Non-Profits Fill Gap Left By Government

Angie and I interviewed some military veterans last week on campus for our upcoming podcast on what issues are key to veterans in the election. The vibe we've been getting from them is that they are concerned about the lack of mental health care and support for returning veterans. Many soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan don't get the care they need for problems such as post traumatic stress disorder and depression. Some non-profit organizations are working to fill the gap.

Give an Hour is one such non-profit that operates nationally. It provides free mental health services to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. The Soldiers Project Northwest is a similar organization that operates in Washington state. These organizations provide care for soldiers who don't qualify for current Veteran's Affairs care.

Check back next week for Angie and I's podcast on what issues are important to WSU veterans.

Election Center 2008

Election center 2008 is a relatively short article on CNN. The information is all very well laid out and gets right to the point. The article basically goes on to tell how each candidate feels on the current situation in Iraq. At the bottom you can see how Obama, and McCain have voted on past bills on the subject of Iraq. This website is very useful because you can change the issues at stake. For instance if you wanted to look at how the candidates feel on another subject matter, such as Afghanistan. Then, all you would have to do is change the topic box in the upper right-hand corner. The web page is great for finding specific opinions of Obama and McCain, and has plenty of other good information.

Make Your Vote Count!

The voter registration deadline is quickly approaching in Washington state.

• In person: Saturday, October 4, 2008
• By mail: Saturday, October 4, 2008

For more information visit, http://www.vote411.org/bystateresult.php?state=WA

U.S. Elections: View from Afar

This particular article gives the perspective of a university student from a Middle Eastern country. Obviously this student is very concerned with the current presidential situation. After 9/11 the middle east has gone through a lot (to say the least.) The student seems to be less in favor of McCain because of his military experience could rage even more war. If the situation only elevates under McCain then our relationship with the rest of the world could be in great jeopardy. Obama seems more likely to be sensitive to the subject matter, and could potentially pull out of Iraq. I think a big factor to this is not just war, but looking down the long run. What resources are at stake? Oil prices are at an all time high, and with the latest hurricanes in Texas they are likely to increase more. Our economy is in shambles, which new president is going to get us out of this mess?

Election 2008: The Civilian Soldiers

I recently came across this web page, which contains a six minute video clip. The video is very touching and raises many issues for people to think about in the future. I do find it noteworthy because it displays how conflicting it is to go to war with a family. Many are facing financial burdens, and not only that, but being away from their loved ones for months at a time. These are just some of the aspects that will definitely influence a soldiers opinion of the next president. It is sad to see that people who are putting their life on the line, and who are defending our country are going through such difficult times

The Spin Zone

Check out these links to get information about where the presidential nominees stand on veterans and Iraq—straight from their own Web sites. Also check out the Vets for Obama/McCain Web sites to find out what some veterans have to say about the nominees.

McCain on Veterans
McCain on Iraq
Obama on Veterans
Obama on Iraq
Vets for Obama
Vets for McCain

Nominees See Sons Off To War

Sarah Palin and Joe Biden may be complete opposites politically, but the war in Iraq is giving them common ground. Both vice-presidential candidates' sons will deploy to Iraq soon. Their deployments have made the Iraq war a more personal issue for the VP nominees in the upcoming election. Read More

MTV: Clinton, Obama Speak with Young Veterans

In this video Obama and Clinton speak with young veterans on what they would like to see happen for veterans who are returning to the states after serving.  This discussion took place on the 5th anniversary of the Iraq war.

Veterans in Higher Education

Cal has a reputation for being tough on the U.S. military and war. However, the University of California campus in Berkeley, Calif., is taking new steps to make veterans returning to the campus feel more at home. A new class, Veterans in Higher Education, seeks to help veteran's reassimilate to the university campus after deployment. Read More

OVF Launches New Military Voter Services

OVF Launches New Military Voter Services is a short overview of the Overseas Vote Foundations new program that enables military men, women and their families to vote in the 2008 election who are overseas. The website cuts out extensive paperwork that had to be completed and walks them through the process step by step. In the beginning of the year OVF saw an increase in registration from 3 to 13 percent.

An Army Soldiers View on the Election and Iraq

An Army Soldiers View on the Election and Iraq is a short clip from Staff Sargent Alexander and his views on the upcoming election. Although Alexander's views vastly favor Obama he also voices his opinion on what military men and women would like to see from our government when they come home from the war. He discusses issues such as pay and benefits, policies, exit strategies and what would happen to his family if he was injured. Although the blog is one sided in favor of Obama I thought it would give Americans the opportunity to see what some of our military men and women are concerned about in the upcoming election.

U.S. Troops Watch Election Closely

Short clip from CNN about U.S. troops and the Iraq war. Barbara Starr, CNN's Pentagon correspondent, interviews U.S. soldiers in Iraq about their views on the upcoming election and the logistics of voting from Iraq. The clip aired in March 2008.

Military Service Shapes Soldiers' Views on Election

Military Service Shapes Soldiers' Views on Election is an article from the Fox News website, talking about the upcoming election and what soldiers and veterans are looking for when it comes to voting in the 2008 election.  The two individuals interviewed in this article gives two different perspectives, from both the Republican and Democratic parties. Both of these individuals have both been to Iraq and/or Afghanistan. At the end of the article there is also a place where readers can post their comments about the article. I thought it gave the American citizens an insight into how being involved in the United State Military may or may not effect the way soldiers and veterans vote.

Baghdad Bureau- Iraq from the Inside

I recently discovered this blog on the New York Times. Here it actually has stories that have been published in the New York Times newspaper. But as part of the blog anyone can join in and add comments to the particular articles. I find the blog useful because they are real stories, and those stories are followed up by public opinion on the subject matter. I find it rather interesting because not only do they have pictures and audio clips, but they also have streaming videos. The blog is always updated with the newest articles related to what is going on in the middle east. For instance you can look how American troops are being viewed over there? What our current status is? What direction are we heading in? There are numerous amounts of solid information on this blog, which I find it worthwhile to take a look at.

What Veterans Want

The following list by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) outlines their "Top Ten Actions for the Next President," and encourages members to sign the open letter to the candidates. While the list generalizes what all veterans may want the next president to do, it raises awareness about issues that are important to veterans of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA is a non-profit organization with a mission to improve the lives of veterans and their families. It's no surprise then, that the list focuses on many issues related to the VA and mental health.

"Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will attend both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. IAVA veterans will meet with delegates and convention guests, raising awareness about the most critical issues facing the 1.7 million Iraq and Afghanistan troops and veterans and highlighting our historic fight for the new GI Bill. With the new president in office next year, America will have the chance to turn the page on the way veterans were treated after Vietnam..." Read the List

Add This To Your Blog Roll

Inside Iraq is a blog written and updated by Iraqi journalists based in Baghdad and outlying provinces. Journalists offer firsthand accounts of their experiences, and their opinions of the current situation. Their names are withheld for security purposes.

While the blog is often written in choppy English, it provides an insightful view. One compares their experiences on a bus to the Iraqi parliament, while another journalist expresses their frustrations with Iraqi officials after being escorted across the street. There is also a touching entry about the anniversary of September 11th.