National veterans group hosts worker solidarity march Saturday: Today

March 12, 2011 - Madison, Wisconsin

Judith Davidoff has a piece noting veterans joining Wisconsin working families against Scott Walker.

Veterans are used to abuse from the U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefit Administration, and rightwing thinktanks.

Veterans' help is our help. See National veterans group hosts worker solidarity march Saturday at the Cap Times.

Memorial Day Weekend

Update: Weekly Presidential Address: Sacrifice.
On this Memorial Day weekend, President Obama calls on the American people to join him in paying tribute to America’s veterans, servicemen and women – particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice - and their families.

This is the first weekend of Summer and a time to mark the sacrifices of our veterans.

It seems appropriate to mark the disrespect that is tragically shown our veterans, and honor some people fighting for them.

From the injustice of jailed Vietnam-era vet Keith Roberts (jailed since 2007 for seeking PTSD benefits that he deserves) to Mike (Beetle) Bailey to Vietnam Vet Bob Walsh (an attorney fighting for veterans), the last several years I have seen up close and personal how the millions of veterans we honor are herded like cattle through the VA system and treated like dirt.

I'll honor veterans this weekend by renewing the fight and honoring the friendships with better men than I who have fought for veterans for decades.

At left is a partial list of others whom I am proud to note as sometimes happy, sometimes grim warriors who give veterans that highest of honor: Giving a shit.

Vets' Care Costs Exceeds War Costs

Update: NYT on Veterans Without Health Care

From Physicians for Social Responsibility: The Long Term Costs of Iraq War Overwhelming - Estimates Show Veteran Care Costs to Outpace Actual Costs of Combat

(Washington, DC) A report to be released by Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) concludes that the mental and social trauma from the Iraq war will be with the U.S. for the lifetime of wounded soldiers. The fiscal costs for health care and disability benefits likely will exceed those for combat activities. Dr. Evan Kanter, a member of the Board of Directors for PSR, prepared the report that details more than $650 billion in long term costs as well as mental disabilities and disruptions to families of returning veterans.

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Veterans Make Up 1 in 4 Homeless in U.S.

From Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press Writer: Veterans comprise an appalling 25 percent of American homeless.

Well, it's not like we owe these people anything, right?

Writes Hefling:

Veterans make up one in four homeless people in the United States, though they are only 11 percent of the general adult population, according to a report to be released Thursday.

And homelessness is not just a problem among middle-age and elderly veterans. Younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are trickling into shelters and soup kitchens seeking services, treatment or help with finding a job. ...

And that is just one aspect of the plight of American vets. Vets are also suffering from PTSD, high suicide rates, alienation from friends and family, among many other ailments.

I guess the vets will just have to listen to flag-waving American Enterprise Institute and the Bush administration and learn to suck it up like these tough-talking chickenhawks advocate.
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VA E-mails Reveal VA Officials Plotting to Prosecute Wisconsin Vet, Ignoring Federal Regulations

Story above this post..

VA E-mails Reveals VA Officials Plotting to Prosecute Wisconsin Veteran, Ignoring Federal Regulations

Story above this post.

Lied-to Troops Seek Justice in Canada

WISN Channel 12 (Milwaukee) ran a tough piece last week about American soldiers turning against the Iraq war and moving to Canada.

The larger story is that among both active-service soldiers and veterans (especially the brass), the opposition is intense and widespread.

But the WISN piece is another example of the mainstream media turning against the Iraq war.

MILWAUKEE -- During the Vietnam War, Canada became a haven for draft-dodgers.

Now, American soldiers fleeing the war in Iraq are turning to Canada again.

Two American soldiers were in different parts of Iraq but came to the same conclusion: Their government lied to them about the reasons for going to war.

Now, they're roommates and comrades seeking political asylum in Toronto, Canada.

They said they were forced to fight a war they consider illegal and have the help of a Whitefish Bay native who's spearheading their legal battle.

Jeffry House was a student at the University of Wisconsin during the Vietnam War. It was a heady time on America's college campuses. House, a political science major, rode the wave of rebellion, marching in peace rallies and swearing, 'Hell no, we won't go.'

"I had pretty well thought about the war in Vietnam and decided I wouldn't do it," House said.

See WISN Channel 12 for complete story.
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