Saturday’s book signing for my memoir “Broken Silence, A Military Whistleblower’s Fight for Justice” was a memorable event!

I want to thank all my friends who came out to support my debut book signing of my memoir, Broken Silence, thanks again for your support!  Reuniting with my Holland shipmates, after nearly 25 years  made the event unforgettable, Koshina and Dianna brought tears to my eyes!!

A special thanks to the staff at Barnes and Noble Mall of Georgia for their professional hospitality for hosting such an amazing event.  Thanks again, Melissa and Kim!!   A warm thanks to my lifelong friend who is an amazingly gifted artist, Carla, of Carla’s M. Johnson Photography.  Her work is phenomenal and I’m looking forward to working with Carla again in the near future!!   

To see more of her amazing work visit: http://www.carlamjohnson.com/

   

Presenting, Broken Silence,
A Military Whistleblower's Fight for Justice

Signing my first autograph

Thanking Kathleen for her support

With Buford's own, Katheen Fortson, a dear family friend

Reuniting with Koshina Lane after nearly 25 years.

With Koshina and her family, and Dianna

Discussing details of my military experience

With former Navy Lt. Commander, Dr. Zaykeeah Robertson

My dear friend Rose and former shipmate

With my dear friends Carla and Rose

Debut Book Signing, Barnes and Noble Mall of Georgia,
August 29, 2015

Closing the First Chapter of my life!!

For more information visit: http://www.syneedapenland.com/

When One Door Closes, God is Standing by to Open Another....

Thought for the day.... One of my latest pieces

WARNING: This Message contains explicit content but Mrs. Hubbard is speaking profound truth!!

The Power of Letting Go: Rev Michael Beckwith interview with Dr. Judith Orloff, Awesome Insight!!

Michael Beckwith - The Answer Is You

Retired Army General Says He’s ‘Ashamed To Be An American’ After Brutal Arrest by Police

The Raw Story reports,  "Officers from the Fayetteville, Georgia police department brutally arrested a retired four-star Army general, and now he says he's ashamed to be an American” because of how out-of-control the police have gotten.

William J. Livsey, 84, along with his neighbors, have accused police of severe violent acts during an alleged dispute with a food delivery driver.

“It’s the first time in my life I’m ashamed to be an American,” Livsey said to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Raw Story notes a report from the Journal-Constitution, which “noted that a portion of Highway 314 in town was renamed the ‘General Bill Livsey Highway’ in Livsey’s honor.” 

They add that “he retired from duty in 1987, following a career that saw him win the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star and Distinguished Service Medal, among other honors.”

“They took me away without my shoes, glasses or medicine. I fought for this country so hard, and I’ve tried to do good all my life,” Livsey recounted."

Full article:   http://countercurrentnews.com/2015/08/retired-army-general-says-hes-ashamed-to-be-an-american/

Food for thought:  Police brutality has gotten completely out of control in this country.  Now they are brutally “assaulting” disabled veterans, and a highly decorated one at that!!!   This is absolutely appalling!! 

Man In St. Louis Marches Alone After Death Of 9-Year-Old

One man recently stood alone in the streets of St. Louis, Missouri, to protest the death of the 9-year-old girl shot dead in her own home in nearby Ferguson, reports TheBlaze.   

Jamyla Bolden was sitting on her mother’s bed on Aug. 18 while she did her homework when shots suddenly fired into the house. While her mother was hit in the leg, Jamyla was wounded more seriously and died not long after. Police have yet to arrest anyone for the incident.

While the streets of St. Louis recently saw massive protests for the shooting of Mansur Ball-Bey, no one, except for one man, came out to stand for the young victim.

Although he did not personally know Jamyla, Shawn Williams walked around a busy St. Louis intersection on Aug. 19 with a makeshift cardboard sign that read “stand up 4 Jamyla Bolden,” according to TheBlaze.

Kimmy Brooks was passing Williams and, in awe of his one-man march for the little girl, she took to her social media account to publicize his protest.

“This man is Shawn Williams. He is standing alone, walking around at the intersection of Page and Union. He wants justice for Jamyla. Many of us do,” she posted on her Facebook. “Yet he stands alone.”

Brooks’ post raised awareness of the small protest, sparking another Facebook user, Eric Stillthesamesize Strickland, to post a video of Williams.

“Shooting at little girls, shooting at people’s houses. Somebody don’t kill this little girl. It’s up to the community. If I have to stand out here all day, it’s up to people like me, to make somebody feel some type of way to go to the authorities and say ‘I know what happened,’” Williams stated in the video.

While few protested in St. Louis over the child’s death, in Ferguson, hundreds gathered together on Aug. 20 for a vigil. During the event, people released balloons in Jamyla’s favorite color, pink, according to KMOV.

“We have to keep thinking about the blessed opportunity we had to encounter her presence,” said Teressa Kindle, Bolden’s teacher at Koch Elementary, reports Fox News.

“Everyone knew her drive for success: academic success, behavioral success, any success — kickball success, jump rope success.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/man-st-louis-marches-alone-death-9-year-old

Food for thought:  My heart goes out to the entire city of St. Louis. May God bring peace to her streets so she can protect the lives of our innocent children once again!  Thank you Mr. Williams for caring!!!

Come Join Me at My Book Signing Event

America's Oldest Veteran Dies, One Month After Meeting Obama

WASHINGTON -- Emma Didlake, the nation's oldest known veteran, died on Sunday, one month after visiting the White House and meeting with President Barack Obama. 

Didlake's granddaughter told the San Antonio Express-News that the 110-year-old had felt tired over the past few days and showed signs of failing health.

"It was a month ago today that we went to the White House," said Marilyn Horne. "I think she felt she had accomplished everything and could take her rest."

At the age of 38, as a mother with five children, Didlake joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and earned multiple medals for her service. After leaving the military, she became active in the civil rights movement: She joined the Detroit chapter of the NAACP, and marched with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. 

"We are so grateful that she is here with us today," Obama told reporters after his July 17 meeting with Didlake. "And it's a great reminder of not only the sacrifices that the greatest generation made on our behalf, but also the kind of trailblazing that our women veterans made, African-American veterans who helped to integrate our armed services," Obama said. 

Monday afternoon, the president released a statement about her passing, saying she "served her country with distinction and honor."

"I was humbled and grateful to welcome Emma to the White House last month," he said, "and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to Emma’s family, friends, and everyone she inspired over her long and quintessentially American life."

Full article: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/emma-didlake_55d22c3ee4b055a6dab1027d?kvcommref=mostpopular&section=black-voices&utm_hp_ref=black-voices&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000051&ir=Black+Voices

America has lost an iconic champion of Civil and Human Rights, Mr. Julian Bond.

Book Signing Event for my memoir "Broken Silence, A Military Whistleblower's Fight for Justice"

Aug 29, 2015  

           

Book Signing: Buford, GA

Barnes & Noble, Mall of Georgia,
3333 Buford Drive Space VA01, Buford, GA 30519

TIME:    2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/4875466-0

After much deliberation on where I should host my first book signing for my memoir, "Broken Silence, A Military Whistleblower's Fight for Justice," I decided to host the event in my hometown, Buford Georgia, where my story begins.  Come join me.  I look forward to sharing details of my trials, tribulations and triumph!!

For information on my other books visit my website, http://www.syneedapenland.com

Wishing President Carter a full recovery. A true champion of Women's Rights!

Leaked Document: 35,000 Combat Vets Denied VA Health Care Enrollment Due To Computer Error, Nearly all are Iraq or Afghanistan War vets.

WASHINGTON -- More than 35,000 combat veterans are being denied health care enrollment by the Department of Veterans Affairs because of a computer system error, according to an internal document obtained by The Huffington Post.

Scott Davis, a program specialist at the VA's Health Eligibility Center in Atlanta and a past whistleblower on VA mismanagement, provided HuffPost with a recent VA analysis of the number of combat vets, by city, who are listed as "pending" for health care enrollment because they didn't complete a so-called means test, which assesses their household income. Many vets have to submit a means test to be enrolled, but it's not required for combat vets, who are automatically eligible for five years of free care. The policy is spelled out on the VA's website.

The document shows that 35,093 combat vets who applied for health care aren't getting it because the VA system has erroneously flagged them as needing to submit a means test. 

Full article:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/veterans-denied-health-care-computer-glitch_55c4cc45e4b0923c12bc8d04

Thought for the day...

VA Launches New No-Cost Training Programs

August 5, 2015, 03:24:00 PM

    VA Launches New No-Cost Training Programs

Programs Designed to Help Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans Develop New Skills and Credentials

WASHINGTON –  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today launched two new no-cost training programs, Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs) and VA Learning Hubs, to help transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans from all eras learn skills, earn credentials, and advance in civilian careers following separation from service.

 ALPs and Learning Hubs are part of VA’s Veterans Economic Communities Initiative (VECI), promoting education and employment opportunities for Veterans through integrated networks of support in 50 cities. VA launched the VECI program in response to President Obama’s August 2014 challenge to help Veterans and families integrate with their communities and find meaningful jobs that can lead to economic success. Under VA Secretary Robert McDonald’sMyVA transformation, VECI is now in place in cities across the United States.

“My message to transitioning Servicemembers is simple: Plan early and stay engaged, because transition is the mission,” said McDonald. “These two new resources provide no-cost opportunities for our transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans to learn new skills and earn credentials, which can increase their competitiveness during their transition.”

ALPs offer transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans the opportunity to build on their world-class training and technical skills gained through their military service, and earn certifications in high-demand fields.

VA is piloting ALPs this summer with seven courses focusing on building skills and certifications needed to advance in high-demand careers in information technology (IT), as part of the President’s TechHire initiative. Each ALP course is offered at no cost and includes free referral and support services..

 The first ALP cohort includes seven courses covering a range of IT-related topics, including:

• Coding/Programming Boot Camps;
• 80+ IT Certifications in Hardware, Software, Networking, Web Services, and more;
• Network Support Engineer Job Training and Certification;
• Cybersecurity Training and Certification;
• IT Help Desk Job Training; and
• IT Boot Camps for Desktop Support and Windows Expertise.

Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans from any era are invited to apply to their choice of courses. Applications will be accepted starting August 17, 2015 – seats in the pilot cohort are limited; applicants are encouraged to apply early. ALPs do not involve use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill..  Students are able to participate in these programs while also pursuing other programs of study using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Visit the ALP website to learn more about each program and apply.

VA is also launching Learning Hubs in 27 cities across the country this year in partnership with the American Red Cross, The Mission Continues and Coursera, an online education platform.

Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans can take advantage of both online and in-person study. Each week, online course modules will be completed outside the classroom while class sessions, led by Learning Hub facilitators, provide opportunities to discuss course materials with peers, hear from subject matter experts, and network. Upon completion of the program, Servicemembers and Veterans may elect to receive one free verified certificate issued by Coursera.

For more information about the VECI or to learn more about VA ALPs and Learning Hubs, contactVeteranEmployment.vbaco@va.gov.

###

http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2721

Thought for the day...

If Americans ever wonder how the top 1% "Elite" remain at the top... This is how they do it!!   For centuries, military expeditionary warfare have allowed for major  global expansion.  History has shown far enough evidence of this fact!!  Long before the European military forces first landed on the shores of the Americas, Africa, etc. Countries (Corporations) remained at war in their effort for global expansion. Since I left military service, I've had to repent my sins to GOD for choosing to be apart of the military industrialized complex.  Some may argue, that I was only 18, how could I have known that I would be a part of an organization that lies to the American public by seducing their children to bear arms against innocent civilians, in foreign countries that barely have running water or enough food to eat.  Where their young children can barely read or write and their living conditions resembles that of primitive culture and not of modern day, as we call it in America and Europe.  During my travels abroad, I witnessed this but I was not allowed (while in uniform) to speak out about it.  Yet, there are millions of veterans who will agree, but our voices remain silent.  There are also millions of veterans who are angry about being lied to and are having difficulty transitioning back into "normal" society and are not the same, and they are not being adequately compensated for their injuries (physical and mental) sustained during wartime. Yet, the top 1% "Elite" are being well compensated by the efforts of our military!! I will continue to pray for WORLD PEACE, that one day soon, GOD will teach us that GREED is not the way, only LOVE!!!

PRAY FOR GLOBAL PEACE!!!!!

Police: Tombstone of 'Roots' author's grandmother vandalized

JACKSON, Tenn. — Police say the tombstone of a relative of "Roots" author Alex Haley has been vandalized with the words "White Lives Matter."

The Jackson Sun reports that Savannah Police Chief Gary Will says the tombstone of Queen Haley was spray painted earlier this week. Queen Haley was Alex Haley's grandmother.

Alex Haley was the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Roots: The Saga of an American Family," which is the story of an enslaved African-American family. The book was later made into a TV miniseries. Alex Haley died in 1992.

The police chief says a professional cleaning company has been hired by the cemetery to remove the paint. Will says a protective coating will be added to the stone so that if it is painted again it will come right off.

Contributing article:  http://www.knoxnews.com/news/state/police-tombstone-of-roots-authors-grandmother-vandalized

Food for thought:  ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!

Happy Birthday President Obama, Here's to you!!

Thought for the day...

Since the GOP is so involved with our bodies, this is one way to end the conversation on birth control and abortion.. Think about it!!

“Yes, We’re Corrupt”: A List of Politicians Admitting That Money Controls Politics

The Intercept reports, "One of the most embarrassing aspects of U.S. politics is politicians who deny that money has any impact on what they do. For instance, Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania’s notoriously fracking-friendly former governor, got $1.7 million from oil and gas companies but assured voters that “The contributions don’t affect my decisions.” If you’re trying to get people to vote for you, you can’t tell them that what they want doesn’t matter.

This pose is also popular with a certain prominent breed of pundits, who love to tell us “Don’t Follow the Money” (New York Times columnist David Brooks), or “Money does not buy elections” (Freakonomics co-author Stephen Dubner on public radio’s Marketplace), or “Money won’t buy you votes” (Yale Law School professor Peter H. Schuck in the Los Angeles Times).

Meanwhile, 85 percent of Americans say we need to either “completely rebuild” or make “fundamental changes” to the campaign finance system. Just 13 percent think “only minor changes are necessary,” less than the 18 percent of Americans who believe they’ve been in the presence of a ghost.

So we’ve decided that it would be useful to collect examples of actual politicians acknowledging the glaringly obvious reality. Here’s a start; I’m sure there must be many others, so if you have suggestions, please leave them in the comments or email me. I’d also love to speak directly to current or former politicians who have an opinion about it.

• “Now [the United States is] just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congressmembers. … So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors …” — Jimmy Carter, former president, in 2015. (Thanks to Sam Sacks.)

• “You have to go where the money is. Now where the money is, there’s almost always implicitly some string attached. … It’s awfully hard to take a whole lot of money from a group you know has a particular position then you conclude they’re wrong [and] vote no.” — Vice President Joe Biden in 2015.

• “Lobbyists and career politicians today make up what I call the Washington Cartel. … [They] on a daily basis are conspiring against the American people. … [C]areer politicians’ ears and wallets are open to the highest bidder.” — Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2015.

• “When you start to connect the actual access to money, and the access involves law enforcement officials, you have clearly crossed a line. What is going on is shocking, terrible.” – James E. Tierney, former attorney general of Maine, in 2014.

• “Allowing people and corporate interest groups and others to spend an unlimited amount of unidentified money has enabled certain individuals to swing any and all elections, whether they are congressional, federal, local, state … Unfortunately and rarely are these people having goals which are in line with those of the general public. History well shows that there is a very selfish game that’s going on and that our government has largely been put up for sale.” – John Dingell, 29-term Democratic congressman from Michigan, in 2014 just before he retired.

• “When some think tank comes up with the legislation and tells you not to fool with it, why are you even a legislator anymore? You just sit there and take votes and you’re kind of a feudal serf for folks with a lot of money.” —Dale Schultz, 32-year Republican state legislator in Wisconsin and former state Senate Majority Leader, in 2013 before retiring rather than face a primary challenger backed by Americans for Prosperity.

• “The alliance of money and the interests that it represents, the access that it affords to those who have it at the expense of those who don’t, the agenda that it changes or sets by virtue of its power is steadily silencing the voice of the vast majority of Americans … The truth requires that we call the corrosion of money in politics what it is – it is a form of corruption and it muzzles more Americans than it empowers, and it is an imbalance that the world has taught us can only sow the seeds of unrest.” – Secretary of State John Kerry, in 2013 farewell speech to the Senate.

• “I think it is because of the corrupt paradigm that has become Washington, D.C., whereby votes continually are bought rather than representatives voting the will of their constituents. … That’s the voice that’s been missing at the table in Washington, D.C. — the people’s voice has been missing.” — Michele Bachmann, four-term Republican congresswoman from Minnesota and founder of the House Tea Party Caucus, in 2011.

• “The banks — hard to believe in a time when we’re facing a banking crisis that many of the banks created — are still the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill. And they frankly own the place.” – Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., in 2009.

• “There is no question in the world that money has control.” — Barry Goldwater, 1964 GOP Presidential nominee, just before retiring from the Senate in 1986.

• “When these political action committees give money, they expect something in return other than good government. … Poor people don’t make political contributions. You might get a different result if there were a poor-PAC up here.” — Bob Dole, former Republican Senate Majority Leader and 1996 GOP Presidential nominee, in 1983.

• “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.” — Jesse Unruh, Speaker of the California Assembly in the 1960s and California State Treasurer in the 1970s and 80s.

• “There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money and I can’t remember what the second one is.” — Mark Hanna, William McKinley’s 1896 presidential campaign manager and later senator from Ohio, in 1895."

Contributing article: https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/07/30/politicians-admitting-obvious-fact-money-affects-vote/