About: Bob Higgins

Email : rlh974@yahoo.com

Lifelong liberal of the Tom Paine wing. Marine Vietnam vet. Have worked as a photographer, cab driver, bartender, carpenter and cabinetmaker. Currently retired and a member of Veterans Today staff as writer/editor I've seen it all. I'm getting old. Somebody get me a glass of water.

---

---

Regional Veterans News 3/20/10

Regional stories on veterans’ health, education and other benefits and issues today from Greenwood, South Carolina, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Seattle, Washington, Chicago, Illinois, Atlantic Maryland, Portland, Maine, Tampa, Florida, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Redwood City, California.

Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country

VA Attempting To Make It Easier For Iraq, Afghan Vets To Obtain Disability Benefits. In a story published by at least 74 news sources, the AP (3/19, Hefling) reports, ―The Veterans Affairs Department took steps Thursday to make it easier‖ for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans ―to get disability benefits.

Regional Veterans News 3/19/10

Regional stories on veterans’ health, education and other benefits and issues today from

Undercover police in Jerusalem protests

Riots took place all over East Jerusalem this week in protest of settlers threatening to force their way into the Al Aqsa Mosque. As a result, Israeli security forces shut down major areas of the Old City, including the mosque compound to Muslim men under 50.

Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country

In a story published by at least 113 news sources, the AP (3/18) reports the Office of Inspector General, the “internal watchdog” for the Veterans Affairs Department, “says VA medical centers need to give compensation and pension medical exams to veterans sooner in order to expedite disability claims.”

Regional Veterans News 3/18/10

Regional stories on veterans’ health, education and other benefits and issues today from Lakeport, California, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Lafayette, Louisiana, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, La Porte, Indiana, Wareham, Massachusetts, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Monroe, Louisiana, Omaha, Nebraska, and Branson, Missouri.

St. Patrick’s Day controversy: Is corned beef and cabbage Irish?

Corned beef was made popular in New York bars at lunchtime. The bars offered a ‘free lunch’ to the Irish construction workers who were building NYC in the early part of the 20th century. But there’s no such thing as a free lunch. You had to buy a couple of beers or shots of whiskey to get that free lunch. And that’s how corned beef became known as an ‘Irish’ food.

Obama Revises Bush Administration Succession Plan for the Pentagon

An executive order published without fanfare this month does away with a system for Pentagon succession instituted by former President George W. Bush, which played down the service secretaries and elevated positions held at the time by trusted aides to Donald H. Rumsfeld, who as defense secretary wanted it that way.

Foreign Policy Briefing 3/17/10

Israeli officials rejected demands by the Obama Administration to cancel a building project in East Jerusalem, the New York Times reports. Secretary of State Clinton said Washington expected action from Israel, and a key US demand is that Israel neither promote nor permit “provocative” acts, meaning anything that would disturb the atmosphere as Palestinians and Israelis prepare for indirect peace talks. That would include new building projects.

Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country

Share
Find out What’s Inside Today’s Local News for Veterans

VA NWIHCS To Host Women Veterans Focus Group.
VA Sued For Violating Veteran’s Free-Speech Right.
Baker: Health Information Exchange Will Be Off For At Least Another Month.
Contract Signing Brings VA Clinic In Oregon “Step Closer To Reality.”
New Jersey Committee Approves Fundraising For Purchase Of [...]

Regional Veterans News 3/17/10

Regional stories on veterans’ health, education and other benefits and issues today from New Concord, Ohio, Los Angeles, California Farmington, New Mexico, Hartford, Connecticut, Burlington, Massachusetts, Walnut Creek, California, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Elmira, New York.

30 Years of US Mistakes in Afghanistan

More than three decades ago, there were social movements in Afghanistan to improve the standard of living of its people and to provide greater equality for women. There was even a functioning, if imperfect, democracy.
But the U.S. government – using subversion, weapons and money – contributed to the halt in progress in these areas of human welfare. Indeed, many gains that had been made were reversed.

News Releases: Sen Kerry Fights for Blinded Vets

Massachusetts offers a $2000 annual payment to permanently blind veterans, but the VA currently subtracts that annuity from their federal pension checks, denying blinded veterans their full and rightful benefits. Senator Kerry’s Veteran’s Pensions Protection Act will end that practice, providing veterans the full benefits they’ve earned.

Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country

The New York Times (3/16, A14, Schwartz, 1.09M) reports, “Many veterans…have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq burdened by post-traumatic stress, drug dependency and other problems.

McChrystal Brings Most Special Operations Under His Control

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top American commander in Afghanistan, has brought most American Special Operations forces under his direct control for the first time, out of concern over continued civilian casualties and disorganization among units in the field.

Regional Veterans News 3/16/10

Regional stories on veterans’ health, education and other benefits and issues today from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Jacksonville, North Carolina, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Kirtland, New Mexico, Sioux City, Iowa, Riverside, California, Gainesville, Florida, Bristol, Rhode Island, and Melrose, Massachusetts.

Defendants Fresh From War Find Service Counts in Court

Many veterans like Mr. Oldani have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq burdened by post-traumatic stress, drug dependency and other problems. As veterans find themselves skirmishing with the law, judges are increasingly finding ways to provide them with a measure of leniency.

5 Ways to Value a Tree

Share* By Mickey Z. Planet Green *
When you live in a corporate-dominated culture, everything is potentially a “commodity.” We “spend” time, we “invest” in relationships, and some of us view trees as nothing more than potential lumber and/or paper.
1. Commodity
According to the Wisconsin Paper Council, an “interesting rule of thumb is that an acre of [...]

Regional Veterans News 3/15/10

Regional stories on veterans’ health, education and other benefits and issues today from Silver City, New Mexico, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Vacaville, California, Memphis, Tennessee, Amarillo, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Columbus, Ohio, Whistler, British Columbia, Anderson, South Carolina, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country

VA-purchased equipment is flying down the slopes and gliding across the ice at the 2010 Winter Paralympics Games in Vancouver this week. Five Veterans are competing in Vancouver and the adaptive sports equipment they will use to compete and for day-to-day mobility (wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs) were provided by VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). This is the first Paralympics Winter Games in which athletes will be competing with equipment provided by VA.

Next Page »