All over and everywhere, sponsored by an enormous number of political action groups, peace vigils will be held this Wednesday, March 19th to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Iraq war....

so if this has gotten by you so far, and you're interested,check with move-on or peace and justice for all or your local community groups and you will find something you can attend...

we will be hosting a vigil in Cambridge, MA at 5pm near Alewife T station, shoulder to shoulder along route 16 at the rush hour commute.... lest we forget....

Gosh isn't it sad, five years already. I remember jumping on a train for an hour trip to the city for a march and laying down in the city hall square to form part of a human peace sign.


Dick seems to think things are going well. Saw him on the news tonight still sprouting that the U.S. will stay. I think he's still away with the fairies! (well hasn't he alway's been?)

Going to a peace vigil tonight will be a very good, albeit sad, thing to do. But some of us live where the population is thinly scattered (not Reg, in this lifetime!). For others, it isn't do-able because it's in the middle of the workweek, they'll be working night shift, they have other commitments, it's cold and snowy, etc., etc.

But there are other ways to mark the (OMG!) FIFTH anniversary of the start of the Iraq War--ways that could have more real, positive, and long-lasting effects than standing in the wind, holding a candle and singing. The Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans of America has ways that vets and civilians can actively support wounded veterans, tell congress to pass the VA budget and the proposed new GI bill, tell news organizations that as a consumer, you want more coverage of the wars, support expanded health care for vets ... there's lots more: http://www.iava.org/take-action

Not knocking peace vigils here; I'm a firm believer in them, and it's important to have as many people there as possible. But if you can't go, or even if you can, here's a way to make your voice heard today and from now on.

And note--this should be something we all can get behind. No matter what you think about the war or about Democrats and Republicans, we all owe the veterans a lot more than they are getting.

Thanks Ceashel. I was thinking along similar lines. I don't agree with the war(t), but at the same time I want our veterans and all those young people in the army to know that we care about them and support them coming home safe and sound. Right now, I'm sick as a dog with too many fleas, so I'm going to meditate and send peace vibes out and then to bed.

I went to a Peace Vigil last night, followed by an ecumenical program with speakers of various religions and backgrounds spoke - on war, on peace, on hope and despair... There was one standing ovation, for a retired Marine who was there to represend Iraq Veterans Against the War.

The best message that I took away was from Rabbi Anat Moskowitz - who had researched the origins of the word "PEACE"... and her conclusion that peace, though listed as a noun in the dictionary, is a verb. We need to peace our world...

...there are many ways to send whatever energy you want on this anniversary...

the recent 'Winter Soldier' conference didn't get much media attention...but worth reading some of...
http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S= ... =menu495_1
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinio ... 5039.story

Thanks Ceashell for giving me a chance to leap on my most non favorite subject.

I did my floor time (like student nursing) in a nice (comparitively - there are a lot worse) nursing home. The first floor was all the wealthier, healthier residents. Parents of doctors and the like. Beautiful decorated with fresh flowers, art and shiny spotless floors.

Second floor were the really sick folks. Bed bound and some out of it. Clean, antiseptic, neat, tidy, friendly, some decor.

The third floor, away from everyone...were the veterans. Amputees, blind,
or shell shocked and reliving their fears daily. There were literally holes in the walls, filth everywhere. Men tied up in wheel chairs, in hallways, left for hours - screaming for someone to notice them.

It may interest you to know - if you don't already, that all nursing homes have a ratio of RN's & LPN's to patients. The ratio varies on whether the patient is a level 1,2,or 3. 3 needing the most care. Also things like calendars, caulk boards, writing paper and daily visits by clergy are done by the insistance of Medicaid or Medicare (or PTs bill or rights laws - if self pay).

To give you an example - In NY, a hospital ICU Patient has to have 1 RN for every 2 patients.

Total care patients (lev 3) in a nursing home environment has to have 1 RN for 20 PTs in addition to one aid/orderly or LPN for every 6 patients.

Sub acute or ambulatory PTs have 1 RN for 23 (I dont know why 23) and 1 LPN or Aid/orderly for every 8 patients. These are all federal regs and checked frequently by the dreaded "state" unannounced visits.

Veterans (who are there on the government tab) have have no mandated ratios. The nursing home I worked for, had one RN for 36 vets. They got whatever aids and orderlys that were left after all the mandated slots were filled on the first and second floor.

The vets lived in ripped tattered dirty clothing, barely eating, because there were not enough people to feed them. These guys literally only got "new" clothing, if the almost minimum wage orderlies brought in their used stuff. There were no books, no music, one TV in a common room, if you were lucky enough to get someone to give you a ride down there. (But most didnt go, because there was always the chance they wouldnt get a ride back to their beds).

Endless days with no breaks. Theirs are a lifetime of never ending affects of war.

Now, my brother-in-law has cancer. And he goes to a VA hospital who has been WONDERFUL to him and for him. But he is with it...and mobile.

What is done to the forgotten vets...stored in the hellacious conditions...(if not on the streets) is something that should not be ignored.

If you want to do something for someone in the military, spend an hour talking to a nursing home vet. (& Seek out the one they don't want to bring out to you). Let him or her hold your hand. Let them ramble on...let them tell you about his versioin of the good old days or just watch Jeopardy together.

I worked in a Vets home here for nine years Six years in Dementia Unit.Never enough time or staff but because of the devotion of staff they were basically clean, fed and comfortable, but it was heartbreaking not being able to give them much one on one time.

That's why I took a break for seven years, went back to school and became a Horticulturist.

Now I'm doing Veterans Home Care. Most are able bodied but just need some help around the house with heavy(for them) stuff. There is no personal care or medical stuff involed (I did my share of that at the home). I just do a bit of housework or maybe some shopping for them and it's just one person or a couple in their home and they love having a chat while I'm working and some insist I have a cup of tea while filling out my bit of paperwork before I leave to go to the next client. It's very rewarding and wonderful to be able to give them a little time. They are a font of wisdom and wonderful stories!

Most all say they same things...."I'm still the same inside it's just that my body is wearing out" "Growing old can be cruel" "Retire as soon as you can while you and your husband are both still around and able bodied so you can do all the travelling and stuff you want to do" "I feel like a prisoner in my own home" "I can't drive anymore and it's SO frustrating!"

But they all enjoy a chat and a laugh and I enjoy it too.

My hat's off to you Reg. I thought I would work at a nursing home for extra money one time...I did the one week orientation and never went back. They were gravely understaffed. Things didn't get done because of it. I couldn't handle it.

I think Dicks head has been you know where for too long!
"SO!" that's all he could say when asked about the "peoples" negetive feelings about his stupid war.

I speak for a man
who gave for this land
took a bullet in the back
for his pay
he spilled his blood
in the dirt and the dust
and he's come back to say

What he has seen
is hard to believe
and it does no good
to just pray
all he asks of us to stand
and we must end this war today

With his mind,
he's saying, "No more!"
With his heart,
he's saying, "No more!"
With his life,
he's saying, "No more war!"

With his eyes,
he's saying, "No more!"
With his body,
he's saying, "No more!"
With his voice,
he's saying, "No more war, no more war!"

Well nothing's too good
for a veteran
yeah, this is what they say
so nothing is what they will get
in this new American way

The lies that were told
to get us to go
war criminal
let us be straight.
Let us get to the point
where our voices are heard
behind the White House gates

With our minds,
we're saying, "No more!"
With our hearts,
we're saying, "No more!"
With our lives,
we're saying, "No more war!"
With our eyes,
we're saying, "No more!"
With our bodies,
we're saying, "No more!"
With our voices,
we're saying, "No more war, no more war, no more war!"

No more innocents dying
No more terrorizing,
No more eulogizing, no more
No more evangelizing, no more
No more presidents lying
No more war

With our minds,
we're saying, "No more!"
With our hearts,
we're saying, "No more!"
With our lives,
we're saying, "No more war, no more war, no more war, no more war, no more war, no more war! No more war"


Read...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_of_War

Listen...
http://www.bodyofwar.com/

Thank you for posting that DRR! Now if only the whole world could agree...

There are so many of us impassioned for peace . What do you think when you see an armed Chinese soldier in hand to hand combat with a Buddhist monk? My heart is sinking. I literally cannot believe what is happening in Tibet, My heart goes out for the Dali Lama, he faced a really serious crisis about 50 years ago ( we were babies) and now.. will rise again! Please let me know your thoughts, am I isolated here?

It's so sad how they are doing the Dalia Lamas people. The Chinese need to let them be & let them have their country back...

No, MG, you're not isolated. It's despicable. I hope the Chinese are thoroughly humiliated by the growing protests and Olympic boycotts. And good on the EU for chastising them. You know who won't follow the good lead of the EU in chastising China and calling for an end to the violence, but good on the EU, at least.