DoD New Strategy

[Guest guest]

Those on this listserv have already seen the outlandish, insulting and

trivializing comments made by DoD Spokesman Ken Bacon yesterday. The Army

memo on indemnification speaks for itself, and it is diametrically opposite

to the unsubstantiated statements on the vaccine's safety and effectiveness

that is routinely asserted by DoD officials. It is not, as some in the DoD

have claimed, legalese. I know legalese quite well. This ain't it.

At the revised DoD anthrax website, Major Guy Strawder, who runs the AVIP

officer, states the following in his newsletter:

" Much of the hand-wringing and bizarre allegations about the vaccine is

coming from a vocal minority of people who think the " field " is where a

farmer works and " Gortex " is one of the Power Rangers. Most of these folks

have never spent a single moment in harm’s way and have no appreciation of

what that sacrifice means—and they openly resent the limited budget currently

used to finance our nation’s defense. "

I don't know about any of you, but I certainly do not fit within these

categories. Neither myself or The Madison Project has any agenda,

either open or hidden. What we do wish is to keep the DoD honest. That is a

task in and of itself.

However, Major Strawder's comments reflect the new strategy of the DoD:

insult and disparage. Rather than engage in substantive debate, DoD will stop

at nothing to ensure the continuation of its program. This means we are

making headway. Keep it up. Get those letters in to Congress! Talk to your

local media! Disseminate the press releases JMP sends out. Talk to one

another. This is why DoD hates the Internet. It allows everyone to discuss

the program and share information, such as the Army indemnification

agreement.

By the way, if you want to register a complaint about Major Strawder's new

strategy, please feel free and e-mail him at:

maj_guy_strawder@...

I am sure he would welcome your comments. Oh, and do give him my regards.

Mark S. Zaid, Esq.

Executive Director

The Madison Project