Armistice/Veteran's Day

They have sacrificed mightily to perform their duties; their minds, their limbs and their lives. Isn't it about time we brought our own U.S. veterans home from Iraq? And when they return let us give them the hero's welcome by giving them the services , support and respect they deserve at home. Decent healthcare, housing, and jobs.

I , like many in this country, have put our hope on Barack Obama to end this nerve-wracking, senseless war. I hope that he will do what early on in his campaign he said he would do: an exit strategy over the span of sixteen months , I believe it was.

I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble over Obama's victory; I share in your hope and enthusiasm. But I think those of us who value peace need to be ever vigilant that our new president will not let us down in helping to end this war and decreasing American -led conflicts that serve to alienate us further from the world community.Lastly, I'm posting the video below not to be divisive but to help shed some light on a perspective that rarely makes it to the corporate media. And, I happen to see value in it, too.

John McCain Is A Liar

Wednesday at 7:00 pm EST

I posted this at The Peace Tree last week. I'm not sure if I'll be able to see the show this week but anyone else does, please let me know what you think of it.

Peace,
Pagan

IN THEIR BOOTS is a compelling new magazine show about the dramatic impact the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are having on us - the people here at home. The show will feature our Iraq and Afghanistan service men and women, and their families, in stories that have universal appeal.

Funded by a grant from the Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact fund (IADIF) and produced by Brave New Foundation, IN THEIR BOOTS will be streamed exclusively online.

In Their Boots will be hosted by Jan Bender, a veteran of the war in Iraq who served as a rifleman/combat correspondent in Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines from 2004 to 2005.

Every week a live episode will be built around a dramatic and emotional IN THEIR BOOTS "Real Story," a non-fiction narrative about how our service people, their families, and their communities have been profoundly changed by the nation's campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then, in a live forum, Jan Bender, our host, will interview the participants and lead a discussion that includes experts, service-providers and individual viewers in an interactive discussion of the issues raised.

Two More Victories!

Letters, emails and whatever else you can do to take action, really do help!

Iraq: House Votes Down War Funds

Your lobby visits, emails, and phone calls are making a difference!
Yesterday, 149 members of Congress said "no" to more funding for war. Please take a moment right now to thank your member of Congress if he or she voted against new funding for the president's failed war strategy in Iraq.
Equally important, if your representative didn't oppose the war funding, write a short letter now asking her or him to vote no when this bill comes back to the House for another vote sometime in the next few weeks.
Congress is finally getting the message that a majority of the people in this country want the war to end. But that may not result in Congress's voting to cut off funding. The victory Thursday was made possible in part because a large block of supporters of the war decided to sit out this vote, simply voting "present."
Take Action
Congress needs to know that you are watching.
Write your representative today to thank her or him if she was one of the 149 legislators who voted no. If your representative did not vote no, let her or him know you are disappointed.
Find out more about FCNL's Iraq Peace Campaign.
Find out how your representative voted.


And this from yesterday:

You did it. Just a few minutes ago, the House of Representatives passed the new GI Bill by a vote of 256-166, as an attachment to the emergency supplemental. Click here to view the full list of who voted for it and who voted against it.Earlier this week, we told you that the new GI Bill was facing opposition from a small group of Representatives in the House, who were threatening the bill despite its deep bi-partisan support.

We asked for your help, and you stepped up to the plate. Thousands of you took action by calling your Representatives, signing the petition at http://www.gibill2008.org/, and spreading the word to your friends and neighbors. Today, your dedication paid off and together, we made history.
There's no question that your efforts had an impact. Referring specifically to the group of Representatives that were standing in the way of the bill, known as the Blue Dogs, the Politico, a Washington-insider newspaper, said that "there had been erosion among Blue Dogs in the face of pressure from veterans groups."1 The leadership you demonstrated in fighting for this bill shows that IAVA is a force to be reckoned with.

The new GI Bill has widespread support among Democrats, Republicans, and all of the major veterans organizations. But the legislative process is a long one, and it's your dedication that keeps it going during these crucial stages.

Next week, the Senate will have to vote on the bill as well. After that, it will go to the President's desk for his signature.
We'll keep you updated via email, but for the latest news, just visit http://www.gibill2008.org/.Thank you again for standing with us. The support we're getting in this fight has been truly inspiring.
Sincerely,
Patrick CampbellIraq VeteranLegislative DirectorIraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

1. Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10331.html
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