Hearings on the nomination of an Ambassador to Vietnam will take place, shortly. The National Alliance of Families is against the appointment of an Ambassador to Vietnam. There is no evidence of Vietnamese "Full Cooperation," on the POW issue, to warrant such a step.
Additionally, we are concerned that normalization with Vietnam, may be the result of an illegal act. Reports that a foreign interest group made a large campaign contribution to the Democratic National Committee, while lobbying the President Clinton to normalize relations with Vietnam must be thoroughly investigated. Until the Vietnamese "fully cooperate" on the POW issue and all questions as to the legality of normalization are resolved, there should be no ambassador sent to Vietnam.
Where are Woodward and Bernstein when you need them?
"The POW/MIA Protection Act" was introduced in the House of Representatives, Tuesday January 7th, 1997. H.R. 409 replaces last years H.R. 4000. This legislation would restore provisions gutted from the Missing Service Personnel Act of 1996, by the Mc Cain Amendment. The wording in H.R. 409 is identical to the wording contained in H.R. 4000.
The legislation was introduced by Congressman Ben Gilman (R-NY.) The original cosponsors are Congressmen Lee Hamilton (D-In.), Gerald Solomon (R-NY), Sam Johnson (R-Tx), Jim Talent (R-Mo.) and Paul Mc Hale (D-Pa).
The National Alliance of Families is proud to support H.R. 409 and we look forward to its passage and the day it is enacted into law. For this to happen, we need your help.
Please, Please, Please contact your congressperson and urge him/her to sign on as a cosponsor to H.R. 409 "The POW/MIA Protection Act." Send letter to your congressperson at: House of Representatives, Washington D.C. 20515. Or call them at 800-972-3524 or 202-224-3121.
We knew it was coming and here it is - Jan. 9th, 1997 - By Alan Elsner, Political Correspondent
"WASHINGTON (Reuter) - Republican Sen. John McCain thinks President Clinton is the best politician he has ever seen. The 60-year-old Arizona lawmaker, a Vietnam War hero and former prisoner or war, has good reason to study Clinton carefully. In an interview with Reuters, he said he has started to think about running for president himself.....
...First, he wants to win re-election to his Senate seat in 1998. "However, if after I am re-elected the situation appears that I could be competitive, I would give consideration to that," he said.....
...McCain got a mild rebuke from the Senate Ethics Committee in 1991 for his involvement in a savings and loan scandal, but that fall from grace is dwarfed by his war record. A Navy flier, he was shot down over Vietnam in 1967 and spent five years as a prisoner of war undergoing horrific tortures....."
Let's try this again in words so small and clear, that CIL-HI and Marine Headquarters can understand them. The piece of jaw bone recovered from the grave in Yreka, Ca., contains one (1) tooth and one (1) impacted wisdom tooth.
Kenny Plumadore's wisdom teeth were removed prior to his entry into the Marine Corp. This fact is reflected in his master records. In spite of this fact, CIL-HI and Marine Casualty insist that there is "reasonable" evidence to indicate that the jaw bone, found in the Yreka grave, represents the remains of Kenneth Plumadore.
In summary: Kenneth Plumadore had all his wisdom teeth removed. The jaw bone from the grave in California has one (1) impacted wisdom tooth. Therefore, the jaw bone can not belong to Kenny Plumadore.
We know our readers grasp the concept. However, CIL-HI and Marine Casualty are sure having a difficult time understanding it. Their disregard of facts and documented evidence proves what we've said all along. CIL-HI is more interested in naming remains than identifying them. In this case the Marine Corp is more than willing to cooperate.
Thanks to Bob Jones, and the Northeast POW/MIA Network for their efforts to place a POW/MIA Memorial in Meredith, New Hampshire. The memorial will be located in Hesky Park. We've seen the Number 1 design for this monument. It is an excellent choice, as it serves to remind us that we must never again allow the abandonment of an American Service Personnel.
Are scheduled for Los Angeles, Ca. on January 18th, 1997 and Colorado Springs, Co, February 22, 1997. If you haven't already registered, do it now. To register contact your casualty officer. In the past DPMO has allowed veterans and concerned citizens to attend these meetings, as observers.
Contact your casualty officer at :
Army ------- 1-800-892-2490
Navy ------------ 1-800-443-9298
Air Force -- 1-800-531-5501
Marines ----------1-800-847-1597
State Dept.- 1-202-847-8769
The National Alliance of Families Eighth Annual Forum is scheduled for June 19th - 21st, 1997. Once again, we will meet in Washington D.C. In order to make this Forum a reality, funds are needed. Please consider a contribution to The National Alliance of Families. The Alliance is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a charitable organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Remember: The National Alliance of Families is an all volunteer organization. There are no salaries or reimbursed expenses, at the Alliance. All moneys raised go back into the issue with our primary expense being the annual forum, which is open to all at no charge. Please consider a contribution to The National Alliance of Families. Donations may be mailed to The National Alliance of Families at P.O. Box 40327, Bellevue Washington 98015-4327
The next edition of Bits 'N' Pieces will be January 25th, 1997.
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