PUSH hears vet speak truth

At the monthly PUSH (People United to Stop Homelessness) meeting on Tuesday, he sat before us, quietly telling a story about war, dedicated young men and women, and what it was really like upon their return from combat. I stared at his delicate features, soft curling brown hair and graceful musician-like hands, trying to imagine a shaved head, a voice loud with orders and those hands holding a rifle.

He told us he was one of the oldest in his unit at age 19 and how the rigors of military service contribute to addiction and mental health issues. He told us that statistically, he was at greater risk for homelessness and failure.

He said the VA tries not to hand out Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnoses and that soldiers are reluctant to admit to problems. Soldiers diagnosed with PTSD get referred to a chaplain, then undergo six months of separation from family and friends to receive drugs and counseling. Upon discharge, these vets see a 20 -minute presentation on applying for benefits. There are many requirements to be met to receive benefits and many young vets don't even bother, trying to make it on their own.

If a vet finally qualifies for medical benefits after a six to twelve month processing wait, visits to psychiatrists are then scheduled on a monthly basis. Soldiers are not permitted to discuss killing of civilians during sessions. He was issued four different psychotropic drugs including Paxil and Neurontin with instructions to mix as needed for relief. Most of these drugs are proven to be contraindicated for suicidal feelings. News reports documented over 6,000 veteran suicides in 2005 alone across all services and conflicts. He estimates 90% of our young veterans are suffering from PTSD. The mission- "to break the will of the enemy to resist" is unclear in a theatre where the "enemy" is not wearing a uniform.

He told us of a program in Duval County that tries to give work to vets, picking up trash. Our veterans, picking up trash. His organization, Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), is currently working with 20 homeless veterans in Jacksonville. They do not want charity. Upon discharge, with the VA under funded and understaffed, these vets say they feel disposable and unwanted. His friend, a sergeant in the US Army, has had her child removed from her custody due to her deployment. The daughter now lives with her grandmother in a hotel with no running water and is technically homeless.

But most amazing of all, he told us he is better off than so many other returning vets. He wisely sees a broader problem of basic inhumanity. He is convinced that solutions will only come from us, the people, and not the government. He challenged us to ask ourselves why we avoid homeless people and why we are silent instead of loudly and vocally outraged.

Eyes brimming with held back tears, he returned to his seat while we examined our lives.

The IVAW Winter Soldier Project takes place in Washington DC March 13 through March 16. Returning soldiers testify to their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. This action will require these young veterans once again to summon their amazing courage and integrity to revisit their nightmares in the interest of truth for their country. Look for articles and reports on these hearings. Go to: http://ivaw.org/wintersoldier

Examine your life.

PUSH: 2007 in review

P U S H looks back over 2007 and forward to 2008

P U S H: People United to Stop Homelessness began with a large grassroots movement in January 2007 as a response to the city’s panhandling ordinance. New residents, elected officials, clergy, social services and mental health professionals, and social justice activists came together to assess, understand and work towards a compassionate solution to homelessness in St Johns County. They met monthly for a year, accomplishing the following:

Established a living mission statement with four clear goals:

PUSH was formed to improve coordination and utilization of all the many resources available in St Johns County to address the homeless population in the area.

We are resolved to advocate for the homeless at the city, county and state levels.
We will provide awareness and action through education and outreach activities.
We will assist in providing liaison between various agencies, churches and non profit organizations.
We will work to ensure that any solution to homelessness comprises full services: human basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and additional assistance including but not limited to medical, mental health, job training, substance abuse counseling and child care.

Established a website with calendar, resource links and archived articles: www.push.solidarityandpeace.org

Wrote many published articles and letters to editors and elected officials advocating for collaborative solutions to homelessness.

Conducted a Candlelight Vigil for Billy Healey, a homeless veteran who killed himself in May 2007.

Appeared on the Norma Sherry show on Channel 22, spoke at various local churches and participated in Coastal Law School presentation along with the Sulzbacher Center.

Held vigil with informational signs outside Night of Lights Gala to support fundraising for St Francis House, thanking all the mayor’s guests for their contributions.

Participated in ESHC’s point in time January 2007 homeless count.

Participated in ongoing ESHC Task Force efforts.


Conducted continuing outreach to homeless, churches, county officials and mental health agencies, Veterans Affairs.

Researched communities all over the US and in Florida to ascertain successful programs and educated members on possibilities for St Johns County.

Conducted citizen surveys at public libraries in November and December of 2007 as well as on the website and in the St Augustine Record to gauge citizen opinions on homelessness and solutions.


We have accomplished a lot in a year. It now appears logical to try and organize a roundtable of key players to discover and construct a working vision of what will work best in St Johns County. It is unclear whether P U S H has the clout to pull this off. Members will need to step up and volunteer time and expertise in coordinating this effort. We hope to talk about this at our next meeting, tentatively 1/15/08 but more and final information and agenda will be forthcoming.

Sumner and I want to thank each and every one of you who have made all this possible. I keep thinking how cold it will be tonight, 1/2/08, and how helpless I feel. We have got to do more.

LOOKING FOR AMERICA ON THE YELLOW BELLIED BRICK ROAD

LOOKING FOR AMERICA ON THE YELLOW BELLIED BRICK ROAD



Once upon a time, terrible things happened in the country. Airplanes slammed into buildings killing innocent people and destroying a lot of evidence of malfeasance in high places. All these little Congressional munchkins were so scared they ran around passing laws to make sure no more evil witches would ever bother us again. It wasn’t enough and they didn’t stop being scared. They kept talking about a wizard of Oz and all the powers and the magic in a place called the Emerald City. So I went to go find this wonderful wizard who could tell me the truth about the terrible thing that happened to my country. The munchkins showed me the way, although they were too afraid to find out the truth for themselves. So I went by myself, following this road paved with yellow bellied bricks.

Before long I met a scarecrow with a fake Texas accent named George. He was stuck in a floundering and pathetic situation but when I told him about the buildings and the airplanes, he stared at me for about seven minutes, then asked me to help him down. I told him about this wizard guy in Oz and he begged me to go along. He was pretty stupid and he knew it. Since I was going to ask this wizard for the truth, he wanted to come along and ask the wizard for a brain. Against my better judgment, I let him come with me.

Before long we heard this creaking and moaning sound coming from the dark woods. Scarecrow George wanted to run away but I wanted the truth no matter how scared I was, so I went into the woods. There I found this tinman all rusted and frozen in place with a really mean look on his face. His mouth could still move and he asked me to free him by putting some oil on his joints. Once I did that he could talk freely and, amazingly, his name was George too! He also had been stuck in a floundering and pathetic situation and when I told him about my journey for the truth to the wizard of Oz, he begged me to come along too. He figured since he was a cold hearted guy who would never commute a death sentence or allow legislation to cover health care for poor children, that he could probably use a heart. I figured it had something to do with how he was raised by a mom who thought refugees from a terrible flood were happy to be shoved into crowded smelly stadiums away from their families or who didn’t want to bother her beautiful mind with images of dead soldiers and innocent civilians. I could be wrong. I introduced him to Scarecrow George and they immediately became the best of friends. Again, against my better judgment, I let him come with us and we continued on through the dark and scary forest.

Next thing you know I hear this terrible sobbing and sniffling. Scarecrow George and Tinman George wanted to run away but I had to know the truth so deep into the woods I went. There I found this huge lion crying his eyes out. Even though he was big and scary, I thought he needed some help so I went to him and asked him why he was crying. He tried to pretend he was really tough, almost like a war pilot strutting around on the deck of an aircraft carrier, but I could see he was really a chicken. I asked him what his name was and guess what, his name was George too! I told him about my quest for the truth about the terrible things happening to my country and how everybody said the wizard could help me. Lion George got all excited and thought maybe the wizard could give him some courage so he wouldn’t have to pretend to have actually completed his Air National Guard duty during Vietnam and he wouldn’t have to keep saying “dead or alive” and “bring ‘em on.” I brought him back to Scarecrow George and Tinman George and you would have thought it was a family reunion.

We started off again down the yellow bellied brick road and could see the Emerald City in the distance. We got all excited and started to run. A mysterious white snow fell all around us. All of a sudden Lion George and I began to feel sleepy and just wanted to lie down and pass out. Fortunately for us, both Scarecrow George and Tinman George were both familiar with this mysterious white stuff and were able to magically sniff it all up so we could wake up and get out of there.

When we finally got to the Emerald City we could not get in because all these beefy guys in wraparound sunglasses and black SUVs were guarding the place. They sure didn’t look like they belonged there but the weapons they were holding looked really serious. The three Georges put their heads together and came up with a plan. They promised the beefy guards lots of money and power if they would let us in. That wasn’t good enough so they had to promise more money for a long time to come and all the freedom in the world to shoot anybody they wanted. The three Georges didn’t really think that one through as they had no idea where they would get this money and what would happen if the beefy guys got out of control but they were in a hurry and thought they could figure all that out later.

After our journey we were tired and dirty so everybody in the Emerald City went out of their way to make sure we were presentable to meet the Wizard. We got new clothes, a bath and all these talking points about “freedom”, “weapons of mass destruction” and “fighting them over there”. Then, finally, we got to meet the wizard. We were all nervous about asking for anything and very confused after all those talking points. Then we heard this weird voice telling us to come closer to this big curtain. It kept saying things like “if you will” and “last throes”. After a long time of this mumbling I got mad and pulled the big curtain back. What do I see but some old bald guy with a pacemaker and an evil sneer. Not feeling too happy about this, I pulled Scarecrow George over and made him ask for his brain. Creepy guy, whom I’m now calling “gizzard” in my mind, cackles at poor Scarecrow George and tells him he can’t give him a brain, that you “go to war with the brain you got”. Scarecrow George didn’t get it and neither did I but it shut him up. Then old Tinman George creaks his way over and asks the gizzard for a heart. There goes that cackle again as the “giz” tells him he needs a pacemaker like he has but too bad he doesn’t have health insurance because he’ll never be able to afford it. Tinman George starts crying so hard he rusts up immediately and gets shipped off to China before anyone can investigate thermate residue on him. Lion George is just about ready to bolt but lucky for him, I had some of that magical white stuff stashed in my pocket so I let him sniff just a little and boy he got brave. Lion George ran right up to that gizzard despite the fact he was holding a shotgun and seemed a little drunk. Lion George demanded some courage and the giz shot him in the face. For some weird reason though, Lion George kept apologizing for being in the line of fire.

Now it’s my turn and I’m more than a little annoyed. This old guy, who hides behind a curtain, who makes big bucks starting wars and who likes to out undercover agents for revenge is getting on my nerves. I already know what he’s going to tell me when I ask for the truth but I ask for it anyway and what do I get?

“Go fuck yourself”.

CONNECTIONS IN ABU DABAI BAILOUT OF CITICORP

It's all about connections. The Bushes'relationship with the heads of state of Abu Dabai has never been a secret. What I didn't get until I looked it up was the board of directors of Abu Dabai Investment Authority is packed with Bush buddies. They have hosted and been hosted by GHW and GW in recent months. You think they were talking about the subprime crash and the subsequent floundering of Citicorp? You think maybe they came up with some ideas about a bailout? I'm convinced, more than ever, that our lives are totally controlled by a very few individuals in this world. What can we do about this?

PICKING FIGHTS WITH PEACEMAKERS

He said, "Let me ask you something. Did he enlist? Then he got what he deserved.”
This question, posed during PPJ’s recent peace demonstration, was cruel and inappropriate to the widow of an American veteran. It was posed as if enlistment then justifies the death of a husband and father in an illegal war of aggression. Yet this is what our nation and our discourse has been reduced to: spit out soundbites and angry rejoinders.

It’s not just the 3,875 officially acknowledged dead Americans, although that is sad enough. USA Today reports the Pentagon has not classified as wounded some 20,000 soldiers with brain injuries. A November 13, 2007 report from CBS News tells us that in 2005 alone, in just 45 states reporting, there were at least 6,256 suicides among those who had served in the armed forces. That’s 120 each and every week, in just one year. Just adding that one year, 2005, to the current death toll puts the cost of this aggression at over 10,000 American soldiers. Add in the 30,327 officially wounded and tell us the cost of “freedom” in Iraq is worth it. We get 60,458 young American lives ruined forever, either through untimely death, brain injury, suicide or physical disability.

St Augustine People for Peace and Justice apologizes to any who have been offended by our presence, our signs and our infrequent responses to the obscene insults and baiting that we endure every first and third Saturday at the Plaza de Constitucion. We do not look for apologies from the countless individuals who once supported or still support this immoral illegal occupation. They are hurt, defensive and confused and strike out at us for relief. However, we will never apologize for our belief that all war is wrong and this “war” in particular is a grievous mistake, based on lies and twisted intelligence, which is killing our young people and innocent civilians while enriching the cronies of the Bush administration.

But we will always welcome reasoned dissent and try to find common ground. We believe it is the only way to hold this nation together.

Why, Mommy?

Why, Mommy?

Why indeed. I died on Veterans Day 11/11/07 at 11 a.m in St Augustine as one of 3860 US soldiers, 141 journalists and 1,100,000 Iraqis. Lying on the hard ground, seeing nothing and hearing footsteps and muffled conversations, throughout it all, one child’s plaintive voice broke through: “Why, Mommy?”

“Because they’re tired, honey.”

Twenty people, dressed in black, solemnly and silently marched the entire length of St George Street to the dirge-like beat of a drum. Signs around their necks noted numbers of dead US soldiers, dead Iraqis, dead children and dead journalists. At predetermined places, the twenty laid down dead on the ground for ten minutes while peacekeepers passed out flyers, outlined bodies with chalk and protected them from any potential injury, intentional or otherwise. The police dutifully showed up to tell the group to move on after their second die-in attempt. They were “blocking the flow of foot traffic”.

Tired, hell yes. While this small group protested the Iraq “war”, others were celebrating sacrifices made there and in other wars. Care was taken to make sure the demonstration was respectful and peaceful but incredibly, there are still those who equate Iraq with the 9/11 attacks, still those who say “You people disgust me” and even worse, still those who will not meet your eyes, take your flyers or rouse themselves from their apathy and despair to take a stand.

Tired, hell yes. While this small group protested the war, draft dodger Dick Cheney was at Arlington Cemetery giving a ten minute speech honoring Iraq veterans while co-draft dodger George Bush was addressing troops at a minor Veterans event in Waco Texas. Clearly wars are fought by the little people, bravely and selflessly, while the power elite sit home safely, making speeches and suppressing dissenters. These two criminal draft dodgers have no business and no right to say anything about those who have sacrificed and died in war yet there is no outrage about this?

Tired, hell yes. While twenty people in the streets is a decent turnout in St Augustine, while countless people thanked us for what we were doing, while many others sadly honored their war dead, why aren’t there more of us in the streets? Demonstrators today included members from Veterans for Peace, St Augustine People for Peace and Justice, Grandparents for Peace and Citizens in Action. Where is the general population? Are you dead too? Thank yous are great but actions speak louder than words.

We’re all tired but the outrage is building. Many anti-war activists are becoming more radicalized. Orlando’s protest on 10/27 was a first in unity with nationwide demonstrations that day. Activists from the sixties are showing young activists how it’s done and young activists are adding their own creativity. Status quo government is worried and suppression of dissent and First Amendment rights is growing. Something’s got to give.

St Augustine’s first “Die In” ended at noon, auspiciously with the church bells pealing loud and long on a beautiful sunny day. Could it be the beginning of the revolution? Could it be the beginning of the truthful answer to the question “Why, Mommy?”

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.” Gandhi

NanceGreggs's Journal: Nance Rants - We Are Connected - We Are Not Alone

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