This isn't really a political blog, but I learned something about myself this week that relates to politics, journalism and military life.  When I read that the Obama administration was proposing that veterans' private health insurance carriers reimburse the Veterans Administration for care provided for service-related injuries, I got angry  Really, really angry.  I contacted military friends, asking them to write to their elected representatives.  I wrote to my senators and representative.  I wrote to President Obama - at my daughter's suggestion, no less.  I got on Twitter to spread the news.  All this happened in the space of about an hour.  Yes, I was angry.  More importantly, I knew what I needed to do about it, and I did it.

Today the news reports tell me that this controversial measure has been abandoned by the White House.  I'm thankful that the American Legion and other organizations representing veterans were heard, after all.  (I'm pretty sure that President Obama did not get to see my letter, scathingly eloquent though it was.)  I've learned, though, that there's a community organizer lurking deep within me, someone who's ready to work for what's really important for veterans, service members and military retirees.

I think that's one of the great things about our country.  I, or anyone, can stand up and say what I think, try to persuade others to my point of view and do my best to influence the votes of elected representatives.  I know that, especially right now, many people distrust our government, but I also know that elected officials do pay attention to what their constituents tell them.  We all have the right to express our opinions and to share them with the people we've elected to public office.  It's our duty, really.

Another thing I learned through this process is that the news media changes how stories are headlined and reported online very, very rapidly.  FoxNews.com started with this story at the top of its home page, but within a couple of hours, the headline had dropped down a ways.  CNN wasn't covering it at all.  Later, USAToday.com picked up the story, and CNN.com followed a little later.  I was amazed and annoyed at the same time.  So many veterans who would be affected by this policy might not notice the story, I thought, and I was probably correct.

That's where citizen journalism and networking enter the picture.  If issues affecting military families, veterans or retirees come across the "wires" (fiberoptics aside), those of us who notice these stories need to make our friends and colleagues aware of the situation.  We need to spread the word so that everyone affected who wishes to write to elected officials or contact the media has time to do so. 

I won't be using this blog as a way to "spread the word" as future news stories break; I'm here to write about military life, not to replace our news channels.  I hope, though, that when you read here about my efforts over the last couple of days, you will consider setting aside a little time now and then to make your own opinions known.  Tell your elected representatives how you feel about bills under consideration or about legislation already passed.  We have seen in the last 24 hours that public opinion matters.  No one is asking Congress to ignore the AIG bonus issue.  Nor should we, as citizens and legal residents, ask Congress to ignore any issue near and dear to us.