Kerry on Afghanistan

I'll start this out with a short clip of a speech Senator, and brother 'Nam Veteran, Kerry gave on his return from a fact finding and diplomacy trip to Afghanistan. In this clip, in just a couple of sentences, he lays out the reality as to what one leading 'chickenhawk', and to many war criminal, has been blathering lately. Though Kerry doesn't mention it also speaks as to what that chief 'chickenhawk's' spokesperson, his daughter, fast becoming the leading 'chickenhawkette', has also been spreading around, allowed to and rarely, if ever, challenged.



Kerry, like many especially us who served in Vietnam, have had some four decades to better understand how extremely wrong government policies, especially as to invasions leading to occupation, can go wrong and in the video cut above states how the recent past was built on failed policy after failed policy after failed policy........... as well as ignoring the original intent policy of why we sent our military into that region of the world. It all stopped having anything to do with the criminal terrorist attacks on this country as the civilian and military leadership set their sites on Iraq, many feel was their main purpose to begin with, and they were given a reason to engage.

After Senator Kerry's speech he had a sit down discussion that aired on the PBS News Hour last night giving more insight to his fact finding visit to Afghanistan.

Sen. John Kerry
"If are you going to ask some kid to put his life on the line...I think we all have an obligation to make certain we have maximized the ability to be successful."

Kerry: Afghan Troop Push Goes 'Too Far, Too Fast'

Margaret Warner speaks with Sen. John Kerry about his recent trip to Afghanistan to persuade President Hamid Karzai to accept a runoff election.

Snip

MARGARET WARNER: You said in your speech today that General McChrystal's plan goes too far too fast.

Are you talking about the troop levels or his basic overall strategy of counterinsurgency?

SEN. JOHN KERRY, D-Mass.: The breadth of the reach of the counterinsurgency that he wants to start with and the number of troops to do it immediately. That doesn't mean you might not get there, ultimately, Margaret.

But I think you have got to show people like me and others that we have the civilian capacity to come in under underneath those troops, and the governance that's going to allow us to hold on, and the Afghan army members who will be in there with you, so it's not an American face; it's an Afghan movement immediately.

I think those three ingredients are critical. And we just don't have that sufficiently there to say, oh, boy, let's just go deploy this number of troops now.

MARGARET WARNER: So, are you suggesting to the president that he simply defer a decision on additional troops? Are you...

SEN. JOHN KERRY: No, I think the president could conceivably make the decision with -- and in many ways. He could put in some troops. He could put in a lot of troops. He could do, you know, any number of options.

But I'm trying to suggest that the standard that you use before you put them out into combat and clear an area and start to hold an area and actually implement the counterinsurgency component itself, I think you need those ingredients, or you are going to fail.

MARGARET WARNER: But the ingredients you lay out, some kind of effective local and national governance, Afghan security forces, a much better coordinated U.S. civilian effort, I mean, those are big projects, aren't they?...>>>You can watch or listen to and read the rest of the transcript at this link

Or watch the discussion in this player {it's just shy of eleven minutes}:



There's a meme used far to often to justify the wants of the few who seek to enhance their power, wealth or extremist views or whatever goes on in their heads by using military's, ours especially, to force those views on others, even including those they supposedly represent. That meme is "Freedom isn't free!", frankly it is,freedom is found within each of us supposedly intelligent human beings, freedom doesn't come by extreme force and terrorizing others, invading and occupying, dictating policies they must follow, creating more hatreds thus enemies seeking retaliations, especially from the young who grow up during the destructive occupations.

This morning we get this report:

U.S. official resigns over Afghan war

Foreign Service officer and former Marine captain says he no longer knows why his nation is fighting

Snip

"I have lost understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States' presence in Afghanistan," he wrote Sept. 10 in a four-page letter to the department's head of personnel. "I have doubts and reservations about our current strategy and planned future strategy, but my resignation is based not upon how we are pursuing this war, but why and to what end."

The reaction to Hoh's letter was immediate. Senior U.S. officials, concerned that they would lose an outstanding officer and perhaps gain a prominent critic, appealed to him to stay.

U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry brought him to Kabul and offered him a job on his senior embassy staff. Hoh declined. From there, he was flown home for a face-to-face meeting with Richard C. Holbrooke, the administration's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"We took his letter very seriously, because he was a good officer," Holbrooke said in an interview. "We all thought that given how serious his letter was, how much commitment there was, and his prior track record, we should pay close attention to him."...>>>Rest Found Here

Matthew Hoh is seeing what many of us saw during our years of Vietnam and many have started to see over these past years as to Afghanistan and Iraq, especially in Afghanistan after we left to invade Iraq. What purpose is there still occupying that country, there's only one purpose that can be sought, giving security to the people, who don't want us there, and try to give security to NGO's coming in to help rebuild though under a corrupt government and lax Afghan security, lax mainly because it's their own countrymen they will be forced to fight.

The Taliban are growing, or those we label Taliban, in numbers because of the rise in hatreds towards us especially due to our now nine year destructive occupation of Afghanistan, our bombing in Pakistan by robot planes killing and maiming more civilians then so called high value targets, our creation of hatreds from invading and occupying Iraq causing the hatreds to grow towards us in the whole region, we are no longer seeking out nor fighting the ghost enemy al Qaeda, or those we label as belonging to, though their numbers are also growing and probably seeking what the Taliban aren't outside the region terror attacks!

This Country was left with a huge host of problems and failed policies by the previous administration, very difficult problems that really can't be corrected but can be minimized, Hopefully. Even as CiC these extreme failed policies in Afghanistan and Iraq are not only up to President Obama these were laid at our feet qwith the blood on all our hands, we are the ones the hatreds are being lashed out at not just our government nor it's leaders, it is what the next generations will be left to deal with, these are the legacy and world we are leaving them!!

If interested Laura Flanders will be airing a discussion tonight at Eight PM on her Grit TV stream which then will be archived:

GRITtv with Laura Flanders » EVENT: WOMEN AMONG WARLORDS: Rebuilding Afghanistan

We hear a lot about women in Afghanistan, but their voices too often are silenced. On Tuesday, October 27, join GRITtv host Laura Flanders at CUNY’s Center for Place, Culture and Politics with Afghan activists Malalai Joya, the first female Afghan parliamentarian, Awista Ayub and Nasrine Gross to discuss their work rebuilding their country.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Skylight Room (9th floor)

If you can’t make the event, don’t miss our Tuesday show on Afghanistan, featuring Malalai Joya and Nasrine Gross, right here at 8 PM.

Sen. Webb: On Myanmar

Sen. Webb: U.S. Can Help Myanmar Move Forward

NPR: This morning, 8.19.09, link should bring up their player to listen. He makes some real important points, and for me clears up some as to questions of where he was going with his stand. Thought he was looking at it like we should have with Vietnam and once we did reality developed!

Veterans Day - Tuesday 11-11-08

We all know we have a change coming, and it would be great if it happened yesterday, but it will be happening soon enough. That change is in a New President and His Administration who ran on "Change" and bringing along with him a change in the Peoples Representation in both houses of Congress.


The new President, Barack Obama, was not brought into this job of the Countries President by a political parties leaders but by The People who rallied behind him, from the primaries to the Nov 8th National Election Day, and those people, Us, have to continue in what happens, for just one person and the administration nor the peoples representatives can bring about the "Change" that is so desperately needed now after these detructive years on so many fronts by themselves, we must stay engaged!


The focus, as it should be right now, will be first on the collapsing economy, collapsing because of a failed economic ideology and allowing some to do as they pleased in the economic circles of Wall Street, the Banks, and the Investment Firms etc..


But we also still have Tens Of Thousands of Military Troops engaged in War and Occupation in two Countries and their Tens Of Thousands of Family Members here at home, the Only Ones Sacrificing for this Country, Serving and those Waiting for their return!


I will add more on this at the bottom, with this lead in:


Nov 6 2008; WASHINGTON (American Forces Press Service) – Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has issued a Veterans Day message to those who now serve or have served in the armed forces.


Here is the text of the chairman’s message:

“When Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, effectively ending World War I, over sixty-five million individuals had been mobilized for the “Great War” that resulted in almost nine million deaths and over twenty-one million wounded. In just a year and a half of operations, 126,000 Americans lost their lives on the muddy landscapes of Europe and in the icy depths of the North Atlantic. Such loss of life and limb is hard to fathom today.

“History has debunked the notion of a ‘War to End All Wars.’ And history has also proven that peace does not preserve itself. It requires millions of dedicated men and women – like you and your families – all working in unison toward what one memorial hails as ‘high idealism, courageous sacrifice, and gallant achievement.’

“Today, a new generation of veterans carries this torch. Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom have forged the most combat-hardened force in our nation’s history. Yet, no war is without its casualties. Whether seen – or unseen – the wounds of war last a lifetime, and so should our care.

“Our wounded veterans and their families deserve only the best medical care our nation can provide – care on par with the service and sacrifice these patriots have rendered. From the battlefield to regional hospitals, and rehabilitation centers to reintegration programs, our wounded, ill, and injured Service members and their families merit a continuum of care that lasts a lifetime.

“To all our veterans – past and present – and your families, the Joint Chiefs and I salute you and thank you for your service and your sacrifice. As we remember those who have gone before us, may we honor their service through ours.


M.G. MULLEN
Admiral, U.S. Navy

There will be Veterans Day activities all over the country, from the small towns to the large cities, below are just some of the activities In Honor that Veterans For Peace along with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and of course Military Families will be a part of, many sponsored activities of Veterans For Peace and Vietnam Veterans Against the War.


VETERANS FOR PEACE SPONSORED EVENTS:


The following cities have Veterans Day events:


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Boston, MA

NAME OF EVENT: March to hear messages of peace and against suppression of our speech

LOCATION OF EVENT: Boston Common Beacon and Charles St. Boston

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: We are excluded from marching with signs and cadences and will march behind the street sweepers with supporters behind us. At City Hall Plaza we will have a large presence and protest the City and American Legion suppressing messages of peace from veterans.

TIME: 12 PM

DATE: 11/11/08

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 9 Smedley Butler Brigade

WEBSITE: Smedley Butler Brigade


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Chicago, IL

NAME OF EVENT: VFP/VVAW Combined Chicago Veterans' Day Ceremony

LOCATION OF EVENT: Chicago Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, North-West corner of Wacker & Wabash, Lower Level alongside Chicago River

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Ceremony begins with Folk Songs by Anna Stange, followed by speakers from IVAW, VFP and VVAW. At the end of the Ceremony, participants drop flowers into the Chicago River to remember the casualties of America's past wars. There may be a party/fundraiser for IVAW following the Ceremony, pending the availability of the National Vietnam Veterans' Art Museum, 1801 S. Indiana, Chicago, IL.

TIME: 11:00 A.M. Sharp tp 12:00 Noon

DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

CONTACT INFORMATION: Ken Neilsen, info@chicagovfp.org; Mike Woloshin, mike71atkron86vfp26@hotmail.com, Bob Gronko, bobgronko@yahoo.com

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Cpl. Joseph E. Powers-Chicago Area Chapter 26

WEBSITE: Chicago VFP


~~~~~~~~~~

Albany, NY

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Central Ave. & Ontario St., Albany, NY

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Annual City of Albany Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the Tri-County Council of Viet Nam Era Veterans. Our Chapter has been an official contingent in the parade for about 10 years.

TIME: 11:00 AM

DATE: November 11, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Tom Paine Chapter, #10


~~~~~~~~~~

Lebanon, TN

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Lebanon TN

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Parade in Lebanon TN 25 miles east of Nashville

TIME: 11:00

DATE: 11/11

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 89 Middle TN


~~~~~~~~~~

Milwaukee, WI

NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Remembrance

LOCATION OF EVENT: Milwaukee City Hall

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Our event will take place on the Veterans Day Parade route for more visibility. Speakers and a ceremonial bell ringing and then we'll hand out informational packets to parade spectators. We will be joined by members of Peace Action Wisconsin and IVAW

TIME: 10AM-11AM

DATE: November 8, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 102

WEBSITE: Milwaukee VFP


~~~~~~~~~~

Portland, ME

NAME OF EVENT: Portland Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Portland, Maine

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Standard parade - We have been the only "voice" for peace in the Portland parade for several years and have petitioned for a voice on the dais. No deal, so far.

DATE: November 11

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 001


~~~~~~~~~~

Albany, OR

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans' Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Albany, Oregon

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Veterans for Peace, Chapter 132 will march in the annual Veterans' Day Parade in Albany, Oregon. We will be joined by supporters of VFP, and plan to distribute the VFP "Cost of War" cards along the route.

TIME: Parade starts at 11:00, form up by 10:00 am.

DATE: Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 132

WEBSITE: VFP Corvallis


~~~~~~~~~~

Manchester, NH

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Manchester, NH

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: NH VFP will march in the annual Veterans Day Parade where we will carry two banners - our plain black & white VFP logo and a larger black & white banner that states: "NH Veterans for Peace" and below that "Peace Is the Way."

The parade organizing group led by several American Legion posts has finally allowed us to have a speaker at the post-parade ceremonies in Veterans Park. His name is Will Hopkins, a NH Guardsman who served in Iraq for a year. He is a member of both VFP and IVAW.

TIME: Nov. 11/08 - Parade begins at 10:30 am.

DATE: November 11, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: AJ Muste Chapter - #062


~~~~~~~~~~

New York City, NY

NAME OF EVENT: New York City Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: New York City

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: We will be marching again in the anual Veterans Day Parade in New York City along with our friends from VFP Chapters 34 & 60, along with members from VVAW, MFSO and IVAW.

DATE: 11-11-08

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: VFP Chapter 24


~~~~~~~~~~

Long Island, NY

NAME OF EVENT: Healing Service for Returning Veterans

LOCATION OF EVENT: Old South Haven Presbyterian Church, Long Island, NY

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: A non-sectarian healing service for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in anticipation of Chapter 138's Peer Support Program.

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 138


~~~~~~~~~~

Los Angeles, CA

NAME OF EVENT: Ron Kovic Speaks at Arlington West Santa Monica

LOCATION OF EVENT: North side of Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica CA

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Starting at AW SM there will be a procession of coffins up to the Santa Monica Veteran's Memorial at the Palisades Park where Ron Kovic and others will speak. Procession will then return to AW SM.

TIME: 10:00 AM

DATE: 11-11-08

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 007 Los Angeles

WEBSITE: Arlington West Santa Monica CA


~~~~~~~~~~

Port Angeles, WA

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Celebration

LOCATION OF EVENT: U.S. Coastguard Station, Ediz Hook, Port Angeles Washington

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: VFP 139 will join with other veterans organizations and active Coast Guard to celebrate Veterans Day with music speeches and, in our case, antiwar statements.

TIME: 11:00 am

DATE: 11-11-08 Veterans Day

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: North Olympic Peninsula, Chapter 139

WEBSITE: NOP VFP

* There will also be showing on Public TV, Four veteran members will discuss their military experience and their evolution from soldiers to peace activists in VFP. Two female vets from the Iraq War and two Viet Nam War male vets will relate their activities to their collection of photos that will be shown as they talk.


~~~~~~~~~~

Hyannis, MA

NAME OF EVENT: Barnstable Soldiers Memorial Association - Veterans Day Parade and Program

LOCATION OF EVENT: Town Hall Parking Lot and Town Green, Hyannis, MA

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Community Parade, Speeches and Wreath-Laying at
several memorials locationed in Hyannis

TIME: 9:30AM Form-Up, 10:00AM Start

DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Cosponsored by VFP Cape Cod Chapter 041and other veterans groups


~~~~~~~~~~

San Francisco, CA

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: The parade starts at 2nd & Market Streets at 11:00am Sunday, Nov 9, marches past civic center and the War Memorial Building where the Review Stand is located.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Veterans For Peace will once again participate in the Veterans Day Parade. We will march with our Agent Orange Banner: "Vietnam Veterans and Vietnamese People are Still Dying from Agent Orange. We will wear our AO colors, a VFP t-shirt that is orange with the same message on the back. We will also carry photo boards of Vietnamese people suffering from effetts of Agent Orange. We will be joined by many of the Vietnamese community here. This comes after our support of the Agent Orange Tour that is happening this week all over the SF Bay Area. We usually win a first or second place award in the San Francisco Parades.

TIME: 11am

DATE: November 9, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: San Francisco, Chapter 69


~~~~~~~~~~

Phoenix, AZ

NAME OF EVENT: VA Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Phoenix, AZ

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Parade has many entrants but only one peace organization. This is the Phoenix Chapter of VFP. We will march behind a flag draped coffin surrounded by boots representing the service people who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We are on probation this year. They are trying to find ways to get us out of the parade.

TIME: 11 AM

DATE: October 11

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: VFP Chapter 75

WEBSITE: Veterans For Peace Phoenix


~~~~~~~~~~

San Diego, CA

NAME OF EVENT: San Diego Veterans Day events

LOCATION OF EVENT: Various, see details below.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: At 8 AM, the chapter will be setting up our now portable Arlington West Memorial (500 crosses and other religious symbols) at the grassy area in front of the USS Midway, now docked in downtown San Diego as a military museum. We will there all day and into the night reading the names of the fallen, with VFP, IVAW, VVAW, and MFSO banners, US and service flags, a tent, tabling and educational exhibits, and some small items for sale.

At 11 AM, the majority of SDVFP members will march in the annual San Diego Veterans Day parade along Pacific Highway. The theme this year is "Honor Korean War Veterans" and we will have a convertible with SDVFP banners for our honored Korean War veteran members (4-5) to ride in. We have been embraced and cheered by the parade spectators in previous parades, and we expect this year to be no different.

After the parade, at about 2 PM, we will proceed back to our Arlington West Memorial at the USS Midway for our monthly business meeting, which would have normally been on election day. We plan on conducting an outdoor business meeting surrounded by the crosses, banners and flags. At dark, there will be a candlelight vigil, and the Arlington West Memorial will be packed up for its next venue.

TIME: 8 AM, the chapter will be setting up our now portable Arlington West Memorial, 11 AM, the majority of SDVFP members will march in the annual San Diego Veterans Day parade along Pacific Highway, 2 PM, we will proceed back to our Arlington West Memorial at the USS Midway for our monthly business meeting

DATE: 11/11/08

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter #91 - Hugh Thompson Memorial

WEBSITE: San Diego VFP


~~~~~~~~~~

Minneapolis, MN

NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Bell Ringing

LOCATION OF EVENT: First Shot Cannon Memorial on State Capital Grounds St. Paul, Mn

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: We will ring bells eleven times and read the names of Minnesota combat dead in Iraq and Afganistan commemorating Armistice Day.

TIME: 11:00 a.m.

DATE: 11/11/2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: chapter 27


~~~~~~~~~~

Greenfield, MA

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Greenfield, MA

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Along with IVAW we will start at Greenfield Middle School (195 Federal St. We call on all who can march with us. This may be the towns last parade.

TIME: 9:30am

DATE: 11/11/2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 95


~~~~~~~~~~

Long Beach, CA

NAME OF EVENT: Long Beach Ca. Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Long Beach, Ca.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: VFP Members will be marching with IVAW, MFSO and other local Peace groups. Last year our groups were denied entrance and the incident got national adverse publicity and as a result this year we are in and invite family and friends to join us. Call or email for details.

TIME: 10:00AM

DATE: Sat. November 8 - 11/08/08

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: LA-Long Beach Harbor Area Chapter # 067


~~~~~~~~~~

Juneau, AK

NAME OF EVENT: Special Film Presentation

LOCATION OF EVENT: Silverbow Inn - Juneau, AK

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: The Juneau, Alaska VFP Chapter is sponsoring a special public showing of the recent film "Soldiers of Conscience." The film will be preceded by a short message from Chapter President Phil Smith. In a related activity, on the evening before Veterans Day, Phil will host the film's co-producer on the Chapter's monthly radio show ("PeaceTalk") produced on KTOO-FM, the local public radio station (104.3 FM). The program is web-cast ( KTOO-FM ) for those interested.

TIME: 7:30:00 PM

DATE: 11/11/2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 100

WEBSITE: VFP Juneau


~~~~~~~~~~

Madison, WI

NAME OF EVENT: 3rd Memorial Mile - Chapter 25

LOCATION OF EVENT: Madison, WI.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Chapter 25 will install its 3rd Memorial Mile in Madison on November 8, running to November 15th. Location: Forest Hill Cemetery, Speedway Road, Madison. Installation starts at 9am on Nov. 8th. 4,800 tombstones. Special one-hour memorial program on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2pm.

TIME: 24 hours a day

DATE: Nov 8-15

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 25 (Clarence Kailin Chapter)

WEBSITE: Madison VFP


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Palm Springs, CA

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Palm Springs CA

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: VFP marches with a banner tha says: "Support the Troops. Bring Them Home"

TIME: 2:30 PM start up

DATE: Tuesday November 11

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Jon Castro Chapter 19

WEBSITE: VFP Chapter 19


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Auburn, WA

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Auburn, Wa.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Parade w/ chapter 92 and other Western WA chapters

TIME: 11AM

DATE: Nov. 8, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: City of Auburn, WA. / contingent of Greater Seattle, Chapter 92

WEBSITE: VFP Chapter 92


~~~~~~~~~~

Pittsburgh, PA

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade

LOCATION OF EVENT: Allegheny County/Pittsburgh Pa.

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: The ususal shassay done main street featuring Veterans organizations from throughout Western Pa. Bands, Banners, etc.

TIME: nine until post parade festivites are done.

DATE: Nov. 11th 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 047 Southwestern Pa.


~~~~~~~~~~

Miami, FL

NAME OF EVENT: Miami Beach Veterans Day Parade

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: For the fourth consecutive year, the South Florida Veterans For Peace Chapter will march in the Miami Beach Veterans Day Parade alongside the American Legion Post 85, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3559 and the Miami Special Forces Veterans Group.

The parade kickoff is from 17th Street and Washington Avenue. We will march to the cenopath at the old City Hall on 11th and Washington.

TIME: 9:00am

DATE: Tuesday 11 November 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Alexander S. Arredondo Chapter, South Florida


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Evansville, IN

NAME OF EVENT: Remembering Iraq War Dead

LOCATION OF EVENT: Four Freedoms Monument

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: The VFP Chapter 104, Evansville, IN will assemble at the Four Freedoms Monument to read the names of Service Men and Women killed in Iraq.

TIME: 11:00 AM Central Standard Time

DATE: November 11, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 104, Evansville, IN

WEBSITE: VFP Evansville


~~~~~~~~~~

Ann Arbor, MI

NAME OF EVENT: Arlington Michigan Display

LOCATION OF EVENT: Veterans Park, Corner of Jackson and Maple, Ann Arbor, MI

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Display of one cross for every Michigan soldier killed in Iraq. Veterans Day peace reading at 11am.

TIME: 9am to 6pm

DATE: November 11, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 93

WEBSITE: VFP Chapter 93


~~~~~~~~~~

Rochester, NY

NAME OF EVENT: Veterans' Day Peace Observance and Ceremony

LOCATION OF EVENT: Washington Square Park, Rochester, NY and First Universalist Church

DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: At the park, there will be a reading of names and sharing stories of war dead.
The program will then move into the church, where the ceremony will continue with reflections by local veterans. There will be tabling by VFP and IVAW and a buffet served by "Food Not Bombs."

TIME: 3:00pm

DATE: Nov. 9, 2008

SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: many peace groups in Rochester, including VFP, Chapter 23


~~~~~~~~~~


Join in or Observe those Veterans Day Activities near you. But let it be know that these two conflicts are right along side of the economic disaster or directly below as to Importance.


Send the message, if you haven't been already, starting this coming Tuesday, Veterans Day, that these Conflicts Must End!


That we, as a Country, must once again Lead by Diplomacy, Tough but Engaged, not throwing our morality away, as we have been, destroying others!


We must Engage the Regions Leaderships and the Regions Religious Leaderships of Iraq and Afghanistan to bring an end to both occupations, especially Iraq which never should have occurred!


But also Afghanistan, we've killed and maimed to many innocent Afghans, we've destroyed and not re-built enough of their already destroyed country, we are creating hatreds not friends and now that we've allowed it to spill over into Pakistan we are continuing in failed policies that are adding even more to the hatreds and numbers of enemies of us and the west!


We must join together with the World Community and place Terrorism where it belonged all along as a Criminal Act against Innocent People all over and not against the Governments these Terrorists are targeting!


Use the forces of Intelligence of as many countries that are willing to seek out and bring the criminal terrorist element to Justice, when need be combined military forces could be used, this is what should have happened long ago but especially after 9/11 when the whole world was more than willing to help, now most have their backs turned on us as we've lost so much of what we had built as a world leader!!

Iran? No! Pakistan? Yes! Forgotten Conflict Soon To Expand and Escalate Dangerously!

I was going to post a followup to a recent post I had done referencing some disturbing news, but suspected, out of Afganistan. That post, a few days ago, followed the extremely sad news about the loss of the nine soldiers, fifteen injured, in a battle at a small fire base they held by Afgan insurgents. This U.S. Abandons Site of Afghan Attack is a recent report on that and as the title says the American forces abandoned the base. It was than apparently retaken by the Afgan Insurgents as well as the little town near it, and control of the territory well around the town and base.


Another report came out yesterday, in the Asian Times, but was dated for today, I've already seen that other sources have been picking it up today, that will follow shortly.


Than this morning Sebastian likes to rattle cages has this diary up with news out of The Guardian that may answer a few questions, or more like worries, I had. This could also explain, and make much more clearer the reason for this, American Envoy To Join Iran Talks, which should have happened over 6 years ago, right after the illegal invasion and as many knew an insurgent conflict would result.


The only ones who could have quieted the rising Blowback, from the invasion and coming occupation, were the neighbors of Iraq, All of them, it's their region, their neighbor, their religions, their sects, and many of us were calling for their involvement.


But Iraq never was and still isn't the only huge problem and extremely failed policy of this administration and it's cohorts, The forgotten War, Afganistan, has and is a big part of the picture and the growing Hatreds in the region, towards us, from those policies!



The other day I had this in that post:

Afghan Warlords, Formerly Backed By the CIA, Now Turn Their Guns On U.S. Troops


They defeated the Soviets with Washington’s help, but now they attack Americans as the new occupiers


And these folks don't play games, they're well seasoned guerilla fighters, in their own country and the terrain well known by them!


They also don't need to raise up hatreds or indoctrinate others, we're doing a damn good job across the region, from Iraq, raising the civilian hatreds towards us in Iran by our rethoric and threats, through Pakistan and into Afganistan, making enemies of tens of thousands if not millions, and this has nothing to do with religious ideology, that's used on both sides to embed fear and control the masses not directly involved, pure propaganda!

But amid a well-coordinated assassination attempt on Afghan President Hamid Karzai and large-scale bombings last week in the capitals of both Afghanistan and Pakistan, U.S. forces are keenly aware that they are facing an increasingly complex enemy here—what U.S. military officials now call a syndicate—composed not only of Taliban fighters but also powerful warlords who were once on the payroll of the Central Intelligence Agency. "You could almost describe the insurgency as having two branches," says a senior U.S. military official here. "It's the Taliban in the south and a 'rainbow coalition' in the east."

Indeed, along with a smattering of Afghan tribal groups, Pakistani extremists, and drug kingpins, two of the most dangerous players are violent Afghan Islamists named Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Jalaluddin Haqqani, according to U.S. officials.

And these two are whom:

were once among America's most valued allies.

I've always thought that bin Laden, and it has been suspected and reported, because of his family thus the connections to possible U.S. officials, was on the CIA payroll and a middle man for the arms dealings for us in the Afgan/Soviet conflict.

Hekmatyar, then widely considered by Washington to be a reliable anti-Soviet rebel, was even flown to the United States by the CIA in 1985.

immortalized in the recent film Charlie Wilson's War

We even made him a cult hero in our movies, now that's the American Way.

Today, the Haqqani network is driving the recent rise in violence in eastern Afghanistan, according to U.S. military officials.

In the course of conducting these operations, insurgents have benefited greatly from the shortage of U.S. and allied troops here, say U.S. officials.

My guess, just like during the Afgan/Soviet conflict, the rise in violence, especially the changing tactics, is drawing fighters from Iraq as well. If that's the case, and violence abates in Iraq, if we still have troops in that country it won't be quiet for long. With quiet comes complacency and if that complacency is seen an felt by the insurgents a very quick rise in insurgent actions will follow for we will still be occupiers in their land, some coming from those we're paying now not to fight us!

U.S. officials had an even higher opinion of Haqqani, who was considered the most effective rebel warlord. "I adored Haqqani. When I was in Afghanistan, Haqqani was the guy who made sure I would get out," says Wilson. "He was a marvelous leader and very beloved in his territory."

The above has been suspected, actually more than suspected because of the lack of ability to get Afganistan under control and not only because the administration just walked away from it and our promises.



This is what I found yesterday at the Asia Times Online:


Militants ready for a war without borders


Hell of a Title that just grabs the attention!


It isn't anything new, that's what Criminal Terrorism, on a World Scale, has been about for years, striking back from the few for the Wests failed policies in their lands and regions and started long before 9/11!



This is how the report starts out:

From thinly disguised insinuations against Pakistan following the suicide attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul this month to outright accusations against Islamabad by the Afghan government over the unrelenting Taliban-led insurgency, the blame game has entered a critical time: a major regional battle could erupt in a matter of days

A matter of days?



The U.S. now wants to, late, send more troops into Afganistan and do what should have been done after we rid it of the Taliban government and al Qaeda, Seek Out Insurgents In Pakistan, in others words expand the conflict into anothers country and not a very stable country at that!



I've been wondering, though haven't heard anything, if some of the insurgents of Iraq have been moving their front, because of the blastwalls that surround the neighborhoods, the employing of others by the U.S. to fight their own countrymen and not our troops, the refugee's all over Iraq and neighboring countries, the ceasefires..................................................., and more.



In Guerilla Warfare everything becomes a weapon to use when the need arises!

Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani was quick to call in senior strategic analysts, who pointed out that the military would only follow the directions of the civilian government. Yet just days earlier, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani had announced that all decisions concerning military operations would be decided by the army chief. This does not bode well for Pakistan's whole-hearted cooperation.

But regardless of how sincerely the Pakistani army fights against the Taliban, the fact is that the Taliban have already staged a virtual coup in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) bordering Afghanistan.

Now if you were in a military of a country that gets invaded What Would You Do!!

As a result, the middle and lower members of the security forces are effectively non-functional and answer to the Taliban's call across NWFP.

Bring together the above about the Afgan Insurgents and Warlords around that country, add the Growing Taliban ranks as well as the original al Qaeda.

On Monday, a high-level al-Qaeda shura (council) concluded in Miramshah in North Waziristan with instructions to all members with families to retreat to safe locations in expectation of the Afghan war spreading into Pakistan's tribal areas.

We have been feeding the growing hatreds, the longer we stayed in Iraq and the dangerous stagnation we've been a part of in Afganistan.

The shura also noted that militant ranks in the region had received their biggest boost since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, including growing numbers from Muslim countries.

If the Guardian report, and apparently others have started reporting same, is correct, though way too late, establishing even minor diplomatic relations might quell actions and arms supply from Iran as well as Iranians joining what possibly could be a full scale conflict with Afgan Warlords, Taliban, al Qaeda, Pakistani Tribesmen, possible Pakistani military forces, irate Afgans, Pakistani's from around the country, and a new Mujahideen, made up of, Once Again, fighters from around that region and elsewhere, including Iraqi's!!