The full list of tonight's citations are listed after the jump, but here are some items featured in the show:
The web site for Victor Fehrenbach's new booK. "Out of the Blue" is here.
And see here the Legal Stranger Project's In Sickness & In Health video:
Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation at end of month
Tea Party Response to State of the Union Address - Featuring Herman Cain
Obama to hold call with campaign supporters after State of the Union
Fireside Hangouts: Join President Obama on Google+ after the State of the Union
Ted Nugent comments prompt Secret Service investigation
Texas lawmaker invites Ted Nugent to State of the Union address
Carney: No proposal to cut nuclear arsenal in State of the Union
Defense secretary's tenure marked by breaking down of barriers
Panetta Reflects on His Public Service During Farewell Tribute
Panetta Signs Memo Extending Benefits to Same-sex Partners
Leon Panetta extends military benefits to same-sex couples
Charlie Morgan's letter to John Boehner
Charlie Morgan's second letter to John Boehner (pdf)
Gay Service Member Questions Boehner's Staff on DOMA
Soldier dies of breast cancer, but her widow won't get benefits
August 13, 2010 - Air Force officer fights discharge under military 'don't ask, don't tell' rule
Victor Fehrenbach's "Out of the Blue"
Same-Sex Marriages Need Equal Rights Before It's Too Late
Lynch supporters gather signatures in blizzard
Scott Brown is not running for Senate
Tagg, you're it for GOP Senate hopes
Tagg Romney Is Not Running for Senate
Ablow bows out of race for Senate
Republican Gabriel Gomez sets stage for a run in Senate special election
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ALL of OUR Military and Spouses and Offspring should be Covered - Retroactively from the very day that they began to Serve - They have Earned it !
We ask the most from the few, that can do the least, and then they give everything and more than they have. And afterwords we just forget them.
I hate to say it, but they sometimes forget them even before discharging them.
My partner suffered an injury that put her on inactive ready reserve in 2004. She was an Air Force veteran (past service), but was told that as long as she's technically in with the Army National Guard ("current" service) that she can't use her VA benefits. However, because she's not classified as active, she also cannot use TriCare. That limbo status has put her through a great deal of medical strain, and the result is that I have had to pay for a lot of medical care that we thought should have at least started in a VA or other military medical facility. She was not even allowed on a base to update her current military ID, so she can't even go to base exchange sales or enjoy other on-base benefits... let alone get me a military "spouse" ID.
At this point, we are inclined to think that they don't want to discharge her because she'd then receive a disability rating and might be entitled to some money to handle medical issues, education, or other benefits. It seems to us that it is more convenient for the powers that be to forget her case, and hopefully let her slip through the cracks and avoid more costs.
We have sent documentation about her case to Senators/Reps in three different states, and have only recently sent letters to the VA in Washington DC. Just heard that they do not believe this is in the scope of their responsibilities, so now the case has been sent on to the DoD. More waiting.
You'd think after 9 years we could have had this issue resolved. It's bad enough that we're not entitled to benefits that straight couples get, but I'm sick to death over not having the basic courtesy of a medical evaluation and a discharge for someone who has not been classified as deployable for so long.
Watching Rachel right now, look at that soldier who just died with her daughter and deny that little girl and her surviving parent the benefits their soldier earned, John Boehner. Now Boehner, if anything should make you cry, this is it as you spend our tax dollars to defend DOMA, shame.
Thanks so much for showing Charlie and giving voice to her struggles to win survivour benefits for her wife and daughter. Change cannot come fast enough for me. Please keep up the good work.
Rachel I love your show I watch you every night when you are on. With that being said I do have a small area of concern. While I do appreciate your coverage on a wide array of topics i wish you would give more attention to all Vets who are battling the VA for disability benefits. I mean you give a lot of air time to the LGBT vets and their struggles which I do not have a problem with but as a vet who has been battling the VA for 7 years now and I was in during the first gulf war I feel like Vets like myself are forgotten about. If you could, at least do a segment on the ongoing battle all vets are having trying to get benefits. Thank you and keep up the good work you are awesome
I just wanted to point out that Rachel (TRMS) has had IAVA folks on the show too many times to count in the past. It's been some time ago, but I think it's fair to ask to cover that, but not to the exclusion of LGBTQ issues.
Perhaps you didn't see all those shows with Paul Reikoff, etc.
Many shows dedicated to military, returning vets parades, help with PTSD, etc. http://iava.org/press-room/press-coverage/msnbcs-rachel-maddow-show-iava-launches-new-psa-campaign.
We have to treat all out veterans better, it's true.
I think there is room for this story at this time, when DADT was repealed, DOMA and Prop 8 are in the Supreme Court waiting room currently awaiting a ruling projected in June of this year.
Thanks for your service. I knew someone dealing with the first gulf war problems and Vietnam paraplegic vet. The VA has been less than satisfactory for many people for a very, very long time.
I hope there will be a retroactive leveling very soon for this family and so many like them. It needs to be told and remain vigilant for the rest of the benefits that should never be such a hardship for anyone.
sandy I just wrote a big ol reply to your post and it didn't not post lol I will say I just want all vets to get all the respect we all have earned. As with everything, some issues mean more to others depending on how it relates to your individual walk of life. I am just tired of seeing any vet struggle with the VA over any issue. rachel is a rock star to me and I know she covers many things.... ( and I did see your most recent show that you did on veterans thank you)
We are Americans, first. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen always.
We remember the "witch hunts"
We remember never talking about anything personal.
We remember guilt by association.
We remember keeping quiet in the midst of discussion.
We remember inspecting the other cars in the bar parking lot, before deciding to walk in.
We remember the fear of the Investigator knocking on your barracks door.
We remember that black cloud of impending doom hanging over our heads, everytime we reported for duty, hoping no one would ask any questions.
I started my career in a world of distrust and fear of being investigated, progressed and earned my way to being a Senior NCO under DADT. I've since retired, and my partner of 16 years and I applaud the repeal, the end of the fear, and the feeling that we are truly free, when we , and our families can serve our country openly, and with dignity.
Wayne, congrats on the shoutout!
Thanks, Joanne. And thanks for the tip. Well I'll be dipped.
And thank you Rachel and Your Producers for the shout-out. I'm glad you liked my tweet enough to post it here.
congrats to Wayne the Mensa Man!
sandyc954 I do not mean to push LGBT to the side, I just think that regardless of who you are, who you love, if you are a Vet that the issue of disability benefits affects everyone that has ever worn the uniform. I watch Rachel just about every night and if I can't view when she is on air I always watch the show i missed online. So I have seen the shows she aired about parades and all the other issues. I just personally know of 4 vets that over that past year have taken there life. rather if it was because of unemployment, lack of mental care, or other issues stemming from the service. Rachel is a rock star in my book. I just want to see all Vets get the respect that we all have earned. I mean that in every aspect of the word respect.
Fair enough Errol.
I would agree that the veterans are not cared for well enough. They need more tools and help when they return.