An article in our local partisan rag, the Middletown Record, for a push to update the GI Bill neglects to give credit where it's due--to Fox News' Bill O'Reilly and retired Col. David Hunt, a tireless advocate of veterans.
Stemming from John Edwards' fallacious assertions that 200,000 homeless vets sleep under bridges each night as a result of the economy, O'Reilly called on the VA to explain. There are 150,000 beds available each night but no legal way to force vets to take them. The problem, they say, is not the economy; the problem is primarily substance abuse and mental health issues. No one can force these men and women to seek treatment, and our "rights" have actually created a crack through which they can fall.
As O'Reilly tackled the Jessica's Law issue, prompting many states to adopt this child protection law, he and Col. Hunt enlisted the help of Rep. Congressman Peter King and Dem. Congressman John Kerry to do something to help these and other vets. Philosophically apart on many issues, these men are united on this one. They are crafting legislation and attempting to give our military the benefits they deserve--whether it is health, education, parity among deployed forces or other concern--whether they are enlisted, reserve, or national guard. O'Reilly will be making monthly reports on their progress, and it behooves each and every one of us to make sure our representatives are behind them.
Regardless of your personal view on the war, you cannot deny that our volunteer military is part of what makes our country great, and these men and women deserve our support, encouragement, and thanks.
politics politicians "GI+Bill" vets veterans OReilly "David+Hunt" "Fox+news" "John+Edwards" "homeless+vets" economy "Jessicas+law" war Iraq
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