PEACE AND THE NUCLEAR DEAL WITH IRAN. European Union Countries, including; Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia and other nations approve it. Will US CONGRESS have the good sense to do the same next month? When this issue will have for a vote. I hope so, that is why wrote this short letter (without the images) to my two NY senators in Washington DC. I am also going downtown Albany, this Wednesday 8/26/15, and take part in a peaceful rally/demonstration. I am also taking this opportunity to teach my teenage son about peace and how to work for it. 
This is what I basically said  to NY SENATORS, Charles Schumer and Christen Gillibrand.  
The Europeans, support this nuclear deal  with Iran. Do you think that they (the European Union) are foolish? I hope you will support and vote for it. I think that peace is better than the alternative of a nuclear war. In fact, on 9-3-15, the NY Times reported that diplomats of Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia have unanimously (all of them together) told members of Congress that this deal is the best they could expect, and they have no intentions of returning to the negotiating table (with Iran). These European nations plus China and Russia, are moving ahead with it, and will not join the US in re-imposing sanctions (in case the US doesn't approve this deal). 
Why can't the US stick with it, go along, and shows solidarity- work together with them? The US should also approve it since these nations are all in agreement- this must is a good deal- one that can preserve peace instead of increasing the probabilities (chances, odds) of a nuclear confrontation with Iran.
I often ask myself this question and would like to share my thoughts with you in the hope that you, senator Schemer, will change your mind and vote for this very important deal, which i consider an opportunity for peace.
Who will benefit when the U.S. gets into another useless, unethical and unjust war with Iran? It is obvious that those who will make out as bandits- make unimaginable amounts of money- will be the defense industry, the weapon builders/sellers. While we, the middle class, will pay with for it with our taxes and our blood!

I believe that war should be used only as a last resort! Diplomacy is the answer. I am personally tired of paying for wars that enrich the defense industry and devastate our nations financial resources! This war path will not stand anymore! America needs to build a future based on peace/diplomacy and working together with our allies.
I hope you will vote for this deal, because if you don't I may no longer vote for you. We do not need any more unnecessary wars, and to spill more American blood, which serves only to enrich the wealthy war business at Wall Street! Ruin our economy and tarnish the United States image in the world.

For more info. on the Iran-USA nuclear deal, watch this informative and fun video with some celebrities, log on to: http://www.reuters.com/…/us-iran-nuclear-eu-idUSKCN0PU0S520

Also the blog below, which goes into the details of the nuclear deal with Iran
http://www.ecfr.eu/article/iran_explainer3070

And to find out the cost of the latest US wars, just Google this phrase: COST OF WAR, read and chose any of the top links, or log on to the blog below which makes it simple:
www.watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WORK FOR PEACE.

In the meantime, I will personally take additional action for peace. This is what I am already doing.

• pray for peace
•  teach my children about peace and how to achieve it
•  By telling them that I learned about peace as a child when I asked my parents this question; 

       "Mom, dad, when is OK to fight?" They said to me:  
"The only time you fight is when you have to defend yourself, never in retaliation, never in anger, never to hurt on purpose."

• Demonstrate/show my kids how to work for peace. In fact, this Wednesday 8/26-15, I will take part in a peaceful rally/demonstration at the Leo O'Brien federal Building in downtown Albany NY.And solicit senator Schumer to vote for the nuclear deal. If you want more info on the rally in Albany, NY for this Wednesday, visit MOVEON.ORG

• write to your State Senators in Washington DC
• I invite and beg you to do the same. For more info. on writing to your Senators is very easy, go to Google and type:

"CONTACT (and WRITE THE NAME OF THE SENATOR),
Enter your personal info, name, tel #, email,

then you copy my letter above, or write your personal one, and email it to him/her.

I hope you will join me in this effort.

Thank you! Enjoy the images from Google Images! 

They are both interesting/informative, and some are funny too!

In the Images Below Find out who Profits from War, 

who it is good for, 

How Much it Costs, and who Pays for it.

Who are and How many homeless and maimed (wounded for life)  veterans are there in America?

Cost of the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
FY 2001-2014 in Billions of Current Dollars. June 2014. 
  DEATHS: 6,855     WOUNDED 52,352        ESTIMATED TBis 320,000
   ESTIMATED PTSD (POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME) 400,000
Source: www.watson.brown.edu/costsofwar 

·    Over 370,000 people have died due to direct war violence, and many more indirectly.
·    210,000 civilians have been killed as a result of the fighting at the hands of all parties to the conflict
·    7.6 million — the number of war refugees and displaced persons
·    The US federal price tag for the Iraq war is about 4.4 trillion dollars
·    The wars have been accompanied by violations of human rights and civil liberties, in the US and abroad.
·    The wars did not result in inclusive, transparent, and democratic governments in Iraq or Afghanistan.
·    Approximately 45% of the 1.6 million veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are seeking disability compensation.  The average wait to get a disability claim processed is now eight months. Payments range from $127/month for a 10% disability to $2,769 for a full disability.

Report: George W. Bush Charged 100,000 (100 thousend dollars) to Speak at 2012 Fundraiser for Wounded veterans. Article published by Julie Fancher. July 8, 2015, 9:10pm. DallasNews.com
(Sourse: http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2015/07/george-w-bush-charged-100000-to-speak-at-2012-charity-fundraiser-for-wounded-veterans.html/)

What are the latest statistics (numbers, amount) of homeless veterans, and those who are maimed (wounded) for life? 
While only 8% of Americans can claim veteran status, 17% of our homeless population is made up of veterans. In 2010, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimated that on any given night there were 76,000 homeless veterans sleeping on American streets. More Info/details below.

MOST CURRENT WAR STATISTICS (Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan wars)
AS OF 1 AUGUST, 2015 (Source/From: www.woundedwarriorproject.org)

DEATHS: 6,855     WOUNDED 52,352        ESTIMATED TBis 320,000
   ESTIMATED PTSD (POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME) 400,000

And  which part, and what percentage, of society do these veterans come from? From the wealthy? The middle class, or the poor? The vast majority (most) of homeless veterans (96%) are single males from poor, disadvantaged (poor) communities. Homeless veterans have served in World War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), the Iraq war in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the military’s anti-drug cultivation efforts in South America. More Info/details below.
I'm publishing the information/facts below because I too am a veteran (4 years on active duty with the US Air Force, and as of now, I'm a part time vet in the NY Air Guard). Thank God I'm not homeless, neither unemployed and/or wounded. So, if you want to learn more/help veterans, please read on, and if you can, take some positive/concrete actions for them and for peace.

FAQ ABOUT HOMELESS VETERANS. 
(Source: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/
Who are homeless veterans?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that the nation’s homeless veterans are 
predominantly (mostly) male, with roughly (about)  8% females (women). The majority are single; live in urban (city) areas; and suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse (illegal drugs), or co-occurring disorders (repeated illness/sickness). About 12% of the adult homeless population are veterans. 
Roughly (about) 40% of all homeless veterans are African American or Hispanic, despite only accounting for 10.4% and 3.4% of the U.S. veteran population, respectively.
Homeless veterans are younger on average than the total veteran population. Approximately 9% are between the ages of 18 and 30, and 41% are between the ages of 31 and 50. Conversely, only 5% of all veterans are between the ages of 18 and 30, and less than 23% are between 31 and 50.
 
America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq (OEF/OIF), and the military’s anti-drug cultivation efforts in South America. Nearly half of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era. Two-thirds served our country for at least three years, and one-third were stationed in a war zone.
About 1.4 million other veterans, meanwhile, are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal (very bad/poor) living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.
 
How many homeless veterans are there?
Although flawless (perfect) counts are impossible to come by – the transient (moving) nature of homeless populations presents a major (big) difficulty – the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that 49,933 veterans are homeless on any given night.
Approximately (about) 12,700 veterans (during the Iraq war) of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND) were homeless in 2010. The number of young homeless veterans is increasing, but only constitutes 8.8% of the overall homeless veteran population.

Why are veterans homeless?
In addition to the complex (complicated, difficult) set of factors (conditions/situations) influencing (that causes)  all homelessness – extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care – a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks. Additionally, military occupations and training are not always transferable to the civilian workforce (their work skills cannot be used in civilian jobs), placing some veterans at a disadvantage when competing for employment. (veterans have less chances of being hired because their work/job skills).
A top priority for homeless veterans is secure, safe, clean housing that offers a supportive environment free of drugs and alcohol.

Doesn’t VA take care of homeless veterans?
To a certain extent, yes. Each year, VA’s specialized homelessness programs provide health care to almost 150,000 homeless veterans and other services to more than 112,000 veterans. Additionally, more than 40,000 homeless veterans receive compensation or pension benefits each month.
Since 1987, VA’s programs for homeless veterans have emphasized collaboration with such community service providers to help expand services to more veterans in crisis. VA, using its own resources or in partnerships with others, has secured nearly 15,000 residential rehabilitative and transitional beds and more than 30,000 permanent beds for homeless veterans throughout the nation. These partnerships are credited with reducing the number of homeless veterans by 70% since 2005. More information about VA homeless programs and initiatives can be found here.

What services do veterans need?
Veterans need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing, nutritional meals, basic physical health care, substance abuse care and aftercare, mental health counseling, personal development and empowerment. Additionally, veterans need job assessment, training and placement assistance.
NCHV strongly believes that all programs to assist homeless veterans must focus on helping them obtain and sustain employment.

What seems to work best?
The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, nonprofit, “veterans helping veterans” groups. Programs that seem to work best feature transitional housing with the camaraderie of living in structured, substance-free environments with fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves.
Government money, while important, is limited, and available services are often at capacity. It is critical, therefore, that community groups reach out to help provide the support, resources and opportunities that most Americans take for granted: housing, employment and health care. Veterans who participate in collaborative programs are afforded more services and have higher chances of becoming tax-paying, productive citizens again.

What can I do?
·    Determine the need in your community. Visit with homeless veteran service providers. Contact your mayor’s office for a list of providers, or search the NCHV database.
·    Involve others. If you are not already part of an organization, align yourself with a few other people who are interested in attacking this issue.
·    Participate in local homeless coalitions. Chances are, there is one in your community. If not, this could be the time to bring people together around this critical need.
·    Make a donation to your local homeless veteran service provider.
·    Contact your elected officials. Discuss what is being done in your community for homeless veterans.

Veteran Homelessness Facts 
(Source: Disabled Veterans National Foundation. www.dvnf.org/veteran-homelessness)

The vast majority (most) of homeless veterans (96%) are single males from poor, disadvantaged (poor) communities. Homeless veterans have served in World War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), the Iraq war in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the military’s anti-drug cultivation efforts in South America.
·    The number of homeless female veterans is on the rise: in 2006, there were 150 homeless female veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; in 2011, there were 1,700. That same year, 18% of homeless veterans assisted by the VA were women. Comparison studies conducted by HUD show that female veterans are two to three times more likely to be homeless than any other group in the US adult population.
·    Veterans between the ages of 18 and 30 are twice as likely as adults in the general population to be homeless, and the risk of homelessness increases significantly among young veterans who are poor.
·    Roughly (about)  56% of all homeless veterans are African-American or Hispanic, despite only accounting for 12.8% and 15.4% of the U.S. population respectively.
·    About 53% of individual homeless veterans have disabilities, compared with 41%of homeless non-veteran individuals.
·    Half suffer from mental illness; two-thirds suffer from substance abuse problems; and many from dual diagnosis (which is defined as a person struggling with both mental illness and a substance abuse problem).
·    Homeless veterans tend to experience homelessness longer than their non-veteran peers: Veterans spend an average of nearly six years homeless, compared to four years reported among non-veterans.

How many veterans are homeless?
While only 8% of Americans can claim veteran status, 17% of our homeless population is made up of veterans. In 2010, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimated that on any given night there were 76,000 homeless veterans sleeping on American streets.
What is the primary cause of veteran homelessness?
Veterans are 50% more likely to become homeless than other Americans due to poverty, lack of support networks (no help from society), and dismal (bad/poor) living conditions in overcrowded (too many people in a small house/apartment) or substandard (low quality) housing.
·    About 1.5 million veterans are considered at-risk of homelessness. At risk is defined as being below the poverty level and paying more than 50% of household income on rent. It also includes households with a member who has a disability, a person living alone, and those who are not in the labor force.
·    Research shows that the greatest risk factors for homelessness are lack of support (no help) and social isolation (no friends) after discharge. Veterans have low marriage rates and high divorce rates; and, currently, 1 in 5 veterans is living alone. Social networks are particularly important for those who have a crisis or need temporary help. Without this assistance, they are at high risk for homelessness.
·    Nearly half a million (467,877) veterans are severely rent burdened (pay too much or can't afford rent) and paying more than 50% of their income for rent. More than half (55%) of veterans with severe housing (shelter, homes/apartment) cost burden fell below the poverty level and 43% receive food stamps.
·    Approximately 45% of the 1.6 million veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are seeking disability compensation.  The average wait to get a disability claim processed is now eight months. Payments range from $127/month for a 10% disability to $2,769 for a full disability.

Doesn’t the Department of Veterans Affairs take care of homeless veterans?
Yes, they do. But the problem of homelessness among veterans is a big one. The VA served more than 92,000 homeless veterans in 2009. With an estimated 500,000 veterans homeless at some time during the year, the VA reaches 20% of those in need, leaving 400,000 veterans without supportive services.
Since 1987, the VA’s programs for homeless veterans have emphasized collaboration with community service providers like Green Doors to help expand s
- See more at: http://www.dvnf.org/veteran-homelessness-facts/#sthash.20NxbHyE.dpuf

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