IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 06/29/07
Americans Killed: 3577
Americans Wounded: 26,129
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Spc. Dominic N. Rodriguez, 23, of Klamath Falls, OR died June 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Henry G. Byrd III, 20, of Veguita, NM died June 24 in Landstuhl Germany, from a non-combat related illness sustained June 18 while in Iraq.

*Sgt. William E. Brown, 25, of Phil Campbell, AL died June 23 in Taji, Iraq.

*Sgt. Michael J. Montpetit, 31, of Honolulu, HI died June 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Eric C. Palmer, 21, of Maize, KN died June 24 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of wounds suffered June 21 in Bayji, Iraq.

*Sgt. Trista L. Moretti, 27, of South Plainfield, NJ died June 25 in Nasir Lafitah, Iraq.

*Cpl. Derek C. Dixon, 20, of Riverside, OH died June 26 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Andre Craig Jr., 24, of New Haven, CT died June 25 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Joel A. Dahl, 21, of Los Lunas, NM died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class Nathan L. Winder, 32, of Blanding, UT died June 26 in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Newsome, 27, of Chicopee, MA died June 27 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Frank M. Sandoval, 27, of Yuma, AZ died June 18 in Palo Alto, Calif., of wounds sustained Nov. 28, 2005, in Tikrit, Iraq.X


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Publicly Owned Campaigns

Thanks to Ozy at Mainstreampolitics here is a clip from one of the recent Democratic Presidential cattle calls. In this clip, Joe Biden talks about how to control the “earmarks” that continue to make their way into unrelated legislation:

If you want to know more about publicly owned campaigns and elections, visit the folks at Washington Public Campaigns If you want to do something to influence the debate, download their Citizen’s Petition of Support and get a few thousand of your friends and neighbors to sign up and show our legislators we are serious about this issue.

Finally, seek out candidates like Jackie Minchew who are running some form of publicly financed campaign and show them your support with a small monetary contribution and a personal endorsement of their efforts.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 06/26/07
Americans Killed: 3563
Americans Wounded: 26,129
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Spc. Karen N. Clifton, 22, of Lehigh Acres, FL died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Raymond N. Spencer Jr., 23, of Carmichael, CA died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Airman 1st Class Jason D. Nathan, 22, of Macon, GA died June 23, in Iraq.

*Spc. Joseph P. Kenny, 20, of Veneta, OR died June 23 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Sgt. Alphonso J. Montenegro II, 22, of Far Rockaway, NY died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Ryan M. Wood, 22, of Oklahoma City, OK died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Daniel J. Agami, 25, of Coconut Creek, FL died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Anthony D. Hebert, 19, of Lake City, MN died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Thomas R. Leemhuis, 23, of Binger, OK died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Maj. Sid W. Brookshire, 36, of (City Un-named), MO died June 20 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Darren P. Hubbell, 38, of Tifton, GA died June 20 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Joe G. Charfauros Jr., 33, of Rota, Mariana Islands died June 20 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. David J. Bentz III, 20, of Newfield, NJ died June 20 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Jerimiah J. Veitch, 21, of Dibble, OK died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Carter A. Gamble Jr., 24, of Brownstown, IN died June 24 in Duraiya, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Michael D. Moody Jr., 31, of Richmond, VA died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Chris Davis, 35, of Lubbock, TX died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pvt. Shane M. Stinson, 23, of Fullerton, CA died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq.

* 1st Lt. Daniel P. Riordan, 24, of St. Louis, MO died June 23 in Taji, Iraq.

*Sgt. Joel A. House, 22, of Lee, ME died June 23 in Taji, Iraq.

*Sgt. Jimy M. Malone, 23, of Wills Point, TX died June 23 in Taji, Iraq.

* Spc. Derek A. Calhoun, 23, of Oklahoma City, OK died June 23 in Taji, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

No End in Sight

Dead-eye Dick: Man Without a Government Home

So as I understand it, “Dead-eye” Dick Cheney who believes Saddam is still in possession of WMD and that he and Osama bin Laden were secret pen-pals, and that the U.S. would be showered in roses by the Iraqis after we invaded their country; the same Dick Cheney who believes ‘the insurgency” was in its “last throes” some three years ago; the man who occupies the office of The Vice President of the United States, does not believe that he is a part of the Executive Branch of Government. According to a letter from Rep. Henry Waxman, Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Cheney asserted in a response to the National Archives that the Office of the Vice President is not an “entity within the executive branch.”

Cheney’s response was in reference to a request by the National Archives to inspect the Vice President’s office in accordance with an Executive Order signed by George W. Bush which prescribed a uniform system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national security information. Waxman’s assessment of Cheney’s refusal to comply with the request is worth re-printing here.

”I question both the legality and the wisdom of your actions. In May 2006, an official in your office pled guilty to passing classified information to individuals in the Philippines. In March 2007, your former chief of staff, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, was convicted of perjury, obstruction of justice, and false statements for denying his role in disclosing the identity of a covert CIA agent. In July 2003, you reportedly instructed Mr. Libby to disclose information from a National Intelligence Estimate to Judith Miller, a former New York Times reporter. This record does not inspire confidence in how your office handles the nation’s most sensitive security information. Indeed, it would appear particularly irresponsible to give an office with your history of security breaches an exemption from the safeguards that apply to all other executive branch officials.”

The entire letter goes in to much detail and deserves a good reading; including the remedies requested by Chairman Waxman.

Just to be sure our legislators who believe impeachment should be restricted to important matters and who believe Bush or Cheney have not violated the law get the picture here, we have in George W. Bush a man who is signing bills from the congress and then attaching his disclaimers stating which parts of these laws he is not obligated to obey. We have a finding from a Federal Court that Bush has violated the 4th Amendment of the Constitution by ILLEGALLY wiretapping the phones of American citizens. Now we have allegations that Dick Cheney has willfully failed to comply with an Executive Order from the Office of the President by asserting that he, the Vice President is not a member of the executive branch. I guess that would make him OUTSIDE THE LAW?

If your member of congress has not yet signed on to Dennis Kucinich’s HR333 calling for the impeachment of Dick Cheney, perhaps you should send them a copy of Rep. Waxman’s letter.

UPDATE: 06/23/07

In his usual fashion, George W Bush has cleared up the situation. According to White House spokesman, Tony Fratto, both Cheney AND Bush are exempt from the requirement of Mr. Bush's own executive orders. In a LA Times story reprinted in the Seattle Times,

"WASHINGTON — The White House said Friday that, like Vice President Dick Cheney's office, President Bush's office is exempt from a presidential order requiring government agencies that handle classified national-security information to submit to oversight by an independent federal watchdog."

In true Bush "What's good for the goose, don't applpy to me" fashion the story goes like this:

"Bush issued the directive in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as a way of ensuring that the nation's secrets would not be mishandled, made public or improperly declassified.
In the order, Bush stressed the importance of the public's right to know what its government was doing, particularly in the global campaign against terrorism. "Our democratic principles require that the American people be informed of the activities of their government," the executive order said.
But from the start, Bush considered his office and Cheney's exempt from the reporting requirements..."

ATTENTION CONGRESS:
Do Your Job! Defend Our Constitution!

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 06/21/07
Americans Killed: 3533
Americans Wounded: 25,950
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Maj. Kevin H. Sonnenberg, 42, of McClure, OH died June 15 five miles north of Balad Air Base, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bechert, 24, of New Castle, IN died on 14 June in San Antonio, Texas of wounds suffered on May 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Dustin R. Brisky, 26, of Round Rock, TX died June 14 in Tallil, Iraq.

*Pfc. Michael P. Pittman, 34, of Davenport, IA died June 15 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Danny R. Soto, 24, of Houston, TX died June 16 in Rashidiyah, Iraq.

*Spc. Zachary A. Grass, 34, of Beach City, OH died June 16 in Rashidiyah, Iraq.

*1st Lt. Frank B. Walkup, IV, 23, of Woodbury, TN died June 16 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Pfc. David A. Wilkey Jr., 22, of Elkhart, IN died June 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Richard K. Parker, 26, of Phillips, MA died June 14 in Scania, Iraq.

*Pfc. Larry Parks Jr., 24, of Altoona, PA died June 18 in Arab Jabor, Iraq.

*Sgt. Eric L. Snell, 35, of Trenton, NJ died June 18 in Balad, Iraq.

*Spc. Darryl W. Linder, 23, of Hickory, NC died June 19 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Derek T. Roberts, 24, of Gold River, CA died June 14 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Spc. Val J. Borm, 21, of Sidney, NE died June 14 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Spc. Farid Elazzouzi, 26, of Paterson, NJ died June 14 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class William A. Zapfe, 35, of Muldraugh, KY died June 19 in Muhammad al Ali, Iraq.

*Pfc. Joshua S. Modgling, 22, of Las Vegas NV died June 19 in Muhammad al Ali, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 06/16/07
Americans Killed: 3521
Americans Wounded: 25,950
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties


*Cpl. Meresebang Ngiraked, 21, of Koror, Republic of Palau June 10 in Karbala, Iraq.

*Spc. Adam G. Herold, 23, of Omaha, NE died June 10 in Karbala, Iraq.

*Cpl. Llythaniele Fender, 21, of Medical Lake, WA (72nd Washingtonian) died June 10 in Karbala, Iraq.

*Pvt. William C. Johnson, 22, of Oxford, NC died June 12 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Cameron K. Payne, 22, of Corona, CA died June 11 in Balad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Johnny R. Strong, 21, of Waco, TX died June 12 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Spc. Damon G. Legrand, 27, of Lakeside, CA died June 12 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Lt. Col. Glade L. Felix, 52, of Lake Park, Ga., died June 11 in Southwest Asia.

*Spc. Josiah W. Hollopeter, 27, of San Diego, CA died June 14 in Balad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Casey S. Carriker, 20, of Hoquiam, WA (73rd Washingtonian) died June 13 in Kirkuk, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 06/12/07
Americans Killed: 3512
Americans Wounded: 25,830
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Staff Sgt. Juan F. Campos, 27, of McAllen, TX died June 1 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, of wounds sustained May 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Justin A. Verdeja, 20, of La Puente, CA died June 5 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Kimel L. Watt, 21, of Brooklyn, NY died June 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Matthew Soper, 25, of Kalamazoo, MI died June 6 in Bayji, Iraq.

*Pfc. Shawn D. Gajdos, 25, of Grand Rapids, MI died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Timothy B. Cole Jr., 28, of Missouri City, TX died June 6 in As Sadah, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class Greg L. Sutton, 38, of Spring Lake, NC died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Senior Airman William N. Newman, 23, of Kingston Springs, TN died June 7 south of Balad, Iraq.

*Airman 1st Class Eric M. Barnes, 20, of Lorain, OH died June 10 about 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Cory M. Endlich, 23, of Massillon, OH died June 9 in Taji, Iraq.

*Pvt. Scott A. Miller, 20, of Casper, WY died June 9 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Brian M. Long, 32, of Burns, WY died June 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Dariek E. Dehn, 32, of Spangle, WA (71st Washingtonian) died June 2 in Sharkat, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Brian Sullivan: Progressive Democrat for Snohomish County Council

I have previously posted here that, with certain changes on the Everett City Council and the Snohomish County Council, “…Snohomish County could become the next seat of Progressive politics in the state…” Brian Sullivan’s (D-21st LD) campaign for Snohomish County Council, District 2 represents one of our best opportunities to achieve that goal this year. Sullivan spent four years on the Mukilteo City Council (1985-1989) before serving seven years as that city’s Mayor from 1990 to 1997. In 2000, he was elected to the State House to represent the 21st LD which includes Mukilteo, Lynwood, and Edmonds. His current committee assignments are Agriculture and Natural Resources (Chair), Local Government, and Transportation. Sullivan is one of the most respected members on issues concerning the environment and land use and has been an outspoken advocate for affordable housing. This session he has taken up the cause for Mobile Home Park residents who are being displaced by park owners eager to sell out to condo developers.

Since the end of the 2006 legislative session Brian Sullivan has been out doorbelling in the district (over 5,000 as of his kick-off event Wednesday night) and talking to the various interest groups necessary for support in the campaign. He has already received the endorsements of the Snohomish County Democrats and the Washington Conservation Voters amongst others. I caught up with him at his kick-off for a few questions.

TLS: You’re currently serving your fourth term in Olympia. By all accounts you have been pretty successful in your role as a legislator. What is prompting your run for Snohomish County Council?


SULLIVAN: I’m ready to take my experience as a Mayor, State Representative and County Outreach Director and put it to work on the Council. I grew up here and I love this area and really want to be able to work on issues that directly affect us.

TLS: If elected, you will be serving the 2nd Council District (my district). How do you describe this district and what, if any, specific challenges do you see ahead for the district?


SULLIVAN: This is a wonderful district to live in! I see the biggest issues that this district and the county face as keeping this a great place to live, work and raise our families: investing in our roads and transit to improve transportation, creating strong family-wage jobs and continuing to build the economy, protecting the environment and preserving our neighborhoods.

TLS: Obviously your position as Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee as well as your seat on the Transportation Committee are pluses considering the challenges facing a growing Snohomish County. What specific ideas or issues related to these areas do you wish to pursue if you are elected?


SULLIVAN: Chairing the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee has helped me learn about issues we face across the state. Here in Snohomish County I’ve worked on sustainable agriculture, the health of Puget Sound, and crops for biofuels. I will use my experience as Chair to help support the various issues affecting our county.
I have been a member of the Transportation Committee since I was first elected in 2001. As Snohomish County continues to grow our roads, highways, and ferries are more traveled. We must implement long-term solutions to improve traffic and protect our air quality. The Mukilteo multimodal terminal and improving travel through the Everett I-5 corridor are two specific issues I would address..
It certainly has been a great opportunity for me to sit on these committees and I look forward to sharing what I have learned at the county level.

TLS: One of the potential “hot button” issues you might be looking at if elected will be a possible expansion of activity at Paine Field in Everett. The City of Mukilteo has taken a pretty strong stand against any such expansion. As the former mayor of that city who would now be taking a seat on the ultimate deciding body, what are your thoughts on this issue?


SULLIVAN: Many residents in our communities are concerned by the prospects of increased commercial air traffic at Paine Field. I stand against expanding commercial air traffic at Paine Field and the impacts this would have on our local quality of life, including increased noise and possibly lower property values. We need a plan for Paine Field that sets forth a vision for generating jobs and economic growth opportunities, including one that ensures Paine Field will remain a good neighbor and asset to our communities. We should focus on Paine Field’s historical contribution to our local economy: high-paying aerospace manufacturing jobs. I propose increasing the aerospace manufacturing capacity of Paine Field. The expansion of this industry would bring major advantages and serve as a critical economic asset.

TLS: During the recent activity revolving around bringing a four year college degree program/institution to Snohomish County what role did you play in those efforts? With the conclusion that a UW branch site will be coming to the county, how hard will you push to have that facility come to Everett – the heart of your Council District?


SULLIVAN: I was actively involved in bringing a four- year university to Snohomish County. I am really pleased UW will locate a future campus in the county and Everett is the ideal site. With the projected population growth, Everett will serve as the hub of the county and therefore will have the appropriate infrastructure to host a four year institution.

TLS: Finally, how are things going with your campaign? If folks want to reach you or become involved in the campaign how do they do so?


SULLIVAN: My campaign is off to a great start. Just this week we formally kicked off the campaign, though I’ve been on the campaign trail for months. We have door belled almost 20 precincts; we earned many important endorsements like that of the Snohomish County Democrats, the Mukilteo Firefighters, the Washington Conservation Voters and many more. I have been received very well and am looking forward to meeting people throughout the rest of the campaign. We have put up a website at: www.vote-briansullivan.com and contributions can be mailed to Brian Sullivan for County Council at PO Box 1751 Everett, WA 98206.

The 2nd County Council District is an open seat this year with current “DINO” Kirk Seivers being retired by term limits. There will be a Democratic primary with 38th LD State Senator, Jean Berkey also announcing her intention to seek the seat. A Republican challenger awaits the winner of the primary.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 06/07/07
Americans Killed: 3503
Americans Wounded: 25,681
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties


*Spc. William J. Crouch, 21, of Zachary, LA died June 2 in Al Hadid, Iraq.

*Spc. Doonewey White, 26, of Milpitas, CA died May 29 in Balad, Iraq.

*Spc. Romel Catalan, 21, of Los Angeles, CA died June 2 in Ameriyah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Bruce E. Horner, 43, or Newport News, VA died June 1 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Shawn E. Dressler, 22, of Santa Maria, CA died June 2 in Baghdad, Iraq.
*Pfc. Joshua D. Brown, 26, of Tampa, FL died June 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Jeremiah D. Costello, 22, of Carlinville, IL died June 2 near Qayyarah, Iraq.

*Spc. Keith V. Nepsa, 21, of New Philadelphia, OH died June 2 near Qayyarah, Iraq.

*Tech. Sgt. Ryan A. Balmer, 33, of Mishawaka, IN died June 5 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Kuglics, 25, of North Canton, OH died June 5 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Greg P. Gagarin, 38, of Los Angeles, CA died June 3 in Thania, Iraq.

*Sgt. James C. Akin, 23, of Albuquerque, NM died June 3 in Thania, Iraq.

*Sgt. Tyler J. Kritz, 21, of Eagle River, WI died June 3 in Thania, Iraq.

*Sgt. Robert A. Surber, 24, of Inverness, FL died June 3 in Thania, Iraq.

*Sgt. Caleb P. Christopher, 25, of Chandler, AZ died June 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Andrews J. Higgins, 28, of Hayward, CA died June 5 in Baqubah, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

David Sirota: Myth Buster

David Sirota has put together a good video explaining how too many Democrats have continued to buy in to the neo-con myth that they have no effective power in Congress. Watch the video and then remember; with Bush's veto of the Iraq Funding Bill, he could have actually been the instrument for ending the occupation of Iraq and the Democrats let him off the hook......

When Maria, Patty, Norm, Brian, and Rick tell you they want to "change direction" in Iraq, ask them why they didn't just leave the bill on Bush's desk.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 06/02/07
Americans Killed: 3480
Americans Wounded: 25,681
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts."
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties

*Staff Sgt. Joseph M. Weiglein, 31, of Audubon, NJ died May 29 in Ilbu Falris, Iraq.

*Sgt. Richard V. Correa, 25, of Honolulu, HI died May 29 in Ilbu Falris, Iraq.

*Pfc. Robert A. Liggett, 23, of Urbana, IL died May 29 in Rustamiyah, Iraq.

*Cpl. Jonathan A. Markham, 22, of Bedford, TX died May 29 in Abu Sayda, Iraq.

*Pfc. Matthew E. Baylis, 20, of Oakdale, NY died May 31 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Bacilio E. Cuellar, 24, of Odessa, TX died May 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. James E. Lundin, 20, of Bellport NY died May 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Joshua M. Moore, 20, of Russellville, KY died May 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*1st Lt. Kile G. West, 23, of Pasadena, TX died May 28 in Abu Sayda, Iraq.

*Sgt. Anthony D. Ewing, 22, of Phoenix, AZ died May 28 in Abu Sayda, Iraq.

*Cpl. Zachary D. Baker, 24, of Vilonia, AR died May 28 in Abu Sayda, Iraq.

*Cpl. James E. Summers, III, 21, of Bourbon, MO died May 28 in Abu Sayda, Iraq.

*Spc. Alexandre A. Alexeev, 23, of Wilmington, CA died May 28 in Abu Sayda, Iraq.

*Sgt. Chadrick O. Domino, 23, of Ennis, Texas, died May 31 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Iraq Vet to Stand Tower Guard in Bellingham

Thanks to CitizenSteve at Washington Outsiders for this story about Iraq Vet, Evan Knappenberger's protest against Bush's "Stop-Loss" program.

I thank Evan and wish him good weather and respectful citizen participation in his efforts.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue