No question, we're fighting too many wars at too steep a price in blood and treasure. But however we may feel about those wars, we're obligated in every sense of the word to stand up for and assist those who do the fighting. The following comes via email:

Veteran’s affairs teach-in
We’re hosting an important educational event Tuesday (tomorrow) evening on veterans’ and military families’ issues. Robert Diamond, OFAVeterans Affairs Coordinator, will speak and take questions about ways the Obama administration has changed and improved veterans affairs, including outreach, medical care, pension security, and other matters. Marine Corps combat veteran Lt. Col. Mike Zacchea will join Robert Diamond to discuss his work as Associate Director of the University of Connecticut's Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities and other rehabilitative programs. Learning about and spreading the word what the Administration has done for veterans could be helpful in winning veterans' votes in key congressional districts in November.

Tuesday, May 11- 6:30-8:30pm
The St. Jean Baptiste Community Center 184 E 76 St.
RSVP here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/gp8qzk

Update: And while I'm at it, please support Netroots for the Troops - fundraiser upcoming. NFTT does fantastic work, among other things, sending care packages to our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While looking up events for healthcare reform, I came across this event on Organizing for America for Brent O'Leary for City Council in Queens:

NYC Council Progressive Candidate (Meeting)

Hi Everyone and thank you for all the work you did to get Barack Obama elected. I was one of the early superdelegates to go with Obama and organized Irish Americans for Obama in NY and now I need your help. I was inspired to run for office and am now on the ballot for New York City Council in Queens to represent the 26th District (Woodside, Sunnyside, Long Island City and parts of Astoria and Maspeth). I am the only progressive and am running against a machine candidates (who opposed Obama in the primary and has now used legal tactics to knock 2 people off the ballot). This will be a very close race and it is a good chance to get someone who believes in accountability and transparency in government in office. So if you have any time to volunteer for my campaign in the next 3 weeks it would be very appreciated and the first step for honest and effective government in NYC. Please e-mail me at volunteers26@gmail.com if you have some time to spare. thank you  read more »

During last year's election, a friend of mine from IND organized an amazing number of bus trips to Pennsylvania to campaign for Obama. I have no doubt that his efforts made a difference.

But it takes a particularly amazing organizer to KEEP organizing even after you win an election. And he is continuing his organizing efforts, this time on behalf of healthcare reform. We all complain that we wish Obama and the Democrats were fighing harder for healthcare reform. Well, the same applies to us. We have to fight for healthcare reform as well because so far the right wing extremists and their media pals at Fox News are dominating the discussion. Here is your chance to help seize the initiative for healthcare reform. This comes from an email from Tom:

We’re going back to Pennsylvania to campaign for health care reform.

Last year we were called to turn back the reactionary forces that had gripped our country for too long, and to win an election. I often told people that it was a war fought house by house, block by block. We won that war. But now we must win the peace, and that’s the hardest part.  read more »