If John Kerry is ever forced to open his service records, complete with medical reports, we may find the biggest lies of all.

Thanks for posting this, it will help me keep my facts straight when debating why Bush is the obvious choice this year.

Neither were lies.

Veteran benefits have been cut.

As for the deficits, you have plainly misrepresented what FactCheck said. The previous record deficit was $375B (under Bush). Depending who you believe, the deficit this year will be between $477B and $521B. As FactCheck notes, Greenspan is concerned about the size.

Hey, Guy Cabot said they were cut.....so, they were cut. Evidence? We don't need no stinking evidence when Cabot's around.

After all, he's a standup guy, right?

Although, it begs a question ---- why were you denying that you knew Acidman around here a few weeks back, Cabot, when you were trolling his site last year?

JadeGold,

It hard to understand how you can consider an increase from $47.4 billion in 2001 to $60.3 billion in 2004 a "cut". Seems like an 27% increase to me.

If you mean a slower increase than some veteran's organizations would like, I guess you could say the increase was "cut".

Remember also that while the President submits a Budget, it's the House and Senate that acutally passes the budget which is then signed into law by the President. So equal "blame", if any, should be given to members of Congress.

If you're talking about the middle and upper income vets who won't qualify for veteran's medical benefits, their benefits weren't "cut", they just aren't elegible for them, just as they haven't been eligible in the past. ALL disabled and low-income vets receive medical benefits.

As for the deficit, they're talking about the deficit as a percentage of the GDP, not raw numbers. As a percentage of GDP, the 2004 deficif is no where near the record deficits run up during WWII.

PS: I'm a vet - retired after 27 combinded years in the USMC and Army.

A-10: Ask the Veteran's groups and service organizations; they're howling mad and with good cause. Even the Army Times deemed the veteran's cuts an "act of betrayal."

You are correct that a budget doesn't come about because of one person. However, a President--especially one whose party controls both Houses of Congress--certainly has a lot of sway. And he can always use the veto.

Merely comparing the deficit relative to GDP is only part of the equation. You also have to consider how fast you're building the debt--because as the debt grows, the more money you'll be spending--not on roads or defense or schools, etc--on servicing that debt interest. This isn't WWII when we had a debt that was next to nothing.

Yeah, really.. Give me a break. "exploded the myth"?

I read that story days ago. Synopsis: "The deficits are definitely huge, and technically, the deficits are the largest in history, but relative to GDP, they're not. But they're still huge. Did we mention they are huge?"

Ah yes, a 27% increase is a cut in little Jade's world. Just as black is white, up is down, and in is out. Don't expect anything from little Jade, A-10. He's made a living out of lying, slandering, and not providing any proof for his accusations.

He's a liar, a fraud, and a troll.

Why does Raging David consider veterans to be liars?

Veterans Groups Critical of Bush's VA Budget

In a statement issued shortly after the budget was released, Edward S. Banas Sr., commander in chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, called the VA's health care spending proposal "a disgrace and a sham."

Want to know how vet benefits were cut? Like most GOP claims, conservatives assume (correctly) that most people don't understand how federal budgets work.

The Bush administration's original FY04 budget increasing the VA medical budget by 7.7 percent to $27.5 billion over the next decade. However, this growth is a facade created only by raising veterans' annual fees and copayments while denying coverage to 360,000 of them.

The House FY04 budget didn't even bother to pretend. They cut $15B from mandatory veterans benefits and health coverage.

These figures included a $463M funding decrease for the coming year---characterized as an elimination of waste and abuse, but actually targeting pensions of war-disabled veterans and GI Bill benefits of soldiers returning from Afghanistan.

Altogether, the House budget cuts represented a loss of about 9,000 VA physicians, or 900,000 days of hospital care. This is especially damaging if one considers the already sorry state of veterans' health. About 300,000 veterans are forced to wait six months for their first primary care appointment; in some cases, the waiting list is three years long, and many VA hospitals have closed their enrollments altogether. The demand for care is growing rapidly, as aging veterans are joined by an influx of claimants from the Gulf War and soon Iraq.

This, of course, doesn't even begin to address ballooning medical costs.

Really, this issue should not be a partisan one. It does demonstrate, however, how Bush defenders would rather not tell the truth than acknowledge their responsibility to vets.

Unsubstantiated claims, little Jade. That's what we've come to expect from you, and you didn't dissapoint.

You are a liar, a fraud, and a troll. Even after Mr. Hobbs put up the links to his information, and proof that benifits were not cut, you still carry on as if nothing had happened. You do that a lot, don't you?

It must be sad to always be wrong, little Jade. I have no more time to waste on you. Why Mr. Hobbs hasn't banned you yet, I don't know. Perhaps he enjoys having an imbecil to poke at. In any case, enjoy your shallow, empty life.

You do that a lot, don't you?
Pretty much.

Which is why he's not respected (he's really discredited failed blogger "Guy Cabot") to any discernable degree. He goes from site to site lying and when he's outed he hauls and then comes back later. On certain sites he's been putting forth false charges about me (saying I support the confederate flag, for instance), basically because he's incapable of holding his own in a debate.

Anyone can be a troll, Cabot.

I read fact check also. They are quite non partisan. There was mention here on comments that said that 360000 vets are being denied benefits. I think that you may be including a good number of vets who are ineligible for a number of reasons. Your not mentioning the reason for the denial is inflammitory and misleading. Also, there was mention of vets having to wait an extrordinary length of time for visits. This also is for a multitude of reasons. Please verify the criteria you use to criticize prior to putting out misleading information.

Enough said.

And, btw, the reason I'll not insert the information here is simply because you need to do the research yourself and learn from your mistakes.

Have a wonderful day... learn lots!

It seems you have several choices; you can believe FactCheck--which is non-partisan--but tends not to do an in-depth analysis; e.g., one number is higher than before--so that means an increase. Nevermind the rate of costs far exceed the rate of increases.

Or, you can believe the veteran's groups and service organizations which are crying bloody murder.

Hmmm. I believe I'll not call the vets liars.

As I often do, I am focusing on a small matter involving one veteran.

My son-in-law is a young man of whom I am very proud. He started out life disadvantaged, from a broken home, and practically raised by his grandparents.

He struggled through high school and got into the University of Tennessee, where he did not do very, subsequently dropping out. The next several years were spent working at simultaneous part-time jobs at a grocery chain, loading trucks for a parcel service, and at the same time serving in the Marine Corps Reserve. His primary training was in combat-related operations such as explosives and demolitions. He received unqualified support from our daughter during this challenging period for him.

He distinguished himself through first-rate performance and leadership, receiving promotions, and ending his six-year commitment two years ago. He then entered our local community college full-time in pre-engineering (mechanical), and will enter the University of Tennessee this summer with a 4.0 GPA including courses in physics and advanced mathematics. This done while working at a customer service job with a cellular phone company and balancing his role as husband and father to a now 20 month-old daughter. The second child, a son, is on the way this month.

Several days ago, he received a reply to his application for GI educational benefits. The letter stated in terse wording, "...your benefits have been terminated."

My guess is that everything will work out in the end, but this is probably the beginning of another struggle for him. He's up to it, though. You see, the change is for life.

Why did you come here pretending that you didn't know Acidman, after you trolled his site, JadeGold/Guy Cabot? Why do you run from that question? Scared to address it?

Ricky: Isn't this 'Acidman' a friend of yours?

I guess the question is why you associate with known racists?

I guess it comes with your support for the Confederate flag.

Why did you come here pretending that you didn't know Acidman, after you trolled his site, JadeGold/Guy Cabot? Why do you run from that question? Scared to address it?

I guess it comes with your support for the Confederate flag.
Dude, when I mock your lying about that fallacious charge, it'd be wise not to make the fallacious charge thereafter. Yes, it's easy, but at least make it challenging.

Ricky: You haven't told us about your long, personal relationship with this 'Acidman.'

Do you share his racist beliefs?

Perhaps that is why you're such a defender of the Confederate flag.

No, I don't share those views.  I see, however, that you're running scared (yet again) when questioned on your history of dishonesty.  An old debate tactic is to change the subject.  Let's try again....read slowly:  Why did you come here pretending that you didn't know Acidman, after you trolled his site, JadeGold/Guy Cabot? Why do you run from that question? Scared to address it?

I guess it comes with your support for the Confederate flag. Dude, when I mock your lying about that fallacious charge, it'd be wise not to make the fallacious charge thereafter. Yes, it's easy, but at least make it challenging.

Don't be scared, Cabot - answer the questions.  If you have the guts.

Ricky:

You don't share his racist beliefs, Ricky? So, I guess that's why he's on your blogroll. It must be those blogs you agree with that are excluded.

Thanks for the explanation.

Perhaps you could address why you want the Stars 'n' Bars flying over Georgia?

You don't share his racist beliefs, Ricky?
Was the "NO" indicated earlier to difficult?

So, I guess that's why he's on your blogroll. It must be those blogs you agree with that are excluded.
I have Max Sawicky on my blogroll, as well. Does that mean I'm a former communist anti-war sympathizer? Or that I read a variety of viewpoints?
Somehow, I think that also went over your head.

Perhaps you could address why you want the Stars 'n' Bars flying over Georgia?
Who said I did? Tell you what, if you can find one instance where I've supported such an action (as opposed to my public pronouncements for removing it from the GA flag altogether), I'll donate $20 to the DNC in your name, Cabot. Of course, you can't because I haven't. Not that it'll stop you from lying in the future, because that's all you can do. You're really not that bright, are you?

And no, you did NOT have the guts to answer the questions. We all noticed the cowardice.

I'll follow you all around the internet with your past, Cabot. Every time you lie, I'll be there with links to discredit you. Live with yourself.

Ricky:

Stalk away. You can't escape your racist past. It's a stain that won't go away.

BTW, Ricky, did you actually claim Max Sawicky is a racist?

Tut-tut.

Remember, there wherever you go with your lies, Cabot. Your cowardice and dishonesty will always be pointed out and you'll be constantly embarrassed into dodging the simplest of questions.

Until next time, thanks for the slow fastballs.

Are these the values you teach your kid, Ricky? Those of your friend?

I'll bet you even have a mullet.

Why don't you answer my questions, Cabot? I answered yours.

It's not like I asked you how mydaddys blog was doing....

BTW, Cabot/Jadegold, why don't you take me up on the $20 offer? You've been running around the internet lying about me, so back it up. Here's your chance. I'm publicly thumbing my nose at your lies --- put up or shut up. Find where I supported the stars/bars on the GA capital. Surely you had something to base your false assertions on.......prove it. Come, mydaddysblog, here's your chance to actually win an argument.

I dare you.

JadeGold,

Interesting argument in reference to the VA budget.

It still amazes me that any one can say that the budget was cut.

Stupid is as stupid does.
Want the real skinny?

Try this link:
http://www.va.gov/budget/summary/

This is the 2005 VA budget.

President Bush's Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 budget represents an increase in overall funding for our Nation's veterans by almost $20 billion – or 40 percent – since 2001. The President has increased funding for our veterans more in four years than funding was increased in the previous eight years. The FY 2005 budget includes a 41 percent funding increase in veterans' medical care spending alone since FY 2001.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I am a Veteran? Did I also mention that I am a Disabled Veteran?

Nice try on the DNC talking points, but that shit ain't working.
The numbers are against you. So is the fact that I am receiving VA vocational rehabilitation along with my other benefits.

I don't use a VA hospital, my choice. I still can, any time I desire to do so. Just more convenient to use the military base near by. Oh, I guess you failed to realize that that is also an option for retired Veterans.

You don't know Jack!

It is also obvious that your brain housing group lacks proper perspective and the ability to use a logical thought process.

Nice job Bill.

I have to admire the hutzpah of a blog forum dedicated to Kerry's lies. Especially in the face of the Bush administrations endless series of earth-shaking untruths. Still, tis shouldn't surprise anyone, I suppose. Campaigning has sunken to the level of three-year-olds screaming "did too!" "did not!" and hurling feces. Why should we expect more of self-appointed pundits?
Ignore the facts and reap the whirlwind, guys. Hope you all don't have kids signed up for the military.