Shaking your dust off my feet

LUKE 9:5-6

5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

I've been doing outreach work with Veterans since 1982, long before some of my readers were born. In 2000, my book, For The Love Of Jack, was finished and in 2001, I tried to find a publisher. This was long before all the press coverage of PTSD. No one was really interested in what Vietnam veterans were going thru, almost as if they had nothing to learn. When September 11, 2001 came, I knew there would be a lot more veterans suffering from PTSD, who up until that point, coped with it. 9-11 brought a "secondary stressor" far too few psychologists address. I gave up trying to find a publisher, realizing the urgency of providing the information in my book, I decided to self-publish. I received very little help but if you look online there are a lot of links to this book still up. The book is online for free from this blog on the side bar. It opens in Adobe.

Think about how much this book could have helped families back then, before the media finally decided that it was an important story. 18 years of our life are that book covering how my husband's PTSD was mild when we met, but the secondary stressor sent him over the edge. A secondary stressor is like giving un-addressed PTSD a shot of steroid. It happens that quickly. It also contained 18 years of researching what I had learned. Most of the studies they are doing right now, have already been done. What if the researchers had bothered to check with the families already living with it, coping with it and used their experiences to help the new generation? Think of how many lost years could have been spent on new research.

I am not a powerful person. I am not a rich person. I am just like every other average American trying to make a difference to a lot of hurting people. While I know a lot of powerful people, very few of them had faith in me, my knowledge or my experience. I asked them to help me help the veterans and their families. While they said they would, they never did.

I was asked to become certified with the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists years ago but I said I wanted to stay right by the side of veterans and their families as one of them. In my mind there were enough professionals at the time but the veterans needed someone to show them the way on a equal level. I knew I would be able to charge people for what I did had I opted to become certified, but that was not what the veterans needed. So I worked a regular job and did the outreach work in my spare time.

As the numbers of veterans were growing and too little was being done, no one with the power to address it was listening to people like me. Letters to Senators and Congressmen were responded to with a form letter telling me they cared about the issue but they did nothing. I was never asked to speak to them, inform them or offer all those years of experience with my own husband and hundreds of veterans at that point. I was screaming about the growing need, but no one heard me.

In 2006 I came up with the idea to reach veterans the way the new veterans where they were, on Google and YouTube. I started doing videos on PTSD, combining music, pictures and a message, so they would not have to read too much but get the point that PTSD is a wound, is a normal reaction to abnormal events and that there was hope in healing if they reached out for help.

Over twenty videos later, thousands of hits on videos covering all forms of trauma, videos for Vietnam veterans, veterans families, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, along with others living with the aftermath of trauma, still these powerful people will not listen. I've traveled with these videos but considering the need out there to share information with the veterans and their families who still don't know what PTSD is, especially the National Guards and Reservists, I've been turned down on doing presentations. People will watch the videos, come up to me and ask me if I would be interested in doing another presentation and when I agree, I never hear from them again. Churches have turned down my offer to help their congregations understand what PTSD is so they can help the veterans and their families.

What I do, which is taking up 16 hours a day, I do for free. I ask for donations but the people who can afford to donate, use my work without feeling any need to donate, yet the people who have very little money will donate what they can. With this, there is no money to spend on advertising my work. I have to trust word of mouth to spread the videos and the kindness of strangers who value it enough to pass it on. I deeply appreciate everyone who has taken the time to help me with this work.

For a long time, I could not understand why the people with the power to help me wouldn't. I've never been wrong because I pay attention to all of this as if my life depended on it, simply because it does. All the warnings I tried to give have been proven to have come true yet leaders of many different groups would not provide me with the time of day to share the information before it all came to pass when something could have been done to prevent the suffering of thousands and their families.

Now I think I finally figured it out. It's not that I don't know what I'm talking about or have trouble articulating any of it. It's not that any of the information is wrong, because it's all supported with research and links. It's because they are blind to it all. The VA only sees what they are shown. They are dedicated people but they will not spend this kind of time researching any of this. They do not talk to people across the country and the world. They only talk to the people who come to them or read whatever the VA puts out. The service organizations also know they have a problem but they are reluctant to act to address it and when it is presented to them, they take offense as if they are being attacked. I've had many arguments with them over the years and when I do, I tell them that what I do would not do anyone any good unless they were there to treat, diagnose and assist the veterans with their claims. I need them where they are but I also need them to open their eyes and know what is coming and what they can do to get ahead of it for a change.

I know that if I happened to be a Republican, I would have all the support in the world. This is not a baseless claim. I've seen it when someone will watch one of my videos, call me a hero online one day and then slam me the next when they find out I'm not one of them. I've tried to help out on message boards and get involved with some of the military groups online, but have been turned down.

None of my PTSD videos are political but politics constantly plays into this. I help all veterans no matter what political party they happen to be in because they have my heart and tug at my soul. I fully support them because they are willing to risk their lives for the sake of this nation and it's not up to them where they go. They all need help and to avoid someone who happens to be a Democrat who can help them with this devastating wound is an injury to them. It would be one thing if they disagreed with my political view but supported my work but they will not even bother to notice that when I address PTSD, there is nothing political involved because PTSD does not care what political party they happen to be in.

When I come out and slam a politician it is not because of their political party, but it's because there is an assumption only Republicans support veterans, when their voting records prove that to be a false assumption. I slam John McCain because he claims he supports veterans but his record proves he does not whenever he's had the chance to prove it. He made the claim that he doesn't need lessons on what veterans need because he is such a supporter of them. This claim was allowed to just stand when he has an abysmal record on proving it.

What the Republicans do not see is that I will slam anyone who does not do the right thing for veterans, just as I did when Bill Clinton was president and would not address the backlog of claims or the issue that congress passed a stupid law that allowed the VA to collect for "non-service connected" treatments never once considering that any claim not approved was tagged as "non-service connected" even if the veteran had lost a leg to a bomb. No approved claim meant they would have to pay until a claim was approved. The ramifications of this rule had such far reaching affects that veterans have been suffering not just financially but feeling betrayed by the very same country they were wounded while serving.

As I said, I know a lot of powerful people who will not give me the time of day when it comes to this. They look at me as if I am not worthy of their help to help veterans, as ironic as that sounds. So now I'm shaking the dust off my feet when it comes to all of them. I'm done trying to get them to put politics aside and focus on what the veterans need and what can be done. I'm tired of acting as if they are more important than I am in this just because they have received the support to get them into the positions they are in. When people put politics first someone suffers. The veterans have been suffering needlessly because of this.

I will still go where I'm asked to go, but I'm done trying to be invited. I will no longer send updates on videos that I do to help to organizations who have failed to share them. I will no longer contact anyone or support any organization that cannot put the needs of the veterans above what political party I happen to belong to. I will no longer put up with being viewed as someone who is less patriotic or of lesser value than they are.

Above all I am done being hurt by people who question my faith because I take the words of Christ so seriously that I cannot take the easy road agreeing with people who are not following His word and treating people the way He said they should be treated. I am so serious about being a Christian that I was the head of Christian Education for a church for two years and became a Chaplain so that I could be of service the way Christ was. He helped all people no matter what faith they belonged to. Chaplains are not supposed to be about evangelizing. That is the job of the clergy and it's high time the evangelizing got out of the military and they returned to taking care of the spiritual needs of all no matter what faith they hold or if they hold no faith at all.

This also gets me slammed by the far right as well as other Christians who cannot understand that if one branch of the Christian faith is allowed to evangelize, that leaves them out. Do they ever stop to consider how many branches there are of Christianity? Do they notice that all Christians do not hold the same doctrine? If they noticed these glaring facts, they would have a problem with evangelizing in the military as well. It's also another reason why I'm asked to help a certain group one day and the next ignored.

I know this was a long rant but it's taken me a lot of years of frustration to reach this point. After 26 years doing this, you'd think that I would have had a lot more support than I do and I'm tired of fighting them wasting time I could have been just fighting for veterans.

NOTE: You know who this is addressed to and you have only yourself to blame. You would not help me to get the information I have to the veterans needing it, so all the veterans who contacted me when they are suicidal, remember there are many more who never found my work in time.
Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos

Namguardianangel@aol.com

http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/

Canadian Soldier-heroes to get medals

Soldier-heroes to get medals
The Canadian Press - OTTAWA

OTTAWA — Five members of combat team who fought their way out of an ambush in Afghanistan last spring are among 11 soldiers slated to get heroism medals from Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Two Stars of Military Valour - the country's second-highest award for gallantry under fire - and three Medals of Military Valour are being presented for a single action last spring.

On June 4, a joint Canadian-Afghan patrol ran into a three-sided Taliban ambush in Zhari district, west of Kandahar.

The unit was pinned down under heavy, sustained fire by militants who stubbornly clung to small patches of desert in the face of a Canadian operation to sweep them from the volatile region.

As bullets whipped around him, Capt. Jonathan Snyder rallied the troops to return fire and prodded Afghan soldiers to rescue wounded comrades lying exposed on open ground.

Fellow Canadians remembered Snyder declaring in the din of battle: "No one gets left behind!"

Cpl. James Ball led a two-man team across broken ground to find a way out of the ambush, while Capt. Robert Peel, Cpl. Steven Bancarz and Cpl. Cary Baker stood their ground to cover the unit's retreat.

Ball and Snyder have been awarded Stars of Military Valour, while Peel, Bancarz and Baker receive Medals of Military Valour.

Snyder died in a freak accident a few days after the ambush, falling into an open well during a night patrol.

As a tribute to his leadership and courage, Afghan soldiers turned up, along with two thousand NATO soldiers, at Snyder's ramp ceremony, where his body was repatriated to Canada.

The soldier's grief-stricken father, David Snyder, criticized the Afghan mission, telling reporters at the time that "war is stupid."

A Star of Military Valour will also be presented to Sgt. William MacDonald
Medal of Military Valour, Maj. Joseph Antoine Abboud,Cpl. Alexandre Dion, Master Cpl. Christopher Harding, Warrant Officer Tod Hopkin and Cpl. Bryce Keller posthumously

Fort Bliss soldier dies, another critically-injured in rollover

Fort Bliss soldier dies, another critically-injured in rollover

Posted: Oct 28, 2008 04:29 PM EDT

Updated: Oct 28, 2008 04:29 PM EDT

EL PASO -- A Fort Bliss soldier died and another was critically injured during a rollover crash late Friday night, Fort Bliss officials confirmed.

The wreck happened at 11:30 in the 8400 block of Gateway West near the intersection with Lee Trevino.

The injured driver was identified as 22-year-old PFC Shanon Sumter. His passenger -- 19-year-old PVT Olive Ellis died after the wreck.
http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=9253728&nav=AbC0

Iraq Veteran's Purple Heart Stolen From Home

Purple Heart Stolen From Soldier's Home

POSTED: 5:08 pm EDT October 28, 2008
SHELBY, N.S. -- Someone stole a Purple Heart from a soldier’s home in Cleveland County.

“I couldn't understand why someone would want to steal that,” he said.

He was awarded the Purple Heart after a roadside bomb in Iraq jarred the truck he was in. He was hospitalized for 13 months and eventually given a medical discharge from the Army.

On October 10, someone broke into his home just north of Shelby. He came home and learned two cell phones were missing.

“I went to the area where I had all my metals. They were all thrown around and I had a feeling that one would be taken,” he said.

The ribbon and metal that make up the Purple Heart are worth very little, but because it is only given to those injured on battle it's invaluable to Shytle.

“It just means sentimental value to me,” he said.
go here for more
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/17824393/detail.html

US Troops in Iraq are heavy smokers

U.S. troops in Iraq are heavy smokers
2:27 PM, October 28, 2008

American sailors and Marines stationed in Iraq are more than twice as likely to use tobacco products as the average American, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians.

In a survey of 408 Marines and sailors, Dr. Michael A. Wilson found 64% used some form of tobacco: 52% smoked cigarettes, 36% used smokeless tobacco and 24% used both. In contrast, the national average for tobacco use is 29.6%. Wilson found the rate of tobacco use is higher now among U.S. troops in Iraq than was found in a 2004 survey of troops returning from the war.
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Doctors work to rescue patients in Iraq's mental health system

Doctors work to rescue patients in Iraq's mental health system
Story Highlights
Patients crowd filthy rooms at Iraq's sole facility for treating severe mental disorders

Doctor says the mentally ill men and women have nowhere else to go

But health workers hope change for the better will come

By Phil Black
CNN

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The man sits gently rocking on the bed, one hand clutching a cloth, the other hiding his face from view.


He doesn't look up and he doesn't want to talk. His body language screams despair.

Across the tiled room, other men are sitting on thin, filthy mattresses atop metal bed frames.

"Our life is miserable. It is dirty. The food is bad. Life is very bad here," says one of them, Abu Ismaeil. "I'm always hungry. I do not want to lie. Shame on me if I lie."

Yet, in Iraq, these are some of the luckier ones, and even Abu Ismaeil agrees. Without the hospital. "I would commit suicide," he said.

Their clothes and surroundings may be drab, but these mentally ill people are fortunate to be in Al Rashad Hospital, Iraq's only treatment facility for severe psychiatric disorders.
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linked from ICasualties.org

Shocking, CNN has a typo "Arizona senator trails McCain"

Meanwhile, a new poll of polls in Florida shows a similar story. The Arizona senator trails McCain by 4 points there, 49 percent to 45 percent. That gap is 3 points higher than it was earlier today and is largely due to a newly released survey from LA Times/Bloomberg showing McCain down 7 points in the state. The Florida poll of polls also includes surveys from Suffolk University and Reuters/Zogby.

Polls show McCain not making up ground in Ohio
Posted: 09:00 PM ET
From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

McCain is still trailing in Ohio.
(CNN) — John McCain does not appear to be making up ground in Ohio, the key battleground state that is crucial to keeping his White House hopes alive.
According to CNN's latest poll of polls of the state, the Arizona senator now trails Obama by 6 points there, 50 percent to 44 percent. That gap is two points wider than it was Monday and double what it was one week ago.
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Glad to see that I'm not the only one who does this. I do it all the time but hardly ever catch CNN doing it.

Mother charged with beating 11 year old daughter to death

11-Year-Old Brooklyn Girl, Beaten to Death, Was All but Invisible Until She Died
By LESLIE KAUFMAN and KAREN ZRAICK
Alejandra Vasquez came to Brooklyn from Mexico about a month ago but was hidden — never enrolled in school, and unseen by child-welfare officials who visited.


Alejandra was unknown to the authorities until her body was discovered on Sunday morning, but her story in some ways echoes that of her older sister, Imelda, 14, who has been in foster care since January.

Imelda also came from Mexico after years away from her mother and did not regularly attend school here, records show; she told child-welfare officials that her mother frequently beat her with toys and a belt, and, in May, asked never to see her again.

The medical examiner ruled Alejandra’s death a homicide by blunt force trauma, and found evidence in an autopsy of ongoing beatings. “There were recent blunt-impact injuries to the head, torso and extremities” that were “in various stages of healing,” said a spokeswoman, Ellen Borakove.

On Monday night, Alejandra’s mother, 36-year-old Florencia Vasquez, was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in her daughter’s death. Her longtime companion, identified by the police as Andres Pavon — with whom Ms. Vasquez has children aged 3 and 1 — has been charged with second-degree manslaughter.

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Teen shot over vandalized McCain sign? What's next?

Teen shot over vandalized McCain sign, police say
Story Highlights
Man pleads not guilty to charges of felonious assault

Police: Youths admitted defacing McCain sign several times

It is the only McCain sign on a street full of Obama signs, police say

Teenagers probably will not be charged; one was shot in arm

(CNN) -- A Warren Township, Ohio, man faces charges of felonious assault after authorities say he fired his rifle at two teens who were attempting to deface his McCain presidential campaign yard sign.


Police say the man's sign is the only McCain sign on a street full of Obama signs.

Kenneth Rowles, 50, pleaded not guilty to the charge Monday, according to CNN affiliate WBNS.

Bail was set at $10,000.
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/28/yard.sign.shooting/index.html

Shepard Smith, FOX News, bravo on truth finally

Fox host berates 'Joe the Plumber' after McCain surrogate says Obama vote means 'death to Israel'
David Edwards and Nick Juliano
Published: Tuesday October 28, 2008


The all-out effort from John McCain's presidential campaign to scare voters into backing the Republican candidate continued apace on Tuesday as McCain surrogate Joe the Plumber agreed that a Barack Obama presidency would mean the "death of Israel" and end democracy in America.

The Ohio plumber, who has no license and is actually named Samuel Wurzelbacher, spoke at a McCain campaign event in Columbus Monday. A McCain supporter asked if "a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel." JTP hardly batted an eye.

"I'll go ahead and agree with you on that," Wurzelbacher said.

The push-back against Wurzelbacher's comments began, somewhat unexpectedly, at Fox News.

The network noted that the McCain campaign seemed hesitant to distance itself from Wurzelbacher. Correspondent Carl Cameron said that the McCain campaign was going to put out an ad today criticizing Obama policies on Israel.

"I just want to make this 100 percent perfectly clear, Barack Obama has said repeatedly and demonstrated repeatedly that Israel will always be a friend of the United States, no matter what happens once he becomes President of the United States, his words," Smith said after the interview ended. "The rest of it, man, it just gets frightening sometimes."
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Shepard Smith was one of the few people I used to watch on FOX, before they went nuts for the GOP and forgot about truth. I just want to say bravo for trying to get the truth out on what Samuel "Joe the plumber" Wurzelbacher, (who isn't a plumber, doesn't make over $250,000 and is not buying the business he works for according to the man who owns it) had to say this time. People like to repeat what makes sense to them, just like accusing Obama of supporting terrorists.

They also fail to understand one fact after another. When McCain says that Obama is the most liberal member, the facts don't back that up, but they say that every single time they are running against a Democrat. When McCain says "tax and spend" it is not true when it comes to people making less that $250,000, but even if it was true, it would be better than just spending and paying for nothing and increasing the debt our kids will have to pay. When they talk about socialists, do they think about what Palin is doing in Alaska spreading the oil wealth? There is so much people just repeat instead of knowing if it is true or not, Smith is right, it does get really frightening out there.

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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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."
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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."

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

Hostage escapes after 8 years in jungle of Columbia

Hostage escapes after 8 years in jungle
Story Highlights
Oscar Tulio Lizcano was kidnapped August 4, 2000 by Colombian leftist rebels

The ex-congressman fled about three days ago with help from one of his captors

The FARC holds an estimated 750 hostages in Colombia



BOGOTA, Colombia (CNN) -- A former Colombian congressman who was held hostage in the jungle for more than eight years has escaped -- with the help of a former captor.

Oscar Tulio Lizcano, his hair disheveled, appeared too weak to stand for long when he met the news media Sunday, hours after stumbling onto a military patrol -- and freedom.

Lizcano suffered from hunger and disease in captivity and endured isolation in the company of leftist rebels who often would not let him talk, he and Colombian authorities said.

"Maybe my incoherence is for a lack of speaking," Lizcano told reporters. "I was unable to talk with the guerillas who guarded me."

Lizcano said he had little to read in the jungle except "The Odyssey" by Homer. He suffered from malaria and other illnesses and once ate nothing but hearts of palm for six or seven days, said Juan Manuel Santos, the Colombian defense minister.

"This is big news for the whole family," said Lizcano's sister, Amparo Lizcano. "We were waiting for the guerrillas to give our brother back alive before he died."
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http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/10/27/hostage.escape/index.html

2 dead in Arkansas campus shooting

2 dead in Arkansas campus shooting

Story Highlights
NEW: Police: Four suspects sought in campus shooting; two at large

Two students were killed, one was wounded, officials say

Shooting prompted a lockdown at University of Central Arkansas in Conway

UCA serves about 12,500 full-time students
CNN) -- Police are searching for two suspects in the fatal shooting of two University of Central Arkansas students Sunday night, while two other suspects are in custody, authorities said Monday.

The first suspect was apprehended in his car shortly after the shooting, and a second turned himself in, said University of Central Arkansas police Lt. Preston Grumbles.

The four suspects are not university students, he said.

The shooting, which happened outside a dorm, prompted a campus lockdown and the cancellation of Monday classes at the university, which serves about 12,500 full-time students in Conway, Arkansas.

"This is something you pray never happens," a visibly upset Tom Courtway, interim university president, said Monday. "Our campus is safe."

Police said students Ryan Henderson, 18, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Chavares Block, 19, of Dermott, Arkansas, were killed. Henderson died at the scene, and Block died at Conway Regional Medical Center.

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U.S. copter shot down in Afghanistan

U.S. copter shot down in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan — Insurgents shot down a U.S. helicopter after exchanging fire with its crew in central Afghanistan on Monday.
By Fisnik Abrashi - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Oct 27, 2008 10:34:25 EDT

KABUL, Afghanistan — Insurgents shot down a U.S. helicopter after exchanging fire with its crew in central Afghanistan on Monday.

The helicopter was forced down in Wardak, one province west of Kabul, after insurgents hit it with gunfire Monday, said Lt. Cmdr. Walter Matthew, a U.S. military spokesman. The crew survived and has been extracted from the area, he said.

“The helicopter crew exchanged fire with the enemy before the damage brought the helicopter down,” Matthews said. Coalition troops secured the area and “are in the process of recovering” the helicopter, he said.
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8-year-old killed in gun show accident

8-year-old killed in gun show accident

WESTFIELD, Mass. – An 8-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself in the head while firing an Uzi submachine gun under adult supervision at a gun fair.

The boy lost control of the weapon while firing it Sunday at the Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo at the Westfield Sportsman's Club, police Lt. Lawrence Valliere said.

The boy, Christopher Bizilj of Ashford, Conn., was with a certified instructor and "was shooting the weapon down range when the force of the weapon made it travel up and back toward his head, where he suffered the injury," a police statement said.

Christopher died at Baystate Medical Center.

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A boy's body found in missing Chevy Suburban

A boy's body found in missing Chevy Suburban
October 27, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Investigators were working today to identify the body of a child found in a car on Chicago's West Side, while family members of Oscar-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson assumed the worst--that this was her missing nephew--and organized a noon church vigil.

The body was found in the white Chevrolet Suburban that police were looking for in their search for 7-year-old Julian King.

The Suburban with Illinois license plate X584859 was found in the 1300 block of South Kolin Avenue around 8 a.m. after police received a call of a suspicious vehicle. The SUV was towed away for evidence processing. Neighbors disputed how long it had been there. A resident of the block, LaShaun Bouie, 36, said it must have appeared after 3 a.m. Monday morning. Rasheem Jackson, 21, who lives a block away, thinks he remembers seeing it as early as Saturday. Police received a call for a suspicious car at 7 a.m.

If the boy is identified as Julian King, it will confirm detectives' worst fears because a law enforcement source said bullet casings were found in the boy's room on Friday. But the source said they had not found other evidence of violence in the room.

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http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/10/a-boys-body-
found-in-vehicle-on-west-side.html
linked from RawStory

PTSD is a war within the body

Post-traumatic stress is a war within the body, for the military and for civilians
By Marilyn Elias, USA TODAY
Post-traumatic stress disorder, once a poorly understood and little-known mental health problem, is turning up on the public's radar a lot more as growing numbers of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans seek treatment for the illness.
About one out of seven service members have returned from deployments with symptoms of the disorder, according to a Rand Corp. study out in April. The Department of Veterans Affairs reported about a 70% jump in veterans seeking treatment for PTSD in the 12 months before June 2007 and an additional 50% rise in the next nine months.
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-26-PTSD-main_N.htm?csp=34

PTSD:When ignorance is not bliss

When ignorance is not bliss
By Caterina Spinaris Tudor , Ph.D.
Published: 10/27/2008
Editor’s note: This story is being shared with us by Desert Waters Correctional Outreach. The non-profit organization and its newsletter, Correctional Oasis, are dedicated to the well being of correctional staff and their families.

Imagine this conversation.

Two correctional officers are chatting. One blurts out, “You wouldn’t believe what a wimp Pete turned out to be! He’s being treated for diabetes! I have no use for him anymore now that he’s on insulin!”

“I have no respect for him anymore either!” exclaims the other officer. “What a weakling! Why doesn’t he just get a grip? Dave is also a big loser. He was just diagnosed with skin cancer and high blood pressure. Can’t trust him with my back anymore!”

This exchange sounds totally ridiculous, doesn’t it? Now, replace the words “diabetes,” “skin cancer,” and “high blood pressure” with words such as “depression,” “panic attacks,” and “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.”

Do the put-downs of correctional employees struggling with psychological conditions sound more justifiable than of those struggling with physical illnesses?

Sadly, if you believe so, you’re not alone. More times than I can count I have been told by corrections staff that to them admission of psychological turmoil equals weakness.

Repeatedly I have also heard staff share how ashamed they feel for not being able to “get over it,” not being “strong enough to pull themselves up by their bootstraps” when it comes to battling with the darkness of depression or the torment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Many have added that they would lose their coworkers’ respect and perhaps even jeopardize their chances for promotion if it became known that they were experiencing psychological difficulties. Consequently several corrections staff who need help decline recommendations to start psychotherapy or to be evaluated by their physicians for psychotropic medications.

Instead, some choose to self-medicate with alcohol or even illegal drugs, preferring to risk their health, career and family rather than to seek appropriate treatment. In some tragic cases the reluctance to seek pharmaceutical or psychological help has cost lives. Other staff keep existing in a “blue”zone, with diminished quality of life and chronic under- functioning.
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http://www.corrections.com/news/article/19842

Australian Veterans linking together with PTSD

Soldiers echo calls for defence culture changes

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 27/10/2008
Reporter: John Stewart

Last week the Federal Government announced payments to families of four young soldiers who killed themselves after suffering bastardisation and bullying in the Defence Force. Soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after returning from overseas duty are also calling for a change in the way the military deals with soldiers suffering mental health problems.

Soldiers echo calls for defence culture changes
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http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2402797.htm

Orlando Sentinel editorial on new VA hospital

We think: Lawmakers need to follow through on new hospital for veterans
October 27, 2008
Because success has many fathers, as the saying goes, it's not surprising that almost every member of Congress who represents Central Florida is claiming credit for bringing a badly needed and long-awaited Veterans Affairs hospital to Orlando. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Friday for the $656 million medical center at Lake Nona.

This is one project lawmakers don't have to be embarrassed about. There are about 400,000 veterans in Central Florida. Orlando is the country's largest metropolitan region without a VA hospital. Area veterans and their leaders have spent years pushing for the facility. Some have died waiting.

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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed27308oct27,0,4794373.story

The only way the military will understand PTSD is if they live with it

The only way the military will understand PTSD is if they live with it. It's as simple as that.

Frank Wheeler showed all the signs of PTSD. Doctors in the military did not agree and when they did acknowledge it, one of them said it was no excuse for domestic violence. The problem is if they understood PTSD, they would also know that too often, domestic violence is the result of untreated PTSD.

Flashbacks are a big part of it. There have been wives who have been "punched out" while their husband was having a flashback and the wife yelled at them. It's very frustrating talking to someone who is not paying attention, especially when it happens to be your own husband. In a flashback, the veteran is not in the room with you. They are back to where their lives were in danger. When they react to you, they are reacting to someone who is a threat to them and not "you" their wife. If you know what PTSD, then you know you have to adapt how you deal with them, notice the signs of them in moments of flashbacks and calmly handle the situation.

Nightmares are another problem when it comes to PTSD. Again, they are not in the bed next to you. In their dreams, they are back in combat. You are not their wife at the moment you decide to shake them awake or yell at them because you are frustrated with one more night of broken sleep. You are their enemy. Wives have ended up with black eyes and broken noses because they were in striking distance. If wives know what PTSD is, they know not to wake them up from a nightmare the way they would automatically do without thinking.

Even in arguments, there are ways to reduce the aggravation of PTSD symptoms and reduce the "enemy factor" when things are getting out of hand. Yet if the wife does not fully understand PTSD, they do become a victim of domestic violence too much of the time.

They end up calling the police. The husband is arrested. Wives walk away. Why? Because still to this day, after all these years, too many spouses are without the knowledge of any of this. While the military has done a lot better job of treating PTSD, they have taken only baby steps to really address all that is involved in it. They need to get up to speed on this before more military families have to go through what the Wheeler family did.

Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
www.Namguardianangel.org
www.Woundedtimes.blogspot.com
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington

Staff photo by Raul R. Rubiera
Frank Wheeler sits with his family: wife, Katie, and sons, Christopher Wheeler, 1, Curt Hodge, 9, left, Kai Hodge, 6, right, and Warren Hodge, 8, top.

PTSD diagnosis doesn’t always carry through


By Michael N. Graff
Staff writer
In his dreams, former Sgt. Frank Wheeler says he finds himself in the war in Iraq.

Maybe he’s back on that road near Fallujah, responding to an IED attack, peering into a truck only to see clear through the skull of an Iraqi interpreter.

Or maybe he’s responding to reports of sniper fire and sees his best friend shot in the back of the neck and paralyzed.

Or maybe he is near Forward Operating Base Loyalty, where he is leading his platoon in pursuit of enemy forces through a neighborhood and into small-arms fire.

For his actions in that battle, Wheeler earned the Army Commendation Medal with Valor. The Army called his leadership “in the keeping of the finest traditions of military heroism.”

But this week, six years after the start of what had been a promising military career, Wheeler is leaving the Army in disgrace — as a private with a less than honorable discharge.

Army officials say privacy laws prohibit them from discussing the reasons for Wheeler’s dismissal.

But his military records show a pattern of being absent without leave and a history of domestic abuse that got so bad that the Hoke County Department of Social Services found it necessary to remove his children from their home.

Wheeler doesn’t deny that he has had problems, but he blames most of them on post-traumatic stress disorder. He accuses the Army of unjustly punishing him and dropping its original diagnosis of PTSD only after he began to break rules and laws. Records show Wheeler’s diagnosis was changed five days after an arrest in March.

Army officials can’t respond to that charge for legal reasons. But Lt. Col. Brian Burlingame, the deputy commander for clinical services at Womack Army Medical Center, said a diagnosis has never been changed for any reason other than medical merit.

Because of the layers of uncertainty that accompany many PTSD cases, such as this one, it’s difficult to ascertain whether Wheeler is a mentally ill veteran who was unfairly treated, or whether he is a mentally stable veteran who brought his troubles on himself.

What is known is that since the start of the war on terror six years ago, the Army has vastly improved its services for identifying and treating PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

Still, gaps and inconsistencies in care exist, according to a recent national study. Mental illnesses are flush with gray areas, leaving open the possibility of differences of opinions by doctors.

Moreover, those illnesses are difficult to understand for people not living with them.

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http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=308567

Military families meet with Michelle Obama

Obama's point woman with military families: his wife, Michelle Obama
Craig Lassig / Associated Press
MICHELLE OBAMA: Like military spouses, she juggles multiple roles — wife, mother, working woman — she says.
The voting bloc, which traditionally goes Republican, could prove crucial in swing states like North Carolina.
By Dahleen Glanton
October 26, 2008
Reporting from Jacksonville, N.C. -- As a major component of his presidential bid, Democratic nominee Barack Obama has deployed his wife on a mission to win over military families, many of them traditional Republicans. She has targeted the group with whom she hopes to forge an alliance -- wives of servicemen.

In a series of round-table discussions and rallies in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and New Mexico -- all battleground states -- Michelle Obama has discussed how she, like military spouses, juggles work and family. On the campaign trail she describes herself in simple terms -- a mother, a lawyer and a wife who grew up in a blue-collar family in working-class Chicago. (Educated at Harvard, she earned more than $300,000 in 2005 as a hospital executive.)

Wives vent to her about the difficulty of raising children while their husbands are away. They share stories about the loneliness, financial challenges and fears that come with being a military spouse.

"We all have some fundamental things in common," Michelle Obama recently told a crowd of veterans and relatives of service members from Camp Lejeune, N.C., from which nearly 60,000 Marines are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. "We share a vision of a system that does more to support military families, both when your loved ones are deployed and long after they return.

"We've all been touched by this economic crisis that our nation is facing. . . . You feel it when you pay for groceries . . . and when you fill up your tank," she said.


But the military is not a voting bloc that John McCain, the Republican nominee, will give up without a fight. He has enlisted a former Navy buddy and fellow prisoner of war in Vietnam to appeal directly to veterans. McCain's wife, Cindy, also has spoken to military groups.

Military voters in 2004 favored President Bush over Democratic challenger John F. Kerry, 57% to 41%. A poll released this month by the Military Times showed active-duty service members supporting McCain over Obama, 68% to 23%. However, the Military Times pointed out that the respondents were subscribers who were older, held more senior ranks and were less ethnically diverse than the military as a whole.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-michelle26-2008oct26,0,6927360.story

On more huge point is that the bulk of military donations went to Obama and Paul. When it comes to voting with their wallets, they did not pick McCain. They understand that just because someone is a veteran, it does not mean they support veterans. They understand that while McCain has not served on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Obama has and since he added his weight to the issues for veterans, things have been changing for the better in the last couple of years. Before that, veterans were pretty much left out of the thought process of the congress. No matter what the Democrats tried to do to help veterans, they were blocked by people like McCain who said when it came to Jim Webb's GI Bill, it was "too generous" instead of wanting to do all that was possible for the sake of the veterans. McCain's record stinks when it comes to veterans and they understand this as well.

Finding Jesus on Facebook, and Checking Podcasts for a Pew That Fits

Finding Jesus on Facebook, and Checking Podcasts for a Pew That Fits
By APRIL DEMBOSKY
Some churches are branching out into sites like Facebook and MySpace and weaving multimedia elements into their services in an effort to attract younger worshipers.
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Neighbors save Bremerton mayor's home from fire

Neighbors save Bremerton mayor's home from fire

The Associated Press
BREMERTON, Wash. — The Bremerton Fire Dept. credits the quick actions of neighbors from preventing what it says could have been a serious fire from spreading at Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman's home.

Capt. Paul Golnik says the actions of John Didio and his 24-year-old son, Zachary, helped prevent Saturday's blaze from growing.

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Sorry Palin, Alaska's largest newspaper endorses Barack Obama

Oct 26, 5:13 PM EDT


Alaska's largest newspaper endorses Barack Obama


AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Watch Related Video

Obama: McCain Criticisms Reach 'whole New Level'


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- The Anchorage Daily News, Alaska's largest newspaper, has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president.

The newspaper said Sunday the Democrat "brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand."

The Daily News said since the economic crisis has emerged, Republican presidential candidate John McCain has "stumbled and fumbled badly" in dealing with it.

"Of the two candidates, Sen. Obama better understands the mortgage meltdown's root causes and has the judgment and intelligence to shape a solution, as well as the leadership to rally the country behind it," the paper said.

The Daily News said Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has shown the country why she is a success as governor. But the paper said few would argue that Palin is truly ready to step into the job of being president despite her passion, charisma and strong work ethic.

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Marine Reservist survived Iraq but not carjacking back home

Shooting victim served in Iraq

By Todd Ruger


Published: Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 10:11 p.m.
SARASOTA - Delvis Fernandez served eight months with the Marine Reserves in Iraq, often manning a 50-caliber gun on the lead car in dangerous supply convoys.


The 2005 Booker High School graduate returned home to Sarasota in April, where he rejoined his minor league football team and enrolled in classes to prepare for a career in the Sarasota Police Department.

But on his way home from class Friday afternoon, Fernandez, 21, was shot and killed in what police believe was a carjacking in the parking lot of a Newtown convenience store.

"It was in broad daylight for no apparent reason," said Orlando Pacheco, who roomed with Fernandez in Iraq. "We're just in shock right now. It was just like any other day."

Fernandez died at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Friday, the day before the final tryouts for the Sarasota Millionaires, a football team that he also used as a conduit to to volunteer in the community.

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Woman goes to auction, buys house back for owner. WOW

Foreclosure angel 2:21
A woman buys a stranger's foreclosed home... and gives it back to her. WFAA has the story.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/10/26/diaz.tx.foreclosure.angel.wfaa

Looks like CNN just had another person to add to their list of heroes!

Three people stabbed in Publix parking lot

3 people stabbed in Publix parking lot
Oct 26, 2008 16:00 -0400
Updated: 56 minutes ago
3 people stabbed in Publix parking lot
Susan Jacobson Sentinel Staff Writer
4:00 PM EDT, October 26, 2008
At least three people were stabbed today in the parking lot of a Rosemont Publix, Orlando police said.
Lamar Maurice Shannon was in custody this afternon on aggravated-battery charges. Shannon approached a vehicle with people he knew inside, and three of four were stabbed, police said. All injuries are said not to be life-threatening. The shopping center is at 5800 N. Orange Blossom Trail.
Check back for updates.

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS CONTACT THE POLICE AND HELP THEM OUT.

4 high school cheerleaders killed in Tennessee crash

4 high school cheerleaders killed in Tennessee crash
Story Highlights
Four cheerleaders were killed when SUV collides with oncoming car

Passenger in car was also killed; another passenger lost unborn child

Investigators say weather was a factor in accident
HUNTSVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- A rural East Tennessee community was grieving Saturday after a fiery car crash killed five people, including four high school cheerleaders who died hours after they had been cheering on their football team.

A sport utility vehicle carrying the cheerleaders collided with an oncoming car late Friday night on a wet, foggy highway in Scott County, northwest of Knoxville, authorities said. A passenger in the other car also was killed and three more were injured, among them, a woman who lost her unborn child.

go here for more

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/25/tennessee.crash.ap/index.html

Troops Teaching Afghan farmers modern techniques

Teaching Afghan farmers modern techniques

GHAZNI, Afghanistan

By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Oct 26, 2008 15:49:29 EDT
The $172,000, 53-acre Jungal Bagh demonstration farm north of town is a refreshingly green patch of land that soon will become a centerpiece of an effort to bring local farmers out of the dark ages.

The farm will have a power generation system, cool storage capability, a greenhouse, a cistern, an orchard, row crops and beehives, giving local farmers a place to learn new, more efficient and productive techniques. The Texas National Guard’s Agribusiness Development Team is developing the project.

“We want to transfer technology and techniques to the local farmers,” said Maj. Conan Martin, the agribusiness team chief, who has a background in biology, chemistry and pharmaceuticals.

That will enable farmers, who make up at least 70 percent of the population, to move from subsistence farming to productive farming, Martin said.

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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/army_afghan_demofarm_102608w/

Barbara West Orlando TV Anchor asked Biden if Obama is a Marxist. Shame on her!

So much for everyone working together. Barbara West did the opening remarks at the Orlando VA ground breaking ceremony I attended. I posted about how wonderful it was that people from all sides came together for the sake of the veterans. It really was great that everyone there was there for the greater good. Now, after this question from West, whatever she had to say for veterans, now seems like empty words.

West quoted Karl Marx

"You may recognize this famous quote," West said. "'From each according to his abilities to each according to his needs.' That's from Karl Marx. How is Sen. Obama not being a Marxist if he intends to spread the wealth around?"

This quote came after even Greenspan admitted that this is what has to be done to fix the economy of this nation. While McCain fails to understand that greed is not good and fails to understand what any economist is talking about, people like West use great words from a polarizing figure instead of a beloved figure like Christ who said basically the same thing. Gee, wonder why she did that?

This whole interview was not an interview a journalist would do but one a political attack queen would do. If she really cared about the veterans as she claimed the other day when she was standing in front of all gathered for the ceremony to begin construction on the VA hospital, she would have mentioned the fact that McCain has been voting against the veterans all these years. His record speaks for itself.

This is from the AFLCIO

McCAIN HAS NOT DELIVERED ON HIS PROMISES TO VETERANS

Union members respect Sen. John McCain’s service to our country. When will he start respecting ours? Although McCain talks about his support for veterans, he repeatedly votes against increased funding for veterans’ health care—and more. We call on John McCain to join us in supporting our veterans and working to turn around America.

McCAIN REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST VETERANS’ HEALTH BENEFITS

McCain Opposes the 21st Century GI Bill Because It Is Too Generous. McCain did not vote on the GI Bill that will provide better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would “encourage more people to leave the military.” (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/08; Boston Globe, 5/23/08; ABCNews.com, 5/26/08)

McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans’ Health Care. Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans’ health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans’ health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07)

Opposed an Assured Funding Stream for Veterans’ Health Care. McCain opposed providing an assured funding stream for veterans’ health care, taking into account annual changes in veterans’ population and inflation. (S.Amdt. 3141 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 63, 3/16/06)

McCain Voted Against Adding More Than $400 Million for Veterans’ Care. McCain was one of 13 Republicans to vote against providing an additional $430 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. (S.Amdt. 3642 to H.R. 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06)

Voted Against Establishing a $1 Billion Trust Fund for Military Health Facilities. McCain voted against establishing a $1 billion trust fund to improve military health facilities by refusing to repeal tax cuts for those making more than $1 million a year. (S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297, Vote 7, 2/2/06)

McCain Opposed $500 Million for Counseling Services for Veterans with Mental Disorders. McCain voted against an amendment to appropriate $500 million annually from 2006-2010 for counseling, mental health and rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder or substance abuse. (S. 2020, S.Amdt. 2634, Vote 343, 11/17/05)

McCain Voted in Support of Disabled Veterans Only 25 Percent of the Time from 2004-2005. While McCain claims he “has been a leading advocate” for veterans with disabilities, statistics show he supported the Disabled American Veterans’ interests only 25 percent of the time in 2004-2005. In 2006, that figure slipped to 20 percent of the time. (Project Vote Smart)

McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans. McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-ofliving adjustments for certain veterans’ benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91)

INCLUDING BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR GUARD AND RESERVISTS

McCain Opposed Increasing Spending on TRICARE and Giving Greater Access to National Guard and Reservists. Although his campaign website devotes a large section to veterans issues, including expanding benefits for reservists and members of the National Guard, McCain voted against increasing spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy. (www.johnmccain.com/Informing/ Issues/9cb5d2aa-f237-464e-9cdf-a5ad32771b9f.htm; S.Amdt. 324 to S.C.R. 23, Vote 81, 3/25/03)

McCAIN ALSO VOTED TO OUTSOURCE JOBS AT MILITARY FACILITIES

McCain Supported Outsourcing VA Jobs. McCain opposed an amendment that would have prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from outsourcing jobs, many held by blue-collar veterans, without first giving the workers a chance to compete. (S.Amdt. 2673 to H.R. 2642, Vote 315, 9/6/07)

He Also Supported Outsourcing at Walter Reed. McCain opposed an amendment to prevent the outsourcing of 350 federal employee jobs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center—outsourcing that contributed to the scandalous treatment of veterans at Walter Reed that McCain called a “disgrace.” (S.Amdt. 4895 to H.R. 5631, Vote 234, 9/6/06; Speech to VFW in Kansas City, Mo., 4/4/08)

AND HE REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST FUNDING FOR THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

2003: McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion for Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included $122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. (H.R. 2861, Vote 449, 11/12/03)

2001: McCain Voted Against $51 Billion in Veterans Funding. McCain was one of five senators to vote against the bill and seven to vote against the conference report that provided $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as funding for the federal housing, environmental and emergency management agencies and NASA. (H.R. 2620, Vote 334, 11/8/01; Vote 269, 8/2/01)

2000: McCain Voted Against $47 Billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of eight senators to vote against a bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (H.R. 4635, Vote 272, 10/12/00)

1999: McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion for Veterans Programs. McCain was one of five senators to vote against a bill providing $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, plus funding for other federal agencies. (H.R. 2684, Vote 328, 10/15/99)

1996: McCain Voted Against a $13 Billion Increase in Funding for Veterans Programs. McCain voted against an amendment to increase spending on veterans programs by $13 billion. (S.C.R. 57, Vote 115, 5/16/96)

1995: McCain Voted to Underfund Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 billion. (H.R. 2099, Vote 470, 9/27/95)

1995: McCain Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes to Increase Veterans Funding by $74 Million. McCain voted against eliminating tax breaks and closing tax loopholes to provide revenue to restore some of the proposed cuts in Veterans Affairs spending. (S.C.R. 13, Vote 226, 5/25/95)

1994: McCain Voted Against Funding the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of nine senators to vote against appropriating $90 billion in budget authority for the Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development departments. (H.R. 4624, Vote 306, 9/27/94)


http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_vets.cfm

Central Florida veterans have been waiting too many years to have a hospital built here. Did West ever wonder how much faster they would have had one if McCain had really supported the veterans she claims to love? Did West ever ask McCain why he voted against all these bills for veterans or why he has received such low rankings from all the major service organizations? Has West even attempted to be a real journalist on McCain's record or on Obama's record, what he's done since he's been in the Senate or the fact that while McCain did not see fit to serve on the Veterans Affairs committee, Obama has?

West has just turned a wonderful day of unity for the sake of the veterans into something I will now remember as a bunch of empty words when it comes to the veterans who have been suffering. The same veterans I've been fighting for 26 years for. The same veterans who are turned away from VA hospitals, have had their claims denied yet served this nation and did all we asked of them. Too many have taken there own lives because people in the media failed them. They failed to report on the miserable records of politicians who voted against taking care of them. Now I put West into that category. Shame on her!!!

Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos

Namguardianangel@aol.com

http://www.namguardianangel.org/

http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington

Orlando TV Anchor conducts 'unprofessional interview' of Biden
David Edwards and Andrew McLemore
Published: Saturday October 25, 2008


"Are you joking?"

That was one of Sen. Joe Biden's responses during an interview with a Florida news station that the Obama campaign said was so "unprofessional" it canceled another planned interview with his wife, Jill Biden.

Barbara West conducted the interview for WFTV-Channel 9 and asked the Democratic vice presidential candidate if Sen. Barack Obama was a "Marxist," referenced a recent statement Obama made in Ohio to Joe the lumber about "spreading the wealth around," and was Biden "embarassed" about Obama's alleged ties to ACORN.

"You may recognize this famous quote," West said. "'From each according to his abilities to each according to his needs.' That's from Karl Marx. How is Sen. Obama not being a Marxist if he intends to spread the wealth around?"

Biden did not immediately take the question seriously.

"Are you joking? Is this a joke or is that a real question?" Biden said. "It's a ridiculous comparison with all due respect."

For her final question, West asked Biden what he would say to the people "who are concerned that Barack Obama will want to turn American into a socialist country, much like Sweden?"

WFTV news director Bob Jordan defended the interview as hard-hitting journalism and rebuked criticisms of West as mere complaints that she didn't ask "softball questions," The Orlando Sentinel reported.

"When you get a shot to ask these candidates, you want to make the most of it," Jordan said. "They usually give you five minutes."

But the Obama campaign lambasted the station for its "100 percent false" statements that Obama worked for ACORN and for the "combative" nature of the interview.
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By the way ACORN did what they were supposed to do when idiots decided to sign up fake applicants. They flagged the applications because they had to turn in all of them under the law. They also had to pay for them. ACORN was supported by McCain as well for the work they do, which for the most part has been fantastic for Democrats and Republicans and our Democracy. Does West know what a small percentage the fake applications are? Does she know this is not vote fraud because none of these fake names will show up to vote? Give me a break!!!

Bush spreading war into Syria now?

US soldiers attacked building inside Syria: reportAgence France-Presse
Published: Sunday October 26, 2008



DAMASCUS (AFP) — American helicopter-borne troops launched an assault on Sunday on a building in a Syrian border village with Iraq, killing eight civilians, official Syrian media reported.

"Four American helicopters violated Syrian airspace around 16:45 local time (1345 GMT) on Sunday," state television and the official SANA news agency said.

"American soldiers" who had emerged from helicopters "attacked a civilian building under construction and fired at workmen inside, causing eight deaths," the reports said.

"The helicopters then left Syrian territory towards Iraqi territory," SANA said.

Earlier, the private television channel al-Dunia said nine civilians died in the attack on the village of Al-Sukkiraya, around 550 kilometres (340 miles) northeast of the capital in the Abu Kamal area.

"We are in the process of investigating this," Sergeant Brooke Murphy, a US military spokeswoman, told AFP in Baghdad.
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Remembrance Day 2008: Combating Addictions

Veteran Substance Abuse
Remembrance Day 2008: Combating Addictions
© Karen Stephenson

Oct 25, 2008

Their tour of duty has ended but for thousands of servicemen and women, the battle for sanity can last a lifetime. Substance abuse and PTSD takes it toll on our veterans.

Demanding environments that leave images of human carnage, shrills of horror and the stench of burned flesh transforms a healthy mind into one that desperately needs help.

In a 2003 report, Veteran Affairs (VA) in the U.S. reported that 81% of veterans had a serious psychiatric or substance abuse disorder. 33% suffered from both. Although accurate numbers are difficult to verify, the VA estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, 42 % of those served in Vietnam.

Kathie Costos, an IOFC Senior Ordained Chaplain has spent twenty-five years of her life dedicated to helping those American servicemen and women who fought for freedom and democracy. Ms. Costos states: “Veterans are misdiagnosed as being alcoholic or drug addicts, but the truth is they are not addicted to the chemicals.” She says that veterans are seeking relief from the pain that combat has left them with. Ms. Costos also says that many veterans are treated as addicts without getting to the root of the real problem, post traumatic stress disorder.
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http://substanceabuse.suite101.com/article.cfm/veteran_substance_abuse