Author’s note: In this post we get to watch Alexa (that is me) attempt to maintain some degree of composure, dignity and professional distance with regards to the subject matter: The newest version of the GI Bill. Not to ruin the ending, but I fail miserably.

Attempt #1
I had a hard damn time writing this post—with every bit of reading I did to research it, I was torn between (a) moving to Canada and performing lewd gestures in GW’s general direction before crossing the border, or (b) getting out my vast amounts of anger and frustration by writing all sorts of politically incorrect and horribly unprofessional (and not the slightest bit educational) rantings and expletives regarding what was previously thought to be a medical impossibility, but that the Bush Administration has plainly been able to achieve. It involves heads and asses and walking and talking and I will refrain from painting the full picture here.

Attempt #2
To sum up quickly and professionally: one tiny reward the U.S. government offers its men and women who have fought for their country is the promise of some financial help with their college education. Back in the day, the GI Bill was actually pretty helpful. These days, the amount of money the government is willing to fork out for the higher education of those who served is pathetic when compared to the phenomenal pile of cash it was more than willing to spend on skipping off to war (la la la). Wow. I did not plan that last paragraph—it just came out. I may actually be incapable of writing about this while maintaining some level of detachment.

Attempt #3
Clearly, I must recuse myself from writing further about this issue. I can’t even get through one or two lines of polite explanation regarding my stance on the subject without falling face-first off the high road of distanced professionalism and into a huge, steaming pile of vehemently inappropriate vulgarities. I loathe any government that would spend vast quantities of money to send its people off to war and then wrap the promised rewards with infuriating miles of red tape that lead to not nearly enough educational compensation when all is said and done. That just came out, too!

Attempt #4
I give up. I’m too pissed to write this. The GI Bill was great and then it sucked and now, thanks to Senator James Webb (D-Va.) and Senate Bill 22, it’s getting closer to being okay again (we hope). You’ll have to read about it yourself because clearly I’m not fit to tell you about it:

Senate Passes Expanded GI Bill Despite Bush, McCain Opposition
What the GIs Deserve
Misinformation Clouds the New GI Bill
Best You Can Be Without a Degree
Mr. Bush and the GI Bill
Obama, McCain Tussle Over Veterans Issues
Gauging the New GI Bill
New GI Bill Might Finally Deliver Promise of Paid College for Vets
History is Made: New GI Bill Signed into Law

Posted by Alexa Harrington