McCain Votes Against Equal Pay: Women Need "Education And Training"
Once again John McCain shows he is out of touch with the needs of regular people.
So ask yourself if this REALLY is the guy you want appointing members of the Supreme Court for a lifetime?
No matter what the alternative, I say HELL NO!......
Here is where McCain wants women to be:
Do you repudiate your wife for her thievery of medications in 1989?
Explain your role in the Keating Five.
Discuss your decision to leave your first wife after having an affair with your current wife.
How do you respond to your fellow GOP colleagues who say your temperament is unfit to be Commander in Chief?
What type of psychological scars has your experience with torture left on you?
How often do you attend church and why did you switch religions as an adult?
***Wouldn't it be great if we actually got answers? Don't count on it!
Soon Town became a national figure, the human face of the 22,500 soldiers discharged with personality disorder in the past six years. His story was picked up by the Army Times, Washington Post Radio and ABC News's Bob Woodruff. It was dramatized in a May episode of NBC's Law & Order. And rock star Dave Matthews began discussing Town's plight at every stop in his spring concert series....
The person who was in charge of review disability claims at Fort Carson was Col. Steven Knorr.
......Knorr's memo, which he posted on his office's bulletin board, warns his doctors not to take soldiers' descriptions of their ailments at face value. "We're not naïve, and shouldn't automatically believe everything Soldiers tell us," the colonel writes. Knorr also urges his doctors to discharge troubled soldiers quickly--as he puts it, "Get rid of dead wood."...
Is this how the Bush administration and all the flag-wearing Republicans support the troops? Do yourself a favor and read the entire article.
According to the Library of Congress, Sen. Barack Obama sponsored an amendment to fix and review these cases:
S.AMDT.4330 to S.CON.RES.70 To provide an additional $5 million to the military departments' respective Boards for Correction of Military Records to expedite review of cases in which service members with combat-related psychological injuries (such as PTSD) or closed head injuries (such as TBIs) were administered discharges for personality disorders or other discharges resulting in a loss of benefits or care and seek a correction of records or upgraded discharge.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/13/2008) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 3/13/2008 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 4330 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Those people who are undecided on which candidate to support in the Pennsylvania Presidential Primary should take a good look at this article. Sen. Obama's support of this amendment proves that he really does care for our men and women in uniform.
President Bush says he was aware that his top aides met in the White House basement to
micromanage the application of waterboarding and other widely-condemned interrogation
techniques. And he says it was no big deal.
"I'm aware our national security team met on this issue. And I approved," Bush told ABC
News' Martha Raddatz on Friday. "I don't know what's new about that; I'm not so sure
what's so startling about that."
It's true that it has been widely assumed and occasionally reported that the CIA's use of
brutal interrogation techniques could be traced back to the White House on a general
level. But it was most definitely new last week when ABC News reported that a group
of Bush's top aides, including Vice President Cheney, took part in meetings where they
explicitly discussed and approved -- literally blow by blow -- tactics such as waterboarding.
And while Bush has previously defended these tactics -- vaguely, and insisting against all
evidence that they did not amount to torture -- he had not, until now, acknowledged that
he personally OK'd them beforehand.....
...Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Genoa Township, said "if we begin a precipitous withdrawal of troops now, all of our gains made in Iraq could be reversed. I believe we must listen to our troops on the ground and the testimony of Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker as we plan our next steps in Iraq."
But Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, said he had been "hoping to hear the same thing that most Americans want to hear -- a game plan for bringing our troops home and turning over responsibility for Iraq to the Iraqis."
Which representative do you think is an obstacle to bringing our troops home? Tiberi
Which representative continues to support an undefined military presence in Iraq? Tiberi
Which representative wants the U.S. to continue to spend billions of dollars in Iraq while our roads, bridges, and schools crumble? Tiberi
In all these committee hearings before members of the House and the Senate, I heard nothing about any active diplomatic measures being taken by Sec. of State Rice or her counterparts to bring an end to the Iraq war. It is just sad because more American members of the military have died for Bush's Iraq war.
If Patrick McHenry wants to tell war stories so badly, he should resign his Congressional seat and go enlist. He's only 32. That way, he could get some training--so that next time he's in a combat zone trying to be a tough guy, he won't be such a bumbling, self-promotional fool about it.
At this point, Patrick McHenry should be censured by his peers in Congress and he should apologize to the troops and their families....
San Diego GOP Rep. Darrell Issa was under siege for suggesting the federal government had already done enough to help New York cope with "a fire" that "simply was an aircraft" hitting the World Trade Center....
*** Did you see John McCain's latest comments?
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Wednesday he has begun a list of potential vice presidential running mates -- a decision he quipped was especially big "given my age."
....McCain joked to radio talk show host Don Imus that his pick of a potential presidential backup carried extra interest. "I'm aware of the enhanced importance of this issue given my age," he quipped.
The Arizona senator would be the oldest first-term U.S. president if elected....
Does the senator mean that he might be considered too old to be president? Is there something about McCain's health that we should know about?
**** The New York Times has an interesting poll result----
Americans are more dissatisfied with the country’s direction than at any time since the New York Times/CBS News poll began asking about the subject in the early 1990s, according to the latest poll.
In the poll, 81 percent of respondents said they believed “things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track,” up from 69 percent a year ago and 35 percent in early 2002....
This is not a good sign for the Republicans, since John McCain plans to carry on the programs and policies of President George W. Bush.
The Wal-Mart health insurance plan has dropped its effort to recover the money it spent to care for Debbie Shank of Jackson as intense national publicity created a serious public relations problem for the retail giant.
After Jim Shank, Debbie's former husband, failed to win a U.S. Supreme Court review of the case, he had resigned himself to turning over the remaining $200,000-plus trust fund set up to care for Debbie Shank, who was brain-damaged in a auto wreck in 2000.....
I'm glad for Mrs. Shank.
> Did you ever hear of a group called Physicians for a National Health Program? John McCain is against any national healthcare program. Only the Democrats are for a national plan.
> I watched a little of the congressional hearings on the price of oil. The big shot execs of the oil companies were trying to justify their billions of dollars of profits. I think I saw their noses growing longer the more that they spoke.
> More Americans have been killed in Iraq. ICasualties is reporting that 4012 Americans have died in Iraq. John McCain wants 100 more years of this. Can we honestly say that we can endure the loss of more American lives? Not only are these young men and women dealing with war and physical injuries, many have nightmares and psychological problems when they return home.
> Did you know that John McCain is against the new G.I. Bill? Is that his way of supporting the troops?
Sen. Jim Webb is doing his part to support the bill. Military.com:
...Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., said he adamantly believes the government has a greater obligation to help veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001. Webb, along with Sens. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. and Chuck Hagel R-Neb., authored the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act (S 22), which aims to modernize the GI Bill.
"In keeping with the spirit of the original World War II GI Bill, this improved legislation will give this new generation of veterans an educational benefit similar to what the original 'greatest generation' received," Webb said....
; "Paper")
In its sixth annual report on selected weapons purchases, the auditors, with the Government Accountability Office, found that procurement costs came in 26 percent above original estimates for 72 major weapons programs in 2007. The office also found that many programs had been delayed or produced fewer weapons than initially planned.
The report attributed the problems to inefficient Pentagon practices, including changes in requirements after weapons development had started, turnover in program management and the use of contractors....
Looks like the defense contractors are running the Pentagon!!!
**** Have you visited the supermarket recently??? Check out the prices of milk, eggs, and fruits/vegetables. Even ice cream has gone up in price. Who should we thank for this mess?
Wal-Mart had paid out about $470,000 for Shank's medical expenses and later sued for the same amount. However, the court ruled it can only recoup what is left in the family's trust....
How difficult would it be for Wal-Mart to just let the remaining money pay for Mrs. Shank's care? Didn't Wal-Mart make billions last year? Is this how Wal-Mart treats employees/former employees?
....Due to the continuing threat of indirect fire in the International Zone, all personnel are advised to remain under hard cover at all times. Personnel should only move outside of hard cover for essential reasons. Essential outdoor movements should be sharply limited in duration. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory for all outside movements.
We strongly recommend personnel do not sleep in their trailers. Night workers should rest inside hardened structures during daylight hours. All personnel are welcome to sleep inside the Palace and at the New Embassy Compound. Limited supplies of cots continue to be available.....
This must be more evidence of Bush's success in Iraq.
State Auditor Mary Taylor said the payments authorized by former Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, a fellow Republican, were illegal because he did not have the authority to award the additional payments. The individual employees are liable for dollar amounts ranging from $949.68 to $9,704.
Blackwell said Tuesday he would be willing to go to court to challenge the findings...
Not only did Blackwell mess up Ohio voting, he gave away Ohioans tax money to reward his cronies. Ohio Republicans just don't get it.
| U.S. Deaths Confirmed By The DoD: | 3992 |
| Reported U.S. Deaths Pending DoD Confirmation: | 8 |
| Total | 4000 |
| Self Inflicted | Army | Navy | Marines | Air Force | Total |
| Died of Self-Inflicted wounds | 118 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 145 |
The invitation says that for $10,000 you can go to a private reception with a photo opportunity. The luncheon reception is $1,000. Those who can't attend but would like to contribute are asked to give $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250 or "other."
I won't be attending that function. If I had an extra $5000, I'd give it to a charity that helps families and children. I certainly would not give one penny to have a photo opportunity with Bush or any member of the Republican Party. This type of fundraiser shows how out of touch the Ohio GOP and the National Republican Party has become. I think it is just plain obscene.
While the Republicans are drinking fine wine and chit chatting with President Bush, families in the Miami Valley and throughout the state are trying to figure out how to feed their families, save their home
from foreclosure, and put gas in the car. Once again the GOP and their backers demonstrate their inability to hear, see, or understand the plight of the regular American family.
...The council's executive officer Paul Bourke says China has not honoured the human rights commitments that it made in its bid for this year's Beijing Olympics.
"When the Olympics were awarded to China, they gave certain guarantees about improvements in human rights and media freedom," he said....
The Independent has this-----
.....Chinese authorities in Tibet said 10 people have been killed in riots in the capital, Lhasa, although Tibetan exile groups say that the figure is nearer 25. Security forces in Tibet had locked down the city after days of fires and rock-throwing, but reports from Lhasa yesterday suggested there had been more violence, and that police on the streets were shooting on sight. Eyewitnesses quoted by the Free Tibet Campaign and ITN said that 80 had died.
The Tibetan protests are taking place just five months before the Olympic Games in Beijing, and the whole world is watching to see how China reacts. Tibetan independence activists have made no secret of their intentions to use the games as a platform for their cause, but Beijing is determined not to let unrest in Tibet affect the games. "Anyone who wants to sabotage the games will get nowhere," Beijing's top official in Tibet, Qiangba Puncog, said......
....As governments around the world call for a restrained response, China is taking a tough stance. The regional government offered leniency to rioters if they gave themselves up by midnight on Monday and provided information on lawbreakers. "Those who cover up or shelter the lawbreakers will be punished in accordance with the law," the Xinhua news agency said.....
It is very sad that such a beautiful country is experiencing such tragedy. All that the U.S. can do is ask for "restraint" by the Chinese. It might be that the present administration is afraid to speak a little louder since the Chinese own so much of this country's debt.
| U.S. Deaths Confirmed By The DoD: | 3974 |
| Reported U.S. Deaths Pending DoD Confirmation: | 13 |
| Total | 3987 |
Admiral William Fallon, who headed Central Command, which stretches from the restive Middle East across Iraq and Iran to Afghanistan and Central Asia and is the focus of U.S. President George W. Bush's multifronted war on Islamic extremism, ended a glittering military career in what seemed to be a rift with the President...
But by yesterday, with the cumulative effect of increasingly being seen at odds with the Bush administration, a breaking point was reached. The admiral wanted to quit and neither the White House nor Defence Secretary Robert Gates sought to dissuade him.....
The Lima Company Memorial: A Remembrance of Spirit & Choice has become more than paint on canvas. Family members are contributing pictures and stories about their husbands, sons and brothers. Some visit Miller's studio in Westerville just to hang out as the paintings progress...
...More information about the memorial can be found at www.limacompanymemorial.org. Details about Anita Miller and her work are at www.theartistsroost.com....
According to the Dispatch, the portraits will be displayed at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus beginning Memorial Day.
In 1999, well before the Republican primaries of 2000, McCain released 1,500 pages of health records, dating to his days in the Navy. Since then, however, he has gotten almost a decade older and, in August 2000, he underwent melanoma surgery. His refusal to release records covering that surgery and subsequent developments is troubling.
From his health history alone, it is clear that McCain is at a heightened risk of a recurrence of melanoma or other types of skin cancer. The New York Times, in a story published Sunday, cited a medical study of his particular category of melanoma that put his 10-year survival odds at about 65% at the time of his surgery. (Having survived at least five years with no known recurrence, his odds have risen substantially.).....
McCain should let the public know exactly what health problems he has faced. As a man over 70, there are many health problems that could arise if he were elected President. With his past history, age, and the pressures of the office, could he handle the day to day challenges of the White House.
Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel-Prize-winning Columbia University economics professor, and Linda Blimes of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, authors of a new book, “The Three Trillion Dollar War,” estimate America’s real price tag will be $3 trillion when all costs — including compensation, pensions and disability benefits for wounded veterans, and rising oil prices — are factored in.
These staggering outlays are preventing the country from undertaking efforts that would make the United States safer, like going after al Qaeda in Pakistan. It is also sapping the resources needed for critical priorities at home, like improving the quality and availability of health care.....
How can someone claim that they are for fiscal responsibility yet support throwing money into Iraq? I heard in a report on the radio that the Iraq war has already cost us 8 times the cost of World War II. It appears that the only people gaining anything from Iraq are the stockholders of Halliburton.