KL war crime commission hears nine charges against Bush, Blair, Howard

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (NNN-BERNAMA) --

The Kuala Lumpur War Crime Commission chaired by former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad heard nine charges against US President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Australian Prime Minister John Howard for the sufferings of the people in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.

The charges against the US and its allies were presented by the legal counsel on behalf of the war crime victims, Matthias Chang, before Dr Mahathir and the other five commission members at the final day of the three-day war crimes conference organised by the Perdana Global Peace Conference.

Chang said Bush, Blair and Howard, through a deliberate plan of deception, falsehood, forgery and outright lies, misled their respective Congress and Parliament to wage war against Iraq which was a "crime against peace."

The trio were also being charged for embarking on a systematic campaign to destroy Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine economically and militarily, he said.

He said the third charge against them was for ordering the destruction of vital facilities essential to civilian lives in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine while the fourth was for the bombing of schools, hospitals, mosques, churches, residential areas and historical sites and conveniently labelling the destruction as "collateral damage".

The three leaders were also charged with allowing the use of weapons of mass destruction that inflicted indiscriminate death and suffering against civilian targets such as the cluster bomb, napalm bomb, phosporous bomb and depleted uranium ammunition, said Chang.

The sixth charge said that Bush, Blair and Howard have fraudulently manipulated the United Nations and the Security Council as well as corrupting its members to commit crimes against peace and war times, he said.

Through the aforesaid conduct, Chang said the three had destroyed the environment of Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.

The eighth charge was that Bush, Blair and Howard ordered and condoned the violation of human rights, specifically the civilians in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay in Cuba as well as other prisons known and unknown in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and anywhere else in the world.

The last charge spelled out that Bush, Blair and Howard systematically controlled and manipulated, directed and misinformed the mass media so as to incite war to achieve their military objectives in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.

Apart from hearing the charges against the three leaders, the commission also heard the presentation from several war crime victims including Najwa J.A. Jalamna, 16, from Jenin, Palestine, Abbas Abid, a survivor of the Fallujah Massacre in Iraq, editor-in-chief of the Al-Intiqad & Al-Manar TV (Lebanon) Ibrahim Mousawi as well as Palestinian Peace Activity's Dr Walid Salah Al-Khatib.

Dr Mahathir said the commission was to respond to several petitions of war crime victims and investigate into their complaints.

"We appreciate there are other tribunals but there are so many complaints, the other tribunals perhaps are not being able to hear the complaint. We feel there is a need for the setting up of this tribunal and give an opportunity for those war crime victims to voice out their complaints and to seek redress," he said.

The commission would investigate complaints of war crimes and thereafter to submit and report to the tribunal that would be set up, which are still at the pro tem stage.

Shrub HD Omega

PTSD Combat News Roundup: February 2007

Coverage includes:

Information on next week's National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week (Feb 11-17)

A choice Tennessean reader comment on the underfunded VA

Update on the latest veterans' reintegration legislation to be introduced on Capitol Hill

Noteworthy editorial from Great Falls, Mont.

News of a Bronx Veterans Study program offering complimentary reintegration counseling

Bryan Anderson, Bears fan and inspiring veteran

NPR's All Things Considered considers DoD casualty counts and costs

Army Surgeon General 'learning lessons' from Fort Carson investigations

Feb. 16 National Symposium on Combat Stress Injuries

DoD's obscure definition of 'casualty'

Galley copies of Moving a Nation to Care mailed


Visit This Link to read the coverage, with links, than visit more on Ilona's PTSD Combat Blog.

National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week

Feb 11-17: National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week
Every day, some 98,000 veterans are treated in Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, outpatient clinics, domiciliaries, and nursing homes. And every year, during Valentine's Week, a call goes out to the public to visit and honor these hospitalized veterans during National Salute Week. This year, the event runs from February 11 - 17, 2007.

From the VA:

VA invites individuals, veterans groups, military personnel, civic organizations, businesses, schools, local media, celebrities and sports stars to participate in a variety of activities at the VA medical centers. The activities and events include special ward visits and valentine distributions; photo opportunities; school essay contests; special recreation activities and veteran recognition programs.
The week also provides an opportunity for the community to become acquainted with the volunteer opportunities within the medical center.

Contact your nearest VA Medical Center and ask for Voluntary Service to discover the wonderful things you, your group or organization can do to salute America's Heroes. Locate the facility nearest you.

Congress Did It Once, Can Do Again

"Once Upon A Time", ahhh it's sad to be living in a fairytale time in our countries history.

It's more than sad because of the devestation we have caused and the spineless people's representatives we hire now, it's a Travesty Beyond Belief, and a future of more we are leaving the coming generations!
There was an interview on NPR's 'Here and Now' today that brought back Memories of 'when' and the debacle many of us were caught up in than, those of us who served there and the country. That interviews link is at the bottom.

Listen to the interview, with BU Professor Julian Zelizer and visit 'American Prospect Online' to read an advance of what will be in the magazine in March.
A few snippets below, no need to add commentary to a fine piece of re-visiting history.

How Congress Helped End the Vietnam War

Since January 10, when President Bush proposed a "troop surge" in Iraq, the administration has responded to legislative critics by stating that Congress cannot handle the responsibility of conducting an effective war. "You can't run a war by committee," Vice President Richard Cheney told FOX News on January 14.

The advice that most troubled Johnson came from the senior southern hawk, Senator Richard Russell of Georgia -- Lyndon Johnson's mentor in the Senate. In some of the most chilling telephone conversations from the Johnson presidential archives, Russell explained to Johnson why this war could not be won and how unimportant the conflict was to the outcome of the Cold War.

As the war in Vietnam progressed, however, and the military situation deteriorated, a few Democrats used the power of congressional investigation to force the administration into a contentious public debate. The most significant proceedings were Fulbright's Foreign Relations Committee hearings in February 1966. Eighteen months after passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Fulbright decided that he could no longer stand by the president in a war he opposed. He was worried, as were most members of his committee, that the administration's optimistic assessments were wrong and that a huge buildup of troops would be required in the coming years. He also felt personally betrayed by the president, who had promised to act with restraint.

Congress's Response to President Bush's War Strategy

Thursday, February 08, 2007
Listen Here

While Congress debates how to respond to President Bush's war strategy, we go back to the history books with BU professor Julian Zelizer, who writes about Congress and the Vietnam War in the American Prospect online. While the Vietnam-era Congress had failings, Zelizer writes, lawmakers forced discussions on difficult issues about Vietnam and challenges the White House's arguments for the war. They also used the budget to pressure the Pentagon.

I'm hoping that with the, Finally, 'Oversight' and 'Congressional Investigations', long overdue, will end this Travesty that should never have been started and places our so called National Security, along with everything else, into an extremely deep hole of unknowns!

Top GOP Aide Assails Vets of Iraq War !!

But first a question: "Why does everyone still use the Labels 'GOP', 'Republican' and even 'Conservative' "?

I've been around a Long Time, but as to the three labels above anyone who still claims them, and follows what Ideology they once stood for, have been completely Silent and Cowering these last years, especially the last 6plus yrs..

I haven't seen any that fit the description, and those that I've talked to are no longer affiliated with that once political party, they all switched to Independant, especially in the runup to the last election.

But I degress, now to the report:

From Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, sign up for their Newsletter

Senator Craig's COS Yells, Wags Finger at Iraq War Vets - Veterans Who Fought for Their Country End Meeting Abruptly as Craig's Top Aide Assails them in Meeting
Americans Against Escalation in Iraq Demands Apology from Senator, COS Mike Ware on Behalf of Anti-Escalation Partner VoteVets.org

Washington - As reported in today's Idaho Press Tribune (see below), a group of Iraq war veterans with VoteVets.org, a member of the anti-escalation campaign Americans Against Escalation in Iraq (AAEI), was berated by Senator Larry Craig's (R-ID) Chief of Staff Mike Ware in a meeting yesterday in which the veterans were making their case against Bush's plan to escalate the war in Iraq and in which they called on the Senator to stop obstructing a debate on the plan by supporting a Republican backed filibuster of an anti-escalation resolution. Ware yelled at the veterans and waged his finger at them - berating them in front of at least one other member of Craig's staff.
The veterans, offended by the outburst, ended the meeting abruptly and left the office. AAEI is demanding an apology from Senator Craig and Ware on behalf the veterans present and VoteVets.org.
"It is deplorable and unpatriotic that Senator Craig would tolerate his top aide treating these brave men who fought for their country in Iraq with hostility and disrespect," said AAEI's Moira Mack. "The actions tolerated by Senator Craig and perpetrated by his staff are an affront to all veterans and our troops all around the world. What message does it send to our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan when a U.S. Senator and his staff show such disdain and disrespect for the sacrifices of their fellow solders and veterans? The veterans who are part of VoteVets.org are committed to winning the war on terror but strongly disagree with President Bush's failed strategy in Iraq. That Senator Craig would allow his top aide to treat our brave fighting men this way is a reflection on him and his lack of support for our troops.
"If Senator Craig wants to demonstrate his support for our troops, he will issue an immediate apology for the way his office treated these brave veterans and he will stop obstructing a debate and vote on Iraq policy in the Senate through his support of a filibuster."

The above came in an 'Immediate Release' from AAEI, link above for Newsletter sign up.




Anti-war vets say Craig’s staff rude

Idaho senator’s office counters that discussion got heated, but no more

Heated??? A 'Heated' Discussion With Iraq Vets??? In A Senators Office???

Two veterans who belong to an anti-Iraq-war group claim Idaho Sen. Larry Craig’s chief of staff treated them inappropriately Tuesday in a meeting to discuss President Bush’s move to expand the number of troops in Iraq.

Wonder how old this Chief of Staff is? Anybody from Idaho that might know?

“It’s probably the most unprofessional thing I’ve ever heard from a chief of staff of a U.S. senator,” Soltz said. “I told him it was rather unprofessional to yell at a soldier who fought for our country.”

They not only don't want to Debate the War, they treat the Vets they sent like Shit!
Actually that's not new, they didn't want to do Oversight, Investigations,Question where the Money was going, etc. etc. etc., but everyone already knows how the past six years have been, and the six previous!


Senator Larry Craig site with contact information!

Push For An Apology, And PUSH HARD!!!

MISTRIAL!!!!!!!!!

Watada Court Martial Ends in Mistrial

The Link takes you to After Downing Street where Dave has a list of Writeups

A Soldier's Duty? The Ehren Watada Story

Hidden Costs of War:

Long-Term Price of Providing Veterans Medical Care Could Reach $660 Billion

Over 200,000 soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have been treated at
Veterans Affairs medical facilities thus far, with 900,000 still deployed on
active duty. A new study from Harvard University predicts that the cost of
medical care and compensation benefits for returning veterans will skyrocket
once those troops return home.

Listen/Watch/Read


Peace Activists Launch The Occupation Project: A Campaign of Sustained
Nonviolent Civil Disobedience to End the Iraq War

Kathy Kelly joins us hours after being released from jail. She was one of
ten people arrested in Sen. McCain's office in Washington. Eight more were
arrested in the Illinois offices of Senators Obama and Durbin. Kelly just
returned from two months living and working with Iraqi refugees in Amman,
Jordan.

Listen/Stop/Read

Painful Wait for Needed Help

Backlog of 400,000 Cases

Troops return to painful wait for needed help

By Andrew Weaver and Ray McGovern

February 4, 2007

The California Nurses Association reported that in the first quarter of 2006, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs "treated 20,638 Iraq veterans for post-traumatic stress disorder, and they have a backlog of 400,000 cases." A returning soldier has to wait an average of 165 days for a VA decision on initial disability benefits, and an appeal can take up to three years.
This is unacceptable and reprehensible.

The saying "War is hell" doesn't begin to describe how horrible it has been for tens of thousands in our military in Iraq and Afghanistan. War inevitably involves witnessing and sometimes engaging in gruesome acts of violence. It is a shocking confrontation with death and devastation. It is normal for human beings to react to war's psychic trauma with profound fear, anger, grief, repulsion, helplessness and horror - or with emotional numbness and disbelief.

Trauma is the Greek word for "wound." Just as a physical wound from combat can cause suffering in the body, psychological trauma can cause acute suffering of mind and spirit.

It is not surprising to find that an assessment of more than 220,000 military personnel returning from Iraq published in the April Journal of the American Medical Association found that nearly one in five has significant mental health problems. Repeated tours of duty increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder by 50 percent.

At the same time, we are hearing disturbing news reports that these traumatized soldiers are not receiving the mental heath care they urgently require. Last month, National Public Radio journalist Daniel Zwerdling did an extensive story on the military's treatment of personnel returning from Iraq who suffer from emotional problems, including PTSD.

Veterans coming home stated that their superiors have harassed and punished them for seeking help for psychological problems triggered by their service in Iraq. Several of the soldiers' supervisors acknowledged the callous treatment.

A recent national study by the Government Accountability Office found that most of the troops who show signs of PTSD were not referred to mental health professionals, despite Pentagon claims, in NPR's report, "that providing support to soldiers with emotional problems is a top priority" and "that resources are being made available to returning veterans."

If the same disastrous pattern unfolds that affected Vietnam-era veterans, and these PTSD sufferers do not obtain appropriate and timely assistance, tens of thousands will become unnecessarily and tragically addicted to drugs or alcohol, and many may commit suicide. Besides the 58,000 lost in combat, we lost tens of thousands of Vietnam-era military personnel to suicide and drugs.

The American people must actively advocate and demand appropriate treatment for veterans who have been psychologically wounded by war.



Andrew J. Weaver is a United Methodist minister, research psychologist and author in New York City. His e-mail is aweaver747@aol.com. Ray McGovern was an Army officer and a CIA analyst and is co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity. His e-mail is rrmcgovern@aol.com.

Truthout Interview of Ehren Watada

Watch it here.

News Crawl 2-05-07

Vietnam unveils liberal policy on religion

HANOI - To be religious is now officially welcomed in Vietnam.

Yesterday, the ruling communist regime released a White Paper explaining a new liberal policy towards religion.

It marked the first time the communist government has published a formal document setting forth its stance towards the nation's 20 million religious believers.

For full text of the White Paper on Religion and Religious Policy in Vietnam, click title link


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Vietnam Expands Protection for People with HIV

Richard Knox, NPR
Sister Tue Linh and an AIDS orphan at the Mai Hoa AIDS Center in Cu Chi, about an hour outside Ho Chi Minh City.

A garden at the Mai Hoa AIDS Center. Until recently the center was a hospice where homeless people with AIDS died. Now it's a treatment center where nearly all patients return to health.

Morning Edition, February 5, 2007 · Vietnam is embarking on a campaign to end discrimination against people with AIDS and HIV. A new law will give new rights and protections to people with HIV, and the country is expanding the number of people getting treatment for AIDS.
About 6,500 people currently are receiving antiretroviral drugs. That's about one-quarter of the 25,000 Vietnamese that are estimated to need AIDS treatment now.

You Can Read The Rest and Listen To Report At Title Link

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New Pentagon Numbers Raise Health Care Worries

All Things Considered, February 4, 2007 · Last month, Harvard professor Linda Bilmes presented a paper at a meeting of social scientists about the cost of treating injured soldiers. She reported that 50,000 American troops had been wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.
A few days later she got a call from a senior Pentagon official.
"The assistant secretary for Health of the DOD phoned me up asked me where I had found the numbers, and I faxed him his own Web site and that was the last I heard from them," Bilmes says.
Now both the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs have changed the number of wounded on their Web sites.

You Can Read Report And Listen To At Title Link


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The speech that made the U.S hate Saddam

This speech was delivered by Saddam Hussein to the Amman Summitt meeting on Feb. 24, 1990. Present were the heads of state of the key Arab allies of the United States: the president of Egypt and the kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The president of Syria was also present. In its sweeping proposals for Arab unity against U.S.-Israeli domination, it was a blunt challenge to imperialism. It is this speech that was the flash point of the U.S.-U.N. aggression, not the Kuwait crisis which was engineered in response.

You Can Read The Speach At Title Link

Call Backs - Denied Exemption Requests

Being called back to active duty hard for some reservists


Denied

It was the only word Drew Sleezer really heard when he got the phone call recently.

Sleezer, 22, who already had served two combat tours in Afghanistan, pleaded with the Army to allow him to continue with his college education rather than return to duty.

Instead, he has been ordered to ship out for Iraq on June 3. He got the news last week.

"Nobody had any gas left in their tank," he said. "We didn't care about the mission anymore. It was like, 'Just send the people here to replace us.' "

He received an honorable discharge in September 2005. He assured himself and his parents that there was only a 5 percent chance he'd be called back.

Terrorism 'Over There', Nawww It's 'Over Here'

And it always has been!

When the Hell do we start the Real War on Terrorism?

The one that should have started here Decades Ago.

Where's the 'Shock and Awe' bombings of the cities, suburbs and countryside, Harboring the citizens of this country who should be listed under the definition of 'Terrorist' used by our Government, Media, the rest of the Citizens {some belonging to the groups or rascist biggotted thoughts themselves}, and Leaders and People Worldwide!

We had another rash of Church Burnings recently {in this Christian Southern State and Nation}, I caught a blurb of the following on the local Newscast this morning, did a quick search and found this:

Church fires investigation leads to unrelated arrests

"These folks have a history of being dangerous, and they have a history of committing crimes against folks," Greenville Police Chief William Anderson said.
A noose, handguns, knives and banners with swastikas were seized during a search of the suspects' mobile home in Winterville, police said. Anderson called the group isolated, small and unorganized.

Four charged with kidnapping, conspiracy
Police: Local people associated themselves with neo-Nazi group

Authorities took four people, including a mother and son, into custody and charged them with kidnapping and conspiring to kill a Dutch national. All four are apparently connected to a white supremacist group, authorities say.

During Friday's news conference, police displayed multiple items taken from the locations they searched, including a red-and-white flag bearing a swastika and the motto "National Sozialistische D.A.P."; two other flags with swastikas; a hangman's noose; two handguns; eight knives, including one with two blades; six computer processing units; a stop sign marked with a swastika and racial epithet and multiple items of clothing.

They apparently had a website up which, according to the news article has been shut down.

Wonder if this group of Non-Terrorists, White Supremists, Neo-Nazi's, were Church goers themselves, like some I've met here but seem to only Speak the Hatred not Act on their Thoughts, or do they!

There are 46 google related articles Here

One can pick up the News, daily, and see the reports, depending on where you live, of Gang Shootings {if you're not with us you're agin us}, or random killings {how many are related to Hate Crimes, especially the ones not solved}, random Arsons {once again might they be Hate Crimes}, and you can find other instances that are reported, or not, that would be considered 'Terrorists Acts' under the Definition, never clearly defined but used on others in other places.

When are people, here, going to start putting, into focus, the realities. Our history is full of 'Criminal Terrorists' actions and realities, right from the beginning of those europeans landing on these shores to the present and will continue.

Than we have what should be called the 'Terrorists Attacks', again by our undefined definition, by good ole Mother Nature, and why not call them that.

Recently, as we all know, we had the following 'Terrorist Attack' leading to many reports of, these being just a couple:

Bush declares disaster in Florida as tornado cleanup continues

"We're all in shock. I've lost family members before, and I've never had to bury a child," Lisa May said. "I'm going to speak for her mother, and me and her father. This is the hardest thing that any of us will have to do."

And what's one of the first descriptions givin when good ole 'Mother Nature' attacks:

Alabama man survives Florida tornado

"There were several 18 wheelers laying on their sides, there was one instance where an 18 wheeler had been picked up and thrown on top of another 18 wheeler and I think it pinned the driver in the truck."
She says her husband describes it "like a war zone. Everything is flattened, we definitely thank God today."

Why do people, who've never been to a War Theater keep saying that, oh ya they see Pictures and Film of the Conflicts, real or in movies of. And ya it does look a little like a War Zone, but 'Mother Nature' comes and shortly after it's gone, she isn't there 24/7 Destroying and Killing, day after day after day, never knowing when one might become another fatality of the Wrath of Destruction!

The greater majority have Never been close to a Conflict and wouldn't put themselves there Voluntarily.

While calling others Terrorist and fearing their Arrival on these shores they cheer our exporting of Terror on others in small countries, any place else on this planet!

"I've lost family members before, and I've never had to bury a child,"

How many times have those same thoughts passed through the minds and lips of others, in the invaded countries, untill the death and destruction becomes so common place that it touches All the Individuals living in those little Occupied Countries, and in many cases Whole Families are Destroyed!

Do the cities or burbs of Florida, today, or anyplace else here, except the now neglected Gulf Coast have a resemblance to the Cities of Iraq, or how about Lebanon, or Afganistan, or the Villages and Cities in many places in Africa.

Parts of those Florida area's do, small parts, and the Danger is Long Pass now, though many in Central Florida are probably thinking they are damn close to a War Theater as they've been hit a number of times in these past few years, but Not Daily.

If we're going to have a 'War on Terror' than let it begin Right Here in the States, where's the 'Shock and Awe', where's the Actual Show of Bloated, Arrogant, 'Mochoism' that passes out of the mouths of many but not in Actions.

People here need to live in What We Export, and if we're going to label others as 'Terrorists' we had better start taking care of our own Ingrown 'Terrorists Cells', and their all over. If not in 'Cells' than in individual thoughts, actions and speach. Just watch or listen to our many media outlets. Or how about the pulpits of the churches, and the so called religious leaders. Read postings on the many websites, chat boards, political boards, in articles, in daily conversations etc. etc. etc..

Just change a few words and they All Are Preaching that of which we Condemn Others of!

So let the Bombs start Dropping, the War to begin, the Destruction and Death to start, I'm ready!

I have access to all the Ducktape and Plastic Sheathing, 6mil, needed for my Survival, and have already experianced a Conflict Theater many years ago.

How About You!

Letter from a Vietnam Vet

Letter follows intro:

Dear family and friends,

It's showdown time. Will be keep our democracy or go over the precipice into tyranny? Democracy is not a spectator sport. I urge you to act.
Here is a letter that I just sent to my senators and congressman via Congress. They have a "for a fee" service whereby they print-out then hand deliver your letter to the congressman's office. It cost me $15 to have three letters delivered. Because of the (probably CIA initiated) anthrax scare, mail is TOOOO slow getting to congress. This method has the most impact. I encourage you to do likewise.

*********************
It is abundantly clear that President Bush is preparing to attack Iran and he is not going to ask congress for permission. This administration has repeatedly stretched (and often broken) the authority of the presidency through various ruses and, if congress allows him to continue with his attack on Iran, we can pretty well kiss our democracy good‐bye. For the past six years congress has been complicit in the building of the new American tyranny. The people elected the new, democratically oriented congress precisely because we did not want any further erosion or our freedoms and liberties a la the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act, and to disengage our nation from our misbegotten military involvement in the Middle East.

When World War III starts, as it surely will if we attack Iran, President Bush will have no choice but to order a national emergency, the suspension of habeus corpus, the renewal of the military draft and the forced labor (enslavement) of the masses to support this god awful policy of global hegemony.

When will congress find the backbone to stand up to this madman and tell him "ENOUGH"?!!!

Democracy and the great social/political experiment known as AMERICA hang in the balance. What will be your response? As he has done many times already, President Bush will claim extraordinary powers that congress and the constitution never intended him to have. That is why it is incumbent upon the 110th congress to pass legislation making it clear that the military is not to follow any administration orders for war that congress has not authorized and that if the President gives any orders for attacking Iran without first asking Congress for a declaration of war, that will be considered an impeachable offense.

I spent two years in the army in Viet Nam and I sure as hell didn't give my service only to see my country become a police state.

I, like you and the president, took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I still hold this duty dear; that is why I write to you today. The Bush administration has assaulted our Constitution and it's time to put a stop to this madness.

Ken Ashe
******************

Ken, as myself and some 6000 Veterans, is a member of Veterans For Peace



The Failed Policies will Haunt Us and the World for Decades!