Serve & Support Our Troops

A PETITION IN SUPPORT OF EASING THE BURDEN AND ENHANCING THE MORALE OF OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ

WE, THE WIVES, HUSBANDS, MOTHERS, FATHERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND LOVED ONESof the many U.S. soldiers now deployed in Iraq, and concerned citizens, the undersigned below,respectfully request the Senate and the House of Representatives,

I. To spur the administration toward continued negotiations inside the United Nations for the support of other countries in the peacekeeping efforts in Iraq and to not cease until our peacekeeping efforts are sufficiently internationalized.

II. To impel the administration toward the development of a new U.N. resolution that would createan unequivocal mandate and legitimacy for the international rebuilding and peacekeeping efforts in Iraq.

III. To instruct the Defense Department to reduce the length of rotation periods, when enough international peacekeeping forces are assembled to make such a reduction possible.

IV. To pass legislation or authorize spending for an increased communications infrastructure in Iraq that would make regular communication between soldiers and their loved ones at home both possible and easily accessible. This effort to enhance connections between soldiers and families would ideally include:
* more landline telephones per troop capita
* cellular telephone service available for the troops in all the major base areas (Mosul, Baghdad, an-Nasiriyah, Tikrit, Najaf, etc.)
* programs for reducing the costs of long distance phone calls to home
* break time for each soldier to make contact with their families and friends at home, under reasonable circumstances
* more internet cafes for each base and more computers connected to the world wide web per troop capita, which would at least include a secure but traditional web client (such as Internet Explorer or Netscape) and a messaging client (such as AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, or ICQ) and which would ideally include conferencing software (such as Netmeeting) and a webcam and microphone, for video communication
* availability of orientation programs on communication software that may be unfamiliar to some soldiers
* enhanced efficiency of mail service, with more postal stations and more personnel

V. To pass legislation or authorize spending which will insure that the necessities of the troops are met, including: plentiful supplies of clean and safe water; adequate protective gear for all patrolling troops and soldiers in environments conducive to attack; PX-like stations where common amenities are well stocked and may be purchased inexpensively; proper sanitation; air conditioners; and an ample amount of shower facilities.

VI. To pass legislation or authorize spending which would bolster the quality of life of our troops and make them feel more at home; such morale-boosting legislation or spending would provide for recreational activities, fitness areas, entertainment events, and educational programs, and would increase the soldiers awareness of news and current events at home.

VII. To pass legislation which would protect military families from financial crises which arise from unexpected or long deployments.

VIII. To encourage the military to develop programs which provide soldiers with confidential counseling and support (monitored by military personnel but ideally ran by civilian personnel) and which allow soldiers to freely discuss their thoughts and feelings without fear of reprimand. Such programs would not only help to address the stress and emotional trauma that many soldiers are facing, but they would also function as quality control programs which would inform the military from the inside of ways it might address internal problems in troop morale.


We, the undersigned, request Congress to serve our troops as effectively and respectfully as our troops have served our country.