As the World Turns...

So I've realized I haven't posted since the tragic event in October. For those of you who know, all is well! For those who don't, well, I shall keep the near tragedy shrouded in mystery, as there are some key people who haven't yet been informed properly.

Before the updates...

Friday, March 20th was the 6th anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war. Today is the 30th anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. How far has the U.S. come in its understanding of these two events and how they impact not only the country, but humanity as a whole? How far has humanity come in understanding the implications of militarization? Mass-produced weaponry? Nuclear proliferation?

Cost of deploying one soldier to Iraq: $390,000
Appropriated funds through mid-2009: $800 billion
Wounded U.S. troops: over 31,000
Wounded Iraqis: estimates around 100,000

What is this? "Peacekeeping"? More people have died AFTER "mission accomplished" was announced than during the war itself. But that's old news, right?

In other news: hundreds of troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are turning up homeless. HOMELESS. Many cannot find work, many who DO find work end up losing their jobs due to lack of proper re-entry support (especially in building mental clarity and reconciling experiences), and others commit suicide. While waiting for healthcare (paperwork to be processed!) for injuries sustained while deployed, hundreds of troops have DIED.

So what happened to all the benefits and bonuses and "guarantees" promised by military recruiters? Lately, ads have permeated the media, recruiting FAMILIES, not young people to serve. What happened to the image of the stronger-and-tougher-than-thou army man who gained glory with his sword or firearm? Oh, it has been replaced by compassionate families (usually some sort of female relation) who "support" their loved one's "mature" decision. SCARY, SCARY, SCARY.

And NYC is allowing military representatives to teach "life skills" classes in high schools starting next school year. Yet another way to snatch up disenfranchised youth, widen the gap of poverty, and add to the chasm of distrust citizens and noncitizens alike have in the U.S. at large...without anyone ever really knowing...

I think Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. says it best on his April 4, 1967 speech. If you are interested, several coalitions will be marching on Wall Street on the 42nd anniversary.

David Swanson's article: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/41001

Assembly Time: 11:00 AM

Assembly Location: Leonard, Franklin and White Streets, between Broadway and Lafayette St.

This is just south of Canal Street and close to several subway stops.

Canal Street stops on the
J, M, Z lines at Centre Street
6 line at Lafayette Street
N, Q, R, W lines at Broadway
A. C, E lines at Sixth Ave.
Franklin Street stop on the 1 line, at Varick St.

Veterans, Military Families and Others Associated With the Military — Leonard Street
Labor — Leonard Street
Students and Youth — Franklin Street
Brooklyn — White Street (between Broadway & Lafayette)

March Step Off-Time: 12:00 PM noon

March Route: South on Broadway to Stone St., East on Stone to Broad St., North on Broad to Wall St. This route is a little less than 1.5 miles and takes us through the heart of the financial district, ending right in front of the NY Stock Exchange.