Veterans Today - News for U.S. Military Veterans Jobs, VA Benefits, Home Loans, Hospitals & Administration

N.J. judge rules blogger not protected by newspaper shield laws, can be sued for slander

"Courts are now being faced with the task of evaluating a virtually limitless number of people who claim to be 'reporting' on issues, but who are, many times, doing little more than shouting from atop a digital soapbox,"

by MaryAnn Spoto/The Star-Ledger

A judge in Freehold ruled today that a Washington State blogger who posted comments about the pornography industry is not covered by shield laws that protect newspaper reporters and can be sued for defamation.

"To say that everybody who blogs and is entitled to the shield nullifies what it's there for,He understood the internet is just another means of communication. It doesn't mean you can communicate anything you want-horrible things without checking them out."

60 Minutes Sunday: The incredible story of US Airways Flight 1549, plus, Jon Bon Jovi!þ

First up on Sunday's 60 Minutes is that first interview with hero pilot Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, whose incredible water landing captivated the world. Hear his story as he tells correspondent Katie Couric how he lost power in both engines after striking birds over New York City. "It was the worst sickening, pit-of-your-stomach, falling-through-the-floor feeling I've ever felt in my life." How did he land a 75-ton jet using nothing but gravity and his experience on a river without incurring any serious injuries to the 155 people onboard? You'll hear how in detail, as well as the stories of his co-pilot - furiously trying to restart the engines while going over the checklist for the emergency landing - and the flight attendants, preparing frightened passengers in the cabin for the landing. It's the crew's first group interview also and the extra long feature will also contain an emotional reunion with those passengers and the people who saved their lives.

Watch an excerpt.

Escalating Afghan War Will Destroy Obama Presidency, Law School Dean Warns

by Sherwood Ross, Staff Writer

Escalating the war in Afghanistan will destroy the Obama presidency “almost as surely as (Viet) Nam and Iraq destroyed Johnson’s, Nixon’s and Bush II’s,” a noted law dean warns.

Obama “seems to be drinking the same Kool Aid that was drunk by, and destroyed the presidencies” of those predecessors, writes Lawrence Velvel, dean of the Massachusetts School of Law at Andover.

Obama’s policy of striking on the Afghan “central front” to thwart terrorist attacks in their sanctuary while rebuilding roads and providing electricity “is all very reminiscent of ---in parts identical to---Johnson’s and Nixon’s statements about Nam, Nixon’s about Cambodia (a claimed sanctuary for planning and refitting), and Bush II’s about Iraq,” Velvel recalls.

U.S. Department of Defense Announces Latest Contract Awards: 7-2-09

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $441,938,182 modification to definitize the previously awarded Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Air System Low Rate Initial Production Lot III advance acquisition contract (N00019-08-C-0028) to a cost-plus-incentive-fee/award-fee contract. In addition, this modification provides for common and unique performance based logistics support and hardware for the sustainment of seven U.S. Air Force and one Government of the Netherlands Conventional Take-Off and Landing aircraft; seven U.S. Marine Corps and two United Kingdom (UK) Short Take-Off Vertical-Landing aircraft; material necessary to support activation of JSF bases; two Aircraft Systems Maintenance Trainers; one Weapons Loader Trainer; two Full Mission Simulators; one USMC and one UK Deployable Mission Rehearsal Trainer; sixteen LM-STAR avionics test stations; hardware and software for the Integrated Training Center; CVN Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) shipboard certification and deployment; ALIS depot trade study; and associated technical and financial data.

HELP NEEDED: MEDALS OF HONOR MISSING FROM OHIO MUSEUM COLLECTION

MEDALS OF HONOR MUST BE RECOVERED

PLEASE HELP!

By Gordon Duff STAFF WRITER

Toledo, Ohio is slated to get a new veterans and military history exhibit tied to the opening of the new VA medical center. Working with Rep. Marcy Kaptur's office, the Toledo Museum of Art, the Tennesee State Historical Society, the Smithsonian Institution and a number of other museums and organizations, we are seeking missing military relics that were on display at a now closed local museum

Many important pieces have been misplaced, including at least 5 Medals of Honor. The Medal of Honor Society has furnished us with a list of medals issued. If any private collector of museum is in possession of any of these medals, please contact us. We wish to "repatriate" them to a place of honor.

If you can help us in any way, the veterans of Ohio would be thankful. Please contact: Gordon Duff gpduf@aol.com or Dan Foote dan.foote@mail.house.gov .

Top 10 Veterans News from Around the Country 7-02-09

What's Inside Today's Local News for Veterans

1. Shinseki's Rural Tour Visit Seen As Tied Into Presidential Campaign Concerns.
2. Obama, Shinseki, Congress Urged To Deal With Claims Backlog.
3. Duckworth Says VA Is "Going Through A Whole Transformation."
4. Duckworth Touts Benefits Offered By New GI Bill.
5. DeBakey VAMC Receives Grant To Create Brain Injury Center.
6. Buffalo VAMC Director Prioritizes Timely Completion Of Medical Examinations.
7. Fox News, Iraq Vet Raising Money For Special Operations Warrior Fund.
8. Rove Notes Sacrifice Made In Iraq By "Remarkable" US Family.
9. VAPAHCS Breaks Ground On New Mental Health Facility.
10. Vets Thank Psychiatrist For Post-Retirement Service.

Congressman Filner says gay sailor's death a possible hate crime

Rep. Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista) said today he had asked the U.S. Department of Defense and the Marine Corps to investigate whether the killing of a sailor, who was gay, at Camp Pendleton was a hate crime.

Military Veterans and Active Military Personnel Honored with Apartment Rent Discount Program

Military Veterans and Active Military Personnel Honored with Apartment Rent Discount Program

Empirian Property Management to offer a 30% rent discount for military veterans and active military personnel.

Montvale, NJ -- Empirian Property Management is proud to offer a rent discount program for military personnel called the Service Appreciation Program. The Service Appreciation Program, which grants up to a 30% discount on monthly rent, is available in over 350 apartment communities across 17 states (For a complete list, visit www.empirianprogram.com) to any military veteran or active member of the military.

“With the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, it’s a honor to be able to show our appreciation for the fine men and women who bravely serve our country,” says Eli Feller, Assistant VP of Acquisitions, “in these challenging financial times, we are grateful to have the opportunity to assist in reducing their largest expense – rent.”

As gay discharges continue, sailor is murdered

By John Byrne

A 29-year-old Navy sailor was found dead at a Southern California military base Tuesday in a suspected homicide that activists say may have been related to his sexuality.

An unnamed individual is being held as a “person of interest” in the case.

Navy seaman August Provost of Houston, Texas, reportedly complained to his family that was he being harassed; his sister told a local newspaper that they’d advised him to tell his supervisor. If Provost revealed his sexuality, however, he could have been discharged from the armed services.

"SNOOPGATE" VA CLAIMS: VET GROUPS MISTAKEN FOR IRANIAN TERRORISTS

COVERT SPY OPERATIONS AGAINST VETERANS TRYING TO SAVE THEIR PARK FROM CROOKED DEVELOPERS - THE DVA RESPONDS:

"WE DO IT ALL THE TIME"

By Gordon Duff STAFF WRITER

Read it yourself. This is the email:

"From: Tillman, Ralph D xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Incident on June 28, 2009
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 2:01 PM

Commander Martin: It was a pleasure meeting with you yesterday. We appreciate your willingness to bring to our attention an incident that concerned you. As requested, we have reviewed the incident over the weekend including a review of police reports and discussions with the officers involved. We, once again, confirm that surveillance activities were occurring during the weekend, primarily due the Iranian election protest adjacent to our property.

(EDITORS NOTE: NOT ADJACENT/HALF A MILE AWAY) As you can imagine, the first and foremost responsibility for our VA police is to assure the safety and well being of the veterans and staff that are on our campus.(SPYING ON PTSD PATIENTS?) The situation with the demonstration at the Federal Building was potentially very serious. (DEMONSTATORS WERE PRO-AMERICAN ACTIVISTS) When the car you were riding in drove across the grass in an aggressive manner and your group confronted our police officer (DRESSED AS A GARDENER AND CARRYING A RAKE AND SHOVEL), we had no way to ascertain what your intentions were. (GARDENING ADVICE?) The response from the officer in the surveillance van (?????)and the subsequent responding officers was very measured (ILLEGALLY DETAINING VETERANS GROUP LEADERS ON VETERANS LAND) and appropriate considering the situation as it unfolded. However, we do regret any inconvenience this may have caused.(ILLEGAL SPYING AND DETENTION IS "INCONVENIENCE?") Please know that our goal is the meet the needs of our veterans. If I can be of further service, please do not hesitate to call. Ralph Tillman/Acting Chief Public Communications/DVA"

HOWEVER:

THE IRANIANS BEING WATCHED WERE ACTUALLY AMERICAN VETERANS NOWHERE NEAR THE PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTS
THE VA LATER ADMITTED TILLMANS STATEMENT NOT ACCURATE - SPYING WAS ON VETS

HOW DO WE TELL WHO ARE LEGITMATE VA EMPLOYEES WHEN GROUNDS KEEPERS ARE POLICE SPIES AND DELIVERY VEHICLES ARE BORROWED FROM HOMELAND SECURITY? THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE...