I wonder what Robert Byrd and the DNC had to say about this photo. Of course, Clinton could never use this photo in a campaign ad- that would drive away the anti-war loony left that serves as the Democrat base.
BTW- The best thing about this whole flap is that the Democrats really think this is an issue. Meanwhile, in Congress, both parties are debating what type and what size of tax cuts to pass.
(Via Henry Hanks who saw this on Neal Boortz’s site)
jerry
That’s not a flight suit. That’s only a windbreaker. He is not wearing a flight suit. His pants are civilan pants. His shoes are civilian shoes.
If you visit an aircraft carrier on a windy day, you may be handed a standard issue windbreaker too.
Find me a more damning photograph please, this one is inconclusive.
jerry
That’s not a flight suit. That’s only a windbreaker. He is not wearing a flight suit. His pants are civilan pants. His shoes are civilian shoes.
If you visit an aircraft carrier on a windy day, you may be handed a standard issue windbreaker too.
Find me a more damning photograph please, this one is inconclusive.
John Cole
Actually, it is a flight jacket he is wearing, with the POTUS seal on the right breast and a name plaque on the left breast.
http://images.google.com/images?q=flight+jacket&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en
You don’t know what you are talking about- the whole point of wearing that SPECIALLY MADE jacket was to fit in and look military- otherwise, and jacket would have done.
True, it was not a “flight suit,” but Bush was wearing a flight suit because he actually flew in and landed on the carrier. They make you wear them when you do that.
Courtney
Fight suits are made out of flame-retardant material. If you sit on an ejection seat, you have to put it on. I am sure every one of the hundreds of civilian VIPs who have flown in a Navy plane has worn a flight suit. Every documentary or Discovery Channel special filmed on an air craft carrier had civilians landing in jets on aircraft carriers, while wearing flight suits. It’s not that big a deal.
Sal
So, what’s the big deal? I agree, Pooty is the one who should be mad, Jr’s stealing his playbook…
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/Russia000413_putin.html
Russian voters could soon tire of watching Putin
JKC
Personally, I don’t care what Shrub wears. It could have been worse: ol’ Karl could have decided that the Prez should have parachuted in.
I wonder, though, if those cheering soldiers are going to be as happy when they need medical care a few years down the road.
The neglect of the VA health care system (by both parties) is disgraceful. To my mind, though, it’s a bit more galling coming from someone wrapping himself in military imagery.
Chris
Responding to this statement above:
“I wonder, though, if those cheering soldiers are going to be as happy when they need medical care a few years down the road.
The neglect of the VA health care system (by both parties) is disgraceful. To my mind, though, it’s a bit more galling coming from someone wrapping himself in military imagery.”
I have never served in the military, but my father served for 35 years and my brother for 20. But, I have never ever figured out why there is a real need for a seprate medical system for vets. Please explain.
CCA
JKC
The promise of the VA was that, in return for serving their country in time of need, veterans would receive high quality health care for the rest of their lives. If this country had a decent health care system, then maybe the VA wouldn’t be necessary, but we don’t, and it is.
As for the original subject, I don’t care if Boy George wants to play fighter jock. Being the POTUS ought to bring a few perks. But to beat the “support the troops” drum while cutting veteran benefits to pay for an ill-advised tax cut is the height of hypocrisy.
And yes, John, I’d say that if it were President Gore doing the same thing.
Steve Malynn
When is a budget increase a cut in benefits? When the dems say it is. When is the best health care in the world not a decent health care system? When the dems say it is.
Steve Malynn
Generally, the largest driver in the increase of health care costs has been the advent of 3d party paying the costs, an example of the market at work and a variation of the “tragedy of the commons.” (While doctors complain about the runaway costs of malpractice claim abuse, that is only a secondary cause of medical inflation.) If there is no incremental cost to the user the commodity gets overused. Co-pay and means testing are rational accomodations that rein in overuse. The VA is a massive burocracy that has been reforming, and while it could still use more work the horror stories of the past have largely been addressed.
Sal
‘the horror stories of the past have largely been addressed.’
Knowing many who go to the VA and a few nurses who work there locally, I would have to say you have no idea what you are talking about.
rabidfox
In many ways, the VA is the best argument against nationalized medicine that I can think of.
JKC
Steve, RabidFox, unless you work in the health care system (as I do), please try not to pretend that you know what you’re talking about. You’re entitled to an opinion, like everyone else, but at least try to sound intelligent about it.
JKC
Steve-
If it’s the best health care system in the world, why do we have one of the worst infant mortality rates in the industrialized world?
It IS a great system- if you’re a trauma victim, or if you have loads of cash and/or good insurance. Unfortunately, we do a terrible job with preventive medicine, which would save tons of money.
Robin Roberts
Actually, JKC, for someone who purports to be in the industry, you sure repeat a lot of myths. The government doesn’t promise health care via the VA to all vets, you misrepresent the law there. Infant mortality rates correlate more to ethnic group than to economic class. And the myth about “preventive medicine” has been repeatedly debunked. Other than smoking cessation programs, preventive medicine has been a boondoggle.
bob
This doesn’t conclude hypocrisy. The commander-in-chief is allowed to set foot on a carrier, and when he does, he shouldn’t stage a crass PR stunt like the dubya did. And guess what? Clinton did not, Dubya did. Mission accomplished? Give me a break.