Kennedy says bankruptcy law would hurt veterans

[Glenda]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/03/01/kennedy_says_bankruptcy_law_would_hurt_veterans/

Bankruptcy legislation pending before Congress could push military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan into financial crisis, US Senator Edward M. Kennedy told a group of veterans and their advocates yesterday.

...

For veterans facing bankruptcy, the legislation ''will come out more on the side of the creditors in terms of harassing these extraordinary individuals," Kennedy said. ''These are not the spendthrifts, these are not the Enrons, these are not the WorldComs that have abused the bankruptcy system -- these are people that are serving our country, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that that bill does not pass in the United States Senate the way that it is."

Kennedy spokeswoman Laura Capps said that Kennedy plans to testify in the Senate today against the bill. In 2003, 16,000 soldiers in active duty filed for bankruptcy across the nation, she added.

...

Crosby and Damon returned from active duty in Iraq with debilitating injuries -- Crosby is paralyzed from the waist down and Damon lost both his arms -- that hamper their ability to perform manual labor. As a result, both men face mounting debts and diminished job prospects. They urged Kennedy to enhance benefits to veterans by supporting House legislation that would increase the pay of soldiers who are injured and to file bills that mandate the immediate distribution of disability checks.

''Since being hurt, it's definitely impacted and changed my life dramatically," said Crosby. "At the time the fight is not over -- you are fighting for your life and your whole life has been disrupted, which is the time when you need the money the most."

There are tens of thousands of veterans filing for bankruptcy each year because they lose income while on duty, Kennedy said. The proposed bankruptcy law would increase that figure as more troops return from Iraq, he said.

[elehhhhna]

1. That's the point.

Bush is a sadist.

[Glenda]

2. This is the veteran quoted above with no arms