Easter in Crawford

And Recent Days in Iraq, photos and news reports!

Visit AfterDowningStreet.org as David, and the rest at the site are keeping a running update, through communication with those in Crawford and any reports coming out from there through other sources.

Wonder why whittle bush isn't clearing the brush at 'The Ranch{?}', after all he hasn't been there since what, a few weeks, give or take a few days!

And 'Easter', at home with the family, Church service at family Church, is the Truely Christian Way to Honor 'Christ' Rising!


There are also other links at AfterDowningStreet.org as well as photos at the links below with the Crawford Video's, just click on a crawford pic to visit the Truthout site covering Crawford Easter Action. Clicking the Iraq photos will bring you to the InfoShop site, source of News, Photo's and Links to other sources.



In between Video Links I will have a few photo's&news reports , from Iraq, giving reason why this Must End!!




Light A Candle For
Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
and For The Children - Innocence Lost!





A boy at a refugee camp near Najaf, where he and his family fled from the Ahu Ghraib district of Baghdad. Some 33,000 people have been internally displaced in Iraq since the shrine in Samarra was destroyed on February 22, according to the International Organization for Migration

Associated Press Update 9: Marines Suffer 2 Dead, 22 Wounded in Iraq
By VANESSA ARRINGTON , 04.14.2006, 06:22 PM
U.S. casualties have begun to rise this month following a sharp drop in March, which saw the lowest number of American dead in Iraq since February 2004. Last month, 31 U.S. service members died in Iraq, but fatalities in April have already passed 40.

Reports on Easter in Crawford

April 14, 2006 Baghdad Morgue Overflowing Daily
Inter Press Service
Dahr Jamail and Arkan Hamed

BAGHDAD, Apr 14 (IPS) - As sectarian killings continue to rise in Iraq, the central morgue in Baghdad is unable to keep up with the daily influx of bodies.

The morgue is receiving a minimum of 60 bodies a day and sometimes more than 100, a morgue employee told IPS on condition of anonymity.

"The average is probably over 85," said the employee on the morning of April 12, as scores of family members waited outside the building to see if their loved ones were among the dead.

A child listens as U.S. soldiers question his father about an attack in the Abu Ghraib district of Baghdad on April 1.



Military Families: From the Heart
A Film by Scott Galindez

Mona Parsons and Tamara Rosenleaf remind us what it is all about.They share the pain that those of us without family and friends in the military will never know. Sometimes we forget that the numbers are real people. Mona and Tamara don't forget; their loved ones are in Iraq.
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Another day at a refugee camp, called Diwaniyah, for people displaced by the civil war started by the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq.



Fourteen Arrested at Camp Casey
A Film by Scott Galindez
Photo: Al McCleese

Determined to get their day in court, fourteen peace activists were arrested outside of George Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Among those arrested were Daniel Ellsberg, Deedee Miller and Iraq war veteran Geoffrey Millard. Spokesperson Ann Wright said the group would continue to return to the site until their right to protest there is restored.
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Downtown Ramadi, capitol of the resistance, is not looking so good these days. A picture of this same building (which I believe is or used to be the headquarters of the U.S.-installed government in Ramadi) a year or two ago showed it in much better condition. February 19



Our Day in Court
A Film by Scott Galindez

TruthOut's managing editor, Scott Galindez, is back in Crawford, Texas, with Cindy Sheehan, Ann Wright, and dozens of other supporters. Back in November 2005, 11 of the Camp Casey faithful were arrested for violating new regulations against parking and gathering on the side of the county roads. None of the arrestees have been charged or had their day in court. Well, they want their day in court ... Cindy, Deedee, Daniel Ellsberg, Ann Wright and the others were joined by dozens of protesters on the steps of the county courthouse, where they demanded their day in court.
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A car bomb exploded in the holy city of Najaf on that day, 300 meters from the Imam Ali shrine (holiest in the city to Shiite Muslims), killing at least ten people and injuring many more.



This is a Silent Honor Roll shown on the PBS 'News Hour', now Almost Daily, that was started at the Beginning!

As of Today Easter Sunday, 4-16-06 there are 59 Pages with 5 'Honor Roll' links per page!

If you take the Time to View 'ALL', or only a few, the Pages/Photo's and Information Instill This Thought Into Each American Military Face You See, 'Try and Picture 30, 40, 50, 60 or More Iraqi Faces, Children-Women-Men, Killed for Each Of These Faces You Are Looking At'
And also Think about the Survivors of those Killed and Maimed, many of them are the ones are Troops are now fighting!!

US colonel offers Iraq an apology of sorts for devastation of Babylon
By Rupert Cornwell in Washington
Published: 15 April 2006

In an act of at least partial contrition, an officer in charge of the US military occupation of Babylon in 2003 and 2004 has offered to make a formal apology for the destruction his troops wrought on the ancient site.

Sunset over the Green Zone. The smoke is from a "burning car"..

Permission to Speak Freely, Sir
By Stephen Pizzo, News for Real.
Posted April 14, 2006.

Those who have never served in the military don't understand how extraordinary it is for career military officers to say the things they're saying.

This is not a column about reinstituting the draft. I just want to make the case that you pay close and respectful attention to the recent statements by retired top Pentagon brass. Because never in my life did I ever expect to hear these kinds of things coming out of the mouths of such men. Never. Here's a sampler:


**"[Donald Rumsfeld] has proved himself incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically. Mr. Rumsfeld must step down."
--General Paul Eaton, who oversaw training of Iraqi army troops, 2003-2004


**"I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him. Specifically, I feel he has micromanaged the generals who are leading our forces there."
--retired Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.


**"I think we need a fresh start … We need leadership up there (the Pentagon) that respects the military as they expect the military to respect them."
--Maj. Gen. John Batiste, commander 1st Infantry Division in Iraq, 2004-2005


**We won't get fooled again … Rumsfeld and many others unwilling to fundamentally change their approach should be replaced."
--Marines Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold, director of operations of Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2000-2002


**"The problem is that we've wasted three years … absolutely, Rumsfeld should resign."
--Marines Gen. Anthony Zinni, former chief of U.S. Central Command


**"A lot of them [other generals] are hugely frustrated. Rumsfeld gave the impression that military advice was neither required nor desired" in the planning for the Iraq war.
--Lt. Gen. Wallace Gregson, former commander of Marines forces in the Pacific Theater


**"Everyone pretty much thinks Rumsfeld and the bunch around him should be cleared out. [Rumsfeld and his advisers have] made fools of themselves, and totally underestimated what would be needed for a sustained conflict."
--Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs

'Stations of the Cross'
Good Friday

GEOFFREY MILLARD, a member of Iraqi Veterans Against the War (left), marches past a small group of counter-protestors on his way to the next of 12 Stations of the Cross on Good Friday with about 70 pro-peace marchers from the Crawford Peace House. Millard was arrested later in the morning for violating a new McLennan County ordinance that prohibits living on the right-of-way of county roads.
—Staff Photo By Nathan Diebenow



The Lone Star Iconoclast




'WHAT

WOULD

JESUS

DO'


From Peace Takes Courage

The New Pink Song "Dear Mr. President"

{Link brings up song}

"Dear Mr. President"

(feat. Indigo Girls)

Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why

Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held high
Can you even look me in the eye

Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'd never take a walk with me
Would you

"Take Me Home"

"Take Me Home - A Sampler of American Artists for Peace "

This is an enhanced CD - the accompanying award-winning video can be viewed on either a PC or Mac. View the "Take Me Home" Video. Cinematographer Mark Howard.

Visit Site for links to Artists, about CD, and where you can get it.

whittle bush Sings

"Imagine"

Oh Some Uh Been Forgotten

ANTI-WAR Pres. Candidate, Out Monday

First Democrat to Announce Candidacy for President on Monday

Published on Thursday, April 13, 2006 by CommonDreams.org

by Joe Lauria



Senator Mike Gravel, D-Alaska

NEW YORK -- Mike Gravel, a former U.S. senator from Alaska, will next week become the first Democrat to formally declare his candidacy for president.

Nearly two years before the Iowa caucuses kick off the presidential campaign, Gravel will announce his bid to become the Democratic White House hopeful at a news conference Monday at the National Press Club in Washington. He will file his papers today with the Federal Election Commission.

Many of us Remember Gravel, and his Service To Country, at a time when the Need was So Great!!

Gravel served in the Senate from 1969 to 1981, during the turbulent last years of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. He is hoping voters respond to his anti-war stance, drawing on the parellels being made between Vientam and Iraq.

Gravel is perhaps best known for staging a one-man filibuster leading to the end of the military draft as well as for reading the Pentagon Papers into the record at a hastily arranged Senate committee hearing at the end of June 1971. A day after he did so the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the Justice Department's prior restraint on the publication of the papers in the press.

Gravel later lost a Supreme Court decision in spring 1972 to allow publishing the classified documents in book form by Beacon Press in Boston. The Nixon administration chose not to prosecute him or Beacon and publication went forward. The court had ruled that Gravel had immunity from prosecution only within the confines of the Senate chambers.

Gravel says he is also motivated to run by his opposition to the Iraq war and by a desire to reverse the level of secrecy in government. He is particularly critical of Democrats who supported the invasion.

"They did not have good intelligence and they should have had the judgment to perceive this," he said. `When the administration puts a classification on a document, members of Congress stand there like frozen zombies."

At 75, Gravel acknowledges that age will be made an issue in his campaign. "Now when people talk about age, let's really look at age," he said. "Nelson Mandela was in his mid-seventies when he became the head of South Africa, the chancellor who rebuilt Germany, Konrad Adenauer, was in his 80s and then my hero of all time, Pope John XXIII, who they put into power at 68, did more in four years than had been done in the Catholic Church for over 500 years."

Gravel sees Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York as the clear Democratic frontrunner. "She can be unseated if somebody would be aggressive," he said. "I'll challenge her and any other candidate on the issues. The Democratic Party has to stand for something if it wants power."

Read Rest of CommonDreams Article  HERE

Generals Coming Out - A PBS 'NewsHour' Interview

Several former generals have criticized Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on his Iraq war strategy. Retired Major General John Batiste comments.

Read Transcript HERE and also Listen

Listen HERE

Icon of War Suffers From PTSD {Update 2}

The Above 'Title' is that of Tonights, 4-13-06, ABC 'Nightline' Show!

There was a report on the ABC 'World News Tonight', this evening, which was the leadin to the 'Nightline' show coming up.

A talk with 'The Iraq Marlboro Man'!!

Video Clip:
Psychological Toll of Battle
Marine who became an icon of the war in Iraq offers lesson on the wounds of war.

'Marlboro Man' Marine Describes Struggle With PTSD

Marine Suffering From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Tells His Story

By JAKE TAPPER, ROXANNA SHERWOOD and KARIN WEINBERG

LONG FORK, Ky., April 13, 2006 -- - You may know him from the iconic photograph, showing the exasperation and grit of a U.S. Marine.

He is Lance Corp. James Blake Miller from Jonancy, Ky., holler -- a small valley between mountains -- in the eastern part of the state named after his great-great-great-grandparents, Joe and Nancy.

To many Americans, this picture of a young American fighter has become a symbol of what is right with the nation. That may be true, but the deep, psychological wounds Miller has sustained in Iraq make him a symbol of something else, too.

Miller suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition he says the American people do not truly understand.

"I tried to explain to people that I was suffering from PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], and they were thinking that this guy is a head case," he said. "That's the reason that I am doing this."

Read The Rest HERE!

And if home tonight watch the 'NightLine' show.

This country had better be ready, this time, for all that it maybe facing with these Maimed, both Physically and Mentally, Military Veterans returning to live the rest of their lives with the Horrific Memories and Experiances of War!

And think also of the Iraqi People living within the Devestation of their own country, now and for many years to come!

~~~~~~~~

The following went up, over at ePluribus Media, just prior to my posting this Information there. I've gotten permission to tag the Ilona ePMedia Podcast interview to this one, link embedded to original and pertinant links:

Podcast Interview with PTSD Researcher ilona -- 4/13/2006

by Penny Century
Thu Apr 13, 2006 at 06:48:43 PM EST

The weekly podcasts ePMedia's LibSyn page.

In this week's podcast, ePMedia correspondent Ilona Meagher -- editor of the online journal PTSD Combat: Winning the War Within -- talks about her research into post-traumatic stress disorder in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Host: Kay Shepherd.

Listen To Podcast

Related links:

ePluribus Media Journal -- Blaming the Veteran: The Politics of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD Combat: Winning the War Within

PTSD Resources

COWARDICE

COWARDICE

FLASH VIDIO

~~~~~~~~~~

BROKEN PROMISES

From Peace Takes Courage.

"What Democracy Looks Like"

What we've been witnessing, the last few weeks, is Actual 'Democracy' in Action, many of those participating are what we call 'Illegals' in this country of Immigrants, many are new citizens, 'Legal' Imigrants!! The following isn't about that 'Democracy' that is happening, but 'Democracy' participated in by tens of thousands of 'Legal', and more than likely many 'Illegal', Immigrants, as there are many from All over this planet and they have lived/worked here for years, and our Peaceful Native Sisters and Brothers during One Weekend in Sept '05!



Before I begin let me just say 'I have No connection with, nor monetary gain from, what I am passing on', as this will show. But I will be making personal contact with others to help get this distributed

A record of History, a record of Action, Democracy in Reality!
There is a DVD Documentary, produced by one Chun Pan, and a little over 45min long, that Any who attended the Washington DC Actions, of the weekend of Sept 24th 2005, may want a copy of. Not only as a Keepsake of Memories, but of the possible Historic Value that can be passed down. Those who did not attend may also want this for the same as above and to actually feel the Power of the People in Action.

I found the following information, sans my comments of course, posted on the AfterDowningStreet site. Because there was no information about any cost nor contact, except the e-address, I contacted Chun. He has given permission to pass on the information about the DVD's he produced.

Video of the Antiwar protest in Washington D.C. on September 24, 2005

Were you in DC for the big demonstration back in Sept? If so or if you wanted to be or know anyone who was, there is a new DVD by Chun Pan, "What Democracy Looks Like". It's a great job, 47 minutes and filled with all the activities of the weekend. This is an awesome documentary and it is moving beyond words. Contact chunpan9@yahoo.com to order this DVD, and also “Skipping in Camp Casey” if you haven't seen that one! Be sure to specify which DVDs you're ordering.

When I received my first reply from Chun, I had asked what was the price he was asking for each DVD, he said a $10 donation if possible, as he is looking to send a number of them to differant Pro-Peace Groups, Pro-Peace Elected Officials, etc. etc., and was looking for donations to offset the cost of mailings for those as well as for personal orders etc..
I had sent Chun my home address in those original contacts last week. I than sent out a check covering the donation of $10 for each plus a few ducats more to help him out with the costs, mailing that on saturday morning, the 8th. To my surprise the DVD's were in my mailbox upon returning from work today, monday the 10th of April, my guess is he won't receive my check till tomorrow.

I am the documentary filmmaker that made “Skipping in Camp Casey”. I have just completed another film about the antiwar protest that occurred on September 24, 2005 in Washington DC. It is called “What Democracy Looks Like”.
If you would like a copy of either DVD, please e-mail me at ChunPan9@yahoo.com with your mailing address.
This video may save the lives of young American soldiers and Iraqi citizens, by influencing the way Americans vote during elections. This 47 minute documentary can be shown at group meetings or it can be broadcast on your local public access TV station.
Again, please include your mailing address. Thanks.

Notice in the above he asks for No funds to be sent or donated, if you can't afford I'm sure he will forward a copy to you anyway.
I just finished watching "What Democracy Looks Like" and in my oppinion Chun did a Great job, in the filming and production. As I had just written him the thing about the Documentary I really liked was that there is No Cover Narrative, except a reading of a personal letter from a service member in Iraq, which will bring tears to any eyes. He used music and song and the Actual events sounds to narrate the Video, thus giving you the feel of actually being back there as you watch
He takes you from the arrival of the 'Bring Them Home Now' contigent, to the friday night Candle Light Vigil, at Camp Casey Washington and Silent Candle Light March to 'The Wall', both of which I and my traveling companion Lisa attended and participated in, right through the weekend ending with the Monday Actions of Civil Disobedience in front of the 'Peoples House'!
This is a Must Have DVD and should be shown to many as well
The only way he is handling this right now is by You sending Him an E-Mail at: chunpan9@yahoo.com or you can send a check/moneyorder with your contact information to:
Chun Pan
2001 Routt St.
Lakewood CO 80215
Asking for either DVD or both.
I asked him about setting up a PayPal, or other, account to make things easier for him. He seems not to be the type who orders online using a credit card or other account number. I than passed a couple of e-addresses to people with sites/organizations that might be willing to handle the ordering and even help in distribution, as many would remember there were some 500,000 folks in DC on that day, out of that I'm sure the numbers of interested folks would be Huge! Hopefully he'll take the information and make the contacts. I will be contacting a few groups to see if we can help out.
Below are a few reviews that were with the posting at AfterDowningStreet, I'm adding my own, and as Chun will be seeing this he can use that one as well. Haven't watched his original work from Crawford "Skipping In Camp Casey", but will be doing so soon, very soon!
~~~~~~~~
Below are a few Reviews

REVIEWS:
~~~~~~~~
I just finished watching "What Democracy Looks Like", evening of April 10th '06, and in my oppinion Chun did a Great job, in the filming and production. As I had just written him the thing about the Documentary I really liked was that there is No Cover Narrative, except a reading of a personal letter from a service member that was in Iraq, which will bring tears to any eyes, it certainly did mine. He used music and song and the actual events sounds to narrate the Video as it moved along, thus giving you the feel of actually being back there as you watch.
For anyone who wasn't able to travel there, I met many from Calif., Oregon, Florida, and parts in-between, even Hawaii, you will feel the events as you watch, I'll bet on that. It was an Historical Weekend and will be remembered for years to come, as many of these Pro-Peace actions have from years past. Too Bad We, As A Nation, Didn't Learn What We Preached As That Nation, No More Wars Like Vietnam, And No More 'Walls'!!
I would suggest that this is a must see documentary from, I'm sure, a rising star in these types of movie productions! You'll be hearing more from Mr. Chun I'm sure!
James Starowicz
Member: Veterans For Peace
USN '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In-Country '70-'71 COMNAVFORV - CHNAVADVGRP MACV, RVN
~~~~~~~~
I was able to watch Chun's Documentary "Skipping in Camp Casey", you will understand title if you see this, last night. This is another Real Good work, in the same mode as "Democracy", letting the People and Actions Speak for themselves as Narrative, I Really enjoy this form that he takes!
This is a Must Have if you were in Crawford, as he takes you from the beginning of 'Camp Casey One' right through to 'Camp Casey 2', ending with the Solemn Actions of taking down the Camp and getting ready for the VFP Impeach Bus, and personal, to head to Covington LA after Katrina before heading to DC for the Sept 24th Weekend Actions covered in "Democray". It is also a Must Have for those who couldn't make Crawford but Supported Cindy, the 'GoldStar Families' and All Who stood Down this pResident!!
James Starowicz
Member: Veterans For Peace
USN '67-'71 GMG3 Vietnam In-Country '70-'71 COMNAVFORV - CHNAVADVGRP MACV, RVN
~~~~~~~~~
I watched it on my 64 inch TV today with a friend and it is so awesome. The pictures the music the activities are so well done!!!! It is so powerful and touched my soul. I am going to send one to a friend who maybe able to link it to Du if we have your permission. I will send one to Cindy also.
I also want to thank you for doing this. I wish everyone in the world could see it and realize that most of us in this country DO NOT support this war.
J. C.
~~~~~~~~
Good job on your video “What Democracy Looks Like”! I hope to air it on public access TV here in Washington state.
E.B.
~~~~~~~~
Thank you for sending this excellent DVD. I will circulate it around acquaintances who have not previously taken part in such a protest, but may be considering doing so in the future.
E. F.
~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr. Pan,

I just finished watching your excellent film,
for the sixth time... this
time with no less tears in my eyes than any of the
previous viewings.

Your film is indeed wonderful, and I can't thank you
enough for your vision, creativity, and hard work to
create such a fine portrayal of everything that was
"the Camp Casey experience."

I am 66 years old... retired from a Fortune 200
company where I was the Director of Operations. For
most of my adult life, I considered myself a staunch
"conservative"... even campaigned hard for Barry
Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election. Even
so, some ten years ago, I began to find my soul. As
one of Native American lineage, I began to spend
some time each year in the Four corners area...
mostly in the Navajo and Hopi reservations. There,
my eyes began to open to a sense of community and
the larger world around me. I began to read
voraciously... learning the truth about politics and
what governments really do. Needless to say, my
conversion to what many call liberalism has been
both deep and wide.

Like many others, I found "the Camp Casey
experience" a life-changing event. During my four
days there, I was honored to visit with so many
wonderful people... and probably best of all, I
"found my voice."

Mr. Pan, your film has allowed me to get a "booster
shot" of the magic that was Crawford whenever I
want... I thank you for that.

Again, you have my deepest appreciation and respect!

Blessings abounding to you, and Peace, sweet Peace
to all!

~~~~~~~~
Hello all. I just finished watching the documentary by chunpan9@yahoo.com
If you have not yet ordered this extraordinary film, I urge you to do so. I actually watched it twice trying to get glimpses of people I knew and may have lost along the way. He truly captures the flavor and essence of our summer at Camp Casey 1 and Camp Casey 11.
Having spent my summer at the Peace House, providing transportation and moving people and settling crisis with the Crawford PD, I only just came to realize how much I really missed. It was a lot!
Camp People, you did a great job, and Chun, kudo's to you. The documentary is 54 minutes short :) and would make an excellent way to have your friends and neighbors get involved with our peace movement.
It is free but donations are welcome and accepted. I plan to order a few more for those who wanted to come but could not.
Your friend
B C

Two Must Take Actions For Veterans:

Make Sure Funding For First Is A Go!! On Second Tell Them NO FRIGGIN WAY, Restore Funding and Add More! It's Overdue for this countries citizens to Start Actually 'Sacrificing' while Our Military fights this Senseless Conflict!!

Canandaigua VA To Research PTSD

Last Update: 4/8/2006 12:57:17 PM


For Video Report Feed

Kyle Clark (Rochester/Canandaigua, NY) -- The federal government is giving the Canandaigua VA new missions, including research on the most effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In addition, doctors there will find new ways to deliver mental health care to vets in rural areas.

A local veteran living with PTSD hopes new treatments will mean happier homecomings for soldiers who are currently serving.

Thom Harris now lives on Comfort Street on Rochester's southeast side. It's been 36 years since he was a young Marine fighting in the jungles of Da Nang, Vietnam, but his dreams can still take him back there.

"When I get ready to lie down in my bed, I know whether or not it's one of those nights," he said.

Still, Harris is a success story. Regular therapy helps keep his PTSD in check.
He wonders what's on the minds of the men and women returning from war today.

"It worries me. I say that loud and clear, it worries me. They've got the mark of war on them, as we say," Harris said.

Harris and others have found peace and quiet at the Canandaigua VA.

US Representative Jim Walsh said, in addition to the PTSD research, "The other portion of the mission would be how to best treat soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who settle in rural areas, because of their remoteness from hospitals."

That could mean developing therapy via teleconferences or the Internet, as well as immediate treatment that starts the day soldiers come home. It's the kind of understanding and support Harris waited years to find.

"Because of some of the things we went through as Vietnam veterans, hopefully we blazed a trail for some of the guys coming back from the war," he said.

The new uses for the Canandaigua V.A. fulfill its role as a newly-named "National Center of Excellence in the Department of Veterans Affairs."

Walsh said he expects a final plan from the VA by June or July. As the chair of the Congressional Committee on Veterans Affairs, Walsh will push it through the House and Senate

=========


Budget cuts area that helps fund Durham VA rehab

By Gerry Smith, Herald-Sun Washington bureau
April 6, 2006 10:05 pm



WASHINGTON -- Rep. David Price, D-4th District, accused the Bush administration on Thursday of trying to delay medical and prosthetic research for veterans in its 2007 budget proposal by cutting funding that helps pay for a Durham rehabilitation center.
The proposal, part of President Bush's proposed Veterans Affairs budget of $80.6 billion for 2007, would cut research funding from this year's $412 million allocation to $399 million next year. Price said a $23 million increase from this year's spending is needed just to maintain current programs, according to the biomedical research and development price index, "so that means the administration's proposal is effectively a $36 million cut."
At a subcommittee hearing with Veterans Affairs Secretary James Nicholson, Price asked how many medical and prosthetic research programs the VA planned to suspend or cancel in its fiscal 2007 budget proposal.
The VA officials at the hearing responded that the agency received $412 million this year, even though the VA had asked for only $393 million, $6 million less than this year's request.
The Office of Independent Budget for the Department of Veteran Affairs said on its Web site that the agency would need $460 million for medical and prosthetic research in 2007.
"It's really difficult to avoid the conclusion that the VA intends to slow down its research program and certainly halt any program growth in fiscal year 2007," said Price, a member of the subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs.
The proposed funding cuts for research could affect the Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Durham VA Medical Center. Harold Kudler, the center's co-director, said he did not want to speculate about what possible cuts might mean, but acknowledged that the center relies entirely on federal funding and hoped it would continue.
The center, which opened last year and has been receiving $2.8 million a year in federal funding, focuses on treating and assessing the "post-deployment mental health" of soldiers returning from war.
Experts in the field say a growing number of returning soldiers are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Louis Washington, director of Durham County Veterans Services, said he has seen more veterans, including some who served in the Vietnam War, filing claims for PTSD in the last few years. But Washington said being discharged from the military for PTSD is difficult because the Department of Defense views the disorder as "a way for soldiers to get out" of serving.
Vietnam veteran Samuel Miller of Durham said funding cuts for prosthetic research would be "a sin."
Miller lost his foot after stepping on a mine in Vietnam and wears a prosthetic foot. He recently had pain from bone spurs.
But when he went to the prosthesis clinic at Durham VA Medical Center last year, Miller, who is president of Veterans for Benefits Justice, said he was told he should have surgery instead of having a new prosthesis built.
"I said, 'You mean I got to go through more pain just to make it fit?' "

=======
=======


"Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another."

James Starowicz
USN '67-'71
'67-'68: Meridian Mississippi/Naval Air Station
'68-'70: GMG3, Panama Canal Zone/Rodman Naval Base
'70-'71: GMG3, Coronado Calif - CounterInsurgency/S.E.R.E. School, Vietnam -- In-Country COMNAVFORV - CHNAVADVGRP MACV, RVN
Member: Veterans For Peace

From: Writings On The Wall

Reflections on The Wall

They walk along The Wall,
Silent and searching,
Faces reflected in black surface,
Tears forming in eyes.

They walk along The Wall,
Silent and searching,
Intervening years
Have not quieted the pain.

They walk along The Wall,
Silent and searching,
Images of comrades
Invade the mind.

They walk along The Wall,
Silent and searching,
Seeking respite
From memories of anguish.

They walk along The Wall,
Silent and seaching,
Seeking release from
Years of repudiation.

They walk along The Wall,
Silent and searching,
Outcasts of yore
In their time of need.

They walk along The Wall.
Silent and searching,
Spirits of heroes
Home, at last.

Author Not Given
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From: Writings On The Wall
Reflections on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Booklet
by Jan Scruggs

Iraq Three Years On: Don't Look Away

Poet Nguyen Duy, veteran of the North Vietnamese signal corps declares, “It is easy to kill. On the front lines, war is not about politics, it is about staying alive. And it is a situation from which there is almost no way out.”
Edward Tick-War and the Soul
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Stop the Next War Now
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When the survivor cannot leave war’s expectations, values, and losses behind, it becomes the eternal present. This frozen war consciousness is the condition we call post-traumatic stress disorder.
Edward Tick-War and the Soul
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Iraq: Pure War, Pure Crime
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A diagnosis of anxiety disorder wrongly assumes a pathological distortion that we can treat or medicate back into normalcy. This misunderstanding denies the ultimate nature of the transformation causing survivors and their families to feel frustrated and alienated and demonstrating our culture’s denial of war’s impact. …it is so important to recognize PTSD as an identity disorder.
Edward Tick-War and the Soul
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Ann Wright: Iraq War Makes World Less Safe
Ann Wright, former Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Mongolia for the US Foreign Service, feels as long as the US remains in Iraq, the violence there will continue. Wright said the US needs to leave as soon as possible and leave it up to the Iraqi people to decide if they want an international presence and, if so, whom.
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Moreover, such an understanding aligns PTSD with the archaic goal of war as a form of initiation. Modern warfare damages and destroys the youth and his character and threatens him with annihilation at the very time rites of passage are suppose to mature him in psychologically nurturing socially useful, and spiritually enlightened ways.
Edward Tick-War and the Soul
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Bill Moyers | A Culture of Corruption
Bill Moyers argues that money is choking our democracy to death. Our elections are bought out from under us, and our public officials are doing the bidding of mercenaries.
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From Vietnam War air force veteran Jim Helt:
"For me "collateral damage" is one of the most insidious phrases in the English language. At first brush it seems rather innocuous, but it means dead and wounded non-combatant women, children, men, elderly. It sanitizes death..."
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Iraq Three Years On: Don't Look Away
Three years after the toppling of Saddam, Iraq is a bloody mess: yesterday 70 people were killed in an attack on a Baghdad mosque. Patrick Cockburn reports on three years of broken promises in a blighted land.
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"General, your tank is a mighty vehicle.
It shatters the forest and crushes a hundred men.
But it has one defect:
It needs drivers.


General, a man is quite expendable.
He can fly and he can kill.
But he has one defect:
He can think.”

-- Bertolt Brecht
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"Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another."