Associated Press
I suspect most folks have, at least once, accidentally mistaken satirical news for real news. But Spencer Ackerman's report on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) misstep is a doozy.
On November 14, 2012, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wrote to Elizabeth King, the Pentagon’s congressional liaison, with a an unusually credulous query. “I am writing on behalf of a constituent who has contacted me regarding Guantanamo Bay prisoners receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits,” McConnell wrote in a letter acquired by Danger Room. “I would appreciate your review and response to my constituent’s concerns.”
Um, Guantanamo detainees getting GI Bill benefits? Yes, that’s from the Duffel Blog, as McConnell’s constituent clearly states, complete with the reference URL. Said constituent even notes that he or she can’t find any information about the alleged government payouts to suspected insurgents and terrorists.
The constituent couldn't find any information because there's no information to find -- the United States government is not providing GI Bill benefits to detainees at the prison facility at Guantanamo Bay. What McConnell forwarded to the Pentagon was a satirical piece, published by a terrific online humor outlet. Picture The Onion with a sole focus on the military.
Even if McConnell's office wasn't familiar with Duffel Blog, it's a shame it didn't occur to the Senate Minority Leader's staff to think, "Wait, this doesn't sound quite right."
Indeed, the report itself includes "quotes" from a fake Pentagon spokesperson saying, "By allowing the detainees to use the Department of Veterans Affairs, we hope to completely crush their souls with bureaucracy." Someone thought this was real?
Spencer added, "At the risk of explaining the joke, the Duffel Blog's real objective is to send up the inadequate, molasses-slow benefits the government provides to the nation's veterans."
And all of this, incidentally, ties together nicely with last night's D block.
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Apparently it IS real - for our veterans. It is shameful that we put these people through us. Anyone who contemplates joining the military needs to think long and hard - and not believe the promises. Sad to say!
It would violate the international conventions against torture and cruel and unusual punishment
Personally I think anyone who has to fight their way through the jungle of red tape that is the VA should get a campaign ribbon...what does it say when the system that is supposed to help veterans might actually cause PTSD
My son in law is about to have his 3rd surgery on his foot which was broken while in Afghanistan & not repaired until he returned to the US. They can't seem to stabilize it and the bone keeps breaking from merely standing or walking but it doesn't count towards his disability because it's just "normal" deterioration - in a guy who's not even 30 yet. I'm just wild over the way these men and women are being treated or, more correctly, not treated.
I understand...and he has my sympathy I have been waiting on knee and back surgery for over 7 years...Although considering VA Doctors don't have malpractice insurance that might be a good thing
As I posted over there to one of the idiots who took it seriously: "Always glad to be reminded of the many idiots I met while in the military." It's almost funny to watch someone too stupid to know they are stupid, being taken in by an obvious satire.
It's refreshing to learn Mitch McConnell's senate office has a firm grip on reality! I'll have to listen in a bit closer from now on to really get the gist as to just what passes for reality among said office personnel, and good ol'Mitch himself!
Maybe some enterprising blogger can bring us Mitch McConnell quotes and uttered observations 24/7 so we can eventually discern how much his mind has in common with John Malkovich!-Kevo
Who needs facts when you can have outrage.
How many Republican talking points are based on fact anyway?
When someone gets so comfortable and fat in office, perhaps it would be wise to buy shirts with a larger neck size to prevent restriction of blood to the brain.
Osama bin laden's family will recieve Social Security survivors benefits. There you go Mitch, call the SS administration quick and get it stopped. Remember you read it right here.
Well, it's not true now, but wait until Fox repeats it several hundred times and Boehner does an op ed about it. Then, according to the RWNJs, it will be gospel.
That makes no sense at all. Do they really think we're that stupid.
Yes
Well look at who their base is...considering that this started with one of his constituents...evidently they Are that stupid
This is what happens when someone is getting their information from fringe web sights and FOX & Friends
LMAO!! You just can't fix stupid.
but evidently you Can make it worse...
I wonder about the staffers. Clearly, they are feeding this crap to their Congresscritters. Honest to GOD.
I wonder if the staffer who brought it to Yertle's attention is still employed there. I also wonder if maybe they did it for revenge for some action by Yertle.
Living in an alternate universe must be nice. It must be like being drunk or stoned all the time?
They appear to be addicted, always looking for the next outrage or how to create drama. Many addicts and drunks live in drama and/or create it.
Don't you guys know that absence of evidence is evidence of a cover-up? What kind of reporters are you, anyway?
How ignorant can congress be? Don't these guys question anything? Do they ever listen to anyone other than their own party members? Do they do ANY kind of research?
Senator, let me burst a few other bubbles: The earth is round; gravity keeps your feet on the ground rather than up your rear; and Santa Claus isn't real (at least that's what I've been told-prove me wrong!).
I didn't know that one wrong-headed comment from an ignorant constituent could have such a motivating effect on a government official. How about listening to the rest of us closely as you listen to such morons.