Press "Enter" to skip to content

Thune Speaks to American Legion Convention One Day After Voting Against Benefits for Poisoned Veterans

The day after voting against paying for the treatment of more veterans poisoned by burn pits and other military hazards over the past several decades, Senator John Thune proudly tweeted his attendance at the American Legion convention in Watertown Friday:

Sen. John Thune, tweet from Watertown, 2022.06.17.
Sen. John Thune, tweet from Watertown, 2022.06.17.

In comments that I noted yesterday, the American Legion says the bill Thune and Rounds opposed is a “historic bipartisan achievement” that “addresses the full spectrum of issues affecting toxic-exposed veterans’ access to VA benefits and care, while also reforming VA’s presumptive decision-making process” and “provides a comprehensive framework to improve the presumptive process for burn pit veterans by streamlining access to health-care benefits for those who served in areas of known toxic exposure — regardless of disability status — and provides health care for as many as 3.5 million veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits.” Whether Thune explained his opposition to this historic and helpful legislation is not mentioned on his Twitter feed.

16 Comments

  1. larry kurtz 2022-06-18 07:51

    What hideous humans Republicans are.

    In the name of geoengineering or albedo modification the US Air Force routinely sprays into the atmosphere over the ocean an aerosol cocktail of silver iodide, lead iodide, aluminum oxide, barium, frozen carbon dioxide, common salt, water and soot from burning hazardous waste in pits concocted at Air Force bases including those at Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City, South Dakota. In the documents that give Ellsworth guidance in flaring toxic materials are the words, ‘Waters of the United States’ or WOTUS.

    Little wonder Republicans want to hide the toxins that pollute the Cheyenne River.

  2. 96Tears 2022-06-18 08:19

    John Thune is our Chance the Gardener in Washington, D.C. The character Chance the Gardener (played by Peter Sellers) stumbles out of bed one day and wanders into celebrityhood, espousing shallow statements of a half-wit that get perceived as profundities:

    Dennis Watson : You know, I’ve never met anyone like you in Washington before.
    Chance the Gardener : Yes, I’ve been here all my life.

    I know Thune is smart. He can be ambitious. He certainly stands in an advantageous position to do good things. But what good thing has he done?

    Dennis Watson : Ah, tell me, Mr. Gardner… have you ever had sex with a man?
    Chance the Gardener : No… I don’t think so.
    Dennis Watson : We could go upstairs right now.
    Chance the Gardener : Is there a TV upstairs? I like to watch.
    Dennis Watson : You like to uh, watch?
    Chance the Gardener : Yes.
    Dennis Watson : You wait right here. I’ll go get Warren!

    I dunno, John. Is it the fame? The sex? Not much money, or is there? The power? You’ve been the GQ (the looks are fading, bud) backdrop to Mitch McConnell’s press conferences along with those American flags. And like those flags, you might symbolize something to your audience, but does the cat have your tongue? I know you can talk because you’re always saying something innocuous back home like you believe in the American Legion and then you stab the veterans in the back again like it’s some kind of game for you. I’m beginning to think you are unaware. How did you wind up in that bubble, John?

    Ron Steigler : Mr. Gardner, uh, my editors and I have been wondering if you would consider writing a book for us, something about your um, political philosophy, what do you say?
    Chance the Gardener : I can’t write.
    Ron Steigler : Heh, heh, of course not, who can nowadays? Listen, I have trouble writing a postcard to my children. Look uhh, we can give you a six figure advance, I’ll provide you with the very best ghost-writer, proof-readers…
    Chance the Gardener : I can’t read.
    Ron Steigler : Of course you can’t! No one has the time! We, we glance at things, we watch television…
    Chance the Gardener : I like to watch TV.

    That bill, John, that you and Smilin’ Mike kicked to the curb was a bipartisan victory. Why did you do that? Just the politics of it was a no-brainer to support. The beneficiaries were veterans suffering from toxic exposure during their service. Your home state is loaded with veterans. Your dad was a Hellcat fighter pilot in WWII who received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Of course, you are a chicken hawk, John Boy. You never bothered to serve in the military, but you have no problem sending kids off to war and the screwing them raw when they come home and you won’t support their needed and promised VA benefits. Is this because you’re jealous of your dad’s service and well-earned respect? Trying to knock the shine off those gold, bronze and silver medals?

    Just trying to sort this out, buddy. You really have your head up your keester to vote NO to a bipartisan bill that helps veterans whose health were damaged in the line of duty.

    “Proud to join the American Legion at their state convention in Watertown to thank South Dakota veterans for their tremendous service to our country. Without their service and sacrifice, we wouldn’t have the great freedoms we enjoy every day.”

    John Boy, how the hell do you sleep at night?

    [Riding in a car for the first time]
    Chance the Gardener : This is just like television, only you can see much further.

  3. mike from iowa 2022-06-18 08:38

    Did Marlboro Barbie (with smart eye glasses) happen to explain why he voted against the bill? I’m guessing not. Too much of a strain on his midwestern brain cell. What another forked-tongue wasicu waste of oxygen.

  4. mike from iowa 2022-06-18 08:58

    From KELO land news…..

    “Veterans pledged their lives to the service of our country and they took upon themselves the burden of defending liberty for the rest of us. We must stand behind our promise to care for them when they return home,” said Thune. “While well-intentioned, I believe this legislation falls short of that promise.

    “Though I fully support the goal of this legislation, I am concerned this new expansion would overwhelm the VA’s limited staffing capacity and thus compromise the care of veterans currently being served by the system,” continued Thune. “During consideration of the bill, Republicans filed multiple amendments that I believe would have made this bill stronger for veterans and ensured that the VA was fully prepared for implementation, but Sen. Schumer unfortunately blocked their consideration.”

    STATEMENT FROM SEN. THUNE

    Always blame Dems.

  5. 96Tears 2022-06-18 09:11

    Ah. Now I understand, John. The good is the enemy of the perfect. Folks, now just roll over and go back to sleep. Thoughts and prayers.

    “What about the war?” the young woman sitting on Chance’s left said, leaning close to him.
    “The war? Which war?” said Chance. “I’ve seen many wars on TV.”
    “Alas,” the woman said, “in this country, when we dream of reality television wakes us. To millions the war, I suppose, is just another TV program. But out there, at the front, real men are giving their lives.”

  6. buckobear 2022-06-18 09:23

    How any veteran with an ounce of conscience will vote for this hypocrite is beyond me.
    Hey vets, wake up. That “R” after his name doesn’t mean “Right.”

  7. WillyNilly 2022-06-18 10:49

    In a recent campaign ad, Thune said that though the Democrats are in charge now there will be a change, and once the Republicans are back in charge, they will be ready. Ready for what?… I wonder… more votes against vets, more votes against women and children, more votes for corporations, more votes for unethical justices to the Supreme Court, more votes for more firearms and less regulation?… and so many more issues against the welfare of Americans. The man is useless to ordinary South Dakotans and the voters should remove him from office. He is one of the many Republicans who pose a ‘clear and present danger’ to this country,

  8. cibvet 2022-06-18 10:59

    One needs to view the republican god, like Medusa, a head full of snakes. The American Legion like most South Dakotan’s look at the
    snakes, eyes fixated, bow, kiss the ring and cannot help themselves to have an original thought except screw me again.The only way this will ever be corrected is for the blue states to say “enough”, from here on, red states must support themselves and pay their fair share to support the United States.

  9. CK 2022-06-18 11:35

    Bengs & Smith should show up at Watertown today.

    Believe you me, many of us legionairres are not happy with our delegation. Their explanation that the PACT Act would put undue strain on the VA system is a cop out. The veterans of WWII, Korea, and now Vietnam are dying off and frankly…the strain on the VA will diminsh as long as the US govt continues to properly support it.

  10. RST Tribal Member 2022-06-18 12:51

    Hopefully all veterans in South Dakota will not fall for the old saying, “I didn’t support you yesterday or today, just give me another chance to try to support you tomorrow”. RINO Thune has been busy carrying the bad water for Republicans in Washington, not much time for the voters in South Dakota.

    Just maybe in November 2022 the vets along with many other voters who are looking for a South Dakota Senator and not a Washington player will sent RINO Thune to the lobbying business as they did Pressler, Daschle another others who were too busy with them not us.

  11. All Mammal 2022-06-18 13:32

    I agree with cibvet. Unless it goes directly to kids, schools, teachers; SD and other environmentally abusive, misogynist, degenerate states shouldn’t get one iota from the federal welfare enablers.
    When we experience another month or two of spazzmatic weather and inevitable fires, the ingrates will be begging with their hands out. Then, right back to talking trash about the ones showing mercy to our pathetic, usika state. Too stupid to help ourselves by voting for the best interests and wellbeing of our posterity. Letting us hit rock bottom might be the only way to knock some sense into the dense skulls of the (R)heads.
    The track we are on only leads to one thing: hunger. That only leads to one thing: a fascist hero with promises. That only leads to one thing: more hunger, then finally death. The way to avoid that track: learn the signs in history books and get off the tracks when you see the signs.

  12. leslie 2022-06-18 14:14

    Tremendous critique! Good doesn’t matter for Re-Pubics. Their grins of teeth caught w/hair belie the consequences of their votes. It is why I don’t trust Liz Cheney either despite her service on the Jan 6 Commission. “GOP Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming serves as the vice chairwoman on the committee. Cheney is one of two Republicans on the panel appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy pulled all five of his selections because Pelosi would not accept two of his picks.” https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/08/politics/january-6-committee-members/index.html

    Fox never reported on the Jan 6 Commission mbrs selection. Instead disgruntled Jim Jordan and Banks point to the apparent action that “Pubic” leadership conducted their own investigation of Jan. 6, after Pelosi rejected the nominations of both Banks and Jordan. (“my emphasis”— noting 6.9.22 Kevin. McCarthy’s spin: ‘And all while this “Democrat” majority ignores the real issues facing Americans – including the worst inflation since 1981, record high gas prices that have doubled since Biden took office, historic crime, and open borders.”

    Banks said their committee, which focused on issues relation to Capitol security and how best to prevent future issues, will publish its own report in the coming weeks.

    “(That) shows you how out of touch these Democrats really are,” Banks said, “their obsession with going after President Trump and Trump supporters in Jan. 6 and their complete lack of leadership on inflation, crime, fentanyl flooding over the border, the humanitarian crisis at the border, gas prices, the world spinning out of control, Afghanistan.” https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2022/06/09/jan-6-insurrection-committee-indiana-rep-jim-banks-sounds-off/7569987001/

  13. leslie 2022-06-18 14:19

    Disgruntled Rep Jim Banks concluded:
    “When Kevin McCarthy becomes speaker in January,” assuming Republicans win back the House, “our report will give him guidance on how he can take his leadership role as Speaker of the House a lot more seriously when it comes to Capitol security and oversight of Capitol police… That’s what a serious effort looks like.”

    Yeah, we didn’t go to the moon in 1969 either!

  14. ABC 2022-06-18 23:37

    He doesn’t support vets.

    Lies!

    Vote rounds and Thune out!

    Progressives will win!

  15. leslie 2022-06-22 16:15

    now that thune is “expertizing” (Cory’s infamous but delightful word “weaponization”) health care, and the ability of major care infrastructure to manage patients, i wonder how he feels about:

    “American Data Privacy and Protection Act, currently being considered by Congress.

    The bill[s] would give consumers protections and rights dealing with how their data is used online, and would require that companies minimize the amount of data they collect on their users.” https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-issues-new-principles-restore-trust-data-privacy

    https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/09/bipartisan-privacy-proposal-is-unworkable-chamber-of-commerce-says.html

    https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/10/apple-ceo-cook-pushes-for-privacy-legislation-after-visit-to-congress.html

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/06/22/privacy-bill-maria-cantwell-congress/

Comments are closed.