<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt;color:#000000;"><DIV>I am posting this to both the Peace and Peace-Discuss lists. If you reply in substantive terms, please only respond to the peace-discuss list.</DIV>
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<DIV>I have submitted the following letter to the DI, and posted a version in the Comments section on their website. I would encourage anyone to post a comment that simply states their views. The comments are moderated, however, and do not appear immediately. I would suggest that you copy your comment before attempting to post it through their particularly unreliable and often unreadable CAPTCHA software.</DIV>
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<DIV><A href="http://www.dailyillini.com/opinions/columns/2010/11/10/ui-veterans-should-be-paid-deserved-respect">http://www.dailyillini.com/opinions/columns/2010/11/10/ui-veterans-should-be-paid-deserved-respect</A></DIV>
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<DIV>Chad Garland (11/11) has written a column titled "<FONT size=3>UI veterans should be paid deserved respect."</FONT></DIV>
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<P>As citizens of this country, we are all responsible for the political decisions that result in the immoral and unjust wars and occupations supported by our government, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those who serve in those armies, whether by choice or lack of an educational or vocational alternative, are no less responsible for their participation in the inherently brutal treatment of citizens of those countries that have been illegally invaded and occupied by our military forces. </P>
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<P>As a result of the very nature of decisions made by our leaders, American soldiers participate in these crimes at a relatively more active level than most of the rest of us, who silently consent. Neither group is morally superior to the other, and no respect is due to any party to these crimes. Veterans deserve to be brought home and have their needs met--medically, educationally, economically. More importantly, the millions of faceless living victims of our crimes deserve apologies and reparations.</P>
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<P>David Green</P></DIV></DIV></div><br>
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