http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/vets/ en-us Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:59:26 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282763/posts Vetting Healthcare for Vets by: Mytheos Holt, June 29, 2009 Due to the recent appearance of oversight issues in the national veterans’ healthcare program, the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans’ Affairs convened a hearing chaired by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI). The committee room was practically abandoned, except for Chairman Akaka and Ranking (minority) Member Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). “We know of several instances of poor care,” Sen. Akaka said, accusing the administrators of “putting veterans at risk for infectious diseases.” According to Sen. Akaka, Congress had “subcontracted with an outside entity with the expectation that good care will be provided. Good... Campus Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2282763/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:59:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282358/posts WASHINGTON -- The first $250 payments to veterans as part of President Obama's recovery plan were sent Monday, and officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs said all payments will be distributed by June 30. As part of the recovery plan, VA is making one-time payments of $250 to eligible veterans and survivors to offset the effects of the current economy. VA estimates $500 million in payments will be made to approximately 1.9 million veterans and eligible beneficiaries as part of this measure. Military.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282358/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:17:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280648/posts The Department of Veterans Affairs is at the center of a growing controversy over the improper treatment of veterans at VA hospitals. On June 16, CNN noted that a report released in June by the VA’s Office of Inspector General showed only “about 42.5 percent of 42 VA facilities inspected without warning in May had standard operating procedures in place for the equipment being used and could demonstrate that their staffs had been trained to use the devices.” In other words, more than half of the institutions (57.5 percent) had improper procedures or training... New American http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280648/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:31:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276066/posts In the first time they hit pavement this month, the men and women of Operation Denali arrived in Talkeetna ahead of schedule Friday after climbing Mount McKinley. KTUU http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276066/posts#comment Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:05:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271373/posts If someone threw you a party about 40 years too late, would you still go? On Saturday, at least 1,500 of Minnesota's Vietnam-era veterans did. The vets, along with friends and family that brought the total crowd to an estimated 5,000, came to an event in their honor held on the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul. There were cheese curds and hot dogs, plane flyovers and a color parade, live entertainment and VIP speakers, laughing children and nodding grannies. A lot like any summer weekend festival, until you got to the "Traveling Wall," a three-fifths scale replica of the... StarTribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2271373/posts#comment Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:12:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2264831/posts This is not disputed at snoopes...... Subject: Fw: Fwd: From my brother Dave This e-mail is from the father of a young man that left a very lucrative position to join the USMC . He was a Lieutenant who sustained life threatening , and permanently disabling injuries from IED in Iraq . It will fill you with emotion . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Joan and Red, Since Dave Jr. has been injured he has met and been overwhelmed by many, many political and military "celebs". The list includes Bob Gates, Sec. of Defense, who came into his room and told him 3... e-mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2264831/posts#comment Thu, 4 Jun 2009 19:05:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2261077/posts Barack Obama's great uncle criticises him over Buchenwald visit The first time they discussed his participation in the war was when Mr Obama wrongly said during the campaign that Mr Payne had "liberated" Auschwitz. Opponents swiftly pointed out that had been done by the Red Army. London Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2261077/posts#comment Sat, 30 May 2009 06:42:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2258053/posts Recently I found out that a man I knew, a Viet Nam vet, had died. Homeless. Under an overpass in Redwood City, California. He was an Army Ranger, and a highly-trained sniper. He and a team of four or five guys would disappear into the Viet Nam jungle for a month at a time and take out various strongholds, and strategic members of the Viet Cong. Through this work, he saved thousands of American lives, as well as thousands of South Viet Namese lives. He did a job no one wanted to do and not many could do. When he... Hubpages http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2258053/posts#comment Mon, 25 May 2009 23:34:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2257633/posts On this day in which Americans honor their war dead, perhaps a smidgen of our time should be spent reflecting on the unheralded and fearless wartime antics of Sean Penn. Yes, that Sean Penn: Hollywood actor, director, tough guy and agent provocateur in America's time of peril - a man history, no doubt, will credit with an assist in bringing democracy to Iraq. The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2257633/posts#comment Mon, 25 May 2009 04:49:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2256601/posts Sometimes momentous events happen without much notice in Washington. Such was the case os Rolling Thunder and the White House. The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2256601/posts#comment Fri, 22 May 2009 23:08:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2256052/posts Rolling Thunder not expecting Obama greeting By Jennifer Harper Friday, May 22, 2009 The last time Rolling Thunder roared into Washington, the president welcomed the riders in the White House driveway with a smile on his face and heartfelt personal greeting. This year, maybe not. "We initially got a call this year saying the president wasn't going to greet us," said Artie Muller, founder of the group that is marking its 22nd annual patriotic motorcycle ride through Washington to draw attention to policy issues influencing veterans, active-duty military, prisoners of war and those still missing in action. But a second... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2256052/posts#comment Fri, 22 May 2009 03:31:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2252832/posts Dear Obamaphile -- We knew healthcare reform would face fierce opposition -- and it's begun. As we speak, the same people behind the notorious "swiftboat" ads of 2004 are already pumping millions of dollars into deceptive television ads. Their plan is simple: torpedo healthcare reform before it sees the light of day by scaring the public and distorting the President's approach. We need the resources to take them head on with an urgent, grassroots campaign to pass real healthcare reform in 2009. When the swiftboaters flood the airwaves with distortions, we'll flood the streets with volunteers armed with facts.... http://my.barackobama.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2252832/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2009 21:12:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2233501/posts Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano blamed "politicization" for a week of furor over a report that warned "right-wing extremists" were recruiting veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She also said the Obama administration's veterans programs were necessary to combat such extremism. Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2233501/posts#comment Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:48:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2232927/posts CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said it is conducting an investigation at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Beckley. While a spokeswoman for the agency in Washington, D.C., did not specify the focus of the investigation, she said that "allegations of harassment or potential abuse" are taken seriously. Debbie Voloski, a spokeswoman at the Beckley VA Hospital, confirmed an investigation into "certain issues." She also declined to discuss the nature of the investigation. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2232927/posts#comment Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:57:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230872/posts Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano apologized to veterans in a FOX News interview after a DHS report labeled returning troops at risk for embracing right-wing extremism. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano apologized to veterans after a report issued by her department said troops returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were at risk for being recruited by right-wing extremists. "To the extent veterans read it as an accusation ... an apology is owed," she said during an on-air interview on FOX News Thursday, a day after veterans' groups and members of Congress blasted her for the report, which they... FoxNews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230872/posts#comment Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:24:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230428/posts HOLLYWOOD and countless professors warned us: Military vets are drooling trailer-trash who beat their wives and, at best, wind up as homeless street people -- at worst, as homicidal psychos deformed by war. Now, thanks to our ever-vigilant Department of Homeland Security, the full extent of the danger has been revealed: Our so-called "war heroes" are rushing back to join right-wing-extremist hate groups to overthrow our government. Let's not quibble about little things like evidence. The Obama administration just knows that vets are all racist, Jew-hating crazies waiting to explode. Thank God, DHS has a fearless leader, Janet-from-another-planet Napolitano, who... NY Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230428/posts#comment Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:07:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230101/posts <p>WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans on Wednesday said a Homeland Security Department intelligence assessment unfairly characterizes military veterans as right-wing extremists. House Republican leader John Boehner described the report as offensive and called on the agency to apologize to veterans.</p> <p>The assessment also said that returning military veterans who have difficulties assimilating back into their home communities could be susceptible to extremist recruiters or might engage in lone acts of violence.</p> WCCO http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2230101/posts#comment Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:23:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2224036/posts Ok, just had this sent to me, and I had to share it. E-mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2224036/posts#comment Tue, 7 Apr 2009 13:47:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2211888/posts Bad press, including major mockery of the plan by comedian Jon Stewart, led to President Obama abandoning his proposal to require veterans’ private health insurance to cover the estimated $540 million annual cost to the federal government of treatment for injuries to military personnel received during their tours on active duty. The President admitted that he was puzzled by the magnitude of the opposition to his proposal. “Look, it’s an all volunteer force,” Obama complained. “Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their... A Semi-News/Semi-Satire from AzConservative http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2211888/posts#comment Sun, 22 Mar 2009 05:39:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211512/posts THE WEEKLY STANDARD reported last week that Democratic congressional candidate Scott Murphy claimed to have met with White House political operatives “in the situation room.” The White House has been non-responsive to inquiries as to whether the Situation Room--previously reserved for national security-related meetings--is now being used for political get togethers. Now we learn in today’s Washington Post that Rahm Emanuel called a group of veterans' group leaders together to discuss a budget controversy "in the Situation Room," with "Emmanuel seated in the President's chair." The article notes that the vets made a political pitch to Rahm--"We said 'look, don't... The Weekly Standard http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2211512/posts#comment Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:45:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2209679/posts View Current Signatures   -   Sign the Petition To:  Secretary of the Navy On March 5, 2009 Congressman John Murtha was awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award by the Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter. From the press release: It is the highest form of public service recognition bestowed by the Department of the Navy for a non-employee. According to the Department, nominations for this award will be limited to those extraordinary cases where individuals have demonstrated exceptionally outstanding service of substantial and long term benefit to the Navy, Marine Corps, or as Department... Petition Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2209679/posts#comment Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:32:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2209316/posts On what planet do the people in the Obama Administration live? How (fill in the expletive of your choice) tone deaf can the Democrats and supporters of the Obama administration’s plan to ask once wounded veterans to pay for their treatments (through their private insurance carriers) be? [...] the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan,” said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. “He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it.” GINA COBB http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2209316/posts#comment Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:04:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2209170/posts Apparently President Obama did not get the message that was delivered loud and clear last week by both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill in hearings on the Administration’s proposed Veterans Administration budget.  Rumors had been flying that the Obama Administration was considering a harebrained scheme to charge wounded warriors for the treatment of injuries received in battle.  Asked about the scurrilous rumors by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), the left’s favorite general, Eric Shinseki, now Obama’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs, confirmed that the plan was “under consideration. “A final decision hasn’t been made yet,” said Shinseki,... Red State.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2209170/posts#comment Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:18:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2208557/posts We weren't going to say a word about bank, automaker or insurance company bailouts with taxpayer dollars; economics are not really our thing. But an administration plan to save $540 million by forcing civilian insurance companies to cover claims by military veterans for service-related injuries is beyond the pale. For our government to propose such a scheme at the same time it is spending BILLIONS with not much accountability is disgusting. The idea surfaced in testimony by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki - a retired Army general who should know better. He told a Senate committee that the plan... JINSA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2208557/posts#comment Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:05:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2208337/posts WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is considering a plan to make veterans use private insurance to pay for treatment of combat and service-related injuries. The proposal would be an about-face on what veterans think is a longstanding pledge to pay for health-care costs that result from their military service. In a White House meeting Monday, veterans groups apparently failed to persuade President Barack Obama to take the plan off the table. “Veterans of all generations agree that this proposal is bad for the country and bad for veterans,” said Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.... McClatchy Newspapers vis the Raleigh News & Obstructor http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2208337/posts#comment Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:22:30 GMT