Soldier faces trial in child’s death
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 8, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY — Almost two years after a 10-year-old boy starved to death at an Oklahoma Army base, a soldier accused of first-degree murder is set to go on trial in a rare case in which federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday at the federal courthouse in Lawton for the trial of Pvt. Connell C. Williams, 33, who was indicted by a federal grand jury for the May 5, 2011, death of Marcus Holloway, the son of Williams' girlfriend, at Fort Sill in southwestern Oklahoma. He has pleaded not guilty.
A September 2011 indictment accused Williams and the boy's mother, Candice Holloway, 32, of depriving the boy of food over a period of about four months until he starved to death. Holloway pleaded guilty to first-degree murder as part of a plea agreement in which she will serve 30 years in federal prison and testify against Williams.
Since 1927, there have been only 37 federal executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Federal prosecutors filed to seek the death penalty last April because they claim Williams "committed the offense in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner in that it involved torture and serious physical abuse to the victim." The notice of intent, authorized by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, also cites the vulnerability of the victim and the fact that he was in Williams' care and custody.
read more here
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Congressman Miller face the facts on veterans
Congressman Miller face the facts on veterans
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
February 9, 2013
Congressman Miller, face the facts and then you'll be able to do something for the veterans. This is not a new problem for our veterans. It is an old one no one did much about.
In 2007 we had to deal with this. Neglect? The VA's current backlog is 800,000 cases
And then by December of 2007, there were these reports.
As advocates like me were pushing for veterans to get help with PTSD, more filed claims and an increase in wounded coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan greeted by a Congress not taking action to make sure they were cared for.
Now that all that is out of the way perhaps it will be a good time to stop blaming this administration and do the right thing for veterans.
There are 1.7 million veterans here in Florida and most of them are waiting for Congress to do the right thing. They suffer and wait while Congress holds hearings on the problems but don't seem to interested in holding hearings on what works, what is already in place and how to expand on the good. Congressman Filner was not interested in deploying older veterans and their spouses to help the newer generation living with PTSD and we saw them suffer the way we did. Any idea what all of this does to whole families? Do you know all the stress adds to the ravages of PTSD, suicides, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence and homelessness?
With all due respect, it is time to learn the facts before you doom veterans to mistakes repeated.
by Kathie Costos
Wounded Times Blog
February 9, 2013
Congressman Miller, face the facts and then you'll be able to do something for the veterans. This is not a new problem for our veterans. It is an old one no one did much about.
In 2007 we had to deal with this. Neglect? The VA's current backlog is 800,000 cases
And then by December of 2007, there were these reports.
The agency’s new plan to hire at least 150 new appeals judges to whittle down the backlog, which has soared to 755,000 from 311,000 in 2000, will require $100 million more than the president requested this year and still more in the future. The plan has been delayed by the standoff between Congress and the White House over domestic appropriations.Followed by this one.
148,000 Vietnam Vets sought help in last 18 months
VBA's pending compensation and claims backlog stood at 816,211 as of January 2008,Followed by this one
VA reported 879,291 claims were in backlogAnd ending 2008 with this one.
806,000 Veterans backlog claims listedAnd then this
VA Claim backlog hit 915,000 on May 4, 2009As you can see, none of this is new. While it would have been easy to just deal with the backlog of cases and ignore the veterans left behind from Vietnam, the rules were changed to try to do the right thing even though it meant the challenge would be greater especially when Congress did not do their job and make sure the funding and staffing were all in place.
The backlog has been exacerbated by the administration’s 2010 decision to accept 260,000 previously denied and new claims associated with Agent Orange exposure.
As advocates like me were pushing for veterans to get help with PTSD, more filed claims and an increase in wounded coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan greeted by a Congress not taking action to make sure they were cared for.
Now that all that is out of the way perhaps it will be a good time to stop blaming this administration and do the right thing for veterans.
There are 1.7 million veterans here in Florida and most of them are waiting for Congress to do the right thing. They suffer and wait while Congress holds hearings on the problems but don't seem to interested in holding hearings on what works, what is already in place and how to expand on the good. Congressman Filner was not interested in deploying older veterans and their spouses to help the newer generation living with PTSD and we saw them suffer the way we did. Any idea what all of this does to whole families? Do you know all the stress adds to the ravages of PTSD, suicides, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence and homelessness?
House Veterans' Affairs chair wants to cut VA claims backlog
Feb 9, 2013
Written by
Ledyard King
Democrat Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Jeff Miller, the Pensacola-area Republican who chairs the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, wants to speed up the time it takes to process veterans’ disability claims.
It’s one of two main priorities Miller outlined in an interview Wednesday in his Capitol Hill Office. The other is providing veterans greater access to mental health services, possibly by allowing them to access the TRICARE system that serves active-duty military personnel.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has set a goal that, by 2015, no disability compensation claim will take more than 125 days to fully process and that 98 percent will be accurate. As of August, it took an average 260 days to process each claim, according to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office.
That’s up from 161 days in 2009. The accuracy rate is currently about 85 percent, according to Miller’s office.
One million service members are expected to become veterans within the next five years, further straining the agency’s capabilities.
The GAO called the VA’s ability to process claims in a timely manner “a daunting challenge.”
Some 1.7 million veterans live in Florida.
The agency processes about 1 million disability benefits claims nationally a year, but there’s another 1 million they can’t get to, said Miller of Chumuckla.
read more here
With all due respect, it is time to learn the facts before you doom veterans to mistakes repeated.
Westboro Baptist Hate Group desperate for attention
I got up to a sickening email from a friend giving me a heads up on Westboro haters planning on protesting the family of Chris Kyle so they can get attention. When you stop playing politically correct game of words, that is exactly what it boils down to.
Free speech does not come with a guarantee of an audience.
They crave attention and they haven't been getting much lately. People figured out a long time ago what these stalkers are all about. They go after the families of people in the news, usually members of the military. Yet they pick and choose which ones to attack.
The saying of "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword." was not a punishment from God. It was frankly common sense since wars back then were fought by men with swords, face to face and most of them died. They were simply more likely to die in combat than live. Back then people also believed all illness was caused by sin and God's judgment they deserved to suffer.
Westboro haters have a right to say whatever they want and believe whatever they want. What they should never have the right to do is force anyone to pay attention to them. That is exactly what happens when families go to bury their dead and they are being stalked by this group.
Westboro Hate Group attacking Chris KyleDo they protest at the funerals against the men and women who died in service to this nation or do they stalk and protest the families? It isn't the fallen they go after. They are dead. The families however are still alive and during their grieving, they are attacked, forced to see their signs and hear their hatred. Amazing how the Supreme Court has chosen to say it is free speech but they never seem to be willing to notice these families are targeted and their rights have been taken from them.
GOD ALMIGHTY HAD NAVY SEALS SNIPER CHRIS KYLE IN HIS CROSS-HAIRS and EXECUTED PERFECT WRATH: USA rages over hypocrite Ron Paul speaking an unfavorable syllable about dead soldier idol Chris Kyle. Faux-christian Glenn Beck piles on with the ultimate insult, calling Paul a member of the Westboro Baptist Church. (Fat chance!)
Free speech does not come with a guarantee of an audience.
They crave attention and they haven't been getting much lately. People figured out a long time ago what these stalkers are all about. They go after the families of people in the news, usually members of the military. Yet they pick and choose which ones to attack.
Thank God for 6 more dead troops. We are praying for 6,000 more.
We will picket their funerals in their home towns in respectful and lawful proximity thereto.
Here is a Roster of the Damned:
“For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God.” 1 Chron. 5:22
We’ve turned America over to the fags;
They’re coming home in body bags.
PV2 Joshua J. Martin of Cottonwood Heights, UT
SPC Jordan Heer of Lakewood, WA
SSG Michael Paul Perez of Houston, TX
SPC Patrick S. Keuper of Santa Maria, CA
Capt. Gonzalo Garcia of Fort Bliss, TX
Pfc. Michael A. Gorman of Brookline, MA
The saying of "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword." was not a punishment from God. It was frankly common sense since wars back then were fought by men with swords, face to face and most of them died. They were simply more likely to die in combat than live. Back then people also believed all illness was caused by sin and God's judgment they deserved to suffer.
Westboro haters have a right to say whatever they want and believe whatever they want. What they should never have the right to do is force anyone to pay attention to them. That is exactly what happens when families go to bury their dead and they are being stalked by this group.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha to receive Medal of Honor
An American hero: The uncommon valor of Clint Romesha
By Jake Tapper and Chelsea J. Carter
CNN
February 8, 2013
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Clint Romesha, 31, will receive the Medal of Honor on Monday
The former Army staff sergeant is receiving the medal for actions in Afghanistan
Romesha was a section leader during a fierce battle on October 3, 2009
He told the president that the medal wasn't about him, but everyone who fought
Three American soldiers were dead, killed by militant snipers hidden in heavy brush on the side of the mountains.
Three were trapped in a mortar pit. Five more -- two of his close friends included -- lay pinned down in a Humvee, taking heavy fire. Others were badly wounded.
Romesha, who had a hole in his arm from a rocket-propelled grenade, was trying to figure out who was alive and who was dead.
read more here
By Jake Tapper and Chelsea J. Carter
CNN
February 8, 2013
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Clint Romesha, 31, will receive the Medal of Honor on Monday
The former Army staff sergeant is receiving the medal for actions in Afghanistan
Romesha was a section leader during a fierce battle on October 3, 2009
He told the president that the medal wasn't about him, but everyone who fought
Editor's note: Jake Tapper is an anchor and chief Washington correspondent for CNN. He is author of the best-selling book about Afghanistan, "The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor." Watch "An American Hero: The Uncommon Valor of Clint Romesha" at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET Sunday on CNN.Minot, North Dakota (CNN) -- Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha was taking stock: His small outpost nestled in a remote valley of a mountain range in eastern Afghanistan was under attack by hundreds of insurgents.
Three American soldiers were dead, killed by militant snipers hidden in heavy brush on the side of the mountains.
Three were trapped in a mortar pit. Five more -- two of his close friends included -- lay pinned down in a Humvee, taking heavy fire. Others were badly wounded.
Romesha, who had a hole in his arm from a rocket-propelled grenade, was trying to figure out who was alive and who was dead.
read more here
Homeless, pregnant veteran finds support from community
Community comes together to support pregnant veteran
Homeless veteran gets assistance
Mark Christian
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - A call for help from a homeless veteran turned into an outpouring of support. Dozens stepped up to help that veteran who's just two weeks away from giving birth.
"We don't know if it's a boy or girl, we just know it's a baby who needs our help," said Ben Patten of Bakersfield Harley Davidson.
The baby will now come into this world with a roof over her head.
"A nine-month pregnant female veteran came into our office looking for assistance because she is homeless," said Deborah Johnson of the California Veterans Assistance Foundation.
California Veterans Assistance Foundation provided housing for the veteran and put the word out to the Kern County Veterans Collaborative that the woman also needed newborn supplies.
read more here
Homeless veteran gets assistance
Mark Christian
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - A call for help from a homeless veteran turned into an outpouring of support. Dozens stepped up to help that veteran who's just two weeks away from giving birth.
The pregnant veteran served 12 years in the California National Guard with a tour in Iraq.
"We don't know if it's a boy or girl, we just know it's a baby who needs our help," said Ben Patten of Bakersfield Harley Davidson.
The baby will now come into this world with a roof over her head.
"A nine-month pregnant female veteran came into our office looking for assistance because she is homeless," said Deborah Johnson of the California Veterans Assistance Foundation.
California Veterans Assistance Foundation provided housing for the veteran and put the word out to the Kern County Veterans Collaborative that the woman also needed newborn supplies.
read more here
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