I’m Madder Than Hell, And You Should Be Too!
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I don’t believe I’ve ever written anything political in this column. I have other venues for that, but this is too important not to give it every ounce of exposure possible. Please pick up the link below and put it anywhere you can. This is so typical of the people running this country, it makes me want to puke!
My friend Marsha says it better than I could, and far more politely:
This last July and August Minnesota’s National Guard Unit, The Red Bulls, returned after twenty-two months of deployment in Iraq. Theirs has been the longest National Guard Unit deployment in the war. In fact, the Red Bulls served a longer tour than any other outfit, including regular Army and Marine units.
This month many of the “Red Bulls” attempted to “get on” with their lives by registering for college courses around the state. There was one problem: when they tried to use Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits to help pay for those classes, they found they were not eligible. They could apply for lesser National Guard benefits, but once those are in effect they lose out on the Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits. Oh, yes, they were told in July when they returned the “situation would be addressed.”
What happened? The deployment orders were written for 729 days. This is one day short of the 730 required for soldiers to be eligible for G.I. benefits…
Those who qualify for Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Benefits can receive $894 per month to be used for education, after making a $1,200 down payment. The benefits are available up to 10 years after the soldiers leave the service.
Those who don’t qualify, like the 1,162 from Minnesota who are recorded as serving 729 days or less, can receive $660 per month as full-time students through the Reserved Education Assistance Program (REAP). The benefits expire once the soldier leaves the service. These kids are getting the royal finger.
Note: I will not be reading nor answering comments on this entry. I don’t trust myself.
[tags]politics, war, politicians, military, veterans, scandal[/tags]
6 Comments
Buddy Noober
October 9th, 2007
at 3:31am
They were told about the 2 year benefit before they joined. That’s how the military works. I know this is disappointing, but you get what you negotiate. All the complaining in the world isn’t going to change the outcome.
Verne Middleton
October 9th, 2007
at 5:08am
Buddy Noober’s comment is accurate as far as it goes, but— if the ‘one day short’ is also accurate, what a coincidence!!!
Randy Knauf
October 9th, 2007
at 8:21am
Why would you post a comment then state that you would neither read or respond to any comments. This is just stupid. I have been a long time reader of this website and this is the first time I have ever seen this type of posting. I’m not a supporter of the current administration either, but the issue you have brought to this forum was not created by the current administration, but a collect change that has been happening for decades. When the vets from WWII returned home they had a GI Bill that revolutionized college attendance. For the first time a young person could attend the college of their choice. The hallow halls of colleges across the country were filled with people who never believed that a college education would ever be made available to them. But this came at a cost. Over the years assorted administrations have wittled away at the GI Bill so that it is only a shadow of it’s former self. Don’t just blame the Bush Administration. Blame the American public for allowing this to happen at all.
I hope you will grow up a little and not just throw a temper tantrum on this blog. Do something about it. Contact your congressman. More importantly go out and vote! Less than half of the registered voters cast a ballot in the last Presidential election. If you voted in the last election, go for you. If not, stop being a baby and go out and so something about it!
Bill Webb
October 9th, 2007
at 5:16pm
I slipped up and looked at your inane comment by accident, so I’ll reply to it only.
I was likely serving my country, voting and paying taxes decades before you were a gleam in your daddy’s eye. Don’t presume to tell me how to deal with my emotions, my political preferences or my column.
Randy Knauf
October 10th, 2007
at 6:24am
Bill, I see by your reponse that you dont take criticism well. While I did not serve in the armed services, I have been involved in the support of my country and community in many voluntary endeavors. By the way I’m 48 years old and a persons age doesn’t automatically qualify you for respect.
I visited your website and was surprised to find this, a set of guidelines you profess to write by. “7. Never make statements that you can’t back up. One assertion that will not withstand scrutiny can destroy your credibility with all but the least critical (and most gullible) readers. It is safest to assume that the readers know at least as much as you about the subject.”
You’ve made an assumption about me, without knowing the facts. Your little rant did not have statements that you can back up and your reply made an assumption about me that has destoyed your credibility. My attempt to point out that the current administration is not the only one at faulty apparently failed to get through to you. My biggest complaint is that you have little respect for the readers of the Lockergnome column. This not your column. I did not subscribe to your column, I subscribe to a community column written by many outstanding writers.
By the way, another of the guidelines you say you write by says “Don;t let your ego get in the way of your writing”.
John Newton
October 10th, 2007
at 7:16am
Bill,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. This article does show how shoddy our vets have been treated. While Randy makes a good point about how our government has been short changing our vets over the years, I don’t think that either of you will accomplish much with the childish behavior that has been displayed.
Randy makes a good point, we need to kick our congress critters in the seat of their collective pants and get them to doing something positive not only for our brothers and sisters in arms but the country as a whole. I think that the “throw a temper tantrum on this blog” line was totally uncalled for.
Thank you for bringing this situation to my attention. I’ve already written to both my State Senators and House Reps.
Best regards,
John Newton