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31 Aug 2012

Obama Extends Help for Veterans With Mental Health Problems

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, responding to unprecedented waves of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffering from combat trauma, has ordered an expansion of mental health services including a beefed-up suicide hotline and more counselors to help those who cannot get into clogged VA facilities.

Although the Obama administration has taken steps in the past to meet the rising demand for mental health and other veterans services, the experience of many veterans is that the hospitals and medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs are overwhelmed.

Almost a quarter-million new veterans have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

VA officials have insisted that they are meeting the challenge. Since 2009 the VA, under the direction of former Army Chief of Staff, Eric Shinseki — a Vietnam War amputee — has increased its mental health staff by 41 percent and boosted its spending on mental health services by 39 percent, to about $6 billion a year.

The VA launched a fleet of 70 mobile outreach vans to get services to veterans in remote areas, and with secure teleconferencing, expects this year to hold 200,000 mental health consultations.

In an interview last year, the VA’s undersecretary for health, Dr. Robert Petzel, asserted that the horror stories about veterans having to wait weeks and months for mental health services were a thing of the past. Since 2005, he said, the VA has hired 7,500 mental health therapists, and whatever shortages existed had been fixed.

“We do not have any evidence that we’re not able to provide mental health services. So there isn’t a shortage — there just isn’t,” he said.

But the VA’s own inspector general reported earlier this year that the VA can’t accurately measure how long veterans have to wait for help. The VA asserted that it sees 95 percent of veterans within 14 days, however, the inspector general’s investigation determined that the average wait was actually 50 days, and more than a third of new patients never received timely care.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, called the findings “infuriating.”

But veterans and VA workers are wearily familiar with these shortcomings. The VA’s mental health facilities “are very crowded — we don’t have enough counselors or providers for what’s coming in,” a VA psychiatric nurse recently told The Huffington Post. As a result, she said, many veterans are “out there floating around doing whatever they can to cope, which is usually drugs and alcohol.”

In Philadelphia, a veteran with two combat tours in Iraq and a drug habit got in to see the VA mental health providers, but his sessions were reduced from several times a week to once a week, then to once a month. “They are just overwhelmed,” 32-year-old Jamie Beavers, who was diagnosed with PTSD and TBI, told The Huffington Post this summer.

And many take their own lives in desperation — about 18 veterans per day, according to the VA. That’s in addition to the rising number of active-duty soldiers who take their own lives.

The VA’s suicide hotline currently receives about 17,000 calls a day with a staff of about two dozen professional counselors.

The White House executive order issued Friday directs the VA to expand the capacity of the suicide hotline by 50 percent before the end of the year. It also orders the VA to ensure that all veterans are seen for an initial assessment by a mental health professional within 24 hours.

To help meet that high bar, the White House ordered the VA to hire an additional 800 veterans to provide peer-to-peer counseling. And the VA must work with the Department of Health and Human Services to hire community health centers, mental health clinics, local substance abuse treatment facilities and other organizations that receive HHS grants to expand their clientele to include veterans.

And because combat trauma, substance abuse and homelessness are so often linked, the White House also ordered a review of every veteran household whose home was foreclosed since 2006. Those wrongly foreclosed will be compensated equal to a minimum of lost equity, plus interest and a refund for money lost because they were wrongly denied the opportunity to reduce their mortgage payments, the White House said.

In a statement Friday, Shinseki said these initiatives “will have a positive impact on the lives of veterans and their families for generations to come.”

But he warned that the costs of taking care of veterans will continue to rise. “History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the wars have ended,” Shinseki said.


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31 Aug 2012

Mitt Romney Campaign Accepting Text Message Donations

Mitt Romney’s campaign on Friday announced that it would start accepting $10 donations by text message this week.

“We recognize that people lead busy lives, but they still want to support Governor Romney with whatever means they have,” said Zac Moffatt, Romney’s digital director, in a statement. “This technology gives our incredible supporters the ability to make a donation in seconds –- not minutes –- with a text message.”

The service, known as “text-to-donate,” will launch for Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular customers this week. ATT customers will be able to contribute “shortly,” according to the press release.

Donations can be made by texting the word GIVE to 37377. The move follows Federal Election Commission opinions issued earlier this summer permitting such donations.

Last week, President Barack Obama’s campaign announced its text-to-donate program. The key difference is that Obama donations are capped at $50, compared to Romney’s $10 limit. Donations made by text are charged to customers’ cellphone bills.

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  • Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan, left and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney waves to delegates after his speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney acknowledges delegates before speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan and his wife Janna salute delegates following Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. Behind is Mitt Romney and his wife Ann. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney waves to delegates before speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney acknowledges delegates before speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Mitt Romney

    Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney hugs a supporter as he walks to the stage during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney makes his way through delegates before speaking at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, cheers as Olympians are introduced during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan, right, and his wife Janna applaud during Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan, right, along with Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, left, applaud during Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Marco Rubio

    Florida Senator Marco Rubio addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Florida Senator Marco Rubio addresses delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Marco Rubio

    Florida Senator Marco Rubio addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Clint Eastwood

    Actor Clint Eastwood addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Actor Clint Eastwood speaks to an empty chair while addressed delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Tom Stemberg, founder and former CEO of Staples speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Bob White

    Chairman of the Romney-Ryan Campaign Bob White addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Pam Finlayson

    Pam Finlayson addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Frantz Placide and Sean Duffy, center, listen to Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, left, as he speaks during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Jeb Bush

    Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush steps onstage to speak to delegates at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Oscar Poole

    Oscar Poole from Ellijay, Ga., wears his hat at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Newt Gingrich, Callista Gingrich

    Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista walk onto the stage to speak to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista speak to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Herman Cain recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Connie Mack

    Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla., addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Senator Scott Brown, R-Mass., answers questions during a press conference in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

  • Stagehands make final adjustments to the expanded stage where Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will accept his party’s nomination later tonight a the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Protesters yell as Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • A delegate holds up a mask of Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Jeb Bush

    FILE In this Aug. 27, 2012 file photo, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush looks at the convention floor from the podium during a microphone check at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

  • Stagehands make final adjustments to the expanded stage where Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will accept his party’s nomination later tonight a the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Paul Ryan

    Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan waves toward the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Paul Ryan

    Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Sam Ryan yawns in his mother’s arms while Janna listen to her husband Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan’s speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. Right is Charlie Ryan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, applauds with Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan’s wife during Paul Ryan’s speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Condoleezza Rice

    Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Susana Martinez

    New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Condoleezza Rice

    Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Mike Huckabee

    Former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Mike Huckabee

    Former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Mike Huckabee

    Former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan’s wife Janna, left, sits next to his mother Betty Ryan Douglas during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Tim Pawlenty

    Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Rob Portman

    Ohio Senator Rob Portman addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Rob Portman

    Ohio Senator Rob Portman addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • John Thune

    South Dakota Senator John Thune gestures to the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Rob Portman

    Ohio Senator Rob Portman waves to the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Ohio Senator Rob Portman waves to delegates before his speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Arizona Senator John McCain, left, shakes hands with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • John Thune

    South Dakota Senator John Thune waves to the delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • John McCain

    Arizona Senator John McCain gestures as he walks up to the podium during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • John McCain

    Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., waves after addressing the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • John McCain

    Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., smiles before addressing the during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Washington Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Rand Paul

    Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Kentucky Senator Rand Paul addresses delegates at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Mitch McConnell

    Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky addresses to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Mitch McConnell

    Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky waves to delegates after addressing the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • A video honoring of Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is displayed during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Cindy McCain, wife of Arizona Senator John McCain, waits for the start of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Ishwar Singh

    Ishwar Singh delivers the invocation during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Ayla Brown

    Ayla Brown signs the National Anthem during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Paul Ryan, Janna Ryan

    Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and wife Janna appear on stage at the Wisconsin delegation’s Beers and Brats event, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

  • Paul Ryan

    Republican vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin checks out the TelePrompTer during this podium sound check during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • John McCain

    Sen. John McCain clowns around on the podium during sound check the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is interviewed on the convention floor before the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Paul Ryan

    Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. gestures during a walk through ahead of his delivering a speech at the Republican National Convention, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Paul Ryan, Sam Ryan, Liza Ryan, Charlie Ryan

    CAPTION CORRECTION, CORRECTS ORDER OF CHILDREN’S NAMES TO SAM, LIZA AND CHARLIE, NOT CHARLIE, LIZA AND SAM – Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., smiles at his children, from left, Sam, Liza, and Charlie, during a walk through ahead of his delivering a speech at the Republican National Convention, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

  • John McCain

    A reporter, left, tries to interview Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as he walks the floor of the Republican National Convention, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

  • Catherine Akin, of Jasper, Fla., a demonstrators participate in a protest rally in the rain, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. Protestors gathered in Tampa to march in demonstration against the Republican National Convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

  • A worker walks down the isle to collect trash on the floor at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Marco Rubio

    Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., picks up the gavel after a sound check on the main stage at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks over the main stage during a sound check at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Tim Pawlenty

    Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty looks over the main stage during a sound check at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Police officers watch demonstrators marching through the streets of Tampa, Fla., to protest the Republican National Convention on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. Here’s what tens of thousands of visitors in Tampa during the Republican National Convention will see this week: police. Lots of them. They’re seemingly on every street corner. Officers riding bicycles, horses and golf carts that look like baby Humvees. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

  • Police officers patrol, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. Here’s what tens of thousands of visitors in Tampa during the Republican National Convention will see this week: police. Lots of them. They’re seemingly on every street corner. Officers riding bicycles, horses and golf carts that look like baby Humvees. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

  • Condoleezza Rice

    Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sits down for a television interview on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • New Jersey Governor Chris Christie addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Chris Christie

    New Jersey Governor Chris Christie addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • New Jersey Governor Chris Christie addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Ann Romney

    Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, reacts as he walks up to the podium to address the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Mitt Romney, Ann Romney

    U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney hugs his wife Ann after she addressed the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Mitt Romney, Ann Romney

    Ann Romney is kissed by her husband Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applwhite)

  • Ann Romney

    Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Ann Romney

    Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney arrives on stage to deliver a speech at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

  • Ted Cruz

    Senate candidate Ted Cruz, of Texas, addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Ted Cruz

    Senate candidate Ted Cruz of Texas addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Nikki Haley

    South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Nikki Haley

    South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Artur Davis

    Former Representative Artur Davis addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Artur Davis

    Former Representative Artur Davis addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Rick Santorum

    Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Protester

    A protester yells out while Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum speaks during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Protester

    A protester is led away while Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum speaks during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum introduces his wife Karen during his speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Scott Walker

    Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker waves to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Scott Walker

    Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker addresses Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Brian Sandoval

    Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Texas Governor Rick Perry poses with delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Phil Archuletta

    Small business owner Phil Archuletta addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Kyle Welch, Lillian Welch

    Kyle Welch from Cambridge, Mass., cheer as his 1-year-old daughter Lillian sleeps during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Bob McDonnell

    Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell addresses delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Bev Gray

    Small business owner Bev Gray addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin waves to candidates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Cathy McMorris Rodgers

    Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Kelly Ayotte

    Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., waves to the delegates before addressing the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich arrives at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Small business owner Jack Gilchrist speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • John Kasich

    Ohio Governor John Kasich addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Mia Love

    Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, Mia Love waves to candidates following her speech during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Mia Love

    Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, Mia Love speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Actress Janine Turner speaks to delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Jan Brewer

    Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer arrives on the floor at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Scott Walker

    Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker reacts as he casts his states votes for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Delegates gather in the Tampa Bay Times Forum during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Scott Walker

    Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Scott Romney

    Scott Romney, right, brother of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, reacts at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • John Kasich

    Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Michele Bachmann

    Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann, second right, listens as Minnesota delegates casts their vote during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Delegates from Kentucky casts their votes for presidential candidate Mitt Romney during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Scott Romney, Rick Snyder.

    Michigan delegate Scott Romney, center with a note pad, and the rest of Michigan delegates react at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. At right is Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, taps a gavel during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Fredi Simpson

    Washington state delegate Fredi Simpson cheer during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • John Sununu

    Committee on Rules Chairman John Sununu addresses delegates during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Don Genhart

    California delegate Don Genhart fashions his cowboy boots at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Sol Grosskopf

    Wisconsin delegate Sol Grosskopf from Shawano wearing cheesehead talks on the phone during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • A delegate from Texas holds up an anti-Obama sign during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Bryan Daugherty

    With Ron Paul’s autograph on his hat, Maine delegate Bryan Daugherty from Bangor looks at his smart phone at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Mick Cornett

    Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett waves to the Oklahoma delegation during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Bill Haslam

    Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, center, talks to delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • North Carolina delegates cheer during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Bob Fish

    Delegate Bob Fish from Parkersburg, W. Va., pledges at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • A volunteer places pamphlets on chairs in Montana’s delegation seating area before the start of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Tim Babcock, Tom Hogan

    Former Montana Gov. Tim Babcock, left, Tom Hogan (FL) lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

    emstrongCORRECTION/strong: A former version of this caption misstated Hogan’s title./em

  • Texas delegates recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Reice Preibus

    Chairman of the Rebpulican National Convention Reice Preibus gavels the second session of the Republican National Convention to order in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Bruce Thompson

    Bruce Thompson of San Diego, Calif. fashions his hat at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Diane Sawyer, Ann Romney

    Diane Sawyer, left, interviews Ann Romney, wife of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, on the floor before the session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • US-VOTE-2012-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

    Former republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista appear on stage during a sound check at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 28, 2012 during the Republican National Convention. The 2012 Republican National Convention is expected to host 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories. AFP PHOTO Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Republican National Convention: Day 2

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 28: U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) stands on stage during a soundcheck with stage manager Howard Kolins during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • 2012 Republican National Convention: Day 2

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 28: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who will give the keynote address and his wife Mary Pat Christie stand on stage for a soundcheck during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

  • Jeb Bush

    Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush looks at the convention floor from the podium during a microphone check at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • In the dimmed lights, state delagate signs are seen on the convention floor after an abbreviated session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012.(AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • 2012 Republican National Convention Delayed By Tropical Storm Isaac

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 27: Musician Beau Davidson performs during a sound check during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 27, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The RNC is scheduled to convene today, but will hold its first full session tomorrow after being delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

  • Alex Casetta, a delegate from Denver, Colo., wears a Pro-Life button on his hat following the opening session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Reince Priebus

    Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus speaks to delegates during an abbreviated session the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Jeremy Blosser

    Jeremy Blosser from Ft. Worth, Texas stands next a mirrored wall on the convention floor after an abbreviated session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Delegates from Texas pray during an abbreviated session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • Delegates watch a video presentation during an abbreviated session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Delegates from the state of Ohio listen to Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus during the abbreviated opening session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Delegates watch a video presentation during an abbreviated session of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

  • John Boehner, Diane Sawyer

    House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, talks to Diane Sawyer on the floor of the Republican National Convention in the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • John Boehner

    House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, talks to reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention in the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • US-VOTE-2012-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

    American political consultant Karl Rove (L) and Senator Orrin Hatch from Utah (R) share a word at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, during final preparations for the opening of the Republican National Convention on August 27, 2012. Due to tropical storm Isaac, the convention will come to order later today, Monday August 27th, and then immediately recess until the afternoon on Tuesday, August 28th. AFP PHOTO Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Republican National Convention Delayed By Tropical Storm Isaac

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 27: A sign for the Republican National Convention hangs outside Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 27, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The Republican National Convention is scheduled to convene briefly August 27, and delayed its first full session until August 28 because of Tropical Storm Isaac. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

  • Mitch McConnell

    Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. bchecks out the stage at the Republican National Convention inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • 2012 Republican National Convention Delayed By Tropical Storm Isaac

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 27: Stage workers continue to make last-minute adjustments to the main stage at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on the abbreviated first day of the Republican National Convention August 27, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Organizers decided to delay the start of the convention as the projected path of Tropical Storm Isaac’ put the storm blowing past Tampa and into the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

  • A Coast Guard patrol boat cruises past the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. The start of the Republican National Convention, being held at the facility, has been delayed because of the approaching tropical storm Isaac. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Judy Griffin, of Georgia, takes photos while wearing a hat with Republican Party buttons during the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee’s welcoming event for the delegates of the Republican National Convention on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/The Tampa Tribune, Chris Urso, Pool)

  • Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaign buttons are displayed ahead of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Herman Cain

    Supporters cheer as former Republican presidential candidate, businessman Herman Cain, speaks during a Unity Rally Sunday Aug. 26, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

  • US-VOTE-2012-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

    William Temple (C), in colonial dress, and other Tea Party supporters cheer at the Tea Party Unity Rally at The River at Tampa Bay Church ahead of the Republican National Convention, in Tampa, Florida, on August 26, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyImages)

  • US-VOTE-2012-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

    Supporters of US Republican presidential contender Ron Paul react during his speech at a rally at the Sun Dome of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, on August 26, 2012. Thousands of Ron Paul supporters gathered in Sun Dome to show support for their candidate. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/GettyImages)

  • US-VOTE-2012-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

    A supporter of the US Republican presidential contender Ron Paul waves his portrait during a rally at the Sun Dome of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, on August 26, 2012. Thousands of Ron Paul supporters gathered in Sun Dome to show support for their candidate. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/GettyImages)

  • US-VOTE-2012-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

    Supporters wave banners and a portret of US Republican presidential contender Ron Paul during a rally at the Sun Dome of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, on August 26, 2012. Thousands of Ron Paul supporters gathered in Sun Dome to show support for their candidate. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Tampa Prepares For Republican National Convention And Potential Hurricane

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 26: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley waves while standing at the podium with Stage manager Howard Kolins (R) ahead of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 26, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The RNC is scheduled to convene on August 27 and will hold its first session on August 28 as Tropical Storm Isaac threatens disruptions due to its proximity to the Florida peninsula. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

  • G.E. Smith

    Guitarist G.E. Smith rehearses at the Republican National Convention inside of the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

  • Scott Kiss

    Worker Patrick Gayle of Kissimmee, Fla. wipes the mirror-sided camera stands on the floor of the Republican National Convention in the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

  • Workers prepare the stage for the Republican National Convention inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Jason Chaffetz

    Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, stands on the stage during preparation for the Republican National Convention festivities inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Workers prepare the stage for the Republican National Convention inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Jason Chaffetz

    Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, gets a look at the stage during preparation for the Republican National Convention festivities inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Workers prepare the stage for the Republican National Convention inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Anthony Batri, from Largo, Fla., unfurls banners as preparations are made ahead of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Workers prepare the stage for the Republican National Convention inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012. The political convention begins on Monday, Aug. 27th. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Workers prepare the stage for the Republican National Convention inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012. The political convention begins on Monday, Aug. 27th. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Riggers load nets full of balloons for the Republican National Convention festivities inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Riggers load nets full of balloons for the Republican National Convention festivities inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

  • Tampa Prepares For Republican National Convention And Potential Hurricane

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 23: Video displays that will be used during the Republican National Convention are tested at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 23, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The Republican convention is scheduled to begin in less than a week although Tropical Storm Isaac is threatening possible disruptions due to its proximity to the Florida peninsula. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

  • Members of the media conduct interviews on the floor after the unveiling of the stage and podium for the 2012 Republican National Convention, Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Iskowitz)

  • Reince Priebus, Willan Harris

    Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, left, and convention CEO William Harris unveil the stage and podium for the 2012 Republican National Convention, Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Iskowitz)

  • Reince Priebus, Willan Harris

    Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, left, and convention CEO William Harris unveil the stage and podium for the 2012 Republican National Convention, Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Iskowitz)

  • GOP Previews Site Of Republican National Convention

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 20: Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus unveils the stage inside of the Tampa Bay Times Forum in preparation for the Republican National Convention on August 20, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Thousands will decend on Tampa for the four day convention which takes place August 27-30. (Photo by Tim Boyles/Getty Images)

  • GOP Previews Site Of Republican National Convention

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 20: News media report on the unveiling of the stage inside of the Tampa Bay Times Forum in preparation for the Republican National Convention on August 20, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Thousands will decend on Tampa for the four day convention which takes place August 27-30. (Photo by Tim Boyles/Getty Images)

  • GOP Previews Site Of Republican National Convention

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 20: A worker walks past the stage inside of the Tampa Bay Times Forum in preparation for the Republican National Convention on August 20, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Thousands will decend on Tampa for the four day convention which takes place August 27-30. (Photo by Tim Boyles/Getty Images)

  • GOP Previews Site Of Republican National Convention

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 20: A woman walks in front of the stage inside of the Tampa Bay Times Forum in preparation for the Republican National Convention on August 20, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Thousands will decend on Tampa for the four day convention which takes place August 27-30. (Photo by Tim Boyles/Getty Images)

  • This photo taken Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 shows downtown Tampa, Fla. The Tampa Bay Times Forum, right, is the location of the Republican National Convention, which will be held Aug. 27-30. Traffic caused by road closures and protests are a concern of downtown workers and residents. (AP Photo/Tamara Lush)

  • Protesters Demonstrate During The Republican National Convention

    TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 27: Code Pink protesters goad people waiting in line to enter Ybor City’s Cuban Club which is reported to be hosting a party attended by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and others as the Republican National Convention is set to begin on August 27, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The Code Pink demostrators were accusing the people attending the party of being rich as well as supporters of presumptive Republican presidential nominee, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • Texas delegates gather in the Tampa Bay Times Forum during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • US-VOTE-2012-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

    Anti-Mitt Romney protesters march through the streets in Tampa, Florida, on August 26, 2012 ahead of the Republican National Convention. The 2012 Republican National Convention was scheduled to be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum from August 27-30, 2012, but was cut short by one day due to incoming severe weather and possible hurricane conditions. AFP PHOTO Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyImages)


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31 Aug 2012

BBB Advises Donors To Check Charities Out Before Donating For Hurricane Relief

St. Louis, Mo., August 30, 2012 – As remnants of Tropical Storm Isaac bring heavy rain to the Midwest, the toll from the storm has many people wondering what they can do to help residents and businesses put their lives back together.

The Red Cross and other established charities have already kicked into disaster recovery mode, and they will need donations to help with disaster response. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) in St. Louis advises donors to be cautious because fraudulent charities often crop up to take advantage of their sympathy for disaster victims. 

“Every time there is a major disaster, we see fake charities and other scammers trying to take advantage of people who want to help,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “Donors want to be sure their money goes to well-run relief organizations that are equipped to handle the unique challenges of providing assistance in a disaster zone. The BBB has information that can help donors be sure they are contributing to ethical charities.”

The best way to help is to donate money to a reputable humanitarian organization like the American Red Cross, a BBB Charity Seal holder. The American Red Cross has a long history of responding to local, national, and international disasters.

The BBB offers the following tips to help Americans decide where to direct donations:

  • Rely on respected experts to evaluate a charity. Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers, because they may not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. The BBB provides a Wise Giving Guide to charities at www.bbb.org/charity. The guide shows which charities are accredited by the BBB and whether they meet the BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
  • Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations assist victims. All charities have fund-raising and administrative costs. Even a credit card or text donation will involve at least, a processing fee.
  • Be cautious when giving online to unfamiliar charities. Be wary of spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. After the tsunami disaster in 2004, the earthquake in Haiti last year and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan this year, many websites and organizations created overnight allegedly to help victims turned out to be scams.
  • Find out if the charity has a presence in the affected areas. Unless the charity already has staff in the affected areas, it may be difficult to get new aid workers into the area to provide assistance.  See if the charity’s website clearly describes what it can do to address immediate needs.
  • Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. You may want to avoid the middle man and give directly to charities that have a presence in the region.  Check out the ultimate recipients of the donations to ensure that the organizations are equipped to effectively provide aid.
  • Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations may not be appropriate. Unless the organization has the staff and infrastructure to distribute such aid, the donations may be more of a burden than a help. Ask the charity about their transportation and distribution plans. Be wary of those who are not experienced in disaster relief. 

For more information about charities or to get a BBB Business Review or BBB Charity Review, check with the BBB at stlouis.bbb.org or by calling 314-645-3300.

About the BBB

The BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior.  The BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust.  Please visit www.bbb.org for more information. 

Contact: Michelle L. Corey, President and CEO, (314) 584-6800, mcorey@stlouisbbb.org; Chris Thetford, Vice President-Communications, (314) 584-6743 or (314) 681-4719 (cell), communications@stlouisbbb.org

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31 Aug 2012

Residential Mental Health Facility to Close in Fort Myers

The Rieves residential mental health facility in Ft. Myers will close on September 28.  Lee Mental Health says the  $1.2 million budget is being cut, and the state is focusing more on community-based mental health treatment.

“This is happening all over the state.  This is the last Level One (intensive care) residential facility, left between Naples and Tampa.   Now, it’s closing,” said David Winters, chief executive of Lee Mental Health.

The program allows up to 16 people to live at Rieves, while looking for work and a place to live out in the community.   The residential facility has been operating since the mid-1980′s.

“It is a vital and needed service.  I don’t know if it is right or wrong (to close it).  But I do know the community will miss it, it’s a vital service.  It is sad,” said Stacy Cook-Hawk, who’s worked at Rieves off and on for 2 decades.   “We will do the best we can to place people and monitor them in the community.”

About 25 people will be re-assigned to other jobs in the Lee Mental Health organization.  Some may opt to get jobs with other mental health groups in the community. 


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31 Aug 2012

President Obama will sign executive order to boost mental-health services for …


Reporter
Chris Roberts


Copyright 2012, El Paso Times

Veterans struggling with mental-health and substance-abuse problems are expected to benefit from an executive order President Barack Obama is scheduled to sign Friday before he arrives at Fort Bliss.

The order will focus on Veterans Affairs but is intended to marshal resources throughout the federal government, the El Paso Times learned from a White House official who asked not to be identified.

In particular, the order directs federal officials to increase the number of VA mental-health professionals, improve suicide prevention efforts, create joint ventures between the VA and local mental-health care providers and push research that will improve diagnosis and treatment of problems including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

Obama’s order includes some efforts already under way.

In June, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki announced the department was preparing to add about 1,600 mental-health clinicians and 300 support staff. El Paso was expected to receive 11 of those clinicians and two support personnel.

Each additional mental- health care provider could potentially reach hundreds more veterans, Shinseki said. And those professionals would have the opportunity to explore “cutting edge” post-traumatic stress disorder research and therapies, he said.

Last year, the VA provided mental-health services to 1.3 million veterans, according to the department. And since 2009, its

mental-health budget increased by 39 percent.

But, across the country, the VA and the military are competing with the private sector for a relatively small number of mental-health professionals.

“We have a number of positions open,” said Gail Ziegler, an El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care System spokeswoman. “We are in great need of mental-health practitioners and welcome them to come check us out for a career.”

And community mental-health care providers have encountered problems connecting with the VA.

“We’re the only shelter for homeless veterans in El Paso, and we’re closed down,” said Ben Bass, Recovery Alliance of El Paso executive director.

The group is trying to open a new shelter that will hold about 80 veterans, said Steven Silver, its development director, but a VA safety inspector suspended the organization’s contract.

After $100,000 spent on surveys for lead paint and mold and some modifications, they are waiting for a reinspection, Bass said.

The shelter will use peer-to-peer alcohol- and drug-abuse counseling and other measures promoted in Obama’s order.

“I think it’s important to serve veterans because of the number of guys who are coming back from the Middle East,” Bass said. “We’ve got a lot of resources we can provide for homeless veterans.”

Obama’s order also is expected to support active-duty military and their families.

It requires that officials find ways to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental-health care, ease school transitions for military children when families are transferred, review home foreclosures to ensure they were fair, and protect service members against predatory loan practices.

Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, Fort Bliss commander, said his post has one of the lowest suicide rates in the Army, an accomplishment he believes will interest Obama.

Although three Fort Bliss soldiers committed suicide this year, Pittard said, most posts of similar size have had three or four times that many.

Pittard said he wants his soldiers to recognize the signs of someone being suicidal. Nearly a quarter of his soldiers have gone through a program called Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST.

As of last month, all incoming soldiers are required to go through the program, Pittard said. Within three years, 90 percent of his soldiers will have had the instruction, he said. And soldiers must schedule semiannual evaluations that include behavioral health screenings.

When those soldiers return to civilian life, however, it can take months, and in some cases years, before they get the VA services they need.

Obama is expected to talk about making it easier to apply for stress-disorder disability pay and increasing the number of VA employees who process disability pay applications.

“To me, it’s a culture,” Silver, with the Recovery Alliance, said of the VA’s persistent backlogs. “All of the delays are endemic.

“And it’s totally related to the homeless problem,” he said. “If the veteran has a mental-health problem, he’s in jail or homeless.”

David Nevarez, a former Marine who served in the Gulf War, suffered a mild case of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“It’s too little, too late,” he said, although Nevarez was not aware of the contents of Obama’s executive order. “Mental health is an issue and it’s going to be a larger problem with these guys coming back.”

After waiting for months, Nevarez received an 80 percent disability rating from the VA. He can’t work because of his injuries, he said, and he was granted “hardship status” while he waits to see whether he qualifies for other benefits that he needs to support his family.

“They (VA officials) told me it would be more than 290 days,” Nevarez said. “If it wasn’t for my wife with two jobs, I’d probably be under a bridge with a cardboard sign.”

Chris Roberts may be reached at chrisr@elpasotimes.com; 546-6136.

Times reporter David Burge contributed to this story.


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31 Aug 2012

Live Nation execs donated to LA official targeting scalpers

Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich, who is seeking a court order against ticket scalpers, accepted $18,000 in contributions from executives of Live Nation Entertainment Inc., a Beverly Hills company that stands to benefit from the proposed injunction.

Trutanich, whose unsuccessful run for district attorney in June left him $112,000 in debt, has filed a request for a civil injunction to prevent ticket resellers from hawking their wares within 100 yards of Staples Center, Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and other sports and music venues.

Live Nation’s Ticketmaster service is the authorized ticket seller for Staples, the Coliseum and Dodger Stadium. Because the company would benefit from an elimination of competing ticket resellers, the donations could create an appearance of a conflict of interest for Trutanich, said Bob Stern, former president of the defunct watchdog group Center for Governmental Studies.

“The appearance looks like he is catering to campaign contributors,” Stern said. “But it happens a lot. Campaign contributors give to people who are their friends. Live Nation has a very strong interest in what they are doing, so I am sure they are applauding” the requested injunction.

Trutanich’s campaign officials adamantly denied a link between the contributions and the civil court action.

William Carter, chief deputy in the city attorney’s office, said he was unaware of the contributions from Live Nation executives and their families.

“We don’t file cases based on who contributes money or not,” Carter said. “We file them based on the case and the law. There are no other considerations.”

Trutanich’s request, filed Aug. 6 in Los Angeles County Superior Court and pending approval from a judge, seeks to prevent resellers from plying their trade within 100 yards of the venues. The motion lists 17 people who it alleges are “frequently engaging in ticket scalping,” and seeks to apply the same rules to future violators.

The 26-page court filing also cites scalpers’ “unfair competition” against legitimate ticket vendors and contends that scalpers pocket hundreds or thousands of untaxed dollars.

Live Nation has fought to curb the resale of tickets issued by its subsidiary, Ticketmaster. The company supports the Fans First Coalition, which lobbies state and local governments to outlaw ticket reselling. It has also championed “paperless” tickets, which require buyers to show their identification at the event.

The efforts are concentrated in Eastern states contemplating legislation to regulate the secondary ticket market, which some estimate to be $4.5 billion in the U.S. In New York last year, Ticketmaster failed to stop a law guaranteeing that ticket buyers have the option of getting a paper ticket that they can resell.

Trutanich’s injunction request turned it into a cross-country battle.

According to the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, Trutanich received $15,000 in 2009 and 2010 from 13 Live Nation executives, including Executive Chairman Irving Azoff, Chief Executive Michael Rapino, General Counsel Michael Rowles, Chief Financial Officer Kathy Willard, and Ticketmaster Chief Executive Nathan Hubbard. Azoff’s wife, Rochelle, also donated $3,000 in 2009 and 2010.

Trutanich in 2009 locked horns with AEG, a Live Nation rival and the owner of Staples Center, in an attempt to get AEG to pay the city more than $6 million in “city costs” associated with the funeral of Michael Jackson, which was held at the downtown Los Angeles stadium. AEG and Jackson’s estate agreed in 2010 to pay $1 million to the city and $300,000 to the Los Angeles Police Foundation.

Carter said the idea for an injunction first came up 18 months ago, when his staff sat down with police officials to discuss ways to curb crime.

“We learned that scalpers on game days were using up a lot of LAPD resources,” Carter said. “We felt that if we could address that problem in a non-criminal way, it would free up police resources.”

Carter said the injunction was “designed to protect public safety,” not corporate interests.

Although that may be true, Stern said, scalping is not viewed as the most pressing concern for the public: “I don’t think there’s public outrage over scalping,” he said. “But for Live Nation and other ticket sellers, it’s very important.”

RELATED:

Injunction seeks to bar prolific ticket scalpers

Live Nation-backed group declares war on ticket resellers

Carmen Trutanich faces debt from failed run for district attorney

Follow Alex Pham and Andrew Blankstein on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 


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31 Aug 2012

Costa Mesa-based charity contending for votes to win grant

Knots for Love, which donates handmade caps to chemotherapy patients, is vying for votes next month for a grant worth up to $250,000.

Beginning Sept. 6, the Costa Mesa nonprofit will compete alongside nearly 30,000 other charities eligible to receive grant money from the Chase Community Giving 2012 program.

Chase media contact Eileen Leveckis confirmed that the charity to receive the most votes could be awarded up to $250,000. An additional 195 top charities could receive anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on voting results.

“This would help the organization an unbelievable amount,” Knots for Love Executive Director Christine Fabiani said Thursday. “We’re a 100% donation-based nonprofit. We give all our caps away to the people who need them most, completely free of charge.

“Our costs are $10,000 a month to operate, though, so winning anything from this would go a very long way for us and allow us to do so much more for them.”

Fabiani, who learned to knit when she was 6 years old from her grandmother, founded Knots for Love in 2007 after a career in the dental field.

After making a few caps for her two sons, Ian and Geoffrey, she piqued the interest of a longtime friend who had survived cancer. The friend commented how helpful the caps would have been for her during her chemotherapy treatments.

“The first cap I made was terrible; it was huge and gigantic and couldn’t even fit a bowling ball,” Fabiani said. “But they got better, and pretty soon I had made dozens. My friend, who had had cancer, saw them and suggested I donate them. When we couldn’t find a place to donate them to, we decided to create one ourselves, and Knots of Love was born.”

To date, the nonprofit has donated 128,000 caps to adults and children suffering from life-threatening illnesses at more than 400 hospitals and treatment centers across the nation. It has an estimated 800 knitting and crocheting volunteers from across the country, many of whom have lost loved ones to cancer. The volunteers produce, donate and ship nearly 3,000 caps a month.

“We could easily ship 4,000 a month if we had the extra help,” Fabiani said. “More volunteers are always welcome!”

Though all donations of time and materials are appreciated, Fabiani stressed that volunteers need to follow the guidelines for yarn and patterns on http://www.knotsoflove.org, as patients who receive the caps have sensitive skin and require certain brands of extra-soft yarn.

“We’re a real hands-on charity, no pun intended,” Fabiani added. “I make sure I call everyone personally to let them know where their caps went and that they made a difference.”

Kris Sirca, a 29-year bilateral breast cancer survivor and a three-year volunteer with Knots for Love who also serves on the organization’s board, knows what kind of impact these caps have on people suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

“I know that the loss of hair is horrifying, particularly for a woman,” she said Thursday. “It’s an outward sign that there’s something wrong with you. Cancer can make you feel very forgotten. So I think that if you have to go through something that traumatic, you deserve to look cute.

“I strive to make caps that are stylish and chic. I think buttons, flowers and ribbons add a certain panache.”

A lifelong Fullerton resident, Sirca said that the organization helps the volunteers as much as it does the cap recipients.

“It’s a deeply fulfilling thing to do and very rewarding,” she said. “Even though I’ll never meet these people, it’s comforting to know we’re warming one head at a time. Winning this would enable us to carry on that mission and reach so many more people suffering.”

Fabiani — who has knitted more than 3,000 caps herself — said she is hosting a Knitting In Public event from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Peet’s Coffee Tea, 894 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.

Fliers for the voter-based contest will be available and all avid knitting and crochet enthusiasts are encouraged to attend.

The Chase program’s voter-based contest is open until Sept. 19. Its goal is to benefit smaller and local 501(c)(3) charities with operating budgets under $10 million.

Supporters are encouraged to visit the program’s Facebook page to vote. Chase customers can also vote by logging on to their personal accounts through the bank’s website.

Knots for Love has also produced a YouTube video to showcase its organization and to bolster voting.

dailypilot@latimes.com

Twitter: @TheDailyPilot


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31 Aug 2012

Letters to the editor for Aug. 31, 2012

William R. Benedict: New union will strengthen mental health services

Dear Editor: The shock waves caused by Wisconsin’s history-making citizen protests are becoming increasingly evident. It clearly acted as a tipping point for the mental health employees at Journey Mental Health Center (formerly the Mental Health Center of Dane County) when both clinical and support staff reached a breaking point with management, and decided that they needed greater empowerment and a louder voice.

After a 10-month Journey campaign the National Labor Relations Board in Milwaukee, which conducted the election, recently reported that 72 percent of the professional staff and 54 percent of support staff at Journey supported unionization with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

While staff recognized management’s commitment to serving increasing numbers of underserved clients, there was disagreement in how best to do this. Many Journey employees believed that management seemed content to define the therapists’ professional autonomy and best practice expertise too narrowly. Staff complained that management often ignored broad clinician input before initiating new client access and case management practices, such as higher caseloads and related quality care issues.

Staff pushback to confront ever increasing job add-ons and productivity pressures were also ignored. Bread and butter issues such as salary and benefit increases, however, were far down the list of concerns expressed. Paramount was staff’s demand to be heard and to be seen as important collaborators with specialized knowledge and skills to share. “We have the right and responsibility to express our opinions,” one staffer emphasized in a recent radio interview.

Newsletters helped inform all 300+ staff about the pros and cons of the union. This information prompted discussions at the agency’s nine separate workplaces. Gradually unions were viewed by most staff as an effective means of addressing their concerns.

Without a union presence top-down management structures in organizations are common. It’s increasingly clear that a union can help bring up everybody in the organization. Every employee has a voice and can make a contribution.

After learning of the election results, those who led this effort expressed hope that their success will be an inspiration to other mental health professionals and service agencies.

The Journey Mental Health Center has a stellar and nationally recognized mental health program. It has established a brilliant record of serving the seriously mentally ill while at the same time has demonstrated the capacity to serve a broad and diverse clientele. It continues to pioneer new and innovative regimens of care and treatment strategies.

As a mental health professional and program evaluator for over 30 years, I am convinced that unionization at Journey will only serve to strengthen an already outstanding mental health program.

William R. Benedict

mental health advocate who blogs at Danecountyalmanac.blogspot.com

Norman Jensen: McCabe’s right that money is the root problem

Dear Editor: Bravo to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign’s Mike McCabe, who sometimes seems a voice in the wilderness. I like the root and branches metaphor borrowed from Thoreau — I also too often fuss over branches, distracted from the roots of political evil. I look forward to McCabe’s recommended reading, “Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress.” I have long believed big money influence was the No. 1 threat to our republic. And I recall the ancient wisdom from one of the most popular guides for human behavior of all time, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

I hope and pray our political leaders will walk the talk I heard from Gov. Chris Christie on Aug. 28 in Tampa when he called for leaders to be concerned with good policy over re-election.

Norman Jensen

Madison

Melanie Schmidt: Quirk right to shine light on domestic abuse

Dear Editor: As a board member for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, I cannot thank Barbara Quirk enough for her recent column in the Cap Times. She succinctly put forward so many truths about the challenges facing our community as it relates to domestic abuse.

It saddened me to hear about her “ride-along” experience, though it doesn’t surprise me that she hasn’t forgotten the woman from that night. Providing people with a safe place within which to accept their situation and own their future is what DAIS does. I hope that her column will reach those inclined to create safe spaces within our community as well as those who need a safe space within which to take control of their life.

Thank you to her for her compassion at that time and now, as our community continues to come to grips with bringing this “secret” into the domain of public responsibility.

Melanie Schmidt

Oregon

Peter Theis: We can have our cake and it will eat us too

Dear Editor: Cookies, cake, soda, ice cream, pasta, bread, alcohol — try yodeling every time you eat anything that contains refined carbohydrates and you’ll see the absurd amount of this stuff so many of us put into our bodies every day.

A recent “60 Minutes” report put forth the question “Is Sugar Toxic?” — then proceeded to show the mounting evidence demonstrating the answer is clearly yes. Very toxic. As well as devoid of nutrients, loaded with calories, and literally as addictive as cocaine.

Sound at all like the political discourse in our country? Instead of really researching issues deeply (eating nutrient-rich food), we are often animated by sound bites, TV ads, and talking points (empty refined carbs). Instead of holding our minds open to evidence (a healthy balance of diet), we often get angry and self-righteous (toxic indulgence). Instead of focusing on doing as much good for all the citizens of this country (the health of the body), we often think of ourselves — “What’s in it for me?” (I deserve this guilty pleasure).

And our politicians? Oh, they most certainly use the language of carbohydrates. Each side gets us high on the chemical sweetness of hating the other team/tribe/party, while simultaneously stoking the language of denial — we’re not addicted, we just indulge once in a while. They tell us it’s not an economy and a culture based on the corrosive concept of competition that’s the problem, it’s those other people.

Yes, indeed. We can have our cake and it will eat us too.

Peter Theis

Beaver Dam

Marc Perkel: Which does GOP consider NOT a person?

Dear Editor: Which one of these is NOT considered to be a person by Republicans?

A) corporation; B) woman; C) fetus.

If you guessed B, you are correct!

Marc Perkel

Gilroy, Calif.

Send your letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.


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31 Aug 2012

Bill passes to keep mentally ill sex predators off streets

Click photo to enlarge

SACRAMENTO — Hoping to keep more than 100 mentally ill violent sexual predators from roaming California’s streets, the Legislature on Thursday passed a bill designed to solve a new problem that’s tying judges’ hands.

When their time in prison is up, sex criminals who are deemed mentally ill — and likely to strike again — are ordered to a state protective hospital instead of being released. But psychologists who make these determinations have been removing themselves from cases after state mental health officials in April forced them to do the job full time or not at all. That’s left authorities with no way to prove a sex criminal is mentally ill, since current law does not allow authorities to replace psychologists who resign.

But SB 760, which unanimously cleared the Senate on Wednesday and is headed to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk, would allow for replacement psychologists to come in immediately. They’re needed quickly: Already, two sex criminals have been released in Southern California after their psychological evaluators quit, with another case pending in Santa Clara County, two more in Alameda County and 130 others around the state.

They could be “going back on the streets and raping people. It’s very sad,” state Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-Santa Clara, the bill’s author, said on the Senate floor following the bill’s passage. “It’s a common sense solution to a very heinous problem.”

Alquist’s was one of more than 100 bills — from a

two-year moratorium on state parks closures to making it easier for women to detect breast cancer — that the Legislature approved heading into Friday, the last day of the 2012 legislative session. The main event set for Friday was an expected vote by the Legislature on a comprehensive measure to reduce pension benefits for new state hires.

Among the high-profile bills passed Thursday was SB 1172, which would be the nation’s first ban on “conversion therapy” for gay youths under 18. Some families have tried sending their kids to psychological treatments in an effort to turn them straight. But supporters of the ban on such practices argue that these sessions can cause mental health problems — sometimes even trigger suicides.

“These attempts are quackery, and this kind of psychological abuse of children must stop,” said the author, Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance,

Also on Thursday, the Legislature sent to Brown AB 45, a crackdown on so-called party buses in response to a Burlingame teen’s drunken driving death in 2010 after a night of drinking on a party bus. The issue was reignited this year when a 25-year-old woman who had been drinking fell from a party bus and was killed on Highway 17 in Los Gatos.

The bill would force party bus operators to send a chaperon who would check the IDs of everyone on board — and would result in misdemeanor charges for the chaperon and driver if someone underage drinks on board.

“In recent years, the party bus industry has expanded and the law hasn’t kept up with the times,” said the author, Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo.

The sexual predator bill, which had also passed the Assembly unanimously, comes after Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen and other prosecutors noticed the problem shortly after the state Department of Mental Health ordered that all contracted psychologists become full time to continue working on sexual predator cases. Many of the mental health experts chose their private practices instead.

Rosen’s prosecutors in October will argue that a criminal due out of prison after being convicted of attempting to rape mothers near their young children is mentally ill and should be sent to a protective hospital. But the current psychological expert assigned to the case has quit, leaving the District Attorney’s Office with no evidence and no legal grounds to hire a replacement psychologist.

In Los Angeles, two men were released after psychologists resigned their cases and officials couldn’t replace them. One had three convictions for molesting 6- and 7-year-olds, and the other had two rape convictions.

Mental health officials say the cost of replacing evaluators should be minor and negligible as they try to hire a full-time staff of experts to continue enforcing the sexual violent predator program, established in 1996.

Contact Mike Rosenberg at 408-920-5705. Follow him at Twitter.com/rosenberg17.

A RACE TO THE FINISH

The Senate and Assembly were expected to take up more than 250 bills Thursday, the second-to-last day to send them to Gov. Jerry Brown for approval. Among those that cleared at least one chamber of the Legislature on Thursday:
SB 1772, by Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance: Would ban gay youths under 18 from undergoing “sexual conversion therapy,” in which groups try to persuade gays to become straight. Gained final approval in Senate on Thursday; headed to governor.
SB 1458, by state Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento: Schools are currently evaluated entirely by test scores, but this bill would allow up to 40 percent of a school’s performance to be determined by things such as graduation rates and readiness for jobs and college. Passed by Assembly on Thursday; headed to Senate.
SB 1538, by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto: About 75 percent of women with dense breast tissue go undiagnosed with breast cancer if they only get mammograms. This bill would inform women with dense breast tissue of their cancer risks so they can get further tests done. Gained final approval in Senate late Wednesday; headed to governor.
AB 2189, from Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley: Allows young illegal immigrants to apply for a California driver’s license if they are covered under President Barack Obama’s new “deferred action” rules for those immigrants who came to the United States before they turned 16. Passed by both chambers; headed to the governor.
AB 1534, by Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont: Would require “Buy Here, Pay Here” used-car lots, which sell cheap high-mileage cars to people with poor credit, to post a vehicle’s fair retail value to protect consumers from buying cars at inflated prices. Gained final approval in Assembly on Thursday; headed to governor. A similar bill by Wieckowski, SB 956, sent to the governor would cap interest rates at these lots at 17 percent.
AB 1478, from Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, D-San Fernando Valley: Would keep state parks open for two years, helped by spending $20 million in “hidden” funds discovered after a recent scandal. Passed the Senate on Thursday; headed to Assembly.
AB 45, from Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D- San Mateo: In response to two local party bus-related deaths, this bill would charge party bus drivers and chaperones with crimes if there is underage drinking on board. Gained final approval in the Assembly on Thursday, headed to governor.


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31 Aug 2012

Steven Spielberg, Bud Selig donate to Joe Kearns Goodwin’s campaign for state …

It is a Massachusetts state Senate race, but that hasn’t stopped Hollywood producer Steven Spielberg and Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan “Bud” Selig from pitching in for Joe Kearns Goodwin’s bid for office.

Spielberg, of California, and Selig, of Wisconsin, each donated $500 this summer to the campaign of Kearns Goodwin, a 34-year-old Army veteran from Concord who is running as a Democrat for the Third Middlesex District seat being vacated by Susan Fargo.

Four other Democrats are vying for the party’s nomination in next Thursday’s primary election. Two Republicans are also running for their party’s nod.

Fargo, a Democrat from Lincoln who announced her endorsement of Kearns Goodwin on Thursday, said she could never claim campaign contributions like his in her 15 years of holding the seat.

“Hopefully, Spielberg will come here and make a movie and I can be an extra in the movie,” said Fargo.

The high-profile donations helped Kearns Goodwin raise $235,601 from Jan. 1 through Aug. 19 of this year, according to campaign finance reports filed this week with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

That amount is more than double the money raised by any other candidate in the state Senate race, which has already drawn an unusual amount of attention this summer.

Kearns Goodwin’s father is Richard Goodwin, who was an adviser to Democratic presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. Kearns Goodwin’s mother is Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Three Massachusetts congressional members have made endorsements in the race, including US Senator John Kerry, who rarely endorses in state Senate races but is backing Kearns Goodwin’s bid. US Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Newton, who also rarely endorses in state Senate races, has thrown his support behind Mike Barrett, a Democrat from Lexington. US Representative Michael Capuano, Democrat of Somerville, has endorsed Mara Dolan of Concord.

Other Democrats running for their party’s nomination on Sept. 6 are Alex Buck of Chelmsford and Joe Mullin of Weston. On the Republican side, Sandi Martinez of Chelmsford and Greg Howes of Concord are also running for the seat.

Barrett’s campaign raised the second-highest amount of money, $67,894, from the beginning of the year to Aug. 19. He also had about $38,500 in his campaign coffers before Jan. 1.

Dolan raised $46,584 for the filing period beginning Jan. 1, Mullin raised $43,501, and Buck raised $19,186, according to campaign finance reports.

On the Republican side, Martinez raised $33,886 and Howes raised $31,953 during the same filing period, according to campaign records.

Kearns Goodwin also received donations from various members of the Kennedy family, including Joseph Kennedy III, who is running for Frank’s congressional seat, and from former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell.

Kearns Goodwin said his campaign donations have come from people he has met both in and outside the district. “We’ve got a huge, broad base of support, and it’s humbling,” he said.

Kearns Goodwin is also heavily outspending his opponents. Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 19, his campaign spent more than $150,300, including about $22,000 on polling and more than $46,000 for mailings.


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