UPDATED: Federal Judge Rules DOD and VA "Failed To Adequately Respond" & Q21 Info

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Thursday April 05, 2012 · 11:12 AM PDT

2012/04/05 · 11:12

On April 2, 2012, information on two issues important to Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma was released. First, Judge Mark Kravitz of the U.S. District Court in Connecticut ruled the Department of Defense and the Veterans Benefits Administration did not adequately respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN) and the ACLU as described below.

Defense and Veterans' Departments Failed to Adequately Respond to ACLU and Service Women’s Action Network's FOIA Request

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
NEW HAVEN, CT – A federal judge has ruled that the Departments of Defense and Veterans' Affairs have failed to adequately respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records documenting rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and sexual harassment in the military. The 2010 FOIA request was made by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Connecticut and the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN).

Secondly, the issue of Question 21 on the SF86, a form which anyone applying for a security clearance, or renewing a security clearance, must complete, was discussed by members of SWAN's policy team with members of the House and Senate. Some progress has been made on this issue as well.

More info on both below the furl...

RoseWeaver

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Monday March 26, 2012 · 10:33 PM PDT

2012/03/26 · 22:33

While reading through some diaries on Daily Kos just now, I happened upon the following diary posted by Congressman Tim Ryan, of Ohio.

MON MAR 26, 2012 AT 12:50 PM MDT

Will the Secretary of Defense Personally Stand Behind Limbaugh?

It seems he's still keeping the heat on the Department of Defense, specifically the Secretary of Defense, to remove shows like Limbaugh's from AFN and ensure his, and others like his, are not subsidized by tax payer dollars. He's even introduced a bill HR 4189 which "would require the Secretary of Defense to come before Congress on an annual basis and verify that the programming on the Armed Forces Television and Radio Networks is in line with the values our armed services are defending, including free speech and civil rights."

Within his entry, he also mentioned the "troubling" statistics of sexual assault in the military, which made me incredibly pleased.

I replied with the following:

RoseWeaver

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Thursday March 15, 2012 · 1:57 AM PDT

2012/03/15 · 01:57

Rush Limbaugh's comments about Sandra Fluke: free speech, or sexual harassment? This question is easy to answer when you understand the context of the system under which the question is being asked.

In my past two diary entries, I've attempted to explain a bit about the military and the Department of Defense policies under which it operates.

This is a vastly different system, indeed, a vastly different lifestyle than our civilian system and lifestyle which operates under our United States Constitution.

It is for this very reason we all must educate ourselves as to the seriousness of this matter as applied under the DOD policies, and not simply think of his comments under the single paradigm of the civilian world.

There is another paradigm which operates among us. Those who serve within this paradigm must be considered, like it or not.

Free speech? Yes.

Sexual harassment? Yes

But how can both be true?

RoseWeaver

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Tuesday March 13, 2012 · 8:03 PM PDT

2012/03/13 · 20:03

The White House Petition has reached it's goal. Will the DOD listen?

On March 12, 2012 ThinkProgress reported they "obtained an internal memo from Premiere Radio Networks listing 96 national companies that have “specifically asked” their advertisments not be played during the Rush Limbaugh Show."

They then released a list of 50 additional companies who have since requested all advertising be pulled from Limbaugh's show. Listed among those additional 50 just released is the United States Army.

You read that right. The US Army has pulled all advertising spots from Rush Limbaugh's show.

Why hasn't the Department of Defense yet pulled Rush's show from the American Forces Network (Armed Forces Network, or AFN)?

A bit of pondering below the fold...

RoseWeaver

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Saturday March 10, 2012 · 11:11 AM PST

2012/03/10 · 11:11

When I was young, the media used to report the truth. They used to have guts and dared to stare the likes of McCarthy in the face without flinching.

Now, the truth is buried; left for those who don't work in newsrooms to mine and uncover.

Most truths are so naked that people feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit. - Edward R. Murrow

The problem with this is we (the general public) don't have "credentials", so we're easily ignored. Without "credentials", we don't know what we're talking about in the eyes of big guns like the Department of Defense (DOD).

However, just because the likes of Santorum and Limbaugh have access to airwaves and, perhaps, a larger audience, doesn't make them knowledgeable. In fact, I submit to you that since they've never been in the trenches, they don't know diddly-squat.

Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar. - Edward R. Murrow

And yet, they seem to pull more weight with the DOD than those who serve, and have served, in the rank and file to protect the Nation and our Constitution. Read More

I'm a Slut; But as a Military Veteran, I've Known This for Decades

RoseWeaver

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Wednesday March 07, 2012 · 7:50 PM PST

2012/03/07 · 19:50

It's been difficult for me to express how I've been feeling this past week, until I read this diary which began:

I am a slut.
Before this week, I didn't know I was a slut. But Rush Limbaugh set me straight:

I'm a slut, too. But I've known this for decades. I knew it since I first enlisted in the Active Duty Air Force in 1984, and I was never allowed to forget it.

I'm also a whore, hysterical, and completely incapable of working on communications equipment.

I shouldn't have even been in the military.

Because I'm a woman.

I read the words written by Kaili Joy Gray and I understood. I felt the pain. And yet another part of me celebrated. I wanted to say, welcome to the world of the Military Woman, because now, I have hope that what women in the military have been experiencing for so long will finally receive the attention it deserves, and together, civilians and military personnel can work together to set right the horrible wrongs being perpetrated on our women in the military, as well as our women veterans.

The Issue: The Republican War on Women has now severely pissed off the Civilian Sector, and rightly so! It's about time the Republicans did something so supremely stupid that the majority of our country is now galvanized behind the Rights of Women!

But a serious problem remains!

RoseWeaver

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Monday March 05, 2012 · 2:05 AM PST

2012/03/05 · 02:05

I've heard so much about limiting access to birth control pills; the bills being proposed (and passed) requiring transvaginal ultrasounds prior to abortions; the panel comprised of all men, two of whom were Catholic Priests, all of whom were supposedly more qualified to speak about birth control before a Congressional hearing than Sandra Fluke, the only female witness, and who was banned from testifying, and which sparked the latest round of trash from Rush Limbaugh...

However, I'm beginning to wonder...

Do any of you really care about the women in this country... ALL of them? Do you really care about what we think and how we feel?

I suppose I should assume you do because of all the discussion here, but I'm skeptical.

And I ask this question not only because of what I see happening within our collective political spectrum, but also as a female veteran of this country's Armed Forces.

I ask this question because it seems to me that if you really cared, more would be discussed about what is not only happening within our country regarding these issues of women's rights, but also what is (and has been) happening within our military regarding these very same issues.

What makes me so upset isn't just the fact that various high profile individuals are calling for policies that are pushing women in general back into the dark ages, but that so many people don't want to touch these exact same women's issues when applied to women in the military. It's as if the military, and the atrocities which happen there, is off limits. It's not. It is time the civilian sector stand up for those who serve this country!

And sadly, as I search Daily Kos, I see so, very, very little... so few standing up for those who protect and serve you.

I'm beginning to believe nothing is happening but a bunch of lip service; a group of Kossack politicians. A lot of talk and no action; a bunch of blow-hards who like to hear themselves speak, but do nothing else.

And before anyone else accuses me of scolding, prove me wrong by actually reading the text below and watching/reading the links provided.

RoseWeaver

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday November 30, 2011 · 9:34 AM PST

2011/11/30 · 09:34

Dictionary.com defines Pseudonym as:

Origin:
1840–50; < Greek pseudṓnymon false name; see pseud-, -onym
Synonyms
alias, nom de plume.

The Wikipedia entry on Pseudonym states:

"A pen name may be used if a writer's real name is likely to be confused with the name of another writer or notable individual, or if their real name is deemed to be unsuitable."

The entry further highlights examples of famous writers who have used nom de plume's and the reasons why; normally to conceal their real identity.

In the case of Stephen King, for example, he used "Richard Bachman" to assist with concealing the prolific nature of his writing, as well as a slight difference in style with his "Bachman" books.

To further quote Wikipedia:

"Authors who write in fiction and non-fiction, or in different genres, may use pen names to avoid confusing their readers, as in the case of mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote fantasy novels under the pen name Lewis Carroll."

And one of the most famous authors who used a pen name, or pseudonym, to conceal their identity was Mark Twain. His real name was Samuel Clemens.

But, is using a pseudonym as an author because you believe your real name to be "unsuitable" (doesn't suit publishing and may not assist with selling books), or simply desire to conceal your true identity equate "Identity Theft" if the name you choose belongs to a real person?

Let's take a look at this question a bit more in-depth, shall we?

RoseWeaver

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Thursday November 17, 2011 · 10:09 PM PST

2011/11/17 · 22:09

Exhaustion and pain has permeated every inch of my body, every cell of my being, for weeks now. I've wanted to write, to document the happenings with the Occupy movement in Albuquerque and within my life, but simply haven't had the energy.

I'm a disabled veteran with PTSD and migraines. My days have been filled with appointments, hearings, and attempting to sleep while my inconsiderate neighbors insist on slamming their door and chatting until the wee hours of the morning in the very small foyer between our apartment doors, even though I've asked them to please stop.

I've realized how many people really do not care about others. The lack of consideration for one's fellow human being astounds me, although it shouldn't by now, I suppose, and my depression grows as I watch the live stream of events in NY continue...

RoseWeaver

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday October 29, 2011 · 9:21 AM PDT

2011/10/29 · 09:21

The March protesting the Death of First Amendment Rights will be held today, beginning at 11am, starting at Yale Park and marching to Civic Plaza. Bring your signs of statements regarding the Death of the First Amendment, wear your dreariest funeral or goth garb, and attend this funeral march to make a powerful statement!

Below is further information to be updated throughout the day!

RoseWeaver

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday October 28, 2011 · 3:12 PM PDT

2011/10/28 · 15:12

BREAKING: According to the Albuquerque Journal, the ACLU is reconsidering its position regarding an Injunction against the University of New Mexico to allow OccupyBurque Protesters to continue their Occupy Movement on State property.

Peter Simonson, American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico executive director, agrees the university has the right to moderate access to campus property, but said his organization is reviewing whether UNM applied those rules fairly in evicting protesters from their camp at Yale Park on Tuesday.
“I’m not sure we read the university’s rationale the same way they do,” Simonson said. “They have raised concerns about safety issues that have arisen on the campus (but) it’s not clear to us that those are directly traceable to the Occupy movement.”

The ACLU will not file an injunction against UNM to allow protesters to return, but is working with the university directly to address potential free speech concerns, he said.

Meanwhile, updates and events for the day below the DKos Squigglie...

RoseWeaver

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday October 27, 2011 · 4:42 PM PDT

2011/10/27 · 16:42

Though Camp Coyote no longer exists at Yale Park due to the denial of their request for an extension of the required permit for peaceful assembly, (Un)Occupy/Occupy Albuquerque continues to move forward with events and General Assembly meetings.

In fact, the denial of the permit extension, especially the reasons provided for that denial, has only created a more unified group and drawn more interest to the local Occupy Movement.

It has also created a reason for an Injunction against the University which is being handled by the ACLU.

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UPDATED: Federal Judge Rules DOD and VA "Failed To Adequately Respond" & Q21 Info

Congressman Assists with Effort to Remove Sexual Harassing Speech from AFN via New Bill

Rush V. The Constitution V. Military Policy; They Just Ain't the Same

US Army Drops Rush, but Not DOD

DOD; Proof of Engaging in, and Condoning Sexual Harassment with AFN

I'm a Slut; But as a Military Veteran, I've Known This for Decades

Lip Service, or Do You Really Care About Your Women?

Pseudonym or Identity Theft? The Unexpected Perils of a Struggling Writer.

Yes, Virginia, Occupy HAS Made a Difference... For Some

(Un)Occupy/Occupy Albuquerque Info for October 29, 2011

(Un)Occupy/Occupy Albuquerque: Events and Updates Oct. 28, 2011

(Un)Occupy/Occupy Albuquerque Continues: With a Vote For Injunction and Without Camp Coyote