The GOP not only doesn't support our troops,
they see them as nothing more than meat for the grinder.

Senate GOP Blocks Longer Leave for Troops
Setback Comes in First Test of Democratic War Proposals

By Jonathan Weisman and Shailagh Murray
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, July 11, 2007; 1:02 PM

Legislation that would have required longer troop rests between combat deployments fell today to a Republican filibuster, but GOP cracks on President Bush's war policies continued to widen, with two more Republican senators signing on to binding troop withdrawal dates.

The Senate voted 56-41 to cut off debate on an amendment to the annual defense policy bill by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) that would have mandated that troops be granted home leave between deployments of at least as long as their previous combat tours. Stretched National Guard and Reserve units would have been granted three-year breaks between assignments.

(snip)

Webb's amendment touched off a passionate war of words before the vote, with Democrats arguing that troops desperately need a break while Republicans charged supporters were looking for a backdoor route to shut down the war.

"How in good conscience can we continue to churn these troops? Where is the equity? Where is the fairness? Where is the justice? Where is the support of the troops in that kind of policy?" pleaded Bobby Muller, president of Veterans for America, who was paralyzed in Vietnam combat.

(snip)

Webb disputed the GOP claims, noting that he had previously served in the Pentagon as Navy secretary.

"This amendment sets out a bare minimum floor . . . that will protect the well being of our troops," said Webb, a Marine combat veteran.

He noted that all senators who served in ground combat, including Hagel, had co-sponsored the measure. "I believe that, if I may say, we collectively understand a truth acquired a hard way, and that's a truth that transcends politics, and we're trying in all good faith to do something about it."