The VA Joins Big Banks in the Foreclosure Business: A New Wave of Veteran Homelessness

The VA Joins Big Banks in the Foreclosure Business: A New Wave of Veteran Homelessness

And, unlike the backlog for disability claims, the VA has had no apparent backlog on processing foreclosures for VA-backed loans.

Within three months of a medical discharge from active duty, the VA has stepped in to evict multiple wounded veterans and their families.

In one case, the VA disability file of a Fort Carson soldier sat untouched for six months. This file contained a form that stated his rating should be expedited because of his hardship. Even so, nothing had even been started on his file for six entire months.

Three months into his waiting process, the VA bought his home from Bank of America for about $100,000 less than the fair market value.

Last week, the VA sent him eviction papers giving him until the following Monday to move his family of six, including a newborn, out of the home.

The Servicemember's Civil Relief Act mandates that this military family is protected from foreclosure, but the VA apparently doesn't care. They just acquired their home for a steal of a price while sitting on his VA disability claim. Why should they care?

The VA Joins Big Banks in the Foreclosure Business: A New Wave of Veteran Homelessness

The VA Joins Big Banks in the Foreclosure Business: A New Wave of Veteran Homelessness

And, unlike the backlog for disability claims, the VA has had no apparent backlog on processing foreclosures for VA-backed loans.

Within three months of a medical discharge from active duty, the VA has stepped in to evict multiple wounded veterans and their families.

In one case, the VA disability file of a Fort Carson soldier sat untouched for six months. This file contained a form that stated his rating should be expedited because of his hardship. Even so, nothing had even been started on his file for six entire months.

Three months into his waiting process, the VA bought his home from Bank of America for about $100,000 less than the fair market value.

Last week, the VA sent him eviction papers giving him until the following Monday to move his family of six, including a newborn, out of the home.

The Servicemember's Civil Relief Act mandates that this military family is protected from foreclosure, but the VA apparently doesn't care. They just acquired their home for a steal of a price while sitting on his VA disability claim. Why should they care?

Jet fuel causes bladder cancer

I am a member of a group on Yahoo; AO Awareness and Info. This is a great group for any veteran or family member to join. Today I received an email, as I usually do, from this group. One of the topics for the week was: A Story of Never Give Up. Curious, I checked it out. Here is the contents of this post. I hope many you find it helpful.

I have not talked to you in over a year, but I want everyone to know that my mother has finally been approved for DIC. My dad died of urinary bladder cancer caused by jet fuel and agent orange, which is not on the presumptive list.

We were continually denied and then I found a wonderful lawyer named Jill Mitchell who does nothing but veterans cases. She found an oncologist that checked my dad’s files.

The oncologist says that jet fuel causes bladder cancer.

Dad was a navigator and was stationed at Phu Cat in Vietnam . Her website is http://fight4veteransrights.com/.

After 4 years my mother is finally getting what she deserves from the VA.

One thing we found out was that if the spouse has turned 75, they send the case to Washington D.C. where a judge decides the case, quickly.

Please let everyone know so that they too may get the help they need.

God Bless the veterans

Jet fuel causes bladder cancer

I am a member of a group on Yahoo; AO Awareness and Info. This is a great group for any veteran or family member to join. Today I received an email, as I usually do, from this group. One of the topics for the week was: A Story of Never Give Up. Curious, I checked it out. Here is the contents of this post. I hope many you find it helpful.

I have not talked to you in over a year, but I want everyone to know that my mother has finally been approved for DIC. My dad died of urinary bladder cancer caused by jet fuel and agent orange, which is not on the presumptive list.

We were continually denied and then I found a wonderful lawyer named Jill Mitchell who does nothing but veterans cases. She found an oncologist that checked my dad’s files.

The oncologist says that jet fuel causes bladder cancer.

Dad was a navigator and was stationed at Phu Cat in Vietnam . Her website is http://fight4veteransrights.com/.

After 4 years my mother is finally getting what she deserves from the VA.

One thing we found out was that if the spouse has turned 75, they send the case to Washington D.C. where a judge decides the case, quickly.

Please let everyone know so that they too may get the help they need.

God Bless the veterans

More Korean War Vets Can Make Agent Orange Claims

More Korean War Vets Can Make Agent Orange Claims

The new ruling, which was published in the Federal Register,

extends the net of health coverage to those who served between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971 “in a unit determined by VA and the Department of Defense to have operated in an area in or near the Korean DMZ in which herbicides were applied.”

The VA noted that Korean War vets do not have to prove their medical condition happened during their time in Korea. By presuming their conditions are associated with Agent Orange, the application process is accelerated and makes sure the vets have access to the health benefits they need and deserve.

The VA is asking that Korean War vets who meet the new guidelines submit claims for conditions presumed to be associated with Agent Orange exposure as soon as possible.

More Korean War Vets Can Make Agent Orange Claims

More Korean War Vets Can Make Agent Orange Claims

The new ruling, which was published in the Federal Register,

extends the net of health coverage to those who served between April 1, 1968, and August 31, 1971 “in a unit determined by VA and the Department of Defense to have operated in an area in or near the Korean DMZ in which herbicides were applied.”

The VA noted that Korean War vets do not have to prove their medical condition happened during their time in Korea. By presuming their conditions are associated with Agent Orange, the application process is accelerated and makes sure the vets have access to the health benefits they need and deserve.

The VA is asking that Korean War vets who meet the new guidelines submit claims for conditions presumed to be associated with Agent Orange exposure as soon as possible.

Monsanto Executive Appointed to High Level Position in the FDA

Monsanto Executive Appointed to High Level Position in the FDA

Michael Taylor head of "Foods" at the FDA -- an outrage to the safety of the American people.

Moving on to Aspartame and its effects on the body,

Aspartame contains Methanol, a serious metabolic poison. Your body converts it to formaldehyde (embalming fluid) and formic acid (ant sting poison) both of which attack your central nervous system and every organ of your body.

There is a very simple way to ascertain whether or not this poisonous drug is causing you any health problem(s).

Stop ALL intake of Aspartame (anything with Monsanto's NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Benevia, NutraTaste) in it. READ LABELS.

Have your pharmacist check all your medications, Aspartame is in many drugs. This poison is in over 9,000 items including most Children's Vitamins, Children's Tylenol, Alka Seltzer, Toothpastes and Metamucil.

So, what can you do about this? How do you wean yourself from Monsanto's poisoned foods?

Find, collect and save heirloom quality seeds, and grow your own vegetables from them.

1) Reduce your corn and soybean consumption. Read the label - it's in almost everything!

2) Don't use Roundup or other pesticides or herbicides - grow organically (it's really not that hard!).

3) Limit your intake of high fructose corn syrup (yet another Monsanto consumer gift).

4) Buy locally-grown organic foods, if you can find them.

So for anyone curious as to what Michael Taylor's responsibilities will be while in charge of "Foods" in the FDA, they are as follows:

* develop and carry out a prevention-based strategy for food safety

* plan for new food safety legislation

* ensure that food labels contain clear and accurate information on nutrition

Organic Consumers Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

Monsanto Executive Appointed to High Level Position in the FDA

Monsanto Executive Appointed to High Level Position in the FDA

Michael Taylor head of "Foods" at the FDA -- an outrage to the safety of the American people.

Moving on to Aspartame and its effects on the body,

Aspartame contains Methanol, a serious metabolic poison. Your body converts it to formaldehyde (embalming fluid) and formic acid (ant sting poison) both of which attack your central nervous system and every organ of your body.

There is a very simple way to ascertain whether or not this poisonous drug is causing you any health problem(s).

Stop ALL intake of Aspartame (anything with Monsanto's NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Benevia, NutraTaste) in it. READ LABELS.

Have your pharmacist check all your medications, Aspartame is in many drugs. This poison is in over 9,000 items including most Children's Vitamins, Children's Tylenol, Alka Seltzer, Toothpastes and Metamucil.

So, what can you do about this? How do you wean yourself from Monsanto's poisoned foods?

Find, collect and save heirloom quality seeds, and grow your own vegetables from them.

1) Reduce your corn and soybean consumption. Read the label - it's in almost everything!

2) Don't use Roundup or other pesticides or herbicides - grow organically (it's really not that hard!).

3) Limit your intake of high fructose corn syrup (yet another Monsanto consumer gift).

4) Buy locally-grown organic foods, if you can find them.

So for anyone curious as to what Michael Taylor's responsibilities will be while in charge of "Foods" in the FDA, they are as follows:

* develop and carry out a prevention-based strategy for food safety

* plan for new food safety legislation

* ensure that food labels contain clear and accurate information on nutrition

Organic Consumers Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

VIDEO: 'Our Vietnam Generation'

VIDEO: 'Our Vietnam Generation'

“I thought it was appropriate to leave the comments in there by vets who talked about coming back and being spat upon and that it wasn’t a military-run war. The politicians controlled it, not military tactics or strategists. I think that was important to say, because of how it affected the outcome,” Odell said.

David J. “Doc” Maloney, a former corpsman, wrote the book “Purple Hearts and Broken Hearts.”

In the film, he speaks about how warning labels were removed from chemical drums that the contents were dangerous to humans.

“He has documents that showed that the chemicals should not have been used,” Famie said.

“Nobody wanted to touch the POW or the Agent Orange issues so we had to bring them to people’s attention ourselves,” Spooner said. “I remember when we started (VVA) Chapter 9.

We had so many guys in their 30s dying of these weird cancers. They were healthy in their 20s and passing away a decade later.

We had close to 2,000 members back then. It seemed like someone was passing away once a month from our chapter alone.”

VIDEO: 'Our Vietnam Generation'

VIDEO: 'Our Vietnam Generation'

“I thought it was appropriate to leave the comments in there by vets who talked about coming back and being spat upon and that it wasn’t a military-run war. The politicians controlled it, not military tactics or strategists. I think that was important to say, because of how it affected the outcome,” Odell said.

David J. “Doc” Maloney, a former corpsman, wrote the book “Purple Hearts and Broken Hearts.”

In the film, he speaks about how warning labels were removed from chemical drums that the contents were dangerous to humans.

“He has documents that showed that the chemicals should not have been used,” Famie said.

“Nobody wanted to touch the POW or the Agent Orange issues so we had to bring them to people’s attention ourselves,” Spooner said. “I remember when we started (VVA) Chapter 9.

We had so many guys in their 30s dying of these weird cancers. They were healthy in their 20s and passing away a decade later.

We had close to 2,000 members back then. It seemed like someone was passing away once a month from our chapter alone.”

New List of Eligible BWN Ships

New List of Eligible BWN Ships

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released a new list of Blue Water Navy ships now determined to have operated on the Inland Waters of Vietnam. Additionally, they have added a new class of eligibility for individuals who had “visitation” to Vietnam while attached to a vessel that had smaller craft that regularly went ashore with either supplies or personnel. This new class includes veterans who may have gone ashore even if the ship did not dock, but was in close proximity to Vietnam for extended periods of time. This new list can be accessed at http://www.bluewaternavy.org/newspage2.htm


Those who are in any of the three categories explained in this new release are eligible for presumption of exposure to herbicides and are given benefits equal to those with boots-on-ground who are suffering from any of the diseases the VA has listed as related to herbicide exposure. That list can be accessed at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp


This program, called Policy 211, began January, 2010 with the VA’s active efforts to find all personnel who served offshore Vietnam but who may have had “duty or visitation in the Republic of Vietnam.” This originally covered crewmembers of ships on Inland Waters but has recently been expanded.


Pease note that the list includes entire classes of ships designated by hull type as well as named ships for their entire WESTPAC tours or for specific dates or date ranges due to their short term operations on the inland waters of Vietnam. This list is not yet complete and additions are made to it almost daily. If your ship is not listed and you feel you qualify as a crew member in one of the given categories, there are specific steps to acquire the documentation required to submit with your claim.


Please contact navy@bluewaternavy.org regarding the procedure to follow. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association is a portal through which you can submit the documentation for entry into the DVA database available to all Regional Offices and used to verify claims of herbicide-related disabilities by personnel who are not covered by the new boots-on-ground criteria.



Update provided by J. P. Rossie, Executive Director, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association (a 501[c][3] organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Service).

Paul Sutton, Special Advisor
"Dominus Fortissima Turris"

New List of Eligible BWN Ships

New List of Eligible BWN Ships

The Department of Veterans Affairs has released a new list of Blue Water Navy ships now determined to have operated on the Inland Waters of Vietnam. Additionally, they have added a new class of eligibility for individuals who had “visitation” to Vietnam while attached to a vessel that had smaller craft that regularly went ashore with either supplies or personnel. This new class includes veterans who may have gone ashore even if the ship did not dock, but was in close proximity to Vietnam for extended periods of time. This new list can be accessed at http://www.bluewaternavy.org/newspage2.htm


Those who are in any of the three categories explained in this new release are eligible for presumption of exposure to herbicides and are given benefits equal to those with boots-on-ground who are suffering from any of the diseases the VA has listed as related to herbicide exposure. That list can be accessed at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp


This program, called Policy 211, began January, 2010 with the VA’s active efforts to find all personnel who served offshore Vietnam but who may have had “duty or visitation in the Republic of Vietnam.” This originally covered crewmembers of ships on Inland Waters but has recently been expanded.


Pease note that the list includes entire classes of ships designated by hull type as well as named ships for their entire WESTPAC tours or for specific dates or date ranges due to their short term operations on the inland waters of Vietnam. This list is not yet complete and additions are made to it almost daily. If your ship is not listed and you feel you qualify as a crew member in one of the given categories, there are specific steps to acquire the documentation required to submit with your claim.


Please contact navy@bluewaternavy.org regarding the procedure to follow. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association is a portal through which you can submit the documentation for entry into the DVA database available to all Regional Offices and used to verify claims of herbicide-related disabilities by personnel who are not covered by the new boots-on-ground criteria.



Update provided by J. P. Rossie, Executive Director, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association (a 501[c][3] organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Service).

Paul Sutton, Special Advisor
"Dominus Fortissima Turris"

Monsanto in the news: USDA Approves Genetically Engineered Alfalfa—Now What?

USDA Approves Genetically Engineered Alfalfa—Now What?

I guess we shouldn't be surprised — agrochemical companies like Monsanto have had the USDA in their pockets for years.

It's not too extreme to say that approval of GE alfalfa has the potential to cripple the organic food industry.

Stay tuned for news about the lawsuit, and in the meantime, you can sign Food & Water Watch's petition asking President Obama to stop GE alfalfa before it gets planted.

Organic Consumers Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

Monsanto in the news: USDA Approves Genetically Engineered Alfalfa—Now What?

USDA Approves Genetically Engineered Alfalfa—Now What?

I guess we shouldn't be surprised — agrochemical companies like Monsanto have had the USDA in their pockets for years.

It's not too extreme to say that approval of GE alfalfa has the potential to cripple the organic food industry.

Stay tuned for news about the lawsuit, and in the meantime, you can sign Food & Water Watch's petition asking President Obama to stop GE alfalfa before it gets planted.

Organic Consumers Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

Do the Creep...(Haaaa)

Lonely Island

For those of you who don't watch Saturday Night Live or missed the show over the weekend, Lonely Island released another new video.  Their latest song "Do the Creep...Haaaa" has just moved to the top of my Lonely Island charts, just squeaking ahead of "I'm on a Boat" and "I just had Sex".  

"Do the Creep...Haaaa"


This is the best one I've seen yet.


Enjoi...

Unfinished Business: Suffering and sickness in the endless wake of Agent Orange

Unfinished Business: Suffering and sickness in the endless wake of Agent Orange

Vietnam and the United States have a common enemy.

Its name is Agent Orange.

Unfinished Business: Suffering and sickness in the endless wake of Agent Orange

Unfinished Business: Suffering and sickness in the endless wake of Agent Orange

Vietnam and the United States have a common enemy.

Its name is Agent Orange.

Bachmann plan would cut veterans benefits

Bachmann plan would cut veterans benefits

Tea party favorite Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., has unveiled a plan for cutting $400 billion in federal spending that includes freezing Veterans Affairs Department health care spending and cutting veterans’ disability benefits.

Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, said cutting veterans’ health care spending is an ill-advised move at a time when the number of veterans continues to grow as troops return from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sullivan said he finds it difficult to see how VA could freeze health care costs without hurting veterans.

Bachmann’s idea of cutting costs by reducing veterans’ disability compensation by the amount received in Social Security Disability Income is not new.

The proposal, which would affect more than 150,000 veterans, has long been on a list of possible budget options prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, which describes the option as a way to “eliminate duplicate payment of public compensation for a single disability.”

Bachmann plan would cut veterans benefits

Bachmann plan would cut veterans benefits

Tea party favorite Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., has unveiled a plan for cutting $400 billion in federal spending that includes freezing Veterans Affairs Department health care spending and cutting veterans’ disability benefits.

Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, said cutting veterans’ health care spending is an ill-advised move at a time when the number of veterans continues to grow as troops return from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sullivan said he finds it difficult to see how VA could freeze health care costs without hurting veterans.

Bachmann’s idea of cutting costs by reducing veterans’ disability compensation by the amount received in Social Security Disability Income is not new.

The proposal, which would affect more than 150,000 veterans, has long been on a list of possible budget options prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, which describes the option as a way to “eliminate duplicate payment of public compensation for a single disability.”

Agent Orange leaves behind a toxic footprint: Unfinished Business

Agent Orange leaves behind a toxic footprint: Unfinished Business

This Sunday, The Plain Dealer will publish an eight-page report by columnist Connie Schultz exploring the legacy of Agent Orange. Schultz visited Vietnam to examine the damage resulting from the use of Agent Orange and interviewed Heather Morris Bowser, whose father was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Agent Orange leaves behind a toxic footprint: Unfinished Business

Agent Orange leaves behind a toxic footprint: Unfinished Business

This Sunday, The Plain Dealer will publish an eight-page report by columnist Connie Schultz exploring the legacy of Agent Orange. Schultz visited Vietnam to examine the damage resulting from the use of Agent Orange and interviewed Heather Morris Bowser, whose father was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Heather Bowser still haunted by Agent Orange

Heather Bowser, member of AO Legacy, still haunted by Agent Orange

Heather Bowser describes herself as a child of Agent Orange.

Agent Orange Legacy Support Community

Heather Bowser still haunted by Agent Orange

Heather Bowser, member of AO Legacy, still haunted by Agent Orange

Heather Bowser describes herself as a child of Agent Orange.

Agent Orange Legacy Support Community

Ex-Monsanto lawyer Clarence Thomas won’t recuse himself from big Monsanto

Ex-Monsanto lawyer Clarence Thomas won’t recuse himself from big Monsanto

Clarence Thomas: From the years 1976 – 1979, Thomas worked as an attorney for Monsanto. Thomas apparently does not see this as a conflict of interest and has not recused himself.

Fox, meet henhouse.

Organic Consumers Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

Ex-Monsanto lawyer Clarence Thomas won’t recuse himself from big Monsanto

Ex-Monsanto lawyer Clarence Thomas won’t recuse himself from big Monsanto

Clarence Thomas: From the years 1976 – 1979, Thomas worked as an attorney for Monsanto. Thomas apparently does not see this as a conflict of interest and has not recused himself.

Fox, meet henhouse.

Organic Consumers Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

big bear choppers 2011 Models

 Merc

 Rage

 Venom

Mis Behavin

big bear choppers 2011 Models

 Chopper

 Bear Bones

 Reaper

 Devils Advocate

Paradox

Motorcycle Futur

Motorcycle Future •• Speed Daemon with biofue

Motorcycle Future •• Speed Daemon with biofue

●► Motorcycle Future - Speed Daemon with biofuel ●►

Armed with palm oil fuel (biofuel), this bike fit to be a reference for future concept motorcycle. The concept of sport bike motorcycle Modenas applied to this. The design is inspired by the bird of Paradise that allows for speeding on the streets. Aerodynamic shape that reflects the modern motorcycle. Slim and lightweight makes the rider want to pit the occasional adrenaline rush with this.

Heather Morris Bowser, member of AO Legacy, interviewed as part of the upcoming Cleveland Plain Dealer 11 page supplement about Agent Orange

Heather Morris Bowser, member of AO Legacy, interviewed as part of the upcoming Cleveland Plain Dealer 11 page supplement about Agent Orange

Meet Dana Hopkins: Guest Author, AO Legacy News Coordinator & Biographer

Greetings all! I am delighted to be a new contributor to the Agent Orange Legacy blog. I'm Dana Hopkins , also known in some circles as Reddiva Dana. I am an Agent Orange Widow. My husband Greg Barschenfeld & I fell instantly in love and had a scant, but intensely loving two years.

Greg Barschenfeld

He was a musician, a filmmaker & mentor to many. He was a Viet Nam Vet, a decorated Green Beret & medic. He battled PTSD for many years. He was relatively unaware of delayed consequences of Agent Orange, until horrifyingly virulent, fast metastasizing cancer cut short his active, healthy life in less than a year. Agent Orange was revealed to be the cause. I battled for his rights in chemo suites, at home and on the road. He was finally placed on the AO registry & received full benefits 2 months before his death. It has been 18 months now since he died in my arms.

Greg & Dana

Since then I have been spurred to advocate, investigate & just share what ever skills & love I have with Vets & the generations of children & grandchildren impacted by Agent Orange as well as PTSD. I have always been outspoken about the need to recognize, honor & care for our Viet Nam Vets. Although I am a lifelong pacifist, I have never understood our disregard for these warriors. "you can hate the War, but love the Warrior" is my mantra. I am the mother of three sons, ages 21 , 26 & 28. I'm an experienced blogger, writer, spoken word & story telling artist. I have spent most of my working life as a trained theatre tech [scenic art, costuming, makeup & lighting] as well as manager, promoter and singer primarily in Rock N Roll and fringe theatre. I am considered a "doula" to artists of all kinds. I guess that makes me "everybody's Mom"

Greg Barschenfeld

So, here I am ready to take on investigative reporting and , perhaps most importantly, your stories. I am open minded and a good listener and recorder. Please share your stories with me so that we have more to share in Washington. I want to hear you and I want others to hear you as well. You can email me through the Agent Orange Legacy Support Community here at http://www.agentorangelegacy.ning.com/