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author

someone just canceled their subscription — probably because they think I'm being pro-war here. I'm not pro-war, I'm as anti-war as they come. this isn't about the foreign policy or US war machine or anything like that. it's about our country having a responsibility to take care of the people it sends into harm's way

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They can go fuck off too

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What you said!!

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There are soooooo many people who need to fuck off. The list is endless.

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HA! I've used that as a reply to some people (never here): "People don't tell you to go fuck yourself enough, do they?" 😂

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Nope, they do not! I even say fuck off to my computer screen multiple times a day. For me, it's a lot like therapy.

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So do I. That's my way of keeping the computer in line and not even daring to think about the nasty tricks it could pull.

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YESSSSSS!!!!!!!

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The point is evidently lost on these people. The POINT is the HYPOCRISY, INDIFFERENCE and HATE of the right wing. If they don’t get that, they are being disingenuous.

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The POINT is the HYPOCRISY, INDIFFERENCE and HATE of the right wing Their stupidity is also a problem.

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It's because you speak the TRUTH

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Nov 12, 2023·edited Nov 12, 2023

Anyone who cannot see that one does not need to be a warmonger to support our veterans receiving the best care possible is confused and lacks an understanding of nuance. I can guarantee that everyone posting comments here understands that.

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author

being reductive is what the internet does best. it's that old meme about how if you post "I love pancakes" someone will go "why do you hate waffles?" c'est la vie, right?

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By the way, I love both pancakes and waffles. 😊

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author

WHY DO YOU HATE CEREAL

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made me laugh out loud, and I really needed to laugh today. Muchas gracias, Jeff!!

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😂😂

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This is a Rock, No it's a stone, This is a Rock, No it's a boulder.

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LOL!!

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😂😂

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WILL NO ONE SUPPORT TOAST??!! I guess I'm the only one here with a soul then. Fine.

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author

what kind of monster toasts bread

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The kind that fries potatoes.

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The number of anti-toastites here is appalling.

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Toast is OK, but it really just can’t compare with a stack of fluffy pancakes. Yum!!

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Why do you hate waffles?

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The circle is now complete

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What’s wrong with crêpes. Best of all, especially if you have them in France. 😉

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Nov 12, 2023·edited Nov 12, 2023

Exactly. People spend so much time reading soundbites on Shitter and Facebook, and the like, that they are losing their critical thinking skills and their ability to make reasonable judgments. That’s why they jump to conclusions quickly without thinking clearly about what a statement means.

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Shitter 🤣🤣!! That's great!

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I can’t claim that it’s original. It came into my mind when Jeff was talking about Trump storing classified documents in “the shitter.“ And then it occurred to me that it would be a great substitute name for Twitter.

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I've seen "Xitter" too, with the X pronounced like Xi in Xi Jinping in China. Same sound, all-encompassing name.

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So many replies and NOT ONE PERSON mentions BAGELS! Unbelievable!

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I suppose Lox & Bagels is a communist plot...just like toast! Hide that appliance,folks! Cause you KNOW they are coming for your toasters! And your cream cheese!

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And your gas ovens!!!

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LOL

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I eat everything! hahaha-thanks for making me laugh today!!!

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What she said!

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I'm anti-war too, but I'm also pragmatic and realistic. For myriad reasons, there will continue to be conflicts as long as humans walk the earth. We will continue to need military service members.

Friends of mine are a married couple, who were both in the Army. I should add that they are also liberals, because they have brains. Anyway, they met in Iraq. They have a farm in the midwest, and among other things, she rescues animals of all kinds, and together they are raising two beautiful little girls. She had a back injury in Iraq, among other things. He has some kind of PTSD which makes him barely able to function many days, and the vast majority of the work and responsibilities fall on her. She says she will always take care of him, no matter how he gets, because she loves him as a husband, but even more, "because he is my Army buddy." Meanwhile there is a medication that "keeps him from killing himself" she says, but the VA won't cover it, so they pay out of pocket.

THIS is how so many veterans live, hand to mouth practically, but because they are still strong people, they somehow make it work. They're quiet about it, too. It makes me fucking livid.

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Yooper, this may be off-subject, but there has been tremendous movement in Psychiatry to help patients with PTSD. Psilocybin is one drug/medication which has shown to be of great benefit when used in a therapeutic setting. The first psychiatrist I knew who was experimenting with it was here in Charleston, SC, a wonderful and compassionate, doctor, Michael Mithoefer. You can look for more information in the: Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2020 Jun; 23(6): 385–400. Your friend's husband may benefit from this this. I very much hope so.

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Wow, thank you kdsherpa! I will ask her if they know about this. I hope he could benefit too.

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I truly hope it will. I don't know if VA's are using this therapy yet. If not, it's well worth a google search. (Dr. Mithoefer successfully used this therapy for patients with a variety of PTSD cases, including rape, violent assaults, terrible accidents, among all other life-threatening events that you can imagine.)

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I had my PTSD resurface this year. I wanted to try psilocybin. I signed up for a medical trial but did not hear back. Montana is a bad place when it comes to suicide. There is a horrible attitude here. I tried to get Lorazepam and was accused of being a drug addict. So many people I know here have offed themselves with guns. I would tell the Doctor "I hope our Veterans get treated better than this." My son, 32, saved my life. He is a real Hero.

Maybe because this is a red state? But people's lives mean nothing here.

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I am SO sorry to hear this, Mandy. God bless your son. In the meantime, look for places where you can be treated appropriately. Here are a couple of resources that may help you in your journey toward help: https://www.remeday.com/psychedelics/psilocybin-therapy-guide; and https://theweek.com/drugs/1024449/the-state-of-psychedelic-therapy-in-the-us. (From the second article) "Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin use under strict supervision in 2020 and was followed by Colorado in 2022. Other states have proposed similar bills to legalize psilocybin, including California, Connecticut and New Jersey." Perhaps because you live not too far from Oregon, this would be a place where you could go to find help. Also perhaps Colorado. I understand that Canada (another neighbor of yours) has, or is on the verge of legalizing psilocybin for treatment of PTSD. Another possibility is to look for centers where studies may be taking place -- generally in medical universities. The NIMH is also an excellent resource. Please let me know what you find out. BTW, often just ONE treatment session is adequate to treat symptoms!

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Having worked in the molecule bending side of research and applications, I do love to see helpful recognition and support on the clinical side.

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Without molecule bending, the help available on the clinical side would be very, very small.

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As you already know, it's not a good idea to hold your breath while waiting for the VA to change anything or agree to add a new medication to their sainted formula.

I used to do medical transcription for several VA hospitals, and I transcribed a large number of Agent Orange exams and PTSD exams. That was nearly 20 years ago, and I've never forgotten four or five of those veterans' stories. It broke my heart every single time. Those are the reports you edit and check for mistakes over and over again because you don't want some dumb one-word error to keep a veteran from being awarded benefits.

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No doubt. I worked with many government labs. One small story comes to mind where after the 3rd try they finely approved foe a new lab water system an EPA lab, but we almost hugged they were so excited.

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I was required to spend ten months of my Residency working at a VA Hospital -- half in Psychiatry and half in Internal Medicine. This was back in the early 1980's. I felt that the patients in the Psychiatry unit received good and compassionate care (thanks to our Attending, who was a former nun and as beautiful a soul as one could meet). The patients in Internal Medicine, on the other hand, were treated like second class citizens. It was very disturbing. The careful work you did surely made a large difference in the lives of many veterans.

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Absolutely, Jeff. I’ve been protesting wars since high school because the men who run the world can’t seem to fucking stop themselves from enriching their big donors by sending other people’s kids off to die. (BTW, it was Eisenhauer who warned against the “military-industrial complex” back in the day when Rs weren’t all evil.) But protesting wars was never about the people who were serving or had served.

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Eisenhower was the last honest Republican president.

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“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.”

― Dwight D. Eisenhower, Soldier, General, President

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I was fortunate to have been born in the Eisenhower years,young as I was I recall nothing but admiration for the man,no one said anything derogatory about him,then or any time long after he died.My father,a WW II and Korea veteran loved serving in his Army,and was the only Republican he ever voted for.He told us kids that Ike wasn’t a real Republican and that he was non political, and that he was basically drafted by the party.I myself wouldn’t ever have thought of voting for a Republican,being raised in a union family and City, but when John Mc Cain ran ,I was all for him,until That crazy bitch Sarah showed up it was a no go for Johnny ! I’m still pissed over asshole face calling him a loser,what a piece of human garbage he is,the balless draft dodging ,pussy.I’m not a big fan of wars,or those that make them,but guys like Ike ,and McCain deserve nothing less than our respect ,and gratitude! Humpty Trumpty should go hide out in a spider hole like his role model Sadam and rot to Hell in it!

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Sounds like a plan. I'm all for it.

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You can't please everybody all the time. What's important is that you stay true to yourself and put your opinion out there as you always have. Who knows? Maybe they just lost their job or something. Keep up the good work. 💐

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Early winter - first snowflake.

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Amen. And anyone that just canceled, you won't be missed. Little Donny Fuck Face... I hope he goes to prison and his cell mates have veterans in their families that remember.

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Well just fuck that person and the horse he, she or it rode in on as well.

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Thank you for pointing out some of the many ways in which MAGAs are not supportive of the military, or veterans. What you have illustrated is what is known as talking out of both sides of your mouth. Let us hope that people can see that there is nothing but drivel from Trump and the rest.

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founding

See ya. Bye bye. It’s about the truly horrendous lies. Can’t even read the Avila story anymore, it is so heartbreaking. Want to scream it to the rooftops. Shameful. Thank you Jeff. Right with you loudly!

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We're better off. This is a place for smart people.

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Well a friend that I sent one of your free month gift subscriptions to said the link didn’t work. He wants to subscribe. So maybe you could send me the link again?

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Geez louise - how can anyone with two neurons firing interpret your column as anything but pro-veteran?

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I can’t tell you the despair I felt a few weeks ago when I saw a group of veterans huddled around watching newsmax.

Oh, and fuck off, Tommy!

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Very disturbing that many veterans will support these phony assholes who continue to vote against everything that would benefit them. Perhaps more emphasis should be made about their voting records with the upcoming election to make more voters aware of their blatant anti-veteran platform.

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Amen

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This is what gets to me too. There will always be nasty people, hypocrites, evil, etc. but what about those who vote against their own interest? It really does not take too much intelligence to see the hypocrisy. But somehow, their need for a strong man? Overrides that.

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and a high percentage of them think Trump is the holy grail and will vote for him no matter what.... same thing with the evangelicals.

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As they have already "voted" for the last tax bill, where yes they will pay the richer peoples taxes. And, really not that much richer on the lower end. But heaven forbid the donor class pay up their share. Of course, that would mean not maintaining control of the "serfs" and allowing them control or at least imput on their future and wellbeing. Somehow, you would think they might notice that this is the same group trying to take away the social safety net. Some are small businesses of the sort that feel over taxed, I do understand. But once that math is understood why not finish the equation and realize who really benefits?

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Mine happened when I saw a bumper sticker on an old car being driven by a younger guy.

"Veterans For Trump" it said.

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I'm one of those radical left thugs you hear so much about, aka vermin. I don't take the insult personally because I'm not that childish, but would it kill The New York Times, Washington Post, etc to call out this bullshit? Jeff is doing a better job than the mainstream media.

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Here, Here!

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You think!? Most def!

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I bet they have more praise for the Russian military than ours.

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Count on it.

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But but but I don't know how to count! I'm a Republican election official!

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LOL!!

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And how is that working in Ukraine? Unless of course, they stop the funding? Strange, that so very recently we were ready and willing to increase the military budget, decade after decade? Also strange how the GOP is will to increase $$ for the budget but not the real time defense in places we have a commitment like Europe, by proxy Ukraine. And Ukraine, that still has many GOP willing to support their efforts but not the maga? That cool-aid is being drunk by the cult of Trump-no thinking required. His great friendships with dictators, that's all they need to hear. And let's not forget the lefty argument that this Ukraine effort is just the US warmongering,again. No need to finesse the argument-it is all Vietnam & Iraqi, right?

Being invaded and bombed by Putin, ok kids time to put your college tuition to work and do some real critical thinking! Why is one thing not like the other. If necessary, let's start at Sesame Street and work up.

( ok, I have finally turned into my parents-haha)

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My son serves, my daughter-inlaw served, my oldest brother served my father served my family goes back to fighting for the American Revolution. None of these pucks have any idea what any service is

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Glad they did :-) but I sure hope they dont envy Trump and vote for him

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Never!

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I hope they get active to reach as many vet Dems as possible to Get out and 🗳️ vote BLUE.

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Serious question: How can so many servicemen and women still support Trump (or any republican for that matter)? It makes my head want to explode. Democrats really suck at getting their message out. That video needs to be aired as a political ad on every single TV network, several times and hour.

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In the military you obey and listen from a young age. They're listening to the wrong message.

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It could be that every army base runs FOX 24/7.

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Thank you Jeff. Not that I needed reminding what a fucktangle of shitweasles the GOP is but for voicing the outrage every family whose loved ones have fought, been wounded and died for should carry with them straight to the voting booth next November. I sure the fuck will.

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Oh, yes! You Said it and said it well!

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Could there be a one word to sum this up? Not sure, but DISHONORABLE comes to mind. Never support anyone who is not an honorable person. The opposite is exactly what these shitbags represent in every facet of their despicable lives.

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“Dishonorable” is a damn good word that, along with “honorable,” should get more air time. Remember when a politician who displayed dishonorable behavior was immediately sunk? Remember when the dishonorable slunk off the national stage? Remember when the dishonorable resigned in shame? (At least Al Franken had the honor to recognize he had dishonored women.) Let’s return to the moral standard of honorable leaders. It may not be too late.

Ye gads, I sound like a stick-in-the-mud!

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No but Franken's tape was used by that shitheel political hack, that slopehead yellow hammer used his own jokes against him. The Dems, woman Senators mainly, were compelling him quit. And he did. It was all a fiction and creation when analysis was done later. But he was honorable and stepped down before any investigation could be started unlike Menendez. There, that is a dirtbag political guy with both hands out. He had a close call, a split jury. But couldn't be induced to straighten up and fly right. No, not him right back to the trough, little greedy piglet & piggy wife. Sheesh.

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True, true, true.

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Deplorable works, too.

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Yes, HRC had that exactly right.

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“Suckers and losers”, unable to pay respects to our fallen soldiers due to a possible hair malfunction, using our soldiers to enforce our laws on our soil, does not have a clue what sacrifice for the greater good actually means, probably could not understand why General Eisenhower gave orders to film all the atrocities of the Nazi regime due to the fact he knew someday an idiot such as Donald would emerge in American society. Donald and his cult just don’t care about veterans, don’t care about shared sacrifice, don’t care about the continuation of democracy, don’t care how many suffer, and the cult does not care that Donald is a career criminal and head of a criminal enterprise.

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I'm a veteran. 22 years in the USAF. Grenada, Gulf I, Panama, and Bosnia. Thankfully I was only slightly wounded in one of them. I have always voted independently, sometimes for Democrats, sometimes Republicans, sometimes 3rd party. Heck, I even voted for the Communists once.

It wasn't until after the advent of MAGA that I began to fully realize just how much the latest crop of pandering MAGA "Republican" pusfuckers really seem to hate us all as a class. Not once has any of them introduced a bill that would actually help the veterans their party sent into harm's way. Though, I suppose it started with Reagan and his beancounters who decided that free health care for veterans was just too much cost to bear, so they came up with a "means test" that looked at how much you paid in taxes the previous year to determine if you could get it free, or you'd have to pay a co-pay for everything.

And it's a major pain in the ass getting that determination reevaluated based on your current financial circumstances. So, yet one more sacrifice in the name of "Republican" penny pinching.

I despise them all, and will never vote for a Republican again.

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Don, would you please send this as a letter to some “letters to the editor” when they pull their stupid “both-sideism” around vet policy?

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Not a bad idea.

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They are really showing who they really work for these days, the donor class! I rarely spend time on Facebook but someone in my family put Oliver North's comments on Facebook, which made me comment, "anyone but him."

Thank you for your service of 22 years!

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I think I can't hate them more than I do, and then I read your column... Hang them!

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I prefer impalement.

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Wow. I do too!

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of course the gop nazi scumbags hate Our Veterans. Our Veterans are ethnically diverse.

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What's it gonna take to get people to understand this? Spread the word far and wide that Republicans indeed do hate veterans. Call them on their bullshit & their dismal voting record. The arrogance is staggering with these assholes. This column is, as always, perfect but I could feel my blood pressure rising. However, the term "lap hockey" made me laugh out loud! Peace out, people!

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founding

Donald Trump and the rest can burn in the hell I don’t believe in. One should be created just for them. Pick a war zone - any war zone - and drop them in it!

My husband protested the war in Vietnam all through college. While his so called friends avoided the draft, my husband signed up as soon as he graduated and fought the best he could under conditions that no movie has ever made you understand. Why? Because he believes in honor and country. Most of his wounds are in his mind and heart although he was physically wounded as well.

When the Vietnam soldiers came home there were no parades. People spit on them in the airport.

Happy Veterans Day for some but not others. Thank you Brother for some but not everyone.

Not for the damaged and wounded?

General Bonespurs can kiss my husband’s ass!

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Agreed, but will say that the Ken Burns documentary on Vietnam comes very close to understanding the true horrors of that war.

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Dancing-This was so hurtful to my husband when he came home from Vietnam.

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Hear, Hear! Thank you Jeff for honoring our veterans with your plain-spoken truths about the reality of America's most insensitive, insincere, insulting, hypocritical, so-called politicians.

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"... as always, watch what they do, not what they say."

EXACTLY, Jeff!!! I am going to tell my dumb GOP voting friends and family this.

If I had a time machine, I would transport Trump and Tuberville directly into the line of the Bataan Death March.

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What a great idea!

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