http://twitter.com/#!/Esquiremag/status/301329443459309568

Yesterday, Esquire magazine came out with an article falsely claiming that the former Navy SEAL who shot Osama bin Ladin was not offered any health care benefits upon leaving the Navy. As Twitchy documented this morning, Esquire’s false claim was echoed by numerous MSM outlets, including the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal.

Now Esquire has posted a duplicitous follow-up article in which the editors claim they disclosed former Navy SEAL’s eligibility for VA benefits:

In the Stars & Stripes piece, [Stars and Stripes reporter Megan McCloskey] writes:

“Like every combat veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the former SEAL…is automatically eligible for five years of free healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs. But the story doesn’t mention that.”

Now granted, “The Shooter” is a long story, lots of words to sort through, but McCloskey is wrong here. We refer her to this paragraph deeper in the piece: “There is a Transition Assistance Program in the military, but it’s largely remedial level, rote advice of marginal value: Wear a tie to interviews, not your Corfam (black shiny service) shoes. Try not to sneeze in anyone’s coffee. There is also a program at MacDill Air Force Base designed to help Special Ops vets navigate various bureaucracies. And the VA does offer five years of benefits for specific service-related claims—but it’s not comprehensive and it offers nothing for the Shooter’s family.”

[Emphasis added.]

This echoes the claim made yesterday by the article’s author, Phil Bronstein:

@bfriedmandc Brandon thanks for this. The 5 year care provision is in the story but you’re right: outplacement didn’t tell him.

— PhilBronstein (@PhilBronstein) February 11, 2013

The boldfaced sentence about the VA, however, does not appear in the Esquire article (at least not in the version that is online). Nor does the sentence about the program at MacDill Air Force Base. Here is the complete passage of the paragraph that appears online:

There is a Transition Assistance Program in the military, but it’s largely remedial level, rote advice of marginal value: Wear a tie to interviews, not your Corfam (black shiny service) shoes. Try not to sneeze in anyone’s coffee.

See for yourself.

And here are screencaps, just in case a sneaky editor tries to retroactively edit what was written.

From today’s rebuttal:

Edit_2013-02-12_3

From yesterday’s article:

screencap

Update:

Esquire finally acknowledges what Brandon Friedman pointed out some 24 hours ago — namely, that the online version of its story did not include anything about the Navy SEAL being eligible for VA benefits.

Our “Shooter” story ran online yesterday with an error. The omission has been corrected: esqm.ag/6012nHf2 esqm.ag/6013nHfN

— Esquire Magazine (@Esquiremag) February 12, 2013

Here is the note now posted at the beginning of the original article: “The original version of this story did not include a few sentences that ran in the issue printed last week. We regret the production error.”

Update:

Esquire’s follow-up post has not been corrected.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/02/12/lying-liars-at-esquire-double-down-falsely-claim-they-disclosed-former-navy-seals-eligibility-for-va-benefits/

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America planted 1,892 U.S. flags on the National Mall to represent all the veterans that committed suicide over the past year. IAVA will talk to members of Congress so they can pass a comprehensive legislative package that will help veterans and service members get better mental health assistance.

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WASHINGTON – As he helped plant some of the 1,892 U.S. flags across the National Mall, David Curry remembered his fellow Marine and friend, Jonathan Schulze.

Seven years ago, Schulze committed suicide after returning from war. He was unable to get the help he needed, and now his friend and fellow veterans are calling on Congress to take action.

“He had a really tragic story as a result of, what I feel, were failures by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs in providing this particular Marine and veteran the access to the cure that he needed when he was crying out for help,” said Curry, who lives near San Diego, attends the University of Southern California and is an intern at the VA.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America planted one U.S. flag Thursday to represent each veteran and service member who committed suicide in the past year, as part of the Storm the Hill campaign.

“We are donating our time away from our families and jobs to come out here and advocate for a cause that is very personal to us,” Jeremy Newton, an Iraq war Navy veteran and member of IAVA, of Houston, said. “We are here to combat suicide. This is our visual representation of the problem.”

The organization brought 31 veteran leaders from 16 states to D.C. to discuss their stories with members of Congress to persuade them and the president to improve mental health care for service members and veterans to reduce suicides.

The VA released a suicide data report in 2012 that estimated 22 veterans committed suicide every day.

“When you provide the stories of individuals who aren’t here to speak for themselves because they weren’t able to get the access to the support they needed,” Curry said, “it’s powerful in that you are able to advocate for change, but at the same time, in my friend Jonathan Schulze’s case, it is seven years too late.”

Curry and Schulze deployed to Iraq together in 2003. Schulze was living in Stewart, Minn., with his wife and daughter at the time of his death.

Based on the VA report, the veterans’ group wants Congress to pass a comprehensive legislative package to combat suicide.

Sen. John Walsh, D-Mont., is the sponsor of a bill called the Suicide Prevention for America’s Veterans Act that he intends to introduce Friday.

Walsh, the second Iraq veteran elected to Congress, was a battalion commander in the Montana National Guard when he led more than 700 troops in 2004.

“One of my young sergeants died by suicide,” Walsh said. “So this is very personal to me.”

Walsh said the statistics of suicide among veterans can be considered an epidemic.

“This is a nonpartisan issue,” Walsh said. “I will be calling on my colleagues to make sure that we pass this act very quickly.”

The SAVE Act would extend the special combat eligibility for veterans with disabilities from five to 15 years, review wrongful discharges – some likely based on behavior caused by post-traumatic stress syndrome, create more programs that provide mental health assistance, reach out to support veterans at risk and involve the American community through education and promotion.

“Honestly, we have seen a lot of support,” Kate O’Gorman, political director for IAVA, said. “We are hoping that as soon as this bill is introduced we can get it passed quickly.”

View this image ›

Read more: http://buzzfeed.com/alejandroalba3/group-of-veterans-planted-flags-to-represent-veter-nax9

With the election of Donald Trump, theres been ample time for reflection. And boy, have we reflected. This race was especially hard for me as a die-hard Hillary Clinton supporter.

You heard right; I am one of the few die-hard Hillary Clinton people. I wasnt a Bernie person making my second choice. Ive admired Hillary Clinton ever since I was a child. She came to my school in Brooklyn in 1999 when she was running for the Senate. I was in the chorus and we sang for her. She even knew the song!

Somewhere between my mind in my heart, I still hold out hope that maybe one day she could be our president. But on to our sharpening reality

This race was about many things, including xenophobia, misogyny and bigotry. This race was also about class warfare. If liberals come away with anything from this loss, it needs to be this: We must stop letting the elite in our movement be the voice of our movement.

Lena Dunham, Robert De Niro and Miley Cyrusare just a few of the celebrities who have expressed their disappointment and fear over the election of Donald Trump.

Heres the thing: Dunham, De Niro and Cyrus have more money than God. They will be fine. When youre a certain amount of rich, the president tends to become irrelevant.

As Mitt Romney said during his first presidential debate with President Obama, The rich are going to be fine no matter which one of us is president.

Thousands Protest Against Trump

You know who needs to be fearful of a Trump administration? People like me! People like us! People of color, women, mixed race, liberal and poor. The decisionsPresident Trump makes or wont make will most likely affect me and my peers.

Does Lena Dunham have Obamacare? Probably not. I do; I work four part-time jobs, so my ability to get insurance through an employer ispretty much out of the question.

I know as women, Ms. Dunham and Cyrus are appalled about how the next president has spoken about women and his treatment of women. I am too. Such behavior is unbefitting of a human being let alone a president.

But let me get one thing straight: Lena Dunham will not have to worry about President Trump or any mans advances. Shes rich; she can hire bodyguards.No ones grabbing her without permission.

You know who I feel bad for? Every woman whocant afford to hire bodyguards, who walk down the street every day, and are targeted by perverts who are emboldened by our new president. My mother cannot afford such protection, neither can my aunts, sister, cousins or female friends.

Read more: http://elitedaily.com/news/politics/hillary-clintons-celebrity-endorsements-failed/1691431/

http://twitter.com/#!/fortyXninetysix/status/405177365153988608

There appears to be a serious security flaw in the ID cards currently issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to several reports, anyone with a smartphone and bar code reader app can read the owner’s Social Security number.

http://twitter.com/#!/PogoWasRight/status/401860468060348416

TCPalm.com reports:

Anyone with a smartphone and a bar code app can scan any VA identification card issued since 2004 and the cardholder’s Social Security number immediately pops up on the screen.

No one from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs would go on camera to answer questions.

A VA spokesperson did respond, saying they’ve begun work on the next-generation ID card, which will not contain a Social Security number.

However, it’s not being rolled out until next year.

http://twitter.com/#!/BruceDemarest/status/402500392116056064
http://twitter.com/#!/Doctrine_Man/status/406426784142745601

Until a fix is in place, TCPalm recommends that veterans “treat their current ID cards as they do their Social Security card and leave home without it, unless it is needed for a day-of appointment.”

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/11/29/smartphones-and-bar-code-readers-pose-security-risk-for-veterans-id-cards/

How do you normally seek revenge on those who have wronged you?

Personally, I prefer the long con. As we speak, I am currently wooing a high school bullys father.Soon, we will announce our engagement.

Thats right, Stephanie. Im your stepmom now, and you are grounded for the way you treated me.

Other people have more of a healthy response to those who treated them poorly. TakeKhlo Kardashianfor instance.

Khlo is helping others change their lives in her new E! series Revenge Body With Khlo Kardashian.

Not only will the guest on the show try to improve their health and body, but theyll build up a lot of confidence along the way.

The 32-year-old reality star and author even opened up about her own battles with low self-esteem. She said,

I was always overweight as a kid. If I was stressed out or sad, I would eat. So, I had to learn how to then put all of my energy into something positive and healthy for me, which how I fell in love with working out.

Joining Kardashian are celebrity trainers and fitness gurus Gunnar Peterson, Luke Milton, Lacey Ston, Harley Pasternak, Jorge Cruise, Corey Calliet, Simone De Le Rue and Latreal Mitchell.

Needless to say, they wont make it easy on the 16 contestants, but they absolutely will help them reach their goals.

One woman even admits,

The struggle is too real!

But a body like this does not come easily.

Plus, Khlo will be there along the way offering encouragement. She said,

Its not about a weight number. Its about how you feel. Youre going to start to transform your body and youre going to have this revenge on this life that you once had that you wont even want any more. Lets make our haters our biggest motivators.

Revenge Body With Khloe Kardashian hits E! on Thursday, January 12 at 8 pm. So, get those New Years resolutions ready.

Kylie Jenner’s Instagrams Drawn With Kylie Lip Kits [LABS]

Subscribe to Elite Daily’s official newsletter, The Edge, for more stories you don’t want to miss.

Read more: http://elitedaily.com/entertainment/celebrity/khloe-kardashian-new-show-revenge-body-first-look/1693341/

Dates are meant for two things: to get to know someone, and to make a memory.

But how do you make a date memorable?

If its a first date, how can you possibly know what your date will like in order to make it a night to remember?

And if its just one date on a long string of dates, how do you make it unique and unforgettable?

Here are five steps to crafting a date theyll never forget:

1. Make itactive.

Studies show that high arousal activities build a stronger connection between you and your date. Activities create memories andbring you two closer together.

For the date to be memorable, each of you has to be integral to the story. Choose something that takes two people to do. Theres no reason to, say, go to the movies, because you dont need anybody else to be in a memory of you watching a movie.

Pick something like tandem bike riding through a park. That story cant be told without including both of you, and it will get your heart pumping.

Other good activities include going to the arcade, putt-putt golf and bumper cars. The two of you play against each other; a little healthy competition is always fun. Concerts and other lively events work well, too.

Whatever you choose, make it something fun and exciting thats engaging for both of you.

How To Bring Your Best Friend On Your First Date [The Buddy System] | Artist Residency


2. Make it Unique

People have to eat at some point. So pick a place be it a hole-in-the-wall, food truck or five-star restaurant that your date hasnt experienced yet.

This does several things for you:

One, its a tried and true marketing technique that you stay in someones mind by being the first to do something. You are the first to go with your date to this restaurant, and youll be remembered for that.

This also creates excitement during your date because its something new. Plus, delicious food isits own reward!

Create a new, positive and unique experience for your date, and the two of you will have a cherished memory.


3. Make it special.

Gifts are reserved for special occasions. If you want to make it a date theyll never forget, make it special.

Give a gift! It doesnt have to be extravagant, either.

If theyre into jewelry, Pearls Only has some great options. If theyre big into music, check out Sweetwater for gear and accessories or Bands in Town for tickets (which plays well with point one).

You can also scour Etsy. When in doubt, grab some specialty chocolate.

Theres an endless supply of gift options. Choose a gift you know (or are pretty sure) theyll love, and turn your date into a special occasion.


4. Make it inspiring.

One of the most powerful emotions for creating a memory and for making people want to share that memory with others is awe.

Go to a scenic vista or rooftop (bar), or any place that will take your breath away and make you say Wow Thats amazing.

Create that Wow! moment, and youll create a memory for you and your date.

Why You Shouldnt Drink Before A Date


5. Make it cozy.

One thing every person wants to feel with their date is comfortable.

Call it security if you want. Call it trust. You want your date to feel relaxed around you enough to let down any guard they have. You want tobe their pleasant reassurance that the world isnt so bad after all.

Comfort can be created by chilling at home in your pajamas eating leftover cheesecake together. It can be ending the night by hanging out with your date and their friend group at their regular watering hole.

Comfort can come in a lot of ways; its different for each person. But each person wants to feel safe and relaxed with their date. People remember feeling safe and relaxed.

Going out on a date isnt necessarily about being slick or overly romantic. Its about creating a memory with someone you really care about or someone who you hope to earn more time with.

Thats what these steps are for: to craft a date theyll never forget, to make a memory.

Subscribe to Elite Daily’s official newsletter, The Edge, for more stories you don’t want to miss.

Read more: http://elitedaily.com/dating/date-shell-never-forget/1685460/

Democrats have definitely been having a rough year.

On Wednesday, the political party suffered a serious blow when Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election to her controversial Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

Plus, many conservative senators, includingRob Portman of Ohio, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Roy Blunt of Missouri and Richard Burr of North Carolina secured their seats, keeping the senate under Republican control.

Now that Trump and theRepublicans are basically calling all of the shots, many liberals are worried about the fate of Planned Parenthood funding, the Paris Climate Agreement andthe Affordable Care Act.

Thousands Protest Against Trump

However, it turns out Democrats might have one last chance to flip aSenate seat.

Allow me to introduce you toFoster Campbell akathe one guy who could possibly save us from Donald Trump.

Read more: http://elitedaily.com/news/politics/foster-campbell-senate-seat/1692321/

Lets be real: You need money in order to survive in the so called real world. For some of us, weve landed amazing jobs after college that we scratched and clawed for.

For the rest of us, we take any job we can get so we arent so completely dependent on our parents.

Its been my experience that one should stay at a job for as long as possible because you want to show you are stable, consistent, committed, the list goes on and on.

While this all my be true and beneficial, Id like to call BS on the notion of job stability.

Too often, my peers and I find ourselves settling in jobswe dont like, that make us miserable, that were embarrassed to speak about and are ultimately dead ends.

Im only 25 years old, but I can tell you that in my short amount of time working full-time in thereal world, I have experienced every low one could experience in an entry-level job.

How Your 9-to-5 Desk Job Is Affecting Your Health [Body & Mind]

Of course, I could go on a tangent about why having a college degree means nothing anymore and and how my generation is being taken advantage of, but thats a different story for a different day.

My advice is this: Quit your job.

Every time I left a job that I was unhappy in, I had no regrets about it. Im an adult navigating my way through societal pressures and standards and expectations, but I was constantly tired of working in environments that felt mundane, menial and insignificant.

Its great to have job experience and show future employers that you can stay at a job for more than a certain period of time, but at what cost to your own mental health?

My biggest pet peeve is when someone doesnt realize their worth or doesnt take action to better themselves.

As a Millennial, Im pegged for a lot of things. And theyre oftentimes labels that dont actually apply to me, and so I have to work twice as hard for half the amount of money I truly deserve.

Our worth is equivalent to the effort we put into the job that we are doing, but when the compensation is unequal to the effort, it places doubt in ones mind as to why should I work so hard if Im only being paid x amount of dollars.

Take the risk and quit your job. Whether you stay in your job until you find another or you up and quit with the hopes employment will follow shortly after, dont think twice. Do it.

Make note that I never use the word career, ratherthe singular word, job.

A job is a regular position of employment, but it also feels as if it has an ending.

With a career, its a specific field/area of employment one continuously pursues and moves up in. If youre not in a career position, I highly suggest you work toward putting yourself in line to achieve that goal.

I never imagined myself being the type of person who has gone from job to job, and thats because I didnt quite know who I was or what I wanted to do. I took the time to figure that out, and along the way opened myself up to a world of experiences I wouldnt have had if Ichose a predetermined path of how my life should be.

I have witnessed too many bizarre, strange, unimaginable things in the offices Ive worked in that made me question why I was there on a daily basis.

Every time I found myself doubting why I go to my job in the morning, I realized it was because it was exactly that: It was a job, but it was not a career.

This Stockbroker Explains What They Don’t Teach You In Business School [Mockumentary]

It always helps to look back. Oftentimes, you realize everything could have been done better or you pinpointthings you wish you could have changed. That is the advantage of hindsight.

Today, I am a man who has a lot more clarity on where I want to be in five years, the goals I want to accomplish and the field I want tobe thriving in.

Sometimes it pays to take a risk and up and quit your job. There is not enough money in the world to make you truly happy, and if anyone tells you differently, they are lying to themselves.

The only regrets I have with regards to my journey is I didnt make the changes needed when I first had the doubts. Always trust your gut because only you know yourself truly.

Whether youre salaried or hourly, if your happiness and inner peace is drowned out by the job you do every day, thats the surefire sign its time for a change.

Subscribe to Elite Daily’s official newsletter, The Edge, for more stories you don’t want to miss.

Read more: http://elitedaily.com/life/unhappy-job-career/1685130/