When the Army Uses "Enhanced Interrogation" on an American Soldier

By Joshua Kors/ Investigative Reporter for The Nation

“I had been covering veterans' issues for several years and thought I'd developed a thick skin.But the pain on the other end of the telephone line was difficult to stomach.

 Sergeant Chuck Luther, now back from Iraq, was describing his journey to hell and back. The worst part, he said, wasn't battling insurgents or even the mortar blast that tossed him to the ground and slammed his head against the concrete — it was the way he was treated by the U.S. Army when he went to the aid station and sought medical help.

In gruesome detail, Luther described what happened to him at Camp Taji's aid station. He thought he would receive medical care. Instead he was confined to an isolation chamber and held there for over a month, under enforced sleep deprivation, until he agreed to sign papers saying that he was ill before coming to Iraq and thus not eligible for disability and medical benefits. "They wanted me to say I had a 'personality disorder,'" Luther told me.”

Go here to read the rest of this article.

Tea Parties on Tax Day features people who aren’t aware their federal taxes went down last year, while state taxes went up

What a grand gathering of uninformed people as the

Tea party tour ends in the capital it loves to hate

Activists in several states also organizing anti-tax rallies Today

“Lost in the rhetoric was that taxes have gone down under Obama. Congress has cut individuals' federal taxes for this year by about $173 billion, leaving Americans with a lighter load despite nearly $29 billion in increases by states. Obama plans to increase taxes on the wealthy to help pay for his health care overhaul and other programs.”

A protester wears an American Revolution era flag and an Obama picture during the Tea Party Express rally in 2009 in Washington, DC.

View related photos

Related: A tea party group is demonstrating in the front of the Eureka Court House in Humboldt County today. No photos available at this time.

Taxation dates back to Mesopotamia

It's small comfort, but may help you put April 15 in perspective

Excerpt:

“During tax season, millions of us pore over paperwork, fill out forms and gripe about how much money we're putting in Uncle Sam's bank account.If it's any consolation, the history of taxes goes back at as long as there are written records, according to Tonia Sharlach, an assistant professor of history at Oklahoma State University who studies ancient Mesopotamian taxes. "I'm sure there were earlier taxes that we just don't know about because they didn't have writing," she says.”

To learn about seven taxes through the ages go here.

“One of the taxes that he thinks people complain about the most are the funeral parlor taxes — I guess some things don't ever really change," Sharlach says. "People would gouge people trying to bury people and he's trying to change those practices as well as some others.”

Retro-inspired Travel Posters: Visit Other Planets in Style

via, see a lot more here

Huckabee likens gay marriage to incest, drugs

If this is an example of the kind of candidate the “Party of No” is going to field for the next presidential election, Obama will be easily re-elected.

I don’t believe the majority of Americans revile gays and lesbians. In this day and age, most people realize sexual orientation is not a crime against anyone. 

Possible 2012 GOP candidate says some lifestyles too far outside 'the ideal'

Excerpt:

“Mike Huckabee, a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2012, says the effort to allow gays and lesbians to marry is comparable to legalizing incest, polygamy and drug use.”

 

Hoyer slams 'deniers' of racial incidents at Capitol

Well…well. Will the voice of reason reign over the violent rhetoric from all lawmakers?

Let’s stay tuned and see what happens shall we?

Excerpt: 

“House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) issued a plea for civility Tuesday, calling on his colleagues not to "incite the public" and criticizing Republicans who doubt whether much-discussed racially charged incidents during last month's health-care debate ever took place.

Returning from an Easter recess marked by heated partisan rhetoric over health care and a rash of high-profile threats against members of Congress, Hoyer suggested at his weekly press briefing that there was a link between what lawmakers say about each other and how their constituents behave in response.

Hoyer emphasized "the need for all public officials -- all members of Congress of either party -- to urge the American people and conduct ourselves in a way that provides an environment for civility.... That debate ought to be civil, ought to be constructive, and ought to be designed to educate the public, not incite the public." Read the rest here.

How many animals can you find?

Image source

Parents may not recognize bullies

Many fail to see aggressive behavior in their own children

“Some common misconceptions may lull the parents of bullies into failing to recognize warning signs.

Bullies are often star athletes or popular girls considered charismatic leaders by peers and adults, experts say. What's often missed or passed over as minor is a consistent pattern of control and aggression against other kids — behavior that socially savvy bullies can sometimes slide under the radar of grown-ups.” Photo source

Vintage B-Movies that may bring back memories

Bizarre titles, even stranger storylines, cheesy effects and dead-serious acting.

 All this adds to the esoteric charm, and even to the addiction that some people feel toward vintage movies and posters -

here are some examples that might tickle your fancy:

Multiple tours of duty linked to PTSD

 I’ve been writing about PTSD in the military for years. Because of my own experiences, and the help I got in counseling, I understand the condition. There’s been numerous books on the subject. Numerous magazine and newspaper articles have talked about PTSD being prevalent in returning combat veterans for years now.

The thing that troubles me the most is everyone already knows what a problem it is to send a man or woman into combat for numerous tours. This headline almost makes you think it was a new discovery. More importantly, why hasn’t something been done about it? Back in my time, we only HAD to do one tour in Vietnam. This new generation is facing multiple tours. How can any human be expected not to come out of them unscathed? It’s unrealistic, and to my way of thinking unfair.

It’s time that we, those who believe this practice is wrong, stand up and tell President Obama and the Pentagon warmongers to stop sacrificing these men and woman on the altar of their ambitions. Iraq and Afghanistan is this century’s Vietnam. When will we realize that and tell out politicians (of all parties) to stop the madness?

Veteran: ‘I wanted everything to stop. I had no peace at all.’

“It wasn't his first tour in Iraq, but his second and third when Joe Callan began wondering how long his luck would last — how many more months he could swerve around bombs buried in the dirt and duck mortars raining from the skies.It was only natural, considering the horrors he'd seen: One buddy killed when a mortar engulfed his tent in flames.”

Photo source

NYT: Doctors ‘tune in’ to hallucinogens again

Scientists study use of psychedelics to treat depression, anxiety, addiction

"It was a whole personality shift for me," says Clark Martin, a retired psychologist, on his participation in an experiment with a hallucinogen.”

View related photos

Photo by Alan S. Weiner for The New York Times

As It Stands: Tea Party Utopia: no taxes, no government

Dave Stancliff/For the Times-Standard

Posted: 04/11/2010 01:27:11 AM PDT

Give me liberty! Or, at least a tea party.

No. Not that kind. Not a party where women gather to sip tea, munch sweet confections, and exchange lively conversation. I mean the kind our forefathers had when they dumped the British tea into Boston Harbor. They were fed up with paying taxes on the popular beverage.

Have you had the opportunity to go to a modern, political tea party? Perhaps you've seen one on TV. They're messy affairs attended by people holding up misspelled signs and posters that show President Obama painted like the Joker in the Batman movies and comics.

Tea Party members fear (in no particular order) that Obama is the Anti-Christ, he's not really an American citizen, and he's a Communist. I've yet to see persons of a minority race at a political tea party. I'm not sure why that is. It would be nice to see the mainstream media showing tea party rallies that include people of different races calling to “get their country back.” I don't think that's happened yet. I could be wrong.

Go here to read the rest.                                                             Image source

Brutal bullies: What makes kids cruel?

Case of tormented teen raises disturbing questions

Excerpt:

“Research into bullying didn't start until the 1970s, when psychologist Dan Olweus began to study the phenomenon in Norwegian schoolchildren. In fact, much of the study was triggered by the suicides of several young victims of bullying, said René Veenstra, a sociologist at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.”

photo source

Doses of reality: what’s changed in your health care under the new law?

MSNBC.com readers reveal the real-world impact of changes coming to the health care system. Who benefits? Who pays? And when does it all hit home? Interested in having your situation profiled? Submit your story below.

Higher taxes, but firm may get price break

“Reader#1

Name: Gary Kean, 57, Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Occupation: Partner, consumer electronics sales company
Household income: $150,000 to $250,000
Current insurance: PPO through an employer health plan.”

States That Might Have Been

Are you from Nashville? Had history gone in an ever-so-slightly different direction, you'd call your home state Transylvania. The book “Lost States: True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania, and Other States That Never Made It” tells the harrowing true story — but here are other almost-states.

                                            TRANSYLVANIA

                                                TEXLAHOMA

                                                    DESERET

This post first appeared here.

Antibacterial in soap comes under U.S. scrutiny

Animal studies linked chemical to altered hormones, antibiotic resistance

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it was reviewing the safety of triclosan, a widely used antibacterial agent found in soap, toothpaste and a range of other consumer products.”

Related stories:

Anti-bacterial soap under FDA scrutiny

Spring allergies in full bloom                  Image source

April 19: dual pro-gun rallies set for Washington D.C.

It just doesn’t make sense. Why is the pro-gun crowd scheduling two 2nd Amendment rallies when their rights are not even being threatened? What’s the real purpose for these gatherings?

Not one law has been passed restricting guns since Obama has been in office (18 months). As a matter of fact, people can now carry guns in National Parks and can even get a concealed gun permit easier now than ever before. Utah and Florida just passed laws that allow then to sell concealed gun permits to people from all over the country. Apparently, the other states are going along with this arrangement. Does that sound like a reason to parade around with guns and demand the country back? Does that sound like their Constitutional rights are being threatened? Hardly.

I wish the NRA crowd would stop rabble-rousing for no reason other than they hate Democrats, liberals, and the current administration. Calling Obama a dictator is ridiculous. He’s not the one that violated out privacy rights and lied to us. That was Bush and the boys who effectively destroyed the economy before they were voted out of office by a majority of Americans.

You want to know whose really going to benefit from these rallies? Gun and ammunition dealers. Thousands of fearful Americans will be motivated to “protect” themselves by buying weapons when they listen to the lies the powerful gun lobbies plan on spewing. It’s a pity that fear leads to lies, and lies lead to violence, and that it’s used like a hammer to brainwash people who live on rhetoric and sound bytes.

It would be nice if these NRA types would explain what part of their country that they want back? What exactly is missing? In addition, these gun lovers should also explain exactly what part of the Constitution is being violated?

Another question you may want to ask is why did these groups pick April 19th? It’s a Monday and not really a good day to have a big rally. It’s also the day Timothy McVeigh bombed the government towers in Oklahoma. April 19, 1775 isn't some sort of banner day in Revolutionary history either.

Hypocrites all! There's been no threat to the 2nd Amendment by Obama. These "rallies" are nothing more than an excuse to stage a heavily-armed gathering designed to viscerally intimidate thinking Americans...

One last thing; if you have a chance to see these rallies take a good look at the complexion of the attendees. Then tell me afterwards how many were of minority races. But don’t take my word for it. Watch with your own eyes and take a good look at these “patriots” (hatriots?) who want “their” country to turn back the clock to the “good old days.”

Here’s what’s coming to Washington, D.C. 

Excerpt:

“They remain under the radar for now, but expect to hear a lot more about the dual April 19 rallies that will bring anti-government and pro-gun groups to the Washington region.

Both events are scheduled to coincide, organizers say, with the 235th anniversary of "the shot heard round the world" in the battles of Lexington and Concord.

The "Restore the Constitution" rally in Fort Hunt National Park in Virginia, right on the Potomac near Mount Vernon, will be a showcase for the Oath Keepers, the year-old coalition of "currently serving military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Peace Officers, and Fire Fighters."

Founder Stewart Rhodes describes Oath Keepers' mission as "to stop a dictatorship from ever happening here."

Attendees are encouraged to bring firearms; an oath will be administered on the scene.”

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The second rally to watch is the Second Amendment March, organized by Gun Owners of America, Larry Pratt's group that reliably goes further (and acts faster) than the NRA in backing conservative causes.

Speakers at the grounds of the Washington Monument will include Dick Heller, the D.C. resident whose Supreme Court win overturned the District's gun laws -- if not to the extent to preclude the following rules from being given to marchers -- and ... Stewart Rhodes.

1. NO UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, ammunition (including empty cases), or magazines (including empty). There is no reciprocity with any states to speak of, no recognition of licenses issued by other states, no provision for non-residents to exercise their 2A right in D.C.

2. If you do not intend to comply with item #1, do not attend.

Image source

Tired? Depressed? It may be hidden allergies

Fend off headaches, yeast infections and possibly depression

See what's been found, and how to control your allergies to alleviate each problem.

“Just a few weeks ago people across the country were digging out of snow, now a summer-like snap has everyone outside enjoying the weather, except people with allergies. Along with the heat, a pollen explosion has taken over most of the U.S.”

 

Anyone can deny facts and be uninformed – even a doctor

(Original source)

Florida Doctor Warning Away Obama Voters Admits He Doesn’t Know What He’s Talking About On Health Care

“A local TV station in Florida spoke to one of Cassell’s patients, who said that while the doctor’s care has been “wonderful,” he’s never going back after this political stunt. “Keep politics out,”It’s not surprising that Cassell doesn’t have the full facts said patient Steve Berger. “I mean, he can have his opinion, but what’s the next sign saying? If you’re Catholic, you can’t come? Or you’re an Arab, you can’t come in, or you’re a Jew? It has to stop somewhere.” It’s not surprising that Cassell doesn’t have the full facts on the health caren the health care law. While he wasn’t even aware that the Affordable Care Act could be accessed online, he “keeps Republican materials in the waiting room” for his patients to read. As Colmes pointed out, the National Association of Home Care and Hospice actually praised the new law.

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) has said that he is helping a constituent who was affected by Cassell’s sign file a complaint. In response to this news, Cassell said, “I think he [Grayson] really seriously needs to see a psychiatrist, number one, because he needs to be on some kind of medicine.”

Cassell insists that he’s not actually turning patients away, but as of this morning, he told Fox and Friends that his sign is still up

Overtaxed homeowners start to fight back

My sister, who lives in San Bernardino, appealed her property taxes last year and won. She got a sizable reduction. The whole process was easy, according to her.

I don’t know how many people who own homes can do this, but I think everyone should look into it if their property has been devalued by the recession. 

Millions paying property taxes based on value of home before bubble burst

PHOTO - Stuart Sendell, a retired mortgage banker living in Morristown, N.J., appealed his property assessment — and ultimately lowered his taxes by $5,400 per year.