Split to Win?

Jerry Cornfield at the Everett Herald writes about the new Mike! "Mini-Slade" McGavick ad in which he attempts to demonize Maria Cantwell's position(s) on Iraq as "vague". Cornfield correctly suggests that the hoped for outcome is to pull anti-war votes away from Cantwell and toward either Aaron Dixon or Bruce Guthrie. As a matter of fact the ad begins with photos of both Dixon and Guthrie with Mike! reinforcing their message of troop withdrawal from Iraq. Here's the thing; Mini-Slade has lost any moral authority to engage in the discussion on Iraq.

While I have had many disagreements with Senator Cantwell's position on Iraq, I can not ever recall a time when the senator ever suggested, as McGavick has, that the loss of innocent Iraqi lives is a small price to pay for American security. Earlier this month I posted on a forum between McGavick and Senator Cantwell in which Mike! declared, ""...And by the way, fighting "them" there (Iraq) rather than waiting for "them" to come here is good for the safety and well being of Americans."" When pressed to explain how such a response might look to the Iraqi people (some 80% already wanting us to leave their country), he said, ""Iraq was a disaster before we got there; of oppressed people and violence so to say Iraqis are worse off or better off is too early to tell until this war is settled."" It must be noted that these statements come out on the heels of the Lancet estimate of 655,000 Iraqis dead as a result of our invasion and occupation. The ease with which McGavick minimizes the worth of Iraqi lives places him on the same level as Dick (Vice-President of Torture) Cheney on the "compassion chart". Of course I don't know what else we should expect from an insurance company executive who rates a person's worth using an actuarial chart.

We are at the point in the election where the "split the vote to win" tactic is the only viable option Mini-Slade has left. For those Democrats who might be considering this as a time to cast that final "protest vote" against Maria Cantwell please ask yourself this question: would a vote that may even remotely result in a McGavick win on Tuesday be worth the risk that a "Senator McGavick" would pose to our troops or countless more innocent Iraqi women and children?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Value of Values

Over at David Sirota’s Blog, “Sirotablog” he is writing about an Op-Ed in the Chicago Tribune in which author Rick Perlstein is questioning how a new Democratic majority that “has made itself a “K Street party” will perform. In the Op-ed, Perlstein says, ”“I worry about the next 100 weeks. In another office on Capitol Hill, Pelosi’s colleague, U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has boasted that his Democratic Party in power will open the doors wide to corporate donors once only welcomed by Republicans–including, he has said, ‘the distressed-debt world.’”

Sirota suggests that it is reasonable to be concerned about the value of a Democratic majority if it does not represent Democratic values. He brings up a comment from Jerome Armstrong at MyDD, ”…there is not a single issue that takes precedent to the Democrats winning back a majority in the US Senate this year.”” and says, ”I understand Jerome’s general point in the short-term, especially 12 days out from an election. But like Perlstein, I worry about this kind of thinking among some Democrats who somehow believe politics should always and forever more be waged only for politics’ sake - not for actual issues.”

This concern is of particular interest to me. During the recent “primary contest” here in Washington State, I was often confronted by the argument that I should not be so concerned with whether or not Maria Cantwell supported the issues that were important to me but, rather, I should help get her re-elected for the sake of a Democratic majority. As a matter of fact, at one point in July (shortly after Mark Wilson had ended his run and joined the Cantwell campaign), Josh Feit over at The Stranger’s Slog had this to say about my post on that scenario and it’s impact on my continuing efforts:

” The news that anti-war candidate Mark Wilson dropped out of the running—he was challenging Maria Cantwell for the Democratic nomination—elicited a revealing response from Chad Shue, the anti-war vice-chair of the 38th District Democrats (Snohomish, Marysville, Everett). Shue was one of Wilson’s biggest supporters. The 38th had even endorsed Wilson until local electeds came in and rescinded it. Check out Shue’s post on his blog about the Wilson news. It’s soaked in the self-righteous tone (emphasis on self) that I’m talking about. It sounds much like a fundie who’s (sic) only argument against gay marriage is that they don’t believe in it.”

In the post, I talk about Wilson moving to the Cantwell camp and wishing them both well. I then attempt to pre-empt those who would be asking me if I would also be abandoning my challenges to Senator Cantwell now that Wilson had abandoned the effort. The key sentence that most seemed to concern Feit was this one: ” However, the race was never about him, but, rather, about those issues and values that I care about most.” Feit ended his post by repeating that sentence and then adding, ”Good God, man. The race is not about the issues and values that you care about most (meaning, I guess, stopping the war)…the race is about helping the Democrats win back Congress. That’s bigger than just your issues, Mr. Shue.” Now Sirota says that he understands Jerome Armstrong’s point, “especially 12 days out from an election.” but I think it is only fair to point out that Feit’s admonishment was issued some 12 WEEKS away from a Primary which, arguably, should be about nothing else than issues and values.

In the end, Sirota says, ”My optimism comes from the fact that the progressives who are in Congress will have more power to fight the good fight - both against Republicans and against the faction of Democrats like Rahm Emanuel and others who have made a career out of being auctioneers at the firesale of the Democratic Party’s principles.” I can only hope that he is right.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Down the Rabbit Hole

A couple of days ago I posted about Ron Paulsen who, after serving 14 years on active duty and spending 13 years on the “inactive reserve” roster was ordered back to active service at age 52. On October 15th, Paulsen was listed as the 54th Washingtonian to die in Iraq. While Paulsen’s story is a glaring example of the insanity of the Bush/Rumsnamara policy in Iraq, R J Eskow at A Night Light (via Crooks and Liars ) brings us perhaps the most significant proof that we have indeed “fallen down the rabbit hole”.

Eskow’s post tells about American soldiers diagnosed with severe mental health problems – specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – being recycled back to the very situation that induced their condition. He writes,

” These soldiers, just like those who have suffered physical injury, have made a sacrifice on behalf of their country. They should be honored and respected, not denigrated. They deserve all the medical care they require, and should receive a hero's welcome when they come home.

Here's what happens instead when soldiers like Bryce Syverson fall victim to PTSD.
"It ended up they just took his weapon away from him and said he was non-deployable and couldn't have a weapon," says his father, Larry Syverson. "He was on suicide watch in a lockdown."

The CBS report continues:

That was last August. This August, he was deployed to Ramadi, in the heart of the Sunni triangle -- and he had a weapon.”

The CBS report that Eskow refers to may be found Here

The U.S. Constitution protects prisoners who have been convicted of the most heinous crimes from “cruel and unusual punishment”. You would think American heroes would be provided at least that same protection. Then again, under the reign of King George, the Constitution has been replaced by the "Military Commissions Act".

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/27/06
Americans Killed: 2809
Americans Wounded: 21,266
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 49,692
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Maj. David G. Taylor, 37, of North Carolina, died Oct. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Willsun M. Mock, 23, of Harper, Kan., died Oct. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Nicholas K. Rogers, 27, of Deltona, Fla., died Oct. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Seaman Charles O. Sare, 23, of Hemet, Calif., died Oct. 23 in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Richard A. Buerstetta, 20, of Franklin, Tenn. died Oct. 23 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Tyler R. Overstreet, 22, of Gallatin, Tenn. died Oct. 23 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

*Spc. Carl A. Eason, 29, of Lovelady, Texas, died Oct. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Nathaniel A. Aguirre, 21, of Carrollton, Texas died Oct. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Matthew W. Creed, 23, of Covina, Calif. died Oct. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*1st Lt. Amos C. R. Bock, 24, of New Madrid, Mo., died on Oct. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles V. Komppa, 35, of Belgrade, Mont., died Oct. 25 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Daniel B. Chaires, 20, of Tallahassee, Fla., died Oct. 25 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Jonathan B. Thornsberry, 22, of McDowell, Ky., died Oct. 25 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Donald S. Brown, 19, of Succasunna, N.J., died Oct. 25 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert, 24, of Downers Grove, Ill., died Oct. 25 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Appeal for Redress

With a special thank you to Lietta Ruger, one of our local heroes in the resistance to the continuing occupation of Iraq as a leader with Military Families Speak Out:

”Our troops are speaking, and this time directly to Congress. In campaign 'Appeal for Redress' the numbers of active duty troops signing the appeal is increasing daily, if not hourly…”

WASHINGTON (Reuters) More than 200 active duty U.S. armed service members, fed up with the war in Iraq, have joined an unusual protest calling for withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, organisers said on Wednesday.

The campaign, called the Appeal for Redress from the War in Iraq, is the first of its kind in the Iraq war and takes advantage of U.S. Defence Department rules allowing active duty troops to express personal opinions to members of Congress without fear of retaliation, organisers said.”

If you are a member of the United States Military or know someone who is and have been concerned about speaking out against the continuing occupation of Iraq, the following information (from the Appeal for Redress website) answers some very important – yet totally unreported – information about the rights of active duty military members to speak out.

Rights Under Law

THE RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY

Members of the military have rights under the U.S. Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and the military's own regulations. Military regulations give you important ways to voice your opinion about what's going on in Iraq. They also impose important limitations. People in the military don't have the same constitutional right to express themselves as civilians do.
The military regulation that covers protest and dissent by members of the military is
DoD Directive 1325.6—

"Guidelines for Handling Dissident and Protest Activities Among Members of the Armed Forces.”

The command may prohibit members from distributing written materials on base, other than through "official outlets," without prior approval. However, the command may not prevent you from distributing printed material simply because it is critical of government policies or officials.

DoD Directive 1325.6 says it is DoD policy to preserve military members' "right of expression… to the maximum extent possible, consistent with good order and discipline and the national security." Members of the military may attend demonstrations but only in the United States and only when they are off base, off duty, and out of uniform.

THE RIGHT OF SERVICE MEMBERS TO COMPLAIN AND REQUEST REDRESS

Article 3.5.7 DoD Directive 1325.6 provides the right of service members to complain and request redress of grievances against actions of their commanders. (IMPORTANT NOTE: A redress is not to be confused with a petition. The action taken here by individual service members is an Appeal for Redress to End the War in Iraq.)

DoD Directive 7050.6—
“Military Whistleblower Protection Act”

DoD Directive 7050.6, otherwise known as the Military Whistleblower Protection Act, provides for the following rights:

4.1 Members of the Armed Forces shall be free to make a protected communication to:
4.1.1—A Member of Congress

Articles 4.2-4.4- Military members are protected against reprisals for such communication. If the command tries to retaliate against you for exercising your free speech rights, get some legal assistance. Talk with a civilian military counselor and/or a civilian attorney familiar with military law. You may be able to file a complaint under Article 138 of the UCMJ1. You may be able to file a complaint under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act. There may be other legal channels. An attorney or counselor can help you file a complaint or communicate with your command about the problem.

You may also call the G.I. Rights Hotline at
(800) 394-9544
or (510) 465-1472 (also international calls)

1Chapter 47, Uniform Code of Military Justice, SubChapterXI, Miscellaneous Provisions, Sec. 935. Scroll to Art. 138, “Complaints of Wrongs.”

Your members of Congress should be aware of this information and, just as importantly, should be made aware of the Appeal for Redress. Please take a few minutes to be sure that they do by forwarding a link to the website: http://www.appealforredress.org/index.php

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/25/06
Americans Killed: 2804
Americans Wounded: 21,086
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 49,610
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Staff Sgt. Kevin M. Witte, 27, of Beardsley, Minn., died on Oct. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Jesus M. Montalvo, 46, of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, died Oct. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Clifford R. Collinsworth, 20, of Chelsea, Mich. died Oct. 21 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Nathan R. Elrod, 20, of Salisbury, N.C. died Oct. 21 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Manoukian, 22, of Lathrup Village, Mich. died Oct. 21 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Joshua C. Watkins, 25, of Jacksonville, Fla. died Oct. 21 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pvt. Edwardo J. Lopez, 21, of Aurora, Ill., died Oct. 19 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Eric W. Herzberg, 20, of Severna Park, Md., died Oct. 21 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Ronald L. Paulsen, 53, of Vancouver, Wash.(54th Washingtonian), died on Oct. 17 in Tarmiya, Iraq.
*********************************************************************************

According the Department of Defense:

"Staff Sgt. Ronald L. Paulsen, 53, of Vancouver, Wash., died on Oct. 17 in Tarmiya, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Paulsen was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, Utica, N.Y."

Paulsen thus became the 54th Washingtonian to die in Iraq. But, as always, there must be more to someone's story. On October 18th KATU TV reported the following:

"Ron Paulsen spent 14 years in the Army and then another 13 years as an inactive reservist. At 52 years old, he was called up for active duty.
When Paulsen finished his service in 1992, soldiers were given a choice - take a lump sum of $30,000 and be done, or take an annual payment of $7,000 with a catch.
He said he went for the annual, but that meant he had to stay in the inactive reserve to get it, which is why he ended up getting called back in to service.
Paulsen said that roadside bombs were his biggest concern. His family confirmed his death Wednesday."

I think Shaun, over Upper Left summed it up best when he first posted the story on October 19th:

"Fourteen years active.

Thirteen years past separation.

Fifty two years old.

Called up and killed.

Damn.

God damn."

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Al Gore and Eric Teegarden

On Monday, October 23rd I went to see Al Gore give his presentation on Global Warming at the Key Arena in Seattle. Having already seen the movie, it was as if Gore had simply walked of the theater screen and onto the stage. There were times during the presentation when I found myself quoting the information as he was saying it as if it were some well memorized song lyric at a rock concert. The overall effect however was more powerful than I had expected. There was a passion and a determination in his voice that simply does not reproduce as well on film. Perhaps it was the experience of hearing and seeing the presentation in an arena with thousands of other interested and enthusiastic fellow citizens of the planet. It could simply be that I truly believe in the message and the messenger.

Of course we know that the purpose of the presentation is to motivate people to action. Obviously there are personal steps we all can take; recycling, public transportation, conservation, but the driving force behind Gore’s message is that we must come together to take civic and political action. We must start demanding action from our government, whether it be local, regional, or beyond. It was great to see this presentation in Seattle where Mayor Greg Nickels launched the Mayor’s initiative on the Kyoto Accords. But we do not all live in Seattle and city government can only do so much in and of itself. So where can we turn to make a real difference in the short term?

The Snohomish County PUD – the largest public utility district in the state and the twelfth largest in the country – is engaged in an election that may potentially set the course for energy creation and distribution effecting hundreds of thousands of energy consumers in the state. The race for Snohomish County PUD Commissioner pits an incumbent who has maintained a course of non-renewable fossil fuel reliance over her twelve years on this commission that has seen Snohomish County fall victim to costly Enron contracts and fall behind in the areas of renewable sourcing and conservation. The challenger, Eric Teegarden -a civil engineer with degrees in geophysics and earth science- is a dedicated activist for the cause of renewable energy sourcing and conservation.

There is a call to action to the citizens of this state and this country to stand up and make the changes necessary to change the course that has been set. Al Gore is calling to us to exhibit the kind of political will required to bring the about the changes necessary to save our planet. Supporting a “Green Energy” candidate like Eric Teegarden makes such a statement. You can make such a difference with a few dollars or a few phone calls but the time is short.

Make a difference – Contact Eric’s campaign at: http://www.Teegarden4Pud.com

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Price of Democracy

According to Article I, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, a senator must be 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States for 9 years, and must reside in the state he or she represents at the time of election. According to many in the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as the mainstream media, a senate candidate must be those things as well as rich enough to buy their way into our hearts (via advertising and access to the public airwaves)

Recently there was a televised forum featuring the candidates for US Senate from the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties of Washington State. What made this forum unique in modern politics was the inclusion of the Libertarian candidate. How he made his way into the forum as well as the reactions to his inclusion speak volumes to where we are with regard to money in politics in this state and, in fact, in the country.

The forum was sponsored and televised by KING TV in Seattle. Even though there are five candidates appearing on the election ballot – Democrat, Maria Cantwell; Republican, Mike McGavick; Libertarian, Bruce Guthrie; Independent, Robin Adair; and Green, Aaron Dixon – only Cantwell and McGavick were originally scheduled to participate. The reason for this was based on the “rules” as established by KING TV; one of which states, ” To meet our standard, a candidate must show they have raised ten percent of the funds raised by the winner of the previous election for that position. The standard will be determined by taking the latest mandated financial report for the campaign and comparing it to the financial report filed for the comparable period of time by the winner of the previous election for the position. If the report indicates the candidate has raised ten percent of the prior winner's fundraising total for the comparable reporting period then the candidate will have demonstrated significant public support. For this debate we will take the 2004 third quarter fundraising report Senator Patty Murray filed with the federal Election Commission - $12,096,027.60.” Therefore to qualify to appear on a local television station (broadcasting on the public’s airwaves), a candidate who otherwise met the Constitutional requirements for the office as well as the state requirements (which includes a $1652 filing fee) needed to show a campaign fund with at least $1.2 million!

Enter Bruce Guthrie; Libertarian candidate. Just days before the scheduled forum, Mr. Guthrie took out a second mortgage against his home and loaned his political campaign $1.2 million. Suddenly the scheduled exchange of sound bites and platitudes took on a new twist. The viewing audience would be seeing and hearing that rarest of political animals, a third party candidate, sharing the same airwaves at the same time as the “real” candidates for US Senate. It didn’t take long for the pundits to “explain” the situation to the public. Libertarian buys way into Cantwell-McGavick debate for $1.2 million was the headline of the article by Seattle PI reporter, Neil Modie. Modie immediately explained, ” Bruce Guthrie, the Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate, has bought himself a $1.2 million place at a debate podium with his better-known opponents, Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell and Republican Mike McGavick. Guthrie admitted Monday that he lent $1,181,700 to his ultra-underdog campaign Saturday mainly to appear credible enough for inclusion in the only televised Western Washington debate between the two major candidates.”

The blogs have been a source of “enlightenment” on the subject of candidate qualifications. Over at David Postman’s Blog Postman on Politics Aaron comments, ” It is completely appropriate for King5 to create standards for judging serious candidates. Anyone can file for a position, but the media wouldn't be acting in the public's best interest by creating a soapbox for any loon to speak from.” followed up by Giffy, who asks, ”… should we (allow) anyone who submits a filling fee (to) debate? Often there can be quite a few. Hell it seems like a fun way to get on the news. This is why the media requires some level of seriousness before it invites individuals to debate. Otherwise every nutcase with a pen can get 3 hours of air time.”

Making the case that Aaron Dixon (and, I assume Robin Adair) should have been afforded access to the debate over at Washblog, Bill Moyer (singular) from The Backbone Campaign says, ”…I do not know who sets the rules, but it strikes me as obscene that access to the debates is not relative to whether one is on the ballot, but whether one's campaign has a million dollars in the bank.
It is the obligation of a free people to stand up for diversity in discourse by letting political debate happen through words rather than exclusion. If one wishes to prove someone wrong or a fool, then they ought to do it on stage where he or she can defend him or herself. The voters deserve that.” Apparently not everyone agrees. Ivan comments, ”It was their (KING TV) microphone, their debate, their rules, and their responsibility. Go complain to them.
Are we to gather from this post that it is somehow Cantwell's responsibility to ensure that Aaron Dixon, or any other candidate, is included in these debates? Or more bizarre yet, that we should drop everything and tilt at this windmill 19 days before the election?
If KING had come to Cantwell and offered her an hour of free time, just by herself, without McGavick even, would people fault her for accepting it?
Or out of some sense of "fairness" or "balance" should Cantwell say: "No, I'm not going on TV unless McGavick is here with me getting equal time."?
Some of you people need to get some things straight. This is politics, not beanbag. And this is PARTISAN politics, not the League of Women Voters.” There is this from abelenky, ”Can someone justify taking time away from serious candidates, one of whom will be our Senator, and subjecting voters to the whimsical ramblings of a candidate who has no chance of ever getting elected? We are much better served hearing the thoughts of our next senator.”

I think what I have found most disheartening over the course of this election year is the ease with which some can set aside principle for expedience; people who will tell you that they support public financing of political campaigns and decry the effects of money in politics and yet will set those complaints to the side if they see an advantage for their candidate (or a disadvantage for the opposition). To return to Ivan, ”And whereas fairness in elections is something we all can subscribe to as a long-range goal, in the heat of election cycles we have to set some priorities.” It just appears that the “long-range” stretches even further beyond our sight. We continue to settle for the lesser of evils because we demand that those who would seek office be able to raise vast amounts of money as an "indicator of support." We are living in a political climate where we complain about a congress that only spends 97 days in session and yet we demand that those who wish to remain there spend the bulk of their time out raising money. What a system. And how many here support it whole-heartedly?


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/21/06
Americans Killed: 2788
Americans Wounded: 21,086
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 49,157
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties

*2nd Lt. Joshua L. Booth, 23, of Fiskdale, Mass., died Oct. 17 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Garth D. Sizemore, 31, of Mount Sterling, Ky., died Oct. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Daniel W. Winegeart, 23, of Kountze, Texas, died Oct. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Lester D. Baroncini Jr., 33, of Bakersfield, Calif. died Oct. 15 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Pfc. Stephen D. Bicknell, 19, of Prattville, Ala. died Oct. 15 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Spc. Jose R. Perez, 21, of Ontario, Calif., died Oct. 18 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

*2nd Lt. Christopher E. Loudon, 23, of Brockport, Pa. died Oct. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. David M. Unger, 21, of Leavenworth, Kan. died Oct. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Russell G. Culbertson III, 22, of Amity, Pa. died Oct. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Joseph C. Dumas Jr., 25, of New Orleans, LA. died Oct. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Ryan E. Haupt, 24, of Phoenix, Ariz. died Oct. 17 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Norman R. Taylor III, 21, of Blythe, Calif. died Oct. 17 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Pfc. Nathan J. Frigo, 23, of Kokomo, Ind. died Oct. 17 in Baqubah, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/18/06
Americans Killed: 2782
Americans Wounded: 21,086
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 48,783
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. Jonathan E. Lootens, 25, of Lyons, N.Y. died Oct. 15 in Kirkuk, Iraq,

*1st Lt. Joshua Deese, 25, of North Carolina died Oct. 15 in Balad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Keith J. Moore, 28, of San Francisco, died Oct. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*1st Sgt. Charles M. King, 48, of Mobile, Ala. died Oct. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Joseph M. Kane, 35, of Darby, Pa. died Oct. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Timothy J. Lauer, 25, of Saegertown, Pa. died Oct. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Capt. Mark C. Paine, 32, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., died Oct. 15 in Taji, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/17/06
Americans Killed: 2771
Americans Wounded: 20,895
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 48,783
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Capt. Shane T. Adcock, 27, of Mechanicsville, Va., died on Oct. 11 in Hawijah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Justin T. Walsh, 24, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, died Oct. 11 at National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Md. from wounds received in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Oct. 5.

*Private 1st Class Thomas J. Hewitt, 22, of Temple, Texas, died on Oct. 13 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., from injuries sustained on Sept. 26 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Gene A. Hawkins, 24, of Orlando, Fla., died on Oct. 12 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Sgt. Nicholas R. Sowinski, 25, of Tempe, Ariz., died on Oct. 11 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Kenny F. Stanton Jr., 20, of Hemet, Calif., died on Oct. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Airman 1st Class Leebernard E. Chavis, 21, of Hampton, Va., died Oct. 14 in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Luis E. Tejeda, 20, of Huntington Park, Calif., died Sept. 30 in Al Asad, Iraq.

*2nd Lt. Johnny K. Craver, 37, of McKinney, Texas, died Oct. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Brock A. Babb, 40, of Evansville, Ind., died Oct. 15 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Hines, 26, of Olney, Ill., died Oct. 15 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Jonathan J. Simpson, 25, of Rockport, Texas, died Oct. 14 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Forced Service?

During the years of the Bush regime’s invasion and continuing occupation of Iraq we have seen a consistent disrespect for those who wear the nation’s military uniforms. From excessive tours of duty in Iraq to the legally questionable deployment of the National Guard without any formal declaration of war to the unprecedented implementation of the “ready reserve” clause of military service that prohibits those who have served honorably from returning to their families and neighborhoods at the completion of their active service obligation, George W. Bush and Donald Rumsnamara have shown nothing but contempt for those who have chosen to serve in uniform. Add to the already mentioned abuses the following from the Associated Press:
(Emphasis added – TLS)

Soldier called back to duty on day before retirement

Sunday October 15, 2006
”LINDENHURST, Ill. (AP) An Army staff sergeant was days away from retirement after a 20-year military career when he was ordered to return to his unit, which will be deployed to Iraq at the end of the month.
James Engle applied for retirement in January and later received a retirement award from the Army during a ceremony in Texas. On Sept. 20 he was told paperwork was missing and he should report to his unit, the 1st Cavalry Division…
…``I feel like I'm twisting in the wind,'' Engle said. ``I keep being told that there has been a big, huge mistake. Well, this big, huge mistake has turned my life completely around.''…
…Engle, 38, of Lindenhurst joined the Army in August 1986. During his two decades with the military he spent nine years in combat zones, including Somalia, Bosnia and Afghanistan…
…``If they would have said two months ago, we need you, I would have understood,'' Engle said. ``But to do this to me and my family one day before I was going to move home is especially cruel.''”

And so the next time you hear, “No one forced them the serve.” ask them if they have met Staff Sergeant James Engle of Lindenhurst, Illinois.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/13/06
Americans Killed: 2758
Americans Wounded: 20,895
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 48,783
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties


*Sgt. Julian M. Arechaga, 23, of Oceanside, N.Y., died Oct. 9 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Jon E. Bowman, 21, of Dubach, La., died Oct. 9 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Shelby J. Feniello, 25, of Connellsville, Pa., died Oct. 9 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. John E. Hale, 20, of Shreveport, La., died Oct. 6 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Stephen F. Johnson, 20, of Marietta, Ga., died Oct. 8 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Bradford H. Payne, 24, of Montgomery, Ala., died Oct. 6 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Derek W. Jones, 21, of Salem, Ore., died Oct. 8 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Jeremy S. Sandvick Monroe, 20, of Chinook, Mont., died Oct. 8 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Capt. Robert M. Secher, 33, of Germantown, Tenn., died Oct. 8 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Still Fighting Them There

On Thursday, October 12th, Mike! McGavick and Maria Cantwell sat down with the editorial board of the Spokane Spokesman-Review as part of that paper’s endorsement process. The “conversation” was webcast to allow a broader audience into the process.

The first question was on the subject of Iraq. After explaining that he would have cast the same vote as Senator Cantwell (to invade Iraq) if he had received the same information she had, Mike! "Mini-Slade" McGavick went on to talk about the shift in focus after toppling the Saddam Hussein regime and realizing that there were no WMD in Iraq. McGavick allowed that "things have changed" since we invaded Iraq. In particular he said, ”The terrorist community decided to rush in and fight us there.” Apparently Mike! Doesn’t read the estimates coming from the DOD that actually continues to conclude that the vast majority of so-called insurgents we face in Iraq are home grown. A recent report from the Brookings Institute suggests, ”The total number of foreign fighters in Iraq is between 800 and 2,000, according to estimates by the Brookings Institution, a think tank in Washington. In contrast, the total strength of the insurgency is more than 20,000 people, according to Brookings. That means the vast majority of its fighters come from Iraq itself. "In proportion to the whole insurgency, [the percentage of foreign fighters] is very small," says Aidan Kirby, a terrorism expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).”

And so, with a blind eye toward the facts, McGavick continued, ”…And by the way, fighting “them” there rather than waiting for “them” to come here is good for the safety and well being of Americans.” Having posted on the very subject in June of this year ( “Fighting Them There” ), I was heartened that one member of the editorial board came back to that point and asked Mike! how the perception of the US using Iraq as our personal battlefield might set with the Iraqi people. Mike!’s reply? ”Iraq was a disaster before we got there; of oppressed people and violence so to say Iraqis are worse off or better off is too early to tell until this war is settled.”

Coming from an insurance company executive, that answer may seem reasonable. I mean, after all, to Mike! we are all just statistics. However, with the recent release of the report from the journal The Lancet , suggesting that as many as 655,000 Iraqis may have died as a direct result of our invasion and ensuing occupation of Iraq, I think the only disaster here is the thinking of Mike! McGavick.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/12/06
Americans Killed: 2755
Americans Wounded: 20,687
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 48,693
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Lance Cpl. Edward M. Garvin, 19, of Malden, Mass. died Oct. 4 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Benjamin S. Rosales, 20, of Houston, Texas died Oct. 4 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. James D. Ellis, 25, of Valdosta, Ga. died in Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 2.

*Spc. Raymond S. Armijo, 22, of Phoenix, Ariz died in Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 2.

* Spc. Justin R. Jarrett, 21, of Jonesboro, Ga. died in Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 2.

*Spc. Kristofer C. Walker, 20, of Creve Coeur, Ill. died in Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 2.

*Cpl. Carl W. Johnson II, 21, of Philadelphia, Pa., died on Oct. 7 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Cpl. Nicholas A. Arvanitis, 22, of Salem, New Hampshire, died on Oct. 6 in Bayji, Iraq.

*Sgt. Lawrence L. Parrish, 36, of Lebanon, Mo died Oct. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spec. John E. Wood, 37, of Humboldt, Kan died Oct. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Brandon S. Asbury, 21, of Tazewell, Va. died on Oct. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spec. Timothy A. Fulkerson, 20, of Utica, Ky. died Oct. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq.

*Pfc. Phillip B. Williams, 21, of Gardnerville, Nev., died Oct. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Prodigal Son?

David Postman has a post up right now about former Secretary of State, James Baker and his recent comments about Iraq, Iran and North Korea. Postman is wondering how Baker’s “third way” approach to foreign policy might be a factor in some of our Federal races this year.

” I would not be surprised if in our state's top two races, the Senate and the 8th Congressional District, we hear more about Baker and the Iraq Study Group and some version of Baker's Sunday money quote:

"I happen to think, and I think it's fair to say our commission believes, that there are alternatives between the stated alternatives ... of stay-the-course and cut-and-run."

Even before Baker's well-publicized comments, Congressman Dave Reichert was relying on his support for the Iraq Study Group to show daylight between him and the president on the war…”

I posted a bit on my initial take on Baker’s role there but I want to go a bit further on the subject here. I said on Postman’s blog, ”It is worth noting, however, that Baker comes from the "diplomacy first" crowd and worked in the Bush Whitehouse that dismissed an Iraqi invasion as... - well as what it has turned out to be. His ties (and I would suggest his loyalties) are to "Bush the father" and that any work he has done for W has been at the behest of the father.” Most folks I know are very familiar with Baker’s role in helping secure the Whitehouse for George W in 2000. He became a much despised man in the circles in which I travel. However, the argument can be made that Baker was acting more out of a sense of loyalty to George HW Bush and the Republican Party than on a personal basis to W himself. His next “job” for Junior came when he was asked to try to mend fences with our allies and ask for financial pledges in the reconstruction of Iraq. Again, this was a job that relied on his own contacts as a former Secretary of State and, I am sure, was encouraged by HW who most likely was hoping for something that might resemble diplomacy from his offspring.

I remarked on more than one occasion during the 2004 election campaign that HW Bush seemed conspicuously absent from the campaign trail. It was (and remains) my opinion that it must have been painful for the former WWII pilot to have to watch his son (who had been afforded a privileged “get out of ‘Nam’ free pass” into the Air National Guard and then snorted his flight wings away) lead this country into an invasion that you yourself advised against. It must have been hard to watch your “frat boy” stand on a stage at a VFW convention and tell them (your brothers in arms) that he was more qualified to lead us to war than a decorated combat veteran. It has to hurt while you watch your influence be replaced by the likes of Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney and, more recently, Henry Kissinger. Is it any wonder HW spends more time with Bill Clinton than with W these days?

Over the course of the past year we have watched something almost unheard of in the history of this country. When Jack Murtha came forward to suggest an exit strategy from Iraq, he came as a respected veteran who had gained the trust at the highest level of the Pentagon. When his words were used to paint him as un-American it sent a signal to the military that they were being disrespected. Within a few months we started to hear from retired generals (some of whom retired just so they could speak out) about how the military effort in Iraq was being mismanaged. This is rare. Even retired generals do not speak with troops on the ground. When those generals came under fire from the Bush administration, it became apparent that George W was operating in a vacuum and the situation was becoming dire. Recently we have begun to hear from generals on the ground that they do not feel they have the tools or troops necessary to do the job and even some voices from the Pentagon are starting to suggest that there are profound differences in the way Bush and Rumsfeld view the situation in Iraq and the way the military sees things. The voices became even louder when Bush suggested changes to the accepted rules of detainee treatment and interrogation. The Judge Advocates for every branch of the military testified against the Bush plan. Realizing that even this was not enough to get W’s attention, former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell attempted to stand up to his former boss. And now we are hearing from James Baker; perhaps as one last attempt on daddy’s part to get the son’s attention. Oh sure, we are told that Baker is working with the blessings of the Whitehouse but, until we hear a final report from Baker and see W’s response, this may simply be so much lip service.

Now what I have just set out is certainly speculation; possibly even wishful thinking. Baker may indeed simply be running interference for Karl Rove and the Bush regime – providing election year cover for those republicans who wish to run away from Bush in November. However, given that there ever was a time when rational people were responsible for diplomacy and government in this country, it is possible that we have reached the point (particularly in light of the recent nuclear test in North Korea) that those rational folks know they must take their stand or go down in history as not even trying. We can only hope.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/06/06
Americans Killed: 2737
Americans Wounded: 20,687
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 48,639
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Capt. Justin D. Peterson, 32, of Davisburg, Mich., died Oct. 1 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Joseph W. Perry, 23, of Alpine, Calif., died on Oct. 2 in Muhallah, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Jonathan Rojas, 27, of Hammond, Ind., died on Oct. 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Daniel Isshak, 25, of Alta Loma, Calif., died on Oct. 3 in Tikrit, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Loving Us To Death.......

According to the Department of Defense, 13 American troops were killed in Baghdad over the three day period beginning on Monday of this week. That number represents the highest 3-day total killed in the Iraqi capital since the invasion and occupation of Iraq in March of 2003. The 13 American deaths come on the heals of the 74 reported American casualties in September – the 2nd highest monthly death toll in 2006 (there were 76 reported casualties in April).

When asked to explain the increased number of attacks on American troops and the associated deaths, Army Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of the Multinational Division Baghdad, said ” Why are we seeing an increase in attacks? "Well, we have twice as many forces operating throughout the city now.” Oh, I see – more forces equals more attacks? Great Plan!

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Party On!

There was no plan to prevent looting and violence after the fall of Saddam Hussein. There was no plan to fill the power vacuum that has lead to the rise in sectarian violence. There certainly is no plan that would resemble an exit strategy and allow our troops to come home. I would imagine that most of this is due to the fact that there are not many in the Bush administration that has the kind of expertise required to plan for such a military action. (Yes, there was Colin Powell but, as most folks are learning, his advice was being ignored at most every turn.)

Well the wait is over. As befits the expertise and talents of a republican Whitehouse and congress wrapped up in the excesses of corruption and scandal comes a plan! Let’s have a party!! From the New York Times: Published: October 4, 2006

” Tucked away in fine print in the military spending bill for this past year was a lump sum of $20 million to pay for a celebration in the nation’s capital “for commemoration of success” in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not surprisingly, the money was not spent.
Now Congressional Republicans are saying, in effect, maybe next year. A paragraph written into spending legislation and approved by the Senate and House allows the $20 million to be rolled over into 2007.”

So there you have it. In the face of increasing casualties; with no plan to exit, the republicans are planning a victory party. Well here’s a cost savings tip: No need to buy a banner, they have one tucked away at the Whitehouse that has only been used once.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/04/06
Americans Killed: 2730
Americans Wounded: 20,468
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 48,343
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Spc. Robert F. Weber, 22, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died near the Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Scott E. Nisely, 48, of Marshalltown, Iowa died in Al Asad, Iraq, on Sept. 30.

*Spc. Kampha B. Sourivong, 20, of Iowa City, Iowa died in Al Asad, Iraq, on Sept. 30.

*Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, 25, of Garden Grove, Calif., died Sept. 29 in Ramadi, Iraq.

*Cpl. Aaron L. Seal, 23, of Elkhart, Ind., died Oct. 1 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Christopher B. Cosgrove III, 23, of Cedar Knolls, N.J., died Oct. 1 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Chase A. Haag, 22, of Portland, Ore., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 1.

*Staff Sgt. Joe A. Narvaez, 25, of San Antonio, Texas, died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 2.

*Sgt. Mario Nelson, 26, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died in Hit, Iraq, on Oct. 1 in Hit, Iraq.

*Pfc. Michael K. Oremus, 21, of Highland, N.Y., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 2.

*Pfc. Satieon V. Greenlee, 24, of Pendleton, S.C., died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 2.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Thank You Steven Greenebaum

Putting his money where his mouth is..........




The above full page ad appeared on page A5 of the October 2nd Seattle Times. To read the ad, click here and then click on "Announcements." You should then click on Steven's name.

Perhaps we could help him start rebuilding his savings from which came the funds to pay for this ad.Steven may be reached at 425 778-2152 or at stevenwrite@msn.com

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Save your Job - Slow Down!

In a article in the Seattle Times on Friday, September 29th it was reported that a study by the Economic Policy Institute has concluded that as many as one million jobs have been lost in the US since the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA.

According to the article by Times Business writer, Alwyn Scott, ”"We've lost jobs because of growing trade deficits" with Mexico and Canada, said Robert Scott, an EPI economist and a co-author of the report. Since 1993, the cumulative trade deficit with the NAFTA partners has grown to $107 billion, the report said.

Scott estimates that the rise in U.S. exports since NAFTA created 941,000 U.S. jobs. But the larger rise in imports from NAFTA partners displaced 1.9 million jobs that would have been created without the trade deal.

The net total of 1 million jobs lost includes 659,000 in manufacturing and hit hardest in industry-heavy states like Michigan, Indiana, Mississippi and California.
Washington State gained an estimated 14,688 jobs due to the rise in U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico after NAFTA, according to the study. But jobs displaced by rising imports cost the state 31,203 jobs, for a net loss of 16,515 jobs, or about 0.6 percent of the state's job base.”

Some folks take issue with the analysis of the job losses however. For instance ” (Gary) Hufbauer (of the Institute for International Economics) said the growing U.S. trade deficit wasn't caused by NAFTA but by larger economic forces — the U.S.'s high budget deficit and low savings rate.” Well that’s nice but (and maybe it’s just me) this only addresses the cause of the trade deficits. Mr. Hufbauer does not seem to dispute the existence of the trade deficits and their effects on job losses; only the cause of the trade deficits.

My favorite explanation for the cause of job loss in the country though has to be this, ” The number of factory jobs in the U.S. has plunged in recent years, but many economists say more productive U.S. workers are the cause, not trade.” Yep, that’s it – Save your Job; Slow Down!

Then there is this totally non-biased assessment of the situation, ”Bill Center, president of the Washington Council on International Trade, said that by blaming trade, the EPI study misses the real predicament for U.S. workers — a lack of education, training and government assistance for moving from manufacturing to other jobs.
"They're letting the politicians off the hook," Center said. "Politicians should fix health care, fix education ... Those are the kinds of things we should be addressing. Not trade."

Actually Bill, the “real predicament” for U.S. workers is the lack of secure family wage jobs.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Doc's House Call

On Friday, both the Minority and Majority Leaders of the US House moved to have the investigation of Mark Foley sent to the House Ethics Committee. At first glance you might think that Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader in the House and John Boehner, republican Leader are working together to take immediate corrective action in the wake of Mark Foley’s resignation. Think again.

Mark Foley, (now “ex”) republican congressman from Florida resigned last week over the revelation of illicit emails and instant messages between himself and at least one underage male page working in the US House. Both Pelosi (D-CA) and Boehner (R-OH) moved quickly to have the matter referred to the House Ethics Committee, chaired by our very own Richard “Doc” Hastings from Washington’s 4th CD. If you look closely at the language of their separate motions however, you will see that, while Pelosi is seeking a comprehensive and meaningful investigation, Boehner is counting on Doc’s reputation of inaction to provide election year cover for yet another republican scandal.

On Friday, Pelosi sent a “Privileged Resolution” to the floor of the House that spelled out the “who knew what when” timeline of Foley’s actions. Amongst the persons indicated in the timeline was Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La) in whose office the known victim worked, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Majority Leader Boehner. In a preliminary investigation it had been determined that each of these republican members were aware of Foley’s indiscretions for as long as a year ago. Pelosi’s resolution called for an investigation that would not only deal with Foley’s conduct but also examine the republican “leadership’s” role in the matter. Sensing yet another wide-spread republican scandal in an election year (one that would put him in the investigative spotlight) Boehner immediately stepped up to quash the resolution and put forward his own -more limited- motion to simply move the investigation of Foley’s actions on to Doc’s committee.

Considering that, in a year when republican lawmakers are falling like flies from charges of money laundering, bribery, and war profiteering one would think that Doc’s committee would be the most overworked in the House. Yet, of all the potential ethics investigations he has been faced with, Doc has chosen to chase only after our own Jim McDermott over a years old case involving a 1st Amendment dispute – a case whose chief beneficiary would be none other than John Boehner.

Well Doc, here is yet another chance to do the right thing (some might say a chance to do anything). What you have before you is something much more important than who might have wasted a few tax dollars or who may have abused the power of their office to divert a Pentagon contract to a less than honorable contractor. You have before you a case of sexual abuse of a minor by a member of Congress.

Now you can take the Boehner approach of a narrowly scoped and drawn out investigation. Or, given the fact that Foley has already resigned, you may simply choose to not investigate at all. Or you can do the right thing and look at the entire picture of possible deceit and cover-up at the highest levels in Congress. You have the opportunity to make a solid statement as to the House’s tolerance level when it comes to the sexual abuse of the children who come to work and learn in your halls. What course will you pursue?


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/01/06
Americans Killed: 2713
Americans Wounded: 20,468
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 48,343
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Spc. Windell J. Simmons, 20, of Hopkinsville, Ky., died in Taji, Iraq, on Sept.23.

*Staff Sgt. Carlos Dominguez, 57, of Savannah, Ga., died in Taji, Iraq, on Sept.23.

*Sgt. Velton Locklear, III, 29, of Lacey, Wash. (53) died in Riyadh, Iraq, on Sept. 23.

*Pfc. Kenneth E Kincaid, IV, 25, of Lilburn, Ga. died in Riyadh, Iraq, on Sept. 23.

*Pfc. Christopher T. Riviere, 21, of Cooper City, Fla., died Sept. 26 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Spc. Jared J. Raymond, 20, of Swampscott, Mass., died on Sept. 19, in Balad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Casey L. Mellen, 21, of Huachuca City, Ariz., died on Sept. 25 in Balad, Iraq.

*1st Lt. James N. Lyons, 28, of Rochester, N.Y., died on Sept. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Jose A. Lanzarin, 28, of Lubbock, Texas, was killed in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 26.

*Staff Sgt. Edward C. Reynolds, Jr., 27, of Groves, Texas died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 26.

*Pfc. Henry Paul, 24, of Kolonia Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 26.

*Lance Cpl. James Chamroeun, 20, of Union City, Ga., died Sept. 28 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Christopher T. Blaney, 19, of Winter Park, Fla., died in Taji, Iraq on Sept 29.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue