Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 150
this diary is dedicated to all who suffer because of war and other disasters
cross-posted at DailyKos, Booman Tribune, European Tribune, and My Left Wing.
image and poem below the fold
Read MoreMonth: October 2005
Sane conservatives in favor of increasing minimum wage
Christopher Caldwell, the conservative – but sane – senior editor of the Weekly Standard, comes up with another interesting column in this week-end’s Financial Times, where he discusses the economic merits of a minimum wage, which he claims are unconvincing, but nevertheless ends up supporting an increase in such minimum wage for social and political reasons.
His arguments make a lot of sense, and show exactly what the Dems should fight for:
Read More1 Down 72,000 To Go – Dead In New Mexico
American’s Lack Will Of ‘Sacrifice’ In Their Flag Waving Arogance!! ‘Bring Them Home, NOW’ and Take Care Of Them When They Return!!!
Dead In New Mexico:
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V.A. Traitors Get Their First Vietnam Vet Kill
October 21, 2005 By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes. [Excerpt]
WASHINGTON Veterans groups and House Democrats blasted VA plans to review all post-traumatic stress disorder claims because of irregularities in their compensation system, calling it insulting to heroes who have served their country.
“To the VA, this is simply a process seeking out voids in paperwork,” said Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., at a Thursday hearing on Capitol Hill. “But to veterans, it’s a jolting realization that their day-to-day struggles are being questioned again.”
Critics called it a way for the department to save money by shirking its duty to care for disabled veterans. Quentin Kinderman, deputy director of legislative service for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, called the IG report flawed and the proposed review a waste of money.
“There is very little potential to reduce the number of cases here,” he said. “And we’ve very concerned about the impact of the review and publicity on veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, who need the kind of counseling that the VA can provide.”
Udall said in one case, a veteran in his district committed suicide after hearing about plans for the review. Officials from New Mexico found the man, a Vietnam veteran, with information regarding the review beside his Purple Heart when he took his life.
[This new rule, designed to cut thousands off the VA rolls, demands that a Vet document the “specific incident” that caused his or her PTSD. Since most armed forces PTSD is brought on by an extended period of cumulative stress in combat, rather than a “specific incident,” that makes meeting the new requirement nearly impossible. Then, no more disability payments. This is nothing less than murder. But it’s important murder. Got to save money somewhere. The Bush Buddy war-profiteers need their billions. Can’t have Halliburton going without. What are some dead Vets compared to that? Thomas]
Gov. Arnold runs away from his ads
I’ve been out of California for 10 days, but the Governator has been right with me. Nearly every time I opened an LA Times article on the web, I saw the ad. Today the same paper tells me the steady diet of “all Arnold, all the time” is over.
Read MoreGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked TV stations Friday to remove ads that feature him making a personal appeal to California voters — an acknowledgment, analysts said, that one of the world’s most recognized figures has become a weak salesman for his own agenda.
An avid pitchman his entire adult life — selling everything from gym bags to action movies — Schwarzenegger nevertheless now will rely on “ordinary” supporters to promote his four Nov. 8 ballot initiatives in ads, his campaign said.
