Veterans for Common Sense Weblog

Veterans for Common Sense Weblog http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org Veterans for Common Sense weblog en-us Copyright 2008 Veterans for Common Sense http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/xml/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:34:55 EST A MUST VIEW VIDEO: A HERO'S SONG BY BRENDAN JAMES <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/you-must-view-this-video-heros-song-by.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/you-must-view-this-video-heros-song-by.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5033 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:12:58 EST VA DOCUMENT SHREDDING NO SURPRISE TO VETS <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/va-document-shredding-no-surprise-to.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/va-document-shredding-no-surprise-to.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5032 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:57:10 EST WAR STRESSES GROWING: TOP MILITARY OFFICER <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/war-stresses-may-be-growing-top.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/war-stresses-may-be-growing-top.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5031 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:37:39 EST THE DEPLOYMENT GAME: LIVIN' FOBULOUS--NEW VIDEO BY CASEY J. PORTER <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/deployment-game-livin-fobulous-new.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/deployment-game-livin-fobulous-new.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5030 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:47:01 EST U.S. NEWS: Veterans Affairs Secretary – Seven Possible Choices… U.S. News & World Report  Obama Mulls Options for Veterans Affairs Secretary, Including Tammy Duckworth and Max Cleland  By <a href="http://www.usnews.com/Topics/tag/Author/r/ruggeri_amanda/index.html">Amanda Ruggeri</a>   Posted November 19, 2008   It may not be one of the most headlined positions in the cabinet, but for <a href="http://www1.va.gov/vetdata/docs/Pamphlet_2-1-08.pdf" target="_new">20 percent</a> 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.  <a href="http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/11/19/obama-mulls-options-for-veterans-affairs-secretary-including-tammy-duckworth-and-max-cleland.html?PageNr=1">http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/11/19/obama-mulls-options-for-veterans-affairs-secretary-including-tammy-duckworth-and-max-cleland.html?PageNr=1</a>

Technorati: VA Veterans Affairs Secetary of Veterans Affairs|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5029 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:26:27 EST COMBAT IN AFGHANISTAN: CBS' LARA LOGAN'S VIDEO REPORT <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/combat-in-afghanistan-lara-logan-cbs.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/combat-in-afghanistan-lara-logan-cbs.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5028 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:41:36 EST VIOLENT VIDEO: ENEMY SNIPER ATTACKS US TROOPS IN IRAQ <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/violent-video-sniper-attacks-us-troops.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/violent-video-sniper-attacks-us-troops.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5027 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:52:01 EST PRESS RELEASE:Veteran owned IT receives $91 million VA contract PRESS RELEASE Catapult Technology Wins Wi-Fi Implementation for Department of Veterans Affairs  $91 million project upgrades 236 VA facilities   Last update: 2:00 p.m. EST Nov. 17, 2008 BETHESDA, Md., Nov 17, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Catapult Technology, Ltd., a leading Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO) Information Technology (IT) contractor to the federal government, announced the award of a five-year, $91 million contract under the Veterans Technology Services (VETS) Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) to replace the wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), location-based infrastructure across 236 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. Catapult is the prime contractor; General Dynamics is the subcontractor, with a number of other SDVO small businesses as subcontractors as well. Catapult will survey all VA locations to determine Wi-Fi infrastructure equipment needs, procure required wireless equipment, and implement a Cisco(R)-based Wi-Fi solution at each of 236 VA facilities across the United States. The Wi-Fi implementation will cover a broad range of data and telecommunications needs, including video, voice, and data.   The VA's current Wi-Fi location-based infrastructure is 5-7 years old and is need of upgrade, with inconsistent equipment and manufacturers. Catapult will help streamline the Wi-Fi infrastructure to help the VA better meet future technology needs and meet the requirements of the VA Office of Cyber and Information Security (OCIS) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).   The Wi-Fi implementation affects all data sharing at each of the 236 VA facilities. For example, medical personnel can securely share the results of an X-ray from any computer anywhere in a facility. The data will be able to be shared internally or with any other of the 236 VA facilities. Because data is transferred wirelessly, a PC does not need to be plugged into a wall to run any application.   "The Wi-Fi project is an expansion of Catapult's IT existing telecom infrastructure, with a new spin. It puts us squarely in the telecommunications business," said Randy J. Slager, CEO, Chairman, and founder of Catapult Technology. "The VA chose Catapult for this project because of our ability to handle projects of considerable size, scope, and complexity."   "The VA can expect to streamline data sharing and become more efficient as a result of the Wi-Fi implementation," Slager added. "And, as a veteran who has benefited from Wi-Fi technology as a patient at VA facilities, the project means a lot to me."   Catapult's past performance with the VA includes a variety of management consulting programs. Additionally, this project is Catapult's second large contract under the VETS GWAC, the first being the Department of Defense (DoD), Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), Defense Continuity Integrated Network/Pentagon Continuity Information System (DCIN/PCIS) program.  "Wi-Fi" is short for wireless fidelity and refers to certain types of wireless local area networks (WLAN). About Catapult Technology   An established 8(a) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned information technology, security services and consulting firm, Catapult Technology, Ltd. provides comprehensive, quality technology solutions, human resources and management consulting to the Federal government and private sector. Recognized as the top SDVOB IT prime contractor to the Federal government, Catapult has consistently ranked on the Inc. 500, Washington Technology Fast 50, and Deloitte Fast 500. Catapult is focused on quality service delivery and has been independently certified a Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3 company. Catapult is ISO 9001:2000 registered. Founded in August 1996, Catapult is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.   CONTACT: Eric Brahney                240/ 482-2100     SOURCE Catapult Technology, Ltd.   <p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 16.8pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"> <a href="http://www.catapulttechnology.com/" target="_blank">http://www.catapulttechnology.com</a>   Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Catapult-Technology-Wins-Wi-Fi/story.aspx?guid=%7B61A483F2-6530-4EAF-B939-05EC7D3D01BA%7D">http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Catapult-Technology-Wins-Wi-Fi/story.aspx?guid=%7B61A483F2-6530-4EAF-B939-05EC7D3D01BA%7D</a>

Technorati: VA IT Disabled Veterans Employment Computer Contract|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5026 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:59:54 EST WHAT WAR LOOKS LIKE-REDUX: VIDEOS BY CASEY J. PORTER <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-war-looks-like-redux-videos-by.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-war-looks-like-redux-videos-by.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5025 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:52:45 EST COMBAT MEDIC PRE-DEPLOYMENT TRAINING VIDEO--GREAT MUSIC <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/combat-medic-pre-deployment-training.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/combat-medic-pre-deployment-training.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5024 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:09:07 EST CNN REPORTS: MORE VIOLENCE IN IRAQ. 14 KILLED BY CAR BOMBINGS <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/cnn-reports-more-violence-in-iraq-14.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/cnn-reports-more-violence-in-iraq-14.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5023 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:05:25 EST NEW VIDEO: PRESIDENT BUSH ADMITS TO OUTING CIA AGENT VALERIE PLAME <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-video-george-w-bush-outed-cia-agent.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-video-george-w-bush-outed-cia-agent.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5022 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:53:07 EST LOOK AT THEIR FACES: VIDEO OF 27TH BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM DEPLOYING TO AFGHANISTAN <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/look-at-their-faces-video-of-27th.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/look-at-their-faces-video-of-27th.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5021 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:27:35 EST URGENT: IRAQ BLAST KILLS 9 INJURES 37 <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/urgent-iraq-blast-kills-9-injures-37.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/urgent-iraq-blast-kills-9-injures-37.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5020 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:24:15 EST The Second Front Our soldiers just keep answering the nation's call, since the Revolution.  We have a sacred duty to take care of them when they are there and when they come home.  It angers me that our political and some military leaders have fallen so short when it comes to that sacred duty.   (I wrote about those shortcomings, criticizing and exposing the lack of or the wrong treatment for PTSD as a newspaper reporter for many years.  I fought the Department of Veterans Affairs for four years as an aide to former Congressman Louis Stokes, who chaired the appropriations subcommittee that funds VA.  The VA tried to have me fired and accused me of breaking the law for meeting with about 50 Vietnam veteran patients who walked out of the hospital one night in their gowns and pajamas to a metro park to complain about the way they were treated.  So much for freedom.  The VA lost.  I stayed on and progress has been made but not nearly enough.) Sincerely,Mike Marcellinoveteran, US Army, II Field Force, VietnamPS:  A friend read this in part of some writing I'm doing and she urged me to post it.  Thanks to Paula, for caring so much about our veterans.

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http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5019 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:33:40 EST HORRIFYING VIDEO: AFGHAN SCHOOLGIRLS HIT BY ACID ATTACK: US SOLDIER KILLED <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/horrifying-video-acid-attacks-on-afghan.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/horrifying-video-acid-attacks-on-afghan.html</a>

Technorati: afghanistan war| acid attack afghan schoolgirls| us soldier|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5018 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:32:36 EST CATASTROPHIC VIDEO OF IED EXPLODING US MILITARY VEHICLE <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/catastrophic-ied-filmed-by-us-marine.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/catastrophic-ied-filmed-by-us-marine.html</a>

Technorati: IED| iraq war| |

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5017 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:56:16 EST BAGHDAD COLLAPSING INTO VIOLENCE----AGAIN <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/baghdad-collapsing-into-violence-again.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/baghdad-collapsing-into-violence-again.html</a>

Technorati: iraq war| iraq today| violence| baghdad|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5016 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:26:47 EST IRAQ PEACE IS FALLING APART. 2 US SOLDIERS KILLED, 6 MORE WOUNDED. <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/iraq-peace-is-falling-apart-2-us.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/iraq-peace-is-falling-apart-2-us.html</a>

Technorati: iraq war| 2 us soldiers killed| 6 wounded| blasts in iraq|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5015 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:34:19 EST BAGHDAD BOMBINGS INCREASE: 2 KILLED 15 WOUNDED: CNN REPORTS <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/baghdad-bombings-increase-2-killed-15.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/baghdad-bombings-increase-2-killed-15.html</a>

Technorati: iraq war| baghdad bombings|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5014 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:39:59 EST COMPLETE LIST OF NAMES OF US TROOPS KILLED IN IRAQ IN OCTOBER <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/complete-list-of-names-of-us-troops.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/complete-list-of-names-of-us-troops.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5013 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:26:15 EST RAPED IN THE MILITARY: YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR OWN FORENSIC EXAM KIT <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/raped-in-military-youll-have-to-pay-for.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/raped-in-military-youll-have-to-pay-for.html</a>

Technorati: women in the military| rape| exam kits|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5012 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:32:02 EST CNN COMBAT HOSPITAL MUSIC VIDEO <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/cnn-combat-hospital-music-video-cold.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/cnn-combat-hospital-music-video-cold.html</a>

Technorati: CNN| combat hospital| iraq war|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5011 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:20:31 EST VICTIMS OF THE IRAQ WAR. WARNING EXTREMELY GRAPHIC MUSIC VIDEO <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/horrors-of-war-another-kind">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/horrors-of-war-another-kind</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5010 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:13:10 EST Email from a Soldier A SOLDIER DIED TODAY   He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past.    Of a war that he had fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one.    And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, All his Legion buddies listened  For they knew whereof he spoke . But we'll hear his tales no longer, For old Bill has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a soldier died today.   He will not be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary And quite uneventful life.   Held a job and raised a family, Quietly going on his way; And the world won't note his passing, though a Soldier died today.   When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great.    Papers tell their whole life stories From the time that they were young, But the passing of a soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung.   Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land, A guy who breaks his promises And cons his fellow man?   Or the ordinary fellow who, In times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his Country And offers up his life?   A politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are sometimes disproportionate, To the service that he gives . While the ordinary soldier, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps, a pension small.   It's so easy to forget them, For it was so long ago, That the old Bills of our country Went to battle, but we know  It was not the politicians With their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom That our Country now enjoys.  Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you want a politician With his ever-shifting stand?  Or would you prefer a soldier, Who has sworn to defend, His home, his kin and Country And would fight until the end?  He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us We may need his like again.  For when countries are in conflict, Then we find the Soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start.  If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days.  Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."  © 1987, Lawrence Vaincourt  (published here by permission.)  <a href="http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com/" target="_blank">(please visit the Vaincourt site)</a> Thanks for dropping by; hope you enjoyed this poem and don't forget to pray for our soldiers, wherever they may be!

Technorati: Veterans Day VA|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5009 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:10:56 EST Vietnam veteran fought uphill battle to cope after war by Tom Mitchelle   <a href="/x/leadertimes/"><img alt="Leader Times" border="0" height="38" src="/images/head_leadertimes.gif" width="251" /></a><script src="/pages/textsizer.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <a class="headlinelink3" href="javascript:history.back()">Back to headlines</a> <a href="javascript:ts('storyBody',1)" style="font-size: 11px"><img alt="Larger text" border="0" height="30" src="/images/larger_text.gif" width="85" />Larger text</a> <a href="javascript:ts('storyBody',-1)" style="font-size: 11px"><img alt="Smaller text" border="0" height="30" src="/images/smaller_text.gif" width="89" />Smaller text</a> <h1 class="headline">Vietnam veteran fought uphill battle to cope after war</h1> MANOR -- They don't consider themselves heroes, they don't want medals. They just want a little respect and perhaps a little recognition for what they've done. As one Vietnam combat veteran, Ernie Higham, put it: "I did for you what you probably wouldn't do for me." "It doesn't matter what position anyone has on war, for or against. But what people need to do, especially family members of veterans returning from war, is to learn what vets have done for this country through the years, then learn how to deal with them in a proper manner. As in my day when returning from Vietnam,... Article here:<a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/s_597864.html">http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/s_597864.html</a>

Technorati: Veterans Day Vietanm Heroes VA health care|

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5008 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:27:07 EST A SNIPER FIRES ON US TROOPS IN IRAQ. VERY GRAPHIC <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/iraq-sniper-fires-on-us-troops-very.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/iraq-sniper-fires-on-us-troops-very.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5007 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:59:04 EST AERIAL FOOTAGE OF AFGHANISTAN WAR: GREAT STUFF!!! <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/aerial-footage-of-afghanistan-war-great.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/aerial-footage-of-afghanistan-war-great.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5006 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:41:01 EST GIRL, 13, BLOWS HERSELF UP AND KILLS 33 IN BAGHDAD <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/girl-13-blows-herself-up-and-kills-33.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/girl-13-blows-herself-up-and-kills-33.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5005 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:00:39 EST 25 KILLED, 50 WOUNDED IN TWIN SUICIDE BOMBINGS IN BAGHDAD <a href="http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/25-killed-in-twin-suicide-bombings-in.html">http://corksphere.blogspot.com/2008/11/25-killed-in-twin-suicide-bombings-in.html</a>

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/blogid/5004 contact@veteransforcommonsense.org () Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:55:39 EST