United We Roll at Stardust Radio

United We Roll World Tour Show
Stardust Radio www.stardustradio.com
Tuesday 10/12/10 2:00pm – 4:00pm Central (Live)
Wednesday 10/13/10 6:30pm – 8:30pm Central (Repeat)

Welcome Stardust Listeners and thank you for joining us on United We Roll this Tuesday, the 12thth day of October, 2010 as we once again take time to honor those who serve our country and who protect our freedom!

We have four wonderful visits with deployed members who are serving overseas. All of our guests have something in common - they are protecting the gift of freedom that has been given to us by all who have served through the years and today to protect both our freedom and our country. The show will end at our usual time of 4:00pm Central. Remember, if you are not able to stay with us through the show this afternoon, it will repeat again tomorrow evening, Wednesday, Oct 13th at 6:30pm Central. In addition, an MP3 copy will be placed on our show archive site for listening and downloading after the shows have been broadcast. You can reach our archive site at www.stardustradio.info or on the United We Roll page at www.stardustradio.com.

(2:09pm) Our first visit for this show is with Army SSG Jen Menger of the 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division where she is serving as a Public Affairs member for the 1st Brigade. Coming from a family with 13 military members, including both parents and an older brother, SSG Menger certainly understands what it means to be a soldier and to serve.

(2:31pm) Coming up next is our visit with Mr Carl Vogelweze (or "Birdman" as some of his co-workers call him) who is a Wildlife Biologist and a Federal Affiliate assigned for a few months to Joint Base Balad and the 332nd AEW as an Airport Biologist. This is a very interesting visit and one where we will all learn some things.

(3:05pm) Our third visit for this show is with newly promoted Army Private First Class Venessa Harbo who is currently on deployment with the HHC Task Force 2-1, 1-3 AAB, 3ID. Fresh from Basic & Human Resources Training at home and only a couple of months so far with her deployed unit has not kept PFC Harbo from digging in to her job and becoming part of the team.

(3:26pm) Our fourth and final visit is with a First Sergeant who is referred to as PHENOMENAL - caps included - by a member who serves in his unit. SMSgt Henry Hayes has been on deployment with the 376th EMSG (Expeditionary Mission Support Group) where he has worn the many hats typical of a First Sergeant.

Featured Song - "Angel Flight" by Radney Foster

We would like to thank some folks without whom these visits would not be possible. Our deepest appreciation goes to MSgt Mike Hamill, Capt Curt Schultheiss, Maj Vinston Porter and TSgt Jennifer Buzanowski.

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For more news and articles on current happenings, please visit our United We Roll sites at:
Stardust Radio – www.stardustradio.com
Stardust Radio Show Archive (MP3 Copies of Past Shows) – www.stardustradio.info
United We Roll Blog – http://stardustradio.info/b2evolution/blog1.php?blog=1
United We Roll Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/UnitedWeRoll
Twitter – www.tweeter.com/JudiBUSA

Please keep all of our military members, families, Veterans and all of our first responders & their families - everyone who puts their lives on hold and on the line for us and our families - in your hearts and prayers.

We would like to remind anyone who is interested in health and legislative issues that affect those who protect our freedom to tune in to our other broadcasts – OFFE with Gene Simes and Jere Berry at 8pm Central on Tuesday nights and also with Rick Townsend and Firebase Network Sundays at 6:00pm Central.

May you all have a good and safe week.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL & MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!

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How To Listen to Live Stardust Radio Broadcasts:
www.stardustradio.com

1) Local Area Riverside, Iowa - Tune in to 1690 AM radio

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3) If you are a member of Chat Star, sign in and meet us in the appropriate room for the show that you are coming to hear. See the list of the rooms on the left side of the screen after you sign in to Chat Star.

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To Listen & Download Previous Episodes Of United We Roll World Tour Shows
Tapes are in MP3 Formats - No Streaming

1) go to http://www.stardustradio.info (episodes after 6/10/08)
2) Click on United We Roll button top left
3) Scroll down to desired show date
4) double click with LEFT mouse button on download line to listen to tape
OR
5) click once with RIGHT mouse button on download line to download tape to your computer
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We hope you enjoy the show! Please feel free to sign our guest book on our website. Your feedback is very important to us.
Please contact unitedweroll@gmail.com for assistance

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Why is this issue being discussed here?

It is because when I read posts like this from One Marine's View, I get totally frustrated with our legislators (again) and election officials who should be able to easily fix this Marine's problem by using the technology that is already in place and available. Instead, he has had to jump through a series of hoops trying to get his vote in and counted, while he is on duty at a forward camp in Afghanistan, where everything should be done to keep "simple things" like voting from becoming an issue. Does he need all of this extra work and frustration while he is on duty in a combat area? See his story dated 10/10/10 in his blog at http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/2010/10/you-would-think-voting-would-be-easy-for-a-servicemembernnnope.html
And I am getting the impression that this Marine is definitely not the only one!

While filling in some of the holes in this piece, I had Fox & Friends playing in the background and Lo & Behold! They just had a guest on who stated that many ballots have not even been mailed out to troops overseas, even though only a few states have waivers to the minimum 45 day ballot mailing statute. Looking at the calendar, the guest said this could be a problem with ballots even reaching troops, then being filled out and returned in time to be counted. Let's hope these states will work with FVAP and/or Overseas Vote Foundation.

I cannot state here the feelings I have about the mishandling of the past absentee ballots and the possible loss of so many votes. I certainly hope that we do not see any loss of votes or potential votes from our troops on this or any other upcoming election.

First of all, I cannot imagine anyone who has more invested in having their votes counted than those who serve our country in the armed forces and their families. They see firsthand the results of some of our most critical legislation as they are sent around the world, with and without their families, in and out of harm's way.

Secondly, with the technology that we have today, I find it almost too hard to believe that any military member should have any trouble placing their vote and having it counted. It appears that an attempt has been made to prevent this from being a problem with the creation of the government FVAP and the Overseas Vote Foundation. But does every state election office work with these processes that seem to be a fair solution by using the available technology?

Per the Daily Caller on 8/4/10, the 2008 election resulted in the following actions:
"The Election Assistance Commission reports that during the 2008 election, 17,000 American soldiers fighting overseas had their votes thrown out. According to J. Christian Adams, a former attorney for the Department of Justice’s Voting Rights Division, that year only an estimated 17% of deployed troops actually had their votes counted."
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/08/03/protecting-soldiers-voting-rights/#ixzz123BbHxzi

A little more clarity on the 45 day law/ waivers comes in a news article on a Madison TV News Stations at http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/101645473.html:
"The law requires ballots be sent to certain voters at least 45 days before an election. That placed states like Wisconsin with late August or September primaries in a jam because the deadline for distributing November ballots is Sept. 18 -- too late for them to certify the results of the primary."

Just on the news at FOX (8:55am CT): "Votes will not be in by deadline" per news host
FOX News - http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/10/exclusive-new-york-violating-act/
" More than one week after its extended deadline, New York still hasn’t mailed out absentee ballots to all its 320,000 military servicemen and women and overseas voters, in clear violation of the MOVE Act........" go to site

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ONLINE HELP IS AVAILABLE TO OUR OVERSEAS TROOPS & FAMILY MEMBERS
Thru Overseas Vote Foundation and FVAP (Federal Voting Assistance Program)

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Overseas Vote Foundation - https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/FwabStart.htm

What is the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWA?
The FWAB is an alternative ballot for overseas and uniformed services voters whose ballots are late.

Find out what to do if your ballot is late - video on site
What is the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWA?

The FWAB is an alternative ballot for overseas and uniformed services voters whose ballots are late.
Quick-check for your FWAB eligibility
*I am an overseas voter OR a uniformed services voter, spouse or dependent.
*I sent in the registration/ballot request form to receive an absentee ballot by my state deadline.
*My absentee ballot has not yet arrived.
If all three statements are true, you are eligible to use the FWAB.

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FedEx and Overseas Vote Foundation - FOR BALLOTS ONLY! https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/ExpressYourVote.htm
Iraq & Afghanistan Rates - US $25.00
Fee includes: " Voters receive automatic confirmation that the ballot has been delivered to their election office"
See site for more information

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FVAP Site - Federal Voting Assistance Program - http://www.fvap.gov/index.html
Provides assistance for military members, family members and for civilians who are outside the USA but need to cast their absentee vote.

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ARTICLES:

See Washington Post re FVAP:
Washington Post Sept 28
Pentagon urging troops to get absentee ballots
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/09/_the_department_of_defense.html?hpid=moreheadlines

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Oct 2, 2010 - Virginian-Pilot
http://hamptonroads.com.nyud.net/2010/10/law-adds-protections-troops-voting-overseas
Again news about the FVAP including:
Among other things, the new law requires states to provide absentee ballots by e-mail upon request and to set up an online tracking system so voters can follow the progress of their ballot.
In addition, states are required to send out requested absentee ballots at least 45 days before the election. That means ballots for the Nov. 2 election should be in voters' hands by now.

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There is some very good info in this site - American Legion's The Burn Pit.
http://www.burnpit.us/2010/08/why-are-there-states-that-dont-seem-to-want-our-troops-to-vote/

Article Title: Why are There States That Don’t Seem to Want Our Troops to Vote?

For Example:
"....twelve states have requested a waiver from the 45 day requirement. Those twelve states are:
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Wisconsin, Colorado, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, and the District of Columbia
It is especially disappointing when you read that list and see the home states of Fort Drum, Fort Carson, Fort Lewis, Schofield Barracks and Fort Richardson, the home bases of some of our most deployed units. Just what was it that prevented these states from taking the necessary action to come into compliance with the law."

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Iowa - Des Moines Register
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/08/11/soldiers-reminded-voting-absentee-is-easy/
Also supports FVAP and says about Iowa Troops who use this: " Most military voters must return absentee ballots by mail, but soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan may fax or e-mail them in. They can track the progress of their absentee ballot on www.IowaVotes.gov".

Congratulations Iowa! Already in the electronic cue to help their troops get their votes counted.

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Two articles by same writer from North Carolina about FVAP:
Oct 6th - http://www.enctoday.com/news/voting-83379-jdn-absentee-online.html
New online absentee voting ballots ease process for local troops

AUG 17th - http://www.jdnews.com/news/troops-81613-bodycopyrag-voting.html
New NC laws will assist troops with homeownership, absentee voting

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There are more articles available online from various states regarding their voting regulations and status. Just use your search engine and put in such words as Troops Absentee Votes 2010.

The American Legion Burn Pit site asked " Why are There States That Don’t Seem to Want Our Troops to Vote?" Great Question!!! Unless they have a late primary - at which point they should have to do everything by email with deployed/overseas troops. Otherwise, I cannot understand why anyone would be granted a waiver and increase the stress on a soldier who is already in harm's way.

Please be aware of the voting procedure in your area for our overseas troops. If it does not appear adequate to allow deployed Heroes of Freedom from your area to place their vote, please contact your election supervisor and state representative in D.C. If you can't help for this November's elections, then perhaps you can help to make it better before our deployed troops have to jump through voting hoops again.

A little irony here - Our troops have been instrumental in helping to bring safe elections to Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, can they get their own votes counted at home? I sure do hope so!

One more point to add here - if our troops who are in a combat area are trying to get their votes in, then we at home should have NO EXCUSES for not voting. It is part of OUR DUTY to maintain our American way of life.

May God Bless You All & May God Bless America