Tag Archives: United States

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Drone medal outranks Purple Heart?


votevets.org
Have you heard about the Pentagon‘s new Distinguished Warfare Medal?It ranks above the Purple Heart and is awarded to drone operators and cyberwar practitioners for “extraordinary achievement” in a post 9/11military operation.

A number of VoteVets members have expressed their opinions about the distinction, but we want to hear from you, as well.

Do you think the medal should rank above the Purple Heart? Let us know here:

http://action.votevets.org/drone-medal

Here’s a few of the comments we received on our Facebook page:

Christopher C. No problem with the medal itself. Serious problem with its hierarchy ranking: It should not be above medals awarded for combat actions. I am seriously surprised that anyone would think it is reasonable to giving it that level of precedence.

Ethan C. I think their service should be recognized with some kind of award but combat valor medals recognize real life and death situations on the actual battlefield. Combat awards should be given the highest placement.

Let us know what you think and we’ll be sure to share your thoughts with Senator Hagel after he’s confirmed as our next Secretary of Defense.

http://action.votevets.org/drone-medal

There’s been a lot of conversation about the new medal in the traditional media and online. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, as well.

Best,

Jon Soltz                     Iraq War Veteran                     Chairman, VoteVets.org
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Fireside Hangouts: 3/4/2013 Join First Lady Michelle Obama in a Google+ Hangout to discuss Let’s Move!


GOOGLePosted: 20 Feb 2013 09:16 AM PST

In the past month, both the President and Vice President of the United States have come to Google+ to participate in “Fireside Hangouts” to discuss the challenges the country faces and answer people’s questions. On March 4, it’s First Lady Michelle Obama‘s turn as she joins her first-ever Fireside Hangout to discuss Let’s Move!, her initiative to ensure that all our children grow up healthy and reach their full potential.
 The First Lady will be joined by Kelly Ripa, Emmy award-winning co-host of popular daytime talk show “LIVE with Kelly and Michael,” and families from around the country.
Three years ago, the First Lady launched the Let’s Move! initiative to unite the country around our kids’ health and create real support for families to live healthier lives. Since then communities across the United States have worked together to share, collaborate on and create ways to improve the health of our nation’s children. This year, the First Lady is using Google+ to celebrate the anniversary of Let’s Move! and to connect with communities on Google+ who are passionate about healthy eating, fitness and parenting.

For a chance to join the Google+ Hangout with First Lady Michelle Obama, share your thoughts and questions on raising healthier families and communities on the Let’s Move YouTube channel.

Submit a video or text entry (video is preferred) telling us a bit about yourself, what your family does to stay healthy and a question for the First Lady by Thursday, February 28, 2013.
Then tune in to the First Lady’s Fireside Hangout live on the White House Google+ Page or Let’s Move YouTube channel at 11:10 am ET on March 4.
 Posted by Ria Tobaccowala, Google+ Community Partnerships

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

These Automatic Budget Cuts Will Hurt the Economy


Just 10 days from now, Congress might allow a series of severe and automatic budget cuts to take place that will hurt our economic growth, add hundreds of thousands of Americans to the unemployment rolls, and threaten military readiness.

But, as President Obama said this morning, these cuts don’t have to happen — Congress has the power to stop them.

Find out why these cuts are so harmful, and why Congress needs to act.

Watch President Obama's remarks

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

The Inside Story on Theodore Roosevelt’s Official Portrait For Presidents Day, White House Curator Bill Allman tells the inside story on Theodore Roosevelt’s official portrait.

From the Archives: George Washington Writes in the Margins Beginning in March, George Washington’s Acts of Congress will travel the country and visit the 13 Presidential Libraries of the National Archives through a partnership with Mount Vernon, offering a rare glimpse into history that is as relevant today as it was 224 years ago.

Giving Every Child a Chance in Life In Chicago, President Obama laid out a plan to rebuild ladders of opportunity for every American who is willing to work hard and climb them.