Harry Hope <rivrvu@ix.netcom.com> wrote in
news:udt4mvcj09id6i27oo8j04pk65431p8492@4ax.com:

The American Legion promised in a statement to "stop dead in their
tracks any fiscal compromises that would make it harder for veterans
to receive just compensation."

"If this is the only compromise that is thrown out there, then I think
it will kill the issue," Legion Commander John A. Brieden said in an
interview.

Five other service organizations, including Disabled American Veterans
and Paralyzed Veterans of America, put out a statement saying that the
"House majority leadership has shown callous contempt for the
sacrifices of America's defenders by attempting to impose overly
restrictive conditions that would limit benefits for disabilities."



From The Associated Press, 9/12/03:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20030912-1557-veterans-bene
fits.html

Republicans join Democrats, veteran groups against benefit cuts

By Jim Abrams

WASHINGTON --

Senior Republicans on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee have
joined Democrats and veterans groups in a chorus of protest against
proposals being considered by the Bush administration to shrink the
number of military personnel who qualify for disability benefits.

Changes in the definition of service-connected disability "could have
far-reaching and unintended consequences for millions of
servicemembers and veterans," wrote the committee chairman, Rep.
Christopher Smith, R-N.J., and three of the panel's subcommittee
chairmen.

The Senate's top Democrats, Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South
Dakota and Whip Harry Reid of Nevada, also weighed in on the issue
Friday, telling President Bush in a letter that it was "outrageous to
pit one group of disabled veterans against another."

Daschle said the proposals, if retroactive, could disqualify about 1.5
million veterans, about two-thirds of those now in the VA disability
program.

________________________________________________________

Being a chickenhawk makes one kinda numb to the needs of veterans.

Harry

When are true Republicans going to demand a candidate who represents them?