NewsBling - Your Iraq News Source

Billa asked:


Do you support President Bush’s “surge” strategy in Iraq? Will it work? If so, why? If not, why not and what are the alternatives? Which alternative do you support and why? In answering these questions consider the importance of Iraq in respect to the “war on terror,” a source of oil, regional stability, and our ability to deal with non-regional security issues

Charles

Starr S asked:


From liberal to conservative, the only thing they considered a tragedy of the Iraq War is that “4,000 American soldiers who died.” No one ever mentions anymore that the Iraqi people have suffered the loss of their nation, the destruction of their infrastructure, their loss of security and safety. No one mentions the body count of Iraqis killed in this invasion. Iraqi soldiers and Iraqi civilians alike did not ask for this war, they did not deserve it, and no reason can justify the attack on Iraqi civilians and Iraqi army. Is it taboo or unAmerican in the U.S. to consider the Iraqi victims of the war to have worth?

Dennis

Katie Kelley asked:


Each year the number of U.S. veterans increases as soldiers returning from America’s most recent wars come home. However, as the survivors are welcomed home after pursuing a dutiful career serving their country, a new generation of men and women suffering from mild- to severe-traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are greeted with battled medical budgets and flawed TBI technologies, which don’t provide the necessary services and treatments required to improve their newly developed disabilities.

With an average of 1.4 million Americans undergoing some form of TBI, the number of scientists and researchers striving to cure these individuals should be ever increasing, however, dwindling budgets continue to compress and squeeze war-related brain injury funding. In 2006, the U.S. House and Senate slashed the allocated funding for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) in half from the previous year.

Traumatic brain injury has been deemed the “signature” injury of the Iraq war, according to military doctors and experts. It is imperative for struggling soldiers to find assistance with their TBI-related disability.

What is TBI?

Traumatic brain injury is defined as an injury that occurs after an abrupt trauma causes damage to the brain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). War-related TBI can occur in many ways and individuals suffering from this and related side effects will find symptoms vary on a case-by-case diagnosis.

Researchers and scientists are, however, finding several repetitive conditions and symptoms among TBI victims. The common signs and symptoms of these war-related conditions are as followed, according to a studies published in the medical journals of Neuropsychology and Brain Injury:

* cognitive issues *decreased attention span, including focused, selective and sustained attention problems *language difficulties

* lack of motivation *inability to efficiently process information

* irritability *depression and anxiety

* increased fatigue *headaches *memory loss or disturbance

* behavioral issues

* disrupted sleep

* post traumatic stress disorder

In May 2006, the co-founder of the DVBIC testified to a Senate subcommittee that while “body armor may save troops caught in blasts it leaves many with brain damage,” according to a USA Today news report. Additionally, the article cited several disturbing statistics on the state of TBI and war veterans.

* 10 percent of all troops in Iraq suffer from concussions during combat. * 20 percent of all frontline infantry troops suffer from concussions during combat.

*Scientists believe the Pentagon must screen all troops returning from Iraq.

*The Pentagon has declined screenings for all returning troops and only screen a small population of soldiers.

*If left untreated or untested, multiple head injuries and concussions can cause permanent brain injury.

Also, several equally disturbing statistics have been reported from several specialized journals including Brain Injury, Internal Medicine, Soldiers Magazine, MIT’s Technology Review and Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. These statistics area as follow:

*Nearly 25 percent of all military veterans of the Iraq war are diagnosed with a mental illness.

* War-related TBI patients often manifest distinct personality changes.

* Of the 35,000 soldiers screened for TBI, approximately 11 percent have had symptoms of mild TBI.

* No treatments currently exist to cure long-lasting symptoms of TBI.

Flawed Brain Injury Technology

Unfortunately, as budgets are cut, the quality of care and technology also decreases. Most recently the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed nine Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and found that the TBI-screening test’s validity and reliability may be flawed.

Additionally, the report found that soldiers with TBI may be receiving inadequate or unnecessary care for their brain injuries, according to an Associated Press article from January 2008. The report found that:

* Although the VA has implemented TBI screening tools, the validity and reliability of the tool has not yet been established.

* The VA has implemented a protocol to ensure soldiers testing positive for TBI are adequately treated; however, many of the VA’s medical facilities either did not follow the protocol or had difficulty doing so.

* Culturally, the VA has found that Iraq veterans feel the VA and its facilities cater to elderly veterans and do not want to treat young veterans.

* The VA is struggling with poor rural access to medical centers as well as poor turnout rates for injured vets who in some cases must drive 100 miles plus to reach a nearby VA hospital.

Living With TBI

Veterans who are currently living with TBI will find that not only does TBI affect them, but the ripple effect among an injured veteran’s family and friends is quite extensive. There are an array of clinical trials that a TBI victim can become involved in to improve the living conditions as well as to treat the symptoms of TBI. Some of these clinical trials can be found through the following organizations Web sites:

* National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Brain Resources and Information Network (BRAIN)

* Acoustic Neuroma Association Brain Trauma Foundation

* Brain Injury Association of America Family Caregiver Alliance/National Center on Caregiving National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)

* National Stroke Association

* National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)

Finding Brain Injury Assistance

There are several organizations available to offer assistance specifically to those with war-related ailments. The following are several of the leading organizations/hospitals:

* Walter Reed Army Medical Center Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center

* Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury

* National Intrepid Center of Excellence Deployment Health Clinical Center

*Center for Study of Traumatic Stress Center for Deployment Psychology

* The Department of Defense (DoD) also offers a search component through their Web site to assist veterans in finding a veteran hospital in their geographic area.

Additionally, individuals enduring the pain of a war-related brain injury are encouraged to locate an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer who can provide assistance with developing a brain injury lawsuit. Because of the nature of these injuries, there should be no reason why monetary compensation is not rewarded to an injured party.

TBI medical bills can be extremely expensive, and this potential for awarded compensation can provide relief from the stress associated with medical expenses.



Kimberly

Bobby W Miller asked:


The Iraq war has cost us all a great deal.  In terms of the taxes, we’ve paid heavily towards invading Iraq needlessly, and we continue to pay towards the ongoing war effort. In terms of the economy, we’ve paid the price thanks to NAFTA and service contract outsourcing. In terms of human lives, we’ve paid the price with our young adults. But from the wreckage of Iraq and the disaster of an invasion that took place initially, the advantages of war have been cast to foreign shores, diverting jobs from the struggling US employment market to the detriment of the economy.

The jobs arising from Iraq and the rebuilding effort could have gone to American families.  However, the North American Free Trade Agreement has meant that jobs have been diverted largely to Mexico and Canada, resulting in further damage to the US economy as a result of the campaign in Iraq. And at a time when all Americans and the economy could benefit from extra job opportunities. So who’s to blame for this economic catastrophe?

Well, controversial war author and outspoken critic of the Bush regime, Bob Miller knows exactly why this disastrous campaign has gone from bad to worse.

“Had they [impeached Bush], a million or more people, 4,000 of them young Americans, would still be alive. The Secret Service can lock me up and keep me locked up if it pleases them, but not in a thousand years could Al-Qaeda devalue our flag and dollar like Bush and his accomplices have.”

“The offices of the President and Vice President are powerless to change the character of the people voters send to occupy these offices. When you send Goering and Himmler mentality to the President and Vice President’s offices, there is no reason to expect other than a Goering and Himmler administration.”

Whether or not you agree with Bob Miller’s perspective, the issue remains that the US economy has been significantly hindered by the Iraq war. Apart from the terrible loss of life and hardship that’s been caused, the American economy is charging head first into a recession while the war jobs are going elsewhere.  NAFTA or not, this is no doubt a further catastrophe in a long line of catastrophes instigated by the current George W. Bush administration.

And so the lies cast in the run-up to the Iraq war, and the unforgivable policy blunders along the way, continue with the denial of war jobs to US citizens. At a time when our economy needs all the help it can get, the needless diversion of jobs by treaty and outsourcing to foreign shores have left us feeling the moral and economic heat from our expeditions into the Middle East. With the Bush/Cheney administration on the way out, Bob Miller and fellow critics of the current administration hope to finally see beyond the worst US President in history into a new era where common sense and integrity prevail.



Bernard

person asked:


First why are we spending so much more money on it i think more than all the other war combined?

Second whose paying for it are we with tax dallars or what?

Third why didn’t we just stay out of the war then pay off china then we wouldn’t even be in this problem right? (because all the money in the iraq war if never used on that wouldnt be in this stock market problem?

Darlene

mark asked:


Economically, Politically and world peace. Are we all better of after 5 years of endless war.
Politically, Iran has more influence in Iraq than the USA. We got red of Sadam and handed Iraq to Iran.

Economically, look at the USA economy alone and the Dollar value and war cost for the tax payers.

world peace: look how many people get killed every day in Iraq and around the world.

Brian

The Wiz asked:


According to congressional records, the Iraq war is costing the US upwards of *two trillion dollars* & rising every second. Which makes me wonder how much, aside from thousands of lives, is the war costing the Iraqis? How can they afford it? Is their government richer than ours? What are your thoughts on this?
Are some of you guys implying that we are paying for their share of the war as well?

Rita

My vote counted. Outstanding! asked:


1975: Saigon surrenders:
The war in Vietnam ended today as the government in Saigon announced its unconditional surrender to North Vietnamese forces.
The President, Duong Van Minh, who has been in office for just three days, made the announcement in a radio broadcast to the nation early this morning. He asked his forces to lay down their arms and called on the North Vietnamese Army and Vietcong to halt all hostilities. ……………..Fast forward to 2008, Will the article be the same? Instead of Vietnam it will read USA will halt all hostilities against Iraq.

Eddie

CD Mohatta asked:


Oil prices are going up, up and up. They are expected to go up to 200 Dollars a barrel. Every one of us who thinks about this has different perspective. Consumers blame the government for allowing the prices. Some blame the oil producers while others blame the users for rampant consumption. How about the Iraq war and oil prices?

I have not been able to find out the amount of oil that is consumed in the war in Iraq everyday. Similarly the peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan must be consuming lot of oil everyday. Why does the US not stop the war and save oil so that prices can come down? US government has huge resources and can buy oil at any price to continue with the war. But what about an ordinary citizen- how is he/she going to survive?

India and China are being blamed for increasing oil prices. Imagine what will happen when other countries become prosperous. The whole of Africa is waiting for prosperity. Lot many South American and smaller Asian nations are waiting to grow. What will happen to oil prices when these countries begin using more oil?

Clearly the aim should be to use less oil and develop other energy sources. Gone are the days of oil guzzlers. And most importantly the war must be stopped to save oil. Has any estimate been made about the oil consumed in the World war Second? Why do not we stop exporting democracy to other countries and take care of our citizens first?

The world leaders do not act for the good of the ordinary person. They only promise to do that during elections. After the elections get over the leaders act to satisfy their own ego and prove to the world that they were right. This causes most misery in the world. Unless this senseless war is stopped oil cannot be saved.



Ramon

David Maillie asked:


Iran is taking advantage of the Iraq situation. The U.S., the largest and most powerful nation in the world, has become bogged down in a war similar to Vietnam. High casualties and we can’t stop the insurgents. As stated on CNN -”they come out of nowhere, set bombs and traps, and then disappear. Its a real mess.” The situation in Iraq has U.S. ratings on everything from George Bush to the economy at an all time low. Iran is seeing this as the best opportunity to push the limits. The U.S. is already burdened by Iraq and the New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina disaster.

In tonights speech the President stated that we cannot give up on what we have already accomplished in Iraq. He is right. But with all our CIA, NSA, and reports from credible sources that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction hidden in caves in Syria - why don’t we go and see? Why did we let the U.N. investigators go on wild goose chases when the weapons were buried and hidden elsewhere? If Syria is really hiding these chemical and biological weapons are they really our friend? Iran knows where they are and has their own supply to boot. Notice how they waited until the U.S. public opinion on the war in Iraq started to dwindle before starting their uranium enrichment program.

According to the bible and the new bible code revelations this is all spelled out. The actual, tested, codes reveal a chemical supply (anthrax) in the hills of Syria, hidden in caves guarded by Saddams terrorist buddies. The bible codes along with the bible and backed by some of the most learned and respected rabbi’s in the world spell out that Iran will result in 3 words - World War 3! Yes, it will result in ever increasing gas prices, but it will also result in financial collapse. Many people are saying that, finally, after all these years the prophecies spoken about in Revelations have already begun. That’s pretty scary.

Regardless, Iran is obviously up to no good and should and will be dealt with severely - unfortunately the U.N. security counsel will not do anything until March. I wonder how many nuclear weapons or even dirty nuclear and biological weapons they could create in this time. What I can’t see is, regardless of religion, why can’t we all just get along and stop killing each other and playing power games?

Iran is a serious threat and will result in higher gas prices and probably cause a recession, whether or not it ends in war. We need to find and fund new energy sources, hybrid technology, etc… As Jimmy Carter said back in the 70’s - we need to lower our dependence on foreign oil or it will hurt us. We’ll this is what has happened. We as a nation are in debt to our eyeballs, we love big vehicles, etc… We need to start preparing for leaner times. A recession would hit us hard, but war with Iran, while still occupying Iraq, and still paying for Hurricane Katrina rebuilding could actually bring upon a depression - experts are now saying it is possible. We are actually in worse shape now than we were in 1929 to face a possible depression. Iran is a serious problem. The experts are in unison on this one - start to conserve.



Amanda