A Few Negative Military Headlines

• Rape Victim’s Death Ruled “Suicide” By Army [Firedoglake]

• U.S. Military Admits Killing Baghdad Commuters [NPR]

• Army Recruiter Used Scare Tactics: Teen Who Signed Non-Binding Contract Told He'd Be Jailed If He Didn't Join Army [CBS News]

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

A Few Vet Headlines

• Calls To Veterans' Suicide Hotline Double: New VA Phone Line, Created Last July, Now Taking 250 Calls Per Day [AP via CBS News]

• Back From the War and on MTV’s Radar [NYTimes]

• Injured vets tell pull Dick Cheney invitation over security demands [NY Daily News]
  

Decision to Discontinue Destroyer Due in Part to Cost

The Associated Press reports today the Navy is ending its DDG-1000 Zumwalt destroyer program because of anti-ship missile vulnerability and because they can't afford the estimated $5 billion per ship.

Congressional investigators involved are concerned that the Navy tried to use too many technologies on the "stealth destroyer" designed to sneak near to the shore, undetected and pulverize its targets with massive guns. A planned 32 ships eventually dropped to seven as costs grew.

Instead the Navy plans to build nine more of its current Arleigh Burke destroyers, said Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday, a member of the Armed Services Committee.

The Navy's plans to expand its 313-ship fleet so even though it can't afford to keep the DDG-1000, it can't afford to stop building ships either, says Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute.

In addition to cost concerns, the DDG-1000 is vulnerable to attack when doing what it was designed for: coming close to shore to use 155-millimeter guns instead of missiles.

Finally, there is currently no threat that the DDG-1000 could be used for.

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

In the Headlines Today

• Military surge in Iraq ends; 150,000 troops remain [USA Today]

• VA to advertise its suicide hot line program [AP via Newsvine]
  

• US soldier who deserted over Iraq is deported [The Guardian]

• Pentagon: U.S. may cut Iraq troop levels this fall [USA Today]

• More US troops may go to Afghanistan this year [AP via Newsvine]

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

Veterans Possibly Shortchanged Say Democrats

The AP is reporting that according to a new congressional report at least 28,283 vets may not have been paid money owed to them by the government because the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) were working frantically to clear a backlog of claims resulting from changes in the law allowing vets to claim both military retirement and disability at the same time.

This evaluation was carried out by the House Oversight and Government Reform's domestic policy subcommittee, headed by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio.

From the AP article:

In mid-2006, DFAS had hired Lockheed to help it work through the long list of cases. The government identified some 133,000 veterans who were eligible for money through its "VA Retro" program. The list quickly grew by another 84,000 names because newly retired veterans or those with a changed disability status were being added.

Officials finally cleared the backlog last June, seven months after the original deadline.

According to the House investigation, officials reached their goal only after lowering their standards. . .

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

In the Headlines

• Study: Military Gays Don't Undermine Unit Cohesion [ABC News]

• Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki demands US withdrawal timetable [Times Online]

• U.S. Military Mulls Iraq Troop Pullbacks [CBS News]

• The Iraq war movie: Military hopes to shape genre [LA Times]

• Soldier Made Famous By Photo Dies in Pinehurst [ThePilot.com]

• Pentagon aims for less deadly cluster bombs [AP via Newsvine]

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

Vet Group will Air Ads Touting Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

According to a report by the Associated Press Saturday, veteran group Vets for Freedom is launching a national ad campaign this week touting the troop buildup in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Vets for Freedom is spending $1.5 million on the ads that will first run on cable television nationally starting out in five states: Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Virginia.

The group also plans to send members to several swing states as part of a four-month education campaign that they plan on formally announcing Wednesday.

The article also mentions McCain and Obama. Vets for Freedom more or less seem to back McCain and criticize Obama for not visiting Iraq since 2006.

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation

Two Stories to Check Out Today

• US, Poland agree on outline deal for missile bases [AP via Newsvine]

• Pentagon extends tour of 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan [USA Today]

-Dippold

Political Online Reputation