Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:58

Lets Create A Soldier Bond As The Authentic Support For Troops, Vets and Military Families
Brent Budowsky
Contributing Editor, FDNS

I have already begun urging Democrats from the high levels to the grassroots to initiate a Soldier Bond that would raise $500 billion dollars, over 20 years, to meet the needs of our troops, vets and military families.

The Soldier Bond would be structured similar to the U.S. Savings Bond, modelled after the War Bond of the 1940's, and the money would be used for the human, health, educational, financial, vocational and psychological needs of all troops, vets and their families.

The original legislation I propose is this: that Congress can pass by the 4th of July a plan to require two things:

First that the President consult with Wall Street leaders and present to Congress by September 1 specific options for an actionable Soldier Bond.

Second, that the executive and legislative branches immediately begin consultations with the full range of veteran's advocates and support groups to fully delineate the program needs, and honestly account for the costs of addressing them..

Every major group should have public input and veterans who served in World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War I, Bosnia, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars should all be part of the policy process and should all benefit from the Soldier's Bond.

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:17

It has been a pleasure to see the leadership roles taken by those Fighting Dem Vets who went to Congress and Senate. Jim Webb has been amazing in the Senate, moving more boldly than is normal for freshmen Senators. And in the House Vice Admiral Sestak has been an advisor up and down the halls of Congress and makes the chickenhawks on talk shows sheepish (sorry for the mixed metaphor!) when he speaks of commanding a battle fleet. His newly elected Fighting Dem colleagues have been equally powerful voices on the Hill.

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 00:01

Former CIA director George Tenet will kick off his "tell all" book tour with an appearance on 60 Minutes this Sunday, April 22.

Advance word is that in his book -- At the Center of the Storm -- Tenet contends the Bush administration did, in fact, cook the intelligence in their efforts to lead the country into war against Iraq and then scapegoated the intelligence community.

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:06

This is the re-launch of Fighting-Dems.com to support the "Blue Wave" of Fighting Dem Vets in the 2008 election cycle, and the Fighting Dems News Service informing the public of issues relating to foreign policy, national security, veterans and military families.

CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:04

 

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:30

FIGHTING DEMS NEWS SERVICE

foreign policy * national security * military & veterans affairs

 

March 8, 2007

Vol. 2 No. 8     

 

THE NEWS HEADLINES

 

Webb Moves To Block Iran War Funds

Troop Funds Imperiled By Political Squabbling

Report:  Air Strikes Against Iran Would Backfire

Troop Surge Numbers Surge

Short & Sweet

 

THE OP/ED HEADLINES

 

Reid Is Right: No Libby Pardon

Next Steps In Plamegate

Budget Is The Problem

About Fighting Dems News Service

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

Guest Column
By Larry Scott

The old adage states: If you want the real story, follow the money.

The stories we’ve read about the appalling conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital all have money at the bottom line. That is, lack of money. With proper staff and oversight, the Walter Reed scandal would not have happened. But, proper staff means an adequate budget. In this case, proper staff to care for the troops and to maintain the facilities.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

News Analysis
By Randy Risener
Editor, FDNS

Internal Democratic squabbling combined with partisan jousting is threatening badly needed funds including those for military and veterans’ health care along with other troop support needs.

Democrats are aiming to add billions to President Bush’s request for a $93.4 billion appropriation for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. When supplemental funds for State Department and related aid operations are included the appropriations are around $100 billion.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:29

By Larry Johnson
Contributing Editor

Guilty! Four out of five. Now what? Let’s see. Will Scooter Libby be a hot date on Sadie Hawkins day once he’s in the pen? He took such delight in screwing political foes, perceived and real, that he is about to discover an ancient Indian truth–Karma can be a bitch.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 04:18

By Brent Budowsky
Contributing Editor

[Editor’s Note: The author worked in the core group writing the original CIA Identities Law with Senator Lloyd Bentsen, its original sponsor.]

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is 100% right: the President should immediately and publicly state that there will be no pardon in the Scooter Libby case.

The jury has spoken: powerfully, decisively, and authoritatively.

This is now about the integrity of the judicial process.