# Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are getting a pay cut. :MAD: **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 14, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173 "2003-08-14T16:22:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/41 "2003-08-14T23:06:02Z")
I would guess the temporary raise in hazardous duty and family seperation pay was based on estimates that Iraq, come September, wouldn’t be very hazardous and that many troops would be able to come home, thereby reducing the numbers of troops drawing seperation pay. As with many pre-war predictions, this has missed the mark somewhat. As of now Iraq is still pretty hazardous and there are still fair number of troops over there with families who need the extra cash back here. Extending it seems a no-brainer. As to questions of why they are “entitled to it”, well, they’re entitled to it because the situation is still dangerous and they’re still seperated from their families. Fluxuations in the situation should drive fluxuations in pay. As of now, I don’t see why the troops should take a reduction in pay other than the deadline on the legislation. As I mentioned above, I believe this deadline was set based on a flawed assumption and should be extended. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/42 "2003-08-14T23:19:00Z")
As long as we’re on the subject: [http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Iraq-Military-Families.html](http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Iraq-Military-Families.html) **Families Campaign to Bring Troops Home** The story refers to the efforts of Bring Them Home Now in publicizing the discontent amongst soldiers, thier spouses, dependents, parents, etc. Thier website is worth a look: Bring Them Home Now: [http://www.bringthemhomenow.org](http://www.bringthemhomenow.org) A poignant response: "Lt. Col. Jim Cassella, a Pentagon spokesman, said the antiwar campaign does not reflect the views of most soldiers or family members. `This small group is clearly out of step with the vast majority of servicemembers, families and veterans who clearly understand that we can fight and win the global war on terrorism in places like Iraq, or we can lose it in the streets of America,'' Cassella said. `The troops know that, they’ve connected the dots.’’ Well. I guess that certainly settles that. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/43 "2003-08-14T23:42:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TaxGuy \* > \*\*Great, now I fucked up the grammar (“are” should be “is” in that middle paragraph), which will give you something else to comment on besides commenting on the point I’ve made in this thread. \*\* Well, as long as we’re commenting on your grammar now, “a lot harder then blindly,” should be “a lot harder th **a** n blindly.” Carry on. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/44 "2003-08-14T23:44:07Z")
So now Iraq is about terrorism again? When did that happen? I thought it was still about liberating the Iraqi people? (I guess they’re not even trying make the WMD claim anymore. That dog not only won’t hunt but won’t even take a shit or lick its balls anymore.) ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/45 "2003-08-14T23:47:17Z")
I’m sorry… I must be really exhausted that my single working braincell can’t follow… And I ask myself this question already for months and months now… But: How do Americans think to win this imaginary"war on terror" in IRAQ? Salaam. A. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/46 "2003-08-15T00:03:31Z")
The American people are kinda dumb, and readily manipulated by irrational and emotional appeals to nationalism, etc. What are people like where you’re from? ---
**Author:** ![TVAA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TVAA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVAA)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/47 "2003-08-15T00:12:26Z")
When will people realize that the only way to defeat terror is to stop being afraid? ---
**Author:** ![Read\_Neck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Read\_Neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Read_Neck)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/48 "2003-08-15T00:51:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Reeder \* > \*\*Tell me tax guy and the other Bushinistas… When was the last time you got shot at for your country? > > I take it y’all are chickenhawks just like the Bush admin. \*\* It was exactly November 4 1969 on Hill 10. About 20 miles due west of Danang. I remember so well because we got overrun 2 days before my RTD. Piss off,Reeder ---
**Author:** ![Read\_Neck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Read\_Neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Read_Neck)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/49 "2003-08-15T01:01:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aldebaran \* > \*\*I’m sorry… I must be really exhausted that my single working braincell can’t follow… And I ask myself this question already for months and months now… > But: How do Americans think to win this imaginary"war on terror" in IRAQ? > > Salaam. A. \*\* I am shocked you haven’t figured it out,Aldebaran. We’re going to build a massive military complex outside Baghdad where we can strike anywhere in the Middle East in minutes. Look at a map and think about it. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/50 "2003-08-15T01:28:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Read\_Neck \* > **It was exactly November 4 1969 on Hill 10. About 20 miles due west of Danang. I remember so well because we got overrun 2 days before my RTD…** Thank you. Glad you made it. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/51 "2003-08-15T12:07:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > \*\*This just in: > > [http://www.armytimes.com/](http://www.armytimes.com/) > > "**Pentagon to keep imminent danger pay, family separation allowance for troops in Iraq, Afghanistan \*\* > Seeking to quell a growing public-relations firestorm, the Pentagon late Thursday vowed not to cut the pay of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan combat zones."** Hmm… _ahem_ \ I WAS RIGHT I WAS RIGHT I WAS RIGHT I WAS RIGHT \ Whee! This had political death written all over it. If a large chunk of those soldiers either fail to vote or vote democratic over the pay issue the administration goes back to being businessmen in a bit. They need those votes and know it. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/52 "2003-08-15T15:21:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > The American people are kinda dumb, and readily manipulated by irrational and emotional appeals to nationalism, etc. This is so true. Americans are “readily manipulated by irrational and emotional appeals to nationalism, etc.” . . . . . pretty much like every other people on earth. It’s human nature. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/53 "2003-08-15T18:08:12Z")
[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2003/08/15/PAY.TMP](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2003/08/15/PAY.TMP) > [@](#): > > The administration position changed after a day of roiling criticism of the Pentagon call for a pay cut. > > Among hundreds of e-mails to The Chronicle, Marianne Leigh, the mother of two sons in the Army, wrote, “I’m appalled that Congress should even consider such a ludicrous idea.” > > “In my opinion these soldiers are still fighting a WAR. Not until each and every one of them come home is this war over,” added Leigh, who has one son in Tikrit, Iraq, and another serving as a peacekeeper in Kosovo. > > From Petaluma, reader Hans Clever suggested the military pitch a new slogan for the Army: “Pick up service, pick up challenge, pick up an even smaller paycheck.” I enjoyed the “see what we _really_ meant” type comments. Idiots. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/54 "2003-08-15T19:47:28Z")
Well, what do you expect for an Administration that proposed a terrorism futures market. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Read\_Neck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Read\_Neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Read_Neck)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/55 "2003-08-16T00:05:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elucidator \* > \*\*Thank you. Glad you made it. \*\* You’re welcome,lucidator. Your kind words and the sentiment behind them are truly appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/56 "2003-08-16T01:17:09Z")
As a fairly liberal person, I would just like to say that if I see one more bonehead use a term like _apologista_ **I am gonna SPIT**!! C’mon guys. It makes you look kinda dumb. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/57 "2003-08-16T05:32:40Z")
Hey, thegovernment have to cut expenses to make up for that tax cut. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/58 "2003-08-16T05:32:41Z")
Hey, the government have to cut expenses to make up for that tax cut. ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/59 "2003-08-16T08:22:17Z")
Can someone possibly clear up the details of this little matter for a dumb limey? So, these temporary increases in pay, which came into being for troops going into Afghanistan and Iraq… how were they explained at the time? I understand that they were temporary in law, but were the troops told that they would only last as long as they were in theatre/overseas/danger? Did troops reasonably expect them to be ‘permanent’ ie whilst on active service? In any event, at least your guys are properly [equipped](http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12956,940554,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![Burnt\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@Burnt\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burnt_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173/60 "2003-08-16T12:03:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kputt \* > **…Soldiers don’t even bring home enough money to live on. …** Are you being serious? How much do they earn? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/troops-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-getting-a-pay-cut-mad/195173.md?page=2)