Many post-9/11 veterans and servicemembers will soon be eligible for a new comprehensive education benefits package. The new bill goes well beyond helping to pay for tuition. Many veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, will get full tuition and fees, a new monthly housing stipend, and a $1,000 a year stipend for books and supplies. The new bill also gives Reserve and Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days since 9/11 access to the same GI Bill benefits. The new GI Bill will soon be on its way to the president for signature, he is expected to sign it by July 4. (Military.com)

How can McCain defend his opposition to a bill that would expand educational benefits to our Veterans? And justify his opposition by saying that the new GI Bill would hurt the military?

In my humble opinion - Senate Bill S-22 the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007 or commonly referred to as the new GI Bill is long over due. Our service members who have been putting their lives at risk - voluntarily - deserve nothing less than our highest respect and support.

It was recently reported by USA Today that since 2003 43,000 troops have been deployed in support of operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq despite the fact that they were deemed medically unfit to deploy. Although the number of unfit troops deployed has fluctuated since 2003, there was a significant increase in 2007 with 9,140 unfit troops deployed. However, the USA Today article notes that “some reasons included a need for eyeglasses, dental work or allergy medicine and a small number of mental health cases”.

The article further reports that “In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in February, the panel’s chairman, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., asked Army leaders about an e-mail from the surgeon for the Fort Carson brigade that said medically “borderline” soldiers went to war because “we have been having issues reaching deployable strength.” (The Army Times)

Why does the United States military deploy troops into high stress, combat situations without having their health concerns (however minor) addressed?

A few days ago I was sitting with some friends at a locale cafe called "You Say Tomato". While drinking our ritual Saturday morning cups of coffee the conversation turned to the U.S. Flag. This was brought on because I have a U.S. Flag pin on my jacket. There was some discussion about how the flag has become idolized; the importance of the symbolism of the flag was questioned; the idea that the flag is not aesthetically pleasing was mentioned; and the controversy surrounding some of our Presidential candidates and politicians who do not wear a U.S. Flag lapel pin and as a result have their patriotism called into question.

While thinking about writing this blog today I thought I would address all of the above points that were part of the discussion while at Coffee Talk the other day. Instead, I have decided to write about what this national symbol means to me. I am taking this approach because we all have varying ideas about our flag, about our government, political views, religious views, and many other things. So the meaning that I place on our Flag may be very different from anyone else.