Sunday, July 29, 2012

Why Americans are so Up In Arms AGAINST Chick-fil-A

I've been hearing so much about the Chick-fil-A controversy. The pundits are talking about it. The internet is buzzing about it. People I know are commenting about it on Facebook. Everyone has a different version. Personally, I don't go to Chick-fil-A. However, I was curious about it and decided to find out more.
In January 2011, Chick-fil-A announced their stand against Gay Marriage along with the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI), a group that promoted laws and legal action against same sex marriage. They did this on their own, as a political statement. PFI also lobbied to STOP a state bill to BAN discrimination against Gays and Women. Another organization connected to Chick-fil-A through financial support, the WinShape Foundation, announced it would not allow same-sex couples to participate in its marriage retreats.
In response to Chick-fil-A's ANNOUNCEMENT and their connections and millions of dollars of contributions to these ANTI-Gay Hate Groups, students at several colleges and universities initiated petitions, marched and posted Facebook pages to boycott and ban their restaurants from their campuses.
On June 16, 2012, Chick-fil-A's COO, Dan Cathy, made a very inflammatory statement while a guest on a syndicated radio talk show, The Ken Coleman Show. Cathy stated: "I think we are inviting God's JUDGEMENT on our NATION when we shake our fist at Him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage'. I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."

Cathy's remarks inferring -- THAT GOD WILL STRIKE DOWN OUR COUNTRY IF WE ALLOW SAME SEX MARRIAGE! --  enraged the students and a number of Gay Rights groups. Many students, universities and supporters are now advocating banning their restaurants from campuses.
After studying these events, it is clear that it was Chick-fil-A, a huge Republican Contributor, that stirred up this controversy WHEN THEY MADE THEIR ANNOUNCEMENT last year. It appears this is a political ploy to bring attention to this political wedge issue. AGAIN, it is the Republican ONE percenters attempting to drive their agenda. Personally, I think it is ridiculous that the COO of Chick-fil-A is shoving his agenda down America's throat. Sarah Palin and Rick Santorum are promoting this hate-filled agenda too.

America is the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.
We are ALL created equal. And no one should discriminate.

Like most Americans, I believe in Marriage and Family. I believe in God. I love America.
I believe we are ALL Created Equal.
We each may choose our partners and love our families.
No one has the right to discriminate against anyone
No one has the right to choose for anyone else who they should marry.
The students and all freedom loving Americans have every right to protest against Chick-fil-A and boycott them if that is what they want to do.

Republicans want to take us down the path of discrimination against Gays, Women and Minorities. They want to end Medicare and Social Security as we know them. They want tax cuts for the rich. They want to demolish Unions. They are also flagrantly using religion as a political tool. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

A MESSAGE TO ANY REPUBLICAN THAT SUPPORTS ARPAIO'S RACIAL PROFILING TACTICS: WE LATINOS WILL REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!!

Last week, Arpaio's racial profiling trial began. The trial is showcasing documented proof of Arpaio's heinous racial profiling activities.  Witnesses are testifying to the racial profiling crimes committed by Arpaio and his ski-masked crew of volunteers. They are testifying that Arpaio's masked volunteers terrorized sleepy little Latino towns like Guadalupe. They stopped all Latino drivers during their "Suppression Sweeps." They singled out and harassed Latinos riding as passengers and left White drivers and passengers alone. They zip tied and harassed Latinos when they had proof of citizenship. They threw a pregnant citizen Latino mother against her car, belly first, brutally assaulting her. Arpaio even admitted his guilt by testifying his views that "dark skin.is the look of the Mexican illegal."

The trial evidence is clear. Arpaio and his masked volunteers are GUILTY of Racial Profiling. He admitted it himself.

The courts MUST find him GUILTY as charged. If they do not, then they are CONDONING his behavior. They are CONDONING Latinos being RACIALLY PROFILED. They are CONDONING Latinos being treated as SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS.

I've been reading some of the articles about Arpaio's Racial Profiling trial. It is clear that the right wing/Republican news sites and Republican Talk Radio are siding with Arpaio. I heard conservative talk radio host Bill Bennett say he doesn't believe it's racial profiling if Latinos "Fit the Profile." This is what most of their sites are saying. In other words, these Republicans are condoning Arpaio's tactics. They are CONDONING "Operation Wetback" all over again. They believe it is acceptable that Latino Citizens be singled out and harassed, zip tied and made to urinate in the streets or be thrown against cars when pregnant. They believe it is acceptable to be man-handled by ski-masked volunteers, hiding their identities.

I find this outrageous and unconscionable. This acceptance of the harassment of Latinos by Republican pundits and politicians is UNACCEPTABLE. WE LATINO AMERICANS WILL REMEMBER THEIR BEHAVIOR IN NOVEMBER.

Additionally, IF Arpaio is found NOT GUILTY, WE LATINOS MUST STAND UP and say: 
. WE DO NOT CONDONE RACIAL PROFILING!
. ARPAIO IS GUILTY OF RACIAL PROFILING AS ARE HIS MASKED VOLUNTEERS
. WE WILL TELL ANYONE WHO SUPPORTS ARPAIO'S TACTICS, WE WILL REMEMBER WITH OUR VOTES IN NOVEMBER!!
(Click on Photo for Close Up PROOF of Racial Profiling and Masked Terrorism!)

Romney "Pulls a Palin" on his First Trip Abroad!

British Prime Minister David Cameron responded to Mitt Romney's gaffe onThursday after he "pulled a Palin." Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, stuck his foot in his mouth and suggested that London wasn't ready for their Olympic moment:
It’s hard to know just how well it will turn out,” said Romney, who ran the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. “There are a few things that were disconcerting: the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging.”
On Romney's first trip abroad, he severely offended an ALLY! 
Can you imagine what a nightmare it would be IF he were elected President?!?!

How soon would he offend countries that are NOT our friends?

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Arpaio LIES on the Stand during his Racial Profiling Trial

Arpaio took the stand this week during his Racial Profiling Trial in Phoenix. While on the stand, Arpaio was asked about a comment he made on the Lou Dobbs show in 2007. On the nationally televised show, Arpaio said being compared to the Ku Klux Klan was “an honor.” However, on Tuesday, Arpaio flip flopped and denied the comparison was an honor, instead saying he had no use for the KKK.
Testimony also included the fact that Arpaio referred to illegal immigrants as DIRTY MEXICANS but on the stand he said those statements were "taken out of context." He said the only reason he said that was because if a person were crosses the U.S.-Mexico border on foot over four days in the desert, that person “could be dirty.”

As if Arpaio's testimony wasn't blatantly lying enough, Arpaio's own Deputy Michael Kikes was CAUGHT LYING ON THE STAND by the JUDGE! U.S. District Judge Murray Snow picked up on several of his contradictions, questioning Kikes about his involvement with the Sheriff's saturation patrols and the instructions he was given before the operations began. Kikes initially told the court that he recalled an instruction sheet for the March 2008 operation in the north Valley that included a specific warning against racial profiling. "In bold letters, I remember," said Kikes, who was serving as a motorcycle officer during the operation.
Snow later had Kikes look at the instruction sheet, on which the deputy could find no such admonition. Kikes also claimed he was in a briefing before the operation began, but his name was NOT reflected on an attendance sheet that other deputies signed which PROVED HE LIED AGAIN! He wasn't even there.
The contradictions in Kikes' testimony became more significant during testimony of Latino citizens who were racially profiled by Kikes. They testified Kikes used force after being stopped. Kikes drew his weapons and ruthlessly racially profiled them. Kikes LIED again, denying these facts.
Several Latino Citizens / Legal Residents testified during the trial, providing details of the Sheriff and his Deputies and Volunteers racially profiling them, zip tying them, groin searching them, and harassing them.

Arpaio and his Deputy did themselves no favors by LYING on the stand.
The trial is scheduled to end on August 2.
Perhaps then, Arpaio will finally receive the Justice he deserves for committing these crimes!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

RECOMMENDATION TO STOP DOMESTIC TERRORISM!


















We need to stop Terrorism before it starts. We need to use the technology and tracking systems we already have in place!  The Batman Terrorist should have been stopped before he entered the theater. Homeland Security should have had him on their radar. We need laws in place to PROTECT WE THE PEOPLE from Domestic Terrorists! Anyone who purchases an Assault weapon with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, who displays bizarre behavior, then purchases bomb making equipment MUST BE TRACKED AND PUT ON THE DHS AND FBI TRACKING LISTs. THEY NEED TO BE BROUGHT IN FOR QUESTIONING BEFORE THEY CAN SHOOT US ALL!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

ARPAIO IN COURT FOR RACIAL PROFILING

Arpaio went on trial today. A civil rights trial against Arpaio rightly accused him of racial profiling Latinos in Maricopa County. The class-action suit, which started with a complaint by a retired Mexican schoolteacher who was stopped in Arizona in 2007, has grown to encompass all Latinos who were stopped without probable cause from 2007 until the present. "It's our view that the problem starts at the top," said Stan Young, an attorney for the plaintiffs, at the start of the federal trial today.


Unfortunately, Plaintiffs are not asking for damages. Instead, they are asking Arpaio to acknowledge his guilt and apologize. Additionally, they are asking his department to change in policy and STOP RACIAL PROFILING LATINOS!! Unfortunately, when Arpaio is found guilty, he will not face jail time or fines.

"The point is to reform the practices of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and get them to stop racial profiling people because they're Latino," said Omar Jadwat, a senior attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union's Immigrants Rights Project, which is representing the plaintiffs. "As Americans, we expect we're not going to be stopped because of how we look and sound, that we're not going to be arrested because of our race."


Plaintiffs that will be testifying include Manuel de Jesus Ortega Melendres. He was a  passenger in a car driven by a White Driver.Arpaio's cop informed the white driver of the vehicle that he was being stopped for speeding and let him go, WITHOUT A CITATION. Then, Arpaio's cop racially profiled Mauel who was LEGALLY visiting Arizona from Mexico and had his LEGAL VISA, Mexican identification and permit. Manuel was singled out by Arpaio's Cop, even though he was one of several passengers. He was asked to produce identification and obliged. Even though he produced the necessary papers to prove he was in the country legally, Manuel was told he had to exit the vehicle. "After exiting the vehicle, Arpaio's cop pushed Manuel against a Sheriff's Department vehicle and patted him down over his entire body in a rough manner," court documents stated.

Arpaio's cop removed everything from Manuel's pockets and kept him HANDCUFFED for 40 minutes before he was driven to the Sheriff's Office in Cave Creek and PLACED IN A HOLDING CELL FOR FOUR HOURS WITH NO EXPLANATION as to why he'd been arrested. Manuel was not given access to an attorney, phone or food, court documents stated.

Manuel was cuffed again and driven to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Phoenix, where he was once again PLACED IN A HOLDING CELL FOR ONE HOUR. An immigration official took one look at Manuel's identification, immediately recognized the COP MADE A RACIAL PROFILING MISTAKE and told Manuel he was free to go.

Now, "Manul is frightened to walk on the street or be seen in public in Maricopa County because he fears that the sheriff's officers will come and arrest him again because he is Hispanic and does not speak English," court documents stated.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office, realizing their guilt, declined to comment on the case, citing pending litigation.

Arpaio is expected to take the stand at some point during the bench trial.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

ARPAIO THROWS A TANTRUM!

Comedian George Lopez Disses Racial Profiler Arpaio "F U you F'n Puto!"

In last weekend's HBO Comedy Special, Comedian George Lopez Disses the heinous racial profiler Joe Arpaio. Apparently George's hilarious routine made ole Arpayaso hoppin' mad!!! He threatened George saying, "Come Down Here and Tell Me That to my Face!" Arpayaso, red faced and angry, practically threatened to put George in his infamous Tent City in  Pink Underwear!!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Romney Hides Behind "La Bruja" and Continues to Hide His Tax Returns and his Bain Capital Outsourcing!

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) said Saturday night that the debate over Romney's tax returns is a "distraction," adding she believes the nation should focus on other issues instead. "I think it is a distraction from the Obama campaign to distract from the huge issues, like the economy and jobs."
Brewer said one such issue is states' rights. "We need a president that understands states' rights and new federalism. President Obama does not respect that."

Brewer wants to CHANGE the CONSTITUTION and has been pushing a "new federalism" agenda for months, particularly with respect to IMMIGRATION issues and HEALTHCARE reform.
"La Bruja" says Romney is "honest and upright" and said she believes he has talked about "real issues" during the campaign. She says President Obama is a Kenyan and Romney doesn't have to show all of his Tax Records. President Obama has released tax records dating back to 2000.
Romney is hiding behind his backers and supporters like "La Bruja." Romney says he doesn't have to show his Tax Returns beyond 2010 or 2011. So he is NOT going to provide them. Plus, even though the SEC (Federal) documents show he was CEO of Bain until 2002, he says he wasn't CEO BECAUSE HE SAYS SO. His chief spokesman is now saying even though the SEC shows Romney was CEO until 2002, Romney's resignation was "RETROACTIVE" back to 1999.
Romney is being called a Liar and a Felon. Democrats and Republicans are demanding that Romney show his tax records, admit his role at Bain through 2002 and admit his role in outsourcing jobs to China and Overseas. Romney needs to admit he hid his Billions in Offshore Banks in the Cayman Islands, Swiss Banks and Bermuda. It is CLEAR Romney is hiding SOMETHING! Several Governors and Republican Spokesmen, including George Will and several Republican Governors, are begging Romney to provide his Tax Returns.
However Romney is REFUSING to do so. Now, Romney is hiding behind the skirts of people like "La Bruja" Jan Brewer and saying "I'm NOT going to release my Tax Returns and I don't care if I was CEO of Bain until 2002 as they outsourced to China and other countries, I said I didn't do it and you CAN'T MAKE ME PROVIDE DOCUMENTS WHICH WILL PROVE OTHERWISE!"

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Being a Mexican American is Exhausting

"Our family has been here for centuries and yet they treat us as if we just swam across the Rio Grande. We have to know about John Wayne and Pedro Infante. We have to know about Frank Sinatra and Augustine Lara. We have to know about Oprah and Christina.
Anglo Food is too bland and yet when we go to Mexico we get the runs. Now that to me is embarrassing.
Japanese Americans, Italian Americans, German Americans, their homeland is on the other side of the ocean. Ours is right next door. And we have to prove to the Mexicans how Mexican we are and we have to prove to the Americans how American we are. We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans. Both at the same time. Its exhausting. Nobody knows how tough it is to be Mexican American."

Thursday, July 12, 2012

REPUBLICANS PROPOSE CUTTING FOOD STAMPS FROM 3 MILLION, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND ELDERLY

On Thursday the REPUBLICAN LED House Committee on Agriculture approved a version of the legislation known as the farm bill that cuts $16.5 billion from food stamps, $12 billion more than the cuts approved in the Senate's version last month. Eighty percent of farm bill funding goes towards food stamps.

The two versions of the bill will have to be reconciled between the chambers before a uniform bill can be passed by both the House and Senate. Some Republicans oppose entitlement programs and argue that the bills don't go far enough to cut spending amidst a ballooning deficit, while Democrats say the food stamp cuts unfairly target those who rely on them.
"Today marked an important step forward in the development of the next farm bill," said Republican Rep. Frank D. Lucas of Oklahoma, who chairs the House agriculture committee. "This is a balanced, reform-minded, fiscally responsible bill that underscores our commitment to production agriculture and rural America, achieves real savings and improves program efficiency."
Food stamps, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), feed 45 million Americans every year. The number of people receiving food stamps has grown exponentially since 2007 when the country entered a recession. Economic recovery has been slow, forcing families to continue their reliance on the program.
Connecticut Democrat Rep. Rosa DeLauro said up to 3 million people could lose their food stamp benefits if the current House bill gets passed, and 300,000 children would no longer receive free school lunches.
"These cuts are a slap in the face to millions of people trying to make ends meet," said California Democrat Rep. Lynn Woolsey.
The bill approved by the agriculture committee faces a ticking clock in being sent before the full House for a vote: Congress is only scheduled to be in session until August 3, and a five-year farm bill must be passed before September 30 when the current version, passed in 2008, expires.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

D.C. Passes Bill To Restrict Secure Communities Immigration Enforcement Program

WASHINGTON -- As groups around the country rally this week against the Secure Communities immigration enforcement program, the District of Columbia approved its own measure on Tuesday to fight back. In a unanimous vote, the D.C. Council approved a bill that will limit the ability of the federal government to enforce immigration laws by restricting the circumstances in which individuals can be held in the custody of local law enforcement at the request of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The nation's capital joined a handful of cities across the country that are taking a stand against the spate of immigration enforcement measures seen in states like Arizona, where local police are now required to ask people who they suspect of being in the country illegally for their documents, during actions as routine as traffic stops.

"We want to be the anti-Arizona," Sarahi Uribe, a D.C.-based organizer for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, told The Huffington Post. "Our entire campaign to get cities to break ties with federal immigration enforcement is an effort to be the opposite of Arizona."

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

President Obama Swears in 25 New, Brave, Heroic Citizens!

Twenty-five members of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force were sworn in as citizens in the East Room of the White House. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano delivered the oath of allegiance and President Obama congratulated the new citizens.
Our new citizens are from seventeen different countries and include a marine who has been awarded the Purple Heart and several winners of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Those sworn in today include:  WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
-- Byron Oswaldo Acevedo, born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2010 from Providence, R.I. Lance Corporal Acevedo has served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and served in Helmand province, Afghanistan in a Quick Reaction Force and Aerial Interdiction Force. His personal awards and decorations include a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Nato Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, and an Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
-- Oluwatosin K Akinduro, born in Lagos, Nigeria, graduated high school in Houston. He joined the Army National Guard in search of new opportunities and a new challenge to lead by example.
-- Miguel Andrade, born and raised in the Cape Verde Islands, moved to the United States in the fall of 2008. Private First Class Andrade has distinguished himself, earning a coveted position in 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment's Scout Platoon.
-- Alla Victorovna Ausheva, born in Russia in March 2011, joined the New York Army National Guard in July 2011 and serves as a maintenance technician in Company G of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion. The unit supports the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery. She lives in Bayside, N.Y.
-- Francisco Jose Ballesteros de la Rosa, born in Mexico, joined the Marine Corps in December 2009. Corporal Ballestros' personal awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
-- Oscar Javier Beltran Medina, born in Bolivia, enlisted into the United States Air Force in 2009 as a Vehicle Operator. Airman Beltran is currently assigned to Joint Base Andrews, Md. During his two-and-a-half years, Airman Beltran has completed college courses at Northern Virginia Community College and volunteered his time at Charlotte Hall Veterans home in Maryland.
-- Silvano Carcamo, born in Honduras, moved to Springfield, Ohio, in 1996. Specialist Carcamo enlisted in the Army in October 2009 and became a medic. His first duty station was Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division where he served as a line medic. During his deployment from March 2011 to March 2012 he earned several awards among them an Army Achievement Medal, Combat Medic Badge and a Navy Achievement Medal.
-- Luisa Maria Childers, born in El Salvador, moved to the United States at the age of 6. She joined the Army Reserves in 2009 and is a 72R, Parachute Rigger. Her goal is to ultimately become an Army Medic.
-- Mamadou Aliou Diallo, born in Conakry, Guinea, enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2011. Private First Class Diallo is an Online Message Board Clerk at Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
-- Terence Njikang Ekabe, born in Cameroon, enlisted in the Air Force in June 2011 as a 4N0/med technician. Airman Ekabe also helped raise money for Veterans' families, Airmen in need, and the Air Force Assistance Fund. His charitable giving extends beyond the United States to his home country where he raised $3,000 worth of toys, clothing and others items for the village children of Cameroon during Christmas.
-- Sergey Eliseev, born in Russia, has received numerous decorations and personal awards, including the Army Achievement Medal, Honor Grade from 88M10 AIT, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
-- Andriy Olegovich Gener, born in Odessa, Ukraine, arrived in the United States on Sept. 10, 2001. Private First Class Gener is currently serving with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division as a member of the Brigade Personal Security Detail in Fort Carson, CO for the Brigade CSM and the Brigade Commander. His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Medal.
-- Daniel Arcenal Geneta, born in the Philippines, came to the United States in August 1994. Geneta joined the New York Army National Guard in 2006 because of the events of September 11, 2001. He is a squad leader in the 719th Transportation Company and in civilian life works as an account executive at Urban Associates, a New York City real estate company.
-- Alexey Isachenko, born in Russia, has received numerous decorations and personal awards, including being selected to Commandants List 88M10 AIT, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
-- Yuxiong Jin, born and raised in China, arrived in the United States in 2008. Jin is enlisted in the US Army.
-- Carlos Eduardo Navichoque, born in Guatemala City, enlisted in 2009 in the Army. Specialist Navichoque deployed with the 2-14 Infantry Battalion to Iraq from March 2010 to August 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his tour, he served as a Motor Transport Operator and was awarded the Combat Action Badge.
-- Faye Ubad Ngirchomlei, born in Palau, enlisted in the Army in 2008. In April 2009, Nigirchomlei was assigned to 511th Military Police Company at Fort Drum, N.Y., as Automated Logistic Specialist. She was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where she was responsible for ensuring the maintenance section supported outlying platoons, with supplies and other support services.
-- Aegean Pascua Obed, born in the Philippines, Obed currently serves as a Mobile Gun System crew member in A Company, 3-21 Infantry.
-- Praseuthsith Phimmasone, born in the Philippines, enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2007. Private First Class Phimmasone currently serves in the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group. Corporal Phimmasone was selected 6th Engineer Support Battalion's Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2009 and was also awarded Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for third quarter of 2010. Sergeant Phimmasone's awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, two Meritorious Masts, and a Letter of Appreciation.
-- Fatima Vanessa Rivera Fuentes, born in El Salvador, joined the New York Army National Guard in 2009 and has served as an aviation electronics technician working on UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Fuentes came to the United States in 1999.
-- Guillermo Enrique Roche Rendon, born in Ecuador, went to middle school and high school in the US but had to drop out in the 11th grade to help support his family. In time, he earned his GED and also completed college courses. He joined the US Army as a Cavalry Scout. Private First Class Roche's awards include the Army Service Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.
-- Sedrick Kwesi Sam, born in Ghana, serves as an Airman for the Air Force.
-- Hans Lemuel Pang Sy, born in the Philippines, moved to the United States with his parents and three siblings in 2005. He joined the US Army on Oct. 18, 2011.
-- Jhonathan Gerardo Zapata, born in Colombia, joined the Army in January 2012.
-- Cristian Felipe Zapata Gil, born in Colombia, moved to the United States at the age of 13. After Haiti's earthquake Zapata Gil decided to join the U.S. Army where he serves as a Watercraft Engineer.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Hypocrite Republican Congressmen Use Obamacare BUT Don't Want YOU to Have It!

HP Reports: WASHINGTON -- Congressional Republicans may not have been happy about the Supreme Court's ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act, but many of their children probably are. According to an analysis by The Huffington Post, dozens of Republicans who want to repeal Obamacare have adult children who are allowed to stay on their parents' health plans thanks to the law, which extended this benefit nationwide. Many of the lawmakers' children are employed and on their own health care plans, but others continue to take advantage of their parents' coverage.
"He [My 24-year-old son] is on his health plan right now -- on his mother's plan -- but again, that wouldn’t weigh in on where I stand on the issue," said Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) last week, before the Supreme Court handed down its ruling. "Again, I just think the whole thing needs to be scrapped. And I don’t even want to think about certain provisions yet."
But Walsh and his GOP colleagues are soon going to have to start thinking about which provisions they want to keep if they are going to try to repeal Obamacare. Republicans are almost completely unified in wanting to get rid of the health care law, but they are significantly more divided on what a plan would look like going forward -- and whether they should keep some of the law's most popular provisions.


On Sunday, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Republicans would not require parents' health insurance plans to extend eligibility to adult children if Obamacare is repealed.
Walsh demurred when asked if he supported maintaining the provision. “No, I don’t know that I do. I don’t know that I do," he said. "I don't know where I am on that, and that's a lousy thing to say. My oldest is 24. That doesn’t matter to me, though, irregardless of that."

Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), however, wants to keep it.  "There are good things in the health care bill, and that's one of them," said Amodei, who has a 25-year-old daughter with her own health insurance. "I haven't talked with anybody who thinks that's something we ought to get rid of."
"I support it. Oh, sure. ... It would be [incorporated] in any Republican proposal," added Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), whose 22-year-old son is a full-time student.
So far, Republicans have not put forward a comprehensive alternative plan to Obamacare, focusing mostly on talk of "patient-centered reforms" that allow the "market to work." While three large health insurance companies promised to keep covering adult children on their parents' plans regardless of the Supreme Court ruling, many children would have lost coverage if the court had struck the law down.
Since the Affordable Care Act became law in March 2010, the share of Americans aged 18 to 25 without health insurance dropped to 23 percent from 28 percent.
Before the law was passed, 34 states had enacted laws that extended eligibility for adult children to stay on their parents' health plans, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics and conducted by researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures noted, many of these states had tighter restrictions on the age and other eligibility requirements for dependents than are in the Affordable Care Act.

After Colorado, New Jersey and South Dakota enacted mandates for young people in 2005 and 2006, young adults reported increases in health insurance coverage, more physical exams, a greater likelihood of having a primary care physician and fewer occasions when they went without medical care because of costs than their counterparts in 17 states that do not mandate insurance coverage for that age group.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) has at least one of his daughters on his health care plan (he isn't sure about the second). He said he liked the provision. He believes, however, that the market would have provided the extra coverage for adult children, even if the Supreme Court had struck down the Affordable Care Act.
"They're going to continue that [provision] anyway," he said. "I think the insurance companies have all kind of decided that that's an okay thing. They were in our office, they've been in our office in the last few weeks."
The reason that health insurers began widely offering such benefits, however, is because Obamacare mandated it. The provision proved to be extremely popular with the American public. Without the law in place, it's unclear how long insurers would continue to offer such coverage, since they would no longer be required to do so.
Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) has a 21-year-old daughter on his health care plan, which his spokeswoman noted was not the federal plan that members of Congress receive. He has declined federal benefits -- including health insurance and retirement -- and instead has coverage through a private insurance plan that he pays for through his business, Freedom Automotive.


Rigell was not elected until 2010, after Congress had already voted for health care reform, but he would like to see it repealed going forward. Still, he also said he supports the provision covering young adults.
"I think that is a good provision," he said. "There are parts of the Affordable Care Act that I support."
Rep. Bob Turner (R-N.Y.), however, was less sure.
"I haven’t really thought too much about this," he said. "I do know, whether your kid is 22 or 26, who’s gonna pay for that? Is it everybody pays for that or is it the person who has the kids pays for it? So I'm gonna let this sort itself out when we get through the bill."


"I don't think this is going to be one of the biggest drivers of things -- that particularly," Turner said. "High-risk pools, portability -- such important issues. This one has some merit, but I don't consider this one important."
Lawmakers who want to both keep their children on their health plans and repeal the Affordable Care Act could face political problems, as has Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.).
Brown has said his 23-year-old daughter is still on his health care plan, despite his opposition to Obamacare.
"Of course I do," he replied when the Boston Globe asked him whether he keeps his daughter on his plan.
Elizabeth Warren, Brown's Democratic challenger, immediately hit him with charges of hypocrisy, with a spokeswoman saying, "He says he likes being able to keep his daughter on the family health insurance plan; what he doesn't say is that he voted to stop other parents from doing the same."

Monday, July 2, 2012

Obamacare Details Republicans Don't Want You to Know!

One of the reasons Republicans and their Rich Friends are afraid to let the American People know what is contained in "Obamacare" is the fact that once the American People learn what's in it, they will never let it go away!
It is GOOD for the American People!
As the Boomers Age, WE NEED Universal Healthcare!
It is Affordable and pays for itself!
It is good for Small Business!
It is good for America!

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