Bush: American people owe the troops "a huge debt of gratitude."

[sabra]

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2006/12/bush-touched-by-courage-and-bravery-at.html

<snip>

"Every time I come to Walter Reed I am moved by the courage and bravery of the people I meet," Bush told reporters following his visit. "And so on behalf of a grateful nation, I want to thank, thank our military families, thank the folks here who are wrapping gifts for the military families, and ask for God's blessings on our citizens."

Bush also said the American people owe the troops "a huge debt of gratitude."

"We owe them all we can give them, not only for when they're in harm's way but when they come home," Bush said. "To help them adjust if they have wounds or help them adjust after their time in service. We owe a huge debt of gratitude for incredible men and women."

[SmokingJacket]

1. Actually we owe them decent health care and better pay and

and end to this wasteful war.

[MrCoffee]

2. hear hear!

couldn't have said it better myself.

[tsuki]

12. Feeding them would be nice. A caller stated today on Thom Hartman

that food is in short supply in Iraq. If you are on guard duty during mess, you don't get to eat. Was asking for food in xmas pkgs.

Stripping the supply from the army and handing it to private corporations was really a cost saver, wasn't it? /off sarcasm

[patrice]

14. Period.

The U.S. should live up to ALL of its responsibilities to Veterans.

BUT:
Who I honor and why are not for others to command simply because they joined the military.

People join the military for all kinds of reasons, and sometimes simply to avoid having to compete in this job market like the rest of us. I will not stereotype their motivations as some single wonderful thing. If they get hurt "for me", that's a very sad thing, but if they had asked me before they went, I would have said don't go.

[Hippo_Tron]

26. Couldn't have said it better myself

[sniffa]

3. fuck you!!

you shouLd be down on your knees begging forgiveness.

he's a piece of shit.

[judaspriestess]

4. Bravery, of course you dumbass its their job

Stop reducing and cutting their benefits is the huge debt of gratitude YOU owe them asshole.

on edit: God Bless these folks for their bravery!!

[Book Lover]

5. If we owe veterans a debt, let's go crazy and pay it!

Take the lead, George, and fund the VA. Flood them with money and executive-branch attention. You are in a position to make a real difference; and maybe these final years of your term won't be called the "lame duck years."

[Captain Hilts]

6. We owe them our sympathy for being forced to fight in the president's private war. nt

[BOSSHOG]

7. And we will pay with what, another tax cut?

bush can't stand going to Walter Reed and pretending that he cares. He's looking forward to flying off to Paraguay in two years and hiding from justice.

[Bitwit1234]

8. bush should be crawling on his knees

and begging the troops and their families forgiveness.

[warrens]

9. That's not the issue, fuckwad

We also owe them the prospect of not dying for a stupid, lying, dishonest cause.

[partylessinOhio]

10. Don't put YOUR BS on the American people! You owe a huge debt for the

lives you have taken of the troops you continue to use as fodder for your endless war of lies.

What YOU can do for the troops is bring them home now alive and without injuries.

The greatest gift would be to be free of you.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

11. We one them an apology...

for saddling them with the most incompetent Commander in Chief in American history.

[Danieljay]

13. Amen brother. n/t

[angstlessk]

15. Isn't that called a platitude and INSULTING! He could not think of

something more apt, as in "I promise to see that their health care is fully funded, and their sacrifice will be matched by our commitment to making them as whole as we possibly can"?

Definition of 'platitude' from Dictionary.com:
1. a flat, dull, or trite remark, esp. one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.
2. the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite: the platitude of most political oratory.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

16. I accidentally tuned in just as he was spouting that crap.

Is he in deep denial, or does he really not see any connection between the horrible injuries and the fact that these kids didn't have decent armor that could have saved them a life time of misery???

:argh: Worthless POS.

[Solly Mack]

17. Fuck Bush. This military family wants those who made the decision to invade

Iraq held accountable for the lies and deceptions that caused the death and maiming of Iraqis and troops alike.

A criminal and corrupt government invaded Iraq. A criminal and corrupt government used and abused the troops for lies and greed.

It's the US government that owe military families...and not just military families.

The government owes us the truth. It owes us accountability...and so much more.

[GeorgeGist]

18. I think restitution ...

imprisonment, extradition, or deportation would be appropriate ways for Americans who support(ed) the War to pay their debt.

[bdamomma]

19. why doesn't he just shut the fuck up? we owe them, how about

what he owes the troops, what a jerk he is. Arrogant and rude as usual.

[Rosemary2205]

20. All he's willing to give is "thanks" and a kick in the ass

slashing vet benefits --- Bush is a $#%#@%$^$$^&^%$#^&* (nastiest skankiest cuss word you can dream up)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. Translation: Cough up more $$$$ for the "defense" industry.

[baby_mouse]

22. I am no longer shocked at his shamelessness, hypocrisy or self-delusion.

I AM shocked that he managed to string together a reasonably coherent sentence. Is he doing more of the headphone thing?

[sakabatou]

23. Oh, he's begging for forgivness isn't he?

[Spirochete]

24. Then bring them back here, Chimpo

so we can thank them personally.

[NightOwwl]

25. Bush says...show we care by shopping.

It's the least we can do.

Seriously, the very least.