Political Reps - A Look at American Politics

Military Related Headlines 7/14

2009-07-14T14:11:00.005-05:00

2 U.S. Marines killed in Afghanistan [CNN]
Auditors: Privacy lacking at some VA hospitals [Newsvine]
Pot-Smoking Afghan Cops Challenge Marines [ABC News]
Helicopter reported shot down in Afghanistan [USA Today]
US general says US ready for NKorean attack [Newsvine]

Military Related Headlines 7/9

2009-07-09T14:06:00.003-05:00

Bombings Kill Dozens in Iraq [Wash Po]
Bomb blast in central Afghanistan kills 25 [USA Today]
US criticised over Babylon damage [BBC News]
Analysis: US, Russia have different views on nukes [Newsvine]

Military Related Headlines 7/8

2009-07-08T14:42:00.005-05:00

Marines push militants out of Afghan region [USA Today]
Drones 'kill dozens' in Pakistan [BBC News]
N. Korea Suspected of Global Cyber Attack [CBS News]
U.S. commander: More Afghan troops needed in Taliban push [CNN]
White House among targets of sweeping cyber attack [Newsvine]
Strikes Kill 45 Militants in Pakistan [NY Times]

Military Related Headlines 7/2

2009-07-02T12:29:00.003-05:00

U.S. Marines Try to Retake Afghan Valley From Taliban [NY Times]
Obama to reassess US troop levels in Afghanistan [Newsvine]
Afghan rebels capture US soldier [BBC News]
N. Korea Test-Fires 4 Short-Range Missiles [CBS News]
U.S. Marines launch major offensive in Afghanistan [USA Today]
FBI notes: Saddam feared Iran more than US attack [Newsvine]

Military Related Headlines 6/24

2009-06-24T15:09:00.004-05:00

Fierce Battles and High Casualties on the Frontlines of Afghanistan [ABC News]
Gates asks Gulf leaders for more Afghanistan help [Newsvine]
Top senator calls for structural changes at VA [Newsvine]
Ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” [Center for American Progress]
Pentagon: No decision yet on North Korean ship [Newsvine]

Military Related Headlines 6/23

2009-06-23T15:03:00.004-05:00

China and US hold military talks [BBC News]
NKorea warning hints short- to medium-range launch [Newsvine]
War zone contractors likely here to stay [CNN]
Gates approves creation of new cyber command [Newsvine]
US: missile spat with Russia will be worked out [Newsvine]
Gates asks Gulf leaders for more Afghanistan help [Newsvine]
Deadly 'drone attack' hits Pakistan [Al Jazeera English]

Military Related Headlines 6/22

2009-06-22T13:11:00.005-05:00

The great poppyseed caper: The US military proudly announced it had "busted" Afghanis in possession of 82.5 tons of bagel topping. [Global Post]
U.S.: No More Fighting Near Afghan Homes [CBS News]
Iraq Blasts Kill More Than a Dozen [NY Times]
Marines Train To Conquer Taliban, Their Own Fears [NPR]
N. Korea Threatens To Hit U.S. If Provoked [CBS News]
US 'to limit Afghan air strikes' [BBC]

Military Related Headlines 6/17

2009-06-17T15:06:00.004-05:00

War-funding bill may face difficulty in the Senate [Newsvine]
North Korea Warns US Of "Thousand-Fold" Military Action Day After Obama Meeting [Huff Po]
Lee says North Korea must give up nukes [Newsvine]
Romney Blasts Obama: '180 Degree' Flip on Iran Nukes [ABC News]
Pakistan Taliban Leader Allied With Al Qaida Faces Challenge From New Islamic Militia Leader [Huff Po]

Military Related Headlines 6/10

2009-06-10T13:17:00.003-05:00

Afghanistan Grenade Attack: U.S. Releases Footage In Defense Of G.I. [Huff Po]
'Many militants dead' in Pakistan [BBC News]
US Kills Militant Said Linked to Iran's Quds Force [ABC News]
Soldier hurt in shooting: 'I like defending this country' [CNN]
U.S. Marines Arrive in 'The Desert of Death' [ABC News]
Iraq releases man held in slayings of U.S. soldiers [CNN]
Contractor oversees security guards in Afghanistan [Newsvine]

Military Related Headlines 6/8

2009-06-08T15:00:00.004-05:00

7,000 US Marines Patrolling Southern Afghan Desert [Huff Po]
High court rejects lawsuit over gays in military law [CNN]
Court: Military court can open old conviction [Newsvine]
Minibus bomb 'kills seven' in southern Baghdad [BBC News]
U.S. Troops Faulted In Afghan Air Strikes [CBS News]

Military Related Headlines 6/2

2009-06-02T15:13:00.002-05:00

General: War in Afghanistan is `winnable' [Newsvine]
Dexter Filkins: The 'Forever War' In Afghanistan [NPR]
Obama picks NY Republican for Army secretary [Newsvine]
The most deadly US foe in Afghanistan [CS Monitor]
US military joining search for French plane [Newsvine]

Military Related Headlines 5/29

2009-05-29T14:54:00.005-05:00

Army Launching Program To Train Soldiers To Combat Post-Traumatic Stress [Huff Po]
Russia opens WMD disposal plant [BBC News]
US Army base shuts down after rise in suicides [The Raw Story]
US Soldier Killed In Northern Iraq, Bringing May Toll To 25 [Huff Po]
Obama Outlines Coordinated Cyber-Security Plan [NY Times]

Veterans' service groups see cuts

2009-05-29T09:57:00.006-05:00

The Assoicated Press reported yesterday that several states are cutting back funding to various veteran groups that assist vets (with the VA).

The following states have either already seen cuts, or cuts are in the works:

Michigan -- $1 million cut to 11 groups that help vets navagate through bureaucracy and paperwork to obtain pension and disability benefits from the VA.
South Carolina -- The next budget plans to cut aid to Disabled American Veterans, the VFW and the American Legion.
Ohio -- After cuts, 13 veterans' groups received 10 percent less than promised.

These veterans' groups, also called veterans' service organizations (VSOs), provide vets and widows of veterans with help filing for benefits. And many rely on these VSOs, particularly in states giving money to them instead of hiring their own employees to assist in filing claims.

As President Obama moves to withdraw troops from Iraq in 2010, many will return with physical and psychological problems. Older vets are also being laid off and losing their health insurance forcing them to seek help from the VA. These troops and veterans may need assistance with VA claims.

Military Related Headlines 5/21

2009-05-21T14:19:00.004-05:00

Baghdad Roadside Bomb Kills 3 US Soldiers [Huff Po]
Army blasted for letting drug abusers slide [USA Today]
Defense calls Green 'broken warrior' let down by military [CNN]
U.S. Army paid bonuses to KBR despite deaths [Reuters]
Spain revives US army murder case [BBC News]

Military Related Headlines 5/19

2009-05-19T14:39:00.005-05:00

Family perseveres to get vet's name on Vietnam memorial [USA Today]
Army plans to break up $160B modernization effort [Newsvine]
Pentagon: Bible Quotes No Longer In Reports [Huff Po]
Pentagon: No plans to end don't ask-don't tell [Newsvine]
US Contractors In Afghanistan Violated Gun Policy, Says US Military [Huff Po]
Restoring the Earth helps veterans heal [CNN]
US audit faults security spending in Afghanistan [Newsvine]

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 5/13-5/14

2009-05-14T12:54:00.007-05:00

In Bleak Afghan Outpost, Troops Slog On [NY Times]
Pentagon Preps Soldier Telepathy Push [Wired: Danger Room]
In a First, U.S. Provides Pakistan With Drone Data [NY Times]
Mullen: Country needs better mental care for soldiers [USA Today]
Missile data found on hard drives [BBC News]
Pool of soldiers ready for deployment shrinking [USA Today]
US Navy Detains 17 Pirates [Huff Po]

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 5/5

2009-05-05T14:21:00.004-05:00

US planes 'kill Afghan civilians' [BBC News]
US plays down incident at sea with Chinese vessels [Newsvine]
Pentagon Looks Beyond Force To Counter Piracy [NPR]
US envoys head to Syria [Newsvine]
Will More U.S. Troops Boost Afghanistan Violence? [NPR]
Seven Arrested After Protesting Army Video Game Recruiting Center [Slashdot]
Pentagon cyber command to create force for future [Newsvine]

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 5/4

2009-05-04T15:12:00.004-05:00

Iran Launches Airstrikes on Iraqi Villages [Wired: Danger Room]
Admiral Mullen: Pakistan Nukes Are Secure, I'm 'Gravely Concerned' About Taliban [Huff Po]
Democrats leave Gitmo closing money out of bill [Newsvine]
In the Barracks, Out of the Closet [NY Times Opinion]
Pentagon Lost Billions, Pennies At a Time [Slashdot]

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 4/24

2009-04-24T13:43:00.004-05:00

Taliban Fighters Begin Retreat from Northwest Pakistan [Wash Po]
Pentagon Agrees to Release Detainee Photos [NY Times]
U.S. soldier dies in noncombat incident in Iraq [USA Today]
Taliban Threat Near Islamabad Cools [CBS News]
Joint Chiefs head 'concerned' about Taliban in Pakistan [USA Today]
Air collision fears slow expansion of US drone use [Newsvine]
Blasts Kill More Than 155 in Two Days in Iraq [Wash Po]
Petraeus: Shippers should consider armed guards [Newsvine]

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 4/23

2009-04-23T15:01:00.003-05:00

Soldiers pulled from Iraq duty, sent straight to Afghanistan [CNN]
Secret Tally Shows 87,000 Iraqis Have Been Killed Since 2005: AP [Huff Po]
Army: 3 vials of virus samples missing from Maryland facility [CNN]
Suicide bombs kill scores in Iraq [BBC News]
DARPA's Map-Based Wiki Keeps Platoons Alive [Slashdot]

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 4/20

2009-04-20T13:58:00.004-05:00

Justin Reed, US Marine, Arrested At Airport With Gun, Bomb-Making Materials [Huff Po]
CIA Exempt On Torture, But Not Lynndie England [NPR]
HIV-POSITIVE: Virginia Clinics May Have Infected Patients [Huff Po]

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 4/14

2009-04-14T15:10:00.003-05:00

Pentagon looks to move battle against pirates ashore [CNN]
Fort Lewis Army Wife Kills Husband During Gun Lesson [ABC News]
US troops 'might stay in N Iraq' [BBC News]
Israel, US to hold missile defense drill [Jerusalem Post]
China Denies Role In US Grid Hacks [Slashdot]

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 4/9

2009-04-09T13:22:00.005-05:00

Brain Tests For Returning Troops [Huff Po]
Lockheed Beats Boeing in U.S. Defense Budget [Bloomberg]
Extremist Web Sites Are Using U.S. Hosts [Wash Po]
Marine acquitted of murder in Iraq slaying [Newsvine]
Navy Continues Delicate Dance With Pirates [CBS News]
Tale of the secret Army tape [Salon]
Pentagon Preps For Economic Warfare [CBS News]
Maersk Alabama Hostage Situation: FBI Now Assisting US Navy [Huff Po]

-Dippold

Obama Promises Vets New Record System

2009-04-09T12:24:00.007-05:00

President Obama promised a more efficient and effective record system for wounded veterans today, according to the AP.

To help deal with over 33,000 injured military personal from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, an electronic system would be implemented to follow a single record for a service member from the military then later into the VA's medical system.

A current six month backlog in disability claims at the VA irks many veterans because of the bureaucratic red tape and long wait associated with transitioning into the VA system.

"It's time to change all that, it's time to give our veterans a 21st century VA," said Obama after hearing from hundreds of vets frustrated with unprovided, needed treatment.

He also said his new VA and military budget sets aside more money for diagnosing psychological disabilities and brain injuries.

The White House said that VA spending will rise by $25 billion within the next five years.

-Dippold

Military Related Headlines 4/7

2009-04-07T13:53:00.005-05:00

Iraq and Obama's War [Wash Po]
Pentagon Bill To Fix Cyber Attacks: $100M [CBS News]
Next to go: New presidential helicopters, more F-22s, missile defense spending. [ABC News]
Gates Looking To Speed Up F-35 Production [NPR]
Defense Secretary Gates proposes weapons cuts [Newsvine]
Indictment Says Banned Materials Sold to Iran [NY Times]
Congressional reaction to defense plan [AZ Central]

-Dippold