tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post7355864507861964854..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Today's Reading AssignmentsGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-49123996514843995982010-04-09T21:31:52.981-04:002010-04-09T21:31:52.981-04:00Paul:
Just a couple of points: what are you getti...Paul:<br /><br />Just a couple of points: what are you getting for that $2 billion a week? Well, for starters, no major terrorist attacks on U.S. soil since 9-11. Yes, we have paid a price in blood and treasure, but when you consider the thousands that might have died in domestic terror attacks--possibly using chem, bio or nuclear weapons--it's money well spent. <br /><br />As for "renouncing" my military benefits, there's a difference between a military retiree (or disabled vet) and those Obama followers who've been showing up at medical facilities over the past three weeks and demanding their free health care.<br /><br />And what is that difference? In short, we earned our benefits. Uncle Sam "owned" me for more than 20 years, sending me to such garden spots at Haiti, Korea and the Middle East for up to a year at a time. I missed birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, school events, ball games and all those other family events that civilians take for granted. In exchange, I was promised a decent pension and medical care for myself (and my wife), assuming I fulfilled my end of the deal by serving honorably and faithfully for at least two decades. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong; I value my military career--it was the best "professional" decision I ever made, creating opportunities that I would have missed as a civilian. I left with a sense of satisfaction and achievement that I've never found in other lines of work. And, I must also say that my sacrifices pale in comparison to those who now serve. My tours in various hell-holes are nothing compared to what the current generations of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are experiencing. <br /><br />In return for my service, I am now enjoying the benefits promised me upon enlistment. But there's just one catch; when I joined the military almost 30 years ago, I was promised on-base health care for life, at virtually no cost. But, as I approached retirement, the military came up with something called TRICARE, an HMO-style arrangement that pushes dependents and retirees into the civilian health care system. <br /><br />Again, I'm grateful for what I have. With TRICARE, I'm covered for life. However, the system is far from perfect. Many health plans in the private sector cover a wider range of services, with lower co-pays. <br /><br />And, in areas that don't have military bases, it's sometimes difficult to find providers who will take TRICARE Prime, the "Cadillac" plan in the program. Seems that most doctors don't like all the red tape and low reimbursement rates associated with the program. When my wife fell and broke her arm in northern Mississippi last year (during a visit to see our son), we had to drive all the way to Memphis to find an orthopedist who would accept TRICARE. Sounds like a preview of Obamacare to me. <br /><br />And one more thing: the current military retirement system is hardly a progressive scheme. It was largely designed by the armed forces, and approved by Congress. Left up to the progressives, I can only shudder to think about the kind of "retirement" I'd have.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-82854411266359576402010-04-09T18:23:43.104-04:002010-04-09T18:23:43.104-04:00Gee Paul, it's not like anyone would use Afgha...Gee Paul, it's not like anyone would use Afghanistan as a base of operations to train and attack the U.S. and other western countries should we lose all influence.<br />That'd be ridiculous,absurd...laughable, no one would ever do something like that.<br /> <br />Regardless of how misguided your ideas on the subject may be it's quite interesting that your main objection is the cost of the war and the not a word about lives lost. At least most other misguided folks such as yourself tend to at least claim to care about the troops first.Opushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04257672492472419566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-86790745448158693142010-04-09T16:42:09.481-04:002010-04-09T16:42:09.481-04:00You left out the quote where Ajami points out: &qu...You left out the quote where Ajami points out: "Mr. Obama has not given the protagonists in the Afghan war the certainty that he is in it for the long haul." Well thank God.<br /><br />Considering Afghanistan and Iraq have lasted longer than World War II and are costing the U.S. taxpayer $2 billion a week I don't have much of a problem with US power declining in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even if we did tell Karzai we are in for the "long haul", you really think he's not going to court Iran? They're his NEIGHBORS!<br /><br />By the way, instead of grouching about 'nationalized healthcare' I suggest that you take a stand and reject your government provided care and pension and retiree healthcare and medicare and social security that the liberals have forced upon you. Tell your congressman that Obama should NOT have increased the VA budget. Damn those progressive schemes.Paul G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17270835772123856564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-81715478084720934552010-04-09T15:18:05.129-04:002010-04-09T15:18:05.129-04:00I don't know whether I'm happier our young...I don't know whether I'm happier our young men and women will be coming home instead of being killed and maimed in an area of the world that, it seems to me, we've come to a point of diminishing returns, or whether I'm more troubled that our enemies will be in control of more of the world where we have little influence.planethouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14499375793289541938noreply@blogger.com