Vote vets and a new vet group spreading national security/global warming message

[karynnj]

So far, the climate debate has largely focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, drafting an international climate change treaty and fostering new, cleaner sources of energy and so-called green jobs.

But for nearly two years, military and intelligence experts have been issuing studies warning that climate change could put American military personnel and national security at risk. Increasingly violent storms, pandemics, drought and large-scale refugee problems, they say, will destabilize regions and encourage terrorism. And American dependence on foreign energy sources will only exacerbate the threats and increase the likelihood of military action.
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This week, Operation Free, a coalition of national security and veterans organizations, is sending a group of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans on a 21-state, biodiesel-fueled bus tour to promote the message that climate change could hurt American security. The group was launched in August, a month after the House passed the climate and energy bill.

And Votevets, a left-leaning veterans group, bought $500,000 worth of radio ads featuring Iraq war veterans making the case that the climate bill would help the country become more energy independent and less reliant on oil from the Middle East.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28249.html

Good article for politico, but it is beyond strange that they refer to Kerry as "emerging as a key player". They apparently missed Boxer in 2007 calling him the "go to guy" in the Senate on this, his actions in Bali, his representing Obama informally in Poznan and the fact that he led the Senate effort since the beginning of the year!

[karynnj]

1. Votevets owes its start to Soltz being inspired by John Kerry , so it is cool seeing them together

on this. From an op-ed Jon Soltz wrote in Huffington Post earlier this year.

My personal story is even more directly tied to Senator Kerry. When I met Senator Kerry at the Pittsburgh airport in 2004 I was angry, upset, and lost. I had just returned from Iraq, proud of my service, but disillusioned with the misleading statements of President Bush that got us into the war and was keeping us there. Senator Kerry asked me how things were going in Iraq, and I couldn't contain myself. For 10 minutes, I spoke almost nonstop, all about how American troops needed his help. Finally, he stopped me, asked for my card and promised to call me the next day.

When he actually called I was shocked. This guy was busy. Why was he calling me? He said, "Jon, I'm calling you for one reason. I want to know if you will help me. When I was your age, I was just like you. I was young, I was angry, and I wanted people to listen to me. I think if you help me, you can make a difference in your country. Or, you don't have to help my campaign, but you can still make a difference in your country."

When we play war as children we play hero - winner. We don't fantasize about coming home and holding the powerful accountable. Even as we grow up, we still don't believe our voice can matter. Senator Kerry made me believe that even though I had no money or political connections, the opinions of Iraq war veterans would be important to the public debate -- just like his warrior voice had been heard the Vietnam Era.

That kind of inspiration may be Senator Kerry's greatest legacy. Because of his example and encouragement, I was able to find a higher calling than the path I was on. It inspired me to start VoteVets.org, which represents some of the country's most active veterans.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/john-kerrys-veteran-legac_b_189917.html

[karynnj]

2. kick