Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Is The DoD Paying Attention To Swine Flu & Vaccine Conflicts?

I have to wonder about the title of this simple column being a military spouse, and I continually wonder about the reality of the title because of what I know to be true. I think I hear that damn black helo flying over my house again, but I then realize, that to them, of course, I am just a stupid mom.

Well, I might be stupid mom according to "them", but one thing I am NOT is unpatriotic, and that is what I fear is happening with our own Department of Defense based on their actions regarding autism, military dependents, and vaccination.

I have seen much of the news links posted below previous to tonight, but it all finally hit home. You see, I am an All-American girl. I like all kinds of sports, but especially football. I have been aching for Thursday to get here. This evening I happened to be multi-tasking once again; laundry, making lunches, making dinner, and of course watching whatever football is on the NFL Channel. Well... it happened to be a repeat of last years SuperBowl. It all came together for me; all this recent news regarding swine flu and the vaccine, autism, and of course the military. Why??? Well, I want you to watch this http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/story?id=09000d5d80e818f7&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true. Forgive the skips. Look at the players faces and see the tears and emotion that they feel when they hear our National Anthem sung by Jennifer Hudson, who herself was only a few months out of a huge personal family tragedy of her own at the time. Look at the emotion on their faces, see the tears in their eyes, see them grab their chests in strength and respect, and see how much respect they have for what our National Anthem means. I am of the belief that there are many in the Department of Defense who have lost sight of what it means to protect this country, yet keep our troops safe. And yes, that comes back to vaccines.

So you might want to look HERE. Yep, we're talking MANDATORY vaccination of all military members, and if the CDC puts this on the recommended schedule, then all military dependent children attending day care, child care, or school age programs (including family programs), will be mandated as well.

Then you might want to take a look at this HERE. And this HERE too.

Now see here is the deal. I watched as much as I could of last years SuperBowl again tonight (mostly could only listen) because my team was playing and WON! I guess Dr. Paul Profit, forgot in all his millions makings that he might want to disclose that to be fair and honest. Funny thing about being an All-American girl and not so stupid mom after all; football players salaries (along with other sports), are out there for the public. They do stupid shit like Michael Vick did with the dog fighting, and they pay their penance to society and go on to be (so far), continuing to pay their debt. Why is it that people like Pauly Pusher of Vaccines don't suffer the same consequences.

As a former Vet Tech, I despise what Michael Vick participated in. Did he make millions? Yes, but not at the expense of animals. As an autism mom, an advocate for SAFE vaccines and choice on all fronts regarding such, and a military spouse to top it all off; given all of the above, I think Paul should have his medical license yanked, his degree yanked, and firmly believe that prison time is fully warranted. I also think he should have his millions go through the SEC. Oh wait - they missed Madoff - maybe not. VIck made his millions from honest football, not dog fighting. Pauly made his from vaccines. Need I say more?

I'm sure tomorrow or in the near future we'll hear some whining from him that yet again he's received another death threat, based on what I've said. I said what I said and that's it. And to think that our military not only protects his ass from harm; yet promotes his agenda.

I think I am going to go watch the video I posted. I know what this country was founded upon and it was freedom at HOME!!!! People like Paul are prohibiting this freedom, and I believe the Department of Defense to be doing the same by mandating a fast tracked vaccine, ummmm... the swine flu vaccine. Now go watch that video and listen to our National Anthem again, and tell me different.




Monday, September 7, 2009

Military Children With Autism Need Your Help!


Angela's Note: I personally want to thank Karen for putting the below together to run on Autism Salutes. I also want to extend to Karen my deepest thanks and gratitude for her friendship, leadership, and tireless advocacy on behalf of our military dependents with autism, over the past several years. Thank you Karen!

Recently, with the leadership of Congressman Joe Sestak (PA), the House passed comprehensive reforms through the House National Defense Authorization Act (HR 2647) to address the medical needs of military dependents living with autism. The Sestak amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act requires TRICARE (our military healthcare program) to provide coverage for evidenced-based, medically necessary treatments and therapies for all military dependents with autism. These long awaited reforms to help our military children will serve as the first step toward a national model for coverage of effective autism treatments. By helping our military children, you will help legislative efforts in your state and communities as well.

The Sestak Amendment has bipartisan support in the House and Senate, but we need your help to contact key members of the Armed Services Committee and request they include the House language in the final version of the Defense Bill. The support of the Armed Services Committee is vital to the success of these much needed reforms. We need your action today and throughout the next couple weeks.

I've listed several key leaders from the Armed Services Committee below. Please call and fax to request they support the Sestak amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act regarding coverage of medical necessary autism treatments for military children. It is important the final version of the Bill address the treatment needs of our special kids. I've attached a sample fax for you to use.

Not sure what to say when you call? Below is a sample script below for your consideration.

"As a key leader on the Armed Services Committee, I'm calling to request Senator/Congressman XXX support the House language of the Defense Bill regarding the medical necessity of autism treatments for military dependents (the Sestak Amendment). Autism is a devastating medical disorder requiring treatment. Military families living with this devastating disability need the Senator's/Congressman's leadership and action to ensure the final version of the bill addresses the treatment needs of military children with autism. Given the significant responsibilities our military families shoulder today, it is simply the right thing to do. Thank you for your help."



Name Phone Fax
Senator Carl Levin (MI) (202)-224-6221 (202)-224-1388
Senator McCain (AZ) (202)-224-2235 (202)-228-2862
Senator Ben Nelson (NE) (202)-224-6551 (202)-228-0012
Senator Lindsey Graham (SC) (202)-224-5972 (202)-224-3808
Rep Ike Skelton (MO) (202)-225-2876 (202)-225-2695
Rep Buck McKeon (CA) (202)-225-1956 (202)-226-0683
Rep Susan Davis (CA) (202)-225-2040 (202)-225-2948
Rep Joe Wilson (SC) (202)-225-2452 (202)-225-2455
Senator Claire McCaskill (MO) (202)-224-6154 (202)-228-6326
Senator Jim Webb (VA) (202)-224-4024 (202)-228-6363
Senator John Thune (ND) (202)-224-2321 (202)-228-5429
Senator Mel Martinez (FL) (202)-224-3041 (202)-228-5171
Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA) (202)-224-3521 (202)-224-0103
Senator Roger Wicker (MS) (202)-224-6253 (202)-228-0378
Senator David Vitter (LA) (202)-224-4623 (202)-228-5061
Senator Susan Collins (ME) (202)-224-2523 (202)-224-2693
Senator Kay Hagan (NC) (202)-224-6342 (202)-228-2563
Senator Daniel Akaka (HI) (202)-224-6361 (202)-224-2126
Senator Joe Lieberman (CT) (202)-224-4041 (202)-224-9750
Rep Vic Snyder (AR) (202)-225-2506 (202)-225-5903
Rep Loretta Sanchez (CA) (202)-225-6676 (202)-226-1012
Rep David Loebsack (IA) (202)-225-6576 (202)-226-0757
Rep John Kline (MN) (202)-225-2271 (202)-225-2595
Rep Tom Rooney (FL) (202)-225-5792 (202)-225-3132
Rep Mary Fallin (OK) (202)-225-2132 (202)-226-1463
Rep Carol Shea-Porter (NH) (202)-225-5456 (202)-225-5822
Rep Hank Johnson (GA) (202)-225-1605 (202)-226-0691
Rep Walter B Jones (NC) (202)-225-3415 (202)-225-3286
Rep John Fleming (LA) (202)-225-2777 (202)-225-8039

A Closing Note From Angela: I'm sorry if the numbers are hard to read, that's blogger ;)If you would like to fax and don't have access, please visit http://www.myfax.com For $10 a month you can send 100 faxes, and receive 200, all from your email. The first month is a free trial. I took out service a few months ago, and it is a wonderful service, especially with doctors visits etc. I can have everything faxed to me instead of having to wait for snail mail or picking up copies of records. If you sign up (I called versus doing it online), please tell them Autism Salutes/Angela Warner referred you. Thanks