George W. Bush Charged $100,000 To Speak At Charity For Wounded Veterans

– George W. Bush Charged $100,000 to Speak at Charity for Wounded Veterans (Liberty Blitzkrieg, July 9, 2015):

Former President George W. Bush billed a charity for wounded military veterans $100,000 in speaking fees three years ago, a new report says.

The organization also provided Bush with private jet travel to Houston at a cost of $20,000.

Laura Bush, the former president’s wife, additionally pocketed $50,000 after appearing for the group in 2011, ABC reported.

Helping a Hero fundraises for homes that are specifically adapted for military veterans with lost limbs and other severe injuries, it said.

The group specifically helps those who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.

– From the Hill article: George W. Bush Charged $100K for Speech at Wounded Veterans Event 

Only in America could it been seen as acceptable for the man most directly responsible for causing young veterans their wounds, to turn around and charge $100,000 to speak in front of a charity for those same veterans.

While one could argue (though it’s becoming increasingly hard these days with evidence of Saudi Arabia’s role in 9/11), that the invasion of Afghanistan seemed justified at the time, the invasion of Iraq was nothing short of a horrific war crime. Iraq had nothing to do with September 11th, and everyone with half a brain knew that. The Iraq war continues to be a gigantic crime scene. One in which thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis were killed. For absolutely no reason. 

Many of those who survived Bush’s imperial adventures abroad, came back to destroyed lives as well as severely damaged emotional states. So much so, it is estimated that at least 1.5 veterans under the age of 35 commits suicide every single day. For those left over, the ones who somehow figured out a way to move on despite their emotional and physical scars, George W. Bush has a generous gift for you. Yes, the man who wrecked your lives for no reason other than ego, stupidity and the enrichment of his corporate backers, is willing to take some time off from his busy schedule of painting portraits of world leaders to talk to you. For a fee of $100,000 and $20,000 in travel expenses for private jet that is.

From the Hill:

Former President George W. Bush billed a charity for wounded military veterans $100,000 in speaking fees three years ago, a new report says.

Bush charged Texas-based Helping a Hero that amount in 2012, according to ABC News.

The organization also provided Bush with private jet travel to Houston at a cost of $20,000. Laura Bush, the former president’s wife, additionally pocketed $50,000 after appearing for the group in 2011, ABC reported.

Helping a Hero fundraises for homes that are specifically adapted for military veterans with lost limbs and other severe injuries, it said.

The group specifically helps those who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Helping a Hero told ABC the $170,000 in total costs were worth it because the Bushes helped the group raise record funds in 2011 and 2012.

I can’t believe the charity had the nerve to justify what Bush did in this way. This is the lamest excuse imaginable. Bush would have had the exact same positive financial impact to the charity had he spoken for free. But no, Bush wanted to earn money, showing absolutely zero compassion or respect for the vets he sent into combat.

Many vets are well aware of how badly they have been used and abused by the U.S. government, and have spoken out. See:

Another U.S. Veteran Passionately Pleads – “Please Don’t Thank Me for My Service”

“Stop Thanking Me for My Service” – Former U.S. Army Ranger Blasts American Foreign Policy and The Corporate State

A Marine’s Incredible Letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein

Meet Brandon Bryant: The Drone Operator Who Quit After Killing a Child

Now, back to the Hill article:

Former Marine Eddie Wright, a former member of Helping a Hero’s board, criticized the former first family on Wednesday.

“For him to be paid to raise money for veterans that were wounded in combat under his orders, I don’t think that’s right,” Wright said.

“You sent me to war,” he said. “I was doing what you told me to do, gladly for you and our country and I have no regrets.”

“But it is kind of a slap in the face,” added Wright, who lost both of his hands during a rocket attack in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.

Classy as usual.

For some related thoughts on Iraq, see:

Paralyzed Iraq War Veteran Tomas Young Has Died – Here’s His Final Letter to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney

America’s Disastrous Foreign Policy – My Thoughts on Iraq

Finally, here is the brilliant Bill Hicks on the first Iraq war:

In Liberty,
Michael Krieger