Support of the Troops?

Now that the RNC is, thankfully, over, I would like to make an observation while shaking my index finger in a scolding manner for those of you that are even thinking of voting Republican in the forthcoming election. Especially those of you that are the "support the troops" variety.

The Republicans sure did make every effort possible to give the faux appearance of being pro troop or pro veteran. I guess I should also shake my finger at the mainstream media in attendance because they seemed to be in some intoxicated euphoria, hanging on every Republican lie, not challenging a single thing. Not saying, as I no doubt would, WTF are you guys talking about.

From what I did painstakingly see of the RNC confirmed my thoughts about a party going down for the third time, drowning in a cesspool of lies, perversions and criminal activity of their own making. But hearing all the support the troop's rhetoric really seemed to infuriate veterans from wars past and present with offense after offense after offense.

As Joe Biden would say, their silence was deafening. The part that stuck out most in my mind was that the GOP candidate for President, you know the war hero, was one word mentioned about taking care of those that have served when they come home. Based on his record in voting for benefits for those that served, who could blame him.

But with exploding rates of cases of PTSD, suicide, homelessness, among other problems these American citizens face, it is a problem that must be addressed. Especially from our next President. But form the Republican candidate - not a single word was spoken.

Not one.

Which is not really that uncommon from Republicans. People that consider themselves Republican have committed many sins in regards to support the troops including Rush Limbaugh's phony soldiers accusation against servicemen that disagreed with Bush's tragic failed policies on Iraq and Afghanistan. Remember that outpouring of Republican support for the troops they say they love so much?

And who could forget their fake outrage when General Wesley Clark pointed out that being a POW does not qualify a person for Presidential duty or Donald Rumsfeld's insulting "we go to war with the army we have" comment or the biggest insult to American troops: Walter Reed and the underfunding of Veterans Administration.

But it doesn't end there. The straight talk express seems to speak with a forked tongue. Allow me to point out that:

The Republican candidate voted against the Webb amendment calling for adequate troop rest between deployments.

The Republican candidate voted against an amendment that would provide $20 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care facilities.

The Republican candidate voted against increasing Veterans medical services funding by $1.5 billion in FY 2007 to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes.

The Republican candidate voted to table an amendment by Senator Dodd that called for an additional $322,000,000 for safety equipment for United States forces in Iraq.

The Republican candidate urged other Senate members to table a vote (which never passed) to provide more than $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment in Iraq related to a shortage of helmets, tents, bullet-proof inserts, and tactical vests.

The Republican candidate voted against increasing the amount available for medical care for veterans by $650,000,000.

When it comes to their claim to support the troops, the Republican candidate and his party are flat-out liars.

The message is simple - if you really support the troops, stop voting Republican and bring them home.