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Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec    Date: 01/27/2009 11:37:20

Good Morning.

Today is our 2,141st day in Iraq.

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

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4236
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 4097
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3775
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3378
Since Election (1/31/05): 2798

Other Coalition Troops - Iraq: 317
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 641
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 421
Contractor Deaths - Iraq: 446


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

$ 591, 782, 200, 000.00



In this first post-Bush week....little has changed except for some posturing, so we here at "Ask a Vet" will continue to soldier on.

To that end, our friends at IAVA have penned a letter to the new president...and they're asking all of us to sign on.




In the coming months, President Obama has a unique opportunity to make a series of critical decisions impacting Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Sign the open letter urging him to enact these four critical policies in his first 100 days:

· Ensure that veterans don't have to fight for funding for hospitals and clinics.

· Prioritize veterans in the economic stimulus package.

· Implement GI Bill transferability.

· Aggressively address troops’ mental health injuries.




Of course, the new president and Congress are overwhelmed with the economy, and President Obama plans on meeting with the Republican leadership today to try to move things forward. That doesn't mean the veterans are on the back burner; in fact, there's things in the stimulus package that may help.


"A summary of a Senate draft stimulus package released Jan. 23 includes about $11.6 billion in defense, homeland security, and veterans-related projects, about $1.1 billion less than the amount included in the House stimulus plan.
The summary indicates that the Senate draft bill would provide at least $5.6 billion for the Defense Department, compared with about $8.8 billion in the House draft.

Of the amount included in the Senate bill, approximately $2.4 billion would be allocated for military construction projects and about $3.3 billion for refurbishment of existing Defense Department buildings, health facilities and other infrastructure.

The Senate summary also indicates that at least $3.4 billion would be allocated for construction of new Veterans Affairs Department hospitals and modernization of treatment centers.

That money would also pay for long-term care facilities and improvements at VA national cemeteries.

The House measure would provide the VA with at least $1 billion, with $950 million of it going toward improvements at existing medical facilities and roughly $50 million for repairs at veterans’ cemeteries."




Lastly this morning, I'll leave you with one veteran's take on the administration just past. Seems like some in uniform are pretty happy that Bush has gone back to Texas, too.


He's leaving the same way he arrived eight years ago: Clueless and somehow unable to discern up from down, right from left and right from wrong.

George W. Bush, who famously styled himself as The Decider, said a formal farewell to America in a nationally televised address from that bully pulpit, the White House.

It was largely a paraphrasing of Frank Sinatra’s rendition of My Way:

"Mistakes there've been a few, but too few to mention . . . ."

The eminence gris of his administration, Dick Cheney, was front and center.

The cowboy president from Crawford, Texas, ticked through his many accomplishments and a few small failures, working diligently to write a first draft of history his way.

He kept America safe somehow, even though he's leaving us with two ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq where American troops and innocent civilians continue to die.

He kept us safe ever since 9/11, the President told us with pride. But what about 9/11 itself, when more than 3,000 people were murdered in their offices or on four airliners?

On whose watch did that assault on Americans, on American soil, take place? Who was it that ignored repeated and specific warnings of an imminent attack on us?

Who was it that spent most of that fateful day getting to and hiding in a subterranean bomb shelter in Omaha, Nebraska?

The departing president informed us that he created jobs and a vibrant economy for most of his time in office. But who is it who's leaving us an economy in dire straits, with more than 3 million home foreclosures in the past year and more than a million American jobs lost in the same period?

He told his audience how proud he was of those who've borne the brunt of service and sacrifice in his wars, the military and their families, and how proud he was to be their commander-in-chief.

But whose administration was it that pinched every penny when it came to pay raises, increased benefits and medical care for those who're serving today and those who sacrificed for us in the past?

He told us that the mission during his eight long years in power was to spread the light of democracy and freedom to the benighted and downtrodden around the globe.

But who was it that told him the best way to do that was with soldiers, tanks, bombs and napalm? Who counseled this man that the best way to spread freedom and democracy abroad was by trampling on individual rights at home and shredding the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

He belligerently challenged any notion that his actions abroad have damaged our reputation among the nations of the world. Not true, he declared. America is still the shining city on the hill, still a beacon of democracy and freedom. Where did he get that idea?

Continued...




We'll keep an eye on the new President and what happens with our veterans. He's certainly started out well, but these things will all take time to accomplish. Patience will serve us well these first months of Obama's term.


 

119 comments (Latest Comment: 01/29/2009 02:53:14 by MMB)
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Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 12:29:20
Good morning everyone!



Anybody finding it impossible to log into the "new improved" SMS site today?

Comment by TriSec on 01/27/2009 13:38:13
erm, I don't see anything different. But I bookmarked the link, maybe it's pointing to the old site?





Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2009 13:43:16
Morning :hug:



Don't usually go over to the SMS site so I can't say TJ.





Well everyone be happy the inauguration was clear and just cold, a week later we have snow and the usual eff-up by VDOT in gettting roads clear and the back ups that are a pain in the ass.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 13:49:53
Quote by TriSec:

erm, I don't see anything different. But I bookmarked the link, maybe it's pointing to the old site?





Lots of weird things going on over there this morning.



Well, I can get log in with old links, but they still won't let me into the liveblog.



I did get an almost immediate reply to my email asking for help, though. (and not the canned Thank you one).

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 14:14:11
On WEEI's Fatty and the Forehead this morning, the 75000 layoffs were blamed specifically on Barney Frank.



Though someone tried to call Callahan on that (I don't think he was a caller though, maybe someone in earshot of the studio) - calling them O'Reilly's talking points. Callahan kept talking over him when he tried to ask if that meant that Barney Frank was more powerful that George Bush was.



More layoffs were announced here to happen soon, we just took a 3% layoff two months ago, this one will be about 5% so that's about 100 or so people here gone in the next month.

Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2009 14:19:59
Meh @ WEEI's morning show. Denise and Kelly-Ann are a pair of fuckin' morons worthy of WEIB.

Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2009 14:28:11
BTW Morning all! The hair problem has been corrected.. at least as best as I could do it, which means I have about a quarter-inch layer of hair left.



Yikes my scalp is COLD..

Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 14:37:24
Good Morning! :coffee:

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 14:37:50
Quote by Scoopster:

Meh @ WEEI's morning show. Denise and Kelly-Ann are a pair of fuckin' morons worthy of WEIB.




It's only a (poorly) disguised venue for the Boston Herald and Murdoch.



Comment by TriSec on 01/27/2009 14:39:43
I've been wondering that about Governor Cuckoo Clock (R-IL [retarded]).



He's on trial. Shouldn't he be present? Isn't that contempt of some kind? Where are the feds with the handcuffs and a ride back to Springfield?





Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 14:41:51
Trojan, I can't seem to login... they say they can't find my account details.

Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 14:43:05
Quote by TriSec:

I've been wondering that about Governor Cuckoo Clock (R-IL [retarded]).



He's on trial. Shouldn't he be present? Isn't that contempt of some kind? Where are the feds with the handcuffs and a ride back to Springfield?





Morally -- He SHOULD be present. But I am of the understanding that this is not a criminal proceeding, so he really does not have to be there.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 14:47:07
Quote by Raine:

Trojan, I can't seem to login... they say they can't find my account details.


That's probably the same problem I'm having. Poor George has his hands full this morning. I suppose I could just say I've lost my password, but I didn't and I want to make sure I can get the 'cast tonight. So I'll let everyone else beta-test the site.

Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2009 14:50:49
I never get to pick a radio station when I get my MRI

Comment by TriSec on 01/27/2009 14:51:04
Ah, TR wandering through the blog...





So, do you drive by my house every day or what? If you're on Main Street Waltham you do. We're down the street across from the late Sal's pizza parlor. (burned 2007)





Comment by starling310 on 01/27/2009 14:55:02
Good morning.



Oi Hannity!

We have to start calling it "Global Climate Change." Unfortunately, people like Sean take the word "Warming" literally.



Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 14:56:14
:puke: CALLER! PUHLEEZ!

Comment by wickedpam on 01/27/2009 14:56:35


Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2009 14:56:38
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by Scoopster:

Meh @ WEEI's morning show. Denise and Kelly-Ann are a pair of fuckin' morons worthy of WEIB.


It's only a (poorly) disguised venue for the Boston Herald and Murdoch.



The afternoon drive show is MUCH better.. The hosts still have right-leaning beliefs and express them, but at least they don't act like the morning crew and spew garbage and hatred.

Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 14:58:52
Comment by BobR on 01/27/2009 15:04:12
Thanks for your vigilance TriSec with your Tues sobering reminders.

Comment by BobR on 01/27/2009 15:13:09
Comment by m-hadley on 01/27/2009 15:15:30
Whoo Hoooo Everbodee :D

I'm at home today - it's a slice (sleet/ice) day here in Tulsa - both of the town's snow ploughs are out working overtime And the nice thing is I still have power!

Has anybodee from this blog been over to newly retooled SMS Liveblog? I think there is a bit of a learning curve

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 15:28:48
Quote by m-hadley:

Whoo Hoooo Everbodee :D

I'm at home today - it's a slice (sleet/ice) day here in Tulsa - both of the town's snow ploughs are out working overtime And the nice thing is I still have power!

Has anybodee from this blog been over to newly retooled SMS Liveblog? I think there is a bit of a learning curve

Cheers,

mfaye


I tried mfaye, but it won't let me log in. I sent an email to George and he responded quickly, but I think he's being overwhelmed right now. I'll let everyone else beta-test it. If you go back you can say hi for me.



At the Fortress of Solitude for the rest of the day and tomorrow until we're snowed out (forecast here is for a foot or more), but I'm toying with renaming it either The Gas Chamber or The Freezer. Today, it's the freezer, only 55 degrees in here. Odd, it was 70 in here on Saturday. Maybe it has Bizarro Thermostat, it only works when people aren't supposed to be here.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 15:30:11




Well?



Someone call Rummy and tell him if he shows up at he can collect MILLIONS of dollars.



Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 15:32:39
Quote by TriSec:

Ah, TR wandering through the blog...





So, do you drive by my house every day or what? If you're on Main Street Waltham you do. We're down the street across from the late Sal's pizza parlor. (burned 2007)







If conditions on 128 warrant it, yes I'll drive down Main Street from time to time. Sometimes I'll ask the GPS to take the shortest route home from Andover (if I have time to kill), and that does take me down Main Street.



Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 15:35:56
Quote by Scoopster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by Scoopster:

Meh @ WEEI's morning show. Denise and Kelly-Ann are a pair of fuckin' morons worthy of WEIB.


It's only a (poorly) disguised venue for the Boston Herald and Murdoch.



The afternoon drive show is MUCH better.. The hosts still have right-leaning beliefs and express them, but at least they don't act like the morning crew and spew garbage and hatred.




They might be better, but there's WAY too many commercials and the breaks are WAY too long. Besides, by the time the Whiner Line comes on, the transmitter has switched to its night pattern and even though I can see the antennas I can't hear the station.



Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 15:43:29
Ha... Rove Lawyer Says Executive Privledge STILL exists...


Rove's Washington, D.C. lawyer, Robert Luskin, did not return initial email and telephone requests for comment from The Washington Post. But in a statement published early Tuesday morning, he said, "It's generally agreed that former presidents retain executive privilege as to matters occurring during their term. We'll solicit the views of the new White House counsel and, if there is a disagreement, assume that the matter will be resolved among the courts, the president and the former president."




One problem... Karl Rove is NOT the president.

Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 15:49:32
Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 15:56:39
It occurs to me that Obama has been president for a week. Damn-- it feels like it has been a lot longer than that.







Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 16:01:13
Comment by BobR on 01/27/2009 16:09:17


wow - very cool!

Comment by BobR on 01/27/2009 16:10:12
Quote by Raine:

The PETA ad that was Banned by the Superbowl...



Just be warned.


PROBABLY NOT WORK SAFE

Comment by Scoopster on 01/27/2009 16:10:38
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by Scoopster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by Scoopster:

Meh @ WEEI's morning show. Denise and Kelly-Ann are a pair of fuckin' morons worthy of WEIB.


It's only a (poorly) disguised venue for the Boston Herald and Murdoch.



The afternoon drive show is MUCH better.. The hosts still have right-leaning beliefs and express them, but at least they don't act like the morning crew and spew garbage and hatred.




They might be better, but there's WAY too many commercials and the breaks are WAY too long. Besides, by the time the Whiner Line comes on, the transmitter has switched to its night pattern and even though I can see the antennas I can't hear the station.


Ooof.. too bad you can't get the FM signal from the Providence station.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 16:16:15
Quote by Scoopster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by Scoopster:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Quote by Scoopster:

Meh @ WEEI's morning show. Denise and Kelly-Ann are a pair of fuckin' morons worthy of WEIB.


It's only a (poorly) disguised venue for the Boston Herald and Murdoch.



The afternoon drive show is MUCH better.. The hosts still have right-leaning beliefs and express them, but at least they don't act like the morning crew and spew garbage and hatred.




They might be better, but there's WAY too many commercials and the breaks are WAY too long. Besides, by the time the Whiner Line comes on, the transmitter has switched to its night pattern and even though I can see the antennas I can't hear the station.


Ooof.. too bad you can't get the FM signal from the Providence station.




I'm on the fringe of WEEI-FM, so it's not reliable enough, only my best "communications" receivers will get it.



I used to download the Whiner line all the time and The Big Show was my favorite show - until I heard the SMS.



Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 16:19:27
Does anyone remember that the VP used to be Blurred on Google Earth -- While darth Cheney lived there? Not anymore...

Comment by TriSec on 01/27/2009 16:19:28
Quote by BobR:



PROBABLY NOT WORK SAFE




as I discovered too late, much to my chagrin.





Comment by TriSec on 01/27/2009 16:21:34
Quote by Raine:

Does anyone remember that the VP used to be Blurred on Google Earth -- While darth Cheney lived there? Not anymore...






Well, what do you know?



My home field at KBED is non-pixellated now, too!

Comment by Raine on 01/27/2009 16:30:30
Go on Andrew Cuomo!!!



(now if he manages not to diggle with the ladies -- he may very well make a very good Gov for the state of NY.)

Comment by Random on 01/27/2009 16:42:01
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

The PETA ad that was Banned by the Superbowl...



Just be warned.


PROBABLY NOT WORK SAFE


I'm at work...Some tell me what's going on in that ad...please

Comment by Random on 01/27/2009 16:43:21


Comment by Random on 01/27/2009 16:49:12


...Well, someone actually thinks it's a good idea in the comment section.

Comment by livingonli on 01/27/2009 16:53:45
A belated good morning everyone.



It seems I'm not as chatty as I used to be these days.

Comment by livingonli on 01/27/2009 16:59:19


Why couldn't we get rid of him last November? He's the last Republican still in the local Congressional delegation. His sucking up to Bush and his bigoted attacks on Muslims should have been grounds for kicking his ass to the curve.

Comment by Random on 01/27/2009 17:04:36
Hey Liv

Comment by livingonli on 01/27/2009 17:07:05
Hi Random.



I have CNN International on right now and they are showing the snow that has fallen in DC in front of the White House.

Comment by BobR on 01/27/2009 17:22:01
Quote by Random:



I'm at work...Some tell me what's going on in that ad...please


women getting all hot and sexy with vegetables.

Comment by Random on 01/27/2009 17:24:12
Cool...

I'm listening to Yesterday's Stephanie Miller.



Hence..I'm doing nothing.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 01/27/2009 17:24:40
'afternoon liv.