This Is Worth Raising Hell About

Were it not for World Net Daily, this item might not have seen the light of day.
WorldNetDaily: Decorated Marine denied in-state tuition

What usually happens with disgraceful idiocies such as what Austin Community College is doing to this Iraq veteran is that they get embarrassed when the light of day and the disinfection of publicity puts their folly on parade. So, on behalf of this Marine and America, we turn over the rock and watch the vermin squirm in the sunlight.

Excerpts from the article follow:

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK
Decorated Marine denied in-state tuition
Community college tells Texas native his tours in Iraq disqualify him

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Posted: August 18, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern
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© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com


Carl Basham (Photo: Star-Telegram).

Despite being a Texas native, a registered voter and holder of a state driver's license, a decorated Marine has been denied lower in-state tuition at a community college because he spent too much time out of the state while serving two tours of duty in Iraq.

Carl Basham says he was shocked when personnel at Austin Community College told him a few weeks ago that he didn't qualify as a Texas resident "for tuition purposes." Basham was born in Beeville, Texas, registered to vote in Travis County in 1998, holds a Texas driver's license and does his banking in Austin, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

"They told me that I have to physically live in the state of Texas for at least a year," Basham told the paper. "It kind of hurts."

According to the report, Austin Community College officials were unable to specify why Basham isn't considered a Texas resident, only that he didn't meet state requirements as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A spokeswoman said privacy laws prevent a discussion of Basham's case.

The higher education board is reportedly investigating the case.

The Marine's wife, Jolie, could hardly believe her ears when, after presenting multiple pieces of evidence proving his Texas residence, her husband was turned down.

"[The admissions officer] said, 'It's really your military service that's holding you back.' I couldn't believe that those words came out of her mouth," Jolie Basham is quoted as saying. "He's always Texas this and Texas that," she said. "It's always been his home."

Over two enlistments and eight years of service, the paper reported, Basham was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and other decorations. He served as a driver and an auto mechanic in two tours of duty in Iraq, each lasting seven months, he said.

Basham was honorably discharged from the Marines on Jan. 31 and hopes to work toward a degree in emergency medical care.

(All emphases ours)