Salem-News.com Military articles

The War on Terror Does Not Exist

There are in the USA today more than two million Rightist populist ‘fundamentalists’ who also practice a terror of their own, legitimized by (their understanding of) Christianity.

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) - The “War on Terror” does not exist. It never has. We only perceive the West’s current conflict, against Islamic Fundamentalism, as a “war on terror” because it has been framed as such.

Let us start with the terminology. The very concept of a “war on terror” is nonsensical and self-contradictory. War, itself, is terrorism.

Army Announces Independent Body Armor Review

The NRC will perform an independent assessment of ongoing body armor testing.

(WASINGTON D.C.) - Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced today that the National Research Council (NRC) will perform an independent assessment of the Army's body armor testing, following last month's recommendation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for an independent review.

The NRC functions under the auspices of the National Academies, a private, nonprofit institution that provides science, technology, and health policy advice to the federal government and the public on critical national issues.

DOD Statement on Fort Hood Independent Review

"This task is a solemn responsibility, and one that we undertake with humility and a firm commitment to fulfill the department's – and the nation's – obligation to keep our troops, their families, and all DoD employees safe."

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Department of Defense today released a statement by Togo West and retired Adm. Vern Clark, co-chairs of the DoD independent review related to Fort Hood.

"In light of the shooting at Fort Hood, Secretary Gates has asked us to lead a department-wide review to ensure the safety and health of DOD employees and their families."

The Sun Tzu of Palestinian Resistance

The Goldstone Report represents the highest and most prestigious leverage of the Palestinian initiative throughout their 60 years of oppression and genocide.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Justice Richard Goldstone’s Report ‘Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict’ documents and declares to the world Israel does indeed have the political will to relentlessly disregard international law.

Israel's PM recently toured a German-made submarine that can launch missiles carrying nuclear warheads, as Netanyahu simultaneously threatens war with Iran and is suspected in the destabilization of Pakistan.

Graft, Corruption and Cheap Politics in America are Winning the War for the Taliban

The old Taliban is gone. This is a reality we haven't even considered. The realities of power in Afghanistan have shifted, changed permanently. They can go back but only so far back.

(CINCINNATI, Ohio) - Even if analysts existed who understood Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and the other countries of this region, their history, their people and why war and threat of war is a way of life, even if America's "decision makers" knew how ill conceived our policies are, how self defeating and how hopeless, we would make the same mistakes.

We have willed ourselves this fate.

VA and Army Medical Care: More Dangerous than IED`s
It`s Also More Futile

Because medical cannabis is legal in Oregon I ended up with about one thousand PTSD Vets from all recent wars as legal MMJ users.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - Along with other writers here, I have repeatedly posted articles of the same tone and I have received dozens of emails agreeing with me or commenting further in the same vein.

I have had very few comments from Vets stating that they had received good or even adequate care.

Wyden, Merkley Announce Millions in Military Construction Projects, VA Health Care

Veterans Affairs Funding to be for Two-Year Cycle for First Time.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced millions in funding for Oregon as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill passed by the Senate.

The bill also marks the first time that the veterans health care funding will be budgeted for a two-year period supplanting the yearly budgeting process.

Army Psychiatrists: PTSD & Major Hasan - Retread

It's not a personality disorder.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - The Fort Hood Massacre leaves many questions in my mind. I can look at this and think about it from several viewpoints. I did have a year of psychology in college and a course of psychiatry in medical school. By any standard that is not enough.

I did have advanced psychology courses in the Infantry as a Private Combat Infantryman. I was convinced that most of my sergeants, junior officers and even farther up the brass chain were off kilter.

UN Chief Deplores Israel`s Decision to Expand Settlement in East Jerusalem (VIDEO)

The status of Jerusalem remains one of the core issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

(JERUSALEM) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday deplored Israel's decision to expand Gilo settlement, built on Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war, a statement issued by his spokesperson said.

Reiterating his opposition that "settlements are illegal," Ban called on Israel to respect its commitments under the Road Map to cease all settlement activity, including natural growth.

The Dog House Helps Vets With PTSD

Blackdog Foundation is a self funded veteran outreach that deals with the most unpleasant aspects of PTSD such as domestic/community violence intervention and mediation.

(OLYMPIA, Wash. ) - I started using the 38ft LCPL (WWII landing craft) my wife bought me to get Blackdog Foundation (Blackdog is a 501c3 set up to help veterans) out of her spare bedroom I was using as an office.

From the first time we used it, it blew me away how much peace using the boat brought those I was working with on PTSD issues.