Jeisikah's Blog

 

Happy Easter Sunday to my readers that are Christian, and a happy day to those that are not: Please read this breif article reposted from AP News. Thank you, and please do not hesitate to make your prayers heard.

 

Mother fights Army over son's death

By ROBERT IMRIE, Associated Press Writer 8 minutes ago

WAUSAU, Wis. - Joan McDonald believes her son was a casualty of the war in Iraq, but the Army says that while he did suffer a severe head wound in a bomb blast, the cause of his death is undetermined, keeping him off the casualty list.

She and her family are demanding more answers in the death of Sgt. James W. McDonald.

"I don't want it to be an undetermined cause of death," said Joan McDonald. "That is ridiculous."

McDonald, 26, was injured in a roadside bomb blast in Iraq last May. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment based at Fort Hood, Texas. After treatment in Germany, McDonald returned to Fort Hood and underwent extensive facial surgery in August.

His body was found in his barracks apartment Nov. 12, a Monday. He was last seen alive the previous Friday.

The Army ruled out suicide and accidental factors, but an autopsy could not determine the exact cause of death, in part because of the decomposition of the body, said Col. Diane Battaglia, a base spokeswoman.

As a result, McDonald's death is considered noncombat-related, with the caveat that medical experts couldn't rule out that "traumatic brain injury" may have been a factor, Battaglia said.

Joan McDonald, of Neenah, has no doubts about her son's death.

"If my son was not at the war, he would not be dead, plain and simple," she said. "He was a strong healthy boy. ... Don't tell me it was unrelated to the war. I will never accept that."

Tom Wilborn, a spokesman for Disabled American Veterans in Washington, said the question of whether McDonald was a war casualty is the first that he was aware of from the Iraq war.

"But it happened a lot during Vietnam," he said. "There's a long history where guys would be wounded in the jungle and they might live long enough to come home. And then they would pass away and were not counted as a combat casualty."

According to an Army study in 2007, 1.4 million people in the U.S. suffer traumatic brain injuries each year. Of those, 50,000 die, 235,000 are hospitalized and 1.1 million are evaluated, treated at a hospital emergency department and released.

A Government Accountability Office study found that of soldiers who required a medical evacuation for battle-related injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan, 30 percent suffered a traumatic brain injury. But it was unknown how many soldiers suffered more mild forms of brain injury.

The family has asked Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., for help. McDonald has a copy of a March 11 letter Feingold sent to Maj. Gen. Galen Jakman at the Pentagon outlining her concerns.

McDonald said her son was a strapping 6-foot-3, 200-pound soldier who served two tours of duty in Iraq and loved the military.

"He was having a problem sleeping since he came back from the war. I don't think it had anything to do with sleep apnea. I think it had to do with bombs," she said. He also had seen a doctor because of severe nose bleeds but was told the symptoms were not that unusual, given his August surgery, she said.

Before he died, McDonald had worked on the base at a weapons room and the post office, she said. He had planned to leave the Army in January to pursue a career in firefighting.

She said she recently ran across a T-shirt that said he helped build a memorial wall at Fort Hood to honor its soldiers killed in Iraq.

"I want his name on that wall," she said. "We don't know what else to do. I have one brother who is saying 'Does it matter. To you, he is a casualty of war. To everyone that knew him, he is a casualty of war.' I am like, well, it kinda does matter."

   First off, let me quote "middleclasslady"'s blog by reiterating the point: Deval Patrick is our governor, not DiMasi. (Currently writing Mr. D a letter- OK laugh at me because he will probably never read it  but at least I am being  responsible).

 Let's look at this for what it is. The Casino plan is a great idea that only got voted off in the final hour because of some STRONG$ persuasion by factions of the Republican party and special interest religious groups.

  As citizens of this state we are fortunate to have a Governor who does not bury his head in the sand only to come up with P.A.'s about how "this is not a recession".

   Thankfully, we have someone intelligent who spares no effort to put paper plans into action. Democracy has hit a new low in this state- I urge anyone who feels similarly to write Mr. D a letter or call his office.   

   As a tax payer I am in horror that the casino plan got shut down. It was a well researched plan that would have helped the Massachusetts economy grow. Not everyone is rich enough to push his or her moral perspective over the economic stability of an entire state.

   It's not about "gambling" people. Romney screwed us with the Big Dig and Patrick came up with an intelligent plan to push this state in a positive direction. While you are at church this Sunday darning gamblers please take a moment and send prayers to the thousands of unemployed Mass. residents.

  Ladies and Gentlemen this is not about "gambling". This is about choosing lies over fear, about comfort over living in reality. Patrick's name is not the one who signed the Big Dig contract. Let's remember what he is DOING not what Beacon Hill has done in the past 16 years to our state economy, overall trust and individual rights.

 Let me first say I am shocked at my own conclusions right now. Hillary was a contender for my presidential vote, possibly, but I was the last one that seemed to have stood up for her. I reflect on the way she handled herself, in the public and professional "eyes" of the world during her husband's "fooling around" in the office. (I do not consider that sex). Either way who cares. Bill Clinton was a better President than GW.  The things you need to know about Hillary Clinton is that she is intelligent, a thorough researcher, a hands on problem solver and has practical solutions to help revive this country's economy and make Americans safer by planning to bring a reasonable amount of serving AMERICANS home and let our country heal from  years of fear:  to just about everything, including each other.    However, the past two weeks I have been disgusted with Hillary. She is floundering from state to state like a fish just taken out of water, grasping for any way to breathe. I did not care if she publicly "cried", or began taking medium-trashy sucker punches at Obama.  However, lately all I see in her face is the disappointment of an infant who is being refused a chocolate bar after she thought she could have it.  One of the breaking points for me was during another "debate" with Obama. The first question of the debate was to Hillary. She completely initially ignored the question and went on a pathetic rant about how she is always the one being asked the first question (irrelevant for the setting to talk about).  She continued to cite the previous weekends Saturday Night Live and how there was a parody skit about herself and Obama. she inferred viewers should listen to SNL over their own opinion and facts? She is all ready reflecting, diluting and bs-ing direct questions, I have had 8 years of that. So, although I think she is still an intelligent woman, for me this election Hillary is done. 

   OK, I know  the NFL is sick of us winning. Everyone and their Mother is getting on the band wagon to smear the fine reputation of the Pats.

   I was listening to the Opie and Anthony show this morning (Tues) and they reported that Tom Brady had been tested positive for a performance enhancing substance and was to be suspended for 4 games. I did not hear this in a 'joking' voice and there was no correction. I know it is stupid to consider O and A as a source for information but the story was mixed in with "Entertainment" news, which had true stories entertainment wise. I called the business line at WBCN to ask them if this was true. A nice woman actually got back to me after looking into the story. She called me back and said it was part of their "fake news" segment. Well, it pissed me off. I listen to that show in traffic in the morning because it is funny but no more.

Did anyone else hear this on the Opie and Anthony show? Also, what do you think about the animosity to the Patriots from the refs, the NFL and the media.

It's true. OK, I have only been heavily into research for the past 8 years. However, I am happy, right now, this state has a governor I am proud of. Here is my short "casino winer" response. One Response to “We hear casinos, we think ‘tasteful’”
Jeisikah Says:

October 3rd, 2007 at 7:45 pm

Well,l if Romney did not bankrupt the state with oozing one hit wonder moral platitudes and his own lack of in sight into what anyone who makes lower than $190,000/year lives are- there would be no big dig travesty, health care crisis and rising accidental/criminal firearm deaths. Deval has actually taken TIME and consideration into this- if anything it will provide a much needed onslaught of employment for the middle class. Hundreds of thousands of Mass. residents leave the state for the big casino resorts- if there is all ready a market for consumers that enjoy throwing money away let’s have it be our state. The gas money gamblers will save paired with a new market of employment is A Good thing. It’s an ugly truth, but our governor used a new strategy of “reading proposals” before enacting them. It’s really not about gambling, at all

It's a question for the able minds of Fox Moderation...

This is for victims of the Dover, MA Police Force, past and present, to find solace in honesty.


http://www.myfoxboston.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?cont
entId=4394749&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pa
geId=1.1.1

AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq  --  President Bush, briefed by U.S. military commanders and Iraqi leaders, said Monday some American forces could be sent home if security across Iraq improves as it has in Anbar province, a former hotbed of Sunni insurgency.
 
• Video: President Bush Visits Iraq on Labor Day (MyFoxNY)

But the president, flanked by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, did not say how many troops could be withdrawn or how soon.

 

The above is from a Fox story. I thought there was nothing to blog about but there is! I thought Bush was actually going to Iraq to support our troops because he said some could start to go home. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, and thought, well, maybe he is wisening up. Then I read that he is still holding on to the "Plan that is so good I can't tell you what it is" Iraq troop withrdrawal/"war" attitude. I can't believe he told our troops who have been over there, fighting, that they could go home when "Iraq improves". 

That is what Bush has been saying for over 5 years! He did not need to travel to Iraq to tell the troops that, as if it is there fault. I know several troops who felt the President's actions, in this case and all, DO NOT support the well being of our troops. Bush's visit was "a big deal for nothing" as no action or change has been made as far as withdrawal. Though I am encouraged that Bush actually "worked", and SOME troops were encouraged by his visit, his words and actions hardly have the US military's well being in good or even adequate hands. If you are going to let troops go home keep your darn word and don't add conditions on it! Some families might actually take his words to be honest, and for them I wrote this.

  Our current President ponders how history will view him. He has a major book deal in the works. He is worried history will not understand his actions and why he did them.

   As an American citizen I am concerned how the PRESENT views him. You know those folks- the people that voted for him. He is using his remaining time in the office to write a book? That does not fly with me.

   Now, I know by this point you are all up in arms saying "But every president starts a book deal when he is leaving office, look at ______"

   I don't care. This current President is passing off poorly planned unfinished business that he brought on himself. This is unprecedented. He should be working on fixing his flawed plan instead of leaving it to the next guy or girl, regardless if the next president is Republican, Democrat Black, brown or purple.

   It is shameful to me to hear about this book. If he is so worried about how history will judge him he should start writing and thinking about ways to minimize America's funds and military in Iraq and focus back on OUR country. The stock market is in the toilet, immigration legal and otherwise is out of control and permanently procrastinated. Teachers spend their attention trying to teach English to students whose parents refuse to speak English in the home.

   Unrelated, slightly, but these are just a few of the  things I COULD THINK of off the top of my head that the President could be doing today, Sept 5, instead of working on his book.

  

Granted you have to have had a stressful week for this to be funny... Look through this web site as introduced to m e 8/30/07 through myfoxboston.com


"Sen. Obama is wrong if he thinks science-based sex education has any place in kindergarten," Romney said. "We should be working to clean up the filthy waters our kids are swimming in."

Where are these kids and when are they swimming? in filthy waters or any. This is the most diluted answer to a question (by) any candidate. With fred Thomspon as his opposition he is down for the political count unless he starts believing in the War in Iraq and $ from the NRA real fast.

    I have not been to a Celtics game in a long time, anyone know how much tickets are? Kevin Garnett is my favorite player in the NBA. I am so happy we are getting him, although the NBA still has to final-approve the deal. Seriously, how much do seats cost? I hope this is a new "dynasty" of the Boston Celtics. They deserve to get some respect in their hometown!

   The movie "American Dreamz" with Hugh Grant was silly, however, I think the idea should be taken seriously.

   Why have million dollar "Rock the Vote" and "Vote or Die" Ad campaigns paled in comparison to how many students rate pictures on  myspace.com or dial in to vote for their well researched favorite American Idol.

    With the popularity of sites like Myspace growing, American Idol getting more people to vote for something trivial than local and national elections combined why not accept you tube as a new pathway into and through the voting season. Personally, this direction is not too much of a suprise. IS it VALID? IS it RELIABLE? Is it ever?

   Now, I thought I had heard it all. Billions and billions  of dollars WASTED. yes wasted on the Iraq War and I see a headline that says this: Bush: Keep Government Spending in Check

   At first I thought THIS MUST be a joke. However, sadly it is not. No amount of Bush's apparent ignorance can salve this wound. Yes, I think Congress should be punished for DARING to use Federal money for education, social security, researching our own International relations and figuring out THIS COUNTRY's minor immigration problems. I am going to write my my Congressman now and remind him that all Federal funds are to be used for senseless wars.

   OK I am not sure what sex crimes he committed but I sure do know one who has a proclivity for any sex crime should not be given a big, dark truck to drive around with! That sounds like it will feed the fire for his desire. Just my opinion. What level offender is he?

Yes, it is silly to repost an entire article or post. This really will not be a burden for you all to read, though. Did all of media take the Fourth off? This is all the information on a shooting incident that happened in Roxbury. One could have at least feigned enthusiasm with "police are looking into it" at the end. Crimes can be solved. We even hire investigative reporters and policemen/women to do the job.

Double Shooting in Roxbury Last Edited: Thursday, 05 Jul 2007, 10:52 PM EDT Two people were shot Thursday night on Seaver Street in Roxbury. Both victims were rushed to area hospitals.