The Repubicans voting against taking care of veterans proved one thing. They don't really care about veterans. Jon Stewart stood up for all of you after Ted Cruz stomped on you!
Showing posts with label Jon Stewart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jon Stewart. Show all posts
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Friday, July 29, 2022
"Ain't this a bitch!" Jon Stewart fights for veterans
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
July 29, 2022
The bill that would finally provide some justice to the men and women we sent to Afghanistan and Iraq, was stopped from passing yesterday by the same people that voted for it weeks ago, GOP members of the Senate!
Jul 28, 2022
Former Talk show host turned veterans advocate, John Stewart joined a bicameral group of Democrats to call out Senate Republicans for failing to pass the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.
In a speech riddled with strong language, Stewart criticized Republican senators for speaking in support of veterans, but then voting against the bill that would increase spending by more than $300 billion over the next decade and dramatically boost health care services and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I’m used to the hypocrisy … but I’m not used to the cruelty,” Stewart said.
The bill would open up Department of Veterans Affairs health care to millions of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service even if they don’t have a service-connected disability. The bill also would provide new or increased disability benefits to thousands of veterans who have become ill with cancer or respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The measure has the backing of the nation’s major veterans groups and underscores the continued cost of war years after the fighting has stopped.
read more here
Kathie Costos
July 29, 2022
UPDATE
Worse than we thought as GOP members of the Senate celebrated blocking this bill!
The bill that would finally provide some justice to the men and women we sent to Afghanistan and Iraq, was stopped from passing yesterday by the same people that voted for it weeks ago, GOP members of the Senate!
I've seen a lot of crap in my day and that was over a lifetime. My Dad was 100% Korean War veteran and my husband is 100% disabled Vietnam veteran. I remember what it was like to fight the VA for what their service cost then and our families. I also remember the 40 years of fighting so that veterans and families could finally see their service honored.
I've seen political games played by both parties on all sorts of issues. I have never seen a good bill being blocked to take care of veterans. Surely, politicians prolonged the passage so they could get attention for themselves, whine, moan and complain like a toddler, but in the end, there were enough votes to pass it.
This time, They needed just 10 Republicans to step up so the bill could be voted on. Only five showed up to do the right thing for veterans. So what happened to the other 55 Republicans that voted on it before passing it?
The House passed the PACT Act by a 342-88 vote on July 13, about a month after the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 84-14.They claim it was because the House tweaked it and they couldn't stand that. I mean, the same crowd that kept repeating they support veterans and their care should never be subjected to budget cuts, is now something they want to use to take a temper tantrum!
Ever since the beginning of this nation, the leaders asked men and women to risk their lives for the sake of this nation. And ever since they returned back to this nation and home and families, they were forced to fight the same leaders to be compensated for what their service did to them. What is the most reprehensible thing of all is when they were forced to fight for what the nation did to them while they were serving and risking their lives.
Vietnam veterans fought for PTSD to be covered and treated, and that was a little easier to take on since it was due to combat. They also had to fight for being treated and compensated for what Agent Orange, sent by the government did to them and their families. Gulf War veterans were forced to fight for care after whatever the cause was for Gulf War Syndrome. And now this! Yet another thing the nation they served did to them with burn pits!
AND NOW THEY HAVE TO HEAR THIS BULLSHIT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!
This post went up in 2008!
Troops sick from burn pits urged to contact DAV
“Anyone out there who thinks they may have had a long-term health effect ... needs to file a complaint” with the Department of Veterans Affairs, said Kerry Baker, DAV’s associate national legislative director.When will they do the right thing? When the American people demand it!
Noting that it took Vietnam veterans 20 years to gain benefits for exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange, Baker said, “We don’t want to see these guys have to wait 20 years. We want to see Congress act right away.”
Watch the video and if you are not as angry as all these speakers are, don't ever say you support the troops or veterans with a straight face because the members of the GOP couldn't do the right thing when they had the chance, have been now seen for what they truly are and they are disgusting!
WATCH: Jon Stewart criticizes Republicans for voting down bill to increase care for veterans exposed to burn pits
PBSJul 28, 2022
“I’m used to the hypocrisy … but I’m not used to the cruelty,” Stewart said.
Former Talk show host turned veterans advocate, John Stewart joined a bicameral group of Democrats to call out Senate Republicans for failing to pass the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.
In a speech riddled with strong language, Stewart criticized Republican senators for speaking in support of veterans, but then voting against the bill that would increase spending by more than $300 billion over the next decade and dramatically boost health care services and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I’m used to the hypocrisy … but I’m not used to the cruelty,” Stewart said.
The bill would open up Department of Veterans Affairs health care to millions of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service even if they don’t have a service-connected disability. The bill also would provide new or increased disability benefits to thousands of veterans who have become ill with cancer or respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The measure has the backing of the nation’s major veterans groups and underscores the continued cost of war years after the fighting has stopped.
read more here
Warning: This video contains strong language.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Senate passed 9 11 responders fund forever
'Put down your swords': Senate passes bill ensuring 9/11 victims fund will never run out of money
NBC News
By Dareh Gregorian and Frank Thorp V
July 23, 2019
"I'm going to ask my team now to put down your swords and pick up your rakes and go home, and hopefully, we don't have to come back," victims' advocate John Feal told his fellow first responders at a news conference later. "What I'm going to miss the most about D.C. is — nothing."
Jon Stewart embraces a crying John Feal, the Sept. 11, 2001, first responder who led the organization pushing for the full extension of the victim compensation fund, just after the bill passed in the Senate on July 23, 2019.Frank Thorp V / NBC News
The Senate passed a bill Tuesday to ensure a fund to compensate victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks never runs out of money — and that first responders won't have to return to Congress to plead for more funding.
The vote came after intense lobbying from ailing 9/11 first responders — including one who died shortly after testifying before Congress last month.
The bill, which was passed by a vote of 97-2, would authorize money for the fund through 2092, essentially making it permanent.
Before the bill's final passage, the chamber defeated two proposed amendments: One, from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, would have restricted the authorization to 10 years; the other, from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, would have required offsets for the money spent on the fund.
read it here
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Warrior Games Begin With Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
DoD Warrior Games Begin With Torch Lighting, Vietnam Vets Tribute
Department of Defense
By Shannon Collins DoD News, Defense Media Activity
June 16, 2016
“Being selected to light the torch is as much an honor and privilege as competing for Team Army,” Elmlinger said. “Finishing my Warrior Games career as Team Army captain and lighting the torch at the opening ceremony is by far the most amazing experience. It’s humbling to see the support from the Warrior Transition Command throughout my time on Team Army, and I graciously thank them for allowing me to participate as torch bearer in this event.”
About 250 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command and United Kingdom armed forces will compete in shooting, archery, cycling, track and field, swimming, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball here until June 21.
read more here
Department of Defense
By Shannon Collins DoD News, Defense Media Activity
June 16, 2016
“On behalf of myself and all of my fellow wounded warriors, we would like to thank you for your service and the service of all Vietnam veterans.” Ret. Army Sgt. 1st Class Howard Sanborn
Army Capt. Kelly Elmlinger lights the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games torch during opening ceremonies for the games at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., June 15, 2016. DoD photo by EJ HersomWEST POINT, N.Y., June 16, 2016 — The 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games began yesterday evening when Army Capt. Kelly Elmlinger, with help from comedian Jon Stewart, lit the official torch during the event’s opening ceremonies at the U.S. Military Academy here.
“Being selected to light the torch is as much an honor and privilege as competing for Team Army,” Elmlinger said. “Finishing my Warrior Games career as Team Army captain and lighting the torch at the opening ceremony is by far the most amazing experience. It’s humbling to see the support from the Warrior Transition Command throughout my time on Team Army, and I graciously thank them for allowing me to participate as torch bearer in this event.”
About 250 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command and United Kingdom armed forces will compete in shooting, archery, cycling, track and field, swimming, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball here until June 21.
“People ask me, ‘How do you talk to your kids about violence that occurs in this world?’” he said. “And I realized it’s time to stop telling him about the rare individuals who do harm and tell him more about the people whose names we don’t know and whose resilience and tenacity we can witness. That’s why I’m here today. I’m here to show him that the depth and strength of those whose names you may never know is the depth and strength of this country, and is the depth and strength that will allow us to overcome.” Jon Stewart
Go Air Force! Comedian Jon Stewart poses for a photograph with the Air Force team before the opening ceremony of the 2016 Warrior Games at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., June 15, 2016. DoD photo by EJ Hersom
read more here
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Jon Stewart Crusading for Sept. 11 First Responders.
Jon Stewart’s next act: Lobbyist?
The host has promised to fight for a 9/11 bill in September.
Politico
By DARREN SAMUELSOHN
Jon Stewart is less than a week away from retiring from The Daily Show, but he’s already thinking about his next act: crusading this fall in Washington for the Sept. 11 first responders.
The Comedy Central star has promised to make a Capitol Hill trip as early as September to support a bill extending an expiring law that provides billions of dollars in medical health benefits for the police, firefighters and other emergency rescue workers who spent time at Ground Zero, as well as survivors of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Stewart committed to lobby the very lawmakers he’s made a career out of skewering during a backstage greenroom chat early in July with John Feal, an Army veteran and post-9/11 cleanup worker who is spearheading the advocacy push for the legislation. Feal told POLITICO that he expected Stewart to firm up the date for the visit after his final Daily Show appearance on Thursday.
“Everything he’s ever said, he’s kept his word,” Feal said.
The first-responders portion of the law, passed in 2010, is scheduled to expire this October but has enough money to run into next year. A separate fund for 9/11 survivors and first responders ends in October 2016. Supporters want to renew the whole law in perpetuity, like the health programs for coal miners who suffer from black lung disease, and the government workers and contractors who built the country's nuclear weapon arsenal. In early July on his program, Stewart called it “bullshit” that the 9/11 first responders even have to lobby to extend it, and demanded to know who on the Hill was blocking the effort.
In his 16-year TV career, Stewart has put his shoulder behind a number of policy and political issues. He has put the spotlight on bureaucratic blunders preventing military veterans from getting health care, and is widely credited with CNN’s decision more than a decade ago to cancel an earlier version of the ‘Crossfire' talk show. Sensing his power with young voters, senior White House aides also cultivated relationships with Stewart and his staff, and the host even met twice privately in the Oval Office with President Barack Obama.
read more here
The host has promised to fight for a 9/11 bill in September.
Politico
By DARREN SAMUELSOHN
Jon Stewart is less than a week away from retiring from The Daily Show, but he’s already thinking about his next act: crusading this fall in Washington for the Sept. 11 first responders.
The Comedy Central star has promised to make a Capitol Hill trip as early as September to support a bill extending an expiring law that provides billions of dollars in medical health benefits for the police, firefighters and other emergency rescue workers who spent time at Ground Zero, as well as survivors of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Stewart committed to lobby the very lawmakers he’s made a career out of skewering during a backstage greenroom chat early in July with John Feal, an Army veteran and post-9/11 cleanup worker who is spearheading the advocacy push for the legislation. Feal told POLITICO that he expected Stewart to firm up the date for the visit after his final Daily Show appearance on Thursday.
“Everything he’s ever said, he’s kept his word,” Feal said.
The first-responders portion of the law, passed in 2010, is scheduled to expire this October but has enough money to run into next year. A separate fund for 9/11 survivors and first responders ends in October 2016. Supporters want to renew the whole law in perpetuity, like the health programs for coal miners who suffer from black lung disease, and the government workers and contractors who built the country's nuclear weapon arsenal. In early July on his program, Stewart called it “bullshit” that the 9/11 first responders even have to lobby to extend it, and demanded to know who on the Hill was blocking the effort.
In his 16-year TV career, Stewart has put his shoulder behind a number of policy and political issues. He has put the spotlight on bureaucratic blunders preventing military veterans from getting health care, and is widely credited with CNN’s decision more than a decade ago to cancel an earlier version of the ‘Crossfire' talk show. Sensing his power with young voters, senior White House aides also cultivated relationships with Stewart and his staff, and the host even met twice privately in the Oval Office with President Barack Obama.
read more here
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Jon Stewart Looking For A Few Funny Veterans
Jon Stewart is helping veterans break into the TV industry
Army Times
Jon Stewart is leaving 'The Daily Show' but is leaving a job training program for Veterans as a parting gift.
Keri Lumm has the story.
Army Times
Jon Stewart is leaving 'The Daily Show' but is leaving a job training program for Veterans as a parting gift.
Keri Lumm has the story.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
World Warrior Shaft
Jon Stewart covers this mess with the VA.
World Warrior Shaft
Backlog problems Stewart points out that Bush didn't fix them before Obama didn't fix them.
Then Stewart follows all of this up with World Warrior Shaft Terrible Memory Lane
Then Stewart follows all of this up with World Warrior Shaft Terrible Memory Lane
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Daily Show Jon Stewart credited for clueing in Congress?
Daily Show Jon Stewart credited for clueing in Congress?
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
February 8, 2014
Senator Richard Burr, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee talked about how bad things are for our veterans. What is even more remarkable is that he pointed to Jon Stewart of the Daily Show instead of the work of the Veterans Affairs Committee not staying on top of everything going on so that a comedian wouldn't have to do it.
Stewart has been wonderful reporting on what they have been going thru and you can watch most of the clips on veterans here. The problem is Stewart reports on what his writers know and that, that is a problem. A bigger problem when a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee didn't know more.
In 2008, NPR reported that Fort Drum officials told the VA to stop helping soldiers with claims.
The Army denied the charges so NPR had to back it up with facts. It was true.
One of the spots on the Daily Show pointed to how the DOD and the VA did not work well together however Stewart didn't know this had been going on since 2008 when Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake announced they were going to work together on claims. What followed was a report starting that "VBA's pending compensation and claims backlog stood at 816,211 as of January 2008, up 188,781 since 2004, said Kerry Baker, associate legislative director of the Disabled Veterans of America, during a Wednesday hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense."
All this didn't happen overnight. Gregg Carlstrom reported for Federal Times that "Poor planning by agency leaders and underfunding by Congress created these debilitating backlogs that may take years to resolve, according to federal officials, legislators and watchdog groups. At the start of the Bush administration in 2001, VA had more than 400,000 pending claims for disability ratings, which determine a service-disabled veteran’s employability and disability benefits. The department made progress reducing that number: By 2003, the backlog was down to around 250,000."
This was reported the same year.
“We have claims that have been pending for a decade, two decades and some that date back more than 50 years. We have appeals from World War II,” said David E. Autry, a spokesman for the Disabled American Veterans in Washington D.C., which represents veterans and advocates and helps them obtain their benefits."
Grover Cleveland Chapman, a WWII veteran went to the VA Outpatient Clinic in Greenville after having his claim denied yet again. He took a gun into his hand and shot himself at the age of 89. He had the letter with him when he shot himself, Harriett Chapman said.
That was also during the time when VA Doctor Ira Katz was being defended after withholding the fact the VA had 12,000 veterans a year attempting suicide. Yes, that means 1,000 a month tried to kill themselves but that was just part of the story since when you consider while there are 21,978,000 veterans the VA only has 3.7 million collecting compensation. How many veterans do you think are trying to take their own lives with that many in the VA system?
In 2008 the GAO found there was no accountability in the VA for claims processors.
"Lockheed Martin, the contractor hired in July 2006 to compute the complex retroactive pay awards, had difficulty making the computations fast enough to eliminate the backlog quickly. The complexity of the computations also hindered Lockheed Martin’s ability to develop software to automate the process." The result of this was that 8,763 veterans died before their cases could be reviewed.
It was the same year the VA announced online applications started.
The news reports tell a totally different story than what most reporters want to include in their articles. The truth is the truth no matter how much they want to forget about. The biggest issue is when members of the House and Senate on the committees controlling all of this want to forget about what they did not do.
Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
February 8, 2014
Senator Richard Burr, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee talked about how bad things are for our veterans. What is even more remarkable is that he pointed to Jon Stewart of the Daily Show instead of the work of the Veterans Affairs Committee not staying on top of everything going on so that a comedian wouldn't have to do it.
Stewart has been wonderful reporting on what they have been going thru and you can watch most of the clips on veterans here. The problem is Stewart reports on what his writers know and that, that is a problem. A bigger problem when a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee didn't know more.
Burr weekly GOP address focuses on needs of veteransSounds like a really good speech. It made it seem like all of this is new. The problem is, it is far from new and because the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee along with the House, did not stay on top of any of this. They have been historically ignorant no matter which party was running the show.
News and Observer
Posted by Renee Schoof
February 8, 2014
Sen. Richard Burr delivered the weekly Republican address on Saturday. As the most senior Republican on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, the Winston-Salem senator focused on the backlog of disability claims veterans still face.
The audio of the address is available here. The video will be available here and you may download the address here. Excerpts of his address follows:
“Thankfully, over the past five years, Congress has authorized over $600 billion to VA in robust and sustained increases of government funding for veterans’ programs designed to be part of a more responsive federal support for veterans outreach and care.”
“This unprecedented level of support has been especially evident in the area of veterans’ benefits, specifically disability payments. The surge in financial support has not been matched with an equivalent surge in responsiveness from the Veterans’ Administration.”
Burr said that “incremental progress” has been made to reduce a “now infamous” backlog of claims that existed last year. There are nearly 700,000 veterans and their families “waiting for answers,” Burr said. Claims often have errors, and so veterans have to file appeals.
“More than a quarter million appeals are waiting to be resolved and the time it takes VA to act on appeals is worsening,” Burr said. “As the nation’s military stands down from its war footing, veterans should not have to wage another battle here at home, this time against government bureaucracy.”
Burr said that some veterans also have to wait too long for mental health counseling and other health services. The VA is taking steps to improve its staffing and health care delivery, “but more remains to be done.”
read more here
In 2008, NPR reported that Fort Drum officials told the VA to stop helping soldiers with claims.
Morning Edition, January 29, 2008 · Army officials in upstate New York instructed representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs not to help disabled soldiers at Fort Drum Army base with their military disability paperwork last year. That paperwork can be crucial because it helps determine whether soldiers will get annual disability payments and health care after they're discharged.
The Army denied the charges so NPR had to back it up with facts. It was true.
One of the spots on the Daily Show pointed to how the DOD and the VA did not work well together however Stewart didn't know this had been going on since 2008 when Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake announced they were going to work together on claims. What followed was a report starting that "VBA's pending compensation and claims backlog stood at 816,211 as of January 2008, up 188,781 since 2004, said Kerry Baker, associate legislative director of the Disabled Veterans of America, during a Wednesday hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense."
"The fiscal 2009 IT budget request for the Veterans Benefits Administration is about 18 percent less than the fiscal 2008 proposal. The overall IT budget for the Veterans Affairs Department, VBA's parent agency, jumped 18 percent in President Bush's latest request."
All this didn't happen overnight. Gregg Carlstrom reported for Federal Times that "Poor planning by agency leaders and underfunding by Congress created these debilitating backlogs that may take years to resolve, according to federal officials, legislators and watchdog groups. At the start of the Bush administration in 2001, VA had more than 400,000 pending claims for disability ratings, which determine a service-disabled veteran’s employability and disability benefits. The department made progress reducing that number: By 2003, the backlog was down to around 250,000."
This was reported the same year.
“Since 2006, the number of claims has grown 15 percent. The amount of time it takes to make decisions on disability claims is two to three year. On an average, it takes four years to get an appeals decision.”
“We have claims that have been pending for a decade, two decades and some that date back more than 50 years. We have appeals from World War II,” said David E. Autry, a spokesman for the Disabled American Veterans in Washington D.C., which represents veterans and advocates and helps them obtain their benefits."
Grover Cleveland Chapman, a WWII veteran went to the VA Outpatient Clinic in Greenville after having his claim denied yet again. He took a gun into his hand and shot himself at the age of 89. He had the letter with him when he shot himself, Harriett Chapman said.
That was also during the time when VA Doctor Ira Katz was being defended after withholding the fact the VA had 12,000 veterans a year attempting suicide. Yes, that means 1,000 a month tried to kill themselves but that was just part of the story since when you consider while there are 21,978,000 veterans the VA only has 3.7 million collecting compensation. How many veterans do you think are trying to take their own lives with that many in the VA system?
In 2008 the GAO found there was no accountability in the VA for claims processors.
"Lockheed Martin, the contractor hired in July 2006 to compute the complex retroactive pay awards, had difficulty making the computations fast enough to eliminate the backlog quickly. The complexity of the computations also hindered Lockheed Martin’s ability to develop software to automate the process." The result of this was that 8,763 veterans died before their cases could be reviewed.
It was the same year the VA announced online applications started.
The news reports tell a totally different story than what most reporters want to include in their articles. The truth is the truth no matter how much they want to forget about. The biggest issue is when members of the House and Senate on the committees controlling all of this want to forget about what they did not do.
UPDATE February 9, 2014
I was just reading an article on The Hill about this by Megan Wilson. It began with these words.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) took the Department of Veterans Affairs to task over the lengthy wait many veterans face for disability compensation.
In Saturday's weekly Republican address, Burr said the backlog of disability claims from wounded veterans began to improve only after frequent lambasting by The Daily Show.
I left this comment.
Burr is on the Veterans Affairs Committee and should have known that none of this is new. Clinton left 400,000 pending claims for 2001. In 2006 8,763 veterans died before their claims were approved and Lockheed Martin started working on claims. Bush left 816,211 for Obama in 2008. In 2008 the DAV stated they had claims going back 50 years they were still trying to get approved. A WWII veteran drove to VA hospital at the age of 86, pulled out a gun and shot himself with the denial letter in his hand. Burr should have known all of this and the fact that Jon Stewart had to clue him in isn't funny at all.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Pepsi has A Night For Heroes
Pepsi sponsored event to raise funds for Bob Woodruff Foundation. The PepsiCo Foundation to Kickoff Super Bowl Weekend with $1 Million Donation to BWF "
"Seven years ago a movement was started helping post 9-11 injured service members returning home from combat. We're proud to say that over these seven years, we've invested over $20 million dollars in programs that have reached over 1 million heroes in need."
Jon Stewart "Welcome to Super Bowl weekend in New York City. Here's whats special about tonight. With all the people we have in town for the Super Bowl, pro-ball football players, super stars , film and television stars, whats special about tonight is with all those people here, the real heroes of the night are sitting up in front. Let's give a round of applauds to the men and women serving in fighting forces."
Ret. Admiral Mike Mullen "A thousand a day come home. We're hiring 100 a day."
Blake Shelton
"Seven years ago a movement was started helping post 9-11 injured service members returning home from combat. We're proud to say that over these seven years, we've invested over $20 million dollars in programs that have reached over 1 million heroes in need."
Jon Stewart "Welcome to Super Bowl weekend in New York City. Here's whats special about tonight. With all the people we have in town for the Super Bowl, pro-ball football players, super stars , film and television stars, whats special about tonight is with all those people here, the real heroes of the night are sitting up in front. Let's give a round of applauds to the men and women serving in fighting forces."
Ret. Admiral Mike Mullen "A thousand a day come home. We're hiring 100 a day."
Blake Shelton
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
IAVA to honor Daily Show's Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart to be honored by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans group
The Washington Times
By David Sherfinski
July 16, 2013,
Comedian Jon Stewart will be awarded the the 2013 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Civilian Service Award in November at the IAVA Heroes Gala in New York.
“Stewart has been a great friend to the veteran community,” reads a release about the event. “In recent months, ‘The Daily Show’ has extensively covered the VA disability claims backlog, shining a spotlight on veterans and their struggles waiting for decisions on their claims.”
IAVA will also honor former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. and Medal of Honor recipient Salvatore Giunta with the 2013 IAVA Veterans Leadership Award.
read more here
The Washington Times
By David Sherfinski
July 16, 2013,
Comedian Jon Stewart will be awarded the the 2013 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Civilian Service Award in November at the IAVA Heroes Gala in New York.
“Stewart has been a great friend to the veteran community,” reads a release about the event. “In recent months, ‘The Daily Show’ has extensively covered the VA disability claims backlog, shining a spotlight on veterans and their struggles waiting for decisions on their claims.”
IAVA will also honor former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. and Medal of Honor recipient Salvatore Giunta with the 2013 IAVA Veterans Leadership Award.
read more here
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Stars standing up for wounded veterans
Jon Stewart, Ricky Gervais and More Crack Jokes for Veterans
By Jennifer Abbey
ABC News
Nov 9, 2012
A slew of stars came out for a good cause last night: New York’s Stand Up for Heroes Benefit.
Jon Stewart, Ricky Gervais, and Robin Williams cracked jokes to honor military veterans. Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer provided a musical interlude between the laughs. The event, which benefited the Bob Woodruff Foundation, raised money to support veterans and their families.
Stewart wasted no time skewering the presidential election during his time on stage, saying, “Poor Mitt Romney, how do you mess that up?”
He continued, “You have a president who is $16 trillion in debt with 80-percent unemployment,” and took a jab at the similarity between President Obama and Osama Bin Ladens’ names.
read more here
'Standing Up for Heros' Benefit Raises Money for Wounded Veterans Bob Woodruff has latest on veterans' fundraiser held at Empire State Building. 11/08/2012
By Jennifer Abbey
ABC News
Nov 9, 2012
A slew of stars came out for a good cause last night: New York’s Stand Up for Heroes Benefit.
Jon Stewart, Ricky Gervais, and Robin Williams cracked jokes to honor military veterans. Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer provided a musical interlude between the laughs. The event, which benefited the Bob Woodruff Foundation, raised money to support veterans and their families.
Stewart wasted no time skewering the presidential election during his time on stage, saying, “Poor Mitt Romney, how do you mess that up?”
He continued, “You have a president who is $16 trillion in debt with 80-percent unemployment,” and took a jab at the similarity between President Obama and Osama Bin Ladens’ names.
read more here
'Standing Up for Heros' Benefit Raises Money for Wounded Veterans Bob Woodruff has latest on veterans' fundraiser held at Empire State Building. 11/08/2012
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Daily Show doing what reporters should be doing
Last night on the Daily Show, Jon Stewart managed to find clips of how the GOP seems to have a habit of double speak when it comes to winning, the truth is insignificant.
The thing about being sexist asking questions about Palin, her experience and her record, caused the talking heads to explode over asking any questions at all. Hannity along with Dick Morris, said it was sexist to ask questions of Palin, but when it was Senator Clinton, asking her was a totally different story and Morris said Clinton would go and hide behind the apron strings. Morris pointed out that if Clinton could not take it when her opponents were "picking" on her, how could she stand up with the other nations leaders did it? Really different story when it is a member of their party.
Nancy Pfotenhauer, McCain advisor thought that the questions about Palin were sexist and wrong but when it was Clinton, yet again, it was appropriate.
The clincher here is that Palin herself, thought that when a woman was running for elected office she needed to answer the questions and prove herself.
When it came to Palin's daughter, Bristol's pregnancy, Bill O'Reilly said that it was the families business as long as society did not have to pay to raise the child. Yet when Jamie Lynn Spears news hit that she was pregnant, O'Reilly blamed her parents because they could not control their own daughter.
What was worse in all of this was when Stewart lead off with Karl Rove. Addressing Palin's experience as Mayor and then Governor, he thought she was thoroughly ready to be able to take over as president if anything happened to McCain. Stewart pointed out that Palin was mayor of a town of 9,000 and then Governor of Alaska. Yet when it was Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia, was mayor of Richmond, population 200,000, he was far from ready to lead.
What is really depressing is that the American public gets more information from the Daily Show than the reporters provide on real news. I'm a new junkie. I won't excuse it because what happens in this country should matter and when it comes to electing the presidential ticket that will be in charge of the whole shebang, we need to be able to make informed decisions. We have not been getting the information over the ten years. We've only been handed talking points and the media has not done their jobs of becoming informed enough to ask questions when someone says something.
It took the Stewart team less than a day to come up with the clips of all of the above but the media can't do it?
The video is on the side bar at the top. It'll stay there for a few days so that people can be reminded of what was said when it the talking heads were addressing members of the other party. kc
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086
&title=sarah-palin-gender-card
Following The Daily Show was the Colbet Report and this:
Wednesday Sep 3 2008
Susan Eisenhower Endorses Obama
Episode: #04112
Views: 3913
Susan Eisenhower tells Stephen how a member of one of America's most venerated military families could stoop so low and support Barack Obama.
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=180280
When you watch this, you'll hear Colbert mention General "Fig" Newton. This is the background on him. He was one of the generals who is supporting Senator Obama.
UPDATE: This was on RawStory. It looks like the AP decided to take a look at the convention and what was said against reality.
Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention Associated Press
Published: Thursday September 4, 2008
go here and read what was said against what the truth really is.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Attacks_praise_stretch_truth_at_GOP_0904.html
The more I think about all of this the more I am sure that Palin is ready. Not for the VP gig but for the Springer Show.
The thing about being sexist asking questions about Palin, her experience and her record, caused the talking heads to explode over asking any questions at all. Hannity along with Dick Morris, said it was sexist to ask questions of Palin, but when it was Senator Clinton, asking her was a totally different story and Morris said Clinton would go and hide behind the apron strings. Morris pointed out that if Clinton could not take it when her opponents were "picking" on her, how could she stand up with the other nations leaders did it? Really different story when it is a member of their party.
Nancy Pfotenhauer, McCain advisor thought that the questions about Palin were sexist and wrong but when it was Clinton, yet again, it was appropriate.
The clincher here is that Palin herself, thought that when a woman was running for elected office she needed to answer the questions and prove herself.
When it came to Palin's daughter, Bristol's pregnancy, Bill O'Reilly said that it was the families business as long as society did not have to pay to raise the child. Yet when Jamie Lynn Spears news hit that she was pregnant, O'Reilly blamed her parents because they could not control their own daughter.
What was worse in all of this was when Stewart lead off with Karl Rove. Addressing Palin's experience as Mayor and then Governor, he thought she was thoroughly ready to be able to take over as president if anything happened to McCain. Stewart pointed out that Palin was mayor of a town of 9,000 and then Governor of Alaska. Yet when it was Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia, was mayor of Richmond, population 200,000, he was far from ready to lead.
What is really depressing is that the American public gets more information from the Daily Show than the reporters provide on real news. I'm a new junkie. I won't excuse it because what happens in this country should matter and when it comes to electing the presidential ticket that will be in charge of the whole shebang, we need to be able to make informed decisions. We have not been getting the information over the ten years. We've only been handed talking points and the media has not done their jobs of becoming informed enough to ask questions when someone says something.
It took the Stewart team less than a day to come up with the clips of all of the above but the media can't do it?
The video is on the side bar at the top. It'll stay there for a few days so that people can be reminded of what was said when it the talking heads were addressing members of the other party. kc
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086
&title=sarah-palin-gender-card
Following The Daily Show was the Colbet Report and this:
Wednesday Sep 3 2008
Susan Eisenhower Endorses Obama
Episode: #04112
Views: 3913
Susan Eisenhower tells Stephen how a member of one of America's most venerated military families could stoop so low and support Barack Obama.
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=180280
When you watch this, you'll hear Colbert mention General "Fig" Newton. This is the background on him. He was one of the generals who is supporting Senator Obama.
GENERAL LLOYD W. "FIG" NEWTON
Retired Aug. 1, 2000
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and two oak leaf clusters
Vietnam Service Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Mar 23, 1966
First Lieutenant Dec 12, 1967
Captain Jun 12, 1969
Major Jan 1, 1978
Lieutenant Colonel Oct 1, 1980
Colonel Dec 1, 1983
Brigadier General Aug 3, 1991
Major General Aug 10, 1993
Lieutenant General May 25, 1995
General Apr 1, 1997
http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6602
UPDATE: This was on RawStory. It looks like the AP decided to take a look at the convention and what was said against reality.
Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention Associated Press
Published: Thursday September 4, 2008
go here and read what was said against what the truth really is.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Attacks_praise_stretch_truth_at_GOP_0904.html
The more I think about all of this the more I am sure that Palin is ready. Not for the VP gig but for the Springer Show.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Bush's Golf War on Daily Show
Reading so much about what is happening to our troops and veterans on a daily basis, is stressful, to say the least. At the end of the day, the PC gets shut off, but my mind won't. I need to de-stress. I watch the Daily Show. I usually watch the funny stuff until he is interviewing someone then change the channel if I'm just not interested in the guest and turn to the History Channel or National Geographic or the Discovery Channel. Can't help it. I am, as my daughter puts it, a geek.
Last night, Jon Stewart did a piece called Golf War about the recent comments made by Bush about giving up golf because he didn't want some soldiers Mom seeing him playing golf. Stewart took a humorous approach as always pointing out that image does mean something, then played clips of Bush acting like an idiot. I couldn't help put wish he had added in the clip of Bush looking for WMD in his office making fun of the fact they were never found in Iraq after we lost so many troops sent to find them.
Bush's Iraq WMDs joke backfires
The president could be seen bending over to peer at the floor of the Oval Office
US President George W Bush has sparked a political row by making a joke about the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
At a black-tie dinner for journalists, Mr Bush narrated a slide show poking fun at himself and other members of his administration.
One pictured Mr Bush looking under a piece of furniture in the Oval Office, at which the president remarked: "Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be here somewhere."
After another one, showing him scouring the corner of a room, Mr Bush said: "No, no weapons over there," he said.
And as a third picture, this time showing him leaning over, appeared on the screen the president was heard to say: "Maybe under here?"
The audience at Wednesday's 60th annual dinner of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association obviously thought the quips hilarious - there were laughs all round - but the next morning, in the cold light of day, things looked far less amusing.
The joke about the fruitless search for Iraqi WMDs so far, Washington's prime justification for the US-led invasion, has been branded as tasteless and ill-judged.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3570845.stm
While the outrage of all of this has been causing major headaches and heartaches, I have to admit that I laughed at what Stewart put together. Then I grew even more outraged over what has happened all these years with Bush in charge. No other person placed in the highest position in this country would have gotten away with any of this and we have to be honest about this to discover why he was able to pull all of this off. The majority of the nation is pointing their fingers in the right direction and that is to the elected GOP senators and congressmen.
During many sleepless nights, I will turn to CSPAN to watch what goes on when the only cameras rolling are from CSPAN. Most of the time the speeches are boring, but often CSPAN will play videos from the past. It is how I was reminded of the speeches Cheney gave regarding Iraq following the Gulf War, along with the others who also came out predicting everything that happened in Iraq. More reminders of how we got to where we are and how the GOP didn't care at all. I've heard enough of their speeches, tempted to smash my TV set while I heard them talk nonsense. I heard their speeches about how we cannot afford to fully fund the VA or spend the money on the VA because as they claimed, they had a duty to the tax payers.
I've read their web sites in detail as they seemed to be proud of the fact they were good stewards of our money and voted against what the Democrats wanted, prevented them from putting bills up for votes and prevented them from holding hearings on what was happening with all of this. None of them wanted to get to the bottom of any of this. It took the voters to give the Democrats the power to call for hearings and investigations. It took the voters to give them the power to actually do something right for the sake of the men and women risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and then risking them again while trying to obtain treatment and compensation for their wounds.
Readers of this blog are fully aware of what the facts truly have been while they heard the simple minded claims of the elected with bumper sticker slogans instead of true support. Now we have the president actually admitting that he thought playing golf sent the wrong message to the families of the fallen. This is how he trivialized the sacrifices of their sons and daughters, their husbands and wives. We are all having a very hard time letting all of this sink in. We are forced to face the fact that no one really mattered to him at all.
Here is the video from last night.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=168642&title=golf-war
http://www.thedailyshow.com/
Then you can add in the rest about what happened to the wounded veterans with PTSD, how they ended their own lives and many more tried to. The suffering of the families. The countless, (countless because the administration didn't care to count them) PTSD wounded denied treatment. The list goes on but Bush, well he thinks it mattered more what he looked like playing golf than what was happening to any of them.
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