterans’ Tax.
  
  
• Reduces waiting times on disability claims and expands outreach to veterans.

Ironic because this and the other billions of pork added to the mix served to mask the ultimate result. The Iraq was is funded for another 18 months, insuring another 18 months worth of dead and wounded soldiers.

Those in favor can take a bow - but at the same time they should be also taking some blame for funding more flag laden coffins.