Boehner refuses last WWI

[kcmark]

Boehner has refused to let Frank Buckles the honor of laying in honor in the Capitol Rotunda!!! Has the speaker no shame!!!!

[N2SEX46]

For sure? Boehner the soldier/warrior (sic) has spoken. Guess he shows a lot of class. Did he ever serve in the military or did he cry his way out of it? Thanks for letting me vent. kcmark, I do hope you're wrong, as I've not seen anything on the news about this.

[6ULDV8]

I'm sure not many politicians have served in the military. A woman asked
Mitt Romney whether any of his FIVE sons are serving in the military? If not, did they plan on supporting the war on terrorism by enlisting. Well none of them have been in the military and Romney’s response? “one of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping to get me elected.”

[catnipdipper]

Maybe Boenher had the Rotunda booked for a cost cutting seminar or Tea Baggerz Social Event?

I assume Buckles for sure will be buried in Arlington if the family chooses? Did the family ask for this.

Don't care for Boehner but prefer to not like him based on truth of his actions.

[lacrew_2000]

I think Buckles should lie in state in the Rotunda; so, I disagree with Boehner. But lets look at a line from the article:

Boehner, along with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), want to honor Buckles, but not at the Capitol.

Its not just Boehner, you see.

Interesting nugget from the story - Buckles would not normally qualify for burial at Arlington; but, Bush granted him a waiver to enable that.

[catnipdipper]

It was a joint decision between Boenher and Reid on what was more appropriate. The offered the Outdoor area at Arlington for the ceremony.

Truth brings light and better understanding.

[john_galt]

I was wondering where Reid stood since the Senate is half of the Congress. Also there are rules on who can get into Arlington and who can't. Waivers can be granted like when Clinton gave a waiver to Armand Hammer after he got large donation for his reelection campaign. Hammer had to be exhumed and moved when this was discovered. Like the song says, "Honor you can buy."

Anyone care to make a bet on which party holds the numbers for veterans?

[deacon]

Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin III both released statements saying the Ohio Republican had blocked the Capitol honor. Asked if that were true, Boehner spokesman Mike Steel said the speaker and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., would seek Defense Department permission for a ceremony for Buckles at Arlington National Cemetery...........

[Kshunter]

Originally Posted by john_galt

I was wondering where Reid stood since the Senate is half of the Congress. Also there are rules on who can get into Arlington and who can't. Waivers can be granted like when Clinton gave a waiver to Armand Hammer after he got large donation for his reelection campaign. Hammer had to be exhumed and moved when this was discovered. Like the song says, "Honor you can buy."

Anyone care to make a bet on which party holds the numbers for veterans?

Interestingly enough, until the last election, it was exactly even - 60 to 60, counting both houses of Congress. Now, it's 76-37, Republicans. Interesting article here:

http://www.wnyc.org/articles/its-fre...-sink-new-low/

Pretty good article putting the Buckles issue into perspective:

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/04/am...y-turned-down/

A couple of paragraphs from this article really explain things:

Buckles, who enlisted when he was just 16, was a corporal who did not see combat. He served as a driver and warehouse clerk in Europe during and after the war.

In recent years, as his cohort of veterans dwindled, he gained fame chiefly for his longevity. Years before his death, his daughter lobbied successfully to convince President George W. Bush to make an exception to allow him to be buried in Arlington.

I, like hopefully everyone here, appreciate Mr. Buckles' service, and frankly a life well lived. But the only thing that would begin to justify honoring him in the Rotunda is the length of his life post-service, not anything he did during the war itself. Maybe that's enough, but on this issue I can see where both John Boehner and Harry Reid are coming from. It seems to me that his family has already accomplished a major exception in getting him buried at Arlington.

[KCJoe]

While I do appreciate all those who served(so I didn't have to), I don't think his service was on the level to be honored in the Rotunda. I don't think being the last to die is that great of an achievement, but maybe he did something else to deserve the honor that I'm not aware of.

[CuteOldGuy]

The issue wasn't whether the veteran should be honored, it was just a chance to take a cheap shot at Boehner. Just wait, you liberals, Boehner will give you plenty of substance to attack him with. And you conservatives, Harry Reid is a cornucopia of stupid ideas. There will be plenty of fun for everyone, except those of us who have to live out here with their decisions.

[Philhelm]

Originally Posted by CuteOldGuy

The issue wasn't whether the veteran should be honored, it was just a chance to take a cheap shot at Boehner. Just wait, you liberals, Boehner will give you plenty of substance to attack him with. And you conservatives, Harry Reid is a cornucopia of stupid ideas. There will be plenty of fun for everyone, except those of us who have to live out here with their decisions.

Zing!