2008 And Hadit.com

[Tbird]

2008

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

We are now going into our 11th year, hard to believe but here we are!

Some Statistics from 2007 I think you might find interesting are attached to this post as a pdf.

I usually like to have a new look on the main site (http://www.hadit.com) each new year. However, the past few months have presented me with some challenges I was unable to overcome to work on the site.

So I will work on the site, however it will be sometime this year rather than the beginning of the year.

I have plans for more demonstration movies, perhaps some podcasts, more content, better navigation and so on.

Thank you Brothers and Sisters for hanging in there with me.

Tbird



9l437iyi.pdf

[Jazona]

I think what has affected my way of thinking regarding rants vs. useful information has been seeing the "new Veterans" posts. These new troops seem to cut through the clutter a lot better than I did when I was stumbling through the maze. I stumbled around, not knowing the questions to ask, not knowing who to turn to (altho' there weren't many to turn to, back in the day).

It may just be my imagination, but they seem to connect the dots a heck of a lot better. They ask the question, ponder the answer and then ask the next logical question. Perhaps it's the "information highway" and their proficiency in using it that makes the difference. I don't know.

I do know that if I had had a place like Hadit to come to, back in 1970, I would have sailed through the system and achieved my rating decades sooner. Most probably most of us "oldtimers" would have. We have to remember, there was a wall of secrecracy surrounding the VA and, in my case, there were no VSOs to help us. We were told that Viet Nam wasn't a war so therefore they wouldn't help. At least, I was told. Hell, we weren't even allowed to join most organizations in those days.

Yes, I believe the new generation of Veterans definitely have more on the ball than I did and I think that it will ultimately change the VA system for the better for those that follow them. The VA won't be able to "pull the wool over" as easily as they did us.

I say, good for them!

jaz

[Rockhound]

T-bird and others, I didn't think it would make a difference to anyone, least of all me. I am a returning member who, due to a complete computer melt down, I've had to re-enter quite a few of my old sights under a new login in name and user name, etc. But as I said, I began to feel like I had done something terribly wrong as I read all the posts refering this sight as T-Birds Home.

I certainly wouldn't try to go in to someones home, under an assumed name. So I shouldn't here.

I believe I was logged in as J Scott or Jim Scott aka. now Rockhound

This sight is like someones home, they pay the rent, their for they have the right to ask people to act in a civil manner and obey a few, and I mean a few rules to keep order in that house. This is not a sight that deals with free speech, it is a sight to help those who would otherwise protect your right to it. But their again, I defy you to go into one of these members home and disrespect their house rules and see how fast your &%$ gets shown the door. Although some may tolerate you, I and others I see, would not.

My apologees to T-Bird and the rest of the members. My last claim was in 2004 and after it was again denied, I had problems dealing with my depression and was so medicated I could hardly function, then my computor died. its been a long road back and I for one, casting my Vote:

T-Bird: Thank you for still being here, it is truely a miracle, given I have seen other sights that have gone offline because they got tired of dealing with flammers.

I will willfully admit that I am guilty as some, but I look upon myself as a work in progress and try to refrain from such, when I am posting. Thanks again T-Bird

Rockhound

[Myron]

Even though I don't post (yet), I feel so fortunate to have Hadit in my toolbox. I read the posts everyday and have become good friends with many of the regulars, even if they don't know it.

The advice, grumbling, and struggles of these comrades help to bouy me up for the contest with the VA.

That being said, I still feel fortunate to have the VA and am grateful for all the help they have given me in the past few years.

Have a better 2008 and T-bird you are the best.

Myron

[Ron II]

It is not a place to spout your opinion unless it's about a claim or VA law..." I have seen several opinions that have been authored by members of different ranks (to include moderators) that are not directly associated with the two areas you mention (cited above). In most cases however, it could be inferred that the statements could be indirectly applicable to the two areas. I suppose that the most common post of this type goes something like this, "The VA sucks and they're out to get us and cheat veterans out of their rightful benefits."

Yep that what I said, but... I also said:

Everyone has to blow off a little steam about the VA and it's systems.... that's fine to a point.

And I am just as guilty of that as anyone. Yeah sometimes we get sidetracked and so po'd over something the VA has done that we go into "rant" mode. I have I know... and so have others and thats OK to a point.... where is the line I think you are asking... well I'd say just dont do it evry day ya know, and try not to get a post totally off subject (yep I'm guilty of that too)... it's kind of a common sense thing. Like I said WE ALL vent sometimes, and no its not productive in the sense that it will directly help a claim, but it is necessary sometimes that we have someone to VENT too who understands what we are yelling about. So, as a caring community of veterans' we are going to listen to a rant now and again and say yeah your right....

That's important too... that people can share their experiences both positive and negative... to a point. Yet where is the line, I think you have to use common sense, and if you get too bad trust me someone will reign you in (Again - I have been)....

So I din't intend to say you can only say something about a claim etc... thats just the MAIN purpose of this community, but it does also serve as an outlet sometimes, and I think thats a good thing as well... to a point> HeHe..

Anyway, I hope I didn't make you think you CANT rant, just dont do it all the time huh?

Of course you are correct. You might have missed my later post that stated, "My motive for writing my earlier comments was to suggest there is nothing wrong with politely disagreeing with another's opinion, and in fact, nothing wrong with voicing an opinion as long as it pertains to anything, no matter how seemingly insignificant or distant, associated with our experiences with the military's treatment of our disabilities and our interactions with the VA.

Cheers!"

I am curious though, do the guidelines preclude making a statement that questions a postion? For example, I posted in another area of this site that I felt deserters were just cowards, not folks who should be showed sympathy. This was in reaction to a post that reported the number of desertions are significantly up as the Iraq war goes on. The original poster didn't comment one way or the other (her post was to inform only), which was fine, but I find it hard to believe that the number of deserters is primarily related to PTSD or any other ailment except lack of backbone. Additionally, and

I'm not trying to be funny, one could assume from the many posts that have been made on this subject that:

1. Do not post (as one contributor stated)

2. Do not offer opinions except directly to a claim or the VA process

3. It is ok to rant (which I am as prone to do as many others)

Thank you and I do appreciate the opportunity to participate here.

[Pete53]

Rockhound:

You are fine it has happened before and will happen again. You just bounced into the middle of a little dustup and has nothing to do with you. Sorry if you felt that way and welcome back.

Pete

[Pete53]

Even though I don't post (yet), I feel so fortunate to have Hadit in my toolbox. I read the posts everyday and have become good friends with many of the regulars, even if they don't know it.

The advice, grumbling, and struggles of these comrades help to bouy me up for the contest with the VA.

That being said, I still feel fortunate to have the VA and am grateful for all the help they have given me in the past few years.

Have a better 2008 and T-bird you are the best.

Myron

Myron:

Welcome to Hadit and your first post.