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Contractor Accountability: One Soldier Leads Our Call For Consequences
[Cross-posted from www.progressivefuture.org] This entire week, I've been blogging my interview with Rachel, a formerly deployed soldier in Iraq, who has been brave enough to share her experiences with contractor abuse and the harm it is causing our troops. Her testimony has placed a spotlight on the need for policies that truly support the troops in practice, not just in rhetoric. For as much as the current administration uses empty talking points such as “protect of our national security” and “support the troops” to justify its policies, when it comes down to it, our leaders clearly view the well-being of the soldiers on the front lines as an afterthought to the profits they and their cronies have reaped from the war. In this final entry, Rachel weighs in on the need for accountability:
What is your reaction to the news that the administration left a loophole in contractor accountability legislation that gave immunity to overseas contractors like KBR for any misdoing? Honestly, it makes no sense. To give immunity to these contractors clearly gives no motivation for them to live up to their contracts. In this case, KBR was supposed to be testing for chlorine three times a day, however after looking at the reports and oversight hearings, it seems that the water had been contaminated for as long as KBR had been present on Camp Ramadi. Many studies and common sense observations make it clear that contractor accountability should not be minimized. For example, a study released by Blackwell Synergy’s Journal of Travel Medicine discussed the self-reported description of diarrhea among military populations in Operations Iraqi/Enduring Freedom. The background of the study reports that infectious diarrhea is among the most common medical problems associated with military deployments and has been reported as a frequent problem for troops. Overall diarrhea was reported from 2003 to 2004 by 76.8% of military personnel in Iraq. It was “frequently severe” for 20.8% or associated with fever (25.8%), vomiting (18%), persistent symptoms (9.8%) or chronic symptoms (3.3%). Over 80% reported seeking care, usually at the lowest echelon of care (field medic). The study concluded that the issues are more common than in past conflicts in the region. Common sense tells me it’s probable that the increased amount have been due to contaminated water and that less accountability for contractors giving troops basic necessities could prove detrimental to force protection.
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Reminder: DFA Training Videos are Online for Immediate Viewing.
Linked to groups: East Bay for Democracy, Oakland DFA Meetup, Lake Park, San Francisco for Democracy, Alameda for Democracy, California for Democracy, Courage Campaign, Take Back Red California, Capitol Area Progressives (CAP) , What are Progressive Values? Study Group, DFA-Link Organizers, Walnut Creek DFA, Blog For America, Blogs United, DFA Film Club, DFA-Marin, DFA Night School, Silicon Valley DFA, brought to you by Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Framing Committee, Florida DFA, NJ for Democracy, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for New York, Democracy for Texas, Democracy for NYC, PA for Democracy, Democracy for Washington
I noticed a couple of posts about DFA Training. It's not well known that the first 11 hours of the training can be viewed on Google video.
See this webpage for the video index.
http://progressivespirit.com/Projects/DFA-Training
I attended the East Bay CA, DFA training in March, 2008 and video taped the first 11 or so hours of the training. After talking with DFA Training Director, Matt Blizek, we decided to place these sections online. Below is a 10 minute introduction I edited together and 9 of the unedited training sections are available after the jump. Enjoy. Edwin Rutsch
DFA Training Academy Agenda and Online Training Videos
From East Bay, CA - DFA Training
March 1st & 2nd, 2008
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Friday Music Post
War
Performed by Edwin Starr
Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong
Lyrics after the jump.
Danny
Communications Director
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No Clean Air for You
The Washington Post reports on the Bush administration's plan to ease clean air regulations:
The Bush administration is on the verge of implementing new air quality rules that will make it easier to build power plants near national parks and wilderness areas, according to rank-and-file agency scientists and park managers who oppose the plan.
Danny
Communications Director
I Sure Hope He's Not Kiddin'
Rep. John Conyers had some choice words for Karl Rove today. From the Politico:
Just off the House floor today, the Crypt overheard House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers tell two other people: “We’re closing in on Rove. Someone’s got to kick his ass.”
Asked a few minutes later for a more official explanation, Conyers told us that Rove has a week to appear before his committee. If he doesn’t, said Conyers, “We’ll do what any self-respecting committee would do. We’d hold him in contempt. Either that or go and have him arrested.”
Rep. Conyers wants Rove to appear before the House Judiciary Committee to testify about his involvement in the imprsonmen of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman. It also seems Rep. Conyers has some other matters in mind:
“We want him for so many things, it’s hard to keep track.”
Danny
Communications Director
DFA Campaign Academy (2-day training) comes to Lansing
Linked to groups: Michigan Democracy for America, Justice Caucus PAC, MidMichigan Democracy for America
Mid-Michigan DFA is pleased to offer the DFA CAMPAIGN ACADEMY, a 2-day training opportunity, in Lansing this June 7-8.
The DFA Campaign Academy mission is to focus, network, and train grassroots activists in the skills and strategies to take back our country, manage successful campaigns or run for office themselves.
Our Campaign Academy weekends are 16 hours of interactive workshops bringing hundreds of local activists, campaign staff and candidates together for 2 days of intensive campaign training. Experienced campaign professionals lead sessions in voter contact, fundraising, communications, on-line organizing and much more to empower progressive activists with the skills to win in November and beyond.
Attendees also meet with dozens of local progressive candidates and learn about exciting job and volunteer opportunities in their area. And of course, everyone receives their own copy of DFA's 180-page Campaign Training Manual.
The fee for this event is $60 or $30 for students or people of limited income. Some scholarships are available--email for details. Help with overnight accomodations may also be available. ASK!
For more information or to register, visit http:/democracyforamerica.com/campaignacademy
(Click on Lansing, MI in the list of events)
or
DFA Academy Grads Elected Delegate
Linked to groups: Acton Area Democracy for America, Democracy For America - Metro West of Boston, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007
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Diary Series, Part IV: The Trauma of Silence
For the past three days, this five-part diary series has shared the experiences of Rachel, an Iraq War Veteran, and her encounters with the private military contractor, KBR. In a series of interviews, she revealed stories of unfair disparities in pay and treatment between contractors and military personnel, having to shower in what was essentially wastewater because of KBR's negligence, and her reactions to the KBR water scandal investigations upon her return to the United States.
Today's installment tells a different story, but one that is equally appalling and pertinent to the issue of how the Pentagon continues to subject the troops to mistreatment and negligence. Josh, a soldier who was also stationed at Camp Ramadi, describes his experiences with struggling to find medical help for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), induced by a roadside bomb in Iraq, and his subsequent case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:
What caused your TBI?
I was serving as the gunner in the turret of a humvee when we were hit on the front driver's side by a roadside bomb which was set off by the radio. I was knocked unconscious for a couple minutes by the blast and had a concussion.
Can you describe the symptoms caused by your TBI?
With my TBI I have speech problems, balance and coordination problems, memory and concentration problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How were you treated?
I wasn't. I was "examined" by a battalion medic who was a staff sergeant. Apparently I had regained my hearing back and had no other problems. The notes said I should return if I had ringing in the ears, hearing problems, or unexplained chest pains or if my hearing worsened. Then I started back doing missions again. My commander filled out an LOD [a Line of Duty Investigation].
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A Community Forum on Challenging Concentrated Wealth and Power - May, 28
800 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607
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Nominations Now Open for Netroots Awards
Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee
We are now accepting nominations for the 2008 Netroots Awards, sponsored by the Florida Democratic Party Netroots Coalition. The purpose of our second annual awards is to recognize the best and brightest of the progressive/liberal/Democratic Netroots and blogs. Between now and Sunday, May 25, please nominate your favorites in the categories below. You can nominate one person in one category or multiple people in every category, that's up to you. In the end, we will narrow the lists down to the top people in each category and offer a final voting period to determine the winners. The final winners will be announced at the Netroots Conference at the Florida Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Weekend in Hollywood on June 14 (and then announced online). Before voting, please observe the following rules:
