National Journal--The Veterans Affairs Department faces
a "staggering" backlog of 897,566 disability claims with more than 65
percent pending for more than 125 days, a problem compounded by an error
rate of 16 percent, representatives of veterans' services organizations
told lawmakers on the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
The
department has seen a 48 percent increase in claims since 2008.
Officials expect the backlog will grow to 1.2 million claims this year
and another 50,000 will accrue in 2013 as veterans of the Afghanistan
and Iraq wars flood the system, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric
Shinseki told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in March. He vowed to process all claims in fewer than 125 days with a 98 percent accuracy standard by 2015.
Jeffrey Hall, assistant national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, an advocacy group, told House
lawmakers on Wednesday that "while the elimination of the backlog will
be a welcome milestone, we must remember that eliminating the backlog is
not necessarily the same goal as reforming the claims processing
system, nor does it guarantee that veterans are better served."
James Wear, assistant director for veterans benefits policy for the group Veterans of Foreign Wars, testified that
the high error rate and the poor quality of VA's rating decisions,
which determine the financial benefits veterans receive, are a serious
problem.
"Quality of decision-making is problematic.... The
national average [error rate] has remained nearly stationary at 16
percent for months," Wear said, adding that the Veterans Benefits
Administration's Baltimore regional office has the worst claims error
rate in the country -- 29 percent, which is a slight improvement over
its error rate of 33 percent just a few months ago.
Randall Fisher, the American Legion's service officer for Kentucky, told lawmakers
that in order to improve the claims process, VA must make training a
priority and hire more veterans whose experience would prove beneficial.
Hall said due to budget constraints, VA has cut back on training,
conducting it locally rather than using its national training academy.
"We have concerns that this change was made strictly for short-term
financial considerations rather than to achieve the long-term goal of
reforming the claims processing system," he said.
Rep. Bob Filner,
D-Calif., the ranking member on the committee, said, "There's no
shortcut of getting around the basics -- of having well-trained
employees who are empowered with the right tools and the right systems
to get the job done right the first time."
Shinseki promised earlier
this month that VA will roll out its paperless Veterans Benefit
Management System to 16 regional offices by September, with installation
in all 56 regional offices in 2013. Hall said he was concerned that
budget constraints could impede the national rollout of VBMS, and urged
the committee to provide full funding for the system. VA requested $92.3
million for VBMS in 2013, and spent a total of $343.6 million on the
system in 2011 and 2012.
Read More From National Journal
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Victoria Jackson Rips News Station For Editing Her Interview To Only Share Part Of The Truth
Patriot Update --How can you sleep at night?
You edited out my whole interview. For 20 minutes I told you facts about Islam and why I was doing a PatriotUpdate.com story on it, and all you put on the air at 10 pm last night was a horrible picture, some “ditz” references, and a video of “controversial” me tromping around with a sensationalized edited voice over. What happened to that 20 minute face to face interview we had where I told you that:
Remember at the end of our interview when you said, “Boy, you’ve really done your homework,” and I told you I was concerned because I had children and grand children and I didn’t want to leave them a country that was Communist or an Islamic Caliphate? Remember that? Remember how I asked you to turn your camera back on so I could talk about “taquiyah” the word that means Muslims can lie for Allah? Remember?
Maybe you lost all your footage. Are you working for the enemy? Or are you just afraid of losing your job at the Orwellian Propaganda Headquarters.
“Truth is the new hate speech.” (Pamela Gellar)
You are purposefully editing out facts and truth from the news so that by ”deceit by omission” you can brainwash your thousands of viewers into ignorance. You are the same as the rest of the media. You lie by omission, half truths and out right deceit.
Remember in our interview how I told you that I auditioned for The Talk, and how I tuned in to see what token conservative beat me for the job? I said, “Is she prettier, thinner, younger?” I tuned in and there was no token conservative. There are five liberal women who “talk” about only their point of view.
What happened to Freedom of Speech?
Why are Liberals the only ones who enjoy Freedom of Speech? Shame on you. You are a disgrace to your industry.
Sincerely,
Victoria Jackson
Read More From Patriot Update
You edited out my whole interview. For 20 minutes I told you facts about Islam and why I was doing a PatriotUpdate.com story on it, and all you put on the air at 10 pm last night was a horrible picture, some “ditz” references, and a video of “controversial” me tromping around with a sensationalized edited voice over. What happened to that 20 minute face to face interview we had where I told you that:
Islam is not just a religion. It is a political and military system.
Islam is controlled by Shariah Law which cannot co exist with The Constitution.
Islam encourages men to beat their wives, behead them, marry children and kill homosexuals. Look it up.
Mohammed, the leader they are
supposed to emulate had many wives, one of which was named Aisha and she
was 6 years old when he married her and eight years old when he had sex
with her.
Islam’s goal is world wide dominance.
On the new Islamic Center’s web site they describe their Imam as 4th in his class at Al-Azhar Univ. in Cairo, Egypt.
Why did such an important imam in the
Islamic world decide to come to Murfreesboro, TN, the buckle in the
Bible belt, and build two feet next to a Baptist Church?
We should have Freedom of Religion;
atheism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hindu, Baptist, whatever, but not a
religion that wants to kill the others.
Islam gives you three choices; convert, be killed, or dhimmitude (be taxed and treated as servants to Muslims)
If you leave Islam you are to be killed.
If Islam is a religion of peace, why is there a Fatwa on my head, simply because I am asking questions and telling the truth?
I went to a six hour briefing in
Washington D.C. on the topic of The Muslim Brotherhood and how they have
infiltrated our highest government offices at the F.B.I. and the
Pentagon.
They have changed the dialogue so we
are not allowed to say the Ft. Hood shooter was a Muslim who shouted
“Allahu Akbar” before he killed.
The assistant to Hilary Clinton,
Secretary of State is Mrs. Weiner, is married to Weiner of the Weiner
Scandal that Breitbart uncovered. Mrs. Weiner’s mother started The
Muslim Sisterhood. So, The Muslim Brotherhood now has access to all of
our country’s top secrets.
For more information go to: http://www.shariahthethreat.comRemember at the end of our interview when you said, “Boy, you’ve really done your homework,” and I told you I was concerned because I had children and grand children and I didn’t want to leave them a country that was Communist or an Islamic Caliphate? Remember that? Remember how I asked you to turn your camera back on so I could talk about “taquiyah” the word that means Muslims can lie for Allah? Remember?
Maybe you lost all your footage. Are you working for the enemy? Or are you just afraid of losing your job at the Orwellian Propaganda Headquarters.
“Truth is the new hate speech.” (Pamela Gellar)
You are purposefully editing out facts and truth from the news so that by ”deceit by omission” you can brainwash your thousands of viewers into ignorance. You are the same as the rest of the media. You lie by omission, half truths and out right deceit.
Remember in our interview how I told you that I auditioned for The Talk, and how I tuned in to see what token conservative beat me for the job? I said, “Is she prettier, thinner, younger?” I tuned in and there was no token conservative. There are five liberal women who “talk” about only their point of view.
What happened to Freedom of Speech?
Why are Liberals the only ones who enjoy Freedom of Speech? Shame on you. You are a disgrace to your industry.
Sincerely,
Victoria Jackson
Read More From Patriot Update
Take it from a girl who cannot eat, a feeding tube is no fad
(CNN) -- Feeding tubes are designed to nourish patients, not deprive them of calories and hasten weight loss.
News reports of a feeding tube diet popped up, followed by a slew of TV reports on the new "trend."
But for people who
survive by feeding tubes -- patients with diseases such as cystic
fibrosis, certain autoimmune diseases, problems with malabsorption --
the idea of using a medical tool for vanity is upsetting.
"That people would do
this intentionally to themselves to lose weight when thousands of
children have no choice -- why would someone willingly make a choice to
do this?" asked Julie Springer, a mother of two children who use feeding
tubes.
What made it particularly disturbing was how blasé they appeared about this medical procedure, she said.
"It's just absurd. For us, this isn't a choice," said Springer, the media coordinator for the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders
The diet reportedly uses a
nasal gastric tube, which doesn't require a surgical procedure like the
gastric feeding tubes. These feeding tubes have a piece inside the
stomach and a type of clamp to keep them in place.
Samantha Pecoraro, 14,
has a permanent feeding tube in her stomach because nearly all foods
trigger a violent reaction in her digestive tracts.
"They're making it sound like a fun privilege, which it isn't," she said about the tube diet.
"That's so disgusting,
that makes me so upset. If you'd like to lose weight, exercise and go on
a diet. They're making a mockery of it; they make it look so simple.
They take it out in 10 days, I can't take [my feeding tube] out in 10
days."
Christian Leaders Praising Chuck Colson's Legacy As He" May Soon To Be With The Lord"
Christian Post--Christian leaders from various organizations and churches have offered their prayers for Chuck Colson and praised the legacy he leaves behind as word came Wednesday that the ailing 80-year-old founder of Prison Fellowship may "soon be with the Lord."
"For nearly four decades, Chuck Colson has been used greatly by God to advance the Gospel, comfort prisoners and show compassion to their families, and stand for truth in the public arena," Rob Schwarzwalder, Senior Vice President for the Family Research Council, told The Christian Post Wednesday. "Few Christian leaders have built a ministry with the reach and effectiveness of Prison Fellowship, Breakpoint, the Centurion program and many other initiatives.""May the Lord strengthen his wonderful family during this difficult time," Schwarzwalder added.
"We sincerely hope that God blesses us with more years of Chuck Colson's service to people. He has built a legacy that will continue to grow and we need him on the scene in today's troubled age more than ever," said Tom Minnery, Senior Vice President of Focus on the Family, in a phone interview with CP.
Colson was hospitalized after speaking at the Breaking the Spiral of Silence conference on March 30 in Lansdowne, Va. The Prison Fellowship founder suffered an intracerebral hemorrhage and underwent surgery the following morning to remove a pool of clotted blood on his brain. His condition worsened on Tuesday, however, and Jim Liske, CEO of Prison Fellowship, revealed today that he may soon "be with the Lord."
Read More from Christian Post
Illinois Catholic Bishop Says "Obama intent on following similar path as Hitler and Stalin"
An Illinois Catholic bishop had fiery words for President Barack Obama’s “pro abortion and extreme secularist agenda” during a homily over the weekend where he encouraged good Catholics to stand up for their beliefs at the voting booth.
"Gays and "Tom Boys" Banned From Saudi Arabia School and University
Israel National News--Saudi Arabia has decided to bar "gays and tom-boys" from government schools and universities, a Saudi newspaper reported on Monday.
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is expected to oversee and enforce the new orders, said the Sharq Arabic language daily.
“Instructions have been issued to all public schools and universities to ban the entry of gays and tom boys and to intensify their efforts to fight this phenomenon, which has been promoted by some websites,” the newspaper reported.
The paper did not clarify who issued those instructions, but said “gays and tom boys” will only be permitted to return to schools and universities if they “stop such practices” and “unacceptable behavior.”
Read More From Israel National News
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is expected to oversee and enforce the new orders, said the Sharq Arabic language daily.
“Instructions have been issued to all public schools and universities to ban the entry of gays and tom boys and to intensify their efforts to fight this phenomenon, which has been promoted by some websites,” the newspaper reported.
The paper did not clarify who issued those instructions, but said “gays and tom boys” will only be permitted to return to schools and universities if they “stop such practices” and “unacceptable behavior.”
Read More From Israel National News
Teens Kill Homeless Man For $1
HOUSTON – Three teens accused of killing a homeless man for a dollar appeared in court Wednesday morning.
Carlos Fernandez, 18; Marilyn Villarreal, 18; and Michael Correa, 17, all went before a judge on capital murder charges.
Houston police said Fernandez, Villarreal, Correa and a 16-year-old female were cruising the Hempstead Highway, looking for prostitutes to rob on April 4, 2012, when they came across 32-year-old Pedro Miguel Rosales Ramos, a homeless man.
A witness said he heard Ramos arguing with someone in a parking lot in the 11700 block of Hempstead Highway, moments before shots rang out.
Ramos suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and died at the scene.
Investigators said they initially believed the suspects killed Ramos over a bicycle or some chicken, but later determined that the motive was the $1 in cash that Ramos was carrying.
The suspects were identified days later, when police said the 16-year-old and Fernandez were involved in a home invasion. During that crime, police said the girl was shot, and Fernandez – her boyfriend – shot the homeowner. Both the teen and the homeowner survived.
During interrogation, investigators said the other suspects in Ramos’ murder were identified.
Police said Fernandez confessed to shooting Ramos. The 16-year-old reportedly said she fired a weapon that night, too, but no one was hit.
Villarreal confessed to driving the car used in the robbery, and Correa admitted to being armed and taking Ramos’ dollar, police said. Investigators said Villarreal and Correa are in a relationship and have a 1-year-old child together.
Investigators believe the young suspects are responsible for more than a dozen other home invasions and robberies in Harris County.
But police were surprised by their actions. Investigators said the teens, who were all at one point students at Jersey Village High School, came from good families.
Det. Fil Waters described the 16 year-old’s cozy surroundings at the time of her arrest.
"She’s sitting in a queen-size feather bed, watching her 32-inch plasma TV and living in the lap of luxury," Waters said.
Police said none of the suspects has shown remorse.
"There were some tears, but not for Pedro – for themselves," Waters said.
Fernandez, Correa and Villarreal were being held in the Harris County Jail without bond Wednesday.
The 16-year-old, who is also charged with capital murder, was in the custody of Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities.
Read More From KHOU.com
Carlos Fernandez, 18; Marilyn Villarreal, 18; and Michael Correa, 17, all went before a judge on capital murder charges.
Houston police said Fernandez, Villarreal, Correa and a 16-year-old female were cruising the Hempstead Highway, looking for prostitutes to rob on April 4, 2012, when they came across 32-year-old Pedro Miguel Rosales Ramos, a homeless man.
A witness said he heard Ramos arguing with someone in a parking lot in the 11700 block of Hempstead Highway, moments before shots rang out.
Ramos suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and died at the scene.
Investigators said they initially believed the suspects killed Ramos over a bicycle or some chicken, but later determined that the motive was the $1 in cash that Ramos was carrying.
The suspects were identified days later, when police said the 16-year-old and Fernandez were involved in a home invasion. During that crime, police said the girl was shot, and Fernandez – her boyfriend – shot the homeowner. Both the teen and the homeowner survived.
During interrogation, investigators said the other suspects in Ramos’ murder were identified.
Police said Fernandez confessed to shooting Ramos. The 16-year-old reportedly said she fired a weapon that night, too, but no one was hit.
Villarreal confessed to driving the car used in the robbery, and Correa admitted to being armed and taking Ramos’ dollar, police said. Investigators said Villarreal and Correa are in a relationship and have a 1-year-old child together.
Investigators believe the young suspects are responsible for more than a dozen other home invasions and robberies in Harris County.
But police were surprised by their actions. Investigators said the teens, who were all at one point students at Jersey Village High School, came from good families.
Det. Fil Waters described the 16 year-old’s cozy surroundings at the time of her arrest.
"She’s sitting in a queen-size feather bed, watching her 32-inch plasma TV and living in the lap of luxury," Waters said.
Police said none of the suspects has shown remorse.
"There were some tears, but not for Pedro – for themselves," Waters said.
Fernandez, Correa and Villarreal were being held in the Harris County Jail without bond Wednesday.
The 16-year-old, who is also charged with capital murder, was in the custody of Harris County Juvenile Probation authorities.
Read More From KHOU.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
JMC LIVE Interview: SOLACE Volunteers In Portsmouth Ohio
JMC Ministries/Jeremy Caverley Interviews Joann Krohn The Founder/Director Of SOLACE (Surviving Our Loss and Continuing Everyday) In Portsmouth Ohio. She shares about how through her sons struggle and unfortunate death due to drugs, started the SOLACE group, and what she and others are doing to raise awareness of the epidemic drug problems people are facing in Southern Ohio and across the State Of Ohio.
Jeremy also sits down with Former Chief of Police, Chief Horner and talks to him about what he and others at SOLACE are trying to accomplish and how others can get involved as well as what the steps are to getting help if you are struggling with a drug addiction.
To learn more about SOLACE visit
www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/solace
Or to Connect with Joann and many others in Portsmouth Ohio visit
www.facebook.com/solace.survivingourlosses
You Can also Contact Joann Krohn at
joannakrohn@gmail.com
JMC Ministries Speaking At SOLACE Meeting
Jeremy Caverley of JMC Ministries speaking at SOLACE Meeting In Portsmouth Ohio.
Jeremy shares his testimony of being a child of drug addicts growing up in Texas. How he was affected by the addictions of his mother, father, and stepfather. how he overcame the abuse, homelessness, and how he now works with others through a Facebook group called Straight Forward (To Help Victims Of Pill Addiction) in Chillicothe Ohio to help others with their addictions and heal the wounds of the victims of those with addictions.
To learn more about SOLACE visit their website at
http://www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/solace
SOLACE Portsmouth Ohio Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/solace.survivingourlosses
Straight Forward (To Help Victims Of Pill Addiction) Facebook Group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/268931699832872/
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