Via Digby, I can't tell whether this is a campaign ad for John McCain or an epsiode of "Why We Fight":
Wow, war IS a force that gives us meaning.
This flowery sentiment is nice and all, but let's look at the record.
It's interesting that McCain frames war as something soldiers engage in for the sake of their compatriots, not for any cause or ethos or any reason at all. Which makes sense, since McCain strongly believes in the nobility and bravery of the American soldier but doesn't believe in giving them an education.
S.22 and H.R.2702 would update the GI Bill for the 21st century and reward those who do fight for causes in our name with the world-class education they deserve. John McCain doesn't support it. He says that he hasn't examined it. The truth is that he doesn't want to get in trouble with his anti-public education conservative base who think that the soldiers who protect them are some kind of welfare queens.
McSame cannot credibly talk about supporting the troops. He rejects providing them with anything once they return home. He thinks they're automatons, sausage, killing machines. Nothing else.
It's the same reason that McCain voted against the dwell time amendment that would give soldiers as much time at home as they have in combat. It's why he voted against increased funding for veteran's care facilities, more than once. A lot more than once. It's why he voted against safety equipment for troops in the field. And it's why he's voted time and time again against a safe and responsible exit from Iraq.
But S.22 is really the last straw. A fully funded education is the LEAST we owe soldiers who put their lives on the line. We can afford it and the economic benefits will be legion. The bill has bipartisan support. John McCain, who hates our troops and wants to keep them stupid, doesn't agree.