is a greedy idiot (5 rugs for 5 bucks) and, in the long run, doesn't count for much. But, where's McSame/McBush, the presidential candidate? For Mr Military Expert, the Hero of 3 generations, this bill should have been a no-brainer. Yet, he's MIA on it, even though his vote might have opened the Repub floodgates...Obama should mop the floor with him for that piece of callousness.

PS I don't think anything is going to save Domenici's neck, not even co-sponsorship of this bill

I have written to Senator Warner expressing while I am in support of such a bill, Webb's is is another example of Washington "half-measures". You are saying that men and women after 9/11 serving are some how more valuable or need more care than those veterans of other foriegn wars. I disagree. All veterans deserve and should be treated equally under the conditions of any bill like these and whether or not it places a burden on any budget in my book is irrelevent. Every life is precious and one who serves serves knowing that at any time they may be called to serve in combat rolls that may result in injury and upon service in such conflict should have the same benefits available. I get the troop rotations/deployments being forward thinking but in terms of backward looking we need a bill that benefits all of our veterans who have served this country with honor not just those post 9/11. By setting the service date I believe the Webb bill is yet another "half-measure" when we should be looking at carrying for all of our veterans of foriegn wars and conflicts.  

what's wrong with doing it for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans?

The implication that service in uniform during this conflict is being characterized as the the new "second greatest generation" may indeed be warranted but I believe that any uniformed serviceman enaged in a conflict should be awarded the same benefit, whether it be Persian Gulf War, Panama, Grenada or Vietnam. We should be treating all of our veterans with the same level of respect with regard to service in foriegn wars.