Category Archives: Legal and Legislative News

What Unemployed Veterans, Wal-Mart and Arizona Have in Common

Posted on by vfwlady

300,000 Unemployed Veterans

The United States Department of Labor recently released the 2012 first quarter national unemployment rate for veterans.

Currently 10.3 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans, those who have served since 2001, remain unemployed.   That is 2.1% higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.2%.

Thanks to a recent surge in Veterans Job Fairs, and the passage of the VOW to Hire Vets legislation in late 2011, the current number of unemployed veterans has decreased substantially.  Especially when compared to the ghastly 12% annual veteran unemployment rate that was reported by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics in 2011.

Another contributing factor to the 1.7% decrease, is the large number of returning troops smart enough to realize their bleak employment future, and make prompt use of their GI Bill instead.  That still leaves an estimated 300,000 Gulf War-era II veterans actively seeking employment in the U.S today.

Arizona: 360,000 Illegal Immigrants

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Arizona had 360,000 unauthorized immigrants enter their state in 2011. Arizona recently passed a law that would authorize officers to arrest anyone they have “probable cause” to believe is eligible to be deported. The law also would bar aliens without proper papers from seeking or performing work.

Arizona (whose law is being challenged by the current White House administration) says its 370-mile border with Mexico is the crossing point for half the U.S.’s illegal immigrants, giving it the right to tackle a problem the national government has failed to address.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said, “It seems to me that the federal government just doesn’t want to know who is here illegally or not.” Read more…

Walmart: 365 New Stores in Mexico

One of every five Walmart stores is now south of the border, and the company reported total sales of  US $29 billion in Mexico during 2011.   That may explain why Walmart also opened 365 new stores in Mexico in 2011.

Walmart also pays miserable wages, employs an army of unpaid “baggers” at its checkout lines, and has been accused of widespread violation of labor laws.  This is difficult to morally digest, when it has been proven that they could obviously afford the $24 million it took to bribe Mexican officials.  Read more…

Resolution: Making Everyone Happy

My 3-step proposal to rectify, correct, and resolve all of this insanity is very simple:

  1. Allow Arizona to re-capture and deport those 360,000 illegals now working in the U.S.
  2. Send those Arizona deports, once back in Mexico, immediately to work for Walmart.    (Walmart can cover the U.S. deportation cost as penalty for their criminal activity.  After spending $24 million to bribe officials, that averages out to around $67,000 per deportee….which is more than enough!)
  3. Put those 300,000 Veterans to work for the Border Patrol….Homeland Security….or anywhere else they can continue to serve and protect, and definitely send a few thousand to oversee (as store managers) those 360,000 new Walmart workers in Mexico!

Easy enough?

USMC Finally Lets the Ladies into Officer Infantry School

Posted on by vfwlady

infantry officer course Marine Corps to open officer infantry school to women

By Jennifer Hlad, Stars and Stripes
Published: April 19, 2012

WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps will soon allow women to attend its school for infantry officers, as part of a larger effort to determine how to expand the role of women in the Corps.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, told the Marine Corps Times on Wednesday that the service is in the process of soliciting volunteers to attend the Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Va.

All Marine infantry officers attend the 10-week course after completing The Basic School. Dunford and other Marine officials have not said what the next steps will be for women who volunteer to attend the school.

The Marine Corps is expected to release a service-wide message soon about expanding career and training opportunities for women. The message will include information about women attending IOC.

The Corps earlier this year requested that Congress approve an exception to policy that would allow female company-grade officers and female staff noncommissioned officers who already hold certain military occupational specialties, such as communications, to be assigned to about 400 corresponding jobs with ground combat element units at the battalion level. The units include artillery, tanks, amphibious assault, low-altitude air defense, combat assault and combat engineers, but not infantry units.

Women will be considered for those positions starting in May.

Dunford also told the Marine Corps Times there is a plan to evaluate male and female Marines against new physical fitness standards that are being developed. The information from all the new initiatives will be incorporated into a report later this year from the Corps to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Related

Missouri Veterans Homes and Cemeteries in Jeopardy: Please Support HB 1731

Posted on by vfwlady

Update: May 12, 2012

Great News!!!!
HB 1731 passsed out of the House early this morning and is now on it’s way to the Governor’s desk. Thanks to everyone for their support in this effort.

 

Original Post March 23, 2012:

Unless Missourian’s express their support of HB1731, the closing of area Veterans Homes and cemeteries is eminent.

The bill, which establishes a dedicated funding source to keep veterans homes and cemeteries up to par and operational, arrived in the Missouri Senate March 8, 2012 after overwhelmingly passing the Missouri House of Representatives (149-0) on March 1st, 2012.

The Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations (MAVO) held a rally in the state capitol on Thursday, March 22nd.  Hundreds of veterans, veterans family members, and veteran caregivers flooded the rotunda to show their support of the bill. Several nationally recognized speakers relayed their thoughts and feelings about the horrible reality of possible closures.

Here is a basic description of what the bill entails:

WHEREAS; if additional funding is not made available during Legislative Year
2012 (January thru May 2012) it will become necessary to begin the process of
closing beds, wings, and, possibly close one or more homes and cemeteries, and

WHEREAS; the current waiting list for admission to Missouri Veterans homes is
over 1600 and if such closings are permitted to happen the number waiting will
increase, and

WHEREAS; if homes are closed, Missouri State will owe the Department of
Veterans Affairs for the Federal share of 65% of the unappreciated costs of the
homes, now, therefore be it

RESOLVED; by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Missouri (VFW)
that the VFW URGE the 2nd Session of the 96th General Assembly while convened
in Jefferson City to enact legislation approving a one dollar ($1) addition to the
Entry Fee to all Missouri Gaming Boats and that the entire one dollar ($1) be
deposited in a dedicated Veterans Commission Fund, and be it further

RESOLVED: that the VFW and its entire membership be instructed that this is the
highest priority and that this be communicated to the Governor, all members of the
Legislature and the Executive Director and Commissioners of the Missouri
Veterans Commission.

HB 1731. Modifies how funds from the Lottery and the Gaming Commission Fund are distributed. Sponsor:. LR Number:. 5770H.03P. Fiscal Note not available. Committee:. Veterans’ Affairs, Emerging Issues, Pensions and Urban Affairs. Last Action:. 3/8/2012 – Second Read and Referred S Veterans’ Affairs, Emerging Issues, P

Please contact your local Missouri Senator and the Missouri Veterans Commission to express your support of HB 1731 quick passage in the Missouri Senate so that we can continue to house and properly bury Missouri’s veterans!

Professor says US Military Monitors Machines Better than Soldiers Mental Health

Posted on by vfwlady

As the United States scratches their heads wondering what could have caused a 38 year old Army Staff Sergeant to allegedly massacre 16 Afghan men, women, and children on Sunday, one professor has an idea.

Dr. Bengt Arnetz, professor of occupational and environmental medicine at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich., suggested that the current system used by the military to detect or recognize mental health issues is woefully inadequate.

“All the systems have never been evaluated,” said Arnetz, whose research focuses on the effects of stress on the psychological well being of police, first responders and soldiers. “I think that they’re very, very bad at monitoring people close to the breaking point. We don’t have good surveillance tools.”

To give an example, Arnetz compared the maintenance and monitoring of military machinery to the maintenance and monitoring of soldiers’ mental states. “If you look at the machinery, you check for wear and tear and you do repair work and tune it up on regular basis,” he said. “Where soldiers are concerned; we don’t have a systematic approach.”

If soldiers are expected to be some kind of low maintenance machine, it is no wonder that some soldiers may be hesitant to report unusual behavior on the part of their fellow troops.

“We have talked with police working in inner city Detroit, and they told me it’s very difficult to bring it up,” he said. “Sometimes when you bring it up… you see a behavior change, they either deny it or become quite aggressive. They don’t want to push it.”

Source: Soldier’s Alleged Kandahar Killing Spree: Were Warning Signs Missed?

VFW Calls 2013 VA Budget Proposal a Good Start

Posted on by vfwlady

*

WASHINGTON — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is appreciative of the fiscal year 2013 budget President Obama proposed Monday, February 13th 2012 for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The VFW appreciates the proposed increase because it recognizes that the proper care and treatment of wounded, ill and injured veterans are ongoing costs of war,” said Richard L. DeNoyer, who leads the 2 million-member VFW and its Auxiliaries. “We remain concerned, however, that the amount* is not enough for the VA to maintain much less improve all the programs and services on their watch, especially knowing the Defense Department plans to shrink the size of the military, which will directly increase the number of veterans seeking VA care and services.”

The proposed VA budget for FY 2013 is $140.3 billion, of which $76.3 billion is for mandatory benefits such as disability compensation and pension. The remaining $64 billion is in discretionary funding, primarily for the Veterans Health Administration, which represents a 4.5-percent increase over FY 2012 funding, but falls more than $4 billion short of the amount recommended by The Independent Budget, which the VFW co-authors with AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

The VFW national commander said there are budget highlights that continue to elevate the importance of healthcare, mental health programs, women veterans, reducing the VA claims backlog and ending veterans’ homelessness. But he will still ask both House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs to substantially plus-up the miniscule $1.6 million increase in medical and prosthetic research, and return major construction funding to an amount that is forward focused instead of an afterthought.

“A record 240 troops lost one limb or more in Afghanistan last year,” said DeNoyer, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Middleton, Mass. “They will require a lifetime of care, and it shouldn’t be in VA medical facilities that average more than 60 years old,” he said.

“A nation that creates veterans has a sacred responsibility to care for them when they return home wounded, ill and injured. The VFW looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress in the coming days and months to ensure that America keeps that promise.”

*The total amount includes mandatory funding for programs such as disability compensation and pension, as well as discretionary funding for VA medical care, to include advanced appropriations. The amount represents a 4.5-percent increase over FY 2012 funding, but falls more than $4 billion short of what is recommended by The Independent Budget, which the VFW co-authors with AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America. The VA budget request includes:

·         $6.2 billion to expand inpatient, residential and outpatient mental health programs.
·         $3.3 billion for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ programs.
·         $2.1 billion to improve the benefits claims process.
·         $1.3 billion for veterans’ homelessness programs.
·         $403 million for women veteran programs.
·         $258 million for national cemeteries.
***************************************************************************************
VFW has concerns about the low recommendation for major construction and the slight increase for medical and prosthetic research. VFW asked Congress to increase funding so VA can complete numerous projects under way, as well as those being planned.
*****************************************************************************
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Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay Changes 2012

Posted on by vfwlady

HOSTILE FIRE/IMMINENT DANGER PAY

As stated in Chapter 10 of the DoD Financial Management Regulations. Hostile Fire Pay(HFP) is paid when certified by appropriate commanders to military members subjected to:

  • Subjected to hostile fire or explosion of a hostile mine
  • On duty in an area in close proximity to a hostile fire incident and the member is in danger of being exposed to the same dangers actually experienced by other Service members subjected to hostile fire or explosion of hostile mines
  • Killed, injured, or wounded by hostile fire, explosion of a hostile mine, or any other hostile action
Members are eligible for Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) when serving on official duty within a designated IDP area.

IDP rules change Dec. 31, 2011

Prior to Dec. 31, 2011, members eligible for IDP were paid the full monthly rate of $225 for any complete or partial month they served in a qualifying area. The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act modified IDP payments, limiting eligibility to only the actual days served in a qualifying area. Now service members will receive $7.50 for each day they are on official duty in an IDP area up to the maximum monthly rate of $225. The monthly rate is paid to members who serve an entire calendar month in an IDP area regardless of the number of individual days in that month.

Members who are exposed to a hostile fire or hostile mine explosion event are eligible to receive non-prorated Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) in the full monthly amount of $225. Members cannot receive both IDP and HFP in the same month.

The law required proration to begin on Dec. 31, 2011; however, implementing guidance and military pay processes were not in place to begin prorating the pay on that date.  DoD began paying the prorated payments Feb. 1, 2012. Some members may have been overpaid between the date the NDAA was signed on Dec. 31, 2011, and Feb. 1, 2012, when the pay systems began proration.  The military services are working to waive or remit debts for members who may have been overpaid during this period. The intent is that you will not be liable for any overpayment during this period.

Reading your Leave & Earnings Statement

If you serve an entire calendar month in a designated IDP area, your LES will reflect the maximum monthly amount of $225. If you are in the area less than a month, your LES will reflect payment for only the period you were eligible for IDP. It is important that you review your LES to make sure you have received the correct entitlement.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service says to “Contact your finance office if you have any questions.”

1-888-332-7411

Some examples:

For Marines: A member arrives in Afghanistan on February 1 and departs the country on February 10. The member earns $7.50 per day for 10 days, for a total of $75.00. The Entitlement section of the LES will reflect a payment of $75.00 for ‘IMMINENT DGR PAY” with the dates of entitlement. If there are multiple periods of entitlement in the same month, the LES will show each period separately.

For Army, Navy, Air Force active duty/Army, Navy, Air Force Reserve/ Air & Army National Guard: A member arrives in Afghanistan on February 1 and departs the country on February 10.  The member earns $7.50 per day for 10 days, for a total of $75.00. The Entitlement section of the LES will reflect a payment of $75.00 for IDP for February. If there are multiple periods of entitlement in the same month, the LES will show one amount for total IDP.

Updated Feb. 2, 2012

2012 State of the Union: Watch Online Version for Graphs, Stats, Twitter, and Facebook Chat

Posted on by vfwlady

Everyone watching the 2012 State of the Union online will have a chance to chat, post comments, ask questions, and get involved in the discussions and reactions via social media. The White House is asking everyone to take part and have a say, and invited us to do so in the following communication sent out this afternoon:

Good afternoon,In just a few hours, at 9:00 p.m. ET, President Obama will stand before Congress to give the State of the Union Address. He’ll talk about where we are as a nation, and he’ll lay out a blueprint for an America built to last…

….We made a behind-the-scenes video to show you what went into this year’s State of the Union. Check it out, and stay tuned to watch the speech with us at 9:00 p.m. ET:

To make sure you get the most out of the State of the Union, we’ve put together an enhanced version of the speech. As the President outlines his plans for 2012, you’ll see key facts and figures. We’ll present charts and infographics so that everyone can get a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead of us.

We hope you’ll join us after the speech as well — when a group of policy experts and senior White House staff will sit down to discuss the President’s remarks online and answer your questions.

The best place to learn more about the State of the Union is at WhiteHouse.gov. Dig in and watch the speech with us:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sotu

Moving forward, the President will do everything he can to turn this blueprint into reality — and you can help. We need a vigorous debate about these ideas. So lift up your voice, share your views, and spread the word.

Thanks,

David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President
 

National Veterans Hotline “Swamped” with Calls Supporting Marines in Afghanistan

Posted on by vfwlady

National Veterans Hotline, staffed by volunteers in over 30 states and accepting upwards of 3500 calls per day from Veterans and their families, has seen a 300% increase in calls of support for the Marines caught on video urinating on dead Taliban.

Americans are outraged that these four Marines might face a court martial.

“These sentiments are echoed throughout the US by thousands of our callers,” said executive Director of the hotline Ken Smith. ” If these Marines are brought to punishment there will be a national outcry.  The true story has yet to be told said Smith.  What happened moments before this incident is critical to the outcome.  To help with the hotline, to support these Marines or to find more information, call us today  202.695.8049.”

Ken Smith: National Veterans Hotline (http://www.Veterans911.com)

Iran Sentences Former US Marine to Death as CIA Spy

Posted on by vfwlady

The US State Department is trying to confirm reports today that an Iran revolutionary court has sentenced former U.S. Marine, Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, to death on charges of spying for the CIA.

The Washington Post’s Thomas Erdbrink reported that Hekmati “has 20 days to appeal the court’s decision.”

Amir Mirzaei Hekmati is now an American Citizen accused of:

“If true, we strongly condemn this verdict,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a press statement Monday. “Allegations that Hekmati either worked for, or was sent to Iran by the CIA, are simply untrue.”

Hekmati’s parents said they “are shocked and terrified” by the news, his mother Behnaz Hekmati commented on the website, FreeAmir, set up by the family to advocate for Amir’s release. “We believe that this verdict is the result of a process that was neither transparent nor fair.”

In her statement to the press, Amir’s mother said, “Amir did not engage in any acts of spying, or ‘fighting against God,’ as the convicting Judge has claimed in his sentence. A grave error has been committed, and we have authorized our legal representatives to make direct contact with the Iranian authorities to find a solution to this misunderstanding.”