my latest ltte on our vets

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2009/09/10/opinion/doc4aa938be93d5f345707956.txt

Letter: ‘On Iraq’
Published: Thursday, September 10, 2009 12:38 PM CDT
To the Editor,

I’m sure the readers of The Daily Light remember my letter to the editor a year ago, regarding the burn pits at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Now, KBR, a former subsidiary of Halliburton, has been accused of exposing National Guard members to known carcinogens at the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant in Basrah.

The exposure occurred in 2003, when the Guard members were assigned to guard civilians repairing the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant in Basrah after the U.S. invasion, under the auspices of KBR. The company had gotten the job under a no-bid contract worth billions. During Senate testimony, National Guard members related being told by KBR officials that the sodium dichromate dust being dispersed throughout the treatment plant was “as harmless as baby powder.” The Guard members, in normal battle fatigues, were shocked to see KBR employees dressed in full protective gear, arrive at the site.

Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana has authored the “Health Care for Members of the Armed Forces Exposed to Chemical Hazards Act of 2009.” This act will:

• Establish a registry for at-risk veterans.

• Make veterans exposed to environmental and chemical hazards eligible for medical examinations, laboratory tests and treatment at Veterans Affairs hospitals.

• Require the Department of Defense to conduct a scientific study about evidence linking medical conditions to hazardous substances.

• Put the burden of proof on the government.

We owe our veterans the treatment for diseases of war, including chemical and radiation exposure. Please insist our Congress members support bills that ensure proper health care for our vets, as well as the necessary protective gear for our active duty troops. We remain at war on two fronts. Don’t forget to continue supporting our troops until and after they all come home.

[Crowman1979]

1. I've seen these burn pits myself over at Al-Asad.

When we were leaving, they asked us medical questions about our deployment. I told them about the burn pits and the officer got pissed and said they were safe. I sensed the BS right there and it just increased my distrust of authority.