Hello Friends The following is another update from the John Kerry Camp. America is speaking out and we are way ahead of scedual for getting names on our petition to start bringing our troops home now. Here is the latest information. From: "John Kerry" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert To: billyv5@yahoo.com Subject: Insist that Bush withdraws 20,000 troops from Iraq Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 10:40:48 -0500 Dear Bill, Amazing. We did four days' work in one. In the first 24 hours of our "20,000 home over the holidays" campaign, over 80,000 people have signed our petition. If you haven't acted yet, please do so now. http://www.johnkerry.com/action/20000/ We've pledged to gather 20,000 signatures a day in each of the 20 days leading up to Thanksgiving. That's 400,000 signatures and we're almost a quarter of the way there already. It shows you how eager the American people are for a plan on Iraq that makes sense. Let Republican Senators bristle at our demands for a full investigation of pre-war intelligence. Let the Bush administration cower in fear that Karl Rove will be indicted for his role in trying to intimidate those who dared to speak the truth. Let Dick Cheney try to explain away his four-year-long campaign of deception, bullying, and misdirection. But don't let America's brave armed forces serve another day without a clear, concrete plan for achieving America's goals in Iraq and bringing the majority of our troops home by the end of 2006. http://www.johnkerry.com/action/20000/ Next week, we'll be turning up the heat on Republican leaders in dramatic fashion. We won't let them hide from the truth any longer. The reality is: George W. Bush doesn't have a plan for Iraq. And misleading rhetoric about "staying as long as it takes" will never add up to a plan. To undermine the insurgency, we have to simultaneously pursue both a political settlement and the withdrawal of American combat forces linked to specific, responsible benchmarks. Our call for the withdrawal of 20,000 troops over the holidays is about taking a first critical step. Upon the completion of the December elections, we can bring 20,000 troops home. You can make it happen. Sign our "20,000 home over the holidays" petition right now: http://www.johnkerry.com/action/20000/ This critical first step should be part of a specific timetable for transfer of political and security responsibility to Iraqis and realignment of our troop deployment. That timetable must be real and strict. The goal should be to withdraw the bulk of American combat forces by the end of 2006. We may never get George W. Bush to admit his string of disastrous mistakes in Iraq. That's why, if he fails to act, we'll demand that Congress takes the decision out of his hands. And, if the Republican Congress fails to call the Bush administration to account, we will use the 2006 elections to take the decision out of their hands. Sign our "20,000 home over the holidays" petition right now: http://www.johnkerry.com/action/20000/ Remember, the only way to keep the pressure on is to add 20,000 new signatures to our petition every day until Thanksgiving. If you haven't signed yet, act now. If you have, get someone in your home to do the same. Sincerely, John Kerry P.S. Don't forget to forward this email to someone who can be part of tomorrow's 20,000 signatures. Paid for by Friends of John Kerry, Inc. We apologize if you received this message in error. Click here to unsubscribe from our mailing list. Friends of John Kerry, Inc., 511 C St. NE, Washington DC, 20002, U.S.A. The HTML graphics in this message have been displayed. [Edit Preferences - What's This?]

Greetings Even though this forum is getting very few responses, I will continue to post about this war in Iraq. I refuse to let you get complacent when it comes to our soldiers dying. As the number of casualties continues to grow people sometimes have a tendency to distance themselves from the reality of the war. Here is another stark reminder. For every one of the 2,000 and some soldiers who have given their lives, there are hundreds more that have been injured. We cannot forget them either. Especially now since GW Bush is so determined to cut medical benefits for our military personell. You all need to stand up and fight for what you believe is right also. Even if it is from your armchair at home News: Top Stories Last modified Thursday, November 3, 2005 9:48 PM PST Email this story Comment in our Blog Print this story Three Pendleton Marines die in Iraq By: MARK WALKER AND TERI FIGUEROA - Staff Writers NORTH COUNTY ---- Three more Camp Pendleton Marines have been killed in Iraq, the Defense Department announced Thursday, raising the number of locally based Marines killed in the war to 250. Two of the Marines, Maj. Gerald M. Bloomfield II and Capt. Michael D. Martino, died Wednesday near the city of Ramadi when their attack helicopter crashed during a fight with insurgents. Defense officials said Thursday they still aren't certain whether the AS-1W Super Cobra helicopter crashed as a result of mechanical problems or enemy fire. Ramadi is about 70 miles west of Baghdad, the site of frequent clashes between U.S. troops and insurgents. The third Camp Pendleton Marine reported killed this week was Sgt. Daniel A. Tsue, 27, who died when a homemade bomb exploded as he was taking part in the ground combat in Ramadi, the department said. Associated Press Television News quoted an Iraqi man as saying he saw the crash that killed Bloomfield and Martino, and that "insurgents fired at the helicopter and shot it down." That report remained unconfirmed as of late Thursday afternoon, according to spokeswoman Lt. Victoria Jennings at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. Bloomfield and Martino were both with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, headquartered at Miramar. The men were based at Camp Pendleton as members of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369. Both men were on their second tours since the war began in 2003. Bloomfield, 38, of Ypsilanti, Mich., joined the service in 1989 and was promoted to major in 2000. Martino, 32, of Fairfax, Va., entered the service in 1993, achieving the rank of captain in 2000. No one answered the telephone at Bloomfield's home in Ypsilanti. Efforts to reach Martino's family were not immediately successful. Tsue's family also could not be reached for comment. Camp Pendleton officials said Tsue was a member of a team that defuses bombs. A native of Honolulu, Tsue was part of the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, which is part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton. At the time of his death, Tsue's unit was attached to the East Coast-based 2nd Force Service Support Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force. Tsue joined the Marine Corps on Dec. 16, 1998. Like Bloomfield and Martino, he had a litany of personal awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, according to Camp Pendleton officials. Many of the 93 American service members who died in Iraq in October were killed by increasingly sophisticated homemade bombs, according to the Pentagon. American military deaths in Iraq since the beginning of the war reached at least 2,037 as of Thursday, according to The Associated Press. The three deaths reported Thursday mean at least 241 Marines from Camp Pendleton and nine Marines from Miramar Marine Corps Air Station are among that number, according to The Associated Press. About a third of the fatalities from Pendleton have died in or near Ramadi since the war began in 2003. A city of about 350,000 on the banks of the Euphrates River, Ramadi is the capital of Anbar province, which borders on Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Previous Story: Marines' Iraq Humvees to be 'up-armored' by December Next Story: Congressman proposes border fence from Pacific to Gulf of Mexico

Greetings Friends While the following article does indicate that something is being done to help improve the lives of our disabled veterans, I want you to pay particular attention to what it is being done. Then, place yourself in the same situation and think about how you would feel if this was what was offered to you after having lost your legs or your ability to walk. Also, I want you to pay close attention the the narrow margin of votes that passed even this tiny bit of gratuitous legislation. I hope nobody is patting themselves on the back for this bill. Our disabled veterans deserve much better than a chance to live at Mom's place a little more comfortably. Chambliss-Isakson Co-Sponsor Legislation to Help Disabled Veterans Modify Homes Congressional Desk The Congressional Desk provides information, news releases, and announcements obtained from communication and public relations offices. author's web site view author's other articles Join this author's mailing list Your Name: E-mail Address: By Congressional Desk November 4, 2005 WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., yesterday joined with Senator John E. Sununu, R-NH, to introduce an amendment to the S. 1932, the Budget Reconciliation bill, that would help disabled veterans move home from medical facilities by expanding eligibility guidelines for specially adaptive housing assistance grants. The amendment was accepted and attached to the final bill that passed the Senate Thursday by a vote of 52-47. The “Specially Adapted Housing Grants Improvement Act” would create a five-year pilot program that would allow disabled veterans who live with their families to qualify for up to $10,000 in home adaptation assistance. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs program only allows assistance for disabled veterans who are at least part owners of their residences. “I am pleased to cosponsor this amendment which will allow the VA to take better care of our young disabled veterans returning from the Global War on Terrorism,” said Chambliss. “This program will allow our younger veterans who do not own a home to modify a relative’s home to accommodate their disability rather than needlessly staying in a VA medical facility.” “I recently visited with a number of wounded Georgia soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, and I saw firsthand how young some of these men and women are,” Isakson said. “This amendment will help those returning disabled veterans who live with relatives to make the necessary modifications to their relatives’ homes to accommodate their needs. It is the least we can do for their sacrifice.” The amendment would change the program to accommodate those disabled veterans, some as young as 18 years old, who do not own their own home and return to the home of a relative after their military service. Qualifying veterans would be able to use grant funds to perform necessary residence modifications, such as installing wheelchair ramps, widening hallways and entryways, and other essential home upgrades. Albert Spears, the State Junior Vice-Commander and State Legislative Officer, with the Department of Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars endorsed the amendment saying: “This legislation - properly implemented - would be a godsend for these veterans. Most of them are married and many have children. It is a real hardship on them and their families to remain in the military or VA medical centers. This amendment would permit them to be home with all the love and support of their families and communities that is also vital to their return to good physical and mental health. Love and caring is tremendous therapy.” "This proposed legislation makes good sense. Many times we forget the veteran's family is a critical component to a speedy recovery and rehabilitation for physical injuries," said the Department of Georgia American Legionnaire, Roger Tingler. "Home is where you always come back too -- whether your own or your parents. This nation's commitment to those that serve in the armed forces must be demonstrated in traditional and not-so-traditional ways. Clearly, this is the right thing to do." This measure is also supported by the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Hello Lisa. Here is an opportunity for you to stand up and be heard about what you think of the war in Iraq' The following is a letter I just receivedand I have been asked to forward to my friends. So, here it is. Maybe you could forward it to your friend as well Posted: Nov 10, 2005 03:10 PM Greetings Friends The following is a letter I just received from the organization that began the movement to end the war in Iraq. They titled their first campaigne "Not one more death, not one more dollar " There is some very valuable information here and also an opportunity for you to get involved. If you want an end to this terrible war, here is a chance to make your voice heard. Dear william, One year ago this week, U.S. forces began the siege of the city of Fallujah. Within days, the aerial and artillery bombardment and street warfare left Fallujah in ruins. It is a pattern that has been repeated in communities across Iraq, most recently in Tal Afar and Husaybah. Just a few days ago, 92,000 military service members received letters announcing that they will soon "rotate" into Iraq next year. Many of them will be returning to Iraq for a second or third time; the result of the Administration's "staying the course" policy. And, sadly, in the two weeks since we commemorated the 2000th U.S. fatality, 59 more U.S. troops have died. Also, many have been wounded, and countless civilians have been killed or wounded in Iraq, along the Syrian border, and yesterday in the hotel bombings in Jordan. There is much to think about this Veterans Day weekend. During this period of destruction and ongoing troop deployment, we have been working together to end this war. Together, we have come a long way. We helped the Washington Post rescind its endorsement of a military propaganda event on September 11. We supported legislation to bring the troops home from Iraq and to defund the war. We sent out hundreds of letters to newspapers supporting peace in Iraq. A couple of weeks ago, vigils and protests in hundreds of communities showed the vitality and commitment of pro-peace majority. We are building the momentum toward peace. We want to hear from you about what the next steps of our campaign should be. We want to know what you think. Please take a few minutes right now to let us know by completing the survey at the link below. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=567531505806 We have many options ahead to take steps toward peace. Should we be coordinating more national vigils, more congressional lobbying, more media outreach, local study groups, or something else? What can the AFSC do to help your efforts for peace? Help shape our campaign and share your ideas on our short survey. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=567531505806 I also wanted to let you know that we have updated our three-minute web movie about the human costs of war in Iraq. If you haven't seen it (or haven't seen it lately), I invite you to watch it and to forward it to your friends. Many people have written in to tell us how moving the movie is. So far, almost a quarter of a million people have watched it. See the movie at the link below. http://www.afsc.org/iraq/ Peace, Peter Lems, AFSC Iraq staff P.S. During these chaotic times, we are committed to bringing you updates on current events and our campaign’s progress. See Current News in Context, our blog about Iraq policy and news, for updates. Recently on the blog, we have news about the troop rotation, the United Nations extending the U.S.’s role in Iraq, and devastation in Operation “Steel Curtain” in Husaybah. To learn more, visit Current News in Context. http://www.afsc.org/iraq/news/ Forward this message to your friends. American Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 http://www.afsc.org/ If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific AFSC list, or update your account settings, you can visit your Profile Page. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sincerly, Bill Vanderbilt/Fanbelt Mental health and illness forums http://community.adlandpro.com/forumShow.aspx?ForumID=7420 Mental illness. Advocacy for change http://community.adlandpro.com/forumShow.aspx?ForumID=8344

Hello Again Friends The message that I am trying to convey here in this post is not a message that I haven't expressed before. In faact, some may think I am running it into the ground but, the importence of taking better care of our veterans with PTSD and other war related disorders cannot be over stressed. Here is another report on what is being done and what needs to be done. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPEN FORUM Wounds that go beyond the battlefield Michael Blecker, Amy Fairweather Friday, November 11, 2005 Printable Version Email This Article Main Opinion Page Chronicle Sunday Insight Chronicle Campaigns SF Chronicle Submissions Letters to the Editor Open Forum Sunday Insight The war on terrorism has now lasted nearly as long as World War II. As it fades in and out of the public's consciousness, even the most casual observer cannot fail to realize the appalling toll it takes on the bodies and minds of our young soldiers. Our occupation of Iraq is a perfect breeding ground for PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Under constant threat of imminent attack, military personnel face suicide bombers and remotely detonated explosives in urban battlefields where civilians are indistinguishable from insurgents. American troops are not only exposed to the risk of a violent, traumatic event, but they are also compelled to endure multiple, extended deployments to military theaters, where the entire environment is a stressor. In Iraq, there are no "rear" safe areas or one-year tours of duty. Not surprisingly, early studies show high levels of PTSD in Iraq war veterans. The Army surgeon general reported in July that, four months after returning from combat, as many as 30 percent of the troops experience stress-related mental-health problems. The delayed symptoms of PTSD build insidiously over time, so we can expect greater numbers to suffer 12 months after returning home. Hundreds of thousands of Iraq war veterans will soon require care that the Department of Veterans Affairs and our communities are simply not ready to give. Those who suffer mental disorders and illnesses are discriminated against throughout our health system, and the VA is no exception. The VA's own studies conclude that mental-health services are not funded adequately to meet the needs of the anticipated large influx of Iraq combat veterans while maintaining services to veterans of previous wars. Also, there are special challenges in persuading active-duty troops and newly discharged veterans to seek care. This is a population particularly loath to admit weakness and to risk the career-ending stigma of mental illness. Today, VA outpatient clinics, the point of access for many veterans, are focused almost exclusively on primary medical care. VA policies indicate that improving awareness of depression and PTSD, while locating mental-health services in these clinics, would go a long way toward reaching our veterans living with PTSD. One approach the VA has implemented is staffing storefront vet centers with newly returned combat veterans. We have been extremely impressed with the energy and passion of these Iraq vet outreach staff. But the numbers are woefully inadequate to do the job -- 50 to 100 nationwide. Just seven now cover all of California (with only two in the Bay Area). We owe veterans of all generations the political will to fully fund VA mental-health services and to overcome the stigma associated with this care. Many service providers at the state and local level mistakenly assume that the VA can and will adequately treat all vets. Often, veterans who seek care from overburdened community-health services are routinely turned away, triaged back to an unprepared VA. Our communities have to recognize that the VA is not funded adequately to heal the unseen wounds in the mental health of soldiers. When the federal government does not allocate resources to truly heal the wounds of the wars it prosecutes, we have an obligation to contribute locally to veterans' mental-health care. The city of San Francisco deserves special recognition for putting patriotism into action by funding veterans' mental-health programs, such as Swords to Plowshares' services to homeless vets. Still, more local, county and state dollars are needed for nonprofit veterans' services. Public-health systems should encourage agencies to provide a fair share of services to veterans and non-vets alike. We've seen the consequences -- homelessness, substance abuse and chronic health problems -- of failing to provide Vietnam veterans adequate mental-health care and treating their needs with benign neglect. As expensive as the Iraq war is -- and we have yet to seriously assess its true cost -- the cost of turning away from its veterans is greater. War causes wounds that go beyond the battlefield, rippling outward past the individual veteran to their spouses and children, co-workers and neighbors. We want to believe that we will not repeat our past mistakes. Unless we step up to the task -- and quickly -- we will fail our Iraq war vets, and they will follow their predecessors onto the streets. Michael Blecker, a combat infantryman during the Vietnam War, is executive director of Swords to Plowshares (www.swords-to-plowshares.org), a San Francisco veterans' rights organization, where he has worked since 1976. Amy Fairweather is Iraq Vet Project coordinator of Swords to Plowshares.