Those of us that have served as Non Commissioned Officers are familiar with the NCO CREED. Today John McCain insulted those of us that live by this creed:

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

Today John McCain responded to criticism of his absence from the Senate, as it passed (75-22) the much needed update to our GI BILL.

His insult to us after the jump:

You may have heard the news this week that PA Senator Arlen Specter is considering an inquiry into the New England Patriots 'Spy-Gate' controversy. That NFL story will heading to the back pages after today's big announcement that the results of Super Bowl XXXIX and Super Bowl XL will be reversed.

These Super Bowls were held in Michigan and Florida, and NFL officials were inundated with calls of yard disenfranchisement. The Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks can now claim victory in those Super Bowls, since it was determined that gaining more yards was a better metric in determining victory.

I noticed that MyDD has been getting all excited about General Election polls . . . IN APRIL?!

I understand that it can be entertaining to visit The VoteMaster and 538. I love checking out both websites, but I also understand that this data is pretty much useless until at least a FULL WEEK after the last National Convention.

The polls will start to give the campaigns a general idea of where they should spend their money, but Super-Delegates are smart enough to realize that either DEM will get AT LEAST a 5% jump after Denver.

There should be a few MyDD'ers besides me that remember another Springtime General Election Poll:

I thought that the disaster of Mark Penn had passed, but the current HuffPo scoop shows how his strategy is still biting back.

I don't fault HRC for her comments about MoveOn.org . . . heck I am a moderate Democrat that doesn't agree with everything they represent. What DOES make this an issue is that she has just given voters another reason to question her credibility.

Listen to this clip of her praising MoveOn before she was against them:

I have read many times on MyDD that people are going to "teach the other side a lesson" and vote for McCain, or stay home if their candidate doesn't get the nomination. Even I flirted with this idea during a few heated moments this year.

I joined MyDD recently, because I thought there would be more balance here. Reading DKOS is like talking to a mirror . . . it just isn't that much fun . . . and watching FAUX News for insight can drive one to insanity.

I know that some GOP trolls have snuck in here, and there are some left-leaning independents in here . . . but for those of us that believe that the Democratic Party is the way to go - PLEASE think about your children and grandchildren.

Here is an update to: http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/9/21362 7/0244

Welsh

Statom

Sorry for the rush job on this diary . . .

Republican staffer attacks reporter
By RICK YENCER
ryencer@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE -- A Republican voter registration deputy faces battery charges after he tackled a newspaper reporter and hit the Democratic 6th District congressional candidate after a contentious Delaware County Election Board meeting this afternoon.

The meeting had just ended when Will Statom, GOP registration deputy and secretary of the local Republican Party, attacked Star Press reporter Nick Werner while Werner was interviewing Ball State University student Johanna Perez about hundreds of last-minute voter registrations for Democrat Barack Obama’s campaign.

“He did not seem very happy that we were stating our opinions,” Perez said afterwards about Statom. . . .

http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dl l/article?AID=/20080409/NEWS06/80409025

Please add your name to the list of over 20,000 signatures demanding John McCain co-sponsor the GI Bill for the 21st century.

SIGN the petition - CLICK HERE > > >  http://therealmccain.com/gibill/

This bill will help improve the benefits my fellow soldiers have earned after their brave service to our country. These benefits have not kept pace with the rising cost of living and educational expenses.

If Senator McCain cosponsors the GI Bill, it will signal other Republicans to do the same. The bill now has 52 cosponsors from both parties, and once it gets 60, it will pass to the President's desk.

This bill needs your help. Sign the petition to encourage John McCain to get on board. His support will encourage at least seven more Senators to follow suit.