On a scale of 1 to 10, this one ranks an 11 on the gag-meter

Photo courtesy of AP

President Bush landed on Eielson AFB today on his way to China for the opening of the Olympics, among other stops. Here is the transcript of his remarks in Alaska Politics.

And here is the comment that had me running for the toilet:

The United States military has had no better supporter and stronger friend than Senator Ted Stevens. Thank you for coming, Senator. (Applause.) Thank you for bring your daughter. Nothing wrong with a father bringing his daughter to an event like this.

Here's reality, from an AK Dems Press Release:

“ Alaska ’s military families deserve more from Senator Stevens than a photo-op with the President,” said Bethany Lesser, spokeswoman for the Alaska Democratic Party. “Just last week, Stevens voted against funding for our troops. The brave men and women of the military put their lives on the line to protect us and keep our families safe, and we can never do enough to repay them for their service. Thursday, Stevens voted against equipment. He voted against a pay raise. He voted against healthcare for servicemembers and their families. This vote is inexcusable.”

The National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2009 included provisions which would have:

Authorized a 3.9 percent across-the-board pay raise for military personnel. [Senate Armed Services Committee Press Release, 5/1/08]

Authorized $26.1 billion for the Defense Health Program, which includes $1.2 billion to reverse the Bush administration’s proposal to raise fees on troops and their families.[Senate Armed Services Committee Press Release, 5/1/08]

Authorized $3 billion in funding to protect troops in Iraq and Afghanistan from improvised explosive devices (IED).[Senate Armed Services Committee Press Release 5/1/08]

· Authorized active-duty end strengths for the Army and Marine Corps to increase by 7,000 soldiers and 5,000 marines from 2008 levels and an increase of 3,371 full-time personnel for the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve. [Senate Armed Services Committee Press Release, 5/1/08]

· Required the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to continue the operations of the Senior Oversight Committee to oversee implementation of Wounded Warrior initiatives.[Senate Armed Services Committee Press Release, 5/1/08]

· Fully funded Army readiness and depot maintenance programs to ensure that forces preparing to deploy are trained and their equipment is ready.[Senate Armed Services Committee Press Release, 5/1/08]

I have repeatedly highlighted on this blog how Ted Stevens has one of the worst records with Veteran's organizations. His grade according to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, (a non-partisan, non-profit organization) is the same as Senators John McCain and Lisa Murkowski--a "D".

Can we please stop with the "Stevens...veteran's frieeeeennnnnddd" bullshit?

On another subject--why did Bush make this comment about Stevens and his daughter? "Thank you for bring your daughter. Nothing wrong with a father bringing his daughter to an event like this." Was he trying to insinuate that Dems would have a problem with it?

Comments?

Sens. Stevens and Murkowski Stand in the Way of “Advancing America 's Priorities”

Here we go again...

While Stevens earlier in the month praised an agreement to combat online child pornography, today he (along with Sen. Murkowski) HELPED TO BLOCK "Advancing America's Priorities Act" (S. 3297) which includes a provision to "combat child exploitation."

Enhancing Child Pornography Prosecution Act/ Child Pornography Prosecution Act/ PROTECT Our Children Act, which would have cracked down on child pornography, closed a legal loophole to ensure child pornography offenses are prohibited to their fullest extent under the law and streamlined the protection and investigation of child exploitation cases by establishing a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention within the Department of Justice

This afternoon, by a vote of 52 - 43, Republican Senators stuck with Tom Coburn and voted against moving forward of the Omnibus package, which included numerous vital bills sponsored by some of those same GOP Senators.

The roll call vote is here. Susan Collins (ME) burnished her right wing credentials by sticking with Coburn.

Those Republicans filibustered the bill and wouldn't even allow debate to proceed.

So once again, Stevens supports a "fluff piece" that would happen with or without his support, then votes lockstep with the Republicans AGAINST the issue he pretended to support...on a bill that actually could make a difference.

Other things in the Bill that Ted and Lisa voted against:

Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which supported and enhanced cooperation in paralysis research, rehabilitation, and quality of life programs for people with paralysis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry Act, which established a national registry to collect data to improve the study of ALS

Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Act, which would strengthen the ability of the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute unsolved murders from the civil rights era

Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, which would have helped provide support services to women suffering from postpartum depression and educate mothers and their families about these conditions

Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act, which was aimed at improving the care of patients presenting with stroke symptoms

Vision Care for Kids Act, which provided access to eye exams, treatment and vision services for children

Drug Endangered Children Act, which authorized grants to help transition drug endangered children into safe environments

Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act, which communities address the needs of the mentally ill in the justice system.

Some history: Called the "Tomnibus Bill" by the New York Times because of Tom Coburn's vehement resistence:

Congress has dealt for decades with catchall bills known as omnibus legislation. Now, for the first time, comes the Tomnibus.

A product of Democratic frustration with the tactics of Senator Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican and physician who has become the Dr. No of the Senate, the Tomnibus is a $10 billion collection of Coburn-blocked measures assembled by the Senate leadership in an effort to break his solitary grip on the legislative process.

Americans United for Change said it best:

“Another bill, another Republican move of obstructionism,” said Caren Benjamin of Americans United for Change. “This legislation would have helped millions of Americans from all avenues - including protecting our children from being exploited and providing funding to those suffering from spinal cord injuries and ALS. By voting against the bill, Alexander, Corker and their Republicans colleagues turned their backs on those most in need and stood in the way of real progress on countless fronts. It is a sad day when voters can no longer count on their representatives to stand up for them when they at their most vulnerable.”

Contact Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski to let them know how you feel.