This is the final installment of the seven part series on the prospective IVAW Board of Directors – unless TSO decides to do an installment on Selena Coppa. We’ve seen four members of six who are more concerned with fund raising and being an activist anti-war organization than they are with being a veterans organization. Mr. Reinhold, however is so squishy that it’s difficult to tell what he thinks. <\/p>\n
He gives no definitive answers to any questions. For example when asked where he sees IVAW in 2,5 and 10 years, he writes;<\/p>\n
In two years the organization will still be pushing for an immediate withdraw from Iraq. Membership will grow based on this position. <\/p>\n
In five years the organization will be pushing for direct withdraw from Afghanistan. Membership will grow based on this position. The inclusion of Afghanistan veterans will have to be reflected in the organization or will need a branch off organization to meet this need. <\/p>\n
In ten years the IVAW will be large enough to support a possible merger with small organizations that will help us meet our collective goals without compromising our moral and just positions.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Huh? That’s pretty vacuous. But then he’s a teacher, what would you expect? Without the answer key, I’m sure he has difficulty with any questions. To his credit, he actually served in the military and served in Iraq;<\/p>\n
My service time in OIF III consisted of Apache maintenance and logistic support without, thankfully, direct engagement. My civilian background is in the visual arts and education. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He mentions outreach, but I suspect he means to build the number of activists and not to help veterans with their problems;<\/p>\n
The most pressing issues facing the organization are:
\n1)\tMembership: more outreach on bases, pr to active duty and reserves.
\n2)\tCreating a national bond between locals and members: time and action.
\n3)\tPolitical action: whether it be working with or deposing of politicians, IVAW should lead the way as an organization made up of people with national ties as strong as the military.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\nHe lists membership in countless unions along with VFP and ANSWER (yep, that ought to make the parents of his students feel better) so we can only guess at his intentions on the IVAW Board. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"