Tom Dwyer Automotive

Depleted Uranium- Our billion year gift to the world.

tomdwyer — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:09:49 +0000

In the 1970s, the Soviet military developed armor plating for their tanks that regular ammunition couldn’t penetrate. The Pentagon began looking for metals to make denser armor-piercing projectiles, and finally settled on depleted uranium (DU). DU is a byproduct of nuclear power generation; after the uranium has been spent in the reactor it leaves behind an isotope of the original uranium that is 1.6 times denser than lead. DU rounds are now common in heavy weapons like tanks, aircraft, and artillery.

One of the features of a DU round is the way it behaves when it hits its target. The incredibly dense material focuses all the pressure of the round at the very tip, pushing through virtually any armor. The round shatters on impact and is driven through the hole where the powdered DU then ignites on contact with air, creating a fireball that helps destroy the target. The fireball also almost completely destroys the DU round. Almost. While much is consumed by the fire, the rest is transformed into a very fine dust that is easily carried by the wind, captured by soil, absorbed by plants, or eaten or breathed by animals (and people). This low-level radioactive material has a half life of 4.5 billion years.

DU may be a major improvement in munitions, but the high cost of that improvement is only gradually becoming apparent. Some researchers think Gulf War Syndrome may be caused (at least in part) by DU from the first Gulf War. But more shocking is the effect our DU rounds are believed to be having in Fallujah, Iraq, right now.

Doctors in Fallujah blame depleted uranium used in devastating attacks in 2004 for a catastrophic rise in infant deaths, birth defects, and abnormalities. Iraqi parent’s first question is no longer “is it a boy or girl”, but “is it normal”. To compare: in August 2002 Fallujah General Hospital saw 530 births, 6 deaths, and 1 deformity. In September 2009 the same hospital saw only 170 births. Of those, 41 died and 31 of those had serious abnormalities. A Fallujah pediatrician has documented thousands of these tragedies, but says there are no medical terms to describe them because so many were unknown until we dumped twelve hundred tons of depleted uranium there.

A WORD OF CAUTION… This article comes from our “News To Make You Furious” column in our monthly newsletter. “News To Make You Furious” is a lighthearted name for a very serious column. We’ve written about some really bad issues ranging from AminoSweet to the Mortgage Crisis to Slavery, and all with the idea that there are some foul things going on in the world and we are better off knowing about them than hiding from them. But THIS story… you can’t “un-know” it. Once you’ve read this article, this abomination in Iraq will stay with you. You NEED to see the pictures of infants affected by this, and the horrific devastation visited upon them and their families. But the images will haunt you, and the shattered lives of these children will scar your dreams. It’s NOT for casual web-surfing, but it IS for people who can’t turn away from the things being done by our country, and in our name.

Not surprisingly, most of the reporting on this issue is coming from Al Jazeera, the CNN of the Middle East. Here are two of their major articles, and some links to images of the DU-Associated birth defects…

Fallujah babies under a new kind of siege: Doctors and residents blame US weapons for catastrophic levels of birth defects in Fallujah’s newborns.

Iraqi doctors demand cancer probe- Are rising cancer rates a result of radioactive weapons used during the US invasion?

Still images of many of the infant casualties

Video, with attached letter to the U.N.

(CAUTION: These are graphic and horrific images. Use your best judgment to decide if you really need to see them.)

But the issue is beginning to get attention from other quarters as well. Here are several articles that deal with DU, its use in Iraq, and the medical science connecting it to health concerns. They are written from both technical and general-information standpoints, by medical and military experts, and from a variety of reporting institutions.

Depleted uranium casts shadow over peace in Iraq

The Quantity of Depleted Uranium Used in Iraq

Depleted Uranium Radioactive Contamination In Iraq: An Overview

US to use depleted uranium

Horror Of US Depleted Uranium In Iraq Threatens World

The Use of Depleted Uranium in the 2003 Iraq War: An Initial Assessment of Information and Policies

Remains of toxic bullets litter Iraq- The Christian Science Monitor finds high levels of radiation left by US armor-piercing shells.

Cancer Spreading In Iraq due to Depleted Uranium Weapons

The Excessive Use of Weapons and Banned Weapons

If you want to get involved, there is at least one organization dedicated to controlling DU weapons…

International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons

The International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons (ICBUW) was formed in 2003 in Berlaar, Belgium to promote a campaign based on reliable information on depleted uranium weapons. It is a global coalition of 155 groups in 32 countries campaigning for a ban on the use, transport, manufacture, sale and export of all conventional weapon systems containing uranium (usually called depleted uranium weapons). It also seeks health monitoring and compensation for communities affected by the use of uranium weapons and the environmental remediation of such sites.

Our Gift

tomdwyer — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:39:55 +0000

I’m Tom Dwyer,

We pulled troops from Iraq, but left a gift that will keep giving for billions of years. Yes, billions.

Doctors in Fallujah blame depleted uranium used in devastating attacks in two thousand four for a catastrophic rise in infant deaths, birth defects, and abnormalities. Iraqi parent’s first question is no longer “is it a boy or girl”, but “is it normal”.

Let’s compare…

August oh two; five hundred thirty births, six deaths and one deformity recorded.

September oh nine; a hundred seventy births; forty one died, thirty one of those had serious abnormalities.

A Fallujah pediatrician documented thousands of these tragedies, but says there are no medical terms to describe them because so many were unknown until we dumped twelve hundred tons of depleted uranium there.

Tenacious lite particle radioactive contamination spreads easily. Where will our gift be in ten years? A hundred? Ten thousand?

Our March Newsletter will make you say “NOT IN MY NAME”

By phone at (five oh three, two three oh, twenty three hundred) or online at (tom dwyer dot com) we’re Tom Dwyer Automotive Services… trusted to keep your vehicles, safe, breakdown-free and operating at their best!

The STOCK Act

tomdwyer — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:39:47 +0000

I’m Tom Dwyer,

The STOCK Act; meant to prohibit Congressional insider trading, is an example of good law being neutered.

STOCK was headed for death in committee until spotlighted by a 60 Minutes report on Congressional insider trading and mentioned in the State of the Union speech.

Once well lit, Harry Reid quickly brought the bill up for a Senate vote where it passed ninety six to three.

STOCK could have also controlled “political intelligence firms”, Wall Street spies selling inside information on Congress to investment companies.

Right now these firms don’t disclose clients or earnings. The bill would have made them register just like lobbyists, a basic requirement to shed light on their influence.

House Republi Cons gutted this critical provision, and the weakened version passed easily.

STOCK still has to be reconciled between the Houses before it goes to the President. Do you have an opinion? Better let your representatives know now!

Immaculate Contraception

tomdwyer — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:39:37 +0000

I’m Tom Dwyer,

The recent noise over contraception seemed a gift to Republi Cons desperately seeking a wedge issue. Women’s healthcare was quickly demagogued from a squabble over comprehensive health coverage to a war on religious freedom.

Circus carnies shouting “Look over there” while the healthcare elephant sits in the center ring. This red herring is another indicator of how desperately we need a rational, national, single payer system.

Should religious healthcare systems be able to deny needed services? Can Hindu groups deny cow derived insulin? Can Jewish employers refuse porcine heart valves? With single payer, no religious group would have to grapple with these issues. The choice would be left to the individual; People would be empowered, not employers. Problem solved.

National single payer may seem a dead issue now, but many states are still working on it. Go to Single Payer Oregon dot org and join Oregon’s fight.

CAT Program

tomdwyer — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:39:29 +0000

I’m Tom Dwyer,

Homeland Security’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign and the FBI’s newly relaxed rules for domestic surveillance are turning a police state in America into a tangible reality.

Not long ago, this type of outlandish fear-mongering and Stasi – style spying on citizens would have been considered an violation of fourth amendment rights.

The FBI’s new “Communities Against Terrorism” or CAT program helps people spot “suspicious” activity for authorities. Paying cash, using Google Earth, learning to fly or scuba dive, buying firearms, storing emergency food, changing your hair colour, and many other mundane activities are now considered potential terrorist tip-offs.

Members of main stream religious groups commonly expected to maintain emergency food are all terror suspects in America now….

Be sure to check out the entire set of ridiculous industry specific C A T warning flyers at public intelligence dot net or use the link on our website.

2012 KPOJ Testimonial

tomdwyer — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:48:06 +0000

I’m Tom Dwyer,

I support KPOJ so it can continue to deliver rationality in a world of media psychosis.

Listeners do their part by supporting the station’s advertisers, and I want to see other good local businesses put the power of K P O J to work for them.

An investment in K P O J advertising keeps paying back and keeps progressive media strong!

Movie Night 3- “Remember the Titans”

tomdwyer — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:47:50 +0000

I’m Tom Dwyer,

…inviting you to join us Thursday, February 16, as the red carpet rolls out for another episode of Tom Dwyer Movie Night.

This month, Denzell Washington stars in “Remember the Titans”. It’s the story of two racially segregated Virginia high schools integrated in the seventies, as seen through the eyes of the school’s football team during its undefeated championship season.

“Titans” is a powerful reminder of the values of friendship and loyalty, and what we can accomplish when we see beyond superficial differences to the humanity that binds us all.

Join us every third Thursday at the S E I U Union Hall at the corner of Foster and Holgate at 6 pm for Tom Dwyer Movie Night. Brought to you by S E I U Local 5 0 3, Economic Fairness Oregon, We Are Oregon, and Jobs With Justice.

Follow the links from our website for full details and a list of our upcoming movies.

Willard’s Worry

tomdwyer — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:47:33 +0000

I’m Tom Dwyer,

As one of the richest Americans with a now-revealed low tax rate and numerous offshore accounts, Willard Mitt Romney said he’s not concerned about the very poor. He claims his focus is on middle income Americans

he stated “…we have a very ample safety net and we can talk about whether it needs to be strengthened or whether there are holes in it…but we have food stamps, we have Medicaid, we have housing vouchers, we have programs to help the poor.”

30 years of Republi CON policies have swollen the ranks of the very poor. Willard if elected would take what’s left of the working class and move them to the ranks of the very poor as well. Once there he won’t need to be worried about them any longer either.

Not to worry I’m sure he’ll “strengthen” the safety net first. Republic Cons are so good at funding social services…

Illahee 2012 #3- Juliet Schor

tomdwyer — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:47:17 +0000

I’m Tom Dwyer,

Our economy is a tool created by people to serve people, but it’s become the master rather than the servant. What is your value as a human being? Are you more than just a consumer?

On February twenty-fourth, the Illahee Lecture Series’ next speaker will take aim at another Sacred Cow by questioning our role as mindless little cogs in our own economy.

Juliet Schor’s research over the last ten years has focused on trends in work and leisure, consumerism, the relationship between work and family, and economic justice. Her groundbreaking work suggests radical changes in how we think about consumer goods, the value of work, and even the ways we live our lives.

Please join us at Portland’s First Congregational Church, seven PM Friday, February twenty-fourth, as Juliet Schor skewers the next Sacred Cow of the two thousand twelve Illahee Lecture Series. And as always, just follow the links from our website for more information.

Humorousness- Because life’s no fun without a few laughs

tomdwyer — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:50:38 +0000

Welcome to our newest column, “Humorousness”. Like you, we get a few emails each month that make us smile… of course, we get a lot more that don’t, but we won’t send you those. You’ll see jokes and riddles, cartoons and pictures, pretty much anything that will bring a giggle. We’ll stay away from the raunchy or obscene, but humor is very subjective and if we DO run something that offends you, please remember that we probably weren’t trying to. And of course, if you have any chuckles you’d like to share with our audience, just email them to TomDwyer@TomDwyer.com. So now, with apologies where appropriate and without any further ado, we bring you the first installment of Humorousness! (And please, remember to tip your waiters and waitresses!)

10 guaranteed ways to start a fight…

One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift. The next year, I didn’t buy her a gift. When she asked me why, I replied, “Well, you still haven’t used the gift I bought you last year!” And that’s when the fight started…

________________________________

My wife and I were in bed watching ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ I turned to her and said, ‘Do you want to have sex?’ ’No,’ she answered. I then said, ‘Is that your final answer?’ She didn’t even look at me this time, simply saying, ‘Yes.’ So I said, “Then I’d like to phone a friend.” And that’s when the fight started…

________________________________

I took my wife to a restaurant. The waiter took my order first. “I’ll have the rump steak, rare, please.” He said, “Aren’t you worried about the mad cow?” “Nah, she can order for herself.” And that’s when the fight started…

_______________________________

My wife and I were at her high school reunion, and she kept staring at a drunken man sitting alone at a nearby table. I asked her, “Do you know him?” “Yes”, she sighed, “He’s my old boyfriend. I understand he took to drinking right after we split up, and I hear he hasn’t been sober since.” “My God,” I said, “Who would think a person could celebrate that long?” And that’s when the fight started…

________________________________

When our lawn mower broke down my wife kept hinting that I should get it fixed, but somehow I always had something else to take care of first. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point. When I came home one day she was seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched for a while and then went inside for a toothbrush. I handed it to her, saying, “When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway.” And that’s when the fight started…

______________________________

Saturday morning I got up early to go fishing, dressed quietly, made my lunch, and slipped quietly into the garage. As I backed out to hook up the boat, a torrential downpour started and radio said the weather would be bad all day. I went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed. I cuddled up to my wife and whispered, “The weather out there is terrible!” My wife replied, “Yes, can you believe my stupid husband is out fishing in that?” And that’s when the fight started…

_______________________________

My wife was hinting about gifts for our upcoming anniversary. She said, “I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 200 in about 3 seconds.” I bought her a bathroom scale. And that’s when the fight started…

______________________________

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security. The woman behind the counter wanted my driver’s license to verify my age but I had left my wallet at home and said I would have to come back later. She said, ‘Unbutton your shirt’, so I opened my shirt to reveal my silver chest hair. She said, ‘That’s proof enough for me’ and she processed my Social Security application. When I got home and told my wife, she said, ‘You should have dropped your pants… you’d have gotten disability too!’ And that’s when the fight started…

________________________________

My wife was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror. She was not happy with what she saw and said to me, ‘I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.’ I replied, ‘Your eyesight’s darn near perfect.’ And that’s when the fight started…

________________________________

I rear-ended a car this morning. When the driver got out of the other car, I saw he was a dwarf. He looked up at me and said ‘I am NOT happy!’ So I said, ‘Well, which one ARE you?’ And that’s when the fight started…