The Continuing Devestation of Agent Orange

We still have unfinished business with the people of Vietnam who continue to suffer the effects of Agent Orange. Children born to children of the war have birth defects and no one knows how long the chemicals will infect future generations. THIS WAS/IS GENOCIDE. Helping Americans to understand their problems will also shed light on our Vietnam Veterans, also burdened by the sickness of the deadly dioxins and other chemicals they inhaled while strafing the country. The only redemption is our determination to help the victims. Please visit this site to learn more from Vietnamese Women who are touring the USA to educate us:

Delegation of Vietnamese Women
Agent Orange Victims Visit
10 US Cities, Sept 28–Oct 31, 2008

Co-sponsors: Veterans For Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, National Lawyers Guild & United For Peace & Justice
Organizing groups for the delegation have formed & are planning events in 9/28 - 10/5: New York City, New Jersey & New Haven, see below 10/6 - 10/8: Washington DC, press conference at the Supreme Court, meetings with Congress representatives, contact us 10/9 - 10/12: Birmingham AL, meetings with lawyers, contact us 10/12 - 10/14: Pittsburgh PA, Reconciliation & Healing: Remembering Vietnam, La Roche College, contact us 10/15 - 10/18: Detroit MI, National Lawyers Guild, Law for the People Convention, Friday 10/17 10/19 - 10/21: Chicago IL, NPR Worldview, Roosevelt University, Hull House, U of Illinois at Chicago 10/22 - 10/25: Portland & Eugene OR, 10/22 Knight Law School, 7pm (Eugene). contact us 10/26 - 10/28: Los Angeles CA, Reception by CHEER, UCLA Labor Center, Strategy Center & SoCA for Youth, contact us 10/28 - 10/31: Bay Area CA, events in Laney College (10/28, 4pm, Oakland), Eastside Arts Alliance (10/28, 7pm 2277 International Blvd at 23d Ave, Oakland), Glaser Center (10/29, 7pm 547 Mendocino Ave. at 10th St, Santa Rosa), and at Veterans Bldg (10/30, 7pm, Rm 223, 401 Van Ness at Golden Gate, San Francisco), contact us
http://www.vn-agentorange.org/

Two Views From GI Special

WELCOME TO IRAQNAM:

HAVE A NICE DAY

A U.S. soldier from Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment crosses a river near Qara Tappah, about 75 miles northeast of Baghdad in Diyala province July 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

U.S. OCCUPATION RECRUITING DRIVE IN HIGH GEAR;
RECRUITING FOR THE ARMED RESISTANCE THAT IS

Iraqi citizens forced out of their house at gunpoint by foreign occupation soldiers from the USA are forced to lie down in the street with their faces in the dirt during a home invasion military terror operation ordered by U.S. command in Baghdad's Sadr City July 12, 2008. [Photo: REUTERS/Damir Sagolj]
[There’s nothing quite like invading somebody else’s country and busting into their houses by force to arouse an intense desire to kill you in the patriotic, self-respecting civilians who live there.
[But your commanders know that, don’t they? Don’t they?]
Iraqi citizens have no right to resist home invasions by occupation soldiers from the USA. If they do, they may be arrested, wounded, or killed.
“In the States, if police burst into your house, kicking down doors and swearing at you, you would call your lawyer and file a lawsuit,” said Wood, 42, from Iowa, who did not accompany Halladay’s Charlie Company, from his battalion, on Thursday’s raid. “Here, there are no lawyers. Their resources are limited, so they plant IEDs (improvised explosive devices) instead.”

GI SPECIAL 6G15:

DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE IN THE SERVICE?

Forward GI Special along, or send us the address if you wish and we’ll send it regularly. Whether in Iraq or stuck on a base in the USA, this is extra important for your service friend, too often cut off from access to encouraging news of growing resistance to the war, inside the armed services and at home. Send email requests to address up top or write to: The Military Project, Box 126, 2576 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025-5657. Phone: 917.677.8057

Vietnam: They Stopped An Imperial War

“The single largest failure of the anti-war movement at this point is the lack of outreach to the troops.” Tim Goodrich, Iraq Veterans Against The War

“The military are the final, essential weak point of Bush and Cheney.” David McReynolds 9.29.07

Calling All Winter Soldiers!

Join members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War and Iraq Veterans Against the War in welcoming VVAW National Coordinator, Barry Romo, on Friday, January 25^th at 6:00pm in Carrboro, North Carolina.Barry will be talking about the upcoming historic event organized by IVAW-- Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan. (http://www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier)
In January 1971, VVAW held the Winter Soldier Investigation, where Vietnam Veterans testified about war crimes and atrocities they committed or witnessed in Vietnam. This action helped expose how atrocities committed during Vietnam were not the work of “a few bad apples”, but essentially military policy- a policy that continues in the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like the Vietnam Veterans who testified in the ‘70s, Iraq Veterans will provide first hand accounts of their experiences and reveal the reality of the occupation.
We will discuss ways that members of VVAW, IVAW and others can support the upcoming event as well as show clips of the original Winter Soldier Investigation. We also hope some of the people who come will be interested in continuing to work locally to promote peace, justice, and the rights of all veterans. Afterwards, those that would like to continue the conversation and socialize may reconvene at a nearby restaurant.
Thomas Paine, writing during the Revolutionary War, said: “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
Come out on Friday evening, January 25th, and support these true Winter Soldiers!
The Century Center is located at 100 N. Greensboro in Carrboro, North Carolina. Directions and information about nearby parking can be found at http://townofcarrboro.com/rp/ccdirections.htm
For more information about the North Carolina gathering, contact Buzz at (919) 265-7050 or buzzdaily@gmail.com
http://www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier

David Cline: Peace Warrier

I always looked for Dave at demos and marched as close to him as possible. I trusted him and felt safe in his presence. He had infinite patience and kindness. This is a great loss for all of us.

Dave is in the documentary, "Sir, No Sir!" about the rise of military anti-war resistance during the Vietnam War, and I am grateful for that. He and other vets understood the necessity for us all to know our history and NOT let the revisionists take over. Dave Cline and the anti-war movement, soldiers and citizen soldiers alike were part of that history. Learn and IMPLEMENT their lessons.

http://www.sirnosir.com/
Here is a link to Stan Goff's brief bio of Dave. I will post more info in the coming days to memorialize this great hero.
http://www.feralscholar.org/blog/index.php/2007/09/15/dave-cline/

Daughters of Vietnam Veterans

Let's give a big welcome to www.DOVV.net!

The mission of this blog is to “thwart the neo-con agenda and to support non-violent activism across the country.” I say RIGHT ON! Of particular interest to military families is a DU forum, to vent, network, find resources, etc.

One story that should be passed on recounts one family’s personal horror caused by DU. We must never forget these chemicals aren’t “smart” and the collateral damage includes our troops and their families, as well as anyone walking and breathing in Iraq.

"When tanks exploded, I would handle those tanks, and there was DU everywhere," said Valentin. "This is a big issue."

Cancer in Iraq vets raises possibility of toxic exposure

http://www.dovv.net/forum/viewtopic.php?id=210