[Pollster1]

To be fair, while it is clear that Hagel despises our military and every person in uniform, he did not steal from them. Hagel certainly betrayed the people who defend freedom, but that is different from stealing. We should use the correct words, even when criticizing America’s enemies.

[SkyPilot]

It is tough language - I didn't write it, just posted it.

I think at this point the word chosen might be semantics. It is now clear that Ryan is saying he was "offered" the scalps of military retirees and currently serving military by none other than Chuck Hagel himself. Ryan is a traitor for implementing the cuts, but it cannot be denied the offer to take from military pensions (including the disabled and survivor widows pensions) came directly from Chuck Hagel himself.

In November, Hagel warned troops he was about to screw them over:

Hagel Says Cuts to Pay and Benefits are Needed

But, Hagel and his minions appeared to be frustrated that Congress would not go along with all of their proposals:

Hagel acknowledged the need to get approval for changes to compensation and personnel policy from members of Congress, who would be reluctant to justify military pay cuts to voters back home. At a CSIS panel on defense budgets following Hagel's address, Jim Dyer, former staff director for the House Appropriations Committee, said he saw "no movement on pay, or to address TRICARE costs" in the current political environment. "Congress is not there on this yet," Dyer said. "They're too determined not to hurt the troops," or their own chances for re-election, Dyer said.

So he gave them a little incentive and push: they would insert the pension heist at the very last minute into the Ryan-Murray budget deal, with no hope of amending it. Otherwise, Congress would have to confront another government shutdown.

This is just the beginning, I expect Hagel to push to kick "working age" military retirees and their families out of TRICARE, eliminate payments to VA rated disabled retirees, and a whole host of other "savings" that will further break morale and our volunteer force.

The only roadblock to Hagel's (and I believe Obama's) agenda would be if Congress rolls back the provision that robs military pensions. It would demonstrate that the American people's outrage (and there is plenty) and Congress' reaction will stymie their attempts to hurt the retirees and troops.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Three Fortunate Sons and the Humiliation of the Military
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3110648/posts

[xzins]

he did not steal from them

Depends on what the meaning of "is" is. If "to steal" means simply "an unethical taking of something belonging to another", then Hagel initiated just such a thing.

So, the outrageous headline is true to our military retirees and active duty. He is taking what is their without their permission.

[SkyPilot]

There have been several things about Chuck Hagel that not only raised bright red flags from the very beginning, but over time have proven his most ardent critics as being correct about him.

1. Hagel's hatred of Israel

The Bible says very clearly says this concerning the Jewish people and the nation of Israel:

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:3

Hagel and Obama both have clearly chosen Israel enemies over her, and moreover, share a deep, corrosive malice against Israel. God will not be mocked, and their actions will have ramifications upon America.

2. Hagel's nonsupport of the War Against Terror while a GOP Senator

Seldom did Hagel pass down an opportunity to trash President Bush's War on Terror, even as strategy and operations were unfolding and the outcomes far from certain.

3. Hagel's confirmation hearing

Hagel appeared confused, ill informed, meandering, out of his league, inept, and some even said he appeared hung over. It was uniformly labeled a "disaster" in Washington by both parties, yet he won confirmation by the Senate a few days later.

4. Government shutdown

Hagel and the DoD were the ONLY Federal agency that was granted a 100% exemption by Congress, voted on by both parties and signed by Obama, so that the DoD would not be affected and all military and DoD civilian employees would be paid. Hagel didn't act on this and claimed DoD "lawyers were studying the law." It was several days into the shutdown that Hagel relented and brought most civilians back to work, but only after the House Armed Services Committee threatened to haul him before the cameras and confront him in public. Moreover, Hagel had never attended the reception of a fallen warrior as SECDEF, but when a public outcry arose of the failure of the DoD to pay death benefits to the families of the fallen (citing the Govt shutdown), Hagel reacted to the bad PR by mugging for the cameras the next day at Dover AFB as the caskets came off the C-17 transport.

4. Hagel's appetite to take attack pay, benefits, health care, pensions, etc of our military and military retirees

It is now pretty clear that Hagel initiated the pension COLA cut, and Paul Ryan was his happy hatchet man. Hagel sees this cut as just the beginning. Watch.

The troops know they are being screwed - but they cannot speak out. God help this nation if war in the Middle East breaks out. Morale could not be lower. Readiness is still suffering the on-going effects of Sequestration. I greatly fear for our nation.

[trebb]

To be fair, while it is clear that Hagel despises our military and every person in uniform, he did not steal from them. Hagel certainly betrayed the people who defend freedom, but that is different from stealing. We should use the correct words, even when criticizing America’s enemies.

There are many ways to steal - abetting those who will take away what was promised and earned by fulfillment of your side of the contract does qualify as stealing, which is the kindest definition of what he and the Congress are doing.