When the Corrupublicans aren't busy destroying their own families in airport bathrooms or with Congressional pages, they keep occupied ruining the families of our men and women in the armed forces.
Yesterday, the Republicans (including Larry Craig (R-Lindbergh Airport)) rejected a compromised attempt by the Democrats to reward our troops for their service by giving them more time to spend with their families between deployments.
In doing so, the Republicans filibustered the latest of countless attempts by the Democrats to do something meaningful for the troops in Iraq and their families here at home.
Out of the majority and thus unable to start any new wars, open up torture facilities or "lose" $9 billion in bogus wars, Republicans are content to block Democrats from accomplishing anything.
The results are disastrous for the troops, especially in this latest Republican "victory" because in this case whole families are at stake. Time and again experts have found that multiple long-term deployments contribute to high divorce rates.
I get everything else. "Stay the course" in Iraq so Halliburton and private contractors (i.e. business friends of Bush) can stay on the taxpayers' payroll. "Stay the course" in Iraq so that these flaccid (and increasingly frequently closeted gay) Republican senators can preserve their sacred appearance as tough guys. I get that. It's a terrible waste of lives and dollars, but it makes political sense in a twisted way.
I don't get this. The military does so much for this country. They serve unquestioningly and unskeptically as props for the Republican Party. Now, when there's a chance to reward them--with more than just words of flattery--Republicans punt. Only six Republicans voted with the Democrats, a careful calculation based on vulnerability in the 2008 elections.
I guess it's better than the alternative. If Republicans were in power they'd pass some bill that sounds great, like the "Help Military Families Act" which would, without exception, extend as much as possible the lenght of deployment.
