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Blog Archive
Echoes of Vietnam: VA Stalls, Dissembles While Vets Suffer and Die
By Penny Coleman, AlterNet. Posted July 4, 2008
The latest episode of the Department of Veterans Affairs' callous denial of veterans' suffering is a continuation of a long tradition. . . .
Viet Nam or the Middle East - what has really changed?
The latest episode of the Department of Veterans Affairs' callous denial of veterans' suffering is a continuation of a long tradition. . . .
Viet Nam or the Middle East - what has really changed?
Disabled Soldier Returning to War, Facing "Stop Loss"
Friday 20 June 2008
by: Tom Philpott, The Hanford Sentinel
On impact with the ground . . . .
Adding to Haun's stress is this surprising news: he's returning to Iraq.
The Enlistment Agreement
The Military Enlistment contract states, "Laws and regulations that govern military personnel may change without notice to me. Such changes may affect my status, pay, allowances, benefits, and responsibilities as a member of the Armed Forces REGARDLESS of the provisions of this enlistment/reenlistment document."
Winter Soldiers Hearings
Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan
Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan featured testimony from U.S. veterans who served in those occupations, giving an accurate account of what is really happening day in and day out, on the ground.
This four-day event brought together veterans from across the country to testify about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan - and present video and photographic evidence. In addition, panels of scholars, veterans, journalists, and other specialists gave context to the testimony. These panels covered everything from the history of the GI resistance movement to the fight for veterans' health benefits and support.
Iraq Veterans Against the War
wintersoldiers.com
The War Comes Home
Democracy Now!
Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan featured testimony from U.S. veterans who served in those occupations, giving an accurate account of what is really happening day in and day out, on the ground.
This four-day event brought together veterans from across the country to testify about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan - and present video and photographic evidence. In addition, panels of scholars, veterans, journalists, and other specialists gave context to the testimony. These panels covered everything from the history of the GI resistance movement to the fight for veterans' health benefits and support.
Iraq Veterans Against the War
wintersoldiers.com
The War Comes Home
Democracy Now!
Female US Casualties More Common in Iraq War
Pentagon Extends Tour of Marines in Afghanistan
Friday 04 July 2008
by: Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
Washington - The Pentagon has extended the tour of 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan, after insisting for months the unit would come home on time. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is doing combat operations in the volatile south, will stay an extra 30 days and come home in early November rather than October, Marine Col. David Lapan confirmed Thursday. . .
There are 32,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan, including 14,000 serving with the NATO-led coalition and another 18,000 conducting training and counterinsurgency.
by: Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
Washington - The Pentagon has extended the tour of 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan, after insisting for months the unit would come home on time. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is doing combat operations in the volatile south, will stay an extra 30 days and come home in early November rather than October, Marine Col. David Lapan confirmed Thursday. . .
There are 32,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan, including 14,000 serving with the NATO-led coalition and another 18,000 conducting training and counterinsurgency.
Afghanistan - Heard about the Pipeline? Surprise! Afghan is also about OIL
Big Oil pumps up the ugly Afghan and Iraqi mix
lmartin@globeandmail.com July 3, 2008
In the war zones, the oil deals are coming on stream. . .
Afghanistan recently signed a major agreement to build an American-backed pipeline . . . . . . . . . the pipeline deal. . .
U.S. forces installed bases near Kandahar, where the pipeline was to run. A key motivation for the pipeline was to block a competing bid involving Iran, a charter member of the "axis of evil."
lmartin@globeandmail.com July 3, 2008
In the war zones, the oil deals are coming on stream. . .
Afghanistan recently signed a major agreement to build an American-backed pipeline . . . . . . . . . the pipeline deal. . .
U.S. forces installed bases near Kandahar, where the pipeline was to run. A key motivation for the pipeline was to block a competing bid involving Iran, a charter member of the "axis of evil."
From the HBO film “Alive Day Memories"
Official signal of distress
Judge rules court won't step in to aid vets
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Lawyers for the veterans said they would appeal.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Lawyers for the veterans said they would appeal.
CBS's Chief Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan Slams US Iraq War Coverage
How Specialist Town Lost His Benefits
by JOSHUA KORS This article appeared in the April 9, 2007 edition of The Nation.
March 29, 2007 Jon Town has spent the last few years fighting two battles, one against his body, the other against the US Army. Both began in October 2004 in Ramadi, Iraq. He was standing in the doorway . . .
March 29, 2007 Jon Town has spent the last few years fighting two battles, one against his body, the other against the US Army. Both began in October 2004 in Ramadi, Iraq. He was standing in the doorway . . .
Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia applied for Conscientious Objector status
Soldiers and Veterans Issues, 2008
- Army deployed seriously injured soldiers
- Casualty Statistics/AWOL/Desertion
- Constructive Anarchy, by a Vietnam Vet
- Gulf War Vets Contact Information
- Help Filing PTSD Claim
- Injured Soldiers Protest Redeployment
- Iraq Veterans Against the War
- Lt. Watada's Legal Limbo
- Over 5,500 U.S. Soldiers Discharged Themselves
- PTSD Fact Sheet
- Secretly Changes Soldiers' Health Profiles
- Senator questions injured soldier deployments
- Soldiers refuse orders in Iraq
- TBI: Hidden Wounds Plague War Veterans
- Veterans for Common Sense
- Veterans For Peace
- Vietnam Veterans of America
- Why Are Winter Soldiers Not News?
- Winter Soldiers Hearings
- Wounded Warrior Project
Final Salute
Military prodded on brain injuries
By Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY
Defense Department memorandum obtained by USA TODAY.
Defense Department memo
Defense Department memorandum obtained by USA TODAY.
Defense Department memo
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI
TBI is the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
The potential application to chronic human TBI is important because there is currently no treatment. Chronic TBI affects over 5 million Americans. Costs of treating TBI exceed $60 billion/year in the U.S. alone. The personal toll is far greater. Traumatic brain injury has also been described as the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As many as 400,000 U.S. servicemen have been exposed to blast injuries and could have varying degrees of TBI. Application of HBOT to these veterans could have a significant impact on their return to work, quality of life, and national security.
For information on the Brain Injury Rescue and Rehabilitation Project, please click here for info
For information on the Brain Injury Rescue and Rehabilitation Project, please click here for info
Depleted Uranium, DU
When a DU shell hits a hard target such as a tank or building, it burns and produces a tiny ceramic dust that can be inhaled. These particles can remain in the environment for many years, travel for miles on air currents, re-suspend into the air when disturbed, and migrate into soil and groundwater. DU particles that are ingested or inhaled can lodge in the lungs, bones, kidneys, and reproductive organs and cause damage through radiation and toxic properties. Studies have linked DU exposure with damage to the kidneys; immune, nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems; cancer; and genetic mutations.
Research over the past decade has produced increasing evidence that DU can harm humans.
Research over the past decade has produced increasing evidence that DU can harm humans.
Embedded Reporter, Former Marine
Around $23 Billion Lost in Iraq Due to Contractor Fraud & Mismanagement
June 11, 2008 by Damozel
. . .
Let's look at the Constitutional definition of treason for a moment:
'massive abuse of power.'
. . .
Let's look at the Constitutional definition of treason for a moment:
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."You tell me if robbing the US treasury and abusing the power of the federal government to cover up such crimes from the public is not an act of war against the United States of America? . . .
'massive abuse of power.'
Iraq war costs may reach $2.7 trillion
Iraq war costs may reach $2.7 trillion
Press TV, June 13, 2008
The costs on American taxpayers may reach $2.7 trillion by the time the Iraq war ends, according to a Congressional testimony.
The Pentagon has previously said that the war costs approximately $9.5 billion a month, but some economists say the figure is closer to $25 billion a month when long-term health care for veterans and interest are factored in.
Press TV, June 13, 2008
The costs on American taxpayers may reach $2.7 trillion by the time the Iraq war ends, according to a Congressional testimony.
The Pentagon has previously said that the war costs approximately $9.5 billion a month, but some economists say the figure is closer to $25 billion a month when long-term health care for veterans and interest are factored in.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
- 'Special Weapons' Have a Fallout on Babies
- CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN IRAQ?
- Cluster Bombs in Iraq: The Deadly Footprint
- How Did Iraq Get Its Weapons?
- List Of Weapons Suppliers To Iraq
- The fog of war: white phosphorus, Fallujah
- The People vs. the Profiteers
- The Secret Air War in Iraq
- Veteran admits: Bodies melted away before us
- White Phosphorus Bombs in Lebanon
- White phosphorus in Iraq
"Ferocious Honesty," Experiences of Soldiers
Lieutenant Ehren Watada
Lieutenant Ehren Watada, the highest-ranking member of the military to publicly refuse to deploy to Iraq. Because of his brave stance, more and more soldiers are following in his footsteps. Many soldiers feel Lt. Watada is taking the only honorable and patriotic action available in the face of what they feel is an unjust and illegal war. Some soldiers say, “I don’t have the financial freedom to protest the war, Lt. Watada is speaking for me.” Prentice Reid was in the Army Infantry for one tour in Iraq. He believes the war was a “sham from the beginning. There were no WMDs. No connection to bin Laden. He has insomnia and nightmares. “I feel guilt all the time about what I contributed.” He wrote to Lt. Watada saying he wished all soldiers would have the courage to stand up for truth when the time comes. “You risked not only your reputation, but also potentially your freedom, for truth, and for this we all salute you, sir.”
Truth-in-Recruiting/Counter Recruitment
Veteran's stories of conflict are a powerful tool that can be used to prevent others from entering into the military without a full understanding of their actions. Sharing our stories is not only eye opening for those who are listening, but healing for ourselves. If you are a veteran and would like to speak to youth about your experience in the military there are many organizations working to provide additional information to what military recruiters have to say about the realities of military service.
Many IVAW members have leant their time to Truth in Recruiting efforts. Here’s what we have to say…
Many IVAW members have leant their time to Truth in Recruiting efforts. Here’s what we have to say…
“Bringing the harsh realities of war and military service into classrooms and into our communities is not an option; it’s an obligation we Iraq Veterans Against the War are charged with and must be committed to; it's what I'm committed to.”
Joshua Dawson,
Iraq Veteran,
Honolulu, Hawaii
When I do counter recruitment I make sure to inform people that the military is not a job training program. It's not a tuition assistance program. It's job is to fight and win wars. And if someone doesn't want to be in a war, they should reconsider joining the military.For a complete list of Truth-in-Recruiting/Counter Recruitment organizations and resources, click here
Fernando Braga
Bronx, NY
US Embassy in Iraq
Published on Saturday, April 15, 2006 by the Associated Press
Massive New Embassy in Iraq Flaunts US Power, Critics Say
by Charles J. Hanley
The fortress-like compound rising beside the Tigris River here will be the largest of its kind in the world, the size of Vatican City, with the population of a small town, its own defense force, self-contained power and water, and a precarious perch at the heart of Iraq's turbulent future.
. . . .The embassy complex — 21 buildings on 104 acres, according to a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee report . . .
"The presence of a massive U.S. embassy — by far the largest in the world — co-located in the Green Zone with the Iraqi government is seen by Iraqis as an indication of who actually exercises power in their country," the International Crisis Group, a European-based research group, said in one of its periodic reports on Iraq.
Massive New Embassy in Iraq Flaunts US Power, Critics Say
by Charles J. Hanley
The fortress-like compound rising beside the Tigris River here will be the largest of its kind in the world, the size of Vatican City, with the population of a small town, its own defense force, self-contained power and water, and a precarious perch at the heart of Iraq's turbulent future.
. . . .The embassy complex — 21 buildings on 104 acres, according to a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee report . . .
"The presence of a massive U.S. embassy — by far the largest in the world — co-located in the Green Zone with the Iraqi government is seen by Iraqis as an indication of who actually exercises power in their country," the International Crisis Group, a European-based research group, said in one of its periodic reports on Iraq.
Iraq Today
- *"The people's report" is a response by the Institute for Policy studies to General Petraeus's claims of significant progress in Iraq. It assesses what's wrong with the Petraeus report as well as looks at the costs of war to Iraq and to the U.S., 2007*
- *Hi-Tech Healthcare in Iraq, Minus the Healthcare*
- *Iraq's displaced people nightmare*
- *Life in Iraq*
- *On Iraq: The People Have Spoken*
U.S. Asking Iraq for Wide Rights on War
Status of Forces Agreement will Decide Whether Iraq is Independent or "a Client State of the US"
By Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, Democracy Now!
June 16, 2008
Veteran reporter Patrick Cockburn broke the story of Bush's secret Iraq plan. He explains its terrible implications for Iraqi sovereignty.
Juan Gonzales: Following outcry by Iraqi lawmakers, the Bush administration is now offering limited concessions in its demands for a long-term "status of forces" agreement between Iraq and the United States.
The deal sought by the Bush administration, details of which were leaked to the press, were seen as a way of extending the U.S. occupation of Iraq indefinitely. The demands included maintaining 58 permanent military bases in Iraq, immunity for American troops and contractors, a free hand to conduct military operations without Iraqi approval, and control of Iraqi airspace. According to the London Independent, the U.S. is now lowering the number of bases it wants from 58 to "the low dozens" and says it is willing to compromise on legal immunity for foreign contractors.
The negotiations are being held before the UN mandate authorizing the U.S. occupation expires at the end of the year. The Independent of London (recently) reported the U.S. is leveraging tens of billions of dollars in seized Iraqi assets to push through its demands.
the rest
By Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, Democracy Now!
June 16, 2008
Veteran reporter Patrick Cockburn broke the story of Bush's secret Iraq plan. He explains its terrible implications for Iraqi sovereignty.
Juan Gonzales: Following outcry by Iraqi lawmakers, the Bush administration is now offering limited concessions in its demands for a long-term "status of forces" agreement between Iraq and the United States.
The deal sought by the Bush administration, details of which were leaked to the press, were seen as a way of extending the U.S. occupation of Iraq indefinitely. The demands included maintaining 58 permanent military bases in Iraq, immunity for American troops and contractors, a free hand to conduct military operations without Iraqi approval, and control of Iraqi airspace. According to the London Independent, the U.S. is now lowering the number of bases it wants from 58 to "the low dozens" and says it is willing to compromise on legal immunity for foreign contractors.
The negotiations are being held before the UN mandate authorizing the U.S. occupation expires at the end of the year. The Independent of London (recently) reported the U.S. is leveraging tens of billions of dollars in seized Iraqi assets to push through its demands.
the rest
Resources
Just How Much Is the Iraq War Costing Us Each Minute?
by ZP Heller
The War in Iraq costs $720 Million a day. That's $500,000 a minute. That's $8333 a second. This video, brought to you by American Friends Service Committee, , and Antiwar.com, puts the obscene costs of war into perspective.
Go on the $3 trillion shopping spree.
The War in Iraq costs $720 Million a day. That's $500,000 a minute. That's $8333 a second. This video, brought to you by American Friends Service Committee, , and Antiwar.com, puts the obscene costs of war into perspective.
Go on the $3 trillion shopping spree.
John Cusack: Outsourced Warfare Represents a "Radical, Dangerous, Disgusting Ideology"
Click on image to learn about the movie, "War, Inc."
SOUNDTRACK TO WAR (2005) - Using 'music' to psyche up Troops
SOUNDTRACK TO WAR (2005)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Soundtrack to War is a 90 minute documentary by Australian war artist George Gittoes. Filmed throughout 2003-2004, Gittoes bypassed the U.S. military's media lockdown on the war in Iraq to capture an authentic account of the human experience of the war. Gittoes interviewed American soldiers deployed in Iraq to create an account of the role of music in the contemporary battlefield. The film is the first in a trilogy.
Songs featured in the movie include Slayer's "Angel of Death" and Drowning Pool's "Bodies", as well as freestyle rap and gospel choirs. Seventeen of the early-filmed scenes from the documentary were used in Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11.
Interview with George Gittoes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Soundtrack to War is a 90 minute documentary by Australian war artist George Gittoes. Filmed throughout 2003-2004, Gittoes bypassed the U.S. military's media lockdown on the war in Iraq to capture an authentic account of the human experience of the war. Gittoes interviewed American soldiers deployed in Iraq to create an account of the role of music in the contemporary battlefield. The film is the first in a trilogy.
Songs featured in the movie include Slayer's "Angel of Death" and Drowning Pool's "Bodies", as well as freestyle rap and gospel choirs. Seventeen of the early-filmed scenes from the documentary were used in Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11.
Interview with George Gittoes
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