VFPeNews: Veterans Call to Resist U.S. Coup in Venezuela
Via vfp=veteransforpeace.org <vfp=veteransforpeace.org@mail.salsalabs.net>
If you'd like to view this email in a Web browser, please click here.
 | ||||
|
|
Veterans Call to Resist U.S. Coup in Venezuela
Veterans For Peace is outraged at the unfolding coup d’etat in Venezuela, which is clearly being orchestrated by the U.S. government. Two hundred years of blatant U.S. intervention in Latin America must come to an end. Veterans For Peace was founded in 1985, in part prompted by the U.S.-backed “contra” war in Nicaragua, and U.S. support for the rightwing government in the bloody civil war in neighboring El Salvador. We did not want to see another Vietnam War in Central America.
Years of increasingly crippling U.S. sanctions have succeeded in destabilizing the Venezuelan economy and created great unrest, division and migration. The U.S. government encouraged Venezuelan opposition parties to boycott last year’s election. Now they are calling the election fraudulent, and attempting to install a little-known politician more to their liking. This is part of a dangerous game that the U.S. continues to play throughout Latin America.
New Rules Lead to Privatization of the VA by Skip Delano
The rules represent a step backward for VA healthcare and threaten the health care of millions of veterans. By taking money out of the VA budget to send veterans to the private sector health care system, they will likely expand VA appointment wait times as fewer resources are available to hire staff – nearly 45,000 VA vacancies currently – and leave veterans with less choice for VA health care while enriching private sector doctors and hospitals.
While the rules send millions of veterans into the private sector health care system, they turn a blind eye to the quality of care a veteran would receive there. Private doctors and hospitals are not required to match the VA's rigorous quality standards nor are they accountable for 20 or 28-day access requirements. Turning veterans over to inferior care in the private sector is a disservice to veterans.
We oppose the Mission Act rules proposed by the VA, based on drive time rather than quality and their purpose – the privatization of VA health care. They will drain money from the VA, even bankrupt it, lead to the closing of dozens of VA facilities and provide veterans with poorer heath care We support fixing, strengthening and fully-funding VA health care which does an exceptional job of addressing the unique needs and health conditions of veterans.
Stay tuned for ways to take action against these new rules next week!
In the meantime, contact Skip Delano for more information!
Defying War and Defining Peace in Afghanistan by Kathy Kelly
On January 27th, 2019, the Taliban and the U.S. government each publicly stated acceptance, in principle, of a draft framework for ongoing negotiations that could culminate in a peace deal to end a two-decade war in Afghanistan.
As we learn more about the negotiations, it’s important to remember others working toward dialogue and negotiation in Afghanistan. Troublingly, women's rights leaders have not, thus far, been invited to the negotiating table. But several have braved potential persecution to assert the importance of including women in any framework aiming to create peace and respect human rights.
Peace Report: Venezuela's History of U.S. Imperialism with Paul Dobson
In The Peace Report’s latest interview, Will Griffin sits down with Paul Dobson from Venezuela Analysis to talk about the current struggle in the country. Paul gives us a very clear picture of the situation on the ground. He describes the forces on the left who support the Bolivarian Revolution and the Maduro government as well as the far-right forces from Washington, Venezuela, and Columbia who want to overthrow the government with coup attempts, street violence, and even assassination attempts.
We also discuss how elections in Venezuela are a model for the world to follow, how the country has been the backbone of anti-imperialism for Latin America, and the support from the country’s rural countryside, specifically from Campesinos, who continue to fight for a sovereign and free Venezuela.
Rescheduled Chapter Contacts Conference Call
The Chapter Contacts Conference Call has been rescheduled for Tuesday February 12th, 8pm EST / 7pm CST / 6pm MST / 5pm PST.
Anyone who is organizing and disseminating information within Veterans For Peace is welcome. Call-In Details Dial-In Number: (712) 770-5228 Access Code: 377640 Order Your Newsletter Bundles!
The winter Veterans For Peace newsletter is now available for order!
Please fill out this form to order your VFP Newsletter Bundles. Each bundle includes 25 newspapers.
|
In This Issue:
Rescheduled Chapter Contacts Conference Call
50th Anniversary of Susan Schnall’s January 31, 1969 Court Martial for Resisting the American War in Vietnam Korea Peace Advocacy Days (D.C.).png)
Registration for the Korea Peace advocacy days is now open!
Please consider joining us for this important event as we work to build support in Congress for peace in Korea. The event will be well-timed to educate new members of Congress and address concerns following the upcoming second Trump-Kim summit.
When: March 13-14, 2019
Where: Washington, DC (meeting venue is Methodist Builing) Who: Participation is open to VFP members. What: March 13 – Expert panel presentations, advocacy training, and Korea Peace Network strategy meeting. March 14 – Meetings with Congressional/administration offices.
Please contact John at kpc@veteransforpeace.org if you are interested in attending
Job Opportunities
Veterans For Peace (VFP) seeks an Executive Director (ED)to lead the organization in a new period of growth and achievement, building from a strong base of existing organizational assets. Ideal candidate has solid fundraising and nonprofit management skills and a passion for the mission of Veterans For Peace. The VFP national office is in Saint Louis. Willingness to live in St. Louis, at least initially, is strongly preferred. Past military experience required.
To apply, please send e-mail cover letter, resume and three or more references to vfpemployment@veteransforpeace.org.
The deadline for applying is Feb 15, 2019.
*********
 WorldBeyondWar is hiring! They are looking for a part-time Development Director. Responsibilities include fundraising and financial tracking. This is a remote position.50th Anniversary of Susan Schnall’s January 31, 1969 Court Martial for Resisting the American War in Vietnam
Navy Lieutenant Susan Schnall rented a small airplane and had it flown over the four military bases in the San Francisco area as she threw anti-war fliers out--the fliers urged active duty military to attend an upcoming anti-war march in San Francisco.
Susan was court-martialed for her actions--and went on to a great career with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation as a community organizer and then spent 31 years in the NYC public hospital system as an administrator for clinical quality improvement.
She is a VFP member and President of our New York City chapter. She is also a member of the core of the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign, an organization working to obtain compensation for American and Vietnamese victims of AO spraying from the involved chemical companies and the US government.
This interview with Susan Schnall is featured in our Winter 2018 Newsletter, but can also be found on our Full Disclosure website!
Take action to help repeal the Muslim Ban!
A few members of Congress just took a crucial first step towards repealing the Muslim Ban—and we need a strong show of support for it ASAP, so that the rest of Congress follows through—and the media takes note.
Senator Chris Murphy and Congresswoman Judy Chu have introduced legislation that would declare Trump's Muslim Ban (3.0) unconstitutional and prevent Congressional funds from being used to enforce it. You can find the phone number for your representative by filling out this form.
Call your representatives now and urge them to co-sponsor these crucial bills and any other legislation to #RepealTheBan!
Other ways to take action:
Feb 22-23 - 10th Annual Peace & Justice Action Conference
March 13-14 - Korea Peace Campaign Advocacy Days(Washington D.C.)
March 30-April 4 - NO To NATO events in Washington D.C.
May 4 - May 6 - 6th Seminar for Peace & Abolition of Foreign Military Bases, Guantanamo Cuba
August 15-18 - Annual Veterans For Peace Convention in Spokane, Washington
| ||
Veterans For Peace, 1404 N. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
Veterans For Peace appreciates your tax-exempt donations.
We also encourage you to join our ranks.
 |  |  |  |
No comments:
Post a Comment