Campaigns Spar Over Military Absentee Ballots | Military.com

Campaigns Spar Over Military Absentee Ballots | Military.com

Even as state election officials across the U.S. have noticed a rise in military voting, a disturbing trend has appeared. The rate active-duty military voters who reported not receiving a requested absentee ballot almost doubled from 16 percent in 2008 to 29 percent in 2010, according to a survey done by the Defense Department’s Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP). 

“It is a very real challenge” to get ballots out to forward operating bases in Afghanistan and other duty stations worldwide, said Paddy McGuire, FVAP’s deputy director for Elections Assistance. Mail services must also return those ballots as servicemembers try to keep track of ever-changing voting deadlines and the blizzard of federal, state and local election laws.

The political parties have added to the confusion of who can vote and when. Both Republicans and Democrats have dispatched platoons of lawyers to challenge or defend local election laws as they jockey for advantage.

The parties have clashed recently over an Ohio law that allowed military absentee ballots to be accepted up to the day before the Nov. 6 general election day. The cutoff for civilian absentee ballots is Nov. 2.

The National Guard Association filed a motion backing Republicans seeking to keep the three-day window for the military although Joseph Goheen, an NGA spokesman, said the motion was filed reluctantly.

“Our intent was to ensure that our members had a voice in this,” Goheen said. “But it’s been twisted in every direction by those seeking to politicize this.”

He said he supported the solution of accepting all absentee ballots up to Nov. 5 as requested in the lawsuit filed jointly by the Obama campaign, the Democratic National Committee and Ohio Democratic Party in July.

“We have no problem with that. We’re really not taking sides in this,” said Goheen, who explained that NGA’s main concern is making voting as easy as possible for servicemembers overseas. 

McGuire admits a “complexity problem” still exists for troops trying to navigate the absentee ballot process.

This Is Why We Don't Need A Draft

Socialist’: Media Largely Ignore Ideological Declaration by Killer of Five in West Virginia

On Tuesday, The Blaze posted extensive reports on the mass shootings in both Nevada and West Virginia.

Both stories involved elements regarding the U.S. military. In Nevada, of course, many of the victims were in the National Guard. The gunman’s motives, though, are still not entirely clear.

The shooter in West Virginia, who killed five people (and also an unborn fetus) in one home, seemed to voice a variety of grievances including some anger at having been rejected for military service.

Shayne Riggleman’s murderous actions are getting a great deal of media attention; however, few media outlets are including Riggleman’s self-declaration of his Socialist ideology.

Stuff We Do

I mostly keep a very low profile when it comes to supporting our military and veterans. No one really needs to know what I do and for whom. However, if another related story involving a veteran I have helped are published, I'll call attention to the other story and explain why.

Last month I was asked to play Santa Claus for Gathering of Eagles and by extension, Warrior Legacy Foundation, and give some laptops to some wounded soldiers. The following link is to a story about one of the Warriors who received one of those laptops.

Soldier fights way back from brink
Pieces life together with husband by her side

Major tissue alert, girls.

BZ's and OOOORAHH!!! to Paul Courtier for his allegiance to his fellow Massachuesettians (is that even a word?). He made the laptop happen. I was honored to be able to help.

Border Wars - Texas Style

Hey Hey Ho Ho
Napoleontano Has To Go

Rep. Ted Poe: DHS Won’t Send More Troops to Border

Texas Republican Rep. Ted Poe says the Department of Homeland Security has rebuffed calls for the additional U.S. troops that are needed to stem the escalating violence along the Mexican border.

“Over a year ago, Texas Governor Rick Perry asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for a thousand troops at the border to help with the increasing violence and to prevent the drug cartels from entering the United States. The governor has asked for more Predator drones for increased surveillance. He was trying to head off this escalation of violence that has occurred recently.

“The help he requested has never come, and the governor's request for more troops and drones at the border has been ignored for over a year.

“In response to the murders of these Americans, Governor Perry again asked for help. He asked for surveillance planes and a thousand fresh troops at the Texas border with Mexico to help stem the violence. Secretary Napolitano said she would ‘look at’ the request, but she thinks there's already enough troops on the border.

“So Governor Perry has decided he can't wait around on the federal government, even though it's the federal government's responsibility to secure our borders. He's ordered Texas National Guard helicopters to the border to support law enforcement that is on the border already.

They're trying to fight the border violence spillover into the United States . . .

Secretary Napolitano asserted on March 29 that the U.S. has made “significant progress” in securing the border.

Huh?!?!?!

VA National Guard Member Needs Help

I know its close to Christmas, but if you have a few extra bucks to spare, there is a VANG soldier who could use some help.
All contributions to Warrior Legacy Foundation are deductible as a charitible donation. You can also buy some of my kick-a$$ BBQ sauce.
Use the Donate button on the left. All donations stay in Virginia.

National Security Experience

Uncle Jimbo directs our attention to this bit of information about Governor Sarah Palin.

"This Is War Memories of Iraq"

From Lucky Forward Films

Deebow from Blackfive has a post up you should go see.

Coupled with "Outside the Wire 07", the National Geographic documentary with the Green Berets in the Stan, and other pro-victory films currently available, the American public has a unique opportunity to meet our Nation's Greatest Generation. I would encourage you to watch as many as you can.

3 Doors Down - Citizen Soldier

OUTSTANDING! If I had seen this in the 80's I would have joined the Guard instead of the Navy. HOOOAH!

via Gunslinger

Come Out And Welcome The 654th MP's Home!

There is an awesome welcome home planned this Sunday for the 654th Military Police Company, a Richmond-based unit of the Virginia Army National Guard.

The buses carrying the troops will get off the interstate at the Diamond (Richmond Braves Stadium) and travel South down Boulevard with a loud and colorful escort provided by the Patriot Guard Riders.

Our heroes will be greeted at the Richmond War Memorial by families, friends, Gov. Tim Kaine, Congressman Eric Cantor and other elected representatives, military brass and the press.

They've been gone a year on our behalf. What better way to spend a warm Sunday afternoon than to say thank you in person by being there.

WHO: 654th Military Police Co., Virginia National Guard
WHERE: Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA
WHEN: Sunday, January 7th, 2007
Estimated time of arrival is 2:00 pm (could be earlier or later depending on traffic)

Va. bloggers covering the story: RightsideVA, SWACgirl