ATTN: Veterans, Families of, Friends of, Caring Others

The beginning of this is an attempt to bring you up to speed on what has been going on this past year leading up to the purpose of this post, a New Investigation on Veterans Care, and the request for those listed in the subject title to get involved with, especially the Veterans having their troubles with the VA and their Care.

Back in July of 2007 the Law Firm of Morrison & Foerster, with help from the legal staff at Disability Rights Advocates, filed a Class Action Lawsuit on behalf of Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth against the Veterans Administration of these United States. A lawsuit, I might add, that shouldn't have found a need for!

You can find out more, for those who haven't followed this, at the DRA website here: Nationwide Class Action Against the VA or at the Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth sites.

Back in January, of this year, Melissa, a lawyer with DRA Legal posted a Real Good News diary on the progress of the lawsuit to that point.

Very recently what some may see as a setback, this Vet. thought this was coming, the Judge in the case made a ruling. I posted a ShoutOut for Action to the citizens of this Country, who the Military Serve, on this setback, but not Defeat! The Soldiers and Veterans Need the Total Involvement of the Citizens of this Country they Serve, They Always Have, but there also is Always Not Enough Sacrifice from same and definantly not the numbers needed to give back what should Not Needed To Be Fought For, the Support and Gratitude of this Nation for those who Sacrifice, up to their Lives, to Serve and Protect!

Here is a News Report on the recent ruling by the Judge:

And here's a Press Conference shortly after that ruling by the Lawyers Involved:

I would hope you visit my link just above, on the Call For Action, as well as the other links, and Get Involved, this Country Owes it's Soldiers and their Families, Especially when they return from it's Excepted Wars of Choice!

Now to get to the reason for this post, the New Investigation on Veterans Care.

A few weeks back Melissa sent me a file and asked that I quietly pass it on to Veterans, and parties who could help out, in the start of this New Investigation asking Veterans to contact DRA Legal to answer some important questions seeking answers that could be used to help All Veterans and the Returning Soldiers.

Well it need not be Quiet anymore. Melissa contacted me yesterday, really sorry I missed your call and have a Well Deserved Vacation next week, and sent me another file requesting that I pass it on Publicly and request others do same. To make it easier for others to download the files, save them, post them up, and pass them out, I have uploaded them to Box.net, a file sharing site I occasionally use. I will just link to the initial first file but will paste the file from yesterday below.

The first file, in PDF, from May 29th can be Downloaded and Viewed Here, this one you may not find the need to save, as the most recent is the important one to pass to those who may want to participate, but I include it as some may find it's need as well.

The most recent, in RTF, from yesterday can be Downloaded and Viewed Here, this is the one you can post up, save and print out to pass around, send the link to others, how ever you find it can help to aid in this investigation working towards Much Needed Change.

Here is the second file contents:

ATTENTION VETERANS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Disability Rights Advocates is conducting an investigation of the accessibility of VA hospitals and clinics. We would like to hear from you about your experiences at these facilities. If you have a mobility disability, a vision disability, a hearing disability, and/or Traumatic Brain Injury, you are entitled to full access and reasonable accommodations, whether or not your disability is service connected. We want to know if these accommodations are being provided. Please contact us at VA Access and we can set up a time to talk with you about your experiences.

If you have a mobility disability:

Whether you use a wheelchair or another form of assistive device, or whether your mobility is impaired in any way due to disability, we want to know about your experience with access at VA hospitals or clinics:

1 Is there adequate accessible parking?
2 Are there access barriers as you travel through the hospital or clinic? For example, are there adequate ramps and accessible pathways? Are doors, counters, elevators and restrooms accessible?
3 Is there enough room for you and your mobility device in patient check-in or waiting areas?
4 Can you get to exam rooms, hospital rooms and laboratories and have your medical care provided with adequate comfort and privacy?
5 Can you access medical equipment such as exam tables, scales and diagnostic equipment safely, independently and with dignity?
6 Can you access other public areas at the hospital or clinic, such as the pharmacy, cafeteria/canteen, or gift shop?
7 Does the staff seem to be knowledgeable and trained to address your needs arising out of your mobility disability?

If you have a vision disability:

Whether you are blind, legally blind, or have low vision, we want to know about your experiences with access at VA hospitals and/or clinics:

8 Are there access barriers such as protruding objects and lack of detectible warnings as you travel through the hospital or clinic?
9 Is there accessible signage so you can navigate through the hospital or clinic?
10 Are you able to obtain information such as forms, notices and prescription information in accessible formats?
11 Can you access your hospital or clinic’s information technology, such as websites or registration kiosks?
12 Does the staff seem to be knowledgeable and trained to address your needs arising out of your visual impairment (including allowing you to be accompanied by your service animal)?
13 Have you experienced other barriers due to your vision disability?

If you have a hearing disability:

Whether you are deaf or hearing impaired, we want to know about your experiences with access at VA hospitals and/or clinics:

14 Can you communicate effectively with VA personnel to make appointments and understand your medical needs and treatment?
15 Do you receive interpreters or assistive listening services when necessary?
16 Does the staff seem to be knowledgeable and trained to address your needs arising out of your hearing impairment?
17 Have you experienced other barriers due to your hearing disability?

If you have Traumatic Brain Injury:

18 Can you communicate effectively with VA personnel to make appointments and understand your medical needs and treatment?
19 Do you receive adequate guidance from VA personnel to make decisions regarding medical care and treatment based on informed consent?
20 Does the staff seem to be knowledgeable and trained to address your needs arising out of your brain injury?
21 Have you experienced other barriers due to your disability?

Disability Rights Advocates is a non-profit organization based in California that is dedicated to protecting the rights of people with all types of disabilities, including disabled veterans. DRA is one of the two law firms that is challenging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) practices in failing to adequately treat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and we also have a longstanding interest in ensuring disabled individuals’ equal access to prompt medical care. For more information about DRA, please visit DRA Legal.

To set up at time to talk about your experiences at VA hospitals and/or clinics, email VA Access, or call toll-free at 800/332-6177 (or TTY at 510/665-8716).

Once again, you can download and view the initial file, in PDF, HERE.

And you can download the above full text file, in RTF, HERE to do whatever you feel might be the best way to make the contacts needed to help DRA Legal in their Investigation.

Get Involved!!!

You want Change, well that 'Change' can only come from You!!

On this 4th of July Show What Patriotism Is, Really Support The Troops and The Veterans, Sacrifice for once!!

Veterans Care

Are We Letting Down our Nation's Veterans? Again

Hopefully, this ruling will impel our nation’s leaders to work to ensure veterans receive mental health care services they need and deserve.

Ahhhhh folks, You Hire Those Leaders?!!!!!!!

Big Brother or good security at VA?

"A veteran just back from Iraq and Afghanistan with a DUI should be encouraged to get mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment," said Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense. "Is the VA going to hire more doctors? Or are they going to be playing Big Brother?"

Shame On You T Boone, Shame

Your word has turned to slime, hope the business world is paying attention, though you'll always find
snakes like you to deal with and make some bucks, and I'm sure many already have learned about you
through your years of building your billions.

What's this all about? Well,

Vets Say Billionaire is Going Back on His Word.

Some Vietnam veterans are claiming that Texan businessman T. Boone Pickens is going back on his word to pay $1 million to anyone who can find inaccuracies in claims made by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth during the 2004 presidential election. Agreeing with the veterans, oddsmaker Ben Eckstein says that failing to deliver on a bet is "sacrilegious." "In the world of betting and gambling, your word is your bond," said Eckstein, president of America's Line, a sports and entertainment oddsmaking business. "Whether it's a $7 bet or a $500,000 bet, once it's made and once you shake on it, it should be done."

You see, and many already know, Pickens made his $1million wager to anyone who could bring forth falsities to disprove the 'swifties' claim, of which T. Boone had bankrolled, at a dinner for the American Spectator magazine in '07.

Kerry took him up on it, and I doubt to collect on the bet but to set the recod straight,

offering to meet Pickens and provide him with information that Kerry said would debunk the allegations.

Pickens in turn refused to meet with Kerry, wonder why, after all he made the bet calling Kerry out.

Now Pickens equally slimmy spokesperson Jay Rosser is trying to spin the meaning of the bet.

"Boone can't be accountable for everything the [Swift Boat Veterans for Truth] say," Rosser said. "[He can only be responsible] for the ads that he helped fund."

And adds,

"Nobody has stepped forward with any factual mistakes in those ads," Rosser added.

Really? Kerry makes an offer to meet with Pickens, face to face, and my brother 'Nam Navy Vets, who were stationed with Kerry as well as some being on the Swiftboat Kerry commanded taking part in the daily operations they were sent out on, in other words being the eye witnesses to anything and everything their boat, as well as the other boats with them, experianced.

"We have 11 different falsehoods that the [Swift Boat Veterans for Truth] came out with in 2004. We have documents, videos, editorials and depositions not just by my boat crew but other eyewitnesses who were involved in the operations."

Sanudsky added that while his group has come up with "everything Pickens asked Kerry for in November," it has all been for nothing.

Brother Navy 'Nam Vet Sanudsky added this,

"We're disappointed because he's ducking out," Sanudsky said. "He's dodging the bullet because we've got the ammunition."

And this,

"Where we come from, your word is your bond," Sanudsky said. "Mr. Pickens hasn't heard the last from us.
"We won't rest until he admits the truth that he bankrolled a big lie."

Now many back than couldn't understand why Kerry didn't strongly fight the charges being made by the 'swifties', especially the small number involved in that group and some not even being Swiftboat Sailors, who for purely political purposes were trying to bring some sort of 'Noble Cause' to that quagmire built on lies.

To me, a brother Navy In-Country 'Nam Vet '70-'71, I understood Kerry and knew where the swifties were coming from, as they, for political purposes, were slandering not only Kerry but their own 'Nam service as well as all who served In-Country, especially us Navy personal. Some of those clowns have been doing the same, and making money off their slanders since 'Nam as they roped in the simple minded who bought their crap.

Lets bring it closer to the present. Most, in this country, hadn't a clue what we were doing in 'Nam just like they haven't a clue what the Military Personal are doing in the Theaters of Afganistan and Iraq today, though back than the media, as small as it was, were at least reporting on some of what was going on with actual footage of firefights, firebases in the jungles, bombings in the cities.............................. etc..

Less was known about the Navy's role in that Guerilla/Insurgent Occupation. One says 'Navy' one thinks Sailors on Naval Ships or stationed on shore bases, which by the way was how I spent my whole four years, on shoreduty. Only ships I went on were 'Cuban' cargo vessals riding them through the Panama Canal guarding against them ramming the locks or causing other damage, which was a long running part of the duty down there and was Assinine to say the least, we finally got that practice stopped.

I wasn't a part of the 'Brownwater Navy' in 'Nam, Swifts, PBR's, Zippo's, PACV etc., nor was I a part of the SEAL's, which is probably the only part of the Navy in 'Nam some may have known about, still not knowing what they actually did. I did work with some in the 'Brownwater', mostly friends from previous duty bases who were there at the same time, and because of what I did some work with the SEAL's, I was a GunnersMate small arms.

Untill Apocalypse Now, the movie, I doubt the knowledge of Navy duty In-Country was a reality to most. My brother Sailors were involved in a whole slew of differing parts of that Occupation.

When all this was happening, as to the swifty attacks, it was frankly mistifying that many bought into the lies being spread, just simple common sense should have quickly dispeled them, especially as the main characters for this group, the leaders, had been doing same for years with no actual proof of their charges and they didn't have anything than, still don't.

Moral of this story: If you going to do a 527 political action group, or other obscure fringe group, you had better have all your 'i's' dotted and your 't's' crossed if paying for advertising, or saying things, to be seen, or heard, by the masses when bringing on charges, actual proof of, against someone running for office. You'll grab the minds, or lack there of, of the fools with the slander you'll put forth, but when confronted with the actual proof to slam down your slander you had better retract your charges, and most certainly, wether a billionaire or not, don't place a bet on the slander, a gambler, like me sometimes, is gonna go with the sure thing and we want our payday.

A little note to those who force their beliefs? on others:

Have those who follow their religious ideologies, all you 'christian's?' especially, forgotten that lying is a 'sin', or have you all just thrown that bit of the bible teachings out with the rest you don't care to follow, like tolerance of others?

More on T. Boone - swiftie funder

T. Boone Pickens Says No Deal on Swift Boat Bounty

T. Boone Pickens is not giving up his million dollars

CALL TO ACTION: Veterans vs Country They Serve

Veterans vs Veterans Administration Case UpDate 6-25-08

Yesterday, the 25th, a ruling came down from the judge hearing the case, in San Francisco, 82 pages long, and not a surprise to this Vet. In the ruling the judge sided with the Veterans but had to push it to where it belongs, In Congress. Only Congress and the Excutive Branch, of the Peoples Government, can bring about the way to long overhall of the Veterans Administration. Everything that is being reported about the care to the returning Veterans, of the Wars and Occupations of Choice, is actually Old News, just ask the thousands of my brother, and sister, Veterans of Korea and Vietnam, and it's happening once again while these conflicts rage as it did back than. We call the present Military the Professional Military yet we continue the foulups that take place within the Government Agencies, Veterans Administration and DoD Health, that are charged with it's care, especially the Mental Trauma War brings on in the Soldiers and the Civilians in these Theaters of Occupation.

This Government, thus by extension it's agencies, are the People of this Country. We 'Hire' those in charge who in turn hire those that do the work. We pay the salaries and the bills, those who work in the federal system work for us, from the President right on down the whole Government.

The Veterans, and those personal still on Active duty, of this Countries Military, Serve the Country in Defense of. For that service they are owed by the Country the Best Care Available and the Best VA Care Agency in the World, they always have been, but Especially as this Country supports the Wars of Choice it's leaders sell to it. Over 70% were in Support, many were silent but in support many others were very vocal and calling and labeling those of us who saw what was coming every dispicable name they could come up with. Those of us opposed wear our guilt of not being able to stop what was to come and the continuing destruction, we were sadly right about what we saying and it's even been worse.

It is up to the People to give back what is owed to those who serve, Contact your Representatives, in Congress, both houses, and Demand the Overhall of the VA, long overdue! The support from the majority of this countries people has never been there, some speak it but few act on it. The ones who could be depended on to help us Veterans from past conflicts, after WWII, were many of the activists opposed to the conflicts, some of the family members of the veterans who understood, some professionals in physical and mental health fields and law, and caring civilians who were driven by what they saw and heard, and the veterans, but those numbers have always been a small percentage of this countries population.

We have a young generation now seemily getting more involved, they came out in opposition to the invasion, they have come out in greater numbers on the political scene, they are coming out on a whole host of issues as they see this country heading in a direction opposite of that they were taught and led to believe. The Active Duty and Veterans need that energy and dedication to come to their aid in fights with the government and country that shouldn't even be needed, but exist. And the older generations that haven't been there, you know who you are, need to step it up more than just a notch.

SF Federal Judge Refuses To Order Overhaul Of VA

A federal judge in San Francisco refused Wednesday to order an overhaul of the Department of Veterans Affairs' health care system, saying veterans groups who had sued for the changes should take their case elsewhere.

One of the groups who have been tirelessly, and extremely dedicated, working on this lawsuit has been the Disability Rights Advocates and their legal branch. Yesterday, after the ruling came down they posted this on their wensite:

June 25, 2008: Senior Federal District Court Judge Samuel Conti has issued his decision in the landmark case brought on behalf of veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury in July of 2007. The trial was conducted from April 21 30, 2008, and included a week of testimony in early March. The trial focused on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and adjudication systems for disabled veterans. The trial included testimony from the heads of national veterans’ organizations, top VA officials and some of the leading experts in the country on the widespread failings of the VA system.
Read the Press Release.
Read more about the Case

This is the press release, which is a downloadable file, linked above:

MEDIA ADVISORY


JUDGE RULES that VETS IN ptsd case should seek relief from congress — VETS RESOLVE TO APPEAL


WHAT:Decision After Trial—VCS, et al. v. Peake, et al.

JUDGE Senior Judge Samuel Conti, United States District Court, Northern District of California.

PRESS CONFERENCE: 2:30 p.m. PST, June 25, 2008, Morrison & Foerster LLP, 425 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, 11th Floor, check in with building security first and go to the 11th Floor; or dial in to listen to the conference: 1-800-755-6634

Senior Federal District Court Judge Samuel Conti has issued his decision in the landmark case brought on behalf of veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury in July of 2007. The trial was conducted from April 21‑30, 2008, and included a week of testimony in early March. The trial focused on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and adjudication systems for disabled veterans. The trial included testimony from the heads of national veterans’ organizations, top VA officials and some of the leading experts in the country on the widespread failings of the VA system.

In his decision, Judge Conti held that it is “clear to the Court” that “the VA may not be meeting all of the needs of the nation’s veterans.” He agreed with, and explicitly adopted, many of the factual assertions made by the veterans. Those include the following:

1“The suicide rate among veterans is significantly higher than that of the general population,” and there is “a strong connection between PTSD and suicide.”

2“One out of every three soldiers returning from Iraq was seen in the VA for a mental health visit within a year of their return” with PTSD being a “leading diagnosis.”

3“The high rates of PTSD among Iraq veterans are the result of various factors, including multiple deployments, the inability to identify the enemy, the lack of real safe zones, and the inadvertent killing of innocent civilians, ” as top VA officials admitted.

4“Initiatives such as screening veterans at risk, a suicide prevention database, emerging best practices for treatment, and education programs were all still at the ‘Pilot Stage’ three years” after VA’s Mental Health Strategic Plan was adopted.

5“It is beyond doubt that disability benefits are critical to many veterans and any delay in receiving these benefits can result in substantial and severe adverse consequences.”

6The VA’s track record with respect to delays in processing veterans’ appeals “is troubling.” It is taking veterans on average 4.4 years to adjudicate a benefits claim at the first two levels in the VA benefits system.

Nonetheless, Judge Conti concluded that the power to remedy this crisis lies with the other branches of government, including Congress and the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, holding VA’s failures to meet veterans’ needs are “beyond the power of this Court” and would “call for a complete overhaul of the VA system.” Judge Conti’s opinion states that Congress, and not the courts, needs to resolve the crisis facing our nation’s veterans. This underscores the importance of the ongoing congressional hearings that seek to find the truth, and to address the problems faced by our veterans. Now, more than ever, it is critical that Congress act. Plaintiffs very much appreciate Judge Conti's consideration, but disagree with his legal conclusions. Accordingly, Plaintiffs plan to appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit so that these important legal questions can be addressed by a higher court. The full text of the decision can be found at Veterans PTSD Class Action.

Paul Sullivan, Director of Veterans for Common Sense, commented that “This ruling will only cause us to redouble our efforts and our pursuit of justice for our nation’s veterans. We will not rest until our job is finished.” Bob Handy, the Director for Veterans United for Truth, added: “Every time we feel discouraged or need to find our way, we always return to the VA’s motto, ‘To Care for Him Who Hath Borne the Battle, and His Widow and His Orphan,’ and that tells us what we need do.”

“The decision, if upheld on appeal, would suggest that veterans have no enforceable rights in America, and the Constitution does not apply to veterans. For all Americans, the implications of this decision are profoundly disturbing,” remarked the lead counsel for Plaintiffs, Gordon Erspamer. “Our fight on behalf of our veterans will continue.” Sid Wolinsky added, “I know that we will not rest until victory has been achieved and the suffering of our veterans ceases.”

Tragically, the VA has been neglecting wounded veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan who are in desperate need of ongoing care and support, including medical treatment and disability payments for living expenses. Among those suffering the most are returning veterans with mental disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veteran suicides have reached an epidemic level, with over 120 veterans taking their own lives every week, and 1,000 suicide attempts per month amongst veterans under VA care. This lawsuit was unprecedented in directly challenging the VA’s 600,000 case backlog in handling claims, appellate delays of five to ten years, the waiting lists that veterans face before receiving health care, and the inadequacy of VA care for PTSD.

The trial brought to light many critical facts that the VA had tried to conceal or downplay. An internal e-mail from the VA’s head of mental health, Dr. Ira Katz, surfaced during the trial. At a time when the VA was reporting only 790 veteran suicide attempts in all of 2007, Katz wrote, “Shh!...Our suicide prevention coordinators are identifying about 1,000 suicide attempts per month…Is this something we should (carefully) address...before someone stumbles on it?” At trial it was also disclosed that the suicide rate of veterans is at least three times the national suicide rate and in 2005, the suicide rate for veterans 18-24 years old was three to four times higher than non-veterans.

We are grateful to Judge Conti for hearing our case and for allowing a public display of VA’s enormous systemic failures.


Client Contacts:

Paul Sullivan, Veterans for Common Sense
(202) 491-6953

Robert M. Handy, Veterans United for Truth
(805) 455-5259

Counsel:

Gordon P. Erspamer, Arturo J. González, Heather A. Moser
Morrison & Foerster LLP, Lead Counsel
(415) 268-7000

Sid M. Wolinsky, Ron Elsberry, Kasey Corbit,
Disability Rights Advocates
(510) 665-8644

This is The Courts Decision in PDF File and is 82 Pages long, if you would like to download and read.

Swords to Plowshares also put out a press release, after the ruling, in PDF that you can download here

Here are a few more articles you can read to find out more.

Judge rules court won't step in to aid vets

The federal government is subjecting veterans to long delays in obtaining mental health care and medical benefits, but the power to change the system rests with officials and Congress, not the courts, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled Wednesday in dismissing a lawsuit by veterans' advocates.

The VA is understaffed and takes an average of nearly 4 1/2 years to hear veterans' appeals of benefit denials, and a long-range improvement plan the agency adopted four years ago is still mostly in the pilot stages, the judge said.
But Conti said, "The remedies sought by plaintiffs are beyond the power of this court and would call for a complete overhaul of the VA system.

And what does the VA Administration think.

VA spokesman Phil Budahn said the agency was pleased with the ruling.

What would one expect, for it isn't the hard working Veterans Administration employees that create the failures of the agency, nor any government agency, though I don't blame some who get so frustrated they just go along and stop trying to correct the systems, it's the Political Appointee's to the leadership positions and those hired in the Administrations of these agencies. I wonder how long this Phil Budahn has been working in the Veterans Administration.

Veterans get mixed decision about mental health care from SF judge

Conti found that individual members would have standing to sue. “Given the dire consequences many of these veterans face without timely receipt of benefits or prompt treatment for medical conditions, especially depression and PTSD, these injuries are anything but conjectural or hypothetical,” he wrote.

Do you want to help erase the Vietnam Syndrom, at least a part of that, do you really 'Support The Troops' in more than words, cheap symbols, and maybe an occasional care package, than Contact Your Representatives Today and continue these contacts, as often as deemed necessary, keep the preasure on them, show the Soldiers and Veterans you really care for and support them for their service to the country you live in, Sacrifice your time and anything else needed to give them the help that shouldn't need to be asked for, but should already exist!

Press Conferance
by Gordon Erspamer of Morrison & Foerster LLP

A Big HatTip to Ernie1812 over at Vet Voice for this video!

Not Good News-Vets-PTSD

We need the Civilian population Now to come to the Aid of this Countries Veterans and start a Hard Lobby, to their Representatives, in Support of it's Veterans!

Especially for these Veterans of todays Conflicts, Support from the Country that was Overwelming, over 70%, in Favor of Invasion and Occupation and now Pays Little Heed to!

MEDIA ADVISORY
June 25, 2008

Contact: Amy Fairweather, Iraq Veteran Project (415) 252-4787 ext 356, (415)505-6558
Elinor Roberts, Legal Director (415) 252-4787 ext 317

JUDGE RULES AGAINST VETS IN PTSD CASE

WHAT: Decision After Trial—VCS, et al. v. Peake, et al.

JUDGE: Senior Judge Samuel Conti, United States District Court, Northern District of California.

Senior Federal District Court Judge Samuel Conti has ruled against veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury and other disabilities. The case, VCS et al. V. Peake et al. was brought on behalf of veterans to remedy the Department of Veterans Affairs failure to provide timely and adequate mental health care to veterans and to address the VA’s failure to provide fair and timely adjudication of veterans’ disability claims.

Judge Conti acknowledged the VA’s failings but ruled that it is not within the court’s power to remedy the situation.

Michael Blecker, Director of Swords to Plowshares, comments that, “Everyday that goes by without action, another 18 veterans commit suicide and hundreds of thousands of veterans are denied mental health care and the compensation they need to survive. At Swords to Plowshares, we deal everyday with homeless and mentally ill veterans. These veterans need medical care and disability compensation in the near term to prevent the outcomes we still see among our homeless Vietnam era clients. Veterans are giving up, committing suicide, it is a tragedy.”

Elinor Roberts, Swords to Plowshares Legal Director added, “The Court’s ruling is very disappointing, the decision lays out in great detail the failures of the VA, and yet the court will not act. If the Administration and Congress were exercising proper oversight of the VA, then these veterans would not have had to resort to the courts. The VA benefits system should have out a welcome mat, not a locked gate for desperate veterans to pound on to get in — or die waiting for it to open.”

The VA is under equipped to handle their existing caseload and take on an unprecedented wave of new veterans with traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Over 1.7 million service members have been deployed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them repeatedly. The conditions in these wars are a recipe for PTSD, the urban combat, repeated deployments, 24/7 and 360 degree exposure to extreme combat trauma. Approximately one third of those returning from combat have PTSD or some mental health need.

These disabled veterans have to wait at least 6 months for an initial determination of their disability claims, and appeals can last years. In the meantime they are without resources, they are falling into poverty, unable to work and stuck in a bureaucratic battle for their earned disability compensation. The number of veteran suicides is overwhelming, with over 120 veterans taking their own lives every week, and 1000 suicide attempts per month amongst veterans under VA care. The suicide rate of veterans is at least three times the national suicide rate and in 2005, the suicide rate for veterans 18-24 years old was three to four times higher than non-veterans.

Amy Fairweather, Director of Swords to Plowshares Iraq Veteran Project adds, “There are good people on the ground in VA offices and vet centers, providing care, but the leadership made no provision to meet the wave of new combat veterans. There is no consistency of care, we get a steady stream of calls from Iraq veterans and their families struggling without care and benefits. The homelessness, joblessness, broken families and suicide, are heartbreaking.”

“We had hoped that the Judge would call for some independent oversight of the VA’s mental health services, to bring some consistency and accountability to the treatment of our veterans. We hope for a different outcome in the plaintiffs appeal. In the meantime, veterans and their families wait, suffer and die needlessly.”

******************

Additional news reports.

San Francisco Chronicle: Judge dismisses suit charging VA with shoddy mental health care

AP: Federal judge refuses to order overhaul of VA

******************

The Oppinion - PDF, it's 82 pages long, so decide if you want to download.

"CSNY: Deja Vu"

A film by Neil Young

Due in theaters July 25

The Trailer

"CSNY: Deja Vu" Trailer

The war in Iraq is the backdrop as the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young "Freedom of Speech Tour" crisscrosses North America. Echoes of Vietnam-era anti-war sentiment abound as the band connects with today's audiences.

I caught a fresh Reuters Article, with interview, about the film just a short while ago, read through it and it peaked my interest, as a fan of CSNY and Neil Young, in finding some more.

In the spring of 2006, Neil Young was just a year removed from a near-fatal aneurysm when he became so enraged with the war in Iraq that he quickly wrote, recorded and released the protest album "Living With War."
Not two months after its release, his part-time supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young launched their Freedom of Speech tour, during which unwitting fans expecting the band's sweeter side were greeted instead with its serrated edge.

Because of the Concerts content

the move angered some fans, while inspiring others.

Angered some fans? Knowing CSNY, and especially Neil Young, how could someone call themselves Fans and attend a concert by them than get Angered because of the music they played!

I already know the reasons why, being a member of the 'Focus Groups' not to be listened to in the leadup to the invasion and long after the destruction started, as do many others.

The forthcoming documentary "CSNY: Deja Vu" charts that friction, portraying fans who saluted the group's efforts and those who felt betrayed by them, while also introducing viewers to Iraq War veterans who are now protesting the war as musicians, politicians and social workers.

The search led me to a number of articles and to a Bill Board review and a Lengthy Q&A Interview.

From the review:

Neil Young says the soundtrack to the forthcoming Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young documentary "CSNY: Deja Vu" constitutes the best album ever made by the legendary supergroup.

"It's CSNY," he told Billboard recently during a lengthy interview about the new film. "It really is CSNY. It's not overdubbed. There's no fixes. It's straight from the board."

From the interview:

It's pretty shocking midway through the movie when an irate Atlanta fan tells you to stick it up your ass, and another remarks that he wants to "knock your teeth out" for singing anti-war, anti-Bush songs. How did you react the first time you saw this footage?

With fans like that who needs the ones that never could stand you!

Wonder what these 'fans' think now, and did they purchase the album or will they now watch the film!

Abit later in the interview Neil has this to say:

Well, I think misleading the country into a war with Iraq by misrepresenting the facts, as the Senate committee has verified that he did, that was the wrong way to go about it. I think that he took a tremendous amount of good faith and good will from around the world and used it very poorly. It's not, "What could he have done," so much as it is, "Why did he do what he did?" I mean, it's just unfortunate that his feelings and convictions took him there, and we're the ones who suffer for it -- to a lesser degree us, and to a greater degree the Iraqis. And we're all suffering for it. And it's just very unfortunate. I just feel badly about it because (pauses) it's not because I hate Bush. I just think he's a strong leader that was going in the wrong direction. It's a bad combination.

And shortly after the above he adds this:

And he needs to be impeached for what he did. I mean, the Senate has verified it. It needs to happen for history. It's like a dirty business. It needs to be taken care of. Nobody wants to be bothered, but it should happen, because do we want to let this go down in history? It's a cancer. It's a blight. It has to be eradicated. You have to look at this and go, "The president mislead the people into going to war, lost 5,000 troops, there's hundreds of thousands of people killed in Iraq, billions and billions of dollars were taken out of the economy for the war, and now we've discovered for sure -- the Senate committee has said, 'Yeah, he did. He lied.'" So what do you have to do to get impeached? What do you need to do? And who are we if we don't do it ... if we don't actually say, "Hey -- the law! You can't do that!"

Remember this song:

This Country needs to right this ship of state and abide by it's Constitution and Laws or just say The Hell With The Whole Thing and except what the few are striving for, Their Total Control and we just become the sheep of that Control!

There needs to be Accountability not only for this Country but this Planet we share!

We must really Lead, as a Nation, by Example, and the Examples we are setting are not those of a Country with Moral Values nor Intelligent Human Values!

Do on to Others as you would want Them to do onto You!

Find the Cost of Freedom

"Freedom" doesn't come to others by destroying them and their countries in Wars of Choice and the Destructive Occupations that follow, it only leads to more Hatreds, Death, and Destruction!

"Blood and Oil"

The notion that oil motivates America's military engagements in the Middle East has long been dismissed as nonsense or mere conspiracy theory. Blood and Oil, a new documentary based on the critically-acclaimed work of Nation magazine defense correspondent Michael T. Klare, challenges this conventional wisdom to correct the historical record. The film unearths declassified documents and highlights forgotten passages in prominent presidential doctrines to show how concerns about oil have been at the core of American foreign policy for more than 60 years – rendering our contemporary energy and military policies virtually indistinguishable. In the end, Blood and Oil calls for a radical re-thinking of US energy policy, warning that unless we change direction, we stand to be drawn into one oil war after another as the global hunt for diminishing world petroleum supplies accelerates.

"Blood and Oil" is a very, very well made film that will show you something new even if you already know that - as Dubya admits - the United States is addicted to oil, even if you know the deal that FDR cut with the king of Saudi Arabia on February 14, 1945 (and have already seen the film footage of them meeting on a US ship accompanied by the king's slaves and astrologers), even if you know the openly oily basis of the Truman Doctrine, the Eisenhower Doctrine, the Nixon Doctrine, the Carter Doctrine, and Reagan's Persian Gulf policies, the origins of Centcom, and the oily panic of Bush I (who finally established that the policy of blood for oil would be hushed up and disguised by phony war justifications), even if you know that Bush I's reneging on his promise to leave Saudi Arabia after driving the Iraqis out of Kuwait turned Osama bin Laden into an enemy of the United States, even if you've followed the crimes of Cheney-Bush and the establishment of Africom, even if you have been screaming against war for oil since before Shock and Awe.

Get this film and host an event showing it!

View the trailer and find out more

Women Of The Military

As previously posted here, I'm working on a documentary about women in the military. This is a trailer for what we've got so far. Please feel free to post it or link to it on your blog or website. Also if you'd like to be a part of this, please contact me. We're looking for females from all branches with different opinions. . .and you don't necessarily need to be a veteran. We plan to shoot more in August--likely in the New York and Washington, D.C . areas, and possibly in California. (If you're not from these areas but are interested, please email me. Maybe we can work something out.)

So say hello America, to the women next door!

From GIKate over at Vet Voice

The Coming Report Will Say............

That the Violence is down in Iraq, leaving many who get their news in the states thinking things are just rosy.



Gunman in Iraq kills 2 American soldiers, wounds 4

That gunman was

BAGHDAD - A disgruntled local official opened fire Monday on U.S. soldiers attending a municipal council meeting southeast of Baghdad, killing two of them and wounding four other Americans, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

While

Female Bomber's Deadly Attack

"CBS News RAW": A female suicide bomber struck near a government compound northeast of Baghdad, killing at least 15 people and wounding 40, police said. At least 21 suicide attacks have been carried out this year by women

And the

U.S. says Iraqi forces still need American help

And why would that be?

Because We're Still There!!

Yesterday was the 64th Anniversary

And what Anniversary would that be, you ask, Well:

Of President Franklin Roosevelt's signing of the GI Bill, which enabled millions of veterans to go to college, and is credited for sparking the post-war economic boom.

And fuel the growth of this Nation it did, I grew up in that time frame, not only of many getting the opportunity to further their education in our Universities and Colleges but the birth of Trade Schools teaching a wide veriaty of Professional Industrial Trades, many now no longer done in this country or are rapidly on the wane.

And as one progressed, either in the trades or in the corporate world, from the degrees of higher education, the rewards of long term employment and raises were common,as the economy expanded and new companies were developed by those who worked in them and went out on their own, some of the growth had to be fought for, but the education gave those fighting the tools they needed.

Most of the advancements in Industry, and other parts of the economy, came from the worker.

One thing hasn't changed, and that's the fight, of the worker, who seems to have lost that fire, but especially for those that serve the country and should already be getting back what a society owes for that service, after all we call it the Professional Military and those who serve but decide not to make it their careerer deserve more than just a chance to expand themselves in other professions, it should already be a given of what is owed.

Fighting for Those Who Fight Our Wars

There was no GI Bill for veterans of World War I. And when 17,000 jobless veterans descended on Washington, demanding help, Army troops moved in to disperse them. Several veterans were killed, and hundreds wounded.
Americans were stunned, and when World War II came, they were determined to take better care of those who had served their country in wartime.

ABC News Video Report

This country was once the envy of the World with it's expanding educational oppurtunities, it's quality workforce, it's quality products and developement of the new, it's ever growing journies into expanded technologies and developement of same, it's dedicated workforce making companies an expanded family...................................

Things haven't always been rosy, but we were a Nation pretty much Together, seems not to be the case anymore!

And the G.I. Bill was a big part of the engine that drove our developement and expansion into being the Envy of others!

They flooded college campuses, changing America in the process, producing better educated citizens, and playing a big part in post-war prosperity.

Veterans of our conflicts after WWII used their benefits but those benefits have never kept up with the growth in costs of higher education, especially as that higher education seems to have become more of a business model of waste and profit.

There's a New G.I. Bill a Comin!

For months, Pentagon officials argued that if benefits were too generous, troops would have little incentive to re-enlist. President Bush and Sen. John McCain agreed, and a new GI Bill became a major campaign issue.

Those opposed use the above false argument, many who are where they are because of their use of the G.I. Bill, which for those who have served recognize it for what it really is.

The Military, as a profession, has always been a comfortable fit for some, while others still looked outside it's boundries and looked at it as a way to give service to country than move on as a civilian after.

The comfortable factor is gravely strained when the Military is used for Wars and Occupations of Choice, of a few, and not as a deterant for Strong National Security.

Instead of creating goodwill, as a country, the use of strong arm tactics, especially by Military Actions, in these conflicts of choice give rise to more hatreds and enemies thus endangering the National Security for Decades.

Those using the Military for personal gains, Wealth, Power, Political, fight the attempts to really Support those that serve.

But they have lost their battle against those they've used, a battle that never should have been waged by a country who's citizens don't serve!

Both McCain and Bush say they support the new bill, which will provide $50 billion over the next 10 years for veterans like Bailey and for those still serving in uniform.

CBS News also covered this yesterday on 'Sunday Morning' with a great video report that they don't have up on their site, but the report is there.

PL 346 was the Congressional designation of a landmark bill signed into law 64 years ago today - legislation designed to smooth the transition to civilian life for millions of World War II servicemen. In the process it changed America for ALL of us. Congress is very close to approving expanded benefits for service men and women of today's Iraq War era. Our Cover Story is reported now by Thalia Assuras

Now lets Bring Them Home from these Occupations Of Choice and Take Care Of The Wounded, Physically and Especially Mentally As Well, that fight hasn't been won yet!

In Too Deep:

In Too Deep: 'He wasn't really all there,' his squad leader says, but the Army needed more scouts, so that's the job they sent him in to do IRAQ

He Should Never Have Gone to Iraq’
More borderline troops are being sent to the front, sometimes with tragic results.

By Dan Ephron | NEWSWEEK
Jun 30, 2008 Issue

Pvt. David Dietrich had a history of cognitive problems. He struggled in boot camp at Fort Knox, Ky., striking at least one of his superiors as unfit for the military. Dietrich was so slow at processing new things, some fellow soldiers called him Forrest Gump. His squad leader, Pfc. Matthew Berg, says Dietrich couldn't hit targets on the rifle range and had trouble retaining information. "He was very strong physically, but mentally he wasn't really all there," Berg says. Recruited as a cavalry scout, one of the toughest specialties in the Army, Dietrich seemed to lack the essential skills for the job: concentration, decisiveness and the ability to move around without being noticed. He was sent for psychological evaluations at least twice, yet somehow Dietrich advanced—from Fort Knox to Germany and on to Iraq in November 2006. Eight weeks later, at 21, Dietrich was killed by a sniper while conducting reconnaissance from an abandoned building in Ramadi.

NOT Winning 'Hearts and Minds', but Making Enemies!!

Haditha victims' kin outraged as Marines go free (McClatchy has the video at top of this report)

Eight Marines were charged in the case, but in the intervening years, criminal charges have been dismissed against six. A seventh Marine was acquitted. The residents of Haditha, after being told they could depend on U.S. justice, feel betrayed.

"We put our hopes in the law and in the courts and one after another they are found innocent," said Yousef Aid Ahmed, the lone surviving brother in the family. "This is an organized crime."

If nothing is brought into a Court of Accountibility, with evidence layed out for all to see, Guilt or Innocence means nothing, Hatreds and Blowback are created, Creating More 'Enemies' not Justice! That is Not bringing 'Freedom' and 'Democracy', it adds to the Destruction already created!