Homeless Veterans in Lee County
By WINK News
Story Updated: Feb 6, 2008 at 7:16 PM EST
LEE COUNTY, Fla. - You might remember the story of a military veteran about to lose his home because of a mix up with his disability check. WINK News and Congressman Connie Mack's office stepped in to keep him from being evicted.
There are other vets who are also in need of help. Lee County Veteran Affairs tells us there are about 250 veterans in Lee County who have no homes at all.
"There are a lot of us. They say it's goin' up all the time. (The) number of homeless veterans goin' up," says Veteran Jeff Martin.
Every Wednesday morning dozens of homeless and nearly homeless veterans like Jeff Martin, find their way to All Souls Episcopal Church. A place where they share stories and hardships.
"I volunteered to go to Operation Desert Storm, hurt my neck and my back when I was over there," says Martin.
Some are still fighting to find or keep a home.
For more information on the Veterans Outreach program, call 945-6084.
go here for the rest
http://www.winknews.com/news/local/15372861.html
Thursday, February 7, 2008
PTSD: When will people ever get it and understand it?
When will people ever get it? There was a thread started in Bill Maher's message board about McCain having, or not having, PTSD. While some of the posters thought the thread was more of a Swift Boat style attack, jumping to his defense, others reverted to how he is stable and successful. It's almost as if they think if someone has PTSD, he/she, becomes eligible for a mental institution for the rest of their lives. This is just one of the kinds of stereotypes they have to fight against.
Take a look at this thread and know how wrong people still get PTSD.
There have been many successful people with PTSD contributing to the greater good. These are just two of them. Lewis B. Puller Jr. won a Pulitzer Prize after a lengthy, successful career, he ended his own life. Max Cleland, again very successful, had been treated for depression, misdiagnosed and treated while it turned out to be PTSD. He came to the realization it was much deeper than depression following the Iraq invasion.
Again these are just to examples of people living with PTSD. They don't all become homeless, nor do they suddenly become people who should be hiding in a cave somewhere.
Lewis B. Puller Jr.
Max Cleland
As with all other illnesses, there are different levels of PTSD. They do not all have the same fate even though they all suffer. If you look at a group of people with diabetes, you will find some who have had to have amputations, some on heavy duty medicine and others keeping it under control with diet and exercise. There are different levels of it just as there are different levels of PTSD. It is not a one size fits all wound.
If McCain has PTSD, which is very possible given his reported tendency to have mood swings and anger problems, it does in no way suddenly reduce him to someone who is not able to function. I would be the last person on the planet to suggest that a veteran with a high score of PTSD would be a good person to have in charge of the nukes, especially if he has a flashback, but we don't know if McCain has PTSD or what level it is.
Some will have a string of jobs and serial marriages. Some will have marriages that last, like our's, which is 23 years and still going. Some will be successful and some will end up homeless. Some will serve society and some will serve prison time. We can't lump them all into one category or another. It depends on their lives, the people in those lives and the depth of the wound. My husband's level is high. While some families break apart with this severity, others stay together. We need to understand all of this to understand them and stop judging them.
Veterans with PTSD are no different than the general population with PTSD as far as their levels of ability and quality of life. Some just need more help than others depending on the depth of the wound. While a lot of veterans with PTSD cannot function and their quality of life suffers, some can live a fairly good life with it. Of course this also depends on their treatment, how soon it begins after trauma hits them and the support they receive from their family and friends.
There have been many reports of successful careers, as well as reports of how therapeutic it is when they work, but this all depends on the people they work with. For some they will be supported when co-workers and associates understand what PTSD is and watch out for them. Others however become targets by obnoxious idiots without a clue what PTSD is. The above thread is just one more reminder of how far we have to do on educating the general public what PTSD is and what it is not.
Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
http://www.namguardianangel.org/
http://www.namguardianangel.blogspot.com/
http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
Take a look at this thread and know how wrong people still get PTSD.
McCain- Is he sane? PTSD
Years of torture and prison? Can you say PTSD? Last thing I want is a guy with post tramatic stress disorder running the country with the most.
There have been many successful people with PTSD contributing to the greater good. These are just two of them. Lewis B. Puller Jr. won a Pulitzer Prize after a lengthy, successful career, he ended his own life. Max Cleland, again very successful, had been treated for depression, misdiagnosed and treated while it turned out to be PTSD. He came to the realization it was much deeper than depression following the Iraq invasion.
Again these are just to examples of people living with PTSD. They don't all become homeless, nor do they suddenly become people who should be hiding in a cave somewhere.
Lewis B. Puller Jr.
Lewis Burwell Puller Jr. was the son of General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, the most decorated Marine in the history of the Marine Corps. His son followed in his father's footsteps and became a Marine officer. Upon graduation from the College of William and Mary in 1967, Puller was shipped to Vietnam, where he was badly wounded by a landmine on October 11, 1968, losing both legs and most of his hands in the explosion.
The mine riddled his body with shrapnel, and he lingered near death for days with his weight dropping to 55 pounds, but Puller survived. Those who knew him say that it was primarily because of his iron will and his stubborn refusal to die. Because of his wounds, Puller was medically discharged from the Marine Corps. During his short active-duty military career, Puller earned the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
For years after he returned to a reasonably sound physical condition, the emotional ground underneath him remained shaky, though he got a law degree, married, and raised a family. He even mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in 1978, representing eastern Virginia. Throughout the years, he battled black periods of despondency and drank heavily until 1981, when he underwent treatment for alcoholism. Despite a return to normality, Puller continued to suffer from severe depression and occasional bouts of alcoholism.
In 1991, Puller told the story of his horrible ordeal and its agonizing aftermath in an inspiring book titled Fortunate Son, an account that ended with Puller triumphing over his physical disabilities, and becoming emotionally at peace with himself. It won the Pulitzer Prize.
According to friends and associates, Puller spent the last months of his life in turmoil. In the days leading up to his death, Puller fought a losing battle with the alcoholism that he had kept at bay for 13 years, and struggled with a more recent addiction, to painkillers initially prescribed to dull continuing pain from his wounds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Burwell_Puller%2C_Jr.
Fortunate Son
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Son of the famous World War II Marine commander "Chesty" Puller, Lewis Puller proudly followed in his father's footsteps. It was his misfortune, though, to serve in Vietnam in a war that brought not honor but contempt, and exacted a brutal personal price: Puller lost both legs, one hand, and most of his buttocks and stomach. Years later he was functional enough to run for Congress, bitterly denouncing the war. He lost, became an alcoholic, and almost died again. Then he climbed out of that circle of Hell to write this searingly graphic autobiography, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992. One last poignant postscript: three years after the enormous success of this book, the author killed himself. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
The author is the son of WW II hero "Chesty" Puller, arguably the most colorful and admired Marine of them all. Seeking to emulate his father, the author joined the Corps after college and entered officers' training with the intention of becoming a combat leader. In 1968, while commanding an infantry platoon in Vietnam, Lieutenant Puller tripped a booby trap and lost both legs and one hand in the explosion. He describes his protracted hospitalization, which included a series of operations and an unsuccessful attempt to learn how to walk with the use of artificial limbs. Puller eventually became a lawyer, served on President Ford's Clemency Board, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Virginia and joined the Pentagon's legal department. His well-written autobiography is an inspiring account by a man who fought hard to win major battles over physical helplessness, severe depressions and alcoholism. Readers will treasure the author's recollections of "Chesty" (clearly a wonderful father) but may find the description of the old general's decline and death as painful as the account of the son's ordeal. 50,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Max Cleland
Early life and military service
Cleland was born in Atlanta, Georgia on August 24, 1942. He grew up in Lithonia and later attended Stetson University. He went on to receive a Master's degree from Emory University.
Cleland then served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh on April 4th, 1968.
On April 8, 1968, Captain Cleland was the Battalion Signal Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during the Battle of Khe Sanh.[3]
On April 8, with a month left in his tour, Cleland was ordered to set up a radio relay station on a nearby hill. A helicopter flew him and two soldiers to the treeless top of Hill 471, east of Khe Sanh. Cleland knew some of the soldiers camped there from Operation Pegasus. He told the pilot he was going to stay a while. Maybe have a few beers with friends.
When the helicopter landed, Cleland jumped out, followed by the two soldiers. They ducked beneath the rotors and turned to watch the liftoff. Cleland reached down to pick up the grenade he believed had popped off his flak jacket. The blast slammed him backward, shredding both his legs and one arm. He was 25 years old...
David Lloyd was a gung-ho, 19-year-old enlisted Marine, son of a Baltimore ship worker, who went to Vietnam because he "wanted to kill Communists."
On April 8, 1968, he was in a mortar pit on a hill near Khe Sanh when he heard an explosion. Shrapnel bounced off his flak jacket. He ran to the injured officer, a man named Max Cleland. 'Hold on there, captain,' Lloyd told Cleland. 'The chopper will be here in a minute.'
Lloyd took off his web belt and tied it around one of Cleland's shredded legs. When the medics arrived, he left to help another injured soldier — one of the two who had gotten off a helicopter with Cleland.
That soldier was crying. 'It was mine,' he said, 'it was my grenade.'
According to Lloyd, the private had failed to take the extra precaution that experienced soldiers did when they grabbed M-26 grenades from the ammo box: bend the pins, or tape them in place, so they couldn't accidentally dislodge. This soldier had a flak jacket full of grenades with treacherously straight pins, Lloyd says. "He was a walking death trap."[4]
Due to the severity of his injuries, doctors amputated both his legs above the knee and his right forearm.[5]
Georgia State Government
Cleland served from 1971 to 1975 in the Georgia Senate, and became an advocate for affairs relating to veterans. He was the administrator of the United States Veterans Administration under President Jimmy Carter, a fellow Georgian, from 1977 to 1981. He then served 14 years as Secretary of State of Georgia from 1982 to 1996, working closely with his future Senate colleague, Zell Miller.
According to an interview featurette with Jon Voight on the DVD of Coming Home (1978), Cleland also served during this time as a consultant on the Academy Award-winning drama set in a VA hospital in 1968.
U.S. Senate
Cleland ran for and was elected to the United States Senate in 1996. The Democratic nomination became available because of the retirement of Sam Nunn.
In 2002, Cleland was defeated in his bid for a second Senate term by Representative Saxby Chambliss. Voters were perhaps influenced by Chambliss ads that featured Cleland's likeness on the same screen as Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, ads that Cleland's supporters claim questioned his commitment to homeland security.[6] (The ads were removed after protest from some prominent politicians including John McCain.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Cleland
As with all other illnesses, there are different levels of PTSD. They do not all have the same fate even though they all suffer. If you look at a group of people with diabetes, you will find some who have had to have amputations, some on heavy duty medicine and others keeping it under control with diet and exercise. There are different levels of it just as there are different levels of PTSD. It is not a one size fits all wound.
If McCain has PTSD, which is very possible given his reported tendency to have mood swings and anger problems, it does in no way suddenly reduce him to someone who is not able to function. I would be the last person on the planet to suggest that a veteran with a high score of PTSD would be a good person to have in charge of the nukes, especially if he has a flashback, but we don't know if McCain has PTSD or what level it is.
Some will have a string of jobs and serial marriages. Some will have marriages that last, like our's, which is 23 years and still going. Some will be successful and some will end up homeless. Some will serve society and some will serve prison time. We can't lump them all into one category or another. It depends on their lives, the people in those lives and the depth of the wound. My husband's level is high. While some families break apart with this severity, others stay together. We need to understand all of this to understand them and stop judging them.
Veterans with PTSD are no different than the general population with PTSD as far as their levels of ability and quality of life. Some just need more help than others depending on the depth of the wound. While a lot of veterans with PTSD cannot function and their quality of life suffers, some can live a fairly good life with it. Of course this also depends on their treatment, how soon it begins after trauma hits them and the support they receive from their family and friends.
There have been many reports of successful careers, as well as reports of how therapeutic it is when they work, but this all depends on the people they work with. For some they will be supported when co-workers and associates understand what PTSD is and watch out for them. Others however become targets by obnoxious idiots without a clue what PTSD is. The above thread is just one more reminder of how far we have to do on educating the general public what PTSD is and what it is not.
Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
http://www.namguardianangel.org/
http://www.namguardianangel.blogspot.com/
http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Orlando taking homelessness seriously finally
Our position: The permanent commission on homeless has great opportunities
February 6, 2008
The easy part is over for a commission that came up with a workable framework to deal with Central Florida's homeless quandary.
The challenge now is to carry out that framework.
Will there be enough politicians and members of the business community involved to engage everyone else? Will cities and counties work together to find viable solutions such as establishing drop-in centers across the area? And, as always, will there be enough money? That will include $50 million in additional annual expense for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, and the city of Orlando.
The answers begin to unfold Feb. 13, when final recommendations are passed onto a permanent committee that includes Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty as co-chairs.
That's more than a symbolic move. There has to be top-level involvement for this plan to have any chance of working. Mr. Dyer and Mr. Crotty can use their extensive influence and contacts to build support.
But it's also critical not to lose sight that this is a regional effort. That's why it's encouraging to see people such as Osceola County Commissioner Paul Owen willing to join the permanent commission.
Bringing all key people to the table is the only way this will work. This region has tried to deal with the homeless problem before. Not much has happened beyond the promise of getting something done.
Broken promises won't do this time. The work begins in earnest on Feb. 13.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed06208feb06,0,4078046.story
The central Florida area has 1,400 homeless veterans and there are 20,000 in the state. This is not even counting the number of homeless families and other people who have been forced to hide out of the sight and minds of others. Glad Florida is finally doing this.
February 6, 2008
The easy part is over for a commission that came up with a workable framework to deal with Central Florida's homeless quandary.
The challenge now is to carry out that framework.
Will there be enough politicians and members of the business community involved to engage everyone else? Will cities and counties work together to find viable solutions such as establishing drop-in centers across the area? And, as always, will there be enough money? That will include $50 million in additional annual expense for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, and the city of Orlando.
The answers begin to unfold Feb. 13, when final recommendations are passed onto a permanent committee that includes Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty as co-chairs.
That's more than a symbolic move. There has to be top-level involvement for this plan to have any chance of working. Mr. Dyer and Mr. Crotty can use their extensive influence and contacts to build support.
But it's also critical not to lose sight that this is a regional effort. That's why it's encouraging to see people such as Osceola County Commissioner Paul Owen willing to join the permanent commission.
Bringing all key people to the table is the only way this will work. This region has tried to deal with the homeless problem before. Not much has happened beyond the promise of getting something done.
Broken promises won't do this time. The work begins in earnest on Feb. 13.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed06208feb06,0,4078046.story
The central Florida area has 1,400 homeless veterans and there are 20,000 in the state. This is not even counting the number of homeless families and other people who have been forced to hide out of the sight and minds of others. Glad Florida is finally doing this.
Sgt. Rafael Alicearivera non-combat death in Iraq
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Rafael Alicearivera, 30, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, died Feb. 5 in Tallil, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
The incident is under investigation.
linked from ICasualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Rafael Alicearivera, 30, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, died Feb. 5 in Tallil, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
The incident is under investigation.
linked from ICasualties
Students were trapped at Union University
ANDREW McMURTRIE/ The Jackson Sun.Medical personell set up a make shift tieage unit following a tornado that ripped through the Union University campus Tuesday in Jackson. 2/05/08
Eight students trapped in dorms at Union University, emergency workers at scene
A storm system passing through Jackson has damaged several buildings at Union University and trapped some students in the university's resident halls, according to a university spokesman.
At least eight students are trapped in Hurt Complex and Watters Complex, which are residence halls at the school, said Tim Ellsworth, who is news director at the university.
Ellsworth said no serious injuries have been reported so far. He said untold damage has been done to cars parked on the campus and that emergency responders are working to free students from debris.
Ellsworth said classes at the university have been cancelled until further notice.
Elswhere in Jackson there are power lines down and the roof has been torn off of the bank at Channing Way and the U.S. 45 Bypass. Check back on jacksonsun.com for more information.
http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080205/NEWS01/80205036
The students and the rest of the people in the way of these monsters, lost everything they owned. Most said it's just stuff. But what they will come away with is the trauma of it happening and seeing everything they found safety in is gone.
Two dorms destroyed, students trapped at Union University
By James Dowd (Contact)
Originally published 08:56 p.m., February 5, 2008
Updated 05:23 a.m., February 6, 2008
At least two dormitories were destroyed and the roof of a classroom building was sheared off at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., following Tuesday’s storms.
As a result, classes have been cancelled for the rest of this week and all of next.
Tim Ellsworth, the school's news director, said 51 students went to the hospital and nine had injuries that were classified as serious. At least eight people were trapped in a damaged dorm until rescuers could dig them out.
Ellsworth said the school dorms have been "reduced to piles of rubble. I know we had students huddled in the bathrooms."
"A couple of buildings have almost completely collapsed and the roof of Jennings Hall is almost completely gone," he said.
More than 1,000 students were estimated to have been on campus at the time the tornado touched down.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/
feb/05/two-dorms-destroyed-students-trapped-union-univers/
The trapped students, much like the people who were trapped in other states, will end up with emotional trauma hitting them. The deepness of the cut will not hit all at the same level. None of it should be dismissed, denied or avoided. They need to be able to seek peace within themselves after what they went through, just as anyone who survives a traumatic event needs to heal. I hope when they return to their families for the time being, they are carefully watched so that as soon as signs appear, problems can be addressed and they can get the help they need. It's stressful enough to be away at college but to go through all of this is beyond the normal stress level.
Tornadoes Kill 50 in 5 Southern States
By ANTONIO GONZALEZ,AP
Posted: 2008-02-06 14:04:20
Filed Under: Nation News
LAFAYETTE, Tenn. (Feb. 6) - Residents in five Southern states tried to salvage what they could Wednesday from homes reduced to piles of debris, a day after the deadliest cluster of tornadoes in nearly a decade tore through the region, snapping trees and crumpling homes. At least 50 people were dead.
......Twenty-six people were killed in Tennessee, 13 killed in Arkansas, seven killed in Kentucky and four killed in Alabama, emergency officials said. Among the victims were Arkansas parents who died with their 11-year-old daughter in Atkins when they stayed behind to calm their horses. The community, one of the hardest hit, is a town of about 3,000 approximately 60 miles northwest of Little Rock.
Ray Story tried to get his 70-year-old brother, Bill Clark, to a hospital after the storms leveled his mobile home in Macon County, about 60 miles northeast of Nashville. Clark died as Story and his wife tried to navigate debris-strewn roads in their pickup truck, they said.
"He never had a chance," Story's wife, Nova, said. "I looked him right in the eye and he died right there in front of me."
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/tornadoes-kill-50-in-5-southern-states/20080205214909990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001
So many people involved in these states and the rest of the nation needs to help them heal. Not just replace their property and give them temporary shelter, but to give them sanctuary from the pain.
Life got worse for Navy Widow Denise Sole
NAVY WIDOW PUNISHED BY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
Posted on February 06, 2008 by thorne
by Rick Thorne
Not long ago Denise Sole's email appeared in my email box. You may not recognize Denise by name but her fiery spirit is overwhelming to say the least. Initially Denise contacted me offering her emotional support concerning my ongoing battle in receiving extended benefits from Social Security and the Veterans Administration.
While trading emails I quickly realized Denise was getting the shaft by the VA. In 2004 she appeared on the ABC program Primetime as part of a news story discussing the plight of veterans and the broken health care system run by our federal government. Her husband Terry Soles served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.........
His wife, Denise, states Terry was one of countless casualties treated while in the confines of the VA health establishment.
In 1998, Terry went to the VA hospital in Cleveland, Ohio complaining of severe pain and persistent diarrhea. Not long after the doctors removed a small cancerous growth from Terry's esophagus, and was told this was not the cause of his severe pain and persistent diarrhea.
Over the next two years Terry's terminal condition persisted. Denise, Terry's wife, stated the VA gave him painful tests and repeatedly lost his test results. She also commented Terry was seen by numerous resident doctors, never having a primary care doctor and there was little consistency, as far as his care was concerned while at the VA hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Denise also stated, "Terry was 6-foot and weighed more than 200 pounds before he got sick. Within 2 years of his death Terry barely weighed 80 pounds. Some of the VA doctors thought his problem was merely psychosomatic, as was written in a letter, not by a VA doctor, but a Risk Manager, but I knew better, she said." Deathly ill, October 8, 2000 Terry was finally rushed to a private hospital failing to recognize his own son at the time. Denise was questioned concerning Terry's condition by ER doctors, where she had to explain he had been being treated by the VA at the time. Finally their doctors confirmed what Denise had thought all along and that was her loving husband was now dying.
click post title for the rest
Posted on February 06, 2008 by thorne
by Rick Thorne
Not long ago Denise Sole's email appeared in my email box. You may not recognize Denise by name but her fiery spirit is overwhelming to say the least. Initially Denise contacted me offering her emotional support concerning my ongoing battle in receiving extended benefits from Social Security and the Veterans Administration.
While trading emails I quickly realized Denise was getting the shaft by the VA. In 2004 she appeared on the ABC program Primetime as part of a news story discussing the plight of veterans and the broken health care system run by our federal government. Her husband Terry Soles served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.........
His wife, Denise, states Terry was one of countless casualties treated while in the confines of the VA health establishment.
In 1998, Terry went to the VA hospital in Cleveland, Ohio complaining of severe pain and persistent diarrhea. Not long after the doctors removed a small cancerous growth from Terry's esophagus, and was told this was not the cause of his severe pain and persistent diarrhea.
Over the next two years Terry's terminal condition persisted. Denise, Terry's wife, stated the VA gave him painful tests and repeatedly lost his test results. She also commented Terry was seen by numerous resident doctors, never having a primary care doctor and there was little consistency, as far as his care was concerned while at the VA hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Denise also stated, "Terry was 6-foot and weighed more than 200 pounds before he got sick. Within 2 years of his death Terry barely weighed 80 pounds. Some of the VA doctors thought his problem was merely psychosomatic, as was written in a letter, not by a VA doctor, but a Risk Manager, but I knew better, she said." Deathly ill, October 8, 2000 Terry was finally rushed to a private hospital failing to recognize his own son at the time. Denise was questioned concerning Terry's condition by ER doctors, where she had to explain he had been being treated by the VA at the time. Finally their doctors confirmed what Denise had thought all along and that was her loving husband was now dying.
click post title for the rest
Troops attacked in Mosul as NBC camera rolls
Iraqi insurgents attack during NBC interview
David Edwards and Nick Juliano
Published: Wednesday February 6, 2008
Mosul now more dangerous than two years ago, soldier says
As the war in Iraq largely slips from the front of Americans' minds, a new report from Mosul demonstrates the daily hardships and constant threat of attack still faced by US troops trying to pacify the country.
NBC's Richard Engel is in the middle of an interview with one member of the Army's 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment when their combat outpost in Mosul comes under attack. Engel and the soldier he is interviewing -- both outfitted in helmets and body armor -- flinch as the first bullets fly toward the makeshift base.
"It's clear the war here is as intense as ever," Engel says, narrating his piece.
go here for the rest and the video
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Iraqi_insurgents_attack_during_NBC_interview_0206.html
I know watching videos of combat at difficult to get through, but think of what they go through and endure it for their sake. If you are ever going to understand why so many end up with PTSD, you need to watch. I promise that I will never put up any video that is gory because of how many coming here have PTSD.
Long Island VFW doing what they all should be doing with PTSD
VFW Post Gets $150K For Repairs
By:Karen Forman
02/06/2008
The Centereach Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4927 was presented with a check for $150,000 by Congressman Tim Bishop (D-Coram) on January 24 to help them pay for much-needed repairs. Joining Bishop at the presentation were Centereach VFW Post Commander Dennis Sullivan, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley, Suffolk County Legislator Brian Beedenbender (D-Centereach), and Brookhaven Third District Councilwoman Kathy Walsh, a Centereach resident who is a member of the post and whose son, Jason, is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.
Councilwoman Kathy Walsh is doing the best thing she can for veterans like her own son. She is getting actively involved in their healing. It is a wonder why all VFW posts around the country, along with the DAV and Legion posts are not doing the same.
By:Karen Forman
02/06/2008
The Centereach Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4927 was presented with a check for $150,000 by Congressman Tim Bishop (D-Coram) on January 24 to help them pay for much-needed repairs. Joining Bishop at the presentation were Centereach VFW Post Commander Dennis Sullivan, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley, Suffolk County Legislator Brian Beedenbender (D-Centereach), and Brookhaven Third District Councilwoman Kathy Walsh, a Centereach resident who is a member of the post and whose son, Jason, is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.
One soldier who recently returned from Afghanistan is Walsh's son, Jason. "He was in the Army and when he came home he was different," Walsh said. "As a parent, you teach your kids to be compassionate, sharing, kind and gentle, and then they join the military and they become different. It's been a very difficult two years for me - the year he was in Afghanistan and this first year home. My son is 24 years old and is suffering from PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]. He's in a VA [Veterans Affairs] facility now."
Sullivan is confident that Jason will get better. "It just takes some time. I was in Vietnam and I think that these veterans coming home now are in worse shape than when we came back from Vietnam," he said. "And a lot of these guys are just too proud to seek help. They'd rather be depressed and just stay home. That's where we come in." Sullivan noted that VFW members go to the veterans' hospital and bring them food, books and other items, and ultimately make the trip "just to talk to them. They need people to listen, to care. Kathy Walsh is starting a program at our post on PTSD."
Councilwoman Kathy Walsh is doing the best thing she can for veterans like her own son. She is getting actively involved in their healing. It is a wonder why all VFW posts around the country, along with the DAV and Legion posts are not doing the same.
When did rape stop being a crime? When it's Halliburton
Sex Assault Suit Vs. Halliburton Killed
Alleged Sexual Assault Victim's Case Forced Into Secretive Arbitration
By MADDY SAUER and JUSTIN ROOD
Feb. 6, 2008
A mother of five who says she was sexually harassed and assaulted while working for Halliburton/KBR in Iraq is headed for a secretive arbitration process rather than being able to present her case in open court.
A judge in Texas has ruled that Tracy Barker's case will be heard in arbitration, according to the terms of her initial employment contract.
Barker says that while in Iraq she was constantly propositioned by her superior, threatened and isolated after she reported an incident of sexual assault.
Barker's attorneys had argued that Halliburton/KBR had created a "boys will be boys" atmosphere at their camps and that sort of condition is not the type of dispute that she could have expected to be within the scope of an arbitration provision.
District Judge Gray Miller, however, wrote in his order that "whether it is wise to send this type of claim to arbitration is not a question for this court to decide."
"Sadly," wrote Judge Miller, "sexual harassment, up to and including sexual assault, is a reality in today's workplace."
Barker says it was a reality at Halliburton/KBR. From the moment she arrived at the Halliburton/KBR camp in Basra, Iraq, she says she was treated like a sex object.
go here for the rest
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4249898&page=1
When did this stop being a crime? How can any judge in their right mind say it's a matter of arbitration?
Alleged Sexual Assault Victim's Case Forced Into Secretive Arbitration
By MADDY SAUER and JUSTIN ROOD
Feb. 6, 2008
A mother of five who says she was sexually harassed and assaulted while working for Halliburton/KBR in Iraq is headed for a secretive arbitration process rather than being able to present her case in open court.
A judge in Texas has ruled that Tracy Barker's case will be heard in arbitration, according to the terms of her initial employment contract.
Barker says that while in Iraq she was constantly propositioned by her superior, threatened and isolated after she reported an incident of sexual assault.
Barker's attorneys had argued that Halliburton/KBR had created a "boys will be boys" atmosphere at their camps and that sort of condition is not the type of dispute that she could have expected to be within the scope of an arbitration provision.
District Judge Gray Miller, however, wrote in his order that "whether it is wise to send this type of claim to arbitration is not a question for this court to decide."
"Sadly," wrote Judge Miller, "sexual harassment, up to and including sexual assault, is a reality in today's workplace."
Barker says it was a reality at Halliburton/KBR. From the moment she arrived at the Halliburton/KBR camp in Basra, Iraq, she says she was treated like a sex object.
go here for the rest
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4249898&page=1
When did this stop being a crime? How can any judge in their right mind say it's a matter of arbitration?
Army coping with shortage of chaplains
Army coping with shortage of chaplains
By Andrea Stone - USA TODAY
Posted : Wednesday Feb 6, 2008 9:38:24 EST
Army Maj. Paul Hurley journeyed four days by convoy, aircraft and helicopter to reach the remote outpost in Iraq near the Syrian border where 50 U.S. soldiers hunkered down in November 2006. He was the first Roman Catholic priest to visit in 6 months.
“It was a very profound experience (to) visit soldiers who are facing their mortality every day,” Hurley recalls. He celebrated Mass and heard confession from a dozen Catholic soldiers before leading Thanksgiving prayers for the base.
Hurley belongs to a dwindling flock of chaplains whose mission to support soldiers and their families has been strained by the demands of war and a shortage in their ranks. The Navy and Air Force usually recruit enough religious leaders, but the Army, which expects chaplains to be able to do everything soldiers do except carry a weapon and now relies heavily on reserve units, is hurting for spiritual aid.
Chaplains are trained to help servicemembers of all religious faiths — or none. Among denominations, though, Roman Catholic chaplains are the most scarce, a reflection of a nationwide priest shortage. There are no imams to minister to a growing number of Muslims in the Army Guard and Reserve. The California and New York National Guard, which have a larger proportion of Jewish soldiers than other states, could use more rabbis, says Army Guard Maj. Timothy Baer, who recruits chaplains.
go here for the rest
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/gns_chaplainshortage_080205/
Next month I will begin training to become a Chaplain. No, I'm not joining the military. I'm doing it so that I can be of better service right here in my home town.
Last month I met with a group of Chaplains working for a hospital in Altimonte Springs Florida. They wanted to know more about PTSD and what they could do for people suffering from it. Knowing it does not come from one source but many, they wanted to learn all they could. While my focus has always been PTSD from combat, the other causes of PTSD have not been overlooked. From the tornadoes striking with vengeance last night, to floods and other natural disasters, people will be affected by PTSD. From the shootings at the mall last week to the returning forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, trauma comes.
Chaplains are supposed to be non-denominational. They are not supposed to be crossing the line between offering spiritual help and guidance with evangelizing for their own faith. This I totally agree with considering Christ began one church and God began one world. I totally support the other religions and the other beliefs because God created man with the free will to choose their own form of worship. For me it is a matter of treating the individual with the spiritual calling they already have. The Chaplains in the military are failing their calling by evangelizing the wounded and taking advantage of their pain.
Back home, there is a dyer need for trained Chaplains to comfort the veterans and their families as well as other survivors of traumatic experiences. The members of the clergy are very behind on their mission when it comes to members of their own communities they should be reaching out to. I've talked to several Pastors who are in fact interested in learning more about PTSD, but most of them show their disinterest when their eyes glaze over. They fail to see the connection with the fact most who develop PTSD see the event as God had abandoned them. There is a spiritual wound that comes and going back to recorded time, this wound cuts deeper than any weapon.
The PTSD rates are at epidemic proportions already and they are only going to increase as the years go on. In the numbers we see there are also families that will be suffering as well. Everyone in this country needs to mobilize to face this head on before we regret we did not act fast enough or strong enough for their sake.
By Andrea Stone - USA TODAY
Posted : Wednesday Feb 6, 2008 9:38:24 EST
Army Maj. Paul Hurley journeyed four days by convoy, aircraft and helicopter to reach the remote outpost in Iraq near the Syrian border where 50 U.S. soldiers hunkered down in November 2006. He was the first Roman Catholic priest to visit in 6 months.
“It was a very profound experience (to) visit soldiers who are facing their mortality every day,” Hurley recalls. He celebrated Mass and heard confession from a dozen Catholic soldiers before leading Thanksgiving prayers for the base.
Hurley belongs to a dwindling flock of chaplains whose mission to support soldiers and their families has been strained by the demands of war and a shortage in their ranks. The Navy and Air Force usually recruit enough religious leaders, but the Army, which expects chaplains to be able to do everything soldiers do except carry a weapon and now relies heavily on reserve units, is hurting for spiritual aid.
Chaplains are trained to help servicemembers of all religious faiths — or none. Among denominations, though, Roman Catholic chaplains are the most scarce, a reflection of a nationwide priest shortage. There are no imams to minister to a growing number of Muslims in the Army Guard and Reserve. The California and New York National Guard, which have a larger proportion of Jewish soldiers than other states, could use more rabbis, says Army Guard Maj. Timothy Baer, who recruits chaplains.
go here for the rest
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/gns_chaplainshortage_080205/
Next month I will begin training to become a Chaplain. No, I'm not joining the military. I'm doing it so that I can be of better service right here in my home town.
Last month I met with a group of Chaplains working for a hospital in Altimonte Springs Florida. They wanted to know more about PTSD and what they could do for people suffering from it. Knowing it does not come from one source but many, they wanted to learn all they could. While my focus has always been PTSD from combat, the other causes of PTSD have not been overlooked. From the tornadoes striking with vengeance last night, to floods and other natural disasters, people will be affected by PTSD. From the shootings at the mall last week to the returning forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, trauma comes.
Chaplains are supposed to be non-denominational. They are not supposed to be crossing the line between offering spiritual help and guidance with evangelizing for their own faith. This I totally agree with considering Christ began one church and God began one world. I totally support the other religions and the other beliefs because God created man with the free will to choose their own form of worship. For me it is a matter of treating the individual with the spiritual calling they already have. The Chaplains in the military are failing their calling by evangelizing the wounded and taking advantage of their pain.
Back home, there is a dyer need for trained Chaplains to comfort the veterans and their families as well as other survivors of traumatic experiences. The members of the clergy are very behind on their mission when it comes to members of their own communities they should be reaching out to. I've talked to several Pastors who are in fact interested in learning more about PTSD, but most of them show their disinterest when their eyes glaze over. They fail to see the connection with the fact most who develop PTSD see the event as God had abandoned them. There is a spiritual wound that comes and going back to recorded time, this wound cuts deeper than any weapon.
The PTSD rates are at epidemic proportions already and they are only going to increase as the years go on. In the numbers we see there are also families that will be suffering as well. Everyone in this country needs to mobilize to face this head on before we regret we did not act fast enough or strong enough for their sake.
Tornadoes Rip Through South, Killing 48
Tornadoes Rip Through South, Killing 48
By ANTONIO GONZALEZThe Associated Press Wednesday, February 6, 2008; 10:17 AM
LAFAYETTE, Tenn. -- Daybreak revealed a battered landscape across the South on Wednesday, as crews searching communities hit by a violent line of tornadoes fought through downed power lines, crumpled mobile homes and snapped trees to find victims. At least 48 people were dead.
The storms swept across Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas as Super Tuesday primaries were ending, ripping the roof from a shopping mall, blowing apart warehouses and crumpling a campus' dormitory buildings as students huddled inside.
Seavia Dixon, whose Atkins, Ark. was shattered, stood Wednesday morning in her yard, holding muddy baby pictures of her son, who is now a 20-year-old soldier in Iraq. Only a concrete slab was left from the home.
click post title for the rest and video
By ANTONIO GONZALEZThe Associated Press Wednesday, February 6, 2008; 10:17 AM
LAFAYETTE, Tenn. -- Daybreak revealed a battered landscape across the South on Wednesday, as crews searching communities hit by a violent line of tornadoes fought through downed power lines, crumpled mobile homes and snapped trees to find victims. At least 48 people were dead.
The storms swept across Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas as Super Tuesday primaries were ending, ripping the roof from a shopping mall, blowing apart warehouses and crumpling a campus' dormitory buildings as students huddled inside.
Seavia Dixon, whose Atkins, Ark. was shattered, stood Wednesday morning in her yard, holding muddy baby pictures of her son, who is now a 20-year-old soldier in Iraq. Only a concrete slab was left from the home.
click post title for the rest and video
Second Wind Foundation and The Recovery Ranch for PTSD
Foundation Offers New Help for PTSD Sufferers
2008-02-05
Providence Journal
By George W. Reilly
The Second Wind Foundation has created a publicly funded treatment program, called "Healing Those Who Serve," for returning military personnel suffering from trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. Relying on private and corporate donations, the HTWS pilot program is slated to launch this month at The Ranch, an internationally renowned recovery center in rural Tennessee. The money raised will pay the veteran's cost of the recommended 60 to 90 days of residential treatment.
"This program is designed to raise funds and awareness, destigmatize, and heal the minds and spirits of our warriors," said Second Wind cofounder Lee McCormick.
"It is unique in that we are experienced in concurrently treating related and often times recurrent disorders, such as alcohol and drug abuse, along with trauma, which has proven to be most effective."
The inception of the program follows the recent Department of Veterans Affairs reports that the number of veterans diagnosed with PTSD increased by almost 20,000 during the last fiscal year, a nearly 70 percent jump over the previous year. When The Ranch opened, nine years ago, it became well known as a healing sanctuary and has continued to evolve by using some of the most successful techniques for PTSD including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a method which helps to alleviate symptoms of PTSD.
The Ranch's clinical director, Buddy Horne, who has worked with veterans for years and has served in the military, suggests that many veterans either do not recognize the signs of PTSD or are in denial out of fear of being stigmatized. HTWS and The Ranch provide a safe, non-institutionalized environment that honors the individual. For more information on HTWS, go online to www.healingthosewhoserve.com. For more information on The Ranch, visit http://www.recoveryranch.com/.
http://www.blackenterprise.com/yb/ybopen.asp?section=ybsb&story_id=114326518&ID=blackenterprise
The Recovery Ranch site
Call Toll-Free: 800-849-5969 or e-mail us now
Trauma & PTSD
The Ranch provides comprehensive recovery treatment for survivors of childhood and/or adult trauma of all types. Comorbid addictive and compulsive disorders can be treated concurrently. Disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, dissociative disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, and panic disorder are addressed by our multi-disciplinary team. The particular approach for treatment is determined on an individual basis to meet the client’s needs. Our staff is skilled to provide innovative techniques including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), art therapy, equine therapy, experiential role-play therapy, ropes and adventure therapy, Tai Chi, therapeutic/spiritual ceremony, journaling, and the latest in medication management. We provide this within a conventional format of single-gender and mixed-gender groups as well as individual sessions, family therapy, and optional workshop opportunities. The program stresses the mind-body-spirit connection and is geared toward a full exploration of feelings and messages received during traumatic experiences within a safe "containing" environment. The opportunity to experience empowerment through a full expression of feelings and to change negative beliefs about the self, others and a higher power is provided.
Equine Therapy and Trauma
"The horses at The Ranch certainly hold a valuable place with many of our residents working on loss and trauma issues. Fretful minds, reactive emotions and exhausted bodies have an opportunity to soothe themselves in a surprising way. I've often thought that horses, which live in the moment, somehow pass along this much needed life skill to "their people." They lend a helping hand from Mother Nature, so to speak."
Dede Beasley, M.Ed.Licensed Professional CounselorEquine Assisted Psychotherapist
Adventure Therapy and Trauma
"In adventure therapy, your body becomes the ultimate metaphor. In using your body in the exercises, you are more apt to be in it, and connected. Several metaphor therapy exercises relate directly to the treatment and healing of trauma. As always, healing cannot happen in isolation but in community. Adventure therapy is an excellent avenue to connection with community."Robert Chapman, MSSW, LADACAdventure/Challenge Course Therapist
http://www.recoveryranch.com/programs/default.asp?page=trauma_and_PTSD
2008-02-05
Providence Journal
By George W. Reilly
The Second Wind Foundation has created a publicly funded treatment program, called "Healing Those Who Serve," for returning military personnel suffering from trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. Relying on private and corporate donations, the HTWS pilot program is slated to launch this month at The Ranch, an internationally renowned recovery center in rural Tennessee. The money raised will pay the veteran's cost of the recommended 60 to 90 days of residential treatment.
"This program is designed to raise funds and awareness, destigmatize, and heal the minds and spirits of our warriors," said Second Wind cofounder Lee McCormick.
"It is unique in that we are experienced in concurrently treating related and often times recurrent disorders, such as alcohol and drug abuse, along with trauma, which has proven to be most effective."
The inception of the program follows the recent Department of Veterans Affairs reports that the number of veterans diagnosed with PTSD increased by almost 20,000 during the last fiscal year, a nearly 70 percent jump over the previous year. When The Ranch opened, nine years ago, it became well known as a healing sanctuary and has continued to evolve by using some of the most successful techniques for PTSD including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a method which helps to alleviate symptoms of PTSD.
The Ranch's clinical director, Buddy Horne, who has worked with veterans for years and has served in the military, suggests that many veterans either do not recognize the signs of PTSD or are in denial out of fear of being stigmatized. HTWS and The Ranch provide a safe, non-institutionalized environment that honors the individual. For more information on HTWS, go online to www.healingthosewhoserve.com. For more information on The Ranch, visit http://www.recoveryranch.com/.
http://www.blackenterprise.com/yb/ybopen.asp?section=ybsb&story_id=114326518&ID=blackenterprise
The Recovery Ranch site
Call Toll-Free: 800-849-5969 or e-mail us now
Trauma & PTSD
The Ranch provides comprehensive recovery treatment for survivors of childhood and/or adult trauma of all types. Comorbid addictive and compulsive disorders can be treated concurrently. Disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, dissociative disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, and panic disorder are addressed by our multi-disciplinary team. The particular approach for treatment is determined on an individual basis to meet the client’s needs. Our staff is skilled to provide innovative techniques including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), art therapy, equine therapy, experiential role-play therapy, ropes and adventure therapy, Tai Chi, therapeutic/spiritual ceremony, journaling, and the latest in medication management. We provide this within a conventional format of single-gender and mixed-gender groups as well as individual sessions, family therapy, and optional workshop opportunities. The program stresses the mind-body-spirit connection and is geared toward a full exploration of feelings and messages received during traumatic experiences within a safe "containing" environment. The opportunity to experience empowerment through a full expression of feelings and to change negative beliefs about the self, others and a higher power is provided.
Equine Therapy and Trauma
"The horses at The Ranch certainly hold a valuable place with many of our residents working on loss and trauma issues. Fretful minds, reactive emotions and exhausted bodies have an opportunity to soothe themselves in a surprising way. I've often thought that horses, which live in the moment, somehow pass along this much needed life skill to "their people." They lend a helping hand from Mother Nature, so to speak."
Dede Beasley, M.Ed.Licensed Professional CounselorEquine Assisted Psychotherapist
Adventure Therapy and Trauma
"In adventure therapy, your body becomes the ultimate metaphor. In using your body in the exercises, you are more apt to be in it, and connected. Several metaphor therapy exercises relate directly to the treatment and healing of trauma. As always, healing cannot happen in isolation but in community. Adventure therapy is an excellent avenue to connection with community."Robert Chapman, MSSW, LADACAdventure/Challenge Course Therapist
http://www.recoveryranch.com/programs/default.asp?page=trauma_and_PTSD
Merchant Marine Bill not signed by John McCain
Merchant Marine vets may yet be honored
Art Sloane
Special to the Republic
Feb. 5, 2008 12:55 PM
World War II has been over for 62 years and one group of men that served never has been recognized for its heroism.
These are the men of the Merchant Marine and Army Transport Service. Legal age to enter service was 17 with permission during the war, but many younger men enlisted by lying about their age.
Many chose the Merchant Marine because legal age was 16. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill in 1944, he stated, "I trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of the Merchant Marine who have risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of our country."
Now all these years later, the few Merchant Marine war veterans still alive would like to see Senate Bill S961 passed. The House of Representatives passed the bill in 2007. Our two Arizona senators, Jon Kyl and John McCain, have not signed on even though 57 other senators have.
The bill is known as the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II."
• Throughout the Valley are collection points for used clothing, shoes, etc. These containers are marked Loved Ones Lost. A portion of the clothing collected goes to veterans' charities. In addition, there are two thrift shops. The organization is donating clothing to Stand Down For Homeless Veterans the weekend of Feb 15-17. For the collection depot nearest you call 480-252-1270.
Organizers of the Stand Down still need many items, such as backpacks. It is estimated that there are more than 3,000 homeless veterans on the streets of the Valley. 602-305-8585.
click post title for the rest
Art Sloane
Special to the Republic
Feb. 5, 2008 12:55 PM
World War II has been over for 62 years and one group of men that served never has been recognized for its heroism.
These are the men of the Merchant Marine and Army Transport Service. Legal age to enter service was 17 with permission during the war, but many younger men enlisted by lying about their age.
Many chose the Merchant Marine because legal age was 16. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill in 1944, he stated, "I trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of the Merchant Marine who have risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of our country."
Now all these years later, the few Merchant Marine war veterans still alive would like to see Senate Bill S961 passed. The House of Representatives passed the bill in 2007. Our two Arizona senators, Jon Kyl and John McCain, have not signed on even though 57 other senators have.
The bill is known as the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II."
• Throughout the Valley are collection points for used clothing, shoes, etc. These containers are marked Loved Ones Lost. A portion of the clothing collected goes to veterans' charities. In addition, there are two thrift shops. The organization is donating clothing to Stand Down For Homeless Veterans the weekend of Feb 15-17. For the collection depot nearest you call 480-252-1270.
Organizers of the Stand Down still need many items, such as backpacks. It is estimated that there are more than 3,000 homeless veterans on the streets of the Valley. 602-305-8585.
click post title for the rest
Bill O'Reilly: Vets Don't Live Under Bridges
Miami New Times - Miami,FL,USA
He's a vet, and he sleeps under a bridge, just a block away from the Veterans Administration, here in Miami. He’sa helluva nice guy.
click link for the rest
O'Reilly will never get it. He will never get his huge ego out of the way so that he can finally do the right thing. Remember when he came out with that stupid book "Who's Looking Out For You"
Who's Looking Out For You?
Paperback
Hardcover
Audio CD
Exclusive Previews:
See video: Bill on the book
See the Table Of Contents
Read the Introduction
Read the First Chapter
In classic O' Reilly style "Who's Looking Out for You?" exposes the people and organizations that aren't protecting your interests.(He should have been the first on the list of people who aren't)
Here's just a small example of what's inside the book:
The Government:"Corruption, incompetence and political correctness have spread like the Ebola virus throughout our federal system...."
(This one really kills me. Considering he has yet to offer one single call for any kind of accountability from the Bush Administration, it proves he is only interested in corrupt Democrats he sees going after his bank account. After all, he makes a huge amount of money and doesn't want any of his taxes to go toward making life better for any of the citizens he loves to ignore. From Medicaid to Medicare, from the DOD to the VA, from education to health to the infrastructure across America, he sees all of it as a waste of his money. Oh but a war decided at will instead of need, that's all fine with him. As long as we don't have to take care of the wounded or the families left behind that is. That would be a waste of his money. )
Elite Media:"The sad truth is that most high-profile media people are looking out for themselves and themselves alone.... You will see them in their lavish vacation homes in the Hamptons, or Aspen, or Loudoun County, Virginia. You will not see them at Wal-Mart."
Wasn't he one of the idiots who blamed the fantastic reporting done on the corruption of the administration, the conditions at Walter Reed, the fact the troops were being sent back into Iraq and Afghanistan already diagnosed with PTSD and on medications, (which he denied was happening as well) along with everything else that was factual including Bush's signing statements giving Congress the middle finger, the over 900 lies that sent the troops into Iraq, oh, hell the list is so long of what he hated the media for that it would take twelve posts to list them all. But then what can you do with a person who makes his money off pretending to be a member of the elite media without a press pass?The Catholic Church:"The self-destruction of the American Catholic Church leaves the field wide open for the antispirituality forces to march in and do what they will.... The devil and his disciples are thrilled with this series of events, and Jesus must be weeping."
Guess he never checked out the Sermon on the Mount.The Criminal Justice System:"If lawyers are allowed to deceive, fabricate, smear and intimidate without consequence, where is the fairness? Our criminal justice system has become a farce...." But that's not all.
Ebenezer Scrooge would be envious of O'Reilly before he had his own awakening to realize how horrible he was. Scrooge finally understood that all the money in the world would do him no good when he was dead so he better help people in need while he had the chance to save his own soul."Who's Looking Out for You?" also offers sound advice on how to deal with life's challenges so you can tell who is REALLY looking out for you--and who is a fraud. Bill writes, "If you are selfish, shallow, money-grubbing, manipulative, callous, violent, petty, envious, gossipy or self-destructive, you will soon be on your own." Publisher's Weekly calls the book "an inspirational guide to life's most basic quandaries." Find out why the book has spent 22 weeks (and counting) on New York Times Best Seller list -- and why over 1 million copies already have been printed (and more than 800,000 have been sold)! "Who's Looking Out for You?" features Bill O'Reilly at his best - order your copy today!
Looks like O'Reilly was directing his book toward a very limited audience.
This part is the only thing that is proving to be true. After all, it's happened to him. YAHOO! Can't think of a worse person for it to come down on.
"If you are selfish, shallow, money-grubbing, manipulative, callous, violent, petty, envious, gossipy or self-destructive, you will soon be on your own."
If O'Reilly and McCain are on the Same Side, Who's on the Homeless Veteran's Side? Go there to watch the video.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Army Spec. Alex Lotero PTSD and arrested for being AWOL
February 5th, 2008 8:33 pm
Dade soldier is a deserter, Army says
A Miami-Dade soldier who went public with his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder was arrested on a warrant for being a deserter, police and military officials said.
By David Ovalle / Miami Herald
Depression, nightmares and anxiety attacks plagued him after a roadside bomb obliterated his friends in Iraq.
He shared his plight with reporters and a congressional delegation. He complained about inadequate treatment and indifference from military superiors.
Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, Army Spec. Alex Lotero was a public casualty of the Iraq War -- and now the military says he's a deserter.
Shortly after he took his case public, Lotero deserted his base in Fort Carson, Colo., in June 2007, the military said. Lotero, 21, was arrested late last week after he was discovered by Miami-Dade police in Kendall.
Miami-Dade officers were called to a domestic dispute involving Lotero and his girlfriend in Kendall, where he had been hiding from military authorities.
Officer Keyfrem Guzman ran a routine records check on Lotero and discovered the Army had issued an arrest warrant for the goateed, tattooed soldier.
''He had no choice but to arrest him,'' said Miami-Dade Detective Mario Rachid, a police spokesman.
Lotero, who grew up in Miami and graduated from Sunset High, is being held at Miami-Dade County Jail.
According to Fort Carson spokeswoman Dee McNutt, Lotero had been absent without leave since June 2007. When base officials receive the report from Miami-Dade police, military personnel will pick him up from Miami-Dade's jail, she said.
Lotero's story came to light in May 2007 through Washington-based Veterans of America, which lobbies for rights for soldiers returning from combat zones.
go here for the rest
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10890
How many times are we going to keep doing this? Sending them into combat and then refuse to take care of them if they get wounded is wrong. Lotero was from Fort Carson, the same Fort that did the bulk of the dishonorable discharges for "personality disorders" instead of treating them like the wounded warriors they all are.
The new commander of Fort Carson, Mark Graham, should move mountains to take care of his men the previous commander refused to take care of. He should make sure that Lotero gets the help and justice he needs instead of being locked up in a Miami jail.
Dade soldier is a deserter, Army says
A Miami-Dade soldier who went public with his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder was arrested on a warrant for being a deserter, police and military officials said.
By David Ovalle / Miami Herald
Depression, nightmares and anxiety attacks plagued him after a roadside bomb obliterated his friends in Iraq.
He shared his plight with reporters and a congressional delegation. He complained about inadequate treatment and indifference from military superiors.
Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, Army Spec. Alex Lotero was a public casualty of the Iraq War -- and now the military says he's a deserter.
Shortly after he took his case public, Lotero deserted his base in Fort Carson, Colo., in June 2007, the military said. Lotero, 21, was arrested late last week after he was discovered by Miami-Dade police in Kendall.
Miami-Dade officers were called to a domestic dispute involving Lotero and his girlfriend in Kendall, where he had been hiding from military authorities.
Officer Keyfrem Guzman ran a routine records check on Lotero and discovered the Army had issued an arrest warrant for the goateed, tattooed soldier.
''He had no choice but to arrest him,'' said Miami-Dade Detective Mario Rachid, a police spokesman.
Lotero, who grew up in Miami and graduated from Sunset High, is being held at Miami-Dade County Jail.
According to Fort Carson spokeswoman Dee McNutt, Lotero had been absent without leave since June 2007. When base officials receive the report from Miami-Dade police, military personnel will pick him up from Miami-Dade's jail, she said.
Lotero's story came to light in May 2007 through Washington-based Veterans of America, which lobbies for rights for soldiers returning from combat zones.
go here for the rest
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=10890
How many times are we going to keep doing this? Sending them into combat and then refuse to take care of them if they get wounded is wrong. Lotero was from Fort Carson, the same Fort that did the bulk of the dishonorable discharges for "personality disorders" instead of treating them like the wounded warriors they all are.
The new commander of Fort Carson, Mark Graham, should move mountains to take care of his men the previous commander refused to take care of. He should make sure that Lotero gets the help and justice he needs instead of being locked up in a Miami jail.
Why does congress have to find money for the VA but not for Iraq?
I can't help it. It's pissing me off beyond belief. While Bush can demand away for supplemental after supplemental to keep occupying Iraq and Afghanistan with absolutely no plans for either of them to end, no accountability whatsoever, he turns around and demands congress finds the money to fund the VA? What the hell is wrong with this government and how it's being run? What is in the mind of the GOP when they will not stand up and fight him when he is clearly terrorizing the troops he keeps getting wounded? Isn't anyone in congress really paying attention to any of this and what is wrong with the Democrats? They should be going on every right and left radio show, cable TV show and standing up in front of the White House with protests signs for the sake of the troops. This is wrong,,,,,wrong,,,,,wrong! How can they always seem to come last when they need the President but always first when the President wants them to risk their lives?
VA budget plan not enough, lawmakers say
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Feb 5, 2008 12:27:15 EST
The nearly $94 billion veterans’ budget proposal for fiscal 2009 that was unveiled Monday is already drawing fire from the House and Senate veterans’ committee chairmen.
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, his Senate counterpart, say the Bush administration isn’t asking for enough money for the Veterans Affairs Department next year and continues to press for cost-cutting initiatives previously rejected by Congress, such as raising prescription drug co-payments and charging some veterans enrollment fees.
“The request for veterans’ funding for 2009 is not adequate,” Filner said in a statement. “Although the request includes an increase for health care, it does not fully fund the needs of America’s veterans.”
Filner said he opposes higher fees and co-payments, calling them “nothing more than a tax increase on our veterans.”
But the problem in rejecting the fee increases, which would apply to veterans being treated by VA for medical problems that are not connected to their military service, is that the Bush budget assumes $5.2 billion in revenue from such fee hikes.
If Congress does not go along with the fees, it would have to make up that funding from some other source.
Filner’s committee will hold a hearing Thursday, where retired Army Gen. (Dr.) James Peake makes his first appearance before Congress as VA secretary to talk about the budget request.
go here for the rest
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/military_VAbudget_080205w/
Protest planned for Spc. Suzanne Swift
Protests Planned for Army Specialist Who Went AWOL After Charging Sexual Harassment
Thursday, July 13th, 2006
‘Meet Me in Fort Lewis’ - Protests Planned for Army Specialist Who Went AWOL After Charging Sexual Harassment
Army Specialist Suzanne Swift remains confined to base. She went AWOL when the military did not address her charges of sexual harassment and abuse. We take a look at sexual harassment in the military. [includes rush transcript]
We take a look at the case of Suzanne Swift. She is the Army Specialist who has been arrested and confined to base for going AWOL after her charges of sexual harassment and assault went un-addressed by the military.
Swift served in Iraq for a year but decided she could not return and went AWOL. She said her superiors repeatedly sexually harassed her while serving in Iraq. On June 11th, the Eugene police knocked on her mother’s front door and Suzanne was arrested and taken to the county jail. She has since been transferred to Fort Lewis Washington where she is confined to her base. So far, no charges have been filed against her and Fort Lewis officials have said they will assign an independent investigator to look into her charges of sexual harassment.
Suzanne Swift turns twenty-two on Saturday. Her family and supporters are urging a national day of action on her behalf. A “Meet Me in Fort Lewis” rally and vigil are planned for noon outside Fort Lewis. Another in her hometown of Eugene, is planned for noon at the Federal Building.
A few days ago, we brought you Suzanne Swift’s mother, Sara Rich. Today we bring you Suzanne Swift’s grandfather, Jim Rich. I spoke with him at the Oregon Country Fair near Eugene.
Jim Rich, Suzanne Swift’s grandfather.
For more on the issue of sexual harassment in the military we are joined by:
Susan Avila-Smith, a Military Sexual Trauma Specialist and founder and director of Women Organizing Women, an advocacy group for survivors of rape in the military.
More information at SuzanneSwift.org. Email Suzanne Swift’s mother, Sara Rich, at formydaughtersuzanne@yahoo.com
We invited a representative from Fort Lewis military base to be on our program but they declined our request.
go here for the rest
http://vetwow.com/wordpress/?p=227
Veterans For Common Sense not giving up PTSD fight
Feb. 5 Lawsuit Update: VA Fights Against Brand New Law Designed to Assist Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans
A deeply troubling newspaper article from this morning’s San Francisco Chronicle describes how President George W. Bush's Department of Justice is fighting against a brand new law that requires VA to provide medical care for five years for our wounded, injured, and ill veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Clearly, VA’s troubling court filings are an admission by the Administration that VA lacks the funds to provide care for our newest war veterans, including those who are suicidal.
This Thursday, Feb. 7, VCS will be testifying before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and expressing our outrage that VA would rather fight against veterans than ask for more money to treat our veterans.
In related news, while President Bush highlighted $3 billion in new spending for VA, his new budget hits veterans with $5 billion in new fees, and that means a net VA budget cut of $2 billion for 2009.
VCS was interviewed by the prestigious magazine Proceedings, published by the U.S. Naval Institute, about the broken 'transition' process from DoD to VA.
Your generous donation to VCS is tax deductible, and we use your donations to hire more staff and win more victories for our issues.
Thank you,
Paul Sullivan
Executive DirectorVeterans for Common Sense
VCS provides advocacy and publicity for issues related to veterans, national security, and civil liberties. VCS is registered with the IRS as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and donations to VCS are tax deductible. VCS does not provide direct services to veterans.
Vietnam Vet's mental health history hidden from him
Veteran denied benefits despite medical evidence
"[John's] bipolar disorder became evident at the time of his first psychiatric hospitalization in 1975.…"
-Robert Marks, M.D.
Part 2 of a 3 part series
Editor's note: In the previous edition of Frost Illustrated, we chronicled the mental health history of John, a Vietnam era U.S. Army veteran who said the U.S. Veteran's Administration is denying him benefits he is due. This week, we look at some of the key decisions government officials have made in his case and their unwillingness to grant him the full benefits he is seeking.
FORT WAYNE-For more than 20 years, Vietnam era U.S. Army veteran John (not his real name) had been plagued by a number of mental problems including a number of suicide attempts and threats against his family and homelessness. Eventually, with the help of a good woman he met at church, all that began to change. He even found a job at Hines VA hospital in Chicago.
But it all came crashing back down in 1997, when John walked into his job at the VA hospital with three loaded weapons threatening to kill his coworkers and himself. After his supervisor and the several hostages he had taken talked him out of the killing spree, John was admitted to the hospital's psychiatric ward. Staff discharged him from employment at Hines VA, declaring that he wasn't mentally competent to safely work.
John said that, while he was hospitalized, VA hospital staff had him sign paperwork that enabled him to get non-service connected disability. That meant he would be granted disability from that time on. But, his doctor began to do some digging and found that John had a history of mental illness that dated back to his first tour of duty in the U.S. Army.
In April 1999, Dr. Robert Marks, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Northwestern University Medical School wrote in a treatment summary:
"[John] is a 45 y/o married, [African American] man living with his wife & chidren, employed in the past at the Hines VA. He has an episodic, yet chronic, psychiatric illness with prominent affective and intermittent psychotic symptoms spanning more than 20 years."
go here for the rest
http://www.frostillustrated.com/atf.php?sid=2803
How long do you think the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will have to go through the same thing? 5, 10, 15 years or longer? Is this why they are not serious about doing outreach work with them to provide what they need to know in case they did come home with the war in their mind? Is this why they will not get the Vetearns's centers open across the country? Is this why they will not provide support groups again for the families? Are they waiting for them to just die?
Once you have a claim approved, you get some of the best care this nation can give, but you have to suffer before you can get it. Why would they hide this veteran's mental health record from him and let him just suffer? Why wouldn't they do the right thing once the evidence showed it was kept from him and honor his claim back to when it started?
If you go on line and read some of the decisions the appeals board makes, you are left to wonder where they are getting their sense of justice from.
I went in to search for records on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the search field just for an example and this is what the result found.
Enter search terms (e.g. health benefits):
These are the first five cases from the search
Keep in mind these are just appeals for PTSD.
I used to go into this site a lot when we were fighting to have my husband's claim approved. If you go in there, you know what kind of a mess you have to face if your claim is denied or if you feel you didn't get the right disability rating. This is one of the biggest reasons I tell veterans to make sure they do not go it alone and seek out a service officer with the DAV, the VFW or any other organization with trained service officers that will help you with a claim. If claims are not filed A.S.A.P. time is lost and often they will only go back to when you filed the claim. If you fail to file an appeal on time, they can and do approve your claim only back to the date of the appeal. You are only give a certain amount of time to file claims and respond.
In the case of the Vietnam vet above, the evidence should have shown this veteran knew there was something wrong enough to seek help but was not told what it was or if he had the right to file for disability. This happens way too often. The problem is, it looks as if it will happen more often as more and more disabled veterans file claims expecting to be able to do it on their own. Veterans do not know the rules and especially those who have a mental wound, are not able to think clearly enough to understand any of this. Seek help as soon as you know there is a problem and then seek help with filing a claim. Let the Service Officers fight for you. After all, you fought for all of us didn't you?
"[John's] bipolar disorder became evident at the time of his first psychiatric hospitalization in 1975.…"
-Robert Marks, M.D.
Part 2 of a 3 part series
Editor's note: In the previous edition of Frost Illustrated, we chronicled the mental health history of John, a Vietnam era U.S. Army veteran who said the U.S. Veteran's Administration is denying him benefits he is due. This week, we look at some of the key decisions government officials have made in his case and their unwillingness to grant him the full benefits he is seeking.
FORT WAYNE-For more than 20 years, Vietnam era U.S. Army veteran John (not his real name) had been plagued by a number of mental problems including a number of suicide attempts and threats against his family and homelessness. Eventually, with the help of a good woman he met at church, all that began to change. He even found a job at Hines VA hospital in Chicago.
But it all came crashing back down in 1997, when John walked into his job at the VA hospital with three loaded weapons threatening to kill his coworkers and himself. After his supervisor and the several hostages he had taken talked him out of the killing spree, John was admitted to the hospital's psychiatric ward. Staff discharged him from employment at Hines VA, declaring that he wasn't mentally competent to safely work.
John said that, while he was hospitalized, VA hospital staff had him sign paperwork that enabled him to get non-service connected disability. That meant he would be granted disability from that time on. But, his doctor began to do some digging and found that John had a history of mental illness that dated back to his first tour of duty in the U.S. Army.
In April 1999, Dr. Robert Marks, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Northwestern University Medical School wrote in a treatment summary:
"[John] is a 45 y/o married, [African American] man living with his wife & chidren, employed in the past at the Hines VA. He has an episodic, yet chronic, psychiatric illness with prominent affective and intermittent psychotic symptoms spanning more than 20 years."
go here for the rest
http://www.frostillustrated.com/atf.php?sid=2803
How long do you think the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will have to go through the same thing? 5, 10, 15 years or longer? Is this why they are not serious about doing outreach work with them to provide what they need to know in case they did come home with the war in their mind? Is this why they will not get the Vetearns's centers open across the country? Is this why they will not provide support groups again for the families? Are they waiting for them to just die?
Once you have a claim approved, you get some of the best care this nation can give, but you have to suffer before you can get it. Why would they hide this veteran's mental health record from him and let him just suffer? Why wouldn't they do the right thing once the evidence showed it was kept from him and honor his claim back to when it started?
If you go on line and read some of the decisions the appeals board makes, you are left to wonder where they are getting their sense of justice from.
VA appeals info
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (also known as "BVA" or "the Board") is a part of the VA, located in Washington, D.C.
Members of the Board review benefit claims determinations made by local VA offices and issue decision on appeals. These Law Judges, attorneys experienced in veterans law and in reviewing benefit claims, are the only ones who can issue Board decisions. Staff attorneys, also trained in veterans law, review the facts of each appeal and assist the Board members. {38 U.S.C. §§ 7103, 7104}
Anyone who is not satisfied with the results of a claim for veterans benefits (determined by a VA regional office, medical center, or other local VA office) should read the "How do I Appeal " pamphlet. It is intended to explain the steps involved in filing an appeal and to serve as a reference for the terms and abbreviations used in the appeal process.
http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/
I went in to search for records on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the search field just for an example and this is what the result found.
Enter search terms (e.g. health benefits):
Found 235013 documents out of 521746.
http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/va_search.jsp?QT=post+traumatic+stress+disorder&UA=Search&SQ=vt_vetappall_ext
These are the first five cases from the search
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files4/0732355.txt
4. In an August 2001 rating decision, service connection for post traumatic stress disorder with a history of anxiety disorder, panic attacks, major depression, dissociative disorder, and somnambulism was granted effective from March 10, 1992, the date of receipt of the claim. The Board notes that the March 10, 1992 claim was a claim for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder and a claim to reopen the claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, dissociative reaction,
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files4/0732355.txt - 18k - October 23, 2007
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files2/0709974.txt
This matter has come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from rating decisions of the Providence, Rhode Island, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The Board reopened a claim of entitlement to service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, and remanded this claim to the RO for further development. _ DEBORAH W. SINGLETON Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans' Appeals Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 7252 (West
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files2/0709974.txt - 5k - April 16, 2007
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files3/0721989.txt
06-23 424 ) DATE ) ) On appeal from the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Winston- Salem, North Carolina THE ISSUE Whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Claim to Reopen for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder The veteran filed a request to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD in August 2004 and was considered in a VA rating decision dated in November 2004
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files3/0721989.txt - 8k - August 02, 2007
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files2/0714356.txt
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeal (Board) on appeal from a July 2003 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in New York, New York, which denied the benefit sought on appeal. In this case, the failure to provide notice of the type of evidence necessary to establish a disability rating or effective date for the disability on appeal is harmless because the preponderance of the evidence is against the appellant's claim for service
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files2/0714356.txt - 8k - June 01, 2007
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files3/0726247.txt
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a November 2004 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Phoenix, Arizona, that denied service connection for hearing loss and denied a petition to reopen a claim for service connection for a "major depressive disorder, claimed as post traumatic stress disorder." On the title page of this decision, the Board has characterized the acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD
www.va.gov/vetapp07/files3/0726247.txt - 3k - August 29, 2007
Keep in mind these are just appeals for PTSD.
I used to go into this site a lot when we were fighting to have my husband's claim approved. If you go in there, you know what kind of a mess you have to face if your claim is denied or if you feel you didn't get the right disability rating. This is one of the biggest reasons I tell veterans to make sure they do not go it alone and seek out a service officer with the DAV, the VFW or any other organization with trained service officers that will help you with a claim. If claims are not filed A.S.A.P. time is lost and often they will only go back to when you filed the claim. If you fail to file an appeal on time, they can and do approve your claim only back to the date of the appeal. You are only give a certain amount of time to file claims and respond.
In the case of the Vietnam vet above, the evidence should have shown this veteran knew there was something wrong enough to seek help but was not told what it was or if he had the right to file for disability. This happens way too often. The problem is, it looks as if it will happen more often as more and more disabled veterans file claims expecting to be able to do it on their own. Veterans do not know the rules and especially those who have a mental wound, are not able to think clearly enough to understand any of this. Seek help as soon as you know there is a problem and then seek help with filing a claim. Let the Service Officers fight for you. After all, you fought for all of us didn't you?
Jan Donatelli, Obama advisor, on top of veterans issues
Obama Reaches Out to Women and the Art World
Posted February 5, 2008 03:20 PM (EST)
With Super Tuesday looming large, February 2nd was a day of intense activity for the Obama campaign. After hearing about a rally for women at Columbus Circle, and an outreach session in Chelsea with the arts community, I made it a point to attend both. I had to. With my commitment to women's issues and a parallel life invested in the visual arts, I was pulled...as if by a magnetic field.
Posted February 5, 2008 03:20 PM (EST)
With Super Tuesday looming large, February 2nd was a day of intense activity for the Obama campaign. After hearing about a rally for women at Columbus Circle, and an outreach session in Chelsea with the arts community, I made it a point to attend both. I had to. With my commitment to women's issues and a parallel life invested in the visual arts, I was pulled...as if by a magnetic field.
I spoke with Jan Donatelli, a member of the Veterans Policy Committee for Obama, who is also the New York City Vets Team Co-Coordinator. Donatelli enumerated to me the statistics which show that there are currently more homeless women veterans than ever before in history. Presently, 6% of the military is comprised of women. The majority of those serving in Iraq have been deployed from the National Guard. Facing unique problems, such as who will take care of their children when they are overseas, these concerns have not been adequately addressed. A Navy pilot from 1986-1991, Donatelli has an acute awareness of the challenges veterans face. She informed me that Obama had "worked tirelessly" in Illinois for mental health benefits for vets that would address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injury, and homelessness. In discussing the Iraq war, she put it bluntly, "There have been a lot of casualties."
go here for the rest
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcia-g-yerman/
obama-reaches-out-to-wome_b_85127.html
O'Reilly Uses Tape Of Homeless Veterans Instead Of Helping Them
Twit alert O'Reilly. Get a clue. While you think it's fine to use your very loud mouth you forgot one thing. Homeless veterans couldn't hear it out of your own mouth or watch you on TV BECAUSE THEY ARE HOMELESS AND SLEEP UNDER BRIDGES!
You loud,obnoxious, freak! You are so full of yourself you think the world is watching you. The surrogate you sent out to meet with the homeless veterans because you couldn't bother to put a coat on, asked the homeless veterans if they saw the show or heard you say it. How stupid are you! They're homeless! They don't have a roof over their heads and they don't have a TV or cable you jerk!
You couldn't meet with them but you managed to use the tape for your own sake going after Robert Greenwald when a real man, an honest man would have admitted he was wrong instead of attacking helpless, homeless veterans who did in fact serve this country when you opted out. A real journalist would have actually checked out the facts, kept up with current events and found out exactly what was going on if they lived under a rock for the last 30 years and didn't have a frickin clue. A good journalists would have actually paid attention all along instead of being a clueless dope with a microphone! I'm glad you are finally being seen for what you are. You are an uninformed, loud mouth hack! What are you going to do when Bush is out of office and you have no one left to defend because no one will be listening to you after this. You finally managed to kill your career as FOX clown. May I suggest clown college for your next career move. I hear scary clowns are making a come back.
O'Reilly lives in Xanadu!
http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-
media/2008/02/04/oreilly-spins-hard-on-homeless-vet-faux-pas
You loud,obnoxious, freak! You are so full of yourself you think the world is watching you. The surrogate you sent out to meet with the homeless veterans because you couldn't bother to put a coat on, asked the homeless veterans if they saw the show or heard you say it. How stupid are you! They're homeless! They don't have a roof over their heads and they don't have a TV or cable you jerk!
You couldn't meet with them but you managed to use the tape for your own sake going after Robert Greenwald when a real man, an honest man would have admitted he was wrong instead of attacking helpless, homeless veterans who did in fact serve this country when you opted out. A real journalist would have actually checked out the facts, kept up with current events and found out exactly what was going on if they lived under a rock for the last 30 years and didn't have a frickin clue. A good journalists would have actually paid attention all along instead of being a clueless dope with a microphone! I'm glad you are finally being seen for what you are. You are an uninformed, loud mouth hack! What are you going to do when Bush is out of office and you have no one left to defend because no one will be listening to you after this. You finally managed to kill your career as FOX clown. May I suggest clown college for your next career move. I hear scary clowns are making a come back.
O'Reilly lives in Xanadu!
http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-
media/2008/02/04/oreilly-spins-hard-on-homeless-vet-faux-pas
Another non-combat death in Iraq
Fort Carson soldier killed in noncombat incident in Iraq
Posted: Monday, February 04, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.
FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) -- The Defense Department says another Fort Carson soldier has died in Iraq.
Staff Sergeant Chad A. Barrett of Saltville, Virginia died Saturday in Mosul as a result of a noncombat-related incident. The military announced the death Monday. No other details have been released.
The 35-year-old Barrett was assigned to the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He is the 233rd Fort Carson soldier killed in Iraq.
Posted: Monday, February 04, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.
FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) -- The Defense Department says another Fort Carson soldier has died in Iraq.
Staff Sergeant Chad A. Barrett of Saltville, Virginia died Saturday in Mosul as a result of a noncombat-related incident. The military announced the death Monday. No other details have been released.
The 35-year-old Barrett was assigned to the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He is the 233rd Fort Carson soldier killed in Iraq.
Louis Bressler trail has added twist
Soldiers' Murder Cases May be Joined
Last Edited: Monday, 04 Feb 2008, 10:09 PM MST
Created: Monday, 04 Feb 2008, 10:09 PM MST
By CHARLIE BRENNAN, Reporter
COLORADO SPRINGS -- Prosecutors on Friday will ask a judge to consolidate two 2007 murder cases in which recently returned Iraqi war veterans are charged in the shooting deaths of fellow soldiers.
In the second of the two cases, the Dec. 1 slaying of Spec. Kevin Ryan Shields, the three men accused in his death are members of the Second Infantry Division’s Second Brigade Combat Team, with whom Shields had been deployed in Iraq.
An added twist in the case is that 25-year-old Louis Bressler, the alleged trigger-man in the shootings of both Shields and Pfc. Robert James, which occurred Aug. 3, had been medically discharged from the Army with a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder and resulting loss of short-term memory.
Bressler’s lawyer, Colorado Springs attorney Ed Farry, said he does not intend to base his defense on his client’s impaired mental condition. However, said Farry, he is concerned that Bressler’s codefendants may attempt to use it against him.
“I think others are taking advantage of the fact that my client suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder, including his short-term memory loss,” said Farry. “And I think they are taking advantage of him in that regard, to his detrement.”
click post title for the rest
While PTSD veterans do know right from wrong, what happens too often is, they lose control. The do in fact suffer short term memory loss. They do in fact go into flashbacks where they have no clue where they are or who they are with during one.
I am not saying they should get away with murder, but the law must be fair and provide justice taking everything into account. If PTSD veterans do in fact have to go to prison, they must be provided with the help they need to heal so that when they return to the communities, they do not lose time while their condition worsens. PTSD is like an infection. It gets worse untreated.
Last Edited: Monday, 04 Feb 2008, 10:09 PM MST
Created: Monday, 04 Feb 2008, 10:09 PM MST
By CHARLIE BRENNAN, Reporter
COLORADO SPRINGS -- Prosecutors on Friday will ask a judge to consolidate two 2007 murder cases in which recently returned Iraqi war veterans are charged in the shooting deaths of fellow soldiers.
In the second of the two cases, the Dec. 1 slaying of Spec. Kevin Ryan Shields, the three men accused in his death are members of the Second Infantry Division’s Second Brigade Combat Team, with whom Shields had been deployed in Iraq.
An added twist in the case is that 25-year-old Louis Bressler, the alleged trigger-man in the shootings of both Shields and Pfc. Robert James, which occurred Aug. 3, had been medically discharged from the Army with a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder and resulting loss of short-term memory.
Bressler’s lawyer, Colorado Springs attorney Ed Farry, said he does not intend to base his defense on his client’s impaired mental condition. However, said Farry, he is concerned that Bressler’s codefendants may attempt to use it against him.
“I think others are taking advantage of the fact that my client suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder, including his short-term memory loss,” said Farry. “And I think they are taking advantage of him in that regard, to his detrement.”
click post title for the rest
While PTSD veterans do know right from wrong, what happens too often is, they lose control. The do in fact suffer short term memory loss. They do in fact go into flashbacks where they have no clue where they are or who they are with during one.
I am not saying they should get away with murder, but the law must be fair and provide justice taking everything into account. If PTSD veterans do in fact have to go to prison, they must be provided with the help they need to heal so that when they return to the communities, they do not lose time while their condition worsens. PTSD is like an infection. It gets worse untreated.
Funds for Orlando VA Hospital $480 million short
The Orlando VA hospital is one of only two new such construction projects getting money this year; a Denver hospital got $20 million. Orlando's plans call for a 134-bed hospital, a clinic, a 120-bed nursing home and a 60-bed "domiciliary," which can house vets who are homeless, going through rehabilitation and or who don't need as much care as they would get in a nursing home.
VA officials said $74 million already has been set aside in past budgets -- including money to buy the hospital's site at Lake Nona. An additional $583 million is needed, including the $120 million Bush proposed Monday, to pay for design, site development and construction of the nursing home and domiciliary, VA officials said.
$120 million not enough for VA hospital, Orlando-area veterans say
Tamara Lytle | Chief Washington Correspondent
February 5, 2008
WASHINGTON - President Bush put $120 million in his proposed budget Monday for the long-awaited Orlando VA hospital, but area veterans said they were disappointed that more of the nearly $600 million needed will not come right away.
Michael Kussman, undersecretary of health at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said $120 million is all the agency needs this year to begin work on the facility.
"There's a commitment from this administration and the VA to build that facility," Kussman said, adding that Central Florida veterans "should have confidence the money will be forthcoming."
But area veterans are not so trusting after waiting years for a hospital. Orlando is the largest metropolitan area in the country without a VA hospital, forcing veterans to drive to Tampa or Gainesville for care.
"What a disappointment," said retired Air Force Col. Joseph Kittinger, a decorated veteran. "All of the politicians give lip service to the veterans, but that is all it is, lip service." He added, though, that the $120 million "is a start and better than nothing."
Jerry E. Pierce, president of Central Florida Veterans Inc., was more critical. "That number does not do the trick," he said. "When it comes to treating veterans properly and taking care of them, to leave them on the short end of the stick is just wrong."
Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, both said they will work on adding more money for the hospital as the budget moves through Congress.
click post title for the rest
Orlando only has a clinic.
Bush lawyer says Veterans not entitled to mental health care
Veterans not entitled to mental health care, U.S. lawyers argue
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Veterans have no legal right to specific types of medical care, the Bush administration argues in a lawsuit accusing the government of illegally denying mental health treatment to some troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The arguments, filed Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco, strike at the heart of a lawsuit filed on behalf of veterans that claims the health care system for returning troops provides little recourse when the government rejects their medical claims.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is making progress in increasing its staffing and screening veterans for combat-related stress, Justice Department lawyers said. But their central argument is that Congress left decisions about who should get health care, and what type of care, to the VA and not to veterans or the courts.
A federal law providing five years of care for veterans from the date of their discharge establishes "veterans' eligibility for health care, but it does not create an entitlement to any particular medical service," government lawyers said.
They said the law entitles veterans only to "medical care which the secretary (of Veterans Affairs) determines is needed, and only to the extent funds ... are available."
The argument drew a sharp retort from a lawyer for advocacy groups that sued the government in July. The suit is a proposed class action on behalf of 320,000 to 800,000 veterans or their survivors.
"Veterans need to know in this country that the government thinks all their benefits are mere gratuities," attorney Gordon Erspamer said. "They're saying it's completely discretionary, that even if Congress appropriates money for veterans' health care, we can do anything we want with it."
The issue will be joined March 7 at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti, who denied the administration's request last month to dismiss the suit. While the case is pending, the plaintiffs want Conti to order the government to provide immediate mental health treatment for veterans who say they are thinking of killing themselves and to spend another $60 million on health care.
The suit accuses the VA of arbitrarily denying care and benefits to wounded veterans, of forcing them to wait months for treatment and years for benefits, and of failing to provide fair procedures for appealing decisions against them.
The plaintiffs say that the department has a backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims and that 120 veterans a week commit suicide.
In his Jan. 10 ruling that allowed the suit to proceed, Conti said federal law entitles veterans to health care for a specific period after leaving the service, rejecting the government's argument that it was required to provide only as much care as the VA's budget allowed in a given year. A law that President Bush signed last week extended the period from two to five years.
click post title for the rest
Bush must not know that PTSD is a wound and the brain is in fact part of the body. After all, give the man a break. He lost his own mind a long time ago as well as his heart when it comes to wounded veterans this nation owes a debt to. None of them would be wounded if they did not go.
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Veterans have no legal right to specific types of medical care, the Bush administration argues in a lawsuit accusing the government of illegally denying mental health treatment to some troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The arguments, filed Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco, strike at the heart of a lawsuit filed on behalf of veterans that claims the health care system for returning troops provides little recourse when the government rejects their medical claims.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is making progress in increasing its staffing and screening veterans for combat-related stress, Justice Department lawyers said. But their central argument is that Congress left decisions about who should get health care, and what type of care, to the VA and not to veterans or the courts.
A federal law providing five years of care for veterans from the date of their discharge establishes "veterans' eligibility for health care, but it does not create an entitlement to any particular medical service," government lawyers said.
They said the law entitles veterans only to "medical care which the secretary (of Veterans Affairs) determines is needed, and only to the extent funds ... are available."
The argument drew a sharp retort from a lawyer for advocacy groups that sued the government in July. The suit is a proposed class action on behalf of 320,000 to 800,000 veterans or their survivors.
"Veterans need to know in this country that the government thinks all their benefits are mere gratuities," attorney Gordon Erspamer said. "They're saying it's completely discretionary, that even if Congress appropriates money for veterans' health care, we can do anything we want with it."
The issue will be joined March 7 at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Samuel Conti, who denied the administration's request last month to dismiss the suit. While the case is pending, the plaintiffs want Conti to order the government to provide immediate mental health treatment for veterans who say they are thinking of killing themselves and to spend another $60 million on health care.
The suit accuses the VA of arbitrarily denying care and benefits to wounded veterans, of forcing them to wait months for treatment and years for benefits, and of failing to provide fair procedures for appealing decisions against them.
The plaintiffs say that the department has a backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims and that 120 veterans a week commit suicide.
In his Jan. 10 ruling that allowed the suit to proceed, Conti said federal law entitles veterans to health care for a specific period after leaving the service, rejecting the government's argument that it was required to provide only as much care as the VA's budget allowed in a given year. A law that President Bush signed last week extended the period from two to five years.
click post title for the rest
Bush must not know that PTSD is a wound and the brain is in fact part of the body. After all, give the man a break. He lost his own mind a long time ago as well as his heart when it comes to wounded veterans this nation owes a debt to. None of them would be wounded if they did not go.
Wounded Times blog on fire, thank you
Wounded Times
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These are the top videos.
Coming Out of The Dark of PTSD
1241 views
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Death Because They Served PTSD Suicides
1765 views
22 downloads
Hero After War Combat Vets and PTSD
8551 views
59 downloads
PTSD After Trauma
2321 views
106 downloads
When War Comes Home PTSD
4126 views
65 downloads
Wounded Minds PTSD and Veterans
8445 views
194 downloads
Thank you all for coming here to read my blog. It is a testament of your desire to know more. I am a person of limited technical knowledge when it comes to blogging. As a matter of fact, I'm so bad at it that I messed up my feed on my other blog to the point where it dropped from 10,000 hits at week to five. It has been fixed since then, but now you get the point of how much I do appreciate the readers who do come here.
I spend about 12 hours a day on line doing this work, reading, researching and answering a ton of emails. Having you come here, makes it all worth the time and work. My goal is to reach as many people as possible so that they never feel alone in any of this the way I and my family did in the beginning. Together we can remove the stigma and provide knowledge to support the families out there just like mine, and probably like your's. We can fight to make changes in the VA and DOD systems so that the veterans who need help will get it instead of ending their own lives feeling hopeless. We are making a difference. It doesn't matter how many posts I put up a day or how many videos I make if no one comes. I search for information to share because I remember how it felt to not know where to even begin to look.
As this site and the videos may inform you or lighten the burden you carry, please pass on the work so that it may help others as well.
Thank you all again with all my heart.
Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
http://www.namguardianangel.org/
http://www.namguardianangel.blogspot.com/
http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
Site Summary from Site Meter
VISITS
Total 7,718
Average Per Day 133
Average Visit Length 1:49
Last Hour 3
Today 36
This Week 934
PAGE VIEWS
Total 13,645
Average Per Day 197
Average Per Visit 1.5
Last Hour 3
Today 79
This Week 1,377
Thank you so much.
These are the top videos.
Coming Out of The Dark of PTSD
1241 views
45 downloads
Death Because They Served PTSD Suicides
1765 views
22 downloads
Hero After War Combat Vets and PTSD
8551 views
59 downloads
PTSD After Trauma
2321 views
106 downloads
When War Comes Home PTSD
4126 views
65 downloads
Wounded Minds PTSD and Veterans
8445 views
194 downloads
Thank you all for coming here to read my blog. It is a testament of your desire to know more. I am a person of limited technical knowledge when it comes to blogging. As a matter of fact, I'm so bad at it that I messed up my feed on my other blog to the point where it dropped from 10,000 hits at week to five. It has been fixed since then, but now you get the point of how much I do appreciate the readers who do come here.
I spend about 12 hours a day on line doing this work, reading, researching and answering a ton of emails. Having you come here, makes it all worth the time and work. My goal is to reach as many people as possible so that they never feel alone in any of this the way I and my family did in the beginning. Together we can remove the stigma and provide knowledge to support the families out there just like mine, and probably like your's. We can fight to make changes in the VA and DOD systems so that the veterans who need help will get it instead of ending their own lives feeling hopeless. We are making a difference. It doesn't matter how many posts I put up a day or how many videos I make if no one comes. I search for information to share because I remember how it felt to not know where to even begin to look.
As this site and the videos may inform you or lighten the burden you carry, please pass on the work so that it may help others as well.
Thank you all again with all my heart.
Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
http://www.namguardianangel.org/
http://www.namguardianangel.blogspot.com/
http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
Monday, February 4, 2008
VA to boost spending on combat vets by 21%
VA to boost spending on combat vets by 21%
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 4, 2008 19:46:38 EST
After a year of news reports about a stubborn backlog of 400,000 disability benefits claims and combat veterans turned away from immediate mental health care, the Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled a proposed fiscal 2009 budget that would boost spending on programs for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by 21 percent and cut the disability claims backlog by 24 percent.
Spending on benefits and programs for the estimated 333,000 VA beneficiaries who are veterans of the current wars would increase by $216 million, to a total of $1.27 billion, over the current year. The 2009 budget also would include $3.9 million for mental health care services, a 9 percent increase over the current fiscal-year budget.
All told, VA is seeking $93.7 billion for fiscal 2009, with most of it going toward health care and disability compensation. Discretionary funding — mostly health care — would make up $47.2 billion of the budget, while $46.4 billion would go toward mandatory funding for compensation, education benefits, home loan guarantees, pensions and other benefits programs.
“If you look at health care, it’s more than double it was seven years ago,” said VA Secretary Dr. James Peake, praising the Bush Administration’s request for funding.
The request totals $3.4 billion more than this year’s budget, which was $6.6 billion more than in fiscal 2007 — after Congress added $3.7 billion to President Bush’s original request.
One of the biggest issues facing VA is overwhelmed case workers who can’t keep up with the thousands of new benefits claims that continue to pour in.
go here for the rest
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/military_vabudget_080204w/
The claim backlog is 650,000 but what's a few hundred thousand veterans? At least it's a start in the right direction but oh so much more needs to be done.
By Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 4, 2008 19:46:38 EST
After a year of news reports about a stubborn backlog of 400,000 disability benefits claims and combat veterans turned away from immediate mental health care, the Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled a proposed fiscal 2009 budget that would boost spending on programs for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by 21 percent and cut the disability claims backlog by 24 percent.
Spending on benefits and programs for the estimated 333,000 VA beneficiaries who are veterans of the current wars would increase by $216 million, to a total of $1.27 billion, over the current year. The 2009 budget also would include $3.9 million for mental health care services, a 9 percent increase over the current fiscal-year budget.
All told, VA is seeking $93.7 billion for fiscal 2009, with most of it going toward health care and disability compensation. Discretionary funding — mostly health care — would make up $47.2 billion of the budget, while $46.4 billion would go toward mandatory funding for compensation, education benefits, home loan guarantees, pensions and other benefits programs.
“If you look at health care, it’s more than double it was seven years ago,” said VA Secretary Dr. James Peake, praising the Bush Administration’s request for funding.
The request totals $3.4 billion more than this year’s budget, which was $6.6 billion more than in fiscal 2007 — after Congress added $3.7 billion to President Bush’s original request.
One of the biggest issues facing VA is overwhelmed case workers who can’t keep up with the thousands of new benefits claims that continue to pour in.
go here for the rest
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/military_vabudget_080204w/
The claim backlog is 650,000 but what's a few hundred thousand veterans? At least it's a start in the right direction but oh so much more needs to be done.
Bush's VA budget waiting for them to die
For veterans, the 2009 budget provides $47 billion in funding for veterans’ health care, benefits, and other services.
The President’s FY 2009 Budget By the Numbers
By IAVA Staff
However, starting in 2010, the budget predicts sudden (and unrealistic) drops in costs for veterans’ care. The administration’s argument is that the deaths of earlier generations of veterans will reduce expenses, but this line of........
click above for the rest. So in other words, he's waiting for them to die. If Bush thinks that there will be that many more dying so that the new generation of veterans will not over take their places, he is dead wrong. Isn't he taking into consideration the backlog of claims 650,000 deep will actually turn out to be veterans who do end up having their VA claims approved? Isn't he taking into consideration the hundreds of thousands who have their claims tied up on appeal or not even filed yet will also add to the numbers of the veterans needing care?
While Bush is waiting for the older veterans to die, he is failing on seeing the need of those who survive the two military operations he began and refused to fund.
Bush does seem interested in factoring in the figures of the PTSD veterans who will not show signs of PTSD for a couple more years and then will need to seek help, which is exactly what happened after Vietnam. Other health issues linked to depleted uranium will need to be addressed as well as birth defects in their children. Again, exactly what happened after Vietnam with Agent Orange. None of the needs foreseen by experts for ten years out are being factored in on any of this and it is deplorable that while he has yet to include Iraq or Afghanistan operating expenses in any of his budgets other than emergency supplemental demands, he does not take anything having to do with those who serve in any order of importance. The tax cuts he wants usually come first and he insists on making them permanent while refusing to make any of the necessary long range plans for the troops or their families.
Cheri Honkala, a homeless hero
"Homeless Hero": The Story of One of the 12 Most Endangered Activists in America [VIDEO]
Posted by Adam Howard, AlterNet
on February 4, 2008 at 1:00 PM.
This moving and engrossing video is from an Al Jazeera segment called "Homeless Hero". It explores the activism of Cheri Honkala, a single mother and former homeless person herself, who has fought passionately in defense of homeless Americans, who are routinely abused by authorities and/or the system itself. It's a powerful and important story of the millions of forgotten Americans who are bound to be overlooked in the Super Tuesday hoopla. Check out the video to your right for more.
Go watch the video. Cheri Honkala has gone to jail for this over 200 times! Don't forget almost half of the homeless people are homeless veterans. We need to take care of all our homeless and she is fighting for all of them. To be homeless in this nation is wrong.
Posted by Adam Howard, AlterNet
on February 4, 2008 at 1:00 PM.
This moving and engrossing video is from an Al Jazeera segment called "Homeless Hero". It explores the activism of Cheri Honkala, a single mother and former homeless person herself, who has fought passionately in defense of homeless Americans, who are routinely abused by authorities and/or the system itself. It's a powerful and important story of the millions of forgotten Americans who are bound to be overlooked in the Super Tuesday hoopla. Check out the video to your right for more.
Go watch the video. Cheri Honkala has gone to jail for this over 200 times! Don't forget almost half of the homeless people are homeless veterans. We need to take care of all our homeless and she is fighting for all of them. To be homeless in this nation is wrong.
Bush shafts Hepatitis C veterans
February 28, 2005
Plan Backfires- VBA Fast Letter Boost Claims
BUSH ADMINISTRATION FIGHTS AGAINST SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY FOR VETS WITH HEPATITIS C
Top Guns with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are going on the offensive to prevent veterans from getting service connected disability for HEPATITIS C transmitted by airgun shots before, during, and after the Vietnam War.
Three decades after the end of the war, hundreds of thousands of brave men and women who served their country are dying, and the Bush Administration is fighting their attempts to get pensions and adequate VA medical treatment. An estimated 95% of all claims are denied, despite reliable scientific evidence.
In April 2002, a delegation of members representing the HEPATITIS C Movement for Awareness (HMA) and HCVets.com, a HEPATITIS C military claims support organization for families, went to Washington DC on a mission to educate representative concerning HEPATITIS C related issues.
The delegation had appointments with Congressional and Veterans Affairs representatives. One of these meetings was with Lawrence Deyton MSPH, MD Chief Consultant, Public Health Strategic Health Care Group, for the VA.. Members met specifically with Dr. Deyton to expressed concern regarding transmission methods for the HEPATITIS C virus listed by the VA, and the need to reform qualifications for testing Veterans. Those attending the VA will not get tested because they did not use drugs or become an alcoholic, risk factors used to qualify patients for testing. Members requested Dr. Deyton include reused needles, vials, syringes and airguns in this determination to test Veterans.
Dr. Deyton acknowledged these risks, stating "his hands were tied". He stated, "Anyone receiving airgun injections, should get tested for HEPATITIS C." Deyton did not just say "Veterans", says Ed Wendt, Vietnam era Veteran, transplant survivor and HMA's Government Relations Director. Quoting members who attended the meeting, Deyton implied "everyone" receiving shots administered by the now defunct style airguns, should be tested.
HMA published Dr. Deyton's quote in an upcoming newsletter which resulted in a Veteran service connected for HEPATITIS C at the regional VA level. The decision was based on that quote, plus other evidence submitted that demonstrated the products used to sanitize & disinfect medical and dental equipment, did not kill the HEPATITIS C virus.
go here for the rest
http://www.hcvets.com/data/transmission_methods/plan_backfires.htm
Plan Backfires- VBA Fast Letter Boost Claims
BUSH ADMINISTRATION FIGHTS AGAINST SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY FOR VETS WITH HEPATITIS C
Top Guns with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are going on the offensive to prevent veterans from getting service connected disability for HEPATITIS C transmitted by airgun shots before, during, and after the Vietnam War.
Three decades after the end of the war, hundreds of thousands of brave men and women who served their country are dying, and the Bush Administration is fighting their attempts to get pensions and adequate VA medical treatment. An estimated 95% of all claims are denied, despite reliable scientific evidence.
In April 2002, a delegation of members representing the HEPATITIS C Movement for Awareness (HMA) and HCVets.com, a HEPATITIS C military claims support organization for families, went to Washington DC on a mission to educate representative concerning HEPATITIS C related issues.
The delegation had appointments with Congressional and Veterans Affairs representatives. One of these meetings was with Lawrence Deyton MSPH, MD Chief Consultant, Public Health Strategic Health Care Group, for the VA.. Members met specifically with Dr. Deyton to expressed concern regarding transmission methods for the HEPATITIS C virus listed by the VA, and the need to reform qualifications for testing Veterans. Those attending the VA will not get tested because they did not use drugs or become an alcoholic, risk factors used to qualify patients for testing. Members requested Dr. Deyton include reused needles, vials, syringes and airguns in this determination to test Veterans.
Dr. Deyton acknowledged these risks, stating "his hands were tied". He stated, "Anyone receiving airgun injections, should get tested for HEPATITIS C." Deyton did not just say "Veterans", says Ed Wendt, Vietnam era Veteran, transplant survivor and HMA's Government Relations Director. Quoting members who attended the meeting, Deyton implied "everyone" receiving shots administered by the now defunct style airguns, should be tested.
HMA published Dr. Deyton's quote in an upcoming newsletter which resulted in a Veteran service connected for HEPATITIS C at the regional VA level. The decision was based on that quote, plus other evidence submitted that demonstrated the products used to sanitize & disinfect medical and dental equipment, did not kill the HEPATITIS C virus.
go here for the rest
http://www.hcvets.com/data/transmission_methods/plan_backfires.htm
PTSD:Eugene "Doc" Cherry brought the war home from Iraq
Eugene "Doc" Cherry brought the war home
VFA News Analysis: February 4, 2008
by Jason Knobloch on Feb 4, 2008
The Chicago Tribune tells the story of Spc. 4 Eugene “Doc” Cherry, an Army medic who served in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division and returned home with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unfortunately, Cherry’s experiences are ones that VFA has seen many, many times. Cursory exposure to the psychiatrist in the field, long waits for appointments back in America, commanders making it next to impossible for servicemembers with mental injuries to receive help, going AWOL: this is a pattern that affects more and more servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Their numbers will keep growing until the well-intentioned pronouncements about the military treating mental injuries as seriously as it does physical injuries makes its way into the heads of combatant commanders.
go here for the rest
http://www.veteransforamerica.org/2008/02/04/vfa-news-analysis-february-4-2008/
by Jason Knobloch on Feb 4, 2008
The Chicago Tribune tells the story of Spc. 4 Eugene “Doc” Cherry, an Army medic who served in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division and returned home with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unfortunately, Cherry’s experiences are ones that VFA has seen many, many times. Cursory exposure to the psychiatrist in the field, long waits for appointments back in America, commanders making it next to impossible for servicemembers with mental injuries to receive help, going AWOL: this is a pattern that affects more and more servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Their numbers will keep growing until the well-intentioned pronouncements about the military treating mental injuries as seriously as it does physical injuries makes its way into the heads of combatant commanders.
go here for the rest
http://www.veteransforamerica.org/2008/02/04/vfa-news-analysis-february-4-2008/
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