Veteran Warriors to Descend on Washington Demanding Overdue Veterans Administration Overhaul

No one can understand the plight of the massive US Veteran community, better than the Veteran Warriors. Beginning Tuesday, November 12, 2013, a small group of disabled veterans representing all branches of our military is schedule to meet with 12 legislators and 2 subcommittees in Washington, D.C. I hope these legislators are ready. From what I understand, these Veteran Warriors are determined to win the fight for a total overhaul of a failing Veterans Administration.

Two weeks ago, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs held hearings on Veterans Administration case backlogs. I watched and listened to these hearings. With the exception of a few Congressmen—those that actually served—much of what I heard was an exercise in false self-righteous indignation, shifting the blame, shameless finger pointing and deception. “Thank you for your service to our nation,” has become a platitude in American political circles.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs, administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Retired U.S. Army General Eric Shinseki— a member of President Obama’s “the buck stops here” executive cabinet —is under fire for a confirmed culture of corruption, fraud and incompetence plaguing an unprepared and poorly managed Veterans Administration (VA).

I recently spoke with Lauren Price of Veteran Warriors about the ongoing mess at the VA. Lauren is amazing. Price is retired Navy, a disabled Veteran, the wife of a disabled Navy veteran, mother of a disabled Army veteran, a grandmother and the Public Affairs Representative for the Veteran Warriors.

She is also terminally ill. She suffers from a disease she acquired will serving in Iraq known as Constrictive Bronchitus.

For the past 5 years, Lauren Price—a former paralegal in civilian life—and a small group of military veterans, investigated, documented, catalogued and summarized the core issues and problems plaguing the VA. The Veteran Warriors have also—on their own time and dime—developed a simple plan to restructure and overhaul the second largest department in our government. They are now taking their case and there plan to Congress. They need America’s support.

The Veteran Warriors proposal to overhaul the VA can be found here.

Fed up with band-aid approaches and failures of poorly thought out and wasteful legislation like the 2008 Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program, this group of former military members, is determined to improve a long neglected, cost inefficient and unproductive VA; not only for their fellow service members and veterans, but for the taxpayer.

To Lauren Price—who also suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) —this is a fight worth fighting. To quote her, “I have nothing to lose. I am dying. Might as well make the best of the time I have left.”

Unlike me, this is not political for disabled veteran Lauren Price and the “Veteran Warriors.” This is about improving our government for the taxpayer. I wish I could be so considerate. She is a brave women, a true Patriot and a better human being than the majority of us.

Like so many other real national priorities (budgets, deficits, national debt and entitlement reform) that our Congress—and an arrogant and irresponsible President—has failed to address, the real problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs are overdue for overhaul, not meaningless reforms. In fairness, since World War II, our government has an abysmal record of accomplishment in Veterans Affairs. However, this is not an excuse to delay much needed overhaul so that our veterans receive the timely care and benefit’s they earned fighting our wars.

Moreover, yes, Mr. President, whether you like it or not, these are your wars too. However, I digress.

With Lauren Price’s permission, I will continue to follow the progress of the “Veteran Warrior” Group and introductions to their team. Once again America, they are going down range for us. I suspect they could use your support.

For those that wish to help, shoot the editor, Tim Brown, an email by clicking the contact button at the top of the screen. He will put you in touch with the right people.

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Veteran Warriors to Descend on Washington Demanding Overdue Veterans Administration Overhaul

Warriors Leading The Way ONCE AGAIN

Many, if not most, are aware of my feelings about the way things are going for I post articles here, and elsewhere, along with what some would call, inflammatory comments. I don’t apologize for speaking out on what I see and believe. I never will. That’s just who I am. Will I shirk away from my Sacred Duty to our Republic, NEVER! That’s what this article is about, those who Never shirked away.

The greatest generation, who defeated the axis powers of WWII, is in battle once again and they shouldn’t have to be. They’ve earned their place in the sun, and now it’s being denied them in more ways than one and they’re not taking it any more…nor should they. What we’re witnessing is just this….MEN and WOMEN of that era are taking charge AGAIN by leading the charge against Tyranny and Oppression, not in some distant land, but right here at home.  

For them to have to do this, at this time in their life is shameful and sad, but not surprising, for you know they’ve sacrificed all they had way back then. Once is enough in my book. Therefore, for them to have to do it again, well, is shameful on all the other generations since then, for apparently there have been enough of these current generations that have shirked their responsibilities, which leaves those warriors of the past no other option but to step up to the plate, AGAIN.

Even at their ages, where many are only a step away from eternity, they’re willing to give to this Republic, once again ALL THEY HAVE. The selfless action on their part only galvanizes who they are and proves their metal, once again. These warriors are willingly and defiantly approaching THEIR memorials with HONOR. If the powers that be decide to impede them in any way…those powers will lose. These gallant warriors will be showing us the way, once again. Showing us that we needn’t fear DESPOTS and TYRANTS! They Don’t, why should we?

These Warriors are teaching us another lesson on Freedom. Current generations had better take NOTES, for this will be the last time that we will have an opportunity to learn from those who have Character, Honor, Determination, and Resolve, all the attributes that are needed in order to take care of business.

These Warriors are drawing a LINE, that line which separates us from Freedom and Slavery, the line that separates us from Brave Men and Cowards, that line which separates us from Our Constitution and the Communist Manifesto, the line which separates the Men and Women from the boys and the girls. Our Honorable Warriors of so long ago, have solidified my resolve to stand steadfast on the line of Righteousness, Freedom, and our Heritage, ever so much more now than previously.

When the creatures of Mordor decide to move in my direction, all they’ll receive is my contempt…and all that comes with it! I stand on my side of the Line that’s been drawn by Real American Heroes. With The Greatest Generation….NO MATTER WHAT! I fear NO MAN, for I’ve found life in Jesus Christ, and my freedom through my fellow warriors.

I encourage you to find your resolve, as I have, and place it on the line. For if you don’t, there won’t be a line to stand on….only a division of despair, which only separates one from slavery and death.

Warriors Leading The Way ONCE AGAIN

Rule Cyber-Britannia: MoD to recruit hundreds of IT warriors for cyber task force

Published time: September 29, 2013 13:28

Reuters / Kacper Pempel

Britain’s Defense Ministry has announced it is creating a military cyber unit and has welcomed tech-savvy hackers to consider taking the Queen’s virtual shilling in a recruitment drive starting October.

The UK is channeling part of its military budget on recruiting hundreds of computer experts to constitute the new Joint Cyber Reserve Unit, the country’s Defense Secretary, Philip Hammond, announced Sunday.

For the first time, the UK’s would-be cyber warriors will be tasked with offensive missions.

“In response to the growing cyber threat, we are developing a full-spectrum military cyber capability, including a strike capability, to enhance the UK’s range of military capabilities,” AFP reported Hammond as saying.

The Defense Secretary said he believed that a purely defensive cyber unit was no longer enough for the country’s security. “You deter people by having an offensive capability,” he told The Daily Mail in an interview.

“We will build in Britain a cyber-strike capability so we can strike back in cyberspace against enemies who attack us, putting cyber alongside land, sea, air and space as a mainstream military activity. Our commanders can use cyber weapons alongside conventional weapons in future conflicts.”

Hammond described the ministry’s initiative as “an exciting opportunity” for computer geniuses “to put their skills to good use for the nation.”

Striking a patriotic chord is just part of the strategy for luring IT geeks into the army. Cyber National Guard reservists will be spared the current Territorial Army fitness tests, Hammond said in the interview, where he touted the army going digital as its biggest reform since World War I, when tanks started replacing cavalry.  

Hammond revealed the cyber unit plan to journalists in the MoD’s nuclear bunker, becoming the first Defense Secretary to have been photographed or interviewed there.

“Cyber weapons provide the tantalizing possibility of being able to cripple the enemy without inflicting lasting damage on them. No cities to rebuild, no infrastructure to reconstruct.” Hammond said, adding the innovation was very much in tune with attitudes in the US. “One of my American counterparts put it to me like this: Why would you want to bomb someone’s airfield if you could just switch it off with a cyber-attack?” 

The United States announced in March it was developing 40 new teams of cyber-agents, citing alleged Iranian and Chinese hacker attacks as reason behind the decision. Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the US Cyber Command who is also in charge of the National Security Agency, announced 13 of the 40 cyber-squads would be devoted toward offensive operations.

Britain’s capability to fully staff its own cyber military force was questioned by a National Audit Office report in February, which revealed a shortage of UK IT experts able to combat cyber-attacks.

The report blamed the government for not promoting science and technology enough and quoted education officials saying that it could take “up to 20 years to address the skills gap at all levels of education.”

The research also questioned the government’s capability to attract IT experts to the public sector from more lucrative private companies.

British MPs have also warned about the country’s susceptibility to cyber-attacks. In January, the House of Commons Defense Select Committee expressed particular alarm that the military were excessively reliant on cyber systems for communication, which could make them an easy target for hackers.

RT – News

Rule Cyber-Britannia: MoD to recruit hundreds of IT warriors for cyber task force

Rule Cyber-Britannia: MoD to recruit hundreds of IT warriors for cyber task force

Published time: September 29, 2013 13:28

Reuters / Kacper Pempel

Britain’s Defense Ministry has announced it is creating a military cyber unit and has welcomed tech-savvy hackers to consider taking the Queen’s virtual shilling in a recruitment drive starting October.

The UK is channeling part of its military budget on recruiting hundreds of computer experts to constitute the new Joint Cyber Reserve Unit, the country’s Defense Secretary, Philip Hammond, announced Sunday.

For the first time, the UK’s would-be cyber warriors will be tasked with offensive missions.

“In response to the growing cyber threat, we are developing a full-spectrum military cyber capability, including a strike capability, to enhance the UK’s range of military capabilities,” AFP reported Hammond as saying.

The Defense Secretary said he believed that a purely defensive cyber unit was no longer enough for the country’s security. “You deter people by having an offensive capability,” he told The Daily Mail in an interview.

“We will build in Britain a cyber-strike capability so we can strike back in cyberspace against enemies who attack us, putting cyber alongside land, sea, air and space as a mainstream military activity. Our commanders can use cyber weapons alongside conventional weapons in future conflicts.”

Hammond described the ministry’s initiative as “an exciting opportunity” for computer geniuses “to put their skills to good use for the nation.”

Striking a patriotic chord is just part of the strategy for luring IT geeks into the army. Cyber National Guard reservists will be spared the current Territorial Army fitness tests, Hammond said in the interview, where he touted the army going digital as its biggest reform since World War I, when tanks started replacing cavalry.  

Hammond revealed the cyber unit plan to journalists in the MoD’s nuclear bunker, becoming the first Defense Secretary to have been photographed or interviewed there.

“Cyber weapons provide the tantalizing possibility of being able to cripple the enemy without inflicting lasting damage on them. No cities to rebuild, no infrastructure to reconstruct.” Hammond said, adding the innovation was very much in tune with attitudes in the US. “One of my American counterparts put it to me like this: Why would you want to bomb someone’s airfield if you could just switch it off with a cyber-attack?” 

The United States announced in March it was developing 40 new teams of cyber-agents, citing alleged Iranian and Chinese hacker attacks as reason behind the decision. Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the US Cyber Command who is also in charge of the National Security Agency, announced 13 of the 40 cyber-squads would be devoted toward offensive operations.

Britain’s capability to fully staff its own cyber military force was questioned by a National Audit Office report in February, which revealed a shortage of UK IT experts able to combat cyber-attacks.

The report blamed the government for not promoting science and technology enough and quoted education officials saying that it could take “up to 20 years to address the skills gap at all levels of education.”

The research also questioned the government’s capability to attract IT experts to the public sector from more lucrative private companies.

British MPs have also warned about the country’s susceptibility to cyber-attacks. In January, the House of Commons Defense Select Committee expressed particular alarm that the military were excessively reliant on cyber systems for communication, which could make them an easy target for hackers.

RT – News

Rule Cyber-Britannia: MoD to recruit hundreds of IT warriors for cyber task force