Why Does Tom Coburn Hate Our Troops?

[FOTD]

First he sends our soldiers to war for phony reasons and then when it is time to fund the troops, he refuses to support the troops by voting against the money needed for armor and bullets. These rethugs are nothing more then terrorist supporters. How does one senator have the power to put the skids on a bill anyway? Doesn't that seem a little extreme? And doesn't it always seem to be a dumb Okie holding up a very important piece of legislation?


Coburn named as senator holding up vets bill
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veteransbill_coburnhold_110309w/

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 17:23:29 EST

"Thirteen major military and veterans groups have joined forces to try to force one senator — Republican Tom Coburn of Oklahoma — to release a hold that he has placed on a major veterans benefits bill.

Coburn has been identified by Senate aides as the lawmaker preventing consideration of S 1963, the Veterans' Caregiver and Omnibus Health Benefits Act of 2009, by using an informal but legal practice of putting a hold on a bill.

Coburn's staff did not respond to questions, but Senate aides said the first-term senator has expressed concern about creating new and unfunded benefits and wants the opportunity to amend the measure.

One of Coburn's suggestions is to divert money from unspent economic and job stimulus programs to cover costs of new benefits for veterans and their families, according to sources who have discussed the issue with Coburn's staff.

So far, at least, Senate leaders don't want to let Coburn offer any amendments because of the precedent that would set to delay other legislation. Actual funding for benefits traditionally is handled separately from the bills that authorize the benefits, Senate aides said.

Earlier this fall, Coburn placed holds on S 252, the Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009, and S 728, the Veterans' Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009, which led to the introduction of S 1963, which combines key provisions of the two earlier bills in an effort to get around Coburn's opposition.

In a letter sent Monday night to the Senate majority leader, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the 13 military and veterans groups ask the Senate to get on with it.

"It is essential that Congress act on this comprehensive measure without further delay," the letter reads. "Thousands of disabled veterans with serious medical conditions and the family members who care for them are counting on this additional support."

The letter says passing the bill by Veterans Day would be a "fitting way" to honor veterans.

Those signing the letter include the nation's major veterans groups — The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AmVets, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Jewish War Veterans, plus the Military Officers Association of America, National Military Family Association and Wounded Warrior Project.

Steve Robertson, legislative director for The American Legion, said delaying the bill hurts families caring for severely wounded combat veterans who would benefit from the stipends, health care, counseling and respite care that would be provided to caregivers in the bill.

"For a lot of family caregivers, delay is costing them their jobs and their savings. It's having a big impact," he said.

Robertson said he has spoken to Coburn's staff about the earlier holds on S 252 and S. 728, but the conversation was fairly one-sided, with Coburn's aides trying to get Robertson to dissuade veterans from flooding the senator's office with calls.

"They made it clear that Sen. Coburn sees this as using his rights as a senator to place a hold on a bill, and that he was not doing anything illegal or wrong," Robertson said. "I agree with that, but that doesn't mean it makes sense to hold up a bill that would do a lot of good things for veterans that has cleared a committee and is ready for a vote."

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., the Senate assistant majority leader, mentioned Coburn's hold in a Tuesday floor speech without citing Coburn by name, saying that the bill was being held up by one senator over cost.

"How much is a veteran's life worth?" Durbin asked, adding that he hopes the hold is lifted. "

[Townsend]

I'm pretty sure I read he'd put over 40 holds on bills during his time there.

It's not a hate for the military, he's just gone overboard.

[RecycleMichael]

Tom Coburn burns bridges toward progress.

I wish he would tilt toward windmills.

[FOTD]

Veterans and supporters ask Coburn to drop hold on bill

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20091107_16_A1_WASHIN225160

meanwhile, the paper arrived late...but it did show up.

For a mega millionaire Christian, you 'd think Dr. No would show more concern for the poor and disadvantaged. As a mega millionaire doctor, you'd think he'd have compassion for our veterans and troops...

[joiei]

Coburn is being called out on the chamber floor to release his hold.  http://www.rollcall.com/news/40428-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

[FOTD]

In honor of veterans day, call Coburn and tell him what a great anarchist he is and how dern proud you are to have him as your Senator. Tell him how much he means to our military....


Brother, can you spare a dime out of your tens of millions personal fortune to aid our vets that you sent to a needless death or permanent injury? Or Dr. No, are you too busy negotiating hush money for fellow C Streeters?



Reid: Coburn isn't being logical
The Oklahoma lawmaker is blocking a bill set to help wounded veterans.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20091111_16_A1_WSIGOm561257

[sgrizzle]

Coburn regularly puts holds on bills he doesn't support. However, he has stated more than once that he is seeking to amend this bill and as quoted by FOTD, senate leaders are the ones blocking Coburn.

If he wants to offer an amendment, let him. Vote it down if you don't like it. That's how the system is SUPPOSED to work.

[FOTD]

Coburn regularly puts holds on bills he doesn't support. However, he has stated more than once that he is seeking to amend this bill and as quoted by FOTD, senate leaders are the ones blocking Coburn.

If he wants to offer an amendment, let him. Vote it down if you don't like it. That's how the system is SUPPOSED to work.

Like the class nerd, he wants it his way or no way.....

[we vs us]

Coburn regularly puts holds on bills he doesn't support. However, he has stated more than once that he is seeking to amend this bill and as quoted by FOTD, senate leaders are the ones blocking Coburn.

If he wants to offer an amendment, let him. Vote it down if you don't like it. That's how the system is SUPPOSED to work.

Generally I'd agree with you but Coburn has been abusing the system for years now.  He deserves some high profile heat for being such an obstructionist.  I'm a little surprised he hasn't been called out before this.  Actually, I take that back.  We're talking about the weak-kneed Democratic leadership here.

[sgrizzle]

Generally I'd agree with you but Coburn has been abusing the system for years now.  He deserves some high profile heat for being such an obstructionist.  I'm a little surprised he hasn't been called out before this.  Actually, I take that back.  We're talking about the weak-kneed Democratic leadership here.

I just think they need to let him offer an amendment, which will likely get voted down, then he will have no argument. Give him 24 hours.

[Conan71]

I just think they need to let him offer an amendment, which will likely get voted down, then he will have no argument. Give him 24 hours.

Oh, but all these vets are going to die in that 24 hours if they don't have a bill now!

[cannon_fodder]

Again with the hyperbole . . .  because a politician is playing politics doesn't mean he hates the troops.  Say what you will about the tactic he is implanting - it is either a great way to get his amendment on the floor or a childish way of impeding progress he doesn't like, but it has no contention n his support for the troops.

At least no more than when Democrats resisted bills in the Bush years that were joint resolutions proclaiming "we love our troops" and "drill for oil wherever you want".  What?  You hate our troops?  Well then why did you vote against the bill?

/stupid

[sgrizzle]

Again with the hyperbole . . .  because a politician is playing politics doesn't mean he hates the troops.  Say what you will about the tactic he is implanting - it is either a great way to get his amendment on the floor or a childish way of impeding progress he doesn't like, but it has no contention n his support for the troops.

At least no more than when Democrats resisted bills in the Bush years that were joint resolutions proclaiming "we love our troops" and "drill for oil wherever you want".  What?  You hate our troops?  Well then why did you vote against the bill?

/stupid

Politics are okay when your side does it, evil when the other side does.

[FOTD]

Politics Unethical behavior are is okay when your side does it, evil when the other side does.

That works....think about it.


Hey Dr. No ( soon to be Dr. Schmoe )....If we cannot afford to care for veterans, we cannot afford to be at war. Duh!

[FOTD]

More proof that repugs and "their democracy" are not worth protecting from any form of bad guy, foreign or domestic. This ridiculousness, this hypocrisy, this shamefulness may result in a one party rule for a long time out.



Republicans Noticeably Absent From Hearing On Veteran Homelessness
November 11, 2009 5:46 pm ET by Walid Zafar

http://mediamattersaction.org/blog/200911110006


Here's the list of those domestic terrorists in the subcommitte hearings who were too busy to give a damn about homeless vets:

Richard C. Shelby, Ranking Member (R-AL)
Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Bob Corker (R-TN)
Jim DeMint (R-SC)
David Vitter (R-LA)
Mike Johanns (R-NE)
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
Judd Gregg (R-NH)