http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org Veterans for Common Sense en-us Copyright 2008 Veterans for Common Sense http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/xml/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:37:26 EST As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Barack Obama has fought to end benefit disparities, bring homeless veterans in off the street, strengthen mental health care, add billions of dollars in additional Department of Veterans Affairs funding, and reform a system that often places barriers between veterans and the benefits they have earned. Obama and Joe Biden will ensure we honor the sacred trust to care for our nation’s veterans. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11700 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:09:00 EST It may not be one of the most headlined positions in the cabinet, but for 20 percent of the American population - veterans and their dependents - the question of whom President-elect Barack Obama will pick as the secretary of veterans affairs is a big one. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11699 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Amanda Ruggeri ) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:05:00 EST This [economic situation] is a man-made crisis. It didn't have to happen. It was the result of macro-economic policies in the United States - in particular, a tax cut for the rich which did not stimulate the economy - combined with the Iraqi war, which led to soaring oil prices. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11698 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Daniel Altman ) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:59:00 EST Veterans fo the first conflict with Iraq waited nearly two decades for Washington to acknowledge the existence of the mysterious Gulf War Syndrome. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11697 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Tim Rutten ) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST Retired Army Sgt. Angela Peacock once was outgoing, competitive and athletic. These days, she barely functions, trusts no one and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder that prevents her from working. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11696 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Cheryl Wittenauer ) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:49:00 EST They were told they were crazy. Statistical anomalies. Whiners. This week — after enduring 17 years of baffling and incurable ailments they blamed on exposure to nasty chemicals and untested anti-nerve-gas agents— veterans of the Persian Gulf War were told they were right. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11695 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Jason Blevins and David Olinger ) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:47:00 EST A report released Monday revealed that the mysterious illness affecting veterans exposed to toxins during the 1991 Gulf War is real, making it easier for military personnel to seek federal aid.  Research advisory committee chariman James Binns details the findings. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11694 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Gwen Ifill ) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:24:00 EST Seventeen years later, Gulf War veterans finally have confirmation that the illnesses plaguing many of them have physical origins, largely exposure to chemical toxins. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11693 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board ) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:22:00 EST A key House leader is proposing to establish a "de-boot camp," where returning service members would undergo mandatory diagnosis for brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to reduce instances of domestic violence and suicide. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11692 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Audrey Hudson ) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:23:00 EST Chairman Filner: "Today’s roundtable revealed a number of shortcomings within the VA that are hardly new and most definitely failing our nation’s veterans. I am encouraged that the VA came forward and revealed that important documents were slated for the shredding bin.  I remain angry that a culture of dishonesty has led to increased mistrust of the VA within the veteran community.  A systemic lack of integrity seems pervasive and that is a shame." http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11691 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Chairman Bob Filner ) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:39:00 EST President-elect Obama has decided to tap Eric Holder as his attorney general, putting the veteran Washington lawyer in place to become the first African-American to head the Justice Department, according to two legal sources close to the presidential transition. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11690 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Michael Isikoff ) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:58:00 EST Former senior law lord condemns 'serious violation of international law' http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11689 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Richard Norton-Taylor ) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:52:00 EST "I have said repeatedly that I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that. I have said repeatedly that America doesn't torture, and I'm going to make sure that we don't torture. Those are part and parcel of an effort to regain America's moral stature in the world." http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11688 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Eugene Robinson ) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:42:00 EST Barack Obama's incoming administration is unlikely to bring criminal charges against government workers who authorized or used harsh interrogation techniques during the George W. Bush presidency. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11687 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Lara Jakes Jordan ) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:38:00 EST A new government study backs up veterans of the 1991 Gulf War who said they were literally, and physically, sickened during their service there.  The American people have an obligation to help them. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11686 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Austin American Statesman Editorial Board ) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:35:00 EST A harsh new report is blasting the relationship between a federal agency and the Institute of Medicine -- saying costly reports the IOM produced were worthless and failed to connect a widespread but baffling epidemic with its true causes. http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11685 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org (Dan Olmsted ) Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:32:00 EST