Senate votes to add 20,000 troops to Army

[phantom power]

June 18, 2004 | WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defying the Bush administration, the Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to add 20,000 troops to an Army stretched thin by the war in Iraq and other commitments around the world.

The 93-4 vote in the Republican-led Senate -- following a similar action by the House -- reflected the anxieties lawmakers have been hearing from families of service personnel whose tours in Iraq keep getting extended and whose return to civilian life is repeatedly postponed.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the lack of troops at the end of major combat in Iraq cost the military an opportunity to stop the violence that continues today.

"We didn't have enough people on the ground, and now we are paying a very, very heavy price for that incredible mistake on the part of the civilian leadership in the Pentagon of the United States of America,'' he said.
http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/06/18/army/index.html

[bluestateguy]

1. And those troops will come from...?

The cloning base on the planet Kamino.

http://www.starwars.com/databank/location/kamino/index.html

[former conservative]

2. This is undoubtedly at the expense of domestic programs.

Yeah, lets add to the world's strongest military no matter the cost. Lets forget the suffering peoples in this country. (sarcasm)

[frankly_fedup2]

7. Shouldn't be sarcasm- a long ranting post that will probably bore everyone

I'm one of them suffering in this Country. However, there are some poor souls still out on the streets and, at least, me and my husband still have our home. Of course, I would not live in any other country in the world. I have been wanting to move to Canada since Bush was put in office; however, we haven't been able to afford it. I became disabled. Did you know they tax disability Social Security? Yep? Every month over $200 of my check goes to taxes, Federal, Medicare, and (laughing), SS tax. Then I have to pay for Medicare out of my check before I even get it and that is right at $60 a month. I went from $35,000 a year job to a little over $10,000 a year disability check and that is before taxes. I have worked ever since I was 16 years old and I'm 45 now. It sucks.

My husband, who is 7 years younger than I, worked half-heartedly for his father in his teens and early to middle 20's. They gave him a little bit of spending money, but told him he was earning his keep to still live in their house. Let me put it this way, he never made enough to even file for taxes. The first year we were married and did our taxes, We got a letter back from the IRS asking who the heck my husband was, why he was 25, and why he had never paid taxes. That was a scary year.

Anyway, sorry so long, but my point is this. . . If my husband were to become disabled today, he would get almost $400 a month more than me. Think about it. I'm 7 years older, have worked a lot longer and made a lot more money, I have paid taxes since I was 16, and also have made more per year except for the last couple of years before I became disabled . . . but he would get $400 a month more than me. Something is messed up with that system!!!!

One more thing I found out too. The Social Security Disability comes from a completely different fund then the Social Security Retirement benefits. I will receive disability until the retirement age (whatever mine will be by then)AND if (a big IF I live that long), and by doing so, I will bring in more money per month then if I took retirement money. That's screwed up.

Sorry, just ranting.

[phantom power]

3. Indeed, where *will* they come from...

They said this follows "similar" action from the HR. That sounds like sufficient support to pass a bill, although its not clear to me that the House and Senate were voting on the same bill.

I wonder if Bush will veto?

[The Blue Knight]

4. Hmmm.

I too wonder where they're going to get these troops?

Will Bush veto? Does the son of a bitch even know how to veto in the first place?

[neuvocat]

6. Maybe he won't.

They can't get enough people to volunteer, I can tell ya that.

[phantom power]

5. I'm fascinated by the low level of response to this headline

Isn't this the Big Draft Admission? How can they talk about adding 20,000 troops without bringing back the draft?

Or am I complete wrong about that?

[former conservative]

8. no draft will occur

I am certain that no draft will occur.

[Moderator]

9. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x629199