8 hurt in crash with ambulance on Northwest Side
October 31, 2008 at 1:30
Eight people were hurt in a traffic crash involving three cars and a fire department ambulance near Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center on the Northwest Side.
The crash happened about 9:10 a.m. at Addison Street and Menard Avenue, according to Chicago Fire Department Cmdr. Will Knight. None of the injuries was believed to be life-threatening, police said after assessing initial reports.
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Friday, October 31, 2008
I approved of this ad because I don't approve of the way they're treating our country
From coast to coast we hear the attack ads over and over and over again. It seems as if everyone has something nasty to say about the people they are running against. What else can they really do? When one tries to be positive and the other goes after them, if they just fight back but don't fight even, they are viewed as not wanting the job badly enough. We've seen Obama take the high road but after all these stupid attacks against him that really have nothing to do with him, he's ready to attack McCain again according to reports, only this time, addressing his age and I hope how if anything happens to McCain health wise, we'll have to address Palin as President, which is something that no spooky creature would even be able to tolerate. Happy Halloween by the way.
What I want to hear from Obama is a simple statement that could sum it all up. In the end of his commercial when he says that he approved of "this message" he should add in, "because I don't approve of the way this country has been run" or "the way the American people have been treated" along those lines. After all, isn't that what an election is all about? No one wants to keep doing the same thing when nothing seems to be working, except McCain that is. So why not just tell it like it is as simple as it is so that when people go to vote, they have that thought in their mind? Do they approve of the way things are? If they do, then vote for McCain. If not, then vote for Obama and show how much they don't approve either. It will set the tone for the next four years and keep it in the minds of the rest of people running this country, this isn't the way you like it. kc
What I want to hear from Obama is a simple statement that could sum it all up. In the end of his commercial when he says that he approved of "this message" he should add in, "because I don't approve of the way this country has been run" or "the way the American people have been treated" along those lines. After all, isn't that what an election is all about? No one wants to keep doing the same thing when nothing seems to be working, except McCain that is. So why not just tell it like it is as simple as it is so that when people go to vote, they have that thought in their mind? Do they approve of the way things are? If they do, then vote for McCain. If not, then vote for Obama and show how much they don't approve either. It will set the tone for the next four years and keep it in the minds of the rest of people running this country, this isn't the way you like it. kc
Maine Gunman Held Fifth-Graders Hostage
Maine Gunman Held Fifth-Graders Hostage
55-Year-Old Man Arrested By State Troopers; No Students Were Hurt
Comments 141
STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine, Oct. 31, 2008
(CBS/ AP) A gunman who had been on the lam for a week held 11 fifth-graders hostage at a school Friday but was tackled outside a classroom without any harm to the children, police said.
Randall Hofland, 55, had released all the students and had turned over a gun to one of the former hostages before he was arrested at Stockton Springs Elementary School, authorities said.
He was taken to jail and all of the school's pupils, about 80, were taken by bus to an elementary school in neighboring Searsport, where witnesses were being questioned by police.
"These children are very brave. They did a tremendous job," Gov. John Baldacci said.
The gunman walked into a fifth-grade classroom around the start of the day. The teacher escaped to call the police, leaving the students alone with the gunman, according to reporter Amy Erickson of CBS affiliate WABI in Bangor.
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55-Year-Old Man Arrested By State Troopers; No Students Were Hurt
Comments 141
STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine, Oct. 31, 2008
(CBS/ AP) A gunman who had been on the lam for a week held 11 fifth-graders hostage at a school Friday but was tackled outside a classroom without any harm to the children, police said.
Randall Hofland, 55, had released all the students and had turned over a gun to one of the former hostages before he was arrested at Stockton Springs Elementary School, authorities said.
He was taken to jail and all of the school's pupils, about 80, were taken by bus to an elementary school in neighboring Searsport, where witnesses were being questioned by police.
"These children are very brave. They did a tremendous job," Gov. John Baldacci said.
The gunman walked into a fifth-grade classroom around the start of the day. The teacher escaped to call the police, leaving the students alone with the gunman, according to reporter Amy Erickson of CBS affiliate WABI in Bangor.
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War, not voting, focus of soldiers in Iraq
A few things bother me with this. The first is, if the military does not know how they vote, then why do they keep saying that the majority vote Republican? Next, the percentage. "In the last federal election, only about 30 percent of overseas military ballots were tallied" which seems really, really low considering they make the claim the military votes Republican. Up until this election, there was the assumption that the vast majority of the US troops overseas were voting Republican but now that I think of it, they really have no way of knowing how anyone voted. All this means is that for all these years we've been told the troops vote GOP, we've been had.
It also makes sense that the bulk of contributions from members of the military have gone to Obama and Paul, not McCain. As you read down, you'll see that one of the complaints the troops have is that McCain has been tied to Bush and they see Bush for what he did to Iraq and to the country. This also shows that the statistical data is right and troops are a reflection of the nation as a whole. They are Democrats and Republicans and Independents along with the minor parties just like the rest of us. The biggest difference is, they the ones risking their lives doing what the nation sent them to do without having the benefit of deciding who takes over next. The soldiers who do want to vote are not getting what they need as fast as they need it to do it. I wonder if they know how badly McCain has done on his votes for when they become veterans?
It also makes sense that the bulk of contributions from members of the military have gone to Obama and Paul, not McCain. As you read down, you'll see that one of the complaints the troops have is that McCain has been tied to Bush and they see Bush for what he did to Iraq and to the country. This also shows that the statistical data is right and troops are a reflection of the nation as a whole. They are Democrats and Republicans and Independents along with the minor parties just like the rest of us. The biggest difference is, they the ones risking their lives doing what the nation sent them to do without having the benefit of deciding who takes over next. The soldiers who do want to vote are not getting what they need as fast as they need it to do it. I wonder if they know how badly McCain has done on his votes for when they become veterans?
War, not voting, focus of soldiers in Iraq
Antiquated, flawed process impedes voting for some combat troops
MOSUL, Iraq - Car bombs rather than Obama, making it home rather than McCain dominate the talk among many U.S. soldiers in Iraq's deadliest city during the final countdown to America's presidential election.
Dangers, distance from home and the dawn-to-dark effort in an alien environment push U.S. politics into a corner for many soldiers — especially in combat outposts where television and the Internet are not readily available.
"Regardless of who wins the election, we are going to be here 15 months. And our mission is not going to be fundamentally affected, at least in the short term," said Capt. Justin Davis Harper after returning from a patrol into the northern city of Mosul's most violent zone.No public voting data
How soldiers in Iraq or anywhere else vote will not be accurately known since government agencies do not make such data public.
"My guess is that the military will continue to vote Republican but less so in that direction because this time there are conflicting impulses at work," said Richard H. Kohn at the University of North Carolina.
McCain, a former Navy pilot and Vietnam War POW, is attractive to service members and "adept at its language," Kohn said. "But at the same time, I detect a disappointment and even anger at the way Bush has managed, ranging from treatment of the wounded to gross errors in waging the war in Iraq."go here for more
Mentally ill deserve voting rights, advocates say
Mentally ill deserve voting rights, advocates say
Story Highlights
State advocates help those with mental disabilities register, vote
Critics say that allowing outsiders to help could influence votes
All but 11 states have laws limiting voting rights based on competence
Expert says mentally ill have more at stake because they rely on government
RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) -- Clyde Hoy has missed only one election. It was 2002, and the manic depression he had battled for nearly 20 years had taken hold again, landing him in a state psychiatric hospital.
"I wanted to vote, but I felt that I didn't have any right at all," said the 48-year-old. "I asked, and nobody gave me an answer. There wasn't an option."
Advocates are working to change that with a nationwide effort to make sure those with mental disabilities know their rights and exercise them on Election Day.
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/31/mentally.ill.voting.ap/index.html
Non-combat death in Iraq
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DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Scott J. Metcalf, 36, of Framingham, Mass., died Oct. 29, in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
The incident is under investigation
Did Louisiana forget what McCain did when New Orleans was suffering?
CNN Electoral Map update: McCain loses ground
Posted: 05:51 PM ET
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
Check out CNN's Electoral Map
(CNN) — Some tough news for John McCain in his own backyard, as his home state of Arizona moves from “safe McCain” to “lean McCain” in the latest CNN poll of polls.
And the Republican nominee continues to lose ground in reliably-red areas, as North Dakota moves from “lean McCain” to “toss-up” – meaning three electoral votes that had been counted for McCain are now considered up for grabs.
But there’s some good news for McCain down south: Louisiana has moved from “lean McCain” to “safe McCain.” And the movement on the map is far from done.
Posted: 05:51 PM ET
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
Check out CNN's Electoral Map
(CNN) — Some tough news for John McCain in his own backyard, as his home state of Arizona moves from “safe McCain” to “lean McCain” in the latest CNN poll of polls.
And the Republican nominee continues to lose ground in reliably-red areas, as North Dakota moves from “lean McCain” to “toss-up” – meaning three electoral votes that had been counted for McCain are now considered up for grabs.
But there’s some good news for McCain down south: Louisiana has moved from “lean McCain” to “safe McCain.” And the movement on the map is far from done.
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Here's a few pictures to remind them that when it came to their own people drowning in New Orleans, this is what Bush and McCain were doing instead of taking care of the people who needed them.
While New Orleans was under water, people were dying,,,,,
this is what was more important to both of them.
Political Storm Finds a Columbia Professor
Political Storm Finds a Columbia Professor
By MARC SANTORA and ELISSA GOOTMAN
Rashid Khalidi, a passionate defender of Palestinian rights, has found himself portrayed as part of a rogues’ gallery of Barack Obama associates.
click link for more but I have a feeling if you're reading this blog, you won't feel any need to. It's a lot more of nothing from McCain and Palin. You could ask McCain why the same man received a boat load of money from the board McCain is the chair of, but I doubt you would get an answer.
By MARC SANTORA and ELISSA GOOTMAN
Rashid Khalidi, a passionate defender of Palestinian rights, has found himself portrayed as part of a rogues’ gallery of Barack Obama associates.
He was an adviser to the Palestinian delegation during Middle East peace talks from 1991 to 1993. From 1987 until 2003, he was a professor at the University of Chicago, where he became friends with Mr. Obama.
At Mr. Khalidi’s farewell party in 2003, according to the Los Angeles Times article, Mr. Obama fondly recalled their many conversations, saying they provided “consistent reminders to me of my own blind spots and my own biases.” But Mr. Khalidi told Harper’s Magazine that a report in National Review Online that he had baby-sat for Mr. Obama’s children was nonsense
click link for more but I have a feeling if you're reading this blog, you won't feel any need to. It's a lot more of nothing from McCain and Palin. You could ask McCain why the same man received a boat load of money from the board McCain is the chair of, but I doubt you would get an answer.
University of Washington students tried to save man who set himself on fire
Former UW staffer dies after setting fire to self
A former University of Washington staff member died Thursday after dousing himself with gasoline and setting himself on fire in Red Square.
By Will Mari and Nick Perry
Seattle Times staff reporters
A former University of Washington staff member died Thursday after dousing himself with gasoline and setting himself on fire in Red Square.
The 61-year-old man, who was not named by officials pending notification of his next of kin, was a recent employee, according to UW assistant police Chief Ralph Robinson.
UW spokesman Norm Arkans said the man separated from the university over the summer, but declined to elaborate on the circumstances.
"We don't know why he did this," said Robinson. "There were no protests or demonstrations going on, so we don't think it was political. He wasn't in a fight as far as we know. We just don't know what drove him."
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A former University of Washington staff member died Thursday after dousing himself with gasoline and setting himself on fire in Red Square.
By Will Mari and Nick Perry
Seattle Times staff reporters
A former University of Washington staff member died Thursday after dousing himself with gasoline and setting himself on fire in Red Square.
The 61-year-old man, who was not named by officials pending notification of his next of kin, was a recent employee, according to UW assistant police Chief Ralph Robinson.
UW spokesman Norm Arkans said the man separated from the university over the summer, but declined to elaborate on the circumstances.
"We don't know why he did this," said Robinson. "There were no protests or demonstrations going on, so we don't think it was political. He wasn't in a fight as far as we know. We just don't know what drove him."
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Officers shaken after finding a mom killed herself along with three small children
When we read stories like this, it is easy to understand the pain the family has, neighbors have and friends have, but too often we forget about what the members of the law enforcement community go through. If you pray for the family, which I'm sure you will, please add in the sheriff's department as well as the other first responders.
The grandparents weren't the only ones shaken. Dawsey said that first responders were greeted by the "horrific sight" of "young children, snuffed out."
"I know our deputies ... are pretty broken up about the whole scene," said sheriff's spokeswoman Gail Tierney.
October 31, 2008
Mother kills self, three young sons in Citrus County
FLORAL CITY -- Tragedy has struck Citrus County hard yet again: a mother appears to have taken the lives of her three young boys with a gun that she then turned on herself, according to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.
The oldest boy was almost 4. The youngest was just 15-months-old.
The mother was identified this afternoon as 23-year-old Alicia Chomic of Pasco County. Her children were identified as Thomas Goldsmith Jr., almost 4; Damian Lietz, 2 1/2-years-old; and 15-month-old Anthony Lietz Jr.
The apparent murder-suicide took place at the home of the maternal grandmother, Vickie Maslowski, at 4983 E. Stoer Lane. Sheriff's officials said the 23-year-old mother and children left Pasco County about a week ago to move in with the grandmother and Chomic's stepfather in their Floral City mobile home.
go here for morehttp://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2008/10/mom-three-sons.html
Blue Angels remove 2 for inappropriate relationship; only 5 jets to fly rest of season
Blue Angels remove 2 for inappropriate relationship; only 5 jets to fly rest of season
By Associated Press
11:06 PM EDT, October 30, 2008
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) _ A spokesman for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels says the stunt-flying team will be down one jet the rest of its season after removing two members from duty for having an inappropriate relationship.
Capt. Tyson Dunkelberger, a spokesman for the team based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, said Thursday the squadron will finish its last three air shows next month with five jets.
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I wonder how much this will change the show at the Kennedy Space Center coming up?
Marine motorcycle deaths top their Iraq combat fatalities
picture from Sportbike.net
Marine motorcycle deaths top their Iraq combat fatalities
Story Highlights
25 Marines killed on motorcycles in past 12 months, compared with 20 killed in Iraq
Top Marine official: "The Marines are very serious about" addressing problem
All but one of the deaths have involved super-fast sport bikes
Marines have recently implemented a mandatory sport-bike course
From Larry Shaughnessy
CNN Pentagon Producer
About 18,000 of the nearly 200,000 Marines are believed to own motorcycles, Amos said.
QUANTICO, Virginia (CNN) -- Motorcycle accidents have killed more Marines in the past 12 months than enemy fire in Iraq, a rate that's so alarming it has prompted top brass to call a meeting to address the issue, officials say. Twenty-five Marines have died in motorcycle crashes since last November -- all but one of them involving sport bikes that can reach speeds of well over 100 mph, according to Marine officials. In that same period, 20 Marines have been killed in action in Iraq.
The 25 deaths are the highest motorcycle death toll ever for the Marine Corps.
Gen. James Amos, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, told CNN that commanders are trying to drill down on what "we need to do to help our Marines survive on these sport bikes."
"The Marines are very serious about it," he said.
Watch these aren't your father's Harleys »
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Art Tucker knows all too well about the dangers of sport bikes. An owner of a Kawasaki Ninja, Tucker has had two crashes, and the second one nearly killed him.
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/30/marine.motorcycles/index.html
Why haven't we heard about sailors deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan?
If you keep track of the reports on the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, you would know that it is not just the Army and Marines, along with the National Guards and Reservists, but the Navy as well as the Air Force. What I didn't know was that so little was being done for the sailors who deploy into other units. This is sad and this is wrong.
You'd think that the DOD would be doing everything possible for the Navy and their families. Something needs to be done about this.
Sailors go solo on stressful Army, USMC tours
By Melissa Nelson - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 31, 2008 14:52:28 EDT
PENSACOLA NAVAL AIR STATION, Fla. — Chief Warrant Officer Bob Turner spent most of the last year at an Army base in Afghanistan, far from his fellow sailors and the sea. The 28-year veteran was one of thousands of sailors attached by themselves to Army and Marine units, groups that trained together stateside — without them.
These solo sailors and their families lack the usual support groups for deployed personnel, and the costs of that can be considerable.
The stress for “individual augmentees,” as they’re called, can be greater than shipboard assignments because sailors deploy alone for six months to a year and are doing entirely different jobs than they’ve had throughout their careers, said Cmdr. Tracy Skipton, a psychiatrist at Pensacola Naval Hospital. Turner, for instance, was providing electronics support for a special operations team working outside the base.
“It was a whole new life for me,” Turner said.
It wasn’t easy working his way into the unit, either. Even though Turner wore an Army uniform and worked closely with soldiers, it took him months to feel that he was part of the team.
“You definitely know you are an IA because you see a group of Army come in together and they’ve trained in the states together and made plans to get ready for this,” he said.
go here for more
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_navyia_103108/
Alaska Veterans not being taken care of properly
Alaska Native veterans dissatisfied with health services
By JILL FANKHAUSER
Alaska Star
Alaska Native veteran Walter Sampson wants to know why the U.S. government, and Veterans Affairs specifically, have not kept their promise to care for him and his veteran friends.
“For the last 38 years I have been trying to cut the red tape,” Sampson said. “And until this point, I've been unable to.”
Sampson, a Vietnam veteran, spoke to a panel of leaders from the National Guard, VA, Indian Health Services, Alaska Federation of Natives and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Oct.23. The panel discussed what each group is doing to increase quality and access to health care in rural Alaska, and what the future may look like.
Barriers to health care are often caused by geographical and financial challenges, as well as access to medical specialists or community health aides, said panelist Chris Mandregan, Alaska director of the federal Indian Health Service.
go here for more
http://www.alaskastar.com/stories/103008/mil_20081030034.shtml
By JILL FANKHAUSER
Alaska Star
Alaska Native veteran Walter Sampson wants to know why the U.S. government, and Veterans Affairs specifically, have not kept their promise to care for him and his veteran friends.
“For the last 38 years I have been trying to cut the red tape,” Sampson said. “And until this point, I've been unable to.”
Sampson, a Vietnam veteran, spoke to a panel of leaders from the National Guard, VA, Indian Health Services, Alaska Federation of Natives and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Oct.23. The panel discussed what each group is doing to increase quality and access to health care in rural Alaska, and what the future may look like.
Barriers to health care are often caused by geographical and financial challenges, as well as access to medical specialists or community health aides, said panelist Chris Mandregan, Alaska director of the federal Indian Health Service.
go here for more
http://www.alaskastar.com/stories/103008/mil_20081030034.shtml
Capt. Alex Houston Shows Warrior Ethos
Army.com - Huntsville,Al,USA
“He walks the walk, and talks the talk,” she said. “He and his family are committed to the unit and soldiers. His injury has not been an impediment at all. He’s a true testament to the Warrior Ethos — a testament to what the folks at Walter Reed and he have done.”
Oct. 30, 2008
By Sarah Maxwell
FORT DETRICK, Md. ( American Forces Press Service) – In most ways, Army Capt. Alex Houston is like any other Army commander.
He comes to work here every day ready to lead and set the standard for the soldiers who work for him. He diligently performs all of his administrative duties as the 21st Signal Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander, and he gets down and dirty with the unit during company physical training. He jokes with his staff, and even has been known to sing off-key for them.
And he does this all as a wounded warrior. As a platoon leader in Iraq, Houston lost his left hand when his convoy was attacked during a night mission.
click link for more
Halloween pardon sought for executed British witches
When we talk about trauma it's easy to understand what it must have been like to be accused of being a witch just because someone decided to say you were one. That is what all of this was about. Someone saying something against you without having to prove one bit of it. How would you defend yourself when no one was asking for the claim to be proven and people you thought you knew were condemning you?
That is what is happening right here and now in this country. People are making all kinds of claims against others without offering any evidence. People are begin held by this country in other nations, like Iraq and Afghanistan without trials, without evidence, but some in this country see nothing wrong with that. People are making all kinds of false claims against Senator Obama without any evidence to prove it is true. How many times do you have to hear a McCain supporter repeating what they heard without any proof? This is the selection of the next president of the United States of America and some people have taken it so lightly they will believe rumors without evidence?
When the claims are proven false by some in the media, McCain and Palin just go on repeating the lie no matter what the truth is and they break the Commandment about bearing false witness, yet their supporters find nothing wrong with any of this? It would be one thing if they said something they thought was true then stopped saying it when it was proven false, but they just keep repeating the lie. Didn't they understand what happened in our own history with the Salem Witchcraft Trials? I often wonder how traumatic it will be for the people who have believed McCain and Palin when they find out they were lied to. Fear is a powerful thing but a lie is only powerful when no one is asking for evidence.
That is what is happening right here and now in this country. People are making all kinds of claims against others without offering any evidence. People are begin held by this country in other nations, like Iraq and Afghanistan without trials, without evidence, but some in this country see nothing wrong with that. People are making all kinds of false claims against Senator Obama without any evidence to prove it is true. How many times do you have to hear a McCain supporter repeating what they heard without any proof? This is the selection of the next president of the United States of America and some people have taken it so lightly they will believe rumors without evidence?
When the claims are proven false by some in the media, McCain and Palin just go on repeating the lie no matter what the truth is and they break the Commandment about bearing false witness, yet their supporters find nothing wrong with any of this? It would be one thing if they said something they thought was true then stopped saying it when it was proven false, but they just keep repeating the lie. Didn't they understand what happened in our own history with the Salem Witchcraft Trials? I often wonder how traumatic it will be for the people who have believed McCain and Palin when they find out they were lied to. Fear is a powerful thing but a lie is only powerful when no one is asking for evidence.
picture from About.com
Halloween pardon sought for executed British witches
Story Highlights
Petition seeks pardon for UK witches hundreds of years after their deaths
Around 400 people were executed in England for alleged witchcraft
The Witchcraft Act of 1735 put an end to trials of accused witches
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Campaigners in London planned to petition the British government Friday for a posthumous pardon for the hundreds of people executed for witchcraft between the 16th and 18th centuries.
They said Halloween is a good time to highlight the "grave miscarriage of justice" suffered by the men and women falsely accused of being witches.
Their petition asks Justice Minister Jack Straw to recommend that Queen Elizabeth issue a pardon.
"We felt that it was time that the sinister associations held by a minority of people regarding witches and Halloween were tackled head-on," said Emma Angel, head of Angels, a large costume supplier in London.
"We were gobsmacked to discover that though the law was changed hundreds of years ago and society had moved on, the victims were never officially pardoned."
go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/10/31/britain.witches/index.html
Military interest in memory manipulation as means of treating PTSD
Great the mice can forget but one thing I doubt the researchers are thinking about is the soul and emotions. Do mice have souls? Do they love and regret? Do they have a conscience? Do they pray to God? If the memory is erased after the trauma, after the trauma touches the soul, what happens then? Do they no longer remember the event and thus find no reason for feeling the way they do? What do they do when this happens? How do you heal something when you can't remember it? For all the talk about the troops and faith, it really is strange they wouldn't think of any of this and understand that this could be a very bad thing to do.
Military investigates amnesia beams
Military interest in memory manipulation as means of treating PTSD.
By David Hambling
A team of scientists from the United States and China announced last week that, for the first time, they had found a means of selectively and safely erasing memories in mice, using the signaling molecule αCaMKII. It's a big step forward, and one that will be of considerable interest to the military, which has devoted efforts to memory manipulation as a means of treating post-traumatic stress disorder. But some military research has moved in another direction entirely.
In the 1980s, researchers found that even low-level exposure to a beam of electrons caused rats to forget what had just happened to them (an effect known as retrograde amnesia — the other version, anteretrograde amnesia, is when you can't form new memories). The same effect was also achieved with X-rays. The time factor was not large — it only caused memory loss about the previous four seconds — but the effect was intriguing.
click link for more
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Deployed soldiers are paying attention to election, but wish someone paid attention to them
Is the economy important in this election? Absolutely! But imagine being in Iraq or Afghanistan right now and noticing how little coverage there is in either place. Would you feel as if anyone cared anymore? It keeps getting forgotten that everything that happens here affects them just as much as it does us because they have family here dealing with it and know they will have to return to it as well. They just have the extra burden on their shoulders trying to do their duty and stay alive. Why have the politicians forgotten them?
McCain, well he still wants to use them to sell his "I know how to win wars" but never addresses the simple fact the surge of troops had little to do with it and it was the rest that went on to reduce the violence and our troops dying as well as the Iraqis. Obama is focused on the economy and says that he wants to bring the troops home from Iraq and build up forces in Afghanistan. Aside from that, they are hardly mentioned.
One other missing subject in this election is the veterans, especially the wounded veterans needing care. McCain says he cares about them but his votes have proven he really doesn't. Obama serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee and has been part of the changes for the better in the VA, but we are left to wonder why it is Obama never really brings any of this up. Why wouldn't he be proud of his record on veterans issues compared to McCain? While they will say there are only so many hours in the day, it would be a wonderful thing if some reporter interviewing them would at least bring the subject of the troops deployed and the veterans who have been wounded at least once in a while. They noticed.
Soldiers see wars, economy as key election concerns
European edition, Friday, October 31, 2008
For Staff Sgt. Derek Detherow, based in Baghdad’s Sadr City district, the Iraq war is by far the biggest issue in the upcoming U.S. elections.
After all, the decisions that the future president will make on the war will directly affect him.
"The biggest thing in my life is here in Iraq," Detherow, who is with 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, said recently. "I can’t see too much beyond that."
McCain, well he still wants to use them to sell his "I know how to win wars" but never addresses the simple fact the surge of troops had little to do with it and it was the rest that went on to reduce the violence and our troops dying as well as the Iraqis. Obama is focused on the economy and says that he wants to bring the troops home from Iraq and build up forces in Afghanistan. Aside from that, they are hardly mentioned.
One other missing subject in this election is the veterans, especially the wounded veterans needing care. McCain says he cares about them but his votes have proven he really doesn't. Obama serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee and has been part of the changes for the better in the VA, but we are left to wonder why it is Obama never really brings any of this up. Why wouldn't he be proud of his record on veterans issues compared to McCain? While they will say there are only so many hours in the day, it would be a wonderful thing if some reporter interviewing them would at least bring the subject of the troops deployed and the veterans who have been wounded at least once in a while. They noticed.
Soldiers see wars, economy as key election concerns
European edition, Friday, October 31, 2008
For Staff Sgt. Derek Detherow, based in Baghdad’s Sadr City district, the Iraq war is by far the biggest issue in the upcoming U.S. elections.
After all, the decisions that the future president will make on the war will directly affect him.
"The biggest thing in my life is here in Iraq," Detherow, who is with 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, said recently. "I can’t see too much beyond that."
Detherow said he doesn’t like how little attention is paid to his soldiers who are out working every single day. Yet he also acknowledged that there was some good in not being such a hot topic this year.
"The way I look at it, there are pros and cons of both the Republicans and the Democrats, and I don’t really favor either side," said Pvt. Gabriel Esquero, 25, of Alamogordo, N.M. "I’m just for whatever presidential candidate is ready to build the economy back up."
Esquero added that he believed both candidates had failed to talk enough to voters about what is at stake in Afghanistan.
"I think a lot of people fail to know what the issues are here," he said. "A lot of people think this is a wasted effort here."
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Military covenant to those who serve
This is from the UK but it should apply here as well.
Military covenant
The annual Remembrance Sunday, organised by the Royal British Legion, honours British troops
Britain has a 'duty of care' to its armed forces. This began as an unspoken pact between society and the military, possibly originating as far back as Henry VIII's reign. The pact was formally codified as a 'covenant' in 2000. It is not a law but is reinforced by custom and convention.
The covenant only officially applies to the army, but its core principles are taken to extend to the air force and navy too.
Soldiers will be called upon to make personal sacrifices - including the ultimate sacrifice - in the service of the Nation. In putting the needs of the Nation and the Army before their own, they forego some of the rights enjoyed by those outside the Armed Forces.
In return, British soldiers must always be able to expect fair treatment, to be valued and respected as individuals, and that they (and their families) will be sustained and rewarded by commensurate terms and conditions of service.
In the same way the unique nature of military land operations means that the Army differs from all other institutions, and must be sustained and provided for accordingly by the Nation.
This mutual obligation forms the Military Covenant between the Nation, the Army and each individual soldier; an unbreakable common bond of identity, loyalty and responsibility which has sustained the Army throughout its history. It has perhaps its greatest manifestation in the annual commemoration of Armistice Day, when the Nation keeps covenant with those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in action.Army Doctrine Publication Volume 5
The 'duty of c are' to troops includes paying towards healthcare, which can be physical care for injuries or mental support for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other problems. The Ministry of Defence also provides support for bereaved families.
The law gives the government 'combat immunity', which prevents soldiers from claiming compensation for injuries they received in combat except under official compensation schemes. Because soldiers cannot take the Crown to a civil court, the covenant is viewed as important in protecting soldiers' rights to compensation.go here for more
Using poetry to tackle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Using poetry to tackle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
When Peter Southern from Corby returned from duty in The Falklands, he buried all he'd seen and experienced, deep inside himself.
For years he carried those feelings and didn't even tell his wife what he'd witnessed during the conflict.
It was only a chance incident at work that brought out the tide of emotions that Peter had kept hidden away for years.
Peter was diagnosed as having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He'd served in the army during the Northern Ireland conflicts and The Falklands War.
During his army career Peter said he was taught to blot out all the bad and horrific experiences and keep the British 'stiff upper lip'.
This often resulted in nightmares, bouts of depression and Peter even considered taking his own life.
But Peter is fighting back and helping others in the process. He's started writing poetry and pouring his feelings and emotions onto paper.
He says its part of a healing process and his poems have also helped others suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
click post title for more
When Peter Southern from Corby returned from duty in The Falklands, he buried all he'd seen and experienced, deep inside himself.
For years he carried those feelings and didn't even tell his wife what he'd witnessed during the conflict.
It was only a chance incident at work that brought out the tide of emotions that Peter had kept hidden away for years.
Peter was diagnosed as having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He'd served in the army during the Northern Ireland conflicts and The Falklands War.
During his army career Peter said he was taught to blot out all the bad and horrific experiences and keep the British 'stiff upper lip'.
This often resulted in nightmares, bouts of depression and Peter even considered taking his own life.
But Peter is fighting back and helping others in the process. He's started writing poetry and pouring his feelings and emotions onto paper.
He says its part of a healing process and his poems have also helped others suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
click post title for more
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