Al Qaeda Strikes Back

By rushing into Iraq instead of finishing off the hunt for Osama bin Laden, Washington has unwittingly helped its enemies: al Qaeda has more bases, more partners, and more followers today than it did on the eve of 9/11. Now the group is working to set up networks in the Middle East and Africa -- and may even try to lure the United States into a war with Iran. Washington must focus on attacking al Qaeda's leaders and ideas and altering the local conditions in which they thrive.

SNIP: Rest can be found here May/June Foreign Affairs Online

Brit Soldier, "Battle is Lost"!

A British soldier who has just returned from Iraq yesterday described the situation in Basra as "hopeless and lost" and accused the Government of "trying to save face" by keeping troops there.

This isn't Finally happening, many have been speaking out all along, but were margenalized by the so called open press, one had to search deeply to find the statements and than pass them on, hoping that those who received would do the same.

He has more to say:

"They are getting access to a lot more weapons, which are also becoming stronger and stronger.

This is nothing new, all what we call 'Guerilla Insugencies' follow the same pattern. As they use anything at their disposal to fight an occupier to their country. As these conflicts progess an invaded countries people become smarter, as more of their fellow citizens, loved ones, are killed and maimed they become more agressive and their numbers increase. Those who never were interested in a military type life become experts in military tactics and get better with time.

The lessons We Should Have Learned from Vietnam, and more recently, as to bigger conflicts, from the Afgan/Soviet debacle. But instead, with a professional mlitary, the lessons taught, apparently, were that We Can Do The Next One Better! Well as we all have witnessed 'We Can't', because the only way an Insurgency, in an invaded country, can be stopped is if the greater majority of it's citizens don't support it!

He closes with this:

"It's a full-scale riot and the Government are just trying to save face. I think they should have everyone out within a year."

The fear of retribution is finally being taken over, as it always is eventually, By The Truth! As more become vocal in what they think and talk about amoung themselves.

Army Officer Accuses Generals of 'Intellectual and Moral Failures'

Inteligence within the active ranks is nothing new, nor are the moral feelings within ones being, and for many they start coming out publicly with their disgust growing! This officer isn't saying anything new, it's been said by many for the last four years, and even before the carnage started. Those saying it were retired from the military ranks, or ex-government workers, most high level, and especially by us veterans of previous conflicts.

An active-duty Army officer is publishing a blistering attack on U.S. generals, saying they have botched the war in Iraq and misled Congress about the situation there.

"America's generals have repeated the mistakes of Vietnam in Iraq," charges Lt. Col. Paul Yingling, an Iraq veteran who is deputy commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. "The intellectual and moral failures . . . constitute a crisis in American generals."

The above is an article about what Lt. Col. Yingling wrote, below short pieces of what he wrote and published, read the whole blistering truth. I'll tell you I can't wait till he puts his complete thoughts into book form, he tells it in the way many like myself wish we could but aren't natural writers.

A failure in generalship
By Lt. Col. Paul Yingling

"You officers amuse yourselves with God knows what buffooneries and never dream in the least of serious service. This is a source of stupidity which would become most dangerous in case of a serious conflict."
- Frederick the Great

For the second time in a generation, the United States faces the prospect of defeat at the hands of an insurgency. In April 1975, the U.S. fled the Republic of Vietnam, abandoning our allies to their fate at the hands of North Vietnamese communists. In 2007, Iraq's grave and deteriorating condition offers diminishing hope for an American victory and portends risk of an even wider and more destructive regional war.

Failures of Generalship in Vietnam
America's defeat in Vietnam is the most egregious failure in the history of American arms. America's general officer corps refused to prepare the Army to fight unconventional wars, despite ample indications that such preparations were in order. Having failed to prepare for such wars, America's generals sent our forces into battle without a coherent plan for victory. Unprepared for war and lacking a coherent strategy, America lost the war and the lives of more than 58,000 service members.

Failures of Generalship in Iraq
America's generals have repeated the mistakes of Vietnam in Iraq. First, throughout the 1990s our generals failed to envision the conditions of future combat and prepare their forces accordingly. Second, America's generals failed to estimate correctly both the means and the ways necessary to achieve the aims of policy prior to beginning the war in Iraq. Finally, America's generals did not provide Congress and the public with an accurate assessment of the conflict in Iraq.

You can also hear Lt. Col. Yingling in this NPR interview about his article.

Article Cites 'General Failure' of War Leaders

All Things Considered, April 27, 2007 · Lt. Col. Paul Yingling is an active duty commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Friday, he published an article in Armed Forces Journal entitled "General Failure." It charges Army generals with incompetent leadership of the Iraq war. Yingling talks with Melissa Block.

Listen to interview here

More and more are coming forward making their voices and thoughts heard even as the Media concentrate on the mundane and trivial while doing propaganda on what's really important!
But some are being heard dispite what the few, propaganda journalists, would like not to be!

Members of Military Make War Views Known

Morning Edition, April 24, 2007 · Members of the U.S. armed forces are prohibited from speaking out against the war in Iraq. The Uniform Code of Military Justice limits what soldiers may say about political issues.
But as opposition to the Iraq war mounts, some service members are finding ways to air their opinions. Some are speaking anonymously while others sign a petition.
Listen to report here

Sen. Reid came out with a simple statement, that was twisted and spun by the propagandists, but as a representative of The People spoke the truth already known and known for a long time by the growing numbers of the people who were realizing that what tens of thousands had been saying from the beginning, Sadly, were the Truths about what had been happening and the reasons why!

Reid's Remarks Lead to Challenge on War Funds
Morning Edition, April 20, 2007 · After more than 100 Iraq civilians were killed in bombings this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he feels the war is lost. So the White House has challenged Democrats to take a politically risky move and "defund" the war.
Listen to this report here

By the way, the pResident should read the bill, coming his way, much closer than many of the Peoples Representatives who are slamming it and obviously didn't read it. From what I understand the 'Date' givin is a slippery one, in others words not a hardset. He should also read about the monies, he and the previous congresses were unwilling to give, for military and veterans care that are covered in the bill, before he 'Vetoes' showing once more his Contempt for those who Actually Serve!

Now we have another voice, as guilty as those he worked under and with, trying to save some face, by coming forward, way to late for the Tens of Thousands who have been Killed, and the Even Greater Numbers of those Maimed! But from what little I've heard about his book one point does stand out that he is Right about. That there was little Debate, within the administration about going to War in Iraq! Many things point to just that, one only needs to hit the archives of what ws going on than. But one stands out for myself. The administration kept saying over and over that they knew exactly where the WMD's were, in Iraq, while the Inspectors were In-Country. The Inspectors, over and over again, kept requesting that intelligence only to be blocked, by the administration, with the Very Weak Excuse that it would compromise their means of Intelligence Collection, this while they Knew they were sending our Troops into an Invasion that had Nothing To Do with Our Countries Security, to kill and be killed!!

Tenet Blasts Bush Team on Run-Up to Iraq
All Things Considered, April 27, 2007 · Former CIA Director George Tenet says key members of the Bush administration are unfairly blaming him for faulty intelligence that preceded the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Tenet says the decision to invade was made without "serious discussion" and intelligence that did not support an invasion rationale was ignored.
Listen to report here

As I stated above, many already knew what was going to happen, in the Drum Beat to War, and what would happen if it took place, and were getting vocal about the coming Debacle. We all know about the Tens of Thousands who gathered in Washington, San Francisco, and in cities and towns around the country, and millions more around the world, on that October Day long before 'Shock and Awe'.

Another action, in the planning for just a few months, also took place, on that Tragic First Weekend of 'Shock and Awe'. It was called 'Operation Dire Distress', put together by Veterans For Peace and VVAW, and held in Washington, at American University. The Saturday 'Teach-In' was televised by C-Span, the whole day, and it was covered by many media outlets as was the March and Wreath Laying, at All the Veterans Memorials, even at the fence of the coming WWII Memorial, under construction, and the VA headquarters building.

We even had one brother Vietnam Vet, who watched the C-Span coverage from the Chicago area, jump on a Redeye and flew down to join us for the sunday march and wreath laying and join the ranks of Veterans For Peace.

You can read about this in the VFP Newsletters, in pdf, below:

Newsletter-May-2003
NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2003 OPERATION DIRE DISTRESS - A SUCCESS AND A BEGINNING by Woody Powell THE TEACH ... the world, and that we Peter Shaw playing bagpipes at Operation Dire have an important part to play in bringing that about. Distress. Photo by James Starowicz PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Dire Distress ... ...

Newsletter-September-2003
... THE TROOPS HOME NOW! tive excellence. Nation-wide exposure Both Operation Dire Distress and the San Francisco convention were faithfully recorded by C ... ...

Anyone interested, Veteran-Full Membership, Non-Veteran Associate Membership can join Veterans For Peace with this pdf form or visit the site or locale chapter.

Give Some Love and Support to IVAW

The following is a Newsletter from Iraq Veterans Against the War. Lets pass some Love and Support their way as they are Rapidly Growing! They certainly need it as this New Generation of Extremely Brave Veterans continue their battles, under the Oath Taken, "I, {insert name here}, do solemnly swear, (or affirm), that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic................"

Under differant circumstances us old vets would call the present vets, little brothers and sisters.
But Little would not be apt, for they have rapidly passed their own generations in living, experiances and maturity, and frankly they have passed us oldtimers as well.
For the greater majority of us 'Nam Vets only served one tour, 12 months, In-Country.
Most of these Brave Youngsters have served Multiple Tours in either one or both of the present War Theaters of operations, Iraq and Afganistan!!

IVAW Will Launch New Strategy to End the War in Iraq

Iraq Veterans Against the War

After months of intensive planning and training of over one hundred of our members nationwide in a series of strategy retreats, IVAW is preparing to launch our “Bring the War Home” campaign – a series of actions that will galvanize the national movement to end the war and convince everyday Americans that to support the troops, we must end the war now. IVAW members, along with the invaluable help of our allies, have the unique power to debunk the myth that to support the troops, you must support the war. We will be organizing within the military and veteran communities to send a message loud and clear: Members of the military are not supporting the war in Iraq. Our “Bring the War Home” campaign consists of the following elements:

IVAW will support active duty men and women who refuse orders to deploy to Iraq. We will put ourselves on the line to protect these brave men and women of conscience and use the media to dramatize their decision not to go to Iraq. The Pentagon estimates that there are 40,000 soldiers who have gone AWOL since September 11th, 2001.

IVAW members will bring our truth-in-recruiting campaign to military recruiting centers, schools and college campuses around the country to let potential recruits know about the realities of military service and the Iraq war. Thousands of recruits don’t know they can change their mind even after signing their military contract.

IVAW will kick off a summer bus tour visiting military bases and their surrounding communities to recruit new IVAW members and inform servicemen and women about their rights and ability to oppose the Iraq war. A 2006 Zogby poll of the troops in Iraq showed 72% supported withdrawal within a year.

We Found a New Office – Your Financial Support Desperately Needed!
IVAW is growing faster than ever. We receive on average 10 new members each week, and we have developed 4 new IVAW chapters in a little over one month. IVAW held 4 strategy retreats between January and early April and are preparing to launch a compelling series of highly publicized actions this summer. And all of this from a tiny 9 foot by 19 foot shoebox of an office! As you can imagine, it has become physically impossible for our 4-person team to function effectively in these tight quarters. We have finally secured a new larger office that can accommodate our need for growth, but we won’t be able to make this move without knowing we have the funds to pay rent. Please click here to make a donation today to support this critical need.

IVAW is Growing Fast – 4 New Chapters in 5 Weeks!
We are happy to announce the formation of our first chapter on an active-duty military base – Ft. Drum, NY. Other recently formed chapters include Philadelphia, PA; Burlington, VT; and Denver, CO. This brings the total number of IVAW chapters to sixteen.

IVAW Members Use Art to Tell Their Stories
Last weekend, IVAW members participated in the Warrior Writers project which brings together Iraq vets to do creative writing about their military and war experiences. The project was launched at the opening of an art exhibit at Green Door Studio in Burlington, VT which featured an exhibit of work by and about IVAW members. For photos and interviews from this event, check out this link.

Up-Coming IVAW Events, April 27-29
This weekend, there will be two events in Watertown, NY near Fort Drum featuring IVAW member and Marine Corps veteran, Liam Madden, organizer of the Appeal for Redress and Anthony Arnove, author of Iraq: The Logic of Withdrawal (American Empire Project). For more information on these events, go here.

Also, IVAW has been invited by the band, Rage Against the Machine to appear at the Coachella Music Festival, where Rage will re-unite for the first time in seven years. IVAW will speak from the stage and have a table set up in Rage’s tent, reaching a potential audience of the over 180,000 people expected to gather for this annual three-day event in Indio, CA.

As always, I thank you for your on-going support. As friends and allies of IVAW, you are the ones truly supporting the troops.
Warmest Regards,
Kelly Dougherty
Former Sergeant, Army National Guard
Executive Director
Iraq Veterans Against the War

So, once again, pass some Love and Support their way, Lots Of It!

Which GOP Senator Called For IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL

From: Americans Against Escalation in Iraq

Background for the game: More than 13 years ago, one sitting U.S. Senator went to the senate floor and pleading with President Clinton to bring the troops home from a distant country. This senator made a passionate plea and even cajoled President Clinton by calling the mission "nation building."



Bonus points awarded: After you guess the Senator and the country mentioned correctly, bonus points will be awarded to the player who can explain how Senator X could be so impassioned and so convinced that our troops needed to come home in 1993, while the same Senator bashes those who advocate bringing our troops home responsibly from Iraq today.





GUESS THE SENATOR WHO SAID:





"Mr. President, our mission in ________ is over. It is time to come home. Our mission in ________ was to feed a million starving _______ who needed to be fed. It was not an open-ended commitment. It was not a commission of nation building, not warlord hunting, or any of the other extraneous activities which we seem to have been engaged in."





"If the President of the United States cannot say, "Here is what we are fighting for in ________, that more Americans may perish in service to the goals, and here is why it is worth that price," then, Mr. President, we have no right -- no right -- to ask Americans to risk their lives in any further misadventures in ________."





AND THE ANSWER IS:

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***

***

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SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN



That's right! Today's biggest promoter of endless war was singing a completely different tune in the 90's when there was a Democrat in the White House.



See the video footage up on youtube:



McCain Argues for U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Haiti




McCain Argues for U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Somalia






Background on Republican Senators and troop withdrawal statements from 1993 and 1994: Recently, we researched back issues of the Congressional Record to determine how several current Republican Senators addressed the issue of timelines and U.S. troops in Somali and Haiti. We searched several floor statements from 1993 and 1994 to find the GOP position on troop withdrawals. In particular, the focus was on targeted Senators, including John McCain, and found that many Republicans mirrored the exact sentiment of Democrats today, who are pursuing a reasonable end to the war in Iraq. We pulled the quotes ere pulled, and the DNC put together two videos to move on YouTube.com.



What we found: In 1993 and 1994, Senator John McCain went to the Senate floor and made two impassioned speeches urging, in fact demanding, that then-President Clinton bring home our troops from Somalia and Haiti. Here are McCain's quotes:



John McCain, Oct. 14, 1993, 139 Cong Rec S 13480:



"Mr. President, our mission in Somali is over. It is time to come home. Our mission in Somali was to feed a million starving Somali who needed to be fed. It was not an open-ended commitment. It was not a commission of nation building, not warlord hunting, or any of the other extraneous activities which we seem to have been engaged in."



"If the President of the United States cannot say, "Here is what we are fighting for in Somali, that more Americans may perish in service to the goals, and here is why it is worth that price," then, Mr. President, we have no right -- no right -- to ask Americans to risk their lives in any further misadventures in Somali."



McCain 1993, Congressional Record, Oct. 6, 1994, 140 Cong Rec S 14302:



"First, the President should have sought congressional approval before employing United States Armed Forces to Haiti. Second, the resolution offers support for the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces as soon as possible. In my view that does not mean as soon as order is restored to Haiti. It does not mean as soon as democracy is flourishing in Haiti. It does not mean as soon as we have established a viable nation in Haiti. As soon as possible means as soon we can get out of Haiti without losing any American lives."



"There may be different interpretations of this resolution on the other side of the aisle because I think clearly this resolution will be approved overwhelmingly in the upcoming vote. But it is my view, and I think the majority of the American people's view, and I want to make it clear, that as soon as possible means as soon as possible, exactly what those words say."



"In addition, the provisions of this resolution require the President to report to Congress on the policy objectives, mission, and rules of engagement in Haiti. This information will help Congress to keep track of the evolution of our mission, otherwise known as mission creep."

VETERANS’ AFFAIRS - Hearing on Mental Health Issues

This is a very moving testimonial, from the speaches of the committee members, to the family members which will bring tears and rage into your being.

This is what Oversight and Congressional Investigations should look like, sound like, something this Congess and Country are finally doing, Way Long Overdue and Too Late For Far Too Many!

This is what should have started in the previous Congesses as the War Drums were being beat harder and harder and especially as soon as 'Shock and Awe' took place!

Walter Reed is way beyond disgusting, especially as it sits in the DC area and is one of the two main Health Facilities that Everyone knew would be receiving the Maimed of this War of Choice, certainly not of need nor our security!

The talking points about Reed being on the list to close down shows their arrogance and how those we hire think the rest of us are totally ignorant { though many should think they are after knowing they hit the buttons that did hire these fools }, being fed those talking points by those we don't hire but whose jobs seem to be bettering these propaganda points!

Our monies should have been flowing into not only Reed but All the Military Health Facilities and the Veterans Administration at a time of War, Right From The Beginning! The Previous Congresses should have made this the Priority as well as holding the Nessessary Hearings Of Oversight of Everything Concerning Our Troops and This War Of Choice, They Didn't!

And the people of this Country, especially those who don't feel the need to contribute to ones society better start understanding that they Will Sacrifice Finally, because the Costs will be Overwelming and We All Will Be Paying Those Costs, not only in the money!

Any talking points, as we go forward towards this next election, aren't needed. What is needed is the Truth, that Absolutely Nothing Was Done for the Four Years of Death and Destruction this Country has waged against an Innocent People and Their Country, with their Blood on all our hands!

UNITED STATES SENATE
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
Hearing on Mental Health Issues
April 25, 2007
Room 418, Russell Senate Office Building

Click Here to View Hearing
{ When you bring up the Real Player it will show some 3hrs. 7min., but you need to slide the bar way over to the 26min to 27min slot as the first 26min's. plus doesn't carry anything, unless they fix the feed. The hearing is about 21/2hrs. long }

Witness List

Committee Leadership
Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Chairman
Committee Leadership
Senator Larry Craig, Ranking Member
Committee Member
Senator Sherrod Brown

Panel I
TONY BAILEY, FATHER OF JUSTIN BAILEY, IRAQ WAR VETERAN

Patrick Campbell, Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet, Legislative Director, IAVA

RANDALL OMVIG, FATHER OF SPC JOSHUA L. OMVIG

Connie Lee Best, Ph.D., Senior Faculty Member, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Medical University of South Carolina

Panel II
JAN KEMP, RN, PHD , ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR EDUCATION, VISN 19, MENTAL ILLNESS RESEARCH EDUCATION AND CLINICAL CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Ralph Ibson, Vice President for Government Affairs, MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA

DAVID OSLIN, MD, DIRECTOR, VISN 4, MENTAL ILLNESS RESEARCH EDUCATION AND CLINICAL CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

PATRICIA RESICK, PHD, DIRECTOR, WOMEN’S DIVISION, NATIONAL CENTER FOR POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

As you listen to this hearing, about the destruction of our own, keep in mind what those we have invaded and occupy are going through, especially the children. And what future we have instilled on them.

Next time this Country, and there now will be a sure next time now, is hit with a Criminal Terrorist action your First Thought should not be "Why do they hate us so?", you had better know and understand the "Why"!!

What you can Start Doing

{ A Re-Post. There are 5 days till shipping and shelf space in stores for Ilona's Book }

Moving A Nation to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America's Returning Troops

May 1st 2007 starts the selling of the book.

Hoping that her Dedication and Heartfelt feelings, having grown on the subject of PTSD and especially the present day returning troops, makes it a Best Seller and hits the Best Selling lists of many publications, something I would really like to see and not only myself but other Veterans of our many Theaters of Conflicts and the Innocents of same, I will Unabashedly Keep Pushing this fine referance work.

Her work, and that of her many Dedicated helpers over at ePluribus Media helped put together a Great Referance book, especially for those who grew up in the Denial Years after this countries Debacle of Vietnam and knew, or heard, little about PTSD.

It's a Great Starting Point of understanding with a whole host of other referances that should be tapped into to get a much better understanding of what can and does happen to many, and could happen to you or someone close to you!

Visit Ilona's Site - PTSD Combat, often, for with all she's got going on she keeps everyone up to date on her findings and thoughts. Like this one A Personal Call to Keep Pushing for Our Veterans which is dated yesterday and found when going in to get her url, full of recent information and links.

Visit ePluribus Timelines for a host of reports that could very well be signs of the PTSD invading others from the returning troops to those who experianced, and lived through, Hurricane Katrina.

Get Involved in understanding better PTSD and other brain disorders that develope because of Tramatic Experiances that many go through that change the minds forever! As I said in the beginning, these can happen to little ones to us adults, many do not escape the memories that Tramatic Events leave behind!

Military Personal and Veterans Issues

Abandoned Iraq War Veteran Commited Suicide at Walter Reed in 2003

On July 4, 2003, Carol and Richard Coons had planned to welcome home their son Master Sgt. James Coons, a career soldier who had seen action in Iraq in 2003 and during the first Gulf War. Instead, they found out James was dead. He had committed suicide in his room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and was found hanging from a bed sheet just inside his room in an outpatient hotel. Walter Reed staff did not find him until at least two days after his death, and only then at the insistence of his family, who were desperate to locate their son.
Watch This ABC Report

DoD's Winkenwerder, Embrey and Kilpatrick Deeply Involved in Walter Reed Scandal

When the Walter Reed scandal exploded in the media in February, bringing wide attention to inadequate care for veterans at the Army's flagship hospital, Defense Department officials expressed shock and claimed ignorance. Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., the assistant defense secretary who oversees military medicine, declared at a press conference on Feb. 21: "This news caught me -- as it did many other people -- completely by surprise." But Salon has learned that the Defense Department had been conducting monthly focus group discussions with soldiers treated at Walter Reed since before the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had even begun, and that it continued to do so as wounded veterans of those conflicts arrived at the facility.

Department of Defense
Policy Shift in 1985 Cut Disability Retirements

Today's Disability Retirement Squeeze Began in 1985: Wary of rising disability retirement costs, the Department of Defense under then-secretary Caspar Weinberger quietly sought and received an internal legal opinion that, to this day, tamps down the number of wounded or ill service members awarded military disability retirement.

U.S. Command Shortens Life of Long War as a Reference

When the Bush administration has sought to explain its strategy for fighting terrorism, it has often said the United States is involved in a "long war" against Islamic extremists. After taking over last month as the head of Central Command, Adm. William J. Fallon quietly retired the phrase.

Mental Health
Some Slow to Realize They Came Home Wounded

Fresh from Iraq, some U.S. troops find the mental health questionnaire they must fill out a hassle, a nuisance keeping them from the door - so they check they're fine, they have no problems.

Veterans Health
Pentagon May Be Shorting Troop Benefits

An injured soldier's disability should be determined by Veterans Affairs officials - and not the Pentagon - because the Army might be shortchanging troops, a presidential commission was told on Monday.

Editorial Column: Bush Administration's Hacks at VA and DoD Still Need to Go

Yes, the Walter Reed scandal is long overdue. But it's vital that government officials and media alike recognize that more of the administration's hacks still need to go, and that for many troops the issue is access to any kind of care at all.

Teaching Tolerance

The ABCs of Size Bias
With summer break just around the corner, many students are taking a hard look at their bodies in the mirror. Most won't like what they see. This edition of The Anti-Bias Classroom shows educators how to foster healthier attitudes about body size.

Understanding Size Bias: Expert Q & A

Size Preference Through History, and Across Cultures">

Lesson Plans

Additional Resources

For Parents - Making Room for Size Acceptance

Ethnicity and Virginia Tech
After the shootings at Virginia Tech last week, many Korean Americans worried that the media's focus on the shooter's ethnicity and national origin could spark a backlash against their community.

Hip Hop in Focus
From Imus to Oprah, hip hop culture has been in the news a lot lately, and, with industry leader Russell Simmons' call this week to ban the genre's use of slurs like the b-word, there's never been a better time to bring hip hop into the classroom.

Also on Tolerance.org

Environmental racism is getting worse.

What's wrong with proposed immigration reforms?

Teaching Tolerance nominated for education awards

Remembering David Halberstam

David Halberstam Getty Images

Many, like myself, didn't know David Halberstam personally. But many, like myself, grew to a great admiration of his truely dedicated journalistic professionalism, something greatly missing in today's information we receive.

There are some really good professional journalists, in the true sense, still around and others coming of age, but way to many are marginalized to almost obscrurity in what we are being presented as journalism by none professional's and frankly outright propagandists!

I do know that the reporting by Halberstam, and others, back in the sixties, shaped my thinking of Vietnam long before I was sent there in my last year of a four year naval hitch, all shore duty, in '70-'71. I knew what to expect and knew we were going no where in that debacle because of his and their honest reporting.

He will be Greatly Missed!!

Who better to remember or talk about him but those who knew him or the interviews he himself gave, not to mention all the books he wrote.

Below you will find links to some of today's Remembrances of David with links also to a few past interviews and discussions.

Halberstam Dissected America, Good and Bad
Morning Edition, April 24, 2007 · David Halberstam, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, died in a car crash Monday in California. He rose to prominence during the Vietnam War and went on to dissect many of the institutions of America in the second half of the 20th century.
Listen to this mornings discussion Ted Koppel: 'We're Still Hearing the Echoes'

Hear Scott Simon's 1987 Profile of Halberstam

Listen as Reporter Neil Sheehan Remembers a Hard-Working Colleague

The following will take you to the NPR pages where you can find the links to listen.

Halberstam on Iraq
Nov. 15, 2006 Finding Rumsfeld-McNamara Parallels
March 29, 2003 War in Iraq: Halberstam Talks to John Ydstie

Halberstam on Vietnam
Sep. 1, 2004 'Talk of the Nation': How Vietnam Frames Patriotism

Halberstam on American Life
Oct. 24, 2000 Baseball, New York & the Subway Series
June 26, 2002 The Author on 'Firehouse' (with Lynn Neary)
Dec. 29, 2003 'Defining a Nation' (with Bob Edwards)
June 26, 1999 On 'The Best American Sportswriting of the Century' (with Scott Simon)
Jan. 19, 2000 On Michael Jordan and 'Playing for Keeps' (with Linda Wertheimer)

The following was on NPR's - Fresh Air

David Halberstam Remembered

Fresh Air from WHYY, April 24, 2007 · Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam died yesterday from injuries sustained in a car crash. He was 73. We revisit his Fresh Air interviews from 1985, from 1993, and from 1999.

Than we have this very touching and interesting interview on NPR's Here and Now

David Halberstam
Story aired: Tuesday, April 24, 2007

We remember journalist David Halberstam who died yesterday in a car crash. Vietnamese translator Cong Tran served as Halberstam's translator when the journalist returned to Vietnam after the war to find where his wartime colleagues were buried.

This, on the NPR show All Things Considered was aired later in the day and as you can see the Audio will be up approx. at 7:30pm.

An Essay on the Late David Halberstam
by Scott Simon
Audio for this story will be available at approx. 7:30 p.m. ET

All Things Considered, April 24, 2007 · David Halberstam loved old jocks, young reporters, grizzled veterans, and fresh faces. When you gathered around the huge round table in his apartment, you would meet retired generals, young phenoms, and enduring friends.

The following will be on The News Hour tonight, a link to listen will follow sometime after airing.

The News Hour - PBS

The NewsHour remembers reporter and writer David Halberstam, who died in a car accident on Monday. Then, Jeffrey Brown speaks with Gay Talese, a best-selling author of many books who was also a personal friend and former colleague of Halberstam's.

Rev. Yearwood: BUSH IS OVER! (if you want it)

Make Hip Hop Not War speaks truth to power at West Park Presbyterian Church in NYC. Rev. Lennox Yearwood calls for impeachment and an end to the war, and encourages people to mobilize for the April 28 nationwide impeachment protests. Visit www.a28.org and www.hiphopcaucus.org for more info.

This is a video response to Happy Springtime (Bush Is Over)

It's Springtime

Happy Springtime (Bush Is Over - If YOU Want It!)


JUSTICE THROUGH MUSIC

Thirty some years ago, John Lennon released Happy Xmas, War Is Over as a prelude to the end of the Vietnam War. Now JTM and Op-Critical have released a remake of the song with new lyrics, called Happy Springtime, Bush Is Over. In the original, the Harlem Children’s Choir sang the hook, and in our new version, the Harmonic Angels do a terrific job on the chorus and the hook. Here is the video of the band and the choir, complete with footage of Yoko Ono’s giant Imagine Peace billboard and her Peace Prayer Trees that she put in Washington in early April.

Enjoy, spread the message, spread the links and imagine peace.

What kind of World do YOU want to leave Yours and These Kids?

Reid is Right

Like Juan Williams said:

NPR's Juan Williams told Kristol, "Most Americans think we should have never gone in [to Iraq], so he's speaking in a voice that represents the majority of the American people."

As Sen. Reid said himself, because that's what a Representative, Of The People, is supposed to do!

Party affiliation, especially in the Peoples House and Senate, that's why states are divided into districts and each district Hires someone to Represent them in the House and we have Senators, is pushed down the line.

For when Elected {Hired} the Representative Represents all in their districts. Those from the same Political Party, who may or may not have voted for them. The Independants who may or may not have voted for them. The other political party who may or may not have voted for them. And all those who didn't bother to vote, they still are Represented!

If one is to Represent, Only, on a one political ideology line and rubber stamp that one political ideology, one had better have been 'Hired' by a Huge Majority of voters from Represented District!

And the Bozo wanna-be Dictator, those that are pulling his strings, and their propagandist talking heads, Are Wrong:

"I will strongly reject an artificial timetable (for) withdrawal and/or Washington politicians trying to tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job," the president said.

Sorry, from a 'Nam Vet, the politicians aren't the ones trying to micro - manage your Illegal War, the People are telling you Your War Is Lost and Has Cost Way To Many Lives, American Military and Innocent Iraqi's, Children, Women, and Men, for your Twisted Ego and the Ego's of those who controll you!!

You don't understand that the job of a President, is to Lead according to our Constitution, and Lead this Country in a Direction of Moral Example above how others lead the many other Countries that make up this Planet.

By 'Our Moral Example' others follow, when heading in a Negative Moral Example others join forces against and place our nation Alone!

You see Our Democracy works like this:

Looking beyond Bush's expected veto, he {Reid} said, "If the president disagrees, let him come to us with an alternative. Instead of sending us back to square one with a veto, some tough talk and nothing more, let him come to the table in the spirit of bipartisanship that Americans demand and deserve."

But you'll never get it, neither will those that control you, for you all are no differant than the demi-gods who came before you, and there is no better way to do what they tried and now you all have followed thinking you could do it better!

BUSH DEMANDS MORE MONEY TO KILL MORE U.S. TROOPS
FIGHT HIM HERE, SO YOU WON’T HAVE TO FIGHT FOR HIM OVER THERE:

Baghdad: Mapping the violence

The BBC website has a very effective mapping tool for understanding just how pervasive and violent the ethnic cleansing campaigns of both the Shia and the Sunnis in Baghdad have become.



Monthly figures for civilian casualties are from Iraq Body Count which uses at least two media reports as the source for each death. We have used a mean number of IBC's minimum and maximum figures for each month.

More details on Iraq Body Count's methodology are available on their website.

Attacks resulting in more than 10 dead are located as accurately as possible from reports since 2003. Where an exact location is not possible, in areas such as Sadr City, the marker has been placed within the district.

If you click on the link, you will be taken away from the map to the BBC News website story. Casualty figures in the story are as reported at the time and may differ from the link.

The ethnic divisions are from the International Medical Corps.

The breakdowns relate to people's recollection of the ethnic mix under Saddam Hussein until February 2006 and the present day situation.

The satellite image of Baghdad is from Landsat imagery courtesy of Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center and USGS Center for Earth Resources Observations and Science.

Witness Torture

Witness Torture - The Action at The White House April 19,2007

BUYING THE WAR

How did the Mainstream Media get it So Wrong?

Wednesday April 25 at 9 P.M.

BILL MOYERS JOURNAL

Special premiere airdate: Wednesday, April 25 at 9 P.M. on PBS. (90 minutes)

Airs weekly: Fridays, beginning April 27 at 9 P.M. on PBS. (60 minutes)

Four years ago on May 1, President Bush landed on the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln wearing a flight suit and delivered a speech in front of a giant "Mission Accomplished" banner. He was hailed by media stars as a "breathtaking" example of presidential leadership in toppling Saddam Hussein. Despite profound questions over the failure to locate weapons of mass destruction and the increasing violence in Baghdad, many in the press confirmed the White House's claim that the war was won. MSNBC's Chris Matthews declared, "We're all neo-cons now;" NPR's Bob Edwards said, "The war in Iraq is essentially over;" and Fortune magazine's Jeff Birnbaum said, "It is amazing how thorough the victory in Iraq really was in the broadest context."

Read More At Link

Bill Moyers Journal: Buying the War | Excerpt | PBS

Injured Troops Struggle to Get Health Care

Tim Ngo (center) suffered a serious head injury while serving in Iraq. The military recognizes him as only "10 percent" disabled, which makes him ineligible for continued military health care. Above, Ngo stands with his girlfriend, Ani Cerghizan (left), and his mother, Hong Wyberg.


All Things Considered, April 20, 2007
When service members are forced to leave the military by war injuries or illness, they face a complex system for getting health and disability benefits. Sometimes, health care gets cut off when new veterans find they need it most. Some retired soldiers and their families say they are worried that the Pentagon won't spend enough money to give the injured the care they deserve.

Listen to report - Windows Media and find rest of report at top link, with further links. can also listen to report in Real Media at top link.

Homegrown Demons

Jan Barry
22 April 2007

American Mayhem

Roaming the world
Seeking monsters to slay,
Americans are always shocked
To find what’s in a neighbor’s heart—
The quiet, seething boy
Possessed by homegrown demons
And armed with a homemade arsenal…
The road rage driver…
The jealous, zealous lover…
The brother screaming mother-f-er…
The dude with an attitude…
The Duke with his dander up…
The gunslinger at high noon…
The madman with a gun…

Virginia Tech
University of Texas
Columbine
Red Lake
Dallas
Memphis
Los Angeles
Nickel Mines

Shootings in schools seem particularly cruel. So, of course, are shootings in any peaceful setting—a city street, a hotel, a motel balcony, a post office, as in my town:

March Madness

Bam.
Bam.
Bam.
Bam.
Bam. Bam.
Four men shot dead.

A fifth lies still
with two bullets in his head
trying not to twitch
until the intruder leaves
the neighborhood post office.

Rumors of a shooting ricochet
through newsrooms miles away:
murder and mayhem in Montclair.
I call home; no one answers.
From newsrooms across metro New York
journalists who roam the world
to cover wars and disasters
rush home to interview their neighbors
and check on their own kin.

Massacre in mediatown—
picturesque Montclair, New Jersey.
A dozen television cameras converge
on the flowery plaza opposite
the grotesquely spot lit post office.
The mayor appears amid the massed microphones
to express the shock of suburbia.

When captured, the shooter is found
to have grown up around the corner,
attended local schools,
and worked for the town DPW.
With a pistol bought like popcorn
at a shoot-‘em-up action flick,
he slipped under America's defenses
pointed outward to fend off
the evils of the world.

R.I.P. Ernie and Scott,
who cheerfully sold me stamps,
asking how things were going.
R.I.P. Bob and George,
who walked into the Watchung Plaza
post office at the wrong time.
Hang in there, David, who
miraculously survived two slugs.

But for fickle fate,
coulda been me:
What? Why? I’d have
screamed in my last breath
as a vaguely familiar figure
executed us in a row on the floor.

(from “Earth Songs: New and Selected Poems”)