Veteran Credits for Civil Service Jobs

The topic of veteran credit preferences for civil service jobs was raised recently by a fellow blogger.  My comment on his blog was not what follows, but it was in the back of my mind when I responded to his posting.

On June 9, 2010, while on patrol in Afghanistan, an armored vehicle in which Marine Corporal Luke McDermott was traveling was hit by a roadside bomb.  

Corporal McDermott survived, but his right leg was amputated below his knee. His left leg was also seriously injured, with many broken bones, especially in his foot.  This incident occurred while McDermott was voluntarily serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

While Luke was being treated at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, doctors determined that the injuries in his left leg were so severe that it also required amputation.  Corporal McDermott was transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.  

The operation was successful and rehabilitation was begun immediately.

Luke maintained a good attitude in rehab and had recovered so much that he started to become physically active in a variety of activities.  One of his first accomplishments was to bag a real trophy.  On October 29, 2010, Marine Corporal Luke McDermott bagged an eleven point buck while hunting in Texas.  Not bad for a guy with no legs below the knee!

Luke also participated in other sports with other injured soldiers which included ice hockey and bicycling.  The bicycling took him to Europe in  which a portion of the route included the beaches of Normandy.  A fitting tribute to all our military men and women that ever served.

One poignant moment was caught on camera.  On May 30, 2011, Marine Corporal Luke McDermott marched in the Memorial Day parade in his hometown of Greenville, New York.  It was almost one year after he was wounded. 

Luke McDermott has since retired from the Marine Corps and has entered college.

Do you think our veterans deserve preferences for civil service jobs?  No further discussion necessary.

It's just something to think about.

The story of a hometown hero.

Christos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!

Christos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Next Sunday the 15th, is traditional Eastern Orthodox Easter since it follows the Julian Calendar and always occurs after Passover. 

Happy Easter and have a good Passover.


In the tradition of the Carpatho-Rusyn Church I will celebrate Easter next Sunday.

Regardless, God bless you all!

This Russian Orthodox cross is located in the 

Kaiser Wilhelm Church in Berlin, Germany.

This explains the cross's significance.

Commissar Obama Speaks Again

Well, there he goes again.

Today President Obama belittled  a co-equal branch of government.  He couched his argument from the view point of conservatives that have criticized the practice of laws being made from the bench rather than the legislature.  This was obviously an extremely feeble attempt to elicit support from the right.  Don't hold your breath Mr. President.

He opined that he doesn't believe an unelected body, such as the Supreme Court should overturn a law that was overwhelmingly passed by Congress in regards to health care.

It seems the Commissar fears the intervention of another co-equal branch of government is unnecessary.  On the contrary, whether anyone likes it or not, bad law needs to be examined at all levels.  This is exactly why there is a Supreme Court, not a Supreme President!

The purpose of an independent judiciary is to interpret the meaning of laws taking into account their constitutionality.  It doesn't matter if the law is popular or was overwhelmingly passed.  That is immaterial.  The Supreme Court rules on constitutionality of the statues and regulations.  Laws that are deemed unconstitutional can  be re-written and therefore reexamined.

Commissar Obama is playing a dangerous game of over stepping his authority as defined in the Constitution. 

Indeed, not all rulings of the court have appeared just nor have appeared to follow common sense or even legal guidelines.  The Dred Scott decision and Roe v. Wade come to mind.  But alas, the Supremes have the final say on the legality of laws or regulations.

But then again, presidents of the United States understand this,  but commissars get testy when their authority, desires and dictates are challenged. (A mild odor of FDR at this juncture!)

It is quite possible that the Supreme Court may rule in favor of the health care laws that are currently being contested.  This would make his veiled threat a mute point, BUT make it he did! 


What made the situation worse is that he did it in an inappropriate setting with two other world leaders present.  How shameful!


The president surely knows better than to say the court has no authority to examine this law and if they deem, strike it down on constitutional grounds.  This from a college professor that taught  constitutional law.

There was another instance which was just as egregious.  Remember back in the State of the Union speech in January of 2010, when he expressed his displeasure at the court's decision in the Citizens United case.  He embarassed the justices and all Americans by chastising them in front of a world wide audience.  Decorum prevented the justices from responding except for Alito's shaking of his head indicating no.  The president was wrong then; the president is wrong now. 

President Obama has shown the world his arrogance and distain for people that disagree with him.  Does he deserve to be reelected?  I think not.

It's just something to think about.


For another opinion, click here.