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Here's a Way to Support the Troops Other Than Sending Them to Kill and Die for Oil Profits

Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2006-06-21 00:50.

Statement by Bobby Muller, Director of Veterans for America, Regarding Amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2007, S. 2766
http://www.veteransforamerica.org

“This is the time to make those yellow ribbon bumper stickers mean something by taking action to support our troops and our veterans. Every Senator and every American has the chance to put substance behind the words, ‘we support our troops’ by supporting key amendments to this bill.

With 1.3 million service members deployed to war zones overseas since September 11, 2001, we must develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the needs and concerns of our returning veterans. There are three amendments that will do just that. We hope Senators will support them and the other amendments that are pro-veteran.

First, there are growing concerns about service members redeployed from the U.S. back to Iraq for a second tour after being diagnosed with a serious mental health problem, and some have committed suicide. That is why we urge the Senate to adopt an amendment sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer and Joe Lieberman requiring a credentialed mental health professional to sign off before a service member diagnosed as having a duty-limiting (or serious) mental health condition can be ordered into a war zone.

Second, we are troubled by reports of veterans who are not aware of government benefits and services. That is why we urge the Senate to adopt an amendment sponsored by Senators Russ Feingold, Patty Murray, Barack Obama, Ted Kennedy and Jack Reed requiring the military to provide comprehensive Transition Assistance Program briefings about healthcare, employment, and other benefits so veterans don’t miss out on benefits with time limits, such as healthcare and educational assistance.

And finally, we are very concerned about the injuries caused by improvised explosive devices, especially the Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). TBI is fast becoming a major problem for many veterans. We urge the Senate to adopt an amendment sponsored by Senator Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to add TBI to the list of post-deployment physical and mental health screenings for soldiers returning home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

These amendments are important first steps. And Congress should begin preparing a comprehensive plan similar to the successful World War II GI Bill. Vietnam and Gulf war veterans waited too long to obtain the assistance they needed and earned. Now is the time for America to get it right for our newest generation of veterans.”

http://www.veteransforamerica.org/index.cfm/Page/Article/ID/7379

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Also protection for whistleblowers

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2006-06-22 07:14.

Another good way to support the troops is to see that there is legal and political cover for those who speak out against official wrongdoing or refuse illegal orders.

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