Saturday, May 10, 2014
The Perfect Storm
The backlog was the result of a perfect storm of circumstances that flooded the VA with benefits claims like the storm surge from a category four hurricane:
1 . A rapidly aging population, many of whom are wartime veterans
Baby Boomers
2. More veterans requiring need-based benefits due to weak economy
3. A massive influx of younger veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
4. Obsolete, paper based tracking system
5. A 1973 fire at the National Archives that destroyed up to 18 million veteran’s military records
VA officials made statements about their commitment to reduce the backlog, but heavy skepticism surrounded their ability to do so.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a nationwide system of health care services and benefits programs for America’s Veterans.Through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA),VA provides health care to approximately 5 million Veterans annually. VA operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system with more than 1,400 sites of care, including hospitals, community clinics, nursing homes, domiciliaries, readjustment counseling centers, and various other facilities. VA health care facilities provide a broad spectrum of medical, surgical,and rehabilitative care....
There are only 50 states and few territories. Hello?
...VA manages the largest medical education and health professions training program in the United States and maintains affiliations with more than 107 medical schools, 55 dental schools and more than 1,200 other schools across the country. Each year, about 90,000 health professionals are trained in VA medical centers. More than half of the physicians practicing in the United States had some of their professional education in the VA health care system....
I think the VA is doing a great job and getting stronger and more efficient everyday. While there may be issues with some employees and agencies, that can be found in any large system. It is called ethics and when ethics means nothing the system breaks down and our veterans suffer.
There is a provision in the standards at the Veteran's Administration allowing physicians to refer a veteran to a private concern for treatment if there is not enough resources at the time to treat them.
Authorizations and Referrals (click here)
...To ensure that VA pays for the appropriate care needed, services should always be preauthorized, except in the case of an emergency. This process helps to ensure that the Veteran, provider,and VA know what care VA is responsible for providing. If a Veteran is being treated at a VA medical facility or is under the jurisdiction of a VA provider and the provider determines that the Veteran needs care that is not available in the VA medical facility, VA is responsible for obtaining and paying for that care.Veterans cannot self-refer for medical care or services....
INTAKE of veterans needing health care is vital and should be expedited at every opportunity which means 'acute' needs, such as cancer and mental health, are addressed BEFORE other non-acute needs. Veterans get their medications at far less cost than the USA general population, too. Why? Because the 'known' population in need of those medications provides advance ordering and in large amounts to reduce costs.
The VA system respects the taxpayer while providing necessary services.
WASHINGTON (Dec. 11, 2013) – At a hearing today (click here) before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Under Secretary for Benefits, Allison A. Hickey, outlined progress made by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in reducing the backlog of Veterans’ disability compensation and pension claims by 36 percent since March — attributing the success to the combined impact of VBA’s transformation initiatives and increased employee productivity.
...Key accomplishments highlighted in the testimony included:
- Decreasing the pending inventory of claims by 22 percent;
- Decreasing the number of claims in the backlog (those pending over 125 days) by 36 percent;
- Increasing claim-level accuracy from approximately 83 percent in 2011 to 90 percent today;
- Increasing medical issue-level accuracy to approximately 97 percent today;
- Completed processing of 99.9 percent of all claims that were pending over two years;
- Completed processing of 97 percent of all claims that were pending over one year through the end of October;
- Converting over 360 million images of paper claims documents into a digital format for electronic processing; and
- Establishing over 3.2 million Veteran, Servicemember and family member accounts in eBenefits, the joint Defense Department/VA web portal for accessing and tracking VA benefits.
Interesting point. The question I have is how much of cash benefits to recipients are used for gun purchases?
...The firearms ban (click here) is a blatant violation of the Second Amendment. Cash benefit recipients presumably have the same rights as the rest of us to purchase guns for hunting, sports shooting, or even self-defense. Obviously they don't have much money to spend on that, but they do have the right under the Second Amendment to do so....
I doubt he is really endorsing gun sales with cash from government subsidy programs, however, his point is valid. Once the cash is provided to recipients, the government loses control of it. I am interested in knowing how many of the poor are armed by the cash benefits of government subsidies?
Walmart gets welfare for it's employees and now so does the NRA.
I think Arne Duncan had it right.
July 24, 2009
...Today (click here) we cross an important threshold in education reform. Today we are announcing the draft guidelines for states to apply for the $4.35 billion dollar Race to the Top fund. Today we are here to announce—and celebrate—a new Race to the Top in schoolhouses across America....
He provided an incentive for states to participate in funding that could IMPROVE their educational systems. An incentive. "Race to the Top" never dictated standards like Common Core does. It provided a venue to which states could evaluate their shortfalls and seek to change them. That is a reasonable place for the federal government to be.
I am sure he as well as President Obama endorse Common Core, but, it isn't endorsed as a imposed demand on schools.
Disclaimer: This is not meant to endorse one particular bill over an other. (click here)
And I think the states are handling it well.
The states are examining the standard and deciding whether or not they want to institute it. The states can tailor make their standards and apply them as needed.
What bothers me more and more about this thing called "Common Core" is it's mass application. If I wanted to corporatize education for Wall Street I'd be a big supporter of Common Core.
It isn't the place of the federal government to demand local school districts to COMPLY with a standard. It is the place for the federal government to do exactly what Secretary Duncan did and provide an opportunity for state educational departments to participate and find ways for local governments to bring improvements to their school systems.
Get for real. We are talking children. How is a federal standard ever going to 'trickle down' to being effective at the local level?
Children learn because their teachers care about them. They learn because they have parents that engage their local school boards when their children are struggling. When the local school boards are replaced by CEOs at charter schools and/or corporate educational companies the local school boards become meaningless.
As a standard, "Common Core" is fine for examination and application as every state and local school board reviews their CURRICULUM. But, to demand "Common Core" as the law of the land is hideous. No different than No Child Left Behind.
There was a study conducted comparing drop out rates in 1982 to 1992. The drop out rate fell by 50%. EXCEPT. For one group of students.This study was by the National Center for Education Statistics (click here).
This report (click here) examines the changing demographics of high school students over the last decade and investigates the impact these changes may have had on high school dropout rates. We show that while during the 1980s a growing number of students with characteristics traditionally associated with school failure began attending high school, at the same time, high school dropout rates decreased by almost 50 percent. These declines occurred among students with a variety of characteristics for minority and majority students, for students in intact families and non-intact families, and for students with children of their own living in their household. Many groups of students traditionally considered “at-risk” for school failure dropped out at lower rates in 1990 than in 1980. However, there were other groups of students whose dropout rates did not improve. These were students from poor families, who had histories of poor academic achievement, and who had multiple risk factors in their backgrounds. These students seem to have been left untouched by the factors that have led to lower overall dropout rates during the last 10 years.
The reason children do poorly in the USA educational system is because they don't have resources. It has absolutely nothing to do with teachers.
The USA educational system is built on PARTICIPATION. It is build on local school boards providing every advantage to the children of their town or city.
When I was being educated I was measured according to PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS set down by the people who educated the teachers. Did I make that clear?
"When I was (in my primary education) educated it was according to PROFESSIONAL standards set down by (the ethical) those that educated the teachers." In other words, teachers are professionals with knowledge of growth and development and at what age it is appropriate to teach children lessons in math, english, science and social skills. The PROFESSION of teachers knows these things. It is called TRUST and witnessing the effectiveness of our graduates that tells parents and educators they are 'spot on.'
I took two standard tests growing up. The PSAT and the SAT. I took each once, won a state scholarship and went to college.
The USA educational system, NO MATTER WHOM IS TEACHING IT OR HOW, falls apart when parents are not a part of it and there are no resources at the home. Why? Homework.
My father didn't necessarily understand the new math, but, he knew he could come to understand it enough to make sure I was applying my studies correctly. He 'was interested' in how my education was progressing and while he worked in a job that did not require a college degree, he was smart enough.
The USA adult population is falling further and further into an impoverished state, working more and more jobs to support what my Dad did with one job. When parents don't have time to 'participate' in their children's outcome, the outcome is not good. When parents aren't 'available' to provide supervision to their children, the children fall to a predatory social structure that uses them for it's own purpose.
The ONLY problem with the USA school system is poverty. Charter schools increase the poverty of educational systems and set students within them apart and superior to what the public educational system can provide.
Now.
Parents need good wages to support their families with upward movement WITHIN IN A 40 HOUR WORK WEEK, of which my family enjoyed, so there are parents available to participate in their children's education.
And.
The Public Education System needs to be REFUNDED to pull it out of poverty so it can actually educate every student EQUITABLY.
The USA is corporatized and the profits are amazing. But, the profits are at the cost of OUR COUNTRY'S brain trust and the quality of life of it's people.
It is so easy to be a savior of children. Now. Politicians need to be a better savior and rather than creating 'government schools' where money flows to corporations, they need to actually GOVERN!
...Today (click here) we cross an important threshold in education reform. Today we are announcing the draft guidelines for states to apply for the $4.35 billion dollar Race to the Top fund. Today we are here to announce—and celebrate—a new Race to the Top in schoolhouses across America....
He provided an incentive for states to participate in funding that could IMPROVE their educational systems. An incentive. "Race to the Top" never dictated standards like Common Core does. It provided a venue to which states could evaluate their shortfalls and seek to change them. That is a reasonable place for the federal government to be.
I am sure he as well as President Obama endorse Common Core, but, it isn't endorsed as a imposed demand on schools.
And I think the states are handling it well.
The states are examining the standard and deciding whether or not they want to institute it. The states can tailor make their standards and apply them as needed.
What bothers me more and more about this thing called "Common Core" is it's mass application. If I wanted to corporatize education for Wall Street I'd be a big supporter of Common Core.
It isn't the place of the federal government to demand local school districts to COMPLY with a standard. It is the place for the federal government to do exactly what Secretary Duncan did and provide an opportunity for state educational departments to participate and find ways for local governments to bring improvements to their school systems.
Get for real. We are talking children. How is a federal standard ever going to 'trickle down' to being effective at the local level?
Children learn because their teachers care about them. They learn because they have parents that engage their local school boards when their children are struggling. When the local school boards are replaced by CEOs at charter schools and/or corporate educational companies the local school boards become meaningless.
As a standard, "Common Core" is fine for examination and application as every state and local school board reviews their CURRICULUM. But, to demand "Common Core" as the law of the land is hideous. No different than No Child Left Behind.
There was a study conducted comparing drop out rates in 1982 to 1992. The drop out rate fell by 50%. EXCEPT. For one group of students.This study was by the National Center for Education Statistics (click here).
This report (click here) examines the changing demographics of high school students over the last decade and investigates the impact these changes may have had on high school dropout rates. We show that while during the 1980s a growing number of students with characteristics traditionally associated with school failure began attending high school, at the same time, high school dropout rates decreased by almost 50 percent. These declines occurred among students with a variety of characteristics for minority and majority students, for students in intact families and non-intact families, and for students with children of their own living in their household. Many groups of students traditionally considered “at-risk” for school failure dropped out at lower rates in 1990 than in 1980. However, there were other groups of students whose dropout rates did not improve. These were students from poor families, who had histories of poor academic achievement, and who had multiple risk factors in their backgrounds. These students seem to have been left untouched by the factors that have led to lower overall dropout rates during the last 10 years.
The reason children do poorly in the USA educational system is because they don't have resources. It has absolutely nothing to do with teachers.
The USA educational system is built on PARTICIPATION. It is build on local school boards providing every advantage to the children of their town or city.
When I was being educated I was measured according to PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS set down by the people who educated the teachers. Did I make that clear?
"When I was (in my primary education) educated it was according to PROFESSIONAL standards set down by (the ethical) those that educated the teachers." In other words, teachers are professionals with knowledge of growth and development and at what age it is appropriate to teach children lessons in math, english, science and social skills. The PROFESSION of teachers knows these things. It is called TRUST and witnessing the effectiveness of our graduates that tells parents and educators they are 'spot on.'
I took two standard tests growing up. The PSAT and the SAT. I took each once, won a state scholarship and went to college.
The USA educational system, NO MATTER WHOM IS TEACHING IT OR HOW, falls apart when parents are not a part of it and there are no resources at the home. Why? Homework.
My father didn't necessarily understand the new math, but, he knew he could come to understand it enough to make sure I was applying my studies correctly. He 'was interested' in how my education was progressing and while he worked in a job that did not require a college degree, he was smart enough.
The USA adult population is falling further and further into an impoverished state, working more and more jobs to support what my Dad did with one job. When parents don't have time to 'participate' in their children's outcome, the outcome is not good. When parents aren't 'available' to provide supervision to their children, the children fall to a predatory social structure that uses them for it's own purpose.
The ONLY problem with the USA school system is poverty. Charter schools increase the poverty of educational systems and set students within them apart and superior to what the public educational system can provide.
Now.
Parents need good wages to support their families with upward movement WITHIN IN A 40 HOUR WORK WEEK, of which my family enjoyed, so there are parents available to participate in their children's education.
And.
The Public Education System needs to be REFUNDED to pull it out of poverty so it can actually educate every student EQUITABLY.
The USA is corporatized and the profits are amazing. But, the profits are at the cost of OUR COUNTRY'S brain trust and the quality of life of it's people.
It is so easy to be a savior of children. Now. Politicians need to be a better savior and rather than creating 'government schools' where money flows to corporations, they need to actually GOVERN!
Friday, May 09, 2014
Right wing talking points now include how Boko haram is nothing more than criminals.
The Right Wing is stating the Democrats are cowards and substitute poverty as a means to avoid war. Do we need this type of inflammatory speech when 300 girls are missing? No one needs war mongering and political rhetoric when lives hang in the balance.
Jake Harriman is the CEO of Nuru International and a former Platoon
Commander in both the Infantry and a special operations unit of the U.S.
Marines.
...Even though (click here) the settings are very different, my new work in Kenya is similarly critical to U.S. national security. In fact, thoughts of U.S. national security occupy my mind as much now (or perhaps even more) as during my seven years as an infantry and special operations platoon commander in the Marines. I served four operational tours in Iraq, the Horn of Africa, and areas of southwest Asia alongside some of the bravest individuals I have ever encountered in my life. We fought side by side on the frontlines of the “War on Terror” – a war that has cost so many lives, including many of my closest brothers. But as we fought together in that war, I came face to face with an unnecessary evil that takes more lives each day than are lost in Fallujah, Gaza, Kandahar, Mogadishu, and Jaffna combined, an evil that is directly connected to the proliferation of the terrorism and insurgency that we were fighting: the evil of extreme poverty.
Extreme poverty is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time and a fundamental contributing factor to 21st century terrorism and insurgency. I’ve discovered that it is controversial to make this claim, so don’t take my word for it. Brilliant people of our time have also made this connection, and are attempting to shake our generation from its slumber and catalyze global action in the fight against extreme poverty. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “You can never win a war against terror as long as there are conditions in the world that make people desperate — poverty, disease, ignorance.” Former U.S. Secretary of State General Colin Powell stated, “We can’t just stop with a single terrorist or a single terrorist organization; we have to go and root out the whole system. We have to go after poverty.”...
I agree with Former Secretary Powell. Rooting out the whole system is the real challenge we all face. If 300 girls are in danger than we all are. It is generational poverty.
Jake Harriman is the CEO of Nuru International and a former Platoon
Commander in both the Infantry and a special operations unit of the U.S.
Marines. ...Even though (click here) the settings are very different, my new work in Kenya is similarly critical to U.S. national security. In fact, thoughts of U.S. national security occupy my mind as much now (or perhaps even more) as during my seven years as an infantry and special operations platoon commander in the Marines. I served four operational tours in Iraq, the Horn of Africa, and areas of southwest Asia alongside some of the bravest individuals I have ever encountered in my life. We fought side by side on the frontlines of the “War on Terror” – a war that has cost so many lives, including many of my closest brothers. But as we fought together in that war, I came face to face with an unnecessary evil that takes more lives each day than are lost in Fallujah, Gaza, Kandahar, Mogadishu, and Jaffna combined, an evil that is directly connected to the proliferation of the terrorism and insurgency that we were fighting: the evil of extreme poverty.
Extreme poverty is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time and a fundamental contributing factor to 21st century terrorism and insurgency. I’ve discovered that it is controversial to make this claim, so don’t take my word for it. Brilliant people of our time have also made this connection, and are attempting to shake our generation from its slumber and catalyze global action in the fight against extreme poverty. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “You can never win a war against terror as long as there are conditions in the world that make people desperate — poverty, disease, ignorance.” Former U.S. Secretary of State General Colin Powell stated, “We can’t just stop with a single terrorist or a single terrorist organization; we have to go and root out the whole system. We have to go after poverty.”...
I agree with Former Secretary Powell. Rooting out the whole system is the real challenge we all face. If 300 girls are in danger than we all are. It is generational poverty.
They have no morals. This 'idea' of defeating Kansas Wind Energy is PROOF the Kochs want a dictatorship and not a democracy.
They decided their petroleum products are more important than Kansas crops. They decided. Alone they decided. Spoke to no one. Did no research about the economy of Kansas or how the drought results from a hot planet. These men make decisions about what is best for them and therefore it is best for everyone else. No research. No scientists. Just greed. Posted: Fri 6:29 PM, May 09, 2014
Wichita, Kan. -- With much of Kansas (click here) under extreme drought conditions it's not surprising the government's first forecast of Kansas' wheat crop predicts the smallest crop since 1996.
The National Agriculture Statistics Service is estimating a Kansas winter wheat harvest of 260.4 million bushels based on May 1st conditions. So that estimate doesn't include this week's scorching two days of record heat.
That forecast would be 18% less than last year's crop which also endured drought conditions.
Sedgwick County farmer Josh Patterson observes a
field northeast of Wichita, near Furley, saying it looks good from the
road. But when you walk into the field it's obvious the thin
conditions....Can't have food products without agricultural products.
April 10, 2014
Kansas (click here) has the second highest wind potential in the United States and doubled its installed wind base by adding 1,441 MW of new wind power capacity in 2012. Kansas wind projects have created economic development for the state....
These guys are really dolts. What does it take to get through to these bozos?
It is no different than John Roberts. There are going to be something like 17 thousand people dead from lack of health insurance. He did that. He lead a Supreme Court into sentencing innocent Americans to death. This is post 2008 Great Recession. Do these people have no scruples? The USA is just suppose to let people die because their Governors want to play politics. That is suppose to be okay.
World Migratory Bird Day is nearly here.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (click here) makes it illegal for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to Federal regulations. The migratory bird species protected by the Act are listed in 50 CFR 10.13.
It is easy to see why protections are necessary for migratory species. This American Bittern in the Everglades is nearly invisible.
One has to value the fact nature provides services. Once that is a reality to life protections have to follow.
The roads should be open soon.
It has been a spectacular winter (click here)
Sequoia sempervirens is an endangered species globally.
The giant forests are also a focus of political rhetoric. John Ellis, the cousin of "W," has been fear mongering about these forests. He writes for the Sacramento Bee and would like his readership to cut down the forest as a prophylactic measure to prevent fires.
The thieves threaten the tallest trees in the world with their chain saws. (click here)
It is poachers.
According to forestry estimates (click here) in Burns and Honkala (1990) there
remained by the end of the twentieth century a total of 260,200 ha of
commercial forest with “more than 50% redwood stocking”, while a further
80,940 ha was ‘old-growth redwood’ mostly within protected areas. If
the latter forests were also 50% redwood, this would translate in a
minimal area of occupancy (AOO) of 1,400 km², to which would have to be
added an unknown figure for redwoods occurring as a minor component. The
AOO is thus likely to fall below 2,000 km², the threshold for
Vulnerable.
Past decline is, as always, difficult to estimate as there were no accurate estimates of an AOO when logging operations began. It is almost certainly in excess of 50% over three generations, which in the case of this very long-lived species takes us back to the period before Europeans and their impact on the forest arrived in northern California.
Continuing decline is inferred from the fact that the proportion of redwood in commercially exploited forests containing this species is still declining, due to deliberate or accidental replacement by more competitive species in the early phases of succession after clear-felling, especially Pseudotsuga menziesii. Under the A2 criterion this species should therefore be listed as Endangered.
The thieves threaten the tallest trees in the world with their chain saws. (click here)
It is poachers.
Past decline is, as always, difficult to estimate as there were no accurate estimates of an AOO when logging operations began. It is almost certainly in excess of 50% over three generations, which in the case of this very long-lived species takes us back to the period before Europeans and their impact on the forest arrived in northern California.
Continuing decline is inferred from the fact that the proportion of redwood in commercially exploited forests containing this species is still declining, due to deliberate or accidental replacement by more competitive species in the early phases of succession after clear-felling, especially Pseudotsuga menziesii. Under the A2 criterion this species should therefore be listed as Endangered.
My mother is a 79 year old woman that has been Roman Catholic all her life. She prays the rosary everyday. She is a Democrat. She is also Pro-Life. Very strict belief system. When it comes to the issue of abortion she states she doesn't know the burdens of other women and she always hopes they make good decisions about their lives with their doctors. When I ask her, but, they have sinned. Isn't it your place to be sure they don't sin? She simply states, sinning is a relationship between a person and God. No one knows another's heart or mind and God forgives all.
The Republican's dialogue regarding abortion is misogynist. It is a dialogue that hates and oppresses women. It is a dialogue that exists in the USA. It needs to change.
The Republican's dialogue regarding abortion is misogynist. It is a dialogue that hates and oppresses women. It is a dialogue that exists in the USA. It needs to change.
Democrats have to develop a dialogue to "Pro-Life Advocates."
It is important. There are scientific findings, socio-economic studies and laws, precedent. If the USA is to honor a woman's ability to decide the path of her own life, that needs a dialogue which includes the options women face in viewing the future. It is a dialogue that addresses girls and teen pregnancy. It is a dialogue that values quality of life and parenting. It is a dialogue that addresses domestic violence, guns and women's risks.
The Democrats have to be as comfortable for advocating privacy rights for women as the Republican ease in condemning women with their autonomy and freedom to choice.
The Democratic dialogue can also address relationships, both lesbian and straight and why they fail. It would be good for the country to have that openness.
Included in 'choice' is the right to live within a chosen faith, maintain a pregnancy to term and even be supported by the government if the woman is not financially independent. All that information is important to create a scope of understanding and why Pro-Life has a place within the Democratic Party as well. Pro-Life is more about religious choices than is currently discussed.
There is nothing wrong with Pro-Life. They should not be isolated into one camp or the other if they are not empowered to see the 'world of choices' available to women. Women are capable of planning for a career. Preventing government dependency can start with the understanding women have the right to an autonomous life they choose.
Emily has the right to make her own choices. She deserves the same respect as any other women making different choices. She is terminating an unwanted pregnancy, not killing a baby.
When Emily Letts (click here) tried to find a video of an abortion procedure online, she realized she couldn't find a single recording depicting how the surgical procedure pans out. The 25-year-old abortion counselor was pregnant, but felt completely unready to have a baby. After scheduling her abortion, Letts realized her upcoming procedure could also be a teaching moment for other women who have doubts about the process. She decided to film her own abortion....
The Democrats have to be as comfortable for advocating privacy rights for women as the Republican ease in condemning women with their autonomy and freedom to choice.
The Democratic dialogue can also address relationships, both lesbian and straight and why they fail. It would be good for the country to have that openness.
Included in 'choice' is the right to live within a chosen faith, maintain a pregnancy to term and even be supported by the government if the woman is not financially independent. All that information is important to create a scope of understanding and why Pro-Life has a place within the Democratic Party as well. Pro-Life is more about religious choices than is currently discussed.
There is nothing wrong with Pro-Life. They should not be isolated into one camp or the other if they are not empowered to see the 'world of choices' available to women. Women are capable of planning for a career. Preventing government dependency can start with the understanding women have the right to an autonomous life they choose.
Emily has the right to make her own choices. She deserves the same respect as any other women making different choices. She is terminating an unwanted pregnancy, not killing a baby.
When Emily Letts (click here) tried to find a video of an abortion procedure online, she realized she couldn't find a single recording depicting how the surgical procedure pans out. The 25-year-old abortion counselor was pregnant, but felt completely unready to have a baby. After scheduling her abortion, Letts realized her upcoming procedure could also be a teaching moment for other women who have doubts about the process. She decided to film her own abortion....
President Obama given mixed reviews about his Walmart visit.
The
people are correct in complaining. President Obama visited Walmart and
it was their opportunity to bring a focus that is justified.
President Obama was there to promote energy efficiency and alternatives that will actually reduce carbon emissions. He probably should have added a blurb about the minimum wage.
His visits across the country should not be so sterile. He easily could have noted the energy efficiency as well as also stating the wages were too low. President Obama has enough finesse to carry off most any statement. He is quite adept at making a point clearly understood.
The President visit my store Friday. He won't see how I sleep on my son's floor and eat potato chips for lunch (click here)
Thursday, May 8, 2014 01:23 PM EST
When I woke up to see the news, I could hardly believe it: President Obama is planning a visit to the Mountain View Wal-Mart where I work.
But the excitement quickly passed when I found out the store would be shutting down hours in advance of his visit. I wouldn’t be able to tell the president what it’s like to work at Wal-Mart and what it’s like to struggle on low wages, without the hours I need. I am living at the center of the income inequality that he speaks about so often, and I wanted to talk to him about how to change this problem.
My situation is not unlike that of many of the 825,000 Wal-Mart associates – and many other Americans – who are working hard, but just can’t keep up. Most of us aren’t even paid $25,000 a year even though we work at the largest employer in the country and one that makes $16 billion in profits
I wanted to tell the president what it’s like working – and living – like this....
President Obama was there to promote energy efficiency and alternatives that will actually reduce carbon emissions. He probably should have added a blurb about the minimum wage.
His visits across the country should not be so sterile. He easily could have noted the energy efficiency as well as also stating the wages were too low. President Obama has enough finesse to carry off most any statement. He is quite adept at making a point clearly understood.
The President visit my store Friday. He won't see how I sleep on my son's floor and eat potato chips for lunch (click here)
Thursday, May 8, 2014 01:23 PM EST
When I woke up to see the news, I could hardly believe it: President Obama is planning a visit to the Mountain View Wal-Mart where I work.
But the excitement quickly passed when I found out the store would be shutting down hours in advance of his visit. I wouldn’t be able to tell the president what it’s like to work at Wal-Mart and what it’s like to struggle on low wages, without the hours I need. I am living at the center of the income inequality that he speaks about so often, and I wanted to talk to him about how to change this problem.
My situation is not unlike that of many of the 825,000 Wal-Mart associates – and many other Americans – who are working hard, but just can’t keep up. Most of us aren’t even paid $25,000 a year even though we work at the largest employer in the country and one that makes $16 billion in profits
I wanted to tell the president what it’s like working – and living – like this....
Australia is measuring it's invovlement in USA Pacific focus. I congratulate them.
Australia is not Europe focused. It is Asian focused.
John Blaxland
...Political leaders, (click here) from Whitlam to Howard and beyond, have made their own assessments of what they perceived to be in the national interest. At times they've been contentious, to be sure, but the notion that Australia had no choice because of the US alliance stretches credulity. Similarly, the idea that an American clash in Asia would automatically trigger Australia's involvement, like it did in the two world wars of last century, simply does not reflect current constitutional reality. Australian political leaders have more options than that today. To think otherwise also neglects the vagaries of alliances and conflicts. The US, for instance, did not overtly back Britain over the Falklands in 1982 – but provided discreet intelligence support. All parties coped with the tensions this strange set of circumstances generated. Canada did not back the US in Iraq in 2003, but still had exchange officers in US formations and remained part of the ''five-eyes'' intelligence club. And the US did not back us over Confrontation in 1963, and had to be coaxed to assist in East Timor in 1999....
...Still, maintaining ties with the United States is not a zero-sum option. Developments over the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 point to the merits of collaborating closely with China's armed forces, as we do with a range of regional security partners. Building bridges rather than breaking them is much more constructive and convenient....
Australia's vested interest in the Pacific and Asia my prove to be the best springboard to a lasting peace, while the USA's political dogma only creates uncertainty.
Exploiting the Open Window while it exists.
I believe it was 2005 when Cheney ran rough shod over the Clean Water Act to begin nationwide gas extraction. The petroleum industry knows this technology will eventually begin to be outlawed. That is why the huge push across the USA. We know it has nothing to do with cheap energy. Natural gas prices are at an all time high. But, if the petroleum industry can not only push more wells from being established, but, also national infrastructure like propane cylinder cars they have a better chance of continued exploitation of the people of the USA for profits.
It is important to get this mess stopped. Bush III wants to push the propane transportation industry over the edge and our country will be destroyed. The land will become worthless.
Oh, yeah. Energy independence? Wind and Sun are still free.
It is important to get this mess stopped. Bush III wants to push the propane transportation industry over the edge and our country will be destroyed. The land will become worthless.
Oh, yeah. Energy independence? Wind and Sun are still free.
Kansas is already pursuing more vigilance.
A task force plan (click here) would allow state agencies to take action if they determine human activities are causing earthquakes.
The Kansas Geological Survey, Kansas Corporation Commission and Kansas Department of Health and Environment are leading a task force to study and react to “induced seismicity,” or earthquakes caused by human activity. Gov. Sam Brownback established the task force in response to recent earthquakes in Oklahoma and south-central Kansas.
Rex Buchanan, interim director of KGS, said Kansas hasn’t collected much data on seismic in the past because the state isn’t prone to earthquakes. KGS and the U.S. Geological Survey are adding instruments to better measure earthquakes so they can determine if human activity is playing a role, he said.
Under the plan’s current form, KGS would collect data on earthquakes detected by USGS, analyze the data and report to KCC and KDHE, Buchanan said. USGS typically detects earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater, but most people can’t feel anything with a magnitude less than 3.0, he said...
We are used to thinking about earthquakes as 'fault' lines erupting in activity. In the case of "Induced Seismicity" there are NEW fault lines created by human activity. It is different. Now, every place there is a well there are earthquakes.
What does that mean? That means the fracking companies can NOT state their well casings prevent water contamination. If the well casings remain intact, which we know they don't, there is still going to be water contamination by "Induced Seismicity." The water contamination is basically guaranteed. Even though residents didn't feel the quake doesn't mean it didn't open up a path for contaminants to poison their water supply.
The argument against this technology is moving to include more than well casings.
The gas wells are indeed very expensive to the land owners and/or the towns and cities, especially when it means insults to human health.
Fracking is proving to be more of a worry than believed. These small quakes can be cummulative to a larger disaster.
There is a technical term for these earthquakes, "induced seismicity” or man made earthquakes. It would be better to use the proper terminology rather than categorize these particular quakes with all others. They aren't the same and quite frankly, over time, these are more dangerous to human health. They carry a category that relates to human health differently than just the ground shaking. This is about chemicals as well as ultimately liquefaction.
There is a quality of any legitimate geological study in securing the understanding of water sources. In the case of "Induced Seismicity" there are human health imperitives that result in compromised ground water sources. Use the words, it matters. "Induced Seismicity" has an entirely different value system than the 'normal' earthquake. It is more than tremors. Tremors aren't chemically or hydraulically (water pressure) induced.
RENO (Texas) (CBSDFW.COM) – There have been more than 300 earthquakes (click here) reported in Parker County since December, according to just-published research conducted by an earthquake study team.
In preliminary findings released Wednesday, the team reported that the quakes show a complex fault system in the area near Reno and Azle, which started experiencing quakes for the first time in November.
The progress report from the SMU North Texas Earthquake Study said the relation of the quakes to two nearby waste-water injection wells remains a major question. Preliminary locations for the earthquakes show them occurring within one to two kilometers of the well sites.
The U.S. Geological Survey has stated wastewater disposal into deep geologic formations is a likely contributing factor to an increase in quakes. The USGS issued a joint earthquake advisory with the Oklahoma Geological Survey Tuesday, because of hundreds of temblors there....
These quakes are minor in magnitude, however, they are numerous. The more and more cracks there are can lead to greater instability. Once there is a larger magnitude the entire area could result in damage in a chain reaction to these smaller cracks.
by BRETT SHIPP
PARKER COUNTY — Remember (click here) the images of Parker County residents whose water wells catch on fire? Now they say their problem has gone from bad to explosive.
They also say they have the test results to back up their assertions.
A handful of Parker County residents said it all started around 2009 when their tap water started to bubble and stink.
Their curiosity flowed into suspicion.
Their suspicion evolved into disgust.
Their water wells were filling with volumes of methane gas. Logic told them two newly drilled natural gas wells near their homes were to blame....
There is a quality of any legitimate geological study in securing the understanding of water sources. In the case of "Induced Seismicity" there are human health imperitives that result in compromised ground water sources. Use the words, it matters. "Induced Seismicity" has an entirely different value system than the 'normal' earthquake. It is more than tremors. Tremors aren't chemically or hydraulically (water pressure) induced.
RENO (Texas) (CBSDFW.COM) – There have been more than 300 earthquakes (click here) reported in Parker County since December, according to just-published research conducted by an earthquake study team.
In preliminary findings released Wednesday, the team reported that the quakes show a complex fault system in the area near Reno and Azle, which started experiencing quakes for the first time in November.
The progress report from the SMU North Texas Earthquake Study said the relation of the quakes to two nearby waste-water injection wells remains a major question. Preliminary locations for the earthquakes show them occurring within one to two kilometers of the well sites.
The U.S. Geological Survey has stated wastewater disposal into deep geologic formations is a likely contributing factor to an increase in quakes. The USGS issued a joint earthquake advisory with the Oklahoma Geological Survey Tuesday, because of hundreds of temblors there....
These quakes are minor in magnitude, however, they are numerous. The more and more cracks there are can lead to greater instability. Once there is a larger magnitude the entire area could result in damage in a chain reaction to these smaller cracks.
by BRETT SHIPP
WFAA
Posted on September 24, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Updated
Thursday, Sep 26 at 2:40 AM
PARKER COUNTY — Remember (click here) the images of Parker County residents whose water wells catch on fire? Now they say their problem has gone from bad to explosive.
They also say they have the test results to back up their assertions.
A handful of Parker County residents said it all started around 2009 when their tap water started to bubble and stink.
Their curiosity flowed into suspicion.
Their suspicion evolved into disgust.
Their water wells were filling with volumes of methane gas. Logic told them two newly drilled natural gas wells near their homes were to blame....
The mentally ill and the elderly. When are we going to stop killing them? Tranquilizers or something? What do you think?
The elderly are frightened. This should not be happening. She was not committing a crime. She isn't a 'bad' person. We have to do better. It was important Pearlie was alive.
Published 12:23 am, Friday, May 9, 2014
HEARNE, Texas (AP) — Friends say 93-year-old Pearlie Golden (click here) still shopped at the grocery store in the small Texas town of Hearne. Now they and Hearne's mayor want the police officer who shot and killed her gone.
Texas Rangers are investigating what led to a Hearne police officer fatally shooting Golden at her home after responding to a 911 disturbance call this week. Hearne police have said in a statement that Golden "brandished a gun" when Officer Stephen Stem arrived Tuesday night.
Prosecutors say a preliminary autopsy shows Golden was struck twice in her body and grazed once.
Dozens of protesters Thursday marched to police headquarters in Hearn. Mayor Ruben Gomez greeted them and said he will recommend that the officer be fired at a city council meeting Saturday.
The rightwing is this desperate?
I didn't know there was an entire economy supported by political dogma. At least not this deranged. Wow. And, of course, this is out of respect of the four dead Americans and their families.
5/8/2014 12:25:00 PM
Cokie & Steven V. Roberts
Search the word "Benghazi," (click here) and up pops a paid link to a website that advertises: "Benghazi -- T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Mugs and More."
Click on the link and 401 items are offered for sale. They include a yellow backpack with red letters, reading, "Benghazi. Obama Slept Families Wept." A decal features former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and a bloody hand over the slogan, "Remember Benghazi." A steal at $4.29.
Our favorite: a powder-blue toddler outfit featuring an American flag and the always popular motto "Remember Benghazi." Except "remember" is misspelled -- no second "m."
This website is just one small example of the "Benghazi-Industrial Complex," a term coined by Michael Hirsh in Politico Magazine. For conservatives, Benghazi is big business: a full-fledged enterprise to exploit the tragic deaths of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, in that Libyan city in September 2012....
Guts, Guns and Glory (click here)Amazing. Nothing like keeping September 11th alive.
I have this idea that some day while we commemorate 911 as if Pearl Harbor, it will fade into the background noise like Pearl Harbor does.
The video and the attacks were to commemorate September 11th, too. When do people stop dying for September 11, 2001? Tell me that. When do Americans stop paying the price for bin Laden's anger?
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