America’s Liberal Voice!
NEW YORK (Reuters) - House Democrats are proposing a surtax on high-income earners as a way to fund an expansion of education benefits for veterans, the Wall Street Journal said on Wednesday.
Under the proposal, a surtax of 0.5 percent will be levied on couples earning more than $1 million a year, and individuals earning more than $500,000 a year, the Journal said, citing Democratic aides. More…
If shrub vetoes it, that would once again prove how much he HATES the members of our military. -Sue
From AP Via YahooNews:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - It’s a happy Mother’s Day for an Arkansas woman — she’s pregnant with her 18th child. Michelle Duggar, 41, is due on New Year’s Day, and the latest addition will join seven sisters and 10 brothers. There are two sets of twins.
“We’ve had three in January, three in December. Those two months are a busy time for us,” she said, laughing.
The Duggars’ oldest child, Josh, is 20, and the youngest, Jennifer, is nine months old.
The fast-growing family lives in Tontitown in northwest Arkansas in a 7,000-square-foot home. All the children — whose names start with the letter J — are home-schooled.
Duggar has been been pregnant for more than 11 years of her life, and the family is in the process of filming another series for Discovery Health.
The new show looks at life inside the Duggar home, where chores — or “jurisdictions” — are assigned to each child. One episode of the new show involves a “jurisdiction swap,” where the boys do chores traditionally assigned to the girls, and vice versa, Duggar said.
“The girls swapped jurisdictions, changing tires, working in the garages, mowing the grass,” she said. “The boys got to cook supper from start to finish, clean the bathrooms,” among other chores.
Duggar said she’s six weeks along and the pregnancy is going well. She and her husband, Jim Bob Duggar, said they’ll keep having children as long as God wills it.
Article Continues @ Sourced Site.
From 365Gay:
(Washington) Rep. Sestak (D-PA) is the latest in a growing number of former military brass calling for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law banning lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel from serving openly in the military.
Sestak (pictured), who had served as a three-star Admiral and who spent thirty-one years in the Navy, is the highest ranking military veteran in Congress.”It is easy for me to see why ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ should be repealed,” Sestak told the Equality Forum.
“Once you have served in war and faced danger with a gay service member, how can you come home and say gay people should not enjoy equal rights? It is simple. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ must be repealed.”
Sestak joins 16 other veterans in Congress who are co-sponsors of legislation to lift the ban on openly gay service.
“Veterans like Admiral Sestak, who have dedicated their lives to serving this country, are leading the movement in Congress to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.
Article Continues @ Sourced Site.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A Navy admiral engaged in sexual relations in the White House in 1990 with a federal employee whom he falsely told he was a widower, according to a report released Friday by the Defense Department.
In March, when the report was submitted to Pentagon officials, Rear Adm. John Stufflebeem was demoted and fired from his post as director of the Navy staff.
Stufflebeem told investigators he couldn’t remember the name of the woman he had an affair with. He also lied when he told investigators he did not engage in sexual relations with the woman, identified as “Jane Doe,” the Defense Department’s inspector general’s report said.
Jane Doe, who was then unmarried and working for a federal agency, told the investigators the allegations were true, the report said. Her supervisor and Stufflebeem’s superiors supported her testimony.
Stufflebeem was convicted April 18 of making false official statements to investigators. After the hearing, called an admiral’s mast, he requested retirement.
Jane Doe told investigators that she and Stufflebeem began their affair on an overseas trip in 1989, that the married admiral told her he was a widower who was raising his children as a single parent and that they had sexual relations several times, including once in a White House room reserved for “military aides with overnight duties.”
She also told investigators that Stufflebeem came to her home on the day in August 1990 when she learned he was married and that she called him “scum,” shut the door in his face and never spoke to him again.
At issue was Stufflebeem’s removal from his post as a presidential aide in 1990. Stufflebeem testified that he initiated the request to leave his White House post because of “close family personal problems.” But his superiors testified that he was removed from the post because of his relationship with the woman — and that he admitted the affair.
Doe also said Stufflebeem told her that his wife had died of breast cancer, that a woman who answered the phone when she called his home was the children’s nanny and that he continued to wear his wedding ring “for his daughters who missed their late mother.”
Stufflebeem became well known in the initial months of the war in Afghanistan, when he often conducted on-camera television briefings as a Pentagon spokesman. He was then deputy director for global operations on the Joint Staff. More…
By CARLI BROSSEAU, Tucson Citizen
An Air National Guardsman was arrested Wednesday in Phoenix on suspicion of stealing metal from the border fence and selling it, a U.S. Attorney’s Office spokeswoman said.
Master Sgt. Robert J. Kelley, 48, of the Wyoming Air National Guard was charged in Phoenix with theft of government property, Sandy Raynor said.
He sold at least five loads of metal for more than $8,000, which he later spent on a pistol, a garage door opener, cowboy boots and tools, she said.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine or both, she said. More…
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner accused the Department of Veterans Affairs Tuesday of criminal negligence in the handling of data about the number of veterans who have committed suicide.
E-mails among VA officials were recently disclosed during a trial in San Francisco that suggested some might have been attempting to hide the number of attempted suicides by those under the agency’s care. More…
From AFP Via Rawstory:
Suicides and “psychological mortality” among US soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan could exceed battlefield deaths if their mental scars are left untreated, the head of the US Institute of Mental Health warned Monday.
Of the 1.6 million US soldiers who have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, 18-20 percent — or around 300,000 — show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression or both, said Thomas Insel, head of the National Institute of Mental Health.An estimated 70 percent of those at-risk soldiers do not seek help from the Department of Defense or the Veterans Administration, he told a news conference launching the American Psychiatric Association’s 161st annual meeting here.
If “one just does the math”, then allowing PTSD or depression to go untreated in such numbers could result in “suicides and psychological mortality trumping combat deaths” in Iraq and Afghanistan, Insel warned.
More than 4,000 US soldiers have died in Iraq since the US invasion of 2003, and more than 400 in Afghanistan since the US led attacks there in 2001, of which some 290 were killed in action and the rest in on-combat deaths.
Article Continues @ Sourced Site.
From Scripps News:
WASHINGTON — By this fall, the Pentagon will finally have in place a rapid-reaction unit designed to respond to a catastrophic attack against the United States. The brigade-sized unit of about 4,000 will be composed of specialized military personnel from bases across the country who will deploy on a moment’s notice to assist civilian authorities.
Created by the U.S. Northern Command, which itself came into being after the 9/11 attacks, the unit will include specialists in handling chemical, biological and nuclear attacks, as well as those with logistical, medical and transport expertise.
The timing of the “standup” of the unit is significant, given the nervousness that will accompany the first change in presidential administrations since the attacks.
The Department of Homeland Security is deep into setting up procedures to make the transition smooth and safe, but Secretary Michael Chertoff says he worries that terrorists “might presume” leaders will be so distracted and disorganized in the months between Election Day and the first months of the new administration that they will find it an attractive time to launch an attack.
Article Continues @ Sourced Site.
Courtesy: Morguefile
Here are the dead in Iraq for the Month of April. Say their name one more time and never, ever forget them!
Staff Sgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., died April 3 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Capt Ulises Burgos-Cruz, 29, of Puerto Rico,
Spc. Matthew T. Morris, 23, of Cedar Park, Texas, died April 6 in Balad, Iraq, when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Col. Stephen K. Scott, 54, of New Market, Ala.
Maj. Stuart A. Wolfer, 36, of Coral Springs, Fla. died April 6 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with indirect fire.
Pfc. Shane D. Penley, 19, of Sauk Village, Ill., died April 6 at Patrol Base Copper, Iraq, from wounds suffered while on duty at a guard post.
Staff Sgt. Emanuel Pickett, 34, of Teachey, N.C., died April 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked with indirect fire.
Staff Sgt. Jeremiah E. McNeal, 23, of Norfolk, Va., died April 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Sgt. Richard A. Vaughn, 22, of San Diego, Calif., died April 7 in Baghdad, Iraq from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked using a rocket propelled grenade, improvised explosive device and small arms fire.
Spc. Jason C. Kazarick, 30, of Oakmont, Pa.
Sgt. Michael T. Lilly, 23, of Boise, Idaho, died April 7 in Sadr City, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked using a rocket propelled grenade.
Sgt. Timothy M. Smith, 25, of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., died April 7 in Baghdad, Iraq of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Maj. Mark E. Rosenberg, 32, of Miami Lakes, Fla., died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Staff Sgt. Jeffery L. Hartley, 25, of Hempstead, Texas, died April 8 in Kharguliah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Spc. Jacob J. Fairbanks, 22, of Saint Paul, Minn., died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident.
Sgt. Shaun P. Tousha, 30, of Hull, Texas, died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Sgt. Jesse A. Ault, 28, of Dublin, Va., died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered in Tunnis, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Spc. Jeremiah C. Hughes, 26, of Jacksonville, Fla., died April 9 in Balad Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident in Abu Gharab, Iraq.
Tech. Sgt Anthony L. Capra, 31, of Hanford, Calif., died April 9 near Golden Hills, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he encountered an improvised explosive device.
Sgt. William E. Allmon, 25, of Ardmore, Okla., died April 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Cpl. Richard J. Nelson, 23, of Racine, Wis.
Lance Cpl. Dean D. Opicka, 29, of Waukesha, Wis.Both Marines died April 14 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
Sgt. Joseph A. Richard III, 27, of Lafayette, La., died April 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Spc. Arturo Huerta-Cruz, 23, of Clearwater, Fla., died April 14 in Tuz, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Staff Sgt. Jason L. Brown, 29, of Magnolia, Texas, died April 17 in Sama Village, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked using small arms fire and grenades.
Spc. Lance O. Eakes, 25, of Apex, N.C., died April 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Cpl. Benjamin K. Brosh, 22, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died April 18 at Forward Operating Base Anaconda in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered in Paliwoda, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Petty Officer 1st Class Cherie L. Morton, 40, of Bakersfield, Calif., died April 20 in Galali, Muharraq, Bahrain. The cause of death is under investigation.
Spc. Steven J. Christofferson, 20, of Cudahy, Wis.
Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas, 26, of Perryville, Mo. died April 21 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
1st Lt. Matthew R. Vandergrift, 28 of Littleton, Colo., died April 21 from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Basrah, Iraq.
Airman Apprentice Adrian M. Campos, 22, of El Paso, Texas, was found dead in Dubai on April 21 due to a non-combat related incident. The incident is under investigation.
Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter, 19, of Sag Harbor, N.Y.
Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale, 21, of Burkeville, Va. died April 22 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
Pvt. Ronald R. Harrison, 25, of Morris Plains, N.J., died April 22 at Forward Operating Base Falcon near Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury.
Staff Sgt. Ronald C. Blystone, 34, of Springfield, Mo., died April 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when he encountered small arms fire during a dismounted patrol.
Pfc. John T. Bishop, 22, of Gaylord, Mich.
1st Lt. Timothy W. Cunningham, 26, of College Station, Texas.They died April 23 in Golden Hills, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a vehicle incident. The incident is under investigation.
Sgt. Guadalupe Cervantes Ramirez, 26, of Fort Irwin, Calif., died April 23 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, of injuries suffered in a vehicle incident.
Staff Sgt. Shaun J. Whitehead, 24, of Commerce, Ga., died April 24 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he encountered an improvised explosive device while on a dismounted patrol.
Pfc. William T. Dix, 32, of Culver City, Calif., died April 27 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. The incident is under investigation.
Pfc. Adam L. Marion, 26, of Mount Airy, N.C.
Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes, 26, of Zephyrhills, Fla.
Sgt. Mark A. Stone, 22, of Buchanan Dam, Texas. all died April 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their forward operating base with indirect fire.
Spc. David P. McCormick, 26, of Fresno, Texas, died April 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his forward operating base came under rocket attack.
Staff Sgt. Bryan E. Bolander, 26, of Bakersfield, Calif., died April 29 in Baghdad from wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.
Staff Sgt. Clay A. Craig, 22, of Mesquite, Texas, died April 29 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when he received small arms fire during combat operations.
Cpt. Andrew. R. Pearson, 32, of Billings, Mont.
Spc. Ronald J. Tucker, 21, of Fountain, Colo. both died April 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Staff Sgt. Chad A. Caldwell, 24, of Spokane, Wash., died April 30 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained while conducting dismounted combat operations.
Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence D. Ezell, 30, of Portland, Texas, died April 30 in Baghdad of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations.
WHEELER ARMY AIR FIELD, Hawaii — A court-martial panel on Friday found a Schofield Barracks-based soldier not guilty of killing an unarmed Iraqi last year.
The court-martial panel started deliberating on Friday morning. After seven hours, Sgt. 1st-Class Trey Corrales was acquitted of all charges.
A panel of soldiers and officers from Schofield Barracks and Wheeler acquitted Corrales of three charges, including pre-meditated murder. Corrales of San Antonio, Texas, would have faced a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if he had been convicted.
Prosecution witnesses said Corrales told them to kill military-aged men at a suspected insurgent house in Iraq last year. Witnesses claimed the sergeant shot an unarmed Iraqi to death.
The defense argued Corrales was acting on reflexes in the heat of war.
His wife and two children were in court, and the family is planning a trip to Disneyland. More…
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