OUR PLATFORM:
Welcome to our campaign web site. In the next several weeks we will be rebuilding kenhowlandforcongress.com to be my online headquarters. In the meantime, you can get involved in the campaign right away by contributing and volunteering.
Your support will be critical in this race!
It is Time for a Change!
Ken Howland - A Veteran, An Educator
Platform:
* Campaign
Finance Reform
* Medical
Coverage Reform
* Secure Social
Security
* Bring the
Troops Home
* Education to
Meet Global
Competition
* Tax Reform
* Work for All
* Fair Wages
* Investigating
War Profiteering
Contact Us:
215 East Lake Road
Port Byron, NY 13140
Phone: 315-776-8664
Cell: 315-430-4439
Press Releases and Letters to the Editor
TO THE SYRACUSE POST STANDARD—Editorial Board
As a former Boy Scout and contender for Democratic nomination for Congress the U.S., I found it curious that the Syracuse Post Standard used a characterization of Congressman Jim Walsh as a Boy Scout (Sunday-1/29). How apt and inept at the same time! A Boy Scout symbolizes innocence and preparedness. I find such imagery far from innocent and we are so unprepared for the challenges ahead and I am aware of our inadequacies in dealing with the challenges of the past. But, I am ever mindful of our success in W.W.II and the Cold War.
Allow me to explain: Congressman Walsh’s committee assignments have included Veterans Affairs and Military Quality of Life which includes military health care.
As a Vietnam Era Veteran, U.S. Army Medical Corps (1963-5) I was appalled at the Veteran Administration’s failure to respond adequately to our veterans who were callously exposed to Agent Orange-a very dangerous defoliant used in Vietnam. That was before Congressman Walsh’s watch. But now we have Veterans returning from Iraq, who have been exposed, often unbeknownst to themselves, to the radio-active dust of Iraq. This radio-active dust comes from the use of depleted uranium in the rocket-propelled warheads that were so successful in penetrating Iraqi Tanks both in Gulf War and more recently in Gulf War II. True WMDs; unfortunately, the side effect is the residual radioactive dust blowing around Baghdad and along the Tigres Euphrates River Banks. There is increasing evidence that has been documented by German and Canadian Doctors of birth defects resulting from parental exposure to this radioactive dust. As with Agent Orange many soldiers have serious side effects from Depleted Uranium Dust; it is my sincere belief that The Veterans Administration tried to sweep the Agent Orange Issue under the rug; Vietnam Veterans will not allow that to happen again.
Consequently, I and fellow Veterans will lobby in Albany on February 7th in support of a Bill to Recognize the Insidious Effects Depleted Uranium.
It will truly be corruption of the most serious sort to ignore the DU Issue now. As an educator, I expected to be held accountable and was glad to be. Accountablity is a congressional issue, as well as, an educational issue.
The imagery of Congressman Walsh standing on a pile of rocks will only endure if the treatment of our returning veterans from Iraq is more adequate than the treatment of the veterans who returned from Vietnam after exposure to Agent Orange. It is the function of the loyal opposition to assure accountability. And if accountability is lacking those rocks will quickly turn to quick sand.
Also, in talking about accountability; why didn’t the The Post Standard raise this relevant issue of Depleted Uranium (Especially, considering the incumbent’s committee assignments)? Collusion, corruption-what is the difference?
Peace, Ken Howland
