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Bill O'Reilly makes Ed Schultz's "classic" edition of Psycho Talk for his comment back in Jan. 2008 that there were not many homeless veterans out there. As Ed notes the Department of Veterans Affairs paints a very different picture today:

About one-third of the adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services. Current population estimates suggest that about 131,000 Veterans (male and female) are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Many other Veterans are considered near homeless or at risk because of their poverty, lack of support from family and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in overcrowded or substandard housing.

Right now, the number of homeless male and female Vietnam era Veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war -- and a small number of Desert Storm veterans are also appearing in the homeless population. Although many homeless Veterans served in combat in Vietnam and suffer from PTSD, at this time, epidemiologic studies do not suggest that there is a causal connection between military service, service in Vietnam, or exposure to combat and homelessness among Veterans. Family background, access to support from family and friends, and various personal characteristics (rather than military service) seem to be the stronger indicators of risk of homelessness.

RIDDLE: If Dick Cheney were caught red-handed tossing burning kittens at homeless veterans from the White House lawn, what would be the first three words out of Cokie Roberts' mouth?

A: "But the Democrats...."

November 10, 2008 CNN

Be sure to also check out Bob Geiger's "A Vet's Message To The GOP on Veterans Day -- Shove It":

... Veterans benefits are earned -- and they matter.

Which is why I get so disgusted whenever I see all the faux military-loving Republicans turning up on Veterans Day with their flowery pronouncements of how much we Vets mean to them when they prove at every turn that they really don’t give a damn about the troops, Veterans or military families.

Of course, Exhibit A is Iraq and the Republican party's steadfast refusal to ever allow our troops to come permanently home to their families and their continued desire to keep them bogged down in a war for nothing. But I mention the G.I. Bill specifically because of the following samples of Republican hypocrisy we see every Veterans Day:

“On Veterans Day – and every day – we thank the men and women who have fought to keep us safe and free.” - Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

"We must remember the great debt that we owe veterans and members of the armed services who fight to maintain our freedom around the world. Throughout history, our soldiers have risked their lives to defend our freedom, and we must not forget their sacrifices." - Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

“Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor America’s veterans who have courageously served our country. These brave men and women have fought to keep our nation free and secure, and we thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice on our behalf.” - Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)

"So this day, perhaps more than any other day, is a time to honor them. We owe them our respect and profound gratitude." - Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

What's the common denominator in this crew? They all were among 22 Republicans who voted against the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, authored by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) -- a highly-decorated Vietnam Veteran -- and passed with 75 votes on May 22nd of this year.

Be sure to read it all. It's chockful of damning information.

Download | play    Download | play   (h/t Bill W.)

Progressive radio talk show host Ed Schultz went on The O'Reilly Factor (Why, Ed?  Why?) to give his views on the Democratic half of the presidential slate.  Never one to pass up the chance to bring up past stupidity, when the talk went to John Edwards, Billo brings up the ridiculous assertion he made when John Edwards was on that there are no homeless veterans.

ES: I think (Edwards') message is strong and he has tremendous conviction, but I think he needs a little bit more material than just the "Two Americas" talk, he got to get a little bit deeper...

BO: Well, we're still looking for all the veterans sleeping under the bridges, Ed, so if you find anybody, let us know, because that's all the guy said for the last three nights...

ES: Well they're out there, Bill. Don't kid yourself.

BO: They may be out there, but there's not many of them out there. Okay? So if you know where one is, Ed...

ES: Well, actually...Now, wait a minute...one in ..

BO: Ed, Ed. If you know where's a veteran, sleeping under a bridge, you call me immediately, and we will make sure that man does not do it. Is not there.

Ed should know that Bill would never allow him to complete a sentence that has facts in it.  After all, this is FOXNews, and facts aren't actually part of their demographic.  But here at C&L, I'll repeat BillW. from the earlier John Edwards post:

In 2006, approximately 195,827 veterans were homeless on a given night—an increase of 0.8 percent from 194,254 in 2005. More veterans experience homeless over the course of the year. We estimate that 336,627 were homeless in 2006. …

But I'm intrigued by Billo's challenge.  I don't know if he's speaking for Fox News or just using the royal "we", but I'd like to know how Billo plans to make hundreds of thousands of vets "not do it."   It shouldn't be too hard to find a homeless vet in NYC, where The O'Reilly Factor is taped.  Wouldn't it be great to have them show up to FOXNews HQ to thank Bill in advance for helping them?