From the monthly archives: February 2009
Just to save our readers the trouble of finding it themselves, or remembering to go check today, if you liked the article I linked yesterday about the military’s struggles with providing adequate mental health care to returning war vets, here’s today’s column.
Soldiers face considerable stigma for seeking mental healthcare in some Army units. Old habits die hard, according to the Fort Carson commander, Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, a man with a reputation for working to fix these problems at his post. “We are trying to say that it is a sign of strength and not weakness to come [...]
Full Story... →It’s easy to forget that we are fighting two wars. Despite not being on the news every night, we still have 15-20 deaths every month in Iraq. So the immediacy of things tends to wane, as the thoughts of war are not at the forefront. But a declining economy means that recruiting is up; as people are struggling to find work they are turning to a large, reliable employer who is one of the few expanding right now – the US military.
So it’s important to remember that war takes a mighty large mental toll on a number of [...]
Full Story... →While running for RNC chairman Michael Steele promised to expand the Republican party. Bigger tent. All that.
But in today’s weekly Republican address Steele showed he might not be ready to tackle the challenge he’s set for himself.
Most of his speech was pretty standard Republican fare. Taxes are too high, government is inefficient, blah blah blah.
Nothing noteworthy there.
But one line specifically caught my eye and it really shows Steele’s limitations. It’s included in the speech right after Steele whines about spending 45 million dollars (0.0056% of the total proposed 800 billion) “for ATV trails and [...]
Full Story... →“Do we start with hear no evil, see no evil, or speak no evil? Take your pick”
So great!
Full Story... →Earlier this week Governor Strickland announced employees of the executive branch – including himself – would be taking “pay cuts of 3 percent to 5 percent” to help with Ohio’s $7 billion budget deficit.
It’s a bold move that shows he’s dedicated to getting much-needed services to the people of Ohio without breaking his campaign promise not to raise taxes.
I’m hoping to hear that the other branches will be taking similiar steps very soon – especially the Republican-controlled Senate and the all-Republican Supreme Court.
It’s time for Republicans to step and show they are dedicated to one of [...]
Full Story... →I know there are tons of serious and important topics I should be writing about. Topics like Strickland’s budget proposal, expanded children’s healthcare funding and the current whereabouts of Mr. Matt Naugle.
Be patient. I’ll get there.
In the mean time, I thought I’d share with you something I saw at the local Giant Eagle grocery store this afternoon…
Full Story... →Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination on Tuesday to be President Barack Obama’s Health and Human Services secretary, faced with problems over back taxes and potential conflicts of interest.
Me pondering:
Why can’t we just run an online campaign to pay Tom’s back taxes? That’s what they did with Joe the Non-Plumber when he got exposed.
Politics is such a stupid game.
Full Story... →You can hate and discriminate in plain site, please:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal judge has denied a request to keep the names of donors to California’s anti-gay marriage initiative secret, saying the public has a right to know who’s giving money to state ballot measures.
Thank you.
Full Story... →Budget Watch
