Dr. James Peake (R)
VA Secretary
 Political Appointee  


Bob Filner (D-CA)
Chairman
House VA Committee


Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Chairman
Senate VA Committee

 

Personal
Injury ?

  
Visit the
Personal Injury Experts.

PAGE LINKS
 
HOME
VA HEADLINE NEWS
VA NEWS FLASHES
JIM STRICKLAND
MESOTHELIOMA
PODCASTS/VIDEOS
HOUSE CVA NEWS
SENATE CVA NEWS
VA PRESS
PUBLISHED ARTICLES
HALL OF SHAME
NO FUNDING, NO VOTE
VETS DISABILITY COMM
YOUR VA BENEFITS
USEFUL LINKS 4 VETS
VA LINKS EZ GUIDE
HEALTH RESOURCES
HOW TO FILE A CLAIM
LARRY'S TIPS 4 VETS
OTHER TIPS 4 VETS
BE A VA WATCHDOG
POLITICAL ACTION
NEW BONUS ARMY
AFGE
BOOKS FOR VETS
RSS/XML INFO
VETS' DATA SECURITY
MISSION STATEMENT
ADVERTISE
DONATIONS
CONTACT / STAFF

 

Be sure to get all four
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News

Senate CVA
Veterans' News

VA Press
Releases

   Google

   
VA Watchdog
Web



Larry Scott

member DAV & VFW
WA1VET - ARRL


email Larry

 

 





VA Watchdog Stuff...
cups, hats, shirts...
click on item to order
and support the site.


 



Privacy Policy
- We collect
NO  information from  anyone
who visits this site.  If you
correspond with us and
provide personal information,
 that information is shared
with NO ONE for any reason.

This site is cookie free!

 



Download your
free copy of the
2008 VA benefits
handbook here...


Books for Vets
at Powell's

 


Volunteer at your
VA Hospital


Be sure to get all four
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News

Senate CVA
Veterans' News

VA Press
Releases



Larry Scott

member DAV & VFW
WA1VET - ARRL


email Larry


 


Books for Vets
at Powell's




VA Watchdog Stuff...
cups, hats, shirts...
click on item to order
and support the site.

 

   Google

   
VA Watchdog
Web

Be sure to get all four
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News

Senate CVA
Veterans' News

VA Press
Releases

 


 


Books for Vets
at Powell's

 


Download your
free copy of the
2008 VA benefits
handbook here...

 


Volunteer at your
VA Hospital



 

 

 

 

 

"It is illogical to put a cap on VA funding when it is impossible to put a cap on the
number of those wounded and injured in service to their country."
  Larry Scott

VA HEADLINE NEWS    read daily VA News Flashes here  
 
  

FILNER LOOKS TO CHANGE VA'S "BOOTS ON THE
GROUND" AGENT ORANGE RULE
(07-20-08)
  
House Vets' Chair will introduce "Agent Orange
Equity Act of 2008" this week. Would
fix "Blue Water Navy" snafu.

VA AND DoD CONSIDER EXPANSION OF STREAMLINED
DISABILITY RATING SYSTEM
(07-19-08)
  
Pilot program has VA doctors conducting one set of physical
exams and VA specialists determining one set of
disability ratings which both departments use.

UPDATE: 20 STATES PROTEST, MAY SUE VA OVER
VOTER REGISTRATION BAN
(07-19-08)
Connecticut Attorney General says VA is offering "disingenuous
double talk and bureaucratic gobbledygook."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: VA OFFICIALLY SAYS "NO" TO VOTER
REGISTRATION DRIVES
(07-18-08)

OREGON RECRUITER SCOURS COUNTY JAIL
FOR WOULD-BE GIs
(07-18-08)
The effort was worthwhile and has the potential to
become a regularly scheduled event.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS TOWN A MICROCOSM FOR SERVICE
ENLISTMENT PROBLEMS
(07-17-08)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CRIMINAL PASTS OFTEN FORESHADOW
SOLDIERS' MISCONDUCT
(07-14-08)

UPDATE: PENTAGON SAYS IT WILL RECHECK
VETS' REQUESTS FOR RETRO PAY
(07-18-08)
Will double-check requests by all vets who were turned
down and audit previous approvals for accuracy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: "DIE OR GIVE UP TRYING"
(07-17-08)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONGRESSIONAL REPORT SAYS THOUSANDS
OF VETERANS MAY HAVE BEEN
DENIED PAYMENTS
(07-16-08)

VA NOW ACCEPTING ON-LINE CLAIMS
APPLICATIONS
(07-17-08)

But, will it work, is it safe and will it make
the process any faster?

PUBLISHED REPORT SAYS VA WILL MAKE
ALS A PRESUMPTIVE SERVICE-
CONNECTED DISEASE
(07-16-08)

The news came during a conference call among VA
Secretary James Peake, Sen. Lindsey Graham
and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Tom
Mikolajcik, who suffers from ALS.

VA TO TEST SUICIDE PUBLIC SERVICE
ADS ON TV
(07-16-08)

The VA is stepping up its suicide prevention
outreach with a TV announcement
featuring actor Gary Sinise.

UPDATE: BUSH VETOES MEDICARE / TRICARE BILL,
BUT BOTH HOUSES QUICKLY OVERRIDE
(07-16-08)
Veto override means no cut in fees for
Medicare and Tricare doctors.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: BUSH RENEWS VETO THREAT OF
MEDICARE / TRICARE BILL
(07-12-08)

LAWMAKERS PUSH FOR U.S.-MADE FLAGS
AT ALL FEDERAL BUILDINGS
(07-16-08)

Rep. Bob Filner, House Vets' Chair, on foreign-made
flags: "It's not a major problem facing the
nation. But it's an irritant."

LATEST VA NEWS FLASHES      READ ALL VA NEWS FLASHES HERE    or

 


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage


-----------------------------------------------------------------

WEEKEND -- 19 & 20 JULY 2008

AS WARS LENGTHEN, TOLL ON MILITARY FAMILIES MOUNTS -- "It's hard to go away, it's hard to come back, and go away and come back again...They're just getting their feet wet with some sort of sense of normalcy. and then they have to go again."

VETS' HOUSING PROGRAM CAUGHT IN FUNDING DISPUTE AS ACCUSATIONS ABOUND
-- Said of nonprofit agency: "These people are just outlaws...I can smell a crook. These people are just not right, and the public needs to be protected from them."

FILNER LOOKS TO CHANGE VA'S "BOOTS ON THE GROUND" AGENT ORANGE RULE -- House Vets' Chair will introduce "Agent Orange Equity Act of 2008" this week. Would fix "Blue Water Navy" snafu.

COUNSELORS HELP COMBAT VETERANS FIND PERSONAL PEACE -- "The sound of helicopters, just that sound...My body tightens up, I get on high alert and I break out in a cold sweat. It really upsets me. You'd think I'd be over it after more than 40 years."

LIVING WITH PTSD: A WIFE'S PERSPECTIVE
-- "He would have panic attacks and bursts of anger. He never physically abused me, but verbally...it came out of the blue."

VA AND DoD CONSIDER EXPANSION OF STREAMLINED DISABILITY RATING SYSTEM -- Pilot program has VA doctors conducting one set of physical exams and VA specialists determining one set of disability ratings which both departments use.

U.C. SAN DIEGO STUDIES ON GULF WAR VETERANS CONTINUE
-- Leading expert on Gulf War Illness seeking participants: "At last, a treatment study!"

NEW G.I. BILL COULD HELP RECRUITING NUMBERS
-- "It is a very attractive incentive package, there's no question about that. So individuals will be very interested in enlisting for education benefits."

UPDATE: 20 STATES PROTEST, MAY SUE VA OVER VOTER REGISTRATION BAN -- Connecticut Attorney General says VA is offering "disingenuous double talk and bureaucratic gobbledygook."

FRIDAY -- 18 JULY 2008

VA'S ELECTRONIC RECORDS HELP DOCTORS AND PATIENTS WORK TOGETHER -- "It's a very impressive system. It even graphs my weight changes. They don't want you to miss that."

BUFFALO SOLDIERS CITE DUAL BATTLE: THE ENEMY AND RACISM
-- "It was like we had two battles. We not only had to fight the enemy, but we also had to fight the crackers and rednecks who were in charge of us."

MOBILE SERVICE HELPS VETERANS SORT OUT BENEFIT ISSUES
-- "They're going to help me with all the benefits that I don't know about."

VA RESEARCH FINDS INCREASED HIV RISK IN GENETIC MUTATION -- The discovery offers a partial explanation for the disproportionate spread of the virus among Africans and African Americans.

MAINE WOMAN RETRACES FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS IN VIETNAM
-- "He did step out of his comfort zone to support me in this endeavor, even though he was scared. Hopefully I can be the bridge to help him."

OREGON RECRUITER SCOURS COUNTY JAIL FOR WOULD-BE GIs -- The effort was worthwhile and has the potential to become a regularly scheduled event.

UPDATE: PENTAGON SAYS IT WILL RECHECK VETS' REQUESTS FOR RETRO PAY -- Will double-check requests by all vets who were turned down and audit previous approvals for accuracy.

VA'S WHEELCHAIR GAMES COME TO OMAHA JULY 25-29
-- Vets will compete in swimming, basketball, track, weight lifting, softball and more.

UPDATE: VA OFFICIALLY SAYS "NO" TO VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES -- Secretary Peake: "...The agency is not in the position to examine the agenda, history and motivations of every organization that may wish to conduct voter registration drives in our facility."

THURSDAY -- 17 JULY 2008

SAILORS AND VETS KICK OFF CONSTRUCTION OF JOINT VA-NAVY HOSPITAL IN NORTH CHICAGO -- "It shows that money is not just going to bullets - it's going to medical care."

FOR INJURED VETERANS, A FREE PLACE TO LIVE -- Nonprofit apartment complex to help families of soldiers receiving treatment at Walter Reed.

DISABLED VETERANS REST CAMP EXPANDING TO REACH OUT TO MORE VETS
-- "When they say the war is over, it's not over. Not for these people."

RULING EXPANDS VETERANS' ACCESS TO FEDERAL JOBS
-- The decision from the Merit Systems Protection Board could open law enforcement and other jobs to veterans who previously bumped up against age restrictions.

VA NOW ACCEPTING ON-LINE CLAIMS APPLICATIONS -- But, will it work, is it safe and will it make the process any faster?

TEXAS TOWN A MICROCOSM FOR SERVICE ENLISTMENT PROBLEMS
-- He attributed his record to partying as a young man. "All I did was smoke a little pot," he said.

UPDATE: "DIE OR GIVE UP TRYING" -- House Subcommittee releases documents on DFAS / Lockheed Martin snafus in processing retro pay.

WEDNESDAY -- 16 JULY 2008

UPDATE: BUSH VETOES MEDICARE / TRICARE BILL, BUT BOTH HOUSES QUICKLY OVERRIDE -- Veto override means no cut in fees for Medicare and Tricare doctors.

LAWMAKERS ACCUSE VA OF HOLDING BACK MASTER PLAN FOR NEW DENVER HOSPITAL -- "They've been purposefully withholding the Master Plan...to try to sell us and Colorado's veterans groups on a scaled-down proposal."

VA TO TEST SUICIDE PUBLIC SERVICE ADS ON TV
-- The VA is stepping up its suicide prevention outreach with a TV announcement featuring actor Gary Sinise.

"MAD DOG" HAS ONE LAST BATTLE TO FIGHT, ONE THAT HE WILL LOSE -- "He pulled out a bottle of morphine and dumped the pills into his mouth without counting. I committed him."

CONGRESSIONAL REPORT SAYS THOUSANDS OF VETERANS MAY HAVE BEEN DENIED PAYMENTS -- Retirees with service-connected disabilities may have been denied benefits or given the wrong amount by DFAS and contractor, Lockheed Martin.

PUBLISHED REPORT SAYS VA WILL MAKE ALS A PRESUMPTIVE SERVICE-CONNECTED DISEASE
-- The news came during a conference call among VA Secretary James Peake, Sen. Lindsey Graham and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Tom Mikolajcik, who suffers from ALS.

LOMA LINDA VA GOES GREEN, INSTALLING 1,600 SOLAR PANELS
-- The system is part of a VA-wide push to use renewable energy under an order signed by President Bush in January 2007.

LAWMAKERS PUSH FOR U.S.-MADE FLAGS AT ALL FEDERAL BUILDINGS
-- Rep. Bob Filner, House Vets' Chair, on foreign-made flags: "It's not a major problem facing the nation. But it's an irritant."

TUESDAY -- 15 JULY 2008

PENNSYLVANIA VETERANS STILL WAITING FOR PERMANENT HOUSING -- "We're just waiting for the VA to start giving us names, addresses. As soon as they send someone here, we're going to issue the vouchers."

PEACE OF MIND AND BODY -- VA tries to ease soldiers' return by offering five years of free medical care.

DIRECT DEPOSIT MAY INCREASE BENEFIT THEFT
-- The increasing popularity of automatic deposits and online banking is sure to increase the number of instances in which people cash in on the benefits of deceased loved ones.

ARMY NOT IMPRESSED WITH ACUPRESSURE TREATMENT FOR PTSD -- Fort Benning refuses to take part in no-charge acupressure trial on soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

WOMAN CLAIMS HUSBAND MISDIAGNOSED AND MISTREATED AT VA
-- "I wondered how the VA could have possibly discharged this man. It struck me as incredible. Even a layperson would have known better. He was just skin and bones."

NEW IOWA LOTTERY GAMES WILL BENEFIT VETERANS
-- "We know that these lottery games going forward are going to provide stable, ongoing revenues to the Veterans Trust Fund, really for the first time."

VA NURSE SPREADS LAUGHTER TO HEAL BODY AND SOUL -- "Gentle and positive humor is more healing, as we look for the absurdities of life and try to point them out."

MONDAY -- 14 JULY 2008

FIGHTING FOR WAR'S WOUNDED -- "It's one thing to wait for a tax refund. It's another thing to sit around waiting for benefits when you're sitting there with a traumatic brain injury."

SOLDIER'S FAMILY QUESTIONS ARMY'S PTSD TREATMENT
-- An Alabama woman says her Soldier-son is slipping through the cracks after a stand-off with Honolulu police last month.

U.S. VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II TO RECEIVE FRANCE'S TOP HONOR
-- Pair to receive Legion of Honor for their actions on a World War II battlefield.

FROM THE BATTLEFIELD TO THE SHELTER -- "When I came back I isolated myself a lot because I didn't want people to think I was crazy."

VETS SHARE WORLD WAR II STORIES - BEST TIME FOR SOME, WORST FOR OTHERS
-- "These men grew up in the Depression, fought in World War II, came home, rebuilt America, made America into a superpower - these guys are amazing."

STAND DOWN STEPS UP WITH AID AND COMFORT FOR VETERANS
-- The outreach program, which started small with homeless vets in San Diego, now helps hundreds of vets get food, medical care and counseling.

CRIMINAL PASTS OFTEN FORESHADOW SOLDIERS' MISCONDUCT
-- The military has lowered standards and handed out more waivers to offenders, who may go on to break the law on duty.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
READ ALL VA NEWS FLASHES HERE  or on RSS           BACK TO TOP OF PAGE

 

OF SPECIAL INTEREST
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOTE SMART - VOTE VET: NEW VETERANS' VOTING INFORMATION PAGE -- See how the presidential candidates voted on veterans' issues.

A LOOK AT THE VETS' COMMISSION'S FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS -- Don't expect any action on recommendations that will cost the government money.   (download Commission report here)

GUN BILL NOT ANTI-VETERAN -- Let's use some common sense instead of nonsense.

VA'S PATIENT RECORD FLAGS: THE REST OF THE STORY -- More about who can flag a veteran's medical records and what can be done about it.

VIDEO: GULF WAR ILLNESS - CONSPIRACY TEST  -- Discovery Channel program explores the mystery of Gulf War Illness as five GW veterans volunteer for the latest genetic testing to look for answers.

            

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE

 

LATEST PUBLISHED ARTICLES on        
                
ALL ARTICLES HERE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OFF WITH HER HEAD? (05-19-08)   Norma J. Perez is still employed by the VA, even after writing an email urging subordinates to deliberately misdiagnose PTSD. Her continued employment makes a mockery of the VA's mental health care system.

SECURITY CLEARANCE DECEPTION  -- (05-07-08)   Pentagon's new policy leads troops to believe that mental health issues will have no bearing on getting a security clearance. Nothing could be further from the truth.

OLD AND IN THE WAY (04-28-08)   As the "new vets" from Iraq and Afghanistan, just 2% of the veteran population, are given priority at the VA, the other 98% find themselves pushed to the rear of the line, now the forgotten of previous conflicts.

GUN BILL NOT ANTI-VETERAN (10-01-07)   Let's use some common sense instead of nonsense about H.R. 2640. If you're a veteran or you have been diagnosed with PTSD, don't worry, they aren't coming for your firearms.

WHAT PROMISE TO VETERANS? -- by Larry Scott
(07-01-07)   It’s the great American myth; an urban legend of epic proportions. But, there was no promise made, so there’s nothing to keep. Now, it’s time for a new, in-your-face attitude:  WE ARE U.S. MILITARY VETERANS -- YOU OWE US!
         

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE

 
     Welcome to VA Watchdog dot Org --

     If you're a veteran, the three men at the upper right may hold your life in their hands.  That's why VA Watchdog dot Org was founded...to keep an eye on them and their decisions.

     This is NOT a VA hate site.  I believe the VA offers the best healthcare in this country.  And independent studies by such prestigious organizations as the Rand Corporation prove it time and again.  This site is designed to keep an eye on those who fund and run the VA...the politicians and the political appointees who don't have to worry about healthcare.

     VA Watchdog dot Org will follow VA news and let you know about policy, regulation and benefit changes at the Department of Veterans' Affairs.  You'll find the columns I write for OpEdNews.com, Military.com and others about VA issues posted here.  The SITE DIRECTORY (below) briefly explains the contents of the different pages.  Look around and take away lots of great information.  Feel free to email me with any questions you might have about the VA. 

      And, you can be a VA Watchdog, too (click here).

     And, should any of the "three wise men" step out of line and make decisions harmful to veterans, you'll find out about it here.  I'd like to think they'll always do the right thing for veterans...but.......

     I'll be..."Keeping an eye on the VA because somebody has to!"

    
Larry Scott
 

 

     SITE DIRECTORY

     PODCASTS / VIDEOS  --  interviews and news clips of importance
     VA HEADLINE NEWS  --  recent VA headline stories posted on VA Watchdog dot Org
     VA DATA THEFT NEWS  --  all the news about the VA data theft incident
     VA NEWS FLASHES  --  daily VA NEWS FLASHES that need your attention
     HOUSE CVA NEWS  --  press releases from the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

     SENATE CVA NEWS  --  press releases from the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
     VA PRESS RELEASES -- press releases from the Department of Veterans' Affairs
     PUBLISHED ARTICLES  --  articles for Military.com and others
     NO FUNDING, NO VOTE -- it's time for our politicians to take a stand on VA funding
     VETERANS' DISABILITY BENEFITS COMMISSION  --  VDBC info and transcripts not available
                                                                                       on the VA site you can download
     YOUR VA BENEFITS  --  the benefits are yours, but you have to ask for them
     USEFUL LINKS FOR VETS  --  links to government agencies and vet's groups
     VA LINKS EZ GUIDE -- links to all VA departments and info on one page
     HEALTH RESOURCES  --  records, PTSD, GWS, DU and more
     HOW TO FILE A CLAIM  --  information you NEED to know when filing a claim
     LARRY'S TIPS FOR VETS  --  tips and ideas I've found useful in dealing with the VA
     OTHER TIPS FOR VETS  --  lots of great tips from other vets and the VSOs
     BE A VA WATCHDOG  --  use your eyes and ears to keep all veterans informed
     POLITICAL ACTION  --  get involved and make a difference
     NEW BONUS ARMY  --  is it time for a New Bonus Army?  Think about it!
     AFGE  --  what the AFGE is doing to help protect veterans' benefits
     BOOKS FOR VETS  --  books on vet's issues, history and more plus a free download of
                                        the latest VA Benefits Handbook
     JIM STRICKLAND  --  archived articles written by Veterans' Advocate Jim Strickland
     RSS/XML INFORMATION --
how to set up an RSS reader on your computer so you can
                                                receive news feeds from this site and many others
     MISSION STATEMENT -- who we are and why we're here
     ADVERTISE -- information about advertising on VA Watchdog dot Org
     DONATIONS  --  make a PayPal donation to help support VA Watchdog dot Org
     CONTACT / STAFF  --  a list of our staff and how to contact us
                                                                                        BACK TO TOP OF PAGE

Google
 
Web www.vawatchdog.org

 

VA lending limits
increased -- See your loan benefits here --
VA Mortgage Center


   Google

   
VA Watchdog
Web

Be sure to get all four
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News

Senate CVA
Veterans' News

VA Press
Releases

 

Need those old military photos restored?

Scott Photo
Restoration

 


Books for Vets
at Powell's

 


 


Download your
free copy of the
2008 VA benefits
handbook here...



VA Watchdog Stuff...
cups, hats, shirts...
click on item to order
and support the site.

 

   Google

   
VA Watchdog
Web

 

Be sure to get all four
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News

Senate CVA
Veterans' News

VA Press
Releases

 


Volunteer at your
VA Hospital



 

 

 

 

[ HOME ] VA HEADLINE NEWS ] VA NEWS FLASHES ] JIM STRICKLAND ] MESOTHELIOMA ] PODCASTS/VIDEOS ] HOUSE CVA NEWS ] SENATE CVA NEWS ] VA PRESS ] PUBLISHED ARTICLES ] HALL OF SHAME ] NO FUNDING, NO VOTE ] VETS DISABILITY COMM ] YOUR VA BENEFITS ] USEFUL LINKS 4 VETS ] VA LINKS EZ GUIDE ] HEALTH RESOURCES ] HOW TO FILE A CLAIM ] LARRY'S TIPS 4 VETS ] OTHER TIPS 4 VETS ] BE A VA WATCHDOG ] POLITICAL ACTION ] NEW BONUS ARMY ] AFGE ] BOOKS FOR VETS ] RSS/XML INFO ] VETS' DATA SECURITY ] MISSION STATEMENT ] ADVERTISE ] DONATIONS ] CONTACT / STAFF ]
vvvvvvvvvv
©2005-2008 Larry Scott / VA Watchdog / VA Watchdog dot Org
This site is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by or approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs.  Aren't you glad of that?

FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such materials available in an effort to advance understanding of veterans' issues. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the included information for educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml   If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.