Mustang Rambles

All veterans looking for work should check out this site: Feds Hire Vets.

Looks like a worthwhile site and is updated continually. This site was recommended by my source at the VA.

Good Luck!

I received an email, supposedly from a soldier in Iraq, who states that combat brigades have remained in Iraq despite the President’s assurance that all combat troops have been pulled out. These combat brigades have been re-designated as Advice and Assistance Brigades, but according to the Army Times have pretty much the same mission as before the pullout, i.e. conducting security force (Iraqi Army) assistance.

Seems the politicians are up to the same old sleight-of-hand tricks they always use when they want to pull the wool over your eyes. They change the name of the duck to swan and expect you to think its pretty.

Another link here: US forces still in fight at end of combat mission

In line with my previous post, a reader of this blog submitted the following guest blog. Readers who wish to send in a “guest blog” should email it to mustangguest@gmail.com

This Guest wrote:

UNITED STATES SURRENDERS

I have tried very hard since September 11, 2001 to imagine that America’s best days are in front of us, not behind us. However, I no longer cling to that hope. It appears that significant portions of this country have been maliciously occupied by organized foreigners whose only intent is to commit crimes in occupied American space and, if necessary, bring harm to Americans who get in the way, be they citizens or government employees (who are also citizens). I think I have just written a pretty good definition of ‘invasion; ‘ US specific of course.

The federal government’s response has thus far been to warn Americans (by putting up a few signs) that this is happening while advising them to call 911 if they witness anything suspicious; this despite the fact that the local experts on the ground have advised the citizenry and government that the local responders are outgunned, out-manned, and lacking in supplies to counter the invading force.

In the America that I was raised in, this lack of a federal and military effort would have never occurred. In fact, it would have never occurred to anyone at all levels of government to not respond in kind (or one step higher, as needed).

It is with a tear in my eye that I learn more of this invasion and our best response to it: put up a few highway signs. The America I love, and would still fight and die for, is gone. It’s just gone. Historians will point to this time, and this incident (among other recent events), as part of the continuing decline of what was once the shining beacon on this planet for freedom and democracy: the United States of America.

I’ve typed, retyped, and ultimately deleted several sentences to start this paragraph, but I can’t narrow down in words what is going through my mind, my heart, and my star spangled soul…my country is being invaded. And nothing is being done. And I’m not taking that very well. I am frightened, angry, and sad. And troubled.

If we can’t rely on ourselves, who can we rely on?

If the United States can’t protect itself…well, then what?

I fear the consequences of this, I dread the thoughts I’m having, and I am horrified at the mere idea that our light – liberty’s light! – is fading.

We have come face to face with the enemy, and he is us.

My God…what have we done?

reference link news story: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/31/signs-in-arizona-warn-of-smuggler-dangers/

I would like to thank him/her for his/her thoughts. The writer did mention that he/she has a law enforcement background, military, and governmental experience.

Watch this video: (previously posted on June 16th, 2010)

In Arizona, 70 or 80 miles north of the Mexican Border, the Bureau of Land Management put up signs warning Americans that it was dangerous to use public lands due to drug and human trafficking and that if they saw anything suspicious, they should call 911 (local authorities). This is the Federal Government response to requests from the State of Arizona that the Feds secure the border. Apparently, by, in effect, ceding US public lands to Mexican drug cartels, the POTUS can say that the borders are more secure than they have ever been.

If they are that secure, why are Americans in danger from Mexican criminals on American public land inside the American border?

I seem to remember that somewhere in the Constitution or other public documents the various states have the responsibility of repelling invasions if the Federal Government is unable or unwilling to do so.

In Article IV, Section 4, of the US Constitution it states: “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

Seems to me that the Executive of this beloved country has deliberately, and in cahoots with the dominant party in the national legislature, failed to protect several of the United States, and millions of its citizens, from foreign, criminal invasion.

In Article II, Section 4, of the US Constitution it states: The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

I would think that abandonment of US Territory to foreign nationals would fit the definition of a high Misdemeanor, at the very least.

I’m happy to pass this on to my readers. 31 Aug new link: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1945

From: VA Media Relations
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 11:31 AM
Subject: VA Publishes Final Regulation to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

VA Publishes Final Regulation to Aid Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

VA Health Care and Benefits Provided for Many Vietnam Veterans

WASHINGTON – Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to access quality health care and qualify for disability compensation under a final regulation that will be published on August 31, 2010 in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The new rule expands the list of health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures to add two new conditions and expand one existing category of conditions.

“Last October, based on the requirements of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 and the Institute of Medicine’s 2008 Update on Agent Orange, I determined that the evidence provided was sufficient to award presumptions of service connection for these three additional diseases,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “It was the right decision, and the President and I are proud to finally provide this group of Veterans the care and benefits they have long deserved.”

The final regulation follows Shinseki’s determination to expand the list of conditions for which service connection for Vietnam Veterans is presumed. VA is adding Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease and expanding chronic lymphocytic leukemia to include all chronic B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia.

In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their medical problems and their military service. By helping Veterans overcome evidentiary requirements that might otherwise present significant challenges, this “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process and ensure that Veterans receive the benefits they deserve.

The Secretary’s decision to add these presumptives is based on the latest evidence provided in a 2008 independent study by the Institute of Medicine concerning health problems caused by herbicides like Agent Orange.

Veterans who served in Vietnam anytime during the period beginning January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides.

More than 150,000 Veterans are expected to submit Agent Orange claims in the next 12 to 18 months, many of whom are potentially eligible for retroactive disability payments based on past claims. Additionally, VA will review approximately 90,000 previously denied claims by Vietnam Veterans for service connection for these conditions. All those awarded service-connection who are not currently eligible for enrollment into the VA healthcare system will become eligible.

This historic regulation is subject to provisions of the Congressional Review Act that require a 60-day Congressional review period before implementation. After the review period, VA can begin paying benefits for new claims and may award benefits retroactively for earlier periods. For new claims, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the effective date of the regulation or to one year before the date VA receives the application, whichever is later. For pending claims and claims that were previously denied, VA may pay benefits retroactive to the date it received the claim.

VA encourages Vietnam Veterans with these three diseases to submit their applications for access to VA health care and compensation now so the agency can begin development of their claims.

Individuals can go to a website at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/AO/claimherbicide.htm to get an understanding of how to file a claim for presumptive conditions related to herbicide exposure, as well as what evidence is needed by VA to make a decision about disability compensation or survivors benefits.

Additional information about Agent Orange and VA’s services for Veterans exposed to the chemical is available at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange.

The regulation is available on the Office of the Federal Register website at http://www.ofr.gov/.

2207 hrs, 27 August ‘10

FLASH!!! After feeling the pressure from various groups, the EPA late this afternoon rejected the 100 page request to ban lead bullets. Read all about it here!

2030 hrs, 27 August ‘10
A bunch of eco groups, with the Center for Biological Diversity in the lead, are petitioning the EPA to ban lead in ammo, shot, and fishing sinkers, claiming the fragmentation of the bullets causes adverse effects in animals eating the carcasses and in humans who consume the flesh. This is an end-run around banning guns because the net effect of banning lead would seriously raise the cost of ammo.

Lisa Jackson, the EPA head, has until October 31st to make up her mind whether to accept the petition or not.

It seems that there are no scientific studies that show that eating meat from hunted animals leads to any kind of lead poisoning or deleterious effects from the ammo. (See 600 years of world history where the lead bullet used for hunting sustained the lives of countless millions.)

A couple of articles you need to see are:

1. The Weekly Standard article: Environmental Protection Agency Reviewing Petition to Ban Lead Bullets
2. EPA Considering Ban on Traditional Ammunition — Take Action Now
   August 25, 2010
   By Larry Keane

It will be interesting to see how the Environment Czar plays into this. Carol Browner, a former head of the EPA, is described by some as: ” Political Radical Former head of EPA - known for anti-business activism. Strong anti-gun ownership.”

The NRA and the National Sports and Shooting Foundation request that you get active and let EPA Director Jackson know how you feel on this petition.

check out this video:

Found this video bouncing around Facebook and thought I would throw it on the blog. As a retired Vietnam Vet, it brought some tears to my eyes.

Kosice, Slovakia became our 800th visitor. Kosice, is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary. With a population of nearly 242,000, Košice is the second largest city in Slovakia after Bratislava. Thank you, Wikipedia. A great city, Kosice is a place to spend some time in order to see and learn all that you can. Great sites, scenic trips, and warm, wonderful people at to be expected.

Just missing out at #799 was Jerez de la Frontere. Wikipedia states: “Jerez de la Frontera is a municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia in southwestern Spain, situated midway between the sea and the mountains. As of 2008, the city, the largest city in the province, had 205,364 inhabitants; it is the fifth largest in Andalusia.”

A step late at #801 was Katmandu, Nepal. “The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal surrounded by four major mountains, namely: Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri. It is inhabited by 671,846 (2001) people.” Thanks again to Wikipedia. Apparently, the main interests to tourists is the valley and the people themselves. It is 77degrees at this writing and if you like high altitude, this may be the place for you.

The 1900th US City to visit mustangrambles is South Pasedena, California. This city of 25,000 people is located at the western end of the San Gabriel Valley, north of the San Rafael Hills, east of the Arroyo Seco seasonal river, and on the south of and adjoining the separate and independent city of Pasadena, California. (thank you widipedia) The Southpas Chamber of Commerce site doesn’t show any events coming up. Must be a slow time in the city.

Coming in close at #1899 was Colonial Heights, Virginia, just north of Petersburg. Wikipedia says that: It is located in the in Tri-Cities area of the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Cool enough. Recreation and Parks Dept. has one heckuva webpage showing everything available (including a neat teen club) and times and places etc.

A step too late at #1901 was De Witt, Illinois. De Witt according to Wikipedia is “a village in DeWitt County, Illinois, United States. The population was 188 at the 2000 census. The U.S. Census Bureau and the USGS list the village’s name as De Witt, although the name DeWitt (no space) is used locally and by the U.S. Postal Service.

The village is named for DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York, 1817-1823.”

You might want to watch this video about the proposed mosque at Ground Zero. While it is definitely anti-mosque, it expresses the feelings of most Americans, I think.

The outrageous insensitivity of the project is mind-numbing. It must not be built there.