Adam Levine of CNN has posted a new article concerning the Balad burn pit.  Concern of the effects of the contaminated air in Balad, Iraq has hit the desks of Congress as the medical problems of the veterans and civilians who were stationed in Balad, Iraq and exposed to the toxic emissions simply won’t go away:

Concerns about the effects of toxins emitted from burning trash at military installations in Iraq and Afghanistan have members of Congress demanding more tests and research.

The members of Congress want information from the military to see if there is statistical validity to complaints about illness and disease suffered by troops who served in those countries.

The Balad burn pit circa 2006

The emissions, from what are known as “burn pits,” have been a concern for troops, especially those who served at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq.

Many of the soldiers who went through Balad since the beginning of the war became used to “Iraqi crud,” as they dubbed the symptom of excessive coughing and black phlegm. Soldiers complained of respiratory problems and skin infections, and in some cases believe they developed leukemia and tumors from the exposure.

Here are some comments from Patriot Missive readers who have been exposed to the burn pit during their military deployments:

I was a civilian contractor assigned to Balad AB in 2005/2006. My office was near the pit. I remember inhaling the fumes daily and the concern of their effects on my health. The base was often clouded by the smoke from the pit. The pit was located right beside the main road which “Circled” the base.

I saw plastics and much more being burned in the pit. Large black birds would hover over the pits in search of food items or whatever was edible and didn’t burn. I would always attempt to hold my breath as I passed the pit even though the speed limit was around 10 mph on the base. Not a pleasant memory.

My husband as in iraq he was near the burning pit he was there from 2006-2007 my husband didnt have bronchitis before he has been very sick since he came back. I see my husband suffer with this medical condition every day he gets sick very offen im worried about him

Do you have concerns that you’ve been exposed to toxic chemicals while deployed to Iraq? Leave a comment.

Now that CNN has picked up on the story about the burn pit in Iraq, I expect other news outlets to follow suit (dammit!).  Simply put, this issue is important enough to pay attention to NOW instead of in 10 years when the after effects have taken its toll on the soldiers and civilians subjected to its poisonous fumes.  Bloggers have been talking about how toxic the U.S. military bases’ burn pit fumes for months.  Now we finally have major news outlet support:

For four years, the burn pit was a festering dump, spewing acrid smoke over the base, including housing and the hospital.

Until three incinerators were installed, the smelly pit was the only place to dispose of trash, including plastics, food and medical waste.

“At the peak, before they went to use the real industrial incinerators, it was about 500,000 pounds a day of stuff,” according to a transcript of an April 2008 presentation by Dr. Bill Halperin, who heads the Occupational and Environmental Health Subcommittee at the Defense Health Board. “The way it was burned was by putting jet fuel on it.”

A lawsuit filed against the burn pit operators, KBR, by a contractor alleges the burn pit also contained body parts.

A special thanks to CNN producer Adam Levine who took the time to speak with myself and others who were exposed to the burn pit during deployments and civilian job assignments.

The video below aired a few days ago on CNN with the follow up report posted just moments ago online. While I feel the video is sorely lacking in reporting the most common symptoms reported by soldiers (skin lesions, blisters, heart arrhythmias, breathing problems, etc), I think Adam Levine put it well when he wrote to me that he, “thought it presented the situation, the concerns of troops and the military’s response in a way to explain it to a general audience that knew nothing of the issue.”

[video]

Perhaps it is a good “introduction” video for the general population to what I hope doesn’t turn into the next “Gulf War Syndrome”.  We’re gonna keep riding this one until the bitter end.

ADDITION:

I also wanted to add I’ve experienced headaches and chest pains since returning home from Balad, Iraq in 2006 but have largely ignored as a simply stress associated with my deployment. I made an appointment with my local VA medical clinic to have it looked into in a few weeks (the first available appointment). I’ll post results as my symptoms may or may not be associated with exposure to the Balad burn pit.

I’ve written a lot about the Balad, Iraq burn pit (with my personal photos) that has poisoned the soldiers and civilians stationed next to it at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.  Questions are being asked my the soldiers who are reporting mysterious illness that are naturally being linked to the smoke plume that burned plastics, paint cans, BODY PARTS, and all other forms of nastiness 24/7.

We finally have an official response from the U.S. Army and, surprisingly, General Petraeus himself:

“As part of the on-going occupational and environmental health surveillance program, a second comprehensive study of the air quality at Joint Base Balad was conducted and the results will be published soon and help guide recommendations for the frequency and extent of future air quality monitoring,” Petraeus wrote.

He also said service members have health monitoring data included in their medical records.

The Joint Staff and other agencies will “continue to collect air, water and soil samples for scientific analysis in an effort to monitor potential exposure levels to our personnel and local Iraqis,” Petraeus wrote.

This quote by Petraeus tells us two things:  First, the military acknowledges the problem and is monitoring it.  Second, the military confirms that soldiers will have notations in their medical file which tells me that the military is willing to “bone up” to future health problems that could be linked to the burn pit.

My only concern is that the findings will NOT be representational of the air quality from 2003-2006 prior to incinerators becoming opperational and won’t be procide accurate data.  The only study (that we’re aware of) that was published is now classified by the military for “opperational security”.

More to come as I’ve been advised by a CNN producer that the burn pit story was finally publicised today on CNN at 4pm CST.  I wasn’t able to catch the broadcast but I’m on the hunt for the video online.  If you come across it, leave a link!

What I wish I could do to one more newscaster who mentions that stupid fucking CNN “hologram” from election night:

A question was just asked on CNN if voters seem more enthusiastic or energized than in previous election years. The simple answer is yes.  But I was musing exactly why the voters are more energized and I realized that it’s more complicated than it appears.

Here are the top reasons I think people are more enthusiastic this Presidential cycle than in the past:

1. Finally seeing an end to the Bush reign.
2. Voters are excited to elect the first African-American President, Barack Obama.  There’s a few key words being thrown around:  momentus and historic.
3. Second to electing an African-American as president is electing the first female Vice President.  It’s definitely a factor especially considering that Sarah Palin’s running mate, John McCain, has one foot in the grave already.  Which leads me to….
4. Electing the oldest man to take the presidential office.
5. Lastly, although my gut tells me it should be higher on the list, some voters are excited to elect AGAINST the first African-American president.

This combination of race, sex, and enthusiasm to change the current Presidents policy is making it the most exciting election year in U.S. history. I’m proud to be a part of it. Vote!

CNN cites a McCain campaign aid as saying that Sarah Palin is deliberately going off campaign message to spite her mismanaged roll-out.

Personally, I think they’re giving her far too much credit.  They shouldn’t confuse ignorance with “roguishness”:

McCain sources say Palin has gone off-message several times, and they privately wonder whether the incidents were deliberate. They cited an instance in which she labeled robocalls — recorded messages often used to attack a candidate’s opponent — “irritating” even as the campaign defended their use. Also, they pointed to her telling reporters she disagreed with the campaign’s decision to pull out of Michigan.

A second McCain source says she appears to be looking out for herself more than the McCain campaign.

“She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone,” said this McCain adviser. “She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else.

“Also, she is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom.“

Sounds like a good Republican to me.

Here we are from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.  The debate is moderated by Gwen Ifill.  I’m watching live on CNN international from Tel Aviv, Israel (All time stamps are in my local time).

The Patriot Missive chat room is open closed.

4:00 am: Nice jacket Gwen. Turquoise looks so much brighter at 4am.

4:03 am: Palin gets the “first name” nonsense out of the way right away during the opening handshake, “Can I call you Joe?”

4:06 am: Opening speeches were smooth and concise for both candidates. What a relief.

4:09: Palin is first to speak directly to the other candidate… “I respect your experience…”

4:11: How many times can Palin say “hockey Mom’s” and “Joe six pack” tonight? I see a drinking game in my future.

4:14 Here comes Palin’s resume. She lists tax cuts she’s spearheaded in Alaska. She’s cut off by Gwen.

4:16: If you close your eyes, Biden sounds a little like Bill Clinton.
Read the full story

The American economy is crumbling and all we can do is have public gay make-out sessions:

Here’s a link depot of interesting posts about what’s happening on Wall Street this week (because I can’t be bothered to write seriously on the matter after watching the video above):

• CNN uses the phrase “financial implosion” when describing Wall Street.
• McCain REALLY wants to change the economy.
• Obama REALLY wants everyone to think McCain’s a moron.
• Crude oil has fallen to $92 a barrel.  (Remember way back in July it was $144/barrel?)
• Lots and lots of pictures yesterday of the rabid media attack on the bankrupt Lehman Brothers.

Get this.

Apparently, CNN hurt China’s feelings and China’s taking it to the courts. Just like any red blooded American, they’re gonna sue:

Cafferty said the United States imported Chinese-made “junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food” and added: “They’re basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they’ve been for the last 50 years”.

Amusingly, they’ve worked out a sum of $1.3 billion. That works out to $1 per Chinese citizen. Don’t spend it all at one place.