Military sexual trauma:76 percent were diagnosed with a mental condition

Among women who reported experiencing sexual trauma, 76 percent were diagnosed with a mental condition, compared to 47 percent of other female veterans. The rates were similar in men.

Sexual Trauma Haunts Many Female Vets
Study found 1 in 7 from Iraq, Afghanistan who sought medical care were victims
Posted October 28, 2008
By Randy Dotinga
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Oct. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Shedding light on the challenges facing women in the military, a new study shows that more than one in seven female Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seeking VA medical care reported experiencing sexual trauma during their service.

Veterans who reported sexual trauma, such as rape and threatening sexual harassment, were three times more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

"These mental health conditions are getting recognized, diagnosed and treated," said study co-author Joanne Pavao, a researcher with the VA Palo Alto Health Care System's National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, in California.

Pavao and her colleagues analyzed the records of 89,960 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who sought medical care in the VA health-care system between Oct. 1, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2006. They were expected to present their findings Tuesday in San Diego at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting.
click post title for more

Why did WFTV have health reporter do political interview?

The real question here is, why is a health reporter doing a political interview?

Barbara West - WFTV News Story - WFTV Orlando
Barbara West. For the past 16 years, I have served as health reporter and anchor for WFTV's news at noon and 5:30.

So why didn't they use any of these, who, according to their web site, are political reporters?

Laura Dorey
major: Political Science and Communications Studies
Anchor, Reporter, Executive Producer

Michael Rafi
major: Political Science and Communications Studies
Reporter, Political Correspondent.

Joanna Childers
major: Political Science and Communication Studies
Anchor and Reporter
http://www.furman.edu/orgs/fu2tv/wftv/staff.htm

So why would WFTV have their health reporter interview Biden? Have they allowed her to do other political interviews besides the one she did with McCain? Is there a history of them having their health reporter cover politics? She sure is getting a lot of fame out of this.

Journalism or partisanship: Did Barbara West interview with Joe Biden cross the line?
Hal Boedeker Sentinel Staff Writer
6:54 PM EDT, October 27, 2008
Nothing Barbara West has done in her 22 years at WFTV-Channel 9 has generated the attention of her interview last week with Sen. Joe Biden, Barack Obama's running mate. The contentious chat has become an Internet sensation -- 1.2 million hits on YouTube over the weekend and more than 500,000 on WFTV.com -- and generated controversy about how journalists question their subjects.

"The thing that stuns me is that this has become about me," said anchor West, 60. She appeared Monday night on The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel and Larry King Live on CNN and plans to be on three more national shows today.

"It's not a good thing. I am not trying to seek the limelight in any way," she said. "I did not do the interview to make headlines, but to get answers that people in the street want to know. When I'm doing fund-raisers, I see vast numbers of people. My questions were reflective of what they're asking about."
click link for more

Iraqi sentenced to death for soldier killings

Iraqi sentenced to death for soldier killings

By Sameer N. Yacoub - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Oct 28, 2008 7:50:24 EDT

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi court on Tuesday sentenced a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq militant to death by hanging for the grisly 2006 killing of three U.S. soldiers south of Baghdad.

Ibrahim al-Qaraghuli was one of three suspected militants who have gone to trial for the killings.

David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Mass., was found dead at the site of the checkpoint. Two other 101st soldiers were kidnapped, sparking a massive search effort by the military.

The mutilated bodies of Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston and Pfc. Thomas Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore., were found three days later near a power station, not far from the checkpoint.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_iraqisentence_102808/

One Iraq War Veteran Shares Her Thoughts On ‘Concert For The BRAVE’

One Iraq War Veteran Shares Her Thoughts On ‘Concert For The BRAVE’
MTV.com - USA

Published by MTV News on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 11:57 am.
Shameeka Gray, one of the Iraq war vets featured in “Choose or Lose & Kanye West Present: Homecoming” this summer, also had a chance to attend “A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE” last week. Here’s what she thought about the event.

I would first like to say on behalf of myself and all veterans, thank you to MTV and all the participants for making this event very touching and memorable. The performances and messages from the artists and entertainers were great. I would also like to thank the individuals and organizations out there that have implemented and developed ways to help our veterans.

There were many issues that were brought to the world’s attention, such as homelessness, veteran benefits, unemployment and health care, which are all rising challenges among veterans in America. The veterans that shared their stories brought awareness to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), disabilities many veterans encounter that take a toll on their daily lives.
click link for more and for video

Sexual trauma afflicts 15 percent of U.S. veterans seeking mental health care

Sexual trauma afflicts 15 percent of U.S. veterans: study
Tue Oct 28, 2008

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nearly 15 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seeking medical care from the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department have suffered sexual trauma, from harassment to rape, researchers reported on Tuesday.

And these veterans were 1.5 times as likely as other veterans to need mental health services, the report from the VA found.

"We are, in fact, detecting men and women who seem to have a significant need for mental health services," said Rachel Kimerling of the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System in California.

The study, presented at a meeting of the American Public Health Association in San Diego, raises many questions.

Kimerling said in a telephone interview the term "military sexual trauma" covers a range of events from coerced sex to outright rape or threatening and unwelcome sexual advances.

A spokeswoman for the VA said about 40 percent of all discharged veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have sought medical care of some sort from the VA, which has a universal screening program for military sexual trauma.

go here for more
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49R0O020081028

Marine dead, wife critically hurt in apparent domestic dispute

Marine dead, wife critically hurt in apparent murder-suicide
San Diego Union Tribune - United States
By Angela Lau
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

7:46 p.m. October 27, 2008

FALLBROOK – A young Marine sergeant is dead and his wife critically hurt in what may be the outgrowth of a marital argument, sheriff's deputies said.

According to sheriff's homicide Lt. Dennis Brugos, two sergeants from nearby Camp Pendleton had gone to the sergeant's house on Elbrook Drive near Fallbrook Street after he had failed to report to work Monday morning.

They saw cars parked at the house, but got no response when they knocked on the door. At that point, they called the Sheriff's Department, Brugos said.

A deputy forced his way inside and found the sergeant's body in the garage. He then found the sergeant's wife in a bedroom with serious head injuries, Brugos said.

The couple's two small boys were found about an hour later at the home of the couple's child care provider.
click link for more

Briton David Giles, killed in Afghanistan was about to be married

Murdered DHL dad about to re-marry
Gulf Daily News - Manama,Bahrain

By GEOFFREY BEW

MANAMA

A BAHRAIN resident, gunned down with his best friend in the Afghan capital, Kabul, was planning to get married for the second time, it emerged yesterday.

Briton David Giles, 42, who had worked for logistics giant DHL for three years, had just returned from a holiday in the US, where he visited his girlfriend Beverly and decided to tie the knot.

The divorced Afghanistan operations manager and South African DHL Express station manager Jason Bresler were shot dead in a car outside the company's Kabul office on Saturday.

Two other people, including an Afghan policeman, were injured in the attack.

International news agencies said the men were killed by a DHL security guard, who opened fire on them and then killed himself.
click link for more

Maj. J. Scott Sanford falls to cancer at age 37

Former Misawa Security Forces chief falls to cancer at age 37
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, October 29, 2008



Former 35th Security Forces Squadron commander Maj. J. Scott Sanford died Friday at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii while battling cancer.

He was 37.

Misawa Air Base will hold a memorial service at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Mokuteki Community Center ballroom, base officials said Monday.

Sanford led Misawa security forces from June 2007 until August.

"The men and women of the 35th Security Forces Squadron wish to extend their deepest sympathy to Major Sanford’s friends and family," stated Capt. Jeffery Day, 35th Security Forces commander, who worked for Sanford at Misawa. "We were fortunate to have him as our commander for a year and value everything he has done for our defenders, Misawa, the Air Force and our great country."
go here for more
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58449

Columbus OH VA Clinic handles 310,000 veterans

New VA clinic saluted
Facility has more room, more staff, more services
Monday, October 27, 2008 3:22 AM
By Jeb Phillips

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Almost from the time Columbus' Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Clinic opened in 1995, it was too small. And space has only become tighter.

The outpatient clinic was designed to handle about 135,000 patient visits per year; it now handles 310,000. Some veterans have to park in the overflow lot at the church across the street, then dodge traffic while crossing Taylor Avenue on the Near East Side.

The clinic staff was sending patients who needed even minor surgeries to VA medical centers in Cincinnati and Dayton. The Columbus clinic didn't have room or the facilities for them.

So it is with relief, and a little giddiness, that the clinic's chief of staff talks about the new $95 million Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Care Center. The clinic, at 420 N. James Rd., will be dedicated Thursday and will accept its first patient Nov. 12, the day after Veterans Day.

"It is well-designed as a healing environment," Dr. Miguel LaPuz said.
click post title for more

FBI frees dozens of children "sex slaves"

In all, the initiative has freed 576 child victims from forced prostitution, the FBI said.

Operation frees dozens of child prostitutesStory Highlights
"Operation Cross Country II" involved 29 cities, resulted in the arrest of 73 pimps

More than 500 adult prostitutes were also arrested

FBI: Sex trafficking of children remains one of the most violent crimes in this country

Child advocate likens teen prostitution to "21st century slavery"

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Dozens of juveniles have been freed from forced prostitution by a nationwide operation that resulted in the arrests of hundreds of other people, the FBI announced Monday.

In the three-day operation, which began Thursday night, the FBI, along with local and state law enforcement agencies, took the 46 girls and one boy -- all of them U.S. citizens ages 13 to 17 -- into protective custody.

"Operation Cross Country II" involved efforts in 29 cities and resulted in the arrest of 73 pimps and 518 adult prostitutes, the FBI said.

Those arrested could face federal or state charges, depending on their alleged activities.

FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said some of the alleged sex traffickers were working in networks of six to 10 pimps.

go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/27/child.prostitutes.freed/index.html

Scott crash victim's aunt: "She loved her family"

Scott crash victim's aunt: "She loved her family"

Posted: Oct 27, 2008 04:21 PM EDT

By SHELBY BAKER
6 News Reporter

HUNTSVILLE (WATE) -- Pat Mason says her niece was an exceptional child, always happy and full of life.

"She loved her family, loved school. I've never seen a child love school like Ashley did. Cheerleading was her life and she cherished her friends," said Pat Mason.

Ashley Mason was one of four Scott High School cheerleaders killed in a two-car crash Friday night.

Pat says their tight-knit family is leaning on each other now more than ever. "Staying close together and prayer from the community is all that's keeping up going right now."

She says the family is grateful for the precious time they had with Ashley before she died at UT Medical Center Saturday night.


"We got a chance to say goodbye to our Ashley. The other families didn't get that chance and we want to ask everyone to remember those families in prayer."
go here for more

http://www.wate.com/global/story.asp?s=9246403

Students return to school after cheerleaders deaths

Scott High students return to school after tragic accident

Posted: Oct 27, 2008 01:19 PM EDT

By HANA KIM
6 News Reporter

HUNTSVILLE (WATE) -- Scott High School students returned to school Monday for the first time after losing four classmates in a car crash over the weekend.

Many students say they are leaning on one another. Many are still in disbelief.

"It feels like a movie, like it's not reality. That's why it's taking so long to sink in," said senior Andi Tillman.

Students say the tragedy is so traumatic, words can't describe what they are feeling.

"We just all knew these girls," said Tillman. "It wasn't just someone you saw in the halls. We all spoke with each of them at least once and they are cheerleaders."

That's what makes the loss even greater for the students. The school is part of a closeknit community. Many say nearly everyone has been impacted in some way.

"You never know that it may be the last time you could see your child," said a parent, Michelle King. "You never know, but you have to take a chance. You can't lock them up."

go here for more

http://www.wate.com/global/story.asp?s=9245243

Syria condemns attack, accuses US of lies

Syria condemns attack, accuses U.S. of 'lies'
The U.S. military conducted a successful strike into Syria to kill a suspected al Qaeda facilitator, a U.S. official said Monday. Syrian Foreign Minister Waleed Mouallem disputed the U.S. explanation as "lies." "Killing civilians in international law means terrorist aggression," he said. Further acts of aggression will not be tolerated, Mouallem said. "If they do it again, we will defend our territories." full story

Balad Iraq "burn pit" raises health concerns

Burn pit at Balad raises health concerns
An open-air “burn pit” at the largest U.S. base in Iraq may have exposed tens of thousands of troops, contractors and Iraqis to cancer-causing dioxins, poisons such as arsenic and carbon monoxide, and hazardous medical waste, documentation gathered by Military Times shows.

Female GI dies at Jackson after collapsing during PFT

GI dies at Jackson after collapsing during PFT

The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Oct 27, 2008 19:00:54 EDT

FORT JACKSON, S.C. — Officials at Fort Jackson say a 21-year-old soldier has died after she collapsed while running during the Army’s physical fitness test.

Authorities said Monday that Pvt. Andrea D. Rosser of Raleigh, N.C., was pronounced dead at a Richland County hospital Saturday, the same day she collapsed after running for about 20 minutes during the 2-mile portion of the test.

Rosser was scheduled to graduate Friday. The Army is investigating her death.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_jackson_death_102708/

Man pulled from burning house is revived because of thermal camera

Man pulled from burning house is revived
Thermal camera was key in rescue
By David Tirrell-Wysocki
Associated Press / October 27, 2008

A Massachusetts man was revived after being pulled not breathing from his burning seasonal home in Sanbornton, N.H., early yesterday after his wife jumped from a second-floor window to call for help.

Fire Chief John DeSilva said a firefighter using a thermal imaging camera found Robert Livoti of Waltham with little time to spare. Rescuers revived him outside.

"They were able to bring him back," he said.

The chief said the camera made all the difference in the blinding and deadly smoke.
click post title for more

Woman killed by pet 13-foot python

Woman killed by pet 13-foot python
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A Virginia Beach woman appears to have been killed by a pet reticulated python while she was trying to give the 13-foot snake medication.

Amanda Ruth Black's husband found her body Tuesday night when he came home, The Virginian-Pilot reported. She was lying in front of the snake's empty cage.
click link for more

Body confirmed to be Hudson's nephew

Body confirmed to be Hudson's nephew


Body in SUV believed to be Hudson's nephew, police say
Story Highlights
NEW: Officials confirm body in SUV is that of Julian King

Jennifer Hudson offers $100,000 reward for return of 7-year-old nephew

Julian King missing since Friday, when Hudson's mother, brother were shot dead

Actress identified bodies of her mother and brother for medical examiner
CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- A body believed to be that of the missing 7-year-old nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was found Monday inside an SUV, an FBI official and Chicago police said.


Speaking at a news conference on an unrelated matter, FBI Deputy Director John Pistole said the body is "believed to be" Hudson's nephew, Julian King, and the FBI is working with the Chicago Police Department to confirm the identity.

Deputy Chief Cmdr. Wayne Gulliford said police were responding to "a call about a suspicious auto" in the west side of Chicago at approximately 7 a.m. when they found the body inside a parked white Chevy Suburban, which had a license plate matching the description in the child's Amber Alert.
click link for more

Senator Stevens of Alaska guilty on 7 counts

Sen. Stevens found guilty of scheming to hide gifts
A jury has found U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska guilty on all seven counts of making false statements on Senate disclosure forms. Stevens, 84, is the longest-serving Republican senator in history. He requested a speedy trial in hopes of clearing his name before Election Day. He is locked in a tight race with Democrat Mark Begich as he seeks to retain the Senate seat he has held since 1968. developing story

Mountain lion ready to attack, Dad saves son

Mountain lion ready to attack 1:38
A dad protects his teen son from a 150-pound mountain lion. KOLO's Joe Harrington reports.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/10/27/harrington.mountain.lion.kolo