NationStates Jolt Archive

Tell me the one again about how Republicans support the troops. (http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/5258954p-4774126c.html)

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon has reneged on its offer to pay a $15,000 bonus to members of the National Guard and Army Reserve who agree to extend their enlistments by six years, according to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Seattle).

The bonuses were offered in January to Active Guard and Reserve and military technician soldiers who were serving overseas. In April, the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs ordered the bonuses stopped, Murray said.

The idea that they can get other bonuses is irrelevant--these soldiers were promised these bonuses, and in some cases, were counting on the money, and now whether or not they'll get anything is up in the air. Think they'll be allowed to renege on their extended enlistment? I doubt it.

And since the Republican party controls both the Congress and the Presidency, they get the blame for this--they get all the blame for it. So if you're driving down the street and you've still got a Bush/Cheney sticker on your car, if a strangeer flips you off for no apparent reason, don't get mad. You deserve it, and this is a prime example why.

Um, the bonuses weren't rescinded, they were stopped. I take that to mean that anyone now re-enlisting for the next 6 years will not get the bonuses, while those having already done so will get their bonuses, especially since if they don't and it was in their re-enlstment papers, it would be a breach of contract.

Strike that, read the article. *shrugs* This is why bloated government is a bad thing.

From the article:Krenke said some soldiers had been paid the re-enlistment bonuses, but she was unsure how many or whether the money would have to be repaid.Seems to me that if it turns out the money has to be repaid, then that's not the same as the bonuses being stopped, and if the bonuses were simply being stopped, then why use the word "renege" in the first place.

as long as I still get my enlistment bonus i don't care

Hello $8,000

Seems to me that if it turns out the money has to be repaid, then that's not the same as the bonuses being stopped, and if the bonuses were simply being stopped, then why use the word "renege" in the first place.
Because he is a Democratic senator, who has learned that the first person out of the gate is generally the one who wins.
Once the water is muddied, you have put the other side on the defensive and they have to prove you wrong. Even if they get you by the balls, though, there are still people who will regurgitate the original story and say that any attempts to disprove it are white washing or damage control.
And yes, if they quit letting people wign up for the deal they have "stopped" the system. Much as how I would stop hiring when I had all the men I needed, but wouldn't then fire everyone who I had just hired.

Because he is a Democratic senator, who has learned that the first person out of the gate is generally the one who wins.

Patty Murray is female--just thought you ought to know.

Patty Murray is female--just thought you ought to know.
Well I am sorry if I haven't memorized the identities of every one of those 100 some yobos whose sole purpose in life seems to be wasting other people's efforts. Sometimes I go to college and the such, every now and again.

Just checked with friends over on lightfighter, and they all got their bonuses and don't have to pay them back.

Go figure.