Gulf War Veterans........

The post below this is related to the Gulf War I Vets issues

Gulf War Veterans Dying at an Earlier Age?

I have more to send out but these made my Nurse's heart cry out! Enough! These were the youngest 39yrs old-18yrs= 21 when they were over there in Desert Storm. I pray that they had full lives over the past 18 yrs! This is when I get upset. Cancer and cardiac at an early age!.......

Gulf War Veterans Answer the Question? Are we doing enough for Desert Storm Veterans?

by Denise Nichols, Vice Chair National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Coalition, MAJ, USAFR(ret), Flight Nurse, RN(ret due to illnesses), MSN

The answers come fast and frequently and they include: No, the doctors at the VA don't even review the findings of physicals and tests received if we go to one of the funded research studies. No, the VA doctors still say it is stress either verbally or in non verbal means. No, the VA does not even cooperate with the Researchers that have funded studies to notify gulf war veterans either thru posters or flyers that are being offered by the researchers..............

Desert Storm Veterans/Families/Supporters

Veterans, supporters, and family members what else can you do? Today Monday call CSPAN and ask them to cover this hearing.

Call your US Representative and ask them to send staffer to hearing. Call your local television station and news station: Tell them of your watch party with other veterans and the location of your watch party. Have the local media contact a Local Desert Storm Veteran as a special local issue.

This is your time to stand up and support all Desert Storm Veterans who have been ill since 190-91. What an admirable thing to do leading into Memorial Day weekend.

Hearings » Gulf War Illness Research: Is Enough Being Done?

May 19, 2009
10:00AM
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Gulf War Illness Research: Is Enough Being Done?
340 Cannon House Office Building

Panel 1

* Jim Bunker, Gulf War Veteran and President, National Gulf War Resource Center
* Paul Sullivan, Executive Director, Veterans for Common Sense
* Richard F. Weidman, Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America
* Roberta F. White Ph.D., Scientific Director, Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Health, Associate Dean of Research at Boston University School of Public Health
* Lea Steele Ph.D., Immediate Past Scientific Director, Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, Adjunct Associate Professor, Kansas State University School of Human Ecology

Panel 2

* Robert D. Walpole, Former Special Assistant for Gulf War Illness Issues, Office of the Assistant Director of Central Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency

Accompanied by:
* Loren J. Fox Jr., Former Senior Analyst for Gulf War Illness Issues, Central Intelligence Agency
* R. C. Postlewaite DVM, Deputy Director of Force Readiness and Health Assurance, Force Health Protection and Readiness Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense
* Lawrence Deyton M.D., Chief Public Health and Environmental Hazards Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Accompanied by:
* Joel Kupersmith M.D., Chief Research and Development Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
* Mark Brown Ph.D., Director, Environmental Agents Service, Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The afternoon, 2pm, hearing is U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care: The Crown Jewel and Best Kept Secret but it doesn't look like this ones being streamed, C-Span may pick it up or one can wait till the transcripts come out after the testimony.

Iraq's WMD's = Gravely Ill American Soldiers {Updated}

US soldiers assigned to guard a crucial part of Iraq's oil infrastructure became ill after exposure to a highly toxic chemical at the plant

They were bleeding from the nose, spitting blood.

There apparently were hundreds of American soldiers at this site that were contaminated.

And who do they and others accuse

Langford is one of nine Americans who accuse KBR, the lead contractor on the Qarmat Ali project and one of the largest defense contractors in Iraq, of knowingly exposing them to sodium dichromate, an orange, sandlike chemical that is a potentially lethal carcinogen. Specialists say even short-term exposure to the chemical can cause cancer, depress an individual's immune system, attack the liver, and cause other ailments.

And

"Hundreds of US troops, who may not even know of their exposure to sodium dichromate that could one day result in a horrible disease, cancers, and death," he said.

What is 'Sodium Dichromate':

Sodium dichromate is the same substance that poisoned residents in Hinkley, Calif., an incident made famous by the movie "Erin Brockovich" in 2000.

It's one of the extremely dangerous chemical's, potential killers, that industries world wide use, and they know the dangers of exposure to, and under responsible corporations is used with guarded caution and safety checks.

Langford and his former colleagues have said KBR supervisors initially told them the chemical was a "mild irritant". The company, however, eventually acknowledged that sodium dichromate was a potentially deadly substance and moved to clean up the site.

Of course KBR denies and says the safety of the workers and troops are of the "highest priority", what else would war profitteering, incompetent corporate officials say, after all they heed their investors not the worker, troops, or country paying them under the no-bid contracts!

And

The Pentagon has said that the troops' exposure to sodium dichloride at the Iraqi facility did not appear to pose any long-term threat.

But

In yesterday's hearing, however, Langford described for the first time how soldiers guarding the facility had the same symptoms as those who had dangerous levels of exposure to the chemical, complaints that are the foundation for the workers' lawsuit.
"The chromium of Iraq is going to be the same thing as Agent Orange of Vietnam," Langford said after the hearing. "I want something done for them."

Along with one of KBR's own

Edward Blacke, who served as KBR's health, safety, and environmental coordinator for the Qarmat Ali project, said he saw soldiers with "continuous bloody noses, spitting up of blood, coughing, irritation of the noses, eyes, throat, and lungs, shortness of breath."

And

Max Costa, chairman of the Department of Environmental Medicine at New York University, told the committee that ordinary blood and urine tests would not have detected heavy levels of sodium dichromate exposure after a few days. He said that the military would have had to conduct a highly specialized red blood cell test within four months of the exposure to determine the soldiers' risk of illness.
"Most people don't get it right," said Costa, after the hearing. "It is not an established test that medical labs normally do."

Pee in a cup, "You're alright, don't worry!"!

And as we've found out already over and over and over..........................., once again, we've gone through all this before,

But Dorgan said yesterday that the Pentagon has not done enough to monitor the health of the soldiers and ensure that KBR and other contractors are putting safety first.

And what does the esteem congress have to say

"It is almost unbelievable," the senator said during the hearing. "We know that there has been exposure of workers and soldiers to a deadly chemical, and there has been, in my judgment, lack of accountability by those who caused the exposure and lack of accountability at the Department of Defense, regrettably."

Lack of Accountibility??

No F'in S**t Einstein, what have the People been saying all along!!

I give kudo's to the present Congress, at least they are doing their jobs, the jobs that weren't done by the previous Congress. Investigating, Hearings and Oversite as these things keep coming forward, and not a whisper was heard about any of these in the Halls of the 109th Congress.

But the reason you all are there is 'Accountability', from the Top all the way Down, including your own!

Dorgan began investigating the workers' allegations of sodium dichromate exposure after The Boston Globe reported on the case in March.

ACCOUNTABILITY

ACCOUNTABILITY

ACCOUNTABILITY

It's in the Constitution and the Laws of this Country,Use It or We Loose It!!

DPC Hearing
The Exposure at Qarmat Ali:
Contractor Misconduct and the Safety of U.S. Troops in Iraq
Friday, June 20, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
608 Dirksen Senate Office Building

The Exposure at Qarmat Ali: WMD's Iraq = KBR

The Exposure at Qarmat Ali:

Additional hearing information is available here

Oversight and Accountability Project

Staff at the DPC Oversight and Accountability Project work with whistleblowers, non-profit groups, Executive Branch agencies, and their colleagues on Capitol Hill to protect U.S. taxpayers, uncover waste, fraud and abuse, and hold government officials accountable.
The DPC has focused on contracting abuses in Iraq and in the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Katrina, pre-war intelligence failures, and continuing homeland security vulnerabilities, among other issues.
Learn more about the Oversight and Accountability Project and access materials related to hearings held by the DPC.
Aware of waste, fraud or abuse that
DPC should investigate? E-mail us.

We are a nation that likes to pride itself on truth, justice, freedom and humanity. {NO MORE!}

Give Some Traffic To the articles. Just picked them up and they were posted in the last 20hrs. or so:

Ark. man, others blame KBR for contaminants in Iraq

An Arkansas man who worked as a contractor in Iraq says he lost his job after warning workers they were being exposed to a cancer-causing chemical there.

Ed Blacke, a former safety inspector for Houston-based contracting giant KBR, says his exposure to sodium dichromate in 2003 gave him chronic thyroid problems and early signs of cancer. He said supervisors initially ignored his warnings about contamination at the Qarmat Ali water injection plant near Basra, Iraq.

Democrats accuse KBR of knowingly exposing workers to deadly chemical at Iraqi water plant

Senate Democrats are accusing defense contractor KBR of knowingly exposing its employees and U.S. troops to a potentially deadly chemical in Iraq in its rush to get the country's oil infrastructure up and running.

Former contractors say Ind. soldiers were exposed to carcinogen

Indiana National Guardsmen who provided protection to defense contractors at a water pumping plant in Iraq were exposed to a potentially deadly chemical, two former workers at the site said Friday.

Troops copped cancer dust

"People are potentially exposed to something that may be very dangerous," says a memo detailing minutes from an August 8, 2003 meeting

These aren't just local rags here in the states, just these few are in the International Edition of the New York Time, from Australia, and google gives some 93 others under 'Sodium Dichromate'.

Grilling Petraeus

Above title comes from MoJo, short for Mother Jones, for those not in the know.

It covers this:

Washington Dispatch: We asked a dozen national security experts what Congress should ask the top military commander in Iraq at this week's hearings. Here's what they came up with.

There's a short introduction, before the panel asks their questions. In the intro we are reminded of what Petraeus gave as an answer the last time:

But when Republican Senator John Warner asked Petraeus if the Iraq War "makes America safer," the general replied, "I don't know, actually. I have not sat down and sorted [it] out in my own mind."

Ought to be real interesting what answer he gives this time!

From the invasion, and building these five, now plus, years, I could tell him We Are Not Safer! Reason we have now created more Hatreds and Enemies out of Tens Of Thousands of Iraqi's, and probably as many in the region, that Didn't Exist Before!!

I would also point out that there seems to be a Nationalist group that is beating him at his expertise, Counter Insurgency, and we saw that Explode these last couple of weeks and continue, as the Iraq Government? and the U.S. are still trying to quell that Nationalism, with the Iraqi Government? threatening to not allow this group, never minding all the others, to participate in the coming elections, Hell Of A Democracy We Gave Them!

The dozen National Security Experts participating in giving the questions are:

Andrew Bacevich, professor of history and international relations at Boston University

Larry Johnson, former CIA and State Department intelligence official

Wayne White, head of the State Department's Iraq intelligence team 2003 to 2005 and an adviser to the Iraq Study Group

Juan Cole, professor of history at University of Michigan

Sam Gardiner, retired Air Force colonel and expert on military strategy

A research professor at a military institute who asked not to be named

David Isenberg, military affairs analyst and adjunct scholar with the Cato Institute

A former intelligence analyst who handled Middle Eastern issues for years and who asked not to be identified by name

Lawrence Wilkerson, chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell

Gordon Adams, professor of U.S. Foreign Policy at the School of International Service, American University

Retired Colonel W. Patrick Lang Jr., former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency's human intelligence service

A former Army colonel and planner who asked not to be identified

Take a trip over to MoJo to view the questions they asked and see if you think they are better than

The questions he received from the legislators were mostly softballs. (Neither senators Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama were impressive when questioning Petraeus.)

the Congressional Questions last time

This time is a Huge Question Mark coming from a Congress not following the Will Of The People!

Max and the Marginalized
Has the following MP3 in a Post over at Vet Voice

A song for the Petraeus briefing

Q & A
In the year and change since the upswing
With circumstances largely in the dark
The questioners are lining up with the clipboards
I'm sure you'll hit their softballs out of the park

So get some magic markers and draw a happy face
And cross out all your notes from the past few days
The counter hits 4,000 and it counts and counts away
If they had a chance to ask, what would they say?
In Q & A

You'll recommend against reductions
I'm afraid it's more than they can stand
Someone get a page to bring you water
To wash that blood off of your master's hands

A confident demeanor and the medals on your coat
Give googly eyes to the fourth estate
If someone happens to ask you if it's worth the price we've paid
When you answer think of those who've gone away
In Q & A

Max and the Marginalized are the only rock band in the progressive blogosphere, and therefore the best one! They write and record a song a week and post them on The Huffington Post.

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is," - George W. Bush, Texas Gov., 1999

" What does it matter to the dead, the orphan, and the homeless whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?"
- Mohandas K. Gandhi

" Wars, conflict, it's all business. One murder makes a villain. Millions a hero. Numbers sanctify."
-Charlie Chaplin

And so from the spectre of the summer soldier who shrinks from the hard truths and his country's crises, comes the Winter Soldier who will not look away.

"We Are Your New Winter Soldiers" - IVAW Winter Soldiers 2008

Back on March 19th I placed a post, on my site, as well as a few others. I also sent that out to a small e-list I maintain to a few site boards, mostly Veteran, and individuals. I will give you the link and part of that post shortly, but first I would like you to view these closing remarks, from the Winter Soldiers 2008 Testimonies, by Camilo Mejia of Iraq Veterans Against The War.

From The Real News Network

Camilo Mejia, chair of Iraq Vets Against War on GI resistance, the Real News Network Video report.

At these Winter Soldier II Testimonies there were a small group of counterprotestors, once calling themselves 'gathering of eagles' now this group, some 30 in number, went under a new banner 'eagles up'.

Us 'Nam Vets, since 'Winter Soldier '71, {I was in my last few months of my tour and four year Navy hitch when it took place} especially members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War and a Spokesperson from VVAW, now Senator John Kerry, two tour 'Nam Vet, 2nd tour Commanding a Swiftboat Crew, have been putting up with these small groups of disgruntled 'Nam Veterans, Veterans, but Mostly Non-Veterans, since Vietnam. They've put together faulty reports and made up stories, with nothing to back up their slanderous accusations, and have been using same for the years since, a few actually making livings off of all of this.

With all the Investigations, Surveilance, Paid Informants in the Anti-War Movement, SDS, and some Veterans Groups, and much more, under the Nixon Administrations Control, nothing was ever found to substantiate the slanderous charges by the afore mentioned groups and others, from those times to the present, reason they cannot produce any New so called Proof.

Everyone should remember 'the swftboat veterans for truth' who came out against the Presidential run of Senator John Kerry, they too have changed their name, now called 'swift vets and pows for truth', something about these small groups, they can't hold onto a name and stick with it. Well does anyone remember what Actual Proof they brought forth to substantiate the charges they were making against Kerry? Hell even the Vietnamesse who were there, and still are, called their blowhard bluff.

You can get some of the Backtract on the swifties charges here at Fact Check, there's much more for any individual to find who might be interested, unlike those who make the slanderous charges, they don't Want the Truth!

And what did one Senator John McCain have to say about the 'swifties' back than:

McCain : I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable. As it is none of these individuals served on the boat (Kerry) commanded. Many of his crewmates have testified to his courage under fire. I think John Kerry served honorably in Vietnam.

Well these same charges are being regurgitated by the small group mentioned above, most aren't veterans, a few are recent veterans of OIF and or OEF, none served with Kerry, none served with those giving the First Winter Soldier Testimonies, and the charges are being made against the Present Veterans of OIF and OEF, giving Testimony at 'Winter Soldier '08' and again none of the 'eagles up' served with any of these soldiers. But let a couple of IVAW Veterans explain:

Vietnam Veterans Against the War respond to protests and accusations from Eagles Up

Vets defend Winter Soldier conferences, the Real News Network Video report.

And to better understand what they were talking about let a couple of these 'eagles up' explain:

Eagles Up protest Winter Soldier

Vets in support of current war policy protest against Winter Soldier testimonies

Eagles Up protest Winter Soldier, the Real News Network Video report.

Sooner, rather than later, the small numbers of Current Veterans, that are joining these groups, are going to get the Real Picture, especially as to the rethoric but most importantly the lack of want to help them fight for the benefits etc. they were promised by the Military and this Country.

Now to what I posted on the 19th and abit of that post:

I have a request that I would ask any and all reading this to please do.

This past weekend an Important Historical Event took place, War Comes Home - Winter Soldier II

Listen to a A Montage That Cuts to the Heart of the War and Winter Soldier {mp3}

You can listen to the testimonies Here with photo's and much more. You can view a number of Video's, of the testimonies, at The Real News Network along with other outstanding News updates from Iraq. You can also find the testimony Video's at the site of the Iraq/Afgan Veterans who organized the Truth of Occupation -IVAW as well as much more, along with the ability To Support and Help As They Grow

They have given their Testimonies, those Testimonies, though not carried nor reported as they should have been by the mainstream media, are now in the record as Audio, Video, and Transcripts.

All that is needed now is to get them into the Congressional Record as were the Winter Soldier Investigations of 1971

Immediately following the WSI, Senator George McGovern and Representative John Conyers announced that they were calling for congressional investigations based on the testimony. This announcement was received with skepticism by the veterans, but VVAW representatives agreed to meet with McGovern and Conyers.

The Iraq/Afgan Soldiers who testified requested that a Congressional Investigation be held, most, if not all, who testified this past weekend, also the 40th Anniversary of the My Lai Massacre, which in part sparked the first 'Winter Soldier Investigations', are more than willing to bring their testimonies in front of The Peoples Congress to be Sworn in, Under Oath, as the first 'Winter Soldier' to bring better understanding to those who don't serve, have never served, nor lived in theaters of conflict occupations, the Realities of War, Especially Wars of Choice, Not Need!

These testimonies, like the first 'Winter Soldier', cover a wide veriaty of issues as to the military, spoken or understood policies of a combat theater of operation, treatment of returning veterans, treatment of female veterans, hazing within the ranks, treatment of civilian populations, possible atrocities, possible war crimes, what War Is!

Many of us have written our congressional representatives requesting a Congeressional Investigation and Hearing on the testimonies given and any more that will come forward from these failed foreign policies of civilian and military leadership.

I ask that those reading take a few minutes and Also Write, or Call your own Congressional Representatives and request same, to get the sworn testimonies into the public record, The Congressional Record of Fact!

Added abit of highlight to the end for better understanding.

I than continued with the above request and also want:

I'm not quite done yet, with my request to you, though:

Once again small groups have come forth, even before the testimonies started, they were calling these Brave Soldiers, of whom these groups say they 'Support', Fakes and Liers, Verbally Spitting on the troops, as happened after Vietnam! Two of these groups, a tiny contingement, 30 to 40 people, of 'eagles up', i.e. 'gathering of eagles', or whatever next weeks name might be, and 'move america forward' were there, outside of DC this past weekend, speaking the same talking points to the few who would listen, there's a few interview video's at The Real News Network that will give you the inside to their ideology.

Most of those that start these groups have been doing so for alot of years, mostly since 'Nam, they claim proof of their rethoric yet when confronted for some reason that 'proof' can't be produced, words of anger and hate are the only thing used.

I would further my request, as many of us all ready have done, that you include these groups, any others you might know of, and those using todays technology passing the same rethoric of false claims and slander to be included in the Congressional Investigation and Hearings!

If they have any first hand proof, of their slanderous charges, than it should be Finally Placed into the Public Record for All To See, to vent, and to dispel!

Let us close the door on this form of Verbal Spitting, especially on the Military Troops they claim to Support, as these troop return home, repeating what was done to us 'Nam Vets, speaking and living the experiances of War that these groups haven't.

Have them testify along side those who have served and are more than willing to archive their testimonies into the public record!

Again abit of highlighting to make point.

Please contact your representatives today, and over the next couple of days, and request that congress open investigations and hearings ASAP!!

And for those living in or near New York City:

The Military Project Respectfully Requests: Don’t Leave Him Hanging

Dear Friend of Peace and Justice

Let's start with a basic statement.

The Troops Have the Power to Stop the War. We must work with them to accomplish this goal.

If you want to end the war and believe that the link between civilian and service member organizers is the key to putting a monkey wrench in the war machine — and vital to bringing the troops home — please join us and other members of the Military Project Organizing Committee at our first conference: Bridging the Gap: Making It Happen on Saturday, April 5th in New York City at Middle Collegiate Church (50 E. 7th St.).

This is an organizers' conference for people who wish to act together to bridge the gap between civilians and members of the Armed Forces through direct outreach.
The Military Project Organizing Committee acted decisively to initiate the conference (with the assistance of Traveling Soldier and GI Special in light of developments in the anti-war movement.

Troops and veterans are speaking out against the war— and refusing missions — more than ever before.

To take advantage of this momentum we must STRIKE NOW and bring the forces together to reach as many service members as possible.

Conference speakers include:

• Clarence Thomas, Local 10, The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, San Francisco on how Iraq Veterans, active duty troops and union members can join together to do what the politicians refuse to do: bring all the troops home now;

• Richard Boyle, Vietnam War Reporter, and author of "Flower of the Dragon," which recounts the resistance during the war and the breakdown of the U.S. Army in Vietnam will discuss his eyewitness accounts detailing the cause and effect of uprisings throughout the ranks; and

• Daniel Joseph Black, IVAW, on what it means to defend the Constitution and our population from "domestic enemies." Black states that "If defending requires our disobedience of an autocratic war criminal, then we are so bound by our oath."

The conference will also feature the moving poetry of Vietnam Veteran Dennis Serdel and the arresting photography of Vietnam Veteran Mike Hastie.

We hope that after reading this letter you will be as generous as your means allow in helping us to cover the many expenses incurred by this historic conference.

As veterans and members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, we cannot stress enough how important it is to show our troops support in their resistance against the war.

Our first priority should be to end this war immediately. Outreach of the sort conducted by the Military Project is vital to bringing this war to an end NOW.

This is the focus of the conference.

And it is an urgent task.

Please send checks or money orders, made payable to the Military Project to:
BOX 126, 2576 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, N.Y.
10025-5657 USA

Thank you for your support—and please contact us if you would like to join us in this work.

Sincerely,
Jeff Englehart, Former Spc., U.S. Army
Member, Military Project Organizing Committee
Member, Iraq Veterans Against the War

Lt. Fabian Bouthillette, USNR
Member, Military Project Organizing Committee
Member, Iraq Veterans Against the War

April 5, 2008: 10 AM
Middle Collegiate Church
50 East 7th St., New York, New York
[Just east of 2nd Avenue]

'Shoutout', 'Action', 'Winter Soldier', 'Congressional Hearings'

On this day, 3-19-08, the 5th anniversary of the Occupation of Iraq, some may attend the thousands of candlelight vigils around the country.

Some may have other vigils of remembrance planned.

Some may write of their feelings.

Some may have other ways to observe and remember the Fallen and Maimed of our Military and the Tens of Thousands of the Innocent Killed and Maimed and Millions thrust into refugee status due to our countries Failed Policies.

Some may do nothing.

U.S. Deaths Confirmed By The DoD: 3988

Reported U.S. Deaths Pending DoD Confirmation: 2

Total 3990

DoD Confirmation List

I have a request that I would ask any and all reading this to please do.

This past weekend an Important Historical Event took place, War Comes Home - Winter Soldier II

Listen to a A Montage That Cuts to the Heart of the War and Winter Soldier {mp3}

You can listen to the testimonies Here with photo's and much more. You can view a number of Video's, of the testimonies, at The Real News Network along with other outstanding News updates from Iraq. You can also find the testimony Video's at the site of the Iraq/Afgan Veterans who organized the Truth of Occupation -IVAW as well as much more, along with the ability To Support and Help As They Grow

They have given their Testimonies, those Testimonies, though not carried nor reported as they should have been by the mainstream media, are now in the record as Audio, Video, and Transcripts.

All that is needed now is to get them into the Congressional Record as were the Winter Soldier Investigations of 1971

Immediately following the WSI, Senator George McGovern and Representative John Conyers announced that they were calling for congressional investigations based on the testimony. This announcement was received with skepticism by the veterans, but VVAW representatives agreed to meet with McGovern and Conyers.

The Iraq/Afgan Soldiers who testified requested that a Congressional Investigation be held, most, if not all, who testified this past weekend, also the 40th Anniversary of the My Lai Massacre, which in part sparked the first 'Winter Soldier Investigations', are more than willing to bring their testimonies in front of The Peoples Congress to be Sworn in, Under Oath, as the first 'Winter Soldier' to bring better understanding to those who don't serve, have never served, nor lived in theaters of conflict occupations, the Realities of War, Especially Wars of Choice, Not Need!

These testimonies, like the first 'Winter Soldier', cover a wide veriaty of issues as to the military, spoken or understood policies of a combat theater of operation, treatment of returning veterans, treatment of female veterans, hazing within the ranks, treatment of civilian populations, possible atrocities, possible war crimes, what War Is!

Many of us have written our congressional representatives requesting a Congeressional Investigation and Hearing on the testimonies given and any more that will come forward from these failed foreign policies of civilian and military leadership.

I ask that those reading take a few minutes and Also Write, or Call your own Congressional Representatives and request same, to get the sworn testimonies into the public record, The Congressional Record of Fact!

I'm not quite done yet, with my request to you, though:

Once again small groups have come forth, even before the testimonies started, they were calling these Brave Soldiers, of whom these groups say they 'Support', Fakes and Liers, Verbally Spitting on the troops, as happened after Vietnam! Two of these groups, a tiny contingement, 30 to 40 people, of 'eagles up', i.e. 'gathering of eagles', or whatever next weeks name might be, and 'move america forward' were there, outside of DC this past weekend, speaking the same talking points to the few who would listen, there's a few interview video's at The Real News Network that will give you the inside to their ideology.

Most of those that start these groups have been doing so for alot of years, mostly since 'Nam, they claim proof of their rethoric yet when confronted for some reason that 'proof' can't be produced, words of anger and hate are the only thing used.

I would further my request, as many of us all ready have done, that you include these groups, any others you might know of, and those using todays technology passing the same rethoric of false claims and slander to be included in the Congressional Investigation and Hearings!

If they have any first hand proof, of their slanderous charges, than it should be Finally Placed into the Public Record for All To See, to vent, and to dispel!

Let us close the door on this form of Verbal Spitting, especially on the Military Troops they claim to Support, as these troop return home, repeating what was done to us 'Nam Vets, speaking and living the experiances of War that these groups haven't.

Have them testify along side those who have served and are more than willing to archive their testimonies into the public record!

Please contact your representatives today, and over the next couple of days, and request that congress open investigations and hearings ASAP!!

Peace and
Thank You!!

If You Visit

'The Real News Network' link, above, at the top of their list, just before the video's about 'Winter Soldier' you will find two New Reports: Baghdad: City of Walls!

Watch them, to better understand our Occupation Control over an Innocent Country and it's People!

Would You Want To Live This Way??

Lets See Now, 'Supporting The Troops'

What do those three words really mean in this ever so Rich, Powerful, and Patriotic Country of Ours, not to mention Supposedly Christian as well?

Is it just the mouthing of?

If a politician, which some call a profession, is it the wearing of a Flag Lapel Pin?
I have one I wear on my Veterans For Peace ballcap Turned Upside Down!!!

Is it little cheap Magnetic Yellow Ribbons that have those words printed on them, and seem to have rapidly disappeared?

We once had a conflict, we have 'The Wall' of remembrance of 58,000 lives lost in that conflict.

The one we, as a Nation, stated we should never forget the lessons of, and Quickly Forgot The Lessons Of!

We have a Huge Collective Guilt of how this Nation treated us returning Vets of that conflict and as we Cheered on the Invasion of another Innocent Little Country we came up with 'Support The Troops' and the little trinkets along with a bunch of 'Patriotic' slogans and putdowns, for those that did and those that didn't, follow the collective mindset!

With all my brothers went through on returning, especially those suffering from the Trauma of Conflict Theaters, myself coming back unscathed physically but the experiances of having served there rarely leaving my mind, left me with the ability to be an Advocate for my fellow 'Nam Veterans.

How many, non-veterans, knew that on February 26, 2008, 2PM at 334 Cannon House Office Building , at the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, this hearing was held:

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities And asked themselves why, if we 'Support The Troops', as myself and many other Veterans ask ourselves over and over, are we still having Congressional Hearings on Disability Ratings!

We're a Wealthy Country, or at least some are, Extremely Wealthy, beyond amounts that one can use in a lifetime, and we 'Support The Troops'!

With all we learned? from that other conflict, not so long ago, the one the lessons were never going to be forgotten, the one that Finally gave a name to
and an explosion of knowledge about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, i.e. PTSD, why hasn't the Veterans Affairs Department, the Peoples Representatives in Congress
and the Commanders in Chiefs since than made Military and Veterans Care a Top Priority and Budgetted at the Top of the Defense Budgets with No Questions of Cost,
after all we 'Support The Troops' and we now have a Professional Military!

The Navy Times had abit about the above hearing called, of all things, Experts: VA disability system can be fixed. Say What!!

For some reason the term 'Experts' and VA, System, Fixed just don't seem to fit together.

With the wealth of information, the fighting the system that Vets have had to do, the huge problems encountered by returning 'Nam Vets back than with the VA, why weren't these 'Experts' fixing what was already broken long ago, especially as we supposedly modernized with a professional military!

“The VA needs the right tools to do the right thing,” Hall said.
VA argued that it is already doing the right thing and has been updating the rating schedule, though officials acknowledged they could do better. From 1990 through 2007, VA had updated 47 percent of the ratings schedule, but 35 percent of the codes had not been touched since 1945. However, VA said it updated the codes for TBI in January and is working on an update for PTSD.

Working on an Update for PTSD??

“I believe the ratings schedule needs to be clarified so it has logic from the point of view of medicine and science,” McGinn said. “It has not progressed in the last five decades.”

No Shit!!

Kilpatrick said the exam for PTSD is also key. Examiners need to be carefully trained in how to diagnose and rate PTSD, and the exam should take up to three hours, rather than the 20 minutes that the Institute of Medicine found is often the case with veterans.

Send our Military Personal to create a 'Hell On Earth' than when they return take 20min. to find out how that may have effected them, 20 Minutes, think they can really spare even that, apparently it would be an even greater trauma, for the examiners, if they needed more than 20 Minutes, hell 3 Hours isn't even enough!!!

Now add to the fact that this country, who Supports The Troops, still need to have Congressional Hearings on the care of those same troops after they return we can add another travesty, the Veterans Need To Bring Lawsuits Against the Government, Us, Who They Served!

Tomorrow the following will take place:

VCS and VUFT Press Release: Court Hearing Set for March 3 in Lawsuit Against VA

MEDIA ADVISORY: FEBRUARY 28, 2008

FEDERAL COURT TO HEAR TESTIMONY ABOUT BREAKDOWNS IN VA HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM

Contacts:

* Paul Sullivan, Veterans for Common Sense, (202) 558-4553

* Robert M. Handy, Veterans United for Truth, (805) 455-5259

* Gordon P. Erspamer and Heather A. Moser, Morrison & Foerster, (925) 295-3341 and (415) 268-7091

* Sidney M. Wolinsky, Disability Rights Advocates, (510) 665-8644

WHAT: Hearing with Witnesses on Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction

WHO: Before Senior Judge Samuel Conti, United States District Court, Northern District of California.

WHEN: Beginning Monday, March 3, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Federal Courthouse, Courtroom #1, 17th Floor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Beginning Monday, March 3, and continuing throughout the week, Senior Judge Samuel Conti will hear testimony from witnesses concerning Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) neglect of veterans who have shown a potential for committing suicide. Opening statements from both sides shall precede testimony. This unusual hearing stems from the filing by Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) and Veterans United for Truth (VUFT) of a Motion for Preliminary Injunction. The motion asks the Court to order the VA to immediately screen and treat all potentially suicidal veterans.
Veteran suicides have reached an epidemic level, with approximately 120 veterans taking their own lives every week. Despite these numbers, the VA argues that veterans are only entitled to health care if the VA decides to provide it, and that veterans lack “entitlement” to any health care. The judge has convened the evidentiary hearings to assist in his decision on the Preliminary Injunction.

In January, the Court cleared the way for this major national class action lawsuit on behalf of disabled veterans to directly challenge the VA failings. The ruling affirms the rights of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to sue in federal court over the lengthy waiting times that veterans face in receiving needed mental health care, the huge backlog of disability claims, and the inadequacy of care for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court in July, seeks a judicial finding that the VA’s system of handling claims and appeals is so dysfunctional that it violates veterans’ constitutional and statutory rights. The suit also calls for court orders requiring the VA to provide immediate medical and psychological help to returning troops and to screen them for risk of suicide. For more information about the lawsuit, please go to this web site: Veterans For Common Sense et al. v. Peake,
Case No. C 07 3758, U.S.D.C. {N.D. Cal. 2007}.

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can develop in a person who witnesses or is confronted with a traumatic event. PTSD is the most prevalent mental disorder arising from combat. The suit claims that numerous VA practices violate the constitutional and statutory rights of veterans with PTSD by denying veterans adequate procedural safeguards in VA benefits process, access to the judicial process, and mandated medical care.

Military Spouses for Change are Strong Advocates with 'Veterans For Common Sense' and 'Veterans United for Truth' on the above Class Action Lawsuit, their Newly Created Blog

Once again I'll ask, if we as a Country 'Support The Troops', why do We Make Those Same Troops and Veterans Jump through Hoops of Red Tape and Broken Promises to Seek That Support ?!!!!


An Update to an Earlier 'Alert' Post:

Family turns to homeless - Missing Marine

Eric Hall

Age: 24

Hair: brownish-blond

Eyes: brown

Height: 5 feet, 9 inches; walks with a limp

Weight: 140 pounds

Clothing: black leather jacket with patch that says "In Memory of Pops" (a memorial to a friend's deceased father), plaid long-sleeved shirt, white T-shirt, blue jeans, possibly a motorcycle helmet

Tattoos: "sinner" written on inside of right bicep, "saint" on inside of left bicep, Chinese characters on stomach, dog tags on left side of ribcage, praying hands on left side of chest, and "established in 1983" written on lower back

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office at 941-639-0013 or Becky Hall at 502-500-7732.

Hall, a 24-year-old native of Clark County and Iraq war veteran, was said to be experiencing hallucinations and war flashbacks when he fled a family member’s home in Charlotte County, Fla.

There have been a few updates since I posted about Eric here, especially about the two phone calls a friend received, this update also mentions them.

Earlier this month, a female friend of the family received two phone calls, initially thought to be from Eric Hall. Hopes were dashed when one of the calls was traced back to Louisville and found to be a hoax — perpetuated by someone with whom the family friend used to be involved, said Kevin Hall.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether the other phone call was real or not.

And apparently there isn't much they can do to the AssWipe who made the fake phone call, my guess a young, non-military, supporter of the war!!!