AP - shame on you.

From my husband - downrange.

For years, the Associated Press was one of the mainstays of journalism, a source for unbiased reporting of the events of the day. Period. The decision of AP to run the image of a Marine as he died in Afghanistan, and the statement explaining why they chose to run the image, shows the Associated Press has abandoned impartiality, and joined the ranks of biased news organizations such as CNN and Foxnews. I will no longer rely upon the AP as a source of factual information.

This post X posted at Left Face


The recent decision by the Associated Press to publish a specific picture of a young wounded Marine, who later died of these wounds in the hospital, has galvanized the military community in a way I haven't seen in a very long time. The family of Lance Corporal Bernard specifically requested, in an interview, and phone call, that this image NOT be published. This is the stand taken by Secretary of Defense Gates in the recent Dover decision, if the family says no, that means NO. SecDef Gates also requested that it not be published, when contacted by the family.

“Out of respect for his family’s wishes, I ask you in the strongest of terms to reconsider your decision. I do not make this request lightly. In one of my first public statements as Secretary of Defense, I stated that the media should not be treated as the enemy, and made it a point to thank journalists for revealing problems that need to be fixed – as was the case with Walter Reed."

“I cannot imagine the pain and suffering Lance Corporal Bernard’s death has caused his family. Why your organization would purposefully defy the family’s wishes knowing full well that it will lead to yet more anguish is beyond me. Your lack of compassion and common sense in choosing to put this image of their maimed and stricken child on the front page of multiple American newspapers is appalling. The issue here is not law, policy or constitutional right – but judgment and common decency.”

The Associated Press, in an appalling lack of respect for the family, lack of respect for the military community, showing a complete disregard for common decency, decided to publish it anyway. They claimed they needed it because

We feel it is our journalistic duty to show the reality of the war there, however unpleasant and brutal that sometimes is

The Huffington Post has seen fit to post this image also - and I for one am horrified that they would do this. (and no, I won't link to it, that image does NOT need to be here) There are thousands and thousands of other images, that don't zero in on one particular man, that can show us all what is happening in Afghanistan. To publish this is a slap in the face to the Bernard Family, and to the rest of the families of the military, amongst whom I am proud to stand.

This will now put into further question the entire embed program. The Secretary said it well, the press has been seen as the enemy by many in this military community, the AP and Huffington Post just solidified that opinion. How stupidly shortsighted this decision was. How hurtful.

To Lance Corporal Bernard's family and friends, please accept my condolences on your loss and may I apologize to you for the anguish inflicted on you by the AP and others that published this photograph.

A New Low

I'm still capable of being shocked - which is a shock in itself. I watched the video I have linked to* - of a woman in a wheelchair at a healthcare town hall being heckled and screamed at - and was stunned at the illogical and ridiculous "anger" being shown. The woman was asking for help with her HEALTHCARE issues. I guess she wasn't screaming about "death panels" (who actually believes that twaddle? a new code being added for billing so a doctor can bill for talking to a person about end-of-life care and their wishes, and it was deliberately twisted and lied about by the pundits and talking heads, and started by a shill for drug companies)

I suppose that her problems with her health insurance company don't mean much to the jerk who said "I didn't come here to listen to other people's opinions"... that statement alone says it all. No, they aren't there to listen, to actually discuss anything. They are there to scream, to yell, to disrupt. Rational discussion - listening to other people's opinions, getting the facts to make an independent decision - is that asking so much? When you get your "information" from groups set up and financed by health insurance companies and drug companies - you get what they paid for.

* tried to imbed, Blogger wouldn't let me...

Saying Goodbye to the Liberal Lion of the Senate

Xposted on LeftFace


Yesterday, I watched the funeral of Senator Kennedy while in the waiting room of the Toyota Dealer, which meant I had nowhere to go, nothing I could do other than watch, knit, and remember. Remember when I was young and President Kennedy was assassinated, the sorrow and shock; when I was older and Bobby was killed, the shock and anger. This Kennedy was put to rest after a long life, this was a celebration of his life, with his large family around him, saying goodbye to "Le Grand Fromage". There were tears, laughter, homage and stories of a complex man; not a perfect human being by any means. A man of great wealth, who worked tirelessly for the less fortunate; a man of questionable decisions in his private life, who was a committed campaigner for the causes he felt strongly about; a dedicated and unabashed Liberal, willing to reach across the aisle and work with his best friend, the very conservative Orrin Hatch. As one of the women in our discussion group, HellCatBetty, said:

He was such an admirable man; passionate about the things he believed in (which I happen to agree with), but also a true American that believed that no matter what your beliefs/politics, The Constitution provides and protects the opportunity for you to express yourself.

He was the rallying cry for both parties, the conservative camp vowing to block him and his policies; the liberal camp vowing to back him in those same policies. We've forgotten that he learned to work with his opponents, while holding fast to his principles of aid to those in need. Another commenter in our discussion -

Ted had a few things in his past that bothered me, but I always loved that he was fighting for people who wouldn't have had a voice otherwise. Through his family, wealth, and connections, he could have done whatever he wanted -- looted Wall Street, lived off the family name and investments, whatever. Instead, he chose public service, to represent folks who weren't anything like him, and I think that is awesome. I'll miss him something terrible.

We didn't avoid talking about Chappaquiddick, nor did he. His decisions that night were deplorable, wrong, and despicably foolish. His drinking bouts were legendary and idiotic, a weakness that he acknowledged in later life. Whether he only went into politics because of his father's urging and because his brothers told him to, we don't know. But it's what he DID for the country, for the poor, the disabled and yes, the military, that counts for me.

There are many pages devoted to his legislative accomplishments and I culled the list below from many of them - but this is NOT the comprehensive list.

Civil Rights Act of 1991, Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act of 1990, the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1993, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in 1997 (“HIPAA”), the Children's Health Act of 2000, the Project BioShield Act of 2003, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2005, the FDA Amendments Act of 2007, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. In 1972 he helped push the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC. In 2000, the Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act and in 2002 the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act. 1992 Mammography Quality Standards Act, and in 2009 he introduced the 21st Century Cancer Access to Life-Saving Early detection, Research and Treatment (ALERT), in 2003 he helped make the Medicare changes to allow for more use of generic drugs. 2007 Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 2008, which forbids the discrimination against men and women in uniform by their employers. The Immigration Act of 1965, and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002. Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which became law in 1978. Early Head Start, created by Senator Kennedy in 1994. Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and the TRIO programs for college students, Basic Educational Opportunity Grant (Pell Grants Thank you Ted) and Title IX, Workforce Investment Act of 1998, College Cost Reduction Act of 2007, Higher Education Opportunity Act in 2008. National and Community Service Trust Act of 1990, which established AmeriCorps in 1993, and the Serve America Act of 2009. Raised the minimum wage twice. Pension Protection Act of 2006. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, National Military Child Care Act of 1989, and introduced National Month of the Military Child in 2008. National Guard and Reserve Mental Health Access Act of 2008. 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, Crime Victims and Disabilities Awareness Act of 1998, The Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978

Senator Kennedy

RIP Teddy. Your dream of universal healthcare isn't done yet, but we are working on it. For all your faults, your past, your foibles, your mistakes - you were a passionate liberal, you refused to be ashamed of that honourable label, you worked hard for the causes you believed in. We'll miss you.

I'm already seeing some revolting remarks by people from whom I expected some semblance of taste and class. How sad that they cannot wait a few hours to begin their nastiness.

I know. I know... I KNOW!!!

I owe y'all a large post about the great fun we had. I know, I owe y'all something decent written with care. But I'm addicted - to something new. My blogs are suffering, the blog I share with great friends is too, the apartment is a wreck. And why, you ask? (and you really don't give a rip, but I'm being egotistical today)

KNITTING! On the shared blog - we have a great friend, who loves to knit and is so enthusiastic about it, her nickname is the neighbourhood crack dealer of knitting. Many trips to Michaels later, I have a tote, various sizes of needles, yarn (and I have a huge bin of yarn left over from crochet projects and from my mother's stash as well), patterns and I even joined Ravelry online - to look for more yarn, patterns.... it's an addiction!

so forgive the lack of writing. I'll get my act together soon - my knitting will go back to being something else I do, instead of the ONLY thing I've done. k1, p1, YO....

LAW

Waiting for -----

No, not Godot. waiting for three of my "imaginary friends" - fellow bloggers on Left Face! they are coming to town to meet, greet, eat! and do the whole tourist thing. I'm so glad to be having them here, wish the others could be here as well.

Let's see - beds made, food (and beer) in fridge, the good Pride and Prejudice ready (Colin Firth IS Mr. Darcy) knitting needles ready (we are all learning to knit, thanks to our friend Lopsided Mom). I'm ready!

Talk to y'all after this weekend, there's so much to talk about, isn't there?

LAW

something useful

I love my IPod. I love being able to get my BBC podcasts and listen to them while I'm on the Metro or at work (some very LOUD attorneys on my hall, who do conferences by speaker phone). So when it froze up completely the other day, I was NOT happy. It had been acting up for a few days. took a couple more taps to get to menu etc. What to do... find the Apple Store and stand in line for hours - no, I don't have time for that. Think!

Googled IPod diagnostics - and voila! I'm sure lots of you knew this, but if you didn't, this could save you a trip/wait or some frustration.

http://www.methodshop.com/gadgets/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/index.shtml/index.shtml


LAW

Jet Lag - Exhaustion Haze

So, I got back Sunday afternoon, and went to work yesterday. 300+ emails, some the "using printer 2 for large project", but many of substance... and nothing was computing in my head! trying to get the insurance/bank bit accomplished, calling mortgage company, dealing with workmen by phone, trying to get with realtor, renters, mortgage company, and all while feeling fuzzyheaded. I even had to tell one of the attorneys that I really wasn't going to be able to help him out until the next day - I couldn't rely on my work product to be accurate with the way I was feeling.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that I got an extra day with Chief by both of us flying out on the last possible day. But I coulda used a day without being at work to recover - napping would be a start! And the house is bare of essentials - need a commissary run big time - but tonight is my night to clean cat cages at Petsmart/FancyCats. I'm unpacked, which is good. If I don't unpack right away, that suitcase could be standing in the corner for a few days - and that could be bad, if you know what I mean! I've been doing laundry - but I'm running out of detergent - need to put that on the list as well.

A good night's sleep last night helped. I'm almost feeling human. got bills paid, got cheques deposited (LOVE the online cheque deposit from USAA) and now hoping that the work day will feel better. Need to write reviews for the hotels we stayed in, the thank you letter to the last one....

LAW

I'm Back! Not happily, but I'm back.

So - anyone who was wondering (and my latest stats say very few of you are there) - I'm Back from our wonderful damp, cool, superb, glorious 2 week R&R in Scotland and Ireland. We had a great time - somethings went great, somethings didn't. I'll post some pictures and a bit of a travelogue when I'm not a little jetlagged, and a lot sad. Talked to Chief on the phone early this morning - he was in the airport lounge waiting for his trip to the less damp, cool spot he calls "home" for now... and I'm sad.

One not so nice thing - some jackass cretin bozo has hacked ParentsZone - and I'm not sure how much can be recovered. Karma will hit this person upside the head, sooner I hope.

LAW

Honouring the heroes

I just watched a report on BBC World news on the repatriation of eight young soldiers, all killed in Afghanistan on the same day. In contrast to our own secretive and exclusionary arrivals at Dover, the arrivals were filmed, in silence, the only sound was a trumpet call and the slow march of the bearers. The families were not filmed. They then had a private service at a private chapel, and all eight hearses set off from the base. They were escorted by police and the route was lined, through the town of Wooten Bassett all the way to Oxford. The town shut down. All the way to Oxford, the route was lined with veterans groups, families, strangers and friends. Flags were dipped as the hearses passed, veterans and current soldiers saluted, children stood with their hands over their hearts and roses were flung to land on the hearses and the road before them.

The entire country paid respect to those young men, to their families, to their Regiments. Respect. No paparazzi dashed forward to take pictures of the widows, no disrespect or protesters were seen. Dignity and respect, sadness and loss were the only emotions I saw on the faces of those standing on the route. As it should be.

LAW

Now THAT was quite a weekend!

Three days of fun, fireworks of all sorts, low humidity and high drama - quite a weekend.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a friend's apartment in Rosslyn, with the most amazing view of DC and the Maryland suburbs and down the Potomac to the airport. The river was packed with boats, the roads were shut down and huge groups of people clustered on the bridges and through Arlington Cemetery and clambered on the Iwo Jima Marine Memorial. The fireworks were fantastic! and watching them burst over the Washington Memorial and the Capitol... amazing! We turned up the music on the TV coverage, after all, what are fireworks without Souza! The trip home was the usual in DC after an event. I waited for about 45 minutes (when the flow of people had backed off to a trickle coming off the bridges and Arlington) and went to the Rosslyn station. And then I waited another hour, but not on the platform, that was way too crowded and dangerous. It looked a little bit like pictures we have seen of Tokyo, people trying to shove onto already crowded trains! but the system was working, and I got home safe and sound.

R&R aka Mid Tour Leave is coming up fast. The suitcase is up in the bedroom and I've started prepacking, pulling together what I think I want to take, pulling together what Chief wants me to bring,(yes, dear, I have the recharger for the camera) The cat met his new friend, who will be staying with him and took to her immediately, plunked himself in her lap and proceeded to demand her attention. That's a plus, having him content with her and not hiding under the futon which is his usual station when meeting new people.

The house disaster is coming together, my handyguy is a miracle worker, got the paint off the kitchen cupboards and spent at least 30 hours sanding the paint off the wood throughout the house. A realtor we had been talking to about listing has said he wants to now that a couple of things have been done or are being done, so keep the fingers Xed. We have renters, who will be moving in at the end of the month, wish us luck there too. The best part? The insurance company is 99.9% certain they are paying for the repairs, which is a HUGE weight off our shoulders and means that we can take our MidTour Leave.

Not to say there hasn't been drama - after all, this is MY life, so there HAS to be drama! The caretaker drama has kept me awake, reduced me to tears more than once, and I've chosen to back off, to respond strictly in a professional manner and refuse to respond and feed the circus.

The Palin drama was and is a feast for anyone on the Internet, that rambling wreck of a "speech" (I put it in quotes, because speeches are usually understandable, and I've heard it at least 6 times in it's entirety, but I still cannot figure out what the hell she said!) and her ongoing "what do you mean you don't understand, you are picking on me, leave me alone/pay attention to me" blathering - well y'all, I just shake my head in amazement.

Hope your weekend was a good one, if you were spending it without your loved one because of deployment or other duty, I hope you had good friends to spend it with.

LAW

Quitter

She is quitting, Sarah Palin is Quitting! If she can't handle being governor, how the hell would she handle being in National Politics?? oh, this is so bizarre, so absolutely her way of doing things... Bye bye, Alaska Barbie.

LAW

Enough already!

ONE more word about Michael Jackson - I'll scream! Even the BBC - my place to go to when US media is driving me mad with the trivial BS - they did wall to wall coverage! So my friend misericorde (I know who she is, but she's shy...) started doing RIP tweets, with a different Navy Casualty in Afghanistan. I picked it up and did the Iraq 2009. Yes, MJ was talented, but batshit crazy, drug addicted and had a penchant for strange behaviour and tantrums that were somehow allowed because "he never had a childhood"..excuse, excuse, excuse for bad behaviour - often close to criminal (if not more than close)

But what talent did THEY have? those men and women on the casualty list? did they sing, dance, write songs? Were they great cooks, comedians, runners, writers, poets, students of history, painters? Why are we forgetting to mourn them? Why are we no longer taking a moment to pay our respects to them?

We do have other problems in this country, anyone trying to sell a house (another post altogether) or find a job will understand that... but these men and women died in the service of their country, their ideals. It is time to remember that again, not just on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, July 4. Every day.

LAW

The road to Suckyville - heads down into the valley

My friend Tucker (if you haven't gone to her site, get your butt over there) talked about Suckyville. Thats the place that all deployments get to - and it is just miserable. I hit the outskirts of town last week, and this week I think I hit downtown Suckyville.

I'm tired - tired of being alone, tired of taking care of everything. When the house was broken into and vandalized, the whole who will fix it, trying to get it cleaned up so we can list it, dealing with the insurance company, was added to the regular crap, and piling on my OCD problem with making reservations for our upcoming R&R... it's all just sitting on my head and driving me batshit. I have a tendency to want to have it all perfect and did too much research on hotels in Edinburgh and Dublin, worrying that I'm spending too much - did I get somewhere nice and clean and quiet? did I get some horrid place that will stink of old cabbage with a disco across the way? I read reviews like crazy - like I said, I went nuts.

Now the whole "rent the house, don't rent the house" decision has to be made, are these prospective renters a nice couple or some meth head bunch who will trash the house some more?

And I don't have the husband to turn to and say "what do YOU think?" He just says he trusts me and my decisions... and I don't trust my own decisions.

Work - that's another FUBAR problem, with an attorney with a severe case of ADHD who is getting ready for vacation - so you can imagine how much time he's spending on anything I need to have done/answered.

Waah, waah waah. I sound like an absolute IDIOT - there are so many people have a worse time, and I'm making my own problems. and I Know It. but for some reason, I cannot dig out of this pit right now. So I think I'll wallow for a while (with visions of baby hefelumps in the mud making me smile) and I hope like hell I can see the other side soon.

OK, grump post over.

LAW

Perspective

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Kevin A. Dupont, 52, of Templeton, Mass., died June 17 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered March 8 in Kandau, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 79th Troop Command, Rehoboth, Mass.

I have been following SFC Dupont's fight for life at BAMC through Caring Bridge. He touched a chord with me, probably because we are the same age, he was a little younger than my husband. He didn't need to be there, he volunteered to be there, with "his guys". His wife Lisa has been a rock through this, has written in the daily.. and was always strong and sure that "Iron Man" would pull through. His family in Massachusetts held strong throughout!

My deepest condolences to Lisa and the entire Dupont family.

LAW

Iran

I am watching the Iran coverage, and there's a lot of emotion swirling around. A friend of my parents was in the Embassy, all those years ago. He was held hostage, and we saw the crowds roaring, the chanting... and the biggest sound we heard was - Death to America. We worried about him everyday. And I found this - this is our friend, and he's making the exact point I am trying to make as well.

Now Tehran is again boiling over. Twitterers are tweeting like crazy, and the demonstrators are marching again. And there are those who want us, the United States, to make grandiose statements and accuse the Iranian government of fraud. Yes, we KNOW there was fraud, that's a duh.

But we CANNOT say more. We cannot give the present regime any ammunition - we cannot let them use our support to make a point that the opposition is "under the control of America". We are still the Great Satan in Iran. We have a terrible history in Iran, of toppling an elected official and propping up the Shah who was pretty brutal in his crushing of all opposition. We cannot be seen to be doing this again. We cannot.

LAW

it's been a while... and this week just sucked!

I can finally blog this all, I was waiting to tell Chief all about the house, didn't want him to find out by email...... what? What am I talking about?.. well, gather round, my friends (and those anon lurkers, pull up a chair)

I went to MN a couple of weeks ago, and figured out what needed to be done to the house to get it all spiffed up to list for sale. A little bit here, some paint, the siding needs cleaning and re-staining, the yard needs weeding and all... After a fast visit with good friends, home I came.

My parents came out to visit that next weekend, it was my Dad's birthday (#88!) He started feeling bad when we were at the Smithsonian, looking at a picture of himself in the Second World War and it escalated... the next day we finally persuaded him that he needed to go to the ER.. and after hours of waiting, he was admitted for an Ileus. The next day - right before I left work to pick them up from the hospital - I got a call.

It was my neighbour/caretaker/realtor - and she was calling to tell me someone broke into the MN house, and spray painted the walls, and the kitchen cabinets. They drank the wine that we were using for display (the not so good/cheap nasty stuff) drank sodas, scattered hot dogs around... sigh. Why the HELL they had to vandalize the house? I have no idea.

So now - we won't be listing soon, I have to deal with insurance (but our wonderful USAA rocks!) BUT - my dad is ok, back home where they live, and going to see his own Doctor. My handyguy will be able to take care of most of it, and his buddy the paint guy thinks he can do something with the kitchen cabinets.

This next week, has to be better!

LAW

poke - poke - poke

I haven't had a medical history taken in that depth in years! we went through everything. and then...the needles! I'll confess, I closed my eyes (I'll maintain I was tired... but you and I know the truth, I HATE getting a shot). The first one she put in "oh holy cow" that one hurt (in my right palm, at a "fire"/headache point) the others on the right side of my foot hurt too(my neck and headaches, all on the right side). The ones on the left side - I didn't feel more than a little prickle. The ow was momentary... then I lay there (gotta bring in my own music... didn't like hers) for 20 minutes (no burning, LM..) then she came in and tweaked them, and another 15 minutes. Today - no headache and my neck is feeling better too. So we'll try a few more sessions... and keep the fingers crossed.

Booked the R&R trip and got trip insurance (through USAA, deployment and leave cancellations are covered events!) wow... the flight was not too bad, but the fees/taxes.... ouch.

time to get some sleep before I head out tomorrow.

later. LAW

Pins and Needles

Today - my first appointment with the acupuncturist. When I reminded Chief of that, his emails became riddled with needle humour.. he just loves to poke at me that way - [right back atcha, dear!]

Started into my new group at work - this is either going to be interesting, or I'm going to want to just scream in a month. One of the reasons I was told I would be moving, was that I wouldn't "wilt" under the pressure. This, my friends, is code for "this group is full of either crazies or arrogant, misogynistic jerks (what, attorneys?.. no, you can't be serious {snark}) and because you are an old broad who won't let them reduce you to tears, or work until 3:00 am to satisfy their ridiculous last minute requests [really, one of the younger paralegals did that, and then slept at the office!], we will put you in this group and know you won't quit." I keep telling myself it's a job, it's a job, and I'm grateful to have one.

This weekend I set off to the midwest to check on the house, get some eyes on the place and see what really needs to be done, meet up with a few old friends... and while I'm flying get some writing done.

talk to y'all later.

LAW

Memorial Day

Yesterday - He held this salute for over 3 hours.

XPosted from Left Face


The launch for Beyond Tribute that I went to Thursday, and the Memorial Day weekend coming up, combined to bring it to the top of my list.

Beyond Tribute is - to quote one of the founders - not a charity, not an organization, it's an idea! The idea is to make the holidays that should be devoted to veterans and those who gave their lives, mean more again. To those in America who don't know anyone in the military - honestly, right now Memorial Day is the day for a good sale - and none of us will turn down a good sale! But wouldn't it be even better if the business doing that great sale on purses (that's for Pam Eggleston the purse maven, the milspouse who spoke at the launch about her life with Charles, her husband and wounded warrior) was going to contribute part of the profits from that sale to programs for vets? General Wesley Clark said at the launch that we need to transform Memorial Day and Veterans Day back into a holiday of more meaning.

So - if you haven't taken the pledge yet - go over and do it. Then send the link to the businesses you use - big and small. Send the link to your family, send the link to your friends and co-workers. Let's put the memories back into Memorial Day, and by Veteran's Day - make the rest of the country remember the veterans.

LAW

MSRRA - one more time! CALL

OK - guys - time to really buckle down and call the VA Committee. The Markup hearing - in which the committee can delete wording or leave it alone - is Thursday morning! The Facebook site is here.

Chairman Sen. Daniel Akaka [D-HI] (202) 224-6361
Sen. John Rockefeller IV [D-WV] (202) 224-6472
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA] (202) 224-2621
Sen. Sharrod Brown [D-OH] co-sponsor (202) 224-2315
Sen. Jim Webb [D-VA] (202) 224-4024
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT] co-sponsor (202) 224-2644
Sen. Mark Begich [D-AK] co-sponsor (202) 224-3004
Sen. Roland Burris [D-IL] co-sponsor (202) 224-2854
Sen. Arlen Specter [D-PA] co-sponsor (202) 224-4254
Sen. Bernard Sanders [I-VT] (202) 224-5141
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA] co-sponsor (202) 224-3643
Sen. Roger Wicker [R-MS] co-sponsor (202) 224-6253
Sen. Mike Johanns [R-NE] co-sponsor (202) 224-4224
Sen. Lindsey Graham [R-SC] (202) 224-5972

They can make changes - some rumblings about deleting some language. We need to ask them to leave in every word!

Call - call NOW. The Markup hearing is May 21, at 9:30. Get those fingers dialing!

LAW

x[posted on LeftFace

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day

To all the milspouses I know and those I don't; the ones who lean left, and those who lean right; the ones who have their service member home, and those who are alone because of deployment, TDY, school or whatever; the women and the men (Hey Chris, Hey Toad); To Us - a Happy, peaceful, healthy and wonderful Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

May we have the strength to keep going when it just crashes down around us; may we have the joy of seeing our spouse, our children and our families happy and contented; may we kick some serious PCS butt when we move; may we show those who are near and dear to us that we care about them.

I'll wish us all peace, love and happiness.

LAW

Quite a week!

It's been a while, here on my own personal little site. Busy out there in the rest of the world. Work - well, it's feast or famine, I'm either so busy I don't have time to think, or so bored I could cry. A friend congratulated me on my moving to a new division, after she heard about it at a training meeting - huh, funny, I hadn't (still haven't) heard anything from anyone who actually is in "command"...

The other blogs - Left Face, Parents Zone - they are going well, I think. My co-authors on LF are absolutely amazing. And the new authors on ParentsZone are fantastic, more than making up for those who decided not to write anymore, or so I assume, since we haven't heard from them in months.

I went up to the Hill for the MSRRA hearing in the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Senate - report here on LeftFace. If you are a member of the military family - call your Senator!

Whilst sitting around here one early morning (sleep - not happening lately) I came across a "letter to Obama".. you know the kind, the usual crap about him driving us into bankruptcy etc (of course, the past 8 years of tax breaks for the rich, two wars, etc... had NOTHING to do with it....) but one line just made me furious.


*You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.*

Do you believe this crap? Let's see, how many military kids does this describe? How many State Department kids, like me, does this describe? How many immigrant kids, who are now proud American citizens does this describe? Talk about closet racist - pretty close to coming outa the closet there!

Time to clean the pit I call an apartment, do the commissary run etc. Take care!

LAW

MSRRA - The Surge!

I was asked to put in a link for this post - this is the Facebook link to the MSRRA Facebook site.

DC Area Spouses Are Invited - Senate Bill 475, Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which provides the option of a home state to Military Spouses, will be heard in a Senate Hearing, Wednesday April 29th. The time of the hearing is 9:30 to 10:30am in the Senate Office Building Dirksen, Room 562. Please be there by 9:20am. Please allow 30 minutes to walk from the Metro Capitol South stop and get through security.

See you there! Let's work for something REAL!

LAW

MSRRA - time to get loud, Y'all!

From the MSRRA site: From Monday, April 20th to Friday, May 8th (Military Spouses Appreciation Day) we are launching a campaign to inundate the Senate with calls from military spouses urging their Senators to sign on as Co-Sponsors of this bill and show their support of Military Spouses. We truly believe in the power of the Military Spouse network and need your help in order to get this legislation signed into law."

Now, from me - call the Senator from your home state, call the Senator from the state you live in now, call the Senator from the state you lived in before you PCSed...CALL - Email - if you see one of them in town, talk to them. Call the local office, call the DC office, ask for the Military coordinator, ask for the Veteran's coordinator, the Women's issue coordinator - We need to be heard! Call your friends, tell them to call. There are thousands of military spouses out there - let's just call this our ultimate phone tree.

LAW

It's the little things that help the most

Chief emailed me today and alerted me to this group. Now he loves music - plays guitar, is trying to learn the bagpipes (oh, the dog LOVED that one... howled in a descant!) and the mandolin, plays harmonica... and when he saw Operation Happy Note, he was intrigued. Then he saw - they are from Fergus Falls Minnesota, so there's a "home state" connection for us.

The Baker's, from Fergus Falls MN sent their son and a friend of his guitars when they were deployed in 2005. Since then, they set up Operation Happy Note, and have been sending all kinds of instruments, guitars, violins, banjos, mandolins, harmonicas to deployed troops. They have help from manufacturers, but the shipping costs - are up to OHN and can be quite high (as you and I know from sending our care packages!) It's hard to know that there are instruments waiting to be sent to someone who could use that escape that can be found in making music, because of postage!

If you are feeling in the giving mood - think about Operation Happy Note Oh - Pass it On!

Never judge a woman by her looks

Or a book by it's cover. For those who haven't seen this - you need to go, take about 5 minutes and watch a woman change a lot of people's perceptions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

LAW

That BLOODY Cat!

I've been worrying, the cat is going through one of his phases of "I don't want to eat this... or that.... and not that either".. (which is why my kitchen cupboard is full of different cans of cat food) He first decides on one, then after a few days he refuses to touch it, and I get a few different ones, till he chooses another kind to be the favourite. But right now, he only wants treats and won't touch the food. I checked his litter box - Nothing. So I'm worrying he's not - let's find a nice euphemism - voiding at all. I checked around the apartment, no little piles or wet spots... I'm thinking the vet, ya know?

THEN I checked out on the balcony. A large pot that did hold a tomato plant last year, that I hadn't bought a plant to put in yet was sitting there... and I wondered what on earth.... Yeah. the little brat has been using IT for his litter box! So that soil has to be emptied out. I have the pot covered. covered all the other pots too - and I suppose I should be glad he's not sick, that I don't have to take him to the vet, but this is the first time I've had box problems with him.

That BLOODY bloody cat!

*** After a full day of his stubbornly standing by the balcony door and yelling, with me not opening it... the sweet sound of the automatic litter box proved, once again, the woman with the opposable thumbs WINS! ****

LAW

How to be a good milspouse

OK, now I didn't believe this the first time I read it... and I still don't. When I described it to someone, they wondered if it was copied from some book in the 1950s... You be the judge.

Try This

Military Spouse Employment - A Series

No, not here - it's on Left Face. We are talking about employment for milspouses, what kind of job can we find, discrimination in hiring and pay, job satisfaction. Please come over, join the conversation. We love to hear from you!

Click HERE and drop in for some thoughtful conversation, and please add to it, it's about all of us who move, and move, and move, whilst trying to hold on to the career we trained for, make enough money to keep our family happier (or in some cases, to pay for the house you still own at the LAST duty station) , use the degree we are still paying for... all of it.

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A wounded National Guardsman

This family needs our help - our support. This story hit me very hard, SFC Kevin Dupont is a 52 year old Massachusetts National Guardsman - he was VSI in Afghanistan and is now in an induced coma at Brooke Army Medical Center. He's our age! He could be home, in Massachusetts, with his family but he volunteered to go. His wife is also Guard, an MP and did her tour in Iraq. This brings back so many memories of our time in the MN Guard and for me, this is what the Guard is, a family affair and now one of our family needs support. A fund has been set up - the address is on Blackfive - the link is here. Please, drop by and read the full account. Send his wife Lisa a note of encouragement - she reads everything to Kevin.


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Wounded Warrior Project

So... I just sat and bawled like a 2 year old watching the CMA's - and saw Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club sing for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Normally, I'd put a link in right about here... but I can't. The page won't load, the traffic seems to be so heavy that there isn't a way to get through. And I'm so happy about that! I'm hoping every single person who goes to wounded warrior project.org buys that download. I'll put the link in as soon as I can get it!

I was so impressed with the wounded warrior chosen to introduce the piece - he said it all - this is about the warriors, not the war. If we can all remember that!

**** I managed to get on this morning - but be patient, load time takes quite a while, due to increased traffic! That's wonderful!

LAW

Go Vote!

Left Face- another blog made up of left leaning military spouses -

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2009/03/contest-spouse-blogs.html

Unfortunately, one milspouse has decided to get inappropriate - ignore it please.

LAW

The infamous IPod

For those who don't know me, I am an Anglophile - I'll freely admit it. I've been reading about the gift the Obamas gave Her Majesty yesterday, and for some reason many people are SHOCKED that they would give her an IPod and a rare book.

First, HM loves her present IPod, and has been seen listening to it while walking the dogs and there are rumours that she listens to it when on trips. She loves music, especially musicals. So the gift, which had musicals already loaded and the pictures of her recent trip to the US, was a thoughtful, personal gift. The rare song book? Her library collection is one of the largest "private" collections (it belongs to the head of State, and will be passed on intact upon her death" and is one of the treasures of the State. She takes an active enjoyment in it, so a rare book, signed by a great American Songwriter - very suitable.

What do these people want to give her? another framed picture? GWB gave her a statue - not exactly a personal gift - although the box of letters from the archives was a nice one. Another sterling silver box? a little redundant, don't you think? These gifts are supposed to be personal, not an exercise in "look what I'm rich enough to give you"... She, one of the richest people in the world, gives a picture in a frame.

As for those who talk about the President's answers to reporters being stuttering and stammering - please, remember last year... GWB making up words and babbling inanely. Even you, the faithful, cannot say the man could actually parse a coherent sentence.

LAW

I got this from a PAO at DOD.

"Writers Needed for Washington Times coverage of Military: Base News

The Washington Times will soon launch a community journalism Web site devoted to reporting all the news about the military and their families, from the perspective of those who are most familiar with the issues. We need volunteers to write both for our weekly coverage that will appear in the print edition of TWT and for the daily coverage on our Web site, BaseNews.com. Writers need simply to follow the guidelines and accept to write without monetary compensation. Our mission is to transform the way the American media portrays the military community. We need to hear from as many different sources within the community, in bases all across America and around the world. If you want to be a community journalist, contact Grace Vuoto: 2026363165 or gvuoto@washingtontimes.com."

I like the idea of educating the public/media about what/who we REALLY are! and for those who are overseas it would be a good fit... unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any $$$$$$$$ involved, but then most of us write for nada anyway!

LAW

And the nutjobs keep on rollin'

Michelle Bachman - the one who wanted members of Congress investigated for unamerican activities, and when confronted with the evidence of her saying it twice claimed it was an "urban myth" has done it again.

bachmann-bill-would-prohibit-global-currency/

Now, the President said he would NOT sign on to a global currency... But hey, Michelle Bachmann - twinkie extraordinaire who hung on to GWBush at the State of the Union address like he was her long lost boytoy... knows better!

Then we have the poster child for whiny pain in the butt - garsh, golly gee, wink wink...

palins-prayer-remark-angers-former-staffers/ Supposedly, she couldn't find anyone who wanted to hold hands and pray. Well, dear Governor P, I think praying by yourself is perfectly satisfactory if you believe - however if you are trying to proclaim oooh ooooh look at me, I'm praying I guess that's not good enough, huh?

Hey - I have the best ticket I can hope for - Palin/Bachmann.... wheeee.

ugh. this cold is kicking my butt

3 days I've been home, and I feel worse every day. but I have to go to the office today, conference calls, meetings, etc. I'm not infectious anymore (I am not one of those people who go to work and spread whatever it is that they have) I'm going stir crazy in this apartment. I should have done all sorts of projects, but ended up either in bed or on the couch.

And tomorrow - I'm so happy I'm going to help a friend do a vegetable garden bed - raised even! The weather will be a bit damp, but that's better than too hot. Another friend has broken her ankle, falling over a dog toy - get better soon AHH6, and we are all hoping that SisB improves more every day.

I lost a friend this week. but I guess if you won't listen to an explanation and insist on thinking something was said that wasn't... was that really a friend?

dragging off to the office...

LAW

It's Spring! yeah!

I went to a wonderful nursery in Maryland on Sunday - and after I stopped drooling and wishing I had more than a postage stamp balcony - I was sensible (dammit) got a few herbs, some morning glory seeds, and then I saw it. An Earth Box - and I have a question. Have any of you used this system? Is it sturdy enough? Is it something USEFUL or just another gimmick.

Hopefully, a friend is going to be starting a vegetable raised bed on Saturday - I get to go and dig in the dirt with her. Nothing like doing that to make everything feel better.

I also have the usual spring cold - that's not a cold. It's not allergies, it's just this little "I-have-the-feeling-I'm-getting-sick" Had this last year. sucked.

time for soup. Later!

LAW

Pandering! I've been accused of Pandering!

Well... slap me silly, y'all, I'm a Panderer! I guess because I say what I think? or I talk about whatever the hell I want on my own blog?

wow . Does the phrase "pot - kettle" ring any bells? But hey, I'm just a milspouse, not an all knowing person, like the kettle.

*** I have to make something really really clear - the wonderful lady who blogs as Potandkettle - she's NOT the person I am talking about. No way. no how. ****

LAW

A New Place

Ok, y'all - there is a place for those of us, military spouses of the liberal persuasion... A bunch of us started a new Spouse Site - it's called Left Face . C'mon over and visit - tell us what you want to see - comment, talk to us!

It's exciting!

LAW

He Listened

I am so happy about this, I could just - just --- I don't know what! The President and the Administration realized that no matter if the budget would be improved, it just wasn't right, it wasn't fair. From CNN

As the mother and mother in law of a vet, as the wife of a future vet, and the daughter of a vet, I'm thankful that the common sense and fairness prevailed. Pressure from some vet's organizations didn't hurt either!!!

LAW

Talk about DUMB Ideas

I am still wondering who thought this one up. Some idiot bean counter in OMB or the VA thinks it would save money and just be so wonderful if we had Veterans get their healthcare paid for by their private insurance. Notwithstanding the following: that EVERY health insurance that I have ever seen has a very clear clause that says illness or injury resulting from military service is not covered; Or that it is just a slap in the face to every veteran; that this will add yet another level of bureaucracy, paperwork, adjuster/investigator to veterans and families already going through all sorts of hell. Who the hell has decided we need Blue Cross or Aetna or United Healthcare to add yet another layer of crap onto what the VA already shells out? I have a son and daughter in law who have been trying to get through to the VA and after sitting for hours on the phone... get nothing, no answers... So HIRE some more adjusters (I did see that they are hiring, but getting new hires through the disaster of a hiring system for the federal government will take months!) get some temps in - there are plenty of people looking for work. Get a few good paralegals in, some insurance adjusters, and get through the backlog. Think outside the box, but this plan to try to shift it onto the private insurers, who will simply throw it back after a few months.... Dumb Dumb Dumb.

DUMB! Stupid! I know that General Shinseki has served honourably, even though his edict that everyone in the Army wear a beret was a singularly boneheaded move. But THIS, General Shinseki, really really sucks. Re-think this one, please!

LAW

Well well well. The House of Representatives has decided that 2009 should be the Year of the Military Family. The actual Resolution talks about the sacrifices, the hardships of being in a military family, the deployments, the PCSs, THIS part really surprised me - that someone has figured this part out, who isn't military (but there IS a milspouse in the House, Rep. Giffords - would be interesting to know if she had a part in writing this!)

Whereas thousands of military family members have taken on
volunteer responsibilities to assist units and members of
the Armed Forces who have been deployed by supporting
family readiness groups, helping military spouses meet
the demands of a single parent during a deployment, or
providing a shoulder to cry on or the comfort of understanding;

OK, great - now they have recognized us. Now lets get to work DOING something. What do you think? What do you want to see?

LAW

ER - sigh...

Dr. Ross... he's still the Dr. I want. yeah. It's been great seeing the old cast back...

LAW

Spring!

Not just the clock, either! (oh I forgot those... so it's late now) but the weather! in the 70's... It's marvelous. I ended up taking a walk yesterday.

And I miss Chief. I took the walk we take, and looked at the gardens at the townhomes. The crocuses are up, the daffodils are starting to bud, the tulips are beginning to force the tips of their leaves out, some trees are tentatively budding.. The townhouse with the fantastic rose garden is up for sale - about 12 of the units in that group are. We usually talk about which one we'd want, that we have to have a garage (one or two of those are for sale too!) that we want an end unit - one of those is available - they are military I think.

so I missed that, missed the chats, the "what if" and the gardening discussions, what we'd do with the little back area... I missed it.


LAW

Time is getting away from me

I haven't posted in a while, and it's really not because nothing is going on! just too much going on. except at work, there, I'm bored! But it give me more time for blogging, and other things. I was on a call that was very sobering yesterday, and I'm trying to write about it - but I'm not doing really well on it.

A member of our family was given a diagnosis yesterday, that's scary. really scary. But I'm not saying anything else, it's private, but I will ask those of you that do pray- pray. For those who don't - keep a good thought.

Chief is fine - working way too many hours, but he has a new way to call that so far is working out cheaper. After I get the next bill, and make SURE it's cheaper, I'll give y'all the low down.

Our mutual friend SisB is sick too - and needs all those thoughts and prayers too. Wow, y'all are going to be busy!

Time to get to work. Take care everyone!

LAW

one more time

If you say NO to the media being at Dover for the return of your loved one - there will be no media - that's what the SecDef said. Yes - he should have waited to announce his new policy (actually, its the OLD policy, which had been changed) until the how's wheres' why's had been sorted out. But hey, folks, remember, this is the military that "goes to war with the army they have". See - statements by SecDef Rumsfeld I'm sure there will be some sort of form - there always is. So if you have an idea of what you want this form to look like - send it in to the powers that be. If I were a betting person, I'd say this is a form that will end up having a box for the soldier to check off, saying yes or no. Yes, there are snafus with notifications and all the rest of it. And there are pictures out there taken by telephoto lenses at funeral - and the families didn't want them taken. BUT - if these photos were taken in a public place - there is NOTHING you or I can do about it! There haven't been any photographers in the bushes at Dover before, have there? and why the hell do you think they are just going to waltz on post now? if out of 20 families ONE says no - then according to the Secretary - THERE ARE NO media PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLOWED. As to the military photographers, there are probably already those out there... ever think of that?

Right now the media can only get on post - IF INVITED. I'm sure there are photographers attached to the military already there. Before we do all this screaming and wailing, can we please see what the actual terms of their involvement will be??

Those out there who hate the media - you aren't alone. I'm not keen on many of them either. And to think that just because I'm a liberal democrat, I'm keen to see photographs like that published - you obviously didn't read my previous posts. WE didn't make this political. The Secretary had looked at this issue last year, he never believed it was a good policy. He's not, last time I looked, a liberal democrat.

Enough already. BASTA! We will have to live with what the SecDef says. If you are against photographers at Dover, taking pictures of anonymous coffins being brought home - make sure your wishes are known to your family, make sure they are on whatever notification forms you have. Families - do the same. and talk to the inlaws/relatives whoever may be the NOK and make sure you are all on the same page. Family disfunction or not - this is a family decision, NOT a government one.

LAW

I GIVE UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All day, the Rightwing has been spewing forth - deciding that SecDef (who is A REPUBLICAN, APPOINTED BY BUSH! and was held over because in a time of war, you don't switch horses)has "lost his cojones" and is betraying the soldiers because of his decision.

DAMMIT can you people fucking READ??? the transcript very clearly says - if one of the families objects, there WILL BE NO MEDIA. How much simpler does it have to get? Did you miss English comprehension in school? So you say NO when asked. If you have the brains of a fleas ass, you have made all these decisions before your soldier deployed. Write it down, cause you might forget it. and then MAKE YOUR OWN FUCKING DECISION!

For the last umpteen years, we have been hearing Less Government Control over us.. So now we are given choice - Less Guvmint... and now you don't like it. What the fucking hell DO you want?

LAW

Decision Made.

Secretary Gates has made his decision. Today he announced that the decision as to whether to allow the media to be at Dover AFB and take pictures when a fallen service member is returned home, is to be decided by the family. And since then, some of the comments I have read are both ridiculous, insulting and "Just plain ignorant". I need to know this - if this is MY husband or son, why am I going to leave something like this to the government? This is MY family, not theirs, not yours, it's MINE. Less Government - hmmm. who does THAT sound like???

Secretary Gates (and may we gently point out that he was appointed by the last Republican Administration) wanted to overturn this last year, before the election, but was dissuaded. Why, we don't really know. Me, what do I think SecDef was thinking ? I think he realized that hiding the true cost of the wars, was not the right way to treat our fallen. That if you are going to show the farewells with all the flags flying and the bands playing and the tears of the families as they say goodbye, you damned well should give those families the option to show the final farewells. You cannot just use us when you want to do the heartstrings stirring, flag waving, patriotic speech. You better be there when we are paying that last sacrifice.

When you show the homecomings with the joy and bands and yellow ribbons, you don't show what happens later, the tears and the getting to know our marriage again. THERE'S the scandal, THERE'S the insult to our troops. Show it ALL or show NONE.

This decision is one small private bit of our lives. And yes, I'm sure it's going to end up with a form, and there will be battles between the family members, and this might even make some people (ahem... yeah, you know who you are) make a decision, or at least have some input into this horrible part of planning for the future that we have to do every time our soldier deploys (YES, I know, I said soldier... I'm Army... you know I mean service member, but I'm sick of using that!)

What would I do? I don't know. I really don't . I find the photograph that was used by Military.com, which is above, to be a quietly moving photograph. I don't know these fallen, I do know that they are loved and honored. The Guard of Honor around them are taking them home, and they are not alone.

LAW

Views of another Milspouse

I couldn't say this as well... She's a damned good writer and says what so many of us are thinking. . Go here.

LAW

Valentines Day - a cat story

Spending Valentines Day at Petsmart doing a cat adoption fair was a way to not miss Chief (I'm gonna call him that, instead of DH) too much. It was a nice enough fair, some sweet new cats rescued from a high kill shelter who snuggled up together and tried to avoid seeing all the people looking at them.

An older couple asked me for some assistance, could they meet one or both of the calico cats we had in the permanent cages. Molly aka Jabba the Hut, didn't want to say hi, it was 3 hours into the fair and she was pooped. Then - I saw love just happen. I opened Daisy's cage, she was curled up taking a nap. She looked up, then got up and stretched. The lady began to pet her, found that little spot behind the ear... right..... there... Then Daisy did what I hadn't seen her do before. she reached out, and walked into the lady's arms, laid her head on her shoulder, and that was it. Daisy adopted her. The gentleman with her put his hand on Daisy's head and she did that little push - and purred. We talked for a moment, while Daisy cuddled. Then I put her back in, and the lady filled out forms, the gentleman went to get the carrier they used to have for the cat they had had for over 15 years, that they lost a few months ago. And they went home - as she said to me, what a perfect Valentine's present - unconditional love.

So even though I didn't get to see Chief, or even talk to him other than email - I got to see the real thing, not the cheesy "you have to buy THIS to show him you love him".. the real thing. It was a great Valentines Day!

LAW

Pictures, Coffins and Families

As you may have read, the Secretary of Defense is reviewing the policy of taking photographs of coffins of the recently fallen soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan arriving at Dover AFB. This is one of those subjects that makes those of us who have family members serving - think, twitch and wonder what would we do.

As Andi on SpouseBuzz said - we plan funerals, in our heads. Yes, I've planned DH's, (with no help from him, other than a request for Dixie played by bagpipes). And I haven't thought about the media, other than to hope they will show some respect. That, unfortunately, isn't what has happened at many funerals. I went to nine funerals last deployment, and the media held back - it could have been that Midwestern reticence, but I'll figure it was the Patriot Guard!

So how do I feel about it? I don't honestly know. I've read other blogs about it, I've always thought that maybe the other 99% of the US population should see the true cost of the war; not just the money, but the lives - the lives lost, the lives shattered, the lives of the children losing a parent, the lives of the friends who mourn. But those same families and friends have the right to mourn in private, to survive the pain without cameras in their faces.

How do I feel? Confused. I know that I understand the families' point of view that don't want the pictures taken, I know I understand those that say these coffins, when they arrive, don't have names on them that can be seen by photographers, that no-one is saying that they want to take pictures of widows and parents receiving the coffins, but is this the slippery slope we hear so much about? If we allow a photograph of a coffin on a plane floor, does that mean we will allow a picture of a woman kissing the coffin, of a child hugging the coffin holding her daddy?

And I want Secretary Gates to ask us. Not the Generals, not the under secretary of whatever, ask us. We are the ones who this will affect, we are the ones who live with this possibility. Please, tell me what you think.

LAW

Let's hear it for the old dawgs

a 10 year old Sussex spaniel won Westminster... that's a 70 year old winning the biggest, baddest, dog beauty pageant on this side of the pond. Whoot!

LAW

Suicide from Salon.com

A very thoughtful series - and what is very chilling to me - I remember Fort Carson being singled out a few years ago- for exactly this. I have a friend there - I keep her in my thoughts, that her husband's unit isn't full of morons who don't understand what PTSD really is.

Our son has PTSD, and so does our daughter in law. They have been dealing with the VA for years, his appeal went through but they are STILL waiting on hers.... and the way the VA deals with the veterans is truly horrendous in it's complexity! In this day and age, to have the DOD and VA unable to coordinate their computer systems... it's a disgrace.

LAW

Busy Busy Busy

Which is good, because if I have too much time on my hands, I get cranky. Sunday I WAS cranky, I woke up with one of those migraines that leave me helpless. I took one of my super pills and went back to sleep. The entire day, shot in the ass. and I wanted to go and help at the adoption fair at the cat shelter. Oh well, next time.

Work - ok, you have to be proud of my control, I didn't shove the idiot out the window. Close, but I didn't. Of course, I have all of his stupidity saved - he makes the mistake of emailing me his idiocy. so when it rears up and bites him on the ass - I can prove it WAS his idea.

Parent's Zone is rebuilding.. we have some new authors and will be working on a few new projects, including one on Daughters in law and Mothers in law - deployments/R&R etc.

LAW

London Times - Ya gotta read this!

Really, ya gotta! Go Here. A great commentary of the differences between Bush and Obama..

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Scandals - and they aren't sexy either

Body Armour - again... - and for a certain commentor, this isn't left over from the past Democratic administration - this is the stuff that was ordered by the Bush Administration. Does anyone else find this completely reprehensible? No testing done, except by outside contractors? does the phrase Lowest Bid resonate with anyone? this isn't the shameful ripoffs of KBR in food prep, or the wholesale handouts of cash to local personnel for questionable intelligence - these are the lives of those in country! I am not "maligning" the Army or the military - I am, with many of my "sisters", amazed that this is still going on- that after all the scandals and reports, that contractors are still selling equipment that is not suitable for purpose, that is flawed. Flaws happen in manufacturing all the time, but testing is supposed to catch this equipment before it is circulated out into the population for which it was designed.

The amount of money being spent on these should mean they are fit for purpose - and that purpose is to save lives and protect our men and women in uniform. Tell me, is there an amount of money spent on testing that anyone of you out there is willing to "Save the taxpayer" and weigh that amount against that life, the life of my husband, Tucker's husband, Sissy's husband, Mamaw's son?

There's another topic, and it's so difficult to talk about. Suicides going up. I was reading the paper and listening to the news, and it's shocking enough there. When you do a search online for suicide rates - there are headlines EVERY YEAR that the rates are going up, more than last year, and there is another program, and another study and more brass proclaiming that they see it, understand it, going to fix it, need more psychologists/psychiatrists - etc etc ad nauseum.

Then I talked to a member of the military on my shuttle bus.. and it slammed home. His stepson, after being home for less than 3 months, and a few weeks after his wife and baby left the home because of the depression and fear of physical impact, killed himself. That's horrendous, but what really floored me - his stepdad claimed he received NO counseling, no redeployment assistance - he was scared to say anything because his unit was hard on anyone claiming PTSD, that he was spiraling out of control, and no one saw it. I don't know the full details, and I sure wasn't going to ask a man in mourning... but it's not the first time I've heard that our much vaunted and trumpeted re-deployment "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" programme isn't being implemented properly, that lip service is paid, that it's another checklist to be ticked off - we saw it after our last deployment.

I know we don't have enough counselors, enough doctors to help, and that's another problem all together. But we can, we MUST, change the thinking of those who say PTSD is just a pile of BS, that these people are malingerers, cowards, whatever epithet they want to use. There are, surely, malingerers trying to get out of duty - but I'd rather let a couple of those slide through, than see another man trying to make sense out of a death like this, another family torn apart by it, another baby girl who will only know her dad from stories and pictures.

LAW

Wimp. MOOOO, get back into the herd now...

Now for a couple of minutes, I had some hope for them... but he sure skeedaddled back into the herd, didn't he?

Some Concrete help for families

Now HERE is a great idea! I do a package a week to the DH and a package every other week or so to a couple of others... and when the RedBulls deploy- another few. So help with mailing would be GREAT!

LAW

Wars, What Wars?

This article, from Carissa Picard on Military.com - says it very well. We are still there, y'all! Yes the economy sucks (thanks to our past administration, those who are blaming President Obama, get a GRIP!) but please please, don't forget the military and their families. The economy is hitting us too, hell, we still have a house for sale, back in MN... and I know others who have PCSed and can't sell their house - the spouse is trying to find work and will end up working to pay that mortgage and the costs of keeping that house.

War fatigue - oh yeah, I'm tired. But I can't just turn off the TV and pretend it isn't there! Nor can many of my friends. At work - they have forgotten it. so I keep that updated count of the dead on my door.. and for at least a second, they are forced to remember.

LAW

Mr. Limbaugh - This is reprehensible

I want to say I'm surprised, but I'm not. To hope that a President fails, is hoping that the United States fails. I cannot understand how this is helping in any way, how it would strengthen our country, or the troops. This is not loyalty to our country.

LAW

Like this one... a lot

lookie what I got!

For our anniversary this December - Didn't Chief do good??

LAW

This is both great and awful

It's great that there are so many willing to help... It sucks that the need is there. The article here, which was on NPR (hat tip to a bunch of lefty spouses!) talks about a program that links vets in need, with those that want to help.

I love that it was on NPR.

LAW

Seven days down...

There used to be a show... Seven Days - where a time traveler could go back 7 days and change things. Wish I had that machine. Seven days in the Litterbox - it's been a long 7 days. I'm back to sleeping on the couch till midnight - then stumbling into bed, eating at strange times, the house isn't too awful, but it's not pretty!

After the past few days and the comments - well there is now a change, no more anonymous are accepted. Ya gotta be willing to at least put your blog name out there, or make up a name. How hard is THAT??? jeez.

LAW

President Obama

I have a friend, who wrote a post to you - and she said you aren't her choice but she wishes you well, congratulations and luck. This is how, I am glad to say, many of those members of the military family who didn't elect you will react. They will honour you as the Commander in Chief, they will pray for your success in dealing with our community

You ARE my choice for President - and I am hoping for so many things. I don't think you can change everything right away, and I think you may have to moderate some of your objectives, due to changing facts and times. But I'm still hoping.

There are those who have decided you are not a "true American" whatever they mean by that. They are angry and underneath all that anger, I think some are scared. Some are scared because you are not the same colour, some are scared because you have a name that sounds strange to them, some think that military service is a pre-requisite to serving your country honourably, some don't agree with your decisions and ideas. Some of them may change their minds, but unfortunately many of them have closed their minds and will not budge.

I hope that you will listen to the men and women you have selected to advise you, and that you will understand that the military sometimes has a different view of the world! We aren't numbers, we aren't a monolith, we aren't all alike. We are individuals, who work together, the uniformed members follow orders, and the families are also affected by those orders. The First Lady has shown her interest in the families and we hope that she continues that interest.

Good luck, Mr. President.

LAW

Gotta say this - cause I'm NOT a victim, just pissed

From someone I know... This is in response to my comments on a Neocon blog concerning the costs and the control of security for the inauguration:

"Your husband's chances of survival have decreased because of your political chances. I seriously hope nothing happens to him, or any other soldier, but the fact is, we have a higher deployment and casualty rate when led by members of the party that see us as gun-toting neanderthals."

The author of the blog decided that I was playing a Victim, because I objected to being told my political choice has endangered my husband. This - my friends and readers - is why I sometimes wonder about my fellow military family members... why would anyone say this to the wife of a serving member of the military? why?

If I had said that to the wife of this man - who is a Purple Heart recipient, and wounded in combat - how would he have reacted? If I had said your husband wouldn't have been wounded except for your political choice of Bush - who made the choice to invade Iraq, how would she have reacted? Quite rightly, I would expect she would have kicked my ass, and would have been justified in doing so. She's a blogfriend of mine. I thought he was one too.

No, I'm not a victim. I'm a very proud Military Wife. Proud of my husband, proud of my fellow military family members, proud of my veteran son and daughter in law. But the pride in some of the members of this community has slipped.

LAW

A thank you and a promise, from a lady!

Mrs. Obama wrote this letter, to us as military families. I won't link to the military.com version, because I am completely ashamed of the vitriolic, racist, revolting comments that have vomited forth from some of the commentors over there. But I wanted to share it with my readers. Tears are not far from the surface this week... and every time I read this, I do get choked up. Because finally, finally, someone is saying what I always wanted a person in her position to say - that they get it.

for those of you who wish to spew your nastiness - don't do it here.

On my way to the BSF4O victory celebration at Ft. Belvoir - and there's an inaugural ball in the ballroom downstairs as well. For the first time in 8 years, I have hope.

LAW

Logic - Security and other facts and figures

I have been getting some ridiculous comments on a comment I left on another blog, to which I refuse to link. None of my readers need to be subjected to that!

She and her like thinking folk are saying that the State of Emergency that was declared by Bush - is Obama's fault. That the cost of the inauguration - Obama's fault. That the security problems that don't seem to be under control - are somehow under the control of the Obama team...

As to Control of security -

Logic states = The Secret Service is in charge of security - and were still under the control of the Bush administration for the entire time prior to noon on January 20 - since they are under the command of Homeland Security. The National Guard - still under the control of the Pentagon - and the Commander in Chief was STILL the CinC. I think even those commentors would agree that if Bush gave a command yesterday or this morning, it would be followed, if Obama gave a command during that time, it wouldn't...

The State of Emergency was declared because:

"Mr. Bush granted the request as 'a precaution,' Mr. Stanzel said; if the District needs the money, it can apply for reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The declaration will also allow federal public health workers to join in the public safety effort. The president’s power to declare a state of emergency is typically used after hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, although Mr. Stanzel said presidents have occasionally declared emergencies in advance of an anticipated event. But never before, he said, has an advance emergency declaration been used for a 'non-disaster.'"

I decided to research some facts about costs - that's what I do - research. Turns out, the figures given for the cost of the Obama inauguration of about 160 million dollars include the costs of security. Various Conservative/neocon websites and news agencies have compared that to the costs of the last Bush inauguration, of 42.3 million dollars. However, and this is a big However comma, these costs do not include the costs of security. When you add in the approximate costs of security (approximate, because the actual costs are not given out, due to - well... security!) the actual cost of the last Bush inauguration are figured to be 157 million. folks, this is a non story.

This money isn't being spent in China, or being ferried in C130s by the Crate Load downrange without any receipts or proof of what it was spent for. This is being spent HERE, in DC, Virginia, Maryland - in the United States. The portalets - local companies. The police departments - local, state, federal. The printers - a small company (I think they are in NJ). The overtime being paid to the local cops - spent by them in the local economy.

The point was also made, that too many people were coming and that this was too popular of an event and that somehow, all those trying to get here, should have somehow been stopped from doing so? The commentor didn't actually say how, or if this must be done, but the inference was there... Now this one made my head ache. I remembered from a US Government class way back when ( yeah, in the dark ages, we used pens!) something about freedom of assembly - sure enough, a little more research - there it is. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

There - my research, for what it's worth.

LAW

They understood.

Yesterday was one of those awful days - you just want to forget it happened. But in this life, we don't get to do that. DH was supposed to be flying through an airport near here, so we could say a proper goodbye. Then he called, and said he wasn't, that they were flying through another airport, and we tried to say our goodbyes on the phone. When he went down to the training area last weekend (and he has a LOT to say about the horrendous waste of time that was) we said "see ya" - and now I feel oddly as if we never really said it, as if the sentence never got the full stop, as if the chapter has no proper conclusion. Does that make any sense?

The folks at work - clueless, completely clueless, and since they don't understand, they are distant and almost brusque. I don't want pity, maybe some sympathy for how I was feeling would have been nice - I got "oh well, it's probably better this way"... huh? how does that compute? it's better to not tell him goodbye, to tell him to be careful, to kiss him and hold on for just one more second? But then, they equate this with a week's fishing trip!

Then Kimba IMed and asked me how I was. I told her - and in minutes, we had a 4 person chat going on, with Bette, Lopsided Mom, Kimba and me. - and they understood. I could handle it better, when I said I felt numb - they understood. When I said I should plan my meltdown - they understood. And they made me smile, and laugh, because they understood.

The BSF4O women who I was talking to about the upcoming party (a different post about that later), they understood. That's when I realized, that it is important, that I have some friends who have been there, done that, got the Tshirts and hats and coffee mugs.. and that understand.

Thank you so much for being there, and understanding.

LAW

I'm still here..

I haven't been blogging much - yeah duh, can you tell? and it's not because I don't have anything to say. I have too much to say - we are a few days away from deployment, and it's starting to really sink in.

It's not just the trunk in the living room, and buying supplies, and talking about finances... it's the sinking feeling. I've been avoiding it - really truly pretending it's not happening. But it is. and I can't get it out, I can't talk yet.

So put up with me, those few who still read this blog. I'll be babbling again soon.

LAW

Tagged -

I've been tagged by Army Wife so here goes...

The rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you Done

2. Post the rules on your blog. Done

3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. Done.

4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs .sorry, have a policy against doing this. BUT If Kimba, Sis B (after SB goes back) Lawyer Mama, idealistlefty, Tucker and NEE want to ---- consider your self tagged.

5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website. If any of you want to do this... go for it! Just let me know.

6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up. Done.

My 6 Things:

1. I love musicals. OLD musicals - Gene Kelly - ANY musical with him - but I detest The Wizard of Oz. Cyd Charisse, Ann Miller...

2. I love Country Music up to a point - but to relax - it's gotta be Sinatra or even better - Dean Martin. That man was cool to the nth degree.

3. I am a Nora Roberts/JD Robb fan - love my brain candy reading.

4. I love prunes. Yeah, prunes, pitted prunes. but ya gotta be careful with those...

5. I hate to drive here in DC. This could be a problem when DH deploys!

6. Love NCIS, CSI (except Miami... tell me who wears a dark suit in Miami in the summer...) and my secret vice - Organization shows, Clean House etc. But BBC dramas - especially Jane Austen and that ilk... yeah, I could watch those all day. And if anyone has seen the Sharpe series - that's another goodie (Sean Bean was just ... just....hmmmm)

LAW.

You will have fun, dammit

The enforced merriment of the unit party was yesterday... we lasted 1/2 hour. Truly, truly awful. I was chatting with the outgoing FRG leader, and realized - that no one wants to take it on (including me) because NO ONE GIVES A DAMN! We've been trying to get command to approve a vFRG - I offered to be the person responsible for it - but we keep getting told.. no one wants it. No one comes to FRG meetings either... We are, for some reason, getting a paid Family Readiness person... why? This unit is not the norm in the Army, so I'm told. We don't deploy as a unit, just in little groups or individually (as my DH is doing soon) There is little or no contact - one reason could be that we aren't permitted to have a phone tree. No phone list, no nothing.

So - That's that. I've realized that I'm on my own with this upcoming deployment. The Red Headed Step Children group - are back in MN and getting on with their lives, outside the Army. So this will be my support - just like the last time. You - my few and faithful readers - and the Spouse Buzz group and the BSF4O (I hope to get more involved with them). So - those of you who have done this Individual Augmentee bit - any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

LAW