Video: Jon Stewart rips Obama on wounded-vet policy
posted at 1:51 pm on March 18, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
How many new conservative viewers will Jon Stewart get in the Age of Obama? If he offers up a few more segments like this, I’d guess more than a few. Stewart rips the Obama administration for its ideas on raising revenue by forcing wounded veterans to use private insurance to pay for service-related injuries. Apparently, he and Commander David Rehbein of the American Legion are both, er, angered by this notion, as Jazz Shaw’s transcript makes clear:
STEWART: You know the veterans? The men and women who risk their lives defending our country? They’re about yay tall, wear green… sometimes tan. They’re this brave. Well, when they get injured, you know who foots the bill? You. The taxpayer. It’s incredibly… fair.
That’s why it struck me as a little odd when I read that one of the money saving proposals from the Obama administration was to remove veterans with private insurance plans from the V.A. rolls. So I guess what the government is saying is that if you still need a little rehab after you got that leg blown off in Iraq, the government will cover you! Unless your wife as a little COBRA left over from her substitute teaching gig. In that case, you’re going to have to go with her and the whole deductible thing. Unless, of course, your spouse is in Congress, and then you can get their sweet, sweet government plan.
I’ve got some other ideas they might want to try out to save a little money in the military. How about sponsored commendations? For your service, I offer you the Frito Lay Medal of Honor. Here’s another one… how about actual Navy seals? [A picture is shown of a Sea World seal with a sailor hat on.] People would totally pay to see that! Or how about the Arlington National Cemetery and Water Park?
WHAT THE F*&K ARE YOU GUYS THINKING!!??? Veterans having to use their private insurance to pay for their combat related injuries? THAT CAN’T BE RIGHT.
As a Navy veteran, Jazz adds his thanks to Stewart for going ballistic in his satirical manner. And Stewart nails it — it can’t be right, because it isn’t right. It’s a betrayal of trust, one I suspect won’t last the week after the attention it’s received. The Huffington Post reports that Capitol Hill Democrats are just as angry — for putting them in this position.
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Even the comic clock is correct two times a day.
carbon_footprint on March 18, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Please. This is a no-win issue that anyone could rally against. John Stewart isn’t showing any principles through his outrage.
MadisonConservative on March 18, 2009 at 1:53 PM
I guess he’s not a complete asshole(just mostly) after all, but I still won’t watch his pointless show.
gsherin on March 18, 2009 at 1:54 PM
No, regardless of what this pissant says, I won’t be a viewer. Stewart vs. Obama is just another Trotsky vs. Stalin battle as to what is the best road to Bolshevism.
He still needs to have his “funny faces” slapped right out of that chair.
OhEssYouCowboys on March 18, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Hey, are those John Stewart’s legs sticking out from under the bus?
Vic on March 18, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Yeah, he’s not going to pick me up as a viewer, but this was pretty decent.
myrenovations on March 18, 2009 at 1:56 PM
That was good. I really wish he had been more fair during the election. There was pure comedy gold about 99.9 % of the time…at Obama’s expense.
Mommypundit on March 18, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Now he’s someone who we have to hear what he thinks daily. I think not.
Marcus on March 18, 2009 at 1:57 PM
110% of the time. Sorry.
Mommypundit on March 18, 2009 at 1:57 PM
No. It is what Dear Leader is saying. Call it for what it is, the TOTUS Administration’s proposal. Or is Jon Stewart afraid that he’ll get stuck with MoDo as his roomie in Gitmo.
rbj on March 18, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I’m amazed…a lefty who supports the military. wow
becki51758 on March 18, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Objection. Argument assumes “facts” not in evidence.
Kent18 on March 18, 2009 at 1:58 PM
On Drudge Now……
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on March 18, 2009 at 1:58 PM
As a military mother, thank you, Jon Stewart.
But this alone won’t make me watch your show. Sorry.
ladyingray on March 18, 2009 at 1:58 PM
This is a big win, so props to Stewart. Obama gets called out for having stupid stupid ideas and the stupid idea is sunk, DOA. Hopefully some clueless Rep.’s in Congress will get their act together and keep tying this and countless other stupid ideas to Obama.
msmveritas on March 18, 2009 at 1:59 PM
My sentiments exactly. Too little too late, but better late than never.
chunderroad on March 18, 2009 at 1:59 PM
I actually agree with Obama on this one; let the public sector workers (such as the military) pay their own way instead of taking it from me.
The Dean on March 18, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Didn’t Michelle Obama adopt, as her first lady pet project, the affairs of military families?
aquaviva on March 18, 2009 at 1:59 PM
I don’t agree with his politics, but Stewart IS a pretty funny guy. Now that the Dems are in control (that’s a figure of speech…they’re obviously out of control, but I digress), he either closes up shop or starts taking on the party in power. Like it or not, he helps shape the world-view of a segment of the US population and if he’s going to put the Dems and Obama in his cross hairs once in a while, that’s all to the good.
mctowler on March 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM
The military is the public sector, and they served their country protecting your life. They deserve the best care possible, and the taxpayer should cover that.
chunderroad on March 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Stewart is not showing much “outrage.”
Just a slap on the wrist to Obama.
jencab on March 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Wish I could share the phone call from my Army son about this proposal but he used more four letter words then my keyboard has characters for.
Limerick on March 18, 2009 at 2:01 PM
MC is mostly right. It’s not exactly opposing Obama on something controversial.
But, we should applaud Stewart for his comments. And if that’s what it takes for the rest of the Stewart viewers/media/Obama voters (triple redundancy) to wake up and oppose this idea, then good for him.
Abby Adams on March 18, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Two minutes. Most wasted with camouflage “jokes” to soften the blow of an incomplete, incoherent Obama criticism.
The fact that the plan intends to raise money off the WOUNDED VETERANS, and actually calculated the amount of over $500 million is beyond the pale.
This is just a heads up to Obama to squash this thing before it hits the mainstream media. If he drags his feet, postpones, or even slips it through in under the radar – expect this to go “down the memory hole”.
Agrippa2k on March 18, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Uh, he’s talking about combat-related injuries. People getting shot while under orders serving their country should have to pay for their own recovery? Are you kidding?
amerpundit on March 18, 2009 at 2:02 PM
I say let Congress pay their own way instead of taking it from us.
becki51758 on March 18, 2009 at 2:02 PM
There’s a great way you can do that! It’s called emigration.
MadisonConservative on March 18, 2009 at 2:03 PM
But 900 million to Gaza and four-year free rides for their kids at US universities.
Obama’s loyalties are crystal clear.
Beagle on March 18, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Pretend rage from yet another pretend American.
What do you think lefties are going to do…say, “oh yeah, that’s a good idea President Obama – we’re with you!”
They’re stupid, but they’re (apparently) not that stupid.
I give him 2 seconds of kudos for this.
..
..
ok it’s over. He’s still a leftist, socialist. and Stewart too
OwlorNothing on March 18, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Like it or not, he helps shape the world-view of a segment of the US population
That doesn’t say much of their choices of obtaining information.
gsherin on March 18, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Wow, gutsy stance, almost like he was a normal ethical person instead of a left-wing shill. Almost. If it takes an anvil dropped on the head of this size to make him exhibit normal ethical reactions, I’d say he is still a tool at heart.
drunyan8315 on March 18, 2009 at 2:04 PM
This is just the beginning of many proposals which will come from this administration to pay for the excesses on the back of the military.
catmman on March 18, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Supporting wounded veterans and supporting the Military are two completely different things, especially to “progressives”.
kirkill on March 18, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Of all the taxes I HATE paying I fully approve of my tax dollars going towards the medical care of the fighting men and women who protect my lazy ass day in and day out.
Pestilence on March 18, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Careful, Jon. The Fairness Doctrine will get you!
Christian Conservative on March 18, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Good for John Stewart!
sabbott on March 18, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Stewart made his name (ha ha), taking cheap shots at Clinton during The Blue Dress Affair. I voted for Clinton, but have lost respect for him recently. Still, I’ve never appreciated Stewart’s alleged wit because of his politics. He is a hack of the apparatchik media, a megaphone for the Democrats, and his occasional veer to the center-left is only to pick off a few moderates and boost ratings. Which are in the tank along with MSNBC, the NYT and others.
chunderroad on March 18, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Without President Bush to beat on every evening,
sooner or later they have to turn on their own.
elderberry on March 18, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Supporting wounded veterans and supporting the Military are two completely different things, especially to “progressives”.
That’s cuz wounded vets can be turned into victims of the system so Dems can exploit them for votes.
gsherin on March 18, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Nothing but misdirection. Give with one hand, take extraordinarily more with the other.
Obama is decidedly un-American. No one will ever convince me otherwise.
BuckeyeSam on March 18, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Meh. Stewart has to go after this one because:
1) It’s so outlandish that you’re going to see a lot of Democrats attacking it because it makes them look so bad.
2) It will give him something to point to when he’s accused of never being critical of Obama. In fact, his audience is so stupid and stuck on him that they will use this one issue to convince themselves that Stewart is fair handed and not just feeding them Democrat propaganda.
29Victor on March 18, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Occupying Iraq, defending Israel et. al. have nothing to do with protecting my life.
I’m against socialized medicine.
The Dean on March 18, 2009 at 2:07 PM
The Dean on March 18, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Egad! When then do you think the government should be spending your money on?
kirkill on March 18, 2009 at 2:08 PM
What not When…shoot
kirkill on March 18, 2009 at 2:08 PM
His first show back after Sept. 11, Jon Stewart had Oliver North on. Jon was all weepy and asking Ollie to protect him (can’t find the show on Youtube, going from memory here). But it didn’t take Jon long to turn on Bush for going after the terrorists, just because some of the methods were a bit too much for his sensibilities.
rbj on March 18, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I was watching that last night. I thought he could have been tougher remember what he has done to George W Bush.
I am making up for being on Spring Break…I am behind in my blogging.
Imus Gets his Irish up in Boston. Jay Severin’s mother wears combat boots:)
http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2009/03/boston-showdown-note-to-imus-basic.html
Dr Evil on March 18, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Thank you Jon Stewart.
That should put this issue to rest – over to you Obama.
Now wait and watch as the O’s administration will quietly retract this issue.
Just wait and watch.
jake-the-goose on March 18, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Jon Stewart, admitting to Bill Moyers that, first and foremost, he’s Clown Nose Off.
So, he can take his I Support The Troops But Not Their Mission sanctimonious outrage over this issue and shove it. He’s just using his show to try to pull Barry back from the precipice.
Christien on March 18, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Oh what a beautiful comparison. That is so what this Dem infighting truly represents.
Do not be fooled by their assumed commonality.
Stewart is a putz. His outrage did not reach the heights required for my viewership.
BTW-you are nuts.
The military are govt employees who actually get hurt because the govt orders them to be put in dangerous situations on purpose.
I guess we could pay a freedom tax. All those not willing or unable to serve their country & wish to remain free have to pay the tax, which goes to the vets.
If you refuse, then you do not get to remain ‘free’.
Dean-I’m thinking Cuba might be right up your alley.
Badger40 on March 18, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Why do liberals scream that every employer in the country from a rinky-dink shop to Walmart has to offer top-of-the-line insurance but one particular group of government workers (military) isn’t entitled to the same benefit!
Hippie-crits!
Laura in Maryland on March 18, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Please tell me you don’t really believe that…if my kid gets a leg shot off protecting YOUR right to spout such malarkey, damn right it’s gonna be on the Government’s tab to take care of him/her. That’s the way it is. And – the military does pay income taxes, which in turn pays their own way already.
uncivilized on March 18, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Rare sagacity!
hawkdriver on March 18, 2009 at 2:13 PM
A cannibalism we all can love.
+26
either orr on March 18, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Oh, and apologies (and thanks) to Hippie Vet.
Laura in Maryland on March 18, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Oh please. He isn’t insulting the Obamessiah. Just some nameless advisors who are steering the Great Leader to wrongness.
Speedwagon82 on March 18, 2009 at 2:14 PM
This curve ball was so far outside you hit your own third baseman in the head.
Limerick on March 18, 2009 at 2:15 PM
And paying for a narrow sect of government employees who get injured under orders from Uncle Sam is socialized medicine? Wow. Let me guess, Ron Paul supporter. Although I don’t know many of those who would even argue that soldiers shouldn’t be taken care of.
amerpundit on March 18, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Just goes to show you, John Stewart’s not a bad guy. Sure, he may be a liberal who’s in the tank for Obama, but even HE can recognize injustice.
Well, sometimes. I hold out hope that he’ll be the next Dennis Miller. He’s too smart not to notice that all the stuff that Democrats want to do end up hurting the the people the policies are ostensibly trying to help.
hawksruleva on March 18, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Based on the crowd’s response, either they thought it was, in fact, a good idea or they didn’t like Mr. Stewart targeting The One and his administration.
Hoodlumman on March 18, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Anyone who watched Stewart regularly knows he is more than willling to skewer the Obama Administration when they screw up. If more people in general start watching the ONLY person in the media who’s able to do research before an interview and force people to move from talking points I say hurrah! It is sad, however, that the only time conservatives like Stewart its when he’s ripping a Democrat.
DeathToMediaHacks on March 18, 2009 at 2:16 PM
But,but,but,he..he..loves the military,
how do you know,because he wears a soldiers
bracelet,so then,he’s still wearing it right!!
(Snark).
canopfor on March 18, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Well Obama needs to find the money somewhere to fund medical care for the poor and the illegals – they’re more likely Democratic voters. I guess those high costs for replacement limbs and physical therapy for our military are just too high.
katiejane on March 18, 2009 at 2:16 PM
If anything, military medical costs should come straight from Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Rice/Obama personal bank account. You know, I don’t want to pay for people getting murdered overseas.
The Dean on March 18, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Here’s the key line though, and a reoccurring tactic of Stewart:
He reveals that it’s “the Obama administration” that wants to do this, but then puts it in past tense “was” and then (and here’s the kicker) goes and attribute this horror to “the government.”
Who exactly is “the government?” “The government” isn’t Obama.
There is a great article on Stewart’s use of such verbal tactics here at Big Hollywood.
29Victor on March 18, 2009 at 2:19 PM
You just ended all contact with with human race. Have fun commenting to the empty room.
Limerick on March 18, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Prognostication: Administration will back track on this now that even comedians are saying WTF. They will say it was just something that was a possibility for consideration, but not really serious. You watch…
Problem: Administration said it, then talked with the veterans group because they were serious. Just like announcing closure of Gitmo, then talking with relatives of those killed by “man-caused disasters” like 9/11. He was definitely serious about that.
And…to save $500 million when he could have absolutely done that by going line-by-line-by-line and cutting REAL wasteful spending out of government. This is another major demonstration of how low regard he has for our military. It is pathetic to call him Commander in Chief.
timajin on March 18, 2009 at 2:20 PM
If he’d maybe curtail some of his jetting around the country, stay his a$$ in DC and do his job for a while, that might trim a dollar or two from the national debt.
uncivilized on March 18, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Uh huh. And the soldiers getting hurt in Afghanistan? Let me guess, you don’t support that war either.
amerpundit on March 18, 2009 at 2:20 PM
This is where the President is walking a very dangerous line.
Lots of Liberals like Stewart still have this funny thing about not being killed by terrorists, and they know soldiers help that from happening.
Maybe Jay Leno can ask him about this tonight between the rapturous applause from the invitation-only audience.
Uh-huh.
jjshaka on March 18, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Can’t find any evidence of Oliver North ever appearing on TDS, but here’s his post-9/11 monologue.
YYZ on March 18, 2009 at 2:22 PM
The US military also funded the start of the internet. Perhaps you should get off it as well.
rbj on March 18, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Funny, that’s were this is going–destroy the private insurers in order to socialize medicine.
Seriously, P.BO thought he could squeak this through by presenting it as nailing the big bad insurance companies. I’m sure he never thought that people would look to the secondary effects.
Also, the military is the one place in our system that has to operate in a more or less socialist/communist manner.
Count to 10 on March 18, 2009 at 2:22 PM
When the war was in full swing, the Democrats were more than willing to use the vets as poster victims to get their anti-war message across. Now that they are in power and the war has subsided, they are showing their true colors.
promachus on March 18, 2009 at 2:22 PM
…sure NOW THAT OBAMA’S ELECTED…
even Stephanopoulos feigned impartiality when he left the Clinton machine by launching a few salvos over his shoulder at his former boss. So typical, so predictable.
DamnYankee on March 18, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Note how the biggest laughs were for the shiny things Stewart dangled before his audience to distract them: Frito Lay MOH, actual Navy seals, Arlington National Cemetery and Waterpark.
Stewart<Yay funny.
Christien on March 18, 2009 at 2:23 PM
The 18th Century British Army had expenses deducted out of their pay for food, uniforms, weapons, accoutrements, etc…etc… Why stop with medical care? Let’s make the vets pay for everything. Then we can really balance the budget!
sdd on March 18, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Limerick on March 18, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Yep. Beneath contempt, beneath response.
29Victor on March 18, 2009 at 2:23 PM
There was no declaration of war!!!
The Dean on March 18, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Huh? Even the most ardent libertarian should agree that military should be the function of government, unless you prefer total anarchy. That’s what the government is there for, to run the military and the courts.
promachus on March 18, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Why do we give a damn what Jon Stewart thinks? He’s a comedian. Just because Generation Whine gets their news from him….
We have the speaker of the house saying that ENFORCING FEDERAL LAW IS UNAMERICAN. Just a little more important than what Jon Stewart thinks.
I’m glad he reported what Obama is trying to do to our vets, but come on.
HornetSting on March 18, 2009 at 2:26 PM
As I said in the Tucker Carlson thread in the headlines, Stewart understands there’s stuff in the Obama oeuvre to make fun of — he did it last summer, but then had to chide his audience into understanding (or tolerating) that it was OK to laugh at Barack.
The problem is how many of his viewers are willing to take it, and will he gain as many new viewers on the right as he is likely to lose on the left because they’re now in power and the natural subjects of any political comedy show.
jon1979 on March 18, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Ameripundit, give it up. You’re engaging in a battle of wits with a box of animal crackers.
uncivilized on March 18, 2009 at 2:26 PM
I bet Jon Stewart is just upset because he thinks this policy will make Obama’s poll numbers fall. He’s angry at the man for making a decision that might jeopardize the socialist movement by alerting the peasants that something fishy is afoot.
joe_doufu on March 18, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Ooh, that’s a tough one. Oil is a bit fungible, so, as a purist, you may have to stop driving or heating your home. I’m guessing that tracking where your charity money goes isn’t much of a problem for you.
But most certainly, you should pay your taxes–the US military is the single most important force in the world for keeping people from being murdered overseas.
Count to 10 on March 18, 2009 at 2:28 PM
If Stewart keeps these coming and then feels a little Fariness Doctrine heat, he just may be mugged by some reality.
Grafted on March 18, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Jon Stewart was right this time.
Oink on March 18, 2009 at 2:28 PM
No, just a Congressional authorization for the use of force that even Dr. Ron “Declaration of War” Paul voted for.
amerpundit on March 18, 2009 at 2:29 PM
You’re right, of course. Still, it frustrates me to no end.
amerpundit on March 18, 2009 at 2:30 PM
I suspect Gates will be under the bus, irrespective of his role in this bone-headed idea. Unless they’re saving this Bushitler holdover for the first major terror attack.
Y-not on March 18, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Nazi Germany did not declare war on US in 1941 either. Oh, sorry I forget, this is theDean. Never mind.
runner on March 18, 2009 at 2:30 PM
They’re supposed to provide for the common defense. I don’t see them defending the country. Put them on the Southern border, then I may favor supporting the troops.
The Dean on March 18, 2009 at 2:31 PM
That’s more or less what I was saying, isn’t it?
Or, maybe more to the point, socialists and communists have the crazy idea that an entire country should be run like a good military.
Count to 10 on March 18, 2009 at 2:31 PM
***crickets**** (folks)
Limerick on March 18, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Mr.Stewart as your next target please ask Obama why he didnt he read the Tarp before he lobbied and voted for it?
canditaylor68 on March 18, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Thanks. I do remember seeing it. And I was temporarily sane at the time.
rbj on March 18, 2009 at 2:32 PM
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