Bill mandates soldiers get more than a '$30 medal'

Los Angeles Times ^ | JOHANNA NEUMAN

[Dubya]

WASHINGTON — One day after President Bush awarded the coveted Medal of Honor to a Marine who died after throwing his helmet and his body on a grenade in Iraq, a California congressman introduced a bill to require the Pentagon to put more real gold in the medal.

"For those very few soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deemed worthy of our nation's highest military honor, surely we can afford more than a $30 medal," said Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif.

A conservative Hispanic who opposed the Iraq war, Baca instructed his staff to find out how much gold was in the Medal of Honor, which has been awarded to only two soldiers in Iraq: Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith and Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham.

Baca's staff discovered that the medals, which vary in design, size and composition, were made of brass and covered in gold. The Army's version cost $29.98, while the Air Force's design tallied $75.

[Dubya]

Both versions, however, paled next to the $30,000 Congressional Gold Medal. That award, which Congress gives with some frequency to celebrities and dignitaries, is 90 percent gold.

[Doohickey]

As usual, Democrats completely miss the point of the CMH.

[NativeNewYorker]

Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif. A conservative Hispanic who opposed the Iraq war

A "conservative" who is both a Democrat and war opponent?

Do words have ANY meaning to copy editors?

[King Moonracer]

"For those very few soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deemed worthy of our nation's highest military honor, surely we can afford more than a $30 medal," said Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif.

Idiot dumbocrat... Most soldiers earn medals the hard way, and don't view it as a reward...But then Kerry comes to mind....The flatulent 'Rat King.

[NonValueAdded]

I don't know what pisses me off more, the cheapness of the MOH construction or the extravagance of Congress with their own trinket. How about they flip the cost?

[Yorlik803]

The MOH was paid for by the blood of the heros who earned it, not by the politcans who want to make an issue from it.
They know the price of everything but the value of nothing.

[Loud Mime]

Democrats put a financial worth on everything, medals, unborn......

[IronJack]

Once again, the left focuses on the package, not the content. Frankly, if the Congressional Medal of Honor were made of macaroni, it would still represent the highest ideals of self-sacrifice, courage, and duty. The actual medal and ribbon are just symbols, moron.

By the way, what is the Oscar statue made of?

[ansel12]

A well made $30.00 Medal of Honor is fine, our pitchforks should be aimed at the politicians giving away $30,000.00 awards to the their fellow elites.

[Bulldawg Fan]

Exactly, the price of the medal is not important. The meaning of the medal is priceless.

[IrishCatholic]

What a completely clueless two knuckle deep nose picker.

If the medal was carved out of an old fence post it would still be priceless. Some things have no monetary value and never will.

Brought to you by the party that thinks human life is a "choice"

[Beckwith]

surely we can afford more than a $30 medal," said Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif.

What a completely disgusting human being.

[Mr_Moonlight]

The pettiness of Joe Baca's complaint is disgusting

[Beckwith]

Check this out.

I wanted some background on this guy and Googled, "Joe Baca."

Got back a listing from something named NNDB, tracking the entire world.

Joe Baca
AKA Joseph Baca

Born: 23-Jan-1947
Birthplace: Belen, NM

Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity: Hispanic
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Politician
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Congressman, California 43rd

Military service: US Army (1966-68)

Wife: Barbara (two sons, two daughters)

Son: Joe Jr.
Son: Jeremy
Daughter: Natalie
Daughter: Jennifer

University: Barstow

I'm going back now to see what sexual orientation they have for Hillary.

[Ace's Dad]

If medals were really valuable for thier metallic content alone, they would be a target for thieves.

[Mr_Moonlight]

One has to wonder how much these civilians (or their estate) had to pay to have President Clinton grant them an exemption to be buried at Arlington National Cemetary ...

The burials at Arlington - charges of favoritism in burials at Arlington National Cemetery

(remember this little 'scandal' from the Clintoon years?)

[Mr_Moonlight]

If medals were really valuable for thier metallic content alone, they would be a target for thieves.

And would be readily available at pawn shops all over the world, as well as on eBay ........

[newzjunkey]

The modern Oscar statuette is bronze covered with 24k gold, coated in lacquer.

In the early days it had a marble base (now metal), during WW2 the statuettes were plaster (replaced after the war).

[newzjunkey]

A well made $30.00 Medal of Honor is fine, our pitchforks should be aimed at the politicians giving away $30,000.00 awards to the their fellow elites.

[kittymyrib]

So when President Hillary Clinton gives a Congressional Medal of Honor to Rosie O'Donald, she'll get the $30,000 version, while a fallen soldier's family gets a base medal version that costs $30? Sickening.