There’s a reason the New Hampshire Gazette has Willard Mitt Romney listed in it’s “Chickenhawk Hall Of Shame.”
And stuff like this is going to keep Romney in it:
Maybe some enterprising main-stream media type will ask if John Kline, Erik Paulsen, Michele Bachmann & Chip Cravaack are in with Mitt on this scheme to screw veterans for corporate gain?
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
In a word: NO.
GOPer Erik Paulsen, R=TargetCorp, recently took the time to toss up a quick YouTube saying, in honor of Veterans Day (tomorrow), how much he honors veterans. Yeah, “right.” Here’s what his official house.gov website says:
For Veterans and Service Members
I place the utmost priority on constituent service requests in my office – particularly those related to veterans. Whether it be help getting benefits or a Purple Heart, I strongly encourage you to contact me and my staff to help with your needs.
Additionally, I’m working on a number of bills in Congress to honor and strengthen the commitment we’ve made to our veterans, service members and their families.
I am also working to address a number of issues related to survivor and dependent benefits, honoring our Purple Heart recipients with a forever stamp and I am co-sponsoring legislation to allow members of the Armed Forces, and their loved ones, to send letters and care packages to our troops over seas at no cost.
I want this section of my website to be entirely dedicated to helping those who have served our nation in uniform. Check out the resources below and please contact me with any questions.
I followed that link – and it goes to Paulsen’s Press Releases. Yes, “press releases.” One bill that he “worked on” is a bill that never got enacted – because Paulsen seems to think it takes a new law to enforce what existing law already calls for. But hey! Pausen sure gave it a swell name – the “Wounded Warrior and Military Survivor Housing Assistance Act of 2010″!
A search of Paulsen’s proposed legislation doesn’t list a single Veteran’s Issue. Carrying water for the insurance industry? Sure! Greasing the skids on tax rates for investment income of private foundations? You betcha! Writing legislation to help Veterans that have served their country? Not so much.
In fact, as noted a month ago here on MPP in a post entitled “Do Bachmann And Paulsen Support Veterans?” — well, let’s look!
The Veterans Of Foreign Wars just happens to track who sponsors and co-sponsors bills that actually do things to honor the commitment to Veterans that Paulsen and Bachmann often claim to do – and they even have a swell webpage for voters to hold them accountable. Go ahead; click on “Elected Officials” an check on anyone in Congress you want to!
Here’s Paulsen’s page; now click on “Bills” and you’ll see a list under the headings “Bill Name” and “Co-Sponsor?”
And please note that after each and every single bill to help Veterans, under the “Co-Sponsor?” header is: “No”
And if you hit the “More Bills” icon, you’ll find that they still are all: “No”
But, that’s just the Veterans of Foreign Wars list. How does Paulsen do with the Disabled American Veterans?
Click here to see how many bills Paulsen’s co-sponsored that the Disabled American Veterans would like him to – when you’re there, just click on “bills.” To save you time, here’s how many: zero. zip. nada.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it doesn’t take a lot of “work” to sign-on and co-sponsor a bill.
How does another Veterans Organization – the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) – score Paulsen’s “work” on behalf of veterans?
Their “2010 Congressional Report Card” gives Paulsen a “D.”
On 18 votes they looked at – bills affecting veterans – Paulsen only voted with veterans 10 times – thus the “D” rating. According to IAVA, Paulsen had the worst voting record of Minnesota’s eight House Members. Yes, Paulsen’s record is worse than Bachmann’s (by one vote).
When I had this .gif produced, it was because of Paulsen and Bachmann’s similar records – according to the VFW. Now you know – Paulsen and Bachmann’s records are also similar with the DAV and with IAVA. Similarly atrocious.
On Veterans Day, remember the sacrifices veterans have made.
And remember that Paulsen gives lip service to the veterans.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
Last week, I wrote a post titled Banksters Wells Fargo And Others Sued For Ripping Off Veterans. This story was about a whistle blower case filed by mortgage processors that claimed Wells Fargo and 12 other banks were charging Veterans illegal closing fees, and ultimately taxpayers for the houses went into default. Last Friday, while Guest Hosting on AM 950 radio, I interviewed an attorney for the case, Marlan Wilbanks – the podcast can be heard here.
On Sunday, The Washington Post, who first broke the story last week, ran this story:
Hill staff begins probe of alleged mortgage loan fraud of veterans
By Steve Vogel, Published: October 16The chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee ordered his staff to begin an investigation Friday into allegations that some of the nation’s largest lending institutions have cheated veterans and taxpayers out of hundreds of millions of dollars by charging illegal fees in home refinancing loans.
Committee staff members met Friday with officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss the charges, which are made in a whistleblower lawsuit unsealed this month by a federal court in Atlanta.
“I will reserve judgment on the appropriate next course of action, to include the potential for a full Committee hearing, after having the opportunity to review the results of the staff investigation,” Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), chairman of the committee, wrote in a letter Friday to Rep. Bruce Braley (Iowa), the ranking Democrat on the committee’s subcommittee on economic opportunity.
(more, here)
OK, you know – KNOW – there’s got to be some fire in the smoke, when a GOPer (Rep. Jeff Miller) agrees to a staff investigation into the GOP’s Boardroom Base.
The key to this is making sure the GOPer-led Committee “staff investigation” doesn’t morph into a GOPer whitewash. Fortunately, Rep. Tim Walz is a member of the Committee. On the Senate Side, Veterans Affairs Committee Members Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Jon Tester have spoken out:
From Mortgage News Daily:
Whistleblowers Charge VA Loan Fraud; Sue 13 lenders
Oct 5 2011, 10:51AMUPDATE: In response to news of the lawsuit, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, has called for action from the VA and the Department of Justice. Brown said, “No consumer should be forced to pay illegal fees, but it is particularly disgraceful to impose such extraction schemes on our veterans.” He asked the agencies to release full information on any internal investigations and responses to the suit.
(more, here)
From Senator Tester’s Facebook page:
I’m calling for an investigation into big banks accused of bilking veterans
by Senator Jon Tester on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 3:34pm(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester is pushing the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the nation’s biggest banks for allegedly adding illegal fees to the home loans of veterans and their families.
A recently unsealed whistleblower lawsuit alleges that Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and J.P. Morgan Chase disguised fees that are specifically forbidden under VA rules on veterans’ home refinancing loans.
(more, here)
Now, Gentle Readers, why am I worried about a GOPer whitewash of ripping off Veterans? Because when the methods Banksters such as Wells Fargo used to rip off Veterans come to light, I happen to believe, and have reason to believe, that some of those same methods used to rip off Veterans were also used to rip off Granny GrayHair and Joe SixPack and a whole bunch of other average Americans.
This investigation of ripping off Veterans has the chance of being a real Pandora’s Box, which is something the GOP’s Boardroom Base does NOT want to be opened.
So support the Occupy Wall Street crowds, and let your representatives know it’s time to hold Banksters accountable.
For a quick primer on what Wells Fago did to rip off Veterans, link here to VAMortgageFraud.com.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com); comments welcome there)
Minnesotans For A Fair Economy is organizing a March on Wells Fargo today, it’s in conjunction with OccupyMN and starts at 3:00 pm at Peavy Plaza (not the Hennepin County Gov’t Center).
There’s a lot of reasons to be holding Banksters such as Wells Fargo accountable; ripping off veterans is just one.
Last week, The Washington Post had this headline:
Suit alleges banks and mortgage companies cheated veterans and U.S. taxpayers
By Steve Vogel, Published: October 4Some of the nation’s biggest banks and mortgage companies have defrauded veterans and taxpayers out of hundreds of millions of dollars by disguising illegal fees in veterans’ home refinancing loans, according to a whistleblower suit unsealed in federal court in Atlanta.
The suit accuses the companies, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase and GMAC Mortgage, of engaging in “a brazen scheme to defraud both our nation’s veterans and the United States treasury” of millions of dollars in connection with home loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“This is a massive fraud on the American taxpayers and American veterans,” James E. Butler Jr., one of the lawyers bringing the suit, said Tuesday.
(more)
The Seattle Times (and others) picked up on the story:
Investigation sought into VA loans with 13 major banks
By Steve Vogel — The Washington PostWASHINGTON — Following allegations in a lawsuit that 13 major banks defrauded veterans out of hundreds of millions of dollars with illegal fees to refinance home loans, the chairman of a Senate consumer-protection panel Wednesday called on the departments of Justice and Veterans Affairs to release any internal investigations related to the suit.
The whistle-blower lawsuit, first reported by The Washington Post on Tuesday, alleges that the banks disguised unallowable attorney fees on refinancing loans guaranteed by the VA. The suit, which was filed in 2006 in the U.S. District Court in Atlanta, was unsealed Monday.
“Yesterday, we learned that abuses of veterans may run even deeper than we previously knew,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection Panel and a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.
(more)
And a Congressman from Iowa is calling for investigations, too:
Braley calls for congressional probe of banks handling veterans’ home loans
By James Q. Lynch/SourceMedia Group News — October 12, 2011Rep. Bruce Braley is calling for an investigation of allegations that Wall Street banks have been defrauding veterans and taxpayers out of millions of dollars by intentionally disguising illegal fees in veteran home financing loans.
“If a bank intentionally preyed on veterans who’ve put their lives on the line for this country just to pad their profits, that’s beyond the pale,” Braley, a Waterloo Democrat and member of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, said.
Braley made his request for a probe in a letter to House Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Jeff Miller and Ranking Member Bob Filner.
more)
Not surprisingly, the Strib has pretty much turned a blind eye on the story, except – as far as I can tell – just one Associated Press blurb.
There is simply no doubt Wall Street Bansksters have been ripping off the 99%ers. If you can, you should march with those demanding accountability from Wells Fargo.
And don’t forget: these are peaceful protests.
# # #
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
Yesterday, I recieved a tip from an Appraiser – “Whistle-blower case targets big banks over fees on refinancings for veterans” – naming Wells Fargo as a defendant. As they say, timing is everything, because earlier today, #OccupyMN was going to march on Wells Fargo!
First, the lawsuit:
Whistle-blower case targets big banks over fees on refinancings for veterans
by KERRI PANCHUK Wednesday, October 5th, 2011A pending whistle-blower lawsuit accuses 13 banks with charging military veterans hidden fees on mortgage refinancing transactions.
Some of the nation’s big banks — Wells Fargo (WFC: 26.15 +0.08%), Bank of America Corp. (BAC: 6.40 +1.91%), and JPMorgan Chase (JPM: 32.3901 +0.28%)— are listed as defendants in the case, along with ten others.
The case was filed in 2006, but the court unsealed it recently, according to parties familiar with the matter. Bank of America declined to comment, while JPMorgan and Wells Fargo couldn’t be immediately reached.
Filed in the U.S. Northern District of Georgia – Atlanta Division, the whistle-blower lawsuit claims the defendants hid illegal fees when refinancing veterans’ mortgages that were insured by the government to provide the servicemembers with special loan products.
The plaintiffs claim 13 lenders violated a federal statute that prevents financial agencies from imposing “charges or fees against the borrower in excess of those permissible by law.”
(more, at HousingWire.com; copy of lawsuit at VAMortgageFraud.com)
How’s THAT for “screwing supporting the troops” — real “patriotic”, eh?
So, again, with the Wells Fargo, et al bankster lawsuit in mind, I figured I’d head downtown Minneapolis and watch the OccupyMN.org March On Wells Fargo. Oh – I figured I’d take a few pictures, too – let’s look!!!
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy At the #OWS People’s Plaza in Mpls; march on #Banksters #WellsFargo coming up! #StribPol #StribBiz #1U http://twitpic.com/6yu6fb
4 hours ago
The picture!
Now, you’ll hear Right Wing Nut Jobs talking about thugs ‘n such at these Occupations; as usual, reasonable people have no reason to believe what GOPers say. These signs were all over the place; cops ‘n duputies told me those attending have been VERY well behaved – respectful and orderly. No suprise there!
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out” #OWS in Mpls #Banksters #StribPol #StribBiz #1U http://twitpic.com/6yuib4
3 hours ago
The picture!
And yep! The crowd was yelling “banks got bailed out; we got sold out.” ‘Cause, they did and we did. Oh – and don’t forget; Veterans got cheated. Kinda makes ya wonder who else the Banksters cheated, don’t it?
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy Guy walking around w/ a #BradleeDean shirt & camcorder at #OWS People’s Plaza #StribPol http://twitpic.com/6yulvi
3 hours ago
The picture!
OK, the guy looked and acted like a RWNJ taking pictures o’ the participants; so I asked him. He denied it; denied knowing Bradlee Dean – said he just bought the shirt ’cause he’s a Christian and liked the message RWNJ Bradlee Dean’s Street Minions gave him. I told him Christians don’t trust Pharisee’s, so don’t trust Bradlee Dean. Since there was a reasonable doubt that they guy was a RWNJ Tracker, I’m not posting the clear shot I got o’ the guy. Yet.
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy At #Banksters #WellsFargo Mpls office, #OccupyMN fills lobby #StribPol #StribBiz #1U http://twitpic.com/6yup2e
3 hours ago
The picture!
OK, I’m not a professional pho-tog. (Heck), I’m not even a professional journalist – I’m a pundit. Some times my pictures suck; sometimes my writing sucks. So it goes.
Anyway, the protestors packed the lobby at Wells Fargo Corporate HQ in downtown Minneapolis; that’s a replica Wells Fargo stage coach in the middle o’ the crowd. Wish it were a better pic, but hey – so it goes.
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy #OccupyMN leaves #Banksters #WellsFargo HQ shouting “we’ll be back!” #OWS #StribBiz #StribPol #1U http://twitpic.com/6yurqq
3 hours ago
The picture!
Pretty much says it all!
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy #OccupyMN is now basing for #TCFBank; here’s a parting shot from #Banksters #WellsFargo: #OWS #StribBiz #StribPol #1U http://twitpic.com/6yuv1l
3 hours ago
The picture!
Huh??!? “Greed Over People”? Well, ok – but I always say “GOP stands for Greed Over Principles” – which is why I had to take that pic!
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy Another picture from #OccupyMN at #Banksters #WellsFargo HQ today #1U #StribBiz #StribPol http://twitpic.com/6yvryt
2 hours ago
The picture!
Ruh – roh… Seems that that “another picture” is one I already tweeted… Oh, well – like I said: I’m not a pro, and so it goes.
Here’s a picture I didn’t tweet:
Like I said, those “keep it peaceful” signs were all over the place. And the protesters are.
If you get a chance to get to “The People’s Plaza” between the Hennepin County Government Center and minneapolis City Hall, do it.
The Banksters have been screwing us all, and they need to be held accountible.
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll see me there, too.
# # #
Additional Resources:
Bonus picture!
This nice lady didn’t want her face in the picture; as usual, The Dude Abides.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
I often say that the main difference between Michele Bachmann, R=BizarroWorld and Eirk Paulsen, R=TargetCorp, is that Paulsen isn’t stupid enough to say the crazy stuff that Bachmann does. Because when it comes down to issues, they’re an awful (and I do mean “awful”) lot alike. Now, here’s what Bachmann’s Congressional webpage says about Veterans:
It is imperative that America’s military men and women receive the support they deserve for the sacrifices they have made. Our members of the Armed Forces have fought to preserve the freedoms we cherish and I believe Congress must be steadfast in honoring our commitment to them.
Here’s what Paulsen’s Congressional webpage says:
As elected officials one of our greatest responsibilities is to honor the service and sacrifice of our service members and their families. I take that commitment seriously and I am actively working to uphold that commitment already in Congress.
Sounds good, “right”? But how do Tweedle-Dee’s and Tweedle-GaffeMachine’s actual records look? Let’s look!!!
The Veterans Of Foreign Wars just happens to track who sponsors and co-sponsors bills that actually do things to honor the commitment to Veterans that Paulsen and Bachmann often claim to do – and they even have a swell webpage for voters to hold them accountable. Go ahead; click on “Elected Officials” an check on anyone in Congress you want to!
Here’s Paulsen’s page; now click on “Bills” and you’ll see a list under the headings “Bill Name” and “Co-Sponsor?”
And please note that after each and every single bill to help Veterans, under the “Co-Sponsor?” header is: “No”
And if you hit the “More Bills” icon, you’ll find that they still are all: “No”
No surprise there! But, what about Bachmann? Let’s look!!!
Here’s Bachmann’s page; now click on “Bills” and you’ll see a list under the headings “Bill Name” and “Co-Sponsor?”
And please note that after each and every single bill to help Veterans, under the “Co-Sponsor?” header is: “No”
All eleven – ELEVEN - of ‘em.
And if you hit the “More Bills” icon, you’ll find eight – EIGHT - more bills supporting Veterans, that Bachmann doesn’t support.
But, here’s the kicker – way at the bottom of the list, there actually are two bills that Bachmann did support – meaning as p*ss-poor of support Bachmann gave for Veterans, Paulsen was even worse.
Now, what are some of these Bills Paulsen and Bachmann won’t co-sponsor? Here’s just a couple:
H.R.2074 – Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act
H.R.115 – CHAMPVA Children’s Protection Act of 2011
Paulsen & Bachmaann – talking the talk but not walking the walk.
No suprise there!
graphic via the amazing Tild)
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
…Fort Sam Or Bust!
Some folk know that the ol’ TwoPutter’s youngest child recently graduated college (thank God!) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant (2LT) (thank GOD!!!). Da Kid reports for Active Duty next month; Da Kid knows that both Great GrandDaddys both were involved in WWI (the “War To End All Wars”); that GrandDaddyCap’nBob did five War Patrols in a submarine in the South Pacific during WWII; that UncleGatorDave and DaddyTwoPutt served…. and the ol’ TwoPutter was fortunate to get to know this ROTC Graduating Class.
But hey! This trip isn’t about Da Kid; this trip is the “warm-up” – Da Kid (as previously noted) doesn’t report for Active Duty as an officer in Uncle Sam’s military until the end o’ NEXT month!!! This trip (and blogpost, an subsequent tweets under the hashtag #RoadTrip2011WarmUp) is about a fellow graduating senior and fellow ROTC classmate o’ Da Kid’s; said fellow also bein’ a newly-minted 2LT!
Said 2LT called the ol’ TwoPutter and said: “Hey! TwoPutt!! How would you, like to accompany me, a freshly minted 2LT, on a Road Trip to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio where I have to report for Active Duty on Friday?”
Ummm… I was speechless…..
For about 2 seconds.
#RoadTrip2011WarmUp, here I come!!!
Timing is a wonderful thing – last week, I wouldn’t be able to make the trip; next week, neither. This week? Sing it, Willie!!! “On the road again….”
And it just so happens, this weekend is the VFW’s National Convention. If you’re in San Antonio this Friday, look for me at Texas’ Oldest VFW Post
It’s an honor to escort the 2LT to Fort Sam for Active Duty- and hey! What a delightful warm up to #RoadTrip2011 – which will be traveling with Da (2LT) Kid to report for Active Duty in California!
And if you’re into a few “on the road again” yucks, like what’s for late lunch/early dinner later today, follow me on Twitter!
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
In a State Republican Party known for it’s mendacity, GOPer Mike Parry is making his mark. First gaining notoriety in 2009 as a candidate for scrubbing his twitter account of racist comments, now Parry is cherry picking from a letter written by Tom Lannon, Commander of the Minnesota American Legion on May 9th to GOPers Mike Parry and Morrie Lanning, with a cc: to Gov. Dayton.
Parry took that letter, and proceeded to write one of his own to Gov. Dayton. Here’s how Parry starts it off:
Dear Governor Dayton,
This morning, I received a letter from the State Commander of the American Legion that recognizes the legislature has openly and publicly defended our stance to hold veterans and the Department of Military Affairs harmless in our budget. The State Commander correctly recognized that the honorable men and women that serve in our armed forces have been a top priority with both the Senate and House for the entirety of this session.
OK, no problemo there; here’s the exact cut ‘n paste from the American Legion’s State Commander:
9 May 2011
From: State Commander of the Minnesota American Legion
To: Chairman of the Conferee Committee of the Senate and House State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee.Mr. Chairman,
You, as well as your co-chair, have openly and publicly defended your stand to hold Veterans Affairs harmless in the difficult issues of pending budget cuts this year. For that we are both thankful and grateful.
Here’s where Parry takes leave of his senses cherry picks – Parry continues, in his letter to Dayton:
The rhetoric being used by your administration completely disregards the legislature’s intent to provide the funding necessary to provide care to our veterans in our state’s veterans homes, to assist veterans in securing federal benefits and to maintain the readiness of our national guard. At the first hint of discretionary authority, you directed your staff to cut veterans and military affairs.
Complete BS. Of course, coming from the party of Tim “we leave with money in the bank” Pawlenty and Mary “I didn’t own that bank” Kiffmeyer, it’s not surprising.
Here’s what the American Legion’s State Commander wrote:
Last Friday, in testimony the Department of Veterans Affairs had to make recommended cut projections based on guidance from the administration in the event that a cut scenario played out. This is exactly what Commissioner Shellito did, and we respect his actions.
In that hearing, the House and Senate again reaffirmed their stance to hold harmless the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs in possible cuts. The Chairman asked if anyone had any way to make that more clear to offer a suggestion. Well, sir, I would like to offer two.
#1
Add specific language in The Ominous [sic] Bill UES1047-2 on both sides (House and Senate) on page R19 when addressing any overall general cuts and on pages R20 and R21 at the opening of both Military and Veterans Affairs budgets.
Let’s look at that again:
Last Friday, in testimony the Department of Veterans Affairs had to make recommended cut projections based on guidance from the administration in the event that a cut scenario played out. This is exactly what Commissioner Shellito did, and we respect his actions.
And why did General Shellito have to do that? Because the House version wasn’t tight enough; basically, the House version – despite it’s “intent” – just said “trust us.” The American Legion recognized that problem, and made specific recommendations to tighten it up.
Again, Governor Dayton got the same letter; Dayton sent Parry and Lanning a letter based on it (and when I can get a link to Dayton’s letter, I’ll update) that recognized the American Legion’s point and asked to meet to work it out and get it done.
Apparently, Dayton’s letter to Parry crossed paths during delivery, with Parry’s letter to Dayton.
But while Dayton’s letter was professional, Parry went off the deep end. Here’s how Parry finishes his letter:
I grew up in a military household. I served eight years in the National Guard. I have been around the military and veterans my whole life and I know what leadership looks like. What you have done to the military and veterans community is not leadership.
And that’s why I’m saying Parry is cherry picking the American Legion Commander’s letter. Parry starts out taking the credit and praise the Commander gave; then ignores the part about General Shellito’s testimony and goes for an insult: “that’s not leadership!”
No surprise there! Hey, if he’ll scrub a twitter account, why would it surprise anyone that Parry’ll cherry pick and make (stuff) up?
What did General Shellito testify last Friday? My take on it is here; here’s a cut ‘n paste from the Strib:
State VA chief: Budget cuts by GOP would hurt veterans
Article by: RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER , Star Tribune Updated: May 5, 2011 – 11:18 PMRepublican committee chairman in the House called Shellito’s analysis “a complete overreaction.”
Republican budget cuts could trigger the closure of at least one veterans’ home, higher burial fees for veterans’ families and elimination of the Bronze Star grave marker program, according to state Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito.
Shellito, who led the state National Guard under former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, said the budget as it stands would result in layoffs and other cuts, even though Republicans had pledged to protect veterans from spending reductions. “I’m very concerned,” Shellito said.
Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, the House State Government Finance chair, said the administration’s estimates are a “worse, worse, worse case scenario.” He called Shellito’s analysis “a complete overreaction.” (more, at StarTribune.com)
“overreaction”? Nope – that’s not how the American Legion Commander’s letter of Monday reads. Not at all.
Bottom line: the Commander of the American Legion made a concrete effort – through his letter – to fix the problem General Shellito testified about; Governor Dayton sent a professional letter to Parry and Lanning offering to meet to fix the problem using the Commander’s suggestion, but Parry fired back like a powder keg at a Tea Party.
Yet it’s Parry claiming “Today, I saw a very angry governor,” Parry said??!?
Dayton could have easily – EASILY – said: “This morning, I read a letter from a very angry Legislator” – but he didn’t.
Could of, but he didn’t.
Parry did.
But hey, that’s the kind of guy Parry is; that’s the kind of party Parry is from.
It’s time Parry quits pandering to his angry Tea Party base, gets that bill tightened up, passed, and sent to the Governor’s desk.
In other words, it’s time Parry starts doing his job.
Well, not just Parry; the GOP majorities need to get their act together and get some bills to the Governor’s desk.
Just don’t hold your breath….
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
I often say “those that forget the lessons of history, tend to vote GOP”. And it’s no coincidence that that link was to a blogpost about Generals and the GOP ChickenHawks that were supervising them.
In short, even before the Reign Of Error by Boy Blunder And The Plunderers began, Neo-Cons had this swell idea of invading Iraq. Along comes 911 and Osama Been Forgotten Osama NowBe Dead – PNAC’s “New Pearl Harbor”, and these boys are in business.
One of the first casualties in the misAdministration of Bush The Lesser’s switch from The Powell Doctrine (war of overpowering force) to The RumsFailed Doctrine (war on the cheap) was General Erric Shinseki, who had the audacity to tell Congress what they needed to hear – not what Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, et al wanted them to hear. Here’s what Wolfowitz said, following Shinseki’s testimony that Iraq would (correctly) require hundreds of thousands of troops to secure the peace: “wildly off the mark.” So Shinseki was sacked.
To recap – the Good Soldier, General Shinseki, called it like he saw it – and the GOPers trashed him. That was then.
This is now:
State VA chief: Budget cuts by GOP would hurt veterans
Article by: RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER , Star Tribune Updated: May 5, 2011 – 11:18 PMRepublican committee chairman in the House called Shellito’s analysis “a complete overreaction.”
Republican budget cuts could trigger the closure of at least one veterans’ home, higher burial fees for veterans’ families and elimination of the Bronze Star grave marker program, according to state Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito.
Shellito, who led the state National Guard under former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, said the budget as it stands would result in layoffs and other cuts, even though Republicans had pledged to protect veterans from spending reductions. “I’m very concerned,” Shellito said.
Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, the House State Government Finance chair, said the administration’s estimates are a “worse, worse, worse case scenario.” He called Shellito’s analysis “a complete overreaction.” (more, at StarTribune.com)
Then, Wolfowitz: “wildly off the mark.” Now, Lanning: “a complete overreaction.”
Me? I’m going with the guys that served with honor – the Generals.
Especially since GOPer these days, when caught tellin’ whoppers defend it by saying (stuff) like “His remark was not intended to be a factual statement.” Of course, there’s also the simple fact that Lanning and his cronies have been using Enron-style accounting to get their numbers.
GOP “Leadership” is completely shameless in covering for their mendacity – and Lanning is simply today’s example of a GOPer that happily wraps himself in a flag every chance there’s a camera around – and stabs a veteran in the back every time there’s not. Wolfowitz, Lanning – they’re all the same.
The more things change, the more they don’t – and “those that forget the lessons of history, tend to vote GOP.”
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
