Operation Truth .. a site by Iraq combat veterans

[MORTARDUDE]

http://www.optruth.org/main.cfm


About OpTruth
Operation Truth is a non-profit 501c(4), non-partisan veterans' organization that seeks to amplify the soldiers' voice in the American public dialogue. Paul Rieckhoff, a First Lieutenant in the Army Reserves, founded Operation Truth in June 2004, only months after he returned from a year-long tour in Iraq. As of January 2005, Operation Truth represents well over 300 OEF/OIF veterans, and has over 26,000 supporters.

We are funded solely by donations from people like you. Click here to find out how you can help!

Please refer to the links at left for information about our board of advisors and staff.

[melody1181]

Very Intresting site, thanks.

[Andy]

Our local cable commission is a bit liberal. James would be considered a right wing reactionary. There is a two hour ?news program? played twice a day. It?s called ?Democracy Now?. A couple of days ago I watched if for a while. They were talking about Iraq and said words to the effect: 4 of the American occupiers were killed today when Muslim resistors set off a car bomb. (I would hope most people would not phrase it quite that way.)

They had a lovely time discussing Bush the Imperialist. They also said that electrical power had not been restored to all of the country as a means of punishing the locals. It?s just amazing what you can see and read in this country.

Can?t remember who the politician was who said it but it?s true that, ??democracy gives every man the right to make a fool of himself and many exercise that right?.

Stay healthy,
Andy

[Robert Ryan]

good site

[MORTARDUDE]

Well Andy and David not sure what your objections are. These appear to be vets who were or still are there. If they are biased then so be it. There sure were a hell of a lot of us in Vietnam that had opinions about what was going on, call it biased or whatever. IMHO.

Larry

[MORTARDUDE]

Andy :

if you are comparing American veterans to some crap you saw on your cable acces network, then with all due respect, that is bullshit. 'Nuf Sed.

Larry

[Andy]

Guess I didn't make my point very well. Lets try again.

It's June 6th, 1944 at 6 AM. You are in a landing craft with 16mm movie camera and recording what the troops have to say. Between vomiting do you think some of them would have said, "I don't think this is a good idea"? But at the time it was all about, "we are all on board and we have a job to do." Remember the first time you came under fire? What would you have said to a correspondent?

I just think that some troops will always complain, if their in combat or in the chow line at Fort Dix.

Stay healthy, nice to have you back,
Andy

[MORTARDUDE]

Stll don't get it Andy....sorry

I said what I had to say about Vietnam well before I was drafted, don't you know, IT SUCKED. A bad war is still a bad war any way you slice it. Comparing D-Day to Vietnam or this mess is just stupid.

Thanks for welcoming me back. Seems like I need to get in the van and head back to Little Rock.


David :

Why did you erase the web site name ?

Makes no sense to me at all.

If anyone wants the site info, PM or email me..I don't believe in censorship.

Larry

[MORTARDUDE]

Is this biased ?

Issues Facing Our Troops

The hardships Troops face deserve more attention. Educating the public about the problems facing our Troops will empower the American public to support our troops in a very tangible fashion: by demanding that elected officials address these issues.

Here are some of the key issues facing our soldiers. Operation Truth will continuously adapt to changing circumstances and focus on the Troops' most pressing needs.

National Guard and Reservists
For decades, Reservists and National Guardsmen have been treated as second-class citizens within the military. Reservists and National Guardsmen should be equipped and trained on par with their active duty counterparts.


The Mental Strain of War
Returning vets face serious psychological problems, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as adverse reactions to the vaccine for malaria (Lariam). These issues increase the risk of family problems, alcohol and drug abuse, and even suicide.

Armor Shortage
Due to poor planning by the Pentagon, 6,530 Humvees in Iraq and Afghanistan lack adequate protection as of December 2004. While Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said that armor for the Humvees was being produced at maximum capacity, this is not true.

Depleted Uranium
The military claims it is perfectly safe, but others believe depleted uranium (DU) is the cause of a variety of mysterious illnesses, from cancer to Gulf War Syndrome. Find out more about the controversial use of depleted uranium (DU) in U.S. weapons.

Understanding the Wounded
Although the rising death toll in Iraq has received media attention, far less scrutiny has been given to the number of troops wounded, and often permanently disabled, in the war effort.

Underfunded VA
Learn about the inadequate resources provided for VA health care; new drug co-pays, fees, and eligibility requirements for vets; hospital closures; and possible VA budget cuts in 2006.


Problematic Role of Private Contractors in Combat Zones
The effectiveness and affordability of Halliburton, K.B.R, Blackwater and other companies are questionable. These private contractors are weakening our military by drawing away experienced troops using incentives such as significantly higher wages, better benefits and a more relaxed lifestyle. Introducing profit to the battlefield sets a dangerous precedent.


Proper Counseling and Treatment for the Soldiers
Many returning vets are suffering from psychological problems, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and illnesses linked with malaria and anthrax vaccines.

Citizenship for Returning Servicemembers
A notable percentage of the military is currently composed of non-U.S. citizens. These Servicemembers have served their adopted country and deserve a streamlined route to citizenship.

Weak National Support Systems for Soldiers' Families
When National Guard and Reserve soldiers are deployed, their families need and deserve child care, counseling services, job placement, spiritual support and financial safeguards.


Stop Loss: A "Back-Door Draft"
Stop Loss is the involuntary extension of active duty status of soldiers beyond their contractual obligation. Stop Loss is essentially a "back-door draft"-- a band-aid solution that has now been implemented to provide additional troop strength. Stop Loss is destroying the very concept of our volunteer military, is terribly damaging to morale, and is yet another indication that the original plan for war was flawed.

[Andy]

You need to know that my response to you was not in any way intended to be a person attack. It?s a difference of opinion.

That said, you wrote that Vietnam and the current war could not be compared to WWII. I?d suggest that all wars are either political or religious. WWII and Vietnam were political. The current one seems to be a combination of the two types of wars. A good friend defines war as, Breaking things and killing people. Thus I disagree that comparing D-day and Tet is stupid. The bullets weren?t going any slower, the dead were just as dead.
Unfortunately, our political leaders did not intend to win, that?s not our fault.

Further, communism as practiced thought out the 20th century resulted in the deaths of a lot more people than Fascism. My dad fought to stop one form of terrine, we fought to stop the larger one.

Stay healthy,
Andy