This supports the troops how?

Today's news...

Pentagon Orders Longer Tours for Soldiers in Iraq
New York Times
By DAVID STOUT. WASHINGTON, April 11 - All active-duty Army troops now in Iraq or Afghanistan or headed to either country will serve 15-month tours of duty, up from the usual 12-month tours, effective immediately, the Pentagon announced today.

Full article HERE

So this is how the administration supports our kids? By giving them a more predictable schedule of awfulness? But hey - the military is not stretched or broken - it's just that we need more cannon fodder and no one is signing up even though the "bonus" goes up all the time... But I think the kids have figured it is hard to spend a bonus if you are dead....

And for anyone who does not like my use of the term cannon fodder - my own son, who was in the 82nd Airborne, uses the term more than I do.

But only yesterday the shrub was saying it was the democrats fault the troops were going to be spending more time in Iraq - IF - the bill Congress is working on is not passed. Words here:

“The bottom line is this: Congress’s failure to fund our troops will mean that some of our military families could wait longer for their loved ones to return from the front lines. Others could see their loved ones headed back to war sooner than anticipated. This is unacceptable. It’s unacceptable to me, it’s unacceptable to our veterans, it’s unacceptable to our military families, and it’s unacceptable to many in this country.

But wait a minute the House is still on vacation....and what did Congress have to do with the pentagon stretching the time of already stretched and tired military? DOH - nothing!

Here's what Hoyer said:

"The Defense Department announcement today that all active-duty Army soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan will serve three months longer than the usual standard undercuts the President’s claim that Congress is straining the military and keeping soldiers from their families - and exposes it as nothing more than empty political rhetoric.

“Military leaders have made it clear that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have strained our military. That is why Democrats inserted an additional $2.5 billion for troop readiness in the Iraq Accountability Act.

“I commend our brave servicemen and women for their dedication to our country and have no doubt that they will continue to serve with distinction. But it is time for the President to sit down with Democrats for a real discussion on how to forge a new direction in Iraq that protects our nation and our soldiers.”

Here's what Emmanuel said:

“What a difference a day makes. Yesterday, extending tours of duty was ‘unacceptable’ to the President. Today, it is Pentagon policy. American troops and taxpayers are paying the price for a war with no end in sight.”

And do remember this - Congress IS funding the troops - it will be the shrub with his promised veto that denies them the money!

Now this from Reid:

"Today's news that active-duty troops' tours in Iraq will be extended to 15 months is another in a long line of examples of how the President's Iraq policies are making us less secure. A bipartisan majority of Congress sees it, the American people see it and military experts see it.

"It is time for the President to work with Congress to change course in Iraq. Congress will send President Bush a bill that gives our troops the resources they need and a strategy in Iraq worthy of their sacrifices. If the President vetoes this bill he will have delayed funding for troops and kept in place a strategy that neither our troops nor the American people can afford any longer."

and from Pelosi:

"Today’s announcement just underscores the fact that the burden of the war in Iraq has fallen upon our troops and their families. The Bush Administration has failed to create a plan to fully equip and train our troops, bring them home safely and soon, and provide our veterans with the quality care they deserve.

"Extending the tours of all active-duty Army personnel is an unacceptable price for our troops and their families to pay.

"Democrats have offered a new direction in Iraq – one that would bring our troops home safely and soon. We encourage President Bush to sit down with us to find a solution to bring this war to an end."

Isn't it great that the Democrats are in control [of sorts] of this madman? and his cronies?