A Time to Remember...

Judge Jeanine on the Disgraceful Treatment of Our Veterans

Actor Charles Durning Dead at 89

Character actor Charles Durning, creator of memorable parts in Tootsie, The Sting, and North Dallas Forty passed away today at 89.

In addition to being a prolific actor, Charles Durning was a WWII veteran of the Normandy invasion. He received the Silver Star for valor and three Purple Hearts.

The New York Times has a great write up of the man and his career here.

Rest in peace, Mr. Durning. And thank you for your service.

H/T Memeorandum

Obama Reflected on the Vietnam Memorial Wall

Caption:

President Barack Obama is reflected in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall as he delivers remarks during the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War commemoration ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012

Is there anything, anywhere the president will not interject his bio, his personality or his visage? Could someone tell the White House photographer that of all of the reflections, on all the surfaces in the world, war memorials probably aren't that fitting a canvas to record The Won's image on. This is far more sickening than all the halos.

H/T This Ain't Hell "How to Gag a Maggot"

A Sobering PSA from Gary Sinise

From the Jawa Report

Christmas Comes Early to Gold Star Family

Jim Hoft over at Gateway Pundit had this video that was too good not to share.
(Better break out the hankies first!)

As a Veteran, "Do You Feel Stressed?"

Seems like an innocuous enough question in these uncertain economic times. If you are unemployed or ill, there's a chance you might feel even more stress than you might consider to be normal.

So, imagine you are a veteran, seeking some kind of medical treatment or a check up, and the VA asks you three questions:

1. Do you feel stressed?
2. Do you feel threatened?
3. Do you feel like doing harm to someone?

Wait! What??? Do I feel like what? Why would anyone believe that these questions need to be asked of every veteran? Is this akin to putting them on a watch list, along with Tea Party members and anti-abortion protesters? Apparently so, because if you answered "Yes" to any of those questions, you could lose your Second Amendment rights.

One veteran, a Vietnam Vet and retired Police Officer according to Veterans Today:

The nurse then informed me, that if I had answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions, I would have lost my concealed carry permit as it would have gone into my medical records and the VA would have reported it to Homeland Security.

Question three? Maybe! Although it is possible to feel like doing something to someone without ever acting on it.

Question two? Threatened by unemployment, a poor housing market, foreclosure...is the implication that a veteran who feels "threatened" is a greater danger to the Republic or himself than anyone else?

But, question one is off the charts. Everyone feels stress at one point or another, to one extent or another. Stress can get you out of bed in the morning. Stress may make you study a little harder for an exam or a promotion. Going to a VA hospital might cause you stress. Being ill and having to go to a VA hospital might cause even more stress. To say that a "yes" answer on this question is sufficient to deprive you of your Constitutional rights under the Second Amendment, just because you might be more proficient in the use of that firearm than your next door neighbor, is gun control under another name.


This is a very disturbing report, if corroborated. And yet, not at all inconsistent with the oxymoronic "Obama Justice" department. It is a good thing to look out for the mental health of veterans. It should not, however, necessitate the need to Mirandize them before they receive medical attention.

More at John Lott

Government Requires an Arm and a Leg for Taxes

Artificial ones, that is!

Model not included
Wounded Warriors Face New Tax This Independence Day

As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day with parades and barbecues, America’s veterans face a new tax on prosthetic limbs and other vital medical devices.

The health care overhaul passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama earlier this year contains a new tax on medical devices such as prosthetic limbs, pacemakers, and wheelchairs. This tax, which its proponents claim will raise $20 billion over the next ten years, contains no exemption for the nation’s 22 million veterans. In fact, Senate Democrats specifically refused to exempt veterans from the tax.

Wow. You'd think a grateful nation could at least exempt the veterans who needed the prosthetic because they were injured while serving their country! Apparently, the Democrats in the Obama administration are less than grateful!

“On March 24, Senate Democrats had the opportunity to exempt our veterans from Obamacare’s new tax on medical devices such as prosthetic limbs. But 54 Democrats voted against the measure. They chose to side with the tax-and-spend crowd in Washington over our wounded warriors,”said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “This is one of the many reasons Harry Reid and the Democrats did not want Americans to read the 2,500 page health care bill before it was passed.”

As we get ready to contemplate the birth of our nation this July 4th, many of us will stop to thank and honor the brave men at Valley Forge and their brothers at Normandy and Iwo Jima, and the men who today wear body armor in 130 degree heat so that this nation could be born, survive and be a beacon for democracy around the world. Perhaps, if someone more grateful were to take the place of these louts in Congress in November, some of the mischief could be undone?

H/T Rob Port

Cross posted at Left Coast Rebel

Happy V-E Day!

Sixty five years ago in 1945, on this day, the Allies accepted the formal surrender of Germany's Third Reich.
If you know a WWII vet, thank him today!

Ex-Rep. Duncan Hunter Touts Fresh Faces To Revive GOP

Iraq War Vets

Duncan Hunter, a retired Republican who once chaired the Armed Services Committee, has decided that Iraq War veterans are the perfect candidates to revive the Republican Party in 2010.

Hunter -- a Vietnam War vet who briefly sought the 2008 Republican presidential nomination -- is already backing two such candidates as they launch challenges to two of the more junior members of the House Democratic majority: Jesse Kelly, who wants to take on two-term incumbent Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona's 8th District, and Vaughn Ward, whose target in Idaho's 1st District is freshman Democrat Walt Minnick.

Having those who were willing to lay down their lives for their country in charge of keeping it safe is not a bad idea!

...Hunter said he has "a real appreciation" for "the guys coming off the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan," and, moreover, thinks they can make great candidates. He said the GOP needs to get away from its typical approach "where we stand up a businessman," and instead get behind "young, hard-charging" candidates like Kelly and Ward.

Both of the political newcomers served in the Marine Corps, which gives them something in common with Hunter's son -- and House successor. The freshman congressman, also named Duncan Hunter, won the 52nd District seat in 2008 after the elder Hunter left it open first to pursue his short-lived White House bid and then to retire.

Other 2010 GOP House candidates that fit that profile include New York Assemblyman Greg Ball, who is challenging second-term Democratic Rep. John Hall in the state's 19th District, and businessman Mike Pompeo in the race for Kansas' open 4th District seat.

Maybe this next time around, we should ensure that Republicans pick who the Republicans' standard bearers should be? What a novel idea!

Cross posted at Say Anything

HOA Hassles Disabled Marine Vet

...for having bumper stickers on his car!



If Dante were writing the Inferno today, he'd probably reserve a special circle for abusive home owner associations!

H/T Flopping Aces
Cross posted at Say Anything

"Reveille"

A touching salute to our veterans and their friendly inter-service rivalries.

Hat tip Rounds Out

Video Tribute to Veterans

Hat tip The Jawa Report

New Vets For Freedom Ad: The Surge Worked

The only fault I find with this Vets for Freedom ad is the exhortation to call the Clueless One to ask for his support. Talk about spitting in the wind!



How long before we get the obligatory idiot telling us that these vets are being manipulated, their words are taken out of context, blah, blah, blah!
(Any thing to distract you from their message!)

Hat tip Weasel Zippers
Cross posted at Say Anything