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Petition Tag - military
1. Voice of the People: Stay out of Syria 
The government is meant to reflect its people. How many, countless times have Americans said "What about us? Why do we have to be the ones to get involved?"
In America, we should focus on our own in-country affairs before funneling out money, weapons, and resources to a civil war. It is a "civil war" because it is far more complicated than a simple country uprising. There are too many variables that the government has not considered before taking rash action. With the rebel group linked to al-Qaeda, we should not get involved in their efforts.
If you know anything about the real Syrian people, you would know they would never support the public execution of children for "blasphemy". For all intents and purposes, America should not support an extremist rebel group.
Since unemployment and other serious issues still a major concern, we cannot go around policing every country. Leave our military defense as a DEFENSE.
2. Transfer military rape cases to civilian courts
There is little accountability in the military for sexual assaults. When people are found guilty they are often only given a slap on the wrist.
Very few accusations of rape in the military receive the proper attention and the problem is only getting worse.
3. Reject Renewed US Militarism in the Philippines
Allowing the US military presence in the Philippines has proved to be very detrimental to the country’s interests.
It has heavily militarized the Philippines!
Last year, a minimum of 70 US warships docked in Subic. And every year, around 100 US aircrafts use the runway in Clark. And these figures preclude those warships and aircrafts that go directly to Mindanao and Sulu where the US has three Task Forces of elite Special Forces.
This year, from January to March 18, warships docked in Manila, Subic and Cebu. These include submarines, destroyers and frigates. These warships carried 5,000 military men. And for the Balikatan 2013, the US is now employing the MV-22B Ospreys, F/A 18 fighter jets, 19 other aircrafts and 270 Marine Corps tactical vehicles and amphibious assault vehicles.
The US forces are permanently present even if troops and vessels are on rotational deployment. The US military practically has the whole Philippine territory for its base.
This is dangerous for the Philippines and the Filipinos as this could serve as a magnet for attacks from the many enemies of the US. More than giving security to Filipinos, it endangers the lives of the people.
It has actually caused direct physical harm and even death to some Filipinos and Filipino communities. Some of these came from accidental firing, from direct assault of Filipinos by foreign troops and also from military operations that the US soldiers conducted with the Armed forces of the Philippines.
It has infringed on our national sovereignty and has grossly disregarded the country’s territorial integrity.
The Philippines has a Constitution that absolutely bans nuclear weapons in Philippine territory. But, the government cannot even check for nuclear weapons in US vessels, aircrafts, storage facilities or camps.
It has a provision that foreign troops and bases are not allowed in the absence of a treaty duly passed by senates of both countries.
The Philippines cannot impose its laws on “visiting forces”; the US never allows Philippine authorities to arrest or take custody of their erring men as in the case of the “Subic Rape Case” and the officers and men of USS Guardian who were immediately shipped out of the country after the Tubbataha mishap.
It is causing grave social and environmental problems.
“Nicole” is the only case that prospered in court and was highly publicized.
The military agreements with the US have become pimping mechanisms. As prostitution has multiplied several times from pre-VFA years, abuse of women is common place in areas where US troops operate.
And, with the rise in prostitution comes also the rise in cases of drug use and addiction. Soon it will be a repeat of the problem on caring for abandoned AmerAsian children that reached 50,000 during the years of the bases.
Studies have shown that an average US soldier produces an average of 4 kilos of garbage. Five thousand US soldiers per month that stay in the Philippines for an average of five days will produce 100 tons of garbage, additional to the Philippines’ already burgeoning garbage disposal problem.
The incident in November in 2012 involving the disposal of hazardous waste to the sea in Subic is instructive and a glaring demonstration of the US disregard of our environmental laws. The destruction of the country’s ecosystem during live-fire exercises have yet to be assessed. But even now, USS Glenn
Guardian’s running aground in Tubbataha warns us that continued operations of the US military could greatly damage not only a world heritage but a great source of food of our people.
It keeps us hostage to US impositions; it will drag us into US’ wars of aggression. Therefore, the Philippines would not be contributing to world peace. The token humanitarian assistance in the form of classroom repairs, footbridge construction, building of basketball courts will never be enough to justify our acts of abetting US’ crime: waging wars purportedly for peace and democracy but are actually wars for profit and imperial power.
What we can do:
1. Sign on and endorse this message and send a copy directly to the Philippine President His Excellency Benigno Aquino III
Mail: H.E. Benigno Aquino III
New Executive Building
Malacañang Palace Compound
J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila
Fax: (632) 735-8005
Email: op@president.gov.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/presidentnoy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/noynoyaquino or search @noynoyaquino
2. Encourage your family and friends to sign on and endorse this message
3. Write a Letter to the Editor; make your own expression via artwork, message icon, etc expressing your sentiment for a peaceful, nuclear-free, bases-free and independent Philippines and share them through various social media.
Please send us a copy at:
scrapvfa@lists.riseup.net
scrapvfamovt@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/scrapvfa/
Warner Barracks has been part of Bambergs Community since the 50s and it's sad to see it go.
So many german businesses have profited from them, the german-american relationships have grown and a lot of families have settled down in the Area. The Post is actually easy to take care of, it's easy to walk from one end to the other, it's in the center of bavaria.
5. Request for Army Tuition Assistance
The target of this document is to persuade members of congress to lift the present suspension of Army Tuition Assistance. We the soldiers who swore a contract to uphold the US constitution and defend America were guaranteed our right to education.
Cutting the tuition assistance program will only hinder our soldiers ability to obtain a proper education. A wise NCO once said "If you do not pursue an education after your enlistment, you will have set back the US Army 30yrs".
On 30 June 2009, then SPC Bowe Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now SGT Bergdahl is the only American currently being held captive.
It is time to bring Bowe home!
32,226 is the number of our military injured in Iraq.
17,644 is the number of our military injured in Afghanistan.
These numbers are a representation of the physically wounded; they do not include the 250,000 mental injuries such as traumatic brain injury, and post traumatic stress disorder which are known to cause anxiety, depression, rage, anger, mood swings, substance abuse.
These physical and mental wounds often result in the contemplation, attempting, and committing of suicide.
8. We support Staff Sgt Jordan Pritchard
Valley marine calls himself to duty at an Elementary school. Sgt. Craig Pusley wears his desert camo fatigues... no weapons... just him. Took it upon himself to go to the nearby school and stand watch outside. The school loved it. The principal thanked him. No pay.. no breaks... just his heart felt need to do this. His reward?
Marine Corp Reservists says he violated protocol bt wearing his fatigues and not his dress uniform in public. Facing $10,000 fine and 5 years in prison. Also getting a "dishonorable" stamp on his "honorable" discharge. He served 2 tours in iraq, in Baghdad and Ramadi. One in Helmand province of Afghanistan before leaving active duty.
9. Military presence at schools
In response to the recent tragedy at Newtown, Ct. we as parents (and taxpayers) believe there should be a military presence at every school across the country until appropriate security measures are taken.
As secure as the current systems may seem, the holes have been exposed in this latest act of violence. In order to stop an armed gunmen, they have to be met with the same at the front door. Recent census shows that there are approx. 3 million total (active & reserve) U.S. Service Members and approx. 100,000 schools.
This ratio shows that this is possible with 30 members per every school and in all reality, to ensure safety there is only 1-2 needed. Our troops as well as our government are funded through our tax money and it is about time we have a say in where it goes.
10. KEEP FULL MILITARY HEALTH FOR THE ADF
ABOUT 80,000 military personnel will receive lower standards of care, delays in treatment and won't be able to choose their preferred doctor under sweeping changes to defence health care.
Medicos have warned wounded troops could be forced to take out private insurance to avoid the impact of the contracts those who treat soldiers, sailors and air force staff are being forced to sign.
Surgeons and other specialists will be hit by a "not negotiable" 40 to 50 per cent drop in fees to treat military personnel at bases around Australia under government-imposed budget cuts.
The new military fees are well below Australian Medical Association rates.
All personnel, including those wounded in action or hurt on base or at home, are covered for full medical and dental care.
The latest assault on military entitlements, part of a $154 million 10-year budget cut to defence health services, follows an aborted attempt by top brass to remove family reunion travel from members over the age of 21.
Specialists are refusing to sign so-called garrison health services contracts with Medibank Health Solutions after the government-owned firm won a new $1.3 billion four-year contract in June.
"I urge the decision makers to look at the potentially destructive effect these contract changes will have on morale by limiting access to quality medical care for injuries they suffer in the service of their country," one orthopaedic surgeon said.
Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons national co-ordinator Stephen Milgate said members were very concerned about the trend towards US-style managed healthcare and many senior surgeons would refuse to sign the contract.
MHS spokesman Dr Ian Boyd said: "Our goal is to provide the best healthcare options for every eligible ADF member, but we also have to be responsible and cost-effective with the program's delivery."
"They either take a lower fee or they don't get the work," Mr Brown said.
A top orthopaedic surgeon, who asked not to be named, said he would not sign despite working with the military for the past 11 years.
"Cheapest price is unlikely to provide best practice outcomes for the personnel that should be valued by Defence," the surgeon said.
Opposition defence spokesman David Johnston said he was concerned that Defence Budget cuts were impacting directly upon the men and women in service.
"These are the very people we ask to put their bodies and lives on the line to defend our country and yet the Gillard government is resorting to a cut price solution to their medical care," Senator Johnston said
11. Reinstate "pips and crowns" for Canadian Army officers
Prior to Unification in 1968, Canada's Army officers wore the traditional "pips and crowns" for ranks from second lieutenant to general.
Upon Unification, the Army (or Mobile Command as it became known) wore generic bars, the same as the Navy and Air Force.
12. Approval To Re-Enlist in the Armed Forces
My discharge was inaccurate and imprecise, because during the time I was in DEP, I wasn’t smoking at all. I was enlisted into The United States Navy on August 20, 2009 and I shipped off October 28, 2009. In the middle of June, when I decided that the Navy was something I wanted to do I knew it was time to commit myself solely to it.
I was a very heavy smoker, not because I loved it, but it took my mind away from my unhealthy surroundings (Memphis, Tn) and instability. When I spoke with the recruiter and she said, “The Navy has a ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ with drugs, I knew it was time to handle business. I PROMISE I gave up the smoking and got a pharmaceutical government job at McKesson. I had to take a drug test in August with Select Staffing, in Memphis, Tn, to obtain the job. I passed it with flying colors. Also, I took numerous of drug tests with my recruiter and passed each one. Then, took two urinalysis exams for MEPS; once while getting my examination and the other before I shipped off. I don’t understand how I failed! Plus if there was still THC in my system it wasn’t from smoking while enlisting nor while in DEP. It came from being a heavy smoker before I decided to join the Navy.
It is scientifically proven that the length of time it takes to remove THC completely from your body depends on the amount that you consume each day. I was a Heavy Smoker, smoking a plethora of grams a day or every other day. The length of time varies, due to different smokers and different bodies. It also proves, that if you are a heavy smoker, it could take anywhere from two months to seven months. Maybe Even More! The marijuana that was used before considering the Navy enlistment shouldn’t be used against me, for I wasn’t a product of the NAVY until August 20, 2009. The day that I signed myself over should’ve been the THC considering factor. I was in DEP for two months, and once again, I Did Not Smoke. If it takes almost 2 months to 7 months or more to remove a heavy smokers THC, why didn’t the Navy check the levels of THC before enlisting and when we arrived for Training.
I was constantly passing all of my drug tests from my recruiter, MEPS, and my job. If I would have known that it took longer for THC to leave my system and the urinalysis given to me everywhere else didn’t mean anything, I would’ve waited and tried to check my THC levels. Passing every drug test prior to shipping off really gave me confidence that I was THC free and I was done with weed. I even tried to fight my case in Training. I was willing to do anything to stay. I agreed to drug test, appearing before the board, and I even requested to respectfully to appear before the Captain. The most important thing to me was appearing before the Captain, so he would understand how sincere and passionate I was about returning back to my division. I felt I was falsely accused of drug abuse and my THC level.
I’ve sent a DD293 before in 2010 and this is my second time submitting one. I never received a letter or email stating if I was denied or approved of the code & narrative reason change. I’m not going to give up and I will keep sending paperwork until I get a response. I know it’s almost been three years since I was discharged, so I’m mailing and faxing this before you may say it’s too late. I’m clean as a whistle and if I was to be drug tested right now, it would show up as 0% THC. Everyone deserves a second chance!
13. Bring the Home Town Hero Banners to Hilton!
Hundreds of communities locally and nationally proudly display "Home Town Hero" banners recognizing the men and women currently serving in our armed forces.
As per our Mayor, he does not want to "copy" other communities in this area by recognizing our family members currently serving in the military with the "HOMETOWN HERO" banners that are proudly displayed in Spencerport, Brockport and Clarkson. Instead there is a "Wall of Honor" in the Community Center. Very noble; however, who sees it? Nearly 3 THOUSAND cars travel our little Main Street on a daily basis, not to mention Rt. 259 North and South in the Village of Hilton.
I would like to present a signed petition in support for the HOME TOWN HERO BANNERS to be displayed in our community.
14. Military Discount at Starbucks
This video explains why? A Soldier and active Marine asking a Starbucks employee for a military discount, and couldn't get one.
He has served our country, he should get a discount. Everyone who shows a military ID should receive a discount.
**New The Phil show Goes half way and changes name of show to "Heroes in Pain", but yet no formal apology to our Veterans**
Please read the story that was posted in You Served.
We’ve received a lot of response about last week’s show, “Heroes in Pain,” which focused on the epidemic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that torments so many lives, including soldiers who’ve put their lives on the line serving our country. Some viewers expressed concern, and even disappointment, with the show’s original title, “Heroes to Monsters?” Our intent was to acknowledge the question so often cited in the media, not to make a statement, and to emphasize the severity of the pain and suffering our guests say they experience. In doing so, we unintentionally offended some of our viewers, and have therefore changed the title to more accurately reflect the show’s content.
I’m glad the show stirred so many of you to respond. Our goal is, and always will be, to call attention to the challenges our returning soldiers face, including PTSD. I really wanted you to hear firsthand the effects that PTSD can have on war heroes and their families, and I’m grateful to our guests for being so candid and honest about their experiences. I hope other media outlets will join us in talking openly about these challenges and our need as a society to respond with compassionate action. Two of my three sisters married fighter pilots (Vietnam era), and my nephew flew many missions as a Navy fighter pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan, so the lives of our veterans hits very close to home.
They should have just said, “Hey guys, we’re just going to change the name, so could you kindly back off? Oh and we’re going to leave that damaged goods voice over bit in the preview.”
Did Dr. Phil ever stop to point out that most veterans with PTSD don’t end up setting their wives on fire or stabbing people repeatedly in the face? Of course not. Indeed, recent research has found that the link between PTSD and violent behavior is actually weak.
How many veterans with PTS have never committed an act of violence. How many haven’t committed a crime? I can tell you that the number of veterans that have not outnumbers those that have by far. How many people saw this show and the numerous reports in the media of bad behavior by those with PTS? How many of those now assume everyone with PTS is dangerous? Far more than anyone knows or is willing to admit. The potential number scares me to even think about.
What Dr. Phil should have written, in my opinion, is this. “We are deeply saddened that we handled this topic so poorly. We regret not inviting additional veterans with PTS that have learned to live with their illness as part of our support and treatment plans for Matt and Mark. We are currently planning a follow up show that will feature veterans that defy the myth and stereotype furthered by our show and many in the media. An overwhelming majority of veterans diagnosed with PTS are not violent, monsters, or damaged goods.”
They should have left off the slimely marketing of The PTSD Breakthrough at the end of the “apology” as well. In case you’re unaware, Dr. Frank Lawlis is the author of The PTSD Breakthrough and is also the chairman of the Dr. Phil Advisory Board. By the way, the show is listed with it’s original title on Dr. Phil’s bio page of Dr. Lawli
THIS IS THE COMMENTS THAT DR. PHIL STATED ON HIS SHOW ABOUT OUR VETERANS.
PTSD: civilians just love to paint veterans as riddled with this disease, causing them to become violent, unhinged lunatics who will explode at the slightest provocation.
Look at just about any news story where a violent crime is committed by a veteran, and PTSD is almost immediately floated as the reason. In the media narrative, violence and PTSD go hand-in-hand. At the same time, troops are criticized for not coming forward and admitting they have a problem, and seeking help for it. (Gee, could it possibly be because we paint veterans with PTSD as homicidal lunatics?)
Dr. Phil, arguably one of the most popular talk show hosts on the planet, decided to feature this issue on his show this week. And while he could have taken a reasonable approach, he went straight for the gut instead. Titling the show “From Heroes To Monsters”, he painted a picture of vets with PTSD as ticking time bombs of violence, describing them as damaged goods who “destroy families” and “dismantle marriages”.
Editor note: the video after the jump WILL autoplay.
One of Dr. Phil’s guests, Matt, is a former Marine who struggles with PTSD. He speaks about how, while deployed to Afghanistan, he repeatedly stabbed an enemy combatant in the face, even after he was dead, to get his anger out. He also claims he saw “lots” of innocent people killed, including women and children. (His last name isn’t given, so it’s impossible to verify his claims of killing women and children while deployed to Afghanistan.)
After Matt, Dr. Phil featured Mark and Heather. Mark is another veteran with PTSD who admits he has violent rages, says his life has been destroyed, and is afraid of what he will do to his family. Heather’s husband, Duane, had PTSD. He beat her and set her on fire.
The common thread between all of these stories: violence. Did Dr. Phil ever stop to point out that most veterans with PTSD don’t end up setting their wives on fire or stabbing people repeatedly in the face? Of course not. Indeed, recent research has found that the link between PTSD and violent behavior is actually weak. Another dirty little secret Dr. Phil didn’t feel was necessary to point out: civilians get PTSD, too. In fact, anyone can get it — anyone who has been through a trauma. According to the VA, about 7-8% of the general population will get PTSD at some point in their lives. For veterans, the risk is slightly higher, although not by much at 11-20%. And, believe it or not, the symptoms of PTSD do not include sudden violence such as setting your wife on fire or stabbing people in the face. Common symptoms include reliving the event, avoiding situations that remind you of it, feeling numb, feeling jittery, suddenly being angry or irritable, having trouble sleeping, etc. Setting your wife on fire? Not so much a normal occurrence. While relationship problems and violence may occur, acting as if it is a foregone conclusion (as Dr. Phil did) and saying that vets with PTSD are “monsters” is ridiculous and offensive.
It has been noted time and again, including here at You Served, that there is a stigma associated with veterans who have PTSD. While things may slowly be getting better, we still have a long way to go. And clearly, that goes for civilians as well. When the leading daytime talk show host runs a show calling veterans with PTSD “monsters” and “damaged goods”, it’s no wonder that there is a stigma attached to PTSD. The media gleefully paints vets who struggle with it as ticking time bombs, as stereotypes of lunatics about to snap at any given moment. The narrative isn’t new… but I don’t ever recall seeing veterans being so blatantly insulted by being called “monsters” and “damaged goods”.
I’m curious if Dr. Phil honestly thinks it’s helpful to paint such a negative, violent picture of veterans struggling with PTSD. I would wager he doesn’t care at all about how this affects our military. Because if he did, this show wouldn’t have existed. What he has done is continue to spread a false and harmful narrative about our troops, which spreads the stigma associated with PTSD even further. And what does that do? It encourages veterans who are struggling with symptoms of PTSD to become even more reluctant to come forward and seek help. Why would they? They’re being told that they’re monsters, damaged goods, violent abusive lunatics. While Dr. Phil is by no means the only perpetrator, this is by far the worst example I have seen in the media.
Having PTSD does not make you “damaged goods”. Does having cancer make someone damaged? What about depression, or bipolar disorder, or any number of other diseases? Telling someone who has PTSD that they are a monster and therefore need to get help makes about as much sense as telling a woman who has breast cancer that she’s damaged goods and therefore needs chemotherapy. It’s not going to encourage anyone to actually seek help. What it will surely do for vets, though, is reinforce the idea that they are somehow broken, that they’ll be judged and punished for having PTSD, and make them think that they are right to not tell anyone and to not get help. None of our troops who are afflicted with PTSD are monsters, they are not damaged, and 99% of them are not violent, homicidal maniacs about to snap at any moment.
The men and women who serve in our Armed Forces give up so much. They sacrifice their time with their families, their bodies, and their lives. For some, they sacrifice their mental health. This does not make them broken, or crazy, or violent, and it especially does not make them monsters. Meanwhile, here is Dr. Phil, taking the sacrifice and exploiting it, calling our troops — who have already given up so much for us — monsters. He should be ashamed of himself.
If he has any honor at all, any gratitude for the service of our veterans, he’ll issue an apology and a retraction. You can contact the Dr. Phil Show at:
Read more at YouServed: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2012/04/20/dr-phil-vets-with-ptsd-are-damaged-goods-monsters/#ixzz1sijhpckP
Title 34: Education
PART 106—NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Subpart B—Coverage
§ 106.13 Military and merchant marine educational institutions.
This part does not apply to an educational institution whose primary purpose is the training of individuals for a military service of the United States or for the merchant marine.
(Authority: Secs. 901, 902, Education Amendments of 1972, 86 Stat. 373, 374; 20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682)
17. بيان الأطباء لرفض إهانة نقابة الأطباء المصرية لسميرة إبراهيم وبنات مصر
أرفض البيان الصادر باسم نقابة الأطباء الذي يعلن فيه أن النقابة شاركت في الدفاع عن الطبيب المتهم بكشوف العذرية وأعتذر باسمي الشخصي كطبيب وإنسان قبل أي شيء لسميرة إبراهيم وكل بنات مصر الذين أصابهم من العسكر ما أصابهم مما لم يفعله الصهاينة في حربنا معهموأطالب نقابة أطباء مصر بالاعتذار وإصدار البيان التالي
18. Help Make Asheville, NC A Tricare Prime Service Area Again
In April of 2011, The North Region of Tricare, which is the US Military Medical Insurance, redid their contract with Healthnet Federal Services, the contractor for the North Region.
With this contract revision came some very disturbing changes that need to be adjusted such as ripping the Tricare Prime Service Option out of the Asheville, NC Area.
Please sign this petition to fight to bring it back to this area asap as there is an extensive ammout of military retirees, and guard & reserve members in this area that are being affected by this unfair change.
The change that was brought forward by the April 2011 contract was that they were wiping away all NC Tricare Prime areas accept for a 50 mile radius of the NC Military Instalitations. This is totally unfair. Please sign this petition.
Egyptian activist, blogger, and software developer Alaa Abd El Fattah who played a major part in the Egyptian revolution, has been unlawfully detained, after voluntarily responding to a summoning by a military prosecutor, since 30 October 2011.
Refusing to recognise the validity of the interrogation, or the military prosecutor questioning him, Alaa was faced with charges including inciting violence and theft of weapons, despite unquestionable evidence to contradict. Alaa's silence also stemmed from his belief in the huge part the military played in the killing of peaceful protesters in that particular incident.
Following an international campaign against military trials for civilians, Field Marshal Tantawi, Egypt's interim leader, ordered the case to be transferred from a military prosecutor to the State Security Court.
Expected to have been released this week, Alaa's case was rejected by an Appeals Court and The High State Security Court has added the charge of premeditated murder with the intention of committing an act of terrorism to the list of the charges he is facing.
Many believe Alaa's detention is a tactful mind game played by the military council to scare off other Egyptian activists for whom Alaa seemed embody the true spirit of the great Egyptian revolution.
His wife, Manal Hassan, is expected to give birth to their first son, Khaled, this week.
20. Let Richard Wentz fly his flag
A retired member of the New York City Police Department who helped victims out of the World Trade Center on 9-11 is now at war with his Coral Springs homeowners' association over a commemorative flag.
Richard Wentz has been given 10 days to take down his flag down or face fines and possibly legal action.
"That flag means the world to me. Other than my children, that flag means the world to me," said Wentz.
Wentz lives in the Fairways at Heron Bay. The commemorative flag lists the names of everyone who died on Sept. 11, 2001, and is a replica of the ones placed in Battery Park during the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
"When I received the letter, I actually stood out in front of the house yelling in anger about it," Wentz said.
Wentz, a retired New York City police officer, said he ran into the Tower 1 and started pulling out people before the building collapsed. Wentz said he lost 43 friends and colleagues that day. The inside of his home is a shrine to the friends he lost.
Wentz now has cancer, he said, from breathing in all the particles during the cleanup of Ground Zero.
The letter from the Fairways at Heron Bay association said the flag detracts from the aesthetic harmony of the surrounding properties.He said he was confronted by Patricia Favata, president of the Board of Directors.
"She pushed the issue and said, 'Do we really need to get lawyers involved?' Her demeanor got very nasty," Wentz said.
No one was at Favata's home when Local 10 tried to talk to her.
Several neighbors said they are disgusted.
"He was involved in 9-11, and what he went through, he deserves to have the flag up there. I think it's an honor in our neighborhood to have the flag up," said resident Irene Skulsky.
"That flag doesn't bother me at all and shouldn't be taken down," added another neighbor.
Bill Sugarman, the president of Benchmark Property Management, which represents the association, said he received complaints.
The rules say there can only be one flag per home.
"The only flag that is allowed is an American flag. The problem is he is flying two flags, and until someone changes that there is a problem," Sugarman said.
Wentz refuses to take it down. "I will not take that flag down. That flag will remain up. I don't care how many fines they want to give me, how many notices they want to give me, I refuse to take that down," Wentz said.
The American Civil Liberties Union weighed in, saying that although homeowners associations are constitution-free zones, it has asked the state to limit what associations can do.
"This is an absurd, excessively literal interpretation of the rule. Why anybody would want to enforce that is beyond me," said Howard Simon with the ACLU.
As a result of the news of more casualties in Afghanistan I want Julia Gillard to bring our troops home asap!! I think that our position and our presence there is no longer sustainable and that the ramifications for not only our soldiers, but there families, is totally underestimated, and that it is now a moral issue.
How can Julia Gillard continue our commitment there when the other coalition countries are withdrawing theirs? What is underlying this decision? Who is going to win in this situation? Certainly not the children whose lives will be effected by the PTSD that they will live with, for the rest of their lives.
These soldiers presently in Afghanistan are unwittingly participating in a game of Russian roulette and this is not fair on them, or their families. You are a mother ... put yourself in this position please and imagine for a minute how this must feel ... you are also a daughter ....again put yourself in this position and imagine how it must feel to have your father or mother on a mission in a country where they are, on a daily basis, wondering if they will become the next target!!!
PLEASE PLEASE do what it takes to return our troops home before more are killed in a war that is no longer
our concern and our presence can no longer be justified.
PLEASE HELP ME AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!
Go to: STOP Veteran Benefit CUTS and like the page please!!! Everyone atleast knows 1 Veteran, some way or some how. They are your Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Best Friends, Neighbors, Classmates, or Co-Workers!
PLEASE SUPPORT US IN OUR FIGHT FOR WHAT WE HAVE EARNED BY DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE!
PLEASE HELP US FIGHT THIS BATTLE!!!
THANK YOU
SEMPER FI
AFRICOM is a military entity that is encircling Africa. It is the cutting edge of the imperialist war machine that brings drones and other military hardware that kills african and destabilises the region.
AFRICOM threatens the peace and stability in Africa and drives a colonial agenda that is destructive and exploitative. Africa, in order to develop itself in peace, needs all war machines off its soil so as it has a sovereign integrity and political independence.
There will never be peace in Africa as long as AFRICOM is on its soil.
24. Speed bumps on Martlet Place
I am writing to express my profound concern for the safety of the children in my neighbourhood. In the last month have since seen 2 children have close encounters with vehilces.
There is a playground at the bottom of Martlet Place on the turn, therefore children are always present in this area. The amount of vehicles that speed through this area are ridiculous.
We currently have "children at play" signs posted in the area which do no justice. I have spoke to residents in the area who have expressed the same concern as myself. Myself and the residents in this area are hoping to be able to get speed bumps put in place on Martlet Place.
I would also like to add that the playground on Martlet is the pick-up and drop-off area for the school buses. I feel it is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured.
25. They broke it. Make them pay to fix it!
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- There is an employment crisis because of a lack of decent stable jobs.
- There is a moral crisis because the rich and well connected want the rest of us to pay for their irresponsible speculation, fraud and greed.
- There is a crisis of democracybecause our political system is dominated by people with money rather than people with good ideas.
- We've made our sacrifices. . . . We sacrificed our jobs, standard of living, health care, children's education, retirement security, the environment and the precious lives of our loved ones in wars.
Let those who caused the crisis now make their sacrifices!
26. Change The Winnipeg Jets Logo For The 2012/2013 Season
Since the NHL returned to Winnipeg for the 2011-2012 season, the topic for what the team's name should be called has become a hot topic for discussion. There has been a lot of history with the Winnipeg Jets from 1972 to 1996, so calling them anything else would have been a mistake. We are grateful that the True North Sports & Entertainment have decided to rename the team the Winnipeg Jets on June 24, 2011, but once we have learnt that they didn’t want to use the 1996 logo and update it, we believe that the current military logo was not right and a mistake. There is no disrespect for the military but it is not meant for a NHL logo. Many fans feel that this logo is too military for hockey and that there should only be one Canadian city that has a maple leaf on its logo. The logo does not have a modern look to it and many would describe it as unattractive.
Some of us were lucky enough to have watch Bobby Hull (the Golden Jet) play live in the Winnipeg Arena in the 1970’s. Some believe that the owners from the 1972 team decided to use the Jets name in honour of the Golden Jet who inspired us. In 1972, it had nothing to do with the Royal Canadian Air Forces in regards to the Jets name. The airplane in the left hand corner of the old logo represented the flowering of exploration and internationalism in the burgeoning age of affordable air travel, and the players that wore its jersey were part of an exciting fast skating, multi-national team that played a beautiful, tough, and creative brand of hockey. Some of the Jets alumni like Joe Daley and Ab McDonald have also been disappointed with the logo.
The Winnipeg Jets have a wonderful and meaningful history which should not be overlooked. We were the first North American team to beat the powerful Soviet National team, the first North American team to use Europeans, and the first North American team to play tournaments in Europe and Japan. For those of us that have been around to see these great players play in person at the Winnipeg Arena, it is no wonder why we honour the blue, red and white.
This team has meant so much to us and to our city. The Winnipeg Jets name represents a unique history with lots of great players who represented us and is recognized all over the world. An updated logo, jerseys, etc, would also provide plenty of new merchandising opportunities while still preserving our cherished heritage.
In closing, the Winnipeg Jets logo represents a lot of pride that we had with those early teams that carried our city’s name on their chests. The retro jerseys from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s have great meaning to us. This is largely because of our previous history. We would be missing a tremendous opportunity to re-establish a link to our storied past by not reviving the Winnipeg Jets logo and updating it. If the Winnipeg Jets never would have left Winnipeg, it would have probably had an updated logo today. It would only be fitting to continue the history of a franchise that was like no other.
27. Protect Military Personnel's Parental Rights
There has been a great travesty done to our Armed Forces Members, Veterans and their Children of this Great State of Texas which I am sure you are unaware of.
The laws of the State of Texas do not protect single or divorced Military Personnel, Veterans and the bond they have with their Children should they be separated during their time of military service and/or during their time of rehabilitation. There is no time allotment for reintegration into civilian life and re-acquaintance between parent and child during which their parental rights would not be jeopardized.
At this time Texas State Laws are written, if a Military Personnel designates a non parent as conservator/guardian while they are on active duty, rehabilitating, reintegrating into civilian life or allowing their child/children and themselves to become reacquainted and the child lives with the non-parent conservator/guardian for 6 months the non-parent conservator/guardian has full custody rights to the child during or after the Military Personnel's term of duty is completed. This has been upheld in over 30 cases which we know of in the State of Texas where the Military Personnel/Veteran has lost custody of their Child/Children.
This is a great disservice to OUR Military Personnel, Veterans and their Children. If it was not for their military service these men and women would not have had to defend their parental rights or lost custody of their children. We ask that you support us and our Military Personnel, Veterans and their Children by establishing Family Laws within the State of Texas to protect the Military Personnel, Veterans and their Children from dissolution of the parent/child relationship. Also we ask that the law be written protecting Military Personnel and Veterans who may have lost custody of their Child/Children due to their military service up the time the new law comes into effect.
Please support our Military Personnel, Veterans and their Children from the lack of laws which protect them in our Great State of Texas.
28. طلب معاقبة من ساهم في انتهاكات ٩ مارس ٢٠١١
نشرت منظمة العفو الدولية بيانا بتاريخ ٢٣ مارس ٢٠١١ يكشف عن الانتهاكات المشينة التي تعرضت لها عددا من المتظاهرات في ٩ مارس ٢٠١١ على أيدي عناصر تابعة للجيش و هو ما يتنافى مع مكتسبات الثورة و رغبة شعب مصر الطيب في العيش حياة كريمة أمنة
29. Please don't revolke the business license for Westley Military Surplus Ltd.
On April 4th, 2011 the City Council of New Westminster, B.C. will be holding a hearing at 3pm in Committee 2, at City Hall to consider cancelling the business license for Westley Military Surplus Ltd. after 32 years of Business.
30. Support Disabled Veterans and Gold Star Families Privileges
Disabled Veterans & Gold Star Families Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act - Permits a veteran with any compensable service-connected disability (and the veteran's dependants) to include Gold Star Families to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
We can not afford to have this Bill once again die after is it placed into the Subcommittee for Military Pers. Each time it goes there it's forgotten. I urge all Disabled Vets to write your Congressman, Senators, leaders of the FRA, VFW, and American Legion etc. Many voices will be heard. Google House of representatives if unsure where to get the information.
See H.R 1178, There are 60 members on the House Committee on Armed Services. Make it a point to contact one of them and urge the importance of this Bill. GovTrack.us is another good site for locating current status & info.
This bill costs the public $0.00 and increases MWR funds due to increased participation. and will eventually lower prices due to increased buying power.
During these hard times it would be beneficial to our many Disabled Veterans, especially those who are unemployed or in retraining programs.