KDKA in Pittsburgh brings us the story. In short:
The U.S. Military is demanding that thousands of wounded service personnel give back signing bonuses because they are unable to serve out their commitments.
To get people to sign up, the military gives enlistment bonuses up to $30,000 in some cases.
Now men and women who have lost arms, legs, eyesight, hearing and can no longer serve are being ordered to pay some of that money back.
So, you sign up, you serve, you suffer some devastating injury, and the Pentagon wants its bonus back. Sorry about that lost limb, brain damage, PTSD, your lost job, ruined marriage, and impending homelessness but we think you should return the money your family has already spent to survive.
Excuse the fuck out of me but some general's head, or several, should be rolling right out the Pentagon's front door right now.
A signing bonus is for signing, not for surviving long enough to serve. I should think the troops have sacrificed enough in their own body not to have this obscene outrage perpetrated upon them. I want this story blazoned across the front page of every newspaper in America. Be sure to tell at least ten people about this.
God help us to do right by those who sacrifice for the United States Constitution. Yes, that's what their oath is about too.
UPDATE: The original local case the KDKA was reporting on has seen the Pentagon backpedal. There are no promises regarding other cases, however. Meanwhile, Freshman Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire has introduced legislation to undo any policy of demanding bonuses back when troops are injured. More power to him as we need to rein in such abuses. [Thanks to Daily Kos for the update.] Keep spreading the word and bringing pressure to bear on our government to do the right thing--in this and all the rest. Power to the People!
--the BB
2 comments:
IMO, generals involved in such actions are sycophants; the impetus behind this was created and is sustained by NeoCon Chickenhawk Civilians, (Feith, Wolfowitz,etc.) who came of political age in the Reagan era. Paying what they owe is entirely contrary to their being, whether it be fiscally (No taxation on Billionaires and screw your grandchildren)) or the more deeply compelling debt of honor.
It grieves me less that such people exist and move about freely than that my fellow citizens approved this group twice, however close the contest and whatever street thug tactics were used. Granted, I don't finally place my faith in a system of government, but in Jesus Christ.
johnieb, you're right that the neocon chickenhawks are behind it and they inspire considerable moral repugnance. Their lies and moral bankruptcy need to be exposed at every turn.
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