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Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec    Date: 09/04/2012 10:24:30

Good Morning.

Today is our 3,985th day in Afghanistan.

We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,109
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,060

We find this morning's cost of war passing through:

$1, 369, 378, 950, 000 .00




Since it is convention week, we'll start right out of the gate with a difference between the parties. You may have missed this, as the news came out during the Friday news dump before Labor Day. But isn't that just like the President? An awful lot of good and right things have been done very quietly and without fanfare. With the stroke of a pen, the President has expanded mental health coverage for vets and made reducing the suicide rate a national priority.


President Obama has signed an executive order aimed at reducing the rate of suicide and mental health disorders in veterans and troops by improving access to behavioral health care.

Addressing soldiers at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Friday, Obama said the initiative is part of an overall effort to maintain U.S. military superiority.

“We may be turning a page on a decade of war, but America’s responsibility to you has only just begun,” Obama said. “Just as we give you the best equipment and technology on the battlefield, we need to give you the best support at home.”

The order directs cabinet agencies, including the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Health and Human Services and Education, to work together to expand suicide prevention efforts and to fill vacancies for mental health jobs.

The “Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members and Military Families” order also includes actions to improve access to mental health services for service members and veterans, including enhanced partnerships with community providers, increased VA staffing, and mental health research.

“If you are hurting, it’s not a sign of weakness to seek help; it’s a sign of strength. And we are going to help you remain strong — ‘Army Strong,’ ” Obama said, referencing the service’s advertising slogan in his speech before more than 5,000 service members at the 1st Aviation Support Battalion hangar at Fort Bliss.

Under the directive, VA must expand its veterans’ crisis line capability by 50 percent by Dec. 31 and ensure that veterans who identify as being a danger to themselves or others connect with a trained mental health professional within 24 hours.

VA also is required to partner with DoD in developing and implementing a nationwide year-long suicide prevention campaign aimed at veterans.

The order also authorizes VA to expand programs based on veterans helping veterans, directing the department to hire 800 more peer-to-peer counselors, and it also directs VA to work with HHS to establish a pilot program that leverages community mental health resources to reduce the waiting times veterans often face when seeking mental health services.

VA has faced criticism for not doing enough to help veterans who need mental health treatment.


Staying with the election theme, you could probably file this under the "law of intended consequences". Republicans have gone out of their way to make it difficult for entire classes of people for vote. Along the way,
they've made it harder for veterans, too.


Members of the armed forces face a unique set of logistical challenges when serving in other states or countries: many lack the ability to simply go to the DMV to renew their driver’s licenses, filing taxes can be complex and voting in elections can be even more confusing.

"It is critically important to ensure that every voter entitled to an absentee ballot is given every chance to receive one,” said John Conklin, a spokesman for the New York State Board of Elections.

According to the 2010 Post Election Survey Report to Congress, 85 percent of active duty military members were registered to vote, compared with 65 percent of the civilian voting age population. Due to the dilemmas associated with members of the military voting, approximately 120,000 active duty military personnel indicated they never received the absentee ballot they requested.

The Constitution gives each state the right to determine the "time, place, and manner" of all elections, including federal elections. As a result, there is great variation from state to state.

“FVAP (Federal Voting Assistance Program) strongly supports the adoption of the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act (UMOVA) as offered by the interstate Uniform Law Commission,” said Defense Department spokeswoman Eileen Lainez.

“UMOVA sets uniform deadlines for receiving registration forms and ballot applications, and sets a minimum standard for electronic transmission of registration forms and blank ballots.”

Seven states — Colorado, North Dakota, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Virginia — and the District of Columbia have adopted UMOVA. In Hawaii, the measure has passed the legislature and is awaiting the governor's signature.


And I think I'm going to leave it at that this morning - I'm having some computer issues and I really don't want to re-write this.

In case you missed it yesterday, there is a Bonus Blog. I'm not better off then I was four years ago, but there's compelling reasons why.
 

87 comments (Latest Comment: 09/05/2012 03:21:31 by velveeta jones)
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Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 12:16:05
Morning

Comment by Raine on 09/04/2012 12:45:27
Good Morning. Both of your blogs are really great, Tri.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 12:50:45
Australian Army Loses Five Soldiers in One Day Australia has about 500-600 service people in Afganistan. Them losing 5 men in one day would be like the Army and Marines losing 800 in a single day.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 12:57:25
BTW morning all. Tri, another terrific AAV blog. As to your bonus blog, am I better off then I was four years ago? No, not really. Do I blame POTUS? No. I blame investor driven capitalism.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 12:59:24
I had to defriend a person on FB yesterday. He postited the arugument that Al Gore's "lies" are in the same league as Paul Ryan's. When I asked for proof he threw up a link to the National Review Online.

Comment by Raine on 09/04/2012 13:07:52
WRT to yesterday's bonus Blog, Ray Medeiros asks:
Are you better off today than you were at the end of the Bush Administration? NO! Then why do so many people want to implement his failed policies again!


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 13:10:07
BTW, I spent a good chunk of my weekend catching up on "The Newroom" on the HBO mosheen. Great show. Quotable.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 13:11:48
my tweet to Eric Cantor yesterday: Are you stupid, or do just play a stupid person on televsion, sir?

Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 13:18:48
Bonus Blog - Am I better off? yeah, I think I am. I've been able to save more money in the past 3 years then I ever have before - I've been able to pay off at least 1 credit card and am about 2 months from paying off my other. It helps that I was able to consolidate some things and get some house stuff done with a personal loan that my bank was eager to give.

Granted I still have my now 11 year old car (hey, its paid off and still runs and I really don't want a car payment right now) and I was very fortunate to get my little tiny home right before house prices went nuts. And my mother lives with me, but I still think I'm doing better. Talk to me again when she really puts her foot down to retire, things will probably change but we're holding on as well as we can.

Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 13:19:25
Quote by Mondobubba:
my tweet to Eric Cantor yesterday: Are you stupid, or do just play a stupid person on televsion, sir?




Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 13:27:54
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
my tweet to Eric Cantor yesterday: Are you stupid, or do just play a stupid person on televsion, sir?





It was in response to his really stupid comments about Labor Day.

Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 13:29:29
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
my tweet to Eric Cantor yesterday: Are you stupid, or do just play a stupid person on televsion, sir?





It was in response to his really stupid comments about Labor Day.


I swear, how do they not get the concept of "LABOR" day - a day in which those who LABOR are honored.


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 13:31:54
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
my tweet to Eric Cantor yesterday: Are you stupid, or do just play a stupid person on televsion, sir?





It was in response to his really stupid comments about Labor Day.


I swear, how do they not get the concept of "LABOR" day - a day in which those who LABOR are honored.


In my opinion, Cantor was deprived of needed oxygen at birth. This has caused his life-long pathological lying problem.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 13:37:08
In sports news, how about dem Oos? :eat Polack Johnny's hot dog, drinks Nattie Bo: Pinch me, I am dream, right? Fearless prediction: Os-Nats World Series!

Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 13:39:49
Quote by Mondobubba:
In sports news, how about dem Oos? :eat Polack Johnny's hot dog, drinks Nattie Bo: Pinch me, I am dream, right? Fearless prediction: Os-Nats World Series!



would that be the Marc Train Series?

Comment by Raine on 09/04/2012 13:49:17
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
In sports news, how about dem Oos? :eat Polack Johnny's hot dog, drinks Nattie Bo: Pinch me, I am dream, right? Fearless prediction: Os-Nats World Series!



would that be the Marc Train Series?
That would be fun to see!


Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 13:50:49
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
In sports news, how about dem Oos? :eat Polack Johnny's hot dog, drinks Nattie Bo: Pinch me, I am dream, right? Fearless prediction: Os-Nats World Series!



would that be the Marc Train Series?
That would be fun to see!


haven't been to the Nat's stadium but Camden Yard is nice


Comment by TriSec on 09/04/2012 13:54:39
Bah. My Reds are running away with the NL Central, and the best record in the majors.



(I'm a Sox Fan; of course I have a Plan B.)


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 13:55:38
Quote by TriSec:
Bah. My Reds are running away with the NL Central, and the best record in the majors.



(I'm a Sox Fan; of course I have a Plan B.)



They will be crushed by the Nats in the playoffs.

Comment by TriSec on 09/04/2012 14:02:04
We are all agreed that we'll be happy if it's anyone other than New York, yes?

*ducks bricks*



Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 14:08:25
Quote by TriSec:
We are all agreed that we'll be happy if it's anyone other than New York, yes?

*ducks bricks*




Bricks, what bricks?

Comment by BobR on 09/04/2012 14:08:42
Quote by TriSec:
Bah. My Reds are running away with the NL Central, and the best record in the majors.



(I'm a Sox Fan; of course I have a Plan B.)

your two favorite teams are the Red Sox and whoever is playing the Yankees?

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 14:18:20
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
In sports news, how about dem Oos? :eat Polack Johnny's hot dog, drinks Nattie Bo: Pinch me, I am dream, right? Fearless prediction: Os-Nats World Series!



would that be the Marc Train Series?



I would think so. All eyes on Baltimore and Washington. :cues stiring basebally broadcast music: :rolls b-roll of city porn of Bodymore and Drama City:

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 14:39:49
This is my fav quote from "The Newsroom:"

Will McAvoy: I only seem liberal because I believe that hurricanes are caused by high barometric pressure and not gay marriage.

Comment by BobR on 09/04/2012 14:41:47
Quote by Mondobubba:
This is my fav quote from "The Newsroom:"

Will McAvoy: I only seem liberal because I believe that hurricanes are caused by high barometric pressure and not gay marriage.

hurricanes are actually caused by low barometric pressure

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 14:59:24
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
This is my fav quote from "The Newsroom:"

Will McAvoy: I only seem liberal because I believe that hurricanes are caused by high barometric pressure and not gay marriage.

hurricanes are actually caused by low barometric pressure



Yes I know, Bob.

Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 15:16:00
How does Mike and Shane and everyone have time to make all these great jingles?!

Comment by Raine on 09/04/2012 15:19:39
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by TriSec:
Bah. My Reds are running away with the NL Central, and the best record in the majors.



(I'm a Sox Fan; of course I have a Plan B.)



They will be crushed by the Nats in the playoffs.
Is that possible?

Comment by BobR on 09/04/2012 15:20:57
Quote by wickedpam:
How does Mike and Shane and everyone have time to make all these great jingles?!

No Life

Comment by Raine on 09/04/2012 15:21:27
Michael Strahan: Conformed....



Comment by Raine on 09/04/2012 15:24:49
Quote by Raine:
Michael Strahan: Confirmed....

Fixity~~~ With link.


Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 15:28:06
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
How does Mike and Shane and everyone have time to make all these great jingles?!

No Life


I don't know about that - I have no life and still don't have the skills or talent to make those


Comment by Scoopster on 09/04/2012 15:33:28
Mornin' all..

Who's ready for a REAL party?!

Comment by Scoopster on 09/04/2012 15:42:33
Oh hmm.. am I better off than I was four years ago?

Well, I'd probably have to say yes but it's really about the same. Thanks to this job I've been able to pay off & pay down old bills and afford some semblance of a social life, but the crappy economic times that were created by Bushco & the GOP haven't made it easier that's for fucking sure.

Comment by TriSec on 09/04/2012 15:58:41
Say gang, keep an eye on my Governor tonight if you can. (Deval Patrick).

He's got two years left on his term, and he's stated multiple times that he does not want to run again.

So, speculation is that his friend Barack will find a place in the administration for him, with an eye on 2016.

Of course, if he craters his speech tonight, who knows. But I don't think that will happen. ("Mumbles" Meninno, OTOH...)


Comment by livingonli on 09/04/2012 16:09:10
Good morning, folks. Just a heads up that Pap is filling in on Ed's radio show. I guess Ed might be in Charlotte for the convention. I don't know if I can see I am better off now than I was 4 years ago although I probably cratered in '09 and am still recovering from it. Hopefully, by next year I can finally resolve the things that put the financial situation where it is and finally get on with my life. But, I know my situation declined during the Bush years and contributed to why I am where I am now.

And a note on the Nats-O's stuff: Since my workplace does originate MASN we are heavily working into the stuff and I did work yesterday's O's game and then I am doing tonight's O's game. The O's right now are benefiting from the Yankees collapsing and the Mets have already collapsed since the All-Star Break. The Nats do have the best record overall in Major League Baseball so they certainly have the best chance which will make it interesting if Strasburg is shut down after the 12th as has been expected.

Comment by livingonli on 09/04/2012 16:11:18
Since Ed is on now, I am guessing that either Pap is a guest or he's taking over later in the show.

Comment by Scoopster on 09/04/2012 16:11:36
GDI Ed.. I really didn't need to hear that fucking nitwit's voice today.

Comment by TriSec on 09/04/2012 16:12:08
Well, looky what Fallon just sent out in the newsletter!


MEDICARE
President Obama:
• Innovation: Rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which established the new Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (the CMS Innovation Center), to promote more efficient, high-quality care. One way this will be done is by giving grant monies to providers who can show they are being cost effective while also making people healthier.

• Medicare provider payment changes: Give financial incentives to hospitals and doctors that keep Medicare members healthy and impose penalties on those that don’t. For example, educating Medicare members with heart disease on how to lower their blood pressure.

• Monitoring: Create a commission to monitor health care cost increases and make recommendations to Congress if these costs increase too much. Similar to the legislation recently passed in Massachusetts, national health care costs would only be allowed to grow at 1% higher than the country’s gross domestic product.


Governor Romney:
• No Changes: Repeal the Affordable Care Act.

• New benefits for future Medicare members: Impose a premium support system, what some call a voucher system, so that private insurers that offer Medicare Advantage plans, such as FCHP, compete with traditional Medicare in a new marketplace. In this system, the government would offer seniors an insurance subsidy to pay for their health care expenses. If seniors want a more expensive Medicare Advantage plan, they would have to cover the additional cost on their own. They could also choose a less expensive Medicare Advantage plan, and use the excess money from the subsidy to pay for other medical expenses.

MEDICAID

President Obama:
• Expansion: If states choose to expand Medicaid eligibility so that more residents are covered (similar to what Massachusetts did with its health care reform legislation in 2006),, they will receive increased federal dollars to pay for the increased members.

• Tax credits: Provide tax credits to individuals and families if their income increases and they no longer qualify. These credits can be used towards the purchase of private insurance.

Governor Romney:
• No expansion: Repeal the ACA and its Medicaid expansion.

• Federal funding: Allow states to apply for a limited amount of funds—block grants— to be used to pay for Medicaid members.


Wonder what side the corporate powers are on?

Comment by BobR on 09/04/2012 16:15:50
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
How does Mike and Shane and everyone have time to make all these great jingles?!

No Life


I don't know about that - I have no life and still don't have the skills or talent to make those

You said "time", not "skills or talent"

Comment by wickedpam on 09/04/2012 16:20:00
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
How does Mike and Shane and everyone have time to make all these great jingles?!

No Life


I don't know about that - I have no life and still don't have the skills or talent to make those

You said "time", not "skills or talent"


touche - I did say time


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 17:04:34
Peeps! Did you know the larengial nerve of the giraffe is the 13' long. Fact! Look it up. Try telling me there is intellegent design. That is just inept.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 17:35:24
next to some winger talks about his/her freedoms being taken away, ask them to name one. Watch their head explode.

Comment by TriSec on 09/04/2012 17:59:24
FLORIDA HAS FLIPPED!!!!

Scroll down until you reach the "State by State Probabilities" chart. Florida was pink the last time I checked on Friday.

Also, note the Nov 6 forecast at the top of the page and see the trajectories of the red and blue lines.

( sprays Mondo with champagne )


Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 18:05:48
Quote by TriSec:
FLORIDA HAS FLIPPED!!!!

Scroll down until you reach the "State by State Probabilities" chart. Florida was pink the last time I checked on Friday.

Also, note the Nov 6 forecast at the top of the page and see the trajectories of the red and blue lines.

( sprays Mondo with champagne )



Waste of champagne.

Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 18:06:50
Quote by TriSec:
FLORIDA HAS FLIPPED!!!!

Scroll down until you reach the "State by State Probabilities" chart. Florida was pink the last time I checked on Friday.

Also, note the Nov 6 forecast at the top of the page and see the trajectories of the red and blue lines.

( sprays Mondo with champagne )



As Winston Wolf said in "Pulp Fiction, " "Let's not start suckin each other d**ks, gentlemen.:"

Comment by TriSec on 09/04/2012 18:11:51
Hmm, another movie reference lost on Your Loyal TriSec.

And now I shall have to pry Mondo off the floor and administer oxygen.




Comment by Mondobubba on 09/04/2012 18:29:53
Quote by TriSec:
Hmm, another movie reference lost on Your Loyal TriSec.

And now I shall have to pry Mondo off the floor and administer oxygen.





You didn't say it was Nate Silver, dude. Please note 538 Blog in the future.

Comment by BobR on 09/04/2012 18:59:32
Quote by TriSec:
FLORIDA HAS FLIPPED!!!!

Scroll down until you reach the "State by State Probabilities" chart. Florida was pink the last time I checked on Friday.

Also, note the Nov 6 forecast at the top of the page and see the trajectories of the red and blue lines.

( sprays Mondo with champagne )

It's been flipped here for at least a week.