Category Archives: Veterans

Don’t Give, Sometimes

Posted on December 19, 2012 by | Leave a comment

I am a perfect cynic when someone disturbs my life with requests for money. I was raised on the streets of New York City where the first rule of life is to beward of con men. A veterans group,  Veterans  Support Group, is being questioned concerning its approach, not merely to how money is raised, but what then happens to the dough. Former employees charge that money allegedly for housing consisted of a rented home in Tennessee where veterans were charged $400 a month for a bunk bed. During the  last fiscal year this organization raised $8.5 million.

In fairness they did provide $400 worth of Walmart gift cards to several veteran groups. Former chapter manager Kurt Jones says very little money raised went to benefit veteran groups.

Please do not call  me, I am from the  Bronx where we were taught to beware of con men-and con women!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Ron Paul, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, War, World News

Should Military Spending Be Cut?

Posted on October 26, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Many Republican leaders are shouting the sky will fall if reductions are made in spending by the US military. How can we defend this nation if  our military only has $760 billion to spend? OK, so the US military is superior to the next ten nations, OK, so we have the greatest air force in the world, but can it really defeat the growing might of the Albanian  or Bulgarian air forces which reportedly have purchased some new planes? I even wonder if the out dated US navy could handle sea craft being used by Somalia pirates.

We hear stories that the defense industry will be devastated. There must  be a point in time when our military spending declines and those resources are diverted to other aspects of the economy. We really do NOT need a new fighter plane to fight a non-existent enemy. We CAN cut billions from our defense budget and use the money to restore our infrastructure, stimulate new businesses, rebuild our education system and finally recognize the COLD WAR HAS ENDED!!

We need a new form of military that will require fewer troops and more use of technology.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, War, World News

Veteran Loan Debt

Posted on October 21, 2012 by | Leave a comment

As a teacher who works with those serving in the armed forces I have become aware of institutions which prey on those who have fought in order to make money. Some institutions make wild promises about how easy it is to get a degree and once that is possessed it is very easy to secure a job. They lie. In addition, members of the armed forces have difficulty handling the confusing patchwork of student loan benefits.  Unfortunately, this confusion results in taking on  loans that never should have been secured.

Almost daily there are reports of veterans and members of the military being bilked by college loan sharks. Students are urged to take large loans and when reality sets in with no high paying job they are left heavily in debt. Veterans and members of the military should speak to someone who provides assistance prior to assuming any loan!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, War, World News

Tommy Altha, Real American!

Posted on October 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Tommy Altha is a landlord who has problems with tenants and believes he must take a strong stand against those who do not pay rent on time. He had some soldier in an apartment and Sgt.Mark Porrazzo failed to pay the rent on time. What else could any red blooded American landlord do but throw the bum out? After all, if you allow tenants to get the idea they are entitled to an apartment it will lead to the death of capitalism in this nation. So, Tommy evicted the soldier and trashed his belongings.

Gee, turns out Sgt. Porrazzo was in the hospital. Big deal. I don’t know but a host of people are taking the side of this moocher from the army who did NOT pay his rent. They are sending emails and complaints to poor Tommy. Look, Mitt Romney says that men like Tommy are job creators and it is time to  prevent Socialist President Obama from taking away the Constitutional rights of landlords. Don’t pay the rent, out you go! It is CAPITALISM!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq War, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, War, World News

Republicans Play Politics With Vets!

Posted on September 24, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The candidate for president of the Republican party gave an acceptance speech in which there was no reference to American soldiers currently engaged in war. So, why be surprised that  Republican senators are playing games  and delaying passage of a $1 billion program that would assist veterans find employment as police officers, firemen or working on conservation projects. Republicans object to the cost of the bill.

Let me see. Republicans controlled the US government in 2003 when President Bush invaded Iraq and led to costs that have passed a trillion dollars, but these economy minded senators do not believe we can find $1 billion for those who risked their lives! Oh, Senator Rand Paul held up the bill because he wants the US government to aid a doctor who was arrested in Pakistan because he cooperated with US forces in the Osama bin Laden  capture.

I wonder if Republicans would stall if the bill urged cutting taxes on wealthy folk?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq War, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, War, World News

Senator Coburn-Stop Helping Vets!

Posted on September 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma is upset at the Obama administration for proposing creation of a  Job Corps for those who served in the armed forces post 9/11. The proposed bill would  provide training for veterans in order to prepare them for jobs in  law enforcement, fire fighting and conservation. Coburn insists no such jobs are available so this would be a waste of money. I assume he would prefer if job training dealt with picking peaches or working in meat packing places at minimum wages.

Tom is also upset at singling out veterans who  are post 9/11. He asks why “one class of veterans is better than another class of veterans?” I am with you Tom. As a veteran of the Korean War it upsets me there is no training program for 82 year old vets!! How come I can’t get into this program for law enforcement jobs??

Discrimination runs rampant under President Obama’s adminsitration!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq War, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Ron Paul, Social Justice, United States, Veterans, War, World News

On Voter Fraud

Posted on September 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

There are rumors concerning an alleged recession in the United States of America which for some reason has aroused concern among some members of the Republican party. There are rumors concerning high unemployment rates, but as far as we can ascertain this problem is NOT impacting those earning a million of more dollars a year, so why bother about such unimportant issues. The real issue which Republicans are focusing on is: VOTER FRAUD! Think about it, people who are not eligible are voting!

Latest figures indicate that during the past ten years at least ONE THOUSAND votes were cast by those who were not eligible to vote. Imagine if those one thousand had not voted, wouldn’t it have altered the election in which one hundred million voted?

We should thank God that Mitt Romney will NOT allow voter fraud once in the presidency. It is time to end voting by students, black folk, Hispanic immigrants and all those Muslims who want to elect members of al-Qaeda!

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, George Bush, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Ron Paul, Rudy Giuliani, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, World News

Mitt Miffed About Vets

Posted on September 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Mitt Romney now holds an unusual distinction, he is the first presidential candidate since 1952 not to mention foreign policy during his convention speech. He defended ignoring foreign policy by claiming the previous day he talked to the American Legion and told one and all that he cared about troops. OK, so he cares about the military, but how does that relate to issues of war and peace?

Oops, I forgot, he is for Israel. As for Palestinians, he probably agrees with Newt Gingrich they did not exist prior to the creation of Israel. Mitt complains that Barack is taking soldiers out of Afghanistan too soon, but he refuses to offer Americans(a)  any plans he has for Afghanistan, (b) if he will ever withdraw them from Afghanistan.

But, then again, Barack is never specific….

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Republicans, United States, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, War, World News

HEADLINES FROM WORLD PRESS

Posted on August 29, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Each day we offer samples of headlines that appeared in the world press along with our comments.

Australia, Sydney Morning Herald:  “Woman Killed For Drinking Partner’s Wine”

Sip, I said, sip, I said, NOT drink!

New Zealand,New Zealand Herald:  “One Good Meal A Day”

If you are poor in America, at least one meal a day. I think what is considered to be ‘good” depends on how hungry you are.

Turkey, Hurriyet:  “Salute Nude Prince Harry”

The face, not the lower upright extremity!

Sweden, Local:   “False Work Permits”

This means you can have a false job.

Denmark, Copenhagen Post:  “Police Halt Horses”

Quit horsing a round!

UK, New Statesman:  “Did He Think Ed Ball Expendable?

I’d say he had balls.

Norway, Norway Post:  “Can Men Be Feminists?”

I think the question is -can men be men?

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Posted in Asia, Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Don Rumsfeld, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Ron Paul, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, War, World News

Wikileaks Bothers US Military

Posted on August 29, 2012 by | Leave a comment

There is an  old adage that the truth will set you free, but this is not an expression that has much meaning to the US military establishment. Bradley Manning broke the law, there is no question in releasing what is now known as Wikileaks, the soldier opened to the world thousands of documents that revealed the thinking of American diplomats. I doubt if a single one of these documents resulted in the death of a single soldier, but to the military and to the Obama administration, the American people are not allowed to know what their leaders think or thought.

Bradley Manning for months was placed in a maximum security prison where he was confined for 23 hours a day to a cell. He was stripped of his clothes at night in order to prevent “suicide.” No evidence has ever been produced that he was a suicide risk. His lawyers are demanding access to 1,400 emails which apparently discuss how Army officers worried about this little guy.

OK, he did break Army regulations. OK, it is perfectly permissible to punish him in some manner. But, he is NOT a threat to the national security, never was. It is time to employ common sense.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iraq War, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, Veterans, War, World News