gdp's Comments

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 11 May 2011 17:34:03 +0000

I'm a believer in retroactive abortion if there is evidence of CUE. Abortion is so far off subject here it isn't funny. This is about veterans benefits. The next guy mentioning abortion will be subjected to one himself. Courtesy and respect please. Otherwise everyone will be a part of uncle Jim's planned parenthood blitz. Thanks.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 11 May 2011 13:08:49 +0000

The link works fine here. Maybe you "puter" is bogus? ;-) Nahh, not that well oiled piece of machinery. Remember, it's always operator error. Except when my server wipes out my home page, like this morning. That was clearly the fault of my vendor, the server, my ISP, an ex-wife or two and one of the dogs. Just so long as it wasn't me.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 11 May 2011 13:05:58 +0000

The link works for me. I happen to be a big Obama fan yet I agree with <broncovet> I understand that campaign promises aren't usually kept, "Read my lips, no new taxes" may be the most well known of all. I believe President Obama when I read that he is in awe of our military. I also believe that of all presidents of my lifetime, he inherited one of the worst situations ever. The previous administration had decimated the VA. In 2003 veterans who were previously eligible for health care were cut off the roles so we could pour money into the Iraq war. The Obama administration has funneled money into VA at an unprecedented rate but VA squanders it on bonuses for employees and such rather than making progress for vets. There is only so much money. The US bank account isn't unlike your own. If you have no balance, your choice is to cut spending or expand your life on credit cards...very expensive credit cards. As a nation we are broke. People don't seem to grasp that our lifestyle, our wealth, our health care system, our infrastructure and most other indicators fall far behind other similar countries today. We are no longer #1 in any field but war and that's highly debatable considering the costs of "winning". Bottom line...I'm afraid Obama has his back against the wall and without cuts (increased taxes and fees) we will once again slide into where we were headed when he took office...a serious depression. I don't want cuts to affect military or vets. The only way to avoid it is to end the war and start taking care of business here at home.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Mon, 2 May 2011 10:51:01 +0000

I get annoyed with people who accuse veterans of trying to "stack your claim". I deal with active duty military and I hear that a lot. The culture is such that if you have a legitimate claim that you should be documenting others around you will accuse you of near treason because you may get future benefits. Anyone who is preparing for retirement or ETS should do all they can to document claims at that moment. If that is difficult or impossible it is worth the time and money to visit a civilian physician and pay out of your pocket to have a complete physical exam done. Most civilians will negotiate rates if you are paying cash and you don't have insurance. A physical exam by a civilian physician while you are on active duty is as good for VA purposes as any military exam will be. Although obstructive sleep apnea seems a frivolous claim, if there is a diagnosis of OSA while on active duty the law allows that to carry over to the VA side and to be rated as a service connected condition. OSA is more that the annoying snoring that we think about. OSA may have many causes but bottom line is that if it occurred in active duty service, the law says it is an SC condition. I do all I can to get the message out to our younger brothers and sisters that if you ignore getting your problems in the record today, 30 years from now you'll wish that you had taken time to make it a part of your record. My seemingly minor problems of my youth exploded as I entered my 50s and 60s and if I hadn't managed to keep track of my records I'd be sorry for that today. Document, document and then document some more.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:25:41 +0000

I'll ask for clarification. Thanks!

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:01:46 +0000

04/28/2011 This will be the last post that concerns the topic of the anti-child support fringe group. There are serious issues happening these days and these are not serious players. In summary, there is a group that alleges to be incorporated, tax exempt and to support veterans. They parcel out legal opinion and advice although none are lawyers and their legal advice has landed other veterans in jail. The fact is that they are a fringe band of bullies who use incomprehensible rhetoric and empty threats to try to intimidate others. They are neither incorporated nor are they registered properly with IRS although they claim to be. I have publicly offered money for any evidence of their bona fides and there has been no response. One member who claims to be a former Marine has written and misspelled the most basic passage that any true Marine knows by heart. No Marine would do that...think... "Stolen Valor". Their members have been accused of Stolen Valor in the past. Their members have been investigated for threats to state representatives and their members have sent vague threats to me personally. This is a small handful of very angry, very bitter old guys who can't dismiss that they had children and wives to support. One of the ex-wives called me at my home to tell me of the horror of life with her "hero" veteran. It wasn't a pretty story. I've asked that the "president" of this boys club provide me with any evidence at all that he has any of the documentation to show where donations go or just what they do to help our brothers and sisters. His response is only to hurl insults at me and he refuses to address my very simple questions. It's now proven that they exist on a house built with lies. That's enough. This horse is dead and flogging it won't bring any credibility to these fellows. Those who participate here know we're involved with work that matters, we aren't focused on beating our wives and short changing our children. There's a great article on Salon today. "The Futility of Arguing With Crazy" says it all. http://tinyurl.com/3vxr3cu The author tells us, "You can't argue with crazy" and that is a fact. So...Randy and I won't be allowing any more crazy here. If your comment slips in, we'll delete it soon after. It's been interesting but we have work to do. Thanks to every one of you for your support. Please note that we don't ask for or accept donations. We aren't that crazy. Jim Strickland

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:16:29 +0000

Try reading this again and don't skip the important stuff this time. This is what I said, "If you write to insult me and make threats, you've set the tone for how this works". People who spread lies and present themselves to be other than what they are will be exposed if they try to confront me. These are people who have told us they are tax exempt and that they help veterans. They do not offer any proof of that and when questioned their response is to flood my email with silly and childish insults. Once that happens I am well within my rights to expose them as I wish. I don't know what you think filing a police report would accomplish? Who would I file it with? My hometown cops or where the fake business address is? What would the police do? You can't be serious with that suggestion. Why don't you use your name? You didn't sign your letter. You're hiding behind that handle of yours but ignoring the name you've adopted. I know your name and address but I don't understand why you don't proudly sign your messages like I do mine. Everyone knows my name, my wife's name and where I live. I have no shame about who I am. Names and IDs of people who make threats or get ugly with me are published so that they know for sure that they are not anonymous. Like cockroaches, exposure to the light often sees them running to hide. Any other questions? Jim <div style="display:block;margin:6px 0 0"><a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save"><img src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" width="171">

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:50:14 +0000

I believe in putting my money where my mouth is. If Mr. Simes will show us the proof that his organizations are indeed legally incorporated, that they have the IRS status they claim and then show a reasonable accounting of how much money is spent on veterans v. overhead, I will make a donation of at least $200.00 out of my pocket. This is no more than I'd ask of any group I donate to. If he is operating legitimately as stated, I'll publish my sincere apology for my misconceptions. I've erred before, I'm human. I have no problems apologizing and correcting my mistakes when that happens. If I'm wrong now, all he needs to do is show me and I'm humbled and it will cost me some cash. Should I do more? It's your call, tell me.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:33:23 +0000

OMG, OMG...another one. I asked the President of VFVC/National Chairman OFFE boys clubs to tell me the story behind their solicitation of funds. They ask you to donate money and say you'll get tax deduction. All I asked was to see any documentation that they are legitimate as we can't find anything by the IRS to verify that he either is incorporated or runs a tax exempt organization. Without such evidence we must assume that they aren't only evading their responsibilities to their children but they're also evading taxes as they take your money out of your pocket. These guys are a hoot. What the hell is the reference to nails and kitting? I asked for papers and this is what I received: Hi Jim, Too bad the crap runs down hill and you are on the end! You know something Jim, how about you coming aboard on Welcome to VFVC live on the air! Maybe we can talk all this over? I really would like to know you; you can't be that bad of a Veteran! Here is my number: 315 986-7322 How about next week on Stardust Radio an Internet Radio Station and Ill by a box of nails just kitting, Jim, you do know what this means? Simper Fi! Gene D. Simes President VFVC/National Chairman OFFE Remember the Vet Gene D. Simes, President VFVC/National Chairman OFFE Office: 315-986-7322

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:20:20 +0000

OK, I'm tired of it too. But I thought you'd all enjoy this just as much as I did. This is from one of the sharper arrows in their quiver...if any of you can help me decipher what this means, I'd be grateful. Obviously, it's just another guy whining about how he can't support his kids...is there more to it? Mike Boone <armymarinesranger@yahoo.com Date:Tue, Apr 19, 2011 11:29 pm To:jim912 Cc:armymarinesranger@yahoo.com Dear Clown, I have two bibles and u own one. Does that mean your going to heaven faster than me? I say to u that the person who does not read good books has no advantage over the person that cannot read! I want you to walk a mile in everyone of these veterans shoes first. I wish u to feel the pain and cold that some of these men and women r feeling. U judge without knowing anyones situation, u stigmatize each one of these veterans as the courts have and disable a second/third time as one veteran puts a gun to his head because he/ she sees no way out? Why Jim? Does it go back to your childhood as a counselor might say after reading a book on human behavior? I have paid the demands of the courts until i couldnt anymore. I paid more then the amounts by calculating my whole VA check and what i was making for my part time job. I volunteered to give 50% of my part time job that was approx $500 a month for two children. Child Support calculation came up with $330 a month by their calculations? This was down from the original divorce from $700. I have a doctors medical opinion that states i should b unemployable and a claim on going for almost 8 yrs? Tell me i am no trying to do the right thing? Your courts have played Doctor and called me a dead beat 3 different times? They will not lower my amount from the original divorce decree because i am was only working part time? This is over 6 yrs later and by child support guidelines and their rules it should have changed? They r not going by income? They dont except letters from Doctors? But wait Jim, i got it as u say. Go out there and just take any job when today there r none, even less for the disabled. Go get any job and if u injure yourself further, but wait Clown, VA has a law that says if you knew u couldnt, fraud right? I dont have the exact language right now of the law but will get it for u to help veterans right Jim? I did not tell u that the courts and child support wanted to take my license as well? Wow, great thinking with that law Jim? During these economic times, no jobs, working with all VA entities to get another job in rural Iowa where most r laboring jobs that would have a great effect on my disabilities? Just quit being a dead beat right Jim? Do you know what the word advocate means Clown? I will leave u with this thought! In the kingdom of the blind, the man with one eye is still King! Purhaps u should seek a new job Jim, your knowledge at this one doesnt impress me. The one thing i learned in college i will share with u and it falls under advocacy! Dont ever let yourself think that the person who is being exploited, dont know that they r being exploited! Waiting Jim, 3rd strike, your out! Veteran Jerry Bohr

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:37:08 +0000

OMG! I'm being reported to the Better Business Bureau and "consumer services", whatever that is. The fact that there is nothing for sale here escapes "NetFodder" otherwise known as <peterbarclay@hotmail.com> at IP address: 24.20.160.114 His feelings have been hurt and he's sure somebody is interested. I suppose I'll go and handcuff myself now and wait for the FBI to arrive in their black helicopters. Better them than the BBB police enforcers. Those guys are such ignorant brutes! Here's the message again...when you write to me or anyone else on the web, you give me the rights to that message. I don't steal those bits of info, you give them to me. If you are the usual visitor here I have a strict privacy policy and your name and address are secure. If you write to insult me and make threats, you've set the tone for how this works and bingo, here you are enjoying your fame. It's just been brought to my attention that the deadbeat dads club is soliciting donations from you. You may have noticed that we do not ask for donations to ourselves anywhere on this site. The deadbeat dads are promoting to you that donations to them are tax deductible. However, they don't seem to be listed anywhere on the IRS roster as a tax-exempt organization. Others are reporting to me that Mr. Barclay and his partners in the organization may be pocketing any money donated to their "club". This is the quality of the advisers that are handing out legal advice regarding how to avoid alimony and child support on the Internet. Their goal is reprehensible, their methods comical and asking you to give them your money is icing on the cake. An investigation of the "tax-deductible" donations scheme is underway by a member of our team. Those should be public records and we'll report any scam to you soon.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 19:09:30 +0000

These folks crack me up. In reference to me posting email addresses on my web site when people send emails to me, <normanscotth@gmail.com> tells others that, "Hmmm...maybe he {Jim Strickland} knows he screwed up if he posted your email up is a violation of the freedom of information act if it included e-mail addresses." So, here is more legal advice from this Boys Club that is currently out in full force. If I post your email address along with the email you wrote me, I'm violating FOIA. Yes, these are the people you want to take legal advice from.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 07:13:33 +0000

Many good comments. Thanks. My replies; I don't write to these people. They write to me. Most often I never see it because of filters. Other times I choose to respond. Those of you spouting your deep and insightful knowledge of law do far more damage than you imagine. None of you have law degrees. I do not offer my own theories as I'm not a lawyer either. I only publish the works of others who are lawyers and who have the expertise required to make factual statements. When you tell others that judges are breaking the law and that veterans should defy those judges, you hurt people. It is a "boy's club". There are no female names on the roster that I'm aware of. Any time any person writes to me the email becomes my property. I may then publish anything from that I wish. There is only one way to communicate with me and be off the record...prior agreement. There is no expectation of privacy when you write to a well known Internet site. The individuals who are involved are seeking publicity for their cause and I see no reason that they should want to hide behind any veil of secrecy. I paid child support for nearly 2 decades. It hurt. It wasn't fair. I hated it and I was angry. But I paid the amount ordered and then some more. I am a man. When it pained me to pay, I learned to enjoy the pain. Pain is weakness leaving you. My son attended college and graduated while I struggled to pay bills. The amount I paid was terrible but I paid and paid and now I'm done. No BFD. Incomprehensible gibberish doesn't help. Read that paragraph about how judges are acting as doctors and stealing veterans rights to rehab themselves. That isn't good advice, it doesn't even rise to the level of critical thought of a sentient being. It is gibberish and nothing more. If this is the best that the boys club can do, it speaks for itself. My advice and opinion is as good as it is simple. When a veteran is in a family court and the title is "defendant", he or she should pay attention to what the judge orders. If you disagree with the orders of the court, there are plenty of avenues of appeal. Until your appeal is won in court, the best thing you can do is to obey the orders. If you don't, you may go to jail. Including the amount of a VA disability benefit into the income of the obligor to arrive at the total monthly obligation usually results in a monetary difference that is insignificant. Including the disability benefit check as income might mean you pay $20.00 to $200.00 per month more. The court isn't garnishing the money, the sum of payments from VA is only used to crunch out a figure. If that much is a huge burden to you, suck it up and get on with life. Know this: Life isn't fair. For those who have continued to tell me that you're coming to see me in person so we can go "man to man", the coffee is on me. I live near the airport outside of Savannah, GA and any time you want to do eyeball to eyeball, I'm available. I'm confident these aren't thinly veiled threats being made by people who would hope to physically intimidate me. Y'all wouldn't be that silly, would you? Really now boys, bullying is so 1950s, isn't it? Finally, use the provided spell checker. Your credibility is low now and atrocious spelling isn't helping. Jim Strickland

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:18:46 +0000

This discussion hinges on the definition of "processed as it is received" I suppose. Again, I believe that is a correct statement until the process begins to break about due to the variables in the process. Leod1948 brings up a topic of great interest to me..."tracking" of a claim. When the bar code system revolutionized the tracking of anything and everything in manufacturing decades ago, every business from building skyscrapers to placing fresh vegetables in bins at your grocery now track items to the nth degree. Your greengrocer can tell you how many lemons are on display, in the cooler in the back of the store and in various stages of transit to his door from anywhere in the world. There is no guesswork as each individual lemon represents a profit or a loss. That VA doesn't apply simple and inexpensive bar code tracking to every claim is a sign of a corporate culture that doesn't want any change to the process in place for so many years. This would compare to the Toyota Corporation building cars without any knowledge of where the supplies were to build cars or how many cars are built each day or even what models and colors were needed to satisfy customer demand. Tracking systems are simple software programs these days. The scanners are the size of a pencil and use radio frequency to connect to databases and they are relatively inexpensive. Tracking claims would benefit employees who could immediately determine dates of aging claims as well as allowing veterans to receive accurate data about their own claims.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:41:36 +0000

I stand by my statement. Each claim is processed as it is received. This can't be construed to mean that claims that are appealed or otherwise FUBARed will stay in that order. From the date received until adjudication, claims are processed as received. Once a claim is denied and an appeal is initiated, it would seem apparent that the claim has left the order it was in and is in another process. My statement says that a claim that comes in and is being processed is in a long line of claims and that it stays pretty much in single file...until it is displaced to another sort of function. Jim Strickland

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:30:44 +0000

"its been 8 years since I have used it"...note that the OIG report tells us that the change to call centers was made about 2009. You were talking with your Regional Office 8 years ago. Once the switch was made to the call center concept, things went south. VA took a working solution and fixed it so it doesn't work as well any more.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:44:22 +0000

Well done sir. I read through that and the fact he died so young of a heart attack struck me. His history of AO exposure is obvious. I wonder if anyone will try to make a claim? It also makes me wonder, "How many more are there like this?" Our battle in Vietnam and the casualty count goes on and I doubt this country will be done with it for generations to come.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Fri, 8 Apr 2011 09:41:21 +0000

I agree. What always gets me is when one argues the point with VA and they retort that there are "only" 400,000 past due claims, not 1,000,000, it's as if the lower number were acceptable. The "over 125 days" slays me too. What the hell does that mean? This is a fine example of how to twist reality for public consumption. VA is very very good at spin control.

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Comments

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 16:51:34 +0000

This is a test of the system in response to a reader who is having log-in issues. This is only a test. There is no need for alarm. Had this been a serious alert you would have been issued the standard survival gear along with instructions to proceed to the southeaster corner of the room you're in, assume the position with your head tucked firmly between your knees and then to kiss your butt goodbye. However, lucky for you this is only a test. Nothing to see here folks, move along...keep moving. Hey...it seems to work, eh?

VAWatchdogToday dot Org : Post

Thu, 9 Dec 2010 16:28:31 +0000

This seems to work OK.