HOO-AH to Steve Russell (Lt. Col., U.S. Army Ret.)

HOO-AH to Oklahoma State Senator
Steve Russell (Lt. Col., U.S. Army Ret.)
for taking a stand for us Vets !!

SENATOR PROPOSES RESOLUTION OPPOSING OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S POSITION ON ‘RIGHT WING’ EXTREMISTS AS POSSIBLE NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS

Senators Take Exception to Characterization of Veterans, Pro-Lifers, etc. as ‘Right-Wing Extremists’

Responding to a report of the Obama administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) characterizing returning veterans and others who uphold traditional American values as “right wing extremists” and a threat to American security.

The nine-page document from the DHS titled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment," has caused an outcry from veterans groups, Republican lawmakers and conservative activists.

"It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," said the report, which also listed as suspect gun owners and veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The outcry resulted in a demand from the head of the American Legion to meet with Ms. Napolitano, a request the DHS chief said she would honor next week when she returns to Washington from her current tour of the U.S.-Mexican border.

Sponsored by Senator Steve Russell, a retired Army Colonel and veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, Senate Resolution 42 demands that President Obama’s Administration ‘retract this report and apologize to America’s returning war veterans.’ “To suggest that we would terrorize the very nation we risked our lives for should give all Americans pause,” said Russell.

“Yesterday afternoon I participated in a rally with thousands of good, law-abiding, God-fearing Oklahomans who voiced their concerns about the Federal government’s expenditures of our hard-earned dollars,” said Russell, referring to the Tea Party rally that was held on the steps of the State Capitol. “According to the Department of Homeland Security report, these people would also be considered threats to the national security.

“It is vital that we take a stand and express, in our constitutional right to peaceful assembly and our extreme displeasure and disagreement with the Administration on this important matter,” Russell continued.

“Taken at face value, this report from our Department of Homeland Security would qualify the vast majority of Oklahomans as threats to our national security,” Russell added. “If upholding traditional American values such as the sanctity of life, the right to bear arms and defending your country is extremist, then I stand so accused,” Russell concluded.

Senate Resolution 42 further states that the Oklahoma State Senate supports America’s military veterans, who have risked their lives preserving the nation instead of attacking it, and believes that the traditional American values under attack by the Obama Administration should be respected and revered by the federal government.

The Resolution will likely be heard in the Senate on Wednesday.

Happy New Year

My neighbor and I, went around Cleveland County in his truck passing out Ham and Black Eye Peas to home bound members of my VFW & his American Legion posts and sone other Vets for good luck.

Then came home and CLEAN, add some more plugs and redo my home office, it now 1:25AM 2 Jan 2009, about 50% done and just got this Mac back up and running.

Hoo-ah: Terrill to be Keynote Speaker for Moore 4th of July Veterans’ Event

State Rep. Randy Terrill will be the keynote speaker at a July 4th event held at the Moore Veterans Memorial at the southeast corner of 4th Street and Bryant Ave.

“As we observe the anniversary of our nation’s founding, it is appropriate that we also recognize the sacrifices of the men and women who have kept our nation free,” said Terrill, R-Moore. “I am both honored and excited by this opportunity.”

“While this is an American Legion ceremony, I’d encourage anyone who appreciates the sacrifices of our veterans to attend,” said Preston Simms, commander for American Legion Post 184. “This memorial honors all veterans and we’d love to see our fellow Moore citizens show up in force.”

This is the first Fourth of July ceremony conducted at the memorial since it was completed in August 2007.

Terrill, who chairs the House Revenue and Taxation Subcommittee, has led the charge to create new tax breaks for Oklahoma veterans since Republicans gained control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in November 2004.

Oklahoma’s benefits for military veterans include the following:

· Up to 75 percent or $10,000 (whichever is greater) in military retirement benefits are now exempt from state income tax.

· 100 percent of service-connected disability benefits are exempt from both federal and state income-tax for most veterans.

· Both active military and veterans receive an ad valorem tax exemption in the amount of $200 of the assessed value of their personal property.
Veterans are also entitled to claim an exemption for the full amount of the fair cash value of their homestead.

· Veterans are exempt from paying motor vehicle excise tax on one vehicle and disabled veterans do not have to pay sales tax on up to $25,000 in purchases each year.

· Sales to the Disabled American Veterans of Oklahoma and their subordinate chapters are also now exempt from sales tax.

· Sales to nonprofit organizations that limit membership to honorable-discharged veterans and provide financial support for the purpose of constructing a memorial or museum are exempt from sales tax.

· Sales to the Oklahoma chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States are exempt from sales tax.

Lawmakers have also voted to honor Oklahoma veterans with special license plates for Congressional Medal of Honor recipients (with no annual registration fee), spouses of veterans killed in action (with only an $8 annual registration fee), veterans who were prisoners of war (at an $8 annual registration fee), the parents of those killed in action (Gold Star license plates), and veterans with at least a 50 percent service-connected disability are entitled to a reduced rate on annual registration and/or a special DAV license plate.