Preparing For War, Bush Spurns Veterans

www.thebostonchannel.com ^ | POSTED: 12:25 p.m. EST January 7, 2003 | Helen Thomas

[aSkeptic]

WASHINGTON -- Veterans groups are angry at President George W. Bush for supporting a 1995 government decision to rescind an old promise of free lifetime health benefits for military retirees.

This is the man who told veterans and active-duty military personnel after the 2000 campaign that he would make sure "promises made to our veterans will be promises kept." So why does he persist in short-changing the retirees, especially when he is preparing for another war and hoping to lure more volunteers for the military?

Many World War II and Korean conflict veterans have been hopping mad ever since the Pentagon welshed on the deal recruiters promised them when they signed up -- that if they served 20 or more years, they and their dependents would get free health care benefits for life.

[homeschool mama]

The author of this piece is HELEN THOMAS.

For goodness sake...

[Peach]

I realize it's Helen Thomas and she'll put the very worst spin on anything about President Bush she can, but I'm truly hoping the article is a bunch of lies by a mean old biddy. If someone knows the truth of the matter, I'd like to hear it.

[exnavy]

I'm skeptical of anything by Hell n Thomas.

[homeschool mama]

Helen Thomas is known for splicing, spinning and otherwise making complete chaos out of facts. I refuse to read anything she writes. It would be a waste of energy and time, imo.

[Hugin]

No mention of the fact that this policy change was initiated by the CLINTON administration. No Democrats were complaining then.

Bush has promised to review the situation, but for now it is defending the right not to be bound by every promise a recruiter makes. The Federal government cannot reasonably be bound to such promises when Congress has not enacted them into law.

[homeschool mama]

Please see post 6. Thanks.

[Timesink]

helent@hearstdc.com

[Alas Babylon!]

Veterans groups are angry at President George W. Bush for supporting a 1995 government decision to rescind an old promise of free lifetime health benefits for military retirees.

Gee, who was president in 1995???????

Did Thomas write a column about this then?

I am a military retiree. I am not complaining about my health care. DoD takes care of me when I ask them to. Thomas can get stuffed!

[Rider on the Rain]

See http://tricare.osd.mil/tfl/. Tricare for Life Pays what Medicare does not pay. Helen is full of it.

[EternalVigilance]

Well, it is apparent that Helen Tomas got the memo.

[jimt]

The Federal government cannot reasonably be bound to such promises when Congress has not enacted them into law.

This particular promise was made by thousands of recruiters to millions of GIs. The recruiters did so in good faith. Recruiters are agents of the government and the government should be bound by a promise made by thousands of them.

If you own a business and your salesman makes a promise, you're bound by it. End of story.

Why is the goobermint different?

The fact that Klinton, who loathed the military, made this decision to shaft veterans does not mean GW shouldn't immediately reverse it.

[Spruce]

When, oh when, will this dried-up old mummy shut her pie-hole?

[rbmillerjr]

At the end of her hatchet job article, you will find her email.

I emailed her and asked her if she supported our Vietnam heroes returning from the war...and asked her if she questioned LBJ and Nixon about ensuring that our Vietnam soldiers got all of the support they needed.

[Phantom Lord]

If you own a business and your salesman makes a promise, you're bound by it. End of story.

No your not. Ever have a car salesman make a "promise" while out on the lot just to have it disappear when at "the table"?

[RipSawyer]

Tricare for life seems to apply only to people 65 or over. I clearly remember that when I joined the Navy I was told that people who served 20 years or more would have free health care for life including family coverage. I could have retired at age 36 and 1/2 with credit for 20 years. That leaves a long time until 65.

[exnavy]

I thought so, thanks for the link.

[gridlock]

Many World War II and Korean conflict veterans have been hopping mad ever since the Pentagon welshed on the deal recruiters promised them when they signed up...

Helen Thomas should really know better than to use the term "welsh" in this context. Would it be acceptable to call them "Indian givers"? Why pick on the Welsh?

[Happy2BMe]

Freedom Is Not Free

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington

[Mustang]

"...Thomas can get stuffed..."

Agree, big time. She needs a quick visit to Norman Bates' motel.

Why does this ancient wench remain in the front row of WH reporters? Correct me if I'm wrong, but she retired from UPI/AP several moons ago.

Note for Ari: Ignore her. She's brain dead!

Mustang sends.