Action Plan for each Veteran esp. Gulf WAR I

The OpEd:

The Ghosts of Desert Storm

The Plan:

Veterans all especially Gulf War Veterans Please post this on websites and forward to others that you know. We need a massive effort. The Agent Orange Vets and Atomic vets went thru this and unfortunately we are 17 almost 18 years in to this battle against our own government. I believe each veterans, their family members and spouses can have a huge impact if we all respond now. I am asking for three simple actions that each of you have the ability to do. If you think you cannt then think of General Mich, Major Donnelly and his family they were severly ill and in motorized chairs with respiratory support but they did not give up.

We may have gotten a bum deal so far but this is not about one of us individually but all of us and for the survivors that have already lost a loved one. This is about making a change now that will not be forgotten! You can do these three things from where you live for very little cost! But if we all do it in each state it must result in an impact!

For some reason each of us has some mission in our larger lives and maybe this is it.
For the current and future!

1. Tommorrow or tonight I am requesting each of the gulf war veterans and their families to write a letter to the editor of your local paper...you can find them all on line and can submit them on line. The American people need to hear from you the injuried what it has been like!!!! Tell them what your veterans day or Thanksgiving was really like dont hold back let the emotions and truth flow!

2. Then I also am requesting that if you live in your capitol of your state to hand deliver a copy of the downloaded RAC report to your governor.

Write a short letter and ask them to address the issue in an editorial, ask them to direct their legislatures to have one hearing with their Senate and House VA committee at State level.....ask for a resolution from your state house and signed by governor that 17 years is long enough that the gulf war veterans should get compensated and rapidly. Ask them to support the call for medical research funding thru the DOD CDMRP program as is explained in the report.

3. Then ask them the Governor to have a meeting with the gulf war veterans and the chancellor of your medical school in your state....Share the RAC report with them....Ask for a meeting with the heads of their departments....neurology, hematology, cardiology, immunology, bio chemistry, pharmacology.....Present the findings to them and describe to them the symptoms and problems you have had. WE need to actively find the best of the best to submit research grants in the next cycle....we just had one....but that is okay you want them discussing between departments and getting informed and forming a interdisciplinary team to work together on their submissions. Remember biomarkers, diagnosis, treatment trials(small at first to prove the point and effectiveness)....
YOU CAN MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AS ILL GULF WAR VETERANS THAT Dont just want compensation but CARE and treatment and a way to get better and have a quality of life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is how you can really have a mission!

This battle is not done and each of you can play a significant important role to help not only yourselves but other gulf war veterans.

Enjoy the article below and please get energized because to carry this thru and get the job done is going to take all of us working and doing a little each day....

YOU CAN AND MUST DO THIS...a
handful and a committeee RAC/Adv comm on GWV can not accomplish this without you

Sincerely,
Denise
DSNurse1.

ACTION - New 'Winter Soldiers', Stop the War, Help VFP Chapter 009

Back in our day, from January 31-February 2, 1971, an Extremely Important Event took place by a number of Extremely Brave Vietnam Vets, that challenged the morality and conduct of the war by showing the direct relationship between military policies and war crimes in Vietnam!

This event was organized by Vietnam Veterans Against The War and was called the Winter Soldier Investigation

Well History, being repeated daily for the last 6yrs. in the Debacle of Iraq and here at home, will Repeat for 'The Winter Soldiers'!

IVAW Kicks Off Winter Soldier Campaign

Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War are re-igniting a popular Vietnam War Investitagion called the Winter Soldier Campaign. In 1971, members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War gathered in Detroit, Michigan to share their horrors of Vietnam.

The courage of those 125+ veterans speaking out has sparked today's veterans to do the same,. March 13 - 15, 2008, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will be gathering in Washington D.C, along with Iraqi and Afghan survivors, to share their stories about the atrocities happening in today's wars.

If you are a Veteran and have been deployed to Iraq of Afghanistan, you can participate in the Winter Soldier Campaign of 2008.

Others can support IVAW's actions by signing the statement of support.

Show your Support for IVAW's action, also challenging the morality and conduct of their present day War, be you a Veteran or never served, by signing their Statement of Support!

If you are a Veteran of the Iraq or Afganistan Theaters, and you would like to participate in the IVAW 'Winter Soldier Campaign of 2008, use the link above to tell your story and your wishes!


And:

Ending the war begins with YOU!



HELP END THIS WAR - BOYCOTT YOUR WAR TAX

Over $1.6 trillion has been spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan . Wonder where all that money comes from? YOU!

Every person who pays federal taxes in the United States contributes to the war machine. This year, the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee is reaching out to average citizens to encourage them to join ranks of war tax resisters.

War tax resistance is not new. The first signs of tax resistance dates back to 1637. It wasn't until the Vietnam War that this form of resistance grew and over the last four years it has gained in popularity as a way for people to take direct action to end the war.

Veterans For Peace has joined the effort to encourage people to take action. Individuals can start with small amounts such as $10, $50, $100 or a percentage amount (7% of would cover the amount spent this year on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan ). War tax resistance doesn't mean you don't pay your federal taxes, it simply means that the money is redirected into campaigns or projects that you feel government services should be focusing on.

This year's campaigns include Direct Aid Initiative which provides health care initiatives to Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan and to the Common Ground Collective Health Clinic that provided immediate care to the people of New Orleans following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The War Tax Resistance website breaks down steps you need to take if you are interested in war tax resistance, downloadable tools, and more information about the organizations it is supporting.

Read More

Do I blame these two,

For not being able to stop the funding of this extremely damaging debacle, not completely.

But I do wonder Why they, and many others, are not putting those who place an R after their names into complete Shame, letting them carry on the Obstructionist policies after loosing their Majority. That Majority rule gave everything wanted to this administration when they held the reigns. Now we've been finding out exactly what they weren't doing, Investigating the Care givin to the returning maimed Military Personal, Investigating the actions our paid Mercenaries, who by those actions were putting our Military Troops into further danger and endangering our National Security, paid with No Bid contracts in our own Blood Money. And the list is just plain to long to list it all on what they weren't doing!


And speaking of those 'R's', when they try to explain just how ducky everything is now over in the Wars, especially Iraq, have them visit this report Iraqi Ethnic Tensions Stoke Insurgency in Mosul, from todays NPR Morning Edition. Let them listen and read what those Actually In Iraq are experiancing!


Now a request from our brother and sister VFP Members:

Please SUPPORT THE VETERANS DAY 18

Members of Eastern MA , Smedley Butler Chapter were given strict rules for participating in the Boston Veterans Day Parade. Being forced to march after the end of the parade, and being limited to no speaking or signage, members of chapter 009 took matters into their own hands. While they did march after the end of the parade, they marched with their US Flags upside down. When the parade ended and people were getting ready to speak on stage, 18 members of VFP stood with their mouths gagged, in full VFP gear and signs that read, "American Legion SILENCES messages of peace from veterans." They were arrested and arraigned on charges of disturbing a public assembly.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
Supporters are encouraged to write, call, fax, and email the Mayor of Boston, Tom Menino.

Phone: 617.635.4500
Fax: 617.635.2851
Email: mayor@cityofboston.gov
Write: Mayor Thomas Menino
Mayor's Office
1 City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA 02201

Veterans for Peace March Against War


Respecting Us Veterans on Veterans Day?


VFP member's blog on Democratic Underground

You got your Marchin Orders, Do Something, Civilians!!

Stop Iran War.com

I just received the following E from VoteVets.org.
And as Jon Soltz says "Pass It On"!
So that's what this old Vet is doin, "Passing It On"!
Sign on, if you haven't already! Support Action If You Have!

Dear VoteVets.org Supporter,
Last week, General Wes Clark and VoteVets.org, launched StopIranWar.com. We launched this site to help stop the Bush Administration from taking us down a path to another war.

And we were right to be concerned. Just a couple days after we launched StopIranWar.com, Vice President Cheney stated about Iran, "But I've also made the point, and the president has made the point, that all options are on the table."
As a veteran of the Iraq war, this sounds all too familiar to me, and I'm going to do everything I can to stop a war with Iran.

Now, I need your help.

Today, we're launching a web video urging Americans to sign our petition to stop a war with Iran. This will be the first in a series of video blogs we'll be releasing over the next month to help stop George W. Bush from starting another war.

[Signers]
Thank you for signing the petition. Now, it's time to spread the word. Please watch the video and then forward it to everyone you know.

[Non-signers]
I urge you to sign the petition today. Then watch the video, and forward it to everyone you know.

We're currently at 20,000 petition signatures and growing, but we need to reach hundreds of thousands of people. We need to create a movement so large that the Bush Administration will be forced to pay attention.

I have no delusions that my voice alone, or even the voice of someone as knowledgeable, as experienced, and as well-respected as General Clark will be able to compel George W. Bush to start diplomatic efforts to head off a looming conflict with Iran. Only the shared voice of millions of Americans has any chance of stopping a war with Iran.

Will you stand up and make your voice heard today?

[Signers]
Watch the new StopIranWar.com video blog today. Then forward this message to everyone you know.

[Non-signers]
Sign the petition today. Then watch the video, and forward it to everyone you know.

Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran
Co-founder, VoteVets.org
VoteVets.org represents the Voice of America's 21 Century Patriots - those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. It primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf of troops, veterans and their families.

Now I realize it's a tiny bit repetitive in the message and links.

Well There's A Freakin Reason, As This Old Vet Sees It, To Get Your ATTENTION!!

Visit the Video link, double click and Vote It Up, Sign on to the Petition and Contact Your Representatives Over and Over with the Message You Know You Need To Send!!

Thanks

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!!!