Virtual March on Washington for Veterans

On Sept. 15, we are going to make history with the first-ever virtual march for disabled veterans. And we hope you will take part.

You won’t need to travel to participate. You won’t need to spend any money to have your voice heard. You don’t even have to be online the day of the march, so no need to check your calendar. The DAV is working to ensure this will be the easiest and most convenient way ever to stand up for veterans.

With this march, you will support those who came back from war missing a limb, paralyzed, unable to see, terribly sick or otherwise disabled. They put their country – our country – before themselves. They gave so much, and now they need you to stand up for them.

There are many issues facing veterans today. The march will highlight those issues and what needs to be done to better the lives of veterans and their families. Together, we will generate greater public awareness and support for strengthening federal policies that provide health care assistance to disabled veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those from prior eras and conflicts.

Please take a moment to show your support for disabled veterans by joining the march today. Simply enter your e-mail address at the top of this page. We will also need your ZIP code so we can let lawmakers know which regions have constituents who care about the plight of veterans and their families. We will not share your email address with or sell it to anyone, nor will we use it to solicit donations....

For more details, go over to Assoluta Tranquillita here.

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VA employees striking it rich

Following last week's story about land that belongs to US Veterans being grabbed by political and financial shenanigans, comes word of more disrespectful treatment of our veterans:

As Vets Await Checks, VA Workers Get Bonuses
Friday, August 21, 2009

Outside the Veterans Affairs Department, severely wounded veterans have faced financial hardship waiting for their first disability payment. Inside, money has been flowing in the form of $24 million in bonuses.

In scathing reports this week, the VA's inspector general said thousands of technology office employees at the VA received the bonuses over a two-year period, some under questionable circumstances. It also detailed abuses ranging from nepotism to an inappropriate relationship between two VA employees.

The inspector general accused one recently retired VA official of acting "as if she was given a blank checkbook" as awards and bonuses were distributed to employees of the Office of Information and Technology in 2007 and 2008. In some cases the justification for the bonuses was inadequate or questionable, the IG said.

The official, Jennifer S. Duncan, also engaged in nepotism and got $60,000 in bonuses herself, the IG said. In addition, managers improperly authorized college tuition payments for VA employees, some of whom were Duncan's family members and friends. That cost taxpayers nearly $140,000.

Separately, a technology office employee became involved in an "inappropriate personal relationship" with a high-level VA official. The technology office employee flew 22 times from Florida to Washington, where the VA official lived. That travel cost $37,000.

The details on the alleged improprieties were in two IG reports issued this week. VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts said the agency was extremely concerned about the IG's findings and would pursue a thorough review.

"VA does not condone misconduct by its employees and will take the appropriate correction action for those who violate VA policy," Roberts said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

On Friday, Joe Davis, a spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said if the allegations are found to be true, individuals involved should lose their jobs, and legal action should be taken.

"America's veterans served their nation honorably and with no expectations of reward," Davis said in an e-mail. "It should not be too much to ask for that same level of commitment from government employees, too."...

There is more, much more, and you can read that here.

Nobody has to look very far to hear stories of our veterans being put through the bureaucratic wringer that passes for the Veterans Administration. From this article alone, and the stories I have heard firsthand, seems to me that it is long beyond time for a house cleaning throughout all of this government agency.

It is not good enough for these employees to rake in such big bucks, while our veterans have to fight for every cent. Our veterans have more than earned such meagre token as the pension they receive. To see things like this fraud going on is a disgrace. If the VA was as vigilant about their employee "bonuses" as they are when they scrimp for our veterans, there just might be a larger portion of VA funds for our veterans.

Our veterans deserve better. NOW!

H/T Dean

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Obamination: Ramadan Treason

President Obama's Ramadan message includes the usual boiler plate treason. I have selected some exemplary dissembling for refutation.

• "These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common"

The implication is both overly broad and false. Islam does not share any principles with Western Civilization. Next time, list them and submit proof that Muslims share them. I won't hold my breath while I wait for that list and evidence.

• lslam's role in advancing justice, progress,. tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings

Nothing could be further from the truth. Reliance of the Traveller, Book O, Chapter 9, Paragraphs 8 &9 charge the Caliph with the duty of attacking Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians & Pagans at least once in every year. Those laws are based on Surahs At-Taubah & Al-Anfal of the Qur'an. Exactly how does that advance justice, tolerance & dignity?

Chapter 11, Paragraph 5, says of dhimmis:

• 2- are distinguished from Muslims in dress, wearing a wide cloth belt (zunnar);

• 3- are not greeted with "as-Salamu 'alaykum";

• -4- must keep to the side of the street;

• -5- may not build higher than or as high as the Muslims' buildings, though if they acquire a tall house, it is not razed;

• -6- are forbidden to openly display wine or pork, (A: to ring church bells or display crosses,) recite the Torah or Evangel aloud, or make public display of their funerals and feastdays;

• -7- and are forbidden to build new churches.

Exactly how do those laws advance justice, tolerance & dignity?

• "For instance, fasting is a concept shared by many faiths - including my own Christian faith - as a
  way to bring; people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for
  granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance
  opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we
  want to build - and the changes that we Want to make - must begin in our own hearts, and our
  own communities."

Note the clause which I emphasized: Islamic law forbids giving Zakat to Kufar. Refer to Reliance of the Traveller H8.24.

• It is not permissible to give zakat to a non-Muslim, or to someone whom one is obliged to support (def: m12.1), such as a wife or family member.

President Obama conflates charity & universal benevolence with Socialism and at the same time, mixing domestic policy with foreign.

• "Beyond America' borders. we are also committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world
  that is more peaceful and secure. That is why we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq."

The invasion of Iraq could only increase peace & security by rendering Iraq unIslamic. Iraq & Afghanistan will be threats to peace & security so long as their people and governments are Islamic. By leaving Iraq with Islam still in place, we decrease peace and security below the level pertaining before the invasion.

• 'That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan
  and Pakistan."

"Violent extremists" is a shibboleth designed to draw our attention away from the fatal fact of intrinsic violence in Islam.. Islamic Jihad, terrorism & genocide result from intrinsic scriptural doctrines & traditional example, not from 'extremists'. The difference between 'extremists' and 'the people' is zeal. Violence is a function of intensity of belief & zealotry. We can't isolate them because we can't identify them. Besides, zealotry can increase spontaneously or as a result of aggressive sermons at the local Mosque.

• "That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that
  recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security."

Israelis are Palestinians. Palestinians are Jews . The so called Palestinians President Obama refers to are undifferentiated Arabs seeking to reconquer Israel demographically and militarily. State or no state, so long as there are Muslims within rocket range of Israel, Israel will not obtain peace or security no matter what she does. Israel's existence is an offense to Muslims because her land was conquered by Caliph Umar in 638. Allah promised Muslims victory and dominance over the region. By reclaiming her land, Israel proves Allah to be an impotent idol. Muslims can't tolerate that! Muslims will continue to attack Israel until they are successfully in reconquest or Israel ushers them into hell. There is nothing we can do about it.

• " And that is why America will always stand for the universal rights of all people to speak their mind, practice their
  religion, contribute fully to society and have confidence in the rule of law."

I emphasized the problematic phrase in that sentence. Islam requires Jihad, genocide & terrorism. It is not possible to fully practice Islam without engaging in them until their world conquest is completed. If they have a right to practice Islam, then we have no right to live; no human dignity.

• All of these efforts are a part of America' commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority
  nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect.

Idiocy & treason are in the emphasized phrase. Islam has no respect for Kufar. To Muslims, we are rebels against Allah, and they are duty bound to defeat us and gather us together into Hell, the worst of living creatures. We have no mutual interest with Muslims! Their interest is world conquest, ours is peace, security and prosperity. We have nothing in common.

• "And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world,"

How about a new beginning between lambs and lions? When will lions quit eating lambs? That is when Islam will quit Jihad. Two classes of people say otherwise: damned fools and traitors. Islam is a predatory institution; we need to call it what it is. We need to call those who deny that fatal fact what they are. Intellectual honesty and moral clarity require us to do that.

• From around the world, we have received an outpouring of feedback about how America can be a partner on behalf of peoples' aspirations.

Islam is about enrichment and empowerment through the profession of piracy. Islam seeks total world domination by conquest. That is their only aspiration. Any occidental who seeks to facilitate Islamic world conquest is a traitor! Why Jihad? Because that is how Moe derived his income! Read 8:1, 8:41 & 8:67 and get a clue. The fatal fact of mercenary motivation is confirmed by hadith: When Allah made the Prophet wealthy through conquests, while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand .

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RECESS RALLY TODAY!

Some Background
The core groups behind the Tax Day Tea Party, joined by a plethora of liberty movement minded organizations, coalitions and grassroots groups, are once again working together in a unified effort for freedom.

The initial project, as most Americans know, helped organize the April 15th, Tax Day Tea Party effort that resulted in a day of rallies in more than 835 cities across all 50 states. The TaxDayTeaParty.com website witnessed more than 1.7 MILLION unique visits in less than six weeks.

This success was only possible because of a coalition of groups and Americans working towards the same goal in a collaborative and unified effort....

The current administration and congress has intensified the attacks on the foundation of America. First it was the wildly irresponsible “Stimulus Package” that only “stimulated” the pockets of special interest groups… all at the expense of the taxpayers.

Then came the constant nationalizing of the private industry and the declaration of war against the free-market system and private business.

The final blow appears to be in the form of fully socialized healthcare. If passed, we believe this legislation will create problems that are virtually impossible to fix. We also believe that if this legislation is passed, the private industry and small businesses of America will face certain death in the very near future.

This is unacceptable....(my emphasis)

If all of what is happening in America today is unacceptable to you, go to the Recess Rally website, and see what is going on in YOUR state.

NOW is the time for all Americans to stand up and be counted. Go HERE.

God Bless America.

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Afghanistan votes

*cross-posted from Assoluta Tranquillita*

As we all wait - with bated breath? - to hear the final vote tally in Afghanistan's election day yesterday, I particularly think of the women. Yes, there are pictures all over of women going to the polls, despite Taliban bully boys throwing temper tantrums and blowing things up. Usual tactics of intimidation were the order of the day, as some Afghanis did bravely vote for their country's future.


For us in the west, election day typically gives us clearly defined choices; yes, even including the last US presidential elections. Last week came across the following piece, and it was a stark reminder of the daily struggle for women in those far off lands:

Row over Afghan wife-starving law

By Sarah Rainsford BBC News

Critics accuse President Hamid Karzai of betraying Afghan women

An Afghan bill allowing a husband to starve his wife if she refuses to have sex has been published in the official gazette and become law.

The original bill caused outrage earlier this year, forcing Afghan President Hamid Karzai to withdraw it.

But critics say the amended version of the law remains highly repressive.

They accuse Mr Karzai of selling out Afghan women for the sake of conservative Shia support at next week's presidential election.

The law governs family life for Afghanistan's Shia minority.

Sexual demands

The original version obliged Shia women to have sex with their husbands every four days at a minimum, and it effectively condoned rape by removing the need for consent to sex within marriage.

...

There is more, and you can find that on the BBC here.

The west has a huge investment - in many ways - in seeing countries like Afghanistan leap forward into the twenty first century. However, unless and until women's voices are respected and heard; until and unless women are accepted as the equal of men in contributions into ANY society, not much will change. As long as the rule of law is allowed to keep women entrenched in the dark ages, there is no hope of real progress towards national peace.

And so it is in Afghanistan.

And so it is in Afghanistan.

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