I thought you might find this interesting...
I've wondered about Bill White. Just received this from a friend.
To all my friends around Texas :
Please forward this to everyone you know who lives and/or votes in Texas .
Bill White is bad news. He handcuffed our police and decimated our fire dept. He is a straight running progressive/liberal, he will not close our borders, and he will ruin our state economically YOU must vote in the upcoming elections. Rick Perry is not the best choice we ever had, but of the two options, he is far superior. The Houston , inner city is almost all Black, Latino, and Asian. There is a huge gay community, and many of the white voters work for the city and or county and are union. They say that Texas will go as Houston goes. If that happens, we are screwed. Many of the options that Texas may have at this time will be lost under White's hand. Please get off your duff and work to defeat Bill White in the up-coming election for Governor of our great State of Texas . Shelia Jackson Lee and Gene Green are both congressmen, and their districts are Houston proper. Both support Obama and his agenda and both support Bill White. We are working to defeat Green and Lee, and we already got rid of White in Houston . Do not be fooled, White does not represent the Republicans or Independents of Houston .
Liberal Democrat Bill White might beat Rick Perry in the general election; so for you guys outside of Houston , you may be interested in knowing that White is a strong supporter of President Obama and his programs. White turned Houston into the biggest "sanctuary city" east of Los Angeles by refusing to let the Houston Police or ICE ask a criminal or even a suspect if they were in this country legally. So now we have the largest illegal alien population in the country outside of LA. White, just recently the Mayor of Houston, left the city's financial cabinet bare. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a few years ago, Dallas and San Antonio took in 5-10 thousand refugees each. White brought in 250,000, put them up in his "buddies" empty apartment buildings, and let the federal government pay their rents for over two years.Time reports that White won landslide victories in the last two elections for Mayor. What you may not know is that the City of Houston does not have much more than 35% whites in their population. White is counting on Houston and his hometown of San Antonio to pull him through this election. He often bills himself as a conservative businessman, and that is likely how he will present himself in Dallas and west Texas . White did serve in the Clinton Administration, was formerly chairman of the Texas Democratic party, and has a strong Democratic political base throughout Texas . He also has plenty of money.
We conservative folks are going to have to get serious about this stuff and do our best to keep the country together. My expertise is non-existent, but here is my theory, Obama and the liberals will push hard for immigrant amnesty, thereby giving him another fifteen million votes. So whether or not everyone is upset with Obamacare, he will get reelected unless we support a good candidate. That means we must help here in our own state, with a few dollars to boot.
God Bless America ! And God Bless Texas !
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
outsourced to India
Congress today announced that the office of President of the United States
of America will be outsourced to India as of September 1‚ 2009.
The move is being made in order to save the president's $500‚000 yearly salary‚ and also a result of his record $750 billion in deficit expenditures and related overhead that his office has incurred during the last 3 months.
It is anticipated that $7 trillion can be saved to the end of the president's term. "We believe this is a wise financial move. The cost savings are huge‚" stated Congressman Thomas Reynolds (R-WA). "We cannot remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay‚" Reynolds noted.
President Obama was informed by email this morning of his termination. Preparations for the job move have been underway for some time.
Gurvinder Singh‚ a tele-technician for Indus Teleservices‚ Mumbai India‚ will assume the office of President as of September 1‚ 2009. Mr. Singh was born in the United States while his Indian parents were vacationing at Niagara Falls‚ NY‚ thus making him eligible for the position. He will receive a salary of $320 (USD) a month‚ but no healthcoverage or other benefits.
It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities without a support staff. Due to the time difference between the US and India ‚ he will be working primarily at night. "Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the Dell Computer call center‚" stated Mr. Singh in an exclusive interview. "I am excited about this position. I always hoped I would be President."
A Congressional spokesperson noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the office of President‚ this should not be a problem as President Obama had never been familiar with the issues either.
Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him to respond effectively to most topics of concern. Using these canned responses‚ he can address common concerns without having to understand the underlying issue at all. "We know these scripting tools work‚" stated the spokesperson.
"President Obama has used them successfully for years‚ with the result that some people actually thought he knew what he was talking about."
President Obama
will receive health coverage‚ expenses‚ and salary until his final day of employment. Following a two-week waiting period‚ he will be eligible for $140 a week unemployment payments for 26 weeks. Unfortunately he will not be eligible for Medicaid‚ as his unemployment benefits will exceed the allowed limit.
President Obama has been provided with the outplacement services of Manpower‚ Inc. to help him write a resume and prepare for his upcoming job transition. According to Manpower‚ Obama may have difficulties in securing a new position due to a lack of any successful work experience during his lifetime.
A greeter position at Wal-Mart was suggested due to President Obama's extensive experience at shaking hands‚ as well as his special smile. (Actually‚ K-Mart would be a better choice because he could use a teleprompter to announce Blue Light Specials‚ too.)
of America will be outsourced to India as of September 1‚ 2009.
The move is being made in order to save the president's $500‚000 yearly salary‚ and also a result of his record $750 billion in deficit expenditures and related overhead that his office has incurred during the last 3 months.
It is anticipated that $7 trillion can be saved to the end of the president's term. "We believe this is a wise financial move. The cost savings are huge‚" stated Congressman Thomas Reynolds (R-WA). "We cannot remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay‚" Reynolds noted.
President Obama was informed by email this morning of his termination. Preparations for the job move have been underway for some time.
Gurvinder Singh‚ a tele-technician for Indus Teleservices‚ Mumbai India‚ will assume the office of President as of September 1‚ 2009. Mr. Singh was born in the United States while his Indian parents were vacationing at Niagara Falls‚ NY‚ thus making him eligible for the position. He will receive a salary of $320 (USD) a month‚ but no healthcoverage or other benefits.
It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities without a support staff. Due to the time difference between the US and India ‚ he will be working primarily at night. "Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the Dell Computer call center‚" stated Mr. Singh in an exclusive interview. "I am excited about this position. I always hoped I would be President."
A Congressional spokesperson noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the office of President‚ this should not be a problem as President Obama had never been familiar with the issues either.
Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him to respond effectively to most topics of concern. Using these canned responses‚ he can address common concerns without having to understand the underlying issue at all. "We know these scripting tools work‚" stated the spokesperson.
"President Obama has used them successfully for years‚ with the result that some people actually thought he knew what he was talking about."
President Obama
will receive health coverage‚ expenses‚ and salary until his final day of employment. Following a two-week waiting period‚ he will be eligible for $140 a week unemployment payments for 26 weeks. Unfortunately he will not be eligible for Medicaid‚ as his unemployment benefits will exceed the allowed limit.
President Obama has been provided with the outplacement services of Manpower‚ Inc. to help him write a resume and prepare for his upcoming job transition. According to Manpower‚ Obama may have difficulties in securing a new position due to a lack of any successful work experience during his lifetime.
A greeter position at Wal-Mart was suggested due to President Obama's extensive experience at shaking hands‚ as well as his special smile. (Actually‚ K-Mart would be a better choice because he could use a teleprompter to announce Blue Light Specials‚ too.)
So take it with a grain or two of salt.
Like most stuff on the web, you have to wonder about the accuracy, but this is not too hard to believe. But when you see the arguments against Israel by the Palestinians, the argument laid out below is not too far-fetched. So take it with a grain or two of salt.
Snopes found it to be False, but their bias has also been pointed out. http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/interview.asp
Snopes found it to be False, but their bias has also been pointed out. http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/interview.asp
Subject: Interview with an undocumented (illegal) Mexican, at a protest march in Texas
Here is a REAL INTERVIEW with an “undocumented” illegal Mexican at a protest march in Houston, Texas. This is good! Below is a good example of a discussion with a master of circular logic. Don't be logical, don't respect the truth or your adversary, just say what you think that makes a new case when the previous case gets too difficult to defend.
Jim Moore, reporting for a Houston TV station on the streets of downtown Houston
Jim: Juan, I see that you and thousands of other protesters are marching in the streets to demonstrate for your cause. Exactly what is your cause and what do you expect to accomplish by this protest?
Juan: We want our rights. We will show you how powerful we are. We will bring Houston to its knees!
Jim: What rights?
Juan: Our right to live here...legally. Our rights to get all the benefits you get.
Jim: When did you come to the United States?
Juan: Six years ago. I crossed over the border at night with seven other friends.
Jim: Why did you come?
Juan: For work I can earn as much in a month as I could in a year in Mexico. Besides, I get free health care, our Mexican children can go to school free, if I lose my job I will get Welfare, and someday I will have the Social Security. Nothing like that in Mexico!
Jim: Did you feel badly about breaking our immigration laws when you came?
Juan: No! Why should I feel bad? I have a right to be here. I have a right to amnesty. I paid lots of money for my Social Security and Green Cards.
Jim: How did you acquire those documents?
Juan: From a guy in Dallas. He charged me a lot of money too.
Jim: Did you know that those documents were forged?
Juan: It is of no matter. I have a right to be here and work.
Jim: What is the "right" you speak of?
Juan: The right of all Aliens. It is found in your Constitution. Read it!
Jim: I have read it, but I do not remember it saying anything about rights for Aliens.
Juan: It is in that part where it says that all men have Alien rights, like the right to pursue happiness. I wasn't happy in Mexico, so I came here.
Jim: I think you are referring to the declaration of Independence and that document speaks to unalienable rights. Not Alien rights.
Juan: Whatever.
Jim: Since you are demanding to become an American citizen, why then are you carrying a Mexican Flag?
Juan: Because I am Mexican.
Jim: But you said you want to be given amnesty ... to become a US citizen.
Juan: No. This is not what we want. This is our country, a part of Mexico that you Gringos stole from us. We want it returned to its rightful owner.
Jim: Juan, you are standing in Texas. After winning the war with Mexico, Texas became a Republic, and later Texans voted to join the USA. It was not stolen from Mexico.
Juan: That is a Gringo lie. Texas was stolen. So was California, New Mexico and Arizona. It is just like all the other stuff you Gringos steal, like oil and babies. You are a country of thieves.
Jim: Babies? You think we steal babies?
Juan: Sure. Like from Korea and Vietnam and China. I see them all over the place. You let all these foreigners in, but try to keep us Mexicans out How is this fair?
Jim: So, you really don't want to become an American citizen then.
Juan: I just want my rights! Everyone has a right to live, work, and speak their native language wherever and whenever they please. That's another thing we demand. All signs and official documents should be in Spanish. Teachers must teach in Spanish. Soon, more people here in Houston will speak Spanish than English. It is our right!
Jim: If I were to cross over the border into Mexico without proper documentation, what rights would I have there?
Juan: None. You would probably go to jail, but that's different.
Jim: How is it different? You said everyone has the right to live wherever they please.
Juan: You Gringos are a bunch of land grabbing thieves. Now you want Mexico too? Mexico has its rights. You Gringos have no rights in Mexico. Why would you want to go there anyway? There is no free medical service, schools, or welfare there for foreigners such as you. You cannot even own land in my country. Stay in the country of your birth.
Jim: I can see that there is no way that we can agree on this issue. Thank you for your comments.
Juan: Viva Mexico!
Pass this along to every American citizen in your address books and to every representative in the state and federal government. If you choose to remain uninvolved, do not be amazed when you no longer have a nation to call your own nor anything you have worked for left since it will be "redistributed" to the activists while you are so peacefully staying out of the "fray". Check history, it is full of nations/empires that disappeared when its citizens no longer held their core beliefs and values.
One person CAN make a difference. One plus one plus one plus one plus one plus one........ The battle for our secure borders and immigration laws that actually mean something, however, hasn't even begun.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
~ Thomas Jefferson
Here is a REAL INTERVIEW with an “undocumented” illegal Mexican at a protest march in Houston, Texas. This is good! Below is a good example of a discussion with a master of circular logic. Don't be logical, don't respect the truth or your adversary, just say what you think that makes a new case when the previous case gets too difficult to defend.
Jim Moore, reporting for a Houston TV station on the streets of downtown Houston
Jim: Juan, I see that you and thousands of other protesters are marching in the streets to demonstrate for your cause. Exactly what is your cause and what do you expect to accomplish by this protest?
Juan: We want our rights. We will show you how powerful we are. We will bring Houston to its knees!
Jim: What rights?
Juan: Our right to live here...legally. Our rights to get all the benefits you get.
Jim: When did you come to the United States?
Juan: Six years ago. I crossed over the border at night with seven other friends.
Jim: Why did you come?
Juan: For work I can earn as much in a month as I could in a year in Mexico. Besides, I get free health care, our Mexican children can go to school free, if I lose my job I will get Welfare, and someday I will have the Social Security. Nothing like that in Mexico!
Jim: Did you feel badly about breaking our immigration laws when you came?
Juan: No! Why should I feel bad? I have a right to be here. I have a right to amnesty. I paid lots of money for my Social Security and Green Cards.
Jim: How did you acquire those documents?
Juan: From a guy in Dallas. He charged me a lot of money too.
Jim: Did you know that those documents were forged?
Juan: It is of no matter. I have a right to be here and work.
Jim: What is the "right" you speak of?
Juan: The right of all Aliens. It is found in your Constitution. Read it!
Jim: I have read it, but I do not remember it saying anything about rights for Aliens.
Juan: It is in that part where it says that all men have Alien rights, like the right to pursue happiness. I wasn't happy in Mexico, so I came here.
Jim: I think you are referring to the declaration of Independence and that document speaks to unalienable rights. Not Alien rights.
Juan: Whatever.
Jim: Since you are demanding to become an American citizen, why then are you carrying a Mexican Flag?
Juan: Because I am Mexican.
Jim: But you said you want to be given amnesty ... to become a US citizen.
Juan: No. This is not what we want. This is our country, a part of Mexico that you Gringos stole from us. We want it returned to its rightful owner.
Jim: Juan, you are standing in Texas. After winning the war with Mexico, Texas became a Republic, and later Texans voted to join the USA. It was not stolen from Mexico.
Juan: That is a Gringo lie. Texas was stolen. So was California, New Mexico and Arizona. It is just like all the other stuff you Gringos steal, like oil and babies. You are a country of thieves.
Jim: Babies? You think we steal babies?
Juan: Sure. Like from Korea and Vietnam and China. I see them all over the place. You let all these foreigners in, but try to keep us Mexicans out How is this fair?
Jim: So, you really don't want to become an American citizen then.
Juan: I just want my rights! Everyone has a right to live, work, and speak their native language wherever and whenever they please. That's another thing we demand. All signs and official documents should be in Spanish. Teachers must teach in Spanish. Soon, more people here in Houston will speak Spanish than English. It is our right!
Jim: If I were to cross over the border into Mexico without proper documentation, what rights would I have there?
Juan: None. You would probably go to jail, but that's different.
Jim: How is it different? You said everyone has the right to live wherever they please.
Juan: You Gringos are a bunch of land grabbing thieves. Now you want Mexico too? Mexico has its rights. You Gringos have no rights in Mexico. Why would you want to go there anyway? There is no free medical service, schools, or welfare there for foreigners such as you. You cannot even own land in my country. Stay in the country of your birth.
Jim: I can see that there is no way that we can agree on this issue. Thank you for your comments.
Juan: Viva Mexico!
Pass this along to every American citizen in your address books and to every representative in the state and federal government. If you choose to remain uninvolved, do not be amazed when you no longer have a nation to call your own nor anything you have worked for left since it will be "redistributed" to the activists while you are so peacefully staying out of the "fray". Check history, it is full of nations/empires that disappeared when its citizens no longer held their core beliefs and values.
One person CAN make a difference. One plus one plus one plus one plus one plus one........ The battle for our secure borders and immigration laws that actually mean something, however, hasn't even begun.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
~ Thomas Jefferson
Saturday, August 21, 2010
What to Expect if Bush Tax Cuts Expire
This column was written by William R. Bischoff, a certified public accountant in Colorado Springs, Colorado for PPC, which is part of the tax and accounting business at Thomson Reuters. The opinions expressed here are his own.
The so-called Bush tax cuts (from legislation enacted in 2001 and 2003) are scheduled to expire at the end of this year. But you may not understand the full extent of what is in store if Congress simply sits back and allows the expirations to occur without making any changes.
Here are some highlights:
Higher income tax rates
Some of you may believe that only individuals in the top two federal income tax
brackets will face higher rates when the Bush cuts go bye-bye. Not true! Unless Congress takes action and President Obama goes along, rates will automatically go up for everyone who pays taxes — not just “the rich.”
Specifically, the existing 10% bracket will go away, and the lowest “new” bracket will be 15%. The existing 25% bracket will be replaced by the “new” 28% bracket; the existing 28% bracket will be replaced by the “new” 31% bracket; the existing 33% bracket will be replaced by the “new” 36 % bracket; and the existing 35% bracket will be replaced by the “new” 39.6% bracket.
My take: The Administration has pledged to keep the three lowest brackets (the 10%, 15%, and 25% brackets) in place. The 28% bracket would be expanded to accommodate unmarried taxpayers with income (whatever that is determined to mean) below $200,000 and joint filers with income below $250,000. Only taxpayers with income above those levels would be affected by the new 36% and 39.6% rates. However, Congress must make changes, and the president must go along for these things to happen.
Right now, that’s looking more problematic than a few months ago, and it now appears that Congress won’t even bring up the subject until sometime after returning from its summer recess in August. The only thing we know for sure is that tax rates will go up for everyone if Congress sits on its hands.
The marriage penalty will get worse
The Bush tax cuts put a relatively favorable framework for married individuals in place to reduce the so-called marriage penalty, which can cause a married couple to pay more federal income tax than if they were single. Note that the marriage penalty still exists for many married couples, but it’s not as harsh as before the Bush tax cuts. However, unless Congress makes changes and the president goes along, the marriage penalty will automatically get worse when the Bush tax cuts expire.
Currently, the standard deduction for some married couples is as much as 200% of the amount for singles. Starting next year, the new lowest bracket of 15% for married filing joint (MFJ) couples will be only 167% as wide as the 15% bracket for singles and the new standard deduction for married couples in other brackets – as well as those who file taxes separately — isn’t as generous.
My take: Presumably, the Administration’s pledge to keep things the same for lower and middle-income taxpayers includes extending the Bush tax cut elements that reduce the impact of the marriage penalty. However, extending those elements would require Congress to make changes and the president to go along. Will it happen? We don’t know, and neither does anyone else.
Higher capital gains and dividends taxes for all
Right now, the maximum federal rate on garden-variety long-term capital gains and qualified dividends is 15 percent. Starting next year, the maximum long-term capital gains rate will increase to 20 % (or 18 % on gains from assets held for over five years). Dividends will once again be taxed at ordinary income rates. So, the maximum rate on dividends will balloon to a whopping 39.6 %.
My take: The Administration has repeatedly said the current 0% and 15% rates on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends will be left in place except for married couples with income above $250,000 and unmarried individuals with income above $200,000.
For that to happen, however, Congress must take action and the president must go along. A few months ago that looked likely, but now it looks more problematic. In particular, we think the odds are rising that dividends will once again be taxed at ordinary rates (of up to 39.6 %), starting next year. We hope we are wrong.
In addition to these changes, both the itemized deduction and personal exemption phase-out rules will return with a vengeance. But current versions of the child tax credit, earned income credit, dependent care credit, and adoption credit are also likely to be continued.
Stay tuned for developments, but don’t hold your breath.
Our Washington politicians don’t seem to be in a big hurry to resolve the many tax uncertainties that we have summarized here. Even worse, it appears the odds are increasing that we may not see resolution until after the November election. Good grief!
The so-called Bush tax cuts (from legislation enacted in 2001 and 2003) are scheduled to expire at the end of this year. But you may not understand the full extent of what is in store if Congress simply sits back and allows the expirations to occur without making any changes.
Here are some highlights:
Higher income tax rates
Some of you may believe that only individuals in the top two federal income tax
brackets will face higher rates when the Bush cuts go bye-bye. Not true! Unless Congress takes action and President Obama goes along, rates will automatically go up for everyone who pays taxes — not just “the rich.”
Specifically, the existing 10% bracket will go away, and the lowest “new” bracket will be 15%. The existing 25% bracket will be replaced by the “new” 28% bracket; the existing 28% bracket will be replaced by the “new” 31% bracket; the existing 33% bracket will be replaced by the “new” 36 % bracket; and the existing 35% bracket will be replaced by the “new” 39.6% bracket.
My take: The Administration has pledged to keep the three lowest brackets (the 10%, 15%, and 25% brackets) in place. The 28% bracket would be expanded to accommodate unmarried taxpayers with income (whatever that is determined to mean) below $200,000 and joint filers with income below $250,000. Only taxpayers with income above those levels would be affected by the new 36% and 39.6% rates. However, Congress must make changes, and the president must go along for these things to happen.
Right now, that’s looking more problematic than a few months ago, and it now appears that Congress won’t even bring up the subject until sometime after returning from its summer recess in August. The only thing we know for sure is that tax rates will go up for everyone if Congress sits on its hands.
The marriage penalty will get worse
The Bush tax cuts put a relatively favorable framework for married individuals in place to reduce the so-called marriage penalty, which can cause a married couple to pay more federal income tax than if they were single. Note that the marriage penalty still exists for many married couples, but it’s not as harsh as before the Bush tax cuts. However, unless Congress makes changes and the president goes along, the marriage penalty will automatically get worse when the Bush tax cuts expire.
Currently, the standard deduction for some married couples is as much as 200% of the amount for singles. Starting next year, the new lowest bracket of 15% for married filing joint (MFJ) couples will be only 167% as wide as the 15% bracket for singles and the new standard deduction for married couples in other brackets – as well as those who file taxes separately — isn’t as generous.
My take: Presumably, the Administration’s pledge to keep things the same for lower and middle-income taxpayers includes extending the Bush tax cut elements that reduce the impact of the marriage penalty. However, extending those elements would require Congress to make changes and the president to go along. Will it happen? We don’t know, and neither does anyone else.
Higher capital gains and dividends taxes for all
Right now, the maximum federal rate on garden-variety long-term capital gains and qualified dividends is 15 percent. Starting next year, the maximum long-term capital gains rate will increase to 20 % (or 18 % on gains from assets held for over five years). Dividends will once again be taxed at ordinary income rates. So, the maximum rate on dividends will balloon to a whopping 39.6 %.
My take: The Administration has repeatedly said the current 0% and 15% rates on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends will be left in place except for married couples with income above $250,000 and unmarried individuals with income above $200,000.
For that to happen, however, Congress must take action and the president must go along. A few months ago that looked likely, but now it looks more problematic. In particular, we think the odds are rising that dividends will once again be taxed at ordinary rates (of up to 39.6 %), starting next year. We hope we are wrong.
In addition to these changes, both the itemized deduction and personal exemption phase-out rules will return with a vengeance. But current versions of the child tax credit, earned income credit, dependent care credit, and adoption credit are also likely to be continued.
Stay tuned for developments, but don’t hold your breath.
Our Washington politicians don’t seem to be in a big hurry to resolve the many tax uncertainties that we have summarized here. Even worse, it appears the odds are increasing that we may not see resolution until after the November election. Good grief!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Fort Bliss Says It Will Examine Its Handling of Brain Injuries
Medical commanders at one of America's largest military bases have ordered a review into the care provided to soldiers suffering from traumatic brain injury, in response to an investigation by NPR and ProPublica.
Col. James Baunchalk, the commander of William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, told members of Congress that he was concerned by our report [2], which found that soldiers there struggled to receive adequate care for mild traumatic brain injuries.
The hospital is "committed to delivering the very highest quality care and support to our soldiers and their families, including those who may be affected by traumatic brain injuries," Baunchalk wrote in a June 21 letter to Rep. Harry Teague [3], D-N.M., a copy of which was obtained by NPR and ProPublica [4].
The Pentagon's official figures show that more than 115,000 troops have suffered mild traumatic brain injuries, also called concussions, since the wars began in Iraq and Afghanistan. But our story said those figures likely understate the true toll, with some studies suggesting that the injuries go undiagnosed in tens of thousands of troops [5]. While most recover quickly, some grapple with lasting mental and physical problems from exposure to explosions.
Our story focused on several soldiers at Fort Bliss, the third-largest American military base by troop population. The soldiers told us they endured long waits to see specialists and met with frustrating skepticism from doctors over the severity of their conditions. All had ongoing problems with memory, concentration and other cognitive functions.
We also wrote about Building 805, a small clinic at the base that was supposed to screen soldiers with traumatic brain injuries. Although the base has recently added billions of dollars of barracks and other facilities to accommodate newly arriving troops, Building 805 has remained shuttered for almost a year, for want of computer wiring, commanders told us.
Teague, who visited the base [6] on Sunday and met with soldiers mentioned in our story, said he would continue to press the hospital to make sure that adequate care was being delivered.
"I would like to further examine how the overall quality of TBI care at Fort Bliss serves our soldiers compared to what they may have access to in civilian medicine," Teague wrote in a June 25 letter [7] to Baunchalk. "I would like to ensure that the system of TBI care, in general, adequately addresses the needs of our service members and is adequately resourced."
Base officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on their letter to Teague. The letter listed a series of programs in place to treat soldiers and catch problems in care, but some of the information appeared to contradict material that base officials provided to us.
Fort Bliss told Teague it had 10 medical staff members "assigned full time" to the traumatic brain injury program. But in a letter responding to our questions [8] in April, officials listed only four employees providing such care full-time. They listed seven other clinicians who worked part-time with brain-injured patients.
Fort Bliss also told Teague that Building 805 was "completed at the end of January 2010." But in interviews with us and in their written response to our questions, base officials told us that Building 805 "was completed in July 2009," though utilities were not installed until February 2010.
Fort Bliss officials also told us during our visit there in April that Building 805 would be open at the end of May. In their letter to Teague, they said that they had not even issued a contract to install the computer wiring until June 17 — nine days after our stories ran.
Sgt. Victor Medina and his wife, Roxana Delgado, who were featured in our stories, said they were pleased that Teague and others have paid attention to soldiers' concerns about treatment for brain injuries. Medina had to fight to get referred off base to a private medical facility specializing in cognitive rehabilitation.
But, they said, more work remains to be done.
"We're seeing a lot of progress in terms of attention and interest," Delgado said. "But we want to see more. We want to see real reform."
Update: Fort Bliss got back to us on Thursday to respond to our questions with this letter [9]. They reiterated that the Fort Bliss program has 10 "full time" clinicians devoted to traumatic brain injury, though one slot is vacant.
They also said that Building 805, a clinic for screening soldiers with traumatic brain injury, was completed for occupancy earlier this week. The process to move in clinical staff has begun, according to the written responses.
Finally, Fort Bliss acknowledged for the first time that the base has not yet received full validation under Defense Department guidelines for its traumatic brain injury treatment program. Fort Bliss is designated a "Level 2" facility, meaning it is supposed to have one of the top 10 treatment programs in the U.S. to address mild and moderate brain damage. Fort Bliss officials said Thursday that the base passed an initial round of examination, but does not expect to receive full validation of its program until Fall 2010.
Col. James Baunchalk, the commander of William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, told members of Congress that he was concerned by our report [2], which found that soldiers there struggled to receive adequate care for mild traumatic brain injuries.
The hospital is "committed to delivering the very highest quality care and support to our soldiers and their families, including those who may be affected by traumatic brain injuries," Baunchalk wrote in a June 21 letter to Rep. Harry Teague [3], D-N.M., a copy of which was obtained by NPR and ProPublica [4].
The Pentagon's official figures show that more than 115,000 troops have suffered mild traumatic brain injuries, also called concussions, since the wars began in Iraq and Afghanistan. But our story said those figures likely understate the true toll, with some studies suggesting that the injuries go undiagnosed in tens of thousands of troops [5]. While most recover quickly, some grapple with lasting mental and physical problems from exposure to explosions.
Our story focused on several soldiers at Fort Bliss, the third-largest American military base by troop population. The soldiers told us they endured long waits to see specialists and met with frustrating skepticism from doctors over the severity of their conditions. All had ongoing problems with memory, concentration and other cognitive functions.
We also wrote about Building 805, a small clinic at the base that was supposed to screen soldiers with traumatic brain injuries. Although the base has recently added billions of dollars of barracks and other facilities to accommodate newly arriving troops, Building 805 has remained shuttered for almost a year, for want of computer wiring, commanders told us.
Teague, who visited the base [6] on Sunday and met with soldiers mentioned in our story, said he would continue to press the hospital to make sure that adequate care was being delivered.
"I would like to further examine how the overall quality of TBI care at Fort Bliss serves our soldiers compared to what they may have access to in civilian medicine," Teague wrote in a June 25 letter [7] to Baunchalk. "I would like to ensure that the system of TBI care, in general, adequately addresses the needs of our service members and is adequately resourced."
Base officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on their letter to Teague. The letter listed a series of programs in place to treat soldiers and catch problems in care, but some of the information appeared to contradict material that base officials provided to us.
Fort Bliss told Teague it had 10 medical staff members "assigned full time" to the traumatic brain injury program. But in a letter responding to our questions [8] in April, officials listed only four employees providing such care full-time. They listed seven other clinicians who worked part-time with brain-injured patients.
Fort Bliss also told Teague that Building 805 was "completed at the end of January 2010." But in interviews with us and in their written response to our questions, base officials told us that Building 805 "was completed in July 2009," though utilities were not installed until February 2010.
Fort Bliss officials also told us during our visit there in April that Building 805 would be open at the end of May. In their letter to Teague, they said that they had not even issued a contract to install the computer wiring until June 17 — nine days after our stories ran.
Sgt. Victor Medina and his wife, Roxana Delgado, who were featured in our stories, said they were pleased that Teague and others have paid attention to soldiers' concerns about treatment for brain injuries. Medina had to fight to get referred off base to a private medical facility specializing in cognitive rehabilitation.
But, they said, more work remains to be done.
"We're seeing a lot of progress in terms of attention and interest," Delgado said. "But we want to see more. We want to see real reform."
Update: Fort Bliss got back to us on Thursday to respond to our questions with this letter [9]. They reiterated that the Fort Bliss program has 10 "full time" clinicians devoted to traumatic brain injury, though one slot is vacant.
They also said that Building 805, a clinic for screening soldiers with traumatic brain injury, was completed for occupancy earlier this week. The process to move in clinical staff has begun, according to the written responses.
Finally, Fort Bliss acknowledged for the first time that the base has not yet received full validation under Defense Department guidelines for its traumatic brain injury treatment program. Fort Bliss is designated a "Level 2" facility, meaning it is supposed to have one of the top 10 treatment programs in the U.S. to address mild and moderate brain damage. Fort Bliss officials said Thursday that the base passed an initial round of examination, but does not expect to receive full validation of its program until Fall 2010.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Liberal Money Trail
Received this from a fairly reliable source. I have not verified any of the following, as my source generally does a pretty good job of that before sending along this type of information.
This will make you spit nails! I knew PARTS of this, but not all. A MUST READ if you want to understand the specific liberal (monetary!) agenda of these greedy socialists! Please forward to all your friends. When you get to the "Kicker" of the email, you better be sitting down... -----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Liberal Money Trail
This makes Bernie Madoff's fraud look like penny ante stuff.
This is an interesting story put together from various articles and TV shows by the British Times paper. It shows what Obama and his friends are really all about. It's not hope and change... it is money. I warn you, the first part is a little boring, but stick with it. The second part connects all the dots for you (it will open your eyes). The end explains how Obama and all his cronies will end up as multi-billionaires. (It's definitely worth the read. You will not be disappointed).A small bank in Chicago called SHOREBANK almost went bankrupt during the recession. The bank made a profit on its foreign micro-loans (see below), but ad lost money in sub-prime mortgages in the US . It was facing likely closure by federal regulators. However, because the bank's executives were well connected with members of the Obama Administration, a private rescue bailout was arranged. The bank's employees had donated money to Obama's Senate campaign. In other words, ShoreBank was too politically connected to be allowed to go under.ShoreBank survived and invested in many "green" businesses such as solar panel manufacturing. In fact, the bank was mentioned in one of Obama's speeches during his election campaign because it subjected new business borrowers to eco-litmus tests.Prior to becoming President, Obama sat on the board of the JOYCE FOUNDATION, a liberal charity. This foundation was originally established by Joyce Kean's family which had accumulated millions of dollars in the lumber industry. It mostly gave funds to hospitals but after her death in 1972, the foundation was taken over by radical environmentalists and social justice extremists.This JOYCE FOUNDATION, which is rumored to have assets of 8 billion dollars, has now set up and funded, with a few partners, something called the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE, known as CXX. It will be the exchange (like the Chicago Grain Futures Market for agriculture) where Environmental Carbon Credits are traded.Under Obama's new bill, businesses in the future will be assessed a tax on how much CO2 they produce (their Carbon Footprint) or in other words how much they add to global warming. If a company produces less CO2 than their allotted measured limit, they earn a Carbon Credit. This Carbon Credit can be traded on the CXX exchange. Another company, which has gone over their CO2 limit, can buy the Credit and "reduce" their footprint and tax liability. It will be like trading shares on Wall Street.Well, it was the same JOYCE FOUNDATION, along with some other private partners and Wall Street firms that funded the bailout of ShoreBank. The foundation is now one of the major shareholders. The bank has now been designated to be the "banking arm" of the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE (CXX). In addition, Goldman Sachs has been contracted to run the investment trading floor of the exchange.So far so good; now the INTERESTING parts.One ShoreBank co-founder, named Jan Piercy, was a Wellesley College roommate of Hillary Clinton. Hillary and Bill Clinton have long supported the bank and are small investors.Another co-founder of Shorebank, named Mary Houghton, was a friend of Obama's late mother. Obama's mother worked on foreign MICRO-LOANS for the Ford Foundation. She worked for the foundation with a guy called Geithner. Yes, you guessed it. This man was the father of Tim Geithner, our present Treasury Secretary, who failed to pay all his taxes for two years.Another founder of ShoreBank was Ronald Grzywinski, a cohort and close friend of Jimmy Carter.The former ShoreBank Vice Chairman was a man called Bob Nash. He was the deputy campaign manager of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid. He also sat on the board of the Chicago Law School with Obama and Bill Ayers, the former terrorist. Nash was also a member of Obama's White House transition team.(To jog your memories, Bill Ayers is a Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He founded the Weather Underground, a radical revolutionary group that bombed buildings in the 60s and 70s. He had no remorse for those who were killed, escaped jail on a technicality, and is still an admitted Marxist).When Obama sat on the board of the JOYCE FOUNDATION, he "funneled" thousands of charity dollars to a guy named John Ayers, who runs a dubious education fund. Yes, you guessed it, the brother of Bill Ayers the terrorist.Howard Stanback is a board member of Shorebank. He is a former board chairman of the Woods Foundation. Obama and Bill Ayers, the terrorist, also sat on the board of the Woods Foundation. Stanback was formerly employed by New Kenwood Inc. a real estate development company co-owned by Tony Rezko.(You will remember that Tony Rezko was the guy who gave Obama an amazing sweet deal on his new house. Years prior to this, the law firm of Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland had represented Rezko's company and helped him get more than 43 million dollars in government funding. Guess who worked as a lawyer at the firm at the time. Yes, Barack Obama).Adele Simmons, the Director of ShoreBank, is a close friend of Valerie Jarrett, a White House senior advisor to Obama. Simmons and Jarrett also sit on the board of a dubious Chicago Civic Organization.Van Jones sits on the board of ShoreBank and is one the marketing directors for "green" projects. He also holds a senior advisor position for black studies at Princeton University. You will remember that Mr. Van Jones was appointed by Obama in 2009 to be a Special Advisor for Green Jobs at the White House. He was forced to resign over past political activities, including the fact that he is a Marxist.Al Gore was one of the smaller partners to originally help fund the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE. He also founded a company called Generation Investment Management (GIM) and registered it in London, England. GIM has close links to the UK-based Climate Exchange PLC, a holding company listed on the London Stock Exchange. This company trades Carbon Credits in Europe (just like CXX will do here) and its floor is run by Goldman Sachs.Along with Gore, the other co-founder of GIM is Hank Paulson, the former US Treasury Secretary and former CEO of Goldman Sachs. His wife, Wendy, graduated from and is presently a Trustee of Wellesley College. Yes, the same college that Hillary Clinton and Jan Piercy, a co-founder of Shorebank attended. (They are all friends). Interesting? And now the closing... Because many studies have been exposed as scientific nonsense, people are slowly realizing that man-made global warming is nothing more than a money generating hoax. As a result, Obama is working feverishly to win the race. He aims to push a Cap-and-Trade Carbon Tax Bill through Congress and into law.Obama knows he must get this passed before he loses his majority in Congress in the November elections. Apart from Climate Change he will "sell" this bill to the public as generating tax revenue to reduce our debt. But, it will also make it impossible for US companies to compete in world markets and drastically increase unemployment. In addition, energy prices (home utility rates) will sky rocket. But, here's the KICKER (THE MONEY TRAIL).If the bill passes, it is estimated that over 10 $TRILLION$ each year will be traded on the CXX exchange. At a commission rate of only 4 percent, the exchange would earn close to 400 $billion$ to split between its owners, all Obama cronies. At a 2 percent rate, Goldman Sachs would also rake in 200 $billion$ each year.But don't forget SHOREBANK. With 10 $trillion$ flowing through its accounts, the bank will earn close to 40 $billion$ in interest each year for its owners (more Obama cronies), without even breaking a sweat.It is estimated Al Gore alone will probably rake in 15 $billion$ just in the first year. Of course, Obama's "commissions" will be held in trust for him at the Joyce Foundation. They are estimated to be over 8 billion dollars by the time he leaves office in 2013, if the bill passes this year.
Of course, these commissions will continue to be paid for the rest of his life.Some financial experts think this will be the largest "scam" or "legal heist" in world history. Obama's cronies make the Mafia look like rank amateurs.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
"The two main enemies of the PEOPLE are criminals and government, so let us tie the second one down with the chains of the CONSTITUTION so the second will not become the legalized version of the first."
Thomas Jefferson
LIVE FREE... or DIE FIGHTING!!
This will make you spit nails! I knew PARTS of this, but not all. A MUST READ if you want to understand the specific liberal (monetary!) agenda of these greedy socialists! Please forward to all your friends. When you get to the "Kicker" of the email, you better be sitting down... -----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Liberal Money Trail
This makes Bernie Madoff's fraud look like penny ante stuff.
This is an interesting story put together from various articles and TV shows by the British Times paper. It shows what Obama and his friends are really all about. It's not hope and change... it is money. I warn you, the first part is a little boring, but stick with it. The second part connects all the dots for you (it will open your eyes). The end explains how Obama and all his cronies will end up as multi-billionaires. (It's definitely worth the read. You will not be disappointed).A small bank in Chicago called SHOREBANK almost went bankrupt during the recession. The bank made a profit on its foreign micro-loans (see below), but ad lost money in sub-prime mortgages in the US . It was facing likely closure by federal regulators. However, because the bank's executives were well connected with members of the Obama Administration, a private rescue bailout was arranged. The bank's employees had donated money to Obama's Senate campaign. In other words, ShoreBank was too politically connected to be allowed to go under.ShoreBank survived and invested in many "green" businesses such as solar panel manufacturing. In fact, the bank was mentioned in one of Obama's speeches during his election campaign because it subjected new business borrowers to eco-litmus tests.Prior to becoming President, Obama sat on the board of the JOYCE FOUNDATION, a liberal charity. This foundation was originally established by Joyce Kean's family which had accumulated millions of dollars in the lumber industry. It mostly gave funds to hospitals but after her death in 1972, the foundation was taken over by radical environmentalists and social justice extremists.This JOYCE FOUNDATION, which is rumored to have assets of 8 billion dollars, has now set up and funded, with a few partners, something called the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE, known as CXX. It will be the exchange (like the Chicago Grain Futures Market for agriculture) where Environmental Carbon Credits are traded.Under Obama's new bill, businesses in the future will be assessed a tax on how much CO2 they produce (their Carbon Footprint) or in other words how much they add to global warming. If a company produces less CO2 than their allotted measured limit, they earn a Carbon Credit. This Carbon Credit can be traded on the CXX exchange. Another company, which has gone over their CO2 limit, can buy the Credit and "reduce" their footprint and tax liability. It will be like trading shares on Wall Street.Well, it was the same JOYCE FOUNDATION, along with some other private partners and Wall Street firms that funded the bailout of ShoreBank. The foundation is now one of the major shareholders. The bank has now been designated to be the "banking arm" of the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE (CXX). In addition, Goldman Sachs has been contracted to run the investment trading floor of the exchange.So far so good; now the INTERESTING parts.One ShoreBank co-founder, named Jan Piercy, was a Wellesley College roommate of Hillary Clinton. Hillary and Bill Clinton have long supported the bank and are small investors.Another co-founder of Shorebank, named Mary Houghton, was a friend of Obama's late mother. Obama's mother worked on foreign MICRO-LOANS for the Ford Foundation. She worked for the foundation with a guy called Geithner. Yes, you guessed it. This man was the father of Tim Geithner, our present Treasury Secretary, who failed to pay all his taxes for two years.Another founder of ShoreBank was Ronald Grzywinski, a cohort and close friend of Jimmy Carter.The former ShoreBank Vice Chairman was a man called Bob Nash. He was the deputy campaign manager of Hillary Clinton's presidential bid. He also sat on the board of the Chicago Law School with Obama and Bill Ayers, the former terrorist. Nash was also a member of Obama's White House transition team.(To jog your memories, Bill Ayers is a Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He founded the Weather Underground, a radical revolutionary group that bombed buildings in the 60s and 70s. He had no remorse for those who were killed, escaped jail on a technicality, and is still an admitted Marxist).When Obama sat on the board of the JOYCE FOUNDATION, he "funneled" thousands of charity dollars to a guy named John Ayers, who runs a dubious education fund. Yes, you guessed it, the brother of Bill Ayers the terrorist.Howard Stanback is a board member of Shorebank. He is a former board chairman of the Woods Foundation. Obama and Bill Ayers, the terrorist, also sat on the board of the Woods Foundation. Stanback was formerly employed by New Kenwood Inc. a real estate development company co-owned by Tony Rezko.(You will remember that Tony Rezko was the guy who gave Obama an amazing sweet deal on his new house. Years prior to this, the law firm of Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland had represented Rezko's company and helped him get more than 43 million dollars in government funding. Guess who worked as a lawyer at the firm at the time. Yes, Barack Obama).Adele Simmons, the Director of ShoreBank, is a close friend of Valerie Jarrett, a White House senior advisor to Obama. Simmons and Jarrett also sit on the board of a dubious Chicago Civic Organization.Van Jones sits on the board of ShoreBank and is one the marketing directors for "green" projects. He also holds a senior advisor position for black studies at Princeton University. You will remember that Mr. Van Jones was appointed by Obama in 2009 to be a Special Advisor for Green Jobs at the White House. He was forced to resign over past political activities, including the fact that he is a Marxist.Al Gore was one of the smaller partners to originally help fund the CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE. He also founded a company called Generation Investment Management (GIM) and registered it in London, England. GIM has close links to the UK-based Climate Exchange PLC, a holding company listed on the London Stock Exchange. This company trades Carbon Credits in Europe (just like CXX will do here) and its floor is run by Goldman Sachs.Along with Gore, the other co-founder of GIM is Hank Paulson, the former US Treasury Secretary and former CEO of Goldman Sachs. His wife, Wendy, graduated from and is presently a Trustee of Wellesley College. Yes, the same college that Hillary Clinton and Jan Piercy, a co-founder of Shorebank attended. (They are all friends). Interesting? And now the closing... Because many studies have been exposed as scientific nonsense, people are slowly realizing that man-made global warming is nothing more than a money generating hoax. As a result, Obama is working feverishly to win the race. He aims to push a Cap-and-Trade Carbon Tax Bill through Congress and into law.Obama knows he must get this passed before he loses his majority in Congress in the November elections. Apart from Climate Change he will "sell" this bill to the public as generating tax revenue to reduce our debt. But, it will also make it impossible for US companies to compete in world markets and drastically increase unemployment. In addition, energy prices (home utility rates) will sky rocket. But, here's the KICKER (THE MONEY TRAIL).If the bill passes, it is estimated that over 10 $TRILLION$ each year will be traded on the CXX exchange. At a commission rate of only 4 percent, the exchange would earn close to 400 $billion$ to split between its owners, all Obama cronies. At a 2 percent rate, Goldman Sachs would also rake in 200 $billion$ each year.But don't forget SHOREBANK. With 10 $trillion$ flowing through its accounts, the bank will earn close to 40 $billion$ in interest each year for its owners (more Obama cronies), without even breaking a sweat.It is estimated Al Gore alone will probably rake in 15 $billion$ just in the first year. Of course, Obama's "commissions" will be held in trust for him at the Joyce Foundation. They are estimated to be over 8 billion dollars by the time he leaves office in 2013, if the bill passes this year.
Of course, these commissions will continue to be paid for the rest of his life.Some financial experts think this will be the largest "scam" or "legal heist" in world history. Obama's cronies make the Mafia look like rank amateurs.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
"The two main enemies of the PEOPLE are criminals and government, so let us tie the second one down with the chains of the CONSTITUTION so the second will not become the legalized version of the first."
Thomas Jefferson
LIVE FREE... or DIE FIGHTING!!
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